The Defence of Hondeghem by K Bty 5 RHA

Discussion in '1940' started by idler, Sep 17, 2009.

  1. E McVeigh Family

    E McVeigh Family Junior Member

    It was a strange yet amazing experience. Mum never new her Dad and so I never new my Grand Dad but to meet someone who spent so much time with him and fought along side him was, well I can't explain how I feel about that. Maybe happy and sad at the same time is one way of describing it.
    We met so many people all there for the same reason, all wanting to remember so many brave men and I feel privaliged to have been just a very small part of it all. We met the Mayor of Hondeghem and spent all day with the villagers who came out to have a look at us and then spend the morning drinking coffee with us and offering us the local speciality...... bread with pork dripping and pepper. Quite nice actually. I could go on but I will bore you all to your wits end.
    Jane. X
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I've identified (I believe) the German formations that were at Hondeghem but the source is not very clear as to who was doing what and where.

    Being next to useless regarding German units can anyone confirm who attacked Hondeghem at the end of May 1940?

    What were the higher formations (Brigade or Div)?

    Is there any online sources for War Diaries etc?

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  3. brian frost

    brian frost Junior Member

    Hi all,
    can I add something, the remains of the German machine were in K Battery's history room, perhaps Pat can confirm this.
    From a copy of a German report originally sent to Gnr. Manning's daughter, Kathleen in 1983, the attack on Hondeghem was led by an advance party of ( I think) Von Ravenstein's combat team. the report lists the 3rd company of Panzer Battalion 65 commanded by Captain Lowe with the 2nd company of Rifle Reg. 4 reinforced by a heavy machine gun platoon a mortar section,1 anti-tank gun, an anti-tank platoon,a platoon of light anti-aircraft guns and half a battery 8.8 anti-aircraft guns.
    If I can get the report scanned or copied would anybody like a copy ?
    Regards, Brian.
     
  4. op-ack

    op-ack Senior Member

    Brian

    I'd love a copy if you can get one. Thnaks for posting this interesting snippet of information.

    I am sure there is potential here for a small booklet on the battle giving details from both sides, all we need is an author.

    Cheers

    Phil
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I've decided to stop the research as what was ment to be a quick project is potentially going to take up too much time and distract me from other projects. I'll post my pictures (around 100) in the next week or so with the info I have ref the battle. I asked PatJ, the regiments BSM, last month ref the MG in their history room and he hasn't replied. Sounds a bit like that Guards RSM that posted on here ;)

    Anyway as with all threads others can add to it as more info comes into the public domain.

    Cheers
    Andy

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  6. op-ack

    op-ack Senior Member

    Andy

    I know what you mean, between updating my book on RA Terms and co-authoring the Battery History of 88 (Arracan) I don't have much spare time either!

    Phil
     
  7. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Brian/Phil: have you seen the report in post no.41 of this thread - is it the same one, or is there more?
     
  8. op-ack

    op-ack Senior Member

    Idler

    Thanks for that, I hadn't seen that post.

    Phil
     
  9. brian frost

    brian frost Junior Member

    Hi Andy,
    Have just spoken to my cousin re him telling me of SS executing my uncle, his source was verbal about 20 years after the war so there is no verifiable proof and he is getting on in years( a child during the war) so maybe he is mixing up with other events at other places. Maybe there was a small SS presence in St Sylvestre that was not part of any listed group.
    I have seen the picture you posted of the gun left in St Sylvestre and it is possible that my uncle was the driver of that sub, no way of knowing but as a point of interest, when I first met Ralph Opie some 6 years ago, I said I was related to Gnr. Frost he instantly said " Oh yes, he was a driver", I was very pleased that he could remember him so quickly after so many years.
    Regards, Brian.
     
  10. brian frost

    brian frost Junior Member

    Hi Phil,
    I don't have access to a scanner yet but will get report copied at work, will keep you posted.
    Regards, Brian.
     
  11. op-ack

    op-ack Senior Member

    Hi Phil,
    I don't have access to a scanner yet but will get report copied at work, will keep you posted.
    Regards, Brian.

    Thanks Brian

    Have you ever been to Firepower in Woolwich? If not, it's worth a trip and if you let me know when your going, I'd be happy to be your guide.

    Phil:)
     
  12. idler

    idler GeneralList

  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers Andy,

    I see that blasted map has popped up again-There must be an earlier article to all of thos posted about this battle because none mention the ditched lorries or the significance of Gnr Perry on the map.

    By the way I found where the lorries were ditched - Its a moat/pond in the grounds of a private house I went sneeking around in :D My guess it was an ambush as the lorries were bringing troops up to join the attack.
     
  14. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The War Illustrated, 4 Oct 1940, courtesy of OpanaPointer's fine work
    [​IMG]
     
  15. brian frost

    brian frost Junior Member

    Hi Phil, have been to Firepower twice but happy to go again, am on leave for 2 weeks from Friday 25th, can give you copies of German reports at Firepower, my mobile no. is xxxx.
    cheers, Brian.
     
  16. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Hi Phil, have been to Firepower twice but happy to go again, am on leave for 2 weeks from Friday 25th, can give you copies of German reports at Firepower, my mobile no. is xxxx.
    cheers, Brian.

    Hi Brian I suggest you contact Phil by PM and give him your mobile no. that way

    Regards
    Diane
     
  17. JCB

    JCB Senior Member

    Just read this thread ,very interesting, and a tribute to the defenders that the German 2nd Lt. Kelletat describes events as a 'struggle with the English elite troops'
     
  18. brian frost

    brian frost Junior Member

    As a tribute to those who fought at Hondeghem & St Sylvestre here is the only photo I have of my uncle in uniform, taken with my father, John William Frost who is on the left in RASC uniform.
    Does anyone know if the lack of insignia on George's uniform denotes that he was still undergoing basic training prior to joining a battery ?
     

    Attached Files:

  19. jerrymurland

    jerrymurland Junior Member

    The German report on the battle is very interesting and I see it is addressed to Kathleen Manning. Should I wish to quote from it does anyone have the detail of who wrote it and where it came from?

    Jerry
     
  20. jerrymurland

    jerrymurland Junior Member

    Does anyone have the reference for TSM Opie's account of the battle please?

    Jerry
     

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