1944 - 1949
The definitive research resource for the 1st KOSB from 1944-1949
1st KOSB WAR DIARIES
1st KOSB WAR DIARIES - NORTH WEST EUROPE
Wednesday, April 25, 1945
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START LOCATION
BURSTEL, Germany
FINISH LOCATION
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BREMEN, Germany
WAR DIARY
SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION
At 0001 hrs the 2/R.U.R. in Buffaloes assaulted KATTENTURM 7293 from the EAST capturing the bridge at 721935 intact, destroying 1 88m.m. gun and taking a number of P.W.
The Bn moved from the fwd Assembly Area at 0715 moving through BRINKUM 7091 and over the bridge at KATTENTURM at 0830 hrs.
The attack was postponed for 15 mins and eventually started at 0915 hrs with "B" Coy left and "D" Coy right from 723943 with the main rd running NORTH EAST as the inter-Coy boundary.
There was no opposition to the two leading Coys and they reached their objectives, D" Coy at 727952 and "B" Coy at 728954 shortly after 1000 hrs.
Then A" Coy right and "C" Coy left passed through and at 1045 hrs had secured their objectives, "A" Coy at 729957 and "C" Coy at 727958.
All Coys had taken P.W. and the total up to 1100 hrs was 1 Offr and 41 O.R.s. all from different units and different arms.
Bn H.Q. was established at 727954.
Patrols at once went out and reached the Barracks 730960 but found no enemy.
A Camp of several thousand Russian P.W. was found at 729956, and several more P.W. were brought in.
At 1200 hrs the 2/LINCS went through to capture the FOCKER-WOLFE aircraft factory and the airfield 7095, which had been subjected to seven hours of heavy arty fire, as well as bombing and rocketting by Typhoons.
At 1800 hrs the Bn was ordered to capture the X rds at 702974 and the area Field SOUTH EAST of it on relief by 2/R.U.R. and 2/K.S.L.I. who were to relieve "A" Coy.
Unfortunately the 2/K.S.L.I. took longer to arrive than we had anticipated and "A" Coy were attacked by some enemy who had crept back into the Barracks.
A fierce battle ensued in which the enemy made three attempts to oust "A" Coy.
Finally the K.S.L.I. arrived and took over by attack through "A" Coy at 2100 hrs.
Meanwhile the Bn had attacked through the 2/LINCS and against dislocated opposition had reached the following posns:-
B" Coy 705975,
"C" Coy 702974,
"D" Coy and Bn H.Q. 707971.
"A" Coy finally arrived at 2200 hrs and took up posns at 705975 round the football field covering the main rds.
"C" Coy sent a patrol to 700978 and reported it clear.
During the night Lt LOGIE was accidentally wounded in the foot.
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
Personal accounts, other War Diaries and excerpts from books
‘One of the lads gets hit in the head, and he gets killed,’ said Fred Hartle. ‘Another gets wounded. Another gets wounded. I’m shouting to (the) PIAT man, “Put a bomb in that building up there,” and as soon as I shouted I was hit myself.
‘I was hit in the right arm and I was losing a lot of blood. I can remember looking down and seeing this gaping-wide hole in me arm, and I started losing consciousness.’
‘Fred got two or three rounds (in his arm),’ said Leslie Gibson. ‘Another chap got one through the side of the head. Two was killed.’
Fred gave an interview in 1990 that is preserved on the Imperial War Museum site here The above quotes were transcribed by author, Geraint Jones.
Bremen is a city straddling the Weser River in northwest Germany. It’s known for its role in maritime trade, represented by Hanseatic buildings on the Market Square. The ornate and Gothic town hall has a Renaissance facade and large model ships in its upper hall. Nearby is the Roland statue, a giant stone figure symbolizing freedom of trade. St. Peter’s Cathedral features medieval crypts and twin spires.
CASUALTIES ON THIS DAY
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WIA
Image | Name and Rank | Service No | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Pte C Mohun | 14658527 | Researching | |
Pte W B Probyn | 3607747 | Researching | |
Pte J W Richmond | 4613594 | Researching | |
Pte A Percival | 14715475 | Remaining at Duty | |
Pte P E Goodwin | 14512472 | Researching | |
Pte D C Fulton | 3065961 | Seriously wounded by hand grenade. | |
Pte H Hall | 5732799 | Researching | |
L/Sjt J F Hartle | 3189567 | Gun shots to right arm | |
Pte L H J Beckingham | 14517061 | Researching | |
Lt G T H Logie | 296865 | Wounded in the foot | |
Pte A Deanie | 14806566 | Researching |
PHOTO AND MAP CREDITS
Map:
Photo:
IWM (BU 4328) An infantry section of the K.O.S.Bs attack a barracks, in Bremen, which was previously reported clear of the enemy, who had got back to the barracks later in the morning and the first troops to reach the barracks came under heavy fire. Eventually the K.O.S.Bs cleared the barracks of the enemy.