SECOND WORLD WAR

October 1944

(Liberation of Europe)

Beginning on the 12^th September 1944, the Battle of Aachen was fought by U.S. and German soldiers. The battle ended on the 21^st October 1944 when the Germans surrendered. The city, on German’s western border had been incorporated in the German Siegfried Line. Defended by 13,000 Soldiers the Germans were facing 100,000 U.S. First Army troops attacking the city from north and south. With the eventual German surrender on the 21^st October 1944 both sides had suffered heavy casualties. The Allied plans for the advance into the industrialised Ruhr Basin had been significantly disrupted by the tenacious German defence. Aachen was the first German city to be occupied by the Allies, and was one of the largest and toughest urban battles of the war.

(Germany)

Following German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel’s wounding in Normandy on the 17^th July 1944, he was taken to hospital suffering from face wounds and fractures to his skull. He made sufficient recovery whereby he was transferred to a rented house in Herrlingen, Germany on the 8^th August 1944. His doctors objected to the move but did accompany him on his move. With the assistance of his caring wife he quickly recovered his health. However, he was implicated in the 20 July Plot to assassinate Fuhrer Adolf Hitler. He was under constant observation from the Nazi SS and Hitler decided on an extrajudicial execution. Rommel was given the choice to take poison or appear before the “Peoples Tribunal” and branded a traitor and face the public outcry that might cause. He chose poison knowing his family wold be looked after by the State and a pension provided. On the 11^th October 1944 Rommel left the house in full dress and his Marshalls baton, climbed into a car followed by two Nazi generals. Having entered a forest Rommel bit into a cyanide capsule and died instantly. The same evening German radio stations broadcast that Rommel had died from the repercussions of the head wounds he received in Normandy. He was given the State Funeral befitting a national hero. On the 21^st October 1944 Rommel’s body was cremated and the urn containing his ashes was buried in the rural cemetery in Herrlingen.

Announcing on the 16^th October 1944 Hitler ordered the conscription of all males, aged 16 to 60 years, who were not already in some military unit. The German army did not have enough men to resist the Soviet Union onslaught. On the 18^th October 1944 Volkssturm (“people’s storm”) was established. The figure of six million men required for Volkssturm was never attainable.

(Eastern Front)

In Poland, the occupying Nazi Germans forced the Warsaw Uprising participants to capitulate on the 2^nd October 1944. All fighting stopped and finally the Warsaw Home Army surrendered on the 5^th October 1944. Beginning on the 1^st August 1944, the 63 day uprising was timed to coincide with the German retreat from Poland, due to the Soviet advance. 20,000 to 49,000 Polish resistance and Warsaw Home Army faced approximately 20,000 Germans. Both sides sustained heavy casualties. One of the reasons why the Warsaw Uprising failed was the lack of assistance from the Allies. It is questionable whether the Soviet Union was prepared to assist in the uprising. Their aim was to replace German occupation with Russian occupation and embrace Poland into the Soviet Empire.

On the 1^st October 1944 Hungarian delegates arrived in Moscow to discuss an armistice with the Soviet Union.In consequence the Red Army entered Hungary on the 5^thOctober 1944. On the 15^th October 1944, an enraged Hitler received word that Hungary’s Regent, Admiral Miklos Horthy was secretly negotiating an armistice with the Soviet Union. He immediately ordered the introduction of Operation Panzerfaust. Hungary had been a German ally since November 1940, and Hitler was fearful that with the surrender it would expose his southern flank. During March 1944, German troops occupied Hungary as Rumania had recently joined forces with the S.U. On the 15^th October 1944 Horthy was handed a statement announcing he was renouncing the armistice and abdicating. He signed the statement because he had been told his son’s life was at stake. Horthy and his son both survived the war. He later explained that he never resigned or abdicated, and stated – “A signature wrung from a man at machine gun point can have little legality”.

On the west coast of Estonia in the East Baltic Sea, the Red Army captured the Estonian Hiiumaa Island on the 3^rd October 1944. The Germans had occupied Estonia since 1941.

In Poland, Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp was the largest Jewish extermination facility built by the Nazis. Construction of the camp was completed by March 1942. Immediately upon completion the Nazis began deporting Jews to the camp. By June 1943, four gas chambers and Crematorium had been added, allowing for the murder and burning of 4,000 people per day. The grizzly tasks were conducted by approximately 1,000 segregated Jews, who were called Sonderkammandos (Special Work Force). These workers received better living and food conditions but routinely were killed and new prisoners brought in. Several resistance groups formed in the camp’s early days. An overall resistance was formed in preparation for the general revolt. The Sonderkammandos planned to blow up the crematoria with explosives brought in by women delivering food. On the 7^th October 1944 the revolt began when one crematorium was blown up. The revolt was suppressed and three German were killed as were 452 members of the Sonderkammandos. Following the revolt, Auschwitz did not return to its former operation.

From the 9^th to the 19^th October 1944 the forth Moscow Conference was conducted. Present were the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and delegates from the London based Polish government-in-exile and the communist Polish Committee of National Liberation. American delegates were in attendance as observers. There is unconfirmed evidence that Stalin agreed to enter the war against Japan. There is also no evidence the British agreed to return all former Soviet liberated citizens to the Soviet Union.

On the 10^th October 1944 Soviet troops had reached the German border of East Prussia. They continued their advance and on the 16^th October 1944 the Red Army was on the German territory of East Prussia.

German occupation of Greece began in April 1941. On the 14^th October 1944, with the Allies advancing the Germans evacuated Greece and Athens was liberated when the British arrived.

In Yugoslavia the Red Army and Yugoslav partisans liberated the capital city of Belgrade on the 20^th October 1944. The whole of Yugoslavia was liberated from the Axis powers by the Red Army and Yugoslav partisans on the 25^th October 1944.

(Pacific)

The five day Formosa Air Battle began on the 12^th October 1944 and ended on the 16^th October 1944. The battle was a series of aerial engagements by the U.S. Navy Carrier Task Force against the land based Japanese army and moored naval aircraft carriers. During the day, Japanese military installations and infrastructure on Formosa (Taiwan) were attacked by fighters from the U.S. aircraft carriers. At night the Japanese conducted air raids against U.S. ships. From over 1,500 aircraft the Japanese launched against the U.S. fleet, in the region of 300 to 550 were lost. These figures are only estimates. Formosa suffered heavy damage to military installations and infrastructure. U.S. casualties were 89 lost out of 1,000 aircraft, one cruiser severely damaged, one destroyer and two light cruisers slightly damaged. Despite Japanese propaganda that the Formosa Air Battle was a victory, they were forced to review their options. The false sense of victory resulted in the Japanese officers ordering an all-out pursuit of the U.S. fleet, which ended in another huge loss of aircraft. For the on-coming Battle of Leyte Gulf, organised kamikaze attacks were proposed.

In the Philippines the Battle of Leyte was an amphibious landing by American forces against the Imperial Japanese Army. On the 20^th October 1944 U.S. General Douglas MacArthur led the landing troops onto the beaches. In February 1942 when the Japanese were over-running the Philippines, MacArthur was ordered by U.S. President Roosevelt to relocate to Australia. Upon arriving at Australia, his comment was “I came through and I shall return”. With the successful landing MacArthur had honoured his statement that he would return. The Battle of Leyte ended on the 26^th December 1944 and was a U.S. victory.

The four day Battle of Leyte Gulf began on the 23^rd October 1944 and ended on the 26^th October 1944. The battle was the largest naval battle of the Second World War. The Americans had approximately 300 ships of all descriptions and the Japanese had 67 available ships. The Americans had about 1,500 carrier-based planes for combat with the Japanese total of 300 carrier and land based planes. Japanese organised kamikaze attacks were in operation for the first time. Kamikaze attacks were pilot suicide missions who flew their aircraft into the U.S. warships. The overall aim was to sink or destroy the warships. The Japanese committed their ships into three separate areas in an effort to lure the U.S. fleet away from the Battle of Leyte. On the 25^th October 1944, aircraft of the northern, central and southern forces of the Japanese fleet fought with U.S. aircraft on three separate air engagements. The result was the defeat of the Japanese navy whose casualties were 17 ships damaged, 11 destroyers sunk and the loss of all 300 plus aircraft. They also had 12,000 naval personnel killed or wounded. The U.S. had 3,000 naval personnel killed or wounded, ten ships damaged, two destroyers sunk and 255 aircraft lost. On the 26^th October 1944 the remaining Japanese fleet retreated to their bases in Japan and the result was the loss of the Philippines.

From June to August 1944, six airfields were under construction during the Mariana Islands campaign. The Japanese-held islands of Guan, Saipan and Tinian had been captured by the U.S. army. By the 23^rd October 1944 Tinian airfield was ready to receive Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers. Tinian Island, 1,500 miles (2,400 km) south of Tokyo, allowed the B-29s to attack the home islands of Japan and return without refuelling. With hundreds of B-29s based at the airfield, systematic bombing of Japan began.

————————————————————————

Captain PC Benham Oct 44

Oct31

1 Oct (Sun)

Slept all morning – had lunch at 1.45 pm. After lunch finished Judith Paris, first class book and generally frigged around. New system operates w.e.f. tomorrow – yours truly does all the work so far as I can see. On duty 6 – 11 pm. Bought thermo – 55fr. Very cold all day still got a stinking cold – lights out at 12.30.

To – L From L (Lilliput)

2 Oct

On duty very solidly from 9 – 9 – earned my pay – cold at its worst I hope – went over to see Munton – Neil after lunch re case of drunkenness (Sgt Nichols who I’m defending) – Wrote War Diary & to A in V after dinner. Drink with Phantom lad before dinner. Sat by fire nattering in B Mess before going to bed – read ‘a prince of Summer’ –

To A From A

3 Oct

Another v hectic day – nothing to report of interest. Wrote V1 after dinner. Tim did sweet FA all day. LO from 21 Army Gp says if all goes according to plan war over before Xmas. Hope he’s right.

To A From L, B

4 Oct

Move to Turnhout tomorrow. Worked hard 9 – 1.30 then 2 – 2.30. Went to Antwerp with Miles Morris – via Rear (Paymaster shut) Lievre – Paymaster Antwerp where I cashed a cheque for £8-10-0 (1500f). Lent Miles 400f. Good tea (ice and 3 cakes – shop (only spent 75f on lipstick – then bath at Century, quick drink and back home at 8 ocl. Wrote A & G in V1 after dinner, prepared Court Martial and wrote 4 days of War Diary.

To A From Nil

G G (after X)

5 Oct (Thurs)

Left Sautheven at 10.20 with Clifford Simpson in his Jeep – and arrived to est Corps HQ at Turnhout 11 ocl – remainder on about 12.30 – haversack lunch – a really bloody awful barracks we are in – very modern – very large and dirty – built just before war and used by Boche – drawings in charcoal to glorify war everywhere – now used as prison for collaborators – youths guarding – one block girls – many nice respectable people – ** Mayor & family cleaning our lats all dressed in Sunday best – on duty 8.15 – 10 pm – long day – v weary – hope room – Charles W. Johnnie B I hope we leave this place very soon.

To Nil From Nil (late post parcel A)

6 Oct Fri

Rest – on tonight.

Antwerp – Lyall Martin – stamps ***. Spent whole morning writing up cases for Sgts Nicholls & Clark, don’t like look of either. After lunch went in to Antwerp with Lyall & Martin. Bath first then shampoo & hair cut after good tea at Century. Walked miles round shops, bought some stamps. Met Lyall for drink and then quite good dinner. Drove back and arrived just in time to go on duty.

