National Archives catalogue number WO 171/4306.
Abbreviation
|
159478 242000A AA AA & QMG a/c Accn Adjt Adv AFPS Airldg A/L Armd Arr Arty A tk Bde BLA BM Bn Br BRASCO Brit Bty Cas Cdn C-in-C CO Comd Comm Conf Coy CP DAA & QMG DDMS Def Det DF Dist Div DZ Engr Est Evac Fd FDS Gp Gren Gds HG Hy Incl Inf Instrs KOSB LAD LCT LO MG MR MT OC Offr O Gp OP Opp OR Pl Posn PW RA RAMC RE Ref Regt REME Rep RT RV SA SEAC Sec Sigs Sitnor SLO Sqn SS Tac R Tk TOA Tps Tpt Trg U/S Veh |
Map Reference 24th March, 2000 hrs Anti-Aircraft Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Aircraft Accommodation Adjutant Advance Army Film and Photographic Section ? Airlanding Airlanding Ambulance Armoured Artillery Anti-Tank Brigade British Liberation Army Brigade Major Battalion Bridge Brigade Royal Army Service Corps Officer British Battery Casualties Canadian Commander-in-Chief Commanding Officer Commander Communication Conference Company Command Post Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Deputy Director Medical Services Defence Detachment Defensive Fire Distance Division / Divisional Drop Zone Engineer Estimated Evacuated Field Field Dressing Station Field Security Personnel Group Grenadier Guards Home Guard Heavy Including Infantry Instructions King's Own Scottish Borderers Light Aid Detachment Landing Craft Tank Liaison Officer Map Reference Motor Transport Officer Commanding Officer Orders Group Observation Post Opposite Other Ranks Platoon Position Prisoner of War Royal Artillery Royal Army Medical Corps Royal Engineers Reference Regiment Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Representative Royal Tank Rendezvous Scottish Small Arms Special Air Service South East Asia Command Section Signals Situation Normal Senior Liaison Officer Self-Propelled / Starting Point / Support Squadron Special Service Tactical Reconnaissance Tank Time of Arrival Troops Transport Training Unserviceable Vehicle Crossroads |
Month and year : March 1945
Commanding Officer : Brigadier S.J.L. Hill, DSO, MC
1st to 5th March 1945
Place: Bulford
Bde HQ on leave.
6th March 1945
Place: Bulford
1700 - Conference Div HQ.
8th March 1945
Place: Bulford
1030 - Dining Hall Talk by Bde Comd.
1730 - Bde Comd addressed all Offrs & Sjts.
9th March 1945
Place: Bulford
Football - Def Pl vs Sigs. 1 - 3.
10th March 1945
Place: Bulford
1400 - Bde Comds briefing of all COs at Div Planning Room 1400 hrs - 1600 hrs.
11th March 1945
Place: Bulford
3 Coys 9 Bn, 1 Cdn Para Bn - para descents a.m. 3 sorties, Emplaned NETHERAVON. Bde HQ, 224 Fd Amb & 3 Para Sqn RE. p.m. 3 sorties, Div DZ. Refusals - 8 Bn. 2. DAA & QMG at Airfield Transit Camps.
12th March 1945
Place: Bulford
Maj Gen Ridgeway, Comd US 18 Airborne Corps called at Bde HQ. Bde Comd, Brigadier S.J.L. HILL, DSO, MC, awarded bar to DSO.
13th March 1945
Place: Bulford
Half 8 Bn half 9 Bn & casuals RE, made Para Descents from DAKOTAS. Emplaned NETHERAVON - DZ. Div. Drops - 09.30 10.30 11.30 12.30 hrs. Kitbag Tests carried out. Refusals - 9 Bn. 1. Hamilcar Loading Demonstration 1015 hrs, RAF Station, TARRANT RUSHTON. Conf Div HQ 1400 hrs.
0930 - 'A' Party - 9 miles route march.
14th March 1945
Place: Bulford
0900 - Conf Div Model Room, COs only.
1730 to 1800 - Run and Walk 'A' Party.
18th March 1945
Place: Bulford
0700 - Advance Parties left for Transit Camps. Bn Comds briefed Coy Comds. Div Model Room.
19th March 1945
Place: Bulford
1100 - Lt-Gen BRERETON, Comd 1st Allied Airborne Army visited Bde HQ.
20th March 1945
Place: Bulford
Main Bodies moved to Transit Camps. HILL HALL - Bde HQ, 8 Bn, 1 Cdn Bn, 224 Fd Amb. MUSHROOM FARM - 9 Para Bn.
