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| Magpie Music Newcastle Civic Centre Massed Pipes and Drums |
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Peter Albert Ian Clare
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Saturday, 30 August 2014
Thursday, 21 August 2014
The Response 1914
To commemorate the raising of Service Battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers at the beginning of World War One, the Response 1914 monument was built in the Haymarket, Newcastle.
The memorial was a gift of Sir George Renwick Bt DL and Lady Renwick and was unveiled 5th July 1923.
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| The Response - Haymarket Newcastle |
"Non sibi sed patriae The response 1914"
"To commemorate the raising of
The B Coy 9th Battalion and the 16th, 18th and 19th
Service Battalions
Northumberland Fusiliers
by the Newcastle and Gateshead
The B Coy 9th Battalion and the 16th, 18th and 19th
Service Battalions
Northumberland Fusiliers
by the Newcastle and Gateshead
Chamber of Commerce August – October 1914
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| Non sibi sed patriae The response 1914 |
Non sibi sed patriae - not for self but country
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| The Response - Farewell |
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The Response - Soldier says goodbye |
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| The Response - Unveiling 5th July 1923 |
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Tynemouth WW1 Commemoration Parade
The July Crisis that followed saw mobilisation of Austria-Hungry, Germany, France and Russia.
July Crisis
Anxious not to fight a war on two fronts, Germany enacted their Schlieffen Plan, the aim being to defeat France in six weeks, then turn attention eastward to Russia who they assessed would take a while to fully prepare for war.
The Schlieffen plan required German forces to wheel through neutral Belgium
Schlieffen Plan
German cavalry crossed the border on 3rd August. Belgian neutrality was guaranteed by Britain by the Treaty of London 1839, and a telegram was sent to the Kaiser demanding the German forces withdraw.
The Germans failed to comply and at 11pm 4th August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany.
Commemoration of the centenary of WW1
Northumberland Square North Shields
Sunday 3rd August 2014
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| Parade on the march |
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| Tyneside Scottish Pipe Band |
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| Veteran Contingent |
Op Ducy - Fontenay-le-Pesnel
A kilometre north of the Rauray Battlefield lies the 49th (West Riding) Division Memorial. Nearby is the Fontenay Le Pensel War Cemetery which contains the graves of 8 soldiers of 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch).
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| 49 West Riding Division Memorial Fontenay Le Pesnel |
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| 49 West Riding Division Memorial Fontenay Le Pesnel |
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| 49 West Riding Division Memorial Fontenay Le Pesnel |
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| Fontenay Le Pesnel CWGC Cemetery |
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| Fontenay Le Pesnel CWGC Cemetery |
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| Fontenay Le Pesnel CWGC Cemetery |
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| Fontenay Le Pesnel CWGC Cemetery Private JA Robertson 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) |
1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch)
| Rank | Initials | Surname | Died | Aged | Service No. | Grave Ref. |
| L/Cpl | G M | BROOK | 28/06/1944 | 19 | '14415091' | III. C. 7. |
| L/Cpl | G | GOODWIN | 28/06/1944 | 24 | '4460943' | III. C. 10. |
| Pvt | J | HARRIS | 29/06/1944 | '4455575' | III. B. 10. | |
| L/Cpl | E | HARRISON | 28/06/1944 | 29 | '3061770' | III. C. 9. |
| L/Sjt | L W | JOHNSTON | 28/06/1944 | 28 | '3061778' | III. A. 3. |
| Pvt | J | O'HAGAN | 01/07/1944 | 28 | '4461062' | IV. D. 3. |
| Pvt | J A | ROBERTSON | 02/07/1944 | 17 | '14430216' | IV. D. 18. |
| Cpl | J G | SIMPSON | 01/07/1944 | 29 | '407007' | IV. C. 20. |
Op Ducy - Battle of Rauray
On the afternoon 30th June 1944, the Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) held at O Group at 14:00. The Battalions mission was to defend the area around the village of RAURAY.
The main threat was counter attack by armour from the 2nd SS Das Reich and the 9th SS Panzer Divisions. The defence plan was based upon establishing effective anti armour killing zones for the guns from the anti-tank platoon, and basing the company positions around the gun emplacements.
The Battalion occupied a rise on the Rauray Spur. To its front was the Village of QUEUDEVILLE. Left front was a five cornered field, surrounded by the hedgerows of the bocage. To the north of the Battalion area was a farm, rear left, and the village of RAURAY, with the village of BRETTEVILLETTE to the right.
The most effective killing zones for the anti tank guns were to the front of A company, who were located in the five cornered field, and B Company who overlooked the Rauray Spur. Let of A Company was the Corps boundary and 6th KOSB.
The anti tank platoon were equipped with six 6 pounder guns firing sabot ammunition.
C Company were to the right of B Company, D Company rear, Battalion HQ in the famr buildings near Rauray. the 11th DLI were on the right flank, and to the rear 2nd Kensington's. In support were tanks from the 24th lancers and the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanary.
