BEF rearguard actions / Dunkirk what are your most poignant stories

[soren1941]

Hi Guys,

Do you have any stories regarding the BEF units that held up the Germans to keep the escape going?

I'm looking for subject matter on heroism during this period, what started my interest was a fabulous tour with Iain of the Guards action at Landrecies, and seeing the Munsters who all died together during Mons in WW1.

It started my curiosity regarding the later withdrawal.

Cheers

Soren

[Owen]

Have a scan through this.

HyperWar: The War in France and Flanders, 1939-1940 (UK Military Series)


Have read on Ervine-Andrews VC action.
Post #7 on here.
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/real-li...ecipients.html




Then there's 2nd Div stand on the canal near La Bassee & Bethune.
The Guards at Furnes.
The action at Cassel etc etc
Few more actions briefly mentioned here.
Dunkirk Blitzkrieg

[soren1941]

Cheers Owen

These are the sort of leads I'm after many thanks

Soren

[CROONAERT]

You've actually got one of the most gutsy and sacrificial holding actions right on your own doorstep, Soren.

From "Shrapnel Corner", the area between the railway line and the canal and the Ieper - Warneton Road (and westwards to Wijtschaete) became the battleground for "the Battle of Wijschaete 1940" which, although a defeat, delayed the Germans for 24 hours in the east and caused them to advance more cautiously from then on - perhaps enabling several thousand more BEF to escape up the Dunkirk corridor. The actions of the 17th Bde at Hill 60 (2/RSF), the "Dump" (6/Seaforths) and "the Bluff" (2/RSF & 6/Seaforths) make particularly interesting reading for those with an interest in WW1, though the actions further south are no less so.

Even more on your "doorstep" is 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 blown (by Lt.Smith,Royal Engineers who gained the MC for this action )and the defenders withdrawn.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).

Dave.

[Owen]

came under fire from the Menin Gate (held at that time by 150 Bde AT Coy)

[CROONAERT]

Main British positions immediately prior to the "battle of Wijtschaete" - situation as at PM on 26th May...

[CROONAERT]

To repeat my post from back in February about the involvement of the 6/Seaforths in this action...

On 26th May 1940, the 6/seaforths arrived at St.Eloi (from Templemars) at around 11:00hrs. They had been bombed several times en route and had suffered some casualties due to this. After arriving, they occupied defensive positions just south of Zillebeke (just west of and parallel with the Ypres-Comines railway, facing in a N.Easterly direction). 3 Coys held the front (A on the right, D in the centre and C on the left with B Coy being in reserve) with Bn HQ being in a farm a little behind (map ref.H6058). The battalion frontage was about 2000 yds in length.

A couple of German armoured cars and motorcycle troops appeared during the afternoon soon followed by many troops on bicycles and intermittant shelling. German posts were reported as being set up close to the left flank of the frontage and sniper activity increased towards dusk, with some being reported as being behind the British lines. Nightfall brought much activity and further shelling and the left hand platoon of C coy (under 2/Lt.J.M.Moir) disappeared completely (it later transpired that they had been captured by a German patrol).

With daylight on the 27th May german pressure increased enormously and their mortars and AP weaponry was brought into the fray. casualties were heavy in all forward companies, but especially in A Coy which was reduced to a handful of men commanded by Sgt.F. Stewart - all officers having become casualties. Stewart was later awarded the DCM for his gallantry in this action*. At around 14:00 hours, the battalion was forced to withdraw to the neighbourhood of St.Eloi village where they endured further heavy shelling until nightfall. By this time however, german troops were in close proximity and rifle and MG fire continued into the night. A few troops of the battalion were captured by the germans actually in St.Eloi village, including at least one officer.

Dawn on 28th May was heralded by attacks from dive-bombers, two bombs from which landed very near the RAP which, by this time ,was practically in the frontline. the Germans appeared to have withdrawn slightly during the night and so the artillery began again for a number of hours until the German infantry pushed forward again, working at the gaps in the line between the neighbouring battalions. Eventually, the battalion was surrounded on 3 sides in some depth and so it was decided to withdraw to Wijtschaete which was done under very heavy rifle and LMG fire. The battalion by now was in such a state that it took until nightfall to collect the stragglers and reorganise what was left of the battalion. here the order was given to embus for Moeres. The battalion moved to la Clytte (for tea, biscuits, bully & rum!) where "B" echelon transport had been held and then the night move started on the heavily congested roads......etc...etc.....from then on - destination Dunkirk.

* the place of Sgt.Stewart's action was the easily recognisable feature known in WW1 as "the Dump".

Dave.

[Paul Reed]

Dave - very interesting indeed, and an excellent map!

[CROONAERT]

Cheers Paul. I'll put some of the others up later if they're of interest.

Dave.

[soren1941]

Owen,

That picture really is something, I wonder whether they got out alive?