Interested in 6 DLI

Discussion in 'Durham Light Infantry' started by 4453668jnh, Nov 4, 2011.

  1. 4453668jnh

    4453668jnh Junior Member

    Hi!
    New to this game, but have recieved some fantastic help already. Trying to pin down 6 DLI movements in Normandy from D-Day to 16 June 1944. This was the day my Grandfather was wounded and was awarded a DCM.
    Any or all info would be appreciated as I intend to visit the area in 2012.
     
  2. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    4453-
    Jim - aka - Riverries is your man for the DLI also Steve from newcassel- soon as they are awake they will be on later to-day
    Cheers
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  4. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

  5. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    I have sent on a copy of a photograph to Andy (4453668jnh) of D Company 6th DLI at Nightingale Wood prior to embarkation (Sorry I cannot post it here as there is a strict copyright clause with it:( ) Unfortunately we cannot identify CSM Howson on it..which Andy pointed out does seem quite strange? In the war Diary although not unusual there is no mention of any action concerning D Company..which isnt surprising as they were decimated on the 14th June 1944 in the advance across the Cornfield at Verrieres.

    This has got me puzzled a little so I began to read over his citation which Drew had kindly posted and something for me does not sit right,(it may just be me being a little paranoid) Your thoughts on this one Please?

    The citation begins;-
    `On 16th June 1944 at Verrieres 'D' Company 6 DLI advancing behind an artillery barrage was suddenly pinned down by MMG and Mortar fire from a flank. OC 'D' Company was seriously wounded and most of Company HQ became casualties.`


    Fine up to now a bit of Scene setting?

    `CSM Howson though severely wounded in the arm and suffering from loss of blood took command of the company and pinpointed the enemy fire as coming from an infantry strongpoint supported by a tank in a farmhouse. CSM Howson crawled back to the FOO whom he found dead and his signaller badly wounded, so he himself directed the artillery on to the target and by so doing silenced the enemy post`


    This started me thinking ...took command of the company ...`the` company ..not his Company as refered to later?

    `CSM Howson then returned to his company and had a tourniquet applied to his wounded arm. He refused to be evacuated to the RAP, although now weak from loss of blood, until he had organised the defence of 'D' Company.CSM Howson by his general bearing, initiative and loyalty in battle has set an example of highest degree.`



    ...returned to `his` Company...not `the` Company as previous paragraph? and again ....until he had organised the defence of 'D' Company...not `his` Company not even `the` Company but D Company?

    Todate I`ve search for D Company references unless you know something I do`nt I think I`ll broaden my search.Just a niggle but something is telling me he won his DCM with actions relating to D Company but not neccesarily as a member of D Company at the time ...Andy (4453668jnh) Do you have confirmation that he was indeed D Company or are we assuming so based on his recommendation?

    Best Wishes

    Jim
     
  6. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 812708
    PATROLS DURING NIGHT HAD LOCATED NO ENEMY MOVEMENT AND AT 0945 "B" AND "C" COMPANIES MOVED FORWARD TO CROSS ROADS AT LES-LE-GALLOIS 8168 AND DUG IN.AN ENEMY TRANSPORT COLUMN MOVING ALONG THE ROAD TILLY-VERRIERES HAD BEEN SHOT UP BY THE AIR FORCE AND AT LEAST EIGHT MARK V TANKS HAD BEEN KNOCKED OUT IN AND NEAR VERRIERES.
    1130HRS "B" COMPANY IN POSITION AT 81863.A SECTION WHICH HAD BEEN SENT FORWARD ON 14TH JUNE WAS FOUND ON THE LEFT OF COMPANY POSITIONS."B" COMPANY HAD MADE ITS WAY FORWARD ON JUNE 14TH AND THIS SECTION HAD BEEN CUT OFF AND UNDER MACHINE GUN FIRE;FOUR MEN HAD BEEN KILLED AND FOUR OTHERS WERE FOUND BY "B" COMPANY AFTER BEING OUT IN THE OPEN FOR TWO DAYS.
    1500HRS CHATEAU AT 821697 SEARCHED AND SNIPERS STILL IN THE GROUNDS.
    1530HRS LT COLONEL A E GREEN REJOINED THE BATTALION
    IT APPEARS THAT THE ENEMY HAS WITHDRAWN AGAIN TO POSITIONS FURTHER SOUTH ALONG ROAD JUVIGNY-HOTTOT AND HAD COVERED HIS WITHDRAWL WITH ODD SNIPER AND MACHINE GUN POSTS
    1800HRS ENEMY MORTARED "B" COMPANY POSITIONS-SIX CASUALTIES.GUN AND MORTAR FIRE AT INTERVALS FROM HOTTOT ROAD
    BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 815687.

    Jim
     
  7. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    In 'The Faithful Sixth' (Harry Moses), Page 296/7:

    On the 17th July "...General Montgomery carried out an investiture ceremony at Divisional Headquarters...four recipients could not attend having received wounds in action and had been evacuated. These four were: Captains Kirk and Rome [D], Company Sergeant Major Howson and Sergeant Botterman."

    If I find more I will post again.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  8. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    4453668jnh

    CSM Howson was a member of "B" Company in 1941 (Confirmed) I cannot find any further references relating to service with any other Companies (Thats not to say they dont exist!) I have found a photograph of CSM Howson with other "B" Company Sgts and Officers let me know if you require a copy? The photograph shows those present as;-
    Company Sergeant-Major Pallas(MM 1940 KiA 17/07/1943 Sicily), Sergeant W. Bailey, Sergeant Howson (DCM 1944), Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Barnes Lieutenant C. Boys-Stones, Captain Chamberlain(KiA 24/10/1942 Western Desert), Captain R. Ovenden(Somerset Light Infantry Att 6th DLI KiA by a Sniper 22/03/1943), Lieutenant D. Rome(Wounded 1944), Lieutenant Wiggins (Captured 29th June 1942 escaped Nov 1943 rejoined DLI (9th) survived the war) Sergeant Hall, Sergeant Shepherd.

    Best Wishes

    Jim
     
  9. The Memoir Club

    The Memoir Club Jamie Turnbull

    The Memoir Club publishes Memoirs and Military History books. We have both "The Faithful Sixth" and "For Your Tomorrow" books in stock if you are looking for a copy, also "The Faithful Six" is now available on Kindle.

    If you would like to read about Harry Moses and his books please go to:
    The Memoir Club: Harry Moses
     

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