4th Bn Welch Regiment - War Diary - Jan to June 1945 (transcribed)

Transcript of 4th Welch Battalion Diary for May 1945 to coincide with 80th VE Celebrations
There might be some errors but I have tried to be as accurate as possible.

4th Bn The Welch Regiment

1st May 1945– 31st May 1945

Appendices - None included

** Not for commercial use**



LOCATION WINSEN - 1/5/45


0600 No change to Battalion positions. Patrolling night 30 Apr/1 May. NIL reports.

No activity by enemy during night.

Patrolling night 1/2 May as attached programme.


2/5/45


0600 Positions unchanged, no activity to report. Patrols during night. NEGATIVE report.

1800 Considerable number of prisoners of war being brought in. Most prisoners of war are in civilian clothes and in possession of discharge papers dated 30 Apr.

Patrolling night 2/3 May as attached programme.


3/5/45


0600 Positions unchanged patrols night 2/3 NEGATIVE reports.

0900 CO to HQ 160 Brigade. HAMBURG to surrender to BRITISH forces at 1300 hrs today. 53rd Div to occupy. No move for Battalion before 040700N


4/5/45


0600 No change Battalion Positions. Advance party KINGS Regt (1 Force) arrived to take over WINSEN area.

1200 Responsibility for WINSEN area passes to KINGS Regt.

Battalion to be formed up in TCVs to move 1400hrs, Battalion now to take over DOCK area of HAMBURG until arrival of MARINE force.

1405 Battalion moving. Routes – Road junction 644330 - STELLE 5834 - MASCHEN 5335 – HITTFELD 4934- SINSTORF 4939 – WILSTORF 5041 - HAMBURG 4943 - bridge 503445 - Battalion DP. Order of March - A Company, C Company, Battalion HQ/HQ Company/RAP, Support Company, B Company, D Company.


LOCATION ‘SS VERNDAN’ - 4/5/45


1900 Battalion in position. Battalion HQ on board SS VERNDAN at 471515. Considerable number of prisoners of war surrendering to Companies including complete crew of "U" boat. No incidents during occupation of Battalion area.


5/5/45


0600 No change to report. Companies now controlling VPs (Vital points) and DUMPS in area Battalion layout as shown on trace area.

1800 Day spent in clearing area of prisoners of war and civilians. Recce party 30 ROYAL MARINES (RM) arrive 060900B.


6/5/45


0600 Position unchanged. Harbour party 4 WELCH left for HAMBURG area.

1200 Advance party 30 RM not yet arrived. Harbour party 4 WELCH recalled.

1410 Advance party 30 (RM) Battalion arriving. Battalion to concentrate SS VERNDAM to await orders to move.
1700 30 Battalion (RM) commenced taking over. Companies to come in to SS VERNDAM on relief.
2100 Taking over completed, responsibility for DOCK area passes to 30 Battalion ROYAL MARINES


7/5/45


0600 Battalion still concentrated aboard SS VERNDAM. Officially informed that UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER of ALL GERMAN ARMED FORCES will take effect as from 082400B.


8/5/45


0600 Battalion to have one day's holiday in celebration of surrender of enemy.
Battalion to clean up and return to peacetime standards.

9/5/45


0600 Still concentrated aboard ship. No move at present.

10/5/45


0600 As above.
1400 CO to HQ 160 Brigade.
1800 CO's conference. Battalion to move to NW HAMBURG, probable length of stay
five days' when Battalion will move to SCHLESWIG – HOLSTEIN to assist 7 Armed Div disarm and disband German forces in that area and DENMARK.


11/5/45


0600 Recce party under command 2ic Battalion leaves 0900 hrs. Battalion not to move before return of 2ic.
1500 Battalion moving route - Battalion SUPPORT X roads 500481 - bridge - 515499 – bridge 515499 bridge 521511 – 525518 – 507527- bridge 501539 – 486530-465330 - 461532- 460525- road junction 414525 - Sq 4153. Support Company remains in area Sq 4153.

1815 Battalion concentrated new area Sq 4153. Battalion HQ houses 413533. A Echelon now considered unnecessary and dispersed to Companies.


12/5/45


0200 Orders from HQ 160 Brigade. Battalion come under command 7 Armed Div and proceed to SCHLESWIG - HOLSTEIN today. CO to report HQ 160 Brigade.
0800 Company Commanders report Battalion HQ 0900 hrs for conference and recce. No Battalion move for area before 1100 hrs.


LOCATION 13533 - 12/5/45


0740: CO to HQ 160 Brigade.
0910: COs conferences. Battalion to move 1245 hours to area HEIDE 8943.

CO and Company Commanders leave 1000 hrs.
1230: Battalion column formed up and moving to new area. Route: - road junction 5988580- road junction 540592 – PINNEBERG 3665 – ELMSHORN 2775- STEINBERG 2084- NEUENBRIDGEOOK 1807- ITZEHOE 1794- GOKELS 1315 – canal 034161 -ALBERSDORF 0118 – HEIDE 8823

Support Company to move behind tail of 2 Monmouth Regt. column.

