249th (Airborne) Field Company RE on D-Day and Battle of Normandy

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by PRADELLES, Jul 9, 2015.

  1. PRADELLES

    PRADELLES Well-Known Member

    Hi,

    Extract from : Private John Butler

    Private H. John Butler

    Unit : No.9 Platoon, C Company, 7th Parachute Battalion.

    "In the early hours of D.9* we moved off to the village of Herouvillette and arrived amidst a heavy artillery barrage. My platoon went right forward to the extreme end of the village and I was sent into three houses to make sure they were clear, then the platoon came in and took up positions in and around them. About midday the shelling stopped and soon after three armoured cars of the Derbyshire Yeomanry came up as support units. My pal George Turnbull and I occupied another Jerry slit trench -- which commanded the road leading into the village -- and stocked it well with anti-tank grenades in case any Jerry tanks tried to get in that way.
    The next four days* were absolutely quiet and we spent our time eating, sleeping and brushing up our French with the aid of the village school mistress who could speak a little English. Quiet, I should say, as far as the Jerries were concerned, our only bit of trouble being when our own Typhoons came over and strafed and rocketed us, no damage to personnel was done though I am glad to say.
    On the fifth day* just as it got daylight the Jerries started sending over a terrific artillery barrage and some were uncomfortably near our slit trench and as it was a Jerry one and we had been warned about them George and I decided to beat it back into the houses. We had just got out when a shell landed about 20 feet away blowing both George and I back in, we were extremely lucky not to have been killed, George had a narrow escape from wounding. A bandolier slung round his body had stopped a fair sized piece of shrapnel cutting through two layers of bullets and ending up in the bandolier, after that we waited for a lull and then dashed out to the houses. We made it just in time too for five minutes later the trench received a direct hit and blew up the anti-tank grenades making quite a hole.
    After about fifteen minutes more of this it slackened off and 4 MK IV tanks, an SP gun and about a company of infantry started to come in. As we had no officer with our platoon the officer in charge of the armoured cars took over command wirelessed back for artillery and aircraft support and also directed a couple of A/T guns that some glider chaps had nearby. The A/T guns damaged one tank and the tanks withdrew behind a ridge. The infantry then came forward into a wood in between Herouvillette and Escoville a village about a half a mile distance, so B.Coy who were in reserve were brought out and attacked the wood killing or taking prisoner practically the whole lot. Things quieted down again after this and we resumed our normal routine of eating and sleeping. Towards evening the three armoured cars moved off and three more came in, they had only been there for about an hour when one single shell came over and the officer in charge of the cars received a bad shrapnel wound in the back. That was the last shell we had at Herouvillette as we moved out next morning at daybreak over to the third Brigade area where we went to relieve the 8th Battalion which had had a bit of bashing. When we arrived at the 8th area we found it to be heavily wooded country that was under almost constant mortar shelling."

    *I think John Butler was wrong in the dates. The 7th Para Battalion arrived to Herouvillette on D.7 and stay four days in the town.

    Regards,

    Xavier
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2017
  2. PRADELLES

    PRADELLES Well-Known Member

    Again...

    Extract from : Julius Neave

    Julius Neave

    Unit : 13th/18th Royal Hussars


    "16th June
    This has been a thoroughly bad day. This morning Dick Harrap was killed in his jeep. A German counter-attack started at 0430 hrs this morning and the whole area was heavily shelled. The attack got no further than Herouvillette, and a troop of 'A' Squadron was sent to support our counter attack, and was subsequently cut off. Dick was on a recce with the Infantry Brigadier organising the party and came round a corner to meet a German Mark IV tank. Brig. P.P. arrived with this bitter piece of news. He told us also that tomorrow's big attack is cancelled having been first on and then off about five times."

    Regards,

    Xavier
     
  3. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Xavier,

    There is an account by Lieut Col R.G. Pine-Coffin that includes the Herouvillette period at the Normandy War Guide site. It's found in the last pages of the document (WO 223/18). No mention of 249 Fld Coy unfortunately.

    Story of 7 Bn. Light Infantry, The Parachute Regiment, 1943 - 1944

    Good find on the Butler account which gives us the view of someone with C Coy. He says they were located at the extreme end of the village which was probably near where the D513A and D37C intersect at the Mairie or just south of there. He claims B Coy were brought out of reserve when in fact it was A Coy who were in reserve at the time.

    I like your interpretation of the dog-leg woods which indeed would have been a good approach for the Germans to take to Herouvillette. For A Coy to go in on the other side below B Coy would mean traversing mine fields. It's hard to be sure without accurate coordinates. At that time units of the 3rd Brigade were located near Mesnil and it's crossroads and ranged out east from there. Without further info regarding 249 Fld Coy position it's hard to know what woods they entered.

