The Battle of Alpon: the fate of 6th Cameronians SR

Discussion in 'WW2 Militaria' started by Peter Halsall, Aug 30, 2019.

  1. Peter Halsall

    Peter Halsall Member

    Hi

    I am interested in finding a detailed account of the incident in which two companies of the 6th Battalion Cameronians SR suffered very high rates of casualty in the final engagement with the Germans on the western side of the Rhine. This was at Alpon on March 8-9 1945.

    I have read all relevant threads on this site, with limited success, an account in 'Mountain & Flood', which was interesting but thin on detail, and listened to an audible history by John Murdoch on the IWM website which refers to it but with no detail provided. There is also a fleeting reference in 'With the Jocks' by Peter White.

    My interest is due to the survival of my uncle, Joseph Halsall who was in the 6th Cameronians and related the fact that very few of his unit survived the war. I suspect Alpon (Alpen) was their most likely source of casualties, although an alternative might be the approach to Breberen in January 1945 if anyone could shed light on that one either.

    It would also be interesting to know the casualty rates by Company, all the accounts I've read give an overall figure of 4 officers and 169 OR.

    Any help would be most appreciated.

    Pete
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Perhaps a copy of
    6 Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 171/5166
    Description:
    6 Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    Date: 1945 Jan.- Dec.
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)
    Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

    There may also be appendices in the file that are specific to your question

    TD
     
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  3. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    From the Battalion history

    IMG_20190830_0001.jpg IMG_20190830_0002.jpg IMG_20190830_0003.jpg IMG_20190830_0004.jpg IMG_20190830_0005.jpg IMG_20190830_0006.jpg IMG_20190830_0008.jpg IMG_20190830_0009.jpg
     
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  4. Peter Halsall

    Peter Halsall Member

    Thank you so much TD and AB64. The book referred to is known to me but way out of my price range at about £130 the last time I saw a copy! The account marries well with that in 'Mountain and Flood' but there is way more detail in this account. When I get to WO 171/5166 perhaps I will establish the number of casualties in each company.

    A particularly poignant detail is the comparison at the end to Festubert - Joseph's uncle William died there in WW1.

    Thanks once again, I am totally appreciative of your generosity in sharing that info.

    Pete
     
  5. Bayonet Productions

    Bayonet Productions Lead Researcher

    Are there any photos of the factory discussed in the history?
     
  6. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Its not a good one for photos, only a couple at the start of senior officers, nothing else
     
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  7. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    The town is correctly written ALPEN instead of ALPON. The factory is today a large industrial compund
    LEMKEN.jpg
     
  8. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

  9. Peter Halsall

    Peter Halsall Member

    Thank you very much for the superb photograph and map, much appreciated. I have looked high and low for a photograph of the factory, including acquiring a copy of the 'History of the Cameronians (SR)' by Brigadier Barclay, with no result. A very rare artefact. The map is an unexpected bonus too.

    Regards,

    Pete
     
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  10. Bayonet Productions

    Bayonet Productions Lead Researcher

    Do you know the units occupying Alpen during 7-8 March 45. I know 8th and 7th FJ, along with 116th and 190th were sent to the Alpen area. Also who occupied Haus Loo fort? I only have accounts of paratroopers that said POW photos show a mix.
     
  11. Bayonet Productions

    Bayonet Productions Lead Researcher

    There are a few photos from the imperial war museum. Like this one taken 11 March with an odd POW. In Alpen.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    I have no idea, because it was a complete chaos. That date the Reichsstrasse 57 became the last front line and the depleted German troops were thrown together from all availabe units.
    Must have a look for my stored IntSums as these are the best sources identifiying Wehrmacht units
    EDIT: Nothing, as my documents only cover the 2nd half of March....
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2020
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  13. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

  14. Peter Halsall

    Peter Halsall Member

    Thanks very much for those additional responses. I had seen that Blockbuster thread before but a good pointer and it was interesting to revisit it. The tip to look at the IWM for photos was fruitful, most appreciated. Thanks for all your help.

    Pete
     
  15. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Breberen - Breberen, 1930-1945 | Hemstreet 111FA

    See also - 1st Lothians & Border Yeomanry

    And - The Sherwood Rangers in January 1945

    The SRY fought there in mid January 1945.

    Approximately equidistant between Heinsberg and Sittard...

    Roer Triangle.JPG-1.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2022
  16. Quarterfinal

    Quarterfinal Well-Known Member

    There is some info with images at page 14 of the 2005 Regimental Journal at:
    http://www.cameronians.org/_covenanter_editions/Covenanter2002-2008v7.pdf
    which you may find of interest, not least that some of the Battalion’s slit trenches were still visible then. A gritty section commander’s recollections are at page 22 of the 2006 edition. I understand there was a 9 page piece from a veteran platoon commander in the 1997 edition too, probably amongst others - not seen, but sense it would be worth keeping an eye open for. You may have seen the snippet at:
    The exceptional and regimentally unique Second World War North West Europe operations Battle of the Scheldt 3rd November 1944 Military Medal and Battle of Alpon attack on the milk factory recce patrol commander’s Second Award Bar group awarded to Corporal | London Medal Company
    giving a synopsis of William Robertson being awarded the bar to his MM. As he was evidently the only Cameronian to be awarded the medal twice in the War, I’m slightly surprised it didn’t feature in AB64’s posting above - maybe elsewhere in the history. Good hunting.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2022
  17. brithm

    brithm Senior Member

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