Hi all, Looking for recommendations on sources which would give me a good account of actions by the 51st Highland Division in (1944 and) 1945. I find myself both hoping for both detail and breadth which are probably impossible. Since my interest stems from the actions of 61st A/Tk Reg't, and they supported of all the brigades of the division, an individual account or battalion history will probably only give me a small window into events... Here is maybe a spot to ask a related question. I combed through the medal citation reports to find those related to the use of Archers. I found more in the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment (in 51st Division) than any other. It seems to me there are a few different possibilities: - the Highlanders were fire-eaters! - the 51st or the 61st saw more action than other units - action using their Archers were luckily observed by more higher-ranking officers - the culture surrounding awarding medals was different Thoughts?
Thanks, Stolpi! Too bad this is a hobby and not a job or I could write off a book purchase like this as a business expense
Is it that expensive Chris ... I got a free copy! If you wish I could sent you copies of the relevant pages ... 1945 battles? They were fully involved during those last months of the war: Jan (Ardennes): Ardennes 1945, 51st Highland Div Feb (Rhineland): VERITABLE 1945: 51st Highland Division (Reichswald, Gennep, Hekkens & Goch) March (Rhine Crossing): RHINE CROSSING 1945: The Rees bridgehead (30 Corps in operation 'Turnscrew') and April (Bremen?) ... sorry no thread (yet)
No, it's not that expenive! And I'm interested enough to order a copy I think you're right about Bremen in April.
re your question about the accomplishments of the 17 pounder SP's - I also thought they feature more than average in the citation reports, not only the 61st A/T Regt but also those of other units, maybe they got a bit more attention because they were a relative newcomer to the frontline - and these ugly 'backward' ducks, to everyone's astonishment, proved to be succesful? See for some examples: Jan 1945 Ardennes: Ardennes 1945, 51st Highland Div Feb 1945 - Goch-Calcar Road : VERITABLE 1945: the Canadian finale (Moyland Wood & Goch-Calcar road) March 1945 - Bienen: RHINE CROSSING 1945: The Rees bridgehead (30 Corps in operation 'Turnscrew') March 1945 - Emmerich: RHINE CROSSING 1945: The Rees bridgehead (30 Corps in operation 'Turnscrew')
You have turned up a LOT of the citations I have Currently I have: 20th Anti Tank - 2 (also a periodic MC and periodic DSO for officers for leadership) 54th Anti Tank - 1 (55th AT - 1 periodic DSO for leadership) 59th - 1 (periodical MM but honestly I'm surprised it wasn't immediate - took Archer into open country to destroy Panther) 61st - 6 71st - 1 (periodical MC, but involving action with Valentines and Archers on April 10) 2nd Canadian - 1 3rd Canadian - 2 I guess I could look at the number of months each unit was committed to the front and involved in attacks as opposed to defending quieter areas of the line. And sometimes I think there just weren't German tanks to shoot!
