The Sherwood Rangers in February 1945

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Ramiles, Apr 27, 2015.

  1. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Hi all,

    Just looking for information and associations with the Sherwood Rangers in February 1945

    For a lot of which they seem to have been in "Operation Veritable"

    Footnotes for which are:

    1. First Canadian Army losses from "8 February ... [to] ... 10 March were ... 1,049 officers and 14,585 other ranks; the majority of these were British soldiers". Canadian losses amounted to 379 officers and 4,925 other ranks, the vast majority being lost during Operation Blockbuster. Total allied losses in Operations Veritable/Blockbuster and Grenade amounted to 22,934 men.[1]
    2. Canadian First Army captured 22,239 prisoners during the operation, and the intelligence section estimated the number of German soldiers killed or made "long-term wounded" to have amounted to 22,000 men. In conjunction with Operation Grenade, the combined allied effort inflicted approximately 90,000 casualties on the German army


    And do get a small ref in here: : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritable


    On 22 February, once clear of the Reichswald (German, Imperial Forest), and with the towns of Kleve and Goch in their control, the offensive was renewed as Blockbuster and linked up with the US 9th Army near Geldern on 4 March.[2]

    1. "Geilenkirchen to the Rhine". A Short History of the 8th Armoured Brigade. 2000. Retrieved 26 May 2009.

    [sharedmedia=gallery:images:28087]

    [sharedmedia=gallery:images:28084]

    [sharedmedia=gallery:images:28085]


    All the best,

    Rm.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2016
    Lindele and stolpi like this.
  2. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    The Sherwood Rangers in February 1945 - Links

    51st Highland Division - Operation Veritable - Reichswald (with map) : Reichswald and Operation Veritable, Holland, February 1945 | 51st Highland Division

    51st Highland Division - Operation Veritable - The Plan : Operation Veritable - The Plan, Reichswald, Feb 1945 | 51st Highland Division

    51st Highland Division - Capture of Goch and concluding stages of Operation Veritable Goch, Reichswald, 20th - 28th Feb 1945 : Capture of Goch and concluding stages of Operation Veritable | Account | 51st Highland Division Website

    A Short History of the 8th Armoured Brigade: The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE

    IWM for Goch: Imperial War Museums

    IWM for Kleve: Imperial War Museums

    WW2talk threads

    The SRY in NWE: Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry (SRY) in North West Europe

    The SRY in Jan 1945: The Sherwood Rangers in January 1945

    The SRY in Mar 1945: The Sherwood Rangers in March 1945

    VERITABLE: 15th Scottish & 43rd Wessex Divisions in the Reichswald battle (Feb 1945)

    The attack on Schloss Kalbeck

    Maps

    https://www.westpoint.edu/academics/academic-departments/history/world-war-two-europe

    The Rhineland Campaign (8th Feb-10th Mar):
    https://s3.amazonaws.com/usma-media...tory/WWII Europe Med/WWIIEurope76combined.jpg

    The Rhineland Campaign (11th Mar-21st Mar):
    https://s3.amazonaws.com/usma-media...tory/WWII Europe Med/WWIIEurope77combined.jpg

    Operation Veritable - The Rhineland Campaign: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritable#/media/File:Veritable_grenade.png
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2023
  3. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    The Sherwood Rangers in February 1945 - Events

    Thursday 1st February 1945 - Meanwhile elsewhere - US army attack on Siegfried Line

    Friday 2nd February 1945 - The SRY moved from the Moll area to Grave. 13/18 Hussars moved to Moll where the remainder of the 8th Armoured Brigade also were.

    Saturday 3rd February 1945 - 4/7th RDG moved from Moll to Eindhoven area and 13/18 Hussars moved to Grave to support in the opening phase of Operation Veritable.

    Sunday 4th February 1945 - Meanwhile elsewhere - start of the Yalta conference to discuss the final stage of the war.

    Monday 5th February 1945 -

    SRY War Diary : Colonel and Sqn Ldrs attended conference at 129 Bde HQ who had not yet moved up to NIJMEGEN. It was decided that infantry should be carried on the back of tanks in order to save road space.

    Meanwhile elsewhere - US troops under MacArthur enter Manilla.

