Account by Lieutenant-Colonel J.E. Anderson, Officer Commanding, North Shore Regiment, Given to Historical Officer, 27 September 1944

Anderson, J.E.

English

Scholars Commons

Canadian Military History
Volume 3 | Issue 2 Article 12
4-26-2012
Account of Operations in the Boulogne Area
J.E. Anderson
This Feature is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military
History by an authorized administrator of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, J.E. (1994) "Account of Operations in the Boulogne Area," Canadian Military History: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 12.
Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol3/iss2/12
by Lieutenant-Colonel J .E. Anderson, Officer Commanding, 
North Shore Regiment, Given to Historical Officer, 
27 September 1944 
I 
It had been appreciated from the first that 
the assault on the BOULOGNE fortress would 
have to do more than destroy the main belt of 
defences. Situated as they were in a semicircle 
on the high ground around BOULOGNE, these 
defences certainly represented the chief 
obstacles, but any attack on them would be 
seriously prejudiced by the presence of equally 
strong positions nor th of BOULOGNE — 
especially at LA TRESORERIE. This village 
was the site of a three-gun coastal battery of 
305 mm guns and was of course heavily 
fortified. The strongpoint, while not part of 
the BOULOGNE fortress, could effectively 
intervene in its defence by reason of its 
powerful a rmamen t and its favourable 
position on commanding ground. It offered 
particularly strong support to FORT DE LA 
CRECHE, the northernmost anchor of the 
defensive system. It is doubtful in fact if the 
fort could have been captured so quickly had 
not LA TRESORERIE been previous ly 
eliminated. 
North Shore Regiment was therefore 
committed to an attack on this strongpoint 
before the main assault was launched against 
the BOULOGNE defences proper. It was 
understood also that the battalion would 
continue its more or less independent action 
to remove all opposition from the rectangle 
roughly enclosed by LA TRESORERIE, 
WIMILLE and WIMEREUX. 
The battalion, located in the vicinity of 
MANINGHEN-HENNE, due eas t of i ts 
84 
objectives, prepared to study the situation 
some days prior to the operation. Owing to 
the skilful manner in which all enemy 
positions had been made mutually supporting, 
a further complication came to light. LA 
TRESORERIE was itself supported by enemy 
positions on a feature jus t to the north, the 
PAS DE GAY. This hell overlooked the 
approaches to LA TRESORERIE and its 
capture was rightly interpreted by the CO as 
being the key to a successful attack. 
When therefore on 14 September 1944 a 
patrol worked itself onto the PAS DE GAY the 
CO at once ordered the position reinforced 
and consolidated. It was touch and go for one 
night but ultimately the hill was successfully 
taken. The PAS DE GAY was found to form 
part of the extensive system of observation 
posts throughout the area and was an 
excellent vantage point. It contained a 
junction box of 210 wires, linking all the 
posts, and in enemy hands it might well have 
disrupted an attack on LA TRESORERIE. 
Other patrols set about cleaning up all 
enemy positions outside the wire which 
encircled the principal fortification, so as to 
leave no troublesome outposts. The wire 
itself was carefully studied, the scout platoon 
leader even taking bearings on its depth. 
II 
At 0930 hours, 17 September 1944, the 
attack on LA TRESORERIE was begun, after 
30 minutes of artillery preparation. The 
heavy bombing programme which preceded 
1
Anderson: Operations in the Boulogne Area
Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 1994
The German coastal battery of three 305 mm guns near La Trésorerie north of Boulogne. 
WLU Air Photo 165/3005 
the main assault on BOULOGNE was still in 
progress. "A" Company on the right and "B" 
Company on the left crossed the road between 
WACQUINGHEN and MANINGHEN-HENNE, 
which was the star t l ine, and advanced 
westward, crossing the BOULOGNE-CALAIS 
highway. The ground beyond the highway 
was heavily mined and wired. The wire was 
breached by bangalore torpedoes, but the 
anti-personnel mines caused fairly heavy 
losses. Two platoons of "D" Company on the 