At 06:00 1st July 1944 the Germans attacked, infiltrating into the C Company position and forcing them back, isolating A and B Companies. The anti tank guns engaged the German tanks, destroying 3. At 11:00 C Squadron 24th Lancers counter attacked with D Company 1TS, D Company reinforcing B Company.
The Germans then launched a second attack, this time forcing A Company back, however, B Company reinforced by D Company continued to hold on the edge of the Rauray Spur. Two more attacks were held by the combined B and D Company, who brought down concentrated artillery fire, including naval gunfire support.
By 17:00, the Panzers were broken and the German attack had failed.
The anti tank gunners of 1TS had destroyed 10 tanks, the 24th Lancers 9, and artillery fire accounted for another 10 or 12.
1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) earned 1 Military Cross, 3 Military Medals, and awarded the Battle Honour DEFENCE OF RAURAY.
The Battalion sustained over 200 casualties, 25% of it's strength.
The main threat was counter attack by armour from the 2nd SS Das Reich and the 9th SS Panzer Divisions. The defence plan was based upon establishing effective anti armour killing zones for the guns from the anti-tank platoon, and basing the company positions around the gun emplacements.
The Battalion occupied a rise on the Rauray Spur. To its front was the Village of QUEUDEVILLE. Left front was a five cornered field, surrounded by the hedgerows of the bocage. To the north of the Battalion area was a farm, rear left, and the village of RAURAY, with the village of BRETTEVILLETTE to the right.
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Rauray Battlefield panorama
Looking towards QUEUDVILLE - moving through 5 Cornered Field
North to farm and RAURAY then towards BRETTEVILLETE
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| Looking South to QUEUDVILLE over the RAURAY SPUR |
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| Five cornered field |
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| Looking South - RAURAY left / farm right |
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| Looking West to BRETTEVILLETTE |
The most effective killing zones for the anti tank guns were to the front of A company, who were located in the five cornered field, and B Company who overlooked the Rauray Spur. Let of A Company was the Corps boundary and 6th KOSB.
The anti tank platoon were equipped with six 6 pounder guns firing sabot ammunition.
C Company were to the right of B Company, D Company rear, Battalion HQ in the famr buildings near Rauray. the 11th DLI were on the right flank, and to the rear 2nd Kensington's. In support were tanks from the 24th lancers and the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanary.
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| Rauray Battlefield |
The Germans then launched a second attack, this time forcing A Company back, however, B Company reinforced by D Company continued to hold on the edge of the Rauray Spur. Two more attacks were held by the combined B and D Company, who brought down concentrated artillery fire, including naval gunfire support.
By 17:00, the Panzers were broken and the German attack had failed.
The anti tank gunners of 1TS had destroyed 10 tanks, the 24th Lancers 9, and artillery fire accounted for another 10 or 12.
1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) earned 1 Military Cross, 3 Military Medals, and awarded the Battle Honour DEFENCE OF RAURAY.
The Battalion sustained over 200 casualties, 25% of it's strength.
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| Piper on the Rauray Spur |
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| Remembering the losses of 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish |
Op Ducy - Tyneside Scottish Gold Beach
Around midday 12th June 1944 the main body of the 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) arrived offshore of Gold Beach. The advanced party were already ashore, having landed 12 hours earlier. By 15:00 the men were disembarking and moving from the beach to their assembly area at ESQUAY SUR SEULLES.
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| Gold Beach |
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| Gold Beach |
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| Gold Beach TS arriving on the beach |
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| Gold Beach TS marching off |
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| Gold Beach TS piped off the beach |
Op Ducy - Arromanches
In order to exploit beyond the Normandy Beachhead it was essential that port facilities were available for bulky cargo, vehicles and supplies in order to sustain operations.
In August 1942 a raid on Dieppe had failed, and it became obvious that trying to take heavily defended ports was not viable. For the Normandy operation it was therefore decided to create a port made up of pre-fabricated components.
The port would consist of concrete caissons sunk offshore to create the port infrastructure, connected to the shore by floating runways. Old ships would be sunk as block ships to provide breakwaters. Two harbours would be constructed , one off Omaha Beach and one off Gold Beach.
The harbours were constructed in multiple locations around the United Kingdom and towed across the channel into position. On 9th June 1944 (D plus 3), both harbours were in position.
The Royal Engineers constructed the harbour at Arromanches with 33 jetties and 10 miles (15 km) of roadway, and it was named PORT WINSTON.
In August 1942 a raid on Dieppe had failed, and it became obvious that trying to take heavily defended ports was not viable. For the Normandy operation it was therefore decided to create a port made up of pre-fabricated components.
The port would consist of concrete caissons sunk offshore to create the port infrastructure, connected to the shore by floating runways. Old ships would be sunk as block ships to provide breakwaters. Two harbours would be constructed , one off Omaha Beach and one off Gold Beach.
