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This time all those years ago my grandad had just gone ashore in the second wave on Sword beach! Just take a moment and reflect on what we owe those men and women!
Hobart’s creations were indeed the fore runner for todays Armoured Engineers,they were in the 79th Armoured division,you have to remember though there were various forms of AVRE based on the Churchill tank not just a gun tank!
Yes, this was is my uncle's citation for the Military Cross, indicating that at that time he was in an AVRE used for laying fascines.
"On 28 February 1945, Capt XXXX was commanding a Troop of AVsRE under command 11 Armd Div. He was ordered to make a fascine crossing over a stream North of Kervehheim. This involved Capt XXXX and some of his men working outside their AVsRE under heavy mortar fire, which caused casualties to the Infantry in the vicinity. The crossing was successfully completed. Later on the crossing was reported to be failing and Capt XXXX was ordered to take up another fascine. Owing to the difficulty of the approach, he lay on top of the fascine bundle and guided the driver. During this he was wounded in the leg by Spandau fire. He then crawled forward under cover of smoke and despite heavy mortar fire and Spandau fire, he carried out a recce of the crossing. He found that the crossing was intact, but to ensure its future use he personally laid tracing tapes down to the crossing, still under fire. Capt XXXX’s complete disregard for personal danger, and his high standard of leadership and devotion to duty, ensured the continued use of this important crossing."
And this is from a newspaper article about him in connection with the surrender of Boulogne suggesting he had rather more firepower then.
"Story of Boulogne Surrender
When the bitter fighting for Boulogne, in which Canadian infantry was supported by tanks of a British assault squadron of the Royal Engineers, came to an end the German commander of Boulogne surrendered to a young R.E lieutenant.
During the parley which proceeded the final surrender the German colonel decided he could not surrender to a lieutenant and asked for an interview with a British colonel. As it was a Canadian infantry attack, the surrender was finally made to a Canadian colonel. The lieutenant, whose squadron reduced the gates of the citadel and opened the way for the attack which brought about its final collapse, is Lieutenant XXXX of XXX.
Lieutenant XXXX, describing the fall of the citadel, said-
“I was in charge of a troop, and under covering fire from an assault team of Royal Engineers, I moved forward to the main gate of the citadel. This gateway was a huge arch over the road into the citadel, the name “citadel” meaning the old town of Boulogne, which is surrounded by a high wall and four gateways.
The gate we were to attack was blocked with eight horizontal steel rails each about seven feet high. We shot the steel rails away and a number of land mines behind the gate, and then moved forward, when my tank slid into a shell hole and stuck. I climbed out of my tank and ordered another tank to tow us out when I noticed a number of white flags being waved from the top of the walls of the citadel.
I then turned my guns on to the Germans and ordered them to advance to where I was standing. Some thirty Germans and two Canadians who had been prisoners for five days came forward with a German officer who spoke English. He then looked at my two pips rather doubtfully and asked if he could surrender to an officer of equivalent rank to his commander.
Eventually, a Canadian colonel of equal rank came along with some of his men and the surrender was then agreed upon by the garrison commander, who felt that his honour had been saved."
My uncle was given the binoculars of the German officer who surrendered, and my dad (just too young for the war) was especially proud of him.
Yes, this was is my uncle's citation for the Military Cross, indicating that at that time he was in an AVRE used for laying fascines.
"On 28 February 1945, Capt XXXX was commanding a Troop of AVsRE under command 11 Armd Div. He was ordered to make a fascine crossing over a stream North of Kervehheim. This involved Capt XXXX and some of his men working outside their AVsRE under heavy mortar fire, which caused casualties to the Infantry in the vicinity. The crossing was successfully completed. Later on the crossing was reported to be failing and Capt XXXX was ordered to take up another fascine. Owing to the difficulty of the approach, he lay on top of the fascine bundle and guided the driver. During this he was wounded in the leg by Spandau fire. He then crawled forward under cover of smoke and despite heavy mortar fire and Spandau fire, he carried out a recce of the crossing. He found that the crossing was intact, but to ensure its future use he personally laid tracing tapes down to the crossing, still under fire. Capt XXXX’s complete disregard for personal danger, and his high standard of leadership and devotion to duty, ensured the continued use of this important crossing."
And this is from a newspaper article about him in connection with the surrender of Boulogne suggesting he had rather more firepower then.
"Story of Boulogne Surrender
When the bitter fighting for Boulogne, in which Canadian infantry was supported by tanks of a British assault squadron of the Royal Engineers, came to an end the German commander of Boulogne surrendered to a young R.E lieutenant.
During the parley which proceeded the final surrender the German colonel decided he could not surrender to a lieutenant and asked for an interview with a British colonel. As it was a Canadian infantry attack, the surrender was finally made to a Canadian colonel. The lieutenant, whose squadron reduced the gates of the citadel and opened the way for the attack which brought about its final collapse, is Lieutenant XXXX of XXX.
