Normandy Left Flank Guardians query.

Owen · 01-06-2006, 11:44 PM

OK I know where, who, and when the others Divisions did what in Normandy in the summer of 44. One thing I'm not sure of is who guarded the left flank of the Bridgehead all summer. I know the British I Corps 3rd (Br) Div with 6th Airbourne Division was there but were 6th Airbourne there all alone for the rest of the campaign after 3rd (Br) Div moved away in July?
I should know this one and have tried looking into it but..................help!
Of course 49th Div were on their right flank.Doh!

MalcolmII · 02-06-2006, 06:09 PM

5th Black Watch were there from the afternoon of D Day. They were detached from 51st HD.

Aye
MalcolmII

sapper · 02-06-2006, 08:38 PM

What unit were they attached to? cannot recall seeing them there.
Sapper

Owen · 02-06-2006, 09:27 PM

sort of answered my own question.http://www.answers.com/topic/british...borne-division

Quote:

From June to August the Division successfully defended the area to the east of the Orne river. On 2 August 1944 the division became part of the First Allied Airborne Army. In mid-August the division took part in the advance towards the Seine and early in September it returned to Britain to recuperate and reorganise, having suffered over 4,000 casualties (killed, wounded, and missing).

That is one hell of a time to be in one location.

51highland · 02-06-2006, 09:37 PM

5th Camerons took over guarding of Orne river bridges 10th June. 15th June were tasked with holding Longueval, 30th June to 7th July in Herouvillette area. Armoured thrust by 8th corps south and east of Caen (18th July), the left flank being secured by 6th Airborne & 51st HD.
hope this helps

Owen · 02-06-2006, 10:09 PM

Thanks chaps for replying. Maybe I should read my books a bit closer.
So used to the Armoured and Infantry Divisions moving around so much, it didn't seem right that the 6th Airbourne were in that location for so long.
I'm aware of their actions on D-Day but from then on my knowledge of their role is sadly lacking.
Anyone any stories about them?

sapper · 02-06-2006, 10:31 PM

My company were at Pegasus bridge for some time. Who were the Camerons with? They must have come under command of someone? We were certainly there on the 10th, I cannot recall any Camerons? I was also at Herouvilette. I also took part in the Goodwood operations, the armoured thrust South and East of Caen.
Sapper

51highland · 03-06-2006, 10:52 AM

8th June Camerons moved mile south of La Riviere but told to move again to clear woods east of Fontaine-Henry. A company to clear east bank of River Mue as far south as Barbiere, B comp to clear west bank down to Thaon. Afternoon of 9th battalion moved eastwards to contain enemy still holding out in large radio-location centre at Douvres-la-Deliverande; 10th moved over tp Benouville to take over guarding of Orne bridges.At Benouville on 11th June Camerons prepared for the attack on St Honorine on 13th June. Assembly area was in Orchards 500 yards south of the East end of the Pont-Tournant. Route to start line was the towpath into Longueval.
Dad said that they met up with Airborne at the Orne bridges.
Have a map of the area, I'll scan and send it to you. Camerons were under command of 1st Corp when they landed.

Owen · 03-06-2006, 11:49 PM

Thanks for all the info.
Let's go forward to August 44.Whilst Canadian Corps was advancing down the road to Falaise.51st HD was on their left, then 49th Polar Bears,then was it 6th AB Div? Or was someone else between 49th Div & 6th Airbourne?

MalcolmII · 04-06-2006, 12:56 AM

They were attached to 3rd Canadian Division and went to Banville. 7th and 8th was Beny sur Mer, 9th June at St Aubin d'Arquenay, 10th to 13th Breville. They got a message from General Gale thanking them for their help. They were at Ranville till 2nd July.

Aye
MalcolmII

01-06-2006, 11:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,464	Normandy Left Flank Guardians query. OK I know where, who, and when the others Divisions did what in Normandy in the summer of 44. One thing I'm not sure of is who guarded the left flank of the Bridgehead all summer. I know the British I Corps 3rd (Br) Div with 6th Airbourne Division was there but were 6th Airbourne there all alone for the rest of the campaign after 3rd (Br) Div moved away in July? I should know this one and have tried looking into it but..................help! Of course 49th Div were on their right flank.Doh! Last edited by Owen; 02-06-2006 at 12:14 AM.

02-06-2006, 09:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
51highland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ipswich Posts: 830	5th Camerons took over guarding of Orne river bridges 10th June. 15th June were tasked with holding Longueval, 30th June to 7th July in Herouvillette area. Armoured thrust by 8th corps south and east of Caen (18th July), the left flank being secured by 6th Airborne & 51st HD. hope this helps __________________ 51 highland www.keep-em-moving.com Là á Bhlàir's math na Càirdean (Friends are good in the day of battle) Na diobair caraid's a charraid (Forsake not a friend in the fray) Cuimhnichibh na suinn nach maireann . Mairidh an cliu beo gu brath. (In memory of the Heroes who are no more. May their Fame live on forever)

03-06-2006, 10:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
51highland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ipswich Posts: 830	8th June Camerons moved mile south of La Riviere but told to move again to clear woods east of Fontaine-Henry. A company to clear east bank of River Mue as far south as Barbiere, B comp to clear west bank down to Thaon. Afternoon of 9th battalion moved eastwards to contain enemy still holding out in large radio-location centre at Douvres-la-Deliverande; 10th moved over tp Benouville to take over guarding of Orne bridges.At Benouville on 11th June Camerons prepared for the attack on St Honorine on 13th June. Assembly area was in Orchards 500 yards south of the East end of the Pont-Tournant. Route to start line was the towpath into Longueval. Dad said that they met up with Airborne at the Orne bridges. Have a map of the area, I'll scan and send it to you. Camerons were under command of 1st Corp when they landed. __________________ 51 highland www.keep-em-moving.com Là á Bhlàir's math na Càirdean (Friends are good in the day of battle) Na diobair caraid's a charraid (Forsake not a friend in the fray) Cuimhnichibh na suinn nach maireann . Mairidh an cliu beo gu brath. (In memory of the Heroes who are no more. May their Fame live on forever)

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02-06-2006, 06:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
MalcolmII Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 209	5th Black Watch were there from the afternoon of D Day. They were detached from 51st HD. Aye MalcolmII

02-06-2006, 08:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,513	What unit were they attached to? cannot recall seeing them there. Sapper

02-06-2006, 10:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,464	Thanks chaps for replying. Maybe I should read my books a bit closer. So used to the Armoured and Infantry Divisions moving around so much, it didn't seem right that the 6th Airbourne were in that location for so long. I'm aware of their actions on D-Day but from then on my knowledge of their role is sadly lacking. Anyone any stories about them?

02-06-2006, 10:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,513	My company were at Pegasus bridge for some time. Who were the Camerons with? They must have come under command of someone? We were certainly there on the 10th, I cannot recall any Camerons? I was also at Herouvilette. I also took part in the Goodwood operations, the armoured thrust South and East of Caen. Sapper

03-06-2006, 11:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,464	Thanks for all the info. Let's go forward to August 44.Whilst Canadian Corps was advancing down the road to Falaise.51st HD was on their left, then 49th Polar Bears,then was it 6th AB Div? Or was someone else between 49th Div & 6th Airbourne?

04-06-2006, 12:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
MalcolmII Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 209	They were attached to 3rd Canadian Division and went to Banville. 7th and 8th was Beny sur Mer, 9th June at St Aubin d'Arquenay, 10th to 13th Breville. They got a message from General Gale thanking them for their help. They were at Ranville till 2nd July. Aye MalcolmII

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