The Sherwood Rangers in March 1945

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Ramiles, May 2, 2015.

  1. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Hi all,

    Just looking for information and associations with the actions of the Sherwood Rangers in March 1945

    All the best,

    Rm.

    [sharedmedia=gallery:images:28105]

    (Thread work in progress just at the mo. put please feel free to add any info or associations that you may have!)
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2016
  2. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    The Sherwood Rangers in March 1945 - Links

    A Short History of the 8th Armoured Brigade
    Geilenkirchen to the Rhine.: http://www.warlinks....d/chapter_5.php
    The Crossing of the Rhine: The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE

    Operation Plunder: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder

    Some associated units at this time:
    Essex Yeomanry,
    4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards,
    4th Somerset Light Infantry,
    130 Brigade : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/130th_Infantry_Brigade_(United_Kingdom)
    Royal Engineers
    13th/18th Hussars
    12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps,

    WW2talk threads

    The SRY in NWE: Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry (SRY) in North West Europe

    The SRY in Jan 1945: The Sherwood Rangers in January 1945

    The SRY in Feb 1945: The Sherwood Rangers in February 1945

    The SRY in April 1945: The Sherwood Rangers in April 1945

    Maps

    Some maps of the NWE campaign: http://www.westpoint...an theater.aspx

    Operation Varsity Plunder (Mar 24-28) : http://liberationtrilogy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/gall-maps-27.jpg

    Crossing the Rhine: Crossing the Rhine, World War II

    Books

    An Englishman at War - The Wartime Diaries of Stanley Christopherson (Ed. James Holland)
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2018
  3. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    The Sherwood Rangers in March 1945 - Events

    March 1944 SRY: Cleve (Battle honour), Goch (Battle honour), Weeze (Battle honour) to Isselburg Rhine (Battle honour)) See also: http://www.rememberi...8a896cf1ad7.jpg

    A Short History of the 8th Armoured Brigade:
    Geilenkirchen to the Rhine.: http://www.warlinks....d/chapter_5.php
    The Crossing of the Rhine: The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE

    History of the 51st Highland division : http://51hd.co.uk/ac...p_veritable_acc

    Thursday 1st March 1945 - The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and 12th Battalion The King’s Royal Rifle Corps having rejoined, a further assault upon the Weeze defences was launched supported by flame-throwing tanks. By dark the town was surrounded on three sides and during the night patrols entered the outskirts.

    Friday 2nd Mach 1945 - By 1000 hours information came that the town of Weeze had been evacuated which, coupled with the news of the, rapid American advance Northeast from the Roer, gave grounds for belief that the enemy were pulling out completely. The Corps Commander arrived at Brigade H.Q. a few minutes later and gave permission for the 8th Armoured Brigade to follow up with all speed....

    Saturday 3rd March 1945 - Weeze

    Sunday 4th March 1945 - Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Montgomery visit the allied troops at Goch and indicate that the next operation would involve crossing the Rhine.

    5th March 1945 - The Wehrmacht began calling up 15- and 16-year old boys. Advance elements of the U.S. First Army entered Cologne. The 19th Army of the Soviet 2nd Belorussian Front captured Köslin.

    6th March 1945 - Kevelaer, Geldern, Issum.


    7th March 1945 - SRY pulled out of battle and harboured in Issum

    8th March 1945 - SRY at rest. Tanks maintained.

    9th March 1945 - SRY received orders to support by indirect fire an attack on Alpen but returned to billets as plan cancelled.

    10th March 1945 - SRY leave Issum and move to area Hees north of Geldern

    11th March 1945 - Orders to prepare to concentrate in the Goch area.

    12th March 1945 - SRY move to Goch area

    13th March 1945 - SRY in billets amidst the rubble of Goch.

    14-24th March 1945 - Training etc. prior to Operation Plunder (The crossing of the Rhine).

