Bank control on Rhine March 1945

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by alberk, May 17, 2022.

  1. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Mine field.jpg
    Bridge building activity in the background...
     
  2. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Should help to narrow down the time and location.

    The markings on the 3ton lorry are for the anti tank regiment of a Canadian armoured division. 77 on red/blue arm of service square is for anti tank regiment in an armoured division. C prefix to the vehicle census number and maple leaf formation sign are Canadian.

    The Stuart M5 is presumably from the same division and is bridge class 15 so can use a Class 15 bridge.

    White tapes mark lanes, not specifically swept lanes but one can assume the latter. There were usually separate lanes for marching troops, wheeled vehicles and tracked vehicles. Tracked vehicles only use roads in the bank areas if there is no alternative, they tend to destroy them.

    Sweeping does not always find mines, especially if they are in plastic or wooden cases.

    Mike
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2022
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  3. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Thank you, Mike. Very helpful - again!
     
  4. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

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  5. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Thanks, stolpi. Yes, I know those albums - but I will take another look at them.
     
  6. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Finally, some pictures of the men of the 1st Royal Dragoons and their work on the river Rhine during Operation Plunder.
    The original caption says: Marshall, "Jock" and "Spanky"
    1st Dragoons 3 men.jpg
    They are portrayed in front of a horse cart they "liberated" at the Mahnenburg farm. It probably used to carry the owner to mass in nearby Rees on Sundays... now it serves as a command post for their CO, Major Balfour:
    Command post.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2022
  7. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Some more impression of the days the detachsment of the 1st Royal Dragoons spent on the east bank of the Rhine:
    dinner.jpg
    Lt. Bradstock and Trooper Spofford. The Officers in this unit apparently wore khaki drab berets wit an eagle badge, while other ranks wore RAC black beret with a different badge (see post #1).
    break.jpg
    Tea break - the next time I go to Rees I will need to find out whether this photo was also taken at Mahnenburg farm. The buildings look less damaged than those on the other pics.

    Milk for the tea was there for the taking:
    milk.jpg

    Finally the man who took all those pictures in March 1945. He left us a great series that shows his talent as a photographer - by no means something you could take for granted. This is Trooper Walter Sandifer:
    Sandifer.jpg
     
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  8. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Thank you Alberk for posting - I know the pictures for a long time, but have always been struggling with the location. Did recognise the church of Hönnepel, but thought that the other pictures were taken in the 12 Corps sector (... not!).

    Now I have to rewrite my Rhine Crossing thread ... :wacko:
     
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  9. Sapper8863

    Sapper8863 Junior Member

    Looks like it's a M4A2 DD.

    Welded hull without the wider spacing of the M4A4 hulls.

     

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