Lieutenant XXXX, describing the fall of the citadel, said-
“I was in charge of a troop, and under covering fire from an assault team of Royal Engineers, I moved forward to the main gate of the citadel. This gateway was a huge arch over the road into the citadel, the name “citadel” meaning the old town of Boulogne, which is surrounded by a high wall and four gateways.
The gate we were to attack was blocked with eight horizontal steel rails each about seven feet high. We shot the steel rails away and a number of land mines behind the gate, and then moved forward, when my tank slid into a shell hole and stuck. I climbed out of my tank and ordered another tank to tow us out when I noticed a number of white flags being waved from the top of the walls of the citadel.
I then turned my guns on to the Germans and ordered them to advance to where I was standing. Some thirty Germans and two Canadians who had been prisoners for five days came forward with a German officer who spoke English. He then looked at my two pips rather doubtfully and asked if he could surrender to an officer of equivalent rank to his commander.
Eventually, a Canadian colonel of equal rank came along with some of his men and the surrender was then agreed upon by the garrison commander, who felt that his honour had been saved."
My uncle was given the binoculars of the German officer who surrendered, and my dad (just too young for the war) was especially proud of him.
[Post edited 8 Jun 10:42]
For those who are interested and unsure what a fascine tank is, see attached.
The ‘funnies’ were in quite short supply, so would be used in conjunction with standard tanks, infantry, artillery and where possible air support. Naturally, looking as they did and having to bridge or whatever first, they attracted a lot of unwelcome interest from the enemy.
One of the nastiest developments was the German Panzerfaust. A true handheld weapon that anyone could use. It was a single use throw away device that fired a hollow charge that’d go through most armour. Your tank could be ‘brewed up’ without you knowing who your assailant was and you had seconds to get out if you hadn’t already been killed or wounded by ‘scabs’ from the inside of the tank flying round or the thing just blowing up.
Tank crews? None braver in those days. A highly recommended read is James Holland’s Brothers in Arms. It’s about one particular tank regiment’s war from DDay to the end of it.
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D Day 81 yrs ago! on 07:45 - Jun 10 with 586 views
Thanks, no we don't know anything. How would I find out?
He always told us that he was 'just a mechanic' and never left England. I guess that was a defence mechanism to save himself from having to talk.
[Post edited 10 Jun 10:06]
Public Records Office (Kew) - Medals might be a start. The card (going back a long time) often shows what Regiment. If you have his full name (people had an inconvenient habit of being known by middle names etc in those days) military websites, offshoots of Ancestry type websites, who often do free introductory periods may be worry a look. If his name is an uncommon one, bung it in a search engine with World War Two and see if anything comes up. Basically, I’d dig around.
If you can identify a regiment, it becomes a lot easier as they’ll have their own records.
Yes, his defence mechanism may be ‘never left England’. A conversation ender. Certainly my grandfather never gave any hint of where he went. Off limits, according to my mum. But I found out mainly from Field Company and Divisional records. That was WW1 where records were lost, destroyed by WW2 bombing or deliberately disposed of to hide reputations (conspiracy theory).
Records for WW2 are much more comprehensive and out there somewhere. Just nose around here and there and you will hopefully find something.
I might add that it was through the Gazette that I found out my grandad received an Honorary Sub-Lieutenantship which was given to all RAF trainee pilots whose training was curtailed by the ending of WW1. This was not something my mother knew about.
EDIT: I meant to say WW1, and have edited.
[Post edited 10 Jun 14:08]
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D Day 81 yrs ago! on 13:49 - Jun 10 with 416 views
I have been doing a little bit more digging about my uncle, for anyone who might be interested.
He was in the 81st Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers, which took part in the initial invasion at Gold Beach.
I have found the following from a couple of websites.
"The first troops to land are the Royal Engineer breaching squadrons, including Churchill AVRE tanks, mine-clearing flail tanks, and bulldozers. They start clearing the beach obstacles and minefields but are hampered by heavy German fire."
"81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. Each Beach had a Breaching Squadron which consisted of six Sherman Crab Flail tanks and nine AVRE. Each craft carried two Flails and three AVRE. The first vehicle ashore from each craft was a Roly Poly pusher. The Roly Poly was a roll of matting intended to allow the vehicles to land without creating a depression at the end of the ramp and prevent sinking into soft clay which was thought to be present on Gold. It was not a success, largely due to the currents on D Day. An AVRE Bobbin followed in order to lay a track from the end of the Roly Poly to the top of the shore. The next two vehicles were Flails which cleared a path up the beach. An AVRE Fascine then landed and was available to fill in craters and ditches etc. In addition one craft carried a command tank from either 6 ARRE or Westminster Dragoons, one craft carried a D7 armoured dozer and one carried a SBG bridge.
Each craft also carried 25 men from 280 Field Company RE who carried their equipment and explosives in two folding boats which were to be towed ashore by AVREs. These were to make a start on clearing beach obstacles. They were assisted by one RN Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Unit per beach. One troop of 81 assault Squadron was to remain on the beach, under the command of 280 Field Company, to assist with beach clearance. A half troop of three AVRE were assigned to each of King Green and King Red.
