Category Archives: World War II

Prisoner of War postcard dated 18th December 1944.

Mit luft Post

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

No UK Postmark. 

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

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                    Empfangsort:  1068 Bury Rd.

                                    Strasse: Breightmet Bolton

                                    Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Sgt. E. Wilkinson.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Lager-Bezeichnung:

            Stalag. Luft 3.

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 18.12.44

Sweetheart.  Just a few lines to say that I am still keeping fit, and I hope that you are the same.  I got three letters from you last week, and one from Ivy.  I hope that you have had more mail from me by now, I have been writing two letters, and four cards each month.

 This is all for now Darling look after yourself.  I love you.  Give my love to your mother.  Yours ever 

Ernest

.

Prisoner of War postcard undated from December 1944.

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

Kriegsgefangenenlager der Luftwaffe Nr.3.

Lager-Bezeichnung:

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum:

Xmas greetings

Drawing of cottage

Best wishes and a Happy New Year – 1944

Ernest

.

Prisoner of War postcard dated 12th December 1944.

Mit luft Post

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

No UK Postmark. 

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

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                    Empfangsort:  1068 Bury Rd.

                                    Strasse:         Breightmet Bolton

                                    Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Sgt. E. Wilkinson.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Lager-Bezeichnung: Stalag Luft 3.

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 12.12.44

Darling.  Here I am again with another card.  I hope that by the time you get this, you will have had most of the letters which I have sent before.  I have not had any letters from you for 6 weeks, but I am hoping that there will be some in the next lot.  Give my love to your mother.  Look after yourself.  I love you Sweetheart.  Yours always  Ernest

.

Prisoner of War postcard dated 12th December 1944.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

            Mit luft Post.

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 3001

                                                                                    No U.K. Postmark.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  1068 Bury Rd

                        Strasse:          Breightmet, Bolton

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE         

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

W

Gebuhrenfrei!

12-12-44

Sweetheart.  Thank you very much for your letter which I received yesterday the 11th.  I got three of them from you and one from Ivy.  I am very glad to hear that you are keeping alright, and that your mother is alright too.  So Betty has heard about Ron, I bet she took it rather badly didn’t she.  I am very sorry he had to go that way, tell her she has my deepest sympathy, and I will see her when I come home.  Nobby’s young lady has been to see you has she?  As you say she is very nice.  I had a letter from Mrs. Hatt about a fortnight ago, and she said she had been to see you for a weekend, and had a talk about old times, give her my very best wishes.  Well Darling I am still keeping as fit as possible, and looking forward to the time when I can come home again, let us hope it will not be long before that day arrives.  This is all for now Dear. Give my regards to everybody.  I am sending a card to Ivy.  Goodnight Sweetheart and God bless you.  I love you more than ever.  All my love and kisses. 

Yours forever

            Ernest

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Stalagluft N.R. 3.

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

Prisoner of War postcard dated 2nd December 1944.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

                        Mit luft Post.

            Stamp. Recovered P.O.W. mail from Europe recently received by British P.O.

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 106

                                                                                    No Stamp PASSED P.W.

                                                                                    No U.K. Postmark.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Breightmet, Bolton

                        Strasse:          1068 Bury Rd

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE         

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

2-12-44

My Darling.  How are you going on these days I hope that you are keeping well.  I am keeping quite fit myself.  I have had no mail from you for about a month.  But I am hoping that there will be some in the next lot that comes in.  The last I had from you was posted on September 19th.  I got one from Mrs Hatt yesterday and she said that she had been to see you.  Give her my very best wishes and thank her very much for her letter.  I was very glad to hear from her.  I have not heard from Prestwich yet.  Have they got my address yet?  How is your mother going on I hope that she is alright.  Give her my love.  We are getting very well organised here now, we have got quite a good concert party, and we are getting concerts every week.  We have also got a really good accordion band and the way they are going on they will be better than Billy Reeds band by the time the war is over.  This is all for now, Dear, I hope that you have had more mail from me by now.  Give my very best wishes to Betty.  My regards to all, and lets hope it won’t be long before we are together again.  I love you Darling. 

Yours always

            Ernest

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

Prisoner of War postcard dated 30th November 1944.

Mit luft Post

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 105

No UK Postmark. 