PAS DE GAY had dug in on the south slope to 
give fire support to the assaulting companies. 
The remainder of "D" Company was in 
WACQUINGHEN; "C" Company was in 
MANINGHEN-HENNE. 
The enemy had been surprised by the 
cross-country direction of the attack, which 
he had evidently expected to come in along 
the main highway. The two forward companies 
were able to rush the outer defences on the 
northeast side before coming under fire. The 
20 mm flak guns on the perimeter were not 
even manned. 
When they had got onto the east side of 
the objective "A" and "B" Companies were 
discovered and subjected to a storm of 
a i r b u r s t - 2 0 mm flak from LA TRESORERIE 
itself and 75 mm from WIMILLE. The 20 mm 
fire Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson described 
as most effective against infantry, invariably 
pinning them down. The advance was 
stopped, all movement being impossible. 
Enemy defensive fire tasks were brought down 
over the main road, with such accuracy it was 
hard not to admire. WACQUINGHEN, in 
which advanced Battalion HQ was located, 
was also shelled during the afternoon. 
To assist the forward companies an effort 
was made to bring up the Flails and Crocodiles. 
But such profuse armour-piercing shot met 
them that they were unable to move up the 
hill and had to remain back behind its cover. 
Thus no lanes could be beaten through the 
minefields. The Wasps were not used and two 
were lost by mine explosions. A troop of 
M 10s, however, firing by observation at about 
1,800 yards range from MANINGHEN-HENNE, 
gave excellent direct support, taking on the 
20 mm flak pillboxes which ringed the 
objective. 
At dusk "A" Company pushed forward to 
the northernmost gun-casement and after 
much grenade throwing succeeded in In the 
85 
2
Canadian Military History, Vol. 3 [1994], Iss. 2, Art. 12
http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol3/iss2/12
capturing about half of it. In the other half 
was the power plant, which the enemy 
continued to operate, so that the attackers 
had the luxury of electric light and radio. 
Company HQ had established itself in a house 
nearby but had to vacate it during the night 
when it was set afire by German tracer shells. 
"B" Company in the darkness dug in and 
improved its pos i t ions ; s t rong pa t ro ls 
reconnoitred the casemates and captured the 
battery hospital. The enemy evidently had no 
stomach for night patrols and was easily 
panicked by them. 
During the night carrying par t ies 
crawled up to "A" and "B" Companies to bring 
them food and ammuni t ion . Wireless 
communication with them had ceased, until 
extra batteries arrived with the relief parties. 
18 set communication had been very spotty. 
All in all it was a very unpleasant night. 
The next morning, 18 September 1944, 
"A" Company completed the capture of its 
casemate and cleaned out a smaller gun 
position with PIATs. "B" Company on the left 
pushed ahead again, making much use of 
phosphorus bombs, and the second large gun 
position surrendered. The third fell a little 
later. 
The final task was the clearing of the 
fortified observation posts northwest of the 
hilltop. This was carried out by "B" Company. 
During the afternoon the position was shelled 
from three sides-from WIMILLE, WIMEREUX 
and CAP GRIS NEZ. But there was no further 
trouble with mines. 
The cost had not been light. Both 
companies had gone into the at tack at 
strength; at its conclusion "A" Company 
numbered about 70 men and "B" 60 men. 
They had taken around 450 PW. Throughout 
the rest of the operation these two companies 
remained on LA TRESORERIE hill. 
Stronger fortifications could hardly have 
existed. The casemates had been unshaken 
by heavy bombing. Each on contained a 
complete electric plant and diesel engine, 
which were kept in running order by a few 
prisoners who were retained for the purpose. 
The quarters, well heated and lit, were most 
comfortable. The garrison was nearly all 
German; most of them were marines. Perhaps 
because of the superior facilities of their 
quar ters they looked cleaner and more 
soldierly than the usual prisoners. Their 
ammunition supply was in no way depleted. 
Two views of the No.2 casemate at Battery Lindemann. It is 
believed that the damage to the gun was caused by the premature 
