75 Years ago - the battles on the Weser, Leine and Aller rivers

Discussion in 'All Anniversaries' started by JDKR, Apr 6, 2020.

  1. JDKR

    JDKR Member

    Today, 75 years ago, units of 6th Airborne and 11th Armoured Divisions achieved their initial bridgeheads over the Weser. These were the opening actions of a series of fierce encounters fought on the three rivers between British VIII and XII Corps and the German 2. Marine-Infanterie-Division and its supporting units. The fighting on the rivers lasted some 11 days and resulted in the deaths in action of large numbers of soldiers from both sides. The encounters are largely forgotten and their dead also. The principal actions took place on the Weser at Stolzenau/Leese, on the Leine at Neustadt (Leine), and on the Aller at Rethem and the Essel forest.

    The intention of this post is to remember the bravery of the soldiers of both sides who had to prosecute the war to its end and to give name to a representative number of those who fell in action:

    Lt Frank Fuller - 2 Fife and Forfar Yeomanry
    Brig Elrington - 71st Infantry Brigade
    Maj Hemelryk - 1 HLI
    Mne Unthank - 45 RM Cdo
    Sgt Wardrop - 5 RTR
    Tpr Bligh - 3 RTR
    Wg Cdr Webb
    Lt Yetman - 8 RB
    WO2 Baker - 4 KSLI
    Tpr Forrest - 5 RTR
    Cpl Henderson - 3 Cdo
    KKapt Goerdes - Marine-Fuesilier-Bataillon 2
    Rfn Downing - 2 KRRC
    Lt Briggs - Scots Greys
    Capt Francis - 1 Cheshire
    VAdm Scheurlen - 2. Marine-Infanterie-Division
    Tpr Hide - 15/19 Hussars
    Capt Robins - 13 Fd Sqn RE
    The 25 of 7 Para killed at Neustadt bridge

    ‘For these reasons, friend and foe alike, should respect all those who, with the inescapable outcome in front of them, have sacrificed their lives even to the very end, fulfilling their oath of allegiance and fighting for their country.’
    Oberst Rolf Geyer, 1a, Oberbefehlshaber Nordwest, April 1945

    JDKR
     
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  2. Rethem 2021
     

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  3. Essel 2021
     

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