    Tuesday 6th February 1945 -

    Wednesday 7th February 1945 -

    iiif-service_gmd_gmd5_g5701_g5701s_ict21248-3127x159x921x1176-full-0-default.jpg


    Thursday 8th February 1945 - Start of Operation Veritable (Beginning with wide-scale allied air attacks) : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritable#Operation_Veritable_.28Battle_of_the_Reichswald.29 And Sherwood Rangers tanks were fighting German SP's around Kleve.
    Great thread by "stolpi" on Veritable here: http://ww2talk.com/f...attle-feb-1945/

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45
    BU1693 : A Sherman flail tank supports infantry of the 2nd Glasgow Highlanders at the start of Operation 'Veritable', 8 February 1945. In the background are American gliders which landed during Operation 'Market Garden' in September 1944.

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45
    BU1759 : Churchill AVRE with fascine in the Reichswald during Operation 'Veritable', 8 February 1945.


    Friday 9th February 1945 - Germany destroys the Rhur Dam. Allied capture of Kleve. The devastated town of Kleve after capture: ROYAL AIR FORCE BOMBER COMMAND, 1942-1945. (C 4965)

    Saturday 10th February 1945 -

    B14425 : BRITISH ADVANCE INTO GERMANY
    Original wartime caption: Infantry on Kangaroo tanks in the village of Kranenburg.

    Infantry of 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 15th (Scottish) Division, dug in outside Kleve in the Reichswald, 10 February 1945 : THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45 (B 14480) & clearing Hekkens (during Operation Veritable) : Hekkens, Reichswald, Feb 1945 | 51st Highland Division

    Sunday 11th February 1945 - Meanwhile elsewhere - the Yalta agreement is signed.

    B14500 : BRITISH TROOPS ENTER AND OCCUPY KLEVE

    Monday 12th February 1945 - "A" squadron SRY clearing a wood with infantry nr. Kleve. "B" squadron SRY remained in Kleve. "C" squadron SRY moves to road nr. wood captured earlier by "B".
    Churchill tanks drive along a badly damaged street in Kleve, Germany, 12 February 1945 : THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH WEST EUROPE 1944-45 (B 14513)

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B14575 : A universal carrier and Humber scout car traversing a flooded road between Beek and Kranenburg, 12 February 1944.


    Tuesday 13th February 1945 - SRY reports fairly heavy opposition 4 tanks lost, 3KIA and 7WIA.

    - Meanwhile elsewhere - Allied bombing of Dresden and USSR captures Budapest.

    Wednesday 14th February 1945 - Recce troop SRY 2KIA and 2WIA reported.

    Thursday 15th February 1945 -

    iiif-service_gmd_gmd5_g5701_g5701s_ict21256-2845x211x1501x1342-1024x-0-default.jpg

    Friday 16th February 1945 - Sherman Firefly tanks move through the ruins of Kleve on their way to support the attack on Goch, Germany, 16 February 1945 : B14666 - THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH WEST EUROPE 1944-45

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B14674 : A Loyd carrier towing a 6-pdr anti-tank gun through Kleve, 16 February 1945.


    BATTLE FOR THE RHINELAND PART 2: OPERATION VERITABLE - FROM KLEVE TO GOCH [Main Title] (DRA 1562)

    - Meanwhile elsewhere - Venezuela declares war on Nazi Germany

    Saturday 17th February 1945 - SRY day spent in maintenance of tanks.

    Sunday 18th February 1945 - SRY in Goch area.

    Monday 19th February 1945 - Meanwhile elsewhere - US marines raise the US flag on Mount Suribachi in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

    Tuesday 20th February 1945 - SRY in Goch area training and preparing for advance on Weeze.

    Wednesday 21st February 1945 - British army captures Goch and moves south of there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operat..._Army_in_North-west_Europe_1944-45_B14779.jpg

    Thursday 22nd February 1945 - Start of Operation Blockbuster : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritable#Operation_Blockbuster

    Friday 23rd February 1945 - Meanwhile elsewhere - Operation Grenade - US 9th Army cross the Roer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Grenade

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    B14817 : An Archer 17-pdr self-propelled gun drives off a raft after being ferried across flooded countryside near Kranenburg in Germany, 23 February 1945.


    Saturday 24th February 1945 - Start of "Operation Leek" - The intention being to drive southeast astride the river Niers to capture Weeze.

