I know I ask many questions. But you chaps/guys know so much. 1. Going back to an old Thread started by Lofty1: Arnhem picture help request. Why is the soldier clearly seen in the photo not wearing his Denison smock? Who made the decision to take them off? The soldier? or command? Can someone go back to that thread and circle the location of the other two soldiers? Are they across the street by the small sign? Left side? 2. Trailing Parties at Arnhem? I am speaking of any member of a unit that did not go to Arnhem in 1st Airborne main drops. Is it possible, or known that any of these soldiers made it up to the area where the Division Perimeter was (Oosterbeek/Driel) ? To assist in the evacuation? 3. Were all the seriously wounded/injured in the Divisional Perimeter surrendered? Is it possible/known that any were evacuated with Division? Thanks Regards Ttyman
I'm afraid that I can't help with point 1, but ref 2, yes there were some personnel that crossed late in the battle. Lieutenant Colonel Haddon the CO of Ist Battalion the Border regiment had a couple of aborted glider flights, eventually crossed over tio Nijmegen and was transported up to Driel. He crossed with I think 2 or 3 more from his glider on the 24th in the company of the 4th Dorsets, but was captured on the 25th. Major Anson CO of A Company, 10th Parachute Battalion also crossed with the Dorsets. He died as a POW on the 29th There were also a number of men not part of the airborne operation who reached Driel via the seaborne tail and subsequently crossed. Captain Percy Louis of 133 PFA attempted to cross on the 24th with 4 orederlies. He was killed during the crossing.Captain Jimmy Tiernan had a party of 20 men of 181 PFA who I believe crossed on the 24th, as did Major Herford of 163 PFA I understand two men from the RASC crossed with supplieas, but the boat was destroyed and they had to swim back on the 24th. They were Driver Chilton and Corporal Varney. Various officers crossd from other units. Captain Henniker did so to take command of the boats during the evacuation. Captain Trotman and Captain Thomas 'Zeke' Rose, crossed on the 24th. They were RA me from 477 Battery 112 (West Somerset Yeomanry) Field Reiment. Trotman was captured and Rose was hit on the 25th near the Old Church, dying of his wounds on the 28th You may also be aware that a couple of the gliders did crash south of the river in the early two days of the operation and the personnel aboard got up to Driel and crossed north using the ferry
With regards to point 3, I know that some of the walking wounded crossed to safety on the night of the 24th, using the boats from the operations referred to above. I think Middlebrook says 24 men, but I'm not at home so don't have the book to hand. I also recall that one of the padres, I think it was Captain/Reverend Watkins, led a party of wounded from Kate ter Horst's house down to the river during the evacuation. Although mostly walking wounded, I believe it included a number of stretcher cases. He managed to persuade the waiting troops to give his party priority and they crossed in a couple of boats.Not satisfied with that, he returned by boat to the north bank and headed off to the KTH house to get some more wounded. Unfortunately, they were too late to secure any more boats, but he swam back to the south side. Quite a story!
Hi teletypeman, In the case of this soldier the easiest thing to do would be to ask him, which is what I will do. As for the other two soldiers, yes they are on the grass opposite, one standing just behind the thin post, and the one laying down is Jim Crow MM, with the gun. ( his name crops up in Churchills Volanteers page 200) hope this helps, lofty
I know of a couple of men who fought minus Denison smocks, both cases say it was down to the state of them, i will let you imagine why, this was later in the Battle obviously.
Another Question? Did American or British soldiers provide security for 1 Airborne Corp, ie Gen. Browning at Groesbeek? Thanks Regards, Ttyman
Another Question? Did American or British soldiers provide security for 1 Airborne Corp, ie Gen. Browning at Groesbeek? Thanks Regards, Ttyman Hi there, the defence of the Air Corps was down to the British - the 70 Glider Pilots from the 35 gliders that arrived (3 failed to arrive) They were due to be supplemented by 20 flight GPR, who would you believe landed at Wolfheze and were expected to move south to Nijmegen. Quite how they coped with two major rivers and many miles of enemy territory seems to have been overlooked. I the event they very wisely ignored the order and stayed at Wolfheze defending the LZ/DZ prior to the second lift. Regards Graham
Thank You Graham. I appreciate your reply. Looked in all the books I have and could find nothing. Regards, Ttyman Gene
Thank You Graham. I appreciate your reply. Looked in all the books I have and could find nothing. Regards, Ttyman Gene Glad to be of help Gene. If I can expand on the details above:- The 6 Wacos were flown by X flight, Chalk nos 488-93 The 32 Horsas were flown by GPR HQ, 18 flight, most of 2 flight (406-30) and elements of 1 flight (481-487). The HQ pilots included Chatterton himself who flew in Browning. In his book he refers to driving around in Browning's jeep so it would seem he took on a personal defence role for a day or two. You are quite right there isn't much in the books on the GPR in Nijmegen, but to be honest they obviously had it very much quieter than their colleagues in Arnhem, as their casualties reflect. Regards Graham
