Seige of Boulogne and Kenneth Macksey

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Chris C, Aug 30, 2018.

  1. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I am reading the 79th Armoured Division's history and came across the following.

    Boulogne proper had been taken at this point and mopping up was taking place. Regarding one of several armoured columns:

    "At the main cross-roads before the bridge, the pilot Churchill (Lieutenant K. Macksey, 141 RAC) was knocked out by an anti-tank gun. The column halted until morning."

    "Next day, realizing the bridge had gone, they went for the Sugar Factory and brought down heavy fire from the enemy side of the river. At 1200 hours the position surrendered at the encouragement of Lieutenant Macksey who was their prisoner. Some 300 Germans emerged, and column 'C' was released to reserve."

    I did a double take and then realized yes, this must have been later author Kenneth Macksey.

    I think Macksey was decorated (an MM?). Was convincing enemy to surrender something that was considered worthy of decoration? I suspect not(?).
     
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

  3. Attached Files:

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  4. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    So it was in conjunction with that action. Thank you very much, guys!
     
  5. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    I like his books, devoured his volumes in the Ballantine/Purnell series when I was a kid. I didn't know he was in Crocodiles, though.
     
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  6. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

  7. DannyM

    DannyM Member

    Hi,
    1944 map of the area.

    Regards

    Danny
    M  1.jpg

    B  1944.jpg
     
  8. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I didn't know either. I read his book about Operation Compass pretty recently. And per an earlier thread, he wrote a biography of General Hobart which is pretty much hagiography.

    I'll try to locate the specific action with reference to the maps that have been posted.
     
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  10. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    A chap on Twatter just recommended his biography; 'Turning Points in a Life at War'.
    Thought I might get it, but it's seemingly a little tricky to locate & a long way from the few quid I'd hoped for!
    ISBN 9780950853611
     
  11. idler

    idler GeneralList

    I recall his 'Battle' and 'First Clash' being good reads back in the day. You'd think his biography would be ten a penny given the ubiquity of his other stuff.
     
  12. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  13. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Me too, Idler. Thought it'd be about £1.50

    TD, The sole copy I was looking at, advertised across several book sites from that lone seller.
    Odd that it has that ubiquitous Amazon out of print digibook cover as an illustration.
     
  14. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    But it is supposedly signed by the author - that should be worth something if true

    Caveat emptor

    TD - sometimes known as Tatiana Desparado
     
  15. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    According to the book, the plan of assault was sort of reversed - infantry to seize and hold a penetration through the defenses, and then exploitation by three entirely armoured columns, referred to as A, B, and C. Each had a troop of Crabs, 2 troops of Crocodiles and half a troop of AVREs.

    The column Macksey in was C. I don't see mention of it on the 17th (kept in reserve?)... for the 18th, it says:

    "The attack on Mont Lambert had not been a success and column 'C' (Lt Col H Waddell, commanding 141 RAC) was called upon to support the infantry. The fresh attack began at 0700 hours on 18th September."

    (Based on the info in Canuck's map, they were in support of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders - you can see their route on his map.)

    Mont Lambert fell by noon, and "Crabs shot the infantry into Le Chemin Vert, which position fell at 1700 hours."

    (Thanks to DannyM for this map, to which I have added crude annotations)

    B1944Annot.jpg

    At 1800 they headed "through the maze of cratered streets" towards their target bridge, collecting prisoners in Ostrohove, and knocking out a 105mm gun.

    Then at the main cross-roads before the bridge, Macksey's Churchill was taken out and they halted.

    "Next day, realizing the bridge had gone, they went for the Sugar Factory and brought down heavy fire from the enemy side of the river. At 1200 hours the position surrendered at the encouragement of Lieutenant Macksey who was their prisoner. Some 300 Germans emerged, and column 'C' was released to reserve."
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2018
  16. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    It does seem very strange that his memoirs are so hard to acquire - unless it was a very limited print run? Other books of his seem to have had the same publisher.
     
  17. Tolbooth

    Tolbooth Patron Patron

    The War Diary for the Lothians (Flails) seems to have a report of the same attack but dates it as going in on the 19th ??

    upload_2018-8-31_9-13-17.png

    "Boulogne 18-20 Sep 44; Advance Guard

    The route selected was Badhutt - Mount Lambert - Xrds 707534 - Ostrshore - Pont de Bois 679524. Owing to a hold-up on Mount Lambert we remained in the FUP in the Foret du Boulogne until 1800hrs 18 Sep 44, when the column was moved up to Mount Lambert to assist the inf in clearing pillboxes. The tks came under heavy fire from 88mms on the move forward. Owing to darkness, the attack was postponed till 0700hrs 19 Sep 44 and the column was taken back to harbour in the Foret du Boulogne. At 0700hrs 19 Sep 44 the inf, supported by AVREs, Crocodiles and a sqn of CAR, assaulted the pillboxes, while the flail tp and SHQ engaged the guns on Herquelinque fortress.

    Mount Lambert surrendered early in the afternoon and Chemin Vert was taken by 1700hrs. At 1800hrs the assault column moved forward towards the bridge; progress was slow, owing to cratering. Fire into all likely enemy posns produced about 50 prisoners on the way to Ostrshore; one MG and one 105mm were put out of action. At Ostrshore Sgt James was hit in the hand by a sniper; he put a 75mm HE into the house and about 50 Germans gave themselves up.

    At the main road crossing 684524 the pilot tk, a Churchill, was knocked out by an A Tk gun, blocking the road. The inf went forward to recce but, owing to MG fire, were unable to reach the crossing. It was then dark and the column remained on the road during the night. Recces carried out during the night showed an A Tk gun and MGs in posn to cover the main road from the North, the area to be a billeting area with a number of Germans in occupation and the approach to the main road South of the Ondia factory to be too steep for tks.

    By that time the column was in support of two coys of inf as, during the night recces, the bridge was found to have been destroyed by fire. An attack on the Ondia factory area at 0700hrs was put in by the inf, supported by fire from the tks. During this operation the tks came under very heavy fire from guns on the far side of the river. The attack was held up by fire from the houses but, at 1200hrs, the posn surrendered, largely due to the persuasive powers of the officer of the pilot tk, Lt Maxio, who, when hit, had baled out and been captured.

    About 300 prisoners were taken. The column was then released and returned to harbour.

    (sgd) D R R Pocock
    Maj, OC Advance Guard"
     
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  18. Tolbooth

    Tolbooth Patron Patron

    Doh! Was a bit rushed when I posted, just looked again and the penny finally dropped;

    The attack was held up by fire from the houses but, at 1200hrs, the posn surrendered, largely due to the persuasive powers of the officer of the pilot tk, Lt Maxio, who, when hit, had baled out and been captured.

    The transcription is wrong and it should be Lt Maxie ie Macksey.
     
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  19. idler

    idler GeneralList

    From The Tank - The Journal of The Royal Tank Regiment, June 1948, you jammy sods:

    IMG_20181020_193442148~2.jpg IMG_20181020_193451476~2.jpg
     
  20. PaulE

    PaulE Senior Member

    Was very fortunate to yesterday pick up a signed copy of KM 's book , it was dedicated to Major Ian English MC and 2 Bars , 8 DLI , who Macksey described as the Bravest of the Brave .
     

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