The 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in Norway April 1940

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by Steve Foster, Dec 13, 2011.

  1. Magnum

    Magnum Member

  2. Steve Foster

    Steve Foster Senior Member

    Remembering seventy five years ago today, St George's Day, that men of the 8th Sherwood Foresters and 5th Leicesters (148 Inf Bde TA) made their stand at Tretten against 196 Armoured Divison (Kampfgroup Pellengahr).

    By 9pm the Brigade had been overrun and ceased to exist as a fighting unit with the majority killed, wounded or captured.

    Steve Foster
     
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  3. MAW

    MAW Junior Member

    I am researching the biography of 4977395 Private John William Percy LEIVERS, who served in the 8th Sherwood Foresters and was captured in Norway in April 1940.

    He was born in Nottingham in 1920 and died in 2006.

    Does anyone have any information on his army service, or perhaps a photograph?

    Mark
     
  4. Steve Foster

    Steve Foster Senior Member

    Hi Mark,

    This is what I know:

    Private 4977395 J W P Leivers. Held Stalag BAB20 (Detachment E794 Stalag 344) which was formerly Bau und Abeits Battalion 20) POW number 4796.

    If you google Stalag 344 or Stalag BAB20, you may get more.

    Most of what happened to the 8th Foresters I have put on this thread. Please get back after you have read it and I will try and help.

    Steve
     
  5. MAW

    MAW Junior Member

    Steve,

    Thank you for this information - very useful.

    Mark
     
  6. clive7

    clive7 Member

    Hi Steve,
    apologies if this has been posted before.

