52 (Lowland) Division Sep-Oct 1944

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by PaddyC, Feb 19, 2021.

  1. PaddyC

    PaddyC Member

    Hi all,

    I have only recently joined the forum whilst I have been researching my grandfather’s military service. He was originally commissioned into 7 HLI (TA) in 1933. 7 HLI were converted to a RA anti-aircraft regiment in 1938. He served with the RA in both anti-aircraft and coastal defence regiments before transferring back to 6 HLI in 1944. He deployed to France with 6 HLI on 2 September 1944. He finally relinquished his commission in late 1947 due to disability.

    As I am sure many of you know that 52nd (Lowland) Division initially received specialist training in Mountain Warfare as part of a potential plan to enter Europe through Norway. After this plan was superseded by the plan to invade via Normandy they subsequently trained as an Airlanding division. All the information sources I have seen suggest that this training took place in August and September 1944. After a number of cancelled operations they ended up as part of the overall plan for Market Garden (specifically the airborne ‘Market’ part of the plan) and were supposed to land at a captured airfield (generally identified as Deelen) to reinforce the airborne troops at Arnhem. The landing was cancelled at the last minute due to the failure of the initial part of the plan.

    This is not the end of the story with respect to this period as George Flood’s excellent history of the Division (Mountain and Flood) covers a part of the Division identified as the seaborne echelon (comprising 52nd Recce Regiment, 6th Bn HLI and 79th Field Regiment RA, plus supporting elements) which arrived in Arromanches on 2 September 1944 (my grandfather among them). George states that the seaborne echelon were ‘supernumerary’ to the Airlanding part of the Division (hence their availability to deploy via the sea at an earlier date). This suggests that these elements did not undertake the Airlanding training (and certainly could not have completed all of it if they were in Europe from 2 September). Does anyone have any information to add to (or that contradicts) this view?

    The Recce Regiment proceeded to support XXX Corps in attempting to reach Arnhem whilst the (Garden) operation was still underway. The rest of the seaborne echelon followed later as their vehicles had been requisitioned whilst they were still in France. 6HLI didn’t arrive at the front line until after the Market Garden operation was over (first seeing action on 1 October near Bemmel – Haalderen on 1 October).

    Interestingly (to me anyway), had the airlanding operation taken place at Deelen then 52 (Lowland) would have taken part in both the Market and Garden parts of the operation.

    Stay safe everyone.

    Paddy
     
    Chris C and Nick the Noodle like this.
  2. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I don't have any answers, but if you are on Twitter I suggest getting in touch with Andy Aitcheson (@AndyAitcheson) who is really focused on researching/reading about the division. His account description reads "Becoming unhealthily obsessed in the 52nd Lowland Division" :)
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  3. PaddyC

    PaddyC Member

    Hi Chris,
    Many thanks for the info. I am on Twitter but rarely use is, I’ll need to get one of the kids to give me a lesson.
    Thanks again,
    Paddy
     
    Chris C likes this.
  4. PaddyC

    PaddyC Member

    “it”
     
  5. Borderer

    Borderer Junior Member

    Worth considering that the 52nd Lowland Division role and training as mountain troops was an integral part of the deception plan - Op Fortitude North. The success of Op Fortitude resulted in a significant part of the German army (13 divisions) being tied down in Norway throughout the most critical stages of the war and unable to contribute to the wider battle of the west.

    Operation Fortitude - Wikipedia
     

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