New to this site! In October 2013 my wife and I are planning to follow The Path of the Righteous, but following the brief outline of the progress of the 171 Company RASC Armoured Brigade from Courseulles to Jübeck. The unit included her father. Three weeks to make a pilgrimage which took them 11 months. Has anyone got any information about this unit of the British Army or information which might help us? David
These war diaries at National Archives should help. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?_q=WO%20171%2F2401 ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS. Companies. 171 Coy. Date range: 01 January 1944 - 31 December 1944 Reference:WO 171/2401 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?_q=WO%20171%2F6214 ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS. Companies. 171 Coy. Date range: 01 January 1945 - 31 December 1945 Reference:WO 171/6214
David you had me scratching my head for a few minutes as there is NO such thing as an RASC armoured Brigade going anywhere - but - as Owen points out - there is an 171 Company of the RASC..which MIGHT be attached to an Armoured Brigade holding to Noah's seven strictures to his sons to clear a righteous path by breathing fire - then the penny dropped - you obviously mean the 31st Armoured brigade of the 79th Armoured Division with their Churchill MkV11' with their crocodile flame throwers - burning everything through the enemy lines in the France / Germany campaign -at least that is how I read Ezekeil of the old testament - so google for 79th Division and the war diaries of 31st AB as the war records will never get to you in time for your trip.......Nice one and welcome to the forum Cheers
Thread on ww2f about 171 Armd Bde Coy RASC. http://www.ww2f.com/topic/25580-november-1944-royal-army-service-corps-burial-tournai-belgium/ There was such a unit title after all, as there is mention of a chap on CWGC. Bit more digging. this website says they were in 11th Armoured Division. http://niehorster.orbat.com/017_britain/44_org/amoured%20divs/44_ad_rasc.html this Veteran served with them.11th Armoured Division mentioned again. http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/patrick-kelly-aged-89-1.938940?referrerPath=home/2.1962 this officers unit is listed as 171 Company Royal Army Service Corps (Armoured Brigade) http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7407105
Owen That is all very odd as 11th AD were not noted for beating a righteous path anywhere - especially under Pip Roberts - Cheers
Just seen on last page [p252] of Patrick Delaforce's ''The Black Bull From Normandy to the Batlic with the 11th Armoured Division.'' Helpful contributions came also from... Sergeant John Hooper's 'Seven Christmasses' with 171 Coy, RASC... Tom, I hope David can explain what he means by 'The Path of Righteousness'. ???
Owen yes I can see that commendation to various helpers in writing the book - BUT - the designation 171 RASC Armd Bde is a mis nomer which has crept in from somewhere -as the RASC OoB is very clear on the deliniation of various companies e.g 171(armed bde) - 174 ( Inf Bde ) - 173( Div troops) etc - naturally there is a BIG difference in supplying an Armoured Bde and an Infantry Bde - and an even bigger difference in supplying a Division with it's mix of Infantry - Armour - Artillery and more support troops - so the 171Coy was organised to supply an Armoured bde ONLY.......and hopefully David can come up with an explanation of the Biblical thoughts of Noah Cheers
Jubek is a small village just north of Schleswig II Armoured Division had the responsibility, in Summer/Autumn 1945,for much of the area north of the Kiel Canal and the Danish border within the British Zone of Occupation. 29 Armoured Brigade, with its Headquarters in the Schleswig area, were responsible for the far north west. 171 Company could have been part of the Brigade combat supply system, an extension of their wartime role?