To A From A (World Dig) ECS

7 Oct Sat Visits

C.M. 1000 hrs – rush –

One hell of a bloody rush today. On all night, relieved 8.30, wash shave breakfast and picked up witness in TURNHOUT and at Shilde 0955 hrs! Hectic cases evidence completely against. P.P, v efficient but bullying type. Both sergeants found guilty of being drunk – first case 10 – 2.30 (3/4 hr for lunch) – second case 2.30 – 6 ocl (½ hour for cup o’char. Arrived back feeling v tired at 7 ocl, wrote A and read after dinner and so to bed. Some day!

To A From – L

B A, B, G

8 Oct

9 – 10. On duty all day, absolutely FA happening, off about 10.30 pm and after short read went to beddibies.

To Nil A

9 Oct (Mon)

Visit 49 8 – 10. Offrs shop 9 ocl.

Up early and on duty 8 ocl – marked maps til lunch-time after which went out with G1 to visit 49 Div, tea there then to 146 and 147 Bde – kept for 1 hr outside Div HQ while G1 had drink with his pals – poor show. Off at 10.15 wrote A, G & L til past midnight. Offrs shop round this morning bought

Shoes, pair, brown 186fr

3 pairs socks 54

3 handkerchiefs 15

Pair leather gloves 76

331fr

To A Nil

G, L

10 Oct

Rest Day – Duty 2200 – 0900 hrs. Miserably wet day – grey but fine when I left here – but got progressively worse towards Brussels and downpour there made golf out of the question. Cashed cheque for 500fr (£2-16-8). Coffee, news theatre til 3.15 – shopped, v expensive everywhere then tea and back via Antwerp where I had good bath at Century. At 8.20 arr back for dinner after which a terrific argument, usual stuff – Reg v TA was waged – G1 v Lyall, Ken H & myself – Cinity stoked it up by supplying cigs and Benedictine! On duty at 10 pm. No news.

To A From B Ian Colville

11 Oct 2¾ hrs sleep during night.

Cashed this month so far 11-6-8

In hand 431 francs 2-7-6

Spent so far £8-19-2

Quiet night – PCB prepared a real bull shitty sitrep as at 0800 hrs! After wash and shave and b’fast went out on ‘visits’ – left at 10.30 visited 4 Liaison HQ, Pol Armd Div, amazing photos of havoc round Turn and Chaubois – then on to 57 Div where I had lunch, back through Eindhoven, (saw gliders on way all parked neatly in rows) – to 154 Bde, to the Royals for tea & so back at 5.30. marked maps had glass of Benedictine then wrote A, dinner and so to bed v early.

To A From G, L

12 Oct Thurs

On duty 9 pm. Very slack day absolutely no business at all.

To – Nil From A

13 Oct Fri

On duty nearly all day – nothing to report – no mail.

To A From Nil

14 Oct Sat

Left Turnhout with Tim at 8.40 and arrived at 21 A Gp Brussels at 10.45 – met Tim’s brother and then to Waterloo G C – had 9 holes before lunch – beer and sandwiches. 18 holes, beer, and then back to 21 A Gp. At Club house met Madame Hamoir who was a Zuite and Camille Seyss now pro at W. only fly in ointment was frightful balls. Had drink and dinner with Gordon Conner then back at 8 pm arriving here 10.30 – a bit late for parade but couldn’t matter less. Very enjoyable day. V2? Oostmalle.

To A From A, L, DF Baccy, Mag, ECS

15 Oct

G birthday.

Quietish night though not much sleep. Took me time over shaving then went to Church at 11.30 a lot there after Corps Comds letter. After early lunch went over with Clifford Simmons to Second Army at Helmond, about 10 miles East of Eindhoven. Had tea there got back at 7.30 after bloody awful drive in wet and dark. Drink in B Mess with Tim and Eric Bayes. After early dinner wrote A, then to bed.

To L From Nil

16 Oct

On Ops all day – had off between 5.15 – 8.15 when I wrote to A and Collie. Nothing much to report except complete change of plan – we lose 7 Armd & 51 and go Westish.

To A From Nil

Ian Colville

17 Oct

Infm room & maps all day – on my feet most of them – felt bloody tired about 10.15 when I came off duty – otherwise nothing much to report. Tac goes out 19^th? Main moves, not yet settled but large Tac will go out

To Nil From L, B.

18 Oct

V Enjoyable quiet restful day. Pottered most morning – doing accounts, tidying up my boxes and most imp writing to A. Early lunch, after drink with Charles then to Antwerp. Arrived at 2.45 where we both had super baths – no V2s! – and listened to music in Century from 3.30 – 5. Shopping bought pipe 65f and Eau de Cologne, Worth’s Je reviens – 90f. Left at 6 pm back here at 7.15. Dinner, potter and then on duty at 2200 hrs.

To A (2) am – night. From Stamp dealer!

19 Oct Thurs

Not too hectic a night – wrote A in the early hours. After b’fast washed shaved & then went over to 4 Armd Bde just into Holland on the T – E road – went alone & sang there & back! Poured with rain – after latish lunch pottered til 3 ocl then slept til nearly 6! Pottered, early dinner then in bed before 9 ocl.

To Nil From A

20 Oct Fri

Lazy day – attack started – on my feet most of time & at 10.30 when I was relieved feet v tired – wrote A and so to bed. Attack went well – about 530 PW taken.

To A From G

21 Oct Sat

On ‘maps & infm room’ all day from 8 am – again bloody tired by time I came off at 10 pm, straight to bed & asleep in no time. Attack still going well – Monty visiting us tomorrow. We are likely to move on the 23^rd or 24^th – probably 24^th. Lovely day but not much good to me.

To Nil From L

22 Oct Sun

Day off in morning went to Church at 10 ocl then to office at 11 to meet Monty who never came in – saw him. Wrote L before lunch afterwards went in to Antwerp with Charles good cheap pm.

Arrived A 2.45

Finished bath 3.35

Tea & music offrs club til 5 ocl.

Walk & cinema (Chavivani) til 7 ocl.

Drink & ice with Miki til 7.45.

Dinner at X – v good til 8.30.

Arrived back – 10 to 10. On duty for night at 10 ocl!!

To L From Nil

23 Oct Mon

Not a bad night but very little sleep from 3.30 – 6.15. After b’fast got myself tied up to visit 12 Corps but plan had to be cancelled as John R was called out – on duty 1.15 – 4 ocl when I went into town & bought some stamps (109fr) at the Poste. After tea wrote A & packed parcel up – drink with John Hardy before dinner then took letters & parcel to office heard news – well done the RUSKIS – & so very early to bed.

To A (R.L. + Hampers) From – Ken Davis

A (Parcel)

24 Oct

Moved today at 10 ocl from Turnhout to Camp de Brasschact rather in the heart of the V2 country – hectic day – came off duty feeling very weary at 10.15 straight to bed and to sleep – sharing room with Charles Woodford

To Nil From A, L, B.

25 Oct

Up at 7.30 – very busy all day with not a quiet moment. Monty came down and visited the Ops Room but not the information room of which I was in charge! Several thumps quite close today – ? V2s. I think they were. Late news that 4 Br Armd Bde are near TILBERG excellent show – War news our area good all day.

To A From DF Baccy, Argosy ECS.

26 Oct

Wrote most of morning – light in my room now fixed up makes no end of difference. At 1.15 C and I went into Antwerp & were in there by 2 ocl – bath, ice, listened to music in Century then tea in Excelsior – short walk then Ginger Rogers in Tom Dick & Harry. Glass of beer dinner and so back in time to go on duty at 10 ocl.

To Mrs TKD. From Nil

Peter Rawson

27 Oct (Friday)

Battle has gone extremely well today – on all sectors of 1 & 12 Corps fronts. Frightful night – slept 3.45 to 6 ocl then rush, rush, rush til 9.25 when I came off. After wash and shave went to see Doc about this awful can’t-stop-ping-racket – pills (he gave me) – then out on visits – went to 4 Cdn Armd Div (lunch there) then to 49 Div back in time for tea.

To – From

28 Oct

On duty all day 9 – 10 pm. Very busy but all went well. Phoned Charles in great form – meeting him on Monday in Antwerp. Saw Doc – my ‘urine’ ok but loss of spec gravity – pills to cure. Marvellous post incl SUPER leather waistcoat from A. GBH. Battle went well today good show.

To A From A L, G, Parcel A super

Tattler} L

******}

29 Oct Sun

On duty just after 8 am – had cup of char before going to Church, with Alistair Gold ex 339 Bty. Nothing much to report today but good progress made by Poles who captured and cleared BREDA

To L From Nil

30 Oct

Excellent day. Wrote first part of letter to A in am then in to Antwerp at 10.15. Charles out when I called so went to C, good bath, ice & lunch with Geoff Lambe at Excelsior. After lunch met Charles W as arranged and went to see Charles C in great form also ‘old Wright’ – he came back to C where the 3 of us had chat & tea. Charles W & I then had tea & then to ‘Lover Girl’ – Rita Heyworth – v good. Met Tim & Cinity at E – dinner, drink & so home arriving just in time for a night in the office.

To A From L

J. James B

J James

31 Oct

Only 1 ½ hrs sleep during night usual morning flap but for once had all the answers. Tac out today. Wrote 2 days of war diary in am. Slept v solidly from 2.15 – 7.15 then dinner and wrote A afterwards before turning in at 11.15 after short read. Nothing very much on the Ops line.

To A From – Nil

THE V-2 ROCKET

Oct31

3 October 1944, Tuesday, (23.05 hours) – Battery 2/485, Den Haag, Ockenburch, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wanstead (Leytonstone). Eight people killed, five properties demolished.

7 October 1944, Saturday, (08.58 hours) – Battery 2/485, Den Haag, Bloemendaal, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Pitsea, Essex. Fell in orchard. Forty-nine injured including six with serious injuries.

8 October 1944, Sunday, (07.56 hours) – Battery 2/485, Den Haag, Bloemendaal, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Linford, Essex. Fell in ploughed field.

9 October 1944, Monday, (05.50 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wanstead. Fell near AA gun site.

9 October 1944, Monday, (09.43 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Havingore Island, Essex. Fell on marshland. No damage.

9 October 1944, Monday, (13.45 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on marshland at Hydemarsh Farm, near Fambridge, Essex. Rocket disintegrated at high altitude. One house in nearby Southminster slightly damaged by falling fragment.

10 October 1944, Tuesday, (07.20 hours) – Battery 444, Rijsterbos, Middenleane, V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea near Frinton (airburst).

10 October 1944, Tuesday, (10.20 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in field at Navestock, Essex. One serious casualty.

10 October 1944, Tuesday, (15.57 hours) – Battery 444, Rijsterbos, Middenleane, V-2 rocket fired exploded 1200 metres high above the harbour of Harwich.

10 October 1944, Tuesday, (17.50 hours) – Battery 444, Rijsterbos, Middenleane, V-2 rocket fired, impacted at Woods End, minor injuries to two persons.

11 October 1944, Wednesday, (00.43 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in ploughed field at Rawreth, Essex. Three slight casualties.

11 October 1944, Wednesday, (05.10 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in potato field at North Ockendon, Essex. Slight damage to property.