21st March 1945
Place: Bulford
1100 - Offrs & ORs Briefing began.
0900 - Maj-Gen Crawford called at HILL HALL.
1700 - Bde Comds address in Camp Cinema at 1700 hrs.
22nd March 1945
Place: Bulford
0900 - Bde Comd left by C.47 proceed to brief Glider Pilots.
0930 - Bde HQ - Route March.
1445 - Div Comd visited and addressed and Tps taking part in Operation VARSITY/PLUNDER.
23rd March 1945
Place: Bulford
0800 - All Tps fitted chutes and loaded containers on to A/C at CHIPPING ONGAR Aerodrome.
24th March 1945
Place: Hill Hall Transit Camp, Chipping Ongar
0445 - Left Transit Camp by MT for CHIPPING ONGAR Aerodrome.
0700 - Emplaned.
0801 - Over ALTAIR.
0813 - Cape Griz Nez.
0835 - Bethune.
0912 - Wavre.
0924 - Diest.
0938 - Maarheeze.
1000 - DZ.
1030 - Bde HQ RV'd 159478
1130 - Cdn objective taken.
1445 - 9th Bn objective taken.
1440 - 224 Fd Amb opened Map Ref 157471.
1500 - 8 Bn objective taken. Casualties enemy est 200 dead 500 PW. Own Casualties Fair.
1525 - Captain ?? Royal Scots contacted this HQ. Reported to Div.
1545 - 44th Lowland Inf Bde contacted this HQ. Brigadier The Hon H.C.T. CUMMING-BRUCE, DSO HQ 44 Inf Bde.
1537 - 8 Bn est at 164473.
1530 - Bde HQ est at Map Ref 157471. 9 Bn est at Map Ref 162464.
1400 - 1 Cdn Bn HQ est Map Ref 157472.
1735 - 2 Shells landed in vicinity 157422. Believed own guns firing short.
Place: 157471
1845 - Rep 44 RT Bde reported Bde HQ.
1800 - 375 PW escorted to PW cage 44th Lowland Div.
2105 - LO from KOSB called.
1900 - Major H. STEWART OC 5 AFPS called. Mr. Colin Wells - News Chronicle. Lt INSALE - Land Elements reported.
2300 - Considerable Aerial activity in area - presumably German Night Fighters attempting to interfere with bridging operations on RHINE.
25th March 1945
Place: 157471
0100 - DZ under fire.
0400 - SP Battery arrived Bde HQ area.
0530 - Heavy enemy mortaring in general area.
0555 - Sitnor - 9 Bn.
0600 - 'C' Coy 1 Cdn Bn heavy mortar and SA fire. Enemy appear to be forming up for counter attack. 8 Bn report road cut behind them.
0610 - 8 Bn report that they reached objective as in Phase III by 2300 hrs. Patrols sent out as detailed. Severe enemy opposition in WEST. Road cut behind them.
0620 - 1 Cdn Bn report enemy tanks on road.
0650 - OP reported direct hit by Arty DF.
0655 - 1 enemy fighter plane shot down over Bde HQ area (ME 109).
0700 - Capt HARRINGTON reported SP Gun and MG at Target 473 now quiet. House on fire. Gunners now dealing with inf.
0730 - Wireless Comm resumed to 8 Bn after 11½ hrs silence.
0800 - 8 Para Bn reported on objective area 185474 by 242000A.
0900 - Bde Comd proceeded to Div.
1130 - Div Comd called at Bde HQ.
1230 - Brig VILLIERS 44 Inf Bde called at Bde HQ.
1730 - 101 PW sent to 44 Lowland Bde Cage.
1800 - Bde Comd reported to Div.
1800 to 1900 - Bde HQ area shelled and mortared.
2135 - Bde HQ area shelled.
2336 to 2347 - Enemy aircraft flying low over DZ.
26th March 1945
Place: 157471
0017 - Bde HQ area shelled.
0030 to 0035 - Visit of Div LO.
0300 to 0320 - Intermittent shelling Bde HQ area.
27th March 1945
Place: 157471
0400 - Sigs reported that line to Div was working.
Place: 206466
0900 - Bde HQ left for new location - took over from 513 Regt at Map Ref 224458 and moved from there to Map Ref 256466. 194 A/L Right 507 Regt on Left 513 Regt in centre. 8 Bn from 3rd Bn (US) - 9 Bn from 1st Bn (US) 260462. 1 Cdn Bn from 2nd Bn (US).
2359 - Bde Comds conference at 2359 hrs at 256466. Comd Cp and Adv Party in occupation.
