14431358 Corporal John Edward HORTON, 1st Bn. Worcestershire Regiment: 12/02/1945

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Worcestershire Regiment (29th/36th of Foot)
1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment War Diaries - February 1945


12th Febuary 1945
"D" Coy advancing along the road towards KUKKUK was held up by heavy Spandau fire in area of prominent house - a right flanking manouvre was successfully carried out and clearing operations of KUKKUK were very successful and the position was firmly in our hands by 06.30 hours. A large Arty fire plan had been prepared for the attack on the two final objectives. At 07.15 hrs we were informed that this would not be available for a further three hours. The C.O. took the decision to launch "B" & "C" Coys without fire support. This involved changing the route of "B" Coy (left forward Coy) who now advanced through the wood meeting a little opposition, especially 1 sniper who caused one fatal casualty and delayed the advance for 20 mins. "C" Coy advanced astride the road through "A" Coy commencing 0815 hrs. and meeting some opposition from buildings which they over came with the aid of tank H.E. cleared buildings down to the feature from which point the area X-rds could be dominated by aimed fire and the Coy consolidated in this area. Both "B" & "C" Coys were established on their objectives by 09.30 hours.
Total bag of P.W. to date 3 Officers and 87 O.R's. Casualties to the Bn 2 killed, 14 wounded. As a result of the successful completion of the Bns task to time, 129 Bde commenced a series of attacks S.E. from CLEEVE through part of Siegfried Line defences. "B" Coy pushed forward clearing the remaining buildings to their immediate front. As a result a further 12 P.W. were gathered in. The whole Bn area was heavily shelled from midday to evening as apparently the enemy thought that that a further eastern thrust was coming through, whereas in fact the 129 Bde attack was on a different axis. "C" Coy established contact with left forward of 7 Som. L.I. in HAU and the anti-tank defence was co-ordinated with a view to a likely enemy counter-attack possibly by 116 Panzer Div. on the Bn front. Bn H.Q. was established by 17.30 hours in BEAU CHOISIE.

 

Here's the other 1 Worcs chap killed that day.
CWGC - Casualty Details

BOULTON, JAMES HENRY
Private
4918236
Date of Death:12/02/1945
Age:25
Regiment/Service:Worcestershire Regiment 1st Bn.
Grave Reference56. G. 17.
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
Son of James and Mary Boulton; husband of Gladys Boulton, of Newcastle, Staffordshire.