2nd BEF

Discussion in '1940' started by Mathsmal, Aug 31, 2010.

  1. Mathsmal

    Mathsmal Senior Member

    Hi

    Can anyone provide any info on the 2nd BEF? My understanding is that these were troops who were despatched to ports like Cherbourg in June 1940, after Dunkirk.

    I believe the Highland Light Infantry were included in this - does anyone know any more? Any ideas where they were sent in France, and if they engaged the German troops?

    Many thanks!
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Arriving in France around the middle of June 1940, it was to be commanded by Lieutenant-General A F Brooke but politicaly and tacticaly things were not going to plan so the 2nd BEF was withdrawn from France shortly after arriving under Operation Aerial.

    The Orbat:

    52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division:

    HQ Royal Artillery:

    70th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
    71st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
    78th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
    54th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

    HQ Royal Engineers:

    202nd Field Company, Royal Engineers
    241st Field Company, Royal Engineers
    554th Field Company, Royal Engineers
    243rd Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

    52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division Brigades:

    155th Infantry Brigade:

    7/9th Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)
    4th Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers
    5th Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers

    156th Infantry Brigade:

    4/5th Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers
    6th Battalion, The Cameronians
    7th Battalion, The Cameronians

    157th Infantry Brigade:

    1st Battalion, The Glasgow Highlanders
    5th Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry
    6th Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry

    1st Canadian Infantry Brigade:

    The Royal Canadian Regiment
    The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
    48th Highlanders of Canada
    1st Field Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

    I've posted a nominal roll on here already of 1st Canadian Recce that appears to be the only Canadian unit in the BEF WO 167 files series at Kew which suggests they deployed as an advance party for 1 Canadian Brigade. I think all the units above come under WO 166 (Home Forces) Series. I will of course be copying all of the aboves War Diaries at some point along with the smaller formations and units not listed above if they can be found.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  5. JCB

    JCB Senior Member

    Great film , amazing collection of transport at the start ,surely the 'Luxury Tours ' motor coach viewed in close up only isn't in France!
     
  6. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    I believe that these troops were sent to France to man the Breton Redoubt, an attempted to establish a new defensive position in France. The need for this force evaporated after the Armistice. I don't have a copy of Basil Kearslake's The Last Act, but I remember that he was rather scathing about the performance of some of the senior figures who were involved. His father, whose papers he used as the basis for the book, may have had an axe to grind, of course!
     
  7. Mathsmal

    Mathsmal Senior Member

    Thanks everyone for the info - I'll be speaking to a veteran of this campaign shortly so I'll post info on the conversation if people are interested?
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    - I'll be speaking to a veteran of this campaign shortly so I'll post info on the conversation if people are interested?
    Of course we are!
     
  9. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    7th batt Camerons never came into existance until October 1940, when 50th Holding battalion was redesignated. 7th became 5th (scottish) parachute batt in 1942.
    Not sure 6th batt went either, they originated as a National defence company formed in November 1939, and were redesignated 6th ( home defence ) battalion, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. and undertook guard duties over the North of Scotland. 6th became the 30th home defence batt in 1942.
     
  10. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    156th Infantry Brigade:

    4/5th Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers
    6th Battalion, The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    7th Battalion, The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders


    It is mistake, instead 6th and 7th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders there were 6th and 7th Cameronians.
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers,

    I've just crossed ref the info with Ellis and he states its 6th and 7th Battalions The Cameronians not QOCH. If you can confirm they were in 156th Inf Bde I'll amend the orig post.

    Regards
    Andy

    Edit: Sol Beat me :)
     
  12. Mathsmal

    Mathsmal Senior Member

    Just as an aside, regarding the Canadian troops in the BEF, I interviewed a chap a few years ago who got out via Brest. The port was full of Canadian troops who had just arrived - the same ships then took the Canadians back to the UK (Plymouth), without having seen a German... Not sure which unit this was I am afraid.
     
  13. Mathsmal

    Mathsmal Senior Member

    Hi

    Interview went well - the chap was with the 5th Battalion HLI. According to his papers, he arrived in Cherbourg on the 7th June 1940. There was a period of confusion in France, which ultimately culminated with his capture on the 16th June. He, and a few others, walked into a unit of German Panzer men, who they disturbed while they were eating breakfast. By this time they'd got lost, and were without officers or any orders. He was then taken to a large transit camp where thousands of troops were held before being put on trains to Stalag VIIIB and 5 years captivity.
     
  14. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY



    "Full title reads: "Second BEF Home Again". VS of men of the second B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) marching through streets, also shots of armoured and troop-carrying vehicles moving through streets of France en route for evacuation. Cut aways to planes flying above. VS of troops resting on grass in a small park at the side of road. VS of troops and equipment going aboard troopships at French port and of the troopships pulling away bound for England. Good shots of the troopships (camouflaged channel ferries) steaming out of French harbour. VS of the troops relaxing and playing cards on the decks of the troopship, some French soldiers are amongst the men on the deck. VS of the troops coming ashore in England, they take tea from stands run by women civilians and wash in bowls provided and then march inland to reception centres. N.B. Voiceover contrasts this return home with the recent scenes on the beaches at Dunkirk."
     

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