0900 - Main Body of Bde HQ moved up.
1000 - All 3 Bns successful in reaching Bde objective ahead of schedule. 8 Bn proceeded on tanks. SAS tps in Armd Cars exploited success. 9 Bn suffered cas from SP Guns and at one time surrounded. Situation cleared by 1500 hrs. General GALE, OBE, DSO - Div Comd at Bde HQ.
Place: 393498
1700 - Walked to Map Ref 393498 - 5 Para Bde passed through 3 Para Bde units with ERLE as objective. 2300 hrs ERLE reported as taken. Intermittent shelling of main roads.
28th March 1945
Place: 393498
1000 - Main Sea Party and Land Elements arrived. Bde HQ incl Comd Post, Bde HQ, Def Pl, 3 Airldg A tk Bty followed 8 Bn - 9 Bn - 1 Cdn Bn on line of march. ERLE mopped up by 5 Para Bde. 3 Para Bde formed spearhead of attack on Div axis ERLE - RHADE - LEMBECK. Severe enemy opposition. 3 Bn attack put in. Approx 200 PW taken.
29th March 1945
Place: 393498
1200 - Bde Comd received Silver Star.
Place: 462511
Bde Comd Post est at 462511.
Place: 473514
1000 - Bns consolidated posns in LEMBECK. Bde HQ spend day resting.
30th March 1945
Place: 473514
0900 - Bde HQ left by MT - objective CREVIN. Route 473514 - LEMBECK - KL REKEN - Gt REKEN - COESFELD - (SP) BILLERBECK - ALTENBERG - GREVIN. TOA: 2300 hrs. Approx Dist: 40 miles.
Place: 908886
2300 - Little opposition.
31st March 1945
Place: 908886
1100 - Area shelled spasmodically and sporadically - Airbursts. Enemy threat - general STAND TO.
Place: 975902
1300 - Comd Post moves to 975902.
Month and year : April 1945
Commanding Officer : Brigadier S.J.L. Hill, DSO, MC
1st April 1945
Place: Greven
1300 - 906885 Comd Post moved over river to FARM MR 977907. Class IX bridge over river rendered U/S for MT after 3rd veh of Armd Recce unit had passed on to it. Inf with light weapons proceeded to objective (Bridges 977893 and 982906 over DORTMUND - EMS Canal). Hy AA and 88mm inflicted cas on marching tps. SP guns and air burst shells used by enemy. 1 Cdn Para Bn took LADBERGEN (MR 001930) opposition 20 mm flak guns, 2 x 88mm guns.
2200 - Main Body of Bde HQ arrived MT and marching.
2nd April 1945
Place: 977907
0730 - Remainder Bde HQ arrived.
1000 - Hostile guns active - eventually silenced by our arty. Bridge over canal at MR 978893 under reconstruction opened by 2300 hrs. Road conditions bad.
1100 - Corps Comd called at Bde HQ.
3rd April 1945
Place: 977907
1040 - Moved MR Farm 977907 by MT to WISSINGEN 322071.
Place: 322071
2030 - Arrived WISSINGEN. Weather Showery - Hail and Rain. Tac R & Air Sp impossible. Bde Gp with 1 sqn tks under comd moved tactically from 977907 to WISSINGEN. PW - 60. Estimated enemy dead - 50. MT destroyed - 20. Horse Tpt destroyed - 50. AA Guns destroyed - 10. PW mainly from services - morale low.
4th April 1945
Place: 322071
0930 - Route 322071 - WISSINGEN - SCHLEDEHSN - WAHRENDORF - HARPEN FELD - BAD ESSEN - HOLZHEN - BLASHEIN - LUBBECKE - EILHAUSEN - BOLHORST 791093.
1600 - Bde HQ halted BOLHORST. Leading tks halted 1 mile SW of MINDEN - engaged by enemy tank (Panther) and 4 smaller SPs - direct on turret 3 of crew killed.
1630 - Three ME 109s over area.
1755 - One friendly Thunderbolt shot down. Enemy opposition in town. Bridges over R WESER reported blown. 8 Bn & 1 Cdn Bn occupy objectives in town by 0035 hrs 5 Apr.
|
MT Destroyed Horse Tpt destroyed Guns destroyed PW est |
- 50 - 15 - 20 - 350 |
5th April 1945
Place: 791093
0900 - Left BOLHORST for MINDEN. Bde HQ est 0930 at MR 809107.