11 October 1944, Wednesday, (06.40 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in mud flats near pier at Southend, Essex. Rocket disintegrated before impact. Slight damage to property.

12 October 1944, Thursday, (+/- 00.06 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Walthamstow. Twenty one people injured.

12 October 1944, Thursday, (+/- 02.46 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Thames Estuary, near Clacton. Rocket disintegrated before impact.

12 October 1944, Thursday, (+/- 10.50 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rawreth, Essex. Slight damage to property.

In the early morning of Friday October 13, an order was given from Reichsfuhrer SS Himmler that with the exception of Battery 2/485 (which was to continue targeting London) all other batteries were now to target Antwerp. This arrangement was to continue until October 20, when Battery 444 would fire their last rocket at Antwerp before being relocated to the Den Haag area for launching against London.

13 October 1944, Friday, (06.40 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Burstead, Essex (airburst).

13 October 1944, Friday, (07.15 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on a farm at Barling, Essex. Slight damage to farmhouses.

14 October 1944, Saturday, (23.44 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barking. Fell on marshland.

15 October 1944, Sunday, (05.00 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rettendon, Essex. Slight damage to 4 houses. Two people slightly injured.

17 October 1944, Tuesday, (15.44 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Little Baddow, Essex. One Property seriously damaged by blast, another by fire. Two people injured.

21-22 October 1944, elements of Battery 444 were moving from Rijs to Den Haag on these days. Battery 3/485 opened fire against Antwerp on Oct. 21 from sites in Burgsteinfurt. Already operating in Burgsteinfurt since Oct. 10 was Battery SS 500.

During the previous three weeks in Den Haag / Wassenaar, usually one or two rockets were launched on a day. But now with the Battery 444 troops from Gaasterland, no less then 6 rockets were launched per day. The new launch Site was the Rijswijkse Bos, several metres away from a monument to peace made in 1697.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, (00.22 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Langdon Hills, Essex. 17 Houses damaged. Three Persons injured.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, (20.35 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Bulphan, Essex. Farm damaged.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, (20.40 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on mud flats at Duck Island, near Grays, Essex.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, (22.20 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on mud flats at Canvey Island, Essex.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, there were 6 rockets fired from Sites at Wassenaar and Rijswijk. On October 26, a new launch record was achieved by Battery 444 – a total of nine (9) rockets were fired this day from Wassenaar and Rijswijk, of which three within 45 minutes.

25 October 1944, Wednesday, (+/- 12.35 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wickford, Essex. Fell in open field. Pumping station of nearby sewage works damaged. Two Persons injured.

27, October 1944, Friday, (11.15 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Leyton. Direct hit on house. Six Dead, thirty seriously injured and six Properties demolished.

27 October 1944, Friday, (12.00 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on forest land in Chingford. Hotel and historic hunting lodge damaged. Two persons suffered slight injuries. The crater from this incident still exists.

27 October 1944, Friday, (18.55 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on open ground in Wanstead. No damage, but One person killed, another seriously injured.

29 October 1944, Sunday, (+/- 23.52 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Shenfield, Essex. Fell in field. No damage. No launch record exists. However, impact is confirmed and Battery 444 was the only unit firing at London on this day.

30 October 1944, Monday, (05.10 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barking. Direct hit on Beckton Gas Works, which was partially put out of action. Two persons seriously injured.

30 October 1944, Monday, (12.26 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham. Serious damage to buildings at Victoria Dock.

30 October 1944, Monday, (12.27 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham. Five Properties demolished. Combined casualties for both West Ham incidents: Eleven dead, Ten seriously injured.

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

Oct31

Date Time Location Damage

06/10/1944 20.00 Pilgrims 2 houses slightly damaged by cannon fire from

Hatch friendly aircraft when attacking ‘Fly’. No casualties.

07/10/1944 08.56 Pitsea 1 H.E. (R.P) fell at Northlands Drive causing 3

serious and 30 slight casualties. Extensive damage to dwelling houses and shops in the locality.

09/10/1944 09.50 Great 1 – H.E. (R.P) fell and exploded on New England

Wakering Island 120 yards SE of sea wall and 800 yards SW of Lt Shelford. No damage or casualties.

10/10/1944 00.20 Billericay 1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in field about 1/2 mile E of Lt

Blunts Farm slight damage to property. No casualties.

11/10/1944 00.47 Raweth 1 – H.E. (R.P) fell 200 yards S of Beke Hall Chase,

slight damage to property. No casualties.

12/10/1944 11.00 Raweth 1 – H.E. (R.P) exploded near Archers Farm 5 slight

casualties. 30 houses damaged.

13/10/1944 06.47 Great 1 – H.E. (R.P) exploded in the air. No damage or

Burstead casualties.

13/10/1944 07.20 Barling 1 – H.E. (R.P) 400 yards ESE Baldwins Farm, no

casualties. Slight damage to 12 properties and sea wall.

14/10/1944 03.50 Billericay 1 ‘Fly’ exploded at rear of Bulstead Farm causing

fire to stacks and farm buildings, 3 slight casualties, 10 houses severely damaged and 90 slightly.

15/10/1944 Shopland 1 ‘Fly’ exploded in field at Beauchamps Farm,

slight damage to property, no casualties.

16/10/1944 05.08 Rochford 1 – C.C. ‘Fly’ exploded in field nr Blatches Farm,

slight damage to property, no casualties.

17/10/1944 22.15 Langdon 1 – Bungalow was superficially damaged by a

Hills cannon shell fired by an allied aircraft attacking ‘Fly’.

21/10/1944 04.49 Rushley 1 – ‘Fly’ exploded on Marshland 500 yards NW of

Island Havengore Bridge, no damage or casualties.

21/10/1944 23.21 Rayleigh 1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in High Street completely

demolishing 2 houses, 32 houses seriously damaged and 250 slightly damaged causing 4 fatal casualties, 5 seriously and 20 slightly injured.

23/10/1944 14.15 Nevendon 1 – Susp. Wasp exploded 300 yards Sth Nevendon

Junior School. Damage to property, 4 slight casualties.

24/10/1944 00.25 Langdon 1 – Susp. Wasp exploded 200 yards E Westley

Hills Hall Farm. Extensive damage to property, 4 slight casualties.

24/10/1944 01.00 Dunton 1 – ‘Fly’ exploded 50 yards W Union Jack Tea

Rooms. 5 houses slightly damaged, 1 serious casualty 3 slight casualties. Gas main and electric cable damaged.

24/10/1944 22.29 Canvey Susp. Wasp believed to have exploded in mud at

Island Eastern end of Canvey Island. Glass damage, no casualties.

25/10/1944 00.10 Langdon 1 – ‘Fly’ exploded (shot down) in mid air at Lee

Hills Chapel Lane, 9 slight casualties and approx. 60 houses sustained slight damage.

25/10/1944 01.00 Basildon 3 bungalows in Campbell Road were slightly

damaged by cannon fire from aircraft attacking ‘Fly’. No casualties.

25/10/1944 12.45 Shotgate 1 – Susp. Wasp exploded in field on Shotgate

Farm about 700 yards N of Shotgate Post Office. 1 slight casualty and slight damage was caused to property.

25/10/1944 19.40 Thundersley 3 houses at Thundersley and 5 houses at South

and South Benfleet were slightly damaged by cannon fire

Benfleet from an aircraft attacking a ‘Fly’. No casualties.

29/10/1944 05.15 Rochford 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden 20 yards W of

Doggett’s Farm Cottages, Doggett’s Chase. N.D.C.

29/10/1944 05.20 Rochford 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 400 yards W of

Cock Inn Hall Road. N.D.C.

29/10/1944 05.25 Rochford 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field at Swaines Farm.

N.D.C.

29/10/1944 05.25 Rochford 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell at Swaines Farm. N.D.C.

29/10/1944 23.50 Shenfield 1 – Susp. Wasp exploded in field adjoining

L.N.E.R. Railway Inn. Approx. 60 houses sustained slight damage, no casualties. Railway telephone lines down.

31/10/1944 06.40 Canewdon 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell at Holmes Farm. N.D.C.

31/10/1944 Unknown Hutton 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in garden of Laburnum

Cottage Hanging Hill Lane. N.D.C.

PUBLIC SCHOOL BATTALION

Oct15

The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)

BATTALION ORDERS PART I

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

London, 15^th September 1914.

The Battalion is now in process of being formed. It will become a Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge’s Own Middlesex Regiment. The Regiment in the Peninsular War earned for itself at the battle of Albuhera, 16^th May, 1813, the glorious title of “The Diehards”. It has won fame at El Bodon, in the Crimea, and in South Africa, when it saved the situation at Spion Kop. It has now two Battalions, the first and the fourth, actually in the fighting line of the present Expeditionary Force in France. It rests with Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of our new Public School Battalion to uphold this reputation both in camp and the field.

The Organization of the Battalion will be:-

HEAD-QUARTERS SECTION.

A B C AND D COMPANIES

MACHINE GUN SECTION.

A total strength of 29 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer, 49 Staff Sergeants and Sergeants, 16 Drummers and Buglers, 1,005 Rank and File.

Provisional appointments have been made (see Part II orders) to the various ranks of Officers, Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers all to date from September 15^th 1914. The appointments to commissioned rank now made will require to be confirmed by the Army Council when the Commanding Officer considers it desirable to forward recommendations on the subject.

Vacancies have been left for 50 per cent in each rank in order to enable Officers commanding Companies to submit recommendations of suitable candidates for appointment from those who have enlisted and are enlisting.

Lists of Companies appear in Part II. Men wishing to transfer into another Company in order to serve with friends will give in their names to the Adjutant at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the 16^th inst.

The Battalion strength about 10 officers, 700 men, will; parade at Waterloo Station on Tuesday, 15^th inst., at 11 a.m., and proceed by train from thence to Kempton.

Every man on arriving at Waterloo Station will be given a copy of these orders and in Part II he will find the particular Company to which he has been posted.

Every man will fall in with his Company on the platform and no man will enter the train until ordered to do so. In the same way no man will leave the train at Kempton Park until so ordered.

Captain H.W. Ryan and Lieutenant F.G. Jackson will remain at 24, St. James Street to carry on the Recruiting of the Battalion until further orders, during this period Lieutenant F.R. Hill will also be in charge of A Company.

W.R. CAREY, Captain,

Adjutant Public School Battalion

D.C.O. Middlesex Regiment.

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

PART II.

The following Officers have been given temporary commissions subject to confirmation by the Army Council:-

Commanding Officer and Lieut.-Colonel:

Major J.H. Hall, The D.C.O., Middlesex Regiment.

To be Majors:

Lt. J.J. Mackay, late Westminster Dragoons.

To be Captains:

Lt. H.W. Ryan, late 19^th Hussars.

Capt. G.C. Way, Natal Mounted Rifles.

Capt. V. Ward-Brown, late Dublin Fusiliers.

To be Lieutenants:

Sergt. F.R. Hill, late Bombay Light Horse.

Lieut. F.G. Jackson, late V.B., East Yorks.

Mr. W.H. Dawson, later Ragoon Volunteer Rifles.

To be 2^nd Lieutenants:

Mr. J.C. Clayton, late O.T.C.

Mr. Russel Goodman, late O.T.C.

Captain and Adjutant:

Capt. W.R. Carey, 53^rd Sikhs F.F.

Lieutenant and Quartermaster:

Mr. A. d’Alpuget, late East Surrey Regiment.

