Found this in Wikipedia In World War II, no British Fourth Army actually took the field, but as part of the deception plan, Operation Fortitude, the Germans were encouraged to believe that Fourth Army existed with its headquarters in Edinburgh Castle, and was preparing to invade Norway. This successfully drew German units from the real invasion zone in Normandy Any idea how this could be: Name:SULLIVAN, GEORGE ARTHURInitials:G ANationality:United KingdomRank:GunnerRegiment/Service:Royal ArtillerySecondary Unit Text:attd. H.Q. Fourth Army Group.Age:31Date of Death:09/03/1945Service No:7960449Additional information:Son of Arthur Harding Sullivan and Rose Sullivan; husband of Doris Mabel Sullivan, of Hounslow, Middlesex.Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:6. E. 3.Cemetery:UDEN WAR CEMETERY
In World War II, no British Fourth Army actually took the field, but as part of the deception plan, Operation Fortitude, the Germans were encouraged to believe that Fourth Army existed with its headquarters in Edinburgh Castle, and was preparing to invade Norway. This successfully drew German units from the real invasion zone in Normandy Any idea how this could be? Probably the same methods as used in Kent....radio traffic, dummies and false messages from turned German agents.......
Airborne - I think Phillip meant - why was he buried in the Netherlands and still designated " 4th army" - in March of '45 - when they didn't enter active operations outside the U.K. ???
Phillip Listed under artillery in the invasion of Europe were HQ Army Groups Royal Artillery and there were the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 2nd Canadian. A battery of my Father's regiment were attached to 4th AGRA for the assault on Le Havre and this could be the British Fourth Army Group referred to in the casualty details. What units were contained within these groups I am not sure without further research. I'll look at what I've got. Regards - Robert
Phillip An AGRA and I quote "Generally contained one heavy and 3 medium regiments. Some groups also had one or more field regiments. Average strength was about 4,400 all ranks. AGRAs were provided on the scale of one per corps plus one spare. As the campaign developed it became common practice to reinforce a group with regiments from the anti-aircraft brigades for use against ground targets." The above info is from Victory in the West (Volume 1) - L.F. Ellis The info from my Dad's unit's war diary, when one battery (LAA) was temporarily attached to 4AGRA for the final assault on Le Havre, was to engage in ground shoots. Hope this was helpful - Robert