0930 - IO sent to recce bridges over EMS - WESER Canal. Several blown one discovered OK one slightly damaged both fit for tks and tpt. Main bridges over WESER to EAST blown. Span approx 120 ft - 60 ft on WEST side U/S. 60 ft EASTERN side piers standing. US Engrs recced bridge with view of superimposing Bailey Br.
Place: 809107
1200 - Bde Comd's conference - all COs. Areas allotted, Routes & Timings given.
1315 - Recce Party moved off for 737139 HARTUM.
1600 - Main body moved off for HARTUM. Weather cloudy. PW 41.
6th April 1945
Place: Hartum
0900 - 2 British jet propelled planes seen in action over front for 1st time. Def Pl mopped up area. Check on civilian houses re equipment. Day devoted to internal economy.
1700 - Bde Com attended 'O' Gp at Div HQ. PW during day - 100.
7th April 1945
Place: Hartum
0900 to 1200 - Interior economy and packing.
1300 - 'G' left 737139 for new location.
1400 - Bde HQ left HARTUM for new location. Route - HARTUM - HOLZHAUSEN - TODTENHAUSEN - PETERSHAGEN (Class IX bridge over river) LAHDE - RADERHORST - WIBDENSAHL - MUNCHAGEN.
Place: Munchagen 987280
2130 - Spent night in this location - last two miles presented considerable tpt difficulties - mud axle deep, jeeps only, able to negotiate stretch at first. LAD recovered all vehs by 0900 hrs 8th.
8th April 1945
Place: Hartum
0900 - Left MUNCHAGEN - SACHSENHAGEN - BOKELAU time of arrival 1415 hrs. Germans still guarding French PW surrendered on our arrival.
Place: Bokelau 119257
Bde's objective Bridge at RICKLINGEN 2027 reported that at 0900 hrs Recce Unit (15 Scottish) were well astride bridge. RE det fired upon from gun W of LUTTE 1727 - 1 Cdn Bn halted in WUMSTORF - from Bde Comd's view at 166268 - gun identified as PANTHER, 2 mins "stonk" of LUTHE - one coy 1 Cdn Bn right flanking - remainder 1 Cdn Bn adv from hy close MG fire and smoke from 1 Sqn 4 Gren Gds - Smoke and "stonk" very accurate - PANTHER made gateway and only few PW were found in LUTHE. Advance continued and all went well until road at 194267 was shelled from the EAST side of the bridge. Doubt arose as to origin of fire. Est that it was enemy and therefore fears arose as to fate of recce force. Under gun fire and Besa fire from tanks at 192268 1 Cdn Bn advanced quickly along ditches across the open ground and along the bank of the road to the bridge where under their own smoke they crossed just in time to see the Panther pull out with three other tanks. The recce carriers were found, some untouched others blown up, crews were seen to come from neighbouring woods, 10 were missing and presumed PW. Recce sustained no other casualties. Having fought two battles and taken two objectives the bridge was handed over to the American Cavalry Corps who had lost 1 tank destroyed and 1 or 2 other vehs due to shelling during take-over. The Autobahn bridge at 219261 had been blown up, PW 217.
9th April 1945
Place: Bokelau
Day spent in resting and re-organisation. PW 50.
1100 - Corps Comd called.
1800 - 'O' Gp at Div HQ.
2030 - 'O' Gp - Bn Comds at Bde HQ.
10th April 1945
Place: Bokelau
1030 - Bde Gp left BOKELOH. Order of March -
|
Tanks 9 Para Bn |
8 Para Bn Bty 25 Fd Regt RA 1 Cdn Para Bn Bde HQ |
25 Fd Regt less 1 bty 3 Para Sqn RE 'B' Ech |
SP Rlt rd junc MR 151275. Tps by tpt as far as METTEL 232405 - debus route. BOKELAU - WUNSTORF - NEUSTADT - SCHAREL - NEGENBORN - BRELINGEN - MELLENDORF - WENNEBOSTEL.
Place: Wennebostel
1600 - Arrived new location. 100 PW. Weather perfect. Casualties NIL.
11th April 1945
Place: Wennebostel
Grid lines 30 - 40 EASTINGS )
Grid lines 40 - 55 NORTHINGS ) Cleared by 15 (S) Recce Regt and 1 coy 1 Cdn Para Bn.
PW 186 - sent back to Div Cage.
1930 - 5 JU 88s flew over Bde HQ at 150 ft No attempt to bomb or strafe.
