Operation Clipper - Geilenkirchen and the SRY - November 1944

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Ramiles, Apr 5, 2015.

  1. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. "if it was a tank or AT gun?" in the post immediately above.

    I had a look at various refs, but I couldn't find a source, currently, that makes this clear to me. Though there are a number of other places that might be looked, given a bit more time etc.

    Edit: See ref. An Englishman at War: The Wartime Diaries of Stanley Christopherson DSO MC & Bar 1939-1945

    Which has a "high explosive shell" - landing on the tank.

    You might try also raising the question on the Fb page or direct messaging Karl on here. http://ww2talk.com/index.php?members/karlmcd.18305/

    With the Fb post having... The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry 1939-1945

    "Twenty-four year old Tpr. Ashmore was killed on Sunday 19 November 1944 during C Squadrons operation to clear the area north of Prummern. His tank was hit by an HE round that killed him, Tpr. Frank Driver, and fatally wounded the tank commander Lt. John Holmes. All three now lie in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Germany."

    And the SRY Ward diary for 19th November 1944 saying:

    “B” + “C” Sqdn’s remained in their positions all day + were shelled + mortared heavily throughout. “A” Sqdn rested in PALENBURG which was shelled also during the day.

    Major P. Seleri (i/c “B” Sqdn) was wounded , 2/Lieut J Holmes (“C”) Killed, Sgt Cawston (“C”) wounded. “C” Sqdn: knocked out three “Tigers” during the morning. The two troops operating with 333 U.S. Inf: Regt: enterd GEILENKIRCHEN + took 300 prisoners without loss. “O” Group at 1930 hours
    "

    The ref. to being "hit by an HE round" - I would think would have come from Padre Skinner's diary/notebook - as he quite often notes for example whether knocked-out tanks were hit by AP or HE.

    There are some more details on the day itself here (but not specifically on what fired the HE): Hard Fighting

    Although for "B" SRY it mentions casualties "due to anti-tank guns" whilst "crossing open ground" and "C" SRY fighting German tanks and later ending the day "not without sustaining casualties" - so on the basis of that 2/Lieut J Holmes (“C”) tank and crew, may still have been hit by either, I suppose.

    And here (again a bit more detail, but doesn't answer the specific question): Monty s Marauders

    There is a brass on wood memorial (at a Church in, Derbyshire, in the UK) to Lt. John Holmes listed here (albeit no picture there as yet): Lieutenant J J Holmes

    All the best,

    Rm.
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2020
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  2. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

  3. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    The cover photo from Flurstrasse in Bauchem, then and now plus another one looking down the street from the same spot.

    British_infantry_in_action_in_the_streets_of_Geilenkirchen,_Germany,_December_1944_BU1335.jpg

    IMG_0247.jpg

    IMG_0323.jpg

    IMG_0248.jpg
     
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  4. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Recently saw this on on Fb...

    At... Joël Stoppels Battlefield Tours

    THE OPERATION CLIPPER, NOVEMBER 1944

    IWM - B12086

    DESCRIPTION
    Object description
    Trooper Williamson of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards comforting a rescued dog in the ruins of a shelled house in the outskirts of Geilenkirchen, 25 November 1944. Williamson was a native of Doncaster, Yorkshire.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2020
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  5. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Recent pdf on the Battle of Geilenkirchen...

    The Battle of Geilenkirchen | East Midlands RFCA

    "Jonathan Hunt, military historian and a previous member of Northamptonshire County Committee for East Midlands RFCA, has written a detailed account of the Second World War Battle of Geilenkirchen. This battle was a joint operation, involving both American and British forces, to clear a German salient that was a threat to Allied forces as they advanced into Germany in November 1944."

    Click on the link that says - "Read the full story..." to download the pdf.
     
