Aussie & NZ involvement in the D-Day / Normandy campaign & beyond"

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by spidge, Sep 27, 2005.

  1. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    SEE POST #22 FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE LINK BELOW THAT DOES NOT WORK!

    ALSO PERSONAL BIO'S FROM AUSTRALIANS WHO WERE THERE.

    I came across this site and it gave me a bit of surprise.

    I knew Australians were involved in the Air Force on D-Day however I had never taken a lot of interest in the numbers and other activities undertaken.

    An Australian squadron was one of the first to be based in Normandy after D-Day

    Interesting if you have 10 minutes.

    http://www.dva.gov.au/commem/dday04history.htm#aus
     
  2. Gnomey

    Gnomey World Travelling Doctor

    Interesting site spidge, I didn't know there were that many Aussies involved on D-day.
     
  3. Kiwiwriter

    Kiwiwriter Very Senior Member

    Interesting link. I knew the material on it.

    Wilmot was a great reporter and writer. His death in 1952 was a major loss.
     
  4. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Originally posted by Kiwiwriter@Sep 28 2005, 12:14 AM
    Interesting link. I knew the material on it.

    Wilmot was a great reporter and writer. His death in 1952 was a major loss.
    [post=39472]Quoted post[/post]

    A piece on Wilmot:

    Who’s who in Australian Military History
    Reginald William Winchester (Chester) Wilmot
    Date of birth: 21 June 1911
    Place of birth: Brighton, VIC
    Date of death: 10 January 1954
    Place of death: Mediterranean Sea


    Reginald William Winchester (Chester) Wilmot
    008619
    One of Australia's pre-eminent war correspondents, Chester Wilmot was born on 21 June 1911 at Brighton, Melbourne. Having completed secondary school Wilmot attended Melbourne University where he studied history, politics and law. He graduated in 1936 and the following year, having been a champion debater at university, embarked on an international debating tour, at one point visiting Germany where he witnessed a Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg.


    In 1939 he began work as a legal clerk, but at the beginning of the Second World War he joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission's field unit as a correspondent and sailed for the Middle East in 1940. He quickly gained recognition as a fine correspondent covering fighting in North Africa, Greece and Syria, and lived in Tobruk for several months during the siege.

    Wilmot returned to Australia when Japan entered the war and became the ABC's principal correspondent in the Pacific. Covering the Papuan campaign in 1942, Wilmot became one of a small band of correspondents to walk the Kokoda Track where he grew increasingly critical of high command, at one point protesting to the Prime Minister when General Blamey sacked Lieutenant General Rowell. Blamey, as a result, cancelled Wilmot's accreditation. With the support of the ABC, Wilmot returned to Australia where he continued to broadcast from Sydney, wrote a book about Tobruk and worked on a documentary, Sons of Anzac, for the Australian War Memorial.

    In May 1944 Wilmot began work in London for the BBC. On D-Day he flew in a glider with the British 6th Airborne Division and landed in France early on the morning of the invasion. He soon earned fame as a correspondent covering many of Britain's major operations during the remaining months of the war. He was present at the German surrender in May 1945 and returned to England to live after the war.

    Wilmot continued to work as a broadcaster and journalist. His book, The struggle for Europe, became a best seller and remains one of the more highly regarded works on the war in Europe. Having returned to Australia to participate in the BBC's 1953 round-the-world Christmas Day broadcast, Wilmot was killed when the Comet aircraft in which he was flying back to England, crashed into the Mediterranean on 10 January 1954.
     
  5. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Very Good Site Spidge and thanks for posting the link. wilmot's book is one I have been hoping to read and You have reminded me to research it and buy it! :)
     
  6. morse1001

    morse1001 Very Senior Member

    Originally posted by Gotthard Heinrici@Sep 27 2005, 03:05 PM
    Very Good Site Spidge and thanks for posting the link. wilmot's book is one I have been hoping to read and You have reminded me to research it and buy it! :)
    [post=39474]Quoted post[/post]

    I've got two copies! :P :P

    But good site, i thought that there were more aussies involved.
     