explosion of a round of ammunition. The chainmail screen draped 
over the gun served to protect its crewfrom shrapnel. Note the huge 
crater injront of the "Jake gun" caused by the near miss of an aerial 
bomb. 
CFPU PMR 94-257 & 94-256 
3
Anderson: Operations in the Boulogne Area
Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 1994
There was ample stock of food, which 
might have lasted three months. The battery 
also possessed a dug-in, well-equipped 
hospital. 
III 
The next phase was the capture of 
WIMILLE, which was undertaken the following 
day, 19 September 1944. "C" Company, 
leaving MANINGHEN-HENNE, advanced 
westwards along the road running parallel to 
the WIMEREUX River. Meeting heavy 
opposition from the eastern side of WIMILLE 
the company circled left to the south and 
remained there for the night. Next morning, 
with the assistance of supporting fire by 
M10s, the town was attacked and captured. 
Then AUVRINGHEN was cleared of enemy. 
From this whole area about 465 PW were 
taken. 
IV 
There remained now only the coast town 
of WIMEREUX. In preparation for the attack, 
Bat ta l ion HQ was moved to WIMILLE. 
WIMEREUX was understood to be empty of 
civilians, but the CO believed many still 
remained there. He was therefore loath to 
employ the two AGRAs made available to him, 
and accepted instead only one field regiment 
for support. "C" and "D" Companies were to 
be directed on the town and an early start was 
hoped for. This was impossible, however, 
since "D" Company had to move into position 
from its location on the PAS DE GAY and zero 
hour could thus be set no earlier that 1200 
hours, 21 September 1944. 
As the a t t a c k began , "A" and "B" 
Companies manned the western flak positions 
on LA TRESORERIE hill and fired these light 
German weapons into WIMEREUX. They 
made a terrific noise and served to bolster the 
slight artillery support, without, however, 
smashing the town so extensively. 
"D" Company moved from the PAS DE 
GAY parallel to the railway, crossing it at a 
poin t n o r t h of WIMEREUX, and then 
proceeded south towards WIMEREUX Farm. 
Here they were pinned down in the valley by 
machine-gun fire from the high railway 
embankment along the eastern edge of the 
town. But on the left "C" Company was 
advancing from AUVRINGHEN th rough 
GAZEMETZ and soon took out the fire, 
capturing about 100 PW. Heavier fire came 
also from FORT DE LA CRECHE, to the 
southwest, but did not hold up the advance, 
for "C" Company entered WIMEREUX near 
the railway station. "D" Company, now 
released, crossed the river further east and 
came into the town near the railway bridge. 
Effective close support was given again by 
M 10s positioned in AUBENGUE. 
The capture of WIMEREUX was completed 
on 22 September 1944. The garr ison 
commander, a colonel, had escaped by making 
his way along the beach to FORT DE LA 
CRECHE, where he was soon taken prisoner 
anyway. The rest surrendered. The town's 
principal defences faced seawards and were 
so ex tens ive t h a t L i e u t e n a n t - C o l o n e l 
Anderson considered them impregnable. The 
armament was of various sorts: in addition to 
the numerous 20 mm flak guns, North Shore 
Regiment even came on an aged French "75" 
with wooden wheels, and several huge mortars 
of the spigot type. The usual well-equipped 
hospital, which even contained a radio station, 
was also there. 
The town was thronged with civilians, 
which confirmed the CO's belief and made 
him glad that they had been able to capture 
it without the devastating effect of so much 
artillery. The troops were warmly greeted. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson was of the 
opinion that the prime factor contributing to 
the success of the operation was the fact that 
adequate time had been given to the battalion 
to acquaint itself thoroughly with the nature 
of the task before it. 
87 
4
Canadian Military History, Vol. 3 [1994], Iss. 2, Art. 12
http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol3/iss2/12
The town of Wimereux captured by the North Shore Regiment on 21/22 September 1944. The high railway 
embankment is evident just behind the town. 
WLU Air Photo 165/3002 
88 
5
Anderson: Operations in the Boulogne Area
Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 1994


