S.O Book 136 ½

Jan 45

18 Jan

Not a very pleasant day – wet and windy.  Got practically no sleep at all last night due to uncomfortable bed etc.  Took morning very quietly.  After lunch went over to 18 Armd Car Regt to fix details for tomorrow’s recce.  On duty from 5 – 10 pm.  Good show this morning when mail came in.  Shan’t be late to bed tonight.  Russians still cracking ahead.

To L                                        From A, L, G, B.

19 Jan

Bloody awful day – weather shocking.  Left here with Cdr Masterman & 4 others at 9.30 am & did our tour of front in bitter wind and at times driving hail and snow.  Finished just after 6 ocl at BERGEN where we had dinner with the Navy + several drinks.  Left  for home in a young blizzard at 9.15 pm and spent some time trying to find rd out from Bergen – broke down 4 miles from BREDA and had to walk to nearest phone – Corps sent a vehicle out to pick us up and I hit the hay just before 2 am!

To Nil                                      From A, G.

20 Jan Sat

Laid in until 9.30 and then had to prepare report on yesterday’s recce.  On after lunch – hardly anything happening.  John Scott going to SEAC, GSO 1 Combined Ops – poor old Tim (v lucky really).  Early to bed.

To A, A (LC), G, L (LC)       From   A}

L} delayed.

21 Jan Sun

On in morning and after tea – very little happening – On duty tonight.

To Nil                                      From Nil

22 Jan Mon

Tim returned.  Took morning very quietly – not a bad night but couldn’t get to sleep – Up at 6.30 am.

On after lunch – off at 5.15 and then frigged around until 7.30 when I relieved Tim for ¼ hour.  Super dinner (Mess dinner night)

Gin & orange

Sherry

Had both                    {Oysters or                            }

{Spratts on toast                   } Champagne

Salmon pâté                          }

Lamb, mint sauce, peas,    }

roast spuds

Angels on horseback

Fruit Salad

Dessert

Coffee

Brandy

Bed at 1030 with bucket beside just in case!  (Not needed)

To Nil                                     From A.

23 Jan Tuesday

Overslept – missed b’fast but was on duty at 9 ocl.  Very little cooking – after lunch walked down to BREDA Gen HQ and after tea over to TILBURG Gun.  Now getting v excited at thought of Saturday.

24 Jan Wed

No entry.

25 Jan Thurs

Off today.  Until return a summary of the day’s activity only will be given.

26 Jan Friday

Left Calais at 1400 hrs.

Arr Harwich at 830 pm.  SUPER SHOW arr no 5 after taxi ride with John Stephens at 11.10 pm.  eggs and bacon long natter and so to bed.

27 Jan Saturday – Home

Up late – Gerald home – snowy and cold – out after tea to see Bill and Dorothy then back for drink before dinner – long natter afterwards.

28 Jan Sunday

Still snowy and cold.  Didn’t go out until lunch – excellent lunch and tea with Bill and Dorothy.  Back at 5.45 pm for ‘local’ sherry party attended by Nyna & Stanley, Beat, Busby and Ruth – left at 7.20.  natter after dinner.

29 Jan Monday

Coffee this morning with Nora and Dot.  Drink at Cups with A.  Lunch N & R after which rushed to no 5, packed and caught 2.44 to London – Taxi to the Cumberland – tea then out to Simpsons – drink, dinner, Menseynem news reel – back to C then tea before going up to bed.

30 Jan Tues

Missed breakfast but had a bite at 10 v good – very slushy and much warmer – shop walking and then to the Acropolis for an excellent lunch.  Walked again & to R.P. M***** til tea time – tea at ? – then back to C, changed and then to an excellent show ‘Sweets and Lover’ – Hermoine Gingold & William Kendall.  Dinner at 9.30 at the Majorca.  Tea at C before going up to bed.

31Jan Wed

Up earlier this am – good b’fast after which more shop-walking bought some stamps and A changed her blouse.  Went to White Tower for a super lunch – nice Yahought – v good.  After lunch walked up Strand then taxi back to C, picked up bag and to Great Eastern for tea.  Caught 5.6 to Colchester arr Ox Rd at 7 pm.  all ***ved gone today.