  7. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Originally posted by morse1001+Sep 28 2005, 10:27 AM-->(morse1001 @ Sep 28 2005, 10:27 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Gotthard Heinrici
    @Sep 27 2005, 03:05 PM
    Very Good Site Spidge and thanks for posting the link. wilmot's book is one I have been hoping to read and You have reminded me to research it and buy it!X :)
    [post=39474]Quoted post[/post]
    I've got two copies! :P :P

    But good site, i thought that there were more aussies involved.
    [post=39483]Quoted post[/post]
    [/b]Most of our Land & Sea forces were quite busy in the PTO.

    One of our guys, Lieutenant Colonel William (Bill) Robertson.CBE, OBE, MC, Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre, enlisted in Australia in 1939 and finished as Chief of Staff of the British 50th division all the way through to wars end going over much of the same ground that Sapper did.

    Coincidentally he would have trained my father in Australia as he was also the commander of the 2/8th Batt, 19th brigade, 6th Div. and was hit the same day in 1941 at Tobruk.

    There was an interview conducted with him for the Australian archives not so long ago.

    http://www.australiansatwarfilmarchive.gov...views/1087.aspx
     
  8. Kiwiwriter

    Kiwiwriter Very Senior Member

    Australia's direct support of D-Day consisted of airmen and sailors. While there were no RAN ships at D-Day, Australians served on Royal Navy ships. RAAF airmen and air units, including squadrons of Mosquitoes, flew missions over the invasion. Australians serving the British Army also invaded Normandy.

    I believe there was an RAF (Australian) squadron of Mosquitoes, as I mentioned. :)
     
  9. Andrew Pittaway

    Andrew Pittaway Junior Member

    One of the Australians involved in the D-Day landings, Jo Gullett was ex 2/6th Battalion and wrote a book about his experiences.
    He is also featured in an exhibition at the Australian War Memorial.

    http://www.awm.gov.au/fiftyaustralians/21.asp
     
  10. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    I hope it's OK to resurrect an old thread - I think it makes more sense than starting another new one regarding the Australian involvement in D-Day / Normandy campaign etc.

    Just trying to link a few common threads together to provide a clearer picture.

    First off there is this reference to Major Gullett (from Spider)

    A Personal Experience: Normandy 1944 Henry ('Jo') Gullett, AM, MC, ED, OM

    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/general/31425-personal-experience-normandy-1944-henry-jo-gullett-am-mc-ed.html

    plus his name came up (due to my input) in a recent thread and I don't want to hijack the otherwise separate line of discussion there.

    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/51393-major-horace-edward-bowly-royal-warwickshire-regiment.html


    Henry Baynton Somer 'Jo' Gullett AM MC, (16 December 1914 - 24 August 1999) was an Australian Soldier, member of parliament, and diplomat. Pre-war 449045 (AIF VX3511) post-war 372606
     
  11. idler

    idler GeneralList

  12. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    Are Kiwis allowed? Brigadier Hargest was there.


    I believe so. In fact I would suggest their own thread. (or request that Spidge retitle this to something like "Aussie & NZ involvement in DDay & beyond"}

    Do you have any clues as to how many NZ officers or enlisted men (as compared to NZers who enlisted in the British Army) may have served in NW Europe in 1944??

    I don't know about NZ records, but getting a handle on how many Aussie officers & enlisted men (as compared to those who enlisted in the British Army) served on secondment to the British Army in NW Europe in 1944 is not a straightforward task.

    I will post what I know on this thread as I sort it into coherent chunks. Personally, I find the whole matter of Aussie soldiers being involved in the Normandy campaign fascinating.

    cheers and thanks for contributing (on both threads - could you please copy your Coleman comments over to here)


    Dave
     
  13. idler

    idler GeneralList

    There was a Capt Coleman accompanying 4 County of London Yeomanry at Villers Bocage where he was wounded. He's not listed on their strength, so he was probably attached as an observer or liaison officer to one of the higher formations. He was awarded a Croix de Guerre a few years back:
    Five diggers receive France's highest honour Five Australian World War II veterans have been recognised for their role in the liberation of France. French Veterans Affairs Minister Hamlaoui Mekachera presented the five men with the Legion of Honour. Those recognised include high profile QC and former federal attorney-general Tom Hughes, along with Canberran Frank Appleton, Sir Brian Inglis from Victoria, Queenslander William Kaus and Bernard Nelson from New South Wales. A sixth veteran, Leslie Coleman, was unable to attend the ceremony and will be presented with his award later. abc.net.au 22 Feb 05
    Source: about 80% down this page.
     
