For All My Lost Friends.

Discussion in 'Veteran Accounts' started by sapper, Oct 30, 2010.

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  1. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    This has been used at remembrance services, for all my friends.

    Les Fleurs de Normandie.
    On Norman soil, they fought and died.
    Now young men's graves in rows abound.
    In Mother Earth's arms, now sanctified,
    The fragrant flowers of our youth are found.
    And yet, to rise again, as in a distant song.
    Small voices that call, in dead of night.
    Fleeting figures only in our dreams belong.
    Alas, they fade, in dawn's bright light.
    I see them yet, a sad, forgotten throng.
    Shadowed, lost faces, marching on.
    Over dusty roads, and high golden corn.
    The call of long lost friends are borne.
    We must not forget, the flowers of our days,
    Lest they lay unquiet, in numbered graves.
    For we lived, and loved, and life was sweet.
    Still yet, for us, awaits our last retreat.

    Flowers of our youth, now long since past.
    Our sweet autumn days are fading fast.
    We, who are left, flowered in our prime.
    Enjoyed golden moments, on borrowed time.
    Remember our friends, who passed this way.
    For all our tomorrow's, they gave their today's,
    On Utah and Omaha, Juno, Sword and Gold.
    Oh! Dear Lord! See that they grow not old.
    Brian Guy.
    June. 1944/2010
    Dedicated to all those young men that never came home.

    I am Brian Guy, lately of 246 Field Company Royal Engineers. An Assaulting unit of the Third British Infantry Division; Monty’s Ironsides.

    From the Fields of Normandy I bring back many memories.
    Beneath them. I leave many friends,
    For they are;
    Les Fleurs de Normandie.
    The Flowers of Normandy
     
    Stormbird and Smudger Jnr like this.
  2. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Brian

    As a young, wild, lad I belonged to an East End boys club that tried to teach us the ethics of living a good and honourable life.

    Every evening, as the club closed at 10 pm, we were obliged to assemble in the gym for a few minutes of what were known as "Club Prayers"

    The prayer that I still remember to this day was the one that went:

    "Dear Lord

    Please teach me the difference between Sentiment and Sentimentality, admiring the one and despising the other"

    Your poem falls clearly into the first category and is a beautiful piece of honest writing.

    Many thanks.

    Ron
     
  3. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Just for old Friends Ron mate. They never lived to enjoy all the happiness that life gave us. Bless them. For they died alongside me, and I cannot forget
     
  4. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

    Just for old Friends Ron mate. They never lived to enjoy all the happiness that life gave us. Bless them. For they died alongside me, and I cannot forget

    Sapper

    They will not be forgotten.
    May they rest in peace.

    :poppy: Lest we Forget :poppy:
     
  5. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Sapper - as always - great stuff and I trust that all forum members read and take on board what you went through -and still go through daily after your service on their behalf....
    Cheers old mate
     
  6. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Brian,

    An absolutely fantastic piece of poetry for Remembrance.

    How can we forget with Poetry like that to read.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  7. WhiskeyGolf

    WhiskeyGolf Senior Member

    Beautiful Brian.

    :poppy: Lest we forget :poppy:
     
  8. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    The casualties and Friends of Sapper Brian Guy, 246 Field Company, Royal Engineers, North West Europe 1944 - 1946

    Name: BARNARD, JACK KITLEY
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lieutenant, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 25, Date of Death: 14/10/1944
    Service No: 314365
    Additional information: Son of Sidney George and Elsie Barnard; husband of Peggy Ina Barnard, of Cheam, Surrey. B.Sc. (Mining), A.R.S.M., M.I.M.M.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: III. C. 13.
    Cemetery: OVERLOON WAR CEMETERY

    Barnard.jpg


    Name: BILTCLIFFE, DONALD LIGHT
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 23 , Date of Death: 06/06/1944
    Service No: 4699776
    Additional information: Son of Joseph Haydn Biltcliffe and Hannah Jane Biltcliffe, of Shipley, Yorkshire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 1. F. 22.
    Cemetery: HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

    Name: CAMPBELL, ROBERT
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 30, Date of Death: 10/05/1945
    Service No: 1896382
    Additional information: Son of Joseph Porter Campbell and Janet Paton Campbell, of Largs, Ayrshire; husband of Margaret McLaren Campbell (nee Hill), of Largs.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 59. E. 9.
    Cemetery: REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

