War Diary: 1 Wing Glider Pilot Regiment - B Squadron

Month and year: September 1944

The 1 Wing Glider Pilot Regiment B Squadron September 1944 war diary covers the units time during Market Garden in the areas around Arnhem and Nijemen

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1234

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Page 1 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Brize Norton	1st		Briefing for Operation "LINNET" commenced. This is the landing of the
			Airborne Army in the LILLE, TOURNAI, COUTRAY, RENAIX Area. "B" Squadron
			to land astride the Railway at BERCHEM. Carrying H.Q. and 2 Coys. 2nd
			South Staffs. and No. 1 Airlanding A/TK. Bty. R.A. We are in "Placeforce"
			and are to defend QUAREMONT.
Brize Norton	2nd		Operation "LINNET" postponed.
Brize Norton	3rd	1030	Station ordered to move to MANSTON today ready to operate on Sept. 4th.
		1430	Move cancelled at Midday and Operation "LINNET" cancelled.
			Briefing for operation entailing landing by bridges at MAASTRICHT and
			LIEGE at HARWELL in evening. This Operation cancelled at midnight.
Brize Norton	4th		Move to MANSTON postponed on account of weather.
Manston	5th	1500	1st Lift takes off for MANSTON in high wind. Only two combinations fail
			to arrive.
Manston	6th	1030	2nd Lift arrive at MANSTON. Telephonic communication with base very
			difficult.

Page 2 of 11

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Manston	7th	Raining very heavily. Briefing for Operation "COMET" in station cinema.
		Roof of improvised "Ops" Room leaks. All troops very wet. Operation to
		consist of landing 1 Air. Div. on bridges at ARNHEM, NIJMEGEN and GRAVE,
		"B" Squadron land near GROESBEEK and advance with 2nd South Staffs into
		Nijmegen. Same loads as for "LINNET". All Gliders deeply bogged.
		S/Sgt. Hooper arrives with No. 13 Platoon having had two tug failures on
		succesive days entailing forced landings. His third effort was successful.
Manston	8th	Operation "COMET" postponed 24 hours.
Manston	9th	Operation "COMET" postponed 48 hours.
Manston	10th	Operation "COMET" cancelled.
Manston	11th	Tugs and tug crews return to Brize Norton. Squadron liaise with Navy M.T.B's.
		and A. S. R's. at RAMSGATE.
Manston	12th	Five conflicting orders received between 1.200 and 1600 hours regarding
		Glider unloading.
Manston	13th	Gliders eventually unloaded.

Page 3 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Manston	14th		Major Toler, Capt. Neale and Lieut. Barclay return to Brize Norton.
Manston	15th		Briefing for Operation "MARKET." at HARWELL. Same as Operation "COMET!"
			but 1st Air. Div. landing at ARNHEM. 1 Flight of "B" Squadron are to
			proceed from ARNHEM Area after landing to increase to local protection for
			Corp. H.Q. at NIJMEGEN, Remaining Glider Pilots to remain with loads.
			Major Toler and Capt. Neale return to MANSTON.
Manston	16th		Loading completed. Briefing for Operation "MARKET"
Arnhem	17th	1040	1st Lift takes off from Manston on Operation "MARKET." Weather excellent
			over base and sea. Cloudy over Holland. L.Z. located and all landed
			within area without casualties except of S/Sgt. Hopkins and Sgt. Hooper
			who were wounded by M.G. fire after landing.
			Two Gliders failed to arrive.
			Lieut. Barclay and Lieut. Millar rope broke over TILBURG S/Sgt. Geary
			and Sgt. Bristow rope detached from tug over U.K. Combination flew over
			on second day. No. opposition on L.Z. South Staffs and G.P's. rendezvous

