Hello folks, I'm trying to research my mothers uncle who was killed while serving with the 2nd Bn of the Seaforth highlanders. He is listed as being killed on the 16th of Sep. 1944 and is buried in St. Desir cemetery. Does anyone know the actions of this unit at the time? Is there such a thing as war diaries available? I would be grateful for any help available. Regards, Brian
Hello Brian, 2nd Seaforths were in 152 Brigade, 51st Highland Division. They had just fought at Le Harve in the days before your man's death. I think they were at rest on that actual date. Maybe he died of wounds. Will get stuck into this later bit rushed now. Our member Richard (51st Highland) would be the best one to help but he's just gone on holiday.
Brian might be worth contacting The Highlanders HQ. http://www.army.mod.uk/highlanders/museums.htm Regimental Museum of The Highlanders Fort George Ardersier IV2 7TD (01667) 462800, Ext 8701 email: museum@thehighlanders.com
Thanks Owen, I've just sent of for his service records this morning but even from your short posting sounds like you have some interesting info. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards Brian
Brian bit of background to 51st Div here http://spearhead1944.com/brpg/br1.htm Only info I have on them is what I have in Patrick Delaforce's book. Monty's Highlanders. Sorry not much to offer.
All I can find that mentions 2nd Seaforths for that time is here from the above mentioned book.pages 166,167 &169. Operation Astonia.Le Havre 10-12th Sept 1944. 152 Bde would attack at 2300 on 10th September. 2nd Seaforth advance was delayed by the lack of cleared gaps but took all their objectives, with a total bag of 1244 prisoners by the end of the two day battle. Most of HD then spent two weeks in limbo in the Le Harve area After the two day battle Div HQ were back at Criquecot with 152 and 153 Bde resting nearby and 154 Bde left to garrison Le Harve. That's it. Over to someone else now.
152 Brigade were lead brigade for the assault on Le Havre on the night of 10th/11th Sept 1944. 5th Camerons & 5th Seaforth being lead battalions. 2nd Seaforths were delayed due to lack of gapping in their assault area.. Some of the gapping equipment, i.e flails etc. did not arrive and of those that did, some were lost on mines. The bridge layers and Fascine carriers were failing in their attempt to make a crossing when the infantry should have been well into the defences. After Le Havre, the divisional transport was taken away from 13th to 30th Sept. 2nd & 5th Seaforth went in Best, Holland 3rd October, 1944. As suggested it is quite likely your man died of wounds. I would personally write to the regimental Museum at Ardesier, as suggested by Owen, they have all the relevant histories on site. They have always been helpful to me. sorry I do not have more info.
Thanks for having a look 51Highland. I am waiting on the service records at the moment but I'll give the Museum a go as well. Brian
You will find that his service records do not really give specifics re places of actual fighting, they only give general info. I was a bit disappointed with my Fathers records.
Brian C, welcome aboard, thank you for your family's service to Crown and Country, good luck with your quest, and enjoy our boards! I was going to mention the Delaforce book, but I see it's been mentioned. His books are terrific. The British Official History has also been reprinted. That should help.
I hope they're not too disappointing, after all they ain't getting any cheaper(£30 I have just paid). Anyway if it allows me to build up a picture I'll be happy as the family don't have much info. Hope to go to France next year to visit the grave as no one from the family has ever been.
Thanks for all the help with this thread thus far. I followed up some of the leads and contacted the Regimental museam who were also very helpful. I'm still waiting on the service records though! Can anyone tell me were the 2nd Bn. involved in D-day? What other battles were they involved with in the lead up to operation Astonia? Are war diaries available for WWII,if so are they held in Kew?
Yep the daily war diaries are available at Kew. 2nd Seaforth landed 3 days after D-Day at Courseulles, along with the rest of 152 brigade they took part in some fierce fighting for about 2 months, in holding the Orne bridgehead. When the breakout began in August 1944. 2nd Seaforth were officially acknowledged as capturing Tilly-la-Campagne. That was a particularly hard battle for 152 brigade.
Brian check my website for names of places where 2nd Seaforth fought. as they would have been in the same areas as 5th Camerons.
Checking my bibles, 2nd Seaforth relieved 5th Camerons at St Honorine on 23rd June 1944 after 5th Camerons successful 2nd attack and capture of the village.
Latest "After The Battle", issue 139, has good coverage of Le Harve, 1944. ATB Contents THE CAPTURE OF LE HAVRE - The capture of Le Havre was a classic example of a successful set-piece battle. After the German defences had been 'softened up' by colossal aerial, and naval bombardment and artillery shelling, a 'seige-train' of specialised armour broke through the outer crust of the German defensive perimeter and allowed two British infantry divisions to push through the gap and methodically reduce the enemy strongholds before driving into the heart of the city. Karel Margry tells this fascinating story.
