Hello all, I am researching the 86th Anti Tank Regt RA (5th Devonshires) during WW2, and I am particularily interested in their activities / actions during the last few days of WW2 in and around the Hamburgh area. Can anyone enlighten me on this...? Please
Philip, This is also an important period for me, and I am sorry if my initial post (my first one on this site) is misleading (my fault entirely). I have been trying to research the history of this unit for about 5 years (with little success). The reason I am interested in the 86th is that my Mothers first husband served with this unit from June / July 1944, until May 1945 (when he was killed in Hamburg), and I am trying to find out where / when / and why, on her behalf. My mum has letters of thanks from the people of Holland from the time his unit passed through that area, and any information you could give me would be very much appreciated. Best regards, Pete
Welcome Pete, here is the list for the Royal Artillery men buried in Hamburg Cemetery, none are of the 86TH AT but some are May 45........ can you tell us a name as he may be buried elsewhere. Geoff's Search Engine this link may also be of use, http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/searching-someone-military-genealogy/7863-86th-anti-tank-regiment-royal-artillery.html
Pete, have you obtained a copy of the 86th's war diary for period in question? It's at the National Archives at Kew, reference: WO 171/4778, 86 Regt. 1945 Jan.- Dec. Lee
Gents, I hope the following is of some interest. It is part of my little 'collection' of documents I am currently hoarding, whilst trying to piece together the bigger picture of the 86th anti tang Regt.............. We do like to receive letters from our members. The following letter comes from John Downes who was a gunner in the 86th Anti Tank (The Devons) RA: Dear Bill, Thank you so much for the polished and welcome new series June 2008 newsletter received this morning. It set me wondering why I had the temerity to join your lot as I was 86th A/Tk of 12 Corps. I looked up my copy of the Bty 340 war diary; in it I felt I had some connection with you all as I noted on the 30th June 44 near Coulombs we came under command of 214 Infantry Bde, 43rd Wessex Division at 0700 hrs and by 1400 hrs we had 5 men wounded by shrapnel. At Colville and Verson our troop came under command of 129 Bde but after some argument returned to 214. By July my own troop, K Troop, came under command of 130 Bde where our main function seemed to be knocking out OP’s viz aerodrome towers etc. On 7 July at 2200 hrs we handed over our role to 8 Corps, A/Tk Regt. Our next contact with the Wyverns was from January 15th at Geilenkirchen and Gangelt when each of our batteries provided 17 pdr anti tank cover for the respective squadrons of the Guards Armoured Division in deepest snow, this was our first real sally into Germany. Our troop was with the Coldstream Guards, we were not released until the 25th January. Surely your members will remember Waldenratte, Scherwaldenrath, Heinsberg and surrounding villages. As I write I am looking at a “secret” minefield map we used compiled from captured documents enemy and allied collated by G and RE 43rd Division. My abiding memory is looking out of our SP turret and seeing the Dorsets line up for an attack on the wood in front. The order “fixed bayonets!” (the only time I heard it in action). As they advanced the enemy magically dissolved and the wood was empty. Such memories after nearly 65 years Yours sincerely John Downes” An attack on Harburg started from Jesteburg, with 5th RTR, 9th DLI and 'I' Company 1st Rifle Brigade, along the autobahn at Hittfeld, but with the bridge 3,000 yards east of Hittfeld being blown, it could go no further. At this time it was noted that the Germans were no giving up, as ships crews, stevedores, policemen and firemen from Hamburg, submarine crews, a few SS troops, Paratroops, normal Wehrmacht, school boys and Volksturm Home Guard all were now fighting. They were supported by a powerful army of 88mm guns now not needed to the air defence of the Hamburg. Additionally, many thousands of armed men were still at large in the forests. However, the DLI still took the village of Maschen on 21st April, but it did take four days for 53rd Division, helped by 1st RTR to clear up a Hungarian SS unit, a German tank destroyer battalion and numerous Panzerfaust teams out of woods nearby. Eventually over 2,000 prisoners were taken. On 28th April, 3rd RHA shelled a Rubber Works in Hamburg and on the 29th a deputation from the city came out to discuss surrender. The negotiations went on for some time, but on 1st May General Woltz's staff car under a white flag approached the 'D' Company 9th DLI. Two staff officers were then taken to Battalion HQ. Admiral Doenitz had ordered General Keitel to order General Woltz to surrender the city of Hamburg to the Desert Rats. That night news of Hitler's death in Berlin was on the radio and on 2nd May General Woltz (the commander of Hamburg) arrived at Divisional HQ to discuss the arrangements for the surrender, which was taken by Brigadier Spurling on the afternoon of 3rd May 1945. That same afternoon, the 11th Hussars led 7th Armoured Division into the ruined city. 'C' Squadron 11th Hussars, with 8th Hussars and 3rd RHA were then sent to nearby Pinneburg, to secure it too. On the night of 4th May the news came of the surrender of German forces in Germany, Holland, Denmark and Norway and that hostilities were to cease at 08:00 the next morning. After the surrender of Hamburg some units from the Division moved onto to Kiel, which many were glad to do because of the stench of the dead in the rubble. There they found large numbers of German troops who hard escaped from the the Russians on the Eastern Front. When VE day was to be declared on 8th May 1945 the Division found itself at Kiel and in Hamburg on 8th May 1945. However, the Divisions long march was still not quite over. More to follow...................
In addition to the above, the person I am looking for more info on is Gnr W B Cook who was killed on the 8th May 1945, and is buried in Hamburgh (I have allready seen the CWWGC entry for him) and I would love to see more images of his grave as well as more unit details at this time please.
