Kriegsgefangenenpost

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 7916

                                                                                    No U.K. Postmark.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Breightmet, Bolton

                        Strasse:          1068 Bury Rd

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE         

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

16-10-44

Sweetheart.  Thank you very much for your letter dated Sept 4.  It is the first one that I have received from you up to now, and I am glad to hear that you are alright, it is a load off my mind to know that.  I see that you have moved, how long have you been living at Bury Rd.  it should be alright up there.  I would liked to have seen you whitening the ceiling, I bet you looked a treat.  So you have not heard from me since August, I have been writing every week.  I am glad to hear that your mother is keeping well.  Give her my love also my regards to Uncle Arthur and Ethel.  I am very sorry to say that Betty will not hear from Ron, she will probably have had news by now.  If she has not do what you think best, about it.  So Ben still keeps fit and likes a fight, does he?  I hope he keeps that way.  This is all for now Darling.  I am keeping fit as ever, and I feel much better now I have heard from you.  Cheerio and God bless you dear I love you.  Yours always.

            Ernest

 xxxxxxx

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: F/Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

No Postmark. 

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 5858

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                                1068 Bury Rd.

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON Breightmet

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street 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: 9.10.44

Sweetheart.  Just another card to let you know that I am still keeping in the best of health, and I hope that you are the same.  It will be just like old times now that the black-out restrictions have been lifted.  This is all for now Darling.  All my love to you Dear.  I love you.  Your always 

Ernest

xxxxxx

576/A

18 Dec 44

CCRA            DDMS

CE                  DDOS

CSO               DDME

DDST             102 Pro Coy

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General

1. GOC 1 Corps will personally present the Commander-in-Chief’s Certificates to those offrs and men shown at Appx A to this letter.
2. Presentations will take place at 1000 hrs 20 Dec in the main quadrangle at Main HQ 1 Corps.

Reporting

• Those shown at Appx A will report to CMP on duty at main entrance to the quadrangle at Main HQ 1 Corps at 0930 hrs.  CMP will direct offrs and men to the reception room at the far end of the quadrangle.

Dress

• Battle Dress with trousers pressed, web belt and anklets; brasses polished.
• Greatcoats will be brought by all attending and in the event of inclement weather they will be worn if so ordered.
• Caps GS will be worn by offrs and ORs, except those belonging to Scottish Regts.
• Gloves will be brought by all ranks to be worn if so ordered.
• Black boots will be worn, which may be either polished or dubbined.
• Men attending should be warned that the web belt will be blancoed throughout in case it has to be extended to be worn over a greatcoat.

Arms

1. Arms will not be carried by offrs or ORs attending the parade.
2. OC1Corps Def Coy will be in charge of the parade and will mark out the quadrangle with tape, indicating the forming up place for recipients of the award, Stand for GOC, and formation to be taken up by 1 Corps Def Coy.
3. On arrival of GOC, OC 1 Corps Def Coy will give the order “General Salute, Present Arms” and having given the order “Slope Arms” will hand the parade over to GOC 1 Corps.  Having handed over the parade, OC 1 Corps Def Coy will take up posn on the right flank.
4. On completion of the presentation, GOC will leave the stand and on a signal to be given by DAMS OC 1 Corps Def Coy will give the order “General Salute, Present Arms”.  When the GOC has left the quadrangle OC 1 Corps Def Coy takes over and dismisses the parade.
5. For the arrival and departure of the GOC, those men on parade to receive the Commander-in-Chief’s certificates will stand to attention and will not salute.

Methods of Presentation

1. Offrs and ORs will be formed up in accordance with para 11 above.  Their names will be called out by DAMS; they will then leave the ranks and march to GOC, halting three paces in front of GOC (exact spot will be marked by a white spot).  After halting in front of GOC, recipient Salute; GOC presents certificate; recipient takes one step back, salutes, turns about and returns to his place in the ranks.  Meanwhile the next name will have been called out and this man will not wait until the man in front of him has returned to the ranks; immediately his name is called he will commence to come forward.
2. Those paraded in the rear rank will not break ranks but will fall out to the rear and then march to the GOC by the flank of the parade.
3. OC 1 Corps Def Coy will arrange for a covered table at the GOC’s stand on which the certificates may be placed.
4. After receipt of the certificate men will hold them in their hand and will not attempt to put them away in their pockets.

Transport

1. Vehs bringing those attending the parade will be parked under arrangements to be made by APM, in visitor’s car park at Main HQ 1 Corps.

Route

• APM will please arrange to sign the route from car park to quadrangle, and for attendance of CMP on duty at the main entrance to the quadrangle for the purpose of guiding men as laid down in para 3 and for keeping unauthorised persons away from the quadrangle during the course of the parade.

Wet Weather

• In the event of wet weather, the presentations will take place inside Main HQ 1 Corps and those attending will be notified of the arrangements prior to the commencement of the ceremony.

Non-availability for parade

• DAMS 1 Corps will be notified immediately if any offr or OR shown at Appx ‘A’ is unable to be present.

