WW2 British Royal Navy Tropical Jacket E.F Gueritz Beachmaster Sword Beach D-Day

Genuine tropical jacket originally owned by Rear-Admiral Edward Findlay Gueritz who was a career naval officer who participated in some of the major battles of the Second World War and Cold war period. He served aboard multiple vessels, fought in battles against German battleships, survived the sinking of the HMS Jersey, beachmaster for the invasion of Madagascar and Sword beach on D-Day, participated in the planning of D-Day and the Suez operation, earned multiple awards including a DSC and bar, honours from Queen Elizabeth II and a successful academic career.

The jacket came with a number of other items owned by E.F. Gueritz which will be available in my other items. The photos image of E.F. Gueritz in his uniform and another while stationed at HMS St George 1945 (not included).

Rear-Admiral E.F. Gueritz exploits were audio recorded by the Imperial War Museum, all of which are available on the IWM website. WW2 career catalogue no.17394 Post war career catalogue no.18662.

Early life

Born Woburn Sands in buckinghamshire in 1919. Educated in his primary school years in Cheltenham and secondary school at Cheltenham College, from this college he joined the Royal Navy as a special entry cadet in 1937.

Pre war

Prior to the war breaking out Gueritz completed his destroyer time aboard HMS Mashona, 6th Destroyer Flotilla. During this time (June 1939) witnessed the sinking of HMS Thetis (N25), a submarine which had sunk during sea trials. The HMS Mashona was also visited by Captain Lord Louis Mountbatten, in which Gueritz was present for a demonstration of his new station keeping gear.

Graf Spee & Battle of the River Plate

Joined HMS Cumberland July 1939 towards the end of his time as a midshipman. At the outbreak of the war; Gueritz set off for the south Atlantic to be attached to the South American West Indies station squadron. Sent to the Falklands to be at readiness at Port Stanley for the 8th of Dec, (the anniversary for the Battle of the Falkland Island) for an expected attack by the Graf Spee. A short time after the anniversary passed set sail from Port Stanley up to the River Plate joining Ajex and Achilles. Patrolled off the river while diplomatic negotiations were ongoing regarding the Graf Spee remaining at Montevideo for repairs.

Taking part in the blockade and at action stations after reports of the Graf Spee leaving Montevideo harbour. Gueritz’s role at action stations was in the transmitting station located in the bowels of the ship, providing calculations for gunnery control. While waiting for orders to open fire, the morse radio operator reported the Graf Spee had ‘’blown herself up’’ and scuttled. Gueritz was able to go up on deck and see the ‘’blazing hulk’’ of the Graf Spee 17th Dec 1939. After the Graf Spee action Gueritz as a midshipman took exams in the Falklands and later transferred to the HMS Ajax as a Lieutenant and returned to the UK in February 1940.

Preparing defences in Britain for the expected invasion by Germany

In May 1940, after finishing courses was detailed to join the recently formed Portsmouth No1 Battalion and ordered to dig defences against land attack on top of Portsdown Hill. Sent to Plymouth to collect a battery of guns on lorries to provide gun support to the 1st guards brigade, 2nd battalion Coldstream Guards in Lincolnshire, where he saw Lord Mountbatten for a second time and was introduced. Joined the HMS Jersey 5th Destroyer Flotilla, Sept 1940 laid charges around Hull docks. 

HMS Jersey, 5th Destroyer Flotilla

Flotilla moved from Immingham to Plymouth, stopped at sheerness and joined a convoy to travel through the Dover strait. While travelling through the strait the HMS Jersey was hit by one of the first acoustic sea mines, in which water was filling the boiler room. A motor pleasure cruiser which was being used as a patrol craft, came to HMS Jersey’s assistance and itself hit a mine and sank. HMS Jersey picked up the survivors and Travelled to the Isle of Dogs for repair. 

Returned to Plymouth experiencing one heavy air raid then travelled to Gibraltar.  Transported the Admiral of the Fleet the Earl of Cork and Orrery and Admiral D’Oyly Lyon for the inquiry of Admiral Summerville for the attack by Force H on French ships at Mers-el-Kebir, in which he was exonerated. 

In Nov 1940, while serving on the HMS Jersey engaged with German Destroyers Hans Lody, Richard Beitzen and Karl Galster while operating near Plymouth, an action in which the HMS Javelin was damaged and losing her bow and stern.

