- Contributed by听
- CSV Action Desk/大象传媒 Radio Lincolnshire
- People in story:听
- Len A Watson
- Location of story:听
- Normandy to Germany
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A4517976
- Contributed on:听
- 22 July 2005
We were sleeping in a school which was great as we normally slept alongside our carriers or armoured cars with tarpaulin sheets over us. Our Sgt Major Franks said 鈥淭he War is over鈥 there will be no Revaille in the morning. At 4am we were awakened and told to get ready for a patrol, the reason for this is described on P218 and 219 鈥淪cottish lion on Patrol鈥.
We went to an old railway station, it was a nerve-wracking two days to think we had battled from Normandy and the War was supposed to be over. We seemed like sitting ducks with our cars and carriers, when German tanks who were fully armed, could so easily have destroyed us, we prayed that they had been informed the war was over. That night in the distance, I suppose it was an artillery unit, gave a super firework display with these 鈥 firing V signs in the sky and wonderful tracers, it was some sight as they discharged their star shells and ammunition. I have not bothered with fireworks since.
General Barber, the tallest General in the British Army, issued a Special Order of the Day on 7th may, thanking a gallant Division for all their great achievements. The Division had so far taken 24 500 prisoners. He mentioned the cost 鈥 casualties of 669 Officers, and 11 422 other ranks, including 81 Officers and 2793 other ranks dead or missing. Our own RECCE Regiment received a Special Order of the Day congratulating all ranks on 鈥榡ob well and gallantly done.鈥 Since splashing on to the beach at Arramanche, it had fought many battles, suffered many discomforts, led many advances and shared in many triumphs. Along those 1500 miles it had left the graves of 7 officers and 69 other ranks. To their memory this story is dedicated.
On disbandment Arthur Watkins went to the Royal Scots Greys and learnt horse riding. I went to the 13/18 Royal Hussars and played a lot of cricket for the Regiment. Mentioning cricket we did play against Danish Old boys in Copenhagen when we did a special Guard at the Palace of Copenhagen.
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