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| Mulberry Harbour Concept |
The harbours were constructed in multiple locations around the United Kingdom and towed across the channel into position. On 9th June 1944 (D plus 3), both harbours were in position.
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| Mulberry caissons being towed into position |
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| Mulberry Harbour |
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| Mulberry Harbour roadway |
The Royal Engineers constructed the harbour at Arromanches with 33 jetties and 10 miles (15 km) of roadway, and it was named PORT WINSTON.
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| Mulberry B harbour - Arromanches |
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| Arromanches Map |
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| Arromanches Panorama - Port Winston |
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| Arromanches Mulberry Harbour remains |
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| Arromanches |
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| Arromanches Roadway remains |
Op Ducy - Port En Besin
On the 6th June 1944 the 47th Royal Marine Commando was tasked with the capture of the small harbour of PORT EN BESSIN. The harbour was located 9 miles (12 km) to the west of GOLD BEACH. The fishing port was an important objective as it was to be the Normandy terminus for PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean), the mechanism by which fuel oil would be moved from the UK to France.
The plan was 47 Commando would land on GOLD BEACH, move inland, infiltrate through enemy lines and attack the village from the rear.
The operation began at 05:00 6th June 1944 when 420 men of 47 Commando with 420 men loading into landing craft 8 miles (13 km) off the Normandy coast. The German coastal guns opened fire on the craft as they approached the beach sinking one craft, another four were sunk when they hit mines attached to underwater obstacles. During the landing much of the units radio equipment was lost.
Around 300 men mustered on Gold Beach. Having borrowed radio equipment from the 231st Infantry Brigade they set off across country. The force managed to avoid contact until they were engaged at La Rosière. The Commandos overcame the Germans, taking weapons and equipment to replace the losses during the landings. By nightfall they reached Point 72 at Escures, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the port, where they dug in, ready to attack next morning.
The attack began by charging and overcoming the defensive position at the south of the village.
One troop then attacked the western feature. The feature was mined, rifle and machine gun fire was heavy, and the defenders were able to roll grenades down the hill. Unknown to the Marines, two Flak ships had been moved into the harbour, and they were able to bring fire onto the advancing troops, forcing them to withdraw.
The situation worsened when a German counter attack captured the Commandos rear HQ and cut off the troops in Escures.
The Marines began to clear the harbour area, but the Western and Eastern features were stubbornly defended by the Germans
Captain Cousins found an unobserved path and was able to capture a concrete bunker. The Commandos then began to fight their way up the Eastern feature, concrete entrenchments, mines nd barbed wire. Through the night German positions were captured one by one and by dawn the Eastern feature as in the possession of 47 Commando. The positions near Escures were recaptured. At 04:00 8th June, the German garrison commander and 300 men surrendered.
Of the 420 Commandos who embarked, 116 were killed or drowned, and 40 wounded.
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| Port En Bessin location |
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| Port En Bessin 1944 EAST WEST |
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| Port En Bessin 2014 EAST WEST |
The fishing port lies in a hollow with high sides rising up to 200 feet (60 metres),which were know as the Western and Eastern features.
Defending PORT EN BESSIN were elements of the German 352nd Infantry Division who held the high ground defended by concrete bunkers, wire entanglement's and mines. To the south concrete entrenchments covered the Bayeux Road.
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| Panorama from Eastern feature - moving through west & south |
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| Port En Bessin - Western feature |
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| Port En Bessin - Eastern feature |
The plan was 47 Commando would land on GOLD BEACH, move inland, infiltrate through enemy lines and attack the village from the rear.
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| Port En Bessin WEST EAST |
The operation began at 05:00 6th June 1944 when 420 men of 47 Commando with 420 men loading into landing craft 8 miles (13 km) off the Normandy coast. The German coastal guns opened fire on the craft as they approached the beach sinking one craft, another four were sunk when they hit mines attached to underwater obstacles. During the landing much of the units radio equipment was lost.
Around 300 men mustered on Gold Beach. Having borrowed radio equipment from the 231st Infantry Brigade they set off across country. The force managed to avoid contact until they were engaged at La Rosière. The Commandos overcame the Germans, taking weapons and equipment to replace the losses during the landings. By nightfall they reached Point 72 at Escures, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the port, where they dug in, ready to attack next morning.
The attack began by charging and overcoming the defensive position at the south of the village.
One troop then attacked the western feature. The feature was mined, rifle and machine gun fire was heavy, and the defenders were able to roll grenades down the hill. Unknown to the Marines, two Flak ships had been moved into the harbour, and they were able to bring fire onto the advancing troops, forcing them to withdraw.
The situation worsened when a German counter attack captured the Commandos rear HQ and cut off the troops in Escures.
The Marines began to clear the harbour area, but the Western and Eastern features were stubbornly defended by the Germans
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Port En Bessin - Harbour |
Of the 420 Commandos who embarked, 116 were killed or drowned, and 40 wounded.
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| Port En Bessin Memorial |