Sword and Chateau de la londe

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by Ray Hanson, May 12, 2011.

  1. Ray Hanson

    Ray Hanson Member

    Next week I'm making a first visit to Normandy where I hope to follow my father's footsteps. Can anyone tell me where I can find a map of the assault on Strongpoint Cod and/or a photograph of Cod in 1944? I am also trying to find a map of the first assault on Chateau de la Londe. I've found a sketch map of the second assault on the 28th June but can't find anything on the first assault by the South Lancs

    Any help gratefully received.
     
  2. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    When I was in Normandy I bought this book of Georges Bernage (at the Pegasus Bridge Museum), which I found very instructive (the text is in French/English - bi-langual book).

    [​IMG]

    There are maps of Sword beach in it.

    Have you also checked Stacey's Victory Campaign, since there are good maps in it (see link):
    HyperWar: The Victory Campaign [Chapter 6]
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  4. Ray Hanson

    Ray Hanson Member

    Thanks to you both, the link and photo are very helpful. I shall definately buy the book when I get there.

    Ray
     
  5. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Ray,

    I have previously been asked to put a poppy cross on a memorial for the South Lancs lads by a surviving vet. - would it be possible for you to do this for me if I find out the cemetary details and it is on your itinerary?

    Regards

    Pete
     
  6. Ray Hanson

    Ray Hanson Member

    Hi Pete, I'd be honoured to place the poppy cross. Can you send me details before I leave on Tuesday morning 17th?
    Please pass my regards to the surviving vet. Maybe knew my father, Ron (or Ronnie) Hanson in C Company.

    Ray
     
  7. nigelblue27

    nigelblue27 Member

    Hi there, i have a book,from the Battle zone Normandy series,.by Ken Ford..It's published by sutton publishing. www.suttonpublishing.co.uk. And is called Sword Beach,it has many old photos,maps etc. I have the whole series for the 5 beaches,and i call them my bible cos they have so much info.Good luck
     
  8. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The Bloodiest Square Mile in Normandy!
    The Chateau de la Londe.
    Modern war is not fought by massive lines of troops who line up and advance in the face of withering shell, mortar, and machine gun fire. Having said that, strangely enough, there were times when we went into battle “En-mass” But for the most part, modem war is a series of local, but bloody actions that are fought out virtually face to face.When one hears of huge losses incurred in battle, the total is usually made up of the casualties from many local actions. 100 here, 200 there, 350 somewhere else. It is the total of local actions that so often make up a large casualty list. There is another factor that one constantly comes across, and that is; 500 yards away from a violent and fiercely fought, hand to hand battle, there can appear to be an entirely different war.
    What follows; is a description of a very violent and bloody, hand to hand battle, that became known as the “Bloodiest square mile in Normandy” A battle that is still talked about in hushed tones by those survivors who fought there.
    The Chateau stood fair and square in the centre of Third British Infantry Division’s thrust towards Caen. It had to be taken. What follows are the personal memories of men who took part in that battle.
    This is what happened!
    On the night of June 22nd the South Lancs with two sections of 3 Platoon, 246 Field Company R.E. attacked the Chateau without a preparatory artillery barrage and “walked in” and took the Chateau. But something went very wrong after that, for some reason that has never been explained, the anti-tank guns were not brought up to support our troops. At about 4.30 am the next morning the Germans counter attacked with tanks and drove our infantry out, without anti-tank guns there was no defence against armour.
    We later found out that the Germans had been called over the coals for the disgraceful loss of the Chateau and that they would have to “Fight to the death” to regain it. They then set about strengthening their defenses, ready for another attack. First they were reinforced by a company of tanks about 30 to 40 strong, plus 5 Company of 192 Panzer Grenadiers and a Platoon of Sappers backed up by the H.Q. Company of 22 Panzer Regiment, fighting as infantry, A force of considerable strength!
    Our intelligence did not know about these enemy reinforcements, the weather had been very bad with thunderstorms that did not allow for good aerial reconnaissance, at the same time our patrols had not managed to get close enough to check on the enemy strength. There then followed operation, “Mitten” the retaking of the Chateau, this operation was to help the Canadians who were preparing to make a “Pincer movement” round Caen. The attack opened with the Divisional artillery laying down a barrage that our troops had to follow up close behind!
    On the evening of June the 27th,the South Lancs led the 8th Brigade and attacked first, not knowing of the superior enemy strength, they were slaughtered, every avenue was covered with tremendous enemy fire power. They were beaten back but managed to hold on to the wood at La Londe. The Suffolk and East Yorks with 2 Platoon of 246 Field Company R.E. in support, were then thrown in to the battle, cold food was brought to them at about 1 to 2 am and they attacked at 4 am. The barrage came down and what followed was a terrifying experience. An experience so bad, that those who were there will remember it to their graves. It is beyond my feeble attempt at description! The battle was confused and violent. To give an example, an officer of the Suffolk’s trying to consolidate his defence was harried by a Spandau, seeing two tanks in the half light, he asked one of them for fire support on to the Spandau position. A head appeared from the turret and these two looked at each other in silence. The gun began to swing round, the British officer ran for his life and just managed to reach a slit trench before the German tank fired at him. Lieutenant Woodward knocked out one with a PIAT, the other was knocked out by Private Crick, who was killed immediately by shell fire.
    I have enclosed further accounts.
    Sapper
     
