2nd Essex - Normandy June 1944

Cheers,

They must have had some balls to advance on that, I assume under MG fire in the SF role.

 

Doesn't it mark point number 3 on the map in post #3 ?

Isn't this the action that the chap in Eastenders was killed in , remember the special episode?
Nana Moon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thank you - for the confirmation

 

Essex (field) Wood a few days ago



An evocative photo as 2 Essex advanced through standing crops. And they would probably have been higher than the modern ones. Glad you found us, Prelude.

 

Thank you Idler

Another view of this sector, you are number 2# of the map, view on the number 1# to the north (am I clear ?! )

http://i34.tinypic.com/28w2e6o.jpg

 

Agree with that one.. Thanks for the originator for starting it so you guys can provide this much.
Dee

 

Agree with that one.. Thanks for the originator for starting it so you guys can provide this much.
Dee
I am really interested and pleased with the information that Forum Members have provided. All the photos are excellent and maybe I will get to go and see where my great-uncle was killed. In the meantime I really appreciate having the opportunity to see the location.

 

An evocative photo as 2 Essex advanced through standing crops. And they would probably have been higher than the modern ones. Glad you found us, Prelude.
2nd Essex met resistance from SS mechanised forces - including half-tracks with flame-throwers!

 

David, it was an army - not SS - formation at Lingevres/Essex Wood: Panzer Lehr. This site is worth a look although it relates to the later, final battle on 14 June.

 

David,

This text is from the excellent & very complete book Tilly sur Seulles (Stéphane Jacquet),
I hope it could help you on your great uncle's story.

 

Hello

Thank you very very much for the attached it is really interesting and of great interest to me.

Regards
David

 

I'm glad it helps

Men of 2nd Bat Essex Rgt, they come from Bernières Bocage and walk towards Verrières, we can see a Panther from Panzer Lehr I think

 

2nd Essex combat for the woods



Map in 1944




To David ---> In what coy was your great uncle ?

 

More document on this sector...

Essex's compagny CO observe Shells landing on Verrières

 

More document on this sector...

Essex's compagny CO observe Shells landing on Verrières

Hello Prelude44
Thank you once again for the superb information in your last two postings. I have not seen any of the information previously so am very pleased with it.

My great uncle was serving with "C" Company on 11th June.

He joined the army as a boy-soldier and served with 2nd Essex during the 1930's. He left the army very shortly before the war broke out and was recalled. He was with the 2nd Essex, as part of the BEF and came home through Dunkirk

Regards
David

 

Hello David,

Once again, very glad to help You gave me the interest of this sector in making it human with your great uncle's story, I'm concerned now

We can make better

Give us the most information you have on him, I will contact my friends to have more details (or not).

 

To continue on this sector, some views of Verrières:



Photo 1




Photo 2 (Shermans destroyed in this path)

 

Hello David,

Once again, very glad to help You gave me the interest of this sector in making it human with your great uncle's story, I'm concerned now

We can make better

Give us the most information you have on him, I will contact my friends to have more details (or not).
Hello Prelude44

Thank you for the kind offer to help further to see what might be found. The photos are evocative of the events that took place in 1944 and help to give a really comprehensive impression of the location.

My great-unlces details are:-

6010388 Cpl Alfred Hollands
Born 1914, Rochford, Essex

Buried at Bayeux War Cemetery
Commemorated on War Memorial, Grays, Essex
I am told, also, at Little Thurrock Church – but I have not seen the WWII memorial plaque

Served with the Essex in the Sudan – Khartoum in the 1930's

Son of Thomas Hollands and Emmie – Grays, Essex. Mother deceased in 1944 – father alive when Alf was killed in action
Husband of Louvena Hollands (nee Chrisp) –married Richmond, Yorks 1935
Living at Croydon in 1944

Many thanks for all your help and offer of further assistance

Regards
David

 

Prelude44,

Photo 2 (Shermans destroyed in this path)
Were those Shermans from 4/7 Dgns, not 5 R Tks?

The following is based on the sketch map in the Essex history and the map on the memorial at Lingevres. I think 5 R Tks' casualties were to the west (left) of Essex Wood. If only there were more grid references in the war diaries...

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35683&stc=1&d=1283462965