The following officers are posted to the Companies named:-

Capt. H.W. Ryan … A Co.

Lieut. F.J. Jackson … A Co.

Capt. G.C. Way … B Co.

Lieut. W.H. Dawson … B Co.

Capt. V. Ward-Brown … C Co.

2^nd Lieut. J.C. Clayton … C Co.

Lieut. F.R. Hill … D Co.

2^nd Lieut. R. Goodman … D Co.

The Commanding Officer is pleased to make the following promotions from this date:-

To be Sergeant: S.B. Bendle.

To be Corporal: R. Norman.

The following men are posted to A, B, C, and D Companies respectively:-

A COMPANY.

No. No. No.

1 Sahl, P. 36 Barnfield, A.E. 71 Chester, R.

2 Monkton, F.G. 37 Villers, A.W. 72 Norris, F.E.E.

3 Mackerness, R.S.P. 38 Taylor, C.M.C 73 Armitage, D.W.

4 Winton, H.B. 39 Gilfillan, D.R. 74 Grange, H.T.

5 Lewis, H.M. 40 Gilson, C.M. 75 Colegate, R.

6 Mayhew, T.R. 41 Robinson, C.D. 76 Dawson, J.V.

7 Lushington, G.H.F. 42 Malcolm, G.L. 77 Gallop, R.C.

8 Andrews, H.G. 43 Samuel, E.D. 78 Walker, G.

9 Parsons, T.F. 44 Norman, S. 79 Martin. J.B.L.

10 Jones, S.H. 45 Boorman, R.C. 80 Thomas, R.G.

11 Tweedale, A. 46 Carmichael, G.C. 81 Baker, G.B.

12 Samuel, E.B. 47 Sanderson, W.K. 82 Livingstone, W.H.D.

13 Usman, N.A. 48 Old, R.M. 83 Sainsbury, A.W.

14 Boulton, A. 49 Gibson, J.G. 84 Rodd, J.H.

15 Millikin, D.M. 50 Groom, N. 85 Lowth, N.C.L.

16 Relton, T.L. 51 Henderson, C.E. 86 Lean, J.T.

17 Lyne, G.E.A. 52 Porter, E.H. 87 Stevens, L.B.

18 Dalby, H.A. 53 Carruthers, J.N.A. 88 Young, A.E.

19 Lazarus, A. 54 Cooper, R.T. 89 Hood, G.E.W.

20 Sproston, N. 55 Byrne, L.C. 90 Howie, F.

21 Stewart, V.M.J. 56 Grose, R.S. 91 Whitby, E.R.

22 Hopwood, R.H. 57 Marshall, H. 92 Fanghanel, F.C.

23 Tanqueray, F.B. 58 Murray, J.W. 93 Burn, R.F.

24 Church, G.S. 59 Coxon, A.J. 94 King, R.

25 Womersley, A.D. 60 Carter, E.M. 95 Strang, D.

26 Bell, A.M. 61 Oliver, T.F. 96 Bowman, N.J.

27 Helbert, C. 62 Lurcott, K.G. 97 Moore, H.C.

28 Wegg, H.N. 63 Clay, H.J. 98 Rayner, C.H.L.

29 Gundry-White, L.A. 64 Walker, A.T. 99 Hoskins, H.N.

30 Pells, C.A. 65 Gray, J.E.B. 100 Colin, A.H.

31 Irons, A.J. 66 Hurly, E. 101 Sacre, L.H.

32 Muddiman, N.L. 67 Keep, L.H. 102 Bennett, J.

33 Opie, T. 68 Keep, D.S.H. 103 Hill, J.C.

34 Church, J.W. 69 Coleridge, S.K. 104 Berry, D.D.A.

35 Gallwey, N.V. 70 Chevalier, P.T. 105 Draper, F.J.S.

106 Lambert 138 Spencer, F.P. 170 Maitland, W.K.

107 Dillon, E.C.B. 139 Stampe, G.H. 171 Cox, H.

108 Franklin, W. 140 Burnett, A.H. 172 North, R.D.

109 Forrester, P.H. 141 Henderson-Rowe, G.C. 173 Corner, W.G.

110 Bickersteth, C.W. 142 Solomon, D.C. 174 Ross, D.E.

111 Evans, E.L. 143 Thomlinson, M.B. 175 Leavis, H.

112 Evered, H. 144 Phipps, E. 176 Agar, B.M.

113 Lake, N.G. 145 Barry, J.W. 177 Glennie, A.W.

114 Moule, E.B. 146 Macrae, F.L. 178 Grain, H.W.W.

115 Anstey, G.A. 147 Dickinson, F.G.C. 179 Tuton, J.T.

116 Heslop, G.H. 148 Scott, G.H. 180 Brunton, B.T.

117 Legat, W.G. 149 Marlar, J. 181 Barham, J.F.

118 Bitchertin, F.H. 150 Bywater, S.F. 182 Yorke, C.H.

119 Edmondson, C.R.E. 151 Going, C.E. 183 Cohen, E.

120 Johnson, V.P. 152 Ludlow, A. 184 Page, R.

121 Koop, C. 153 Nicholson. R. 185 Coxon, W.H.

122 Gregory, F. 154 Irvine, Q. 186 Dice, T.C.

123 Rudford, A.C. 155 Lingner, G. 187 Howard, K.S.

124 Keefe, R.C.N. 156 Francis, N.P. 188 Lovaine, L.G.

125 Dracopoli, J.C. 157 Williamson. T.R. 189 Hopkinson, H.C.

126 Jones, F.W. 158 Corke, H.W. 190 Tillie, W.K.

127 Chapman, K.J. 159 Stanford, G. 191 Jardine, A.C.

128 Weir, N. 160 Box, F. Vanden 192 Blest, F.

129 Knight, H.B. 161 Price, E.M. 193 Robinson, S.F.

130 Nunnersley, M.T. 162 Crompton, A.N. 194 Irwin, T.W.C.

131 Manders, T.C. 163 Furbank, A.W. 195 Norman, R.

132 Westbrook, H.W. 164 Course, R.R. 196 Abbott, F.G.W.

133 Purnell, A.C. 165 Gross, W.S. 197 Jones, S.E.

134 Mallinson, P.P. 166 Leathes, W.H.B. 198 Edes, J.

135 Bowles, K.A. 167 Deakin, C.J.K. 199 D’Alcom, W.

136 Sylvester, J. 168 Foster, J.H. 200 Woolley, R.H.

137 Springfield, E.O. 169 Bowler, L.H.W.

B COMPANY.

No. No. No.

1 Duke, L.G. 59 Butler, St. J.D.A. 117 Dewhurst, C.R.

2 Paul, E.W. 60 Shewell, A.V. 118 Johnson, E.

3 Martin, S.F. 61 Lambourne, R.B. 119 Rowe, R.L.

4 Coverdale, M. 62 Hopgood, J.L. 120 Moran, W.B.

5 Lydon, S.F. 63 Clarke, H.W. 121 Horsley, C.C.

6 Muller, Louis. 64 Caldecott, A. 122 Coates, L.G.

7 Wood, P.B. 65 Graham, L.N. 123 Heape, R.H.

8 Hadley, O.H. 66 Summers, R.A. 124 Heape, J.S.

9 Helbert, C. 67 Norman, D.F. 125 Cooks, E.L.

10 ** 68 Nicholson, C.L. 126 Jameson, A.M.

11 *** E.H. 69 Turner, A.C. 127 Johns, H.A.

12 Stokes, W.S. 70 Dyson, G. 128 Taylor, W.E.

13 Davies, E.O. 71 Nichols, E.A.M. 129 Owen, R.F.

14 Arber, A.G. 72 Knight, E.J. 130 Lees, L.

15 Cressy, C.H. 73 O’Brien, G.W. 131 Denny, E.M.C.

16 Smith, J.C. 74 Tillard, T.A. 132 Wash, G.C.M.

17 Hall, G. 75 Rien, H. 133 Grane, C.G.

18 Renshaw, H.W. 76 Pycroft, A.H. 134 Lyne, A.O.

19 Gibson, D.N. 77 Simmonds, G.B. 135 Croll, C.

20 Terry, D.J. 78 Elliot, G.F. 136 Lawson, C.

21 Atkinson, C.E. 79 Hart, A.F. 137 Hewat, A.G.

22 Williams, R.H. 80 Rice. B.N. 138 Englefield. F.R.H.

23 Blumer, M.P.H. 81 Sparrow, C.W. 139 Church, G.S.

24 Wood, H.G. 82 Heath, L.G. 140 Albrecht, P.V.

25 Badcock, H.V. 83 Aubertin, W.A. 141 Douglas, F.F.

26 Bullock, H.T. 84 Sacre, L.G.B. 142 Pole, B.J.

27 James, H.M. 85 Brandt, C.R. 143 Garrett, H.B.

28 Mayhew, T.G. 86 Wood, R.L. 144 Gatehouse, G.J.W.

29 Jones, A.W. 87 Andrews, B.J.W. 145 Davies, G.T.

30 Grimway, L. 88 Roberts, W.S. 146 Lacey, C.D.

31 Spurrell, W.J. 89 Duranty, W.H. 147 Pope, H.V.K.

32 Spurrell, F.J.D. 90 Dankes, A.H. 148 Westlake, A.N.

33 Ditchburn, A.H. 91 Heath, J.L. 149 Middleton, H.P.

34 Crickow, P.E. 92 Edwards, A.H. 150 Lacey, E.S.

35 Shearer, J.G. 93 Ryder Cosmo, C.A. 151 Hewitt, N.D.M.

36 Bentnick, B.W. 94 Townsend, R.E.L. 152 Bowden, E.E.

37 French, C.A.L. 95 Lawrence, J.R.M. 153 Addington, C.F.

38 Vernham, N.M. 96 Fellowes, E.A. 154 Williams, H.S.

39 Willett, J.W. 97 Williams, H.P. 155 Berlein, L.

40 Russell, A.L.N. 98 Grant, D. 156 Lukes, W.M.

41 Jones, I. 99 Cochran, F.S. 157 Bury, H.V.

42 Pease, T.O. 100 Gray, C.B. 158 Lyne, C.V.

43 Boyle, E.A. 101 Schaap, N.J. 159 Storkley, H.

44 Mitchell, G. 102 Haigh, A.D. 160 La Touche, A.G.

45 Seager, J.O. 103 Draysdall, J.D. 161 Raven, G.E.

46 Campbell, J.K. 104 Brooke, J.W. 162 Day, G.W.L.

47 Mitchell, T.I. 105 Greenway, E.R. 163 McCulloch, K.

48 Hoffmann, J.A. 106 Cottier, C.E. 164 McCulloch Douglas

49 Holmes, R.B. 107 Black, F.G. 165 Haldwell, F.H.

50 Goodwin, H.D. 108 Bassett, W.S. 166 Hatch, A.B.

51 Twynam, C. 109 Yeats, G.F.W. 167 Cressy, C.H.

52 Donovan, N.S. 110 Eldrid, F.B. 168 Williams, G.M.

53 Alexander, A.W. 111 Murray, M.A. 169 Brookes, J.H.

54 Crick, A. 112 Beamish, J.S.H. 170 Groome, F.C.

55 Hirst, L.G. 113 Donner, W.A. 171 Payne, R.W.

56 Parnall, R.H. 114 Paule, W.M. de 172 Virgol, G.C.B.

57 Elwell, E.E. 115 Fidler, T.W. 173 Hardy, E.J.A.

58 Cleland, M.W.d’A. 116 Bowman, A.W. 174 Dakin, G.

No. No. No.