12th April 1945
Place: Wennebostel
8 Bn engaged on wood clearing in support of 11 Armd Div. Tps encountered from Chemical Warfare School, CELLES thrown in as infantry with task of locating spearheads of our advancing armour. Approx strength 80-100 armed with Panzerfaust SA and 1 bty Nebelwerfers in support. No arty No tanks. PWs captured 488509. Woods area S of WINSEN 4756 cleared by 8 Bn STEINFORDE 4352 taken. Difficulties in operation owing to BELSEN Concentration Camp negotiations. 150 Brit PW released 70 Germans taken.
13th April 1945
Place: Wennebostel
Area BISSENDORF 403839 suspected pocket of resistance case investigated by FSP with 1 Pl 9 Para Bn. Two leaders taken - 1 escaped after arrest. Matter reported to 8 Corps. Further investigation 14th.
1300 - Div Comd called.
1800 - Bde Comd's conference.
14th April 1945
Place: Wennebostel
0830 - Bde HQ left for CELLES area.
1530 - Bde HQ left WENNEBOSTEL for new location in CELLE area.
Place: 550478
1830 - Arrive Map Ref 550478 - Convoy slow owing to heavy traffic over one way bridges and bad road surfaces. Forest Fires N & S of road FUHRBERC MR 550478.
15th April 1945
Place: 550478
0100 - LO reported from Div HQ with details of current day's move.
0800 - Reps from Bns reported to Bde HQ for instrs.
0830 - Advance Parties left for UELZEN area.
1630 - Bde Gp left for ESCHADE.
2000 - Arrived ESCHADE MR 689629. Route 550478 - CELLE - ESCHADE 689629.
2030 - 1 ME 110 over area engaged by our fighters and AA without success.
16th April 1945
Place: Eschade 689629
0800 to 0845 - Recce Gp under DAA & QMG left. Bde Gp moved from ESCHADE.
0950 - Bde HQ Gp crossed start line and proceeded along divisional axis. Weather conditions perfect. Route ESCHADE - SCHELPLAHN - detour woods WEYHAUSEN - BREITENHEES - STADENSEN.
Place: 897790
1245 - Arrived STADENSEN - Village on fire - area extremely battle scarred after clash between 15 (S) and SS Tps. Many tanks and SP Guns KO. Heavy toll of Recce Domestic and Adm vehs of 15 (S) Div.
1500 - IO investigated slit trench at MR 897788. Trench 5ft wide 5ft deep, Wooden superstructure contained 5 Males, 7 Females, 2 Children (F).
1700 - Left STADENSEN.
1730 - Arrived MR 940815. Route STADENSON - METTELKAMP - BOLLENSEN 940815. 8 Bn cleared WIEREN 9780 - opposition slight.
17th April 1945
Place: Bollensen
0400 - Comd Party left along axis LEMKE - HANSTEDT - RATZLINGEN - RIESTEDT - MASENDORF - MOLZEN.
0640 - RATZLINGEN reported clear - taken by 9 Para Bn supported by 1 Cdn Bn on tanks. Occupied by bty 88mm dual purpose guns which had arrived day previous. Under fire 1 bty nebelwerfers.
0730 - Div Comd called.
1000 - RIESTEDT cleared by 1 Cdn Bn.
1500 - MASENDORF & MOLZEN cleared and occupied by 9 Bn est enemy cas 100 killed. PW 205. Own cas slight. PWs from Battle Gps 233 BISMARK POTSDAM. HGs, Artym Marines & Chemical Warfare personnel all thrown in as infantry. Elaborate German Wireless Station at MASENDORF discovered by chance after troops had been there 16 hrs.
17th / 18th April 1945
Place: Ratzlingen
Night - Fighting patrols of 8 Bn & Bde HQ Def Pl sent out from 9 Bn area to contact patrols of 11 Armd Div and to cut roads leading from N of UELZEN. Patrols successful PW 500 several enemy guns and vehs "Brewed Up". Day spent in re-equipping etc.
19th April 1945
Place: Ratzlingen
0900 - 9 Para Bn moved from 945947 to MR 975939. Areas vacated taken over by 44 Bde 15 (S) Div. PW taken during day 61 OR - 3 Offrs.
1200 - Check of all male civilians between ages 15-50. Negative results. No suspects.
20th April 1945
Place: Ratzlingen
0845 - Bde Comds Conference re future programme Bde HQ. Capt WILSON 1 SS Force, 1 Cdn Trg Unit reported HQ 3 Para Bde for duty as SLO.
2135 - Focke Wulfe dropped 3 light calibre bombs & 1 Hy calibre bomb on house on NE side of RATZLINGEN X rds - Billets of 8 Para Bn cas approx 8 killed 20 wounded. Cas evac to 225 Fd Amb and thence to 24 FDS.