    Regards ...
     
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  4. PRADELLES

    PRADELLES Well-Known Member

    Hi,
    I stop research about Hérouvillette for the moment.
    On DDay, the remaining of the 2nd Platoon, 'Rafting Party', landed to help some 6 pounder guns to cross the rivers if the bridges were blown. From which unit came this guns and how many were they ? 4th Airlanding Anti-Tank battery I think, but I haven't information to confirm that.
    Regards.
    Xavier
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2017
  5. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Xavier,

    I assume the rest of 2 platoon of 249 Field Coy RE would have joined their comrades of the coup de main party at the bridges. In the event the bridges were blown the first priority would be to get the men of the Ox & Bucks and 7 Para across the river and canal to Benouville to fend off German attacks and to form a bridgehead for the arrival of the seaborne troops. Afterwards their efforts would have gone towards facilitating the flow of men, vehicles, guns and tanks across the waterways by the use of rafts and the building of bridges. I'm not aware at this time if there was a particular RA unit whose guns were given priority for crossing at Pegasus Bridge by 249 Field Coy?

    Here's some info on the various Airborne RA units and their activity on June 6th taken from WDs, etc.

    Gliders CN 97 to CN 120 carrying 4th Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery lifted off from Tarrant Rushton and arrived at LZ N about 3:30 AM. Their seaborne element arrived June 10th.

    According to the WD of the 3rd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery: "0230 - A Tp less 2 guns land near RANVILLE by glider." Though I think the time there is closer to their lift off from Tarrant Rushton in gliders CN 500-503. As for their seatail they were completely disembarked on June 7th at 0500 and arrived at Ranville at 0600.

    Except for the 211 A/L Bty the 53rd (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Airlanding Light Regiment arrive by sea on June 13th and 14th.

    I think we may have covered Parker Force or The Airborne Reconnaissance Group in previous posts. It consisted of the following units.

    6th Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment - Brize Norton, CNs 75-93, LZ N, Op Mallard
    211 Airlanding Light Battery RA - Fairford, CNs 194-220A, LZ W, Op Mallard
    A Company, 12th Devonshire Regiment - Fairford, CNs 186-193, LZ W, Op Mallard
    Detachment Airlanding Field Ambulance - ? - LZ W, Op Mallard
    Troop 3rd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery RA - "Q" Beach first tide
    Detachment 249 Field Company RE - "N" Beach first tide

    Their mission was cancelled due to pressing German attacks from the south.

    Regards ...
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2017
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  6. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Xavier,

    There is more information in the Divisional Troops document concerning Parker Force which included a detachment of 249 Field Coy. I believe the 3rd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery element belonged to A Troop and consisted of two (?) anti-tank guns. We are not told what platoon the 249 Fld Coy detachment came from. For example here's a page detailing the intended movements and link ups for the various units of the Force. Note it says "RE personnel with A Tk guns to offer local protection". All this came to nought by late afternoon June 6th when the original mission as ordered by General Gale was scrapped.

    Page 33_6thAirborneDivTroops.jpg

    Regards ...
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2017
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  7. PRADELLES

    PRADELLES Well-Known Member

    Hi Cee,

    The informations about the "Parker Force" are really interesting and will require further research. But, that concern the "Seaborne" of the 249th, who landed at Juno, not the "Rafting Party" who landed at 0325 hours.

    I just found how and when the "Rafting Party" arrived near the bridges :
    Extract from 6 Airborne Divisional Troops
    « The CRE instructed that equipment should be guarded until transport coud be available by HQRE. Equipment was then to be dumped on the EAST bank of R ORNE for use in case the bridges were subsequently demolished. In fact, one jeep and trailer was produced at about 0730 hours and two gliders loads dumped at the specified site by 1130 hours.”

    Not the subject, but, the company of the 7th Para Battalion in Benouville didn't have anti-tank guns in support ? Just PIAT ?

    Regards,

    Xavier

    PS : About "Parker Force", exercise "PIAVE" seems to me similar...
     
  8. PRADELLES

    PRADELLES Well-Known Member

    Hi,

    Extract of the Orders from the Commander 5th Parachute Brigade, Brigadier. J.H.N. Poett:
    A Tk Pl, 7 Para Bn - to deny approaches to br 098748 from WEST.

    Regards,

    Xavier
     
  9. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Xavier,

    One source for the order you cite can be found in the 5th Para Brigade HQ WD (Appendix, OO No. 1) entry 20. The map reference which falls on the west side of the canal near Pegasus Bridge was the intended position of the 7 Para Anti-Tank Platoon. They would only be carrying PIATs to defend position.*

    I'm not aware of any Airborne anti-tank guns that made it across the bridges. The Paras in Benouville were fighting without artillery until the arrival of seaborne units in the afternoon bringing with them tanks, anti-aircraft guns,etc. There was a gun in the pit at the bridge that was made to work and was put to use on a few occasions. According to Lt-Col. Pine-Coffin:

    There were no 3" mortars, no medium machine guns and no wireless sets. There were, however, a few PIATs which were to give an excellent account of themselves.

