Has anyone read of/know of this incident in the beginning of April 1945 when a bridge was blown up, resulting in the death of 22 paras? Its part of a thread from one of the Smollan brothers - Harold the youngest of three brothers killed during WW2. He rests in peace in Becklingen Cemetery in germany - so my guess would be that the incident happened around that area. Yours, Bill :thankyousign:
Geoff's Search Engine found these in Geoffs site 18 Paras out of the list of 26 shown buried in Becklingen cemetery all killed on 7.4.1945 and all from 7th Battalion Parachute regiment.Also another 3 who died on the 8th and 1 on the 10th
And from Para by Peter Harclerode this "Meanwhile, 7th Parachute Battlion was advancing on Neustadt after clearing the airfield at Wunstorf with the help of 13th Parachute Battalion having reached the town, it found the bridge intact.B company commanded by Major 'Tiger' Reid, was in the lead. As it started to cross the bridge Corporal Taylor, one of the sappers from 591st Parachute Squadron RE attached to the company , spotted that the bridge was prepared for demolition and shouted a warning .Tragically he was not heard.Seconds later as the leading platoon was halfway across the enemy blew the bridge, killing 22 men and wounding several others. However a bridgehead was established by Captain E.G. Woodman, Lieutenant G.B Gush and two men who had been the first to cross the bridge and thus escaped injury".
wtid45 kindly dug up some info for me from Para by Peter Harclerode this "Meanwhile, 7th Parachute Battlion was advancing on Neustadt after clearing the airfield at Wunstorf with the help of 13th Parachute Battalion having reached the town, it found the bridge intact.B company commanded by Major 'Tiger' Reid, was in the lead. As it started to cross the bridge Corporal Taylor, one of the sappers from 591st Parachute Squadron RE attached to the company , spotted that the bridge was prepared for demolition and shouted a warning .Tragically he was not heard.Seconds later as the leading platoon was halfway across the enemy blew the bridge, killing 22 men and wounding several others. However a bridgehead was established by Captain E.G. Woodman, Lieutenant G.B Gush and two men who had been the first to cross the bridge and thus escaped injury". does anyone have any photos of the bridge? before/after? further citations? etc
found the memorial plaque will put all info in the following thread, to prevent duplication http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-cemeteries-war-memorial-research/25070-ajex-smollan-brothers.html
note added by son of a surviver:- Harry Smollan did not die on the bridge at Neustadt. He was blown up by a mine on the road between Neustadt and Wuntsdorf on the morning of April 7. My father was his friend in the 7th Parachute Battallion and witnessed his death. In 2005 I took my father back with the Heroes Return campaign to the spot and an elderly German came out and filled in the gaps. Harry Smollan was buried by the family in their garden. He laid there until the mid-1950s when he was reinterred at Becklingen. My dad formed a friendship with the family who buried him. We have just been back (dad is now 84). Dad says a prayer over the spot where he was blown up and then visits him in Becklingen. If anyone, such as the Smollen family, wishes to know more about Harry's final days get in touch via this thread. Dad witnessed the Neustadt bridge blown up later on the 7 April. he then buried the corpses on a small piece of ground by the bridge. We have photos of that if anyone wishes to get in touch. In particular Dad remembers Edward 'Lofty' Wagstaffe, his great friend who was blown up. Both he and dad were both 18. the battallion ended up deep in East Germany at Wismar. They had to pull back a fortnight after VE Day and the land was handed over to the Russians.
Im digging deeper into this - so much so that Im planning to go and interview Mr Lockwood (it would be rude not to as it appears he only lives about 5 miles from my door!) I have the location of where Harold died, courtesy of a boobytrap Has anyone read/copied the war diaries for this action? and would like to assist me? Im happy to swap notes on Mr Lockwoods interview
more info and photos to follow but here is a quick overview 7(LI) Parachute Battalion on the morning of 07 April 1945 moved in battle order towards Petershagen. The Canadian forces had taken a bridge, and the 7(LI)PB were moving through Canadian lines when it was found that the bridge was of little significance (a canal bridge). 7(LI)PB withdrew and advanced on Wunstorf Aerodrome. With Lt Col Pine-Coffin taking the lead, they moved on the aerodrome and were ambushed. They successfully fought through but took many casualties, including Pte G Jamieson one of two medics, both brothers! They were then given orders to take the town of Neustadt, just north-east of the aerodrome. A & C Company took the direct route into town, whilst B Coy moved along the eastern bank of the river. It was on the approach to the outskirts of the town at approx 3pm that the germans attempted to detonate three boobytraps hidden under the road in culverts. Only one detonated, killing Pte Harold Smollan. If all three had gone off, one casualty would have been Brigadier Poett, commander 6 Airborne As the Battalion moved into the town, the bridge was blown as the troops stormed it at approx 11pm. This resulted in the death of 22 Paras. It is noted that only 4 from this assault made it to the opposite bank - one of which was A Coy 2IC Capt Woodman, who as he ran over the bridge was kicking out the detonators from the explosives. It is presumably this action that only resulted in one of the three bridge arches being destroyed.
