1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment War Diaries - May 1945
Commanding Officer: Lieut.-Colonel M. R. J. Thomson M.C.
Place |
Date |
Hour |
Summary of Events and Information |
References to Appendices |
N.E. BREMEN |
1 |
|
Orders issued for Bn. to pass through 5 D.C.L.I. bridgehead to carry out clearing operation. This was completed by 16.30 hrs and Bn. H.Q. established at 832171. |
|
|
2 |
06.00 |
Maj. G. G. Reinhold M.C. whilst carrying out a recce was badly bruised and his driver badly wounded when his jeep struck a mine. He continued throughout the day. |
|
WESTERTIMKE |
3 |
|
Bn. in rest area at WESTERTIMKE. Baths, Cinema etc. |
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4 |
|
Bn. resting at WESTERTIMKE. Baths, Cinema etc. |
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|
4 |
20.30 |
Radio announcement that hostilities would cease on 2nd Army front as from 08.00 hrs 5th May was received with much jubilation. |
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|
5 |
|
Baths, Cinema shows. |
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|
6 |
|
Baths, Cinema shows. |
|
|
7 |
|
Mr. Churchill's radio announcement that all hostilities in Europe would cease as from 08.00 hrs 8th May and that tomorrow would be VE day was received. Great rejoicing in the Bn. during the evening. |
|
VE Day |
8 |
07.00 |
Bn. Recce Party left for new area LUNEBURG (7820), arriving there 12.00 hrs. |
|
ROSENTHAL |
8 |
10.00 |
Main body left for new area, and by 18.00 hrs were settled in billets. locations:- Bn. H.Q. at ROSENTHAL (S9328), "A" and "D" Coys at NEETZE (S9322), "B" and "C" Coys at HITTBERGEN (S9031) and Sp Coy at KARZE (S9628). |
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|
9 |
|
Coys commenced clearing operation - searching Bn. area for enemy equipment, arms and P.W's. Roads in Bn. area were also classified. |
|
|
10 |
|
Operation continued. Baths at BLECKEDE. |
|
|
11 |
|
Operation still in progress. |
|
ROSENTHAL |
12 |
|
Operation "FILTER I" commenced. Object:- To collect |
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|
13 |
|
Operation "FILTER II" - a continuation of "FILTER I" was begun. Many P.W's. and D.P's. were transported to their respective camps, and ammunition was conveyed to Div dump. |
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|
20 |
14.15 |
Operation "FILTER III" - C.O., I.O., "A" and "D" Coys, Carrier Pl, and 2 Secs Pnrs left for location of "FILTER III" i.e. HARBURG WEST. Operation entailed clearing Harburg W area of P.W's., D.P's., ammunition and equipment. |
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21 |
|
Further progress made in clearing ammunition from Bn. area. Preparation for move of Bn. H.Q., "B", "C", and Sp Coys to new area NEETZE. |
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22 |
|
Ammunition clearing discontinued owing to heavy demands on tpt, Unit Tpt having been called for in Harburg W area. |
|
|
23 |
|
Instructions issued that Bn. would move to area NEETZE (S9322) on 24th May. |
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|
24 |
|
Preparations for Bn. having been completed in NEETZE, Bn. commenced move at 09.30 hrs. Complete in new area by 16.30 hrs. Owing to heavy demands on Bn. tpt this move was somewhat difficult. |
|
NEETZE |
25 |
|
Bn. H.Q., "A" and "D" Coys, Carrier Pl and 2 Secs Pnr Pl. returned from Op "FILTER III". Bn. was now complete in NEETZE. |
|
|
26 |
|
The 29 Club (Unit Canteen) opened. Amenities included dry and wet canteens, library, games room, writing room etc. |
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27 |
|
A guard for oil dump at BREETZE (S9923) was found by "C" Coy. Guard consisted of 1 platoon. |
|
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28 |
|
Bn. took over responsibility of the whole LK LUNEBURG, less portion East of River Elbe and LUNEBURG Enclave. |
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29 |
|
Progress in clearing area continued. |
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30 |
|
Progress in clearing area continued. |
|
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31 |
|
Progress in clearing area continued. |
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1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment - Luneburg, Germany (May 1945)
(photo Louis Scully collection)