Sgt Eagle
Head Administrator
Global user
Registered: 04-2004
Posts: 99
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
THE PIRON BRIGADE HISTORY -FOUNDATION
Retracing the foundation of the brigade , feel free to add your informations or anecdotes 
---
From this day till the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered ,we Band Of Brothers Henry V-W.Shakespear
Eendracht maakt Macht !
GO Belgium
|
|
4/29/2004, 1:47 pm
|
Send Email to Sgt Eagle
Send PM to Sgt Eagle
|
Sgt Eagle
Head Administrator
Global user
Registered: 04-2004
Posts: 99
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: THE PIRON BRIGADE HISTORY -FOUNDATION
WHO WAS PIRON ?
==============
Jean - Baptiste Piron was born on April 10, 1896 in Couvin.
In 1913, at the age of 17 , he is allowed in the Military Academy, 64th Promotion - Infantry and Cavalry.
In 1914, for the mobilization, he joins the 2nd Regiment of Line in Gent where he joins the 2nd Company of the 2nd Battalion.
On August 18, 1914, he undergoes his baptism of fire in the fight of Hautem-Ste Marguerite. He participates in the battle of Yser.
On March 26, 1916, he is promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
In December, 1916, he passes in the 22nd Regiment of Line.
In October, 1917, he is hospitalised in Cabourg ( appendicitis). Being temporarily unfit to be of use to the infantry, he goes to the aviation as observer (6th Squadron of Houtem's reconnaissance).
On August 11, 1918, he is hurt further to an emergency landing. After a short stay to the hospital, he joins his squadron.
On November 11, 1918, the armistice is signed. At 22 years old, J-B Piron is appointed to the rank of captain.
He restarts his studies to the Military Academy then to the War school. In April, 1926, he is appointed for the 2nd Armed force Staff in Antwerp where he stays 3 years before being able to join the Regiment of Grenadiers.
In March, 1933, he becomes captain.
In August, 1934, he joins Cyclists' regiment Border to Henri-Chapelle.
In March, 1936, he is appointed to the rank of Commandant and is appointed for the 1st Regiment of Grenadiers. This same year, Belgium chooses once again the politics of neutrality.
In September, 1939, he is allowed to the HQ of the 5th Armed Force.
May 10, 1940 begins the campaign of 18 days. Belgium capitulates on May 28. The Germans group together the Belgian officers to Maria-ter-Heide, but J-B Piron can not accept any hardship of freedom. He escapes�.
On April 12, 1941 he begin his long journey which will drop him in England by way of Marseille, Nimes, Montpelier, Tarragona and Gibraltar.
Finally, on January 6, 1942, he lands in Greenock (Scotland).
The forming of the Belgian Fighting Unit had already begun in June, 1940.
On February 14, 1942, he is taken in force to the Staff company of the Ground Forces.
On April 30, 1942, he receives the title of assistant superior officer charged to steer the training of the 1st Riflemen Battalion, the battery of artillery and the armoured squadron.
He creates a small staff with the lieutenant Didisheim and the commandant Cannepeel. They are installed in Kineton.
On June 4, 1942, the Belgian forces in Great Britain are officially at the disposal of allies while they exist since July 30, 1940.
On December 30, 1942, he goes to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, Mr Pierlot, who announces him the reorganization of the Forces of Earth. He entrusts him to command the 1st Brigade which is born on January 21, 1943. He settles down to Clacton-on-sea.
On April 13, 1943, he is named Lt Col. He continues the training of his unit.
On August 4, 44, he is named Colonel.
After 30 months of England, he was going to be able to obtain with his men, the vengeance of 1940.
On August 7, 1944, the Brigade lands to Courseulles. Begin then Campaigns of Normandy and the return in Belgium. But his unit of elite does not stop. He always begins in the head of "his" brigade, the Campaign of Belgian Limburg , the Campaign of Holland and then the second Campaign of Holland which will end with the German surrender.
In September, 1945, he becomes the Prince Regent--Aide-de-Camp. He commands then the 2nd Infantry Division.
In December, 1945, he is appointed to the rank of General
In December, 1946, he commands the 1st Army Force of Occupation in Germany.
