Month: April 2023

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 10: The WWII Soldier Who Wanted To Be A Paratrooper

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 3 Comments

April 10, 2023.  On a list of 39 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who were killed during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945 and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, photos were missing for 12 names. 

The date of the battle haunted Pieter as he was “…exactly one year old when this battle occurred.  I was born on March 25, 1944!…”

One of the names on the list of missing photos was Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER.

….Willy was born in Saskatchewan but grew up in British Columbia….

Born September 17, 1924 in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, the son of Francis ‘Frank’ and Annie Power, Willy grew up on the west coast of Canada after the family moved to New Westminster, British Columbia in 1928.

Before enlisting on August 3, 1943 at the XI District Depot in Vancouver, British Columbia, Willy worked as a seaman with the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) Steamship in Vancouver. Before signing on as a deck hand, he had worked as an electrician’s helper in New Westminster.

Wilfred Power

Wilfred ‘Willy’ Power. (Photo courtesy of Brian Power.  Photo restoration by Pieter Valkenburg and Duane MacEwen.)

Willy had three brothers and one sister, and his nephew Brian Power submitted a photo of his uncle.

….Willy was interested in joining the paratroops….

In an interview for his Personnel Selection Record, it was noted that Willy liked reading “…mystery stories…” and in his spare time enjoyed “…tennis, basketball, baseball, swimming, fishing, and hunting…” He also liked “…dancing and movies, pool, and cards…”  One asset was that he could “…drive cars and trucks up to three tons…”

He was assessed as having a “…high learning capacity....” and that he was “...very anxious to join the paratroops...” His interviewer concluded by writing “…generally impresses as a good prospect for paratroops and consideration therefore is recommended…”  For whatever reason, a path towards the paratroops never happened.

On September 1, 1943, Willy was posted to No. 133 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CA(B)TC) in Wetaskiwin, Alberta for two months.  From there he was transferred to No. A16 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Calgary, Alberta. This centre provided reinforcements for the Calgary Highlanders and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.

….Willy was sent overseas in February 1944….

On February 14, 1944, Willy left Canada for the United Kingdom, arriving on February 25, 1944, and assigned to No. 1 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

On March 13, 1944 he was transferred to the Calgary Highlanders, training with them until July 2, 1944, when the Regiment left the United Kingdom for Normandy, France as part of 21 Army Group. The Calgary Highlanders arrived on open beaches near Courseulles-sur-Mer and spent several days in the cramped bridgehead behind Caen, under constant threat of air attack, while they prepared for battle.

Willy was with the Calgary Highlanders only for the start of their Normandy campaign, as on July 10, 1944 he was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining them in Caen, France. 

Courseulles and Caen

Map showing Courselles-sur-Mer on the coast of France, near Caen.  ‘La Manche’ in French is what we call the ‘English Channel’.  (Map source: https://www.viamichelin.fr)

Willy was with the Regiment through Northwest Europe, including the Battle of the Scheldt,  receiving promotions to Lance Corporal on August 1, 1944 1944, Corporal on December 25, 1944, and then Lance Sergeant on February 25, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Scheldt)

The Regiment reached Kellen, Germany near Kleve, just on the other side of the border with The Netherlands, on February 12, 1945.  On February 14, using amphibious vehicles, the North Novies evacuated Warbergen as they made their way to Emmerich.

Next, the Regiment participated in Operation Blockbuster.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster). 

…Willy lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

By March 20, 1945, Allied troops were on the banks of the Rhine River for Operation Plunder, a military operation to cross the Rhine on the night of March 23, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder) They got as far as Bienen, when troop movement stopped due to blown bridges across the Rhine in that area.

Plunder 015 Aerial of Bienen from 23 March 45, just prior to the Rhine Crossing (Courtesy Becker) ww2talk

Aerial view of Bienen taken on March 23, 1945, just prior to the Rhine Crossing (Map source: http://www.WW2Talk.com and identified as ‘Courtesy Becker’)

On March 25, 1945, the Regiment’s task was to pass through the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who had been stopped in front of Bienen.  The problem with Bienen? The road through it was the only access point.  In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ author Will Bird explained that it was “… an isthmus of solid land about half a mile wide with one road, the main Rees-Emmerich highway, which passed through Bienen exactly at the narrowest point…”

It was Palm Sunday, one week before Easter.  It was a battle that began in the morning and didn’t end until late that evening. 

In the article ‘Too Close To The Guns!’ in Canadian Military History, Volume 12, Numbers 1& 2, Winter/Spring 2003, pp.5-28, author Lee Windsor explained that, contrary to expectations of many Allied military planners, the Germans who were defending German villages “…were extremely well-motivated considering their homeland was collapsing all around them. First Parachute Army received Germany’s last fresh draft of replacements several weeks before the battle. These were not old men, but teenagers newly-turned 17 or 18, most with Hitler Youth exposure to military training and Nazi ideology…” They were well-trained and would not give up ground.

