Aquatic Warfare, November 1944.

good day joe brown.re:aquatic warfare,nov,1944.an amazing story.it would be the only time assault troops wore lifebelts to go into action.it was a hard slog,but they took the objective and captured the oberst(colonel)reinhart.600 prisoners.50 germans lay dead on the battlefield.another victory for the royal scots.thank you for posting.regards bernard85

Bernard,

That we wore life-jackets despite being cumbersome when added to the other equipment we wore and carried, they were to prove their worth that day and saved lives. We encountered heavy shelling in the approach march toward the FUP (forming-up place) where we launch our attack on the Hotel Britannia, the heavily fortified German Garrison Headquarters in Flushing.

The shells were shorts from our Medium Gun fire programme landing amidst our advancing column causing casualties and a number of out wounded were held afloat whilst their comrades grabbed them and got them into the nearest building. The Mediums were firing from the mainland, quite a distance away. Clearly we were stopped for a time attending to our casualties and the Commanding Officer fearing we would get behind the timing arranged for our artillery support fire during the assault told me to do forward down the long single-file column and tell the two leading Company Commanders to keep pushing ahead.
As I made my way through the tidal flood I saw shells exploding, throwing up a green fluorescent spray and casualties being carried into buildings.

Looking back at the orders we received from our Colonel before the attack, I am amazed at the careful thought he had given to make sure we had the ability to sustain ourselves during and after the battle. His orders after detailing the tactical assault plan also covered administration and these were detailed. The small pack (worn at the side) was to contain 24-hour ration pack as well as emergency rations, sterilization tablets, pair socks, cap comforter(soft hat), towel, mess tins, and 2 sandbags. The large pack carried on the back to contain greatcoat, spare pair of socks, washing and toilet kit and windproof trousers (which we had as Mountain Division troops). Other items of personal kit would be in our rucksacks to be brought up later by transport. Because of an anticipate shortage of water, two-gallon water tanks were to be taken and each of the Battalions stretcher-bearers to carry 2 water bottles. All ranks would have shell-dressings and officers would carry morphia.

Bernard, that is a heavy load in addition to personal weapons, ammunition, grenades, and if you were a signaller you also shared in the carrying of a wireless set held above your head to keep it out of the water. No mean feat, when you are about to charge and attack the enemy!

Those were the days! Up The Royals!

Joe

good day joe brown,today,thank you for your descriptive reply,i see the logic of life jackets under the circumstances.the amount of gear each man carried made him self contained.ie:food dry clothing,and of course his armoury.gun amo,radio ect,thank you for your reply,regards bernard85