In December, 1947, he is named Lieutenant - general.
In January, 1951, he becomes Leader of the Staff of the Ground Force.
He will end his military career by assuring the functions as King Baudouin Aide-de-Camp, and president of the Committee of the Leaders of Staff.
He is retired in the date of the 1st July, 1957.
On September 4, 1974, anniversary of his triumphant entry to Brussels, he dies in Uccle.
Sgt Eagle
book : battalion Vrijheid
---
From this day till the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered ,we Band Of Brothers Henry V-W.Shakespear
Eendracht maakt Macht !
GO Belgium
|
|
4/30/2004, 10:37 am
|
Send Email to Sgt Eagle
Send PM to Sgt Eagle
|
Sgt Eagle
Head Administrator
Global user
Registered: 04-2004
Posts: 99
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: THE PIRON BRIGADE HISTORY -FOUNDATION
Lt Colonel PIRON's distinctions :
======================
BELGIAN DISTINCTIONS
====================
- Huit chevrons de front.
- Croix de guerre avec palme.
- Medaille de la Victoire
- Medaille Commémorative de la guerre 1914 - 1918
- Medaille du Volontaire 1914 - 1918
- Lion en vermeil sur ruban de la Croix de guerre 1914 - 1918
- Croix de Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Couronne.
- Croix de Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold.
- Medaille du Centenaire
- Croix du Feu.
- Croix d'Officier de l'Ordre de Leopold.
- Croix Militaire de 2ème classe
- Croix d'Officier de l'Ordre de Leopold II avec glaives.
- Croix Militaire de 1ère classe.
- Croix de Commandeur de l'Ordre de la Couronne.
- Grande Croix de l'Ordre de la Couronne avec palme.
- Croix de guerre 1940 avec palme.
- Croix de Commandeur de l'Ordre de Leopold.
- Médaille Commémorative 1940 - 1945 avec deux sabres croisés .
- Grand Officier de l'Ordre de L�opold.
FOREIGN DISTINCTIONS
====================
- Order of Companion honorary of the Distinguished. ( Britanniques )
- Croix d'Officier de la Légion d'Honneur ( France )
- Croix de guerre française avec palme.
- Croix de Commandeur de l'Ordre Grand Ducal de la Couronne de Chène.( Grand Duché de Luxembourg )
- Croix de Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur.( France )
- Grande Croix de l'Ordre d'Adolphe de Nassau .( Grand Duché de Luxembourg )
- Grande croix de l'Ordre d'Orange Nassau avec glaives.( Pays - Bas )
- Croix de l'Ordre du Mérite Militaire TAIGUK.( Corée )
- Defense Medal.
- France and Germany Star.
- 1939 - 1945 Star.
Sgt Eagle
Book : batallion Vrijheid
---
From this day till the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered ,we Band Of Brothers Henry V-W.Shakespear
Eendracht maakt Macht !
GO Belgium
|
|
4/30/2004, 10:46 am
|
Send Email to Sgt Eagle
Send PM to Sgt Eagle
|
Sgt Eagle
Head Administrator
Global user
Registered: 04-2004
Posts: 99
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: THE PIRON BRIGADE HISTORY -FOUNDATION
The Creation Of the Unit
================
On May 10, 1940, Belgium is invaded by Germany.
On May 22, the Lieutenant General Baron V. VAN STRYDONCK de BURKEL is on the disposition of the Belgian authorities. He arrives in London accompanied by officers of the 1st Military district Staff.
On May 25, further to a contact between British War Office and Captain-Commandant Charles CUMONT (the Military attach� in London) and with the military situation in Belgium deteriorating, it is decided to regroup surviving elements of the Belgian Army at PENALLY Camp near TENBY in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. Lieutenant General Van STRYDONCK is appointed by the Defence Minister, Lieutenant General DENIS, to command the Belgian Military Regrouping Camp (CMBR).
On May 28, the Belgian army capitulates.
In June, 1940, Lieutenant General Van STRYDONCK is appointed as commander of the Belgian Forces in Great Britain. Three days later, Minister JASPAR makes a statement on BBC Radio. He calls for all Belgians to stay close those who continue to fight and to join him in Great Britain.
