The Sherwood Rangers with 8th Armoured Brigade at Vernon

The Sherwood Rangers at Vernon

Thread for info, discussion and association on the actions / movements etc. of the SRY at and around Vernon in August 1944.

Sherwood Rangers August 1944 route ideas 4 by Ramiles posted Apr 21, 2015 at 6:32 PM

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Books:

Ken Ford's ''Assault Crossing'' (Thanks Owen! http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/7978-seine-crossing-vernon-1944-2007/?p=667795 )
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Assault-Crossing-River-Seine-1944/dp/1848845766

Monty's Marauders : Monty’s Marauders

Marching to the sound of gunfire: Marching to the Sound of Gunfire

Links

Operation Neptune as the Seine crossing in August 1944, VERNON - The River Seine Crossing (25th to 28th August 1944) Vernon - crossing the Seine, August 1944 - Worcestershire Regiment

A classic "fail for wiki" here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon,_Eure (Since nothing of note happened in Vernon apparently between 1910 and 1946?) - if your name's Vernon though... it's all "thanks" to here

Vernon - the town that liberated itself: Vernon, the town that liberated itself in 1944 Normandy – Normandy Then and Now

Sherwood Rangers Memorial at Vernon: Sherwood rangers memorial vernon - Google Search

"Les Partenaires de l'Office de Tourisme : VERNON et ses environs" (The Partners of the Vernon Tourist Office: Vernon and surrounding places). Pages on the crossing of the Seine: seine3 1944

A short history of the 8th Armoured Brigade: The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE

Maps:

The Pursuit to the Seine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6th_Ai...ile:1st_Canadian_Army_advance_in_Normandy.jpg

Normandy to Paris: Normandy to Paris, World War II

Advance to the Somme and Antwerp: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/Canada/CA/Victory/sk/Victory-22.jpg

Western Europe - Pursuit to the West Wall: http://www.westpoint.edu/history/SiteAssets/SitePages/World War II Europe/WWIIEurope66.gif

WW2talk threads:

Seine Crossing Vernon - 1944-2007: Seine Crossing, Vernon. 1944 & 2007.

The SRY in NWE in august 1944: The SRY in NWE in August 1944

 

SRY and other Events Associated with Vernon around August 1944:

May 7th 1944 1 seine crossing 1944 vernon

"On May 7 1944 American P-47 Thunderbolt pilots, dive bombing to dangerously low heights, destroyed the railway bridge over the Seine at Vernon. But the main bridge that could carry thousands of troops and vehicles though was only slightly damaged." Vernon, the town that liberated itself in 1944 Normandy – Normandy Then and Now

Friday 18th August 1944

French resistance forces detonate a bomb on the bridge over the Seine, although badly damaged the bridge though is still "just about passable" on foot. : Vernon, the town that liberated itself in 1944 Normandy – Normandy Then and Now

Monday 21st August 1944

By preventing German forces from re-crossing the river and reoccupying the town, French resistance forces liberate Vernon Vernon, the town that liberated itself in 1944 Normandy – Normandy Then and Now

But with the town now under constant fire from the Germans at Vernonnet across the Seine a waiting game ensues as US forces sweep by.

Friday 25th August 1944

On this date the SRY were almost 3 miles east of L’Aigle and there was a conference at Bde. HQ.

Sherwood Rangers August 1944 route ideas 4 | WW2Talk

Sherwood Rangers August 1944 route ideas 4 by Ramiles posted Apr 21, 2015 at 6:32 PM

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In the afternoon the 1st Worcestershire Regiment (British regiment) arrived in Vernon. : Vernon, the town that liberated itself in 1944 Normandy – Normandy Then and Now

43rd Division of 30 Corps began crossing the river at Vernon, some 80 km north west of Paris, on the evening of 25 August 1944. The east bank consisted of an almost vertical cliff honeycombed with enemy machine gun posts. Operation NEPTUNE began with a barrage and a smoke screen that allowed the 4th and 5th Battalions, The Wiltshire Regiment, the 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment and the 4th Battalion, The Somerset Light Infantry, to cross in boats and establish a small bridgehead. Meanwhile at 7 pm an attack by tanks of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards went across on rafts, a hazardous operation in view of submerged mud banks and weeds. Other tanks drove down all streets leading to the West bank at zero hour opening fire at point blank range across the river. Casualties to men and craft were considerable.

Saturday 26th August 1944

SRY doing maintenance, C/O inspection, then on many miles to the Seine at Vernon.

