Two DACsG and forty to fifty other chaplains landed during the first 24 hours. The work of spiritual ministration to troops was carried on in the forward areas with good effect on morale.
During the whole of this first period it was noticeable that units were punctilious about burying their own dead, but unwilling to dispose of fatal casualties of other units, even though the bodies were within the unit area. This had an adverse affect on the morale of those in the area.
26 July-26 September
The Chaplains branch in common with all other Services found the shortage of transport a particularly heavy handicap at this time.
Each chaplain had to take under his care more than one unit, and as all units were moving fast and frequently, padres had to make many long journeys in order to carry out spiritual ministration to the troops.
27 September 1944—14 January 1945
The conditions which characterised this period enabled the Chaplains Service to provide more conventional and fitting surroundings for worship and meditation by setting up garrison churches and “chaplains houses” in all areas which contained a large static military population.
At the same time, two mobile churches which had arrived in the theatre at an earlier period were allocated, one to each army, and began to make tours among front line troops.
On 28 September St Georges House, which contained an excellent general and theological library, opened at BRUSSELS as a chaplains rest and conference centre.
It also provided accommodation for the various outstanding Church leaders, including the Bishops of DOVER and MAIDSTONE, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of SCOTLAND who paid visits to BLA during the winter months.
By means of these visits chaplains were kept in touch with the life and thought of their churches in UK and were also able to hand on valuable information as to how those still in ENGLAND, both clerical and laity, could make a contribution to the maintenance of the morale of active service troops.
15 January 1945 - 8 May 1945
Between January and May the six hundred candidates from BLA who offered themselves for ordination were interviewed and given special opportunities for study at St George’s House, BRUSSELS.
At the same time arrangements were made by Chaplains Branch, HQ 21 Army Group for the qualifications of these applicants to be considered by their respective church authorities.
Two Chaplain’s assistants (women) arrived early in April to take over duties among the ATS in the BRUSSELS area.
Refresher courses for all denominations other than RC were held at St George’s House, and proved of great value in keeping chaplains in touch with the background and thought of their Churches in UK.
There was always an adequate supply of New Testaments but on occasions at the beginning of the phase there was a scarcity of army prayer books.
Towards the end of April thousands of Victory Service forms were printed and distributed to formations and units in preparation for the thanksgiving services to be held on VE day.
At the beginning of May casualties among chaplains in 21 Army Group amounted to :—
| CE and 0D | RC | |
| Killed | 19 | 6 |
| Wounded | 50 | 14 |
| Missing | 11 |
During the advance into GERMANY the SCF(RC) Second Army contacted the Bishops of AACHEN, OSNABRUCK and HILDESHEIM who offered their churches for the use of RC troops. In many cases the offer was accepted by RC chaplains who found the parish clergy friendly and co-operative.
In April contact was made with the Bishop of MUNSTER a confirmed and well known anti-Nazi,and in order that his influence could be used in restoring law and order among the GERMAN population he was given permission by Military Government to return to his work.
Abbreviations
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