Landing Craft Assault (Hedgerow) were towed by the LCTs. They were to fire a salvo of rockets ahead of the Breaching Teams in order to clear wire and mines. Only one LCA(HR) arrived and fired on King, the rest having foundered on the crossing, shipped too much water to operate or returned to the UK.
Green Beach Breaching Squadron ‘X’ commanded by Major Commanding ‘C’ Squadron Westminster Dragoons landed from three Landing Craft Tank MkIV.
Lane 1. Serial 2412 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 Sherman Crab Flail with 5 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. Major Squadron Commander. 25 men from 3 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
This lane was successfully opened. The LCT landed on time and in the correct place. The Roly Poly rolled down the ramp but as soon as it entered the water the current carried it to the side. The pusher AVRE, commanded by the Captain commanding the lane, made three attempts to push the Roly Poly but in each case it began to wrap itself round the tracks and it was eventually abandoned. There was a 250 yard wade to the shore and all three AVRE weaved through beach obstacles. Petard fire silenced one pillbox and blew the front of a house. The three AVRE then acted as tanks in support of the infantry and the enemy position was cleared. The two Flails cleared a lane through to the lateral road. The AVREs rallied at the Squadron rendezvous.
Lane 2. Serial 2413 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 D7 Armoured dozer with three crew from 149 Assault Field Park Squadron RE 27 men from 3 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 2 was also successful. The Roly Poly rolled down the ramp but the current carried it to the left so that the pusher AVRE mounted the roll with one track, the other being in the mud. The AVRE carried on up the beach. The Bobbin followed and laid its carpet up to the head of the beach, although the release charge failed and a crew member had to dismount and blow it with a separate charge. The Flails landed and moved up the beach but contact with them was lost. Finally the Fascine AVRE landed. By this time the craft had swung almost parallel to the beach and landing was difficult. With all the vehicles ashore and off the beach they dispersed as planned to separate tasks. The pusher AVRE moved to join Lane 1. The Bobbin AVRE joined 280 Field Company in beach clearance, towing obstacles away until the tow slings broke and the tide rose to high to allow further work to be done. The Fascine AVRE joined a Flail from Lane 1 and both made a lane from the beach to Ver sur Mer, clearing mines and laying the fascine in an anti tank ditch.
Lane 3. Serial 2414 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin (with steel shuttering) and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with SBG and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 X D4 dozer with three crew from 253 Field Park Company RE. For 280 Field Company RE. 25 men from 2 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 3 was only partly successful. The experience with the Roly Poly was as for Lane 2. It was immediately carried to the left leaving the pusher AVRE with one track on the roll and the other in a crater. The pusher then moved up the beach between obstacles, passes a belt of mud with difficulty and turned to the right to support 6 Green Howards. The Bobbin AVRE had a wireless failure but exited the LCT with difficulty since the craft had swung 35 degrees in the current. It followed the tracks of the Pusher AVRE until it met the clay when it found a safer, parallel, route and laid it steel shuttering trackway across the mud. It then turned left to join 280 Field Company in beach clearance. Being unable to contact the Field Company it joined the Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Unit in clearing obstacles until the tide turned and they were able to join 280 Field Company in clearing beach obstacles. Both Crabs followed the Bobbin AVRE up the beach and used the steel shuttering to safely cross the mud belt. As the leading Crab started to flail it received a hit which blew off the flail. The second Crab had a bogie blown off as it entered the minefield so that no lane was cleared. The Fascine AVRE had difficulty exiting the LCT, which had now being carried almost parallel to the shore. The tank commander was wounded and remained on the craft. The AVRE had to travel along the shore with the drivers position under water and the other crew members unable to see forward past the fascine. It then veered into deeper water, stalled and flooded and was rammed by an incoming LCT. The crew baled out. The SBG AVRE with the lane commander could not exit the LCT at the angle at which it had come to rest so the craft pulled out from the beach and came in again square on. When the SBG AVRE exited the craft smoke was obscuring land marks and they were to the left of the original landing place. It moved up the beach and since it was not near the steel shuttering it had difficulty crossing the mud belt. On reaching the top of the beach the commander made wireless contact with the squadron commander to find out where the flailed lane was. He was ordered to travel 500 yards to the right then go along the cleared lane and drop the SBG across a crater 200 yards inland of Lavatory Pan house. The AVRE then moved on to clear an obstruction on the road to Ver sur Mer.
Red Beach Breaching Squadron ‘Z’ commanded by Major Commanding 81 Assault Squadron landed from three Landing Craft Tank MkIV.
