Arras Counterstroke May 1940

Bob Hilton writes:

During a recent tour of the Wellington Quarries neat Arras I picked up a leaflet giving details of the 70th anniversary of the Arras Counterstoke by the Royal Tank Regiment against Erwin Rommel's 7th Panzer Division, that nearly 'did for him'. The accompanying photograph (above) was one I had never seen before. I cannot find anything about it on the Internet.

It is a Mark II Maltilda which had been knocked out and shows a German soldier on top of it. It seems to be near a cemetery or calvary. this must have been somewhere to the west/south west of Arras. I am wondering if anyone can enlighten me on where this could be?

German Command Bunkers in Le Havre

Even those members who regularly guide or visit Le Havre may be unaware (as I was until recently) that there are two German command bunkers buried away in a residential area above the town and port. One is the central telecommunications bunker and the other is the flak commander's bunker. Both are being restored by the local "Association Memoire et Patrimoine". The former is now full of telephone exchange equipment and associated displays and the latter has a dominant view of the harbour. Both are worth a visit and can be opened for you by Sebastien Haule ( 0033 6745581 315) or Jean Paul Dubosq ( 0033 669742 242). They are not easy to find and with the map below (click on it to enlarge) which, if used in conjunction with a Le Havre street map, should do the job.

John Cotterill
Badge 10

Fromelles 19th July 2010

Fromelles 19th July 2010 will be a day to remember for all those that were privileged to be there. The burial of the last soldier rescued from the ignominy of a mass grave and to be buried again with his other fallen comrades. This time with the accord of full military honours from their fellow countrymen and buried in the presence of Princes and the High and Mighty, some 94 years after their deaths.

The sequences of events for the day are told elsewhere. I along with many of our Guiding Members who were present were humbled by the occasion

The GBG Members of Back Roads were present, all 6 of them. No jackets, no names badges! and in one case, no tie!
The following images were taken from one of the viewing screens around the cemetery. Looking down on the cemetery grounds with the VIP Stand in which were sat relatives of those who had fallen
The coffin of the last soldier to be buried being taken to the cemetery by the Burial Party
Both British and Australian soldiers marched side by side to honour the dead of both countries
The Burial Party carrying the coffin to the grave side Lowering the coffin in front of the Firing party The 'Hairy Ones' but not in this case!

Flamethrowers on the Somme

In response to my request for information on the above, Jeremy Banning brother of GBG member Mark Banning has provided the following information. He has been involved in the search for the Flamethrowers or more properly called the Livens Large Gallery Flame Projector.

The project to excavate the site was five years in the gestation with pace picking up in the last year. It involved countless meetings with local museums and authorities as well as six months archival research

Organised through GUARD (Glasgow University Archaeological Research Department) who did the initial work at Fromelles and the excavation of the Vampir Dugout in 2008, it was financed by a variety of British, Canadian, French and German broadcasters who contributed to the costs. The dig was filmed throughout by a Canadian TV production company, Cream Productions who made 'Digging up the Trenches' as well as the 2008 programmes on the Vampir Dugout.

An international team included Dr Tony Pollard (GBG member) and Dr Iain Banks from GUARD and two of their PHD students. Also including were French archaeologists and serving Royal Engineers. Safety underground was in the hands of two highly experienced men from Mines Rescue UK.

The necessary clearances were obtained from the relevant authorities and local landowners. The project had the full support of the Mayor of Mametz, the Historical in Peronne and Alain Jacques head of the Service Archeologue Municipale in Arras.

Four Flamethrowers were to be used in the southern Somme sector on the 1st July 1916. Two were successfully used where the lines crossed the Carnoy-Mountauban road. One at Kasino Point close by was knocked out of action before the battle started and the fourth one was in position between Mansel Copse and Bois Francais.