Account of Operations in the Boulogne Area

Wilfrid Laurier University

Canadian Military HistoryVolume 3 | Issue 2 Article 124-26-2012Account of Operations in the Boulogne AreaJ.E. AndersonThis Feature is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian MilitaryHistory by an authorized administrator of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationAnderson, J.E. (1994) "Account of Operations in the Boulogne Area," Canadian Military History: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 12.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol3/iss2/12by Lieutenant-Colonel J .E. Anderson, Officer Commanding, North Shore Regiment, Given to Historical Officer, 27 September 1944 I It had been appreciated from the first that the assault on the BOULOGNE fortress would have to do more than destroy the main belt of defences. Situated as they were in a semicircle on the high ground around BOULOGNE, these defences certainly represented the chief obstacles, but any attack on them would be seriously prejudiced by the presence of equally strong positions nor th of BOULOGNE — especially at LA TRESORERIE. This village was the site of a three-gun coastal battery of 305 mm guns and was of course heavily fortified. The strongpoint, while not part of the BOULOGNE fortress, could effectively intervene in its defence by reason of its powerful a rmamen t and its favourable position on commanding ground. It offered particularly strong support to FORT DE LA CRECHE, the northernmost anchor of the defensive system. It is doubtful in fact if the fort could have been captured so quickly had not LA TRESORERIE been previous ly eliminated. North Shore Regiment was therefore committed to an attack on this strongpoint before the main assault was launched against the BOULOGNE defences proper. It was understood also that the battalion would continue its more or less independent action to remove all opposition from the rectangle roughly enclosed by LA TRESORERIE, WIMILLE and WIMEREUX. The battalion, located in the vicinity of MANINGHEN-HENNE, due eas t of i ts 84 objectives, prepared to study the situation some days prior to the operation. Owing to the skilful manner in which all enemy positions had been made mutually supporting, a further complication came to light. LA TRESORERIE was itself supported by enemy positions on a feature jus t to the north, the PAS DE GAY. This hell overlooked the approaches to LA TRESORERIE and its capture was rightly interpreted by the CO as being the key to a successful attack. When therefore on 14 September 1944 a patrol worked itself onto the PAS DE GAY the CO at once ordered the position reinforced and consolidated. It was touch and go for one night but ultimately the hill was successfully taken. The PAS DE GAY was found to form part of the extensive system of observation posts throughout the area and was an excellent vantage point. It contained a junction box of 210 wires, linking all the posts, and in enemy hands it might well have disrupted an attack on LA TRESORERIE. Other patrols set about cleaning up all enemy positions outside the wire which encircled the principal fortification, so as to leave no troublesome outposts. The wire itself was carefully studied, the scout platoon leader even taking bearings on its depth. II At 0930 hours, 17 September 1944, the attack on LA TRESORERIE was begun, after 30 minutes of artillery preparation. The heavy bombing programme which preceded 1Anderson: Operations in the Boulogne AreaPublished by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 1994The German coastal battery of three 305 mm guns near La Trésorerie north of Boulogne. WLU Air Photo 165/3005 the main assault on BOULOGNE was still in progress. "A" Company on the right and "B" Company on the left crossed the road between WACQUINGHEN and MANINGHEN-HENNE, which was the star t l ine, and advanced westward, crossing the BOULOGNE-CALAIS highway. The ground beyond the highway was heavily mined and wired. The wire was breached by bangalore torpedoes, but the anti-personnel mines caused fairly heavy losses. Two platoons of "D" Company on the PAS DE GAY had dug in on the south slope to give fire support to the assaulting companies. The remainder of "D" Company was in WACQUINGHEN; "C" Company was in MANINGHEN-HENNE. The enemy had been surprised by the cross-country direction of the attack, which he had evidently expected to come in along the main highway. The two forward companies were able to rush the outer defences on the northeast side before coming under fire. The 20 mm flak guns on the perimeter were not even manned. When they had got onto the east side of the objective "A" and "B" Companies were discovered and subjected to a storm of a i r b u r s t - 2 0 mm flak from LA TRESORERIE itself and 75 mm from WIMILLE. The 20 mm fire Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson described as most effective against infantry, invariably pinning them down. The advance was stopped, all movement being impossible. Enemy defensive fire tasks were brought down over the main road, with such accuracy it was hard not to admire. WACQUINGHEN, in which advanced Battalion HQ was located, was also shelled during the afternoon. To assist the forward companies an effort was made to bring up the Flails and Crocodiles. But such profuse armour-piercing shot met them that they were unable to move up the hill and had to remain back behind its cover. Thus no lanes could be beaten through the minefields. The Wasps were not used and two were lost by mine explosions. A troop of M 10s, however, firing by observation at about 1,800 yards range from MANINGHEN-HENNE, gave excellent direct support, taking on the 20 mm flak pillboxes which ringed the objective. At dusk "A" Company pushed forward to the northernmost gun-casement and after much grenade throwing succeeded in In the 85 2Canadian Military History, Vol. 3 [1994], Iss. 2, Art. 12http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol3/iss2/12capturing about half of it. In the other half was the power plant, which the enemy continued to operate, so that the attackers had the luxury of electric light and radio. Company HQ had established itself in a house nearby but had to vacate it during the night when it was set afire by German tracer shells. "B" Company in the darkness dug in and improved its pos i t ions ; s t rong pa t ro ls reconnoitred the casemates and captured the battery hospital. The enemy evidently had no stomach for night patrols and was easily panicked by them. During the night carrying par t ies crawled up to "A" and "B" Companies to bring them food and ammuni t ion . Wireless communication with them had ceased, until extra batteries arrived with the relief parties. 