Spectators

• CO’s of units concerned may attend the parade if they wish.

C.E. Knight

Major

for DA & QMG

1 Corps

Time of signature  2346 A

FIELD

CEK/AF

Copy to: –

ADC                           APM

DAMS                        OC 1 Corps Def Coy

BGS                            Civil Affairs

G(O)                            Camp (2)

A/Q                

APPENDIX A 1.

Offrs.

Arm	Unit	No. Rank, Name, Initials	Month in respect of which Certificate awarded
Inf RA RCE RE   R Signals	HQ 1 Corps HQ 1Corps 1Cdn Mech Eqpt Coy RCE HQ1Corps Tps RE   1 Corps Sigs	64966 Maj Chambres J. 70163 Capt Benham PC.            Capt Adams RA. P/201261 Capt Turnbull RGH 219808 A/Capt Kidger CH	Jul            Aug Jul Sep   Aug

APPENDIX A 2.

Ors.

Arm	Unit	No. Rank. Name Initials	Month in respect of which Certificate awarded
RASC RASC REME RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RE RE RE RE RS RASC RASC RASC RASC RASC   RASC RAMC RAMC RAOC RAOC RAOC   RAOC REME REME CMP	HQ 1 Corps HQ 1 Corps HQ 1 Corps 62 A. Tk Regt RA 652 AOP Sqn RAF CBO 1 Corps 9 Svy Regt RA 9 Svy Regt RA 62 A. Tk Regt RA 62 A. Tk Regt RA 102 LAA Regt RA 102 LAA Regt RA 105 Corps Fd Pk Coy RE 234 Fd Coy RE 240 Fd Coy RE 1 Corps Sigs 89 Coy RASC CRASC 1 Corps Tps 319 Coy RASC 365 Coy RASC 290 Coy RASC 1611 Arty Pl 319 Coy RASC 132 Coy RASC (MAC) 33 FDS 20 FDS 1 Corps Tps Ord 1 Corps & Army Tps Sub Pk HQ 1 Corps Tps Ord 854 Lt Rec Sec REME 840 Hy Rec Sec REME 838 Hy Rec Sec REME 102 Pro Coy CMP	S/4623050 L/Cpl Simpson FK S/10707327 Pte Ashurst A 10531256 Cfn Chamberlain GE 787527 BSM Connolly EJ 952551 L/Bdr Swanson AH 41888566 Sjt Evans HC 1145163 L/Sjt Howarth C 1150577 L/Bdr Filewood LJ 906157 Sjt (AC) Hughes HJ 1544967 L/Bdr Weller WH 795415 RSM Taylor E 4808284 BQMS Berisford H 1868008 Sjt Fagan R 2077470 Sjt Curry A 14608656 L/Cpl Irvine R 2317962 Sjt Cartwright E T/800095 Sjt Brown J T/247045 Cpl Williams TA T/119174 CSM Gardham CR T/5064728 L/Cpl Amess JS T/112385 Sjt Walsh PJ   T/64502 Sjt Merrett WE T/232050 Cpl Avenall W 7365347 Sjt Gourley SJ 7519764 Sjt Broomfield EL 7605055 WOI Rees WJ   125368 SQMS Suffell JA 14352814 L/Cpl Voysey WJ 86329 Sjt Flemming AA 14629090 Cpl Yates SJJ 7619282 Cpl Hall JW 5833197 Cpl Davis H	Jun Aug Jun Jun Jun Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep Jun Jul Aug Jun Jun Jun Jul Jul Aug   Sep Sep Jun Aug Jun   Jul Aug Jul Aug Sep Sep

Kriegsgefangenenpost

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 5858

                                                                                    U.K. Postmark Little Lever 15 De 44.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON 1068 Bury Rd

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street Breightmet

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE          Bolton

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

24-9-44

Sweetheart.  Here I am again with another letter, to say that I am still keeping in the best of health, and I hope that you are the same.  Also how is your mother going on?  I hope that she is keeping in good health too.  You must both look after yourselves.  How is everybody else going on, my dad, Gladys, Harold, and of course Bernard, I bet he wonders where his Uncle Ernie has gone to doesn’t he?  Did you get that letter in which I asked for a photograph of you.  You should have it by now.  I have not received any mail from you, that is up to the time of writing this letter, and I am looking forward to the time when I get my first letter.  Well Darling I think this is about all for just now, it is rather difficult to find anything to write about so cheerio Dearest and keep your chin up.  I love you more than anything else and always will.  Give my best wishes to all, and I hope it will not be long before we are together again.  I love you Darling.  Yours forever

            Ernest

 xxxxxxx

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.  SAGAN/SCHLES.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

La Creste, Huiry

Couilly (S. et M.)

Esbly.

Dec 9 1914.

Commander

Bedfordshire L.I.

British Expeditionary Force

Sir.

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

            Sincerely yours

                        Mildred Aldrich.

December 1944

(Britain)               

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

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

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

(Belgium)

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

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

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

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

—

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

(Eastern Front)

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

(Pacific)

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

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

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

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

(Other Areas)

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

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

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

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

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