5 Div march 1945

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Tubby, May 16, 2012.

  1. Tubby

    Tubby www.spiritofbritain.net

    Hi,
    I'm trying to trace the journey of 5 Div, after they arrived in Normandy. I believe they arrived in March. My dad saw them heading down hill into a village where there was a battle going on. They all wore early war kit: chest mounted respirators, SMLE rifles etc, and someone shouted at them, "Where have you been"? To which they replied "Madagascar!"
    Could be the Wiltshires?

    I've search on here but can't find any info, unless it has eluded me. Any help appreciated thanks
    Simon
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I think 5 Div was in Italy before they were sent to NWE. Not sure they would have had that kit in 1945.
     
  3. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    5th Division did not campaign in Normandy. They were moved by train from Marseilles to Belgium in March 1945. 2nd Northampton's history records that they were then able to see the newer machinery such as Crocodiles and Wasps that they had not had in Italy but no suggestion that their kit was out of date. Photographs show that they still had some 1937 pattern battledress but that was common to most units. I can see no photographs of respirators being carried.

    They'd been to more than Madagascar - India, briefly, the Middle East including a time with Paiforce and then Italy, the Sicily landings, the Garigliano and then Anzio. It would have been a brave man who took the mickey out of them.
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    5th Div had a mix of rifles.
    Some like 2 Wilts still had SMLE & I've seen pics of 'Skins with No4 at Anzio.

    Here's pic of 2 Wilts outside Lubeck.
    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45 | Imperial War Museums

    Infantry of 2nd Wiltshire Regiment, 5th Division, supported by Churchill tanks of 6th Guards Tank Brigade, clear a pocket of resistance south of Lubeck, 2 May 1945.
    [​IMG]
     
    Guy Hudson likes this.
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with No4 at Anzio.
    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1944 | Imperial War Museums

    A patrol of the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Anzio, 20-21 March 1944. The men are lightly equipped, and wear cap comforters and crepe soled patrol boots.

    [​IMG]
     
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  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    You can also read the war diary for 2 Wilts here.
    War Diaries - The Wardrobe


    1 March 1945
    Marseilles, France
    The Adv Party of the Bn and the vehicle party left the Staging area on the first day of the trip to BELGIUM. A distance of approx 160 miles was covered during the day and the party staged the night at ST RAMBERT.

    2 March 1945
    Salerno and St Rambert, Italy & France
    0900: [Salerno, Italy] The Bn moved by road to NAPLES docks and embarked on U.S. Tpt "GENERAL RICHARDSON". Reference to Appendices: Nos. D/1 0900: [St. Rambert, France] The vehicle and advance parties covered about 80 miles on this day and staged the night near MACON.
     
  8. RWM-1948

    RWM-1948 Junior Member

    Operation "GOLDFLAKE" the move of The 5th British Infantry Division along with the 1st Canadian Corps from Italy to Northwest Europe, February- March 1945.
    the 5 Essex was part of the 5th Division and my late father-in-law was with them, during March and April they were retraining with the latest equipment that had come into general use since the 5th Essex was last in action around Ghent in Belgium, The 5th Essex was not committed to battle until 20th April.
    The 5th Essex still had the mark 3 Enfield rifle with the sword bayonet right to the end of the war, just the thing to have when fixed guarding P O W's he would say.
    Drew has the 1945 Diary for the 5th Essex.

    Regard,
    Roger
     
  9. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The 5th Infantry Division were known also as the "Globetrotters" as they saw much action and service in Madgascar - India - Middle East - Sicily and were alongside the 1st Canadian in the invasion of Italy seeing much action with both 8 th and 5th US armies at such venues as Salerno - the relief of - Anzio and other minor skirmishes and on to Belgium again along with the 1st and 5th Canadian divisions in order to assist the Brit 2nd Army and to augment the Canadian 2nd Corps into the 1st Canadian Army - so they had much more battle experience as others who were only involved in France and Germany- no matter how old fashioned their equipment - which was standard for the Italian campaign

    Cheers
     

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