Western Germany near Münster - April 1945 information about regiments

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by ManonR, Apr 11, 2017.

  1. ManonR

    ManonR New Member

    Hi,

    I joined upon recommendation from a military researcher I asked to look into something for me. She needs more information so I hope somebody can help me here. If the thread should go somewhere else I apologise and happy to re-post.

    I am German and my civilian grandfather was fatally wounded in a traffic accident in April 1945 involving two British military lorries on a rural road between Burgsteinfurt and Wettringen. My mother would like to know if such an incident would have been recorded in the war diaries but we don't have a lot of information.

    She has been told the following division were in the area from 30.3.1945 onwards:

    The British Army arrived in the area between the 30.2-1.4.1945. From Coesfeld (already in hand of the British) the following were sent towards Teutoburger Wald (Teutoburger Forest), Rheine, Hopsten:

    11th Armoured division
    51st Division
    7th Armoured division

    Where would I be able to find more details about the respective divisions and the regiments?

    I am thankful for all help.
     
  2. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    ManonR

    Welcome to the forum.

    Difficult question because those three Formations will have very large War Diaries!

    Do you have a more precise location for the tragic accident? That would make it a lot easier to identify which Regiments were in the area at the time.
     
  3. Bluebell Minor

    Bluebell Minor Junior Member

    MarionR

    The date of the fatal accident is key to the answer to your question

    According to the brief history of the Brigade available on the web, 34 Armoured Brigade with its Headquarters in Burgsteinfurt assumed occupation duties for the area in April 1945 but vehicles from a Resupply Organisation could have been involved..
     
    Historic Steve likes this.
  4. ManonR

    ManonR New Member

    Hi,
    sorry for the late reply, my mum was here over Easter.

    My grandfather's accident was on the 19th April and he died on the 20th. I questioned my mum a bit and she said he was brought to the St. Josefhaus (orphange/workhouse for boys) in Wettringen which was (as far as she knows) used as a military hospital by the British. Could that lead to more information?

    I searched a bit around and found in some newspaper articles of towns in the area the following information of tropes arriving beginning of April/End March:

    Rheine was liberated/conqured on the 2.April 1045 by 157. british infantry brigade (5th batallion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers-Regiments and 7th Bataillon of Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)-Regiments).

    In Greven on the 30th March the 3rd Parachute-Brigade arrived and then the 6th Airlanding-Brigade Additionally the 25th Field-Regiment of the Royal Artillery arrived and then the 1st Canadian Parachute-Battalion arrived late in the evening from Coesfeld.

    Thanks
     
  5. Bluebell Minor

    Bluebell Minor Junior Member

    ManonR

    Based on your latest posting and rereading the Brigade History I referred to in my earlier posting I believe a vehicle from a 34 Armoured Brigade unit was most probably involved in the accident and your grandfather was taken to a Detachment of the Brigade Field Ambulance (Feldt Lazarette Kompanie) in Westtingen.

    The Brigade History states that the Brigade Headquarters moved into Burgsteinfurt on the 14th April with the Brigade forming the Ist British Corps Armoured Reserve. Unfortunately the exact title of the Brigade Field Ambulance is missing from the internet history.

    Incidentally all the units you mention had advanced much further east by the time of the accident.
     
  6. Historic Steve

    Historic Steve Researching 21 Army Group/BAOR post VE day

    My research is strictly post 8 May 45, however can confirm Bluebell Minor’s posts and you should ignore the units you have mentioned

    Recorded on 3 May 45 the 25 (British) General Hospital was in Wettringen with command 19 Line of Communication Sub Area their HQ was in Burgsteinfurt

    Sorry I have no idea of the information available at the Kew Records Office in London for 25 (British) General Hospital

    Best of luck with your research
     
  7. Bluebell Minor

    Bluebell Minor Junior Member

    My good friend Historic Steve is correct, 25 (British) General Hospital was in Wettringen from 8th April 1945 till June 1945

    My source is www.scarletfinders.co.uk
     
    Historic Steve likes this.
  8. ManonR

    ManonR New Member

    Thanks all. I very much appreciate it. Will dig further now and hopefully get some more details.
     

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