HMS Jersey joined Force H in Gibraltar, in Feb 1941 took part in the bombardment of the port of Genoa. Rejoined the destroyer flotilla and escorted the damaged HMS Resolution to Portsmouth. The steering of the HMS Jersey had become difficult and it was apparent the rudder had broken resulting in her being towed into Portsmouth. The presence of three destroyers in Portsmouth for repair resulted in a blitz of Portsmouth in March 1941. Gueritz was the only officer on board. Mentioned in the Portsmouth general orders for taking action and reporting the dry dock was flooding allowing time to board up any holes on the HMS Jersey.

Sinking of HMS Jersey

Refitted and rejoined the flotilla at Plymouth to reinforce destroyers at Malta. 2nd May 1941, on returning to port after an unsuccessful attempt to engage with a convoy travelling from Sicily to North Africa, the HMS Jersey hit a mine and was blown in half. After checking the situation Gueritz abandoned ship and was picked up by a dghajsa (Maltese fishing boat). After the sinking Lord Mountbatten stood on a wooden box and addressed the survivors. 

Transferred to Gibraltar June 1941, while aboard the HMS London as a survivor on passage to the UK, diverted after the bismarck action to the Caribbean area in search of Bismark supply u boats which the HMS London (located thanks to enigma code being broken) and much like the Graf Spee the morse radio operator reported the U boat has blown herself up. The HMS London rescued survivors, the following day they had a similar experience with another ship. Gueritz recalls if their aircraft had not been damaged they quite possibly have sunk a third vessel the following day.

Joined Combined Operations

The HMS London returned Gueritz to Britain, he travelled from Glasgow to London and visited Picadilly Circus to buy a new uniform and met Lord Mountbatten. The Lord enquired to what Gueritz would do next and he expressed his interest in joining combined operations (Mountbatten later being an advisor to combined operations). Ten days later, while stationed in Scotland he received a telegram to report to Commodore Warren and joined combined operations.

Joined ship HMS Winchester Castle  and participated in Combined Operations exercises at Scapa Flow which were being observed by King George VI and Director of Combined Operations Admiral Sir Roger Keys. The exercise was not successful with many of the vehicles sinking once leaving the landing craft due to the water being too deep. After he spent a month at a camp in Inverkip training for Combined Operations beach parties and later at Loch Fyne training battalions with landing craft.

Invasion of Madagascar 

While stationed at Combined Operations Headquarters Gueritz answered the call for a beachmaster. Travelled to London and took part in planning the invasion of Madagascar, codenamed Operation Ironclad. Sailed from Britain late March 1942 via the assault transport ship HMS Winchester Castle. 

Made a night approach to the rear of Madagascar, landing as beachmaster at the port of Diego-Suarez. Although there was some heavy fighting inland the invasion was a success. Conducted two more operations landing at Majunga and Tamatave to secure the rest of the island.

Gueritz was taken aboard a hospital ship at Tamatave with a stomach disorder and diagnosed with tropical sprue. A disorder which affects the ability of the body to absorb fat, Gueritz was given a diet of 18 bananas a day. He stayed at a hospital in Durban, South Africa for 3-4 months then shipped home to become the officer in charge of the landing craft maintenance base at Port Glasgow. 

For his contribution to the invasion Gueritz was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross:

ADMIRALTY. - Whitehall: 25th August, 1942. The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following Appointments to the Distinguished Service Order and to approve the following Rewards and Awards: — 

For bravery and enterprise while serving in H.M. Ships, Transports and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries in the successful operations which led to the surrender of the important base of Diego Suarez: The Distinguished Service Cross Lieutenant Edward Findlay Gueritz, Royal Navy Published in the London Gazette 21 August 1942, Issue 35679, page 3715.

Gueritz received a letter of congratulations from Lord Mountbatten for his DSO earned in Madagascar. 

Transfer to Force S and preparation for D-Day

Ordered to join Force S Invergordon, serving as staff officer operations to the commander of the support group. Force S being the naval force attached to the British 3rd Infantry Division which would land at Sword Beach. 

Responsible for the training and integration in the force of all landing craft which contributed to fire support for amphibious landings. He trained troops with the following equipment: landing craft fitted with 4.7 inch guns, anti-aircraft guns for use against aircraft or beach defences, ships fitted with rockets, DD tanks and hedgehog craft fitted with spigot mortars. Royal Artillery field regiment units were trained to fire while advancing by landing craft to the beach. 

Gueritz was transferred to become the principle beachmaster of Fox Royal Navy Commando, the beach assault unit for Force S. Moved to a camp in the Portsmouth area in preparation for the invasion. Due to the secrecy of D-Day the camps were surrounded by barbed wire and troops were not allowed to leave after entering. Guertiz however, was given a special pass to leave as he was contributing to the planning at the Force S headquarters in Portsmouth. Participated in Fabius, a logistics exercise in Littlehampton Beach by Force S 3rd May 1944, in preparation for the landings at Sword Beach.

