102 LAA (Light Anti-Aircraft) Regiment, Royal Artillery (336, 337 & 338 Batteries)

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by Buteman, Oct 13, 2012.

  1. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    They were to the East of Goch across the German Border , moving with the Land Mattress Rockets taking part in Operation Plunder. They were already in action in Germany

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder
     
  2. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Many thanks Rob, your a star

    Lotus7.
     
  3. gpo son

    gpo son Senior Member

    Just getting to this now. excellent pictorial Essay Rob Thanks for sharing. Didnt realize the Brits were converting LAA to Infantry in NWE as well as Italy
    Matt
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Having popped up to see Rob today all I can say is the amount of info he has & time spent in research on this unit is to be commended.



    Thanks for the bacon sarnies Rob.
     
  5. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    No different than anyone else would do, if it was their own Dad's unit. Thanks though.
     
  6. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Thanks to Stolpi, another film of the Land Mattress Rocket Launchers used by 337 & 338 Batteries of 102 LAA Regiment, this time with sound, is on a Canadian Army News Film. From WarAmps on Youtube.

    Go to 8 minutes 59 seconds until the end of the newsreel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyHmBMewgUY&index=65&list=PL04CC43B7CD63C686
     
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  7. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Great thread, full of interesting research. Congratulations. A couple of questions:

    Is the war diary for September 1944 missing? It is the only month not included.
    Did you find any more details of the location of the camp in Hartley Wintney or Fleet? Are there any Location Statements in the 1 Corps CRA war diary? Have you tried the Farnborough District war diary?
    Any idea of what sort of 3- tonnes the regiment was equipped with?

    Regards

    Tom
     
  8. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Hi Tom,

    Thanks for your comments.

    I've just realised that August '44 is not complete and of course September '44. I'll finish transcribing them and uploading them very soon.

    No idea exactly where they were located at Hartley Wintney, as the 1 Corps CCRA war diary did not start until June '44 in France. I was not aware of a Farnborough District War Diary, so will make a note to look during another visit to Kew.

    Nothing in the appendicies about type of vehicles used.

    Regards

    Rob
     
  9. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    I made a specific visit to the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery on the 14th May 2015 to lay poppy posies on the graves on two men of my Dad's Battery. They died on that day 70 years ago.

    Sergeant Alfred Leonard Doughty & Gunner John Gibson Ross.

    DOUGHTY, A.L. (Large).JPG

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    ROSS, J.G. (Large).JPG

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    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Oct 5, 2017
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  10. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Thanks for sharing Rob, a fitting tribute

    David
     
  11. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    I agree. Thanks for sharing Rob.
     
  12. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    There are 3 linked threads about 336 LAA Battery covering the period, between 21 April to 5 May 1945.

    On the 21st April 1945, 336 Battery HQ moved to the village of Wamel, on the South Bank of the River Waal, 3 km from Tiel on the North Bank. A platoon from each of A & B Troops were deployed as Infantry with the remainder being used in a Field Artillery Role against the enemy in Tiel and other places. They were to be located in the area until the German surrender in the Netherlands on 5 May and left the area and moved to Arnhem later that night.

    (There are three parts covering this article for the period 21 April to 5 May 1945:-

    1. The actions by 336 LAA Battery as detailed in the war diary in this post, with maps and some photos.

    There will be two consecutive threads about the following:-


    2. Photos taken of the men of 336 LAA Battery and the local residents on the 4th May 1945 at Wamel. It was to lead to a meeting, 70 years after the event.)

    3. The destruction of the 2 churches at Ophemert and Tiel by shelling, leading to the eventual rebuilding of these 2 beautiful places.

    5SW - TIEL (Large) (Large).tif.jpg

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    21 April 1945

    336 Battery now under command SMITHFORCE (104 Battery, 7 Canadian Anti-Tank Regt).

    20-00 hrs – 336 Battery moves to WAMEL, Map Ref QE.440672.

    22-00 hrs – One Platoon from each troop of 336 Battery deploy in Infantry role in area, Map Ref QE.4467 (East of WAMEL). Remaining platoons still in field artillery role.

    (Photos (post war) of the building (on the right), were used as 336 LAA Battery HQ - (Thanks to the History Society of Wamel)

    [​IMG]

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    22 April 1945

    02-50 & 03-45 hrs – 336 Battery fire on enemy Spandau post.

