Sword Beach to Bremen., A Veterans tale. Sapper

I am so glad your mind goes where your body can't. I know my insite into your area of the war is much richer because your sharp mind has open those days and experiences up to us.

 

I have often wondered this.... can I take you back with me, to another time? A time long past. When the misery of war was real, and not a story in a book ???

Well lets try, for this is exactly what it is like:-


The Gates of Hell.
This is no place for a Dorset boy!

What followed next can only be described as a living nightmare, a nightmare of sheer agony. Put into an army ambulance with other wounded in racks on each side and in a very confined space, the inside had been blacked out so that we had to lay there on our stretchers in pitch black darkness. The Journey in this square box of an ambulance took us over the uneven and cobbled roads all the way to Eindhoven in the South of Holland. This journey was the nearest thing to hell on earth that it is possible to imagine, with my broken bones grating and the indescribable pain of my back injuries.

In the beginning, I had been determined not to join in the moaning and groaning with pain, but it was not long before I was crying out in pain just like the other wounded, so much pain that it was not possible to talk to the other men. Hell and back is not an exaggeration. Nor is the term Nightmare, I still find it very difficult to convey just how ghastly that journey was. I never knew who the other wounded were, and I do not think it was possible for the others to have survived the journey.

As we drove on, the groans had became fainter and fainter and eventually stopped. Yet, still this square steel box of an ambulance, trundled along over the broken, shelled and potholed, cobbled war time roads, with its precious load of three dead men and one nearly dead.

This is the other side of war, being badly wounded, a side that nobody wants to know about. Arriving at what I think was Eindhoven? I was put into a little cupboard full of cardboard boxes with my stretcher balanced precariously on top of them, above head height, with just enough room inside the cupboard, still lying on the same stretcher that I had been on for many hours, during the journey the blood had soaked through everything, even under my back and into the stretcher. So bad, that thick congealed blood stuck me to the stretcher.

By now the pain had become unbearable, given morphine, the pain would still not subside and a nurse told me, "you must not have more, you will become an addict". Transferred later to a small ward with beds crammed all round the room, several other wounded were there. Trying to get to sleep was impossible, the pain being bad enough, some of the other men kept waking up, screaming.

Picture this scene, if you can! A small dark, square shaped ward, with all the curtains drawn, dimly lit from a small red light in the centre of the ceiling, The overpowering, sickly warm stench of human blood pervaded everything, with beds crammed in, and almost touching, men with terrible wounds and with limbs missing. Some men, motionless, wide eyed, still, silently staring at the ceiling. God knows! what thoughts held them in this silent manacled iron grip.

Blood stains everywhere, some men had thrown the covers off the beds in their agony, some sitting up leaning on an elbow, silently gazing into space, the low moaning of men in great pain, your own continuous and unremitting pain of back, leg, and knee injuries.

Some men talked in their sleep, often in a conversational tone, ending with a scream or a loud shout of pain, or despair. Sleep, because of pain, was only possible for very short periods when exhaustion overtook us, then! To be wakened by the blood curdling screams and shouts of men who had suffered the agony, not only of body, but also of mind. Men, who had seen the worst of the hell of war. Dante’s Inferno had nothing on this. For here, was a glimpse into what lay beyond the ‘Gates of Hell’
For me, there is no escape from that vision, for many years I dreamed about, and relived the memory of that dimly lit ward, that ward that still exists in my mind, still there on the mental pathway that leads to the ’ Gates of Hell’

Even today, some 65 years on, that ward still remains with me, every detail, sharp and clearly defined. It was a place that any sane person would run screaming from, saying “For Gods sake! don’t make me go back in there”

Next day, still laying in my own thick, dried, and congealed blood that by now had firmly stuck me to the stretcher. I was driven to Eindhoven airport and was flown back immediately to England in a Dakota ambulance plane, arriving at Croydon airport. Six men ran me across the tarmac at speed,,, straight into Croydon RAF Hospital. Straight down the corridor: into the operating theatre. I awoke in a clean bright ward. But covered in plaster from my toes to my chin. A complete body plaster cast. A plaster mummy! Spica! (how did they lever me off the congealed blood on that stretcher?

That was followed by Penicillin injections, every six hours, for six weeks, night and day

Perhaps I should not write about the agony of war? I think it quite possible for these stories to upset those of a more sensitive nature? But with the 65th Anniversary upon us, perhaps it will serve to remind the younger generation of the sacrifices those men paid for our society, our way of life, and the freedom that we enjoy today.

A way of life and society that I am not willing to give feely to anyone. This freedom was earned by the blood of our sons!