Lane 4. Serial 2423 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 D4 Armoured dozer with three crew from 149 Assault Field Park Squadron RE. 25 men from 2 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 4 was only partly successful. All the vehicles had to make a sharp left hand turn when exiting as the craft had swung in the current. There is no report from the Roly Poly pusher as it was hit and exploded. The remaining vehicles seem to have crossed the beach successfully. On reaching the top of the beach they selected a low point in the dunes and set off inland with the Crabs in the lead. One Crab bogged down in the minefield and the remaining Crab turned left along the coast road to La RIviere until a crater was reached. The second Crab bogged down while trying to by pass the crater. The Fascine AVRE dropped its fascine in the crater but it fell too awkwardly to cross. The Fascine AVRE then bogged down trying to by pass the crater. By the time the vehicles had been towed clear the team was ordered to the rendezvous. One Crab bogged again and the other remained to recover it while an AVRE had to wait to fix a track which was slipping off its sprocket.
Interestingly the officer commanding this team mentions that he positioned a windsock to mark the lane, left gap marking signs and set off a green smoke canister. Presumably all lane commanders did this, or were supposed to.
Lane 5. Serial 2424 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. Squadron Commander. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 27 men from 1 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats. Includes Officer Commanding.
Lane 5 was partly successful. This craft had two Roly Poly pushers. The first one landed at 0725 and pushed the Roly Poly for 10 yards when it failed to unroll further. The AVRE tried to climb it but fell off and lost its deep wading ducts. Water got into the brakes and it would not steer. The brakes did not dry out until 0815. The squadron commander in the second Roly Poly pusher landed at 0730. The Roly Poly rolled to the bottom of the ramp and as soon as the AVRE touched it with the pusher the AVRE climbed it and followed a Crab from another lane up the beach. It is not clear if the Roly Poly was successful.
Lane 6. Serial 2425 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 Armoured D7 dozer with 2 crew from 149 Assault Field Park Squadron RE. 25 men from 1 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 6 was successful. The LCT landed in the correct position and the Roly Poly was launched. As with others it was carried to the left and the pusher AVRE had to mount it with one track and was nearly turned over. It was not possible to see where the carpet had been laid. The Bobbin followed and met with no problems and did not use the carpet. The Bobbin was jettisoned at the top of the beach, though the charges failed and it had to be released by hand. The AVRE then returned to help clear obstacles. The other vehicles followed without difficulty. The Fascine AVRE was hit and put out of action. The Bobbin AVRE suffered a jammed turret after being hit but eventually freed it and went on to Ver sur Mer.
Roly Poly was used only on Gold. Exact details are not clear but the roll of matting was fitted in the bow of the LCT after all the vehicles were on board. A team of RE personnel were responsible for fitting it and they then travelled with it. When the LCT ramp was lowered the Roly Poly should roll down the ramp and unroll itself . The pusher tank then followed down the ramp simultaneously anchoring the carpet and pushing it ahead to further unroll it. In calm test conditions it worked well but on D Day the swell and the coastwise current lifted it and carried it away before the pusher could reach it. None seemed to have worked correctly and many became obstacles to vehicles until they were carried away completely. The pusher tank does not seem to have had any special equipment for the task."
[Post edited 10 Jun 20:49]
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D Day 81 yrs ago! on 20:57 - Jun 10 with 334 views
I have been doing a little bit more digging about my uncle, for anyone who might be interested.
He was in the 81st Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers, which took part in the initial invasion at Gold Beach.
I have found the following from a couple of websites.
"The first troops to land are the Royal Engineer breaching squadrons, including Churchill AVRE tanks, mine-clearing flail tanks, and bulldozers. They start clearing the beach obstacles and minefields but are hampered by heavy German fire."
"81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. Each Beach had a Breaching Squadron which consisted of six Sherman Crab Flail tanks and nine AVRE. Each craft carried two Flails and three AVRE. The first vehicle ashore from each craft was a Roly Poly pusher. The Roly Poly was a roll of matting intended to allow the vehicles to land without creating a depression at the end of the ramp and prevent sinking into soft clay which was thought to be present on Gold. It was not a success, largely due to the currents on D Day. An AVRE Bobbin followed in order to lay a track from the end of the Roly Poly to the top of the shore. The next two vehicles were Flails which cleared a path up the beach. An AVRE Fascine then landed and was available to fill in craters and ditches etc. In addition one craft carried a command tank from either 6 ARRE or Westminster Dragoons, one craft carried a D7 armoured dozer and one carried a SBG bridge.
Each craft also carried 25 men from 280 Field Company RE who carried their equipment and explosives in two folding boats which were to be towed ashore by AVREs. These were to make a start on clearing beach obstacles. They were assisted by one RN Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Unit per beach. One troop of 81 assault Squadron was to remain on the beach, under the command of 280 Field Company, to assist with beach clearance. A half troop of three AVRE were assigned to each of King Green and King Red.
Landing Craft Assault (Hedgerow) were towed by the LCTs. They were to fire a salvo of rockets ahead of the Breaching Teams in order to clear wire and mines. Only one LCA(HR) arrived and fired on King, the rest having foundered on the crossing, shipped too much water to operate or returned to the UK.
