Hi all We have found a photo my grandad sent home on 2 July 1945 from Braunlage. He was in signals - Norman Shepherdson - and I think the 84 Med Reg (see below). Was there a battle in Braunlage? Why would he have been there? Any help would be really appreciated. best wishes Steve
Hi, Welcome to the forum. The war in Western Europe was over in May 1945 but British troops did not return to UK immediately. Your grandfather would’ve been part of the Army of Occupation pending his return to UK for demobilisation. You need to have sight of his unit war diary to identify it’s activities pre and post the end of hostilities. Steve
Braunlage is in the Harz Mtns and a delightful spot which for many years hosted the British Army of the Rhine’s adventurous training centre. This part of Germany was captured by the US Army in April 1945 but as it was in the British zone of occupation handed over to the British. Why 84 Mdm Regt was there I know not but the gunners would have enjoyed it! Best wishes. John
Thank you, Steve and John. So perhaps he moved in after the US Army vacated. I’ll have to obtain the 84th’s diaries as you say to see where he was beforehand. Funny enough I searched the web and found the following on the BBC website: BBC - WW2 People's War - My father's war impossible to tell but I wonder if he appears on the photo.
84th (Sussex) Medium Regiment Royal Artillery was under command 5th Army Group Royal Artillery 250 Medium Battery is recorded at Braunlage south-east of Goslar from 28 May 45 You will find the post VE Day journey here: https://britisharmyingermany.com/30th-corps-district/5th-army-group-royal-artillery Hope this helps 21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine (under construction)
That’s really terrific, thank you. I believe he was demobbed just before Christmas 1945 (class B - he was a bricklayer so need back in the UK) so this is really interesting.