I don’t want anyone to think that I am an old misery….Not me ” I enjoy life to the full, and luckily, I suffer from that wonderful dry Dorset humour. My only regret is that I am unable to go out and spend everything on holidays in the sun.
Sapper
PS There is a sequel to this. Though not a happy one.
Long live the NHS !

 

Today we see so many movies that "clean up" the war. The hero even if shot grimaces, takes a swig of whatever is handy, ties a rag around the wound a continues on, only to have arm in sling/cane in hand after the action has died down.
War is a graphic bloody mess isn't it? Thank you for taking the "romance" from the nasty thing war really is. Maybe my sons will read this and realize that to go off to war is a truely ominous thing. Sometimes necessary, never pleasant.
I guess you saw many disturbing things during the blitz, at what point was the "romance" of war taken from you? Was it before landing on sword?

 

From the age of 15/16 onwards, when the great black perfect formations of German bombers flew over the coast. And later, a Blenheim bomber, captured at Dunkirk, machine gunned us as we waved to it.
Sapper

 

Brian,
I have very much appreciated your honest, open answers to our many questions. I was wondering about the D-Day landings, do you feel you were prepared for what you were about to face? Was there any preparation to ready you mentally to deal with war, or was it more of "It has to be done and it's just going to be an ugly affair"?

 

Sword Beach, was the heaviest defended area on the whole invasion coast. And in depth.
The Americans declared we had it easy on Sword.. Not so. We were better organised and trained.

This is an overall view ...The DD tanks landed first, same time as the RE teams landed. All as part of the renowned Eighth Brigade of "Monty's Ironsides"

The three teams tasked to open a path from the beach to the road beyond, was taken on by my company, (246 Field Co RE) three teams armed with Beehive explosive charges. The teams consisted of Assault "Demolition" teams and Assault mine clearing teams. All on Queen red and Queen white.

1 Led by Lt RA Field RE
2 Led by LT RAC Trench RE
3 Led by Lt M H Edwards RE.

RO 1 Lt GW Pope RE tasked to get to the Ouistreham lock gates and report on state.

RO 2 Lt RJH Cadwallader RE to lay out company harbour area.

The OC and 2 I/C Capt EJ Osterloh RE to land with Brigade HQ Serials.

Lt Arthur Heal RE in commander sections of 2 and 3 platoons under command Suffolk's.

The task of these assault teams was to open the beach path to the road beyond, no matter who, or what, stood in the way.. Nor did they stop them.

Other Sapper teams landed in the water, and removed HE from the beach obstacles. They continued to swim amongst the mines when the tide rose under the high wind. Some of the drowned while sticking to their tasks.RIP Lads! Hero's.

Other RE teams set off for Pegasus, arriving just before the relieving commandos. They were quiet impressed with the show and the Piper !

Other RE Teams set off for the other side of Pegasus to remove "Rommel's Asparagus" the tree trunks that were dug in to stop the arrival of the incoming gliders. then they returned to help out with removing beach defences.

Had the Americans used the same trained teams they would have been off Omaha beach, and spreading inland...Sadly. they did not.
For posterity, let me record the units that made it all possible.

Third Div assaulting troops
17 Field Co RE
246 Field Co RE
253 Field Co RE
15 Field Park Co RE.


5 Assault Reg Re
71 Field Co RE
77 Assault sqdrn RE
79 Assault sqdrn RE
84 Field Co RE
91 Field Co RE
263 Field Co RE
591 Para sqdrn RE
629 Field Sqdrn RE.It was these units that made it look "easy" If anyone is in any doubt as to the ferocity of the defending troops read this.

Lay this idea to rest!
For many years it was claimed that we had it easy on Sword Beach, not true, the following from one of the assault ships log, lays this misinformation to rest, what follows later, is Stan Hough’s record taken from the log of one of the ships that carried the Assault craft.
Princess Astrid. Bless her! She hit a mine in the channel after the war and sunk!
The Princess lost 4 out of her 8 Assault landing craft.
Princess Charlotte lost 7 out of 8.
MV Victoria lost 5 out of 6.
Prince Henry lost 5 out of 8.
Finally Prince David lost all 8.

On reflection, the loss of 29 Assault craft out of a total of 38 with only 9 saved, hardly bears out the idea of an "Easy landing" But, such is the power of propaganda that these myths are assumed to be true, and become fixed as part of the Legend of D Day.

