Author Archives: The Bay Museum

Letter from Mildred Aldrich.

La Creste, Huiry

Couilly (S. et M.)

Esbly.

Dec 9 1914.

Commander

Bedfordshire L.I.

British Expeditionary Force

Sir.

From around September 3 to sunrise September 4, on the eve of the Battle on the Marne I had a picket guard from your regiment (Capt Edwards’ Company) in the road about my house, and although I did not know one of the men by name, I feel a personal interest in them and feel like trying to send a greeting to the brave boys so far away from home at Christmas time.  I am sending a package of cigarettes, some chocolate and playing cards which I ask you to add to your Christmas ** in memory of the days when they came here and of the trying days that followed, where from my garden I watched the battle between Panchard and Barry on the opposite bank of the Marne.  You will know how to distribute my humble little offering and pardon me sir, I am sorry for troubling you.  I wish I could sent a personal greeting to every one of the boys who lives to remember his visit back here, after the retreat, – & for that matter to every man in the field.

            Sincerely yours

                        Mildred Aldrich.

Prisoner of War postcard received 6th December 1944.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

Stamp. Postmark Little Lever Bolton Lancs. 6 DE 44. 

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 7754

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                                1068 Bury Rd.

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON Breightmet

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street  Bolton

                        Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

F/Sgt E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Lager-Bezeichnung:

            M.-Stammlager Luft 3.

Deutschland (Germany)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 12.10.44

Sweetheart.  Just another card to let you know I am still keeping well, and I hope that you are the same.  Give my love to your mother, and look after yourselves, won’t you.  This is all for now all my love to you Darling, and God bless you. I love you.  Your forever

  Ernest

 xxxxxx

Stamp of HEADQUARTERS HIGHLAND DIVISION T.F.

No. 4707 2 DEC 1914

NOTES ON THE USE OF PLANE TABLES AND LARGE

SCALE MAPS WITH ARTILLERY.

  1. The following notes are not to be taken as superseding any existing instructions.  They are only intended to explain the methods by which a plane table can be used for ranging in conjunction with a map on a sufficiently large scale.
  • If the position of the target can be located from information supplied from an aeroplane, it, and the position of the battery, can be marked on the map and the range and bearing from the magnetic meridian can be measured, and the line of fire given to the guns, or, if the map is mounted on a plane table and then oriented as described below, the line on the map joining the gun with the target will point towards the target, and will be the line of fire.
  • On all the Belgian 1/20000 maps the direction of the magnetic north and the angle which it makes with the true north are given, but it is always better to plot the direction of the magnetic north from a meridian when possible.  It must be remembered that the right and left sheet lines of a map are not true north and south, unless these sheet lines are meridians, which is by no means always the case.  It is not the case in the large scale maps of Belgium nor in the Ordnance Survey maps.  The meridians are by definition north and south, and when they are drawn across the map there is no difficulty.  In the case of the 1/20000 maps of Belgium the meridian lines are not drawn across, but in the “B” series the latitude and longitude is given in the margin.  A line joining any two points of the same longitude on the north and south margins will always point true north.
  • It is not possible to orient a plane table accurately by the sole use of a trough compass.  The orientation given by a compass must always be considered as an approximation only.  Not only is the local value of the magnetic variation always an uncertain quantity, but each individual trough compass has its own error, and, even if these sources of inaccuracy did not exist, the compass is in itself incapable of any exact setting.
  • Draw a north and south line across the map by joining corresponding longitude marks on the upper and lower sheet lines.
  • Set off the magnetic variation by a protractor from any convenient point on this line.  The variation is given on the margin of the sheet.
  • Set the long edge of the compass box along the magnetic meridian so drawn, and turn the table until the needle points to the centre mark.

The following rules should be observed in setting up a plane table for ranging purposes:-

  • Where it is possible to set up the table in prolongation of two well-marked objects, if the sight rule is put on these on the map and the table turned until the sight covers them, the table is then set.
  • But if no such opportunity occurs, set up the plane table as carefully as possible by the trough compass.  Then if the table is near any well-marked objects, draw rays to those objects, pace the distances, mark them backwards from the representation of the objects on the map, and the mean position may be taken as correct.  To complete the orientation of the table it is now only necessary to set a sight rule along the line joining the position of the table with any visible distant object marked on the map, and move the table until distant object comes on to the sight.
  • It there is no near object to measure from, proceed as follows: – Set up the table by the compass, and resect from three points which should be a mile or two away.  The method is given in Chapter XIV. (edition 1912) of the Manual (see Fig 19 and explanation).  Chapters VII. and IX. Of that Manual should also be carefully read.
  • The squares on the Belgian map only fix the position of a point within a square, the sides of which are 500 yards in length, though the descriptions N., S., E., or W., or N.E., S.W., &c., define it more accurately.   If greater accuracy is required the decimal system may be used.  The south-west corner of the smallest squares being taken as origin, and the sides of these squares being considered as divided into 10 equal parts, a point may be accurately defined.
                         A.

  Thus in this square the point “A” would be 6 3, six parts being measured along the southern and three parts along the western edge.  So far as is known this decimal system has been tried in the field, but has not yet been definitely adopted.

  • The following instruments and stores have been issued to all heavy batteries with the Field Army: –
  • Plane table.
  • Trough compass.
  • Sight rule or alidade.
  • One sheet of celluloid or gelatine for protecting the map from rain.
  • Pencils and indiarubber.
  • Indiarubber straps and drawing pins for fixing the map to the plane table.
  • Circular transparent protractors.
  • A wooden scale graduated to 10,000 yards on the 1/20000 scale on one edge, and 1/40000 scale on the other.
  • The following method of locating a target is possible under certain conditions, but the practical value of the system has not yet been proved on service, and it must be considered as being still in the experimental stage:-

Set up two plane tables at two known positions on the map and orient them by one of the methods explained above.  Each observer then fixes a pin in that point on the map which corresponds to his position on the ground, and pivoting the sight rule on the pin, follows the course of the aeroplane.  When vertically over the target the aeroplane gives a pre-arranged signal such as a sudden dip or smoke ball.  At this signal each observer draws a line along his sight rule which will then pass from his position through the target, and the intersection of these two lines fixes the position of the target.  The angles made between these lines and the line joining the positions of the two observers should be measured with a protractor, and communicated at once to each other and to Divisional Headquarters, who should also have a map on which the position of the plane tables in marked.

If the angle made by the two intersecting lines is much less than 30 degrees the error in the position of the target is likely to be considerable.  The best results will be obtained when the rays intersect at right angles.

Greater accuracy can be obtained when theodolites are substituted for plane tables, but the object in each case is the same, viz., to measure the angles made by the lines joining the observers and the target with the line joining the observers.