On July 21, the CMBR contains 462 men.
August 8, military records are distributed and the regimental numbers are attributed.
August sees the formation of the 'Fighting Unit' and the 'Pioneer Unit', as well as the creation of the 1st Rifle Company (Cdt LEGRAND)(in August 20) at LLANELLY and of the 2nd Rifle Company (Lt SMEKENS) (in August 25) at PENALLY. The strength of the CMBR is then 692 men.
At the beginning of September, the 3rd Rifle Company is created (Cdt CAMBIER) at PENALLY.
On September 21, a Training Section is created (Lt J. BLOCH).
On October 28, the 4th Rifle Company is created, which is billeted at PENALLY.
October 30, Ministers PIERLOT, GUTT, SPAAK and DE VLEESCHAUWER reconstitute the Belgian Government in London.
The Staff Company is created on November 8.
At the end of December, 1940, the 1st Rifle Battalion reaches its complete strength: 825 officers, non-commissioned officers and privates.
1941
----
On January 3, 1941, the Battery of Artillery is created (Cdt HIRSCH). The 3rd Rifle Company leaves TENBY to settle down at HAVERFORDWEST.
The beginning of February sees the birth of the Armoured Car Squadron (Cdt de WALCKIERS)
On February 15, a parade is mounted, during which Mister PIERLOT, the Prime Minister, presents the 1st Rifle Battalion with its FLAG.
On February 20, the Battalion leaves its barracks at TENBY to new billets in CAMARTHEN. General Van STRYDONCK's Staff, some services and the troops still under training stay in TENBY.
In April, it is ordered that all the vehicles of the Belgian Forces in Great Britain should wear 4 distinguishing features:
1. The Belgian number of registration
2. The identification number of the unit on a coloured square, displayed on the right front and rear wings of the vehicle:
A. 1st Rifle Battalion: 110 in white on a red square
B. Battery of Artillery: 114 in white on a red-over-blue square (as Royal Artillery)
3. The letter " B " displayed on the left front and rear wings of the vehicle.
4. A rosette in the national colours displayed on the rear of the vehicle.
May 13, the Battery of Artillery is sent to new billets in ST-DOGMAELS (near the town of CARDIGAN), and is then moved to FELINDRE.
At the beginning of June, the Staff and the services still in TENBY move to GREAT MALVERN in Worcestershire, England.
At the end of June, the Belgian Company formed in Canada arrives in Great Britain. This troop, which would for a long time be known as "The Canadians", is sent to MALVERN (Company A of the 2nd Rifle Battalion now started training).
In September, 1941, the Squadron receives its first armoured cars: one 1920-vintage Rolls-Royce and two 1930 Lanchesters.
In October, the Squadron receives 14 GUY Mk Ia Armoured Cars.
1942
----
In January, 1942, the Battery of Artillery begins its training in the use of the artillery - 25 Pounder Gun-Howitzers received in December, 1941.
On January 6, Major J-B PIRON lands in GREENOCK (Scotland) coming from Gibraltar on the passenger ship BATORY. He had made the journey accompanied by Commandant F. de SELLIERS de MORANVILLE and by Lieutenant R. DIDISHEIM.
On February 14, Major PIRON is taken on to the strength of the Staff Company of the Ground Forces.
On February 20, the Train 'Brigade' is formed. The Commandant WINTERGROEN commands it. The lieutenants DIDISHEIM and PATERNOTTE are appointed to the 1st Rifle Battalion.
On April 9, Captain G. HOUBION, Lieutenants OSSELAER, BERTHELSON and SAUSSEZ are taken on to the strength of the Staff Company of the Ground Forces.
At the end of April, the Armoured Car Squadron leaves MALVERN to new billets in PEMBREY, in Carmarthenshire, West Wales, where it assumes its first war mission: the surveillance of the coast near PEMBREY and KIDWELLY.
Captain PONCELET is taken on to the strength of the Staff Company of the Ground Forces and is then transferred to the Battery of Artillery.
