Hi All I have been trying to find out about some of my Fathers Journey though Normandy summer 1944, There some places he would like to return to during our Pilgrimage in June. Father says as a Reconnaissance unit they worked independently from the unit sending messages via a despatch rider. One place he would like to visit is a small meadow were they found several dead Germans placed in a ditch four high he thinks there could have been getting on for 100, Another spot they were getting ready to bed down for the night with a few Tanks and Infantry when 3 Focker Wolf’s flew over hedge hopping one which dropped his bombs missing them and not being able to pull up in time and blew himself up. Father was with 2nd Troop 621st Field Squadron Royal Engineers 7th Armoured Division. I have looked at books like A Short History 7th Armoured Div June 1943 to July 1945. Talked with Desert Rat Association who put me in touch with there historian a very helpful man who put be in touch with Gentleman who for personal reasons has spent many hours and expense researching the 621, But unfortunately can not help Reasons 1) Files War Diaries are lost - may be due to the fluidity of the conflict at the time or may be destroyed during fighting -Who Knows. 2) Or the said files have been wrongly referenced-so we never found. But go’s on to say may be the 7AD or Chief Royal Engineer files may shed light at a higher level. I just don’t know what to try next Any Help or ideas would be greatfully appreciated. Andy and Frederick.
2) Or the said files have been wrongly referenced-so we never found. Joslen's Orders of Battle only has one '621' in its index, so WO 171/1663 might be worth a look: 621 Coy not Fd Sqn. WO 171/448 is the 7 Armd Div CRE file for 1944. Good luck!
Joslen's Orders of Battle only has one '621' in its index, so WO 171/1663 might be worth a look: 621 Coy not Fd Sqn. WO 171/448 is the 7 Armd Div CRE file for 1944. Good luck! 99.9% sure you are correct, as you know many of the files are poorly identified and this wouldn't be the first Squadron file listed as a Company. There is a 621 Sqn file for 1945 and 1946.
Some of the war diaries have eventually been found and I had the answer all the time. When they ended up as occupation service in Berlin they were 210 Field Squadron which was written in my father’s Soldier’s Release Book, but the file might have been corrected to the 621.
Can help post VE Day confirming two different units 621 Field Squadron 7th Armoured Division attached 131st Infantry Brigade Group to 28 May 45 Hanerau-Hademarschen north-west of Itzehoe 13 May 45 – Albersdorf north-west of Itzehoe 28 May 45 – Hohenaspe north-east of Itzehoe 25 Jun 45 – Rethen south-east of Hannover – Berlin Troops concentration area 4 Jul 45 – British Troops Berlin 1 Nov 45 – returns 22 Nov 45 – Itzehoe 7 Mar 46 – suspended animation order issued 5 Apr 46 – 210 Field Company from 30th Corps District Troops to 7th Armoured Division redesignated 210 Field Squadron 21 Jun 46 – 1 Engineer Training Establishment Hameln 3 Jan 47 – redesignated 629 Field Squadron 18 Jul 47 – Hobart Barracks Detmold 1 Nov 47 – redesignated 29 Field Squadron 1 Dec 47 – disbanded Hope this helps https://britisharmyingermany.com/royal-engineers (under construction)
Hi, If anyone is still interested the National Archives have the following War Diaries for 621 Field Squadron. W/O 171/1663 Jan-Dec 1944 W/O 171/5752 Jan- Dec 1945 There was also W/O 171/9532 but I did not get a chance to view this. I visited NA to photograph the diaries but, as yet, have to go through them in depth. My father served originally in 281 Field Park Company (from February 1940) then was posted overseas to Egypt in July 1942 ending up in 621 FS just in time for El Alemain. He remained in 621 FS until his demob in 1946 although from time to time he seems to have been briefly transferred into other RE units. Like the rest of the 7 AD he left Italy in late 1943 for the UK and preparations for D Day. Any information about 621 FS or indeed 281 FPC would be gratefully received. My fathers name was Frank Thornett. I hope this has proved useful. Best wishes