It is clearly desirable that in each case the observers should be connected by telephone, as it is then possible to make sure that the angles are observed at the same moment, but provided the signal from the aeroplane is unmistakable this does not appear to be absolutely necessary.

It is usual for the aviator to come down and indicate on the map the position of the targets he has observed.  It may happen, however, that although able to see the target he may not be able accurately to locate it on the map, owing to a lack of detail, either on the ground or on the map.  This would often be the case in open spaces such as Salisbury Plain, and, on scales smaller than 2 inches to 1 mile, the detail would often be insufficient to enable the aviator to locate his target on the map.  With good observers, the method just described should fix the position with considerable accuracy on maps on the 1-inch, or even smaller scales.  An observing section is now at the front equipped with plane tables and theodolites, and it is hoped that reports on the success attained will soon be available.

Another small advantage possessed by this method is that the position of the target is known at once without waiting for the return of the aeroplane, provided there is good telephone communication between the observers and Divisional Headquarters.

SECOND WORLD WAR

December 1944

(Britain)               

The Home Guard (Local Defence Volunteers) were an unpaid armed civilian militia, operational from 1940 to 1944. The “Home Forces” of the British Army was supported by the Home Guard. By the 20th May 1940 Germany had occupied France and reached the English Channel. Prior to this the British government realised the need to have some form of home defence. A radio broadcast on the 14th May 1940 by the Secretary of State for War Anthony Eden announced the formation of the Home Guard. Volunteers were called for to join the force with the statement, “You will not be paid, but you will receive a uniform and be armed”. Over 1.5 million volunteers responded who were not eligible for military service. These include workers engaged in reserved occupations, whose skills were of greater service to the nation at home. Also included were those too young or too old to join the regular armed services. Those available for military service were aged from 18 to 41. Approximately one in five volunteers were either in the civilian police or other civil defence organisations, such as the fire brigade. In case of invasion by the airborne forces of Nazi Germany, the prime role of the Home Guard was to act locally as a secondary defence force for civilians in their own homes. The Home Guard was formally stood down on the 3rd December 1944 following the successful landings in France and the drive towards Germany by the Allies.

The north of England, after the initial Luftwaffe bomb attacks of 1940 and 1941, saw very few German bombing raids. German bombers were required to attack the Soviet Union after Germany invaded Russia. Germany was in retreat on all fronts and as reprisal “Vengeance” weapons had been developed to attack the Allies. The first of the “Vengeance” weapons, were launched in June 1944. They were the V-1 Flying Bombs and the primary targets were London and the south of England. On the 24th December 1944 (Christmas Eve) 45 V-1 Flying Bombs were launched against Manchester. The V-1 was a bomb fitted with plywood wings and a jet-pulse engine that needed to be launched from a ramp but only had a limited range. Specially adapted Heinkel HE111 bombers, flying over the North Sea, launched the V-1s toward Manchester. After launching the V-1s the bombers returned to their bases in Germany. Of the 45 V-1s launched 14 fell into the North Sea and 31 crossed the Yorkshire coast. Only seven V-1s fell and exploded within central Manchester and a total of 42 civilians were killed. A further 109 civilians were injured.

The second of the “Vengeance” weapons were first launched in September 1944. The V-2 rocket was a long-range guided missile powered by a liquid-propellant rocket engine. The warhead contained 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) of Amatol explosive. The V-2 had an operational range of 200 miles (320 km) and a maximum speed of 3,580 mph (5,760 km/h). For the long-range trajectory the maximum altitude attained was 55 miles (88 km). The V-2 was virtually silent on impact as the rocket engine cut-out, not long after being launched, sending the rocket on a ballistic free-fall trajectory. Of the 1,152 V-2s launched against Britain, one V-2 Rocket landed and exploded on Canvey Island on the 30th December 1944. During the flight something must have happened and instead of reaching London, the V-2 landed and exploded into the marshy ground south-west of the island. Fortunately it missed the populated area and the only damage was to a barn from the blast of the explosion. Later ecavations located the detached warhead 300 yards away from the main body of the V-2.

(Belgium)

The Battle of the Bulge began on the 16th December 1944 when the Germans launched their surprise last major offensive of the war. Their brief was to advance through the Ardennes Forest and retake the recently opened port of Antwerp, thereby denying the Allies the port facilities. The offensive was to also split the Allied lines, encircle and destroy the armies of Britain, the U.S. and Canada. With success they would force the Allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis favour. Being preoccupied with the advance into Germany, the area west of the Ardennes Forest was lightly defended by the Americans using it as a rest area.

To the south of the Ardennes Forest is the town of Bastogne, which had a network of metalled roads leading to the Ardennes. By the 18th December 1944 Bastogne was surrounded by the rapid German advance. The defenders had been reinforced by the U.S. 101st Airbourne Division arriving by road in trucks. The defenders so stubbornly resisted that the Germans found it impossible to secure the vital crossroads around the town. Meanwhile bad weather had denied the defenders much-needed air support.

With the defenders of Bastogne halting any further German advance the skies cleared on the 23rd December 1944, allowing the Allied air forces to attack the enemy. Devastating bomb raids were launched at the German supply lines. American P-47 Thunderbirds attacked additional reinforcement German armoured vehicles and troops on the roads. Much needed supplies of medicines, food, blankets and ammunition were dropped for the Bastogne defenders. A military glider landed with a team of volunteer surgeons who began operating on wounded troops.         

By out-running their supply lines the German advance was effectively halted by the 24th December 1944. When it was suggested to Fuhrer Adolf Hitler to withdraw owing to shortages of fuel and ammunition Hitler rejected the proposal. On the 26th December 1944 the U.S. Third Army reached Bastogne ending the siege. The Battle of the Bulge finally ended on the 28th January 1945.

—

The Malmedy Massacre happened after the U.S. convoy of the 285th Field Artillery Observation Brigade engaged with the 1st SS Panzer Division on the 17th December 1944. The 1st SS Panzers were heading west from Bullingem and the U.S. 285th heading south from Hurtgen Forest toward Ligneuville, 2.5 miles south-east of Malmedy the two forces converged at the hamlet of Baugnez Crossing. The Germans immediately began firing at U.S. convoy. The 140 U.S. troops panicked and those who did not escape quickly surrendered. The 84 U.S. prisoners, including medical personnel, were searched, had their possessions removed, and executed in a field at the crossroads.

(Eastern Front)

Off the Estonian coast, the small Ruhnu Island was evacuated by the Germans on the 15th December 1944. The Germans had occupied Ruhnu Island since April 1941 when Estonia was liberated from the Soviet Union. With the German evacuation the Red Army reoccupied Estonia and Ruhnu Island on the 19th December 1941.

