97 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery in France 84 years ago this month.

One of 2nd Field Regiment’s war diaries. Its always nice to see a nominal roll in a war diary, ten or so pages in total. This one identifies men to a specific battery which is fairly rare.

84 years ago this month the 8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was rotating through the Saar Front on the Maginot Line getting combat experience performing patrols etc. The diary includes a nice trace map of their positions.

Back end of April 1944 with the 5th Battalion, Black Watch preparing for the invasion of Europe.

April 1940 with 60th Field Regiment in Lille, France. The delights of Lille would soon be forgotten as the regiment fought a fighting withdrawal to Dunkirk in around five weeks time which resulted in destroying their guns and leaving them in France.

Brigadier Claude Nicholson CB, Commander 30th Brigade at Calais May 1940 personal diary written whilst a Prisoner of War. Brigadier Claude Nicholson committed suicide in 1943, never getting over the loss of so many men and surrendering his Brigade.
First four pages below..

1st Battalion, Black Watch preparing for the invasion of Europe during April 1944.

Matilda Mk I tanks of 4th Royal Tank Regiment being transported by train from Cherbourg to Amiens, 28 September 1939.

The description from IWM matches the diary, exactly for a change😁

27 WW2 files and regimental war diaries photographed yesterday. Next step is to download the images & contact my customers.
If you’re doing some WW2 research for family or a book etc drop me a private message. It may cost you less in time & money than going yourself.

Some more evidence (for that thread) WW2Talk that the QF 3.7” Heavy Anti-Aircraft gun was used in the ground role against tanks.
The first time I’ve seen recorded evidence of it being used in this role was at Boulogne in 1940.
#Gunners #DropShort #Ubique

Some research today involved War Crimes against the Special Air Service.

Amazing! Not only does this Royal Tank Regiment war diary record detailed tank losses in the appendices, someone has kindly sketch where the tanks were hit 80 years ago!

Who can guess where I am this morning?

Mulberry B Harbour after DDay

Call me cynical but it looks like CWGC chose to prioritise photographing their wreath over the the actual headstone of the soldier that had been rededicated. I guess you have to get the brand name in the shot 🤷‍♂️

2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry during April 1940.