109th HAA Regiment

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by Simon Veness, Feb 6, 2018.

  1. Simon Veness

    Simon Veness New Member

    We are trying to identify an incident in April 1945 involving the 109th HAA regiment in north-west Germany, as part of a biography we are writing on a former RA serviceman who went on to become a major player in southern African education from the 1950s-90s.

    The incident in question is not in any way recorded in the regimental War Diary, which is completely devoid of any entries from Apr 17-25 1945, when the unit was part of II Canadian Corps along the German/Dutch border from Kleve-Emmerich to just south of Papenburg (before being diverted to Delfzijl to help in Operation Canada). We believe, though, that the 109th was working in support of elements of the 1st Polish Armoured Division in the liberation of several PoW/concentration camps of the Emsland group on or around April 20.

    This is not the well-documented liberation of the Oberlangen and Niederlangen camps by the Poles (on April 12), though. It MIGHT be Aschendorfermoor, but it could be one of several others in the immediate area. We are anxious for any sources or reports that might help us to track this down and would be enormously grateful for any help in this area.

    Many thanks, Simon & Susan Veness
     
  2. Historic Steve

    Historic Steve Researching 21 Army Group/BAOR post VE day

    Welcome Simon, outside my field of research but you may find details by going up the command chain, on VE Day the 109th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment was 107th (British) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, War Dairy 1945 WO 171/4905 command 2nd Canadian Corps War Dairies available online
     
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  3. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake All over the place....

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  4. Simon Veness

    Simon Veness New Member

    Thanks Steve. We'll give that a try. Both official war sources (the RA and Canadian RA) have been thin on resources for that time period to date, but we live in hope :)
     
  5. Simon Veness

    Simon Veness New Member

    Thanks Sheldrake. Didn't realise you covered both bases :) We're trying to be as thorough as possible.
     
  6. MaggieAnn

    MaggieAnn New Member

    Please can you tell me where these War Diaries can be accessed online? I have an interest in the same event
     
  7. Historic Steve

    Historic Steve Researching 21 Army Group/BAOR post VE day

    Sorry my wording was incorrect the 107th (British) Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Dairy 1945 WO 171/4905 is NOT available on line

    Best of luck with your research
     

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