LOCATION HEIDE - 12/5/45


1810 Companies moving into area. Battalion area as shown on traced attached.

Future plans: to receive units of GERMAN army, disarm them and drive them over the stop line into ‘Peninsular B’ where they must be contained.

2200 Companies locations and areas as shown on trace.


13/5/45


Day spent in completing final arrangements for receiving GERMAN forces and dealing with them. General plan as in notes attached.


14/5/45

0630 - First parties arrived this morning.


15/5/45


0630 - No change in Battalion positions and duties


16/5/45 - 27/5/45


0630 - As above (repeated)


28/5/45


0900: CO to HQ 160 Brigade.

1400: Company Commanders conferences.

Brigade to cease under command 7 Armed Div and reverts to under command 53 Div. and to prepare to move in Div. occupational area in RUHR. Move down by stages.

Recce party departs at 090900B for the first area at BARMSTEDT.

Battalion moves 30 May.


29/5/45


0800: Recce party departed under command of Major W.H Clements.



30/5/45


1030: Battalion moving, Route : STELLE - HEIDE 8623 - ALBERSDORF 0118 - canal bridge 034161 - GOKELS 1315 - ITZERHOE 1794 - NEUMERSBRIDGEOCK 1807 - STEINBERG 2064 - ELMSHORN 2775 - BARMSTEDT 3479.


LOCATION BARMSTEDT - 30/5/45



1800: Battalion now established in BARMSTEDT in billets. No tactical layout. No Operational role. Battalion to rest and prepare for next stage of move.



31/5/45



2359: No change. Nothing to report.

 

War Diary

4th Battalion - The Welch Regiment

1 Jan – 31 Jan 1945

Appendices - none included

** Not for commercial use**


Summary

1 Jan – The Battalion was stationed at Rochefort, Belgium and began handing over to 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.

3 Jan – Relocated to Heure, preparing for defensive positions.

4 Jan – Moved to Hotton; ordered to defend a key bridge against possible enemy infiltration.

5 Jan – Battalion ordered to Menil due to an enemy counterattack against 7th RWF.

7 Jan – Major attack launched to reclaim lost ground from the 60th Panzergrenadier Regiment of the 116th Panzer Division. ‘A’ Company suffered significant casualties due to enemy shelling and small arms fire but still reached its objective and began consolidating.

‘D’ Company secured its objective with light opposition and casualties. Initial prisoner count: 11 POWs from the 60th Panzergrenadier Regiment of the 116th Panzer Division. They faced an enemy counterattack shortly after arriving at its objective but successfully repelled it.

‘B’ & ‘C’ Companies reached their objectives with light opposition and minimal casualties. 23 POWs captured from 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Companies of the 60th Panzergrenadier Regiment.

Tank movement issues in tough winter conditions made the battle challenging.

8 Jan – Enemy counterattack repelled; patrols confirmed enemy withdrawal.

9 Jan – Battalion moved to Beaufays, coming under 51st Highland Division; rest and reorganisation began. Considerable number of Flying Bombs (V.1.) passing over Battalion area.

15 Jan – Plans for counterattack roles in US Army sector NE of Aachen..
19 Jan – Battalion moved to Helmond, Netherlands.

20–31 Jan – Battalion positioned in Helmond; training in forest fighting, mine clearance, and tank co-ordination.

See attached for fully transcribed war diary .

 

War Diary

4th Battalion - The Welch Regiment

1 Feb – 28 Feb 1945

Appendices – 2, 11 & intelligence summary

** Not for commercial use**

Summary

Early February: The Battalion was stationed in Helmond, Netherlands for training. Weather conditions varied from heavy thaw to storms and frost.

5–6 February: Preparations began for Operation Veritable, a large-scale Allied offensive in the Reichswald Forest in Germany. Orders were received, reconnaissance conducted, and movements planned.

7–8 February: The Battalion moved to an assembly area, where they paired with armoured support.

9 February: At 0730, the Battalion advanced into the Reichswald Forest. Objective HOLLYHOCK was captured with minimal resistance, taking prisoners from the 84th German Infantry Division.

10 February: The unit moved forward through enemy fire, consolidating positions. They captured Luftwaffe ground troops from the 6th Parachute Division.

12 February: The Battalion met strong resistance and a counterattack from elements of the 116th Panzergrenadier Regiment, suffering heavy casualties.

13–16 February: The Battalion endured continuous artillery and mortar fire in wet conditions.

17–18 February: Patrols confirmed no enemy presence, allowing elements of the 43rd Division to move south toward Goch.

20 February: The Battalion was withdrawn from battle and relocated to Pfalzdorf to reorganise.

24 February: As the unit advanced to Goch, their mission was altered due to enemy resistance. They moved to the southern edge of the town.

24–25 February: An assault took place in a star-shaped forest, meeting heavy artillery and mortar fire. Unfortunately, another Regiment mistakenly attacked their position in a ‘friendly fire’ incident resulting in casualties.

26–27 February: The unit was relieved and moved into reserve in Goch, reorganising and preparing for further operations.

28 February: The Battalion moved behind the 6th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, securing a bridge for future advances.

See War Diary for February 1945 and other information (attached).