  9. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Captain Edwards of 246 Field Company R.E.
    Chateau de Ia Londe. June the 23rd 1944.
    The First Attack.
    The Bridgehead was now fairly bulging with the later echelons of the assault force and moves were now being made to advance towards Caen. The first Battalion of the South Lancs made the attack on the Chateau, with two sections of 3 Platoon 246 Fld Co R.E in support. We went in in darkness and soon it was successfully taken. Before the anti-tank guns got themselves into position the enemy counter attacked with guns and mortars just before daylight, and under the cover of smoke their tanks quickly overran our positions. When the positions were first taken I checked round the captured defences with one of the Battalion officers to see whether there were any engineering tasks, and then, promising to give a report on the overall situation to the Battalion Commander, I started to make my way back to Battalion H.Q. Just as I walked through a gateway in the high wall and towards the cornfield outside, there was heavy firing of automatic weapons and I had to crawl - then almost immediately a tremendous “Stonk”came down and the whole area was pounded with mortars I could also hear the sound of high velocity 88mm guns firing. I was stuck in the middle of the cornfield, straddled with mortar bursts , much too close for comfort. I managed to move very slowly by rolling, in between the bursts, from one smoking crater to the next, clinging hopefully to the old saying “Lightening never strikes the same place twice” It must have taken me an hour to move about 500 yds, and when, at last I arrived at H.Q. Very shaken and rather deaf, they listened to my report with some surprise.
    The counter attack, which apparently I had just missed, had been too much for us and the position had been lost. Sappers Bob Chapman, Bill Humphries, Bill Baxter and Jim Pugh were shelled with the South Lancs for over 3 hours before their advance was ordered. Much to their relief Luckily, under the circumstances! None were wounded or killed in the action, unfortunately one of the Sappers lost everything but his life when a Tiger tank over ran his slit trench.
    June 25th and 26th.
    Preparations started for another attack, the second assault on the Chateau de la Londe. It was a Brigade attack on the Chateau and then on to Le Mesnil wood.
    2 Platoon of 246 FId Co R.E. were engaged in support of the Infantry and the Sappers used explosives on the guns of 2 enemy tanks. The South Lancs first went in against strong opposition and the East Yorks and Suffolks attacked at dawn on the 28th of June. The South Lancs were severely mauled in this battle. They had a very Bloody time against the Panzer Grenadiers and the 22 Panzer Regiment whose Tiger tanks were well dug in and protected by mines and booby traps. They kept their dogged pressure against an equally determined enemy.
    The East York’s found that the enemy had every inch of their ground covered by all forms of fire and his troops were well dug in. The Suffolk’s were met by an enemy in far greater strength than was indicated by our intelligence reports. Prior to the attack it was thought that the Chateau defences was in the hands of a comparatively weak 2nd Battalion the 192nd Panzer Grenadier Regiment. The la Londe position was, however, held by a force comprising three companies of tanks, a company of infantry, a platoon of Engineers and the headquarters company of the 22nd Panzer Regiment fighting as infantry. Small wonder that the Suffolk’s suffered more than 160 killed, wounded, or missing on the attack on La Londe, and against tiger tanks well dug in. But the 21st Panzer Division themselves were severely hammered and withdrawn as a result.
    The retaking of the Chateau de la Londe enabled me to check over the previous battle ground of the South Lancs, of the 23rd of June, to see whether I could find any signs which would indicate what may have happened to my three missing Sappers. I found no trace whatever of them, nor graves marked with their identity, it could therefore be fairly safely assumed that they had been taken prisoner.
    For the next few days the Company was busy laying about 2000 AITk mines and all Platoons were employed throughout the night of June 30th without incident. Again in the first three nights of July, mine-laying continued each night in front of our forward positions along the Le Mesnil-Chateau de la Londe front. Ten rows of mines were laid to give 2 mines per yard in front, the fields were then fenced and carefully recorded. On rare occasions, we could enlist the help of Infantry as a protective screen when we were mine laying, but on all of the nights laying these mines in front of our infantry in the Le Mesnil/ Chateau de la Londe front, and in “No mans land! we were on our own and set up our own “Listening posts”. Should any enemy movement occur we would stop mine laying and get down into position ready to defend ourselves until it was quiet again. The amount of work that trained troops could do at night without detection, (and right in front of the enemy) surprised me. On that particular minefield operation there was three Platoons, alongside one another in a long line, each field butting on to the other, and yet, I saw and heard nothing of the others although they came right up to my right hand boundary.
    It was while we were on the mine laying operation on the night of the 2ndl3rd of July that we were caught out in the open. We had just completed mine laying shortly before first light and 3 Platoon were moving silently back along the approach route. I had to remain behind as usual with my “Bodyguard” to complete the minefield record. As I finished my notes we began to feel an uneasy disquiet- the silence of the minutes before dawn. I decided to get back along the track, just at the moment that the enemy started to fire their automatic weapons in a wide sweep along their front, the tracers began to hit the ground behind us. In a flash we hurled ourselves into a side ditch as the bursts swept past and around us, at speed we were out on the track again to cover a few more yards before the next burst. We seemed to take such a long time to cover such a short distance.
    That completes Captain Edward’s recollection of the Battle at the Chateau.
    Sapper
     
