Albert E Williams (Bert)

P/A/Sergeant (paid Acting)

This is the account of A E Williams war in Normandy.
Title -1100 miles with General Montgomery. 

On D-Day at about midday I was preparing to sail to Normandy on an LST boat with my huge recovery vehicle. At the time I was attached to the 21st AG Tac Force from RASC. I was a mechanic and was assigned to preparing and recovering damaged vehicles.

When we reached Gold Beach at 19.30 hours we were guided to a sheltered cliff where we spent the night. The next morning we arrived at Blay, a hamlet near Bayeux. After a few days we went on to Creully and the Château Creuller. This was where General Montgomery’s advanced HQ was first based. Due to our 2-3 week stay at the Château,  I with a buddy were required to take the recovery truck to an area near Caen where a battle was going on. We needed to help replace tracks on ‘injured’ tanks using the crane, which was no fun. We also did the same at Falaise where a major tank battle on taking place. We also did the same to lorries changing gear boxes ect with bombs going off all around us. After going through areas of continuing battles we finally ended up at Luneburg Heath where we hid in the bushes while the British, American agree surrender terms with Germany was signed. From there we went on to Bad Oyenhouse and then home.

General Montgomery was a very private person so one day when he was out for the day I fitted a shower in his bathroom which was in his Caravan where he slept. He was delighted. The Caravan still has the shower and can be seen at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.