Current status of copied 30 Corps war diaries: WO 171/336, G. (1944 June) - Pak75 WO 171/337, G. (1944 July) - Pak75, Tom OB WO 171/338, G. Apps. (1944 July) - Pak75, Tom OB WO 171/339, G. (1944 Aug.) - Pak75, Tom OB WO 171/340, G. Apps. (1944 Aug.) - Pak75, Tom OB September 1944 COMPLETED WO 171/342, G. (1944 Oct.) - WO 171/343, G. Apps. (1944 Oct.) - WO 171/344, G. (1944 Nov.) - WO 171/345, G. Apps. (1944 Nov.) - WO 171/346, G. (1944 Dec.) - WO 171/4075, G.S. (1945 Jan.) - Stolpi February 1945 COMPLETED March 1945 COMPLETED WO 171/4079, G.S. (1945 Apr.) - May 1945 COMPLETED
I am wondering whether the 30 Corps before going to the Ardennes say December 1944 could have been at Geulle lying at the river Meuse, north of Maastricht.
Thanks a lot! The question is now whether between them a Jorma was at or near Oostbroek 1 at Geulle then. The books found "WAR DIARY OF THE FIFTH SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS, 51ST HIGHLAND DIVISION" & "THE HISTORY OF THE 51st HIGHLAND DIVISION" could give a clue. Maybe the National Archives in London have more documents.
5 Seaforth Highlanders were at the following locations: Cortryck-Dutzel 22nd Dec Albeek 24th Dec Les Cours 26th Dec Liege 30th Dec
War Diary of the Fifth Seaforth Highlanders, 51st Highland Division Could the units at Geulle these days just before Christmas 1944 be derived from this diary? Or from another source?
After discussions the data on the Jorma I was named after, should be as follows. How to find this serviceman? Jorma Last name unknown. It could be something with HM, anglicized from e.g. Heinoniemi = hay peninsula. Then would be possible: Hayman, Heiman. Born ±1917 in Canada, Saskatchewan or Manitoba. Father before migrated from Finland, viz. Heinoniemi, Kitee, North Karelia. Or from Eura, West Finland. Mother is from Scotland. Died ±1972, age ±56 Physical characteristics Length 1,85 à 1,90 m Slim, pretty skinny Right lower leg wounded. Sonething like a drop foot Qualities Very nice. Very human. Charismatic Sense of justice ~Sagittarius Serviceman Several times promoted. Higher officer. 51st (Highland) Division (not Canadian?) Family tradition in the army. In Finland I suppose.
Who knows more about the following: 26th July1944 the 51st got a new commander. A large number of other officers were replaced, probably around that time. Details?? 1st August 1944 the 51 st became part of the First Canadian Army. Xmas 1944 they were part of the 30th Corps in the Ardennes. Suppose "my" Jorma was in the Canadian Army and around August 1944 he became part of the 51st (Highland) Division and was before Xmas around Maastricht, say Geulle.
Hi folks, It seems that this Jorma around May 1944 went over from the Canadian Army to the 51st (Highland) Division. The original Finnish surname could be: Hämäläinen (in our script Hamalainen). With cyrillic you could get Chamalainen. The name was anglicized. I found a candidate: Capt. J.H. Chamberlain in the Canadian 10th Armoured Regiment (Fort Garry Horse) 27th May 1944 he went to the hospital. Was he injured at his leg? Did he go to the 51st?
My father was a Bofors gunner/driver with 156Bty 52 LAA Regt until it was disbanded after Crete, because of losses both 156 and 154 Bty's were absorbed into 155Bty 52LAA. After the North Africa and Italian Campaigns he ended up with 30 Corps. I am trying to find out which LAA bofors Units were with 30 Corps so I can get the appropriate War Diaries. I know he was at the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and also at Bergen Belsen. Has anybody any ideas...How best do I find out his Unit when he was with 30 Corps. The back of photo say Christmas 1945. I think they are wearing 30 Corps insignia.
My father was a Bofors gunner/driver with 156Bty 52 LAA Regt until it was disbanded after Crete, because of losses both 156 and 154 Bty's were absorbed into 155Bty 52LAA. After the Italian Campaign he ended up with 30 Corps. I am trying to find out which LAA bofors Units were with 30 Corps so I can get the appropriate War Diaries. I know he was at the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and also at Bergen Belsen. Has anybody any ideas...How best do I find out his Unit when he was with 30 Corps. View attachment 259693 View attachment 259694
113th (2nd/5th Durham Light Infantry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA of 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade attached 103rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade were at Bergen-Belsen Camp until 23 May 45, to 8th Armoured Brigade 6 Jun 45 to 31 Oct 45, then 306th Infantry Brigade RA until disbandment, you will find the post VE Day journey here https://britisharmyingermany.com Best of luck with you research