    A Diary made from letters sent home to his father in England by Lt. J.P.Guy
    Norway 1940
    -1-
    Sunday, 14th April. 1940. Down Forth by Ferry Steamers to 'Orion'.
    We were loaded onto small paddle-steamers at Rosyth quay and chugged under the Forth Bridge below the submarine net to the 'Orion' at Inchkeith. A strong wind was blowing, and we made several attempts before we could get alongside. Major Garner commented he'd be happier if going the other way.
    On the Orion everything was sumptuous. Had a cabin to myself, and troops were in cabins too. Marvellous food served by white-coated stewards - reminded me of the 'Atlantis'. At dusk weighed anchor and came up above the sub-net and below the Forth Bridge for the night.
    Monday, 15th April. 1940. Onto H.M.S. 'Arrow'.
    Spent the day in cabin and lounging over the bulwarks gazing at the Forth Bridge and the Fife and Edinburgh Shores.
    In the evening 'A' and 'D' Coys. Told they were going aboard destroyers. Paraded onto a tug in the gloaming and steamed up to Rosyth quay again in starlight. Unloaded onto H.M.S. 'Arrow', where Lt. Scott had already arrived with 50 soldiers from 'D' Coy. We didn't move that evening ; but the Commander told us where we were bound for. To bed as soon as possible.
    Tuesday, April 16th, 1940. Sailed for Norway.
    At 8.30 a.m. H.M.S. 'Arrow' started off from Rosyth Dockyard. We moved off
    -2-
    down the Forth with three cruisers and one other destroyer H.M.S. Acharon. I stood watching how close we were to the water, as we tore east and then N.E. up the Scotch Coast. We kept within sight of land all up the coast. We were the left forward destroyer; the Acharon was the right forward destroyer, and the cruisers were behind and between us, off the Starboard quarter. We zigzagged in front of the cruisers listening for submarines.
    I had had breakfast of bacon and egg; later I ate some chocolate. But this was my undoing, and I felt so ill I ate nothing else until we had landed in Norway. During the afternoon I languished in the Captain's cabin, lying down., for if I stood up my stomach reeled. Most of Wednesday April 17th I spent down below, occasionally coming up to see how we were getting along, and sat by the torpedo tubes in the sunlight. Bedded down early.
    Thursday, 18th April. 1940. Landed at Andalsnes.
    The morning and afternoon we travelled N.E. as before. Towards evening We turned due east, for the Romsdal Fjord. As dusk was beginning to fall I came up on deck. Bren guns were manned, and we entered the Fjord (it seemed about 2 miles wide) on look-out for snipers on the shore or mountain sides. The hills were covered with snow, and it became suddenly colder and more dismal; the sailors even put on their duffle coats. At last we saw a settlement on the starboard bow -Andalsnes We slowed down and hove to while a cruiser slipped alongside the stone quayside. At length, when night had fallen, we came
    -3-
    alongside the cruiser, and crossed over the cruiser onto the quay. The inhabitants had turned out to see us.
    Friday, 19th April. 1940. Sorted packing-cases. Entrained in evening.
    Some of that night we unloaded the ships,the commanders of which wanted to be clear of the quay by dawn. Most of the night cranes were grating, and packing cases being dropped on the quay, while a Bofors A.A. gun was mounted on the shore. About midnight we went to bed - the troops being billeted in a tailor's factory, and we in the tailor's house next door! This house was left open, with even the crockery unwashed, as if the inhabitants had fled in haste. Next morning the guns opened a deafening fire, and I looked out of an upstairs window to see a Boche sea plane, which had been flying up the Fjord, swerve off to cover behind the mountains. Then it circled round just out of range to see what we were up to. It had probably come from Trondhjem Aerodrome. That day we stacked the packing cases, ate a stew dinner, and in the evening formed up and moved off to the station just outside the town. While waiting there seven or eight coffins, from the Front and draped with the Norwegian flag, were taken off the train; another seaplane came to investigate what was going on in the little port. Eventually we were loaded into Carriages and trucks ('40Mann' or '8 Heste') and began a cold, filthy, and uncomfortable train journey southwards.
    Saturday. 20th April. 1940. Breakfast, at Otta. Travelled through Gudbrandsdal.
    Billeted.
    We breakfasted at Otta, where we left
    -4-
    our valises and heavy luggage. My platoon was put out for local protection against motor-cyclist raiders during breakfast. Then off south again down the Gudbrandsdal. In the afternoon a grey Boche plane only 50 feet high (or less) Flew past us up the valley, apparently looking at us in at the windows. The line was bombed at Tretten, so out we got, and onto buses (after being given a drink of milk by some peasants).We were issued with maps (15 miles to the inch!) Drove in buses through Lillehamar past crowds of cheering Norwegians, and after being machine-gunned by a plane (our first encounter) got out and walked to our billets (a farm in a clearing). To bed at about midnight, revolvers under the pillow. Got cramp several times during the night with the cold.
    Sunday. 21st April. 1940. Battle at Lillehamar.
    At 9.0 am. Sunday morning a Norwegian Staff Officer told us to get ready as we were going down to the line. We dressed quickly snatched Some biscuits, and at about 11 o'clock onto trucks taking us South.
