Operation Faust, 1945: the units and vehicles

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Mark W. Tonner

But, what if they didn't revert and 1st Cdn AGRA were assigned the 181-187 block instead, this would be more in line with Garry's dad's history and since it was a 1st Cdn Corps operation, this would mean that the 182 was for the 1st Med Regt, RCA and if thats the case, then that would mean that the vehicles themselves, again, judging by the markings, are from "B" Platoon, No. 81 Artillery Company, RCASC, who were attached to 1st Cdn AGRA throughout the war.

Time to bring Corporal William James ("Jimmy") Shipton back from the limelight again, and to confirm Mark Tonner's research into the markings and units involved. The above document confirms No. 81 Artillery Company, RCASC, was one of the units assigned to Operation Faust.

"Jimmy" Shipton was riding his Harley-Davidson WLC to guide the Ford F60L trucks delivering the food to the starving population of western Holland.

This picture was most likely taken at Nude, halfway between Wageningen and Rhenen, 1 May 1945 (but I would be happily corrected by our resident FAUST historian Bram G.)

Cpl WJ Shipton - Faust - Harley Davidson - 182.jpg

[Bram G.]

Sorry, I have to correct you. Most likely its 2nd of May, as the first transports where made to the Nude starting at 7:30 AM on the 2nd of May.

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi

Co-incidentally from Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Faces of the Second World War:


"A convoy of trucks of Allied food supplies moving into German-occupied territory along the road from Wageningen to Rhenan, Netherlands, 3 May 1945."
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discove...?IdNumber=357&

regards
Darrell

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi

Another:


"Major K. Henninger (centre), a German Army signals officer, speaking on a telephone linkup between Canadian and German forces, Wageningen, Netherlands, 5 May 1945."
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discove...x?IdNumber=11&

regards
Darrell

[Bram G.]

We are still try to figure out to which unit these Ford's belong.
When you look at this picture and the one Hanno posted above, I might start to think it's the same unit. As of the black square on the door of the Ford.