  10. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The way forward.
    What follows now is the account taken from a document entitled “The Way Forward” It was written on a clapped out old typewriter, at about the end of the war, and is an attempt to explain why certain actions were taken and why the orders were changed at the last minute. It concerns the Royal Engineers 3 Field Companies and the Field Park Company of the Third British Infantry Division. Like all of these documents, everything is purely factual and to the point. Very little mention is made of casualties unless an officer was concerned.
    On the night of 23rd of June 1St bn S Lancs, 8th Bde, attempted to capture the already shattered Chateau de La Londe which was about 3/4 of a mile in front of their FDLs. The battalion attacked supported by 2 sections of 246 FId Coy. R.E.
    The enemy offered very determined resistance and it appeared as if there had been more of them than our intelligence bargained for. Very bloody fighting at close quarters ensued and at first light the enemy counter attacked with Mk lV tanks. For some reason unknown our own anti-tank guns were not in position and the German commanders swanned over the position machine gunning and throwing hand grenades into slit trenches.
    The two sections of Sappers had done steady work checking over the routes up to the position for mines and finally got into the thick of it, the result being that three were missing and two wounded. Lt Edwards after being chased across a field by a very persistent mortar returned with the remainder on the morning of the 24th of June.
    On 23 June another Platoon had come under comd 8 Bde and moved to a location just outside the village of Periers-sur-le-dan preparing for the next attack. On the 27 th of June 8 Bde made a Bde attack on La Bijude, a few houses strongly held by the enemy. The 246 Fld Coy R.E Platoon was under comd for the operation but were not heavily committed apart from blowing up two enemy tanks. Unfortunately the Bde failed to get further than the Chateau de Ia Londe where the enemy was again very stubborn.
    On the 29th of June 9Bde were due for an operation for which they were having one Platoon of 253 Fid Coy R.E under comd. However, the operation was cancelled due to the fact that greater opposition was expected than had been evident earlier.
    This document says so little of what the men experienced in that bloody battle. We never found out what had happened to the missing men, and still do not know to this day.
    Sapper
     
  11. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Deleted.
     
