Hi -- I am looking for information about this unit's battle activities around Amersroot-Nijkerk where his task force encountered tough enemy defensive action. Lance-Sergeant Roy Barber (who survived the war) was awarded the Queen of the Netherlands Bronze Cross for his initiative and courageous action in this operation on 18 April 1945. While I have a copy of the recommendation describing the action, I am unsure of what significance this had in the scheme of things. It describes "his troop" -- not sure what size of force he commanded? Anyone who is familiar with this incident could be helpful in my understanding of what transpired. Cheers Kurt Johnson, Burnstown, Ontario, Canada
Kurt - Do you have the full text of the recommendation? Got a couple of (Dutch) books about actions in that area.
Nederlandse onderscheidingen aan Canadese staatsburgers voor de Tweede Wereldoorlog More info here if you scroll down a bit
Yes, this website is outstanding -- I got his activity there.... That's a big regiment so I'm not sure what "task force" was involved.
I will post the war diary entries for 4th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA and each of its batteries for April 18, 1945 tomorrow.
Dryan - They were attached to the Cape Breton Highlanders on the 18th; the War Diary of this battalion also might contain some info as well.
Here are the links to the 4th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment war diaries for 18 April 1945: RHQ War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage 98th Battery War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage 49th Battery War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage 82nd Battery War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage 16th Battery http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_t16715/1339?r=1&s=3 You can also move through these links to find other appendices and dates.
I don't see a reference to 4th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment which is l/Sgt Barber's unit. The action was concentrated on Amersfoort.
If you are referring to the Cape Breton Highlanders war diary, I posted this because of the quoted post.
Best detail seems to be here, from 98 Bty Diary: War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage Appears this was completely a 4 A/Tk Regt show: Five Troops of guns from 98 and 82 (SP) Btys (four guns to a Tp) Gunners from 16 (Towed) Bty as infantry Task force operating independent of other units, under Div control H Troop of 82 Bty leads You mention via PM his gun was 'Helene', implying he was H Tp You can confirm Barber was 82 Bty: A/Bdr Barber in 82 Bty Orders War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage Appointed L/Sgt in 4 A/Tk Regt Orders War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage
Hi Kevin: Thanks so much for your great research. I mentioned the story of Helene name for his tank because his sister Joyce said it was a family joke that he married a Helen, the same name as his tank he drove. I understand it was a M-10 tank destroyer -- the recommendation for his Bronze Cross talked about the gun jammed and he got out of his compartment in the open exposed to enemy fire. I recall there were 4 Bys in that Regt. So his rank was first Acting Bombardier -- correct? --- then promoted before this action to L/Sgt. Very interesting to me. Thx again. Kurt