(Pacific)

U.S. prisoners of war (POW) were interned on the Philippines island of Palawan from August 1942. With the Allies advancing toward Palawan, to prevent their rescue, the Japanese issued an order for the Palawan Massacre on the 14th December 1944. Within the prison compound the Japanese had forced the POWs to build bomb shelters to house the prisoners. To achieve the massacre an air raid warning was sounded and the POWs entered the shelters. Of the 150 POWs 139 died when the entrances were doused with fuel and set alight. 11 POWs managed to escape with the aid of Filipino scouts and guerrillas. Convicted and hanged for war crimes on the 23rd February 1946, General Tomoyuki Yamashita accepted the full blame for the Palawan Massacre.

The island of Mindoro is located in the central Philippine islands. The Battle of Mindoro began on the 13th December 1944 and ended on the 16th December 1944.Japanese kamikaze attacks on the 13th December 1944 struck the U.S. Navy transporting the amphibious landing force. One light cruiser and two Tank Landing Ships (LST) were damaged, and several ships were disabled. Over 130 U.S. servicemen were killed and another 190 wounded during the kamikaze attack. On the 15th December 1944 the invasion of Mindoro began. Defending the island were 1,200 Japanese troops who were outnumbered and outgunned when 10,000 U.S. troops launched their amphibious landing. With clear weather the attackers were supported by the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Japanese resistance was minimal apart from kamikaze attacks which sank two LSTs. The island was secured within 48 hours apart from some final mopping-up. The Japanese lost 200 killed, 375 wounded and 15 captured. The remainder fled into the jungles and remained until the end of the war. The U.S. casualties were 151 killed and 271 wounded.

Typhoon Cobra was the U.S. Navy’s designation for a powerful tropical cyclone in the Pacific. As part of the Pacific typhoon season, the affected area was in the Philippine Sea east of Luzon. Cobra began forming on the 14th December 1944 when low pressure air sucked high pressure air into its path. The combination of low and high air pressure produced winds up to 160 mph (260 km/h).  Cobra finally dissipated on the 19th December 1944. The United States Pacific Fleet Task Force 38 (TF-38) had been conducting air raids on Japanese airfields in the Philippines. TF-38 was part of the U.S. Third Fleet. Whilst trying to refuel the ships of TF-38, Admiral William Halsey was given false information regarding the status of Cobra. On the 17th December 1944 Halsey ordered the Third Fleet into the centre of the typhoon despite warning signs the conditions were worsening. The outcome was that 790 sailors were killed, three destroyers sunk, nine other warships damaged and dozens of aircraft swept of the deck of their carriers. In hindsight the Third Fleet should have ceased refuelling TF-38 and sought shelter.

The Agana Race Riots occurred on the island of Guam on the 24th-26th December 1944. Guam is part of Mariana Islands in the Pacific. Tensions arose between White American Marines and African/American Marines. Over the three-day period a number of marines were killed on both sides, white and Afro/Amer The riots ended with the subsequent Courts-Martial of some of the marines involved. For further information, see the separate essay on the Agana Race Riots.   

(Other Areas)

The 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt was first elected in 1933 and by the time the U.S. entered the war in 1941 he was in his third presidency. War production under his administration was healthy.  With the war in the Pacific against the Japanese and in Europe against the Axis powers, Roosevelt decided to run for his fourth term of office. On the 7th November 1944 Roosevelt was re-elected and chose Harry Truman as his deputy.                       

Field Marshall Sir John Dill was a senior British Officer who served in both the Great War and Second World War. At end of 1941 British Prime Minister Winston Churchill posted Dill to Washington D.C. as his personal representative. He attended many conferences as Churchill’s representative. He was also immensely important in getting the Chiefs of Staff of both countries to function to joint satisfaction. He was particularly friendly with American General George Marshal and the two exercised a lot of influence on President Roosevelt. Whilst stationed in Washington, on the 4th November 1944 Dill died of Aplastic Anaemia. A memorial service was held in Washington National Cemetery as a mark of respect and affection he had earned. The route to Arlington National Cemetery was lined by thousands of troops including his friend George Marshall who was visibly stricken. Following a simple service at the graveside, American Joint Chief of Staff sent a message of condolence to their British colleagues. An equestrian statue of Sir John Dill was erected over his grave. His statue is one of only two at the cemetery, the other being Major-General Philip Kearny, a Union officer during the American Civil War. In 1944 Dill was posthumously awarded the American Army Distinguished Medal.

American bandleader Glen Miller formed his orchestra into a swing dance band in 1938. Glen Miller and his Orchestra enjoyed great success on the radio, records and films. At the height of his popularity he decided to volunteer his services to the war effort in 1942. He enlisted in the army and his ambition was to entertain the troops and raise money for the war effort. He was commissioned Captain Glen Miller.  He began his army career by radio broadcasting in America. In June 1944 Miller and his orchestra arrived in England to entertain the troops in Europe. He was promoted to Major and made an extensive schedule of appearances primarily at American air bases. In November 1944 Miller sought and received approval to move the orchestra from England to France. The Miller Orchestra was to be based in Paris which would enable them to broadcast their music and be seen in person. Miller was scheduled to fly to Paris and was on standby to board the regular flight on the 13th December 1944. Owing to bad weather in France the flight was cancelled as was the flight the following day. However, Miller learned that a Lt.-Colonel of the 8th Air Force Service Command was flying to France on the 15th December1944 and Miller was invited to join them. The single engine plane took off from England and was lost while flying over the English Channel and was never seen again. The orchestra crossed the channel by sea and conducted by Jerry Grey, the Major Glen Miller Army Field Orchestra appeared as scheduled on the 25th December 1944. Until V-E Day in Europe and in the Pacific the orchestra continued to broadcast until August 1945. In February 1945 Glen Miller was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and his widow Helen received it on his behalf. To this day the tune of “Moonlight Serenade” typifies Glen Miller’s music.   

In the English Channel, the Belgian transport ship SS Leopoldville was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of France on the 24th December 1944, with the loss of approximately 300 troops. Leopoldville was part of a six-vessel convoy transporting U.S. reinforcements for the Battle of the Bulge. For further information, see the separate essay on the “The English Channel”.

—————————————————-

                                                  THE V-2 ROCKET

November 1944

Thursday November 02, (20.52 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Thurrock, in River Thames. 20 Houses suffered slight damage.

Friday November 03, (00.50 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hornchurch, Essex. Fell in field. Very slight damage to houses. One Person injured.

