Dissertation research Combined Operations, Army & RM Commandos / 30 Cdo / COPPs

I should add that it it Neustadt in Holstein.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks for clarifying Neudstadt in Holstein..

I believe this may be the modern day site of that photo which is Market Place Neustadt in Holstein. The Volksbank has obviously been rebuilt but the Karl Will building looks very similar from the first floor and roof.

Regards Vic

Vic,

Thanks for the reply, I'm just going through the process of applying for his records so hopefully I can find out where and with which unit he served. I didn't know he was with them either. Thanks for taking the time to search through and find it.

I went down to the IWM last Monday and found a radio log book of the radio operator attached to 30 AU. It details a lot of information about collected intelligence and was very useful so I've started to get somewhere now.

Jim

Hi Jim,

No worries, glad to be of some assistance.

Regarding the photo, I suspect there is a mixture of Signals and other Commandos in that particular shot. The Signals cap badge adapted for the Commandos is quite distinctive and I can see a lot of the men have that but there appears to be various other cap badges being worn. From what I understand No 6 was in that area and were probably supported by No 1 Commando Brigade Signal Troop so I'm guessing that's what we have in that photo but cannot be certain.

From a Signals perspective it can get a bit confusing as the men were often aligned to different Commandos both Army and Royal Marine. My Father started in No 2 Special Service Brigade Signals supporting No 2 Commando in Italy then appeared to be transferred to No 1 Commando Brigade Signal troop supporting both No 6 and 45RM at some point post D-Day.

As Nick mentioned, getting the service records is the best way to ID the movements, sometimes you're lucky with the information that comes back as I have seen some records with a lot of specific detail although the records for my Dad were not detailed and just a high level which is a bit frustrating and has led me to search deeper. I wouldn't give up though, after being a member of this site for years and reviewing most of the content a bunch of photos turned up that had my Dad in them and it was worth the wait.

Regards Vic