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  12. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    While I am about it. let me mention something that many folk that read these pages may not be fully aware of. Firstly; it is a fact that while there is a bloody and savage action is taking place in one sector, a mile away it can be a totally different war. That is typical of the Normandy campaign. That not only were there large attacks, involving many thousands in the air, and on the ground. But also in many cases, there was great deal of Fluidity in some actions...

    Very violent and savage actions confined in small area, Even to not being aware where the lines actually were.
    Sapper
     
  13. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    AN APOLOGY.
    Apologise Drew. Mistook your intentions. So I have deleted the post that may have been the one in question
    Sapper
     
  14. Ray Hanson

    Ray Hanson Member

    Back from a really interesting 3 days in Normandy. Followed my fathers path from Queen White left, through Cod and the crossroads at La Breche where the 3rd Div memorial now is and placed the poppy cross. Then on to Hermanville where the battalion spent the night of D Day. On to Pegasus Brideg where they spent a day, back to Hermonville and Periers sur la Dan before Chateau de la Londe where I spent a day walking Le Londel, Londe and around the Chateau walls. I will post some photos when I've worked out how to do it!

    Thanks to everyone who offered help and advice.

    Ray
     
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  15. Degsy

    Degsy Junior Member

    Next week I'm making a first visit to Normandy where I hope to follow my father's footsteps. Can anyone tell me where I can find a map of the assault on Strongpoint Cod and/or a photograph of Cod in 1944? I am also trying to find a map of the first assault on Chateau de la Londe. I've found a sketch map of the second assault on the 28th June but can't find anything on the first assault by the South Lancs

    Any help gratefully received.
    Hi Ray

    I'd be interested in knowing how you go on. My father was in the first assault wave of the 1st South Lancs. He was badly wounded and was shipped back to England to recover.

    Which company was you father in?

    Perhaps we can share info with each other? I've been to Normandy many times.

    Thanks

    Declan Lockett
     
  16. jimi66

    jimi66 Junior Member

    Hi Pete, I'd be honoured to place the poppy cross. Can you send me details before I leave on Tuesday morning 17th?
    Please pass my regards to the surviving vet. Maybe knew my father, Ron (or Ronnie) Hanson in C Company.

    Ray
    Hi Ray
    My old mate Corporal Gordon Penter was in action with B Company at the Chateau La Londe,have posted a few few of his accounts of the action on forum.Sadly Gordon passed away 8th Feb 2013 suddenly had many a chat with him over the years about his beloved Regiment.Have scanned most of Gordons material so will be putting things together on forum with time with his families consent.

