D Day Hertfordshire Yeomanry

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Dave Phillips, Aug 3, 2013.

  1. Dave Phillips

    Dave Phillips Junior Member

    Visited Gold beach and saw where the Herfordshire Yeomanry came ashore in their Sextons. Capt. Arthur Platt was killed on the 6th and we paid our respects to him in Bayeaux Cemetery. He was a ex pupil from the school where I teach.

    Does anybody know the circumstances of his death or where I could find out more?

    Also visited Alex Sephton, glider pilot, who was killed at LZ W. We went to the field where he landed and was killed.


    Thanks

    Dave
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Hello Dave
    I am sure a forum member will be able to assist further
    Could you post any photos of your visit
    regards
    Clive
     
  3. Dave Phillips

    Dave Phillips Junior Member

    In Memory of Arthur Platt.
     

    Attached Files:

    CL1 likes this.
  4. Dave Phillips

    Dave Phillips Junior Member

    In Memory of Alex Sephton
     

    Attached Files:

    CL1 likes this.
  5. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I am pretty sure I have the War Diaries. But can't access them for a while. Remind me in September.
     
  6. chrisgrove

    chrisgrove Senior Member

    Hi Dave

    Where is that Horsa? I am not aware of a complete and original Horsa anywhere, so I assume it is a replica, but perhaps you can confirm that (or not).

    Chris
     
  7. idler

    idler GeneralList

    A regimental history is available and quite a bargain as these things go. Details here. I have also recently noticed one on - I think - eBay for around £15.

    That's the good news...

    The history doesn't have a roll of honour, but it does include a list of officers serving with the regiment on 6 June 1944. Arthur Platt isn't listed amongst them and there's no mention of him in the text.

    [Remembers he has some of 86 Fd regt's war diary somewhere on a hard drive...]

    Bingo! Capt Platt wasn't 86 Fd Regt, he was a FOB - Forward Observer Bombardment - from No.1 Bombardment Group attached to 86 Fd Regt. These were essentially Royal Artillery observer parties with Royal Navy signallers to talk to the ships doing the bombarding.

    86 Fd Regt's war diary says:

    Back to the history, from C Troop's 'log book':

    Lastly, from Soldier Sailor, an informal history of the Bombardment Units: this mentions that Capt Platt and Telegraphist Broad were killed. And just when we think we've cracked it, CWGC list Broad as No.3 Bombardment Unit!
     
    Steve Mac likes this.
  8. Dave Phillips

    Dave Phillips Junior Member

    Hi Chris

    Yes the Horsa is a replica at the Pegasus Bridge Memorial (museum).

    Idler that is brilliant. The Sextons were firing from their landing craft out at sea, might Platt have been observing for them? Looks like he never even made it onto the beach.

    I did look through the Hertfordshire book whist in the America Museum above Gold beach. There is a biography of Herts officers but I suppose that Platt was only a temporary attachment.
    Dave
     
  9. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    *
    Hello Dave,

    The 86th Field Regiment, RA (the 'Hertfordshire Yeomanry') landed on Gold Beach. They landed with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division.

    The first FOB party, 69th Infantry Brigade - a party of four - travelling/landing with the 5th East Yorkshire Regiment, was scheduled to land at 'King Red' at H+20 (7.45am), the second FOB at H+90 (8.55am). From the information provided by 'idler' at Message #7 and the scheduled landing times, it looks like Capt. Platt was with the first FOB party.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  10. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Steve, That's handy information as there is no reference to the first FOB in what I've got. I'm inclined to think that Capt Platt was the second FOB as he landed with the first flight of guns (A, C and E Tps). These were scheduled to land at H+90 but came in half an hour early. The 'eventually' in C Tp's log - which might suggest a late H+20 landing - refers to the care taken by the LCTs in landing "in spite of obstacles and a strong sea, in about four feet of water." On 12 June, the regimental war diary names two other FOsB who were "attached for the assault": Capt Corke who is posted in to the regiment, and promoted to command 341 Bty, and Capt Blayney (not Blamey) who returns to 1 BU. I don't know if I've got enough detail on the spread of the FOsB to add anything useful, but there are three named as attached to the regiment (1 per bty?). It could be that the H+20 FOB was attached to the infantry, rather than the RA?
     
    Steve Mac likes this.
  11. Dave Phillips

    Dave Phillips Junior Member

    Thanks Steve and Idler for the extra info.
    I found an Internet diary entry for the 5 East Yorks describing how an anti tank gun and machine guns caused many casualties upon landing at King Red. The 6juin1944 site shows two LCAs at H + 5 containing 86 artillery men and also 5 East Yorks landing at the same time.
    Could this be the action at 0845 described earlier?
    It seems most casualties occurred early on.
    Could the reference to the FOBs jeep refer to a later landing not Platts? Do we know that Platt landed with C troop?

