Hello all, My name is Roel (30 years old) and I hail from the Netherlands. I was born in western Holland but recently moved to eastern Holland, the area that was liberated by British and Canadian soldiers end of march / early april 1945. Pleased to meet you all! I have always taken an interest in world war 2, I have visited several battle sites and war cemeteries. There are many reasons I visit these places but one thing that always surfaces is the effect on the way you view life. We take so many things for granted and those graves always remind me of different, more troubled times.. sacrifices people made (regardless of reasons they joined the army) to defeat extreme regimes and free us civilians from oppression. It is humbling. Now, I stumbled into this forum to be honest. Just down the road (street I live in) is a memorial. EDWARD HENRY JOHN FOSTER was KIA near that small memorial 31-03-1945 (Neede, Gelderland the Netherlands). http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/21605-foot-guards-regiments-11.html#post263350 Post 107 I am trying to find out what happened to this man. Internet searches do not turn up much information on the "Achterhoek" liberation, part of the effort to secure the flank during the push into German Ruhr area. Perhaps someone here has little pieces of information that can help me with my search. Cheers, Roel
Hello, Roel, Here's a starter: ... it was not until the Reconnaissance Troop reached Neede, after covering twenty-two miles, that the first resistance was met. Here the Germans were holding a large concrete factory which dominated the road, and both the Reconnaissance Troop and 3 Sqn. lost a tank to the enemy bazookas. 2 Sqn. felt its way round to the left, only to find bridges too weak to take tanks. Darkness was falling; the Commanding Officer decided to advance no farther, and the Group went into leaguer for the night. Once again the local telephone system was brought into play; the Dutch reported that the Germans were withdrawing from Neede; by daybreak the town was clear; and at half-past seven in the morning the Coldstream Group resumed its advance. The Coldstream Group were 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards (an armoured 'regiment') 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards who were infantry, part of the Guards Armoured Division. Edit: reference would help, wouldn't it? Howard & Sparrow The Coldstream Guards 1920-1946.
Hello and welcome. From Armoured Guardsmen, Boscawen: It was a tremendous moment in one's lifetime as we rumbled slowly over the immensely long pontoon bridge the Sappers had built so impressively. Through the shattered town of REES we went on to harbour at the Dutch frontier village of DINXPERLO. Nearby the German town of BOCHOLT was reported still strongly held by them. The GRENADIER GROUP, ahead, had met strong opposition, numerous demolished bridges and cratering, and was held up short of AALTEN. Next day we waited all morning, anxious to get a move on , but after midday the Battalion was ordered to advance at the head of 32nd Brigade on a different centre line from that of the 5th Brigade on our right. We were back inside HOLLAND again to cross a bulge of their land that pushes into GERMANY and contained three industrial town in a row at right-angles to our centre line, ALMELO, HENGELO and ENSCHEDE. It was an infuriatingly slow advance and by evening No. 3 Squadron were held up by some opposition short of the village of NEEDE on the River BERKEL. They seemed unable to find a way round. One or two of the Recce Troop tanks under JOHN RODNEY were hit by bazookas near a concrete factory. No. 2 Squadron was sent to find a way across. After fussing about in almost darkness we could not find a bridge that looked strong enough, so it was called a day and the Battalion harboured in a field just short of NEEDE. Although we had advanced about twenty miles and numerous prisoners had been taken, it had been a frustrating and indecisive day, particularly in the evening when we had looked for a bridge that wasn't there. The Squadron officers gathered around Jimmy's tank to discuss these events for a few minutes. We were not uncritical of the slowness up in front. We turned in early, after we filled up and had a meal. It rained later in the night.
Thank you for all these responses! Nice to know there are many people out there with the same interests Idler, dbf - This is a good start. I will try to find out more about the events and locations mentioned. Cheers! Edit: I added attachement of the location I believe the skirmish took place
We Dutch most go on Ron, so we can take over the forum That sounds ominous! Welcome to the forum Roel (from England!) All the best..........
Welcome Roel, another Dutchman for Paul to learn the language from and us Welsh are taking over the world you just dont know it yet