The one near Mansel Copse required a working party of 300 Devons to bring the Flame Projector up in pieces to the front line where it was re-constructed in a shallow mine gallery running under No Mans Land. However this Projector was damaged 'beyond recall' during intense German bombardment of the British Lines on the 28th June.

Each Flame Projector weighed 2.5 tons and required 250 man hours to be brought from the rail head to their respective saps. Once in position they took six hours to be constructed by a six man team. They would lie under the ground with the 'monitor head' breaking the surface when the machine was activated. It could spew out a ton of 'heavy and light oil' in a ten second burst over 100 yards away. This could be repeated twice before the Projector ran out of fuel.

The object was to terrify the enemy and to enable British troops to get across No Mans Land unscathed. The fire would keep the enemy heads down - the smoke would obscure their visibility.

The BBC filmed the site for a news item

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/also_in_the_news/8691705.stm

Subsequent research by Jeremy Banning who works with Peter Barton on books and archaeological projects, showed that one of the attacking battalions on the 1st July 1916, 2nd Borders 'only' suffered two casualties whilst crossing No Mans Land. However they suffered considerably greater losses once they got into the German trenches.

Peter Barton has written a book entitled 'The Somme - a new panoramic perspective' with all the detail of the dig. Currently out of print the intention is to get it reprinted for early next year.

Flesquires Tank - Cambrai 1917

As has been pointed out to me now by two Guild members the Flesquires tank was actually called 'Deborah' and NOT 'Dorothy'.

Lochnagar Crater Parking

Those guiding members who escort coaches around the Somme battlefield should be aware that there is no longer a coach park adjacent to the crater site. It has been cordoned off by huge mounds of earth deliberately placed there to stop access. This may be due to a dispute between individuals owning land adjacent to the crater site. It means you will need to leave your coach in La Boiselle and walk to the crater, a distance of about 500 metres. It could be very difficult for older people to gain access to the site.

This closure does not restrict the ability of individual cars to access the crater site but it does limit parking and at busy times space now available for vehicles could be full.

I will endeavour to find out if this is likely to be a permanent closure. If any member visiting Lochnagar notes any change in the present impasse please let me know

Flesquires Tank - Cambrai 1917

Philippe Gorczynski of Flesquires near Cambrai has made it his lifetime passion to research the Battle of Cambrai November 1917. Some years ago he discovered the location of a British Mark IV Tank which had been buried in the area. Destroyed by artillery fire with 5 crew members killed, the hulk was pushed into a shell hole and used as a shelter. Philippe heard the story of a 'buried tank' from an old lady in the village who remembered it being buried. He set about finding and salvaging it and after much time and effort together with the cooperation of the French Army he discovered the tank under 2 metres of earth.

Today the tank called 'Dorothy' sits on a plinth in a barn in the village of Flesquires. Viewing is not available to the general public but eventually when enough funds have been found, Philippe intends to build a museum around his most treasured artifact of the Great War.

Philippe in front of 'Dorothy'

Massive structural damage to front end probably caused by a direct fire artillery piece
77mm German Field Gun of the type likely to have caused the damage



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James Dinsdale's Place

Further to James Dinsdale Blog I thoroughly recommend the house and location!! Ideally situated for all the allied sectors in Normandy and cheaper to eat out than the tourist bases on the coast or Caen

Bob Darby

Normandy 29th July to 26th August

I'll be in Normandy trying to indulge in some fine Norman food and visit as many battle sites as possible during the dates above. Anyone is more than welcome to come over for a few days and join me, I operate an open house policy, I've got my family with me and they get sick of too many battlefields. There is always at least a spare sofa bed and a couple of singles. Bob Darby has been a few times and may well recommend it. I live down a long bocage lane outside Le Molay-Littry which is 9 miles west of Bayeux and 9 miles south of Omaha Beach.

James Dinsdale ajdinsdale@hotmail.co.uk

Flame Throwers on The Somme

I have been made aware that a TV production company is excavating the site of the use of flamethrowers by the British Army on the 1st July near Fricourt.

