Hi Everyone If anyone has visited this area or has information about what happened on the above date I'd like to hear about it. The Suffolk Regiment's war diary records over 100 casualties that day. Does anyone know whether the medical regiments/people recorded the names of those who were wounded/killed and where I might find that information? Thanks.
It's the day that the town of Ypres fell and the Germans crossed the canal to the north (after an artillery duel). Quite a significant day in all reality as it was the beginning of the "break for the coast" by the troops holding the "eastern front". Many individual actions as cut-off groups attempted to bust through the Germans to rejoin their main forces and a few last ditch stands. German artillery and the Luftwaffe were extremely dangerous that day as they seemed to "smell blood" and went for the kill! Dave
Hi Dave Thanks for that, you appear to be the oracle on these matters! I hope to get over there early next year. Do you know of any memorials, places of interest in that area? Thanks. Stuart
Hi Stuart 001 AVORY WR 5825652 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 002 BARBER WJ 5824391 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 003 BARTON RT 65985 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 004 BLAKE RH 5823143 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 005 BUCK RA 5825628 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 006 CADMAN EWC 5823394 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 007 CLEMENTS B 5825738 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 008 COLE HW 5825359 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 009 COULSON AEK 5932516 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 010 CROUCH FW 5932908 1ST BN 29/05/1940 - - 31/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 011 FEW EO 5824963 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 012 FIELD HIT 5824730 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 013 GISSING BS 5825091 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 014 GREER W 7010607 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 015 HAGGER GWJ 5827392 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 016 HARDY JW 5825404 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 017 HERBERT ALC 5826102 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 018 HOWE WF 5825504 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 019 PLAYFORD J 5824458 1ST BN 29/05/1940 - - 16/06/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 020 PURSER L 5825587 1ST BN 29/05/1940 - - 04/06/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 021 RAWLINGS AE 5825631 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 022 RICHARDSON H 5825617 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 023 ROBERTS FAV 77613 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 024 TASSART AWF 5824171 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT 025 TYE WG 5827159 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SUFFOLK REGIMENT On the 28th May 3rd Division took over the 2nd DLM's positions with 8th Brigade moved into the area to hold the canal line from Lizerne to Noordschote. On the 29th May just after dawn the positions along the canal line were heavily shelled and attacks on the 8th Brigades positions were launched but none succeeded in establishing any positions over the canal. During the afternoon 7th Brigade withdrew to Furnes while 8th Brigade still along the canal line was heavily shelled again along with the 9th Brigade. After the shelling 8th Brigade was attacked again and 4th Royal Berks suffered heavy casualties which resulted in them being forced out of Lizerne and away from the canal line. 1st Suffolks on their left flank were forced to withdraw with them. The 4th Royal Berks reserve company counterattacked and moved back into Lizerne but were not strong enough to hold their positions. The reserve company of the 2nd Lincs was used to capture the town and hold it until the next withdrawal. After 2100hrs both 8th and 9th Brigades disengaged from the canal and headed towards the area of Furnes and left their carrier platoons behind to act as a rear guard. When you're next at Kew you may want to have a look at 3 Division and 8 Brigades war diaries to get a understanding of the bigger picture above battalion level. You may find some of the standing orders, intelligence files etc. interesting too. Regards Andy