Chateau La Londe 27th June 1944

its from th CWGC files, but extracted using Geof Sullies seach engine, which you can access from this site. Just do a search on Geoffs search engine and it will come up with a theread with the link in it.

 

East Yorks were in the Eighth Brigade of the Third div Mine! The 12 ss Hitler Jugend that murdered our men
Sapper

 

Thanks Phil/Owen

 

Just had a quote from the National Archives for copying the regimental war diary for 1944, over £500!

 

I have the War Diary for 2nd East Yorks for June 1944 and also some more photos of the Chateau from the visit back in June. Am on my way home from Normandy now and will post some more next week for you.

 

I have the War Diary for 2nd East Yorks for June 1944 and also some more photos of the Chateau from the visit back in June. Am on my way home from Normandy now and will post some more next week for you.

Paul, that's fantastic! Many thanks

 

I have the War Diary for 2nd East Yorks for June 1944 and also some more photos of the Chateau from the visit back in June. Am on my way home from Normandy now and will post some more next week for you.

Top stuff Paul, im looking forward to seeing the close out to a piece of research

P

 

Have uploaded the War Diary for June 1944 to my Flickr account and you can download it here.

2 East Yorks June 1944 - a set on Flickr

Click on the 'All sizes' icon above the image to download it in your preferred size.

 

Have uploaded the War Diary for June 1944 to my Flickr account and you can download it here.

2 East Yorks June 1944 - a set on Flickr

Click on the 'All sizes' icon above the image to download it in your preferred size.

Brilliant stuff Paul, many thanks!

 

Have uploaded the War Diary for June 1944 to my Flickr account and you can download it here.

2 East Yorks June 1944 - a set on Flickr

Click on the 'All sizes' icon above the image to download it in your preferred size.
Superb Paul and thank you, very interesting and moving reading.

 

I am probably pushing my luck abit here , but it says in my dads pay book---served in NW europe 6.6.44---13.8.44. Will that be the date he was sent home or the date he was wounded?---If it is the date he was wounded has anyone any info on what action that is likely to be?

 

I believe it will be the end of the tour in that theatre. What is the next entry in the AB64-Pay book ?

 

Hi, I am a new member and am joining this thread as I don't know where else to turn - and by the looks of things many of you are experts at finding relevant information.

My great uncle - George Edward Toms was killed on the 27th June 1944 in France, while serving in the 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment. My Grandad has said things in passing about it but I want to visit his grave at Hermanville cemetery one day and hardly know a thing. In doing so I am very interested to know what he would have been doing in the 3 weeks leading up to his death, possibly his involvement on D-Day and any information about where he may of died. Does anybody know anything about what happened on the 27th June to his battalion? In closing, I remember my Grandad telling me he was killed by falling masonry - if that helps.

Thank you for any help you can give me.

 

Matt - havent forgotten the scans I promised, they are all done, just need to send them!

Pete

 

The attack began at 1530 hours on the 27th with 'C' and 'D' Companies assaulting frontally across the cornfields under heavy mortar and machine-gun fire. While the companies were forming up there had been very severe shelling and mortaring on Le Landel, and the forward command post was hit and the Commanding Officer, Lieutenent-Colonel J. E. S. Stone, was wounded but continued at duty. Both companies had fairly heavy casualties as they advanced to the attack and 'D' Company on the right, commanded by Captain D. J. D. Sussex, reached the edge of the woods on the outskirts of the chateau grounds, but 'C' Company found itself pinned down on the left, and the company commander, Major E. F. Johnson, was wounded. Casualties in both companies had been heavy, and 'A' and 'B' Companies were now sent up behind 'C' and 'D', and were both pushed in on the left flank, in the belief that there was a better chance of success on that flank. Heavy defensive fire was still falling, however, and the ground was swept by fire from dug-in tanks and concealed machine-guns which slowed the pace of the advance to such an extent that the attack virtually came to a standstill. The battle came to an end for the battalion at about 1900 hours, by which time the depleted condition of the companies compelled their withdrawal.
From The South Lancashire Regiment by Col B R Mullaly.

Pure speculation, but as the advance was over open ground, being hit by falling masonry might place your great uncle in the 'forward command post'?

It might be worth contacting englandphil who is our resident South Lancs expert.

 

Thank you all so much, if there is anything you want to send me you can reach me at matthew *underscore* toms at hotmail . co . uk

Does anybody know if there are any pictures available of the company's or entire battalion ?

Finally, is there anyway to find out which company he was in?

 

Mathew, without his service record it is near impossible to tell which company he was in I am afraid, and the 27th June 1944, was one of the bloodiest days for the Battalion, with all companies involved.

Your great uncle's service number was one that was issued to a member of the South Staffordshire Regiment, and sadly he may have been killed in his first day of war, as the war diary states that the battalion recieved 19 other ranks as reinforcements from the South Staffs on the 26th June 1944.

However, there ws also 21 renforcements from 7th South Staffs on the 24th June.

Ive looked through my ROH for casualties that have a South Staffs service number and your great uncle was one of a number, but is the one with the earliest date of death.

Anumber South Staffs battalions where part of the 59th Division, which was finally disbanded in August 44, but landed on Juno beach on the 16th June, so it is possible that your great uncle was staight away posted to the 1st South Lancs as a renforcement.

Phil

 

There was a very high wall near the Chateau with an entrance. Captain Edwards RE, managed to get through it to report back about the battle. Where we lost two men and never found them. After a very dangerous sprint and dive for cover trip back to HQ.

I would think that a great many men were killed by falling masonry. If a direct hit on a farmhouse you are clearing then BANG
The day we too Caen, I was in a farmhouse that took a direct hit. .It blew into the air a mass of splintered fragment and covered me with debris,,,,Looked like I had been sprayed with dust.

 

http://ww2talk.com/index.php?thread...ed-wounded-missing.82955/page-37#post-1011502