21st April 1945
Place: Ratzlingen
1000 - Adv Parties left for new location.
1400 - Main Body left for new location. Route - RATZLINGEN - UELZEN - MELZINGEN - EBSTORF - OITZFELDE - VELGEN - EITZEN 805078.
1545 - Arrive EITZEN 805078. Weather cloudy and showery.
22nd April 1945
Place: Eitzen
0830 - Bde Comd's Conference - Future policy and trg. 8 Bn reported in new area. Brigadier SJL HILL, DSO, MC celebrated 2nd anniversary as Comd 3 Para Bde. Lt AS PHILP left to take up appointment as 2IC 'A' Coy 8 Para Bn.
23rd April 1945
Place: Eitzen
Bde Gp re-equipping and resting. Adjt 9 Pb 2IC 1 Cdn Bn made recce for MG Concentration & Mortar Shoot.
24th April 1945
Place: Eitzen
Training Routine. Bde Comd inspected Def Pl, Sigs & Sig Equipment, Bde HQ Def Pl and MT.
25th April 1945
Place: Eitzen
0830 - Bde Comd inspected 3 Bns Adm Pls and 1 Rifle Coy per bn assisted by REME Team. MT and German Vehs also inspected.
26th April 1945
Place: Eitzen
MMG and Mortar Competition both won by 9 Para Bn.
27th April 1945
Place: Eitzen
1430 - Div Comd called.
28th April 1945
Place: Eitzen
0800 - Recce Parties left for area NE of LUNEBURG.
1100 - Major HEMPHILL Cdn DAA & QMG arrived from UK.
1700 - COs Conference Bde HQ.
29th April 1945
Place: Eitzen
1000 - Left EITZEN 805078 for NEETZE.
Place: Neetze
1200 - Arrived MR 933227. Weather very cold and windy. Many refugees N - S in horse drawn vehs.
1730 - 'O' Gp Div HQ.
1930 - Bde Comd's Conference. ROUTE: EITZEN - BIENENBUTTEL - WULFSTORF - VOLKSTORF - REINSTORF - HOLZEN - NEETZE.
30th April 1945
Place: Neetze
Weather cloudy showery and cool.
0530 - Considerable air activity over bridgehead at LAUENBURG.
1100 - Bde Gp left NEETZE area. Order of March : 9 Bn - 1 Cdn Bn - 8 Para Bn - RE - Bde HQ - 3 Airldg A tk Bty less 3 tps. - 224 Fd Amb - B Ech Tpt. ROUTE : NEETZE - JURGENSTORF - HITTBERGEN - BULLENDORF - BASSENDORF - Class IX Bridge LAUENBURG.
1700 - 1st unit on Bridge.
1900 - Arrive LAUENBURG 900347 - 200 PW No.6 Bn Lanz - 38/2 Bn Schmoldt.
1930 - Brs Class IX & 40 attacked by ME 109s - engaged by Spitfires and AA one ME shot down.
2330 - All Bn objectives taken, casualties slight.
|
Bde HQ - BOIZENBURG 8 Para Bn " 9 Para Bn - 1 Cdn Bn BAHLENDORF |
) ) 9835 9636 0135 |
PW 188 OR - 12 Offrs from 2/SCHMOLDT Bn No.6 LANZE. B Ech vehs remained in LAUENBURG 8834 night 30 Apr/1 May. Bde HQ moved from MR 900347 to 985354.
Month and year : May 1945
Commanding Officer : Brigadier S.J.L. Hill, DSO, MC
1st May 1945
Place: Boizenburg
0045 - Arrived BOIZENBURG.
0730 - Bde HQ moved from BOIZENBURG 985354 to BOIZENBURG Town Hall 992352.
0930 - 8 Para Bn & 1 Cdn Bn contacted US Troops on our right flank.
1730 - Bde Comds 'O' Gp.
1735 - General RIDGEWAY Comd 18 US Corps called Bde HQ.
2nd May 1945
Place: Boizenburg
0515 - Comd Gp left BOIZENBURG on Divisional Axis. 1 Cdn Para Bn, 8 Para Bn, 9 Para Bn. Weather conditions - good - early morning mist. Route:- BOIZENBURG - MEU - ZAHRENSDORF - CAMIN - WULFSTUHL - LEHSEN - WITTENBURG - PUTTELKOW - BODDN - LUTZOW - GADEBUSH - MUHLEN EICHSEN. Distance - 50 miles. Estimated PWs, 10,000 "flushed" and passed along Divisional Axis. Roads crowded with PWs and Refugee Traffic on foot, on horseback and every conceivable kind of Motor Transport. Morale extremely low. Many High-ranking Offrs taken. 3 Panzer Army - 25 Corps & 32 Corps.
