The Defence of Hondeghem by K Battery, 5th Royal Horse Artillery

So that's what it was!

Thanks and well done, Andy.

 

Fantastic thread Andy .... as usual. You did a great job.

 

Exellent piece of (arty) work Andy.
Well done.
Rob

 

What an amazing, clear, well-researched, detailed and dramatic account. This presents the known facts from all viewpoints and sets it all in context; the modern photographs give a real feel for the terrain and the very limited views of those involved. A fitting tribute to the extreme bravery of everyone involved.

Excellent stuff, very well done.

 

Andy
Great read! Well presented in a very clear and concise reconstruct of events, the only objects that can enhance this post are the photos of then to go with your now!

 

Andy, that is a great piece of work, I am in awe of your knowledge and skill in putting this together, a very interesting and informative read thank you.
regards lofty

 

Now if only you'd had $25,000 spare, you could have taken this with you:

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46345&stc=1&d=1298582579

From here: Cannon Superstore

Not the obvious choice for FIBUA...

 

Having spent a weekend with Andy, whizzing round the 1940's battlefield, I am not surprised at the excellent way he puts together the information the way he does.

Well done mate. I hope that when you are fully mobile we can do it again. I will offer to drive you around this time if you can put up with my company.

Cheers - Rob

 

What an informative read - cracking stuff.

 

A better* example of the 18 pdr as used at Hondeghem:

Canadian Forces Base, Wainwright, Alberta
All round views on PhotoBucket

* for now - wish it was indoors.

 

I found this BEF report in a Cabinet file at Kew last week on Artillery v Tank engagements.

 

Dear Andy,

I am tracing the steps of my father-in-law Badge Brown, RSM RHA and have been following the trail through Hondeghem. This account is on http://www.paulhunt73.webspace.virginmedia.com/harry/cassel.htm.

We are obviously clear on the action of K battery 5 RHA at that place, and I suspect that this is the same troop which is mentioned in the account as 'one troop of 25 pounders'. So the reference to B troop must be incorrect, unless it refers to a troop of the 209th battery.

From 'The Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars 1922 - 1956 by D.R. Guttery
The full story of 209 Battery in its stubborn defence of Cassel will never be told, for it remains the personal property of that gallant battery Commander and brilliant young politician, Ronald Cartland. By his death not only the Regiment but this country lost one of its most outstanding young leaders.
Brig. The Hon. N.N. Somerset (Commander 145 Bgde.), had entrusted the Anti-Tank defence to him. 209's twelve 2-pounders, one troop of 25-pounders, six French 75's, together with the infantry weapons.

On May 27th Lt. Freeker had been despatched with B Troop to the village of Hondeghem, where they had a sharp engagement with enemy tanks.

From 8am German infantry could be seen debussing to the west of Cassel. Low-level air attack preceded a tank attack at 10am. C Troop (one gun with four shots) under Lieut. Bob Hutton-Squire, quickly put "paid" to three tanks. By changing gun positions constantly to prepared alternative sites, his Troop avoided casualties and scored further success. The German attack developed on a wide front, but the bitter resistance of the well-sited guns accounted for over 25 enemy tanks during the afternoon. The German attack made some progress towards the road down to Steenvoorde but at 4.30 pm they had had "enough", and the attack petered out. A Echelon, under Sergeant Evans, was dispatched to join B Echelon at Steenvoorde, and both eventually reached Dunkirk.

 

I've just started researching. Brilliant read I'm passing on to my Dad. My Grandfather was very likely to be one of the 5 Bty 2nd Searchlight Regt group with K Battery. He was L/Sjt GL Cox with 5 Bty, eventually captured at Dunkirk (posted missing on 14 June) in Stalag VIIIB Lamsdorf/Stalag 8a at Gorlitz, rejoined the colours and got his LSGC in 1948.

 

The photos of the headstones in post 18 of this tread have now gone. I've uploaded replacement photos from St. Sylvestre-Cappel New Cemetery.



7890226 Warrant Officer Class III (T.S.M.) Thomas Wyatt Arbon, 1st East Riding Yeomanry.



815054 Gunner Thomas Davis, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



884483 Gunner John Foster, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



932189 Gunner George Frost, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



828429 Lance Bombardier Joseph Austin Gardner, 226 Bty., 57 (1/5th Bn. The East Surrey Regt.) Anti-Tank Regt.



816146 Sergeant Charles Heaton, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



868198 Reginald Charles Starr Hindle, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



1045277 Gunner Edward Kemp, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



T/2567531 Driver Leslie Little, Royal Army Service Corps



813964 Lance Sergeant Alexander Brown McKay, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



828240 Lance Bombardier Edward McVeigh, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



7891292 Lance Corporal Herbert Ostler, 1st East Riding Yeomanry.



1061463 Sergeant George Harry Pallant, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



802264 Lance Sergeant Henry Chambers Parker, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



805682 Gunner George Henry Pinner, 5th Royal Horse Artillery



There are 4 unknowns here.