    White planes with black crosses in the air the whole time. At the line we were going to hold my platoon was allotted a wood on the left of the road going south, while 'A' company went on ahead. Half right, in the pine woods, saw farm house In Boche hands going up in smoke. Occasional shells were hurled into our wood, but little else happened till tea-time. Just when reserve ammunition had come up, making extra weight to carry, were told to withdraw up the road (the snow was waist-deep in the fields). As I went up road a few shells fell on both sides, smutching the white snow for 200 yds. around where they fell and brought the telephone wires down round our ears. 400 yds up the road was a pine-tree road block. D Coy was to defend this area; 17 Platoon to cover the block.
    -5-
    that night was cold; covered our legs with hay for warmth. Thought we saw ski patrols or heard engines several times during night. Let through 100 Norwegians under White Flag-
    thought they might be Germans to turn on us from behind. At one o'clock told to withdraw 15 miles, half walking, half riding on truck We started by walking through the dark pine woods. Saw red glow of burning farm houses on our left. Then our turn to ride came, and dawn, Monday, saw us entering Lillehamar after a most tiring march through sludge & snow & the perpetual expectation of having Germans jumping on us from the woods flanking the road.
    Monday. 22nd April. 1940. The Battle.
    By this time all the Companies were muddled up, and we were sent to the School. Ate there some cakes and tea the school people provided. Then told the Germans were about to enter town so out and took up positions on North of Lillehamar. The Foresters were on our left. D Coy occupied three hillocks in the open. A plane flew over, and when it had gone we took cover in the wooded and bouldered part between the road and the field; feeling tired. Two planes machine-gunned us from 11 o'clock till 1 o'clock, and set the school we had previously occupied on fire with tracer bullets, About lunch time saw figures in valley coming our way. Couldn't distinguish who they were; were Foresters being driven in by German attack; the left flank had gone. All D Coy. officers had vanished during last night's March and I was in charge. Then C.0. told the battalion to withdraw 7 miles up valley by transport and reform line. I drove lorry with food back. Bombed in wood by plane which flew up the valley after us. That evening reformed at edge of wood, D Coy. to act as rearguard for rest Saw several armoured cars going up mountain on our left. When we were given word to withdraw, had to race across cross-roads behind us while being fired at by armoured cars which had got behind us and were 300 yds above us on the hillside. Back several miles to Bn. H.Q. Then told to go by transport further back where we lay down for a bit of a rest.
    [ Here there is a seperate shhet of paper with the following written on it :-
    Monday
    April 22nd
    1940
    6.36 p.m.
    Sitting under fir tree near Lillehammer & wondering.
    H Guy ]
    -6-
    During night went to Otta, where we heard Bn.was reforming between Tretten and Otta.
    Tuesday. April 23rd, 1940. The Battle.
    Tuesday morning, 23rd April had wash etc. and meal,and in afternoon back on lorry to Farvaang, where we found resistance was collapsing. Most of Bn. had gone back and Captain Hobbins and I seemed to be only ones in Farvaang. Apart from some Norwegians who had prepared the suspension bridges for demolition. So followed on last truck going back to Otta. Slept a bit there, then took food with Q.M. to the rest valley S.W. of Otta, where troops were sleeping in farmhouses.
    Wednesday. 24th April. 1940. Met Major Garner.
    Met Major Garner who'd been shot in knee; he said he'd let them know at home I was O.K. Had photos taken by Norwegians,who in turn donned our tin hats & rifles & we took their photos.
    Conference at Brigade H.Q. deciding on defence of rest valley. Leicesters moved to eastern end. Slept night in Brigade Commander's car - cold The wood hut's stank too much to be endured.
    Thursday. 25th April. 1940.In evening left
    Otta by train. Thursday evening collected together for move northwards: One man had stomach trouble through eating dry biscuits, which subsequently swelled. Marched over suspension bridge which had bomb holes through it though made of concrete into Otta. On the platform saw brigade going up to line; bitterly cold waiting for train. At last got in train and steamed north, with many halts, and at slow pace.
    Friday, 26th April, 1940. Spent day in wood near Dovre: arrived Dombaas.
    Morning found us South of Dovre. Engine driver refused to take us farther during daylight; so out of train and into nearby wood. Spent whole day in wood; shared rations of Norwegian Red-Cross Unit which
    -7-
    was there - tinned sausages, sour rye-bread and harsh bitter coffee. German planes bombed the railway line. and Dovre Station. windows of train all broken.
    Saw an English plane -the only one I saw. At dusk onto the train again, and off to Dombaas. Arrived there about 10 o'clock, in a biting wind,and marched passed smoldering, bombed, wooden huts to Tourist Hotel. Ate some bully beef in basement, and got to bed in one of the bedrooms on a bed - The first comfort for what seemed ages. Troops slept in rooms, corridors, floors, everywhere.
    Saturday. 27th April, 1940. Spent day at Dombaas.
