I'm trying to find some information on Exercise SHUDDER II I believe it took place between 24 and 31 March 1944 (British XII Corps). Can anyone assist?
Oddly there are two mentions of an Operation Shudder on 23/3/1944, minus any II. Here is one and the second is from the same book: From GHQ Liaison Regiment: A Nominal Roll with Short Biographies by Ashley Pirt and available via Google Books An undated mention: From The Fighting Wessex Wyverns: From Normandy to Bremerhaven with the 43rd Wessex Division by Patrick Delaforce and available via Google Books. See Post 14: RASC troop carrying in 1944 Armd Divs Google says there is a mention: From: Red Crown & Dragon: 53rd Welsh Division In North-west Europe 1944-1945 by Patrick Delaforce and is available as a PDF via Red Crown & Dragon: 53rd Welsh Division In North-west Europe 1944-1945 [PDF] [20vspkr8gkg0] Two one line items in: War Diaries For 621 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers 1944
Many thanks, David! I've come across the various 'mentions' during my research, but nothing that gives any detail. The "Red Crown & Dragon" book provides the best clue so far. Thank you. My own interest is in 262 Field Company, R.E. (and, in particular, its OC during 1944, Major C.B. Stone).
Initially I thought the exercise was a command post exercise, based on the GHQ Liaison element and then others indicated it was "all hands to the pump". I can only assume it was part of the pre-invasion process, one of many, so no real surprise that little is found. Do you have a location for the exercise? There are a few threads here for 262 Field Company RE, but they are either for 1940, D-Day Juno Beach and Crossing the Rhine, not what you seek. Unless, your subject appears in them. Found via "262 Field Company" + "ww2talk.com"
Sadly, the location is not given in 262's War Diary - just that they took part in 'Exercise Shudder II'. (The Canadian R.E. War Diaries are much more useful!) They had been at Eastwell Park - where they were visited by H.M. The King ('Exercise VIP') - and are next recorded moving to Waterlooville, Hants; then Maidstone (Mote Park) and Bracklesham Bay. I am related to Major Stone, DSO, and have access to a family archive. I'm busy trying to write this up into a paper, for publication.
Again, no detail, but all I have is that it was 12 Corps Exercise "SHUDDER II", between 25-31 March, Bridley Manor near Guildford. Phantom were training their "Adv HQ in providing a rear link for "A" Sqn patrols and passing of information to a fictitious Second Army - a job that they were earmarked to do in the coming invasion" I can't see a report in anything that I have seen currently.