Major J-B. PIRON receives from the commander of the Belgian Forces in Great Britain, the title of superior officer and is charged with steering and perfecting the training of the whole 1st Rifle Battalion, the Battery of Artillery and the Armoured Car Squadron. He creates a small advanced Staff with Commandant CANNEPEEL and Lieutenant DIDISHEIM and establishes his HQ at KINETON.
On May 8, the Independent Paratrooper Company commanded by Commander THYSE is created under the orders of the Commander of the Ground Forces.
At the beginning of June, the Armoured Car Squadron moves to occupy a new station at HUMBERSLADE PARK.
On June 4, the Belgian Forces in Great Britain are officially at the disposal of Allies. While they have existed since July 30 1940, they are now finally ready for combat operations.
On June 8, the 1st Rifle Battalion leaves CARMARTHEN to settle down at WALTON HALL. The Battery of Artillery comes back from LLANELLI to be stationed at MORETON MORELL. This is situated about 10 kilometres to the South of LEAMINGTON SPA.
At the beginning of July, the Belgian Government agrees to form a unit of Commando groups. Directives are given to the military authorities to recruit the staff.
Major PIRON is transferred to the staff of the 1st Rifle Battalion.
In August, the first voluntary candidates for the Commando unit leave the 1st Battalion for ABERSOCH in North Wales. Captain G. DANLOY is appointed as commander of the group. The Belgians form henceforth the 4th Troop (i.e. Company) of 10th Army Commando (a 'Commando' being a battalion-equivalent of four 'Troops') which also includes units of French, Dutch, Norwegian and Polish troops.
In September, the Armoured Car Squadron leaves HUMBERSLADE PARK to a new posting near PORTHCAWL (on the South Wales coast between Cardiff and Swansea) where it is attached to the 49th Recce Regiment of the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division (the 'Polar Bears'). The 1st Rifle Battalion leaves WALTON HALL for a new posting under canvas at PENYBONT.
On September 23, 1942, Major PIRON takes command of the 1st Rifle Battalion.
In October, the Battalion moves towards CHEPSTOW on the estuary of the River Severn.
On November 24, Major B. de RIDDER is appointed to take command of the Battery of Artillery.
It is ordered that the soldiers having 9 months service in the Belgian Forces are authorized to wear the metal badge " BELGIAN ARMY IN UNITED KINGDOM ".
The end of December 1942 sees a radical upheaval of the command structure and organization of the Belgian Ground Forces in Great Britain.
Major PIRON is called to London by Prime Minister PIERLOT to be informed of the definitive plan for the reorganization of the Ground Forces. He returns newly-appointed as the commander of a new unit: THE FIRST BELGIAN BRIGADE.
The British 'War Office' had decided that a Belgian independent mobile unit would be ideal for its plans for forthcoming operations in Europe and this was most agreeable to the Belgian Government. This decision also resulted in the creation of the Dutch 'Princess Irene' Brigade on the same date.
...
---
From this day till the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered ,we Band Of Brothers Henry V-W.Shakespear
Eendracht maakt Macht !
GO Belgium
|
|
4/30/2004, 10:55 am
|
Send Email to Sgt Eagle
Send PM to Sgt Eagle
|
Sgt Eagle
Head Administrator
Global user
Registered: 04-2004
Posts: 99
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: THE PIRON BRIGADE HISTORY -FOUNDATION
NORMANDY:
========
The 'Brigade Piron' was landed in the very first days of August, at the same time as the Dutch Brigade 'Princes Irene' of Col de RUYTER van STEVENICK, the 2nd French Armoured Division, known as 'Division Leclerc', the Polish Armoured Division of Gen MACZEK and the Czecho-Slovak Armoured Brigade of Gen LISKA.The British tasked the First Belgian Group (align with the Dutch Group) with the pursuit of enemy elements along the Norman coast, from the canal of the Orne to the Seine River on the left flank of the entire Allied Army in Normandy - a ask to which the Belgians and Dutch, with their high degree of mobility and independent capability, were ideally suited.On August 3, the Brigade leaves its camp at Newmarket to go to Tilbury Docks.August 4, the 500 vehicles of the 1st Belgian Group are loaded and the 2,200 men embark aboard four Liberty Ships (the Gladstone, the Paul Benjamin, the Henry Austin and the Finlay). In the evening, the vessels sail and join the convoy which is forming off Whitstable, in the Thames' estuary.On August 6 at 0815hrs, the convoy leaves the port.August 7 at about 1000hrs, the moment so longed for by the Belgian Group's soldiers finally arrives; the landing of the Group begins in Arromanches for vehicles, and in Courseulles for the men.
