Herbert, I can't help you too much on this issue, but welcome to the boards, and do tell us about yourself.
Welcome Herbert, This was previously discussed by Kieron Hill on this forum in October 2004 in the "War in Europe". Hope it assists you in your search. http://www.ww2talk.com/lofiversion/index.php/t1015.html
My father was taken prisoner of war at the Battle of Petegem on the 21st May 1940. He was in C Company of the Buffs Regiment and said the only reason he survived was because they dug very deep trenches, though he also said a lot of men were killed and that after 48 hours of German bombardment they endured 24 hours of British bombardment....though how accurate he was with this I'm not sure! He said he was operating a big water cooled machine gun with a Canadian during the battle. Their position was overun eventually and he was taken across the Escaut canal in a small boat. I took him back to where he was captured not long before his death in 2002 and part of the area now has a country club on it and then sugar beet fields. He said he could see Oudenarde from where he was based and they had a 'final' meal in a barn prior to battle.
Hi Zeppman and welcome to the forum. I believe the gun your father was firing would be a Vickers Medium Machine Gun. Do you have any pictures from your trip? Regards Andy
Hi Zeppman and welcome. Do you know which battalion of the Buff's your Father served in? It sounds like the 2nd. The father of a good friend also served with the Buff's. He was badly wounded, survived and also spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stalag IXC. If you don't have a copy of the battalion war diaries, let me know, as I do and can let you have them. Regards - Rob
Rob. As I recall my father was in the 2nd Battalion, C Company. I have a group photo with names listed underneath and my mum has his address book still from back then. I have a copy of the battalion war diaries.
Hi Zeppman and welcome. Do you know which battalion of the Buff's your Father served in? It sounds like the 2nd. The father of a good friend also served with the Buff's. He was badly wounded, survived and also spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stalag IXC. If you don't have a copy of the battalion war diaries, let me know, as I do and can let you have them. Regards - Rob Hi Rob, would you by chance have a copy of the 5th Bn The Buffs War Diary by E.H. Allen? Regards Jack.
Hi Rob, would you by chance have a copy of the 5th Bn The Buffs War Diary by E.H. Allen? Regards Jack. Hi Jack I sure do. Have sent you a message. Regards - Rob
Some photos added from my excursion with my Father to Petegem and River Escaut in 2002: Escaut - a set on Flickr
JackW just realized you're in Ramsgate. I'm north side in Westgate. Just after my Father's death in 2002 his one and only wish was I visit the RBL Branch in Ramsgate and let them know. I met a guy there who was a POW with him all them years a go. The RBL offered a flag and two standard bearers for his funeral though I declined the Bugler playing the Last Post as I don't think he would've wanted the whole event cast into the shadow of his military life, it accounted for 6 years of his life and he did a lot else besides but a kind offer nonetheless. I'm not sure he was too keen on the Bugle, now if they could've played it on an Accordion, he was an Accordionist for most of his life, we may have had a deal!
Great pictures...That must have been some trip with your dad telling you what happened and where. I take it you have the Bn's War Diary?
Hi Zeppman. Looked at the foties on flicker. My dad was in the 5Bn Buffs, and was captured at Boulogne on 26th May, his POW No. was 611. What camp was your dad at? Regards Jack.
Drew yes I'd like a hi-res copy thanks. My mum still has my dad's copy of the Battalion's War Diary in a hard backed blue cover with the Buffs Dragon on the front. I studied the map in the book before we went on the trip but yours is better detailed. I recognise the loop in the river underneath where it says RSM White. My Father was wandering around there saying he thought he recognised the space. He said he was dug in next to a small house which was overun by Germans so he threw a grenade into it. I said he probably demolished it! The image of the large house shown in my photos is I think the Chateau marked on the map you have presented Drew. Jack my father was in Stalaag XXB, Marienburg, he worked on a farm at Rosenburg, he was sent too to Gotenhafen. I have his war diary that for whatever reason the Army had typed up at the end of the war. I'll scan it to the forum for you guys to have a read. The dates are a bit of guess work apparently but accurateish if not a complete contradiction! Email me david.chamberlain <at> rocketmail.com
Perhaps you would like a copy of the whole War Diary from 1939 to 1940? There are more sketch maps etc. I think you may have a regimental history book rather than a copy of the War Diary held at the National Archives at Kew. Regards Andy
Drew....sounds like a deal. Thank you. You're right, it is the Regimental History Book. I've read your T&Cs and agree. Here is a link to my Father's own diary, Covers 1940 and mainly 1944-45, there is one smaller element I have to type up myself for April 1945 that I will post as soon as I can: WarDiary - a set on Flickr
