4 Fd Sqn RE

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by borneo72, Aug 21, 2012.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    No more than what you knew before. I can't tell you the file to look in at the moment because like the forum change, I've just got a new laptop and I have to use it to get used to it. All my Kew files are on my other laptop. All I can say is if he completed a PoW Liberation Questionnaireit will be in the WO 344 Series under Jones. Only about 40% of PoWs completed the form though.
     
  2. idler

    idler GeneralList

    I might very well have something to add when I get home. 13 June 1944 is a big day in 7 Armd Div history - Villers-Bocage. If you're not familiar with it, give it a Google.

    A section of sappers spread over two halftracks was in the leading column that was ambushed by Wittman and his Tiger. One half-section got away (mostly), the other went for the Germans and suffered casualties - the war diary has names so I should be able to check if he was with them (why oh why didn't I do this before?!). It is possible that he wasn't involved in this particular action - there were many other things going on at the time. I should be able to nail it down as the war diaries of the smaller units, like field squadrons, are often more detailed than those for battalion-sized units where casualties are concerned.
     
  3. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Nailed.

    Apologies for the poor quality images - it was my first time at Kew in the Large Document and Map Room which is not very well lit. Here are the relevant extracts from 4 Fd Sqn's war diary:

    13 June 1944:
    4 Fd Sqn 13 Jun 44 extract.jpg

    14 June 1944:
    4 fd Sqn 14 Jun 44 extract.jpg

    The Appendix C referenced in the last one doesn't add anything to the tale.

    If you really want to push your luck, there are photos of a column of British POWs from the engagement, if I can remember where I've seen them.
     
  4. borneo72

    borneo72 Junior Member

    Apologies not required Idler. Many thanks for your replies. I feel that I am now getting somewhere.
     
  5. borneo72

    borneo72 Junior Member

    Is it possible to copy/download the war diary pages which you kindly displayed Idler ? Found the picture of the column of POW,s. There are many different cap badges !
     
  6. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Does anyone know when 4 Field Sqd first arrived in North Africa?
     

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