Place: 455946
1600 - Column arrived at WISMAR.
1900 - Div Comd called.
2000 - Linked up with Russian Forces - 3 Tank Corps of 70th Army.
3rd May 1945
Place: Wismar
0900 - Russian General & high-ranking offrs at Bde HQ. BRASCO and jeep drivers took approx 450 PW from area 416964 cleared for 8 Para Bn.
1500 - 8 Para Bn moved to Map Ref 416964 - no incidents.
4th May 1945
Place: Wismar
0900 - COs Conference at HQ 3 Para Bde.
5th May 1945
Place: Wismar
General Staff took over responsibility of Civil Affairs.
0900 - Bde Comd & BM visits Russians opp our sector. Field Marshal Montgomery reported to the Supreme Allied Commander that all enemy forces in North West Germany, Holland and Denmark including Heligoland and the Frisian Islands had surrendered to the 21st Army Gp with effect from 0800 hrs Sat, 5th May 1945.
6th May 1945
Place: Wismar
1100 - Divisional Church Parade.
7th May 1945
Place: Wismar
Field Marshal Montgomery KCB, DSO, C-in-C 21 Army Gp met Marshall Rokossovsky C-in-C Byelo-Russian Army Gp.
1. Commander in Chief Byelo-Russian Army Gp. Marshall ROKOSSOVSKY
2. Chief of Staff Byelo-Russian Army Gp. Col Gen BUGOLUBOV
3. Member of Military Council Byelo-Russian Army Gp. Lt Gen SUBBOTIN
4. Assistant to Marshall Rokossovsky. Lt Gen SANAVA
5. Comd of Air Force B.R. A Gp. Col Gen VERCHININ
6. Comd Artillery B.R. A Gp Front. Col Gen SOKOSKY
7. Assistant Chief of Staff B.R. A Gp. Maj Gen VINOGRADOR
8. Commander 3 Tank Corps B.R. A Gp. Lt Gen PANFELOR
8th May 1945
Place: Wismar
Ceremonial Guard mounted in Town Square WISMAR 1000 hrs by 8 Parachute Bn. Peace Treaty signed in Berlin by - KEITEL, FRIEDEBURG, STUMPF, SHUKOW, TEDDER. Witnesses - General SPATS - US Airforce. De Jagre de Massigni - French.
9th May 1945
Place: Wismar
0001 - Cease fire - All Fronts.
11th May 1945
Place: Wismar
1100 - Victory Parade by 3 Para Bde Gp. Greys. Def Pl HQ 3 Para Bde. 'J' Sec Div Sigs. 8 Para Bn. 9 Para Bn. 1 Cdn Para Bn. Played by Pipe Band 6 Seaforth Highlanders.
1800 - Social visit to Bde HQ by Brig EAGGER, RAMC, DDMS Airborne Corps & Brig HICKIE OBE, AA & QMG.
2000 - Bde Concert on LICHTSPIELE Theatre, WISMAR.
13th May 1945
Place: Wismar
IO visited BARTH PW Camp (38 km east of ROSTOCK).
1830 - Football Match Bde HQ v "C" Sqn Greys. Bde HQ 4 - Greys 1.
14th May 1945
Place: Wismar
1700 - Recce Parties, 30 All Ranks from 5 Brit Div, 13 Inf Bde arrived.
15th May 1945
Place: Wismar
1000 - Bde HQ "Holiday". Filmshow.
1300 - Motor tour to fresh water lakes at KLEINEN via SCHWERIN and KLEINEN.
1900 - Bde Comds Party for All Ranks held in Comd Post.
17th May 1945
Place: Wismar
0730 - Bde Advance parties left WISMAR area for LUNEBURG Airfield - proceeded from there to UK by air.
1430 - Bde Recce Teams 1 & 2 left WISMAR for LUNEBURG. Route:- WISMAR - MUHLEN EICHSEN - GADEBUSH - LUTZOW - BODDIN - PUTTELKOW - WITTENBURG - LEHSEN - WULFSTUHL - CAMIN - ZAHRENSDORF - NEV - BOISENBURG - LAUENBURG - LUNEBURG.
Place: Lunenburg
1830 - Arrived at Cavalry Barracks LUNENBURG. Distance 90 miles.
1800 - CO's Conference at Bde HQ.