Hardly had the Group landed when a long column formed. The Brigade soon marched off and arrived during night at Douvres-la-Delivrande and Plumetot where it settled down in bivouac. The staff spends the night in Ranville castle.On August 8 at dawn, the Belgian Group is placed under the command of the British 6th Airborne Division of Major General Roy GALE which itself is part of the British I Corps of Lieutenant GeneralCROCKER, which in turn is part of the 1st Canadian Army (General CRERAR). Colonel PIRON gets in touch with the 6th Airborne Division's HQ which is dug into lime quarries on the right bank of the Orne River. The first mission of the Belgians is to be the reserve of the division, positioned on the left bank of the Orne. The vehicles of the Brigade Train are extremely welcome and are soon in action, transporting British and Canadian paratroops towards Pont-l'Ev�que.On August 9 in the evening, the Group relieves the 4th British Special Service (Commando) Brigade. In front of them, are the German 272nd, 711th and 346th Infantry Divisions and elements of the elite 12th SS Panzer Division 'Hitlerjugend'.
The trains of the Group are bivouacked in quarries near the Orne Canal and River Bridges (now famous as 'Pegasus' and 'Horsa' Bridge respectively). The staff settle down in Hauger's town hall. Forward, the three Motorized Units are deployed along the front line, with their left flank resting upon the swamps which line the estuary of the Orne. The Engineer Coy and the Armoured Car Squadron are in reserve. The Artillery Battery is deployed on the left bank of the canal.On August 13, the Group is in contact with the enemy in front of the villages of Sallenelles and Hauger. The 1st Unit (Major WINTERGROEN) is pressed to the right on Amfreville, in contact with the 12th Devonshires (6th Airlanding Brigade) on their right. The 3rd Unit (Major NOWE) has its left flank resting on the Orne estuary. A part of the 3rd Unit is deployed forward at the entrance of Sallenelles, level with the school. The 2nd MU is in the centre, to the South of the road which leads towards Franceville. The border of the village is still in the Germans' hands. All the region is continually observed by the enemy as they still occupy the dominant feature - the infamous Merville Battery (which was the scene of a very bloody raid by 9 Para on the dawn of D-Day). Approximately one kilometre to the rear, the Armoured Car Squadron is in reserve in the limestone quarries of La Basse �carde. Lieutenant Colonel DERIDDER (the Artillery Battery) moves his position over the Orne to a position near Haute-Longueville (north of Ranville) and there redeploys his guns. The Brigade Train bivouacs along the river. The staff is settled in the City Hall of Hauger. Commandant PONCELET, the Brigade Chief of Staff, unfolds his maps in the property of the FABRE in Hauger. In the least uncomfortable room, Private LEBRECHT (Colonel PIRON's driver) unfolds his boss's campbed. Nearby, the Engineers are bivouacked in reserve in an orchard.
The Artillery Battery bombards German positions for five days.
August 14, Belgian patrols encounter German patrols in the road from Sallenelles to Grande Ferme du Buisson (to the southeast). A grenade detonates next to Lieutenant Georges VAN DER VEEN (commander of the 5th Section of the 2nd MU) and he is seriously wounded.
An enemy patrol infiltrates between the 12th Devonshires and the 1st Unit. Lieutenant Jacques WANTY (2nd Section of the 1st MU) receives a bullet in the shoulder while Sgt DEWANDEZ is evacuated to the field hospital. In the 3rd MU, the young Private BASTIN, wounded during a patrol, is captured by Germans. He remains a prisoner for some days but manages to give them the slip and returns to his own lines. The first German prisoners are taken by the Brigade.