    Dave
     
  12. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    *

    Dave/idler,

    All three battalions of 69th Infantry Brigade had an FOB party, all parties of four in marching order and disembarking from LSI(L)s. The FOB with 6th Bn Green Howards (H+20) and 7th Bn Green Howards (H+45) were scheduled to land at King Green. We already know that 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment (H+20) was scheduled to land at King Red.

    There were two follow up landings of the FOBs jeeps that were scheduled for disembarkation from LCTs at H+90 onto King Green (not quite as I had thought earlier). I don't have any information about whether any 'boots' were with the jeeps, but one would assume so.

    So, the only FOB scheduled to land on King Red was the marching party with the 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment at H+20.

    It is possible that at least one of the two follow-up LCT jeep 'parties' was landed early at King Red and in amongst the 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment.

    It may be that we will need to look at the War Diary or other relevant information relating to No.1 Bombardment Group to take this analysis further... Are either of you interested in acquiring the War Diary for June 1944?

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  13. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Soldier Sailor says there were 11 FOB parties assigned to Force G. One was assigned to 1 US Div (Capt Todd) and one to 47 RM Cdo (Maj Marsh). Assuming 231 Bde also had 3 FOsB (only one named: Capt Beddows with 1 Hampshire) like 69 Bde, that leaves 3 parties who may have accompanied the Gunners - one per battery. It's too neat, something must be wrong!

    Another detail in the book that may be of interest is that "Only two jeeps and two half-tracks passed the Gold beaches - the remainder (six jeeps and two half-tracks) were discharged into deeper water than the depth to which they had been waterproofed." Ooh - it goes on to mention that Capt Blayney (not Blamey as interpreted from the 86 Fd Regt WD) lost his transport and shared an artillery troop commander's carrier.

    It's possible that Capt Corke referred to on 12 June was a replacement for Capt Platt rather than a separate FOB.
     
    Steve Mac likes this.
  14. Dave Phillips

    Dave Phillips Junior Member

    Thanks Steve

    How would I acquire the diary for 1 Bombardment group?

    Dave
     
  15. idler

    idler GeneralList

    This should be it: WO 171/962 1 Bombardment Unit 1944 Jan.- Oct.

    If you can get to Kew yourself, it's certainly an experience. Otherwise, take your pick between Andy (Drew5233) and Lee (PsyWar.org) who both offer a competitive copying service.

    I would advise getting copies of the May and June diaries as May may also have information on who was with who.
     
  16. DannyM

    DannyM Member

    Hi,
    I don’t think Captain Platt was in No 1 COBU but he may be from No 3 COBU

    The FOB Parties for Force G came from B Troop, No 1 COBU plus 3 Parties from No 3 COBU.

    B Troop were placed under the command of No 3 COBU for the landings. He is not on the Nominal Roll for B Troop, 1 COBU.

    Unfortunately the War Diary for No 3 COBU has no Nominal Rolls in it.

    Regards

    Danny
     
    Steve Mac likes this.
  17. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers for the mention Andrew - Dave, Just drop me a message if you'd like a copy of any of the files mentioned above. More details of the service I offer forum members is in the red link below.

    Andy
     
  18. DannyM

    DannyM Member

    Hi,
    Just had another look at a set of orders for the FOB Parties.
    They had the following information in them.

    Captain Platt was in FOB 55.
    Ship initially attached to : HMS Impulsive
    Unit attached to : 5th East Yorks

    Regards

    Danny
     
    Steve Mac likes this.
  19. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Danny,

    Was a Bombardment Unit a Royal Navy unit? What was FOB 55 - specifically the '55'?

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  20. Dave Phillips

    Dave Phillips Junior Member

    Danny thanks for the info. So it looks like Platt was in 3 COBU as was Broad in post #7. Do you have the diary of 3 COBU? You seem to suggest there is no mention of Platt in the diary and there is no Nominal Roll.

    Trying to piece all of this together:

    86 Fd Reg diary has Platt plus two others were killed at 0825 landing with 5EY.

    5EY diary says they landed on time (H + 5 - H was meant to be 0725) at La Rivière but were shot up by an anti tank gun and machine guns, which they eventually take out. There were 4 86 Fd Regt men meant to be landing at King Red at H + 5 with 5 EY.

    So actions match but not times. Was somebody's timing out?

    I suspect the jeeps were lost later they were due to land at H + 90 with the guns - but probably landed earlier.

    Do my deductions seem to be right? Platt was killed in the initial landings at some time between 0730 and 0825.

    Thanks for the offer of your service Andy but I won't take you up on it yet. I have carried out WW1 research at Kew, I know how time consuming it can be!

    As I get into researching the Old Veseyans who died in WW2 I might have to visit again.

    Thanks to all so far - this Forum is every bit as good as the Great War forum.

    Dave
     

Share This Page