18th May 1945
Place: Lunenburg
1000 - Bde Gp left WISMAR in MT for Cavalry Barracks LUNENBURG - No accommodation - night spent in open near Airfield.
1230 - Recce Team left LUNENBURG for SULINGEN - Staging Area No.2. Route:- LUNEBURG - AMELINGHAUSEN - SOTTAU - FALLINGHOSTEL RETHAM - EYSTRUP - HASEL - WESELOH - SULINGEN. Distance - 101 miles.
19th May 1945
Place: Luneburg
Bde Air Party left LUNEBURG Airfield in C47s. LUNEBURG - to Hartford Bridge Flats - CHILBOLTEN - NETHERAVON. Main Road Party left LUNEBURG for Pegasus Staging Area No.2 - SULINGEN - did not get as far as River WESER that night - stayed en route and pushed on for staging area No.3 GOCH following day.
1000 - Accn team passed through SULINGEN en route for GOCH. Route:- SULINGEN - REHDEN - DIEPHOLZ - REININGEN - ENGTER - HALEN - IBBENBUEN - RHEINE - METELEN - AHAUS - STADTLOHN - BOCHOLT - REES - CALCAR - GOCH. - 165 miles.
20th May 1945
Place: Sulingen
0530 - Recce Party No 2. left SULINGEN for GOCH.
1200 - No. 2 Party arr GOCH and contacted No.1 Party.
1300 - No. 2 Party left GOCH for LOUVAIN. Route:- GOCH - VENLO - ITTERVOART - BREE - PEER - HECHTEL - SOURG LEOPOLD - DIEST - LOUVAIN. Distance 140 miles. Weather thundery after 1830 hrs. Main Veh Party from unknown harbouring area - proceeded to GOCH Staging Area No.3.
21st May 1945
1600 - Bde Veh Party proceeded from GOCH to LOUVAIN Staging Area No.4. Weather showery. No.1 team called in en route to OSTEND. Weather cloudy with intermittent rain showers.
22nd May 1945
0730 - Bde Gp Veh - Vehicle Party left LOUVAIN Staging Area for OSTEND. Route:- BRUSSELS BY PASS - ASCHE - ALOST - GHENT - DEYNZE - LICHTERVEDE - OSTEND. Distance 120 miles.
1330 - Bde Gp Tpt arrived OSTEND - 111 Transit Camp.
23rd May 1945
Place: Ostend
Bde Gp MT Party spent day at 111 Transit Camp OSTEND awaiting shipping orders.
24th May 1945
Place: Ostend
0300 - Bde Gp left 111 Transit Camp for CALAIS.
1000 - Arrived CALAIS. Route:- OSTEND - THOUROUT - GITSBERGHE - YPRES - POPERINGHE - CASSEL - ST OMER - ANDRES - CALAIS. Distance 100 miles.
1230 - Embarked 4 LCTs - 2¼ hrs crossing to DOVER.
1400 - 2 LCTs set sail for DOVER, remainder followed later in the day. 1 Cdn Para Bn by boat train. 8 & 9 Para Bn by LCT.
1630 - Proceeded to Staging Camp DOVER.
0600 - SEAC Party proceeded on 28 days leave, BLA (Ardenne) personnel on 14 days leave. BLA (German Campaign) personnel on 9 days leave.
25th May 1945
0900 - Bde HQ left DOVER Staging Camp for BULFORD BARRACKS. Route: DOVER - CANTERBURY - MAIDSTONE - IGHTHAM - SEVENOAKS - REDHILL - DORKING - GUILDFORD - FARNHAM - BASINGSTOKE - ANDOVER - BULFORD.
1830 - Arrive BULFORD CAMP. Distance 110 miles.
26th May 1945
Day spent in Vehicle Maintenance.
0830 - Para volunteers - party of 9 (7 Bde HQ & 2 Sigs) proceeded to HARDWICK on pre-para training course.
27th May 1945
0900 - Bde Comd and BM left for NORTHOLT Aerodrome to proceed to COPENHAGEN by Air, to attend Conference at HQ 1 Para Bde. Medical Inspection of Bde HQ, Def Pl & Sigs Sec prior to leave.
28th May 1945
0600 - Bde HQ party with exception of Team 2 Admin Party proceeded on leave.
1930 - Bde Comd and BM returned via NETHERAVON from COPENHAGEN.
31st May 1945
Personnel 1 Cdn Para Bn & 1 Cdn Trg Unit left Bulford Sidings for Cdn Repatriation Depot COVE. 1410 hrs - 1610 hrs - Div Comd & Bde Comd present. Military Band RA Trg Regt LARKHILL in attendance.