    Sunday 25th February 1945 - Meanwhile elsewhere - Turkey declares war on Germany

    Monday 26th February 1945 - Allied capture of Kerkenhof (just to the west of Weeze)

    Wednesday 28th February 1945 - At 0500hrs the SRY moved south from Kleves to Goch and helped to clear woods of enemy opposition nr. Weeze.

    iiif-service_gmd_gmd5_g5701_g5701s_ict21269-2975x134x1462x1078-1024x-0-default.jpg


    Subsequent events: The Sherwood Rangers in March 1945

    A Short History of the 8th Armoured Brigade: The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE
    History of the 51st Highland division : Capture of Goch and concluding stages of Operation Veritable | Account | 51st Highland Division Website

    Thursday 1st March 1945 - The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and 12th Battalion The King’s Royal Rifle Corps having rejoined, a further assault upon the Weeze defences was launched supported by flame-throwing tanks. By dark the town was surrounded on three sides and during the night patrols entered the outskirts.

    Friday 2nd Mach 1945 - By 1000 hours information came that the town of Weeze had been evacuated which, coupled with the news of the, rapid American advance Northeast from the Roer, gave grounds for belief that the enemy were pulling out completely. The Corps Commander arrived at Brigade H.Q. a few minutes later and gave permission for the 8th Armoured Brigade to follow up with all speed....

    Sunday 4th March 1945 - Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Montgomery visit the allied troops at Goch and indicate that the next operation would involve crossing the Rhine.

    Saturday 24th March 1945 - Operation Plunder (The crossing of the Rhine): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2023
  4. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    This from 25th February 1945...



    7880500 Sgt.B.Symes
    Sherwood Rangers
    BLA

    25d2m1945y

    My dear Phyl,

    This evening we have been listening to the fight between Nel Tarleton and Al Phillips. It was good listening and we enjoyed every round of it. I ran a book and had bets total 25 Guilders on Nel Tarleton and 40 Guilders on Phillips so I cleared 15 Guilders. There were eight of us listening and I don’t know that we weren’t as excited as the commentator. It was so amazing, to think Tarlerton is 39.

    I expected a letter this evening but the post was small so I expect it was just the sweepings.

    By the news there is an extraordinary lot of bombers over Germany recently. I wonder they can tolerate it. What relief it will be for everyone when it is finished. It is hard to understand why they…


    P2…don’t make some sort of effort to overthrow their maniac bosses before their whole country is reduced to ruins.

    We had three bottles of whiskey and one and a half of gin, six of us saw them off in three evenings, quite comfortably.

    I have written and posted a letter to Rob.

    The news that Turkey has declared war on Germany has just been given. If nothing else they will upset the German morale and they can put in a million men which is something, at least to overrun the country. We shall have to wait and see where they strike. I believe they have some German Tiger tanks, Tigers V. Tigers should be a good fight.

    I have just been grinding some coffee, it smells a treat. One of the boys went…


    …on leave and brought some back ready ground but it’s not as good.

    That reminds me, in the Times there was a letter that puts over the case for leave very well, we are all pleased with it, it’s a pity it wasn’t written before. I’ll enclose it if I remember.

    The housing business in Parliament would be amusing if it didn’t show how we are still in the hands of the people with money. They had better get a move on or we shall be seeing thousands of old shacks being put up by everyone who has a piece of land.

    I hope the parcel has arrived. The radio is playing Dream Lover, nice too.


    I haven’t posted the stamp album, it’s not worth it.

    I have tried to get a pair of shoes but although there are a few places I haven’t yet succeeded, but it won’t be for the want of trying.

    By the way I have about £15 in credit so if I can get a form I’ll get it sent.

    How are you managing to clothe our Janet? Hope she is OK. Don’t worry about Rob, just warn him he’ll have an uphill journey with me if he doesn’t alter for the better. He wants someone to interest him and give him an outlet for his energies.

    That’s the lot for this time my dear. So I’ll send a kiss to Rob and Janet and some to you my sweet from your loving husband Ben.
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2022
  5. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

  6. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Last edited: Feb 8, 2023
  7. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Saturday 10th February 1945... 10d2m1945...

    The Battle of Hürtgen Forest ended in German defensive victory.
    German forces opened the Schwammenauel Dam to delay the Allied advance in the west.
    The Soviet 1st Belorussian Front captured Elbing.
    The German passenger liner General von Steuben was torpedoed and sunk in the Baltic Sea by Soviet submarine S-13, resulting in the loss of over 4,000 lives.
    Died: Anacleto Díaz, 66, Filipino jurist and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (executed by the Japanese).