Page 4 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
			at REIJERS CAMP. Quiet night after digging in.
Arnhem	18th		19 Flight have moved off with their loads (No. 1 A/TK. Bty.) the previous
			day and nothing further has been heard of them. 20 Flight move off with
			S/Staffs towards the bridge at ARNHEM to relieve the 1st para Bde, F.W.
			190's. shoot up L.Z. at approx. 1030 hours. Many snipers en route. By
			evening 20 Flight put under command of Major Timothy 1st para Bn. with the
			remainder of his men to act reserve and rearguard to 2 Coys. of S. Staffs.
			After nightfall we move up the road by the river towards ARNHEM Bridge.
			High ground on N. of this road held strongly by enemy.
Manston,	18th	0900	Final briefing for 2nd Lift.
		1215	2nd Lift took off on Operation "MARKET". S/Sgt. Proctor forced landed near
			ASHFORD,
Arnhem	19th	0300	Lt. Col. McCardie decides to go for the bridge which he understands is held
			by It.-Col. Frost and 80 men. Road of advance is covered by 20 mm. gun
			zero is 0400 hours. Major Timothy has rejoined 1st para, Bn.

Page 5 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Arnhem	19th	300	J.t. Col. McCardie released Glider pilots to return to Div. H.Q. 0330 hrs.
			20 Flight return along road under fire and reach Div. H.Q. shortly after
			dawn.
			Work and rest until midday. Capt. Neale reports all well with 2nd Lift
			and with Lt. Regt. R.A Sec. first re-supply comes in under heavy Flak.
			In afternoon take up position round house at S.E. perimeter of Div.
			Sq. H.Q. withing house. Dug in. Slight shelling during night. Mad
			woman runs through the position just after dusk, singing loudly.
Manston	19th		Residue of "B" Squadron personnel at MANSTON return to Brize Norton,
Arnhem	20th		Capt. Miller reports in and says he is with the Lt. Rgt. by the Church at
			OOSTERBEEK Slight mortaring in morning. See Capt. Barrie and Major
			Murray. Capt. Bottomley brings an Intelligence report and tells us we
			are to move back into the Div. H.Q. 100 yds. behind us with Capt. Priest
			of "G" Squadron on our left, and our right to link up with Capt. Walchli.
			S.S.M. watt obtains German Staff Car.

Page 6 of 11

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Arnhem	20th	Flight digs in in line of trees. In afternoon Flight opens up with PIAT
		and Automatics at Sniper in house opposite., P.I.A.T. very effective
		against house. Supplies dropped in enemy lines - heavier Flak. S.S.M.
		Watt arranges party with jeep to bring in supplies. Water to be obtained
		from well. Quiet night.
	20th	NORMAL ROUTINE
Norton	21st	NORMAL ROUTINE
Arnhem	21st	Heavy mortaring and "moaning minnies" in morning. Sgts. Andrews and
		Raggett killed. Capt. Low, S/Sgt. Watt, Sgt. McCarthy, Sgt. Consterdine
		wounded, All by Mortar burst. Wounded taken to M.D.S. by S.S.M. watt.
		All trenches covered by overhead protection. In afternoon loudspeaker on
		our front called on us to surrender and mentioned Lt. Col. McCardie's
		name. We replied with Bren Gun fire. Staff car smashed by Mortar fire.
		Sgts. Andrews and Raggett buried.
Arnhem	22nd	Heavy Mortaring and Shelling in morning. Supplies dropped in evening.

Page 7 of 11

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Arnhem	22nd	Rocket Typhoons attacked enemy.
Brize Norton	22	Capt. Tallantyre and 11 Glider Pilots arrived at Brize Norton,
Arnhem	23rd	Very heavy mortaring and shelling for four hours continuously. Jeep set
		on fire. Several dug outs blown in. No. one injured, Each section in
		turn has been occupying house outside our perimeter. S/Sgt. Thomson's
		Section now occupies the house by Major Wilson's H.Q. S/Sgt. Thomson
		wounded by Mortar fire in getting to position, S/Sgt. Baldwin taken over.
		Still no definite news of Troops crossing the river other than a few Poles.
		water getting scarce but still obtainable from well.
Brize Norton	23rd	H.M Queen Mary visited Brize Norton Aerodrome.
		Gliders under command of Capt. Tallantyre carried out Demonstration
		landing.
		Lieut. palmer reported for duty as Admin officer vice Lieut. Futter, absent
		on Operation "MARKET".
		S/Sgt. Baavke returned to Base from Operation "MARKET", having forced