Friday November 03, (10.30 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted River Thames, near Barking. One Person seriously injured.

Saturday November 04, (18.00 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Wakering, Essex. Rocket fell in minefield.

Sunday November 05, (12.30 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rainham, Essex. Fell on waterlogged land. No damage or casualties.

Sunday November 05, (16.37 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hornchurch, Essex (airburst). One House damaged by falling fragment. Further fragments fell in nearby Dagenham. One Person seriously injured.

Tuesday November 07, (09.00 hours) – Battery 444, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Canvey Island, Essex. Fell on marshland. No damage or casualties.

Friday November 10, (06.38 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 178), V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea off Clacton.

Sunday November 12, (00.10 hours) – Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ilford. Nine Persons seriously injured. Three Properties demolished.

Sunday November 12, (02.35 hours) – Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Noak Hill, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage to property.

Sunday November 12, (11.29 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Nazeing, Essex. Ten Dead, Seven seriously injured. Five Properties demolished.

Monday November 13, (04.27 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Warley, Essex. Rocket disintegrated before impact. Warhead fell in field. Two Persons injured.


Monday November 13, (04.45 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 181), V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham. Direct hit on railway sidings. 6 Sets of rail tracks either destroyed or heavily damaged. 12 Rail wagons & coaches destroyed, numerous others severely damaged. Two Persons seriously injured.


Monday November 13, (08.05 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 North of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea off Clacton.

Monday November 13, (22.11 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 168), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Langdon Hills, Essex. One person killed.

Tuesday November 14, (22.10 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rayleigh, Essex. Rocket fell in field. Slight damage to property. Eight seriously injured.

Tuesday November 14, (23.55 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 72), V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham in previously bomb-damaged area.  Twenty-three persons suffered light injuries, Two properties partially demolished.

Wednesday November 15, (05.35 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 72), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact Romford, Essex.  Two Properties demolished. Four Persons seriously injured. Air Ministry and Home Office records state this impact at 05:12 hours.

Wednesday November 15, (05.43 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Parndon, Essex. Fell in field. Farmhouse damaged. One Person injured.


Wednesday November 15, (09.30 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 72), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact North Sea off Southend. Air Ministry records state this impact at 09:19 hours.

Thursday November 16 (16.34 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted High Ongar, Essex. Fell in field. Moderate damage to farm buildings. One Person injured.

Thursday November 16, (07.32 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 183), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Romford, Essex. Twelve Dead, Thirty-two seriously injured. Twelve houses demolished. This was the only known launch from Site 183.

Friday November 17, (02.32 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 72), V-2 rocket fired, impacted gas works at Barking. Gasholder set on fire, and water cooling tower severely damaged.

Friday November 17, (04.45 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 72), V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham. Four persons Dead. Industrial buildings heavily damaged.


Friday November 17, (06.07 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 72), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wanstead (airburst). Rocket disintegrated before exploding. Fragments fell in neighbouring Snaresbrook and Walthamstow.

Friday November 17, (10.50 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 75), V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea off Clacton.

Saturday November 18, (11.12 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Stanford Rivers, Essex (fell in field. No damage or casualties) or Ilford, Essex (One dead, six seriously injured. ‘Dick Turpin’ public house demolished).

Saturday November 18, (16.02 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Theydon Mount, Essex (fell in field. No damage or casualties.

Saturday November 18, (22.27 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dagenham, Essex. Two Dead, Twenty nine seriously injured. Three Properties demolished.

Sunday November 19, (02.05 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Walthamstow. Direct hit on Anderson Shelter. Four Dead, ten seriously injured. Four Properties demolished. Factory damaged.

Monday November 20, (09.55 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted East Ham.  Nine Dead, Fifteen seriously injured. Seventeen Properties demolished. Water main fractured.

Monday November 20, (13.13 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Stapleford Tawney airfield, Essex. Slight damage, no casualties.

Monday November 20, (20.45 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 94), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Waltham Holy Cross (airburst).

Tuesday November 21, (05.30 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 94), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Purfleet, Essex (airburst).

Tuesday November 21, (11.53 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 94), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Little Waltham, Essex (fell in field. Slight damage, One person injured) or Walthamstow (Eight  Dead, Eight seriously injured. Four Properties demolished. Rocket disintegrated before impact).

Tuesday November 21, (15.10 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Laindon, Essex. Three Properties demolished. One Person seriously injured.

Wednesday November 22, (13.25 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex. Fell on marshland. No damage or casualties.

Wednesday November 22, (16.00 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Wakering, Essex.  One Dead, Four seriously injured. One Property demolished.

Wednesday November 22, (23.07 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 94), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dagenham. Fell on marshland. Slight damage.

Thursday November 23, (01.47 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, exploded high above West Ham (airburst). A component from this exploded rocket was blasted across the River Thames to Greenwich, where it crashed through the roof of a house and killed the occupant. This was the only casualty or damage resulting from the incident.

Thursday November 23, (19.25 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Foulness Island, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage, no casualties.


Thursday November 23, (20.08 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 94), V-2 rocket fired, impacted  Bowers Gifford, Essex (fell on rubbish dump, no damage or casualties).

In November of 1944, a new unit was sent to The Hague: Artillerie Ersatz Abteilung 271 (Artillery Replacement Detachment 271). Detachment 271 was originally formed to act as a buffer for the operational V-2 units. Throughout the greater part of 1944, they were responsible for training the new recruits in V-2 field operations, while at the same time, their members were available to supplement the existing operational units. On November 23, 1944, Detachment 271 was incorporated into Battery 444, its additional members helping to finally bring the unit to full strength. Battery 444 now comprised three operational firing platoons, a technical troop section, a fuelling section, and a target acquisition and radio section.

Friday November 24, (03.32 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Chigwell, Essex. Fell in field. Farm buildings damaged.

Friday November 24, (07.56 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Waltham Holy Cross (airburst). Houses damaged in nearby Cheshunt.

Friday November 24, (10.48 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Braughing, Hertfordshire (no damage or casualties) or Ilford, Essex (Five dead, twenty one seriously injured. Six Houses demolished).

Friday November 24, (10.48 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Braughing, Hertfordshire (no damage or casualties) or Ilford, Essex (5 dead, 21 seriously injured. 6 Houses demolished).


Friday November 24, (11.56 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 94), V-2 rocket fired, impacted on foreshore of River Thames at West Ham. 3 Persons seriously injured.

Friday November 24, (13.54 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Childerditch, Essex. Fell in field. No damage or casualties.

Saturday November 25, (11.24 hours) – Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Warley, Essex. Fell in meadow. Slight damage to 14 houses. 2 Persons injured.