By 6 pm the Royal Engineers, despite being under fire at the start of their work, had completed the construction of a 680-feet folding boat bridge that allowed the remaining tanks of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and other allied armoured units to cross the river and reinforce the infantry units. Within 72 hours of Zero hour (on the 25th), the Seine bridgehead at Vernon was 4½ miles deep.

Sunday 27th August 1944: Vernon - crossing the Seine, August 1944 - Part 7 - Worcestershire Regiment

SRY crossing the Seine (Nb. thread here: http://ww2talk.com/f...2007/?hl=vernon )

Monday 28th August 1944 Vernon - crossing the Seine - Part 8 - Worcestershire Regiment

SRY in action increasing the bridgehead over the Seine (Map of the Seine bridgehead: http://vernon-visite.org/pics/maps/carte27_8.jpg ) "A" squadron SRY with 4th Somersets of the 43rd (Wessex) Division (?), "C" squadron SRY with Dorsets (?), "B" squadron SRY in reserve. A difficult time with infantry, as having to operate through a very thick forest, nevertheless all objectives met. Around 22.30 hours orders received to proceed to Amiens.

Tuesday 29th August 1944

"Floods of rain". SRY on route to Amiens. The axis lay along the valley of the tributary river Epte towards Dangu and Gisors, the road being dominated by high ground on both sides. Each successive village was held by the enemy with infantry and anti-tank guns. While the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry made an excellent left hook through the Bois de Baquet and some very hilly country to come in behind 'the enemy at St Remy, the 13th/18th Hussars had a very hard day's fighting under most dismal conditions and did well to reach Dangu by nightfall. SRY took prisoners in Acos and destroyed an enemy SP in St. Remy.

Wednesday 30th August 1944

Open country ("delightful after all that bocage"). Largely unopposed liberation of Gisors. The 4th/7th continued with the Sherwood Rangers making a wide loop on the left but the 13th/18th Hussars met determined resistance at a gap in the hills Southwest of Auneuil, known as "the Kyber Pass", and were held up. SRY leaguered 5 miles south of Beauvais.

Thursday 31st August 1944 Advance to the Somme and Antwerp: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/Canada/CA/Victory/sk/Victory-22.jpg

SRY at St.Sauflieurs (??? P'haps St.Sauvear - just to the nw of Amiens ???). "The 8th Armoured Brigade crossed the Somme by a narrow bridge on the West of Amiens and continued the advance on the left of the 11th Armoured Division, two up, 13th/18th Hussars right, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards left each with a Company of 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps and a Battery of Essex Yeomanry 'under command'. The enemy had formed up round the bridge head and a break-out operation had to be fought. The country permitted free tank movement and a great cross-country gallop ensued in which an R. E. officer, the Army High Jump Champion, and his bulldozer took a prominent part. On one occasion a battery of the Essex Yeomanry deployed off the march road into action with the speed and finish usually connected with a well rehearsed demonstration. By evening the 13th/18th Hussars were through Doullens where a rearguard action had been fought at the crossing of the River Authie. The 4th/7th on the left had experienced some fighting at Vignacourt and Canapples on the left but by evening they too were up to the Authie. The night was spent at La Souche where many luckless prisoners were handed over to the Free French, a prospect which appeared distasteful to the Germans. Many Flying Bomb sites were located in this area and it was satisfactory to feel that they at least could cause no more civilian casualties in our homeland. Reconnaissance screens were pushed out towards St Pol and Arras, while the 50th (Northumbrian) Division was brought up by motor transport." See: The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE

Friday 1st September 1944

Monty crossing the Seine (See pic # 18 here: seine3 1944 )

And another view of Monty on the Seine here; but this one says 3rd September
Vernon - crossing the Seine, August 1944 - Part 13 - Worcestershire Regiment
Field Marshal Montgomery crossing the Bailey Bridge at Vernon (IWM) (3rd September 1944)
(Was Monty doing laps???)

Saturday 2nd September 1944

Deaths of SRY Sgt. Cribbens and Trooper Sharp noted by Padre Skinner (at Laigle? Flesselles?)

See also "The Worcestershire men enjoyed a most pleasant stay at Pressagny". : Vernon - crossing the Seine, August 1944 - Part 9 - Worcestershire Regiment

 

Nice view here - this time though more from the other side...