1 Jan (1945)

Flap right on went round sectors and generally had busy day – no mail again.  Read and to bed early – nothing else  to report.  Very cold again.  ? move tomorrow to Baarle Nassan.

To Nil                                                 From Nil

2 Jan (1945)

Preparations to move tomorrow (postponed again) – all packed up & ready to go – personally I think its balls and doubt whether we shall move at all.  News much better – LEAVE this month!  Some mail but nothing from Eileen.

To A                                                                From L 2,G

3 Jan (1945)

Handed over BREDA Garrison to 102 LAA Regt – awful rush til 1200 hrs by which time everything was in apple pie (?) order!  Left with Tim at 1230 and arrived in Brussels at 3ocl – found M & Mde H & Maurice in great form after chat went to Film Saw La Mademoiselle a disparu – (Maid’s night out) – quite funny then back to listen to Gramophone and then a long dinner & so away –

Menu              Main Soup

Pork

Super Sweet (Choc pud)

(Red wine & Champagne)

Arrived back at 0100 hrs – very pleasant change.

To Nil                                                  From Nil

4 Jan (1945)

Back to Ops again today – On duty til 5 pm – then from 8.15 – 10.15 pm.  Absolutely bumper mail – 3 wizard letters from A and from L, G and B.  Nothing much to report today from the battle – Jim Bingham goes away tomorrow – Rozzer goes away on the 16^th – good show!  V1 going over v low now (11.15 pm).

To A, G                                              From A 2!  L 2, G 1, B 2, ED 1.

5 Jan (1945)

Lovely day – off in afternoon and had a knock round the local golf course with Charles – took my no 6 and 3 balls.  Nothing of interest to report today – on night duty and didn’t get to bed until 01.45 hrs.

To – L                                                  From L, A 2

6 Jan (1945)

Night was fairly quiet.  Off all am and in after lunch and after dinner.  Nothing to report today – cold but very fine over head.  Am I getting excited about my leave or am I!  Yessir

 To A                                                  From A.

7 Jan (1945)

On duty all morning, broken only by Church at 11.30.  After a late lunch read and dozed on my bed until 4.20 – On again after tea – snow started at about 5 and by 8 ocl the place was white.  After a late dinner poker with Lyall, Ken, Mac, Taylor and Dudley Pinks – lost 90 francs.  Short game of patience with Charles before getting into bed at midnight.

To Nil                                                 From Nil

8 Jan (Mon) (1945)

Not on until 1.15 so lay in bed til 9 am – just managed to get some breakfast – slightly chilly and congealed but none the less quite good.  Wrote A and Bill in morning – Had an excellent bath after tea and finished off, unfortunately, ‘For them that trespass’ which was excellent.  Not much of interest happening today.

To A, AJA.                                         From Xmas Cards GH & M.

9 Jan (1945)

On all morning and then not on again until after a very early dinner at 7 ocl.  Snooze in afternoon and a good patience session after tea.  Relieved John at 8 ocl and had sweet FA to do until 11.15 when I then had me long rush finally getting to bed at 100500 A!  Mail in at about 10 ocl but the right one wasn’t there.

To A.C.                                               From L, G, B, Maps L.

10 Jan (1945)

Feeling bloody tired all day – not such a hectic early morning as usual – took my time over washing and shaving and wrote A.  Could hardly keep my eyes open after lunch.  Nothing of interest from our part of front – bulge is being nicely squeezed in down SOUTH – no mail again today – bad show.

To A                                                    From Nil

11 Jan Thurs (1945)

John away for day so spent whole day in office being relieved by Tim for meals – very cold today – our coldest yet I think.  Washed my hair at 10.15 pm and then to bed and read Young Bess til midnight – I will sleep tonight – did I sleep tonight – Yessiree!

To Nil                                                 From Nil

12 Jan (1945)

Up very late this morning – missed breakfast and had a sandwich at 10.15 am – wrote and played Piquette with Charles.  On after lunch.  *elled the time away and was on again at 8.15 until 10.  In bed very early and asleep in no time.  Nothing of interest to report today.

To A, AD                                            From DFBaccy,  ‘RS’?

