2009 battle Commemorations

Discussion in 'All Anniversaries' started by englandphil, Dec 3, 2008.

  1. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    In May 2010 we are likely to see the last of the major "remembrancies" of WW2.

    As someone in his mid Eighties, who saw the war in Europe end whilst stuck in a field near Venice, I could be forgiven for wanting to celebrate the anniversary providing, G-d willing, that I was fit and able to travel at the time in question.

    A more immediate problem would probably be deciding where I should go to mark the event.

    My wife and I were chatting about this the other night and she said to me "If the Lottery were to repeat their generous scheme of 2005, where could you go ?" to which I replied"Anywhere in North Africa, Sicily, italy, Austria, Germany or Egypt !"

    I was being facetious but it did set me thinking and one of my favourite choices might be to go to Sicily and take the Ferry from Messina to Reggio di Calabria as a reminder of when I did the same trip in a Tank Landing Craft in September 1943.

    Food for thought for the next year :)
     
  2. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    I was being facetious but it did set me thinking and one of my favourite choices might be to go to Sicily and take the Ferry from Messina to Reggio di Calabria as a reminder of when I did the same trip in a Tank Landing Craft in September 1943.

    Food for thought for the next year :)

    Go for it Mr G. We'd love to see the pictures.:D
     
  3. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Must visit Vucht (the camp), which I believe elements of the Cannucks liberated.


    No they didn't, that is a misconception. My Father was one of the first in there, chasing German infantry through it. It had been abandoned after Market Garden. There were a few people still there.

    I think the Canadians get it mixed up with Westerbork camp that they liberated.
     
  4. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    No they didn't, that is a misconception. My Father was one of the first in there, chasing German infantry through it. It had been abandoned after Market Garden. There were a few people still there.

    I think the Canadians get it mixed up with Westerbork camp that they liberated.

    51H

    I mean't no offense, but this makes the entry about Vught on the Jewish Virtual Library website incorrect then. See link below:-

    Vught Concentration Camp

    They should be supplied with info to correct their mistake.
     
  5. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

  6. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    And another one

    Liberation of the Nazi Concentration Camps 1933-1945

    Were'nt the 51st Highland Division part of 1st Canadian Army at this stage. I've seen a lot of references to the Canadians being called the liberators when in fact there were British, Poles and even an American Infantry Division under command of the Canadian 1st Army at this time. I can understand how it can frustrate people especially when their relatives were amongst those taking part in specific actions, which others have been given credit for.

    My Dad's unit were mistaken for and called Canadian Artillerymen during Operation Veritable as they were using a Canadian invented artillery piece. The war diaries support that they were in and around the Reichswald Forest, so I understand how annoying this is.

    Unfortunately, there are a number of websites where Vught is mentioned and all say Canadians did the liberating.
     
  7. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    51H

    Going slightly off thread, I am proud to say that the drivers of my Dad's unit helped to transport part of your Dad's division up to Holland and thought you might like to see a copy of the document which mentions them.

    Regards - Robert
     

    Attached Files:

  8. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    51H

    I mean't no offense, but this makes the entry about Vught on the Jewish Virtual Library website incorrect then. See link below:-

    Vught Concentration Camp

    They should be supplied with info to correct their mistake.

    No offence taken, and I have been in touch with Jewish virtual library supplying them with info, but they have not seen fit to correct it. They quote one Canadian soldier, can't remember his unit without finding the paperwork, but they were never anywhere near Vught. He actually describes the terrain around Westerbork. Have some info somewhere, first Canadians into Vught area were a medical unit, I think 15th Field Ambulance.
     
  9. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    51H

    At least we know the correct facts and that is what is important.

    Robert
     
  10. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    I was pointed in the direction of this interview with Charlie White of D Company, 5th Camerons. He confirms Camerons entered Kamp Vught and mentions my Father being given his wooden Plaque of Vught Gemeente Huis. There are 4 sections of interview, mentioning various battles and places. White, Charles Edwin (Oral history) He describes my Father as "Old Sergeant Sands", he was 28!!!
     

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    Last edited: Jul 14, 2019

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