East Yorkshire Regiment Living History Group: Blonde Bombshells of 1943

Saturday, 2 June 2007

Blonde Bombshells of 1943

Members of the East Yorkshire Regiment LHG added to the 1940's atmosphere in the foyer prior to and during intermission of the most entertaining and enjoyable production of the Blonde Bombshells of 1943 at the Grand Opera House in York.

The Group

The East Yorks are one of the longest serving British Infantry re-enactment groups in the UK. We attend living history events mainly in the north and the midlands areas. The main focus of the group is the north-west European campaign of 1944/45 whilst also having the ability to display the East Yorks from the early war period. The group has been involved with many major events around the country including Kirkby Hall and Dover Castle. We have also put on displays for the Normandy Veterans Association.

As a group we have a vast collection of period uniforms, weaponry, field equipment, period tentage, cooking equipment and vehicles, all of which are used in our events. We also have a number of ATS personnel within the group to show the valuable role played by women in WW2.

We are in regular contact with a number of 2nd Battalion WW2 East Yorks veterans who support our aims in keeping their old regiment in the public eye. We have the privilege to be able to use Elvington Air Museum, near York, as a base to carry out drill and training events.

We are a friendly bunch and always on the look out for like-minded people to join us. Why not come along and give it a try. Don’t worry if you don't have any kit, we usually have spare kit to lend to prospective members.

Membership costs £25 a year for a full member which covers public liability insurance and six bi-monthly issues of our newsletter (The Snapper). Please contact: Dave Hebden Tel: 01756 792618 Email: dave1944 @ hotmail.co.uk.

The 2nd Battalion East Yorks 1939-1945

At the outbreak of war the Battalion was in Plymouth having recently returned from Palestine. They were mobilised on the 7th of September 1939.

The 2nd Battalion formed part of the 3rd Infantry Division. In 1940 they went to France as part of the BEF and, when the time came, fell back to the beaches of La Panne in good order. They were one of the last Battalions to be evacuated.

Following evacuation the Battalion spent time preparing defences on the south coast of England before being chosen to form part of the new “Field Army”. Intense combined operations training followed which saw the Battalion earmarked for the Dieppe raid. Fortunately for the Yorkshire men, the Canadians undertook the raid.

Eventually the threat of invasion receded and thoughts turned to the liberation of Europe. The Battalion was selected for an “Assault Operation” (this would turn out to be D-Day) . They went to Scotland to undertake training in beach assault and it is said that the training they received has no parallel in British military history.

On the 6th of June 1944 the Battalion took part in Operation Overlord and, although suffering many casualties, took all their objectives - see separate piece.

The Battalion continued to fight with distinction all the way through the Normandy Campaign, then on into Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany. Their attack on Bremen being the last action of the campaign for the 2nd Battalion.

The Battalion spent VE day in Westphalia where they were employed on occupational duties.

The above is a very brief history of the Battalion in WW2 and can not reflect adequately the hardships and suffering endured by the Battalion during the separate actions in which they were employed.

The East Yorks on D-Day

Between 0430 - 0600hrs the assault landing craft were lowered from the Empire Battleaxe and HMS Glenearn. Just after 0600hrs the seven mile journey to the beaches began. At 0725hrs the East Yorks landed on Queen Red beach where heavy mortar, machine gun and artillery fire were encountered.

A and B companies supported by tanks were to break through the beach obstacles.

A company, along with C company of the 1st Battalion South Lancs, would attack and eliminate the Strong Point Cod. This consisted of: One 75mm gun, two 50mm anti-tank guns, three 81mm mortars, a 37mm gun and 5 machine gun posts.

B company were to move inland and assault Strong Point Sole with C company in support.

The next task was to attack and eliminate the Daimler Battery, a heavily defended gun battery with four 75mm guns capable of firing onto the invasion beaches. This was the main responsibility of D and C companies supported by tanks of the 13/18 Hussars.

Strong Point Cod was taken by 1000hrs and Sole was overrun by 1300hrs. Daimler Battery was put out of action by 1800hrs with little loss and 70 prisoners in the bag.

The East Yorks continued on to the village of St Aubin d’Arquenay. They were relieved by the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. The East Yorks spent the night in a cornfield near Hermanville.

By the end of the day the East Yorks had lost 5 officers and 60 men killed, and 4 officers and 137 men wounded.

Some of the events planned for 2010

Pickering Castle English Heritage - 16/17th October
Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway September 11th and 12th
Victory Show, Cosby, Leicestershire September 4th and 5th
Elvington Village Hall Fund Raising Dance July 22nd
Kelmarsh Hall, Leicestershire July 17th and 18th
Leeds Town Hall Veteran's Day June 26th
Richmond Castle English Heritage 19/20th June
Scarborough Castle - English Heritage 29/30/31st May Sat,Sun,Mon - Bank Holiday)
Howarth May 15th and 16th
Wings and Wheels, Yorkshire Air Museum May 8th and 9th
Ryedale Folk Museum, Yorkshire April 3rd to 4th (Easter 2010 two days only) Wings and Wheels
Yorkshire Air Museum March 20th Saturday

East Yorkshire Regiment Living History Group

The East Yorkshire Regiment Living History Group

Saturday, 2 June 2007

Blonde Bombshells of 1943

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The 2nd Battalion East Yorks 1939-1945

The East Yorks on D-Day

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