152 Brigade   [ Content Tag Results ]

1. [ history ]

WWI
1914 - 1919

A brief outline of 51st (Highland) Division in the First World War 1914 - 1919

2. [ history ]

Battle of Ancre
Nov 1916

A description of the battle of Ancre in November 1916 which, for the 51st Highland Division, will be remembered as the Battle of Beaumont Hamel.

4. [ history ]

Mobilisation & WWII
Late 1938 - Jan 1940

From the "call out" of the TA in late 1938 to embarkation at Southampton for Le Havre in January 1940.

5. [ history ]

Reformation
1940 - 1942

After St. Valery, the remainder of the 51st Highland Division joined the 9th Highland Division, a territorial 2nd line duplicate of the 51HD (amongst other smaller Battalions) to form the new 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. This reformed division had the following orders of Battle...

7. [ history ]

Battle of El Alamein
Oct 1942

Montgomery was determined to attack the enemy using his infantry to create a gap and then push the armour through the gap created. The area for this was not the weaker sector in the south but the stronger part of the enemy position in the North. 30 Corps were to execute this attaching on a frontage four divisions wide...

8. [ history ]

In Pursuit
Nov 1942 - Jan 1943

After El Alamein the 51st Highland Division were in pursuit of Rommel and the retreating forces from Tubruk to Misurata

10. [ history ]

Wadi Akarit
Apr 1943

The battle of Wadi Akarit took place in a narrow coastline strip between the sea and the coastal towns of Gabes and El Hamma. Between these was the Gabes gap. The Wadi Akarit ran across the gap at the coastal end and to the Roumana Ridge inland and to the west. This area was the objective for the 51st Highland Division...

11. [ history ]

The Landing
10th July 1943

Initial phase of Op. Huskey - the landing at Sicily, 10th July 1943

13. [ history ]

Sferro Hills
Jul/Aug 1943

Description of the Battle for the Sferro Hills, late July - early August 1943

14. [ public ]

152 Brigade in Sicily
August 1943

Two photos (and description) of 152 Light Aid Detachment in Sicily during the stand down in the Catania area prior to embarkation to the UK.

16. [ history ]

The Landing
Early June 1944

A summary of the landing of the Brigades at Normandy between 5th June - 10th June 1944

17. [ history ]

The Triangle
June-July 1944

after initial operations by 5th Black Watch against the area of Douvres, 153 Brigade followed by 152 Brigade crossed the Orne to operated to the east of the Orne and north east of Caen centred on an area known as the Triangle...

19. [ history ]

Operation Totalise
6-10 Aug 1944

The 51st Highland Division was placed under command of the Canadian Corps and on 6th August moved forward to begin the operation called Operation Totalise. The attack began on the night of the 7th August and when the operation ended on the 10th August the 51st Highland Division had secured all its objectives.

20. [ history ]

Return to St. Valéry
Sep 1944

With the "Breakout" battle complete the 51st Highland Division has several days to recover before the advance continued. From Lisieux they advanced East crossing the Seine dealing with the enemy rear guard. The intention was to isolate the port of Le Havre... and on to St. Valéry.

22. [ history ]

Operation Colin
23rd Oct 1944

51st Highland Division with 7th Armoured, 15th Scottish, 33rd Armoured and 53rd Welsh Divisions formed the 12th Corps charged with this task. The Battle of Maas, Operation Colin, would start on the 23rd October for the Division. On the previous day 53rd Welsh and 7th Armoured Divisions would clear the area to the east between Zuid Willems Canal and s'Hertogenbosck and the day after the 51st Highland Division attack, 15th Scottish Division on the left would capture Tilburg and push north.

23. [ history ]

The "Island"
4-6th Nov 1944

The 53rd Division had been task with the operation to clear the "Island" were moved to support the US sector against a German counterattack and the task was given to 51st Highland Division. The "Island" was west of s'Hertogenbosch and was about six miles long and four miles deep formed between the Afwaterings canal and the River Maas.

25. [ public ]

152 Inf. Brig. HQ at "CASTLE EMBOURG"
December 1944

Scanned document kindly sent to us by Georges Laloux in December 2009 showing Officers from 152nd Infantry Brigade H.Q. [Seaforth Highlanders] who stayed in "Embourg Castle" during December 1944 and the Ardennes Campaign.