13 Jan (1945)

Not nearly so cold today – on all the morning and from 1800 hrs to – well – until 0900 hrs tomorrow. Had 40 winks after lunch and read Young Bess (Margaret Irwin) – very good.  Hectic evening with battle for KAPELSCHE VEER raging – it’s now 14 Jan 0145 hrs and I can’t see much sleep tonight.

To Nil                                                 From Nil

14 Jan Sun (1945)

Not a bloody wink of sleep all night but things went, presumably quite well, op not successful – Djebel Mansour all over again.  Took things quietly in morning then on duty between lunch & tea but off after that – early dinner and very early to bed – wrote L in am – and A after tea.

To  L, A                                              From A2        

15 Jan Monday (1945)

On duty til 1230 then Ted, Charles and I went down to Brussels – arrived at ATLANTA 3.15 but found Mde H and M were out – went to Cinema where I met them just as I was going in – amazing coincidence – after cinema show rushed back for meal then down to a Music Hall show – v good but we only saw half of it.  then after show natter and ciggwig prior to bed at 11.30 – very cold.

To Nil                                                 From Nil

16 Jan Tuesday (1945)

Up at 8.45.  Breakfast with Maurice – porridge, toast & jam and tea – v good.  Met Charles and Ted at the Atlanta then a bloody awful journey to Breda – fog and ice.  Arrived BREDA at 2.30 – Rozzer went off this morning on leave – good show.  Off duty at 10 pm – wrote A and then to bed.  Nothing much to report but Russians are doing excellent work.

To A                                                    From –

17 Jan Wednesday (1945)

Dull day – only relief was a wizard long letter from A this morning – after lunch had a good bath and played Piquette with C.  Only 7days to go now – SUPER thought – On duty all night – always seems to be night Duty.  WELL DONE the RUSSIANS – Warsaw captured and now only 15 miles from Germany.

To A, L                                               From A

Hockey Summary

18 Nov v Tilburg LOST 3 – 7         2

19 Nov v Tilburg DRAW 1 – 1       1

26 Nov v Tilburg LOST 2 – 5         2

10 Dec v Tilburg WON 5 – 4          3

17 Dec v Breda WON 4 – 0            3

January 1945

Monday January 01, (01.50 hours) – Batt. 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Laindon, Essex. Fell in field. Three people injured. No damage.

Monday January 01, (04.54 hours) – Batt. 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Leyton. Fell on forest land. Slight damage to nearby block of flats. One person injured.

Monday January 01, (08.47 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 76), V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea off Foulness.

Monday January 01, (20.38 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea off Clacton.

Tuesday January 02, (15.40 hours) – Batt. 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Doddinghurst, Essex. Fell in field. No damage.

Tuesday January 02, (18.45 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Rennbahn, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ramsden Heath, Essex (airburst). No damage.

Wednesday January 03, (03.26 hours) – Batt. 1./485, (site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Chelmsford, Essex. Fell in field. No damage or casualties.

Thursday January 04, (12.24 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham. Fourteen Dead, Thirty seriously injured. 12 Properties demolished.

Thursday January 04, (12.50 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rayleigh, Essex. Fell in field. 2 Persons seriously injured. Severe damage to 2 bungalows.

Thursday January 04, (15.30 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted ploughed field in Runwell, Essex. Ten people injured.

Thursday January 04, (16.06 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hackney.  Fifteen dead, twenty-seven seriously injured. Library, workshop and 9 other properties demolished.

Thursday January 04, (16.07 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Little Thurrock, Essex (airburst).

Friday January 05, (00.35 hours) – Batt. 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted open field in Navestock, Essex. No damage or casualties.

Friday January 05, (03.29 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wanstead. Fell in park. Two people injured.

Friday January 05, (14.07 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Billericay, Essex (airburst).

Friday January 05, (15.20 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex. Fell in ploughed field. No damage or casualties.

Saturday January 06, (08.30 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Toothill, Essex. Fell in wood. Slight damage to cottages. One Person injured.

Saturday January 06, (16.39 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham. Fell in Royal Victoria Dock. Six Barges sunk. Two people injured.

Saturday January 06, (21.54 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Beazley End, Essex. Fell in field. No damage.