    23-00 hrs – 336 Battery Liaison Officer to 2 Belgian Fusiler Battalion and receives orders that “A” Troop are to give Arty support from H-10 mins to H-Hr to an attack to be put in by Belgian Fusilier Battalion and 116 Royal Marine Brigade 230900.

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    23 April 1945

    08-30 hrs - “A” Troop ready to give artillery support. H Hour delayed due to 116 Royal Marines Brigade being held up.

    16-35 hrs – 336 Battery fire plan was put into effect.

    Phase 1 – Eight series of 5 rounds gun fire from 4 guns on factory at Map Reference QE – 392622. (This was on the South bank of the River WAAL opposite OPHEMERT). The target was well covered. (The site is still derelict as at 2012).

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    Phase 2 – To silence any machine gun positions. No targets observed.

    24 April 1945

    15-00 hrs – 336 Battery engaged with 40mm (Bofors Gun) and quitened mortar position at Map Ref QE.396641.

    16-00 hrs – 336 Battery engaged TIEL (SINT. MAARTENS KERK, TIEL) church tower (Map Ref QE.416678). Enemy replied with mortar fire on area Map Ref QE.4367 (Belgian Fusiliers Sector).



    (Video and Current View across the river from Wamel.)

    16-10 hrs – 336 Battery engaged OPHEMERT (SINT. MAARTENS KERK, OPHEMERT) church at Map Ref QE.384635 on call from 2 Bn Belgian Fusiliers.

    (Current View across the river.)



    Ophemert Church (Large).JPG

    25 April 1945

    18-05 hrs – One 40mm Section of 336 Battery brought into action at Map Ref QE.465654 to engage factory at Map Ref QE.445685 suspected mortar position.

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    19-15 – 20-00 hrs – 336 Battery engaged various targets including suspected mortar positions.

    22-10 hrs – 336 Battery engaged spandau area Map Ref QE.393635 on call from 2 Belgian Fusiliers. Fire started.

    26 April 1945

    11-25 hrs – 336 Battery receive message from SMITHFORCE that no HF and CB only if permitted by 1 Canadian Armoured Brigade.

    17-45 hrs – Enemy gun shelled various targets in WAMEL (Map ref QE – 4467) (336 Battery area) 20 shells. No casualties.

    18-45 hrs – SMITHFORCE becomes HALLFORCE on 104 Anti-Tank Battery RCA being relieved by 111 AT Bty, RCA.

    27 April 1945

    10-15 hrs – 3 Gunners of 336 Battery patrol searching for an unknown civilian seen near their sector post are injured by a 36 Grenade booby trap and evacuated to a CCP.

    23-00 hrs – 336 Battery receive message 0/13 of 271920 from HALLFORCE.

    28 April 1945

    08-00 hrs – HALLFORCE area. “No offensive action” starts.

    Captain R.G. Pearce promoted to A/Major to command 336 Battery.

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    29 April 1945

    01-30 hrs – 336 Battery (B Platoon) fire on enemy patrol. No interference.

    04-00 hrs – HALLFORCE area. Enemy patrols active on both flanks of 336 Battery, in spite of “No offensive action” order.

    16-15 to 16-45 hrs – WAMEL (Map reference QE – 4467) shelled by enemy. About 10 shells.

    17-30 hrs – OC – 336 Bty orders the Burgomaster of WAMEL to arrange civilian curfew between 21-00 to 07-00 hrs.

    30 April 1945


    Lieutt E.G. Culley promoted to A/Captain to command B Troop, 336 Battery.

    WAM-5.JPG

    3 May 1945

    16-30 hrs – Officer Commanding SMITHFORCE arranges with OC 336 Battery/Major Pearce to command SMITHFORCE for night of 4/5 May.

    20-00 hrs – 336 Battery receive message from 1 Canadian Armoured Brigade warning that a hostile Bosche patrol will be operating in their area for the next 3 – 4 nights.

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    4 May 1945

    19-00 hrs – 336 Battery receive message from 1 Canadian Armoured Brigade regarding relief and returning under command of 102 LAA Regiment.

    23-30 hrs – CEASE FIRING – All offensive action will cease forthwith. No firing of any weapon will take place after 08-00 hrs on 5 May. Message from RCA 1 Canadian Corps.

