9th Bn Cameronians

A relative of mine served in the 9th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).And l am trying to collaborate information regarding,his movements across europe from,Normandy to Scvhrawien Baltics (Russian Border).
The information l have given,is what Pte Welton gave me a few days ago,not forgetting hes now 93 years old young.
So it would have been nice to,track the path he took,the division he was in.He he fought along side of ie Paras ect.
I have been trying to find a map,of the operations online,but to no luck.
He felt so proud serving his country,during its hour of need,he never applied for his campaign medals.!!! But got a snotty letter from war office stating that,he should have applied,and should be proud to have them.
Even now,he says that he was just doing his job,and serving his country and has "NO" interest in bits of metal,l havnt had the courage to bring the matter up again,and dont think l will.
Any help in any of the above matters,l will be appriecated.

WIZZ

 

9th Cameronians were in 46 Brigade of the 15th Scottish Infantry Division they were on the Long Left Flank skirting northern Germany after intense fighting in the Reichwald Forest on the west side of the River Rhine.They were among the first to cross the Rhine in March 1945.There is a published history of the Division-try to
get it from your local library

jinso31

 

Try this side: Scots at War A - Z Index

Lüneburger

 

I’m interested in any information regarding my uncle, L/Cpl Fred Hillman of ‘D’ Company 9th Cameronians Scottish rifles. He was badly wounded during house to house fighting on March 25 1945,in a village called Haafen, just over the Rhine . He eventually died of his wounds and is buried at Reichwold forest war cemetery. Particularly interested if anyone has information about Haafen or anything about the fighting there. There was a letter sent to his wife by the captain of ‘D’ company but the hand writing is difficult to read. It may be Captain Glover,Cooper or Glouper.

 

Hello and welcome to the forum. If you can get to the National Archives they have a couple of unit war diaries that may be of interest to you.

WO 171/1275 9 Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)1944 Jan.- Dec.

WO 171/5168 9 Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)1945 Jan.- Dec.

Regards
Andy

 

Welcome to the forum Millhan - here's his CWGC details:

Name: HILLMAN, FREDERICK
Initials: F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Age:30
Date of Death:2 5/03/1945
Service No:5442235
Additional information:Son of Robert Hillman and of Eliza Ann Hillman (nee Jefferys) husband of, Eileen Eleanor Hillman, of Kennington, London.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:58. A. 2.
Cemetery:REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

There is a paragraph in 'Monty's Northern Legions' (Delaforce) about the action at Haafen, which I will put on this thread when I have time later today!

Best,

Steve.

 

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I'll save you the job Steve.

Owen, thank you!

Hi Owen do you also have the page concerning the initial attack of 24 March on Haffen by the 9 Cameronians. They took the place in conjunction with the 2nd Gordons (227 Brigade) against some stiff enemy opposition. The place yielded some 50 Fallschirmjäger PWs.

For a map of the area see the link (Haffen is in the 12 Corps sector): http://milmaps.elvamie.nl/WWII/ETO%201944-1945/Veritable/Operation%20Plunder%2030%20corps%20crossing%20sites%20and%20approaches%20plate%2013.jpg



Owen and stolpi - keep up the good work guys...!!!

Best,

Steve.

 

From "Operation Plunder - The British and Canadian Rhine Crossing" by Tim Saunders



The Attack on Haffen

Meanwhile, owning to difficulty 227 Brigade had in clearing the river bend and reaching their objectives, the crossing of the remaining battalions of 46 Brigade had been badly delayed. 9 Cameronians began crossing by storm boat ferry at 1430 hours and was directed to join operations in the south eastern part of Haffen, which it will be recalled, was the largest area of houses, fields and orchards in the Bend area and, as was already apparent, was well defended by 18 Fallshirmjager Regiment. Divisional HQ coordinated a quick attack on Haffen by 2 Gordons of 227 Highland Brigade who were to clear the western portion of the village, while 9 Cameroninas, supported by the Shermans of A Squadron 44 RTR, would approach from the south and southeast. Both battalions were conscious of the possibility of a blue on blue clash and as recalled by 2 Gordons, 'A certain amount of confusion was caused when some of our tanks were, erroneously, reported to be entering the village from the east'. This resulted in a 'check fire' being imposed on the artillery fire plan and the Scots attacking without usual numbing deluge of shells. The difficulties, in mid-battle, of coordinating a quick attack from tactical headquarters, some of which were relying on man-pack sets, are easy to envisage.