In The Hague a firing site was situated at level nearby villa of Ockenburgh, and in front of Laundry at foundation Bloemendaal.

Sunday January 07, (01.38 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dagenham, Essex. 7 Dead, 14 seriously injured. 5 Properties demolished.

Sunday January 07, (06.08 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Baddow, Essex. Fell in field. No damage.

Sunday January 07, (12.08 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Leyton (airburst).

Sunday January 07, (16.42 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ilford, Essex. Fell on sports ground. Six people seriously injured.

Sunday January 07, (17.30 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hutton, Essex. Fell in field. No damage.

Sunday January 07, (18.16 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Brightlingsea, Essex. Rocket disintegrated before impact. Warhead impacted on marshland. No damage.

Monday January 08, (10.37 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Waltham Holy Cross. Blast damage to church. No casualties.

Monday January 08, (14.10 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barking. Fell on marshland. No damage.

Monday January 08, (15.12 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barking (airburst).

Tuesday January 09, (14.00 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact South Ockendon, Essex. Rocket disintegrated before impact. Warhead fell in field. Slight damage to property from falling fragments. Otherwise impact unknown.

Tuesday January 09, (17.12 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Little Hallingbury, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage to cottages.

Tuesday January 09, (17.57 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Basildon, Essex. Severe damage to one property. Five Persons injured.

Tuesday January 09, (22.10 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Warley, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage to houses.

Wednesday January 10, (10.55 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Totham, Essex. Moderate damage to farmhouse. One Person injured.

Wednesday January 10, (14.25 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Broomfield, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage to property. Three people injured.

Thursday January 11, (10.21 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Battlesbridge, Essex.  Nine People seriously injured. Extensive blast damage to houses.

Friday January 12, (10.57 hours) – Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 97), V-2 rocket fired, impacted South Green, Essex. Fell in field. No casualties. 1 Property demolished. Widespread blast damage.

Friday January 12, (17.32 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Marden Ash, Essex. Fifteen people injured. Church and house damaged.

Friday January 12, (17.50 hours) – Battery 1/485, (Site 21), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Writtle, Essex. Slight damage to property.

Friday January 12, (19.27 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Boreham, Essex. Some moderate damage to surrounding property. Three Persons injured.

 
Friday January 12, (19.40 hours) – Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea off Bradwell.

Friday January 12, (20.39 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ilford. Twelve Dead, 29 seriously injured. Hippodrome Theatre severely damaged. 17 Properties demolished.

Saturday January 13, (00.54 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Toothill, Essex. Slight damage to farm buildings.

Saturday January 13, (11.25 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Chigwell, Essex. Fell on forest land. 3 Persons injured. Slight damage.

Saturday January 13, (12.54 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham. Fifteen Dead, 91 seriously injured. Rocket fell on previously blitzed area.

Saturday January 13, (14.06 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted South Hornchurch, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage.

Saturday January 13, (16.31 hours) – Battery 1/485, (Site 21), V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Tilbury, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage.

Saturday January 13, (16.37 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea off Foulness.

Saturday January 13, (17.51 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hockley, Essex. Fell in field. No damage.

Sunday January 14, (10.51 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Foulness Island, Essex. No damage.

Sunday January 14, (11.31 hours) – Battery 1/485, (Site 21), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Abbess Roding, Essex. Fell in Field. No damage.

Sunday January 14, (12.01 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barking. Eight Dead, 52 seriously injured. Severe damage to church and three houses.

Sunday January 14, (15.48 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ilford. Three Dead, 11 seriously injured. 2 Properties demolished.

Monday January 15, (09.02 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Chingford. Two Dead, 10 seriously injured. 3 Properties demolished.

Monday January 15, (23.07 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rainham, Essex. Direct hit on house. Fourteen Dead, 4 seriously injured. 6 Properties demolished.

Tuesday January 16, (02.54 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Havering-atte-Bower, Essex. Fell in Field. Moderate damage to one bungalow, slight damage to others.

Tuesday January 16, (10.55 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Chingford (airburst). Slight damage in surrounding areas from falling fragments.

Tuesday January 16, (14.55 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted near sea wall of River Blackwater, Essex. No damage.