On August 17 at dawn, the first divisional Warning Order reaches the Belgian Group. The great day has come. The Belgians are going to attack at 0300hrs Their mission is to seize commanding positions which cover Franceville and Merville. The Colonel orders the 2nd and 3rd Units to send out strong reconnaissance patrols. That of the 2nd finds iteself taken under heavy machine gun fire in the midst of a minefield. The younger REMOORTELE who commands it is killed and two other soldiers are wounded. The patrol succeeds in extricating itself thanks to timely support by the artillery. The patrol of the 3rd Coy proceeds along the coastal road in the direction of Moulin du Buisson, but is stopped by enemy fire only 200 metres beyond the Belgians' advanced positions. At 0710hrs, the Attack Order for the start of 'Operation Paddle' (the offensive to clear the Germans from the land between the Orne and the Seine) arrives at the Brigade HQ.August 21 at 1100hrs, Belgian troops enter Cabourg, on the Dives, though its bridges are destroyed. The colonel sites his tactical HQ there while the 1st Unit crosses the river using various means. The 1st Unit then pushes beyond Houlgate and moves on to Auberville where it collides with a strong German rearguard. A patrol from Lt JACOBS' section, guided by a French patriot, Lt LEFEVRE, is ambushed and is taken under fire by four machine guns. Five men are killed (Cpl BETBEZE and privates BECKAERT, JADON, GURHEM and DE BOECK) as well as the lieutenant LEFEVRE. The chaplain DETHISE, who moved forward to help the dying and wounded, is wounded on his return and is later evacuated. During this time, the engineers work tirelessly, with the assistance of the local populace to establish a passage across the Dives. Some jeeps eventually succeed in crossing the river and succeed in bringing provisions to the advanced units. At 0700hrs, a message arrives from General GALE, the 6th Airborne's Commander: "Congratulations to your advance". In the evening, the attack is led by the 1st Unit which neutralizes the first enemy positions without support of artillery. In the night, this company, strengthened by elements of the 3rd MU and supported by the artillery resumes the attack. Again, the assault is completely successful and the Germans withdraw.On August 22, at dawn, the advance starts again. The light vehicles of the Group are now able to cross the Dives on a bridge built by the Belgian engineers. At 1300hrs, the Belgians enters Villers-sur-Mer where the Group receives a fervent reception from the populace. Everywhere, French, British and Belgian flags flutter, bells ring and the crowd shouts: "Long live Belgium! Thank you! Long live France !". In the evening, Touques is passed and Deauville is liberated. The Belgian Group is the first to have reached this river. General GALE summons Colonel PIRON to his HQ to congratulate him on the rapid progress of his Group. However, the bridges are destroyed and German troops still occupy the Trouville Heights from where they bombard the Belgian positions with mortars and artillery.Two privates of the 1st Unit: ROUCHE and FOURNIER are killed in front of the ruined bridge. The artillery and the heavy vehicles, having crossed the Dives by the heavy bridge in Troarn, arrive in Deauville. The HQ of the Brigade settles down in a farm captured by Belgians.On August 24, at 0830hrs, the Colonel gives the order to recommence the advance and to push aside the enemy. With the bridge over the La Touques destroyed, the infantry crosses on its rubble, carrying weapons and ammunitions while the population brings building materials to the engineers, who hurry to build a bridge capable of taking vehicles. This time, the 3rd Unit forms the avant garde. The advance continues with difficulty. However, German resistance starts to weaken. Numerous prisoners are taken. The Belgian Group is now 8 km ahead of the rest of the division. However, due to the bridging difficulties, the transport and baggage is obviously not able to follow. By the evening, the Belgians is at the gates of Honfleur. It will enter the town the next day.
...
---
From this day till the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered ,we Band Of Brothers Henry V-W.Shakespear
Eendracht maakt Macht !