  14. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    350289 (3165, VP7439, VX59352) 213188 Lieutenant Colonel LESLIE GEORGE COLEMAN, from Victoria, fought his way ashore at ‘Gold’ Beach on D-Day as one of eight Australian Army observers attached to the Allied Expeditionary Force for the landings at Normandy.

    Due to his having enlisted pre-war (February 1939 according to the WW2 nominal roll or December 1938 according to the accounts below) and continued serving until 1958 he has a variety of service numbers as the process changed.

    *************************************************************

    “The subject of this interview is Colonel Leslie Coleman. Colonel Coleman graduated to the RAAC from the Royal Military College in 1939 and transferred to the 2nd AIF in 1941. The interview focuses on two of his postings: the first as the Adjutant of the 2/10 Armoured Regiment when the unit was raised in 1941 and the second his experiences while attached to British 7 Armoured Division in Western Europe during and shortly after the invasion of Normandy.”

    *************************************************************

    VALE

    It is with deep regret that the Association advises the passing of Colonel Leslie G. Coleman who died on 22 November 2008.

    Colonel Coleman enjoyed a long career in the Australian Army beginning with his graduation from RMC Duntroon in December 1938. When the 1st Australian Armoured Division was formed in 1942, the then Captain Coleman was posted as the Adjutant of 2/10th Armoured Regiment. Later after extensive service across Australia, he was chosen to go to Britain where he was attached to various armoured units participating in Operation Overlord, the allied invasion of Europe on 6 June 1944.

    By the end of the year Les was serving with the Guards Armoured Division then equipped with Churchill tanks, as they crossed the Rhine River into Germany.

    Following his service in Europe, Les was posted back to Australia as OC A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment (AIF) which landed on Balikpapan in July 1945 in support of Operation Oboe 2. Following his resignation from the Regular Army, Les enlisted in the Citizen Military Force in 1960 and was appointed CO of 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment, an appointment he held until 1962.

    Upon retirement he was granted the honorary rank of Colonel.

    One legendary story about Les and a certain Lieutenant John Young (later Sir John Young, AC, KCMG, QC) concerned a US Army Jeep that was ‘loaned’ to the duo whilst undertaking liaison duties with US forces. Transfer of the jeep was administratively difficult and when it ‘disappeared’, Captain Coleman took the heat for the young Lieutenant. Sir John’s death was notified on 10 October 2008 and details of his life are included below. Many years later, both men became involved with 4th/19th PWLH, Les as the Commanding Officer and Sir John as the Honorary Colonel.


    The Association also sincerely regrets the passing of Sir John Young, AC, KCMG, QC former Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of Victoria.

    Sir John’s army service began when he was studying at Oxford University and Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. Sir John was commissioned into the Scots Guards, at that time an infantry unit that later converted to armour. So began Sir John’s service in the Corps. As a member of 6th Guards Armoured Brigade, he saw service from Normandy to Belgium and then onto the German Plains.

    Upon his return to Australia, he was admitted to the Bar, finally being appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Victoria’s Lieutenant Governor in 1974. That year he was also appointed Honorary Colonel of 4th/19th PWLH, a position he held for many years.

    A memorial service for the life of Sir John was held in St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne and was well attended by many members of the legal and military professions.

    The RAACA sends its sincere condolences to the families of these two highly respected old soldiers.