In ‘Operation Plunder and Varsity: The British and Canadian Rhine Crossing’ author Tim Saunders noted in Chapter 9 that “…The attack was divided into two phases, with H Hour at 0900 hours. The first problem was to get the attacking troops across three hundred yards of open country and to help with this support by heavy artillery fire, including plenty of smoke fired by both field guns and the battalion’s 3-inch mortars…”

By late afternoon, the North Novies “….methodically set about the task of clearing each and every building in the main part of the village. It took the remainder of the day, yielding a mixed bag of Fallschirmjäger and Panzergrenadier prisoners….”  (Note: ‘Fallschirmjäger’ are ‘Paratroopers’.  ‘Panzergrenadier’ are ‘Armoured Infantry’)

The one day battle was devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, including Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph Power.  As we don’t know which Company Willy was in, we don’t know the circumstances of his death. 

…Willy is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek ….

Like Clifford BATEMAN, John Joseph BOHON, Ralph Schurman BOULTER, and Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE, Marvin William MCGREGOR, and Louis Allan SEXTON, Willy was temporarily buried on Monday, March 26, 1945 in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

When Brian Power contacted us, he explained that he had included a “….picture of my Uncle Willy. This was a mass card given out at his memorial many years ago….”

Wilfred Power pic

Mass card submitted by Brian Power.

After seeing the mass card, we noted that Willy stated he was Roman Catholic in his attestation form when he enlisted.  This suggested that Willy was one of the soldiers whose funeral on March 26, 1945 was one of 15 that had been presided over by Honorary Major Donald A. Kerr, Senior Chaplain (R.C.) in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. 

In a letter to the parents of Louis Allan SEXTON, who also died that day, H/Major Kerr wrote that “…It was indeed a sad day for me to bury fifteen of my fine Catholic boys, some of whom I knew so well…”

POWER Wilfred Joseph - XVII H 02

Grave of William ‘Willy’ Joseph Power at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. (Photo courtesy of Faces To Graves Foundation.)

Thank you to Brian Power for submitting photos and to Duane MacEwen for help in photo restoration.

Thank you to all who have helped Pieter to find family members of North Novies killed in this battle. Coming up in Part 11: John Lewis Wallace.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1. 

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

…Want to follow our research?….

Follow our blog

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog. 

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 9: The WWII Soldier From West Jeddore Killed In Germany

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 5 Comments

April 2, 2023. On a list of 39 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who were killed during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945 and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, photos were missing for 12 names.  One of the names on the list of missing photos was Marvin William MCGREGOR.

The date of the battle was very meaningful as Pieter explained to Shirley Corbett when she shared photos of her uncle.  Shirley’s mother, Gertrude Margaret Kent, was Marvin’s sister. “…I was exactly one year old when Marvin was killed.  I was born on March 25, 1944!…”

Marvin McGregor cropped 1

Marvin William McGregor (Photo courtesy of Shirley Corbett)

Born January 16, 1925 in West Jeddore, Nova Scotia, Marvin was the son of Norman William and Laura McGregor.  After leaving school at the age of 15, Marvin took a number of short term jobs before being employed as a truck driver with Woodlawn Dairies in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

…Marvin enlisted at the age of 18 ….

He’d also been in the Second Battalion of the Halifax Rifles Reserve Army since August 1943. Before enlisting at the No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 13, 1943, Marvin reported for a medical on October 2, 1943.  In an interview for his Personnel Selection Record on that day, it was noted that his “…mother died 2 years ago. Father is mail and bus driver in Jeddore, Nova Scotia.  Has 3 brothers – all younger – and 3 sisters…”

Marvin’s ability to drive cars and trucks was recorded, and he was described as being “…friendly and sociable….”  It was recommended that he be considered for the Canadian Infantry Corps as a non-tradesman.

On January 1, 1944 he was transferred to No. 60 Canadian Infantry Basic Training Centre (CI (B) TC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

After turning 19 years of age, he was sent to A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia for additional training on February 28, 1944.  In a follow-up interview after completing basic training, his examiner noted that Marvin was “…interested in driving in the Army….”  He was approved for the Canadian Infantry Corps – Automotive Trades – Driver.

On July 21, 1944, he was sent to the S-5 Canadian Driving and Maintenance School (CD & M School) in Woodstock, Ontario, where he successfully completed a 6 week driving course to qualify as a Driver i/c Class III Wheeled Vehicles. This meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars.

Marvin McGregor cropped 2

Marvin William McGregor (Photo courtesy of Shirley Corbett)

After finishing the course and returning to Aldershot, Marvin received embarkation leave, which allowed him to go home and say farewell to his family before being transferred to the No. 1 Infantry Training Brigade Group in Debert, Nova Scotia on October 27, 1944 – in preparation for going overseas.

He left Canada for the United Kingdom on November 21, 1944 – from Halifax, most likely on the same transport as John Joseph BOHON, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, and Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE.