175 Abraham, J.F. 184 Brigge, C.E. 193 Glen, D.A.

176 Harvey, C.A. 185 Proctor, W.H. 194 Wainwright, C.L.

177 Jones, F. 186 Gleed, R.W.A. 195 Stevens, C.

178 Cornwell, F.B. 187 Burrough, W.R. 196 Maudling, L.H.

179 Johnstone, J.A. 188 Bevan, G.T.M. 197 Holding, H.E.

180 Hollands, W.G. 189 Warren, H.L. 198 Botley, F.H.

181 Neilson, W.J. 190 de Mowbray, L.S.J. 199 Gibson, K.J.

182 Lees, J. 191 Smith, G. 200 Porter, A.J.

183 Saunders, E.J. 192 Glover, S.L.

C COMPANY.

No. No. No.

1 Read, A.W. 27 Connell, C.H. 53 Gorges, J.A.

2 Barton, E.C. 28 Hutchings, J. 54 Edmonds, W.

3 Arnell, O.R. 29 Plumer, J.E.B. 55 Chapman, R.B.

4 Smith, G.S.J. 30 Carrington, J.T. 56 Fawsett, T.K.

5 Houghton, F.J. 31 Plunkett, O. 57 Hudson, E.D.B.

6 Smith, J.A.M. 32 Upton. J.A.E. 58 Watts, T.H.

7 White, J.W.B. 33 Whitefield, E.D. 59 Pepper, C.

8 Shephard, C.W. 34 Williams, L.E.A. 60 Wylde, J.G.

9 Harrison, F.H. 35 Greene, C.C.G. 61 Cleghorn, C.R.

10 Davies, B.E. 36 Firth, R.C.D. 62 Dicks, E.L.

11 Edwards, R.H. 37 Bren, H.A.H. 63 Kentfield, E.L.

12 Norton, T.E. 38 Shepherd, D.S. 64 Allen, G.M.

13 Huth, A. 39 Stolterfolt, G.H. 65 Naylor, H.C.

14 Keating, G.H. 40 Feyr, F.C. 66 Bendle, S.B.

15 Goodall, E.D.E. 41 Comins, B.T. 67 Alken, F.A.H.

16 Lash, L.R. 42 Sall, B. 68 Croall, R.E.

17 Tullidge, R.M. 43 Ramsden, J.H.F. 69 Doulton, J.M.

18 Swoffield, J. 44 Batten, S.R. 70 Thorne, M.

19 Holmes, E.O. 45 Lidstone, T.C. 71 Clegthorn, J.

20 Dommett, J.A. 46 Taylor, H.L. 72 Fowke, L.A.

21 Smith, V. 47 Ward, C. 73 White, P.B.

22 Waldy, R.G. 48 Dickson, H.E. 74 Harwood, H.M.

23 Menneir, J.C.W. 49 Wassner, F.A.B. 75 Dalbiac, J.H.

24 Nicholson, R.W.B. 50 Wassner, W.A. 76 Douglas, S.

25 Howard, E.E. 51 Murdock, D.M. 77 Warry, H.E.

26 Newton, B. 52 Stafford, A.D. 78 Bernard, E.

No. No. No.

79 Williams, H.G. 120 Lynwood, T.B. 161 Barton, W.B.

80 Longman, R.G. 121 Buggs, G. 162 Young, H.

81 Mackenzie, H.C. 122 Scott, R. 163 Macrae, G.A.

82 Dudding, R.N. 123 Franklin, W.V. 164 Seward, S.R.

83 Ryder, D.G. 124 Williams, T.W. 165 Todd, H.C.

84 Freeland, R.A.B. 125 O’Neill, R. 166 Wills, A.L.

85 Brock, C.W. 126 Smyth, A.H. 167 Platt, J.C.

86 Box, W.R. 127 Dickson, J.H.R. 168 Gray, E.C.

87 S*** R.C. 128 Watts, R.L. 169 Lins, F.G.V.

88 **** H.T. 129 Leech, W.P. 170 Ferraby, E.L.

89 Kemble, *. . 130 Thomas, L.G.W. 171 Taylor, C.Q.

90 Mount, *.*. 131 Davies, D.P. 172 Strang, I.

91 Baldwin, *.S. 132 Haldwell, F.H.G. 173 Richards, F.

92 Edmondson, J.K. 133 Peters, A.J. 174 Richardson, J.B.

93 Oppenshaw, C.E. 134 Goodwin, H.S. 175 Turner, S.W.H.

94 Thatcher, G.R. 135 Allen, E.V. 176 Swann, E.C.

95 Detnold, F.*. 136 Crook, E.A. 177 Cope, G.S.

96 Holderness, G.N. 137 Tyke, R.E. 178 Cumberland, C.E.

97 Hughes, T.*. 138 Aitken, A.D. . 179 Bright, H.M.

98 Aitken, K.*. 139 Foley, R.E. 180 Harris, R.H.

99 Morris, F.*. 140 Fawens, W. 181 Harris, J.R.

100 Handford, *.S. 141 Hoggett, J.R. 182 Berndt, R.M.

101 Nightingale, V.R. 142 Popham, W.V.M. 183 Holman, B.K.

102 Cohen, E. 143 Fitzgerald, A. 184 Thickett, H.

103 Tolson, R.H. 144 Cole, N.F. 185 Marshall, K.

104 Coutts, K.V. 145 Bavin, C. 186 Stone, C.R.

105 Holden, M. 146 Edwards, T.J. 187 Downe, C.N.

106 Prendergast, L.C. 147 Kirkpatrick 188 Christian, W.D.D.

107 Bazell, J.B. 148 im Theron, C.D. 189 Berry, S.B.

108 Clapham, B.A. 149 im Theron R.F. 190 Hedley, G.M.

109 Soar, C.W. 150 Tidmarsh, D. 191 Frogley, S.G.

110 Poole, H.W.L. 151 Reeves-Smith, D. 192 Brittain, R.H.

111 Hart, R.M. 152 Robinson, G.P. 193 Dyer, R.G.

112 Harwood, G.W. 153 Cole, D.F. 194 Robertson, R.F.

113 Nash, C.E. 154 Berryman, F. 195 Gibbons, G.S.

114 Smart, T.C. 155 Worthington, P. 196 Chapman, T.

115 Denson, H.C. 156 Birch, P.D. 197 Wingrove, C.L.

116 Sillars, R.G. 157 Lanes, W.G.C. 198 Carrington, R.C.

117 Sturt, E.G.M. 158 Gibbin, A.L. 199 Finnis, A.H.

118 Boyle, C.H. 159 Boutflower, H.N. 200 Francis, A.N.

119 Tirzard, C. 160 Snow, R.

D COMPANY.

No. No. No.

1 Williams, 12 Foster, H. 22 Tennant, C.G.

2 Steward, M.A. 13 Binns, J.B. 23 Chapman, D.G.

3 Sheffield, G.S. 14 Nobbs, L.C. 24 Thomson, S.J.K.

4 Allpass, E.T. 15 Franks, B.A. 25 Hooper, W.A.

5 Nichols, E.A.M. 16 Goodall, F.B. 26 Cang, A.W.

6 Presmall, M.A. 17 Britts, C.W.G. 27 Dart, H.

7 De Foissons, P. 18 Staryan, T.G. 28 Hope, R.H.W.

8 Berryman, J.H.J.P. 19 Le Pass, W. 29 Stokes, A.E.S.

9 Brett, H.C. 20 Williams, N.D. 30 Goolden, D.C.

10 Vernon, S.M. 21 Tuck, D.R. 31 Case*** *

11 Harris, H.

W.R. CAREY, Capt.,

Adjt. P.S. Bn., D.C.O. Middlesex Regt.

Stamp of HEADQUARTERS HIGHLAND DIVISION T.F.

Oct14

NO. 3642 14 OCT 1914

NOTES ON ARTILLERY IN THE PRESENT WAR.

Positions occupied. – With a few exceptions positions are completely covered and, not only from view at the target end, but from possible air observation. The enemy possess large scale maps believed to be as large as 6-inch, and, as soon as guns are located by them, a severe fire is brought to bear immediately. It is on this account important to avoid always conspicuous or easily-identified points on the map. Ranging, as we understand it, is as often as not dispensed with altogether. Open and semi-covered positions possess no advantage over covered positions. They would only be occupied on emergency and with the knowledge that the battery would probably be destroyed sooner or later.

Positions of readiness are only to be considered if well concealed, but guns not required in action are better placed safe out of range.

Observing stations. – In the open position the choice appears to make little difference. If, however, occupied in the dark and the battery completely dug in, the battery commander is better on a flank clear of blast and smoke of enemy’s high explosive shell. In covered positions the battery commander almost invariably observes from in front no matter what nature of gun. The distance, from 500 yards up to 1,000 and more, according to nature of operation and ground. Communication always by telephone. This, indeed, is the only possible means and endeavour is made to dig in the wire, perhaps with a plough.

In the event of wire being broken, recourse must be had to chain of orderlies. Megaphones are useful.

Obtaining the Line. – Two aiming posts seem to have been sometimes, but seldom, used. A battery angle is sent if battery commander can see the battery; but far more often line is given roughly in a quick series or by compass or map in a deliberate series. Trial shots are fired and correction made as required. With heavy guns the method employed is either the compass or direction given by a reference to a map placed on a plane table, the latter the most popular. Where possible, as in the operations on the Aisne, the 18-pr. gun may be used to range for the 60-pr. to save ammunition. There are many casualties to directors. The hand angle of sight is a good deal used. Plotters never used and may be dispensed with.

Battery headquarters is too large. Signallers and lookout men are not wanted as a rule. Patrols and ground-scouts never – i.e., as part of the battery headquarters. The battery commander has battery serjeant-major and a telephonist with him, and perhaps a director man who will take a few notes as penciller. The range-finder would be separately dug in, if used at all, and two or three men possibly dug in at intervals to pass orders on in emergency. The ranging officer with the battery is dug in, probably under a limber in rear of line of guns, with telephone man. Section commanders are dug in close behind wagon bodies. The consensus of opinion of battery commanders seems to be decidedly against observation vehicles. They could only be used on certain occasions and are difficult to drag into position without being seen. Moreover, a battery commander does not feel secure perched up on such a vehicle. He prefers a tree or stack or building of some kind, or else to be dug right in. Climbing irons or dogs, rope ladders, &c., would be of great use. German observatories are never seen now; they are effectually concealed if used.

Ranging. – The keynote is simplicity. Section ranging with percussion – according to information at present available – is the method always used. It is not known if collective has ever been used or not.

Objectives. – More information is necessary before a full report can be made under this heading. Most batteries have never seen any such target as troops in the open or guns in any sort of position. There are exceptions, however, and guns have had to deal with infantry columns crossing the front, infantry advancing in large bodies – crowds – and the rush of an infantry counter attack. In such cases the 18-pr. shrapnel is admitted on all sides as being most efficient. Time is certainly not the important factor that it is at practice. At the open pitched battles as at Mons, Cambrai, situations appear to have been considerably confused, and battery commanders were practically independent except those close to their own brigade headquarters. Telephone communication broke down at once owing to the wires being cut, and any orders that reached battery commanders came by mounted messenger. There appears to have been no visual signalling.