Sunday November 26, (02.18 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea off Clacton.

Sunday November 26, (05.34 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ilford. Eight people killed and eight seriously injured. Three Properties demolished.

Sunday November 26, (10.46 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rainham, Essex. Fell on waste ground. Two people killed and thirty seriously injured.


Sunday November 26, (11.20 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Chigwell, Essex. One person killed and six seriously injured.

Sunday November 26, (12.50 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Walthamstow. One person killed and seventeen seriously injured.

Sunday November 26, (13.50 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Billericay, Essex. Exploded on contact with trees. 2 Persons seriously injured. Slight damage to property.

Sunday November 26, (17.30 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 73), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Cranham. Fell on waste ground. 2 Persons slightly injured. Slight damage to property.

Sunday November 26, (23.18 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Canvey Island. Fell in Holehaven Creek. No damage or casualties.

Monday November 27, (23.00 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Chingford. Fell in reservoir, resulting in damage to aqueduct. One Person injured.

Tuesday November 28, (21.53 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted East Newlands, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage to property.

Wednesday November  29, (03.07 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barling, Essex. Fell on marshland. No damage or casualties.

Wednesday November 29, (10.51 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Sandon, Essex. Two people seriously injured. Farmhouse seriously damaged.

Wednesday November 29, (15.09 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 73), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Bradwell, Essex. No casualties. Slight damage to farmhouse.

Wednesday November 29, (24.00 hours) – Battery 444, (Site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Leyton. Fell in park. 1 Person slightly injured. Slight damage to property.

Captain PC Benham Nov 44

1 Nov Wed

Not a bad day though cold and misty at first.  Nothing much happening in the Ops line on 1 Corps front – we are in Knocke!  Ops on Walcheren going well.  Here we may move to the Ghent area – good show if true.  Some V2s landed v close – one about 1500 yds away at 5.30 pm – some cas.  Busy day but quite enjoyable.  Only mail being welcome letter from Gerald.

To AJA (L.C.)                                    From G.

2 Nov

Infm Room – v dull day, long periods with sweet FA to do.  No news – KNOCKE entered!  Walcheren nearly clear.  Saw Doc who gave me more tablets for my p-ing disease.  Tim & Charles away to Brussels for their 48 hrs leave.

To A                                                    From A

3 Nov

Not awfully satis day.  Am in Charles office at 11.15 am – then to stamp dealer & drink at Century prior to lunch in C’s Mess – v comfortable.  After lunch went to see Pimpernel Smith but bloody thing cancelled out half way through.  Tea at Excelsior.  Haircut, couldn’t get a bath, saw end of P.S.!  then to start of dance & hitchhike back!  Back of bogwheel, shanks pony, jeep to door.  Arrived 8.45 dinner, ****, then on duty at 9.45.

To A                                                    From ECS, Men Only, L

4 Nov

Not a bad night – worked in about 3 ½ hours sleep – Went over to 104 (Timberwolf) US Inf Div HQ in the morning with Lyall – back here for lunch, a lot of V2s during day.  No mail.  Slept from 2 ocl – 5.30 then up and wrote A & BHK before dinner – after dinner finished off my letter to A and then had a fairly early night – no mail again today.  Bit chilly.  Tim & Charles back from their 48 hrs in Brussels.

To A                                                    From Nil

     BH Kent

5 Nov Sun

On duty at 9 ocl – not much happening – went to Church in evening – still ping ad infinitum.  Steve going off on an SD course at Camberley.  Battle practically all over now – big regrouping due at any minute.  Wrote L and then to bed pretty early.  Lot of V2s about.

To L                                                    From A, L.

6 Nov (Mon)

Absolutely sweet FA to do all day.  No excitements.  Not feeling too fit thoroughly fed up and far from home.  Long chat with Lyall in Mess after dinner and wrote A.  We move tomorrow for certain to area just South of Tilburg.

To A                                                    From Mrs TKD, Books AV.

7 Nov

Up at 8.45 having rather overslept – burnt my mouth at breakfast!  Tomato caught me on the wrong foot.  Left Brasschalt at 12 ocl after v early lunch.  Charles and I now fixed up a treat – got hold of super desk.  Terrific regrouping flaps in office.  New place not too bad though Tilburg very dull spot.  Charles & I went in there at 3.30 for an hour & had a look round.  Wrote A 5.30 – 6.45 then wash, dinner relieved John R – then on duty at 10

To A                                                                L

     JB                                                              B

8 Nov

Nothing much on today – slept very cold night in office & during day took things very quietly.  NTR in our part of front – Slept 2 pm – 4.45, relieved JR for dinner then to bed early.

To A                                                    From G

     Aunt Vi                                                    ECS

9 Nov

On duty all day – NTR.  To do most of Traffic Officer’s work for them – early start tomorrow am, at exactly 8 pm drank my W.W’s health – left office at 10.15 & had drink and chat with Tim.

To Nil                                                  From A Strand A.

10 Nov

Up at 0620 & out at Tilburg ‘East’ br at 7.30 after a good b’fast.  Very cold wet & miserable.  Got back to camp at 2.45.  Pottered – tea with Geoffrey Armitage.  Wrote after tea – drink with Tim in B Mess.  Feeling like death warmed up – must snap out of it.  on duty at 9.45 pm.

To A                                                    From Mags L

     Mrs TKD (£5)

11 Nov (Sat)

Fairly quiet night – pottering sort of day.  Wrote up notes on 1 Corps since D day for Wilson – G2 Educn – took whole morning.  After lunch walked over to Rear & back.  Then slept from 3.30 – 5 ocl.  After tea wrote A & L.  After dinner chat with Lyall then early to bed.  Wet day.

To – L                                                 From L

        A                                                         J. James

12 Nov (Sun)

On duty at 9 ocl – Sweet FA doing.  Wrote few days of War Diary.  Church in am.  Off from 6.30 – 8.15 – bath, wrote A & dinner.  Super letter from A.  Wet day.

To A (not finished)                           From A

13 Nov

On duty all day – very quiet – finished off letter to A after dinner, otherwise absolutely NTR – on duty at 10 pm.

To A                                                    From L

14 Nov

Quiet night – slept from 0130 – 0630 hrs – record.  Pottering sort of day.  Frigged around this morning – lost 18fr to Edward Rice at patience.  After lunch visit to fangsnatcher – tooth temporarily stopped.  Bought stamps in Tilburg from Poste Counter – after return super bath & hairwash before tea – wrote A before dinner.

To A                                                    From Nil

15 Nov

On Ops all day, absolutely Sweet FA to report – no mail from A – 12 Corps attack started & is going very well.