GO Belgium
|
|
4/30/2004, 11:06 am
|
Send Email to Sgt Eagle
Send PM to Sgt Eagle
|
Sgt Eagle
Head Administrator
Global user
Registered: 04-2004
Posts: 99
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: THE PIRON BRIGADE HISTORY -FOUNDATION
At dawn on August 25, the infantry penetrates deep into Honfleur, but is stopped at Fiquefleur by automatic and antitank fire. The Belgian infantry is soon joined by the the armoured cars of VERHAEGE's Troop, who provide vital supporting fire wih their machine guns.The Germans abandon the Fiquefleur Heights. The pursuit starts again near Berville and Foulbec. There, the avant-garde is stopped by enemy fire from the Heights dominating the Risle Valley.On August 26, General GALE decides to launch the Armoured Car Squadron towards Pont Audemer to cut off the retreat of the German rearguards. At 0815 Hrs, Lieutenant D'OULTREMONT who's mission is to tempt an action on Foulbec's bridge sees that the bridge is destroyed. The Squadron comes under fire from the enemy, who are camouflaged on the heights overlooking the Risle. However, support was on the way, as Colonel PIRON had at dawn, sent the 3rd Motorized Unit out in front of the Group, on the axis Honfleur-Berville-Foulbec. The Unitmoves up through Conteville and arrives at the Squadron's position. However, almost immediately, they come under intense enemy fire. Practically the entire company is pinned down, with some soldiers being wounded. Private MOUCHET is killed here and will be buried in the village.In the evening of August 28, the Belgian Group receives the order to cross the Risle at Pont Audemer and dig-in in Corneville's orchards.On August 31, the Group receives its orders. It will cross the Seine under the protection of the 49th Recce Regiment. It will regroup to the South of Yvetot and will then march on Le Havre and contact the enemy. The crossing of the Seine is made in several places. Three passages by rafts with engines are organized at Caudebec and up-stream. The Armoured cars will cross on the first rafts, just after nightfall. Colonel PIRON accompanies Captain BLOCH, the liaison officer, on the first raft. The operation is very slow and lasts until the evening of the next day.The Squadron arrives at its crossing point at 1800 Hrs, but has to wait for work to be carried out by the British Royal Engineers. At 2100 Hrs, the squadron crosses the Seine at Mailleraye. This operation lasts until 1000hrs on the next day. The Staff crosses at Caudebec at 1100 Hrs, followed by the Artillery Battery. The trains of the Brigade cross via the intact railroad bridge at Rouen, further upstream.On September 1st, the crossing of the Seine having been very slow, it is only at midday that the march on Le Havre can begin. The Armoured Car Squadron spread out and screen the advance of the 1st Motorized Unit. Soon, they reach Bolbec and Harfleur. The Germans have established their outposts along the edge of the deep valley which leads down to the city. However, they are easily overrun. However, the western heights are strongly defended and furnished with concreted bunkers. The Tactical HQ is established between Caudebec and Lillebonne. The motorized units and the artillery are ready to commence the attack when abruptly, the General BARKER meets the Colonel PIRON at about 1800 Hrs. PIRON is given new orders : During the night, the Group will be relieved by the 49th Division and will then group together, ready to move at dawn on the next day.On September 02, Colonel PIRON is summoned to Lyons-la-Foret. In the afternoon, the armoured cars leave Saint-Romans for Yvetot. Colonel PIRON leaves Valliquerville at 11 o'clock. The order is given to move to Arras. The Campaign of Normandy is over...
Sgt Eagle
STORY : The History of the Piron Brigade
---
From this day till the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered ,we Band Of Brothers Henry V-W.Shakespear
Eendracht maakt Macht !
GO Belgium
|
|
4/30/2004, 11:07 am
|
Send Email to Sgt Eagle
Send PM to Sgt Eagle
|
Sgt Eagle
Head Administrator
Global user
Registered: 04-2004
Posts: 99
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
THE PIRON BRIGADE Shoulder Patch
Sgt Eagle
---
From this day till the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered ,we Band Of Brothers Henry V-W.Shakespear
Eendracht maakt Macht !
GO Belgium
|
|
5/31/2004, 12:35 pm
|
Send Email to Sgt Eagle
Send PM to Sgt Eagle
|
Add a reply
Powered by AkBBS 0.9.5b - Link to us
- Blogs
- Hall of Honour
- Chat
Click here to get your own free message board
|
You are not logged in (login)
Board's time is: 10/11/2008, 2:20 pm
|
|
|
