Can someone help me finding out where this regiment fought on 13 april 1945. I am trying to find out more about the death of Private James Auchterlonie. Photo Collection - Veterans Affairs Canada During 11-15 april, the Canadian 7th Infantry Brigade made it's way trough south-Friesland rapidly due to the low level of German resistance. So it's a bit difficult to find out where he exactly died.
Can someone help me finding out where this regiment fought on 13 april 1945. I am trying to find out more about the death of Private James Auchterlonie. Photo Collection - Veterans Affairs Canada During 11-15 april, the Canadian 7th Infantry Brigade made it's way trough south-Friesland rapidly due to the low level of German resistance. So it's a bit difficult to find out where he exactly died. Pieter, The Victory Campaign, written by C.P. Stacey, official historian is here:CMP - HTTP Error 404 | CPM - Erreur HTTP 404.1 Pieter, there is an error with the above link...try googling Victory Campaign by Colonel C.P. Stacey... Hopefully that will cover the Regiment's actions during the date in question. I have searched for additional information on the circumstances of the death of Pte J Auchterlonie but was unsuccessful in obtaining any information. Maybe one of the other forum members can be of assistance. Good luck, Randy
Ta da... HyperWar: The Victory Campaign: The Operations in North-West Europe, 1944-1945 Deventer, like Zutphen, lay on the right bank of the Ijssel with its approaches well protected by a maze of waterways. Again it was necessary to attack from the east. After "a very hard struggle" the 7th Brigade crossed the Zijkanaal, running north-east from the town's outskirts, on the evening of 9 April. The Canadian Scottish led the way, capturing the nearby village of Schalkhaar without difficulty. When three German tanks appeared on the morning of the 10th one was quickly destroyed and the others put to flight by "B" Squadron of the 27th Armoured Regiment. At midday Brigadier Gibson's main attack began, with the Canadian Scottish and The Royal Winnipeg Rifles right and left, respectively, and The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, temporarily under command, maintaining pressure against the town's south-eastern approaches. The enemy was forced back to his last major defensive line-an anti-tank ditch surrounding the town--but this did not long delay our troops. Resistance crumbled as many Germans were captured and others attempted to escape across the Ijssel, a manoeuvre rendered hazardous by the cooperating artillery of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. By the evening of the 10th the brigade had occupied the main part of Deventer and, during the night, The Regina Rifle Regiment passed through the Winnipegs, clearing the south-eastern suburbs. Twenty-four hours after the main attack began Deventer was entirely in our hands, much of the credit for the speedy clearing of the town being due to "the extremely-well-organized Dutch Underground". The 7th Brigade's total infantry casualties (including those of the Queen's Own) were 126; the brigade reported capturing about 500 prisoners This map of any use or is it too early? http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/Canada/CA/Victory/sk/Victory-44.jpg
From the regimental history 'Ready For The Fray', a basic description but few details on casualties. 7 Bde left Deventer almost immediately after it was liberated, the CanScots moving just north to take over the positions of the NNSH and HLI. Arriving early on 12 Apr, they began patrolling the area, first bumping into the enemy just south of Olst. Olst was 5 mile N of Deventer, on the Ijssel. B Coy moved to Boschkamp in preparation for an attack at first light 13 Apr, objectives Olst and the nearby ferry. Three patrols of five men (with each patrol was one Dutch Underground guide) went out to test enemy strength and dispositions (night of 12/13 Apr?). 9 of 15 became casualties, including two Dutch KIA. Attack kicked off at 0600 13 Apr in heavy ground mist. Weak resistance on outskirts of town, though significant problems with mines as carriers attempted to get up in support. Pioneer Pl suffered 3W while lifting mines. Platoons steadily pushed into the town, use of a flame-thrower on a pillbox eliminated one of the main defences and shook many of the remaining defenders. By 1230, the enemy had been pushed back to the river, shortly after 35 prisoners bagged and town reported safe.
Owen - That map can be a bit confusing as 1st Cdn Inf had in 2nd Bde - Commanded by Gibson - Seaforths - PPCLI - and Loyal Eddies - 2nd Inf Div had the Scottish - Winnipegs etc Cheers
Ah! Any mention of the formidable artillery support given for this engagement? again NOT! Rob Rob, Charlie Martin (QOR) gives a great deal of credit to the Artillery in his book Battle Diary. Specifically discussing the campaign in Holland, he describes in detail how the level of cooperation between infantry and artillery had evolved into a very effective partnership. He spends a great deal of time on infantry tactics. If memory serves me, he also spoke to the fact that fighting over the exposed and waterlogged Dutch terrain would have been impossible without being 'shot onto the objective'. Feeling better now?
Rob Trust the CANADIANS...kudos to Klambie... and to the mighty Canuck for adding to your arty post. Cheers from the igloos
Thanks very much for your replies all! Awesome! Well, I guess the 7th Infantry Brigade was spearheaded by the Winnipegs or Regina Rifles, because the area of my interest is in the red box. It's around the border of Friesland and Overijssel. Deventer en Zutphen are in the south of Overijssel. The area was already very much under control of the Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten (the Dutch resistance), so it could be liberated very quickly by the Canadians (Royal Canadian Dragoons & 7th Infantry Brigade). So this makes it difficult to research the casualties, like private Auchterlonie.
My pleasure Pieter. Plenty of place names mentioned there to check out. The casualty lists are dreadful, but very comprehensive. Regards - Rob
I wondered if anyone might know what German forces were involved in the attack on 10th April or in and around Deventer and Schalkhaar at that time?
I recently found this map, giving the German dispositions on a somewhat earlier date but I'm not sure of the correctness. I believe 6 FJ Div at the time was already attached to 88. Korps and II. FJ Korps should be further east, near Rheine under 1. Fallschirm Armee. The gap in between was taken over by the make-shift "Armeegruppe Student".
darn, it's a great map but even with my magnifying glass I'm having trouble reading it and making out the units, will keep trying the red lettering isn't very clear but, brilliant stuff and I really do appreciate you sharing it here