To Nil                                                  From PR, B.

16 Nov

On all day – Sweet FA to report again, no mail, poor show.

Must write to L, G, B, AD, PR, KD.

To A                                                                DF Baccy

London Opinion (L)

17 Nov

Left here for Brussels at 9.15 arr there at 11.30.  shop, lunch, shop, News Reel, Tea & then home in the pouring rain at 4.45 arr here at 7.30 – changed, dinner, and so on duty at 10 pm, very quiet night, slept from 1.30 – 6.30 nea so bad, lad.  Frightful atmosphere & got snorting headache.

To A                                                    From Nil

18 Nov (Sat)

On duty 9 – 10 pm.  After lunch excellent game of hockey v TILBURG.  We lost 7.3 (3) though they scored 3 in last 10 mins.  Shower & wash then back on duty – naughty mail.  Came off early at 8.30 – patience with Charles before a spot of letter writing.

To L                                                    From G, Ben Kent

19 Nov (Sun)

On duty all morning.  Excellent game v Tilburg again in afternoon.  Slightly scrappy at times.  We drew 1-1 (1) – Duty again after tea for short time then off to dinner.  Wrote A and went on til 10.30.  News very good, anything may happen.  MAIL at long last.

To A                                                    From A, L, JB, ECS.

20 Nov

Feeling very stiff again today.  Off during pm – letters, bath.  On between tea and dinner.  Off after dinner when I had excellent game of poker with Tim, Lyall, ‘Snatcher’, Ken and Fitz.  Won 80frs but had to pack up at 10 ocl for night duty.  Nothing much happening.  French on the Rhine near Basle.

To L                                                    From Mrs TKD

     Barclays Bank                                         B

     A (Parcel)                                                 Parcel L

Argosy L

Mags L

21 Nov

Inoculation.  Arm very stiff after it.  Went over to Army in morning & slept in afternoon.  Bath after tea.  Wrote good whack of letters before bed at 10 pm.  rained most of day.

To G                                                   From Nil

     A

     Peter Rawson

22 Nov

Filthy day – never stopped raining.  On duty all day – no news from our part of the world.  Alistair Gold & Ronnie Tilmi to tea.

To Nil                                                  From A

23 Nov

Martin away on leave 2 wizard letters from A sg.  Foul day & our hockey had to be cancelled – just as well really as Tim away with impetigo, Miles att to Civil Affairs & new G1 is going to Comd Essex (56 Bde 49 Div).  Off after tea – wrote A.  At 10 ocl came off duty – poker ruined by tight G1 etc didn’t win or lose.  Bed at 12.30 am.

To A                                                    From A 2, G.

24 Nov

Filthy day though it cleared up slightly at the end – Went down to Turnhout this am purchased flask 4711 E de C and Scent, apples and some stamps.  Got new b’dress from Q Stores.  Patience with Edward before & after lunch then to cinema with Charles & Edward.  Back at 6 pm after seeing v good film ‘ Adventures of Mark Twain’.

To A                                                    From Nil

25 Nov

On all day – Maps & info Room – not very much happening.  Tim relieved me at 9.15 pm and I got in a game of poker with ‘Snatcher’, Lyall, Duck, Tim and Ken Hurll – lucky last hand won me 105 francs.  Foul day again – rained all day – Martin Bunch new G1.  G1 left today.

To Nil                                                  From L, ECS, 2 lots paper L

26 Nov Sun

Lovely day for a change – on duty all day except for pm when I had excellent game of hockey against Tilburg.  Our team was John Wilcox – Tresling (Dutch LO – International), Burch, Douglas, Goodbody (OU) – Charles – friend of Charles, Hopkins, Franks (RN), Wilson (Edn), Self, Ted Woasdell.  Score at half time 0-0 – beaten 5.2 after excellent even game – scored 2.  New G2 either John Roberts (Martin’s choice) Jim Bingham (BGS choice) – self (old G1 choice) ? – Off at 10.15 pm – letters afterwards til midnight

To A                                                    From A

      L                                                               DF Baccy

27 Nov

Off duty and had lazy potting day.  Still no news of who will be new G2 – Slept in afternoon and attended Traffic conference from 6.30 – 7.30 pm.  On duty at 10 pm after ‘patience’ with Charles.

To Brian                                             From Nil

28 Nov

Bloody awful day.  Relieved at 7.45 am – b’fast and then out to BEST for Traffic control – out until 4.30 – no future in riding motorcycle this weather.  Got back soaked to skin at 6.15 good hot bath then on duty after dinner ‘til 10 pm.  Letters from home but nothing from A.  off for 48 hrs tomorrow.

To A                                                    From  L, G, B

29 Nov

Left T at 10.30 and got lift with Van Lacre.  Stopped for lunch at LOUVAIN and eventually arrived at Brussels at 2.30.  went to 214, Avenue Laurie where the Hs and Maurice Geeraerts were delighted to see me – Maurice will give me bed & b’fast the Hs other meals.  Went to films then excellent dinner and chat.  Film I had seen ‘T D &  Harry’ – Ginger Rogers.  Was shown some of the ‘sights’ of Brussels on way there.  Dinner – Soup – sardines, cold chicken, ‘cake’ sweet, coffee & brandy, wines with same.  Back at 10 ocl with Maurice, sleep after seeing his house – v dilapidated now, poor old M, so full of tales of woe but meaning none of them

30 Nov

Up at 8.45 – b’fast at 9.15 – porridge, toast & jam & tea.  Went to Credit Auvensoise & drew 1000 francs from bank.  Caught train with Mrs H & M at 11.30 for Waterloo – super lunch partridge each & chips – v good.  Excellent game of golf won 3 & 2 & 15 francs – wet under foot but a lovely day.  Back for dinner at 6.30 pm – soup, super mushroom omelette – mushrooms on toast then to Music Hall which was very good (second half better) – beer at a Sing Song place – & so back to 15 Rue Van Eyck.  Wrote A before going to bed.

To A

Locns HQ 1 Corps

LA DELIVRANDE

DOUVRES

BIEVILLE

Just S COLOMBELLES Factory

QUATRE PUITS (5 m W of ST SYLVAIN)

LA MOTTE (4 m W of LISIEUX)

LA MOTTE (12 m E of LISSEAUX)

BOIS INGER (just W BOURG ACHARD)

FOUCART (S of FAUVILLE)

MANDEVILLE (5 m W of BOLBEC)

SMERMESNIL (SE of DIEPPE)

Harbin area – SW of VALENCIENNES.

KEERBERGEN.

SANDTHOVEN.

TURNHOUT.

Camp de BRASSCHAET.

TILBURG.