    Up, and spent most of day in the house of German dentist, used as Battalion H.Q. Looked at weapons helmets & swastika flags of captured parachutists which were stored in basement of hotel; one person accidentally wounded by rifle that went off. Planes over all day. Had bath in dentist's bath-room.
    Sunday. April 28th. 1940. Started back for Andaisnes.
    Spent day much as before wondering what would be done with us. For walk with Syd and Padre into nearby wood, round church, and saw graves of the German parachutists. In afternoon wrote some scrappy letters on what paper I could find, and censored those of the troops. Dombaas bombed - 2 Norwegians killed, and ammunition store set on fire; the rounds popped off and the wooden house blazed furiously.
    In evening told we were to make for Adalsnes in four batches; one batch Leicesters to go all way that night; one batch Leicesters to go to Romsdal; one batch Foresters to go to Lesjakogen, and
    -8-
    one batch Foresters to go to Lesja, so as to have all route picketed against parachutists for brigade still in line. I was attached to last batch Foresters. To Lesja by train. Arrived about midnight. I took out patrol to look for vehicles to take us further the fo11owing night, as no transport was provided. found nothing. Slept on Lesja Station.
    Monday. 29th April. 1940. Spent day in farm-house at Lesja.
    At dawn, half of Coy. to wood near church, other half to farmhouse. Had some tinned pilchards and pears. Tried to get some trucks started; they had no ignition keys, so had to connect wires. Got a milk lorry and taxi to work, but owner asked us to return taxi. Bomb dropped 30 yds. from farmhouse. That evening started along rail and road for Andalsnes - 60 miles away. Some troops on lorry, some marching on railway line. I drove lorry. stopped every now and then to get in touch. After 15 miles the railway party fired 3 shots, which let us know they'd stopped a train. I drove to Lesjakogen Station to let lorry party get on train, but it had gone through station, and later discovered it had spent Tuesday in a tunnel. So drove lorry back to Andalsnes, trying to be there before 6.0 a.m., when the quay was bombed regularly. Endless journey of hairpin bends down to Romsdal with precipitous slopes at edge of road.
    Tuesday, 30th April, 1940. Arrived at Andalsnes: on board H.M.S. Sheffield tonight.
    Arrived about 6.0 a.m., sent troops to assembly areas (they were Foresters) and sent truck to vehicle park where it was needed for bringing in more parties. Spent
    -9-
    day in our area, in wood on hillside above Andaisnes. Watched them try to bomb bridge, but missed. They dropped incendiaries in wood, trying to drive us out. At 9.0 p.m. we paraded to go down to ship at quay. Marched through Andalsnes, a town of stinking ruins, to quayside. Got onto destroyer, and then onto H. M. S. Sheffield. They gave us bacon and eggs, coffee, toast, marmalade, and butter, and how we wanted it! At 12.45 p.m. they started belting down. the Fjord, trying to get away before any bombers came over. We left a rear-party at Andalsnes to come off the following night.
    Wednesday. May 1st. 1940.
    Over the North Sea.
    On Wednesday we were well out over the North Sea. Got some pay from Paymaster Commander and paid the 100 troops on board 5/- each for chocolate and cigarettes. At last got the sleep we needed.
    Thursday. May 2nd, 1940.
    Arrived Scapa; changed to 'Royal Scotsman'; then to 'Sobieski'. At 'dawn found ourselves in Scapa. The Rodney was there, and several other Warships and Hospital ships. unloaded from Sheffield onto small Irish-crossing steamer, 'The Royal Scotsman'. In the afternoon again transferred to H.M.S. 'Sobieski', a Polish ship of the South America - New York - Gdynia line. She had been transformed into a troop carrier with bunks, etc. I shared cabin with the Q.M. of the Foresters. Lived on sumptuous fare while on board.
    Learnt a bit of Po1ish, e.g. Poklad C = C Deck! Troops from the other cruisers were brought onto the Sobieski, So the Battalion was rejoined again.
    -10-
    Friday. 3rd May. 1940.
    Spent day at Scapa. Beautifully fine day. Did scarcely anything, bar a few muster parades etc. to count numbers. Got Conrad's 'Victory' out of the Sobieski's library. Read it before we got to Glasgow; but didn't like it. Very good food. Thought they were keeping us till after the debate in Parliament.
    Saturday. 4th May. 1940. Sailed for Glasgow.
    In the early morning started for Glasgow. Saw land on port side most of day. Sailed down Minch with two other troop-ships and two destroyers. Water was very calm.
    Sunday. 5th May. 1940 Arrived Glasgow; sent letter.
    Sailed past Dumbarton and up Clyde. Noticed how green everything was compared with the whites and blacks of Norway. Docked at, I think King George V Dock on left bank of Clyde. Wrote letter saying I'd arrived, which I posted; but no one allowed ashore. Got paid £5.
    Monday. 6th May. 1940.
    Sent telegram saying I'd arrived: Change of clothes; speech by Sir Edmund Ironside. Down to nearby warehouses for change of clothes before Sir Edmund Ironside came to see us. I picked up a few things such as towels; you could take your choice in the huge warehouses. Later, paraded in same warehouses and Sir Edmund Ironside and a few French Generals inspected us, and Sir Edmund Ironside made a speech.
    The following day we entrained, and departed South for Hawick, and 10 days' leave.
    J. P. H. GUY.
    2nd/Lt. 1/5 Leicestershire Regt.
     