    5 May 1945

    12-00 hrs – Orders received from 1 Canadian Corps. 336 Bty will return under command and RHQ and one Battery will move to area (Map reference A – 3257) for clearing of battlefields, to be under command 9 AGRA. Move timings and route later. All instructions regarding handing in of 40mm equipment will be given by RA 1 British Corps.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  13. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    (Part 2 of 3 - Post 113 of this thread)

    Some photos I was given by the family of B.S.M. P.G. Dowdall, were taken in Wamel (4 May 1944) by men of 336 LAA Battery on the day of the surrender of the Germans in the Netherlands. I was interested in trying to find the location and if possible identify the Dutch civilians.

    Lt R.E. Miles and B.S.M. Dowdall are standing between the civilians in the first photo (not sure of the identity of the 3rd soldier) and Lt Miles is in the second photo. Note the TAC sign 14 on the jeep in the second photo. Corps LAA, which is what they were.

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    I composed an article and Pieter Schlebaum kindly translated it and found a local Newspaper that was interested in publishing the details. A request for information was posted in the Waalkanter for 1 May 2013.

    I arrived at RenkensWamel B&B in Wamel on a beautiful sunny morning on 5 May 2013, which was liberation day in the Netherlands. What made this place special for me, was that this is close to the Battery Headquarters. The lady owner of the B&B told me that the article in the Waalkanter had got a response and I was asked to meet with the local History Group on Monday morning. This is what I found out.

    Renkenswamel B&B where I stayed. This is a local original farm building.

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    Members of Historie Stichting Wamel, where I met and was given priceless information concerning the names of the Dutch Civilians on the photos.

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    The article printed by the "Waalkanter" prior to my visit.

    Waalkanter - 1st May 2013.jpg

    The man wearing the clogs, was called Harrie Mellis. He was a local farmer and the location of the photo was his farm. The children were called Rieke de Groot (holding the lamb) and her Sister Dinie. These girls were nieces of Harris Mellis. The lady was called Nellie van Sommeren and was from another farm close by.

    Wedding photo of Harrie Mellis

    Bride and groom  Melis-Jansen, children De Groot, Mies Melis.jpg

    The two de Groot children with their Mother

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    The two de Groot children with Nellie van Sommeren

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    Nellie van Sommeren

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    The location of the photo today. 108 Kerkstraat.

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    A original painting of the farm. In the same style of the RenkensWamel B&B.

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    Back garden of the Old Farm today.

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    The TEXEL breed of sheep like the one the child was holding.

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    (My thanks to the family of B.S.M. Bill Dowdall for the 1945 photos, Pieter Schlebaum for translating and getting my request for information published in the Waalkanter, Stichting Historie Wamel for identifying the people in the photo and providing other photos and Rico Lien Renkens of RenkensWamel B&B for taking me to the location of the old farm and showing me a neighbours painting of that original farm.)

    Rieky de Groet has since contacted Pieter Schlebaum and identified herself, but I have not yet been able to speak with her (with much appreciated help from PieterF). After two years, I finally got in touch with and met Rieky de Groot at Wamel last week.

    I collected her from the ferry at Wamel (within days of the 70th Anniversary of the photos) and we met up with Jan Sondag and colleagues of Stichting Historie Wamel at the Hollenhof. We shared 5 hours of conversation and finished with lunch at a restaurant overlooking the River Maas. She was 4 and a half years old at the time the photo was taken, but still has clear memories of that time. She was able to look at photos never seem by her before and identify people for the History Group. We then walked around the area, which also brought back some strong memories. On leaving by ferry, she said it would be her last trip to Wamel and to end it with a day like she had just experienced, was very special to her indeed. I also found it quite an emotional day to share with her.

    Mulling over and talking about the old photos.

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    Walking around old haunts:-

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    The old school building used by my Dad's Battery. About to be demolished shortly.

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    Lunch

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    Final departure from Wamel

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    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jul 20, 2017
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  14. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Wonderful photos Rob and a story behind them. Looks as if you had an interesting visit.
    Thanks again for sharing

    David
     
  15. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    (Part 3 of 3 - Posts 112 & 113)

    OPHEMERT

    (SINT MAARTENS KIRK, OPHEMERT)


    During my recent trip to the Netherlands, I visited a church in the village of Ophemert (Sint Maartenskerk te Ophemert) and met with some of the church elders, to talk about an action against it by the 40mm Bofors of 336 Battery, as mentioned in the war diary. I would like to thank Dirk Boersma, Albert & Tiehe Reynen and Jaap Hekman for their kindness and hospitality during my visit.

    On the 24th April 1945, 2nd Belgian Fusiliers requested a shoot against the tower, as it was being used by the Enemy as an Observation post.

