Hopefully there will be an attachment with this post. They are copies of paperwork I got a couple of weeks ago. There is the German perspective of the battle at Hondghem.
Jane, Many thanks for sharing, most interesting and good to see that not all Germans were 'bad eggs'. It is indeed rare and in my opinion a shame we do not get more accounts of battles from Germans and a shame we do not have any German vets as members on this site. Regards Andy
No problems. I have spoken to my family and we are aimimg to get to Hondeghem for 27th May. I know that the village remember the K Battery and those who fought alongside them each year. The local school children are a part of it all. So I hope to write to the Mayor and ask what is planned for this year. Jane.
Jane, Thanks again for posting that very interesting view from the other side of the hill. Best of luck with the visit - we'll look out for you in Andy's photos.
Hi Jane, Just realised you are going, sadly I think you'll be there a day or two before me. I plan on being in Hondeghem until the Friday or Saturday. Regards Andy
Hi, We will be there until the 30th May. My Grand dad was killed on the 29th so we want to visit his grave then, so you never know. Jane.
Hi Rob, Ref post 17 what software did you use regarding the attachments/pictures etc? I've saved them to my PC but they show up as blank pictures in my 'pictures folder' when I open them with Microsoft Windows Photo Gallery to print them off I get 'Windows can't find this picture.' Any pointers? Can anyone convert them to a Pdf by any chance pleeeeeese Cheers Andy All sorted now.
Hi Jane, I've been reading through 5 RHA's War Diaries and came across this that I thought may interest you: The details below were recorded when the Regiment evacuated back to the UK in 1940.
Hi all, I've just found this site/thread on a google search... My Grandfather was BSM Reg 'Dusty' Millard and I've been trying to find out more about him, the action at Hondeghem and his career... I am aware that he went on to become RSM adn worked with the Kings Troop but know very little else... Unfortunately he passed on back in 16yrs ago and I've (regretably) never really tried searching in earnest before now... a few request to the Regiment but no repsonses.... Any help or pointers would be appreciated... Simon
Hi all, I've just found this site/thread on a google search... My Grandfather was BSM Reg 'Dusty' Millard and I've been trying to find out more about him, the action at Hondeghem and his career... I am aware that he went on to become RSM adn worked with the Kings Troop but know very little else... Unfortunately he passed on back in 16yrs ago and I've (regretably) never really tried searching in earnest before now... a few request to the Regiment but no repsonses.... Any help or pointers would be appreciated... Simon Simon send me your e-mail address by PM and I'll send you a copy of the report I haev of teh action at Hondeghem. I think there is something about your Grandfather in one of my books, I'll see what I can dig up. Phil
Hi Simon and welcome to the forum-Great to have you here ! I've been doing some research regarding the battle as I'm photographing the area and the headstones of the fallen this month and writing a few words to go with the pictures from the battle area today. Your father was indeed at Hondeghem with K Battery and was running the HQ in the centre of the town. As the fighting intensified he personaly got involved firing one of the Batteries 18 pdr guns over open sights at the advancing German Panzers. He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions that day. You should if you are not already be very proud of him. I have a copy of the citation in one of my books if you are not aware of this. Do you have any pictures of your father and could I use a photograph of his medals in the thread I'm going start at the end of the month? Regards Andy
Cheers, Two guns makes sense looking at the lettering for a sub sec. Although the icons suggest one gun where the mark is. There is two guns marked L which is what I assume to be L Troop. K, I and J Troops have only one gun each marked on the map so I wonder if they had already lost a gun each or they were deployed elsewhere off this map? A Just to clear this up from what I've been reading today. The two guns marked with L on the map are the same gun (So there is only one and a total of four guns deployed in the village) and it was man handled during the fighting along the street so it could fire on the Cook Hose that was over run by German Infantry.
Does anyone have any more detail on the bayonet charge in St Sylvestre Cemetery? Specifically looking for British and German positions so I can photograph the direction of the charge towards the German positions. Cheers Andy
Spelling aside, I'm sure there have been plenty of squaddies over the years who would have welcomed that opportunity...
I'm sure I've seen this published somewhere else but this is the St Sylvestre map out of The New Contemptibles:
Thanks Andy... The family are all proud of Granddad.... My, as a jacketed Artillery Officer himself, has the medals that Grandad was awarded with and I have left a message asking him to photograph them so I can pass them on but as he is out of the country at present it may be a little time before I can get them to you... If you can give me the ISBN no for teh book with the reference in I'd like to getr a copy to add to our collection... KR Simon
Simon the book is called 'For Distinguished Conduct in the Field'. FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD.The Register of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1939-1992. - Naval & Military Press Its rather a lot of book for one citation in my opinon though. If you watch this space and can wait until June-When I return from France begining of June I'll have a whole thread posted with pictures of where the battle took place, headstones, copies of the original citations awarded and some excerts from the regiments War Diaries and anything else I can find. Cheers Andy