Page 8 of 11

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Brize Norton	23rd	landed in Channel.
		S/Sgt. Goldsack and Sgt. Foster returned to Base
		from Operation "MARKET" having forced landed behind enemy lines and been
		assisted in their escape by the Dutch Resistance Movement.
Arnhem.	24th	Shelling and Mortaring very heavy. More trenches blown in. P.I.A.T.
		smashed by Mortar fire, Major Toler takes over No. 1 wing vice Lt. Col.
		Murray commanding 4th Para Bde. vice Brig. Hatchett. Very heavy mortaring
		and shelling of Div. H.Q. Wood on South of our position vacated by Bde.
		H.Q. without informing us. Enemy infiltrate into this wood.
Brize	24th	S/Sgt. Goldsack and Sgt. Foster proceeded to Moor park for interview by
Norton		Col. Baird, H.Q. Airborne Forces, relative their recent escape.
Arnhem	25th	Shelling and Mortaring not so heavy. S/Sgt. Baker killed by bullet. S/Sgt
		Gowen wounded by splinter through roof of dug out.
		order for withdrawal at 1300 hours. 20 Flight to withdraw with Div H.Q.
		Section under Major Wilson, Remainder of "B" Squadron at Lt. Rgt, position

Page 9 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Arnhem	25th		under command of Lt. Rgt. R.A. withdrawal to start at 2045. S.S.M. Watt
			Capt. Priest, Lieut. Futter, to arrange piquets on Eastern route to river,
			All quiet at start. Very heavy automatic fire in wood South of Division
			probably for diversion by 30 cwts. Very wet and dark night. Route to
			river O.K. Everyone bunched at last hedgerow by river and enemy put
			three Mortars in centre of bunch causing many casualties. Boats commenced
			ferrying and several were sunk and occupants drowned, carrying heavy
			equipment. After crossing the river Flight R.V. at DRIEL with no
			further casualties other than S/Sgt. Norris who was taken to R.A.P. on
			S. side of the river.
Brize Norton	25th	1400	8 crews of Capt. Tallantyre's Flight proceeded to TARRANT RUSHTON.
Nijmegen.	26th		At NIJMEGEN. Joined up with Seatail.
Brize Norton	26th		Lieut. Howarth (Yorks and Lancs Regt) reported for duty as A/Adjt.
			Advance party proceeded to R.A.F. station, Earls Colne. party consisted
			of: Sgt. Roberts, (i/c),L/C. Macilquham (Clerk),Tpr. Hayward (D.R.)

Page 10 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Brize Norton	26th		Tpr. Webber, Tpr. Adams, Tpr. Hollis (all G.D.).
Nijmegen	27th		At NIJMEGEN.
Brize Norton	27th		S/Sgt. Harrison W.F. and S/Sgt. Cotterill reported back to Base from
			Operation "MARKET" (ex ARNHEM)
Louvain	28th		Squadron embussed in R,A.S.C. transport for Brussels. On passing
			through the "corridor" N. of EINDHOVEN, enemy burst through withing 100 yds.
			Spent night at Barracks at LOUVAIN.
Brize Norton	28th		Moving of Stores etc, to Earls Colne.
Brize Norton	29th		In transport to Brussels airfield. Emplaned in Dakota of 9th T.C.C. and
			landed at LYMPNE due to bad weather. Took off after lunch and landed at
			RAMSBURY. Transport from Brize Norton to take us to base.
		1900	Major Toler, Lieuts. Futter and Norton and 54 N.C.O's. of Squadron
			arrived from ARNHEM, having been landed at RAMSBURY and been collected
			by M.T. from that 'drome.
Brize Norton	30th		Debriefing of Personnel ex ARNHEM carried out by Major Toler and Lieut Norton.

Page 11 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Brize Norton	30	1600	Personnel ex ARNHEM dispatched on 14 days leave. S/Sgt. Caunter arrived
			ex ARNHEM, debriefed and sent on 14 day's leave.

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War Diary: 1 Wing Glider Pilot Regiment - B Squadron

Month and year: September 1944

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