15th / 19th Hussars in Assche / Asse

Discussion in '1940' started by BrianM59, Apr 12, 2015.

  1. Filip

    Filip Member

    This photo is taken at Petit Audenarrde, Source: Blitzkrieg in the west - Then and now page 95.

    Have a nice day, Filip
     
  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    'Blitzkrieg in the West' slipped up slightly on their caption. I believe that they intended to state 'Rue du Petit Audenarde, Herseaux' which was the name as the road crosses the border from France to Belgium. The first picture is on this section, I believe. However, the second photo was taken at the railway level crossing where the road has become the Chaussée d'Estaimpuis. Still very much Herseaux though
     
  3. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Based on some new recently discovered photos I'm now investigating the Galactic Empire's involvement in the Battle of Assche.




    Just a little Sunday humour. Got this photo from some friends on histomil.com.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  4. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    tank  lowen 1940.jpg tank  lowen 1940 close up.jpg Here is my tank photo uncut.
    Keith
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2016
  5. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Thanks Keith, much appreciated.

    Steve
     
  6. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    77 Field Regiment RA in Assche

    I have come across some references to the 77 Field Regiment RA's (4th Infantry Division, previously 51 Highland Division) involvement in Assche on the evening of May 17 and early morning of May 18. Not sure which battery was involved (305 or 306). Seems they were in position at Marlier northwest of the rail underpass at Huinegem in Assche.

    Have just started looking into their activities in Assche and have not got their WDs yet.

    If anyone can shed further light on this it would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers Steve
     
  7. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is the reference to 77th Field Regiment RA in The Years of Defeat.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here are two pages from the Gordon Highlanders regimental history, Life of a Regiment:
     

    Attached Files:

  9. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the page regarding the 77 Field Regiment RA in The Years of Defeat, much appreciated. 15/19 Hussars WDs and regimental history mention they had support from a 4th Infantry Division field regiment RA on May 17-18. 4th Division had the 22, 30 and 77 Field Regiments RA.

    It seems 77 had a battery of 12 Ordnance QF 18 pounders, (18-pounder Gun) and a battery of 12 Ordnance QF 4.5-inch howitzers, (WW 1 era guns). Assuming they were the regiment in Assche, not sure yet which battery (305 or 306) had what guns and which one was in Assche. From CWGC I didn't note any KIA for 22, 30 or 77 Field Regiment for May 17-19.

    Have to do more digging and take a look at the WDs for the 3 regiments.

    I already have The Life of a Regiment: The History of the Gordon Highlanders Vol 5 so have seen these other pages.

    Cheers Steve
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    4 Gordon's War Diary
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    77 Field Regiment War Diary
    [​IMG]
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Nothing mentioning Assche in 22 Field Regiments diary but this in 30 Field Regiments diary
    [​IMG]
     
  13. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Thanks very much Andy.

    Looks like these RA regiments were well west of the Dendre river on the morning of May 18. Seems 30 Field Regiment passed through Assche in the evening of May 17/18 and moved to Erpe.

    I have some eye witness reports from locals in Assche of a Field Regiment RA being in position on Marlier northwest of the rail underpass at Huinegem. I suspect these reports were actually 61 battery 14 Anti-tank Regiment positions. I have seen other accounts of locals that described British tanks which were actually German half tracks and others of tanks that were carriers.

    The 15/19 WDs and regimental history mention they had support of a Field Regiment RA from 4th Infantry Division and at 1100 hours had attempted to direct artillery fire at German troops moving west from Merchtem but were told the target was outside the arc of fire. .


    Cheers Steve
     
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    32 Field Regiment war diary

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  15. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Artillery Support May 17/18 1940

    Further to the question of artillery support on May 17/18 1940 for 2nd Light Armoured Reconnaissance brigade, (5 IDG and 15/19 Hussars). It appears, according to J. Thompson, Dunkirk Retreat to Victory and L.F. Ellis, The War in France and Flanders 1939-1940 that the 32 Army Field Regiment RA, attached to GHQ, provided artillery support. They had the 107/121 and 115/120 batteries at the time. It was not a 4th Division artillery regiment (22,30 or 77 Field Regiment RA) as indicated in the 15/19 WDs and regimental history.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  16. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Sgt. John Henry Diprose: 6 Troop C Squadron

    I have been working on an account of Sgt John Henry Diproses (6 Troop A Squadron 15/19 Hussars) engagement with German armoured cars near the Merchtem Station on May 18, 1940. WDs indicated 3 armoured cars were put out of action by his troop. He received an MID for the engagement. I have a copy of his award recommendation from The National Archives which was initially put forward for a MM. I was hoping to find some pictures of his scout carriers. I read in the 15/19 WDs that they turned all their tracked vehicles over to 5 IDG on May 26 1940 so am assuming some of these ended up at or near Dunkirk.I was wondering if any members had come across any 15/19 C Squadron vehicle photos at or near Dunkirk and had these in your collections. I realize it's possible they might have been remarked by 5 IDG
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  17. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Award recommendation:
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  18. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    These 3 photos came in the post, i see you have two of them on here all ready, but i will put them in one lot at a higher res.
    Keith
    bef tank 1940 p2.jpg tank bef 1940.jpg bef tank 1940.jpg
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  19. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    Here is the other one from the same group that i did not win. taken on the same roll of film. carrier bren.jpg
     
  20. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Thanks, yes these I found out a while ago can be purchased as high resolution scans from ECPAD the French military archives for 10 Euros each. I think these were on ebay as contact prints.The first two you posted are of my Dads tank.
     

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