June 1944 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders War Diary

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Tmac1397, May 18, 2017.

  1. Tmac1397

    Tmac1397 New Member

    I am new to the forum and have a very specific request for anyone who may have any diaries from the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from June 1944. From what I gathered there may not be one but I'm going out on a limb here. Here's why: My uncle was a tail gunner on a USAAF B26 Marauder that was shot down near Gavrus, France on June 22, 1944. All 8 men aboard were killed, but their remains were not immediately recovered because the plane fell in German held territory. The 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were the first allied troops in the area, fighting their way into Gavrus as part of Operation Epsom 6 days later on June 28, 1944, but pulling back on June 30, 1944. The body of one crewman was recovered by the British in August 1944, but the other seven remained missing. The mostly intact remains of the four light crew were found in the 1980's buried together in a common grave just east of Gavrus, but the three men from the rear of the plane (my uncle and two others) remain missing. The plane obviously broke apart and the two halves fell about 300 meters from each other. In 2014, a few small remains were found at the the second site in the woods of Gavrus. The U.S. military is planning to fully excavate the site in 2017. My research has shown that on June 28, 1944 the 2nd A&S H likely passed with 50 meters or so of both halves of this wreck on their way into Gavrus pulling anti -tank guns through a forest path.
    I am trying to find any diaries that may mention this event as I have a theory that the British hastily but respectfully buried these men, not the Germans. If there is any record that might mention this it would possibly help the U.S. military searchers in their quest to recover the last three men. Thank you for your time. Forums like these have been a huge help in my research of this crash in my attempt to help bring my uncle and the other two men home.
     
  2. adbw

    adbw Active Member

    Hi Tmac1397
    Very sadly, the sum total of the 2nd Argylls' war diary for June 1944 is as follows:
    https://media.wix.com/ugd/29af12_a5733e4dbb60407d97ae89872586832e.pdf
    I'm not aware of any separate account for June written later by an officer of the battalion, which is sometimes the case, but forum members here may be able to help with books on the subject, etc. Good luck with the search ..
    Adam
     
  3. Tmac1397

    Tmac1397 New Member

    Thank you very much for your quick reply. I knew it was a long shot but thought I would try it anyway. I appreciate the help.
     
  4. RCG

    RCG Senior Member, Deceased

  5. Tmac1397

    Tmac1397 New Member

    Yes. This is the plane, but this account is wrong. S/sgt Canty, Perkins, and my Uncle Tom McCaslin have NOT been recovered or identified.
     

Share This Page