6th AB Graves in Berlin

Clearing of Flak Gun positions on 27/28 March 1945 by 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion | ParaData

 

Assuming you've got the Regt War Diary?
If not :"At 1310 leading sub-unit of "B" Sqn were at 318474 and pushing on, but at 1340 it was fired on by 20 mm flak guns at 352492. The tk tp of "B" Sqn was ordered to engage these guns. At 1400 leading elements of A Sqn were at 317471 and were ordered to strike north towards the main rd N.E. from BRUNE and thence N.E. towards RAESFELD while B Sqn were to push on to ERLE. The opposition at 351492 continued to delay B Sqn and at 1600 it was reported that one of their tks had been hit by a SP gun firing from 356493. At 1655 A Sqn forward tps had reached 300495 and at 1735 after some difficulty experienced in finding suitable crossings over a water obstacle they were at 311502 where contact with 7th Armd Div was made. At 1815 RHQ gp moved up towards area 2947. At 1820 B Sqn reported that a further 2 tks had been lost in area 364493 and that in this area approx 5 SP guns supported by inf were operating. At 1830 it was learned that the crew from one of the tks above mentioned had escaped and brought back 4 prisoners from 48 Flak Regt who stated that 3 of their guns had been knocked out that morning by B Sqn fire. By 1900 RHQ was established at 297476, A Sqn at 303496, B Sqn at 317474 and C Sqn with RHQ. "
My father was in one of the 2 tanks knocked out by the SP guns and he and his comrades brought back the 4 prisoners. Some consolation for losing half their tanks in one engagement!,
Ian

 

So he was in this column that got hit which led to the 7th battalion taking out the guns? ( sounds like it without checking the grid refs). I’ve visited this exact spot for my 7th battalion research and have pictures of the area.

 

His account says that they were sent forward to attack a farm complex, they knocked out an SP gun hidden in a rubbish heap, then whilst waiting for Para's to catch up (on foot) troop leaders tank flanking around farm was hit/knocked out, crew bailed out, driver injured and rest of crew captured though one still 'missing' to this day. My fathers tank then pressed attack directly and got disabled, apparently muzzle flashes of SP guns in farmyard were nearly hitting their tank so v close. They bailed out, no casualties and got away across a ploughed field back to rest of Sqdn - so not directly connected to flak gun action I'd say. That evening the Para's aggressively patroled and found farm complex now deserted as Germans had pullled back....he says.
You might be interested that he was interviewed by Imperial War Museum in 1995 and recordings are in Bovington Tank Museum archive - gives details of training, tanks, guns etc and Ardenne, Holland ,Rhine/Germany and Palestine deployments: Trooper John Charles Banbery

 

Excellent thanks.
Unless it mentions the date we can’t be totally sure. Sounds like a similar action though as there were quite a few guns in action according to the 7 Para narrative.

 

Having said that I’ve got the correct map for the action on 27th March so I’ll check it that way

 

6AARR WD

2nd May 1945


Place: Buchen

1230 - R.H.Q. which was following 5 Para. Bde. H.Q. in the main column was held up by a traffic jam on a narrow track in the wood at 113534 for 2 hours. During this time B Sqdn who were pushing on at top speed went out of wireless contact. At 13.00 they were attacked by our own TYPHOON fighter aircraft on the main road at 210683; 1 Bren carrier was knocked out, 1 man was killed and another was seriously injured.

 

Shows the problem of using WD's as totally accurate sources - both killed.