    A Forward Observer Bombardment party was assigned to 7 Para. They attempted to contact ships from the tall house at the t-junction without success and eventually had to abandon the place after close encounters with Germans.

    The Barber book is an excellent source for all that occurred in the Benouville and Le Port on June 6th.

    Regards ...

    * Edit: Para Anti-Tank Platoon!
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2018
  10. PRADELLES

    PRADELLES Well-Known Member

    Hey Cee,

    I agree with you after research, no information about anti-tank gun's presence in Benouville on 6th June before the arrival of seaborne.

    But, in his plan, Brigadier Poett wished an Anti-Tank Platoon to support the 7th Parachute Battalion in Bénouville.
    The landing of the 4th Airlanding Anti-tank gun Battery were catastrophic, just ten 6 pounder guns and two 17 pounder guns landed intact.
    Six 6 pounder guns and two 17 pounder guns were missing or destroyed, 40% of the strength of the 4th Air Anti-tank Battery.

    That's a possibility why there were no guns in Bénouville to support 7th Para.

    Regards,

    Xavier
     
  11. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Xavier,

    Point C in the orders mentions a map showing initial planned gun positions. I took a look around but couldn't find it.

    "(c) Approx posn of A Tk guns is shown in Trace ‘P’ att [Sketch Map IV]."

    Regards ...
     
  12. PRADELLES

    PRADELLES Well-Known Member

    Hi Cee,

    I will try to find this map...

    Another proof of the desire to support the 7th battalion with anti-tank gun :
    Extract from The 6th Airborne Divisional Engineers on D Day 1944
    "The contingency plan was for 7 Parachute Battalion dropping north of Ranville to secure a bridgehead to the west of Benouville and the canal. This would involve ferrying troops across the water gaps and was to be supervised by a detachment of a Sergeant RE and four Sappers dropping with 7 Parachute Battalion. The equipment required, consisting of thirty inflatable RAF type dinghies and 500 fathoms of cordage, was carried down by Battalion personnel in kitbags with which they jumped. In order to get some light vehicles and 6-pounder anti-tank guns across four gliders with the balance of 2 Platoon 249 Field Company RE (Airborne) were to land with the main glider force some two hours later."

    Regards,

    Xavier
     
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  13. PRADELLES

    PRADELLES Well-Known Member

    Hi all,
    I wish you an happy New Year 2018.

    Does anyone know anything about this bridge ? "Recce of the footbridge at 114762 was not possible before 1100 hrs owing to snipers who were extremely active in the neighbourhood." (Extract from Headquarters, Royal Engineers)

    Regards,

    Xavier

    upload_2018-1-16_16-25-4.png upload_2018-1-16_16-29-3.png upload_2018-1-16_16-27-53.png
     
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  14. DannyM

    DannyM Member

    Hi,
    It is marked as a ferry on this map.

    Regards

    Danny

    IMG_0016  ferry.jpg
     
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  15. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Yes Danny is correct. It is marked as a ferry on Pradelles map but it is overprinted and difficult to read. From the photos it still is a ferry. Note the jetty and car park.

    Mike
     
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  16. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Xavier,

    By July 5th there were a couple of pontoon bridges crossing both the canal and river in that area. I'm not sure what the structure is south of the pontoon bridge across the Orne. What always struck me as interesting is the canal below Pegasus Bridge is the original river course.

    Box_0309-5-July-1944-3166-Large.jpg

    Regards ..
     
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  17. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Here is where the coordinate translator places the "footbridge at 114762". There is a marina nearby today. I'm not sure if the channel just to the north allows access to the Orne River?

    Footbridge at 114762.JPG

    Regards ...

    Edit
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2018
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  18. DannyM

    DannyM Member

    Hi,
    There is a weir here.

    Photo I took a few years ago.

    weir  re.jpg

    Regards

    Danny
     
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  19. PRADELLES

    PRADELLES Well-Known Member

    Last edited: Jan 16, 2018
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  20. DannyM

    DannyM Member

    Hi,
    Had another look at a couple of things.

    This bridge only seems to be marked on the large scale maps. It is not mentioned in the Interservice Topographical Department report on the river.

    Maybe just a footbridge ?

    You can just make it out in the oblique aerial photo.

    Regards

    Danny

    DSCF8749  d fin.jpg LZ N.jpg
     
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