Green Beach Breaching Squadron ‘X’ commanded by Major Commanding ‘C’ Squadron Westminster Dragoons landed from three Landing Craft Tank MkIV.
Lane 1. Serial 2412 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 Sherman Crab Flail with 5 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. Major Squadron Commander. 25 men from 3 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
This lane was successfully opened. The LCT landed on time and in the correct place. The Roly Poly rolled down the ramp but as soon as it entered the water the current carried it to the side. The pusher AVRE, commanded by the Captain commanding the lane, made three attempts to push the Roly Poly but in each case it began to wrap itself round the tracks and it was eventually abandoned. There was a 250 yard wade to the shore and all three AVRE weaved through beach obstacles. Petard fire silenced one pillbox and blew the front of a house. The three AVRE then acted as tanks in support of the infantry and the enemy position was cleared. The two Flails cleared a lane through to the lateral road. The AVREs rallied at the Squadron rendezvous.
Lane 2. Serial 2413 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 D7 Armoured dozer with three crew from 149 Assault Field Park Squadron RE 27 men from 3 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 2 was also successful. The Roly Poly rolled down the ramp but the current carried it to the left so that the pusher AVRE mounted the roll with one track, the other being in the mud. The AVRE carried on up the beach. The Bobbin followed and laid its carpet up to the head of the beach, although the release charge failed and a crew member had to dismount and blow it with a separate charge. The Flails landed and moved up the beach but contact with them was lost. Finally the Fascine AVRE landed. By this time the craft had swung almost parallel to the beach and landing was difficult. With all the vehicles ashore and off the beach they dispersed as planned to separate tasks. The pusher AVRE moved to join Lane 1. The Bobbin AVRE joined 280 Field Company in beach clearance, towing obstacles away until the tow slings broke and the tide rose to high to allow further work to be done. The Fascine AVRE joined a Flail from Lane 1 and both made a lane from the beach to Ver sur Mer, clearing mines and laying the fascine in an anti tank ditch.
Lane 3. Serial 2414 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin (with steel shuttering) and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with SBG and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 X D4 dozer with three crew from 253 Field Park Company RE. For 280 Field Company RE. 25 men from 2 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 3 was only partly successful. The experience with the Roly Poly was as for Lane 2. It was immediately carried to the left leaving the pusher AVRE with one track on the roll and the other in a crater. The pusher then moved up the beach between obstacles, passes a belt of mud with difficulty and turned to the right to support 6 Green Howards. The Bobbin AVRE had a wireless failure but exited the LCT with difficulty since the craft had swung 35 degrees in the current. It followed the tracks of the Pusher AVRE until it met the clay when it found a safer, parallel, route and laid it steel shuttering trackway across the mud. It then turned left to join 280 Field Company in beach clearance. Being unable to contact the Field Company it joined the Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Unit in clearing obstacles until the tide turned and they were able to join 280 Field Company in clearing beach obstacles. Both Crabs followed the Bobbin AVRE up the beach and used the steel shuttering to safely cross the mud belt. As the leading Crab started to flail it received a hit which blew off the flail. The second Crab had a bogie blown off as it entered the minefield so that no lane was cleared. The Fascine AVRE had difficulty exiting the LCT, which had now being carried almost parallel to the shore. The tank commander was wounded and remained on the craft. The AVRE had to travel along the shore with the drivers position under water and the other crew members unable to see forward past the fascine. It then veered into deeper water, stalled and flooded and was rammed by an incoming LCT. The crew baled out. The SBG AVRE with the lane commander could not exit the LCT at the angle at which it had come to rest so the craft pulled out from the beach and came in again square on. When the SBG AVRE exited the craft smoke was obscuring land marks and they were to the left of the original landing place. It moved up the beach and since it was not near the steel shuttering it had difficulty crossing the mud belt. On reaching the top of the beach the commander made wireless contact with the squadron commander to find out where the flailed lane was. He was ordered to travel 500 yards to the right then go along the cleared lane and drop the SBG across a crater 200 yards inland of Lavatory Pan house. The AVRE then moved on to clear an obstruction on the road to Ver sur Mer.
Red Beach Breaching Squadron ‘Z’ commanded by Major Commanding 81 Assault Squadron landed from three Landing Craft Tank MkIV.
Lane 4. Serial 2423 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 D4 Armoured dozer with three crew from 149 Assault Field Park Squadron RE. 25 men from 2 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 4 was only partly successful. All the vehicles had to make a sharp left hand turn when exiting as the craft had swung in the current. There is no report from the Roly Poly pusher as it was hit and exploded. The remaining vehicles seem to have crossed the beach successfully. On reaching the top of the beach they selected a low point in the dunes and set off inland with the Crabs in the lead. One Crab bogged down in the minefield and the remaining Crab turned left along the coast road to La RIviere until a crater was reached. The second Crab bogged down while trying to by pass the crater. The Fascine AVRE dropped its fascine in the crater but it fell too awkwardly to cross. The Fascine AVRE then bogged down trying to by pass the crater. By the time the vehicles had been towed clear the team was ordered to the rendezvous. One Crab bogged again and the other remained to recover it while an AVRE had to wait to fix a track which was slipping off its sprocket.
