I have recently got back from Kew with more mysteries than I went with and I wondered if anybody could shed some light on this? I looked at some information on RE in 2nd Army 43-45 and specifically for troops landing on Sword beach on D-Day+3. I found out that Fd Coys 71, 72, 629, 5Cdn, 262, 263, 73, 69, 183, 280, 66, 70 and 227 all landed on that day but it also said that 'Fd Pk Coys of GHQ Tps Engrs not included' in the information. What I'd like to know is who would Fd Pk Coys of GHQ Tps Engrs involve? Could this be a collection of any Coys or is this some in particular? My Grandad said he was at Sword and his military history says 9/6/44 but his company is only listed on D-Day+6 and +20, why might this be? Could he have been part of Fd Pk Coys? (He was 503 field coy) I'm trying to get down to the Royal Engineers museum in Kent (as previously suggested, but have only managed a day at Kew so far (you could spend a life time there!)) but hoped I might be able to get a bit further with my research before I get the chance to go down there. Many thanks and sorry if I seem naive or stupid! Chappie
What I'd like to know is who would Fd Pk Coys of GHQ Tps Engrs involve? Could this be a collection of any Coys or is this some in particular? Fd Pk stands for field park and would not be included as they would not be any use on the intial landings as they were responsible for setting up and maintaining the Sappers equipment park.
Field park, are the stores company behind the lines (if there is such a thing?) They do not take part in actions,Their job is one of supply and that is about all, though no one is removed from the danger entirely. I have a full list of RE companies that landed on Sword, No Canadian REs landed on Sword. Their beach was Juno. I do not recognise some of the companies you have listed ,and to my knowledge,,,,,Are wrong...Unless they landed on Sword at a later date? Mind you! to say confusion reigns in battle is to to say the least. I do have the list of Royal Engineer Companies that landed on Sword on D day. Hope this helps? Sapper
Sapper and Morse 1001, many thanks for sharing your knowledge it's very much appreciated. My Grandad gave me a brief account of his landing at Sword and spoke of H-Hour and a friend being shot on landing, but his military history suggests he wasn't there until D-Day+3, but from what I've read surely his account doesn't suggest he was there on D-Day+3 anyway? I wondered whether he might be confused with his landings at Salerno (H-Hour etc), or could he have landed on D-Day anyway? As I said the information I found didn't suggest he landed on D-Day+3, although as you suggested this might be misleading! Any thoughts on what might have happened? Once again many thanks for all the advice, Chappie p.s. That you for clearing up the Fd Pk Coy, all new terminology for me!
These units are D Day Assault companies. First the Third Div (British) 17th Field Company RE 246 Field Company 253 Field Company RE 15th Field Park Company RE. Troops under command: 5th Assault Regiment RE 71st Field Company RE 77th Assault Squadron RE 79th Assault Squadron RE 84th Field Company RE 91st Field Company RE 263 Field Comppany RE 591 Para squadron RE 629 Field Company RE Many of these landed before the leading troops to prepare the way. But like many operations, The time scale got a little mixed. In the first instance it was planned to be DD Tanks, then the Royal Engineers. But in practice they both landed together. Oddly enough, the Commandos landed later, that resulted in one of the most well known remarks of D Day. The Little Pioneer soldier labouring on the beach, (In Uncomfortable conditions) said to the Commandos. "Where have you been then?" Sapper
Sapper, Thanks for the list of the RE Units who landed at Sword on D-Day, the quest for the movements of 503 Coy will keep me researching! Back to the drawing board it seems! Thank you for all your help and all you have written about on the site, your first hand experiences are history that should never be lost and are very much appreciated by those of us who listen. Thanks again Chappie
Sapper wrote "to say confusion reigns in battle...." an example of which as folows. 5th Camerons D+1 party, under command of the Canadians was due to land 7th June at Juno. My father (confirmed by other veterans) landed 6th June 12 hours early, at Sword with Canadians. I can find no confirmation in historical records of this, it seems a great deal of history is taken from what was planned and not always what actually happened. another point is that the D+7 party landed 24th June, some 11 days late, which by all accounts led to some fairly choice comments form those that had been fighting for some days in the Orne river bridge area. I sometimes wonder if "Facts" are actually Fact? Indeed confusion reigns supreme at times! 51 higland
Yes it does....Confusion! Absolutely! The number of units under command of Third British div were all allocated different tasks. And landed at different times. For example it was always thought that the Commandoes landed early ...The did not, they landed later. The R Pioneer Corps was ashore before them. In many cases there were men from other units mixed in to do a specific job. So dont be surprised if you come across a man beig in a place where he should never have been 'logically' As an example My company was split up all over the place. Some with the task of opening up the beach exits, some went to Oustriham, Lt Heal was with the Suffolks, Where he won the Croix d Guerre for opening up a path through the defences. You name it mate! Though the 51st Hd did not land till much later. many days later. But if he was a RE (Sapper) then he could have been anywhere. To prove my point: it was seldom, if ever that the whole of my company got together, they were spread all over the place. Hope that helps. Again: I have been in areas far from my Eighth Brigade theatre of ops. Sapper
To prove my point: it was seldom, if ever that the whole of my company got together, they were spread all over the place. Hope that helps. Again: I have been in areas far from my Eighth Brigade theatre of ops. Hence the motto 'Ubique' and the reality of being 'Everywhere' something that hasn't changed before or since.