    Name: COX, LEONARD WILLIAM
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 32, Date of Death:06/06/1944
    Service No: 2125338
    Additional information: Son of Frederick William and Mary Emma Prowse Cox, of Bristol; husband of Helena Sylvia Cox, of Knowle, Bristol.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 1. J. 2.
    Cemetery: HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

    Name: DAVIES, JAMES HAROLD
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 32, Date of Death: 27/09/1944
    Service No: 2069071
    Additional information: Son of Thomas and Agnes Fanny Davies, of Whitchurch, Glamorgan.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 7.
    Cemetery: MIERLO WAR CEMETERY

    Name: DODD, GEORGE WILLIAM
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 29, Date of Death: 08/06/1944
    Service No: 2125204
    Additional information: Son of Jack and Amy Dodd; husband of Agnes Cathrine Dodd, of Southwick, Hampshire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 1. B. 2.
    Cemetery: HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

    Name: ELDERS, ARTHUR
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 32, Date of Death: 17/06/1944
    Service No: 14574630
    Additional information: Son of William and Mabel Elders, of Shildon, Co. Durham; husband of Hannah Elders, of Shildon.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. F. 6.
    Cemetery: LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES

    Name: GALLAGHER, PETER
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Serjeant, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 26, Date of Death: 18/12/1944
    Service No: 1886347
    Additional information: Son of Thomas and Alice Gallagher, of Castleford, Yorkshire; husband of Ena Gallagher, of Camberwell, London.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: X. 26. 34.
    Cemetery: BRUSSELS TOWN CEMETERY

    Name: GALLAGHER, THOMAS EDWARD
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lance Corporal, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 30, Date of Death: 06/06/1944
    Service No: 14355254
    Additional information: Son of Thomas and Alice Gallagher, of Glass Houghton, Castleford, Yorkshire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 11, Column 3.
    Memorial: BAYEUX MEMORIAL

    Name: HAMILL, PETER
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Corporal, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 32, Date of Death: 10/05/1945
    Service No: 1896173
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 59. E. 7.
    Cemetery: REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

    Name: HEPPLE, THOMAS
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 19, Date of Death: 10/05/1945
    Service No: 14728865
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 13. D. 10.
    Cemetery: RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

    Name: JENKINSON, GEORGE HAROLD
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 18, Date of Death: 06/06/1944
    Service No: 4927700
    Additional information: Son of James and Edith Jenkinson, of Bloxwich, Walsall; adopted son and nephew of George Jenkinson, of Bloxwich.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Div. O. Sec. 2. Grave 448.
    Cemetery: WALSALL (BLOXWICH) CEMETERY

    Name: KYLE, HENRY
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lance Corporal, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Date of Death: 10/05/1945
    Service No: 2116961
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 13. D. 11.
    Cemetery: RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

    Name: LITCHFIELD, WILLIAM
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 27, Date of Death:06/06/1944
    Service No: 13068368
    Additional information: Son of George and Annie Litchfield, of Denton, Lancashire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. E. 10.
    Cemetery: HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

    Name: LITTLE, THOMAS HENRY
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 33, Date of Death: 10/05/1945
    Service No: 14344814
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 13. D. 12.
    Cemetery: RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

    Name: MATHERS, WILLIAM MILNE
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 22, Date of Death: 13/10/1944
    Service No: 14363710
    Additional information: Son of George and Sarah Mathers, of Aberdeen.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Row A. Grave 7.
    Cemetery: MAARHEEZE (STERKSEL MONASTERY) CEMETERY

    Mathers_WM.jpg


    Name: MILLS, WILLIAM
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Driver, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 24, Date of Death: 13/06/1944
    Service No: 2048893
    Additional information: Son of John and Nellie Mills; husband of Brenda L. M. Mills, of Weston, Hertfordshire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. A. 21.
    Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

    Name: REES, EDWARD HERBERT
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Serjeant, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 24, Date of Death: 14/10/1944
    Service No: 2090074
    Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
    Additional information: Son of John and Constance Rees, of Cardiff; husband of Doreen May Rees, of Cardiff.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: III. C. 14.
    Cemetery: OVERLOON WAR CEMETERY

    rees eh.jpg


    Name: SMITH, THOMAS
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 21, Date of Death: 18/07/1944
    Service No: 3461731
    Additional information: Son of Thomas and Frances Teresa Smith, of Southport, Lancashire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: I. E. 7.
    Cemetery: BANNEVILLE-LA-CAMPAGNE WAR CEMETERY