Interestingly the officer commanding this team mentions that he positioned a windsock to mark the lane, left gap marking signs and set off a green smoke canister. Presumably all lane commanders did this, or were supposed to.
Lane 5. Serial 2424 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. Squadron Commander. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 27 men from 1 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats. Includes Officer Commanding.
Lane 5 was partly successful. This craft had two Roly Poly pushers. The first one landed at 0725 and pushed the Roly Poly for 10 yards when it failed to unroll further. The AVRE tried to climb it but fell off and lost its deep wading ducts. Water got into the brakes and it would not steer. The brakes did not dry out until 0815. The squadron commander in the second Roly Poly pusher landed at 0730. The Roly Poly rolled to the bottom of the ramp and as soon as the AVRE touched it with the pusher the AVRE climbed it and followed a Crab from another lane up the beach. It is not clear if the Roly Poly was successful.
Lane 6. Serial 2425 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 Armoured D7 dozer with 2 crew from 149 Assault Field Park Squadron RE. 25 men from 1 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 6 was successful. The LCT landed in the correct position and the Roly Poly was launched. As with others it was carried to the left and the pusher AVRE had to mount it with one track and was nearly turned over. It was not possible to see where the carpet had been laid. The Bobbin followed and met with no problems and did not use the carpet. The Bobbin was jettisoned at the top of the beach, though the charges failed and it had to be released by hand. The AVRE then returned to help clear obstacles. The other vehicles followed without difficulty. The Fascine AVRE was hit and put out of action. The Bobbin AVRE suffered a jammed turret after being hit but eventually freed it and went on to Ver sur Mer.
Roly Poly was used only on Gold. Exact details are not clear but the roll of matting was fitted in the bow of the LCT after all the vehicles were on board. A team of RE personnel were responsible for fitting it and they then travelled with it. When the LCT ramp was lowered the Roly Poly should roll down the ramp and unroll itself . The pusher tank then followed down the ramp simultaneously anchoring the carpet and pushing it ahead to further unroll it. In calm test conditions it worked well but on D Day the swell and the coastwise current lifted it and carried it away before the pusher could reach it. None seemed to have worked correctly and many became obstacles to vehicles until they were carried away completely. The pusher tank does not seem to have had any special equipment for the task."
[Post edited 10 Jun 20:49]
Wow.... an amazing level of detail there
As a former Royal Engineer, I am filled with pride at the tenacity and bravery of these fine men
3
D Day 81 yrs ago! on 22:06 - Jun 10 with 310 views
I have been doing a little bit more digging about my uncle, for anyone who might be interested.
He was in the 81st Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers, which took part in the initial invasion at Gold Beach.
I have found the following from a couple of websites.
"The first troops to land are the Royal Engineer breaching squadrons, including Churchill AVRE tanks, mine-clearing flail tanks, and bulldozers. They start clearing the beach obstacles and minefields but are hampered by heavy German fire."
"81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. Each Beach had a Breaching Squadron which consisted of six Sherman Crab Flail tanks and nine AVRE. Each craft carried two Flails and three AVRE. The first vehicle ashore from each craft was a Roly Poly pusher. The Roly Poly was a roll of matting intended to allow the vehicles to land without creating a depression at the end of the ramp and prevent sinking into soft clay which was thought to be present on Gold. It was not a success, largely due to the currents on D Day. An AVRE Bobbin followed in order to lay a track from the end of the Roly Poly to the top of the shore. The next two vehicles were Flails which cleared a path up the beach. An AVRE Fascine then landed and was available to fill in craters and ditches etc. In addition one craft carried a command tank from either 6 ARRE or Westminster Dragoons, one craft carried a D7 armoured dozer and one carried a SBG bridge.
Each craft also carried 25 men from 280 Field Company RE who carried their equipment and explosives in two folding boats which were to be towed ashore by AVREs. These were to make a start on clearing beach obstacles. They were assisted by one RN Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Unit per beach. One troop of 81 assault Squadron was to remain on the beach, under the command of 280 Field Company, to assist with beach clearance. A half troop of three AVRE were assigned to each of King Green and King Red.
Landing Craft Assault (Hedgerow) were towed by the LCTs. They were to fire a salvo of rockets ahead of the Breaching Teams in order to clear wire and mines. Only one LCA(HR) arrived and fired on King, the rest having foundered on the crossing, shipped too much water to operate or returned to the UK.
Green Beach Breaching Squadron ‘X’ commanded by Major Commanding ‘C’ Squadron Westminster Dragoons landed from three Landing Craft Tank MkIV.