    Saturday 24th March 1945 - Operation Plunder (The crossing of the Rhine): http://en.wikipedia....eration_Plunder

    "The shambles which was Rees held out longer than was expected with the result that bridging operations had to be carried out by the Royal Engineers under direct fire from the East bank. Tank ferries were established by the evening of the 24th and the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards began to cross; "

    With some detail of this under "One more River to Cross – Operation Turnscrew – The Crossing of the Rhine" - about 90% of the way down the webpage at: http://www.creullyclub.freeuk.com/sept05.htm

    Sunday 25th March - Monday 26th March 1945 - The 13th/18th Hussars and Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry cross the Rhine.

    Tuesday 27th March 1945 - 8th Armoured Brigade H.Q., the 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps and the Essex Yeomanry, who had been supporting operations from the West bank, made the Rhine crossing over the very fine Class 40 bridge.

    Wednesday 28th March 1945 - Rees and the surrounding area hold out longer than expected but by 28th March a breakthrough enabled the capture of Isselburg.

    Thursday 29th March 1945 - SRY move to Dinxperlo in the Netherlands for a brief, much needed rest.

    Friday 30th March 1945 - "The 8th Armoured Brigade with under command 4th Somerset Light Infantry in Kangaroos was loosed on Operation "Forrard On"; though as usual a break out battle had to be fought which lasted all day. 4th Somerset Light Infantry advanced on the right axis with 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps on the left both supported by 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. By evening the outskirts of Varsseveld were reached and 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps on the left were in Silvolde. The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps were brought up to assist. Twenty-five miles were covered during this day." : The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE

    Saturday 31st March 1945 - "Fresh orders now arrived. The Brigade was to capture crossings South of Delden away to the East. Having handed over the Lochem area to 129 Brigade and 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, the force was under way by 0400 and, headed by two troops of the Royals, covered 15 miles at a remarkable speed. The bridges, however, were blown but a crossing seemed possible by a lock gate Southwest of Delden. B Company 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps put in a very bold attack but found the position to be strongly held with well-concealed Spandaus and heavy mortar fire. After a most gallant attempt in which severe casualties were suffered the Company was withdrawn. The 130th Brigade with Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps under command, was now brought up and directed upon Hengelo by way of Enschede which stood at the head of the Twente Canal. Hengelo offered little resistance and the Brigade consolidated in that area. One of the V.2 supply routes into Holland had thus been cut. The 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps pushed out in the evening towards Delden, patrolled during the night, and in the morning linked up with the forward troops of 4th Canadian Armoured Division advancing from their bridge-head over the Twente Canal.
    While plans for the further advance were being made Lieutenant-Colonel Phayre, commander of the Essex Yeomanry, was promoted to C.R.A. 11th Armoured Division, and his place was taken by Major Bob Hodges." :
    The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2023
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  4. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Last edited: Oct 20, 2016
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  5. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Hard Fighting: A History of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry 1900-1946
    By Jonathan Hunt

    Has some details (google books can also show in preview) on "Operation Plunder" and the SRY in March 1945...

    Hard Fighting
     
  6. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    IWM: Leppard, Ernest William Philip (Oral history)

    (Among a lot of other things, contains a lot of interesting coverage of the SRY over Feb-March 1945)

    ERNEST WILLIAM PHILIP LEPPARD, (ORAL HISTORY)

    e.g. "2/1945-3/1945: firing into forest; plan for attack on Cleeve; character of advance through forest; arrival in Cleeve; German defence of Cleeve; knocking out of tank. REEL 4 Continues: nature of fighting in Cleeve; withdrawal from Cleeve by amphibian to Nijmegen; burial of crew member; reception by Dutch civilians in Nijmegen; re-forming of crew; opinion of 17 Pounder armed Sherman; opinion of Sherman tanks; question of early model Sherman tanks being prone to catching fire; role of 17 Pounder Sherman; return to Cleeve. readjusting gun; story of attack on German positions in farmhouse near Goch, nature of four day ration packs; repairs to tank; opinion of German Jagdpanther tank; accommodation in Goch. REEL 5 Continues: knocking out of tank by Germans at Issum; sheltering in infantry bunker; return to knocked out tank and destruction of German machine gun. Recollections of crossing of River Rhine, Germany, 3/1945: technique for crossing river; incident of fire on back of tank near Rees; supporting Canadian troops; party with Canadian troops; reception at unit; unit tank casualties. Recollections of operations with Sherwood Rangers at Hengelo, Netherlands, "
     
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  7. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

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  8. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    This from 12th March 1945...