    Name: STEELE, RICHARD
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 24, Date of Death: 15/03/1945
    Service No: 2156426
    Additional information: Son of Joseph and Hannah Steele, of Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 45. E. 11.
    Cemetery: REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

    Name: WASHINGTON, JAMES CHORLEY
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lance Corporal, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 23, Date of Death: 04/07/1944
    Service No: 2090143
    Additional information: Son of Edward and Mary Washington, of Prescot, Lancashire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. A. 13.
    Cemetery: HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

    Name: WATTS, THOMAS JAMES
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Serjeant, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 25, Date of Death: 14/10/1944
    Service No: 2064419
    Additional information: Son of Leonard Charles and Lillian Watts, of Cardiff; husband of Megan Noreen Watts, of Cardiff.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: III. C. 12.
    Cemetery: OVERLOON WAR CEMETERY

    watts th.jpg


    Name: WOOD, EDWARD
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sapper, Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 246 Field Coy.
    Age: 29, Date of Death: 06/06/1944
    Service No: 2133145
    Additional information: Son of George and Hannah Wood, of Cross Gates, Yorkshire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 1. A. 13.
    Cemetery: HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY
     
  9. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    :poppy: Lest we forget :poppy:

    Paul
     
  10. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Wonderful Phl
    I have the full casualty lists here at home. Several pages, got them from RE HQ.#Some very familiar name MY best mate Jock Mather's and my Sergeant Sgt Reese.
     
  11. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Third British Infantry Regiments and Companies.
    Infantry units.
    1st Battalion Kings own Scottish Borderers.
    3rd Reconnaissance Regiment.RAC.(Royal Northumberland Fusiliers)
    1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment
    1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment.
    2nd Battalion Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.
    2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment.
    1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment.
    2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.
    2nd Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry.
    2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
    2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)
    Royal Engineers.
    17th Field Company.
    246th Field Company.
    253rd Field Company
    Royal Artillery.
    7th Field Regiment.
    33rd Field Regiment.
    76th Field Regiment.
    20th Anti-tank Regiment.
    92nd Light Anti-aircraft Regiment.
    RASC.
    RAMC
    RAOC
    REME
    CMP
    Three Brigades in precedence. 8th Brigade. 185 Brigade.9 Brigade.
    The Casualties.
    In the ten months from June 1944 to April 1945 the total casualties suffered by the Third British Infantry Division was 16241 equal to its total strength. Killed, wounded or missing
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Third British Infantry Regiments and Companies.
    Infantry units.
    1st Battalion Kings own Scottish Borderers.
    3rd Reconnaissance Regiment.RAC.(Royal Northumberland Fusiliers)
    1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment
    1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment.
    2nd Battalion Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.
    2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment.
    1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment.
    2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.
    2nd Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry.
    2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
    2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)
    Royal Engineers.
    17th Field Company.
    246th Field Company.
    253rd Field Company
    Royal Artillery.
    7th Field Regiment.
    33rd Field Regiment.
    76th Field Regiment.
    20th Anti-tank Regiment.
    92nd Light Anti-aircraft Regiment.
    RASC.
    RAMC
    RAOC
    REME
    CMP
    Three Brigades in precedence. 8th Brigade. 185 Brigade.9 Brigade.
    The Casualties.
    In the ten months from June 1944 to April 1945 the total casualties suffered by the Third British Infantry Division was 16241 equal to its total strength. Killed, wounded or missing


    You forgot the Signals ;)
     