 

War Diary

4th Battalion - The Welch Regiment

1 March – 31 March 1945

Appendices – None included

** Not for commercial use**

Summary

1-5 March 1945 The Battalion moved from Goch to relieve the 7 Royal Welsh Fusiliers. On 2 March, patrols entered Weeze, Germany, but found no enemy. The rest of the Battalion followed and crossed the river in assault boats. By 3 March, it was resting and refitting in Weeze.

On 5 March the Battalion moved to a concentration area east of Geldern.

6-8 March 1945

On 6 March 1945, the Battalion was involved in a significant battle near Issum/Alpen area of Germany.

The 2nd Monmouth Regiment had encountered heavy enemy resistance on the road near Alpen and was under continuous enemy artillery fire. The Battalion began moving into attack positions. Communication was difficult and reports were sparse. A & D Companies pushed forward, encountering heavy mortar fire and enemy self-propelled guns. The position became serious with high casualties.

Contact was re-established with most companies via wireless transmission, except for C Company. B Company reported high casualties from artillery and mortar fire, but successfully held their position. Reinforcements were sent to C Company, which was struggling against intense gunfire at close range.
By 7 March, all Companies had consolidated their positions,
On 8 March, the Battalion was relieved by 9th Cameronians.

9-12 March 1945

The Battalion rested and prepared for relocation. On 12 March, they moved west of Brussels.

13-22 March 1945

Based in Leeu (Woluwe) St Pierre, the Battalion rested, refitted, and trained.

On 22 March, preparations began for crossing the Rhine, with a move planned for 23 March.

23-26 March 1945

The Battalion moved to Kevelaer for the upcoming Rhine crossing. On 26 March, they prepared for their next operation, advancing via Kervenheim and Xanten.

27-29 March 1945

It reached Dingden and engaged enemy guns while advancing. On 29 March, they entered Bocholt, securing sections of the town.

30-31 March 1945

The Battalion cleared Bocholt, rounding up Volksturm members. They prepared to move behind 158 Brigade towards Winterswijk.

Attached is the full transcript of the War Diary for March 1945

 

4th Bn The Welch Regiment

1st April 1945– 30th April 1945

Appendices/ attachments – Appendix 19 only
** Not for commercial use**

Summary
April 1945 was the final full month of the Second World War in Europe but also an active month for the Battalion.

In early April, the Battalion moved near Vreden, then advanced further into Germany, securing key bridges in Wettringen. The column was attacked by single enemy aircraft but there were no casualties.

5-6 April: It came under the command of 52 (Lowland) Division and replaced the 5th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

8-10 April: It encountered heavy resistance crossing the River Weser and its boats were attacked, resulting in casualties and missing soldiers.

11-12 April: The Battalion engaged enemy forces in Stedorp, Westen and Barnstadt. Barnstadt was held by 50 German Marine (Infantry) forces suspected to have Panzerfausts and they attacked carrier patrols and killed soldiers. The following day a full reprisal attack took place on Barnstadt to secure the village. A ‘WASP’ flame throwing vehicle set fire to the village to drive out snipers.

13-15 April: clearing operations continued and the Battalion crossed the Aller River, pushing east. An enemy patrol entered Geestefeld and occupied a house taking five soldiers prisoner. However, they managed to escape by killing three German soldiers and taking two prisoner.

19-20 April: Battalion moved to Soltau, taking over positions from 9 Royal Scots Fusiliers.

26-27 April: It secured Westerholz and Boterren, capturing German soldiers.

29-30 April: The Battalion was relocated to Winsen, south east of Hamburg taking over responsibilities from the 1st King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.

See attached for full transcribed War Dairy for April 1945 and Appendix 19 (Barnstadt operation)

 

4th Bn The Welch Regiment

1st June 1945– 30th June 1945


Appendices/ attachments – Annex A only (at bottom of War Diary)

** Not for commercial use**

This is the final War Diary for the 4th Welch. On this very helpful and informative website are transcribed War Diaries for the Battalion from May 1944 to June 1945. The war diaries from June 1944 to October 1944 were previously very usefully published by ‘Swiper.’

I have published them in memory of my late father who was a Private in the 4th Welch but survived the war.

I hope future generations can see what we owe all those brave persons involved in fighting for the Allies in World War Two.

Summary

Between 1st June and 30th June 1945, the Battalion, carried out post-war duties in Germany.

Initially stationed in Barnstedt, they moved in stages through Melle and finally concentrated in Mettmann nr Düsseldorf. Their mission included light training, patrols, and taking over responsibilities from U.S. troops, ensuring security and maintaining order in the region.

By mid-June, the battalion took charge of a large area, facing challenges such as displaced persons, security concerns, and logistical management. Patrol reports indicate trouble caused by displaced persons, prompting adjustments in operations.

Annex A documents an alleged murder case involving Robert Krerennburg, reported on 29th June 1945 in Wülfrath. The local police attributed the crime to four Russian individuals. Military personnel, including A Company under Sgt. Thomas, responded promptly but found no trace of the suspects. Witness statements from locals, including Breuer Reinhard, suggested potential suspects, but identification inconsistencies led to doubts in pursuing the case further.

The transcribed War Diary with Annex A is attached