18 set communication had been very spotty. All in all it was a very unpleasant night. The next morning, 18 September 1944, "A" Company completed the capture of its casemate and cleaned out a smaller gun position with PIATs. "B" Company on the left pushed ahead again, making much use of phosphorus bombs, and the second large gun position surrendered. The third fell a little later. The final task was the clearing of the fortified observation posts northwest of the hilltop. This was carried out by "B" Company. During the afternoon the position was shelled from three sides-from WIMILLE, WIMEREUX and CAP GRIS NEZ. But there was no further trouble with mines. The cost had not been light. Both companies had gone into the at tack at strength; at its conclusion "A" Company numbered about 70 men and "B" 60 men. They had taken around 450 PW. Throughout the rest of the operation these two companies remained on LA TRESORERIE hill. Stronger fortifications could hardly have existed. The casemates had been unshaken by heavy bombing. Each on contained a complete electric plant and diesel engine, which were kept in running order by a few prisoners who were retained for the purpose. The quarters, well heated and lit, were most comfortable. The garrison was nearly all German; most of them were marines. Perhaps because of the superior facilities of their quar ters they looked cleaner and more soldierly than the usual prisoners. Their ammunition supply was in no way depleted. Two views of the No.2 casemate at Battery Lindemann. It is believed that the damage to the gun was caused by the premature explosion of a round of ammunition. The chainmail screen draped over the gun served to protect its crewfrom shrapnel. Note the huge crater injront of the "Jake gun" caused by the near miss of an aerial bomb. CFPU PMR 94-257 & 94-256 3Anderson: Operations in the Boulogne AreaPublished by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 1994There was ample stock of food, which might have lasted three months. The battery also possessed a dug-in, well-equipped hospital. III The next phase was the capture of WIMILLE, which was undertaken the following day, 19 September 1944. "C" Company, leaving MANINGHEN-HENNE, advanced westwards along the road running parallel to the WIMEREUX River. Meeting heavy opposition from the eastern side of WIMILLE the company circled left to the south and remained there for the night. Next morning, with the assistance of supporting fire by M10s, the town was attacked and captured. Then AUVRINGHEN was cleared of enemy. From this whole area about 465 PW were taken. IV There remained now only the coast town of WIMEREUX. In preparation for the attack, Bat ta l ion HQ was moved to WIMILLE. WIMEREUX was understood to be empty of civilians, but the CO believed many still remained there. He was therefore loath to employ the two AGRAs made available to him, and accepted instead only one field regiment for support. "C" and "D" Companies were to be directed on the town and an early start was hoped for. This was impossible, however, since "D" Company had to move into position from its location on the PAS DE GAY and zero hour could thus be set no earlier that 1200 hours, 21 September 1944. As the a t t a c k began , "A" and "B" Companies manned the western flak positions on LA TRESORERIE hill and fired these light German weapons into WIMEREUX. They made a terrific noise and served to bolster the slight artillery support, without, however, smashing the town so extensively. "D" Company moved from the PAS DE GAY parallel to the railway, crossing it at a poin t n o r t h of WIMEREUX, and then proceeded south towards WIMEREUX Farm. Here they were pinned down in the valley by machine-gun fire from the high railway embankment along the eastern edge of the town. But on the left "C" Company was advancing from AUVRINGHEN th rough GAZEMETZ and soon took out the fire, capturing about 100 PW. Heavier fire came also from FORT DE LA CRECHE, to the southwest, but did not hold up the advance, for "C" Company entered WIMEREUX near the railway station. "D" Company, now released, crossed the river further east and came into the town near the railway bridge. Effective close support was given again by M 10s positioned in AUBENGUE. The capture of WIMEREUX was completed on 22 September 1944. The garr ison commander, a colonel, had escaped by making his way along the beach to FORT DE LA CRECHE, where he was soon taken prisoner anyway. The rest surrendered. The town's principal defences faced seawards and were so ex tens ive t h a t L i e u t e n a n t - C o l o n e l Anderson considered them impregnable. The armament was of various sorts: in addition to the numerous 20 mm flak guns, North Shore Regiment even came on an aged French "75" with wooden wheels, and several huge mortars of the spigot type. The usual well-equipped hospital, which even contained a radio station, was also there. The town was thronged with civilians, which confirmed the CO's belief and made him glad that they had been able to capture it without the devastating effect of so much artillery. The troops were warmly greeted. Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson was of the opinion that the prime factor contributing to the success of the operation was the fact that adequate time had been given to the battalion to acquaint itself thoroughly with the nature of the task before it. 87 4Canadian Military History, Vol. 3 [1994], Iss. 2, Art. 12http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol3/iss2/12The town of Wimereux captured by the North Shore Regiment on 21/22 September 1944. The high railway embankment is evident just behind the town. WLU Air Photo 165/3002 88 5Anderson: Operations in the Boulogne AreaPublished by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 1994

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1416&amp;context=cmh

Account of Operations in the Boulogne Area

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Scholars Commons

Wilfrid Laurier University