Hi Bill. If you know the names of anyone awarded medals I'm happy to dig out the citations for you. Andy
more info and photos to follow but here is a quick overview 7(LI) Parachute Battalion on the morning of 07 April 1945 moved in battle order towards Petershagen. The Canadian forces had taken a bridge, and the 7(LI)PB were moving through Canadian lines when it was found that the bridge was of little significance (a canal bridge). 7(LI)PB withdrew and advanced on Wunstorf Aerodrome. That was probably the canal bridge at Lahde, across the Mittellandkanal. But the chronology does not make sense to me. It is 40km by road from Petershagen to Wunstorf. I used to go to school in Petershagen, and grew up in Loccum, half-way between Wunstorf and Petershagen. All the best Andreas
That was probably the canal bridge at Lahde, across the Mittellandkanal. But the chronology does not make sense to me. It is 40km by road from Petershagen to Wunstorf. I used to go to school in Petershagen, and grew up in Loccum, half-way between Wunstorf and Petershagen. All the best Andreas Hi Andreas He didnt mention the date of the Canadian canal bridge incident, but the date on taking the Wunstorf airfield is correct Just found this - taken by 5 Army Film and Photography Unit on 08 Apr 45 The hangar had a Ju 88 and a few Bf109's this is an old shot of the bridge from the Stadts archive this photo is facing south, A & C Coy came along the route to the right of the photograph the blast destroyed the arch to the right of the picture the house on the left (opposite bank) the woman gave first aid to the injured troops. she was osterocised by the locals for many years after. 7 (LI)PB held the town, and 15 Scots came through and continued the advance whilst 7 rested and waited for reinforcements
Ah okay. This explains it. Seems to have been 5 April in Petershagen, which does make sense. Rhine to Elbe 1944-5 All the best Andreas
photo taken by Lt Col RG Pine-Coffin on 08 Apr 1945 severe damage done to one arch, with substantial damage done to the middle arch Bailey bridge used to enable the use of the bridge the trees to the left of the picture highlight the force of the blast the bridge as it is now - clearly showing the damage to the first arch extract from unit diary 7th April 1945 Place: Petershagen 0945 - Bn moved off in TCVs and proceeded EAST until engaged by enemy defending airfield at 1430-1530. 2000 - Airfd and several planes captured after a battle. Casualties - 6 killed, 21 wounded. Place: Neustadt Bn moved forward cleared MOURSDORF and captured river bridge at NEUSTADT. Bridge blown up by when 2 pls of B Coy were across and one pl was crossing. Casualties 19 killed, 19 wounded 6 missing. 8th April 1945 Place: Neustadt 0500 - A Coy relieved B Coy on other side of river. PW brought in during night - 3 offrs and 28 ORs. One of offrs a Lt-Col of SS Panz Gren. 9 PW brought in later in the day. 9th April 1945 Place: Neustadt Bn occupied same posns. 1330 - 2 PW brought in. 10th April 1945 Place: Neustadt PW totalling 17 brought in during day. 2030 - Several enemy aircraft dropped bombs in town area. 11th April 1945 Place: Neustadt Bn occupied same posns. During day 19 PW brought in. 12th April 1945 Place: Neustadt Bn rested. 5 PW brought in during day. 13th April 1945 Place: Neustadt 1930 - Bn moved in tpt to CELLE 590504.
Fatalities from this days action alone (wunsdorf aerodrome and neustadt bridge) AITKEN, Archibald Donaldson. Pte 20 years of age BRADLEY, Raymond Wilfred. Pte 19 CAIRNS, Thomas. Pte 19 CORBETT, Horace William. Pte 29 CORNELL, Sidney. Sgt 31 DAVIES, Stuart Paul. Pte DODD, George Spencer Pte GALLAGHER, Joseph Pte GRAY, Arthur Sylvester Cpl GREEN, John Walter. Pte 23 HUDSPETH, John William. Pte 18 JAMIESON, George McKinnes. Pte RAMC 25 JEFFERSON, Peter Rowland. Pte 18 KEWLEY, Lawrence William Edward. Pte 21 LAKIN, Eric William. Pte 23 PAPE, John Charles. Lt 25 PARKIN, Sydney George. Pte PITTS, George William. Pte PLANT, Clifford Ronald. Cpl 20 POWLESLAND, William James. Pte 19 SAUNDERS, John Michael. Pte 21 SMOLLAN, Harold. Pte 19 SPROSTON, Sidney. Pte 22 STANSFIELD, George. Pte 18 WAGSTAFF, Edward. Pte 18 WATKINS, Alfred George. Pte 28 WILKINS, Alan. Pte 23 WILMOTT, Joseph. L/Cpl 20 May they all rest in peace
Hello friend, I hope you may be able to help me please. My Father 14002827 Private Arthur (Timber) Wood was with 'A' Company 7th (L.I) Battalion. He was wounded January 1945 in the Ardennes, he stepped on a Shu mine which blew off his lower right leg. Can you help with any information ? Kindest Geoff