SGT. L. F. Bond, 53rd Welsh Div TA Div Signals

**Paul D** · 02-23-2013, 12:53 AM

Must admit i couldn't work out the L of C Jerry , nice to see he was with the Gunner AA Regiments !!

**Totenhead** · 02-23-2013, 01:31 AM

by Paul E

I've been researching the Battle of the Reichswald Jerry and 53 Welsh Div were heavily involved there in early 1945 doing most of the fighting inside the notorious forest itself !

Talking of the Reichswald, here is a picture for your interest

**sandgroper** · 02-23-2013, 01:35 AM

Great stuff Jerry! It's very nice having that family connection to these historic events, it becomes very personal then.

**Totenhead** · 02-23-2013, 01:45 AM

Another picture FYI, I think the picture says it all

**Paul D** · 02-23-2013, 11:29 AM

The Reichswald Battle was fought in terrible conditions as the photos indicate and against very stiff German resistance , both sides realised the importance of the Battle as it would turn the flank of the Siegfreid Line and allow the British to move up to the Rhine , a preliminary for the Rhine Crossing in late March 1945.

This isn't a forgotten Battle but is one whcih hasn't been widely covered by Historians but the combat was as savage as any on the Western Front.

A good book about it Jerry , one of the few , is Battle of the Reichswald by Peter Elstob ( Purnells Battle book series no 16 )

**Danmark** · 02-23-2013, 11:49 AM

by Jerry B

Seems a good place to post my fathers medals, cap badge and the two pictures of him in the desert,though I have shown there before.

Leather jerkins and the hot desert - the vino must have gone down a treat!!!!
Cheers, Dan

**Jerry B** · 02-23-2013, 12:01 PM

by Danmark

Leather jerkins and the hot desert - the vino must have gone down a treat!!!!
Cheers, Dan

It gets very cold in the desert Dan, especially at night and jerkins and private purchase goat skin coats were all the rage and you see them in woolly jumpers and greatcoats on a regular basis, though large quantities of alcohol probably helped.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 02-23-2013, 12:06 PM

Excellent news!

Cheers, Ade.

**Jerry B** · 02-23-2013, 12:09 PM

by Adrian Stevenson

Excellent news!

Cheers, Ade.

Thanks Ade, it was a long wait, but worth it in the end. The biggest surprise, though I should have worked it out was that he was with the 53rd Welsh division for most of his service before and during the first half of the war.

**4md** · 02-23-2013, 12:34 PM

Its always fun trying to decipher military abbrieviations, good luck Jerry, its great to have this information and to know where family members served.

regards Paul