2nd Essex - Normandy June 1944

I am researching the army career of my great uncle who was kiiled in action on 11 June 1944 at Verrieres (Essex Wood)

Please can Forum Readers' advise me of further sources to locate so that I can gain a better understanding of the battle in these woods during 10/11 June 1944?

I am using various Internet searches - with very limited success

Thank you
David

 

There isn't a lot online.

2 Essex were part of 56 Independent Infantry Brigade that was cobbled together before and for D-Day. Initially they were attached to 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Div but finished the war as part of 49th (West Riding) Division. At Essex Wood, 56 Bde were under command of 7th Armoured Division.

Have a look at this page. You are looking for the item 'POMPADOURS' halfway down. That £3.50 is well worth it for an account of the Battalion's war. Far cheaper than you can get the official Regimental History. To get your hands on that, your best bet is to request it through your local library: The Essex Regiment 1929-1950 by Colonel T A Martin published 1952 by the Essex Regimental Association. If you are in that part of the world, I'm told that the Association, based at Great Warley, are helpful but I have not contacted them myself.

Here are a couple of photos of the memorial. It is tricky to find as it is at the opposite end of Lingevres to the wood (was actually an orchard, now just a field) but you will be pleased to know there is one.

The downside to all this is that the battle itself was not a high point for the Battalion, the CO was replaced before the dust had settled. Then again, it took a couple more days of hard fighting for 50 Div, particularly the Durham Light Infantry, to finish the job.

 

Hi David and Welcome there is a little bit of similar interest at

Normandybattlefieldguide

More here

http://www.livingunderblueskies.co.uk/Resources/GoldBeachCatalogue.pdf

The 2nd Essex cleared some woods north of Lingeveres after a company of the Rifle Brigade were ambushed. The Essex held the wood, which turned out to be an absolutely dreadful defensive position on a forward slope, that night and the next day, beating off several counter-attacks made with tanks, infantry and even at one point a Flame-Throwing half track. Casualties were heavy, and the battalion was ordered back on the night of the 12th.


regards
Verrieres

 

Thank you very much for the sources for further information and the photographs. I will get in touch with the Polar Bears regarding the extract from the Regimental History. I live in Kent so Essex is not too far away. My great-uncle is commemorated on the War Memorial in Grays and at Little Thurrock. I will also follow the lead to the Association and try to contact the Regimental Museum - which I understand has been undergoing rebuilding work.

David

 

Hi David and Welcome there is a little bit of similar interest at

Normandybattlefieldguide

More here

http://www.livingunderblueskies.co.uk/Resources/GoldBeachCatalogue.pdf

The 2nd Essex cleared some woods north of Lingeveres after a company of the Rifle Brigade were ambushed. The Essex held the wood, which turned out to be an absolutely dreadful defensive position on a forward slope, that night and the next day, beating off several counter-attacks made with tanks, infantry and even at one point a Flame-Throwing half track. Casualties were heavy, and the battalion was ordered back on the night of the 12th.


regards
Verrieres
Thank you for the link to the website and the information about the battle. I am most appreciative of the help I have received this evening - to my first posting on this site. It's really kind of Forum Readers to come back with so much information so quickly

Regards
David

 

I have the war diaries of the unit, but I am away from my main PC at present. I will put them online for you up to 11th June when I'm back.

 

I have the war diaries of the unit, but I am away from my main PC at present. I will put them online for you up to 11th June when I'm back.
Thank you Paul - I look forward to being able to read them in due course.

Regards
David

 

David - cancel that trip to the library, here's the Essex Wood extract from Martin:

I have also dug up a panorama I did of the area. It's a bit disorientating to use as it is a full 360 degrees - there is only one road, shown twice. (I would recommend Autostitch, though the curvature on the 'horizons' is me abusing its abilities by not taking enough photos). It's also quite heavily compressed.
It does illustrate the forward slope that 2 Essex advanced onto. Between the 's' of 'Lingevres' and the 'T' of 'This' there is a substantial walled farm that blocks the southern face of the 'wood'.

 

David - cancel that trip to the library, here's the Essex Wood extract from Martin:

I have also dug up a panorama I did of the area. It's a bit disorientating to use as it is a full 360 degrees - there is only one road, shown twice. (I would recommend Autostitch, though the curvature on the 'horizons' is me abusing its abilities by not taking enough photos). It's also quite heavily compressed.
It does illustrate the forward slope that 2 Essex advanced onto. Between the 's' of 'Lingevres' and the 'T' of 'This' there is a substantial walled farm that blocks the southern face of the 'wood'.
Thank you very much for the document and the photograph of the location. They are really good sources and help to increase my knowledge of the events of that Sunday in June 1944

Regards
David

 

War Diary for June 1944 as promised:

2 Essex June 1944 - a set on Flickr

 

Paul, extremly comprehensive war diaries, Im sure David will be made up

P

 

Always a pleasure to help.

 

Thank you very much Paul

The diaries are most interesting and a great help in taking forward my research into my great uncle's service with 2nd Essex and the final action at Essex Wood

Regards
David

 

Glad it was of interest.

 

To complete Idler's beautiful pic:


Essex (field) Wood a few days ago

 

Good photos and welcome to the forum.

 

To complete Idler's beautiful pic:


Essex (field) Wood a few days ago




Welcome to the Forum

Very interested in your photographs of Essex Wood. My great uncle was killed in action there on 11th June 1944 with 2nd Essex.

Please let me know what the marker post identifies - many thanks

Regards
David

 

Yes Owen, you're right.

 

Excellent picture. This is four years to late for me but did the 2nd Essex attack or defend that wood?