Tuesday January 16, (20.28 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Cock Clarks, Essex. Fell in ploughed field. Slight damage to houses and electrical cables.

Tuesday January 16, (20.56 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Harlow, Essex. Slight damage to houses and electrical cables. 7 Persons injured.

On January 16, the illegal newspaper the “Parool” published an article in which the German civil authorities requested that the Germans officers to stop the launches in the city of The Hague because, even for the German soldiers, there was a lot of useless suffering because of accidents. The German commander of the V-weapons replied that all failures of the V-2 were only to be attributed to the Dutch people, because a V-2 can only fail by Dutch sabotage.

Wednesday Jan. 17, (08.14 hours) – Battery 444, (Site 76), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Mayland, Essex. Fell in field. Farmhouse damaged.

Wednesday January 17, (14.12 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Corringham, Essex. Fell on marshland. No damage.

Wednesday January 17, (16.38 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ingrave, Essex. Fell in fir tree plantation. Slight blast damage to houses.

Wednesday January 17, (16.55 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hatfield Broad Oak. Fell in field. Seven people seriously injured.

Wednesday January 17, (19.31 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Chingford. Fell in cemetery. Blast damage to surrounding property. Forty people injured.

Friday January 19, (23.37 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Parndon, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage to farmhouse and cottages.

Saturday January 20, (01.11 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Upminster, Essex. 3 Persons seriously injured. Extensive blast damage to property.

Saturday January 20, (02.52 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 422), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Canewdon, Essex. Fell on open land. Farm buildings damaged.

Saturday January 20, (04.56 hours) – Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 97), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Walthamstow (airburst).

Saturday January 20, (06.34 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 422), V-2 rocket fired, impacted East Ham (airburst).

 
Saturday January 20, (08.51 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Takeley, Essex. Fell in field.

Saturday January 20, (11.16 hours) – Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt – Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barking (airburst). 1 Person seriously injured. Fragments scattered over wide area.

Saturday January 20, (16.00 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted East Horndon, Essex. Fell on main roadway. Slight blast damage to property.

Saturday January 20, (16.05 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Navestock, Essex. Fell in field. 8 Persons injured. 1 Property demolished. The official record of this launch states the time as 15.05 hours, but this is incorrect.

Saturday January 20, (22.46 hours) – Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wanstead. Seventeen Dead, 19 seriously injured. 17 Properties demolished. Gas main fractured.

Sunday January 21, (14.39 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Laindon, Essex (airburst). Slight blast damage to property.

Sunday January 21, (15.42 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 422), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Noak Hill, Essex. 2 Persons injured. Fell in meadow. Slight damage to houses and farm buildings.

Sunday January 21, (+/- 18.47 hours) – (Battery Unknown), (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rainham, Essex. Fell on rubbish dump. Slight damage to 8 houses and 2 shops. This impact possibly relates to the 18.27 launch above, with the launch time inaccurately recorded.

Sunday January 21, (19.05 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 422), V-2 rocket fired, impacted South Ockenden, Essex. 9 Persons seriously injured. Slight damage to houses and church.

Firing site previously at Stichting Bloemendaal is moved to Monsterscheweg in The Hague.

Monday January 22, (10.05 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Thurrock, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage.

Monday January 23, (09.21 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 422), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Waltham Holy Cross (airburst). Two people injured.

Monday January 23, (10.47 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Mayland, Essex. Fell in meadow. Slight damage to farmhouse.

Monday January 23, (15.45 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Stapleford Tawny. Fell on aerodrome. 5 Buildings including large hanger demolished. Thirteen Service personnel plus two civilians dead. Thirty-seven Service personnel plus one civilian seriously injured.

Monday January 23, (19.09 hours) – Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dagenham, Essex. Four Dead, 26 seriously injured. 4 Properties demolished. Water main fractured.

Tuesday January 24, (09.02 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 422), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Waltham Holy Cross. 2 Persons injured. Slight damage to ordnance factory.

Tuesday January 24, (19.59 hours) – Battery 444, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Navestock, Essex. Fell in ploughed field. Slight damage to farm buildings.

Wednesday January 25, (08.28 hours) – Battery 444, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Langdon Hills, Essex. Fell in field. Farmhouse damaged.