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W.  5894

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                    Empfangsort:  1068 Bury Rd.

                                    Strasse:         Breightmet Bolton

                                    Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Sgt. E. Wilkinson.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Kriegsgefangenenlager der Luftwaffe Nr.3.

Lager-Bezeichnung:  Luft 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 30.11.44

Sweetheart.  Just a few lines to let you know that I am still in the best of health, and I hope that you have had more mail from me by this time.  I have had none from you for a month.  But I am hoping to get some in the next lot.  This is all for now Sweetheart.  I love you my darling.  Your forever  Ernest

                                                                                February 1945

 

(Europe)

The liberation of Europe began in June 1944 with the D-Day landings in Normandy. The Allies broke through the German lines and began the advance towards Paris and the Belgian border. German civil administrators ordered a retreat and after Brussels was liberated in September 1944, the Belgian-government-in-exile returned. Some areas of Belgium stayed in German hands but after the collapse of the Ardennes Offensive and with the Belgian resistance involvement the whole of Belgium was liberated on the 4th February 1945.

Since D-Day the Allies had advanced up to the borders of Germany. However, the German 19th Army had attacked and held central Alsace, France from November 1944. The Colmar Pocket was formed when the U.S. 6th Army Group (6th AG) liberated northern Alsace and adjacent Lorraine. At the same time the 6th AG liberated southern Alsace. With Alsace/Lorraine bordering on Germany, prime importance for the 19th Army was the defence of the bridges over the Rhine. As part of the Allied attack force the French 1st Army (1st Corp d’Armee) was reinforced by the U.S. XXI Corp. They cleared the pocket of all German forces on the 9th February 1945.

During this campajgn America’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, was awarded to two U.S. soldiers. The first was PFC Jose Valdez who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The second was the later Hollywood film star First Lieutenant Audie Murphy who was awarded the Medal of Honor. Twenty-year-old Murphy had risen through the ranks after enlisting as an 18-year-old soldier. After being awarded the Medal of Honor, he became the most decorated soldier in the U.S. Army. Having also fought in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, southern France and the German Rhineland, the United States Army awarded him every military medal available for valour, a total of twelve. He also received a total of six French and Belgian awards for bravery.

(Germany)

With the Nazi-German nation being forced to retreat into Germany on all fronts, the Allies Britain and America, began a series of bombing campaigns in February 1945.

The largest bombing raid on Berlin was on the 3rd February 1945 when 1,500 USAAF B-17 bombers attacked the city. The attack was ordered by the USAAF commander in the belief that the German Panzer Army was passing through Berlin by train on the way to the Eastern Front. The city centre was bombed so densely it caused a massive city fire storm.  However, the main railway lines were not included in the damage as they were to the north and south of Berlin. No records can be found as to whether or not the Panzer Army was travelling through Berlin.

On the same day in the Berlin People’s Court, Judge Roland Freisler was conducting a session when the bombing began. He hastily adjourned the court and ordered the prisoners to be escorted to safety. Instead of following the prisoners to a safe place Freisler stayed behind to gather up his court documents. A bomb struck the court building and an internal column was dislodged which crushed Freisler killing him instantly. One of the files later recovered was that of a member of the 20 July Plot who was on trial that day and facing execution. The 20 July Plot was the attempted assassination of Fuhrer Adolf Hitler.

Over a three-day period from the 13th/15th February 1945 the RAF and USAAF bombed the German city of Dresden. Approximately 1,300 heavy bombers dropped more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bombs and incendiary devices. The resulting firestorm destroyed large parts of the city centre and approximately 25,000 civilians were killed. There was a great deal of controversy at the time as to whether the bombing of Dresden was justified. Despite Nazi propaganda that the city was cultural only and the exaggeration of the civilian death toll later emerging events proved otherwise. In March/April 1945 three separate attacks were conducted against the extensive industrial areas outside the city.

