Hi all - i am starting to research the crew of a Churchill crocodile of the 141st (7th Battalion The Buffs) RAC, commanded by Lt. N.E. Harvey, whom were executed by german forces on the 26.6.44 near Tilly, Normandy. Any info would be very much appreciated, thanks
Hi pompadour1. My Grandfather fought with the regiment. He was in B Squadron. I have recently started a thread on this, which may interest you. I have details of what you are after, however I need to find the relevant stuff and I am just off out for the day! I will get back to you if not this evening, then tomorrow. Kind Regards - grahame.
Lieutenant Norman Edward Harvey is commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial. His date of death is given as 26th June 1944. As a member of 'A' Squadron 141 RAC (The Buffs) they were placed under command of 8 Corps. They became involved in operation Epsom with 31 Tank Brigade. Their objectives, La Gaulle & Cheux. Lt Harvey was engaged in assisting the 6 Royal Scots Fusiliers of 44 Brigade to clear St Mauvieu. Initially everything went well, flaming the houses one by one, having the obvious effect on the Germans inside. All through the night the fires became a landmark. However one strongpoint became a problem. A large house and courtyard, surrounded by walls, shrubs and trees. It became basically a problem to get the Crocodiles within the 80 yards they required to flame. There was only room for one tank to flame, whilst the rest covered him with fire. Lt Harvey whilst trying to get access to the courtyard, had shed a track, becoming stranded. The infantry had disappeared into the undergrowth, having suffered heavy casualties. It was clear that without Infantry, the strongpoint could not be cleared. The rest of the day, Captain Strachan in command of 4 & 5 Troop tried to find Infantry to help him finish the job and extricate Harvey. Each time he succeeded in finding the Infantry and making a plan, they were whisked away and a new battalion relieved them! Finally the Wiltshires moved in and a company attack was promised for the next morning with mortars and artillery, but nothing could be done that night. By now it was almost dark and the Germans had slipped back in strength all around the strongpoint -there was nothing else to do but move the Crocodiles to a laager. The following morning, the attack went in with complete success, but there was no sign of Harvey and his crew. It would appear he and his crew had been taken prisoner. It is reported in the 'Historical Records of the Buffs' that a Trooper G. Pepper escaped some 10 months later, however I know of no other details of him etc. I believe that there was a private chronicle written of 'A' squadron? I have not seen it, or know if it has any relevant details within. There are the names including Harvey of 8 members of 'A' Squadron on the Bayeux memorial. Of these, I know not the names of Harvey's crew. I hope that helps. I know the following day (27/6/44) my Grandfather and two of his crew found themselves 'bailed out' behing German lines. They were lucky to make their way back, albeit one was to be killed by mortar fire upon reaching 'safety' Please let me know how you get on with your investigations.