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  7. Steve Foster

    Steve Foster Senior Member

    Clive,

    Thanks for posting this first hand account of the chaos of war - I have read it from end to end and it sent shivers down my spine. All the units of Foresters and Leicesters completely mixed up and responding to orders which were probably out of date even before they received them on the front line. Territorials in battle dress attempting to stop armour and mountain troops in thick snow.

    An authentic account of war.

    Thanks very much.

    Steve
     
  8. clive7

    clive7 Member

    ANZAC Day here in Australia tomorrow,...

    I will be at the dawn service, wearing my Dad's 'Sherwood Foresters' badge with pride.
     
  9. Steve Foster

    Steve Foster Senior Member

    I am trying to find out what the four rosettes on Cpl White's Territorial Efficiency medal indicate. He is the Grandfather of a friend of mine who fought with the 8th Foresters in Norway. He joined the TA in 1923 and was captured in 1940 and released in 1945. He was de-mobbed in 1946.

    That is a a very long time that he accrued as the five war years qualified as double time. I always thought the bar/clasp (which he has one of) indicated the length of service. Does anyone know what the four rosettes are please?

    Steve

    20161016_214741-1.jpg
     
  10. clive7

    clive7 Member

    Defence Medal 1940–1945
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    The Participation Medal 9 April 1940 - 8 May 1945
    Deltagermedaljen

    [​IMG]
    Awarded by Norway
    Type
    War medal
    Eligibility Military personnel and merchant sailors
    Awarded for Participation in the defence of Norway 1940-1945
    Status May still be awarded
    Statistics
    Established
    19 September 1945
    Precedence
    Next (higher)
    King's Medal of Merit in Silver
    Next (lower) H. M. The Kings Medal of Merit for Service in the Home Guard
    [​IMG]
    Ribbon bar of the medal
    The Participation Medal 9 April 1940 - 8 May 1945 (Norwegian: Deltagermedaljen 9. april 1940 - 8. mai 1945/Deltakarmedaljen 9. april 1940 - 8. mai 1945) is the award rewarded to those military and civilian personnel who participated in the fight against the German invasion and occupation of Norway between 1940 and 1945.

    The Participation Medal can be awarded both to Norwegian and foreign citizens. The medal may still be awarded due to the large number of participants in the defence of Norway during World War II and the difficulties tracking down all eligible recipients.[1]

    The medal is in bronze. On the obverse is the coat of arms with the inscription 9 April 1940 - 8 Mai 1945. On the reverse is the royal flag, the flag and national flag. Above these a narrow circle with the inscription DELTAGER I KAMPEN (Participant in the struggle). The image is surrounded by a chain. The band is in the Norwegian national colors. The band can be fitted with a rosette if the recipient has distinguished himself several times, for instance for those who participated in the battle of Norway in 1940. The medal is made by the goldsmith firm of J. Tostrup in Oslo.[2]

    Qualification details
    The medal was awarded to those meeting one of the following criteria:[1]

    • Taking part in the campaign in Norway in 1940 for five days or more.
    • Service in the Norwegian armed forces and merchant fleet outside of Norway for four months or more (awarded for less than four months service if one served in units that moved to Norway as part of the liberation).
    • Taking part in the campaign in Finnmark (winter 1944-45) for one month or more.
    • Allied soldiers who took part in the liberation of Norway and served for one month or more.
    • Service in the resistance forces for four months or more.
    See also
     
  11. Steve Foster

    Steve Foster Senior Member

    Remembering seventy eight years ago today, St George's Day, that men of the 8th Sherwood Foresters and 5th Leicesters (148 Inf Bde TA) made their stand at Tretten, Norway, against 196 Armoured Divison (Kampfgroup Pellengahr).

    By 9pm the Brigade had been overrun and ceased to exist as a fighting unit with the majority killed, wounded or captured.

    Steve Foster
    148 Brigade POWs.jpg ColFordA2.jpg
     
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  12. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    18 months after your post but if you haven’t got an answer to the rosettes question I’d suggest that several rosettes were issued - for use on different types of uniform and to be worn with the medal ribbon only - to denote the award of the bar to the award.

    Similar rosettes were issued to be worn with the Africa Star medal ribbon for those awarded the 1st Army Clasp etc.

    I’ve seen similar WW 1 photo’s of the 1914 Star rosette (denoting service within sound of German guns in France or Flanders before 22nd Nov 1914) attached to the full size 1914 Medal and Clasp.