Gun targets. – At the battles just referred to there were cases of guns being located and even being knocked out by shrapnel, but these seem to have been rare cases. The covered position is the one adopted and retained to the last. It must be clearly understood that the artillery duel is very much “en evidence.” All arms and all ranks agree that the artillery dominates the situation on either side. Its effect is devastating where a target is visible, and infantry, where the strengths approximate to an equality, are quite unable to face it. All efforts are consequently made to establish a superiority in artillery. On the battlefield there is no sign of battle bar the few bursting shell and a few strips of newly-turned earth, which mark the infantry trenches. Not a man or a gun is visible unless some effort be made to test the strength of some corner of the field; even then it will be invisible to nine-tenths of the front. The chief effort on either side is to locate the big guns by any means. We employ aeroplanes, but the enemy apparently employ an amazingly efficient secret service in addition. The aircraft are always at a height of about 6,000 feet if up at all, and there they appear to be immune from fire. The big gun positions are frequently changed – not less than every two or three days, but ours, however well concealed, are located to a yard by the hostile gunners, and 6-inch or 8-inch high explosive shell dropped right on the guns or in the pits. It is important that these big guns have alternative emplacements always ready for occupation at short notice, after dark, and these should always be irregularly placed with big intervals up to 100 yards, and at varying ranges of 50 yards or so. Inside a wood is often a suitable position. A megaphone in a wood carries well and assists section commanders in these difficult circumstances. Searchlights are hardly used at all. German balloons are always aloft, but our authorities are not in favour of these aids to observation, for reasons which have been thoroughly discussed.

The shooting of the German artillery can only be described as “uncanny.” Occasionally great waste of ammunition takes place from ,no doubt, faulty information, but parties of troops, whether gun teams, ammunition columns, bivouacs, billets and even headquarters of brigades and divisions have to make constant changes of their position or incur the penalty of having a dozen of the large shells dropped right into them without warning and when least expected. Dummy batteries, observation posts, &c., to deceive hostile aeroplanes, have proved valuable.

Seventy per cent. of our casualties are said to be due to artillery fire, and most of them to the high explosive shell. The “error of the gun” appears to be nearly non-existent, and it is quite common to see four high-explosive heavy shells dropped within 2 or 3 yards of each other. It is difficult to find any explanation for this, possibly the design of shell had much to do with it. The enemy’s time fuzes are also astonishingly accurate,. Particularly those of the field howitzers. Their shrapnel is far inferior to that of the 18-pr. This is admitted by all. There appear to be very few cases of shields having been hit by bullets. Casualties generally result from the backward effect of the high explosive shell. These will quickly destroy a battery when located, but shrapnel from frontal fire never will.

Laying. – There is no direct laying. Our methods have well answered the test of war.

Methods of fire. – Gun fire is evidently very rare, battery fire is the usual method. The largest number of rounds fired by a battery in a day, according to present information, amounts to 1,152 for an 18-pr. battery, but the total number in the war is not double this for the same battery.

Control of fire. – Voice control has been employed in some of the somewhat confused actions referred to above. A Howitzer Battery on one occasion was engaged with infantry at 600 yards, firing shrapnel full charge; voice control was employed. Another battery, the day after disembarkation from the train, has to cover a front of over 180 degrees. It was shot at later from in rear also. Voice control was naturally used but, in the normal action it would never be considered for a minute.

Ammunition supply. – No very definite system had been evolved as being the best. As much cover as possible must be gained both from overhead and from behind if possible. Sometimes both wagons may conveniently be up, or wagon one side and limber the other side of the gun. Replenishment of ammunition is normally by carriers, but may be effected by wagons at night, &c. Limber supply does not appear to have been ordered, but the limber ammunition has often been used up.

Corrector. – Officers do not sufficiently use the table on page 164, Field Artillery Training. The cardinal fault of our shooting would appear to be bursting shrapnel too short; the same applies to that of the enemy.

4.5-inch Q.F. Howitzers. – Never used in brigade at all, often by sections. Time, shrapnel ranging with the howitzer is believed not to have been used at all.

60-pr. B.L. has been invaluable. Economy of ammunition is of first importance. It can sometimes be attained by making use of the 18-pr. for ranging purposes.

Entrenching. – Types in “Field Artillery Training” of pits, &c., are not sufficient. Pits for men must be at least 4 feet deep and narrow, but many battery commanders prefer the gun to be in a deep pit. It depends partly on the weather. It is desirable to have a parapet in rear as well as in front on account of the high explosive shell. Solid overhead cover is also desirable as far as possible. The width, 13 feet, is not excessive in bad ground or wet weather.

Map reading. – Map reading forms a very important detail in the daily work of officers and non-commissioned officers, and any work out in the open after dark, and should, therefore, be practiced as much as possible.

Signalling. – The amount of work and time devoted to visual signalling have not borne fruit in this war, but the more practice men have with the telephones and the buzzer the better. An enormous amount is dependent on the telephones. Heavy batteries go in for flag signalling with the Observation Officers.

On the whole peace training is proved to have been on the right lines, but from what has been seen much more might be done with the advanced artillery officer. The Germans are said to use him to a great extent. Much has also to be learnt by artillery in their work in conjunction with aircraft. Some notes on this subject will form a heading in a later communication.

HEADQUARTERS,

BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

2^nd October, 1914.

Oct1

SECOND WORLD WAR

October 1944

(Liberation of Europe)

(Germany)

(Eastern Front)

On the west coast of Estonia in the East Baltic Sea, the Red Army captured the Estonian Hiiumaa Island on the 3^rd October 1944. The Germans had occupied Estonia since 1941.

German occupation of Greece began in April 1941. On the 14^th October 1944, with the Allies advancing the Germans evacuated Greece and Athens was liberated when the British arrived.

(Pacific)

————————————————————————

Captain PC Benham Sept 44

Sep30

Friday 1 Sept.

Great news all round, Arras, Dieppe (2 Cdn Div), Verdun etc etc. Belgium will be ended in 48 hrs. Off this am overslept & not in to b’fast til 9.30. Then went swanning with Tim. Bought powder, cream face & lipstick in ELBEUF. Hectic afternoon. Off at 6.15 pm. Baccy from G & super letter from A. Long chat & drink before dinner with Lisle Wilson. Not a bad day – stiffish breeze and sunny

To A From – ECS.

G Baccy

A super

2 Sept Sat

Blustery day – almost a gale and very heavy showers – some sun. On duty 8 – 1 pm. Very hectic am – still time goes more quickly. After lunch went to Rear & cashed cheque for £6 – then on to RIVTOT. After tea wrote L and A & listened to news. After dinner wrote A in V1 and listened to a good wireless play ‘Thunder in the Air’. On duty at 11 pm – hectic. Move details for tomorrow’s move.

To – L From L

3 Sept Sun

Moved today to FOUCART about 30 miles EAST of LE HAVRE. Busy but not flappish night 1½ hrs sleep. Left BOIS INGER at 8.30 – route through ELBEUF – ROUEN – YVILLE. Busy on journey in V1 – on wireless most of time. Arrived FOUCART at 3 pm. Sorted myself out then on duty at 6 pm. Stephen relieved me at 9 ocl – listened to news – wrote up 3 days of War Diary then to much needed bed and sleep.

To – Nil From – Nil

4Sept Mon

Eggs, scrounged, for breakfast. Swanned this morning into BOLBEC via FAUVILLE EN CAUX. Gave lift to 2 Maquis wallahs. Super scent shop – purchases in Bolbec included – Chanel 1 bot 1 Fr bot of scent – powder – lipstick p.c.s – 2 charms for A’s bracelet. Back at 12.30. On duty at 1 ocl – 6ocl.

In BRUSSELS – 12 miles from ANTWERP great show – Finland out. At 6.30 long letter to A. Move again tomorrow.

Surrender terms to LE HAVRE Carlton taken in by CSAO, refused. Good drinks at dinner time – white wine, Benedictine

To A From A

5 Sept Tues

Moved this morning at 11.30 to a place about 6 miles ~~East~~ WEST of Bolbec. After lunch had a half hours lie down before tea and after helping to set my tent up. At 5.30 went over to Bolbec where Tim & I had a couple of glasses of red wine. Stopped at farm on way back & had long chat with some evacuees from LE HAVRE – we were the first English they had seen + eggs, cognac – cigs and soap. Back at 8.15 for dinner – news, not-much then after writing Arthur on duty at 11 ocl.

To A From A

6 Sept Wed

Quiet night and managed to work in 4 hrs sleep. Slept all morning after good breakfast comprising, inter alia, egg, bacon, fried spam. Grey and rather cold day. Fires burning in LE HAVRE after yesterday evening’s LANC & HALI raid. After lunch good kit turn out and discovery of odd kerchiefs and collars. Wrote A before going on duty at 6 pm. Airmen bailed out over Le H this am in to lunch.

To – A From L, G, B, JB.

7 Sept Thurs

Swanned for last time for some days this morning – went up to FECAMP with Tim & Stephen. Bought – 1 large bot. Benedictine

12 small “ “

1bot No 5 Chanel ‘Lotion’

1 box Houbijant Powder.

Drinks before we returned. V wet all day – not much war news. On duty 1 – 4.30 pm when I attended very long RA ** Plan conf (Le Havre attack) – latish dinner then down to Kraal – 2 wiz letters from A. wrote in V1 til 11 ocl to A

To – A From A (2)

8 Sept

Slightly overslept this morning. Very wet all day, showers and very occasional bright intervals. After coming off duty at 1 ocl pottered during afternoon. Had a few swings with golf club in field nearby. After dinner went in to BOLBEC with Ken Hull and Tim where we had a glass or two of white wine – Tim absolutely stinko when he & I went on duty at 11 pm. No real news today.

To A From – Nil

9 Sept (Sat)

Quiet night – no flaps, no interruptions. Slept very heavily from 10 ocl til 3.30 wash, shave, tea then on duty at 6 ocl. Very little on but ultimatum handed to HAVRE garrison at 1900 hrs. Two German officers came to 146 Bde HQ at 22.30 but said, as before, no surrender. Reading Rogue Hermes by H. Walpole. Very good. Off duty at 11 pm bed and sleep.

Very little news from outside world today – opposition stiffening. Bloody awful rainy day.

To Nil From L

10 Sept (Sun)

Read most of morning. Wrote to Mrs Wilson, then after early lunch went on duty at 1 ocl. Rained a bit during am but otherwise bright & sunny. Attack on LE HAVRE started at 1745 hrs – Lancs & Halifaxes did their stuff first. Attacks going well & all first strong points captured. Very early to bed (9.30) and after reading for a bit soon asleep.

To Mrs Wilson From – baccy from L

11 Sep Mon

Up bright and early – super cloudless day – no rain! (lost 25fr bet to Marshall the Met offr. Sticky start to Le Havre battle but by lunch time things going well and by nightfall 4,100 PW had been taken during day. Very good show. Kip after lunch and read – walk before tea. After tea pottered – early dinner. Listened to news – wrote A and played 21 in traffic office. Lost 50fr. On duty at 11 pm – got to bed at 2.30 am! V Cold.

To A From baccy – DF from G. ECS

12 Sept

Quiet night but hectic hour or so until 8.30 – Tim did absolutely sweet FA to help. Bed from 9.30 til 12.30 then wash and shave. After lunch went on a swan with Lyall and Stephen. Got to Le Havre, or nearly, fausands of mines etc. saw also fausands of PW on the roads and in the Corps cage – total about 8,000. Le Havre virtually captured – excellent show. Duty from 6-11 pm. Only main item of news from outside world being US forces into Germany at TRIER. One egg on way back. exchanged goggles for compass – good swap.

