Post by billywizz on Jul 18, 2008 19:03:17 GMT
Both 1 RTR & 5 RTR were part of 7 Armoured Division based in Thetford Forrest for a very short period (5 months) in 1944 prior to the invasion of Normandy.
7 Armoured Division
I remember in my early days with 3RTR having to wear several different Div/Bde flashes one of which was the Jerboa, that worn by 7 Armoured Brigade who happened to be in Fallingbostel in the early sixties. More recently I have learnt that 7 Armoured Division had spent 5 months in the United Kingdom, the only time they had ever been in the UK in their entire existence. The fact that it was in East Anglia and more or less on the door step made it rather more interesting for me so after due consideration I decided to go and see what it was all about.
I remembered recently that I had put up a couple of pictures and a small map on the ARSSSSE site for the benefit of someone who intends to have a look around this historical site next time he is that way. Any way together the pictures & map made reference to the fact that 7 Armoured Division had been based in Thetford Forest for this relatively short period of time so as to enable them to regroup and retrain on the Cromwell tanks prior to crossing the channel in readiness for the invasion of Normandy.
It was an on the spur of the moment decision that I decided to go. Armed with the trusty cameras and a few other bits which gave reference to what I was about to do I set off on what was a relatively short journey (about an hour)?
As I was driving along I gave thought to one or two ex 3RTR guys who had once been 5th and wondered if they knew about the time 5 RTR had been based in Shakers Wood. T_Rex, Brian Lindore’s & Chris Lupton had all been 5th until such time as they disbanded in Wulfenbuttle so it is conceivable they would be very much aware of 5 RTR’s connection with East Anglia?
I arrived just after mid day Friday 18th July and parked in the car park adjacent to “Little Audrey”. All the tanks in the Division were named (5 Able "B" Squadron, 1 RTR) bore the inscription "Little Audrey Laughed and Laughed", although the tank was hit several times by anti tank weapons, it survived the war albeit In one Bazooka attack on the 26 September 1944 the Tank Commander, Sgt. A Davies, and Wireless Operator, Cpl (Taffy) Glenton were mortally wounded.
It is by the side of a road running through Thetford Forest that this lone Second World War tank stands. I found it incredibly difficult to believe that this quiet spot was once temporary home to 14,000 men preparing for the greatest battle in British history.
As I wandered through the forest clutching map and camera’s I became acutely aware that there was not another person in sight. I could hear now and again a Muntjac deer barking deep in the forest, and at one point a fox ran across my front then there was a green woodpecker calling as if to say you are not alone. On I went following a well marked route the eerie silence all around apart from the wild life previously mentioned.
Little Audrey at the entrance to this historical site deep in Thetford Forest
Map of High Ash Camp 1944 featuring High Ash Wood & Shakers Wood
This picture shows how the trail was marked and how as I was alone I had improvised to make something to hold a camera.
Hard Standing where crew members and REME worked on the Cromwel Tanks.
The Naafi.
Map showing where part of 7 Armoured Div where based in Thetford Forest 1944.
Little Audrey Thetford Forest.
7 Armoured Division
I remember in my early days with 3RTR having to wear several different Div/Bde flashes one of which was the Jerboa, that worn by 7 Armoured Brigade who happened to be in Fallingbostel in the early sixties. More recently I have learnt that 7 Armoured Division had spent 5 months in the United Kingdom, the only time they had ever been in the UK in their entire existence. The fact that it was in East Anglia and more or less on the door step made it rather more interesting for me so after due consideration I decided to go and see what it was all about.
I remembered recently that I had put up a couple of pictures and a small map on the ARSSSSE site for the benefit of someone who intends to have a look around this historical site next time he is that way. Any way together the pictures & map made reference to the fact that 7 Armoured Division had been based in Thetford Forest for this relatively short period of time so as to enable them to regroup and retrain on the Cromwell tanks prior to crossing the channel in readiness for the invasion of Normandy.
It was an on the spur of the moment decision that I decided to go. Armed with the trusty cameras and a few other bits which gave reference to what I was about to do I set off on what was a relatively short journey (about an hour)?
As I was driving along I gave thought to one or two ex 3RTR guys who had once been 5th and wondered if they knew about the time 5 RTR had been based in Shakers Wood. T_Rex, Brian Lindore’s & Chris Lupton had all been 5th until such time as they disbanded in Wulfenbuttle so it is conceivable they would be very much aware of 5 RTR’s connection with East Anglia?
I arrived just after mid day Friday 18th July and parked in the car park adjacent to “Little Audrey”. All the tanks in the Division were named (5 Able "B" Squadron, 1 RTR) bore the inscription "Little Audrey Laughed and Laughed", although the tank was hit several times by anti tank weapons, it survived the war albeit In one Bazooka attack on the 26 September 1944 the Tank Commander, Sgt. A Davies, and Wireless Operator, Cpl (Taffy) Glenton were mortally wounded.
It is by the side of a road running through Thetford Forest that this lone Second World War tank stands. I found it incredibly difficult to believe that this quiet spot was once temporary home to 14,000 men preparing for the greatest battle in British history.
As I wandered through the forest clutching map and camera’s I became acutely aware that there was not another person in sight. I could hear now and again a Muntjac deer barking deep in the forest, and at one point a fox ran across my front then there was a green woodpecker calling as if to say you are not alone. On I went following a well marked route the eerie silence all around apart from the wild life previously mentioned.
Little Audrey at the entrance to this historical site deep in Thetford Forest
Map of High Ash Camp 1944 featuring High Ash Wood & Shakers Wood
This picture shows how the trail was marked and how as I was alone I had improvised to make something to hold a camera.
Hard Standing where crew members and REME worked on the Cromwel Tanks.
The Naafi.
Map showing where part of 7 Armoured Div where based in Thetford Forest 1944.
Little Audrey Thetford Forest.
