Villers-Bretonneux April 1918

[Guest]

Hello,

i am new here.

That´s a great forum.

I am interested in the battle of Villers-Bretonneux April 24th, 1918.

My grandfather fought there for the german side and was awarded the cross of iron first class.

I am interested in any material about the battle (photos, aerial photos, trench maps, books, regimental histories and so on). I have collected some material. But it would be nice if you can help me with more material.

Come on your australian, british, french and all over the world history buffs.

Thank you !!!!

Best Regards

peacelover

[Ozzie]

If you do a search on this forum on Villers- Bretonneux I am sure you will find alot of info.

From the Australian side try this

http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/chapter.asp?volume=6

Cheers

Kim

[Guest]

Thank you Kim for your answer.

I own Bean´s australian official history of WWI Volume V. That´s a very good book about these battle.

Regards

Uwe

[Robert Dunlop]

Do you have the Battleground Europe series book on Villers-Bretonneux?

Robert

[Yves Le Cuziat, MBE]

Good Day Peacelover

Do you any informations about the unit of your relative and the circumstances of his decoration award ?

Cheers

Yves

[salientguide]

Hello Peacelover as you will see below I am also interested in this battle and date. I have just produced a series of maps on the 2nd Northamptons part in the action as one of my assignements on the path to Guild of Battlefield Guides badge validation (see thread under Western Front) if you would like to e-mail me with your address could send a copy to you. Regards SG

[lionboxer]

Hello Peacelover as you will see below I am also interested in this battle and date. I have just produced a series of maps on the 2nd Northamptons part in the action as one of my assignements on the path to Guild of Battlefield Guides badge validation (see thread under Western Front) if you would like to e-mail me with your address could send a copy to you. Regards SG

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

SG,

Could you also send me a copy please? My uncle was gassed on 24th April and survived with the Londons and my wifes grandfather was with 2nd Northants.

Lionboxer

[Guest]

[Hello Robert,

yes i have the new book "Villers.-Bret." of the battleground Europe-series.

Thank you for answering.

Best Regards

Uwe

[Guest]

Hello Yves,

yes i have information about the units and my grandfathers action there.

A few month ago i found the war diary of my grandfather and began to research his service history.

I read and own the regimental histories and mixed with his dairy and a newspaper article who reported about his action i can describe what was going on in April 1918.

My grandfather was a pioneer and belonged to the 228. I.D..

At the time of the attack he was sent to the 48. I.R..

He wrote in his diary that he dug in under heavy english shelling at 11.30 p.m. (german time) April 23th, 1918 direct south of the roman road in front of the hangars of the abandoned two english aerodromes ca. 200 metres east of the junction roman road and the way to Marcelcave.

At 4.45 a.m. April 24th, the german shelling began with 30 minutes gas shelling of the english artillery. Then followed 15 minutes gas shelling of Villers and then again 30 minutes of the enemy artillery. Since 6.00 a.m (always german time) the infantry trenches were shelled with explosives. And at 7.00 a.m.= 6.00 a.m. english time) the attack began.

It was a very misty morning and the attack was supported by the first german tanks who drove a few hundred metres south of my grandfather with the reserve-infantry-regiment 207.

My grandfathers camerads attacked with 8 flamethrowers.

My grandfather was an Unteroffizier and captured or maybe killed without tank support as a leader of his group two english machine gun nests and their eight english soldiers. Getting in their back I believe he used hand granates. For this action he was awarded on May 11 1918 the cross of iron first class by the commandeur of the division Generalmayor v. d. Heyde.

The attack was successful and his regiment conquered the northern part of Villers-Bret..

But in the night the australian counter attack fought my grandfathers unit back.

If you need further information please contact me.

Best Regards

Uwe

[Guest]

Hello Yves,

i forgot to write, that i know which english unit lies in front of my grandfather and was hit by the attack direct south of the roman road on the airfields.

It was the 2 nd Middlesex battaillon, D company, 15 platoon under Lieutennant Martin.

The battalion belonged to the 23nd brigade of the eight english division, III Corps, fifth english army.

Only six men including the Lieutennant survived the attack and got not in german prisonship and flew to the 2 Royal Berks on hill 104.

The action took place between 7.00 a.m. and 8.20 a.m. (german time) April 24th, 1918. The unit of my grandfather reached the northern outskirts of Villers-Bret. after rapid advance and some house to house fighting involving the first german tanks at 8.20 a.m..

Regards