Hi folks. According to my father's unit war diary (147 R.A.C.) an entry for August 17th shows them, along with the Ox and Bucks, engaging enemy S.P''s and tanks on the Falaise to Argentan road at point 241. Does anyone know of a map that shows where abouts on the road point 241 was? Cheers. Stag
There is a point 241 at grid U 165310 France 1:50,000, Series GSGS 4250, Falaise (Its mislabeled Aunay-sur-Odon in the British Library online collection.) http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/maps/europe/zoomify138919.html
Falaise Pocket - Wikipedia Looking at the map on the 17th Aug the Allies do not appear to be 'south' of Falaise on the western side, thats why I think the War Diaries are necessary. Do we know who the Ox & Bucks were attached to at this time?? which Brigade/Division etc?? TD
Hi T D I'll scan the diary later when I get to my pc but on 15/8 they joined with 4 welch and went through Bonnoel and Treprel which I think, but I may well be wrong, would bring them in from North West of Falaise? Ian (stag)
Just trying to tie up the geographical logic of Sheldrakes post and where they were to see if they match for 17th Aug TD
Hi TD I have scanned the pages in that cover the relevant dates. Incidentally my Dad was in B squadron and I believe 7 troop. Cheers Ian
Hi Ian This will be interesting for you - to find the actual locations from the War Diaries use the co-ord translator at this link - The "Coordinates Translator" For this part of France 1/ Select the grid or the geographical area concerned. - select French Lambert Zone 1 Grid 2/ Enter the "Modified British System" coordinates to be decoded. type in 'vu' followed by the 6 digit ref from the War Diaries, then the next screen will give you almost exactly the right spot Point 241 (166311) is approximatley as Sheldrake has it , but by inputting the other co-ords you can see how things developed. The War Diaries, I note, give no information about numbers killed/wounded/missing, but sometimes at the back of the diary is an appendix which gives this info, so might be worth looking for or asking member Drew5233 who is 1 of the Kew copiers TD
Thanks for this TD and all your help. A bit of work ahead for me I think! Lol I certainly didn't know that the coordinates translator existed. I have previously been given some fantastic help on here from Stolpe and Bedee in respect of the Reichswald, I'm indebted to you all. I was in the Falaise last year on holiday and visited the museum at montormel, I hope to be back next year but armed with a bit more info now! I copied the diary myself as I don't live that far from Kew, I must admit I didn't go to the end of the diary due to time pressures but that is something I can rectify. I have my dads army papers and he kept a list of the places (not 100% comprehensive) he went through in action and a list of people he knew, all B Sqd who were killed or wounded. Ian