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  6. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

  7. Bayonet Productions

    Bayonet Productions Lead Researcher

    I am pretty sure that is either in the 82nd Museum or at the 82nd HQ building at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
     
  8. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 193 [Main Title]

    IWM WPN 193 : Object description -

    An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
    Full description
    I. 'WESTERN FRONT.' German Army prisoners of war are marched past shell damaged buildings in the environs of Düren (Germany). A United States (US) First Army infantryman stands under a German road sign reading "Nach Düren 8km." US M10 Wolverine tank destroyers drive past shell damaged buildings. Camera gun footage (CGF) shows Allied fighter attacks on a German Luftwaffe single engined fighter (possibly a Messerschmitt Bf 109G) and a Focke-Wulf Fw 190A. CGF shows Allied ground attacks on German steam locomotives and rolling stock. British Churchill Mk VI tanks (XXX Corps ?) drive in convoy past the camera position in the British Second Army sector near Geilenkirchen. A Churchill tank bearing the legend "Blenheim" on its hull drives past a sign that reads "Bauchem- Booby Traps." British signals troops (Royal Corps of Signals ?) use a requisitioned civilian canoe to check telephone lines in a flooded area of Nijmegen (Holland). British signallers wade across flooded land, checking submerged ground-laid telephone lines. Members of the British 51st Highland Division return to St Valery (Oise) for a memorial service held for comrades who fell during the desperate rear-guard actions of 1940.
     
  9. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

  10. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY



    15th November 1944...

    20221115_110800.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2022
  11. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    18th November 1944

    BATTLE FOR GEILENKIRCHEN
    IWM B11913 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Tanks carry 43 Div infantry into action over the muddy German soil. Photo taken by Sergeant Carpenter.

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B11914 : Object description - Universal carriers of 43rd (Wessex) Division advance along a muddy lane during the advance on Geilenkirchen, 18 November 1944. Photo taken by Sergeant Carpenter.


    BATTLE FOR GEILENKIRCHEN
    B11915 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Infantry of the Cornwalls (43 Div) trudging into action in Germany. Photo taken by Sergeant Carpenter.

    BATTLE FOR GEILENKIRCHEN
    B11916 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Infantry of the Cornwalls (43 Div) trudging into action in Germany. Photo taken by Sergeant Carpenter.

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B11917 : Object description - A Sherman tank carrying infantry of 43rd Division advances towards Geilenkirchen, 18 November 1944. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B11918 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Flails move up to clear the mines for the infantry Mines are numerous in this area. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    SAME STORY
    B11919 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Bren carriers move up to the Start Line. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    SAME STORY
    B11920 : Object description - Original wartime caption: A/tk guns follow up. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
    B11921

    SAME STORY
    B11922 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Lone infantry guard looks over towards Germany. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    SAME STORY
    B11923 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Infantry moving across country and down muddy tracks en route for Geilenkirchen. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    SAME STORY
    B11924 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Infantry moving across country and down muddy tracks en route for Geilenkirchen. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    SAME STORY
    B11925 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Pte Foremen of the Worcesters Regt. of London, smiles at the thought of beating Jerry on his own soil. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    SAME STORY
    B11926 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Inf. of the Cornwall Regt. also tread the German soil. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B11927 : Object description - Private B Jones of the 5th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 43rd (Wessex) Division, during the assault on Geilenkirchen in Germany, 18 November 1944. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B11928 : Object description - A soldier of the 5th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 43rd (Wessex) Division, carrying a PIAT, 18 November 1944. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    ----- x -----

    19th November 1944

    12 CORPS ADVANCE
    B11929 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Ox and Bucks infantry dug in one the road leading to Roermond. 1 Kilometre up the road are German machine gun nests. Photo taken by Sergeant Smith. Catalogued 19d11m1944.

    -- x --

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B11959 : Object description - Churchill AVRE entering Geilenkirchen, 19 November 1944. Photo taken by Captain Malindine. Catalogued 19d11m1944.

    -- x --

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B11963 : Object description - Churchill AVRE of 617th Assault Squadron Royal Engineers near Geilenkirchen, 19 November 1944. Photo taken by Major Stewart.
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2022
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  12. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Sunday 19th November 1944... 19d11m1944...

    The British Second Army captured Geilenkirchen.