    Steve
     
  13. Barbara Clemence

    Barbara Clemence New Member

    My father Charles Frederick Fox was in Norway in April 1940 and fought in that terrible battle, and managed to escape with the help of a Norwegian soldier who said he would get him and two other British soldiers out to the coast, it was very hard and I remember he saying they arrived in a town or village which was full of soldiers, one particular hotel was crowded with men, my father had a feeling that something terrible was going to happen, so they went into a old barn, that night the hotel was blown up. Does anyone else know of this. My father eventually go to the coast and arrived at Newcastle, where he was in hospital for some months . How I wish I had talked more about his time in Norway, he said he would have loved to go back, as it was a beautiful country
    Barbara Clemence
     
  14. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi Barbara,

    Welcome to the forum.

    You may wish to obtain your father’s service papers from U.K. MOD in Glasgow via this link -

    Get a copy of military service records

    It will likely not mention the details of his evasion in Norway and return to U.K. however you could do a name search on the U.K. National Archives as he may have completed an Escapers & Evaders report when he returned to U.K. that may be available as a PDF download.

    Hopefully a forum member may be able to find mention of him in the official Casualty lists that are now available on FMP site.

    Steve
     
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  15. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

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  16. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    And here is a previous publication on the same subject -

    The Doomed Expedition by Jack Adams 1989 - google books version link -

    https://g.co/kgs/6ugCcn

    Steve
     
  17. dave500

    dave500 Senior Member

    It appears that my photo is of officers of the Sherwood Foresters captured at Tretten:

    POWs, Norway, April 1940


    Dave
     
  18. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    Better late than never:
    Found fragments of the war diary from 1st coy Panzerabteilung 40 describing the fighting at Tretten

    Russisch-deutsches Projekt zur Digitalisierung deutscher Dokumente in den Archiven der Russischen Föderation | Akte 92. Unterlagen der Ia-Abteilung der 1. Kompanie der Panzerabteilung z.b.V. 40: KTB der 1. Kompanie, 7.3.-20.6.1940 zum Einsatz in Norwegen...

    Panzer-Abteilung 40 - Wikipedia

    A platoon of 1.Kp. under Oberleutnant Preiss was attached to 196.Inf.Div. (Kampfgruppe Pellengahr) with three Pz.II, three Pz.I and one kl.Pz.Bef.Wg. I (light armoured comand car)
    Furthermore two „Neubaufahrzeug“ heavy tanks (Nr. 8 and Nr. 9 from Zug Horstmann) were detached to this unit

    The transcription is intentionally in german as my english skills aren´t suitable for a proper translation. Tried completing missing sections, otherwise these are are marked as (…)

    As far as I would interprete the combined entries from MG.-Bataillon, Artillerie-Abteilung und Panzer-Abteilung it must be said the battalions were in no way simply overrun. Instead the units most fiercely resisted sustained energetic and combined efforts from numerical superior units comprising of infantry, tanks, artillery and even fighter bombers until they were nearly entirely smashed to smithereens. The remaining troops only retreated when treatened being surrounded by clearly far superior forces from three sides.

    Regarding the circumstances and the already worse conditions of the defenders this is truly remarkable