    7880500 Sgt.B.Symes
    Sherwood Rangers
    B.L.A.

    12-3-45

    Dearest Phyl,

    I’ve just been enjoying a bath, a nice big tin bath. I’ve put on some clean clothes and a new pair of slacks so feel a bit cleaner now.
    We’ve been listening to Harry Hemsley, he’s good and now Tommy Handley is piping, actually I don’t think he’s funny, a bit overdone.
    The coffee arrived today for which many thanks.
    I went to the orderly room today to see if there was any fear of a spot of leave, in the first place they avoided for heaven knows what reason, the latest number that has gone, but they did say I’d get leave this month and that my number is 259 and not as I thought 280. Anyway they said…

    P2… my turn is the last week in this month so that’s as near as I can tell you at the moment.
    This morning I bought a pair of good strong shoes they fit like a glove. Now I suppose I’d better get a collar and tie. I see our chaps going to England or Brussels all poshed up in their collars and ties and I haven’t bothered yet but if it’s home leave I must perk up a bit. I had a very nice pullover from Mrs Kellett’s Comforts, well knitted too.
    Captain Hawkins arrived back here two days ago. I was going to see him today. One of our officers was going to his regiment today so I was getting a lift in his car but he couldn’t get away. I expect…

    P3…he’ll go along in a day or so.
    The weather here is very nice now, quite warm and sunny.
    We’ve got a nice piece of pork for diner tomorrow. The pig was found wandering without visible means of support, at least that’s what they said when it was given to me.
    There isn’t a great deal more to write this time as there’s no letter to answer so I won’t struggle to add more to this. There’s the radio and blokes talking and one bathing gets on your nerves it do.
    So I’ll say cheerio and send a kiss to Rob and Janet and you too my dear from your loving husband Ben.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY



    Goch Grabbed! - World War II (1945) | British Pathé

    In this explosive footage from 1945, Goch, Germany is grabbed by the allies in a barrage of Bofor gun fire as a part of Operation Veritable (aka the Battle of the Reichswald) during the last year of World War II.

    Full title reads: "GOCH GRABBED!" Goch, Germany. Various shots of the guns of tanks firing. Several shots of the batteries of Bofor guns firing. Several shots of the machine gunners in action. Various shots of the buildings burning in Goch. Back shot, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery in jeep driving along road to Goch. Large number of German POW's (prisoners of war) walking along road. British troops and bren carriers taking Goch.

    And: Invasion Scenes Germany: British Troops

    Description
    Unissued / Unused material.

    Goch, Pfalzdorf and Louisendorf, Germany, 1945.

    German prisoners walk along past British soldiers in trench, they are holding Vickers machine guns. C/U sign 'Goch Kreis Kleve'. M/S's antitank ditch, brief shot of dead soldier in it. Various shots of guns firing. British troops walk along through rubble and wrecked houses. Camera pans across burnt out train with wreckage of bombed houses behind. C/U railway tracks, pan up to burnt out train. Various shots of the rubble and wreckage of the destroyed city. M/S damaged Hitler Youth building. Various street scenes. M/S German prisoners walking with hands on their heads. Various shots as planes fly over. Various shots of Bofor guns firing at the planes.
     