Wednesday January 25, (19.15 hours) – Battery 444, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dengie, Essex. Fell on marshland. No damage.

Thursday January 26, (06.19 hours) – Battery 1./485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wanstead. Sixteen Dead, Seven seriously injured.

Thursday January 26, (06.26 hours) – Battery 444, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Woolwich (airburst).

Thursday January 26, (09.00 hours) – Battery 1/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Leyton. Moderate damage to houses. 32 Persons injured.

Thursday January 26, (09.36 hours) – Battery 1/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ardleigh Green, Essex. Three Dead, 36 seriously injured. Factory severely damaged causing production to be stopped for 2 weeks. 2 Other factories also damaged.

Thursday January 26, (09.49 hours) – Battery 444, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Cranham, Essex (airburst).

Thursday January 26, (10.45 hours) – (Battery unknown), Den Haag, V-2 rocket exploded in the air near Clay Tye Hill in Cranham.

Thursday January 26, (+/- 12.05 hours) – (Battery Unknown, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dagenham, Essex (airburst). Slight damage.

Thursday Jan. 26, (14.40 hours) – Battery 1/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ilford, Essex. Severe blast damage, but no casualties.

That evening Battery 444 leaves the Wassenaar area and is replaced by Batt. 3./485 operating from the same launch sites.

Saturday January 27, (00.01 hours) – Battery 1/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted East Ham. 1 Dead, 4 seriously injured. 12 properties demolished. Cinema seriously damaged.

Saturday January 27, (02.09 hours) – Battery 3/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wickford, Essex. Fell in field. Some moderate damage to property.

Saturday Jan. 27, (03.34 hours) – Battery 3/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Latchingdon, Essex. Fell on marshland. Farm buildings damaged.

Saturday January 27, (03.40 hours) – Battery 1/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted East Ham (airburst). Slight blast damage over wide area. 3 Persons injured.

Saturday January 27, (03.52 hours) – Battery 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 422), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Walthamstow. Slight damage to property.

Saturday January 27, (09.40 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Mountnessing, Essex. Slight damage to farm.

Saturday January 27, (12.19 hours) – Battery 3/485, Den Haag, Site 47 North of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Tillingham, Essex. Fell in field. No damage.

Sunday January 28, (07.28 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 78), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Kirby-le-Soken, Essex. Fell in backwater. Slight damage to six houses.

Sunday January 28, (10.31 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 422), V-2 rocket fired, impacted East Ham. Direct hit on Anderson shelter. Sixteen Dead, 27 seriously injured. Six Properties demolished. Buses and ambulances damaged by blast.

Monday January 29, (05.45 hours) – Battery 1/485, Loosduinen (Site 422), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Bradwell, Essex. Fell in pasture land. No damage.

Monday January 29, (06.28 hours) – Batt. 1./485, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Waltham Holy Cross. Superficial damage to property. 1 Person injured.

Monday January 29, (09.19 hours) – Battery 3/485, (Site 22), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Shotgate, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage to farm. 3 Persons injured.

Monday January 29, (15.33 hours) – Battery 1/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Bradwell, Essex. Fell on main runway of RAF airfield. No damage.

On January 30 Batt. SS 500 transfers to the Estate Mataram near Emmen in Dalfsen, Leitstrahlstellung moves to Ommerschans

At the beginning of the New Year, in an attempt to increase his command stature, General Kammler renamed all of the rocket units. Battalion 485 became the Artillery Regiment z.V.902. Battalion 836 became the Artillery Regiment z.V.901. The SS Werfer Battery 500 became the SS Werfer Abteilung 500. However, the Table of Organization, which upgraded the V-2 battalions to regiments, was not finalized until February 7, 1945; and even then, it was nothing more than a restructure on paper.

At the end of January of 1945 Training and Experimental Battery 444, after V-2 ending operations in the Netherlands, moved to Buddenhagen. There, this battery was reorganised and renamed with other units into Lehr und Versuchs Abteilung z.V.

Mit luft Post

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

No UK Postmark. 

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W.  9180

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                    Empfangsort:  Breightmet Bolton

                                    Strasse:         1068 Bury Rd.