The Company landed on "Sword" queen red and queen white sectors as part of leading Eighth Brigade, with the three Assault teams armed with Beehives 36lb explosive charges, designed to blow up concrete Enemy strong points and with flame throwers to burn those out we could not blow up. For these three highly trained teams, their role was crucial in opening up the beach exits, (due to the wind and rising tide the beach area was shrinking all the while). Nothing, was to be allowed to stand in the way, nor did they, all the tasks were completed successfully. The next task was to open up a route forward to the little town of Hermanville. This was accomplished and this allowed other units to pass through and advance.

How about that for a bit of D Day History
Sapper

 

Thank you again, Sapper, for taking us into the memories of someone who was there and explaining what you experienced.

 

66 years ago...June the 6th. On a grey, overcast, and windy day. The day when the medieval evil of the Nazi rule, started to come to an end....

When the Shelled, and broken church bells of Hermanvile church, rang out across the countryside in tune with the sounds of shell, mortar, and small arms fire.

The first joyous bells of freedom to ring out across the battle fields. For all the young men that gave their lives for all that we hold dear....

Remember...Remember...

The first warning to be broadcast was to inform the population of Europe that the invasion was to take place shortly The second broadcast to inform the people the invasion was to take place NOW.
There has seldom been a broadcast with such momentous import, signaling the death of thousands of men and the destruction of the Norman Countryside.
The first warning in French was as follows:

"Les sanglots longs des violons de Autumne"
Translated as:
"The long sobs of the violins of Autumn"

The second warning telling Europe that the invasion was to take place now was:

"Blessant mon coure d,un langouer monotone"
Translated as:
"Bless my heart with monotonous langour"

Somehow these words seem to reflect the magnitude of the events that were to follow. The invasion by a mighty fleet, valiant deeds, many that went unrecognized, and the freeing of the enslaved peoples of occupied Europe. For us elderly Veterans who took part it was a great endeavour. What ever happens to us, we shall always be aware that we had a part in the shaping of history, we took part in those mighty battles, battles, where men died for what was right! Eventually, resulting in the freeing of the enslaved people of the continent from the evil disease of the Nazi yoke. Seldom in our long history could there have been a better cause than this. I am very proud to have taken part in this great crusade.

From the Fields of Normandy I bring back many memories.
Beneath them. I leave many friends,
Dedicated to all the young men. "Those that grow not old. As we that are left grow old"
Sapper

 

For all my dear friends of long ago. For the piratical crew... For Harry and Spud...Ginger Ford, and Jock Mathers ....all my freinds. Sgt Rees... Gormless... All Those young men of great courage.
For we were the Best...The Very Best.......
In memory of all.... That gave this land Freedom.
Sapper

 

Thank you, sapper! The memories you have honoured us by sharing make the anniversaries of WWII events, such as D-Day, more clear, and speaking for myself, the dates are even more significant to me now.

 

Thank you Sapper and all who served with you. Although we've never met face to face, I count you a friend who gave a lot for the freedoms I have today!
John

 

Cheers everyone
Sapper

 

Hello My Darling Old Badger
What a super experience it was to meet with you and Sheila when I was over in England. We seem to have been friends forever and I finally get to give you both a hug and a kiss in person!
Did you see all the photos of the 65th Liberation? 700odd taken and put onto the Normandy Veterans Site and onto KBM.
With Love to You and Sheila
Jan xxx

 

I just started reading your experiences and am just amazed at how well you remember everything. I'm on page 5, but had to jump ahead and see the last date you posted. I'm relieved to see you are still posting. Thank you for everything-then & now.
Respectfully,
Krystal

 

Hi Jan Lovely to see both you and Linnie. very relieved that you got back to where you were staying that night. The Pacific Salmon was just GREAT Thanks
Sheila was quite worried when she found there was not enough Ham for the meal.

Yes I have been looking at the photo's
Lots of love from Sheila and Brian.

Hi Krystal i hope you find it interesting. Let me know how you get on as you work your way through
Cheers
Sapper

 

Sapper, I just got everything read and wanted to Thank you for writing all this for us younger generations. My grandpa is 85 and faught in the Phillipines. We've wondered for years what his experiences were and he just doesn't like to talk about it. I respect him for it, but it would be nice to know. You are all brave men and deserve all our respect. I look forward to reading anything else you have to write and also love your poems, very moving and straight from the heart.

 

Indeed it is a gerat honor to have a member of the Greatest Generation joining us...

 

Sapper,
Haven't heard from you lately, hope al is well. I had a question for you when you get the time to ponder it.
Was there a weapon the Germans had that you feared more than others, or were there a particular group of Germans behind the weapon that made it bad?
Were mines feared more than the infantry soldier?
Praying you are well,
John