    Jim

    Have attached Gordons account

    Dear Colonel Bostock,
    Thank you very much for your extremely kind reply to my letter and also your thoughtful gift of the S Lancs Newsletter and excerpt from the Regimental history. However, on reading page 408 of the history, I once again came upon the misinformation that was present in the divisional histories, in as much as it states that the “German counter attack overran “B Company’s position and forced the company to fall back to Le Londel.” On the contrary, we stood our ground until overwhelmed. In contrast the account of the action by Lt Col Jones, then of course Lt Jones,in the newsletter of Spring ’86, was far more accurate an account. In it he says he was moving platoon of “A” Coy up to reinforce “B” and met Captain Murison coming back to make contact. At this moment shelling and mortaring of a heavy intensity fell on the position whilst we were still digging in, He then stated “B” Company was overrun and there were few survivors. Lt Colonel Jones was of course not with “B” Company itself but his account is true to the facts as could possibly be in the circumstances.
    At the start of the last week in June, “B” Company had been ordered (as part of the Battalion plan) to put in a silent night attack on the Chateau- Le- Londel position. As I remember it we formed up just before midnight and moved across what I think was a cornfield in open order. We had not gone very far before sporadic artillery fire started dropping amongst us. However , although there were a few casualties, we kept on moving forward and it was not until we entered the wood at the far end of the field that we came under enfiladed machine gun tracer fire what appeared to be at least two or three weapon positions deep in the wood.
    At the time I was very near to the Company Commander, Captain Murison, and on seeiing me he ordered me to collect the bren gunners of the Company and engage the German positions. Although it was extremely dark with much shooting, I managed to get most of them to my position, and allotted two or three to each weapon pit. Eventually, after a hectic exchange of fire and using the tracer as a guide, we silenced the positions. The Company by then had well infiltrated the wood and we overran their positions. Some of the Panzer Grenadiers were wounded, some captured and the rest fled, I remember thinking we must have taken them by surprise after all. We then moved forward to the hedgerow which faced the Chateau and proceeded to dig-in in what was a shallow ditch. For the next hour or so we were subjected to some not very heavy mortar fire, and as I remember, we all thought that reinforcements would arrive, including anti tank guns and armoured vehicles for this had been the case in previous attacks. We were sadly disappointed. In the early hours of the morning we were subjected to an intense mortar and artillery bombardment and this was extremely accurate as of course they well knew our positions. As I recall they were using a lot of airburst shells. Worse was yet to come. After what seemed an eternity and when we were still trying to burrow into the earth ,we heard the dreaded sound of tank engines immediately before us. They were also now using smoke on each side of our positions. Our Canadian Platoon Commander and Sgt Horan ordered us to engage the flitting shapes we could now see coming through the wood in the glare of the bursting shells. This we did with great gusto, but it was to no avail. By now the tanks, some of which I think were Panthers, were rearing up over the hedge, some actually falling on the sections in the ditch. Also their Panzer Grenadiers had broken through the smoke and were coming round the back of us.
    It was by now chaos, and we were standing up trying to take them on as we were completely surrounded; armoured vehicles at both flanks and enemy infantry front and back. I well remember we engaged what appeared to be a German Platoon coming swiftly towards us , our lads were dropping like flies . All of a sudden I felt as though I had been hit in the face with a sledge hammer and I was thrown across Sgt Horan who seemed to be hit at the same time. I felt “this is it”, as I was choking with blood and bone in my throat, and I could not see through my left eye. I was not aware of much at that moment although I never lost consciousness but evidently I owe my life to a L/Cpl Ball, who cleared my throat and applied a shell dressing to the large wound in my face. Sgt Horan was now dead as seemed to be most of our platoon, and the action was ended. Even at that time. I remember the Germans lining up the survivors to march away to captivity. I also recall them brining up a truck and loading our dead into it. All the wounded including me were taken forward o their regimental aid post which was by the Chateau and we were treated with great respect. All around the Chateau were a considerable number of tanks hull down in soil bunkers. I was now quite sure the powers that be had under estimated the enemy strength, certainly considering we had no major anti tank defence.
    I myself had a nightmare journey to a prison hospital in Rennes, because of the Allied planes and bombardment we took a devious route through the bumpy roads choked on both side with destroyed enemy vehicles. When I eventually reached the hospital at Rennes I was given a huge morphia injection and I remember no more for a considerable time, Eventually I was operated on, and it was then that I learnt that I had been sot through the left side of my face, the bullet had entered two inches below my left eye and penetrated through the roof of my mouth and out through my upper lip and nose. I was eventually freed by the American advance and returned to this country where I received plastic surgery. I am now 68 and alive and well.

    Ex 3781977 Cpl G Penter
    “B”Coy 1st Bn The South Lancashire
    Regiment (PWV)

    Also a link to Gordons story attached
    Collections Search for "gordon penter" | Imperial War Museums
     
  17. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Jim

    Thank you for posting the info.

    Regards

    Pete
     
  18. gpo son

    gpo son Senior Member

    these are great accounts of the goings on, on sword beach bridgehead. I have never studied the British beach heads very much and always wondered why the 3rd CID had its flanks open for so long in the early days after the landing. these accounts pretty much close that cirle for me so to speak. Matt
     
  19. Tom Westgate

    Tom Westgate New Member

    Great reading this - thankyou. My uncle (Edgar Westgate) fought with the Suffolks from Normandy and so it was very interesting to read all this. There is the odd hand written note in his copy of the Suffolk Regiment History which contradicts one detail regarding Private Crick and Lieutenant Woodward.
     

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