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  10. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Facebook: The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry 1939-1945

    "Col.Stanley Christopherson, OC Sherwood Rangers, is given a tall story by a member of a US 9th Army Reconnaissance Unit in the German town of Issum on 6th March 1945.
    C Squadron Sherwood Rangers took the town, which wasn't defended, with infantry of the Ox and Bucks but mistook the Americans, coming from the other direction, as enemy and a brief firefight insued.
    Luckily no one was a good shot that day and as a token of goodwill two much admired Pixie Suits, here modelled by Col.Stanley, were handed over to the American units' commander."

    IWM B15232


    IWM ref. THE BREAK THROUGH

    And refd... The British Army 1939–45 (1)
     
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  11. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    SRY - War Diary
    1st March 1945
    "A" Sqn in support of the 7th RWF (Royal Welch Fusiliers) moved at 18.00 on the 28th February and were by first light established in the woods map ref. 944388 to the east of WEEZE. Enemy tanks or SP’s approximately 7 in number prevented us from reaching the river bridges. "A" Sqn was heavily ????? all day and lost 3 tanks through shellfire. 1 Officer and 2 other ???? being wounded. "C" Sqn with A Company 12 KRRC and Sqn of the 53rd Recce Regiment under the command of Major Ringrose D.S.O. formed “Robin Force”. The force crossed the river obstacle in the morning and attacked east taking a farm and 40 PW at 954388 and also TILSHOF at map ref. 960387 with 20 PW. "C" Sqn reported a concentration of enemy infantry supported by A/K guns in woods map ref. 954384. "B" Sqn in support of the East Lancashire Bn were sent at approx. 12.00 hrs with the task of clearing the wood and pushing south to the ridge at map ref. 954362 thus cutting off the enemy in WEEZE.
    After hard fighting "B" Sqn Bn Group reached area map ref.961368 by nightfall. They lost 6 tanks of which 4 proved recoverable and 2 wounded. 2 Panther tanks were destroyed area map ref. 972376. A Robin Force covered the left flank of "C" Sqn. RHQ remained with HQ 158 Bde at map ref. 936418. The previous night 4/7 Dragoon Guards with 71 Bde attacked WEEZE from the north but could not get south of the 39 grid line.

    See also - https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3250919475142092&id=1735590503341671

    GochtoWeeze.png

    Does anyone happen to have the 7th RWF war diary entry for 1st March 1945?

    There's the 4th RWF (1st March 1945) here, which mentions the 7th RWF... War Diary: 4th Battalion Welch Regiment Nov 1944 - June 1945
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2022
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  12. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    St. Antonius Kirche - Kevelaer

    Not yet sure to whom these are attributed.

    3rd or 4th March 1945...

    FB_IMG_1646329254920.jpg
     
  13. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Kevelaer.jpg
    Tank unit in the main street of Kevelaer. According to the caption to this IWM photograph these tanks belong to 8th Armoured Bde. The Shermans of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry (SRY) were fitted with pine logs to the sides of the tanks as a measure against bogging and probably some extra protection. The tanks photographed IMO most likely belong to the SRY (photo © IWM B 15146)
     
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  14. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Found also these pictures of the smoldering wreckage of a German tank/armoured vehicle. According to the official caption a knocked out MK IV tank. The picture was taken on March 6th, 1945, near Kevelaer.

    Wonder if that is correct. Looks a bit small to me for a MK IV tank.

    Ramilles do you have a clue to where this might have been?

    Near Kevelaer.jpg
    Near Kevelaer 2.jpg Near Kevelaer 3.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2022
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  15. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    According to the SRY War Diary - where KEVAILER = Kevelaer the SRY were in the south eastern part of Kevelaer after 5pm by which time in March 1945 it would presumably be getting towards evening, but not quite dark.
    18:19 Thursday, 3 March 2022 (CET)
    Sunset in Kevelaer, Germany

    SRY - War Diary
    3rd March 1945
    Regiment remained in harbour out of contact. During this time 4/7 Dragoon Guards cleared the road to GELDERN. (SRY) Regiment moved at 17.00 to KEVAILER and harboured for the night in the south eastern corner. The plan for the next day was for the regiment with the Oxford and Bucks mounted in kangaroos to advance through GELDERN which was cleared by 53 Div and 4/7 Dragoon Guards and to reach ISSUM. The Guards Armd Div. on our left were to advance through KAPPELEN and seize high ground map ref. 0637. FXH