  13. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The casualties.
    The casualties that are included here is not the complete picture, there are other casualties not recorded, this list, is one that "appears" to have been compiled outside of official records. There is one oddity that occurs in this list, that is the very high numbers of those wounded against the number killed, it is in the nature of the Royal Engineers role in wartime that causes this huge imbalance. Some wounded casualty rates are as high as 700% or one dead for every seven wounded!
    To illustrate this phenomena I have enclosed the casualty list for a small compact unit-the platoon. Then, I have listed some of the casualties for Third Divisional Engineers.
    Roll of Honour, 3 Platoon only! 253 Field Co R.E
    Drvr E.A.Bingham Killed in Action 9th of June1944
    Spr W.F.Farrell Killed in Action 9th of June 1944
    Lieut G.J.Beddie Died of Wounds 11th of June 1944
    Spr G.F.Gafney Killed in Action 1st of July 1944
    Spr J.M.Waby Killed in Action 20th of July 1944
    Spr J Farnell Died of Wounds 20th of July 1944
    Spr G Dobson Died of Wounds 8th of August 1944
    Roll of Honour of those Wounded. 253 Fld Co only! R.E
    Spr G Tickle 9th of June 1944
    Spr P Webb 9th of June 1944
    Spr G.B. Morris 9th of June 1944
    Spr G.W.Major 9th of June 1944
    Cpl E.M.Dorkes 1st of July 1944
    L/Cpl J.H.Edge 1st of July 1944
    Spr J Rigby 1st of July 1944
    Spr F Mc Dowall 1st of July 1944
    Spr W Cassidy 1st of July 1944
    Spr F Hillier 1st of July 1944
    Spr P Wragg 1st of July 1944
    Spr F Sanderson 3rd of July 1944
    Spr R Stewart 3rd of July 1944
    Spr J.W. Lewis 3rd of July 1944
    L/Cpl F.T. James 3rd of July 1944
    Sgt F Molyneux 5th of July 1944
    Spr M Blacklaw 5th of July 1944
    L/Sgt A Whammond 19th of July 1944
    Spr R.C.George 7th of August 1944
    Spr R Heritage 19th of September 1944
    Spr H J Norris 19th of September 1944
    Cpl A J Kemsley 20th of October 1944
    Spr J Lawrenson 20th of October 1944
    Spr W Thomas 20th of October 1944
    Lieut C.M.Strachan 20th of October 1944
    Spr J Harding 23rd of November 1944
    L/Sgt H.L.Cleaver 23 November 1944
    Spr R Brooks 30th of November 1944
    Spr A.R.Crooks 6th of December 1944
    Spr W.E.Dilks 6th of December 1944
    Cpl W.E.Brown 27th of February 1945
    Spr R Clarke 27th of February 1945
    L/Cpl Atkinson 1st of march 1945
    Roll of Honour Corps of Royal Engineers. Third British Infantry Division.
    Watson C.W. Captain Hermanville war cem
    Johnson R.H L/Sgt Ranville cem
    Herkes J Dvr Hermanville war cem
    Rimes F.A L/Cpl Ditto
    Brown R.H Sgt La Deliverande war cem
    Doody A.Cpl Ditto
    Horseley G.A Spr Hermanville war cem
    Neads L.G L/Cpl La Deliverande war cem
    Christian A.E.V M.I.A.
    Hargreaves Spr La Deliverande war cem
    Baker G.E Spr St Charles de Percy war cem
    Burrage W.G.Sgt Bayeux war cem
    Cooper O Spr Ditto
    Harrison L .Spr Overloon war cem
    Barnes V.J. Spr Mierlo war cem
    Bickerton G.Spr Ditto
    Ankin S. Spr Overloon war cem
    Dapkus K Spr Ditto
    Davies G.C Spr Mierlo war cem
    Newland S. Spr Ditto
    Sharp. J.H. Spr Ditto
    Malster F Spr Ditto
    Plaistowe G Spr Venraij war cem
    Spark E. W. Leiut Aalten Gen cem (Berkenhove)
    Sutton C.J. Spr Ditto.
    Craven F.H.D. Lieut Hermanville war cem
    Stout W Sgt Hermanville war cem
    Bingham E.A.Dvr Ditto
    O'Brien J.J. Spr La Deliverande war cem
    Gafney G.F.T Spr Cambes en Plaine war cem
    Waby J.H Spr M.I.A.
    Read J.F Spr Hermanville war cem
    Hussey A Spr La Deliverande war cem
    Paris R.M. Sgt La Deliverande war cem
    Armstrong F Spr Cambes en Plaine war cem
    Connelly J Spr Ditto
    Kerr P Spr Ditto
    Farnell J.Spr Hermanville war cem
    Faulks A.T. L./Cpl St Charles de Percy war cem
    Fishwick A Spr Bayeux war cem
    Hamilton J Spr St Charles de Percy war cem
    Smaje F Dvr Ditto
    Wilcockk W L/Cpl Ditto
    Dobson G Spr Bayeux war cem
    Leonard B L/Cpl UK 7686 Old Monkland cem Coatbridge Lanarkshire Scotland.
    Edgeley F.Spr Overloon war cem
    Broughton C.E L/Cpl Mierlo war cem
    Rusell J Spr Overloon war cem
    Owen R.E Spr Kleve war cem
    Dixon E.L. Becklingen war cem
    Allmark S Spr Kleve war cem
    Tilley L Dvr Bayeux war cem 15Fld park co R.E.
    Meaken H.O Dvr Brussels town cem 2 bridge platoon .R.E.
    Biltcliffe D.L/Spr Hermanville war cem
    Cox L.W.Spr Ditto
    Gallagher T.E L/Cpl M.I.A.
    Jenkinson G.H.Spr UK 6631 Walsal Bloxwich cem
    Litchfield W. Spr Hermanville war cem
    Wood E Spr Ditto
    Dodd G.W.Spr Ditto
    Mills W Dvr Ranville war cem
    Eldesr A Spr la Deliverande war cem
    Washington J.C. L/Cpl Hermanville war cem
    Smith T. Spr Banneville la Campagne war cem
    Davies J.H.Spr Mierlo war cem
    Mathers W.M. Spr Maarheeze war cem (Old mate)
    Barnard J.K Lieut Overloon war cem
    Rees E.H. Sgt Ditto
    Watts T.J. Sgt Ditto
    Gallagher P. Sgt Brussels town cem
    Steele R. Spr Kleeve war cem
    Webster S Spr Ditto
    Campbell R. Spr Ditto
    Hamill P. Spr Ditto
    Hepple T Spr Rheinberg war cem
    Kyle H. L/Cpl Ditto
    Little T.H.Spr Ditto
    There are more casualties than those shown here for this company. 246 Field Company R. E. Unfortunately I have not been able to find them all. The list published here, was supplied by the War museum at Overloon, in Holland of all places!
     