    War Diary Entry

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    Map of the area

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    A painting of the church, as it looked prior to the damage and also an undated photo.

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    Photos after the damage caused by shelling from the Bofor's of 336 LAA Battery.

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    After Restoration

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    The church was reopened after restoration in 1952, by the Chief of Clan Mackay, Aeneas Alexander Mackay, 13th Lord Reay. Also Baron Mackay of Ophemert & Zennewijnen of the Netherlands. The title of Lord Reay was passed to the Dutch branch of the Mackays in 1876.

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    The damaged clock face of the tower was repaired and attached to the side of the church, showing the time the clock stopped on the day of the action. Namely 16-15 hours. The war diary entry shows the order to shoot given at 16-10 hours.

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    The newer brickwork in the tower shows the repaired damage.

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    Inside the restored church

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    My hosts during the visit.

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    A gift of a slate tile from the roof restored again in 2009.

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    TIEL

    Although I was not able to have such an amazing visit similar to Ophemert, I was still able to gather a lot information and photos.

    (SINT MAARTENS KIRK, TIEL)

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    The Damage after the shelling.

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    The Restoration.

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    View to Tiel from Wamel across the Rivert Waal

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    AND MY FAVOURITE, A VIDEO FROM YOU TUBE OF SINT. MAARTENSKERK TODAY WITH A GUY PLAYING THE CARILLON - Fully restored.



     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
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  16. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    Rob,
    I have found casualty cards for:
    ALGAR BOLAM CROWE PARKER STANIFORTH WALKER

    An attestation for SKINNER Joseph 1751579 (discharged 16/8/43)

    WALKER George Henry service number appears to have been transcribed wrong. His service number should read 4708234.

    Unfortunately nothing for:
    BURLEY CADDY ELLIS

    Guy
     

    Attached Files:

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  17. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Thanks for looking into those for me Guy. Still no clues as to cause of death of those men apart from Bolam. I found a comment and a photo of him on Ancestry, suggesting he died of a gunshot wound.

    G H Walker's service number is correct, as recorded on the Lincolnshire Regiment Nominal Roll.

    [​IMG]

    So Joseph Skinner died over four years after being discharged from the Regiment, but was commemorated on CWGC in December 1947.
     
  18. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    A researcher helping a family found one of his units, 336 Battery, 102 LAA Regt from this thread. From a personal diary he kept, he joined on 22 February 1945, to command No 3 Gun, B Troop, having recovered from an injury (shot by a sniper) sustained back in June 1944. I suggested obtaining service records to confirm which other units he served in. He appeared to have landed on D-Day, so for them to confirm this would be quite exciting.

    They also identified him from a photo they had never seen before. He is Sergeant John William Lance, third from the right at the back. That now makes 4 id's for this photo to date. Sergeant Jesse James Fleet, 2nd from the right at the back. Sergeant E. Brown, front far left and WOII Bill Dowdall, front middle.
     
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  19. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    With thanks to the Son of D.R. Parsons of 336 Battery HQ, I now have another photo, this time of men of 336 Battery HQ taken between December 1943 and January 1944. Captain ATWOOD had transferred to another unit by the end of January 1944. 5 new names nave been added to the Nominal Roll with the appearance of this photo.

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    The list of names with Christian names and service numbers added.

    336 Battery Headquarters – December 1943

    Back Row (Left to Right)

    4807983 Gunner Ernest William SELF
    4806691 Gunner John Robert LONG
    4807858 Lance Bombadier John CORMACK
    1726654 Gunner G. FITTON
    4806524 Gunner Arthur Edward FAULKNER

    Centre Row (Left to Right)

    4808114 Gunner Herbert Palmer Winter MEADES
    4807981 Lance Bombadier Clifford RODWELL
    Gunner J.O. HICKMAN
    14254741 Gunner R. WHITAKER
    Gunner J.A. GALE
    4808526 Lance Bombadier Dick Reeson PARSONS
    Gunner J. O'BRIEN

    Front Row (Left to Right)

    Gunner G. JOLLY
    1561130 Bombadier A.J.H. GABLE
    114223 Captain Charles Herbert ATWOOD
    37496 Major D.D. LOVELL
    207941 Lieutenant Reginald Ernest MILES
    Battery Serjeant Major W. HAMS
    4808176 Gunner Cyril Edward CLUTTERBUCK
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2017
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  20. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Thanks for sharing Rob, your list of names for the 102nd LAA RA is still growing.



    David
     

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