Air Raid Damage Reports Brentwood Division Essex Fire Service November 1944.

Date                Time   Location         Damage

04/11/1944    18.05  Great              1 – Susp. Wasp exploded in minefield 400 yards E

Wakering       of Wakering Stairs Headway and 200 yards N of sea wall.  N.D.C.

04/11/1944    19.30  Hutton            1 – ‘Fly’ was shot down and exploded in field near

Bushwood Farmhouse causing slight damage to 13 properties but not casualties.

06/11/1944    17.53  Little Warley  1 – Susp. Wasp exploded in garden of bungalow in

Hall Lane causing 15 slight casualties.  3 bungalows demolished and slight damage to 20 others.

06/11/1944    20.35  Foulness       1 – ‘Fly’ exploded at Eastwick Farm nr farmhouse. 

                                    Island             No casualties.  Slight damage to farm buildings.

07/11/1944    09.08  Canvey          1 – Susp. Wasp exploded in field 60 yards East of

Island             Pantile Sluice and 1/4 mile N of Pantile Farm.  No casualties.  Slight damage to 2 houses and 9 shops at South Benfleet and to 1 house at Canvey.

09/11/1944    22.05  Warley            1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in Mount Crescent Warley

Mount.  Casualties killed – 3 (1f, 2c); slightly injured – 16 (6m, 6f, 4c).  Damage – Cat ‘A’ – 3; ‘B’ – 4: ‘C’ – 16: ‘D’ – 300.

10/11/1944    19.42  Foulness       1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in the air halfway between

                                                            Foulness Point and River Roach.  N.D.C.

11/11/1944    01.50  Great Warley 1 – ‘Fly’ (carrying leaflets) exploded in field 200

yards N of Arterial Road and 350 yards West of Warley Street.  No casualties.  Slight damage to property.

11/11/1944    13.00  Hadleigh        A British Meteorological instrument fell in Harvey’s

                                                            Coal Yard High Street.

11/11/1944    Unknown  Laindon  1 – Ux. A.A. Shell was found in field 75 yards East

of High Road (rear of ‘Fairview’) between Old and New Fortune of War P.H’s.  N.D.C.

13/11/1944    16.30  Crays Hill       A British Spitfire ( No B.5.FP8799) belonging to

North Weald Station crashed in a field 300 yards N of Crays Hill School and 1/2 mile West of Jackson’s Farm Billericay and was badly damaged.  The pilot F/Lt F.H. O’Neil (No. 1272382) aged 29 was slightly injured and conveyed to St Andrew’s Hospital Billericay.

13/11/1944    18.22  Hullbridge     1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in field 150 yards West of

Waddon Park Chase and 300 yards South of Lower Road causing 2 slight casualties.  2 bungalows were partly demolished and 38 others sustained superficial damage.

13/11/1944    22.15  Laindon         1 – Susp. Wasp exploded in the garden of a house

in Vowler Road causing 4 serious and 17 slight casualties.  4 houses demolished – 21 houses seriously damaged and 250 other properties ( including Group ‘F’ Group Centre) sustained slight damage.  60 people rendered homeless.  Electric cables and telephone wires also damaged.  EGG-Shaped Container Found.

13/11/1944    22.35  Billericay        No. 6345157 Gunner Herbert Mountford aged 22

single, of 449.66 Searchlight Regt. R.A. was on sentry duty at Searchlight Site Lawness Farm, when he discharged a round from a sten gun with which he was armed and received a gunshot wound in the head from which he died instantly.  The evidence points to possible suicide.  Inquest has been fixed to be held at Billericay Police Court at 11-30 hours on Wednesday 15.11.44.

14/11/1944    22.15  Raweth          1 – Susp. Wasp exploded in field 200 yards South

of Beak Hall.  No casualties.  Slight damage to property, telephone and electric cables.

15/11/1944    00.12  Rayleigh        1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in High Road 50 yards North of

the Weir Hotel.  A.129 High Road Rayleigh blocked between Crown Corner and Rayleigh Weir.  Casualties: killed – 3 (1m, 2f)  Seriously injured – 18 (6m, 12f) : Slightly injured – 14 (7m, 5f, 2c).  Damage  – Cat ‘A’ – 3 :  ‘B’ – 6 :  ‘C’ – 20 : ‘D’ – 180

15/11/1944    09.15  Foulness       1 – Susp. Wasp fell in sea off Foulness Island,

Island             approx. 3000 yards East of Wakering Stairs.  N.D.C.

17/11/1944    19.05  Foulness       1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in mid air between Rugwood and

                                    Island             Eastwick.  N.D.C.

17/11/1944    19.23  Rayleigh        1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in Raweth Hall Wood.  No

casualties.  Superficial damage to property.  Part of fuselage found.

17/11/1944    19.23  Hadleigh        1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in Church Road, 100 yards North

of junction with Woodfield Road.  Casualties: killed – 1 (m).  Seriously injured – 10 (2m, 8f) : Slightly injured – 6 (4m, 2f). Total 17 (7m, 10f).  Damage – demolished 7 houses and 1 hall, seriously damaged – 31 houses, church and building works, slightly damaged – 386 other properties.  80 persons rendered homeless.

17/11/1944    19.25  Foulness       1 – Ux. A.A. Shell was found at Hall Farm.  N.D.C.

Island

21/11/1944                Laindon         1 – Susp Wasp exploded in Durban Road. 

Casualties: killed Nil.  Seriously injured – 3 (1m, 2f)  Slightly injured  2 (f).  Damage – demolished – 2 houses, seriously damaged 4 houses, slightly damaged – 90 houses.  Electric cables and gas mains also damaged.

22/11/1944    15.05  Canvey          1 – Susp. Wasp exploded in River Thames 800

                                    Island             yards East of Chapman Lighthouse.  N.D.C.

22/11/1944    16.05  Great              1 – Susp. Wasp exploded on Seaview Estate. 

Wakering       Casualties: killed – 1 (c ) : Seriously injured – 4: Slightly injured – 6.  Total – 11.  Damage – demolished 2 houses, seriously damaged – 2 houses, slightly damaged – 50 houses.  Overhead electric cables and telephone wires also damaged. 

23/11/1944    01.00  Great              1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in mid air over Great Burstead

Burstead        village.  Casualties – killed – Nil, seriously injured – Nil, slightly injured – 3 (1m, 1f, 1c).  Damage – slight damage to 50 properties including an historic church.

23/11/1944    19.35  Foulness       1 – Susp. Wasp exploded 150 yards West of Quay

                                    Island             Farm.  No casualties.  Damage to farm buildings.

