BEF rearguard actions / Dunkirk what are your most poignant stories

[stevew]

Thanks Dave,

I remember reading that thread over at Paul's............all coming together now

Steve

[CROONAERT]

Originally Posted by CROONAERT

the small action at the Menin Gate...

The cyclists of the German 18 Aufklärungs-Bataillon came under fire from the Menin Gate (held at that time by 150 Bde AT Coy) whilst heading northwards over the Menin Road crossroads. Fire was returned with the aid of the MG.34s of two SdKfz half-tracks and supported by the guns of Artillerie-Regiment 54, who were just north of Zillebeke lake. After a short period (probably only a few minutes in reality), the bridge was (rather pointlessly as it turned out!) blown (by Lt.Smith,Royal Engineers who gained the MC for this action )and the defenders withdrawn. The Germans then merrily continued on their way - northwards towards further actions in the canal zone in the vicinity of Boesinge. (The Germans entered the town the following day - the 29th - via the Lille Gate).

.

Scene of the battle from British eyes...the SdKfz's were just to the front and right of the red brick building in the distance (menin Road crossroads) and 18 Aufk.Btn was passing from right to left here - quite a small field of fire really.

Dave

[brispencer]

I am trying to track down any information on the disposition or action by the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards near Furnes late May 1940. My father would (acting Sergeant Walter Spencer) have been part of this action and was captured somewhere in the area spending the next 4 years in Stalag 8B Lamsdorf. I have the telegram notification of missing in action and I have a typed history of his time in the Guards showing joining, promotions, capture, release and repatriation dates etc and I also have several photo's of him in this time. finally I have a 1939 roadmap where he detailed the route taken on the final march from Lamsdorf heading west during Jan - April 1945 and have traced another prisoners list of stops during the march which almost duplicates the map. So, I have plenty of info. on his years captive but what I am specifically interested in is any info. on where the guards were during 20th May - early June 1940. I have tracked down many bits of information but they are fairly unspecific (appreciating the chaos that must have reigned). I would be very grateful for any information.

Thanks

Brian Spencer

[Owen]

Brian,
Can you confirm your Dad was in 2 CG ?
They were on the Canal de Bergues a Furnes near Pont Pauwhens Werve, according to a map I'm looking at.

It was the 1st Bn Coldstream who were at Furnes.

I haven't anything specific on CG but can work out some locations from Gren Gds & Royal Hampshires Histories who were in 1st Gds Bde with 2CG for you soon.

[brispencer]

My Dad who was in the 2nd Batt Coldstream Guards had a photo taken at a reniunion with one of the chaps in a wheelchair. He told me the reason was that, in an incident where on of their vehicles (I think it may have been a Bren gun carrier) was stopped by other British troops and asked to give some of them a lift. The guy commanding the Bren gun carrier refused and went to drive on. One of the stragglers took a pot shot at the carrier and hit the driver (the guy in the wheel chair) disabling him for life.
My Dad, like most others didn't talk much about his experiences and I am tracking down his movements both during the retreat and his experiences as a "guest" in Stalag VIIIB. He did, however, once tell me that the most terrifying sound he ever heard was the whistle of a Stuka dive bomber during it's dive before releasing it's bombs.

Bri