Date                Time   Location         Damage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                    Island             No casualties.  Slight damage to farm buildings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                                            Coal Yard High Street.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                    Island             Eastwick.  N.D.C.

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

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

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

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

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

Island

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                    Island             Farm.  No casualties.  Damage to farm buildings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Island             Newlands.  No casualties.  Slight damage to property.

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

                                                            Farm.  N.D.C.

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

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

B/5583

2^nd Bn. THE BORDER REGT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infantry Brigade which remained as a reserve for the

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Royal Flying Corps       Indian Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.Q./21/1                                           21

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

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

From:

Place: Commanding No. 3. Squadron.

Time:  

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

Signature of Addressee

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

18A

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO G.H.Q.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.194.                                                21

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

Org C.G.S.

Copy I.

R.F.C

From: Indian Corps

Place:

Time:  5.4 0p.m.

18B

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Indian Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.Q.21/11                                          21

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

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

Place:

Time:  7.45 p.m.

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

Signature of Addressee

Kriegsgefangenenpost

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 7916

                                                                                    U.K. Postmark Little Lever 29 No 44.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON 1068 Bury Rd

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street Breightmet

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE          Bolton

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

3-9-44

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

Yours forever

            Ernest

xxxxxxx

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

Stamp. Postmark Little Lever Bolton Lancs. 29 NO 44. 

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 7916

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                                1068 Bury Rd.

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON Breightmet

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street Bolton

                        Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Ernest Wilkinson Sgt.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7.  SAGAN/SCHLES

Lager-Bezeichnung:

            M.-Stammlager Luft 3.

Deutschland (Germany)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 12.9.44

Sweetheart.  Here we are again.  I am still keeping in the best of health, and I hope that you are the same, how is your mother I hope that she is keeping well too.  We have started educational classes, and can take practically any subject you can mention.  This is all for now Darling.  So cheerio and God bless you.  I love you.

Yours forever.

Ernest xxxxxx

A.M. Form 1509.A.

AIR MINISTRY, (Accts 7)

Whittington Road

Worcester.

29.11.44.

Airman’s Name E. Wilkinson  No. 2211329.

Madam,

            The amount of the Royal Air Force weekly payment to you has been increased with effect from 8.10.44 by the sum of 2/6 for the following reason Airman’s Promotion to F/ Sgt

A supplementary Royal Air Force order book is enclosed (together with a postal draft in respect of arrears for the period 8/10/44 to 6/12/44)

I am, Madam,

Your obedient Servant,

Signature unreadable

for Director of Accounts.

Mrs. E. Wilkinson

H.Q. R.F.C.

G/112/40.

INFORMATION

==========

2^nd Corps.

            The following notes on defensive measures taken during the recent fighting in front of YPRES may be of assistance to other troops.

The section of defence held by the Division was in wooded country.  The tracks through the woods became almost impassable owing to mud, the whole area was under constant shell fire and wires were constantly cut.  Communication was therefore slow and difficult.  It was found that when the enemy made a breach in the line it was a slow and costly business to turn him out, if he was given time to establish himself.  On the other hand, immediate counter attack was almost always successful.

Local reserves were therefore placed close up with orders to counter attack with the bayonet whenever the enemy penetrated the line.  Small supporting points were established close behind the line, prepared for all round defence, wired in all round, and, as far as possible, concealed from observation.  These posts had garrisons of from 20 to 40 men.  They should be under an officer or selected N.C.O.  It was found that they broke up the attack and checked it sufficiently to enable a successful counter attack to be organized.

The general experience of the fighting was that a field of fire was of far less importance to infantry than freedom from exposure to artillery fire.  The portion of the line held by the West Kents and K.O.S. Borderers had a field of fire of from 30 to 40 yards.  It was well wired in and never seriously troubled because the enemy could not bring his guns to bear on it.  All the enemy’s attempts to attack were repulsed with heavy loss.

It was found in places where the line was exposed to artillery fire that the two lines of trenches, connected by zig-zag communications were of value.  On several occasions our men were shelled out of one line but by moving back to the other avoided loss and were able to prevent the enemy’s infantry from occupying the abandoned trenches.  The forward line was usually re-occupied without difficulty when the shelling ceased and was invariably occupied at night.

Loopholed iron plates were found very useful for snipers when the enemy had established himself close to our line.

With reference to G.H.Q. No. O.A.401 some rabbit netting was put up over the trenches round YPRES but when our left had not undergone an actual test by “Minenwerfere”.  Both the infantry and cavalry in the trenches objected to it on the ground that it prevented them using their bayonets, in which objection I entirely concur, and consider it an inseparable one.  I think it should not be used either in fire or support trenches, except over machine gun emplacements and with outposts where it might be useful.  It might also be used over reserve trenches and would there also form a good support for some form of protection against the weather.

I do not think any form of protection against “Minenwerfere” can be designed for the fire trenches which will not have the same objection to its use.  As it appears almost impossible to spot them so that they can be dealt with by artillery, the only method of dealing with them would seem to be to make a sortie in the neighbourhood they are supposed to be in.

(Sd) W. Salmond

Major, G.S.

H.Q. R.F.C.

1-30 p.m.

            29/11/14.

            Programme of Work done by No. 6 Squadron with 11nd Corps.

———————————————–

19-11-14:       No work possible owing to severe snowstorm.

20-11-14:       B.E. 493 – Artillery observation with Vth Division.

                        Other machine started, but forced to return owing to carburettor

                        trouble.

21-11-14:       B.E. 493 – Artillery observation with Vth Division.

                        Other machines started for Artillery observation and tactical

                        reconnaissance, but returned owing to carburettor trouble

Wireless Flight arrived.

22-11-14:       B.E. 241 & B.E. 468 – Artillery observation with Vth Division.

                        B.E. 493 & B.E. 646 – Artillery observation with 3^rd Division.

                        B.E. 636 – Tactical Reconnaissance

                                                            (Report attached).

23-11-14                                                                                (Sd): J.H.W. Becke, Maj.

Cdg. NO. 6 Sqdn. R.F.C.

——————————————-

35A

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENEMY 23/11/14.

————————————-

(Enclosed with original).

G.H.Q. 1.,                                                                                      (Sd) G.M.W. Macdonogh,

23/11/14                                                                                            Brigadier General,

General staff.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 7916

                                                                                    No U.K. Postmark.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON 1068 Bury Rd

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street  Breightmet

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE          Bolton

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

8-8-44

Sweetheart.  Here we are again with another letter.  I am still keeping in the best of health, and I hope that you are the same.  August bank Holiday was spent rather well here, we had a bit of a field day.  The entertainments committee arranged it and it was quite a good effort.  There was a baseball match in the morning, between two Canadian teams.  In the afternoon there was a cricket match, England versus Australia, which was finished today, England won by about forty runs.  There were also a few improvised side shows.  Oh! By the way I forgot to mention it before, I have started in the hairdressing trade, and am now one of the camp barbers.  That is enough about me Dear how are you keeping?  I hope that you are alright, and that you are looking after yourself.  How is your mother keeping, I hope she is alright too, how is my dad going on, and everyone else at Prestwich.  Give them my regards.  This is all for now.  Darling, except to say I love you.  Give my love to your mother, and please look after yourselves.  So cheerio my Darling and God bless you and keep you safe.  Yours forever.

            Ernest

xxxxxxx

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)