Operation Clarion was a joint RAF and USAAF bombing campaign of strategic transport targets of Germany. With two clear days of good weather on the 22nd/23rd February 1945, 3,500 bombers and over 5,000 fighters attacked German transport locations. Docks, bridges, barges, railway tacks and stations were the prime targets. Most of the targets were located in towns that had never been attacked before, and with only minimal German defences the attacks were successful

 

(Eastern Front)

The Yalta Conference was a meeting of the heads of Government of the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union. The conference was held near the city of Yalta in the Crimean region of the Soviet Union. The conference began on the 4th February 1945 and in attendance were British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin, the General Secretary of the Soviet Union. The “Big Three”, Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin agreed that defeated Germany would be occupied by Britain, the U.S., the S.U. and France. The four powers, as part of the occupation would control Berlin. French leader Charles de Gaule had not been invited to the Yalta Conference or the later Potsdam Conference. General de Gaule saw this as a diplomatic slight owing to his longstanding personal antagonism with Roosevelt. For de Gaule, this exclusion, began a deep and lasting resentment. As France had not participated fully during the war Stalin objected to the inclusion of France as a full participant of the conference. Also included at the conference they agreed to set up a provisional government in Poland. Liberated countries of Eastern Europe would receive assistance in setting up democratic regimes Upon the surrender of Germany, Stalin agreed to join in the war against Japan. The Yalta Conference ended on the 11th February 1945.

Hungary officially joined forces with the Axis Powers in November 1940. After three years of fighting the Red Army, and with over 200,000 deaths, Hungary was ready to leave the war. Nazi Germany’s response was to send German troops into Hungary in March 1944. With Soviet Union and Romanian troops approaching and the resultant encirclement of Budapest, Hungary’s capital city, a 50-day siege began on the 29th December 1944. During the siege known as the Battle of Budapest, approximately 38,000 civilians died, either by starvation, military action or mass murder of the Jewish population. On the 13th February 1945 the Battle of Budapest ended when the German/Hungarian occupied city unconditionally surrendered. The Soviet victory was a strategic bonus for the Allies in their push toward Berlin.

German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler ordered the German army to enter Prague in Czechoslovakiain March 1939 and the Nazi occupation of the country began. Historically the city of Prague had a multi-ethnic population mostly consisting Czech, German and German speaking Jewish people. Hitler ordered bloody repercussions after the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, one of Nazi Germany’s most powerful men, by the Rzech Resistance in 1942. During the occupation most of the Jews were deported and killed in concentration camps or as a result of slave labour.

On the 14th February 1945 Forty USAAF B-17 bombers dropped approximately 150 tons of bombs on the city. The majority of the carpet-bombing casualties were civilians which resulted in the death of approximately 700 people and the wounding of 1,200 more. Most of the city’s factories were not hit but nearly 100 homes and historical sites were totally destroyed. A further 200 buildings were badly damaged. Subsequent events indicate the raid was an accident. At the same time the bombing of Dresden, some 70 miles NW of Prague, was in operation It would appear the forty B-17s were scheduled to bomb Dresden but the onboard radar navi gation system was not functioning correctly. Consequently, a dead-reckoning navigation system was employed. However, high winds experienced en-route, caused the calculations to be inaccurate. Approaching Prague through broken cloud  with the occasional glimpse of the ground, convinced the pilots they were at the correct target. From the air Prague and Dresden looked similar and the bombing of Prague was carried out by a “blind attack” using radar. By bombing Prague the Americans had bombed the wrong city.    

(Pacific)

In the Philippines the Imperial Japanese Army had defeated and forced the U.S. army to retreat in 1942. U.S. General Douglas MacArthur promised he would be back. By January 1945 with the Japanese retreating on all fronts in the Pacific, MacArthur made good his promise. Beginning in January 1945, MacArthur’s army invaded the main island of Luzon and were advancing towards Japanese defended Manila. Alongside the U.S. Army were Filipino guerrillas eager to take back land occupied by the Japanese. During the Battle of Manila, which begin on the 3rd February 1945, over 100,000 Filipino men, women and children were massacred by the Japanese defenders of the city. The battle ended on the 3rd March 1945 when the Japanese defenders sacrificed their lives and were determined to take as many enemy lives as possible. Manila was defended by approximately 17,000 sailors, marines and soldiers who were facing an invasion of roughly 38,000 U.S/Filipino guerrillas. Japanese losses were in the region of 16,000 killed, and the U.S./Filipino casualties were 1,000 killed and 5,500 wounded.

