Personal Diary: 67th (Suffolk) Medium Regiment RA : 1944 - 45

Did something happen to the regiment in March 1945 ? Unless it's a typo in the date the 1945 war diary appears to only run from Jan-Mar 1945.

 

Hello Rhineman (Duncan),
I wish I could help you, but the last entry in my father's diary is all I know about this move. The only thing I remember him mentioning, about after VE day, was that he spent a lot of time swanning around getting booze for the officer's mess! Not a lot of help I'm afraid!
I would be interested to see what you have found on that particular camp though.
Regards
Kevin

 

Hi Kevin.
Thanks for the reply. I've been digging around this subject for quite some time and have visited Rheinberg (it's a beautiful little town). Basically your Father would have found himself guarding a mass of German prisoners who had been living in the open for three months without field equipment. They were in a pretty poor condition by the time the 118th HAA and 67th Suffolks arrived. The prisoners thought the British were the saving of them. Different British companies competed with each to see who could 'look after their Germans,' best within the camp. Apparently, according to the commanding officer, the NAAFI was kept busy with British soldiers buying food for the Germans. It was very much back to a Tommy and Fritz relationship.

 

Hi Drew5253,

I don't think it's a typo. I've been having difficulty tracing information on the 118th HAA (Kew has told me they can't find the War Diary). My recent hope was that the 67th Suffolks might have something on what happened in June and July 1945. They were certainly there. I've also had problems tracing information on the British Army at the other two prison camps the British took over from the Americans at Wickrathberg and Buderich. Not much seems to be known about what happened.

Rhineman

 

Hi Duncan

Here's the 118 HAA war diary refs from 1944 to 1946. I suspect the 67 diary may be a typo of there could be clues in the file as to what happened in march. It could be worth a look to confirm either way if you can get there. Kew are not very good at labelling or finding their war diaries due to how poorly they named them in the first place

WO 171/1162 118 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 1944 Jan-Dec
WO 171/4924 118 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 1945 Jan-Dec
WO 171/9102 118 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 1946 Jan

Cheers
Andy

 

The 67th Med Regt RA as part of 3AGRA had been engaged in the admin + guarding of DP Camps in the Hamburg area since 4th May 1945.
The Operational Instuctions of 3AGRA for 31st May 1945 say that the 67th Med Regt will take over all the duties of 59th Med + 112 LAA in this area which include the camps at Pinneburg + Wedel, with one Bty going to Marine Bks at 519501.
This would be for early June, as later in June they came under command of 17AGRA. This may pre date what you are looking for, but maybe of some interest.
I do not have the 3AGRA diaries past May45 and as my Flicker Acc is kuput at the moment i cannot post up the whole Op Ins.

Best
Rob

 

From the 17AGRA Diaries.

On the 10th June 45 the 67th Med Regt arrived at Kevelaer and were visited by the CRA 17AGRA to disscuss details of the takeover of Rheinberg Camp and to assist 118HAA with their duties.

Best
Rob

 

Rob,

Thanks a lot for this. I took Kew at its word that the documents were missing- obviously that was a mistake. The information on the 67th is also interesting. Kevelaer is a 30 minute drive from Rheinberg and the date is just before the British took over the prison camp. It all ties in.

Regards,

Duncan

 

Rhineman,

Re-reading your post, I'm reminded about one humorous thing my father mentioned about guarding the prisoners. During the night the perimeter lights would go out for a short spell - to change batteries or generator, or some such reason. Then after they came back on they would catch the Jerries breaking back into the camp carrying the potatoes they had collected from the surrounding fields. I always assumed this was at Neuengamme, not realising the significance of 'Rheinberg". From what you say this sounds the most likely place.
Regards
Kevin

 

Rheinberg PWTE A1 Camp rations
Wickrathberg Camp was designated PWTE A9

Rob