The Gordons' B and C Companies advanced through B Company 2 A&SH at 1715 hours across flat fields and orchards into the western portion of the straggling village. Lieutenant Telfer was wounded in the fight to clear Haffen. Meanwhile, 9 Cameronian and A Squadron 44 RTR attacked Haffen from the south east. The squadron provided covering fire for the attack from the south and eventually the retreating enemy presented 'A Squadron with some excellent shooting'. By 1750 hours, the Cameronians had driven most Fallschirmjager out and occupied the south eastern part of Haffen and the Gordons the western part. Despite seventy-one prisoners falling into the hands of Gordons, the area was far from clear and indeed would not be considered a safe place until the following day.

With Haffen and Mehr taken, the enemy was now holding the water obstacle of the Lange Renne and Hagener Meer, east and north east of Mehr, and 7 Seaforth was unable to advance further, not least because of the difficulties of armoured manoeuvre. Consequently, The Germans were able to hold an important bridge, which they eventually blew. The Seaforth went into positions holding the norther and northeastern outskirts of Mehr, which was now under enemy shellfire.

The Cameronians, even though detailed clearance of Haffen was still occupying their main attention, pushed several patrols north across the open ground, nearly as far as the line of the road Bruckshof-Holtershof where they were held up by spandau fire. During the afternoon's operations, 9 Cameronians suffered three officer and forty other rank casualties and took fifty prisoners.

2 Glasgow Highlanders eventually crossed the Rhine at 1645 hours and moved from the Forward Assembly Area to occupy a position between the Cameronians in Haffen, and the Seaforth in Mehr, which was reached at 2300 hours, without opposition. This last move brought the majority pf 15th Scottish into a solid position, although 227 Brigade, mainly due to delays in their crossing, had been halted short of Area 'Y' in the face of determined resistance by the Fallshirmjager.

 

I got all excited for a few seconds there (my interest is 1st Cameronians)


Welcome Wizz and good luck with the research...

Hello and welcome to the forum. If you can get to the National Archives...
Andy

Andy, you're slacking... I'm surprised you didn't offer your professional services...

(Andy is a handy resource and has a permanant desk at Kew, Wizz... :m1helmet

 

Oops... welcome Millhan...

(Kenny wanders off to stand in the corner with his dunce cap firmly in place...:sorry

 

Wow, Thanks Stolpi, Steve mac, Sol and Owen.
Went to a family reunion recently and managed to talk to the son of Cpl Hillman, Terry, who was born 10th January 1945. He visited his father's grave as a teenager with a couple of pals. Terry was told as a boy, that his father was part of a group ordered to move around the back of a building during fighting on 23rd March 1945. He believes it was a machine gunner who opened up from a roof top as they appeared in the open ground. Those who weren’t killed immediatly were badly wounded. Cpl Hillman was one of the wounded but it was a while before the area was safe for medics to go in and rescued them. Once the area was made safe the delay was further extended when an ambulance hurrying to the rescue was hit by shell fire. By the time Cpl Hillman had been taken back to a dressing station it was too late to save him. The letter sent to Eileen Hillman mentioned that her husband was wounded in Haffen and said that he tried to get all the wounded back to be treated as quick as possible.Thanks again guys and I'll look out for that book.

 

Glad to be of help Millhan.

You may also want to take a look at 'The History of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), Volume III, 1933-1946. By Brigadier C.N. Barclay, C.B.E., D.S.O.'. It may have something pertinent therein.

Best,

Steve.