197th Infantry Brigade(Battlefield Clearance)1944

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by Andy H, Apr 12, 2010.

  1. Andy H

    Andy H Member

    On August 30th 1944 the 197th Infantry Brigade (formerly part of the disbanding 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division) was redesignated as the 197th Infantry Brigade (Battlefield Clearance). Its was employed on controlling and organizing the clearance of all equipment from battlefields in NW Europe.

    Jolsen (in OoB VolI) states that various Ordanance, REME and Pioneer units were allocated to it, but gives nothing more on its specific OoB or even its commanding officer.

    Anyone have any specifics regarding this unit?

    Regards

    Andy H
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Andy

    Have you tried the NA at Kew? They have a online facility listing unit diaries that may shed some light on the who and whats.

    Andy
     
  3. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    Andy
    197th rang a bell, here is a extract from 10th Med Diaries for 3/4 Aug 44.
    Rob.

    3rd and 4th August.
    Move to gun areas 7455and 7456, by 16.30hrs the regiment deployed in new gun area at LA RIVIERE. Evidence of the Germans hurried departure bicycles and kits strewn about; troops formed burial parties for several dead Germans. Fire plan Wagtail, All guns engaged firing in support of 197th Brigade attack on VILLERS-BOCAGE. This Brigade consisted of the second 5th and 6th Battalions the Lancashire Fusiliers and the 5th Battalion the East Lancs. Regiment. The town was finally taken on the 4th by the 1st Dorset regt of the 50th Northumbrian Division. Although German forces were retreating from VILLERS, Tiger and Panther tanks together with their grenadier regiments continued to press westwards, aiming to cut the VIRE-VILLERS BOGAGE highway.
     
  4. Jen'sHusband

    Jen'sHusband Punchbag

    Sorry to bring this clattering back up to the top but I'm interested to know if this brigade had any specific brigade insignia when serving with the 59th Div.

    Can anyone help?
     
  5. idler

    idler GeneralList

    I don't believe they did. It was usually the Independent (non-Divisional) Brigades that had their own formation flashes, even though they often ended up as part of a division.
     
  6. Jen'sHusband

    Jen'sHusband Punchbag

  7. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Responding to original Andy's original post, a subunit gets mentioned here:

    22. Salvage
    The Salvage resources during this period were greatly strained as units were required in the large areas uncovered by the advance while plenty of clearance still remained to be done in the original bridgehead. In addition, with the lengthening of the L of C and the constant changes of roadheads and cushions, evacuation to the base salvage depot which was established at CAEN on 12 August became increasingly difficult.

    Such large quantities of materials were abandoned in the FALAISE area that a HQ based on HQ 197 Infantry Brigade was established with Service components including No 17 Field Salvage Unit to cover that area. The first reception area was established at BRETTEVILLE SUR L'AIZE, but it later moved to TRUN where it remained until December. This organisation proved most satisfactory and resulted in the recovery of large quantities of stores and equipment, while the provision of PW labour after the initial stages greatly eased the manpower problem.
     
  8. m kenny

    m kenny Senior Member

    I found a reference to 197th Infantry Brigade Battlefield Clearance Group in No. 2 ORS Report No. 15.
    They are described as having cleared most of wrecks from the Falaise Pocket. I presume it was formed around the original 197th Inf Brigade command group when the parent formation (59th Staffordshire Division) was broken up in August 1944.
    Is that possible or was it formed around 197 Inf Brigade Workshops REME?
    Any idea if they kept a War Diary?

    Any information welcome.
     
  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Might be relevant
    NWE
    WO 171/707
    Allied Expeditionary Force, North West Europe (British Element): War Diaries, Second World War, BRIGADES, 197 Infantry Brigade
    Scope and content: Battlefield Clearance Gp.
    Covering dates 1944 Sept., Oct.

    WO 171/706
    Allied Expeditionary Force, North West Europe (British Element): War Diaries, Second World War, BRIGADES, 197 Infantry Brigade
    Scope and content: R.E.M.E. Wksp.
    Covering dates 1944 Jan.- Dec.

    WO 171/705
    Allied Expeditionary Force, North West Europe (British Element): War Diaries, Second World War, BRIGADES, 197 Infantry Brigade
    Scope and content: H.Q.
    Covering dates 1944 Jan.- Aug.


    ==
    [also for Mediterranean theatre:
    WO 204/2058 Salvage and battlefield clearance: lists of material 1943 Apr.-1945 Apr.

    WO 204/4018 Battlefield clearance section: formation 1944 June]
     
  10. idler

    idler GeneralList

  11. Jack Tar

    Jack Tar Member

    My dad was in 301 inf bde coy R A S C part of 197 inf bde in the 59th Staffordshire Div. Shoulder flash a pithead.
    He told me a storey and it must have been after the 59th had been disbanded, that they had to clear up in the Falaise area.
    To bury the dead Germans, and clear the many dead animals. The Germans shot most of there horse transport before leaving.
    He said it was so bad that all the animals had become very bloated. So they found a towed 4barrel light AA gun and they used this to
    dispel the gases from a distance.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Roddy1011

    Roddy1011 Senior Member

    Picking up on this post - has anyone looked at the numerous Salvage unit files in the NA ? I would be particularly interested in any listed British vehicles cleared from battlefields - and especially if they have T numbers for them...

    I suspect this was largely done by the REME Recovery Sections though...

    Roddy
     

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