D-Day and landing on Sword Beach

On 5th June after the postponement of the invasion, gathered at HMS Vernon and met the same team he had trained with in Scotland in the fire support group. Loaded into a landing craft, infantry LCH185 which had been modified to a command role, led the Force S column. He travelled overnight in cramped conditions and very rough seas, another man was seasick on Gueritz and he had to wash his battledress the best he could. Witnessed the bombardment of the beaches as he advanced across the channel. After the return of the first wave of landing craft he loaded into a craft and made his way to the eastern flank of Sword Beach. He jumped off the ramp of the craft and helped his bodyguard to prevent him going under the water due to the weight of his equipment. He landed on Sword beach at 0800, wearing a blue helmet, red scarf and armed only with a large blackthorn walking stick.

On arriving on the beach he witnessed landing craft tanks on fire and the bodies of infantry on the beach. Under some small arms fire but mostly artillery and mortar Gueritz started to establish some organisation. Beach signs were recovered and erected. The role of marshalling the beach became his responsibility alone due to both his army opposite number Lieutenant-Colonel D.V.H Board being killed outright and superior Commander Rowley Nicols being badly wounded and later died, Gueritz found his body later that evening. 

Beachmaster on Sword Beach

The task of the beachmaster was to receive men and vehicles from landing craft and ships, clearing them through the beach exits into transit areas and then onto either storage areas or the frontline. Gueritz led a beach party who were ordered to provide navigational marks to assist with the clearance of obstacles below the high water mark, to mark any obstructions and provide incoming landing craft with guidance, expedite their unloading and clear troops, vehicles, supplies etc off the beach as quickly as possible for further craft to land. 

Gueritz found he had considerable difficulty clearing vehicles off the beach in his area due to mainly mining and partly due to the success of the landing resulting in equipment unloading onto the beach too quickly. The beach exits were ill suited to the volume of traffic. The beach had to be closed for a period due to the difficulty clearing the vehicles from the beach, reopening in the afternoon. 

"Gueritz worked unremittingly, calling in landing craft, unloading troops and organising routes leading off the beach by clearing wreckage and casualties and maintaining ship-to-shore communications. By evening some 30,000 troops, several hundred vehicles and tons of ammunition had been landed." 

He found he had to sleep while wearing his gas mask due to the intense smoke from the smoke screen for the landing. Gueritz continued his role in the following days after D-Day, on one occasion he witnessed a soldier cleaning his rifle who accidentally shot a round in the chamber, resulting in return fire from troops who thought they were being fired on by a sniper. An AA landing craft with a 40mm Bofors joined in the exchange of fire and in all the comotion a ammunition truck caught fire. There were some casualties as a result of this friendly fire incident. 

In the days after D-Day there were air raids, on one occasion the AA section of the Royal Artillery was successful in shooting down the aircraft, however it landed on the beach and scattered anti-personnel butterfly bombs which had to be cleared. Gueritz’s unit landed with shotguns to shoot down butterfly bombs on descent from aircraft. However, he discovered the lethal range of the butterfly bombs was within the range of the shotgun. 

A storm resulted in the closure of the beach and stopping all movement of supplies. There were a number of shipwrecks strewn across the beach and Mulberry harbour was out of action for a period. 

Wounded on Sword Beach

The beach was often shelled due to the highly valued targets landing such as tanks and ammunition trucks. One evening he met with his beach master colleagues to discuss the work for the night and an enemy artillery salvo landed not far away. Gueritz’s driver brought him his helmet and said ' ‘it’s time to put this on’’. A salvo hit the immediate vicinity, he was injured to the hand and was helped into the beach dressing station. 

Gueritz spoke to a doctor and said he felt peculiar. The doctor advised him to put his head between his knees and he saw there was a hole in the back of his helmet and the back of his head, the rear of his skull had been crushed. The doctor inquired about his religion and next of kin. Gueritz had his head dressed and transported to a field dressing station at Hermanville-sur-Mer. After some time left on a stretch in a field tent, he was transferred to the base general hospital in Bayeux. He spent a period of time coming in and out of consciousness and shipped from an LST from Arromanches to Portsmouth. He was admitted to Queen Alexandra’s hospital, Portsmouth and treated by consultant neurosurgeon John O’Connell, who treated more than 200 casualties from the allied invasion. Stayed in hospital for treatment for two and a half months in which he returned to some duties until March 1945 when he recieved life saving surgery to rebuild the back of his skull by surgeon John Richardson, future lord Richardson and later president of the General Medical Council.