Lane 1. Serial 2412 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 Sherman Crab Flail with 5 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. Major Squadron Commander. 25 men from 3 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
This lane was successfully opened. The LCT landed on time and in the correct place. The Roly Poly rolled down the ramp but as soon as it entered the water the current carried it to the side. The pusher AVRE, commanded by the Captain commanding the lane, made three attempts to push the Roly Poly but in each case it began to wrap itself round the tracks and it was eventually abandoned. There was a 250 yard wade to the shore and all three AVRE weaved through beach obstacles. Petard fire silenced one pillbox and blew the front of a house. The three AVRE then acted as tanks in support of the infantry and the enemy position was cleared. The two Flails cleared a lane through to the lateral road. The AVREs rallied at the Squadron rendezvous.
Lane 2. Serial 2413 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 D7 Armoured dozer with three crew from 149 Assault Field Park Squadron RE 27 men from 3 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 2 was also successful. The Roly Poly rolled down the ramp but the current carried it to the left so that the pusher AVRE mounted the roll with one track, the other being in the mud. The AVRE carried on up the beach. The Bobbin followed and laid its carpet up to the head of the beach, although the release charge failed and a crew member had to dismount and blow it with a separate charge. The Flails landed and moved up the beach but contact with them was lost. Finally the Fascine AVRE landed. By this time the craft had swung almost parallel to the beach and landing was difficult. With all the vehicles ashore and off the beach they dispersed as planned to separate tasks. The pusher AVRE moved to join Lane 1. The Bobbin AVRE joined 280 Field Company in beach clearance, towing obstacles away until the tow slings broke and the tide rose to high to allow further work to be done. The Fascine AVRE joined a Flail from Lane 1 and both made a lane from the beach to Ver sur Mer, clearing mines and laying the fascine in an anti tank ditch.
Lane 3. Serial 2414 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin (with steel shuttering) and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with SBG and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 X D4 dozer with three crew from 253 Field Park Company RE. For 280 Field Company RE. 25 men from 2 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 3 was only partly successful. The experience with the Roly Poly was as for Lane 2. It was immediately carried to the left leaving the pusher AVRE with one track on the roll and the other in a crater. The pusher then moved up the beach between obstacles, passes a belt of mud with difficulty and turned to the right to support 6 Green Howards. The Bobbin AVRE had a wireless failure but exited the LCT with difficulty since the craft had swung 35 degrees in the current. It followed the tracks of the Pusher AVRE until it met the clay when it found a safer, parallel, route and laid it steel shuttering trackway across the mud. It then turned left to join 280 Field Company in beach clearance. Being unable to contact the Field Company it joined the Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Unit in clearing obstacles until the tide turned and they were able to join 280 Field Company in clearing beach obstacles. Both Crabs followed the Bobbin AVRE up the beach and used the steel shuttering to safely cross the mud belt. As the leading Crab started to flail it received a hit which blew off the flail. The second Crab had a bogie blown off as it entered the minefield so that no lane was cleared. The Fascine AVRE had difficulty exiting the LCT, which had now being carried almost parallel to the shore. The tank commander was wounded and remained on the craft. The AVRE had to travel along the shore with the drivers position under water and the other crew members unable to see forward past the fascine. It then veered into deeper water, stalled and flooded and was rammed by an incoming LCT. The crew baled out. The SBG AVRE with the lane commander could not exit the LCT at the angle at which it had come to rest so the craft pulled out from the beach and came in again square on. When the SBG AVRE exited the craft smoke was obscuring land marks and they were to the left of the original landing place. It moved up the beach and since it was not near the steel shuttering it had difficulty crossing the mud belt. On reaching the top of the beach the commander made wireless contact with the squadron commander to find out where the flailed lane was. He was ordered to travel 500 yards to the right then go along the cleared lane and drop the SBG across a crater 200 yards inland of Lavatory Pan house. The AVRE then moved on to clear an obstruction on the road to Ver sur Mer.
Red Beach Breaching Squadron ‘Z’ commanded by Major Commanding 81 Assault Squadron landed from three Landing Craft Tank MkIV.
Lane 4. Serial 2423 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 D4 Armoured dozer with three crew from 149 Assault Field Park Squadron RE. 25 men from 2 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 4 was only partly successful. All the vehicles had to make a sharp left hand turn when exiting as the craft had swung in the current. There is no report from the Roly Poly pusher as it was hit and exploded. The remaining vehicles seem to have crossed the beach successfully. On reaching the top of the beach they selected a low point in the dunes and set off inland with the Crabs in the lead. One Crab bogged down in the minefield and the remaining Crab turned left along the coast road to La RIviere until a crater was reached. The second Crab bogged down while trying to by pass the crater. The Fascine AVRE dropped its fascine in the crater but it fell too awkwardly to cross. The Fascine AVRE then bogged down trying to by pass the crater. By the time the vehicles had been towed clear the team was ordered to the rendezvous. One Crab bogged again and the other remained to recover it while an AVRE had to wait to fix a track which was slipping off its sprocket.
Interestingly the officer commanding this team mentions that he positioned a windsock to mark the lane, left gap marking signs and set off a green smoke canister. Presumably all lane commanders did this, or were supposed to.