Upon arrival in the United Kingdom on November 28, 1944, like Bohon, Harvey, and Langille, he was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

Emmerich map

Map showing Emmerich am Rhein, Germany.  To the left of the map is The Netherlands.  Many of the North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen would be initially buried near Rees.  (Map source:  https://duckduckgo.com)

On January 25, 1945 he was sent to Northwest Europe as part of 21 Army Group, and then on February 14, 1945, was assigned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining them in the area of Emmerich am Rhein, Germany, located along the Rhine River, not that far from the Dutch border.

Marvin was a needed addition to the Regiment, as the war diary for February 14, 1945 reported that “…our total number of casualties for today’s action was 3 killed and 8 wounded…” following a successful attack the Regiment made to clear “… a triangle formed by the road running southwest and the canal running southeast…”

…Marvin lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

The Regiment continued its movement through Germany, past Calcar and Udem. By March 20, 1945, Allied troops were on the banks of the Rhine River for Operation Plunder, a military operation to cross the Rhine on the night of March 23, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder) They got as far as Bienen, when troop movement stopped due to blown bridges across the Rhine in that area.

499 Apr 2009 Palm Sunday in Siena Italy

Palm Sunday in Siena, Italy in April 2009. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

On March 25, 1945, the Regiment’s task was to pass through the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who had been stopped in front of Bienen.  It was Palm Sunday, one week before Easter.

Aerial Bienen post-war

Post-war aerial of Bienen (view to the southeast towards Rees). The aerial clearly demonstrates the tactical importance of Bienen, laying astride the narrow neck of land. The main road from Rees to Emmerich (nowadays Emmericher Strasse) runs straight through Bienen. (Photo source: http://www.WW2Talk.com and identified as ‘Courtesy Becker’)

The war diary for March 25, 1945 noted the challenges the North Novies faced.  “…The weather – sunny and clear.  The day of the battle, 25 March 1945. …. The battalion objective was to be the town of BIENEN… code name ASTOR, which was formerly the objective of the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. They had penetrated as far as farm buildings … but had had two attacks on BIENEN beaten off with heavy casualties.

BIENEN was of tremendous importance to the Germans because it was the focal point of a narrow bottleneck controlling two main roads, the one to EMMERICH… and the other to MILLINGEN.  Secondly, it was of extreme importance that the narrow bridgehead was expanded quickly North and North-East to protect it from enemy mortaring and shelling and allow bridging to be put up.

The enemy were strongly dug in around and in BIENEN itself. They were fresh troops of the 115 Panzer Grenadier Regiment, and fighting fanatically to hold this vital objective. The approach was over 300 yards of flat open country with only a dyke running from the Start Line up the left hand edge of the town….”

Right from the start, troops were pinned down, “…suffering heavy casualties…”  Worse, in terms of communications, “….contact between platoons was next to impossible because of the murderous fire and heavy mortaring….”

The one day battle was devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, including Marvin William McGregor.

We don’t know which Company Marvin was in, so do not know the circumstances of his death.  Shirley Corbett wrote Pieter a story that her mother had told her.  “….Marvin’s commanding officer visited her family yearly with a fruit basket when he returned home from overseas.  Apparently, he told her that Marvin was standing in for him at the time of his being shot and he felt responsible. I am not sure if this is fact but my Mum certainly believed it…”  Perhaps the ‘commanding officer’ was a Platoon Commander?

…Marvin is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek ….

Like Clifford BATEMAN, John Joseph BOHON, Ralph Schurman BOULTER, and Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE, and Louis SEXTON, Marvin was temporarily buried on Monday, March 26, 1945 in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

original mcgregor grave marker in Groesbeek

Marvin’s original burial cross in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  (Photo submitted by Wouter van Dijken.  Photo source: ‘De historie van de Canadese begraafplaats en de Zevenheuvelweg te Groesbeek’ by G. G. Driessen)

Grave of M W McGregor findagrave

Grave of Marvin William McGregor in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

Thank you to Shirley Corbett for helping for providing a photo and information. She explained that she was “…the oldest family member left, the people with the memories and knowledge are are all gone now. Good luck and Best Wishes with this fine work you are doing…”

If you can help identify Marvin’s commanding officer and/or verify the story that Shirley’s mother was told about Marvin’s death, please let Pieter know.

GG Driessen book about GroesbeekThank you to Wouter van Dijken for sharing the photo of Marvin’s original grave marker at the cemetery, and for letting us know that the photo came from the book ‘De historie van de Canadese begraafplats en de Zevenheuvelweg te Groesbeek’ by G. G. Driessen.

Thank you to all who have helped Pieter to find family members of North Novies killed in this battle. Coming up in Part 10: Wilfred Joseph ‘Willy’ Power.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

…Want to follow our research?….

Follow our blog

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog.

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information seehttps://nosoldierforgotten.com/

You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw.

© Daria Valkenburg