To – Nil From – Nil

13 Sept Wed

Egg in the Mess for breakfast – very ***e. During morning wrote to A and L – drew my NAAFI rations and went for short walk before an early lunch at 12.30. Then on duty at 1 pm – 6 pm. Odd flap for maps for Rozzer – off duty at 6.30. Then out on egg recce – got glass of fire water – 2 pears, 3 oeufs. After dinner finished off letter to A. Bed very early.

To A From –A

L L

B Baccy (DF)

14 Sept Thurs.

Up in good time and on from 8.30 – 1 pm – no startling news today – 1 mile from AACHEN. BBC postscript about le Havre. Finished Rogue Hermes after dinner. Flap about our move? Tomorrow to Antwerp – BGS brought back news that move not before 4-5 days time. Good ‘swan’ to bty posn with T, K and CW at BRIERE – got some useful stuff incl super wooden box etc, etc. Wrote A before & after dinner. Good dinner incl pork, fried spuds, stuffing etc. V good & buckshee captured wine (red)

To B ] From – A

Mrs C] LCS G

A AJA

15 Sept Fri

Quiet night – move to Antwerp postponed for 5 or 6 days so we now sit here with flog all to do. Siegfried line v much in news today. Slept all morning and after lunch inspected a Boche battery at St Andrieux – SW of Octeville. No ‘loot’ – went with Steve & Lyall. On duty 6-11 pm. wrote A while on duty – no work to do. Rained on & off mostly on, after tea.

To A From Nil

16 Sept (Sat)

After good b’fast incl egg went out with Tim on an egg swan – morning’s bag was 6 eggs, 2 peaches, tomatoes, apples (each). On duty from 1-6 pm. good old map flap from about 4 ocl – Came off duty at 6.30 – wrote A and sent off charms, washed my feet (v necessary!) then dinner, drink and so to bed early. Lyall went back to Army so I’m ‘font sent’ in the tent now – move Mon to Dieppe.

To – A (R.L. + charms) From L

Clocks back an hour.

17 Sept (Sun)

When I put my watch back at ‘last light’ just prior to going to sleep found it was 8.45 pm! – Up early good b’fast – egg, sausage, tomato & bacon! (see 16 Sept) – nothing much this morning except at end when I went out to help sort out a traffic problem. After lunch read & slept til 4 ocl tea then good game of soccer offrs v sergeants – Draw 6-6 (yours truly got 3) – After super wash & dinner wrote A in V1 then packed up prior to tomorrows move and relieved John R at 10.30. excellent news about 1 Airborne Army drop today.

To – A From Nil

18 Sep (Mon)

Moved today to Smermesnil – about 30 miles SE of DIEPPE – not far from NEUFCHATEL. Felt very stiff today – on duty 7- 10.30 – rozzer in one of his usual ill-bred uneducated moods – otherwise not much to report. News of Airborne landings good – 60% of objectives taken so far. Good show. Quiet night no flaps. Left old locn at 9.40.

Finished Flowers for the Judge – v good.

To – L (during night) From Nil

19 Sept (Tues)

Domestic morning – wrote A during morning got kit sorted out – on duty 1 ocl until 6 pm after which had wizard half hours no 6 practice before an early dinner. Very early night after listening to excellent news all round & finishing off letter to A. Wizard letter from A, tres bien reçu et avec beaucoup d’excitement!

To A From A

20 Sept (Wed)

Up pretty early – 7.15 am – expecting to be in the infm Room but plan changed – usual duty 8.30-1 pm. Lovely day – sunny & warm. After lunch, armed with mass of cheque books went over to Rear. For self cashed £3-19-4 (700^f Belgian) – after tea wrote A and had half hour with no 6 in field just by Rear Area. Wrote again after v good dinner which consisted inter alia of trout – paid out my 50^f bet lost to Nigel. Steve a bit tight took over from him at 10.30 pm hectic to start with –

To A From – L

G G, B, JQ

21 Sept (Thurs)

Left at 6.15 after hectic night with one hours sleep. Route – EU – St Valery – up just W of Bethune where I left the 49 Div column I had been watching – back through Arras (I brought a wizard bot of Houbijaut 350fr) – Cambrai to our staging area just W of Valenciennes. No real sign of poverty, illness etc – all absolute balls. Arrived at Staging Camp at 6 ocl. Shared tent with Roger Hopkins. Had good lunch up side lane – bought a few eggs and had a couple hard boiled for lunch. Stephen G tight last night? Went in – though someone out of office – sure to get away with it – he did!

Through Ochancourt where A Tp in 1940 were surrounded.

From – Nil To – Nil

22 Sept (Fri) Demob scheme]

Extra pay ] announced

Up at 5.30 and on the rd at 6.30. Up through Mons, Hal, Brussels, and Mechelin (Malines). Took up my posn in rd just W of Mechelin but was never given any infm by the G1 (B.S.) who said he would give me the dope before 2 pm. Brussels super – buy anything – people well dressed – far better than London – no damage. Had wizard 2d in civvy house seat and chain! He had fought near Pari in last war – Houthulst Foret – F*** – E on left *** Essex R. Left at 6.30 & was led by LO to our new HQ in a SUPER hotel at Keerbergen – champagne etc. Bed at 11 ocl in Hull’s tent – all the Belgium smells & noises. In part finest just like Zute G.C. Trains etc & car hooters.

To Nil (Bought pipe in Hal & tomatoes & pears) From Nil

23 Sept (Sat)

Pictures of King & Q Astrid everywhere & notices ‘Hearty Welcome & gratitude to our Liberators’ – crowds v excited – felt quite a hero!

On duty tomorrow am at 8.30. On duty today 1-6 pm. Nothing very much doing – no major flaps. Wrote A during am and again after dinner. Had superb bath – water not boiling but OK to sit in. Early night – read Summer Pie and ate large quantities of fruit before going to bed. Lovely day – masses of gliders over during afternoon.

To A From Nil

24 Sep (Sunday)

Up at 7.15 and had super breakfast – egg, tomato, sausage and beans. Lovely day with perpetual showers. On duty 8.30 – 1. After lunch had my hair cut by Williams – then had hours shut-eye before tea – feeling none too well – bloody tired and also have ‘external pile’ thanks to this bloody army life. Dance in mess tonight – thank heavens on duty so not taking part – my next proper dance will be with A (GBH) and I shall enjoy that no end. Shower & hair wash before dinner – Wrote A in V1 after dinner – 49 doing well across Turnhout – Antwerp Canal.

To A From ECS.

25 Sept (Monday)

What’s gone wrong with this war, there seems to be no organisation anywhere and everything seems to be just drifting along – no grip – eh bien. Not much sleep last night. Slept all morning – pile no better – Doc gave me some ointment. After lunch went into Malines with Tim. Bought scent, 4711, powder and nail scissors. Good tea – coffee fruit ice and macaroons. On duty 6 pm unpleasant atmosphere as usual in office – Didn’t get away until 11.30 pm. Dull wet day

To L (LC) From A (2) L, Parcel L.

26 Sept (Tues)

Moved today to SANTHOVEN – messes in Chateau surrounded by moat v picturesque. Piles no better. Wrote A during morning then travelled with Martin in V1. After tea wrote again and had very early night, now have pansy compo table in my tent.

Illustration

** – not meant to be in perspective.

To L From L

A (2) B

27 Sept (Wed)

Up bright and early good b’fast, egg tomato, sausage. After coming off duty at 1.15 quick lunch then into Antwerp with Tim. Super shopping etc town. Didn’t buy much, purchases incl 2 stamps, I didn’t want much, 2 very nice little danglers for A’s bracelet, crest of Le Havre and Antwerp. Good tea – coffee, dame blanche ice and creamy cakes. Had a glass of hock before I left there another on way back at LIERRE where I bought for 21frs, 1 kilo plums ½ kilo Muscat grapes. So after letter writing, on duty at 11 pm.

To A From G

28 Sep (Thurs)

Very lazy day – comparatively peaceful night then slept til 2.30 pm – read Judith Paris, first class book, til 4.15 – wash shave tea – After tea I packed some scent into a tin for A then was on duty 6-11 pm – drank Boche Rum – with Tim before dinner. Letter from A great show – kept it to read in bed – lights (candles) out at 12.15 am.

To – Nil From A

29 Sept (Fri)

Off all morning – b’fast at 9.20 then after writing to A went over to Rear HQ where I cashed cheque for £5-13-4. Duty 1-6 pm. After I came off I wrote again to A – oh! God how I just live only to be back with her, will this bloody war never end? Than very early to bed after dinner. Otherwise absolutely NTR today.

To A From Nil

30 Sep (Sat)

On duty 8.30-1 pm. After lunch packed up parcels to A & L. Then read Judith Paris til tea. After tea frigged about until 6 ocl when, in Tim’s car, Tim Lyall & I went in to Antwerp. Had super bath at The Century Hotel also washed my hair – had couple of drinks with a Belgian – v patriotic type! Dinner – celery soup, steak, potatoes and beans, fruit ice. Beau red wine. Arrived back 10.30 wrote A til 11 pm then on duty – cold and wet night. Slept 2.45-6.15 – Wrote L and A again before getting to sleep – have got foul cold.

To A Parcel A From A

L L (*** L)

THE V-2 ROCKET

Sep30

September 1944
By order of the Reichsführer SS, the date of the initial employment of the A-4 was set for September 5, 1944. Two officers are provided with the necessary authority to bring the two groups North and South into action. Leader of Group North is Major Mertin. Leader of Group South is Major Schulz.

Shortage of time and the problems of bringing a new weapon into action, as well as the uncertainty of activities at the front, will hinder these plans. The staff of the supply platoon was divided. Oberst zum Eschenhoff remains in Group North, Major Jester is transferred to Group South for the supply task. Group South receives a greater number of vehicles, for the transport platoon 899. In another meeting Major Mertin is charged with the task to determine the transfer of the units of the former Harko 191 and Gen.Kdo. LXV. A.K. to the A-4 troop.

2 September 1944, Saturday, Battery 444 travelled to Euskirchen with orders to proceed south to attack Paris. On Sunday, September 3, Battery 485 moves into Den Haag (The Hague) to set up operations against London. The influential suburb of Wassenaar is chosen as the first launching location.

6 September 1944, Wednesday 09.00 hours and 09.40 hours – Battery 444, St. Vith, 18 km southeast of Malmedy (Belgium), rocket misfire. Both rockets came up to full power, lifted a few feet and then set back down on firing table, still vertical, when engines cut off. The intended target for each rocket was Paris. Battery 444 also suffered its first combat losses this same day when the unit was attacked by partisans.

7 September 1944, Thursday, Battery 444 moves to a new Site (17 miles southeast of former Site) near Houffalize (Belgium). It was a place between Baraque de Fraiture et Houffalize, in an area (very little village, only a few houses) called Petites Tailles. This is about 3 km south of Barraque de Fraiture. Meanwhile Battery 2/485 in Wassenaar experienced a storm that uprooted trees (one tree fell on the test tent). Also problems with the new ground equipment delayed the launches.