26. [ history ]

Ardennes
Battle of the Bulge
Dec 1944 - Jan 1945

Just before Christmas 1944 the GOC took his commanders to carry out a reconnaissance for the next phase of operations - clearing the Germans from the River Maas to the River Rhine, which would commence in the new year. However, news of the German counter attack in the Ardennes (which became known as the Battle of the Bulge) now changed the plans and 51st Highland Division were ordered south...

28. [ history ]

Ronchamps
10th Jan 1945

On 10th January 152 Brigade moved through 153 Brigade with the task of pushing across the Marche - La Roche road and on to take Ronchamps thus covering the right flank of the divisional advance down the Ourthe valley.

29. [ history ]

Reichswald
Op. Veritable
Feb 1945

After the defeat of the German Ardennes offensive the 51st Highland Division returned to Holland to recommence offensive operations. Operation Veritable was the code name for the operation which would clear the Germans from the ground between the parallel rivers of the Maas and the Rhine and drive them back over the latter.

31. [ history ]

Hekkens
10-11 Feb 1945

The town of Hekkens on the southern edge of the Reichswald lay on the important intersection of the Gennep-Cleve and Kessel-Goch roads. It was also on the Siegfried Line and was therefore heavily defended with pill boxes. The town also sat on the proposed corps axis and therefore had to be cleared.

32. [ history ]

Goch
19th Feb 1945

Goch was planned as the Divisions final objective in Operation Veritable. The task fell to 153 Brigade...

34. [ history ]

Rhine Crossing
Operation Plunder
Mar 1945

The Operation to cross the Rhine was to be called Operation Plunder. The Plan for Operation Plunder was to cross on a two corps front with 51st Highland division on the left leading 30 Corps. The Divisional objectives on the other side of the Rhine were Honnepel and Rees.

35. [ public ]

Palthe's Rhine Crossing
Mar '45

A set of photos taken by B.R. van Wulfften Palthe, interpreter attached to 152 Int. Brig. showing scenes from his crossing of the Rhine during Operation Plunder. Presumed to be with the 5th Seaforth at dawn on the 25 Mar '45.

1. [ extract ]

152 BRIGADE’S ATTACK ON BEAUMONT-HAMEL
Extract from "The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent" by Derek Bird

An extract from Derek Bird's "The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent" detailing 152 Brigade's attack on Beaumont-Hamel, 13 NOV 1916.

2. [ account ]

Brigadier James Oliver
A short biography from 'The Red Hackle'

Brigadier James Oliver : A short biography - an extract from 'The Red Hackle' - the Regimental magazine of The Black Watch.

4. [ extract ]

Divison Brigade Commanders WW2
1940 - 1945

Battalions and Commanders within 152, 153 and 154 Brigades during France 1940, North Africa 1942-43, Sicily 1943 and North West Europe 1944-45, sourced from "Battalion" by Alastair Borthwick.

5. [ extract ]

Order of Battle - 51HD
The B.E.F. 1940

Order of Battle of the 51st Highland Division in the B.E.F. 1940

7. [ account ]

Movements leaving Lille
April 1940

Account of the "Movements of 51 Div. and Attached Tps. since leaving Lille Area" [April 1940].

Provided by Mr Michael Thomson of Perth who provided various artefacts from his Uncle, Major David K Thomson, who was in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) in the Divisional Supply Regiment.

8. [ extract ]

Attack on Abbeville Bridgehead
4th June 1940

Extract relating to the Attack on Abbeville Bridgehead on 4 Jun 1940 from "THE FIGHTING IN THE SAAR AND SOUTH OF THE SOMME" prepared by the Historical Section of the Cabinet.

10. [ account ]

51st (H) Recce. Reg. at El Alamein
24th October 1942

An account of the bloody shelling at El Alamein on the 24th October 1942 from the 51st (Highland) Reconnaisance Regiment; an extract from 'A Brief History of 51st (H) Reconnaissance Regiment (1941 -1943) and its Involvement in the Desert Campaign', produced as a pamphlet in 1991

11. [ account ]

Operation Supercharge
El Alamein, North Africa, October 1942

A Description of Operation Supercharge, El Alamein, North Africa, October 1942.

13. [ account ]

MAJOR ANDREWS, 5TH SEAFORTH, WADI AKARIT
6th April 1943

An account of the operation to take a ridge called Djebel Roumana at Wadi Akarit on 6th April 1943. This account is taken from "OPERATION SCIPIO - THE 8TH ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF THE WADI AKARIT" by kind permission of the author B. S. Barnes.