For his contribution to the Normandy landings Gueritz was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross:

ADMIRALTY. Whitehall. 29th August, 1944. The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order and to approve the following rewards and awards:— For gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the initial landings of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy:

Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross. Acting Lieutenant-Commander Edward Findlay Gueritz, D.S.C., Royal Navy (Cheltenham). Published in the London Gazette 25th August 1944, supplement 36676, page 4007.

1945 and Palestine Patrol 1946

After being discharged from hospital he joined HMS St George on the Isle of Man until late Autumn 1945. Joined HMS Saumarez, destroyer flotilla leader December 1945. Joined the Mediterranean fleet March 1946. Participated in the Palestine patrol as part of a UN mandate, to prevent boats containing illegal immigration of Jewish people from Europe landing in Palestine. The vessels containing the immigrants were found to be in poor condition and unsuitable to carry the high number of people which they contained. The immigrants were put in camps until they could be fed into Palestine according to the immigration policy of the time. 

Corfu Strait Incident HMS Saumarez

Gueritz was present during the Corfu Strait incident, one of the early episodes of the Cold War. He was second in command of the HMS Saumarez, sailing through the Corfu channel strait. With the objective to exercise the right to pass through international waters due to previous Royal Navy vessels being fired on by Albania. On 22nd October 1946 the HMS Saumarez hit a mine and was heavily damaged and on fire. E.F. Gueritz led a damage control party which shored up the bulkheads and tackled the fire which saved the ship from sinking. HMS Saumarez sustained 38 fatal casualties and many wounded from fractures, burns and flash injuries. The HMS Volage towed the Saumarez to Corfu Harbour. The HMS Saumarez was damaged beyond repair and eventually scuttled.

After the incident Gueritz was offered passage to the port in Rome, Civitavecchia, by a friend who was taking the relic of St Anthony of Padua from Malta to Italy. His friend managed to get a private audience with Pope Pius XII and seven other Naval men from the Saumarez, in which he received his blessing and was given a sacred token.

Spent two years serving in the HMS Devonshire, cadet training ship. Two years in Singapore as a Staff Officer intelligence for the Singapore area (Burma, Indochina, indonesia and Bali). Worked in close liaison with the RAF and Army to help bring together the pattern of events in these areas. Helped combat piracy in these areas and arranged patrols by Royal Navy vessels. Was present in Singapore to witness the Maria Hertogh Riots, Dec 1950. Another of his roles was the Aide-de-camp to the Governor of Singapore Sir Franklin Charles Gimson.

Promoted to Commander and sent to South Africa for the period of 1954-56 as a Fleet Operations Officer to the Commander and Chief and Junior Liaison Officer to the High Commissioner of South Africa. 

Suez Crisis

Returned to the United Kingdom to serve in the Home Fleet Training Squadron and in July 1956 was ordered to report to London, Vice Chief of Naval Staff at the request of Admiral Durnford-Slater. Spent the next 4-5 months on the planning and execution of the Suez operation in the underground offices in Whitehall.

Served in Task Force 345 as a Naval Force Logistics Officer on the staff of General Sir Hugh Stockwell. For his contribution to the operation he was awarded the OBE.

The QUEEN has been' graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of distinguished services in the Operations in the Near East, October to December, 1956:1—  To be Additional Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order :—Commander Edward Findley GUERITZ, D.S.C., Royal Navy. Published in the London Gazette 4th June 1957, supplement 41092, page 3416.

Post Suez Crisis and Academic Career

Post Suez Crisis Gueritz was promoted to the rank of Captain, Commander and later Rear-Admiral.

After his retirement from the Royal Navy in 1973 he pursued an academic career and appointed specialist adviser to the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence, director of the Royal United Services Institute, president of the Society for Nautical Research, a member of the board of War Studies at London University and vice-chairman of the Council for Christian Approaches to Defence and Disarmament. He also contributed to multiple books and edited Brassey's Defence Yearbook from 1977 to 1981, joint editor of The Third World War (1978), Ten Years of Terrorism (1979) and Civil Defence in the Nuclear Age (1982).

He was awarded the Order of the Bath C.B. To be Ordinary Members of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honourable Order : Rear Admiral Edward Findlay GUERITZ, O.B.E. D.S.C. Published in the London Gazette 4th June 1971, supplement 45384, page 5958. Edward Finndlay Guerritz passed away on 21st December 2008 aged 89.

Rear-Admiral E.F. Gueritz was awarded the following medals and awards: Companion of the Order of the Bath, Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Cross & Bar, 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star with France and Germany clasp, Africa Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal, Naval General Service Medal and General Service Medal.