Hi All My Uncle, Elias Sterio, was killed at Le Pont de la Guillette on the 13th June 1944, just wondering if anyone has any info ???? BC
Originally posted by BrianCymru@Jul 11 2004, 05:48 PM Hi All My Uncle, Elias Sterio, was killed at Le Pont de la Guillette on the 13th June 1944, just wondering if anyone has any info ???? BC Hi Again Photos of my recent trip >> http://community.webshots.com/user/briancymru Went to be at the graveside 60 years after he was killed, to the day. BC
Originally posted by Paul Reed@Jul 12 2004, 05:28 PM Hi Brian - and welcome to the forum. I will have a look at what I have and post back later. Thanx Paul, you`re a gent Brian
Here is the extract from the battalion War Diary: 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry 13th June 1944 Battalion left area of Conde for final, objective main road Hottot-Juvigny. “A” Company advance along the main road Bayeux-Tilly, left the main road at Pont de la Guillette heavily engaged by mortars and MGs. “A” Company was pinned down and suffered heavy casualties. It appeared the area was strongly held and the C.O. decided a company attack on the right flank to take the enemy in the rear. “B” Company took off on this mission following the line of a small stream. The forward platoon was hit by a salvo of bombs from a Nebelwerfer killing two men and wounding six. As the enemy kept his fire on the line of the stream, they were pushed over the high ground towards the Farm with two reserve platoons. The enemy positions were heavily engaged by our mortars and artillery and a troops of tanks. 12 Platoon of “B” Company attacked the farm covered by 2” mortars smoke. The platoon reached the farmhouse under smoke. They were shot up badly from the hedges. They re-organized and attacked again supported by a tank. The attack was broken up by M/G and mortar fire. “B” Company withdrew and re-organized along the hedge row, 200 yards from the farmhouse. “A” & “B” Companies dug in. “C” & “D” Companies went forward and dug in casualties were heavy and at 2030 hours the Brigade Commander ordered the Battalion to withdraw. “A” & “B” Companies suffered very heavy losses. 5 Officers including the 2nd.i/c of both companies were wounded. 7 ORs were killed, and 42 wounded. The line from Tilly to Longevres was the german first line of defence, and was strongly held.
Here is a modern map of the area where the 6th DLI were fighting that day. Hope it's all of interest.
Originally posted by Paul Reed@Jul 13 2004, 05:38 PM Here is a modern map of the area where the 6th DLI were fighting that day. Hope it's all of interest. Thanx Paul My Uncle was one of the first down the lane, We went there 0n the 13th June. We found it by accident, it`s a peaceful place there now .. took some photos that can be viewed at: http://community.webshots.com/user/briancymru Thanx again for the info Brian
Hi, Thought I`d share this DLI veterans account of the actions at Pont de la Guillette published in the North East Press some years ago;- Le Pont de la Guillette 'EDDIE always said that 13 was his lucky number, but he wasn't lucky that day," says Ken Lodge. "On the 13th, we walked into the unknown." Ken, now 78, has just laid a poppy by the white headstone belonging to Private Eddie Fenwick. He was 18 when he died on June 13, 1944. "I can remember the date we met," says Ken. "It was November 18, 1943. We were called up and I met him at Brancepeth Camp and we became good friends." Ken came from Pelton; Eddie came from Birtley, and their training was targeted at the invasion of Normandy. "He lasted a week, Eddie," says Ken, the warm May sunshine making his forehead beneath his beret as moist as his eyes. "He was just in front of me. I think I heard him say something like 'mother', I don't know. Then he was just lying there... "And Bennett (Private Cyril Bennett, 30, from Liverpool) was lying in a ditch as if he had just rolled into it, and the lad behind was hit in both legs and the chap opposite had his wrist smashed open - I could see all the bones in his wrist - and I could hear the bullets buzzing as they went into the ground. "They come so close you can feel them burn you. They sting a bit with their speed. "I was the only man in my section of eight that was not killed or hit." The 6th Battalion had been moving south down the road from Bayeux to Tilly-sur-Seulles. A Company had turned off towards Le Pont de la Guillette and walked straight into an ambush. "The Germans were waiting for us at the top of the bank. I never hit the ground so fast in all my life," he says. "I honestly thought I was gone." "I played dead. All went quiet. Very slowly, I crawled backwards, gradually shedding my cumbersome equipment." "Then I got to the bank and stood up and ran like the clappers and I had to scale trees that had been blown over by the artillery and the men lying under them," he says, barely stopping for breath. "I was absolutely terrified." "I made it to safety. Four dead, three severely injured, and me without a scratch." "We went back to that area a couple of days later and the boys were black, still lying there," he says, "and I recognised Eddie by his red hair..." Regards Verrieres
