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the Germans would surrender but sometimes they would make a fight for it. It was an unnecessary risk for men to take but, fortunately, no harm came of it and the Wehrmacht was deprived of a few of its men as a result. Commanders were at somewhat of a loss when a couple of men, who had not permission to be out at all, returned to their area proudly escorting a party of prisoners or bringing in the documents of Germans who had decided to fight it out but had lost the fight.

At 9 a.m. on June 10th, it seemed that the Germans were, at last, about to make a bigger attempt to recover the DZ as considerable numbers of them could be seen moving onto the DZ from the woods on the East of it. The MMG platoon was the first to spot them but the Mortars were not far behind, neither were Ptes O’Sullivan and Woolcott who were both crack shot snipers.

Both the MMG and the Mortar platoons were under command of Lieut Archdale at this time, following the death on D day of both the battalion's machine gun officers (Lieut Bowler, the Brigade Machine Gun officer and Lieut Hill the Battalion one).

When the CO arrived on the scene, in response to a request to open up "on large numbers of enemy located in the open" he found that he had only to give the word and all the MMGs, all the mortars and both the snipers could fire immediately as they had made all preparations in anticipation. He gave the word.

The range was just on a mile but this was very suitable for both MMGs and mortars and they took heavy toll. O'Sullivan and Woolcott had a real field day too. It was particularly pleasing that the mortars and MMGs got this opportunity target because their's was one of the most thankless of all parachutists' roles. Their weapons are heavy and complicated, calling for considerable skill to operate and great physical strength and endurance to carry. Their own weight limits the amount of ammunition that is available as both weapon and ammunition have got to be carried on the back. It is a point of honour that both platoons will keep up with the rest of the battalion wherever they go, and at whatever speed. The men are picked for their size and strength but they show a deal of initiative as well and it is no uncommon sight to find wheelbarrows, or even prams, being used for their loads when the going is suitable. Parachutists are not tied to roads though and, more often than not, move across country which means a long tiring carry for these specialists. They may hump their weapons and ammunition for days on end without ever being called upon to fire them. An opportunity target from a static position, where extra ammunition has been dumped is like manna from Heaven to them and, like the Israelites before them, they snapped up their manna on this occasion.

The attack was halted and the attackers, being badly shot up, made for the nearest cover, which was a series of small woods which lay immediately between the two Parachute Brigades but were not occupied by either.

Their presence there was highly undesirable as they were, literally, a thorn in the side of both Brigades; a thorn in a very awkward part of the side too, being just beyond the comfortable reach of either Brigade.

The battalion was ordered to clear the woods and then to move on and establish contact with the 3rd Brigade. The operation was to take place that afternoon, when a squadron of tanks would be available for support. The battalion had not co-operated With tanks before, so this would be an interesting little operation.