14. [ op order ]

Op. Order No. 76 (Sferro, Sicily)
Sferro, Sicily, 24th July 1943

51st Highland Division Operation Order No. 76, Sferro, Sicily (24th July 1943)

16. [ account ]

Sicily - 128th Field Reg. Account
31st July 1943

A description from the History of 128th (Highland) Field Regiment R.A of the BATTLES FOR GERBINI, SFERRO HILLS, CATANIA PLAIN AND BIANCAVILLA.

17. [ op order ]

Operation Order No. 1 - Overlord
Normandy Landing, June 1944

Extract (table) taken from Operation Order No. 1 - Overlord (The Normandy Landing, June 1944)

19. [ account ]

THE ATTACK ON LE HAVRE
September 1944

An Account of the attack on Le Havre (September 1944), taken from "History of the 7th Aryglls" by Ian C Cameron.

20. [ account ]

Attack on St. Michels Gestel and Vught
October 1944

Account of the Attack on St. Michels Gestel and Vught - taken from "The History of the 7th Argylls" by Captain Ian C Cameron

22. [ op order ]

152 Brigade Op. Order No.12 - OPERATION 'VERITABLE'
Reichswald, 4th February 1945

Operation Order No. 12 (Operation 'Veritable') listed in full - dated 4th February 1945 (Reichswald)

23. [ account ]

Attack on Goch, 5 Black Watch
Goch, Reichswald, 18th February 1945

John McGregor's account of the attack on Goch (Reichswald) by 5th Black Watch on the 18th February 1945 - taken from "The Spirit of Angus" by John McGregor.

25. [ account ]

154 Brigade - Operation Plunder - Rhine Crossing
March 1945

An account of 154 Brigade's crossing of the Rhine in Operation Plunder, March 1945. This extract is taken from the 154 Brigade History.

26. [ account ]

Extracts from Op Plunder Planning Notes
Rhine Crossing, March 1945

Notes written on the experience of a Battalion which took part in the clearing to two large towns during Operation Plunder (Rhine Crossing) March 1945.

28. [ account ]

Advance to Bremen - Div COMD's Policy
10th April 1945

DIV COMD's Policy from McMillan (Major General Commanding) 10 April 1945 (Victory in Europe, 1945)

29. [ op order ]

Op Instr. No 60, May 1945
3 May 1945

Dated 3 May 1945, this is the last Divisional Operation Instruction before the German surrender.

1. [ photo ]

Solider of the Seaforth Highlanders, c.1914
c. 1914/15

A solider of the Seaforth Highlanders. Sutherland and Caithness. 152 Brigade. (c. 1914/15)

2. [ photo ]

Beaumont Hamel Diagram
152 Brigade Attack, 13 November 1916

Map / Diagram showing the 152 Brigade Attack on Beaumont Hamel on 13 November 1916 during the Battle of Ancre.

4. [ photo ]

Diagram El Alamein Operations
October 1942, North Africa

Diagram of the area of operations of 152 Brigade at El Alamein, North Africa, October 1942.

5. [ photo ]

152 Brigade, Sicily, 1943
Sicily, 1943

Presumed to be 152 Brigade in Sicily during the stand down in the Catania area prior to embarkation to the UK. Kindly sent to us by H Jemmeson who's Father, Edward Jemmeson, W.O.1 ASM with REME placed in the 152 Light Aid Detachment attached to 152 Brigade of 51st Highland Division for the Africa, Sicily and D-Day campaigns. E Jemmeson is third from far left bottom row in this photo.

7. [ photo ]

Palthe, Eindhoven Nov 1944
On Leave, Eindhoven, Nov 1944

Photograph of Bert R. van Wulfften Palthe on leave from Corps. Tolken, visiting his family in Eindhoven. Believed to have been taken in Nov '44 by Bert's Wife as another photo from this same occasion reads "In November, me too in service, for the first time on leave at home".

8. [ photo ]

Embourg Near Miss
Dec '44

Four small craters left in the snow from 'near misses' can be seen around a Command Car. Photo taken by B.R. van Wullften Palthe, an interpreter attached to 152 Brig. who was staying at Chateaux Piedboeuf ("Castle Embourg") which was used as 152 Brig. HQ during the winter of 1944.