Lane 5. Serial 2424 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. Squadron Commander. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 27 men from 1 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats. Includes Officer Commanding.
Lane 5 was partly successful. This craft had two Roly Poly pushers. The first one landed at 0725 and pushed the Roly Poly for 10 yards when it failed to unroll further. The AVRE tried to climb it but fell off and lost its deep wading ducts. Water got into the brakes and it would not steer. The brakes did not dry out until 0815. The squadron commander in the second Roly Poly pusher landed at 0730. The Roly Poly rolled to the bottom of the ramp and as soon as the AVRE touched it with the pusher the AVRE climbed it and followed a Crab from another lane up the beach. It is not clear if the Roly Poly was successful.
Lane 6. Serial 2425 was a Landing Craft Tank MkIV carrying 2 Sherman Crab Flails with 10 crew from ‘C’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons. 1 AVRE Roly Poly pusher and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Bobbin and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 AVRE with Fascine and 6 crew from 81 Assault Squadron, 6ARRE. 1 Armoured D7 dozer with 2 crew from 149 Assault Field Park Squadron RE. 25 men from 1 Platoon, 280 Field Company RE with 2 handcarts and two folding boats.
Lane 6 was successful. The LCT landed in the correct position and the Roly Poly was launched. As with others it was carried to the left and the pusher AVRE had to mount it with one track and was nearly turned over. It was not possible to see where the carpet had been laid. The Bobbin followed and met with no problems and did not use the carpet. The Bobbin was jettisoned at the top of the beach, though the charges failed and it had to be released by hand. The AVRE then returned to help clear obstacles. The other vehicles followed without difficulty. The Fascine AVRE was hit and put out of action. The Bobbin AVRE suffered a jammed turret after being hit but eventually freed it and went on to Ver sur Mer.
Roly Poly was used only on Gold. Exact details are not clear but the roll of matting was fitted in the bow of the LCT after all the vehicles were on board. A team of RE personnel were responsible for fitting it and they then travelled with it. When the LCT ramp was lowered the Roly Poly should roll down the ramp and unroll itself . The pusher tank then followed down the ramp simultaneously anchoring the carpet and pushing it ahead to further unroll it. In calm test conditions it worked well but on D Day the swell and the coastwise current lifted it and carried it away before the pusher could reach it. None seemed to have worked correctly and many became obstacles to vehicles until they were carried away completely. The pusher tank does not seem to have had any special equipment for the task."
[Post edited 10 Jun 20:49]
Fascinating. Thank you for posting this. It’s much appreciated.
1
D Day 81 yrs ago! on 22:23 - Jun 10 with 301 views
D Day 81 yrs ago! on 20:57 - Jun 10 by EdwardStone
Wow.... an amazing level of detail there
As a former Royal Engineer, I am filled with pride at the tenacity and bravery of these fine men
The British Army website says:
‘Royal Engineer soldiers are called Sappers! We are unique, motivated and intelligent. We are multi-skilled soldiers, combat engineers and tradesmen.’
Their origins go back to the Conqueror and have 900 years of continuous service and counting. The Royal prefix came along in 1787 and the Corps has no battle honours. Because it is everywhere in accordance with its motto.
I’m proud that my grandfather was an Sapper and I have been privileged to attend the ABF soldiers charity lunch in Chatham for a number of years now.
1
D Day 81 yrs ago! on 03:54 - Jun 11 with 261 views
I know that loads of women played a massive part during the war,my partners Grandmother was a seamstress and helped put the fabric onto the aircraft frames,we only found that out the other day.
I know that loads of women played a massive part during the war,my partners Grandmother was a seamstress and helped put the fabric onto the aircraft frames,we only found that out the other day.
[Post edited 11 Jun 3:58]
Not directly to my knowledge. The exception of course is women working behind enemy lines such as French Resistance and SOE agents. If there were any people out there morebrave than them I’d be very surprised. The stats for DDay are attached.
In terms of DDay womens’ role in supporting it in just about every area was vital. It doesn’t matter whether you are talking about people filling shells, making uniforms, building and delivering aircraft, driving lorries, fixing stuff, delivering, or supporting in just about every way imaginable it made the difference. No country engaged in total war in quite the way Britain did, with the possible exception of Russia by the end.
My mother was in the ATS at the time of DDay. I’ve no idea what she did - I think it was just a clerical role somewhere (she never said), but somebody had to do it.
There is a memorial to the women of WW2 in Whitehall. And rightly so.
D Day 81 yrs ago! on 20:57 - Jun 10 by EdwardStone
Wow.... an amazing level of detail there
As a former Royal Engineer, I am filled with pride at the tenacity and bravery of these fine men
You are right to be proud, including about your own service. Indeed, had I ever been a solider, it would have been the Royal Engineers I would have liked to join.
As you say, the detail is amazing, and the fact that this information can be shared and obtained is an aspect of the internet (for all its downsides) that I particularly treasure.
0
D Day 81 yrs ago! on 07:56 - Jun 11 with 174 views
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