    Tom James

    *************************************************************

    LESLIE COLEMAN of Melbourne who died on 22 November 2008

    Colonel Coleman had a long career in the Australian Army, beginning with his graduation from RMC Duntroon in December 1938. When the l Armoured Division was formed in Western Australia, the then Captain Coleman was posted as Adjutant with the 2nd/l0th Regiment. Later after service in Australia, he was chosen to go to Britain where he was attached to various Armoured units, participating in the landing at Normandy on D-Day 6 June 1944. By the end of that year he had joined the Guards Armoured Division, then equipped with Churchill tanks, as they began to cross the Rhine River into Germany. After such European service Les returned to Australia and was posted as OC A Squadron 1st Armoured Regiment (Royal New South Wales Lancers) AIF. "On 17 July 1945 Major L. G. Coleman, Australian Staff Corps, who had served with British armour in the invasion of North-West Europe, arrived and took over command of A Squadron" - Regimental History (1885 - 1985) page 301 . After the Japanese surrender he returned to Australia, spending the next fourteen years as a Regular soldier. Upon resigning from the Regular Army Les joined up part time in 1960 and became CO of 4th /19th Prince of Wales' Light Horse, a position he held until 1962. Les eventually retired from the Army and was granted the rank of Colonel.

    (Courtesy The PWLH Association Journal "Plumes" December 2008 and Philip Bridie.)
     
  15. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    One of our guys, Lieutenant Colonel William (Bill) Robertson.CBE, OBE, MC, Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre, enlisted in Australia in 1939 and finished as Chief of Staff of the British 50th division

    There was an interview conducted with him for the Australian archives not so long ago.

    http://www.australiansatwarfilmarchive.gov...views/1087.aspx



    ROBERTSON, WILLIAM THOMAS VX213 Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Military Cross - William Robertson, who went ashore at Normandy the day after D-day in 1944, having spent the night being bombed incessantly by German planes. Discharged 1947.

    *****************************************************************

    A few extracts from the interview:

    The party they selected was quite small - we were only fourteen of us and one of us was each from the branches of staff; adjutant general, quartermaster general, general staff and one from each of the arms of service like the infantry, gunners, signallers and engineers and so on. I was chosen because of my experience as G1 of a division.

    Ronnie McNichol was another lieutenant-colonel. There were two lieutenant-colonels, there were about four majors and the rest were captains,

    We saw everything was going on, we were right there on D-Day itself on the 6th but we didn't go ashore until the next morning, early.
     
  16. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    Five Australian World War II veterans have been recognised for their role in the liberation of France. French Veterans Affairs Minister Hamlaoui Mekachera presented the five men with the Legion of Honour. Those recognised include high profile QC and former federal attorney-general Tom Hughes, along with Canberran Frank Appleton, Sir Brian Inglis from Victoria, Queenslander William Kaus and Bernard Nelson from New South Wales. A sixth veteran, Leslie Coleman, was unable to attend the ceremony and will be presented with his award later.

    High profile QC and former federal attorney-general Tom Hughes, - Flight Lieutenant HUGHES, THOMAS EYRE FORREST 422523 RAAF

    Canberran Frank Appleton - Lieutenant Commander APPLETON, FRANK SYDNEY BURNET DSC of HMAS LONSDALE RAN

    Sir Brian Inglis from Victoria - Flying Officer INGLIS, BRIAN SCOTT 418230 RAAF 453SQN

    Queenslander William Kaus - Flying Officer KAUS, WILLIAM BERNARD DFC 414803 RAAF of 161SQN RAF

    Bernard Nelson from New South Wales - Lieutenant NELSON, BERNARD MEADOWSTREAM F/V32 RAN of HMAS Leeuwin

    ***************************************************************************************************

    Australian veterans receive Legion of Honour 2005 | Military History Forum

    Frank Appleton, from the ACT, was attached to the Royal Navy and during the D-Day landings led a flotilla of 12 landing craft onto ‘Juno’ Beach, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross.

    Leslie Coleman, from Victoria, fought his way ashore at ‘Gold’ Beach on D-Day as one of eight Australian Army observers attached to the Allied Expeditionary Force for the landings at Normandy.

    Tom Hughes, from New South Wales, piloted Sunderland flying boats with 10 Squadron RAAF and flew patrols over the English Channel during D-Day to protect the Allied fleet from U-boats.