Can any member throw light on this?Email bobdarby@btinternet.com

The D Day Luncheon - 5 June 2010 Moor Park

Above GBG members Willie Mohan,Dudley Giles, Terry Webb

L-R Seated Paul Biddiss, Julian Thompson, Tom Neathway

The D Day Club had its second annual Luncheon at the historic and majestic Palladian Mansion at Moor Park near Rickmansworth. The building was the Headquarters of Lt General 'Boy' Browning's 1st Allied Airborne Corps prior to Operation 'Market Garden' in September 1944.

The event was a fund raiser for service charities. In attendance were GBG Members Dermot Gallagher, Willie Mohan, James Dinsdale, Anthony Steel, Terry Webb, Joe Hamon, Dudley Giles and Bob Darby who is Chairman of The D Day Club.

The main speaker was Major General Julian Thompson who commanded the initial landing force 3 Commando Brigade in the Falklands conflict of 1982. Julian is a well known military author, TV presenter and battlefield guide. Guest of Honour was Corporal Tom Neathway who was severely wounded in Afghanistan in 2008 where he lost both legs and one arm.

Members who may wish to attend next year can get more details by going to the website at http://www.theddayclub.org.uk/. There is also a Facebook page for joining as a supporter/member of The D Day Club.

Next Luncheon Sunday 5th June 2011.

Help For Heroes - Big Battlefield Bike Ride 2010

This year's charity bike ride for Help For Heroes took place between 24th - 31st May 2010 and covered 350 miles in 5 stages across the battlefields of both the Great and Second War in France and Belgium. The route was Fecamp - Dieppe - Amiens - Arras - Ypres and ended at Dunkirk to coincide with 70th anniversary celebrations

Along the way GGB members manned stands at various battlefield sites and explained to the riders what happened. This was the third year the Guild has assisted Help For Heroes (H4H) in raising monies to support our young service people who suffer both physical and mental trauma as a result of military service. It is probably that H4H has raised in excess of £1 million from this year's ride.

GBG members Bob Darby, John Greenacre, Tim Pritchard-Barrett and Peter Caddick-Adams were the guides or 'Military Historians' as they are referred to by H4H and fellow member Dudley Giles rode to raise monies. Now you now know why Dudley used to bring along his collection bucket to the London Luncheon Club and Guild Weekends!!

H4H recognise the wealth of knowledge and the guiding expertise of our members. We support them on a regular basis year after year.

The next sponsored bike ride will be in September 2010 across the battle sites of Waterloo, Antwerp and the towns and bridges of Market Garden 1944. It is to be called The 'Bridge Too Far' Bike Ride. See www.helpforheroes.org.uk for details.

Again, we will be supporting them!

The Other 'Dunkirk'

The Harbour at St Valery En Caux
The Cliffs at St Valery
The Memorial to the 51st Highland Division


Many are aware of the Dunkirk evacuation May/June 1940 but what about the other 'Dunkirk' at St Valery En Caux. On the 12th June 1940 over 9000 men of the 51st Highland Division were taken prisoner after arriving at the coast after conducting a successful fighting withdrawal to the Channel port for evacuation by the Royal Navy. It was not to be. Some members of the Division known as 'Ark' Force however did escape the advancing German forces and were evacuated through Le Havre.

This action tends to be overshadowed by Dunkirk but is well worth a visit. I conducted a tour recently in reverse order from St Valery up to Dunkirk via Dieppe and Operation 'Jubilee' We might look at this in the future as a Recce for Guild members

Road Works - Delays - Reims

A word of warning. Reims is installing a tramway system all at once.

The whole city is in gridlock chaos. Advise anyone who is thinking of a visit to either walk miles or travel to the site by bicycle.

One mistake on the diversions and it’s another 20 minutes to get back to where you made the original mistake.