  14. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    good Heavens What a shocker Sorry about that put it down to an aging memory Drew
     
  15. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

  16. WhiskeyGolf

    WhiskeyGolf Senior Member

  17. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Strange I just got the same message, Try this.
    [​IMG]
     
  18. WhiskeyGolf

    WhiskeyGolf Senior Member

    Strange I just got the same message, Try this.
    <embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid143.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr134%2F51highland%2Fsappersmates7.mp4">

    Got it. :)
    WG
     
  19. WhiskeyGolf

    WhiskeyGolf Senior Member

    What a peaceful and pretty site the cemetery is on. But it's so sad - they were so young. :poppy:
     
  20. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The men you see buried at Overloon and Venraij died in the following event.

    .
    Mine Clearing.
    That's twice I ran over that German!
    It was at this time, right in the middle of the battles for Overloon and Venraij, that we first encountered a new type of German anti-tank mine, we called them Rigler mines, or something like that. Long rectangular boxes, sandy coloured, with a lid that fitted snugly over the top. One of our officers called me in and told me to get a motor bike and give him a lift down the sandy tracks, through the pine woods, to where an officer, two sergeants and a squad of Sappers were lifting these mines in a corner of Overloon, setting off through the woods with the officer on the pillion there were deep furrows in the sandy soil that the bike wheel could not get climb out of, on the way, I had to run over a recently dead German lying in the centre of the deep rut , I just could not avoid him, nor could I get past him. Squelch! In the corner of Overloon, hundreds of these mines had been lifted and stacked "criss-cross" everywhere, in ditches, on top the ground, all over the place. While we were there a certain amount of Enemy fire was coming down, very dangerous, the place was infested with mines. The officer with me told the other officer to send a reliable man off on his own to try and take this new mine apart, we had no idea if they were booby trapped, or if they had any ' anti-handling devices' that the mines might have been armed with. After talking the matter over for a while, we set off back through the pine woods and had just run over the dead German again. "Squelch" When, from behind us there was a huge explosion. We dragged the bike round and set off back, only to find that all the mines had blown up and everyone with it.
     

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