Unit/ Formation: 47 Cdo RM
Location: Germany
Period/ Conflict: World War II
Year: 1945
Date/s: 27th October 1945
At ERKENSCHWICK the unit was reinforced until eventually it was well over strength. The main tasks were to administer DISPLACED PERSONS during the day and to check their marauding activities at night. For the rest there was a fair amount of Educational and Vocational Training carried out and much organised sport.
Brushes with the marauding Poles were few, but there is little doubt that the measures taken were fairly effective. For purposes of record, it is worth while noting that the last shot fired in anger by a member of 47 Commando was so fired by Sgt. ASH R.M. on the night of 27 Oct, 1945, the occasion being a raid by DPs on an isolated farmhouse to the North of ERKENSCHWICK.
On 2 Nov. 1945, the unit moved by road to WARBURG in the SE corner of the British zone. The warning order for the return to UK had already been received, and it was known that the stay in WARBURG would be of short duration.
The area itself was very quiet and all DPs moved out of the district about the 15 Nov. Life proceeded normally until the order to move on 26 Nov. was received on the 24 Nov. Much bustle to be ready to move in time, but all was in order for the nightmarish journey (30 very cold dark hours in a train which should have been condemned) which followed.
In the early hours of the 28 Nov. 47 Commando arrived in HAYWARDS HEATH where it remained until its disbandment on 3lst January 1946.
Read More/ Web Link: 47 Commando Org