I'm looking for the war diary entries for dates around November 1944 for the 49th Reconnaissance Regiment, particularly those that have any information about the circumstances surrounding the battle that took place around Panningen / Maasbree area of the Netherlands (19th - 29th November 1944) in which John Tallack and several others were KIA. I know John has been mentioned a few times on the forum (Roll of Honour, etc.) I'm researching this (particularly John Tallack) as I now live in the village in the Netherlands where he is buried (I'm a British expat) and we have recently adopted his grave as part of the CWGC Charity to look after and maintain graves and research those who have fallen. We did this (not only because we want to make sure this is properly looked after and maintained) because I have another relative (great uncle) who was also Recce (44th Recce) who was KIA and buried in Tunisia (Tpr Thomas Steventon). Although I have a wealth of information about my relative, his grave is somewhat further away and more difficult to maintain from such a distance. So we adopted John Tallack's as a way to pay homage to him, my relative and all others who fell defending our nation. Any help with the above war diary would be greatly appreciated!
I'm looking for the war diary entries for dates around November 1944 for the 49th Reconnaissance Regiment, particularly those that have any information about the circumstances surrounding the battle that took place around Panningen / Maasbree area of the Netherlands (19th - 29th November 1944) in which John Tallack and several others were KIA. I know John has been mentioned a few times on the forum (Roll of Honour, etc.) I'm researching this (particularly John Tallack) as I now live in the village in the Netherlands where he is buried (I'm a British expat) and we have recently adopted his grave as part of the CWGC Charity to look after and maintain graves and research those who have fallen. We did this (not only because we want to make sure this is properly looked after and maintained) because I have another relative (great uncle) who was also Recce (44th Recce) who was KIA and buried in Tunisia (Tpr Thomas Steventon). Although I have a wealth of information about my relative, his grave is somewhat further away and more difficult to maintain from such a distance. So we adopted John Tallack's as a way to pay homage to him, my relative and all others who fell defending our nation. Any help with the above war diary would be greatly appreciated!
Recce_Mitch - do you by any chance have this WD that you could do this lookup for me? Many thanks in advance! Lee
You might ask user "jon debman" as he posted entries from C Squadron 49th Reconnaissance Regiment for April 1945 in answer to questions I had. (49th Division's Recce WD - mid-April 1945) Maybe he has November 1944.
jon debnam - is this something you might be able to help me with (please see the OP above, although I seem to have posted it twice for some odd reason!)? Many thanks for all and any help!
You're in luck ! Lt Tallack was in C squadron, the same as my grandfather. I know he was leader of 7 troop, otherwise known as the assault troop. Here's a couple of relevant photos of the campaign diary, which is a diary compiled by C squadron at the end of the war and is now held in Porthcawl Museum. I'll look out for more information for you, but this has an explanation of how he and others of his troop were killed in the same incident. The person who has adopted Trooper Gore's grave has been in contact recently.
Lt Tallack as troop leader would have had a universal carrier, whilst the rest of 7 troop would have used 4 half tracks. My grandfather was in 4 troop, one of the scout troops and would all have blazed around in carriers.
An exert from a recently published book by the son of one of C Squadrons officers, which I luckily stumbled upon. Note that troop 4 and 7 often worked together. Both officers mentioned in this exert were killed in action a short time later.
Hi Jon, Lee was looking for information about Tallack and Ans did the same about Gore. Also killed near Maasbree and buried there is Thomas Watson, also 49th Recce and killed 21 nov. 1944. My niece adopted his grave and is in contact with family of Thomas. Unfortunately they don't have a photo of him. Can you help ?
The Roman Catholic Cemetery in Maasbree (Netherlands) 5 members of 49th Recce (Tallack, Gore, Kirby, Gatenby, Watson). The 6th grave: Westminster Dragoons (Pear).
I'm sorry, Sgt Thomas Watson was in the 49th WR Reconnaissance Regiment but not in C squadron. He appears in the Regiment Roll of Honour, but not C Squadrons. Most of the good detailed information I have is through the squadron diary and other exhibits at Porthcawl Museum but that is only C squadron. You're niece has obviously found the FB research group on the Regiment, which is great for info too. Really sorry i can't offer anything new.
Hi Jon, many thanks for that, although I have to admit I'd already done that myself I also wanted to thank you for all the previous information and images, very much appreciated!
