Account: 3rd Tank Bn Scots Guards, Jul 1944 - May 1945

When knocked out and a tank was replaced, the old name was carried forward onto the new tank; certainly for 3rd battalion S.G. not sure of the rest of the brigade.E.Findlay.

 

yes it is Eain. Hopefully this image gets attached correctly. Taken in Sept '44 at Le Bas Perrier ridge, after the British forces had moved through (Op Bluecoat and Op Grouse). This farmhouse and out buildings were subjected to a 'pepper pot' fire from 8 troop, S squadron 3rd Battalion Scots Guards, 6th Guards Tank Brigade. German forces were defending here and the Churchill tanks were detailed to 'take them out', hence the ruined farm house. the Same location today. The house being rebuilt anew. Peter Findlay (Skye tank) with the Grandson and his wife of the owner circa 1944. for photos, see following mail. Findlay.

 

The following photos from Hottot les Bagues 25th October 2011, with former Scots Guards gunner in Skye tank paying his respects to former friends and colleagues.

 

The 3rd Battalion S.G finished the war in Schleswig Holstein area of Germany.Either the Brigade (6th Guards) and/or the 3rd Battalion S.G had their headquarters located at PLON. A large lake is in the vicinity of the town. My Father said that the lake was used as an (official/unofficial) dumping ground of personal weapons of German forces who were surrendering in their droves from Denmark/Baltic coast as they did not want to be caught by the Russians. The Headquarters was in an Old Schloss (Castle) and next door was a hospital, full of German amputees, using the lake for recreation in boats the best they could....this memory/mental image is still fresh in my Father's mind; also, swimming in the lake (PLON) and on the Baltic coast was 'bloody cold'. And about this time, Lt Runcie (Later Archbishop of Canterbury) with his troop of tanks on the Baltic coast taking the surrender of a German submarine, which was coming back to give themselves up at wars end in Europe.

 

Operation Bluecoat/Grouse marked the beginning of the Falaise pocket. After their action at Chenedolle, the 6th Guards were either taken out of line or squeezed out as the terraine was being tightened around the retreating Germans. This did not mean that the troops were out of danger. Whilst out of the front line, in the vicinity of Chenedolle/Flers, S Squadron watched 'Thunderbolts' in the sky in 'cab rank' waiting for suitable targets, only to hear shortly after the unmistakable sound of the ground attack aircraft peeling off and diving in for an attack. Their 'target' was The 3rd Battalion S.G. 'Blue on Blue'. Luckily not too much damage done, but Dad said that Guardsman Ferguson was injured in the incident and taken to the Regimental Aid Post. In P.Forbes book of the 6th Guards, Gds Ferguson getting injured was confirmed. He did not say if he returned to unit.

 

My Father says, that during training on Salisbury plain, they were based at Codford St Mary, Wilts. The training used Covenantor Tanks. It was during this training that Lt Runcie on a cold and freezing day, hit ice on the road, with the result that the tank embedded itself into the side of a cottage. I have yet to verify this, but I will try to find local records to confirm this and the cottage location.

 

My Father has confirmed that John Louden was in 8 troop, but he is unsure if he was in Barra or Uist tanks. The First of the Battalion to die in Operation Bluecoat, he was a popular man within the ranks. During part of their training when they were based at Thoresby Hall in 'The Dukeries ' area of Nottinghamshire, they used to cycle to local pubs in Edwinstowe and neighboroughing villages. John was a competent pianist and he would rattle off a tune and get all the guys singing and in a bouyant good mood. 'When he died in Normandy, it was a loss felt very keenly by all the men as he was such a well liked man and thoroughly dependable soldier' says Peter Findlay ex S Squadron.

 

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John Louden, Killed in action. Buried temporarily 'in the field' by men of S Squadron, 3rd Battalion S.G, including my Father, Peter Findlay (2701168). Later interred at Hottot les bagues cemetery.

 

Welcome aboard Findlay and some great contributions-Please pass on my regards to your father.

 

In the 3rd Battalion War Diary, it states that the Scots Guards came under attack at Geilenkirchen from Rocket firing Typhoon's, my Father can confirm this. Though this time they did not dive under the tanks for cover, but, as they were by the railway station, they took shelter in an underpass.From what he can remember, no casualties were incurred or tanks disabled/destroyed.

 

Thanks Drew I will do. I have not back tracked through your mails...etc, but, was your Father in Right flank? I think I have seen an 'Allsopp' in a google website dedicated to the 6th Guards.If yes, did you ever get in touch with Tim Gilpin before he died?. Probably teaching grandma how to ....etc, but I trust all looking at this site are aware of the book by Charles Farrell.....'An Officer in Training and at war', published approx 11 years ago.