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

    SRY
    "B" Sqn found CLEVE at day light to be still occupied by German infantry and SP’s. Commander 129 Bde ordered "B" Sqn group to watch the north flank and pushed "A" Sqn group along the original road followed by "C" Sqn, RHQ and Bde HQ’s remained at cross roads 888 554 , a confused battle then took place with the 16th paratroop regiment and SP’s in the south-western outskirts of CLEVE. The highground overlooking CLEVE from the direction in which we had entered the town was taken by the paratroopers and both Bde HQ’s and regimental HQ’s were ??shot?? up by small arms fire. 1 German panther tank kept dodging between RHQ and Bde HQ. By 18.00 hrs CLEVE was cleared of the enemy and a firm line was established by 129 Bde with tanks in support from map ref 880560 to 898545. During the day 6 tanks were lost, Lt. Thomas was killed and Cpt Coleman wounded. Sgt Bolton and troopers Davis and Valentine were also killed and 4 O.R. wounded, 2 missing. 3 SP’s were destroyed.

    Search Results | CWGC

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

    1945-02-10 : Regiment : 4th Wiltshire. Location : Germany.

    The Bn pushes on along the most direct route into the town assisted by a tp of 15 Recce Regt, who proceed in front. 500 yds short of the town a rd block was encountered which is dealt with by a pl of C Coy and two tks. This does not seem to cause any reactions to the rest of the German defenders who were sitting on the high ground in woods on either side of our axis, and the Bn is able to push on, led by "D" Coy and a tp of tks who fired their guns at every house as we passed. In this way the Bn passes right through the town and reaches the Eastern edge without meeting any Germans. The only actual difficulties were the large number of craters in the rd. The Bn was very fortunate in advancing so far in view of the hazardous nature of such an operation. At first light the whole Bn column [colmn] was strung out along one rd and the streets on either side had not been cleared. It was therefore not possible to go any further and the Bn consolidated where it was. 75 PW were taken during the morning, consisting mainly of people who were surprised sleeping in the cellars and runners and ration parties from the woods WEST of the town who did not realise that we were there. The Bn does not receive orders to clear the town, but is told that it will soon be pushing on and so it remains in posn. There is continual activity from snipers along the roads from all directions and considerable fire from SP guns WEST of the town. Our own snipers succeed [suceed] in neutralising the effect of enemy snipers and account for at least five of them. However no attempt is made on the bn front to dislodge us although 5 WILTS and Bde HQ were attacked unsuccessfully from the WEST.

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

    1945-02-10 : Regiment : 5th Wiltshire. Location : Cleve Area, Germany
    0830hrs. Bn coln halted. 4 WILTS clearing rd block just WEST of CLEVE. 15 (S)) NOT in CLEVE. Their FDLs approx 1000 yards WEST of outskirts of CLEVE.
    0915hrs. Bn coln moving again, 4 WILTS have cleared rd block and quelled opposition. 4 SOM LI went through on right of 4 WILTS on another route, and have reported NO opposition. Bn coln to be diverted on route behind 4 SOM LI as original route is impassable, and 4 WILTS to form defensive left flank.
    0945hrs. "A" Coy, leading Coy, inadvertently take original route, followed by Bn "R" and "O" Gps, and are held up by large craters in Road 897545. CO halts remainder of coln.
    1000hrs. Tk scout car in "A" Coy coln knocked out at 897545 by en SP firing from 898542. Second en SP in same area. En SA fire from woods to left. CO orders "A" Coy to clear wood as far as 898526. Tks engage and "brew up", One en SP. One of our tks "brewed up".
    1047hrs. Two Tks in sp "B" Coy knocked out at 898543 by en SP. "B" "C""D" Coys with Rear Bn HQ dispersed along road from 889554 to 887550. En Tks and SPs operating singly, with gps of Inf up to Pl str against Bn coln.
    1148hrs. Bn HQ being attacked by approx one Sec and one Tk, knocking out our MT. Three trucks destroyed. At lease two en killed. Attack beaten off 1600hrs. "A" Coy withdrawn to concentrate with remainder of Bn. Bn forms defensive posns as follows. Line of fwd tps 888555 - 885548 - 8938(5?)84. Bn HQ 888551. Tps under comd "C" Sqn SR.Y. One Pl "A" Coy 8 Mx.
    1800hrs. "C" Coy attacked while moving into new posns astride main rd. en str 30 Inf, three TIGER Tks. Coy HQ forced to withdraw. All Pls eventually forced to withdraw to original posns. En took approx 20 PW. CO decided to relieve "C" Coy by "A" Coy, "C" Coy to return to "A" Coys posn in reserve.