23/11/1944    20.15  Bowers           1 – Susp. Wasp exploded on Dust Shoot on

Gifford            Marshes.  No casualties.  Damage to office buildings, telephone wires and electric cables.

26/11/1944    13.50  Billericay        1 – Susp. Wasp exploded in NE corner of Mill Hill

Wood Queen’s Park.  Casualties: killed – Nil, seriously injured – Nil, slightly injured – 5 (1m, 3f, 1c).  Damage : demolished – Nil, seriously damaged – 2 properties, slightly damaged – 23 properties.

26/11/1944    15.45  Foulness       A meteorological kite (without balloon or

Island             instrument attached) was found in Foulness Road and deposited at Hadleigh Police Station.

28/11/1944    08.30  Hadleigh        A No.27 British Nose fuse was found in hedge

beside the London Road and subsequently handed to B.D.S.

28/11/1944    22.10  Foulness       1 – L.R.R. exploded in sea 1 1/2 miles East of

Island             Newlands.  No casualties.  Slight damage to property.

29/11/1944    03.12  Barling           1 – L.R.R. exploded on marshes at Barling Hall

                                                            Farm.  N.D.C.

30/11/1944    10.30  Foulness       2 – Sappers – George Gilchrist, No 14562145, of

Island             the 214th Platoon, 22nd B.D.S. and Joseph Levett, No 3454983 of the 219th Platoon, 22nd B.D.S. Royal Engineers, were killed as a result of a mine exploding whilst they were working on a minefield.

ORDERLY ROOM

B/5583

2nd Bn. THE BORDER REGT.

SOME NOTES ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE ORIGINAL 7TH DIVISION.

Nov. 1st.         On November 1st, the enemy again renewed his attacks and by mid-

day the whole of the line was heavily engaged, some ground had to be given but the front remained intact on the general line VELDOEK Cross roads – Farm 1 mile East of KLEIN ZILLEBEKE.

“  2nd.  An intercepted wireless massage this day announced the arrival of the Kaiser

on this front and as was expected, at about noon on November 2nd another desperate effort to break through was made by the enemy from the direction of GHELUVELT against the 1st Division and against the right of the 20th Infantry Brigade.

The attack succeeded in driving back the 1st Division and all its available reserves were used up without result.  The last reserves of the 7th Division were then sent forward to try and preserve the flank of the 20th Infantry Brigade.  The fighting this day was particularly fierce – the finest troops of the German Army, under the eyes of the Kaiser, hurled themselves in vain against the battered line of the 7th Division.

This was really the last big attack the enemy made – for although he continued to bombard and attack our line, it was only in a half-hearted manner.

Some idea of the severity of the fighting the Division had taken part in may be formed by examining the fighting strength of Brigades at this time.  The 20th Infantry Brigade was reduced to 18 Officers 900 other ranks; the 21st Infantry Brigade 13 Officers 910 other ranks; the 22nd Infantry Brigade 13 Officers 586 other ranks.

“ 5th.    On November 5th, the Division was relieved with the exception of the 22nd

Infantry Brigade which remained as a reserve for the

“ 6th.    1st Corps, and on November 6th this Brigade made a very successful counter-

attack at a critical period.  This Brigade was now so reduced in strength that one Battalion was formed out of the remnants of the Brigade, the 4 Battalions of the Brigade becoming Companies and the whole Battalion being known as No. 1 Battalion, 22nd Infantry Brigade.

“ 8th.    On November 8th the 22nd Infantry Brigade was finally relieved.

What the outside world thought of the doings of the 7th Division at this period

can be gathered from the following extract taken from one of the British papers at the time:- “There is no finer passage in the annals of the British Army that the world has known, than that which has been written concerning the deeds of the 7th Division and the 3rd Cavalry Division in Flanders.

30,000 strong, these two Divisions undertook the defence of YPRES, the key to CALAIS, until reinforcements should arrive.  Against them was arrayed the flower of the German Army, in the proportion of 8 to 1, and day after day this overwhelming force was hurled against our gallant band in vain.

When relief at last came, and the shattered remnants of the two Divisions were enabled to withdraw, there remained of 400 Officers of the 7th Division but 44, and of the 12,000 men but 2,336.  Those figures are more eloquent of the splendid courage of our men than any words.  Reduced to less than one fifth of their original numbers they still held out, YPRES remained, and still remains, uncaptured, and the losses of the enemy were vastly greater than our own.

Perhaps the most remarkable testimony to the vigour and accuracy of the British fire is conveyed in the words of a German Officer who tells us that the enemy believed that 4 British Army Corps were holding the positions actually maintained by less than one”.  

17A

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Royal Flying Corps       Indian Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.Q./21/1                                           21

Please carry out following reconnaissance on AVRO LILLE SECLIN DOUAI LENS AAA

Send report to R.F.C. H.Q. AAA  Cancel Capt Jackson’s message concerning Capt Cholomondeley.

From:

Place: Commanding No. 3. Squadron.

Time:  

(Sd) W. Salmond, Major. G.S.

Signature of Addressee

===========================

18A

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO G.H.Q.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.194.                                                21

Enemy biplane containing two German officers landed at Le Touret this afternoon owing to engine trouble and were captured AAA All quiet on front of Indian Corps.

Org C.G.S.

Copy I.

R.F.C

From: Indian Corps

Place:

Time:  5.4 0p.m.

18B

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Indian Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.Q.21/11                                          21

Please preserve German aeroplane intact AAA  Expert will inspect machine tomorrow AAA

From: R.F.C., H.Q.

Place:

Time:  7.45 p.m.

(Sd) W. Salmond. Maj. G.S.

Signature of Addressee

Prisoner of War postcard received 29th November 1944.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 7916

                                                                                    U.K. Postmark Little Lever 29 No 44.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON 1068 Bury Rd

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street Breightmet

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE          Bolton

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

3-9-44

Sweetheart.  Just a few lines to wish you very many happy returns of our wedding anniversary.  It is not such a happy one for you I am afraid, but I will make sure that the next one is much happier.  Well Darling how are you, I myself am as fit as the proverbial fiddle, and I hope that you are keeping well too, and that you are taking care of yourself.  Because when I get home again I am going to give the best time that you have ever had, and I don’t mean maybe.  How is your mother.  I hope that she is keeping well too.  Give her my love.  Also give my regards to Uncle Dick and the rest of them, and my regards to Uncle Arthur, Aunt Ethel and Ivy.  Also to all at Horwich and Breightmet, and don’t forget to give my love to all at Prestwich.  Well my Darling this is all for this time so I will say cheerio and God bless you Sweetheart and look after yourself until I come home again.  All my love to you dear I love you. 

Yours forever

            Ernest

xxxxxxx

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)