Road Works - Delays - Ypres Area

Members should be aware that currently road works are being carried out in and around the Poperinghe area. This area should be avoided. There are also many miles of single carriageway on the A25 which can create traffic delays.

If travelling to or back from the YPRES SALIENT it is recommended members access the YPRES area along the N8 from the Adinkerke junction on the A16 or E40 or, whatever number they have given it today!

Pointe Du Hoc - Normandy

Currently works are in progress to stabilise the cliff face by the Ranger Memorial on the Point. Members who guide should be aware that there is in now only one entrance and exit from the site and that is up by the Information Centre. These works could be on going for some time. Where possible, its best to park as close to the Information Centre as possible

Information provided by Bob Hilton

French Bunker Complex Neuville En Ferrain

GBG member Bob Hilton was recently on tour staying near Neuville En Ferrain when he came across a French Bunker complex on the Franco-Belgium border. This was probably part a of a defensive line covering the approaches to Lille. There are 4 Gun bunkers and a Command bunker set back at the rear of the complex. They cover a sizeable area of the border in particular the old road from Neuville En Ferrain to Courtrai.

Can any member tell either Bob or I if they were ever used for the purpose for which they were constructed? Could they have been used to protect the withdrawal of the British Expeditioanry Force in May 1940? It came within the operational area of the British 3rd Division under command of Major General Bernard Law Montgomery

Bob has maps and more photos of the site. If you want access to these please contact Bob

Battlefields from the Air

Most of us have our feet on terra firma when we are conducting a battlefield tour but GBG Member Adam Williams does it slightly differently. He flies his clients around the battlefields. On tour recently he took these photos of locations which are pretty familiar to Normandy guides. If you think you know where they are please email to bobdarby@intinternet.com.

However, not everything runs true to form as one of the photos shows. How do you tow out a helicopter bogged down in a Norman field!!

Reconstructed Trenches RAF Halton

Earlier this month Guild Members Bob Darby and Piers Storie Pugh were invited to visit a reconstructed trench system at RAF Halton. This is a project funded by the RAF and carried out by young airman under training at Halton and between courses. The original trenching system was the work of Kitchener K3 volunteers before leaving for France.

The reconstruction has been carried out using drawings from the original Field Training Manuals. The site is within the grounds of RAF Halton and therefore not open to the general public.

Who were the first to land in Normandy on D Day?

Further to the claim at Deadman's Corner Museum near St Mere Eglise the following responses have been received from members.

Pete Hawtin

The DMC sign is probably correct. Team A of 502nd Pathfinders jumped at 0015hrs commanded by Captain Frank Lillyman and landed on DZ A near St Mere Eglise. they landed intact and set up their beacons for the main force. To be switched on at 0040hrs. In the US Official History no mention is made of times but Devlin in his book 'Paratrooper' states that 'the first man to land was Captain Frank L Lillyman a 101st Pathfinders who set down at 0015hrs'

The first intact fighting troops to land were John Howard's glider-borne company of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry at the Benouville Bridge (Pegasus) at 0016hrs with the caveat that the US Pathfinders were ordered to avoid contact and to take evasive action if discovered.

Valmai Holt

Gallic enthusiasm is a wonderful thing! The memorial plaque on the Marie at Benouville claims to be the first Marie liberated at 2345hrs on the 5th June! Trying to decide upon the 'first' anything in France and you will have trouble!

John Howard said that his watch stopped at 0016hrs.

Tonie Holt

Gordon Brown in his book 'Wartime Courage' says the first allied soldier to arrive in Normandy on D Day was SAS Lieutenant Noel Poole who landed at 0011hrs whilst taking part in Operation 'Titanic' the distribution of the Rupert 'dummies' around Carentan. This information came to Brown via Professor M R D Foot the historian for SOE who was also a Captain in, and IO for the SAS


I think it is probable that the US Pathfinders as a formed body were first to land, but the first to 'close with the enemy' was John Howard's action at Benouville Bridge