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

    Cleve.jpg


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

    BRITISH TROOPS ENTER AND OCCUPY KLEVE

    IWM B14493 : Original wartime caption: Infantry and tanks clearing out snipers in Kleve. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    BRITISH TROOPS ENTER AND OCCUPY KLEVE

    IWM B14499 : Original wartime caption: Machine gunner fires at snipers in a house. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    BRITISH TROOPS ENTER AND OCCUPY KLEVE

    IWM B14500 : Original wartime caption: A part of Kleve as it is now.
    Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    BRITISH TROOPS ENTER AND OCCUPY KLEVE

    IWM B14502 : Original wartime caption: Infantry on tanks set off on a sniper hunt in Kleve. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    BRITISH TROOPS ENTER AND OCCUPY KLEVE
    IWM B14503 :
    Original wartime caption: Dead sniper lies in the foreground as our men mount tanks in Kleve. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.

    BRITISH TROOPS ENTER AND OCCUPY KLEVE

    IWM B14506 : Original wartime caption: British tank in position at cross roads in Kleve. Photo taken by Sergeant Hewitt.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2023
  8. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Sunday 11th February 1945... 11d2m1945...

    iiif-service_gmd_gmd5_g5701_g5701s_ict21252-3106x249x968x902-full-0-default.jpg

    SRY War Diary
    A quiet day was spent in reorganising. A Sqn only were engaged and knocked out enemy SP at 899534. Sgt Geddes was killed by mortars. CLEVE heavily mortared and shelled all day - partly by our own troops. No tanks were lost owing to floods the T.C.P. and the greater part of the A1 echelon was not able to join the regiment and remained in NIJMEGEN.

    Cleve-1.jpg

    Re. Sergeant Geddes...

    https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2031575/eric-geddes/
    SERJEANT ERIC GEDDES
    Service Number: 7616035
    Regiment : Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
    Date of Death : Died 11 February 1945
    Age 25 years old
    Buried or commemorated at REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. 46. J. 4. Germany
    Country of Service : United Kingdom

    doc3015593.JPG

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

    Search Results | CWGC

    https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2041921/william-harrison-simpson/

    https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2056429/william-george-loft/


    doc3015715.JPG

    ---- x ----

    BRITISH TROOPS ENTER AND OCCUPY KLEVE

    43rd Wessex Division  Nassauer Allee in Cleve on 11th February.jpg

    20230210_113638.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2023
  9. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Monday 12th February 1945... 12d2m1945...

    SRY
    Advance to LOUISENDORF was resumed. A Sqn moved forward at approx. 10.00 hrs to take road map ref.9252. The wood was taken by nightfall. A Sqn harboured in the wood with the infantry. C Sqn moved up and harboured along the road with their (inf?) at T-roads map ref 919538. “C” Company 12 KRRC were ??strung?? out on the road behind them. B Sqn remained in CLEVE.

    ----- x -----

    1945-02-12 - Regiment : 5th Wiltshire. Location : Bedburg Area, Germany.
    Bn prepares to move again, to take pt in 129 Bde attack, area BEDBURG 9352. Bn moving behind 4 SOM LI. 4 SOM LI are to capture "pear shaped" wood 9252. 1200hrs. Bn adv party forms up. 1600hrs. Bn move from Start pt 898542. 1950hrs. 4 SOM LI have taken all objectives. Bn coln halted during 4 SOM LI attack, in area 9054. 2200hrs. Bn est in area just NORTH WEST of 4 SOM LI (in wood 9252) in area 9153 prior to attacking through 4 SOM LI in the morning, with objectives on high ground to SOUTH EAST 4 SOM LI posns (9352 and 9351) Bn HQ est 918538, A" Coy 922541, "B" Coy 919538, "C" Coy 921536, "D" Coy 917537.

    Calcar [Kalkar]-1.jpg

    Calcar [Kalkar].jpg


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

    Re. Louisendorf



    Screenshot_20230212-104036_Gallery.jpg


     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2023
  10. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

Share This Page