271 Field Company Royal Engineers, 46 INFANTRY DIVISION

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by peterhastie, Jul 29, 2012.

  1. peterhastie

    peterhastie Senior Member

    Got the MC citation for William James Chapman, for actions 26th Aug - 4th Sept 1944 but would appreciate it if someone could elaborate on the events which led to his death, a few days after, or anything about the unit history.

    CWGC - Casualty Details

    Citation.PNG
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The units war diary would probably be the best source of more info around that incident. There's an extremely good possibility of his death and the circumstances being mentioned seeing that he was a officer.
     
  3. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Peter - as Drew suggest the war diary would be the best source as allOfficers kille were named - at that time though 8th Army had just crossed the Metauro River to start the Gothic Line Battles on 25/26th Aug '44 and by 4th Set were crossing the Foglia River which was allegedly the REAL Gothic Line

    8th Army was in line with 2nd Polish Corp on the right - 1st Canadian Corps with 21st Tank bde - then 5th Corps with 46th Div and Gerry Chesters 25th Tank bde on left flank
    there was fair fight at the Foglia where I suspect he was killed and probably buried at Gradara

    Cheers
     
  4. peterhastie

    peterhastie Senior Member

    Thanks Drew and Tom

    I have been doing some WW1 stuff and downloaded a lot of WDs for that and didn't think to look for the WD of this unit WW2. I don't think its to download but will pass on any info to the family of WJ Chapman. Thanks again.
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Peter,

    WW2 diaries are not available to download. I've listed the two diaries available below and I'm happy to copy them if they can't get there themselves:

    WO 169/16431 271 Field Company (Fd Coy) 1944 Apr.- June
    WO 170/1691 Companies: 271 Company 1944 Jan.- Mar. July - Dec.

    Click on the red link below for details
    Cheers
    Andy
     
  6. bashleyhorn

    bashleyhorn New Member

    Hi All

    At long last I have found a reference to my late fathers unit 271 Field Coy RE on the internet.

    He was 120943 L/Sgt A W Bourne and served with this Coy from 12/40 until his demob in 12/45.

    He was originally with the RASC from 11/39 to 09/40 when he transferred to the REs for retraining.

    After he passed away I discovered many documents and maps he had kept back of his time with the REs. All of these were given to the REs museum at Chatham were I went to and handed them over in Nov 1993. They are allocated to group number 9311-13. at the museum.

    However some items like hand written notes from his officer and some type written platoon lists etc I copied and keep them with his other effects.

    If anyone out there wants any more info please do ask.
     
  7. Hi Peter, New kid on the block here! Sorry a bit late for your original posts!
    The 270th, 271st, 272nd Field Company's & the 273rd Field Park Coy, all served with the 46th. Infantry Div.
    My father served with the 270th Field Coy. & I'm just starting out on this journey. I have the story of The 46th Division 1939 - 1945 printed in Graz Austria where they finished their war.
    Under the heading of 2. MONTE GRIDOLFO page 47. It reads:-
    Extensive minefields were discernible on the lower stretches by the river, and on the slopes houses had been demolished & trees felled to clear a field of fire. Patrols with a Sapper Officer nonchalantly clad in khaki drill, investigated the Foglia on the night of the 29th August, and the next morning General Hawksworth ordered both Brigades to cross the Foglia immediately.
    Sappers are mentioned throughout the book but not always named by companies?
    Any thing else I can help you with just let me know.
    Regards Gordon.
     
  8. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Gordon.

    Do you know when he joined 270 Fd Coy RE and 46 Inf Div.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
  9. Hi,
    My father joined the Territorial Army. City of Edinburgh (Fortress) Royal Engineers. 28/8/39. Not sure / awaiting docs/ re actual date of joining the 270th. I have most of his service history & mentions no other unit than the 270th.
    On his Release Leave Certificate / Soldiers Release Book Class A. States unit - 270th Field Coy. RE. dated 3/9/39.
    Again waiting on details to say when joined the 46th Div. The 46th Div. book states that the 139th Bde including the 270th sailed to North Africa /Tunis on the 24th Dec 1942. I have a mess deck ticket for him on the HMT Samaria dated 1/3/43 for him as part of the 270th?
    The 46th Div. left Scotland for further training in January 1941 to Cambridge. I can only assume it was round about this timescale he joined the 46th?
    Hope this helps!
    Regards Gordon.
     
  10. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Gordon.

    That would place him squarely at Cassino for the First Battle and then the subsequent horrors of winter warfare up on Monte Tujo and Cerasola. All three Fd Coys RE had a ghastly job supporting the three Infantry Brigades. Grim work.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
    gordon guthrie likes this.

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