    SRY - War Diary
    4th March 1945
    Regiment with Oxford and Bucks moved at 09.30 and reached ISSUM without opposition. There 2 river obstacles were encountered covered by enemy fire. The first was bridged by a Scissors bridge but the second obstacle was not complete until next morning at 05.30 hrs. C Sqn supported ??? Bn making the bridge head over the obstacle, B Sqn sent 2 troops each in support of the HLI and 4 RWF. 71 Bde succeeded in crossing the 2nd water obstacle and reached the objective but were counter attacked and lost some ground. Lt. Hills M.C. carried out the recce and sighted the bridge over the 2nd water obstacle.

    Re... The Sherwood Rangers in March 1945


    4th7thRDG
    B15146 | WW2Talk

    And see : kevelaer | WW2Talk

    There is a series the IWM description says was taken at Geldern, 6 March 1945...

    IWM B 15230 -
    Object description
    Sherman tanks, carriers and other vehicles in Geldern, 6 March 1945.
    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945


    With... (Nb. difference - Geldern and Issum) - "The Wesel read (sic 'road') out of Geldern"...

    large_B_015230_2.jpg

    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945
    Object description
    British and US troops greet each other in Issum, 6 March 1945.

    ToGeldern.png

    For some now and thens that identify the locations of the iwms... see... Operation Blockbuster | NOWstalgia
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2022
  16. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. The Sherwood Rangers in March 1945

    There might "be" a name here (highlighted) in which case it would be similar in style to the 4th7thRDG "LANCASHIRE"

    Re. "LANCASHIRE" - B15145 | WW2Talk

    I have tweeted / distorted the St.Antonius picture to widen the perspective and highlight were a tank name might be...

    20220303_212753.jpg

    The picture itself seems to have been truncated somewhat... given a slightly wider and taller version is online, albeit I've currently only seen at this level of "quality"...

    20220304_000435.jpg
     
  17. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Perhaps this deserves its own thread - along the lines of...

    German 50mm SPGs?

    This is from someone local to that area...

    "Well, a narrow road like this lined with trees in Kevelaer is rare! There is only one which I could figure out, which is directly on the way to Geldern so that would make sense! It is the southern most part of the Gelderner Straße. Maybe I got it right in the image below, maybe I'm mistaken. It seems that the road has been widenend after the war. The row of trees on the left side appear a great deal younger than those on the right side."

    FB_IMG_1646416304329.jpg

    And...

    "Another possibilty might be the Bundesstraße 9 which, in essence, is the same road, however, outside Kevelaer between Kevelaer and Geldern. But the Bundesstraße 9 is much wider than the road in the historic image. I can imagine though that it had also been widened after the war. The building to the left in the "then and now" is post-war. Perhaps it was built on the same plot of land in which the house was in the historic image."
     
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  18. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    THE BREAK THROUGH

    Says ... 9th Armoured Brigade... oddly.

    B15238
    Object description
    Original wartime caption: US - British greetings in Issum. A white flag waves overhead.


    20220304_200956.jpg

    Just for ref. 9th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia

    Similarly -

    B15228
    THE BREAK THROUGH

    Though manually corrected here...

    large_B_015228_2.jpg

    And... here... B15229
    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945

    B15230
    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945

    B15231
    THE BREAK THROUGH

    B15232
    THE BREAK THROUGH
    Object description : Original wartime caption: American soldier talks to a British Tank Colonel in Issum. (SRY - Christopherson)

    B15233-9
    THE BREAK THROUGH

    To...

    THE BREAK THROUGH
    Original wartime caption: Our infantry march into Issum to consolidate our gains on road to Wesel, after our tanks had dashed to this village.
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2022
  19. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Kevelaer

     
  20. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

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