10. [ photo ]

2nd Seaforth, Reichswald Forest, 11th Feb 1945
11th Feb 1945

Men of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders advancing through the Reichswald Forest. In close support of them are flame throwing Churchill Tanks. So far no heavy concrete emplacements have been encountered so the flame throwers have not been in action but they advance with the forward troops so they can be called on for instantaneous action. 152 Brigade. Sgt Silverside 11 February 1945

11. [ photo ]

152 HQ at rest nr Mook
March 1945

This photos shows 152 Brig. HQ at rest near Mook prior to Operation Plunder and the Rhine-Crossing, March 1945.

13. [ photo ]

At rest nr Mook (reverse)
At rest nr. Mook, 1945

This is the handwritten annotation on the reverse of a photo taken by Bertold R. van Wulfften Palthe, an interpreter attached to 152 Brig.

The caption reads "HQ 152 Inf. Brig. 51st (Highland) Division, 2nd Army, at rest near Mook before Rhine-crossing. Which I served as Interpreter from Oct/Nov 1944 until 17/18 April, when I was wounded near Bremen."

14. [ photo ]

HD 81 Sign
Reichswald, Mar '45

Taken by B.R. van Wullften Palthe, Corps. Tolken (Interpreter) attached to 152 Brig. in March 1945. The handwritten caption reads "This is a typical scene in Reichswald" (translated).

16. [ photo ]

Nijmegen Pipes & Drums 2
Nijmegen, March 1945

Annotation reads "[Beating the] Retreat by the 51st Highland Division massed Pipes & Drums at Nijmegen, 2nd March 1945, in commemoration of losses in Ardennes and Reichswald"

The photo, one of a series, was taken by B.R. van Wulfften Palthe at Goffert Stadion, Nijmegen.

17. [ photo ]

Palthe, Rhine, #1
23rd March 1945

Photo taken by B.R. van Wolfften Palthe, Interpreter attached to 152 Brig. The annotation reads "At the radio car we heard on 24-3-45 (Bert'jes birth-date) "Our troops this morning crossed the Rhine"." (Bert was Palthe's second Son who was born on that same day but he would not meet him for several months due to being injury by shrapnel on 17/18 April 1945.

19. [ photo ]

Palthe, Rhine, #2
Rhine Crossing, Mar 45

Annotation reads "And here we go in the Buffalo". Taken by B.R. van Wulfften Palthe, Interpreter attached to 152 Brig., as he crossed the Rhine, 23 Mar '45.

20. [ photo ]

Palthe, Rhine, #3
Rhine Crossing, Mar 45

Annotation reads "led by the skipper" and forms part of a series of photos taken by B.R. van Wulfften Palthe as he crossed the Rhine with 152 Brig. The full annotation across the series reads "And here we go in the Buffalo, led by the skipper, to Rees, with many other Ducks who quite far apart, also are crossing to the eastern shore."

22. [ photo ]

Palthe, Rhine, #5
23 Mar 45

Part of a series taken by B.R. van Wulfften Palthe as he crossed the Rhine with 152 Brig. In full, the annotation reads "And here we go in the Buffalo, led by the skipper, to Rees, with many other Ducks who quite far apart, also are crossing to the eastern shore."

23. [ photo ]

Palthe, Rhine, #6
March 1945

Annotation reads "... also are crossing" and forms part of a series of photos taken by B.R. van Wulfften Palthe as he crossed the Rhine with 152 Brig. The full annotation across the series reads "And here we go in the Buffalo, led by the skipper, to Rees, with many other Ducks who, quite far apart, also are crossing to the eastern shore."

25. [ photo ]

Palthe, Rhine, #8
Rhine Crossing, Mar 45

Taken by B.R. van Wulfften Palthe as he crossed the Rhine with 152 Brig. Shows an amphibious armoured vehicle crossing a short distance the "Buffalo" in which Palthe crossed. The full annotation reads "And here we go in the Buffalo, led by the skipper, to Rees, with many other Ducks who, quite far apart, also are crossing to the eastern shore."

26. [ photo ]

Palthe, Rhine, #9
Rhine Crossing, Mar 45

"Big heavy pads are required in order to hold the load when climbing out." Taken by B.R. van Wofften Palthe, crossing the Rhine with 152 Brig.