Hi I am trying to find out the movements of 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers on the 21st May 1940. Does anyone perhaps have a copy of the war diaries for that regiment and date? Thanks
From Hallam, John. The History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1939-45, "Aspelare was reached on the morning of 18 May and the men were able to get a few hours' rest. Not long after, however, they were on the move again, 5 miles southwest of Oudenaarde, where on 19 May the battalion took up defensive position along the Schelde (Escaut) Canal on a three-company front. The two following days were devoted to preparation of the new positions, and on the morning of 21 May formed bodies of German soldiers were seen moving forward to the line of the river." The battalion then fought there until about 6pm, when orders came for the Battalion to retire to Tieghem Ridge, which was a half mile or so behind Battalion Headquarters. The CO was killed during the withdrawal. By 7:30pm, the position was as follows: most of the Battalion had taken up defensive positions on the ridge. covered by 'D' Company, which was still in position in front of it. Nothing had been heard of the Carrier Platoon on the right front for some time. Orders for a new withdrawal came at 8:15pm. It was a very tired Battalion that arrived on the morning of 23 May at Roncq, only a few miles from the positions it had started from nine days earlier. As can be seen, there was some movement of the battalion during May 21, 1940.