    Brian Inglis, from Victoria, flew cover over the Allied beachheads on Normandy as a fighter pilot with 453 Squadron, which became the first British Empire fighter squadron to move officially to France after the Allied landings.

    William Kaus, from Queensland, was attached to the RAF as a wireless operator/ air gunner with 161 Squadron and flew secret missions for the famous SOE (Special Operations Executive), receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.

    Bernard Nelson, from New South Wales, was attached to the Royal Navy and commanded HM LCT (Landing Craft, Tank) 1038, which landed tanks and soldiers on ‘Gold’ Beach and also supported landings at ‘Utah’ and ‘Omaha’ beaches.
     
  17. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    The Bill Robertson interview contains the quote "Ronnie McNichol was another lieutenant-colonel" (on his way to the UK before D-Day).


    Most probably Colonel MCNICOLL, RONALD RAMSAY 365 (NX112427, VX20317) (enlisted 1940, discharged 1964) - ENGRS 6 AUS DIV
     
  18. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    On a lighter note!
    Churchill joins in Waltzing Matilda off the D-Day Beaches.

    Churchill Joins in Waltzing Matilda.


    Mr. Churchill sang "Waltzing Matilda"' aboard a British cruiser during his recent visit to Normandy. The story is told By Lieutenant Peter Taylor, RANVR, of Western Australia, who made Australian history when at Churchill's request, he sang the song in the wardroom of one of Britain's best-known cruisers, which has been in action continuously since, D-Day.


    Mr. Churchill was in the captain's cabin and using the cruiser as his headquarters during his visit. On the second night out from Britian he was attracted to the wardroom by sounds of extreme merriment during a sing-song. He heard a number of officers referring to Lieutenant Taylor, who is a bright spark, as "Digger." Mr. Churchill, after asking the cruiser's captain if the Digger was an authentic Australian, asked to be introduced to him. Then Mr Churchill said: "l would like to hear you sing 'Waltzing Matilda.' " Lieutenant 'Taylor sang the song with Mr Churchill and other officers lustily joining in the chorus. "Mr. Churchill was grinning all round his cigar and looking like a real old British bulldog,"'



    Lieutenant Taylor' said afterwards. "He said to me: "That's the song the Australians sang entering Bardia. Those days we were alone! I then somewhat cheekily, replied, Not alone. 'The Australians were always there.' Winston just grinned and patted me on the back. Mr. Churchill then asked everyone to sing 'Rule Britannia,' and he led the chorus:"
     
  19. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Australians serving with 50th (Northumbrian) Division:

    I cannot open the 'au' links, so apologies if this is repeating information that has been posted before.

    Both Lt-Col William T 'Bill' Robertson and Major Henry 'Jo' Gullett were two of 14 (sometimes reported as 13) Australian officers that were selected in March 1944 to serve with the British Army in the NW Europe campaign.

    Bill Robertson was former GSO1 of 7th Australian Division, landed on D+1 in Normandy. He served with two British Divisions, the first as GSO1 of 51st (Highland) Division. In early August 1944 he moved to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division who he served with as GSO 1 until they returned home as a Training Cadre in December 1944.

    Jo Gullett served from circa 16 June 1944 as CO 'D' Coy, 7th Bn Green Howards, 69th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division.

    Bill Robertson died aged 93 on 2 January 2011; links: Intelligence boss showed strength and Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian :poppy:

    Best,

    Steve.
     
    TTH likes this.
  20. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    Most of our Land & Sea forces were quite busy in the PTO. One of our guys, Lieutenant Colonel William (Bill) Robertson.CBE, OBE, MC, Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre, enlisted in Australia in 1939 and finished as Chief of Staff of the British 50th division all the way through to wars end going over much of the same ground that Sapper did.

    I had the great privilege of interviewing Lt Col Robertson for my book. He was very helpful and gave me a lot of insights. He was a nice man as well. He did not, however, have a high opinion of Jo Gullett, who virtually walked away from his battalion in 50th Division (7th Green Howards) at a time when that unit was suffering heavy casualties and in great need of experienced officers.
     

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