    ---- x ---- x ----

    4th7thRDG
    19th November 1944
    0920 - Report received that portion of the Worcs who were in TRIPSRATH were surrounded and that enemy counter attack was coming in from KRAUDORF on to TRIPSRATH. This was successfully beaten off largely due to fine support given by "A" Sqn. Tps. "A" Sqn. K.Od one Panther, and "C" Sqn. had some good shoots from the high ground on to enemy concentrations in the valley. By 1100 hrs. counter attack had subsided although the position of our Inf. in TRIPSRATH was by no means secure as the woods to the W. of RISCHDEN running Northwards had not been cleared nor had the Northern part of TRIPSRATH, and there were definitely enemy in these areas and about six S.Ps just N.W. of TRIPSRATH. All our positions were shelled quite considerably during the day and everybody remained in their tanks. "B" Sqn. sent 5 tanks down to TRIPSRATH in the early hours of the morning, and before they could take up suitable positions these tanks became involved in the enemy counter attack. Four were brewed up (two by Bazooka) between RISCHDEN and TRIPSRATH, Lieut. E.R. Thomas, Tprs. Kyte and Fyles being killed and some 12 Others being wounded.

    20221119_210614.jpg

    ---- x ---- x ----

    SRY War Diary
    19th November 1944
    Enemy still continues to infiltrate across the WAAL at various points. They do no damage apart from destroying Dutch buildings. All squadrons have comfortable billets and sport was organised.

    ---- x ---- x ----

    "C" Squadron, 13/18th Hussars
    On 18th Nov the STRAETEN attack was postponed until 19th. On the 19th it was postponed until the 20th and on the 20th it was finally cancelled.

    ----- x ----- x -----

    Situation map - 19th November 1944...

    [November 19, 1944], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map.

    iiif-service_gmd_gmd5_g5701_g5701s_ict21168-3138x768x1556x1829-1024x-0-default.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2022
  13. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Thursday 30th November 1944... 30d11m1944...

    The 53rd Army of the 2nd Ukrainian Front took the Hungarian city of Eger.
    A German V-2 rocket struck Shooter's Hill in South East London at 1:00 a.m., killing 23.
    Died: Eoin O'Duffy, 52, Irish political activist, soldier and police commissioner

    ---- x ---- x ----

    4th7thRDG

    The C. in C. 21st Army Group (Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery K.C.B., D.S.O., M.C.) decorated certain Officers and ORs of 8 Armd. Bde and 43 Div. at an investiture held at TREBEK in the morning. No. 7902643 Sergt. Wilcox W. "B" Sqn. was the 4/7th RDG man to receive an award - the M.M. for gallantry at RAURAY (in the Normandy beachhead) when serving with the 24 L. The Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Major S.R.M. Jenkins, the RSM. and a number of other ranks of "B" Squadron attended as spectators. Among others to receive awards were Brigadier G.E. Prior-Palmer (Comd. 8 Armd. Bde) – the DSO. Before the investiture a programme of music was played by the Life Guards Band. A2 and B Echelon were moved to a transit area near BRUNSSUM in the afternoon, very little details were made known about this move by higher formation and it was done at short notice necessitating a speedy "pack up".

    ---- x ---- x ----

    SRY
    30th November 1944
    The Colonel (D.S.O.), Major Sempken, Major J Holman, Leiut S.F. Hills (M.C’s) and Sgt Nelson (M.M.) attended an investiture by Field Marshal B. Montgomery at HOENSBROOK. He gave us plans about leave from B.L.A. after their period of 6 months.

    ---- x ---- x ----

    "C" Squadron, 13/18th Hussars
    29th and 30th Nov was spent in the same area, but nothing took place except the usual occasional shelling.

    20221130_080710.jpg

    SOLDIERS IN GERMAN BILLETS
    IWM B12252 : Object description - Original wartime caption: How the men sleep and rest in the cellar below the house. The fires are all made from ammunition boxes. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B12253 - Object description
    Major J K Holman (in the turret) and his Sherman tank crew of the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers), 8th Armoured Brigade, photographed after his squadron ('C ' Squadron) destroyed three Tiger tanks, Germany, 30 November 1944. Photo taken by Sergeant Carpenter.

    MAJOR J.K.J. HOLMAN
    B12254 - Object description
    Object description - Original wartime caption: Major J.K.J. Holman in the turret of his tank. Photo taken by Sergeant Carpenter.

    20221130_133026.jpg

    8th ARMD BDE INVESTITURE
    B12520 : Object description - Original wartime caption: Sgt. W. Wilcox, 4/7 DG receives the MM. Photo taken by Sergeant Morris.
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2022
  14. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

     
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