8 September, (+/-18.35 hours) – Batt. 2./485, Wassenaar, crossroads of Lijsterlaan / Schouwweg, V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Chiswick (3 dead, 7 seriously injured. 7 Houses demolished) or Epping, Essex (fell in Parndon Wood. Slight damage to two cottages).

The launches on September 8 from Wassenaar lifted off simultaneously and were performed using the I-Gerät. However, confusing radio signals were transmitted during the launches and the reactions of the enemy observed.

9 September, Saturday, the RAF located the first launching Sites in Wassenaar and attacked. A heated battle ensued with anti-aircraft batteries. Later that night, troops of Battery 1/485 set up operations in the Wassenaar area near The Hague. Group North is reorganized: Major Mertin is charged with special tasks. Major von Ploetz now is leader of Group North. Oberst Hohmann is again leader of Battalion 485.

10 September 1944, Sunday, (+/-21.25 hours) – Battery 1/485, Wassenaar, Beukenhorst, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Fambridge, Essex. The Rocket disintegrated before impact. Slight damage to buildings on two farms.

12 September 1944, Tuesday, (08.14 hours) – Battery 1/485 or Battery 2/485, Duindigt, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dagenham. Fell in school grounds. Two surface shelters demolished, one wing of school destroyed by fire. Twelve people were seriously injured.

12 September 1944, Tuesday, (17.50 hours) – Battery 1/485 or Battery 2/485, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Paglesham, Essex. Fell on marshland. Slight damage to farm building.

13 September 1944, Wednesday, (11.05 hours) – Battery 1/485 or Battery 2/485, Duindigt, V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea in mouth of River Blackwater, Essex.

On the 15th intensive air activities over Group North (The Hague) by RAF resulted in losses, both in men and material. The air activities force the V-2 troops to change positions. Replacement launch sites south of Den Haag were determined. One prepared, but unused launch site was even destroyed. Battery 444 arrived at Walcheren from Stavelot, Belgium (via Germany) and set up operations against London. Group South begins launching against Lille.

15 September 1944, Friday, (22.33 hours) – Battery 1/485 or Battery 2/485, Wassenaar, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in a farm field at Noak Hill, near Romford, Essex. The Rocket disintegrated before impact.

General Kammler had travelled to Walcheren and was present when the first launches were performed against London. However, the preparations for the next round of launches were hampered by intensive air activities of the enemy. The supply line was interrupted for 12 or more hours due to the bombings of the road Bergen op Zoom/Middelburg between 19.00 and 20.00 hours.

16 September 1944, Saturday, (+/- 07.00 hours) – Battery 444, Walcheren, Serooskerke, Vrederust, V-2 rocket fired, impacted East Ham. Direct hit on houses. Six people killed and fifteen seriously injured. Four Houses demolished. Large pieces of the rocket remains were taken to the East Ham police station.

Direct hit on houses in East Ham

17 September 1944, Sunday, (13.02 hours) – Battery 485, (location unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hockley, Essex. Fell on open ground among brambles. Three people seriously injured.

Just after noon on September 17, 1944, 12 Spitfires of No. 229 Squadron RAF took off from their base at Coltishall. Their mission was to scan a stretch of the Dutch coast looking for evidence of rocket activity. While patrolling at 12,000 feet over North Holland, they witnessed a V-2 rising in the distance at terrific speed. The rocket impacted several minutes later in greater London at Coulsdon. The Spitfires were too far away to discern the exact location from which the rocket had been fired. They could only report the general location, which was near the coast, possibly The Hague. Battery 444 launched their final rocket of the day that evening, which came down at Adelaide Road, Brockley, Lewisham, killing 14 people and injuring another 41. (Ref: T Dungan, V-2: A Combat History of the First Ballistic Missile, 2005).

Later that evening, 27 Lancaster bombers and 5 Mosquito’s, acting on a tip from the Dutch underground, attacked the surrounding area near Beukenhorst between Raaphorstlaan and Eikenhorstlaan. The attack took place between 18.38 hrs and 18.48 hrs. 169 tons of Brisant high explosive bombs and twenty-four 250-pound marker-bombs were dropped. Sighted visually, the target was well marked and the attack was concentrated with many bombs falling directly on target. These heavily wooded areas southeast of Wassenaar were suspected as V-2 supply depots but in fact were not.

Very intensive enemy air activity around Nijmegen and Arnhem during the start of Operation Market Garden. Allied paratrooper landings near the command post of SB.2 near Nijmegen.

After September 18-19 there were no V-2 troops near The Hague. Because of the Allied invasion of Operation “Market Garden,” both the 1/485 and 2/485 moved to positions in the area Burgsteinfurt –Münster-Coesfeld with the new target area Belgian and northern French industrial area, while Battery 444 moved overnight to Dordrecht and supply site Blasig to east of Utrecht, then to Rijs in Gaasterland. Command post of SB.2 and Group North move to Darfeld.

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

Sep30

Date Time Location Damage

04/09/1944 18.50 Hadleigh A Barrage balloon grounded and caused damage

to overhead electric cables, telephone wires and chimney of house. N.C. or other damage.

10/09/1944 16.25 Childerditch Ernest Charles Holden, age 49, of 1 Masefield

Crescent Gidea Park was killed as the result of an explosion which occurred whilst he was taking part in Home Guard exercises.

12/09/1944 13.00 Benfleet A meteorological balloon and kite fell on Bonville’s

Farm. N.D.C.

12/09/1944 17.55 Paglesham 1 – ‘H.B’ (Big Ben) fell on East Hall Marshes NE of

East Hall causing crater 45′ x 20′. A considerable amount of electrical equipment was scattered over a wide area. Very minor damage to property. N.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Herongate 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell found in bank E side of

Waterworks. Date and time of falling unknown.

13/09/1944 Unknown Brentwood 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell found in L.N.E.R.

embankment. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hullbridge 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in garden rear of

“Cranley” The Walk. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hockley 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell on Blackburn Farm, Hurrell’s

Lane Church Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hawkwell 1 – Ux.H.E. fell in field 60 yards SW of

Mahala Lodge, Sunny Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hutton 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in field on Creasey’s Farm.

N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Herongate 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in wheatfield 1/4 mile SE of

Heron Hall. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hutton 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in field 3/4 mile W of

Creasey’s Farm. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Shenfield 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in field 40 yards S of

L.N.E.R. line and 30 yards W of Arnold’s N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hutton 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in Cedar Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Laindon 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in field 1/4 mile S of Hart’s

Farm Basildon Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Bowers 1 – Ux.S.Y.B. found 200 yards W of North Staines

Gifford Farm. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown East 1 – A.A. Shell unexploded fell in copse 500 yards

Horndon W of Military Camp. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Little 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 200 yards N of

Warley Rectory Chase. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Herongate 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field rear of ‘Old

Dog’ P.H. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Vange 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in in field 1/4 mile N of Vange

Hall. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Brentwood 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in in field 300 yards S

of railway bridge Nags Head Lane. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Mountnessing 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 500 yards N of

Fitzwalters Farm. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Brentwood 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Hart’s

House Estate Hartswood Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown East 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in in field 500 yards N of

Horndon Arterial Road 100 yards E of Thorndon Avenue. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Ramsden 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 150 yards W of

Bellhouse The Hall Church Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Rochford 1 – Ux. H.E. fell in field on Shopland Hall. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Pitsea 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in back garden of 59 Rectory

Hill Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Ingrave 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in ploughed field 100 yards S

of Hatch House and 100 yards W of Hatch Farm Thorndon Park. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown East 1 – Ph.I.B. exploded in field 440 yards N of Arterial

Horndon Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Laindon 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 50 yards SE of

“Woodlands” bungalow Ladysmith Avenue. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown North 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 150 yards NE of

Benfleet telephone Exchange Pound Lane. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hutton 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in footpath N side of Rayleigh

Road 40 yards W of Havering Gore Bridge. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Dunton 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 600 yards N of

Dunton Church. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Dunton 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 300 yards SW of

Dunton Hall Farm. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Dunton 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in L.M.S. railway

embankment S of railway line, 10 yards W of railway arch on Dunton Hall Farm. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Rayleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in Cemetery Hockley Road.

N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Cranham 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in ploughed field 30 ft S of

Arterial Road and 300 yards E of Front Lane Cranham.

13/09/1944 Unknown Laindon 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 600 yards E of White’s

Farm, 300 yards N of Wash Road. N.D.C.13/09/1944 Unknown Laindon 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on N side of Arterial Road 1/4 mile W of “Fortune of War” crossroads. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Great 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 20 yards E of

Warley Jermain’s Wood. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Great 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Oldbury Farm.

Wakering N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Rochford 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 100 yards NE of

Waterworks. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hutton 2 – Ux. A.A. Shells fell in field S of Brindle’s Farm.

N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Great 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 600 yards E of White’s

Burstead Farm. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Crays 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 30 yards S of “Shirley”

Hill London Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Rayleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in front garden of “Dingle

Dell” Bull Lane. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Mountnessing 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Fitzwalters

Farm 200 yards W of Stephens House. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Great 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 100 yards E of

Warley Dickenson’s Farm Warley Street. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hadleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell at Salvation Army Colony.

N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Brentwood 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell exploded on Calcott Hall

Farm, Ongar Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Vange 3 – Ux. A.A. Shells fell in close vicinity to “The

Oaks” Timberlog Lane. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Great 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in kitchen garden of Hampton

Warley House Warley Hill. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Laindon At 11-00 on 3.7.44 an aluminium canister 14″ x 4″

believed to be an oxygen cylinder bearing the word “Luftwaffe” and various figures, was found on waste ground where it had apparently been for some time.

13/09/1944 Unknown Herongate 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 200 yards E of

Billericay Road. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Potton 1 – H.E. exploded 1 1/2 miles NE of Potton Island

Island Farmhouse. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Paglesham 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 100 yards W of

West Hall Farmhouse. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Hadleigh A cannon shell caused slight damage to roof and

ceilings of a bungalow “Sunset” Woodfield Road. N.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Billericay 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in back garden of “Hilltop”

bungalow Highfield Road S Green. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Childerditch 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell nr dried pond in field

430 yards SW of Childerditch Hall. N.D.C.

13/09/1944 Unknown Bowers 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell on marshes. N.D.C.

Gifford

13/09/1944 Unknown Hutton 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Bushwood Farm.

N.D.C.

17/09/1944 12.05 Hockley 1 – ‘R.B’ exploded in St Peter’s Road causing 1

serious and 2 slight casualties, also serious damage to 4 large greenhouses and ‘D’ damage to approx. 7 houses.

17/09/1944 20.40 Canewdon 1 ‘Fly’ exploded 75 yards W of Creeksea Washway

Road. No casualties, slight damage to 2 dwellings and farm buildings.

17/09/1944 Unknown Vange A Lieut. Ott of 3rd Btn Essex Home Guard during

an exercise at Vange Hall Farm was accidentally shot through the body by a Pte Saville inadvertently using live ammunition and died at Billericay Hospital on 27.9.44.

24/09/1944 20.35 Ashingdon An American aircraft believed Marauder crashed

and exploded in field near Noon’s Farm. The bodies of four airmen were recovered and conveyed to RAF Aerodrome Rochford. Number and Station of aircraft were not known.

28/09/1944 15.20 Foulness An American Mustang aircraft crashed 300 yards

Island SE of Sandy Cottages and 500 yards due W of Foulness Church and was completely burnt out. The Pilot James W Leek (No believed 0/763243) was killed. RAF informed. The number of aircraft and station were unknown.