                                    Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Sgt. E. Wilkinson.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Lager-Bezeichnung:

            M.-Stammlager Luft 3.

Deutschland (Germany)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 22.11.44

Sweetheart. Just a few lines to say that I am still keeping fit and well, and I hope that you are the same.  I have not had any more mail from you since the one you posted on Sept 19^th.  When I also got one from Mrs Hatt.  This is all from me for now Darling, give my love your mother.  All my love to you dear.  I love you.  Your always Ernest

Mit luft Post

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

No UK Postmark. 

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            no Stamp PASSED P.W.

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                    Empfangsort:  Breightmet Bolton

                                    Strasse:         1068 Bury Rd.

                                    Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Sgt. E. Wilkinson.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Lager-Bezeichnung:

            M.-Stammlager Luft 3.

Deutschland (Germany)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 20.10.44

Sweetheart I got two more letters from you last night one dated August 21^st and the other August 28^th.  so you got my first card on August 11^th.  It did not take long to reach you.  Glad to hear that you are all O.K. you especially.  I have not got a photo of you, but I would like one very much.  I asked for one before.  Glad to hear that you are keeping in touch with Nobby’s mother and Lloyd’s family.  I know Lloyd and Freddie are OK but Lloyd has had no mail yet from home.  Keep in touch with Betty.  So Dorothy is coming to see you.  You will like her.  I think she is a very nice girl.  Give Auntie Nellie and Uncle Will my regards, and thank them for the picture.  I know the one that you mean, I always had a liking for it.  I am glad you moved it is much nicer at Breightmet.  There is nothing that I really need, cigarettes are the biggest problem at present.  Well Darling, I am still fit and well, and I am glad to hear that you are keeping alright look after yourself.  This is all for now.  All my love Sweetheart.  I love you.  Your always  Ernest

Written on three cards sewn together.

Mit luft post.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33                      

No UK Postmark. 

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 2488

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                                1068 Bury Rd.

                        Empfangsort:  Breightmet

                        Strasse:           Bolton

                        Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Sgt. E. Wilkinson.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Lager-Bezeichnung:

            M.-Stammlager Luft 3.

Deutschland (Germany)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 19-10-44

Sweetheart.  Just a few lines to say I am fit and well.  Darling, was I glad to get your letter, and to know that you are alright.  I was also glad to hear that your mother is well give her my love.  Give my dad and the rest my regards.  This is all for now.  So cheerio Sweetheart, I love you.  Your always  Ernest

January 1945

(France)

Operation Nordwind was launched on the 1^st January 1945 by the Germans to support the Battle of the Bulge. The Bulge campaign was effectively lost by the end of December 1944. The objective was to attack the American forces in northern Alsace and Lorraine and seize the port of Strasbourg to cut off U.S. supplies. After initial German success, two weeks of heavy fighting by U.S. troops from the 10^th January 1945 halted the German offensive. By the 25^th January 1945 with the main objective not achieved the German offensive was an operational failure.

(Belgium)

The Battle of the Bulge began on the 16^th December 1944 and Bastogne had been relieved on the 27^th December 1944.  On the 17^th December 1944 Waffen SS soldiers massacred 84 U.S. POWs near the town of Malmedy.  However, on the 22^nd December 1944 before the relief, the German commander demanded of the U.S. troops, the honourable surrender of Bastogne. The simple American reply was NUTS!!

When the U.S troops engaged the Germans at Chenogne, on New Year’s Day, 1^st January1945, approximately 80 German POWs had been assembled in a field after they had surrendered. Machine guns had been set-up and the POWs were murdered. It is believed they were verbally ordered to take no prisoners. At the time the murders were covered up and none of the perpetrators were brought to justice.

Undoubtedly during the Battle of the Bulge war crimes were committed by both the Allied and Axis forces but the three events appear not to have been related.

—

During a snowstorm and to the east of Bastogne. the British launched an offensive against the German salient on the 3^rd January 1945. The objective was to join forces with U.S. General George Patton’s troops who were approaching from the south. Patton’s troops were being slowed down by German Tiger II tanks but eventually the British and U.S. Armies linked-up on the 16^th January 1945. With joining of the allies the Germans were forced to retreat eastwards toward the offensive start line. An official announcement was made on the 17^th January 1945 that the Battle of the Bulge had ended.                     