During May 1942 the U.S. Army surrendered Corregidor Island to the Imperial Japanese Army. This was the beginning of the Japanese conquest in the Philippines Campaign. U.S. General McArthur returned to the Philippines in 1945.  He and the U.S. planners thought the island justified a separate invasion owing the proximity to the entrance of Manila Bay. A combined amphibious and airborne attack was MacArthur’s strategy to retake the island. The tadpole shaped island’s most dominant terrain is a hill known as “Topside” which enabled the Japanese to dominate any amphibious landing sites. Although risky the U.S. Military considered an airborne attack was feasible as the Japanese would not expect paratroopers to land on this unlikely target. Prior to the Battle of Corregidor the USAAF began daily bombing attacks on the 25th January 1945 which ended on the 16th February 1945 when the U.S. amphibious attack began. On the same day the first of 1,000 paratroopers landed on “topside”, much to the surprise of the Japanese. Fierce fighting occurred between the Japanese defenders and the U.S. amphibious/airborne attackers. The island was finally recaptured on the 26th February 1945 by the U.S. and Filipino troops. The Battle of Corregidor secured the entrance to Manila Bay.

The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the last major battles in the Philippines Campaign. The island lies approximately 800 miles (1,300 km) due south of mainland Japan and was defended by 21,000 Japanese troops. In March 1944, with the Japanese retreating toward the mainland the Japanese commander ordered that the island be turned into a fortress. The area around Mount Suribachi became a network of bunkers and gun emplacements and connected by underground tunnels. The tunnels protected the defenders from the U.S. naval and airborne bombing prior to the landings. On the 19th February 1945, 30,000 U.S. marines landed on the beaches, overlooked by Mount Suribachi, on the extreme south-east of Iwo Jima. The Japanese open fired on the exposed troops in what was one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific Campaign. When Sherman tanks, armed with flamethrowers, began arriving on the 19th February 1945, they started to clear Japanese positions. On the 23rd February 1945 U.S. marines raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima’s highest point. The U.S. marines paid a heavy price for taking Mount Suribachi as they lost 2,000 troops killed or missing. With 40,000 additional U.S. marines arriving, some advanced to the west coast at the narrowest point completely isolating the defenders of Mount Suribachi. Other marines captured the first of two functioning airfields on the 20th February 1945. The second airfield was captured on the 23rd February 1945. Two days later 300 Japanese troops launched a failed counter-attack on the second airfield. Moving slowly northward the marines encountered the defences of Hill 363 and the Battle of Iwo Jima continued into March1945.

The famous photograph of the marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi was actually the second photograph taken on the day. The first flag was regarded as being too small and a second photograph was ordered to be taken with a larger flag.  One of the marines was Pfc Ira Hayes who was an Akim O’odham American Indian. Hayes was an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community stationed in Arizona who joined the U.S. Marine Corps.

—

The bombing of Tokyo on the 25th February 1945 was the last of the high-altitude raids.  All previous attacks had been high-altitude raids. During the high-altitude daylight raid 174 B-29 bombers, carrying approximately 450 tons of mainly Incendiary bombs, dropped the bombs on the city. The result was that 650 acres of the snow-covered city were totally destroyed. Subsequently the USAAF commanders ordered that future bombers would attack at lower level and at night. The reason being that Japan’s anti-aircraft defences were weaker at the low altitude range and the defensive fighters were ineffective at night.

(Other Theatres)

Most South American nations were basically neutral during the Second World War. They were however, aligned with the Allies for trade but unfriendly to Germany. The United States Lease-Lend agreement protected the Panama Canal which gave the Allies access from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. This resulted in large-scale modernisation and a major economic boost to the area. With both Germany and Japan being forced to retreat by the Allies the following nations declared war on Germany and Japan. Possibly in an effort to boost trade with the Allies, Ecuador declared war on Germany and Japan on the 1st February1945.  Paraguay followed suit on the 8th February 1945. This was closely followed when Peru declared war on the 12th February 1945. Finally, Venezuela and Uruguay declared war on the 15th February 1945.        

Liberated German occupied countries in the Mediterranean declared war on Germany and Japan. Turkey declared war on the 23rd February 1945, Egypt on the 24th February 1945, Syria on the 26th February 1945 and finally Lebanon on the 27th February 1945.

 

————————————————————————

 

—

Capt P.C. Benham

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.

P.C. Benham note book

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 16th – 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

V 2 Rockets 1945

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.