Hi all, I am trying to interpret some entries in the 54 Anti-Tank Reg't WD in December (in 52 Div). 16 Dec 52 Div finished relieving 43 Div 17 Dec "RHQ move from Spaubeek to Nieuwenhagen. 304 Battery... deploy in area N of G Ilrath from Hattenrath - Bauchem. CO responsible for coordination of a/tk layout on div front with co-ordination between Gds Armd Div on left and 9 US Army on right" 19 Dec "214 Bty deploy in area Stahe - Gangelt" 25 Dec "RHQ severely damaged by heavy shell or bomb at 1320 hrs. only 2 slight casualties and some vehicles damaged - moves to Brunsum [Brunssum?] at 1630 hrs" 26 Dec "RHQ move to Merkelbreek..." 29 Dec "Enemy attack Kievelberg and Vintalen with the object of their recapture - attack unsuccessful..." 30 Dec "Enemy attacks Tripsrath..." My first problem is that I can't find some of these locations, such as Nieuwenhagen. Having read a bit earlier in the month, I see that Bauchem would be the town or village near Geilenkirchen. The general impression I'm getting is that in conjunction with the attack through the Ardennes, the Germans launched some local attacks along the line from Sittard to Geilenkirchen. Is that right? And 52 Div did not actually move, or not completely move, as part of 30 Corps' efforts to catch the end of the German push in the Ardennes?
Nieuwenhagen : Just search for it with Google Maps and you'll find it ... located half way between Ubach-Palenberg (Germany) and Brunssum (Holland) 52 Div did not move from the area and participated in the clearing of the Rur-triangel (Op Blackcock) in Jan 45.
Gangelt is just across the german border from Brunssum. When stationed at Brunssum, I used to get my car serviced in Gangelt as it was the nearest VW dealer! Chris
I came back to this for writing reasons and ended up having recourse to an American 12 Army Group situation map for December 1944. These are a useful resource that I did not appreciate until now... at least if you have a program that can open JP2 files, which I have on Mac but not on PC. The American government website that hosts them lets you view them, though. The bigger picture is that 52 Division took over from 43 Division as the southernmost division in the line in 2nd British Army. They were at the juncture between the British and American forces. (Image actually from the map of 23 December; there seems to have been a little time lag in the location updates) (I first tried the Canadian "Project 44" mapsite, but they seem to have some data problems in this area, with numerous units being off position.)
Chris - I posted some on 7th Armoured Div over here (including chapter from 7th Armoured Div re Blackcock, didn't check if it also covers Dec 44) : Geleen, The Netherlands & Operation Blackcock
Thanks! I think I might have found and referred to that map on my laptop, but I never finished reading the Blackcock chapter of The Battle for the Rhineland... and now I have bought myself a new printer, partly to be able to print out maps and refer to them while reading.
Please could you help me, I’m new to this- where do I go to find this very war diary? My grandfather was killed in a battlefield accident on 25 December 1944 was in the 214/54th and is buried in Brunssum war cemetery.
Hello! I would be happy to share the files with you. I don't remember if new posters can participate in a "Conversation" (private messages) here or not, but I will try to start a conversation with you. (Check your Inbox) I'm afraid that for 1944 I only have December, and I'm not sure the accident is mentioned 214th battery would have kept its own record, but often those are not included with the regimental war diary (lost).
Thank you so much for taking the time. I did get an email but the link didn’t work. It’s December 1944 that I’m interested in - I can go to Kew to look, what’s their proper title? My grandfather was 38, 1122451 L/Bdr R S Clark in the 214/54th anti-tank regiment, was the driver for 179478 Capt A G Ely(?) RA and was involved with taking rations to the troops at the front - we know this from a hand written letter received from Capt Ely after my grandfather’s death.