    Here are the extracts regarding Tretten:
    Die Besatzungen wurden durch die Zugführer in die Lage eingewiesen. Es wird gegen (…) l. MG und Scharfschützen gekämpft, die an der Strasse (und den) Hängen sehr gut getarnt in Stellung liegen und die Infanterie sehr lange aufhalten. Der Wg. IV (…) zeigt einige Durchschüsse der Tankgewehre, die aus nächster Entfernung abgegeben waren. Die Pz. sollen die Spitze übernehmen (…) für die Infanterie freizumachen. Einzelne Baumsperren sollen umfahren werden, da bisher keine Sprengfallen festgestellt wurden.
    (…) Pz. IV stiessen vor. Der Gegner (…) Der Durchstoss erreichte eine Ent-(...) vor der Infanterie.
    Allerdings zeigte sich, dass die Infanterie nicht in der Lage war, zu folgen. (da der Gegner) die Pz. vorbeifahren liess und nur hin und wieder (…) schoss, während er in dem Augenblick, wo die (Infanterie folgen) wollte, diese mit seinem MG- und Gewehr(feuer von den H)ängen eindeckte.
    Die Pz. mussten zurück, um (…) vorzuhelfen. Bei dem Bekämpfen der MG-Nester (machte sich) die Ungeeignetheit des Geländes sehr stark bemerkbar. MG Nester, die auf den Felsen über der Strasse lagen, (konnten von den) Panzern nicht bekämpft werden, da der vertikale (Höhenricht-bereich) der Waffe nicht ausreichte.
    Die Panzer stiessen ein zweites Mal vor, hierbei wurden (…) beide Kanonen durch MG und Tankgewehrschüsse (ausser Gefecht) gesetzt. Zwei Mann dieser Besatzung verliessen (…)
    Der Fahrer fuhr das Fahrzeug zurück. Hierbei rutschte (…) von der Strasse ab. Es wurde an diesem Tag nicht mehr eingesetzt. Die beiden Pz. II mussten ebenfalls wieder zurück, da die Inf. wieder nicht folgen konnte. Die Unterstützung (…) reichte nicht aus. Unter der Wirkung der KwK ging der (Gegner) zurück. Die beiden Pz. II stiessen erneut vor. Das (Feuer) des Gegners wurde stärker. Etwa 1 km vor Tretten hatte der Gegner rechts und links der Strasse eine starke Ab(wehrstellung) mit MG- und Tankgewehren aufgebaut. Die Waffen waren zum (…) Strassengraben in Stellung gegangen. Das Spitzenfahrzeug wurden von allen Seiten mit MG-Garben und Tankgeschossen überschüttet. Im Wagen zersprangen sämtliche Kinonblöcke. Der (…) stiess unter eigenem Feuer weiter durch. Etwa 1m (…) Holzsperre vor dem Ort Tretten wurde überfahren. Der (Panzer) nahm die freien Höhen vor dem Ort und den Ortseingang mit seinen Waffen unter Feuer. Die übrigen Wagen und die Inf. folgten nicht. Dafür lebte im Rücken des Wagens das Feindfeuer wieder auf.
    612 machte daraufhin kehrt und griff den Gegner im Rücken an. Der gegner zog sich daraufhin im Schutz der Höhen auf den Ort Tretten zurück und ging erneut in Stellung. Die (…) wurden nun von der vorgezogenen Artillerie unter Feuer genommen. Die Panzer füllten zum ersten Mal Munition nach.
    Bei diesem Gefecht vor Tretten wurde ein englischer Oberst (Colonel German) mit etwa 50 Mann gefangen genommen. Der Kommanduer des MG.-Bataillons, Major Michalke machte dem engl. Oberst den Vorschlag, sich mit seiner Truppe, die noch in Tretten lag, zu ergeben. Der Oberst billigte diesen Vorschlag. Beide fuhren auf den Pz. 611 und 612, die als Parlamentärsfahrzeuge gekennzeichnet waren, in den Ort hinein. Leider hatten diese (…) keinen Erfolg. Drei Engländer, die noch im Ort waren, ließen sich gefangen nehmen. Wo ihhre Truppe sei, wüssten sie nicht. Daraufhin gingen die Kampfhandlungen weiter. Im Verlauf des Gefechtes wurde Tretten völlig in Brand geschossen. Der Gegner war vor allem in und an den Häusern in Stellung gegangen.
    Nach etwa einer Stunde war der Widerstand gebrochen. Der Marsch konnte nicht sofort weiter geführt werden, weil ein in Brand geschossener Munitions-Lkw die Strasse (...)
     
  19. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    Also was able to trace some pictures of tanks from this unit
    1 - tanks no. 8., 9. and 10 parading after arrival in Oslo
    2 - disabled Neubaufahrzeug at Tretten
    3 - Pz II from I. Kp. (either no 612 or 613)
    4 - kl.Pz.Bef.Wg. I (exact coy. uncertain)
    5 - unit sign of Zug Horstmann on Neubaufahrzeug

    Nbfhzg, Oslo, Parade.jpg Neubaufahrzeug pellengahr ausfall.jpg Panzer_II_Norway_1940.jpg large_000000.jpg P4p8amKzB2k.png
     
  20. Steve Foster

    Steve Foster Senior Member

    Thank you Oli (ltdan), excellent photos and war diary in previous post which I will translate. I have seen the photo of the Neubaufahrzeug on the edge of the gorge before. Apparently it hit the road block made of logs so hard that it nearly went over the edge. Although it could not move, it used its weapons in the battle.
     

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