(Eastern Front)

On the Eastern Front the Red Army were forcing the Germams to retreat on a broad front. Soviet troops launched their Winter Offensive in East Prussia on the 13^th/14^th January 1945 and by the 20^th January 1945 had made further advances. The Red Army entered Warsaw in Poland on the 17^th January 1945 and by the 24^th January 1945 the Battle of Poznan began. The month-long battle was fought to eliminate the Nazi German garrison in the stronghold city of Poznan in occupied Poland. By the 31^st January 1945 the Red Army had crossed the Oder River into German occupied Poland. On the 28^th January 1945 the Red Army had completed the occupation of Lithuania.

The “Final Solution” to the Jewish question for the German Nazi Party was the extermination of over 6 million Jews and “unclean” people in what became the Holocaust. Between 1940 and 1945, Auschwitz was a Nazi concentration and extermination camp in occupied Poland. 1.3 million people, mostly Jews, were deported to Auschwitz and over one million people were murdered. Auschwitz now symbolises the Holocaust. It was only one of many concentration/extermination camps in operation during the Nazi German occupation of Europe. When battle-hardened troops of the Red Army arrived at Auschwitz on the 27^thJanuary 1945 they found approximately 7,000. Inmates still alive. Upon the liberation of Auschwitz, they were appalled by the health conditions of the survivors and the awful accommodation conditions. During November 1944 German Deputy Fuhrer Heinrich Himmler ordered the SS to halt the murders in the gas chambers. The crematoria and gas chambers were to be destroyed. On the 17^th January 1945 over 100,000 inmates were force-marched, under guard, into concentration camps in Germany. The Red Army was focused on advancing into Germany, therefore the liberation of Auschwitz received very little press coverage.

(Pacific – Burma

Built in 1937/1938 the Burma Road was constructed to link the British Colony of Burma to China. The 717 mile (1,154 km) long road was built by 200,000 Burmese and Chinese labourers through rough mountainous country. The Allies transported materials to China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. When the Japanese overran Burma in 1942 the Burma Road was closed. During the Burma Campaign, following the Battle of Kohima in June 1944, the British were forcing the Japanese to retreat. By the 5^th January 1945 the Japanese had retreated across the Irrawaddy River followed by the British advancing toward Mandalay. By the 11^th January 1945 the new Ledo Road had been connected to the old Burma Road and the first convoy of materials were transported. On the 31^st January 1945 the Burma Road was fully open.

(Pacific – Philippines)

In the Philippines campaign in the Pacific the Japanese were facing defeat. The American land, sea and air forces systematicaly forced Imperial Japan to retreat. The Japanese continued their resistance with kamikaze attacks on U.S. naval vessels on the 2^nd January 1945. On the same day USAAF B-29 bombers attacked Bangkok in Thailand. The U.S. Navy attacked the Philippine islands of Formosa on the 4^th January 1945 and Luzon on the 9^th January 1945 Tokyo was again attacked by USAAF B-29 bombers on the 6^th January 1945. Beginning in November 1944 the USAAF conducted eleven B-29 bombing raids on Singapore Harbour until March 1945. The second raid was on the 11^th January 1945.

(Other Areas)

In America, presential elections were held on the 7^th November 1944. Re-elected Democrat President Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Republican Thomas E. Dewey with a majority of 53.4% of the popular vote. Roosevelt was sworn-in for his 4^th term of office on the 20^th January 1945.  His chosen deputy was Harry H. Truman.

The Malta Conference began on the 30^th January 1945 and ended on the 3^rd February 1945. The purpose of the conference was for British and U.S. delegates to plan for the control of Germany at the end of the war. The British participants were Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the British Chiefs of Staff Committee. The U.S. participants were newly re-appointed President Franklyn Roosevelt and the U.S. Combined Chiefs of Staff. Roosevelt’s journey was delayed and he did not arrive at the conference until the 2^nd February 1945. However, agreement was reached that the Red Army advancing into central Europe was undesirable. The object of the Malta Conference was to present a united front to the Soviet Union dictator Joseph Stalin at the Yalta Conference a few days later.

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