On the net since 1994. Still don’t know what I’m doing.
The 23rd Hussars was part of the 29th Armoured Brigade of the 11th Armoured Div., which comprised 23rd Hussars, 3rd Royal Tanks, 8th Rifle Brigade & The Fyfe & Forfar Yeomanry.
Two lads from Formby, my dad and his mate, John Laidlaw, volunteered to do "their bit". As John said later, "It's better to drive to your death, than to walk to it". This was a reference to their decision to join the tanks from the infantry. A good decision, as it transpired, they made it through the war in one piece.
Operation Dracula: They "covered 3010 miles throughout England, testing and reporting on the performances of all the current tanks of the British Army. 100 miles by road, and then 100 miles across country." It was hard work, but the outcome was worth it." Verbatim.
Follows a potted piece excerpted from the official 23rd Hussars "Do You Remember....?" booklet.
The enemy
Ever get that sinking feeling..?
Note of encouragement
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Date |
Theatres of action included: |
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June 16th. |
Colombes. |
Lots of reminiscing going on at Feldgrau.net mostly by one of the lads who was there, Will Gray. |
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June 28th. | ||
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June28 |
Sherman (the ‘Ronson’ - | |
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July 18th. |
Caen |
Link SNAFU. My dad & Bill Dorrington's tank was knocked out, they were missing, presumed dead. Shortly back from the dead. |
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August |
Presles |
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Bas- |
Intense weeks under fire. |
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Beny Bocage |
A' Echelon were bombed. 24th Lancers arrive. |
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L'Aigle. |
88's all around. 1994- |
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Amiens |
First rest for a long time. |
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September |
Belgium |
The latest game: chase the bosch. |
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Antwerp |
Scenes of joy from the Belgians. |
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Ijsselsteijn |
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October |
Leunen |
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Christmas 1944 |
Ardennes |
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January 1945 |
1945 |
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March |
Schoot |
Re- |
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15th April 1945 |
The 23rd were the first troops to reach Belsen . And everything you have ever heard about that place is true. The camp commandant, Josef Kramer, had the notorious Irma Grese to help him. She was eventually hanged.
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May 4th. |
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May 8th |
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Germans pack it in. |
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“Yes it's true, just heard it on the B.B.C.!". THE END. |