Sherman tanks crossing a bridge over the Seine at Vernon, 28 August 1944 | Online Collection | National Army Museum, London

Sherman tanks crossing a bridge over the Seine at Vernon, 28 August 1944.
Photograph, World War Two, North West Europe (1944-1945), 1944.
43rd Division of 30 Corps began crossing the river at Vernon, some 80 km north west of Paris, on the evening of 25 August 1944. Operation NEPTUNE began with a barrage and a smoke screen that allowed the 4th and 5th Battalions, The Wiltshire Regiment, the 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment and the 4th Battalion, The Somerset Light Infantry, to cross in boats and establish a small bridgehead.
By 6 pm the next day, the Royal Engineers, despite being under fire at the start of their work, had completed the construction of a 680-feet folding boat bridge that allowed Allied armoured units to cross the river and reinforce the infantry units.

 

British Pathe - August 1944 film...

Building Of Pontoon Bridge

Unissued / Unused material.
British 2nd Army crossing Seine at Vernon Aug 1944
Various shots of Vernon Major pontoon bridge being built. L/S soldiers walking across it. Various shots of the bridge as tanks roll across. M/S man giving instructions. Various shots German prisoners walking across the bridge. Various shots of the bridge as vehicles and soldiers cross it. M/S's as bridge is pushed over water. M/S as they climb up onto it.

Video Stills: Building Of Pontoon Bridge - British Pathé

 

8th Armoured at Vernon

CROSSING OF THE SEINE AT VERNON

B9772 - Object description
Original wartime caption: Mother and daughter from village near Vernon cross the fields to give our troops a welcome drink of cider.

THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944

B9773 - Object description
Sherman tank crews of 8th Armoured Brigade hanging out their washing in a cornfield near Vernon, August 1944.

CROSSING OF THE SEINE AT VERNON

B9774 - Object description
Original wartime caption: Tpr. C. Wilkinson had his tank parked under an apple tree.

THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945

B9775 - Object description
Sherman tank crews write letters home in a lull during operations to cross the River Seine at Vernon, 27/28 August 1944.

They are named on the caption card as Troopers T.Wilson & S.Maddison...



CROSSING OF THE SEINE AT VERNON

B9776 - Object description -
Original wartime caption: "A" Squadron mascot, Donald Duck, was adopted by the troops on "D" Day. They found him on the beaches. L-R. Tpr. G. Bateman of Skipton, Tpr. F. Lvers of Nottingham, and L/Cpl. T. Thomas of Northampton.

CROSSING OF THE SEINE AT VERNON

B9777 - Object description
Original wartime caption: Vehicles and tanks of the 8th Armoured Div. (Brigade) crossing the Bailey Bridge erected over the Seine at Vernon.

 

Sunday 27th August 1944...
4th7thRDG
First tank of "A" Sqn. crossed at 0700 hrs. 27th. on the raft, the first British tank to cross the SEINE. Crossings were continued through the day until the class 40 Bridge was completed by about 1500 hrs. RHQ then moved over by the bridge. The Commanding Officer remained at 214 Bde. in VERNON itself until the following morning It was learned 8 Armd. Bde. who were to have gone across some 40 miles to the SOUTH were coming up across our bridge. Bridgehead on the EAST bank of the SEINE was farly small and the Regiment harboured in close proximity to the BOSCHE. This evening the Regiment came under comd. 130 Bde.
---- x ---- x ----
SRY - War Diary -
27th August 1944
Sqn Ldrs Conference at R.H.Q. Regt at 24 hrs notice to move, but orders were received at 1230 to move at 1315 – to an unknown destination by a then unknown route. We eventually moved 65 miles and arrived at the Seine at VERNON at 2015. We got a tremendous reception from the inhabitants of all the places through which we passed. C.O. met Cmdr 43 Inf Div at 2200hrs. The plan has now been altered slightly and the whole of 8 Armd Bde Grp is u/c 43 div. We support 214 Bde and 4/7 D.G. 130 Bde – back these Bdes having established bridgeheads over the SEINE at VERNON when Sappers have constructed bridges.
---- x ---- x ----
"A" Squadron, 13/18th Hussars
27th August 1944 - Orders to move received during the morning, whilst playing cricket, to an area south of VERNON in readiness to cross the SEINE. Moved at 16.00 hrs to the FORET DE CONCHES.
"C" Squadron, 13/18th Hussars
On the afternoon of the 27th Aug the Squadron moved forward to spend the night in the FOREST de CONCHE.

 

Re.

GEN. EISENHOWER AND GEN. MONTGOMERY AND MOBILE CHURCH

B9725 - Object description - Nb. The caption date says 28d8m1944, but - perhaps? - 27d8m1944 (i.e. a "Sunday") would make more sense...
Original wartime caption: The service in progress.

For instance...

THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945

B9775 - Object description
Sherman tank crews write letters home in a lull during operations to cross the River Seine at Vernon, - "having" - 27/28 August 1944.