2nd Lt
David James Davies
Informatie over geboorte
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Geboortedatum: 01/08/1897 |
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Geboorteplaats: Speen, Berkshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk |
Algemene Informatie
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Beroep: Student |
Informatie legerdienst
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Land: Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Strijdmacht: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rang: Second Lieutenant |
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Service nummer: / |
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Dienstneming datum: 20/12/1915 |
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Dienstneming plaats: Oxford, Oxfordshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Eenheden: — Tank Corps, 3rd Bn. (Laatst gekende eenheid) |
Informatie over overlijden
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Datum van overlijden: 31/07/1917 |
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Plaats van overlijden: Frost House, België |
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Doodsoorzaak: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Leeftijd: 19 |
Gedenkplaats
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Paneel: 56N |
Onderscheidingen en medailles 2
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British War Medal Medaille — 07/03/1922 |
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Victory Medal Medaille — 07/03/1922 |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Geboorteplaats | ||
| #2 | Dienstneming plaats |
Mijn verhaal
2nd Lieutenant David James Davies served as Commander of the Tank “Cyprus” in the Tank Corps, 3rd Battalion also known as “C” Battalion, part of the 3rd Tank Corps Brigade. The 3rd Brigade of the Tank Corps participated in the Battle of Pilckem (31 July – 2 August), the opening stage of the Third Battle of Ypres. It was to support the attack of the 15th Infantry Division, which was to capture the Frezenberg Heights, West of the village of Zonnebeke.
At 3.50 a.m. both men and Tanks moved forward behind a massive allied artillery barrage. The German front line fell at once and the going was fairly easy. Little resistance was encountered and the most difficult obstacle for the Tanks proved to be the marshy terrain. The more they advanced the worse the terrain. The ground was honey-combed with shell holes and the ground was sodden from the rainwater. Many Tanks got stuck in the mud and became an easy prey for German guns and low-flying aeroplanes. Although the German infantry was barely present, as most units were falling back to better defensive positions, the German artillery was fairly active and became increasingly so.
2nd Lieutenant David James Davies and several other Tanks supported the attack of the 45th Brigade of the 15th Division. They were designated to help and assist the 485th Brigade to capture the second objective, a.k.a. the Green Line. When advancing to the Green Line the Infantry met determined resistance. Several concrete pill-boxes near the Frezenberg, equipped with machine-guns held up the advance. Subsequently the Tanks were moved in to silence these strongpoints. They were able to silence several German machine-gun positions, but were soon targeted by the German artillery.
Tanks “Canada” and “Cuidich’n Rich” were taken out by direct hits while consolidating the Green Line near the Ypres-Roulers Railway embankment. “Cyprus” and “Culloden” were operating on the left flank and were advancing to Beck House. This area was in good view of several anti-Tank guns, on a high position beyond. Both Tanks were quickly targeted by the German guns. When “Cyprus” arrived about 500 yards southwest of Beck House and was turning to reply fire, two shells burst inside the Tank killing Commander David James Davies and the driver, wounding one gunner, and wrecking the Tank. “Culloden” was equally hit by the same anti-Tank Guns, but managed to get away. However between Frost House and square Farm it took a direct hit. The Driver of the “Culloden” was killed instantly and the Tank’s petrol pressure pipe was ruptured, immobilizing the vehicle. The crew left the Tank and took cover in a nearby shell hole, while the German artillery took the “Culloden” apart. At 10.15 a.m. all survivors of the “Cyprus” and “Culloden” withdrew to the Battalion Rallying Point, taking the few undamaged Lewis Guns of the Tanks with them.
Fighting at the Green Line continued throughout the day and the line was eventually consolidated during the night. 2nd Lieutenant David James Davies was killed in action during the attack on the Frezenberg. He possibly fell near Frost House (about 500 yards southwest of Beck house), where his Tank was hit by German anti-Tank shells. He has no known grave and 2nd Lieutenant David James Davies is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
At 3.50 a.m. both men and Tanks moved forward behind a massive allied artillery barrage. The German front line fell at once and the going was fairly easy. Little resistance was encountered and the most difficult obstacle for the Tanks proved to be the marshy terrain. The more they advanced the worse the terrain. The ground was honey-combed with shell holes and the ground was sodden from the rainwater. Many Tanks got stuck in the mud and became an easy prey for German guns and low-flying aeroplanes. Although the German infantry was barely present, as most units were falling back to better defensive positions, the German artillery was fairly active and became increasingly so.
2nd Lieutenant David James Davies and several other Tanks supported the attack of the 45th Brigade of the 15th Division. They were designated to help and assist the 485th Brigade to capture the second objective, a.k.a. the Green Line. When advancing to the Green Line the Infantry met determined resistance. Several concrete pill-boxes near the Frezenberg, equipped with machine-guns held up the advance. Subsequently the Tanks were moved in to silence these strongpoints. They were able to silence several German machine-gun positions, but were soon targeted by the German artillery.
Tanks “Canada” and “Cuidich’n Rich” were taken out by direct hits while consolidating the Green Line near the Ypres-Roulers Railway embankment. “Cyprus” and “Culloden” were operating on the left flank and were advancing to Beck House. This area was in good view of several anti-Tank guns, on a high position beyond. Both Tanks were quickly targeted by the German guns. When “Cyprus” arrived about 500 yards southwest of Beck House and was turning to reply fire, two shells burst inside the Tank killing Commander David James Davies and the driver, wounding one gunner, and wrecking the Tank. “Culloden” was equally hit by the same anti-Tank Guns, but managed to get away. However between Frost House and square Farm it took a direct hit. The Driver of the “Culloden” was killed instantly and the Tank’s petrol pressure pipe was ruptured, immobilizing the vehicle. The crew left the Tank and took cover in a nearby shell hole, while the German artillery took the “Culloden” apart. At 10.15 a.m. all survivors of the “Cyprus” and “Culloden” withdrew to the Battalion Rallying Point, taking the few undamaged Lewis Guns of the Tanks with them.
Fighting at the Green Line continued throughout the day and the line was eventually consolidated during the night. 2nd Lieutenant David James Davies was killed in action during the attack on the Frezenberg. He possibly fell near Frost House (about 500 yards southwest of Beck house), where his Tank was hit by German anti-Tank shells. He has no known grave and 2nd Lieutenant David James Davies is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Bronnen 3
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3 Brigade Tank Corps: 3 Battalion Tank Corps , (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/106/2). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303 Verdere verwijzing |
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McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 24-25. Gebruikte bronnen |
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Williams-Ellis C., The Tank Corps, (London, Country Life, 1919), pg. 84-88. Gebruikte bronnen |
Meer informatie 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1609219 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=18d71006-81b7-4b7d-8a1c-82fab04661a6 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1112540 |