War Diary: 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

Month and year: September 1944

The September 1944 war diary of the 1st Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers records a rapid advance from France into Belgium and the Netherlands, including a successful assault crossing of the Meuse-Escaut Canal under fire. The battalion pushed on through Achel, Budel, and Deurne, encountering scattered resistance, patrol actions, and occasional casualties, while also receiving a warm welcome from liberated civilians. By the end of the month, operations focused on patrolling and holding positions along canal lines against a withdrawing enemy.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1318

Please use the contact us page to report any errors or inaccuracies.

Viewing map locations

Many of the location in this diary have been geocoded, these locations are highlighted Screenshot of highlighted location clicking on them will display them on a map. Many location also have historical maps and aerial photographs of the area available.

Found this useful?

If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.

All diaries for this unit

War Diaries That Reference 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

The 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers are mentioned in 1 other war diaries from September 1944.

Browse all referring war diaries

War Diaries Referenced in this diary

This diary mentions 2 units with war diaries for September 1944.

Browse all referenced war diaries

Page 1 of 6

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
1	The Bn went for an all day route march covering 20 miles. The men all re turned in
	good shape. The 2IC returned from reconnoitering the new Bn area.
2	MT inspection by the CO. The Bn prepared to move to new area.
3	The Bn left at 0525 hrs arriving at the new area in HACQUEVILLE, South West of ROUEN (5094) at 2100 hrs. The journey of approximately 147 miles was uneventful and	APPX 'A'
	with the exception of one carrier all vehicles arrived without mishap. The Bn is still in reserve and on short notice to move. The country in this area shows very
	little signs of battle and the enemy has shown very little or no opposition in his quick withdrawal.

4	The morning was spent getting adjusted in our new position. The Afternoon was taken up with weapon inspections and recreational training.

5	Another draft of 30 ORs arrived, mostly from the 59 Div. "A" & "B" Coys moved to new position at ETREPAGNY, a village 5 Kilometres distant.

6	Bn went on a 23 mile route march. The troops are now rounding into shape again
	and take everything in their stride. Remainder of the Bn moved to new location at ETREPAGNY. Bn HQ 552959. Intelligence Section attended a course at Bde HQ.

7	Major TG COVERDALE, 2IC Bn left to take up a post as GSO 3 MO(3) at the War Office.

8	The Bn still in the same area. Training by Coys was carried out. Counter Mortar
	Course started at Bde HQ.

Page 2 of 6

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
9	CO held admin inspection of Coys in the morning. In the afternoon Bn drill parade was held in anticipation of a visit by Maj Gen Whistler, the Div Comd.
10	Sunday; the day was given over to recreation. In the afternoon a soccer match
	between the Bn and the local French team attracted a large attendance. The Pipe Band performed before and after the game. The GOC 3 Br Inf Div was a guest for
	lunch. In the evening a Bn Dance was held in the local hall.
11	Counter Mortar Course continues at Bde HQ. General training throughout the Bn.	APPX. 'B'
12	Quiet day. Training continues throughout Bn.
13	Bn received warning order to be on 24 hours notice from first light, 15th.
14	An officers' day was held, chiefly on general adm subjects. Bn received orders to move on Saturday 16 to an area East of Brussels.	APPX. 'C'
15	Advance party left to recce the new Bn area.
16	The Bn left for a staging area in the neighbourhood of SOIGNIES, travelling in two parties. The wheeled veh party incl the marching troops travelling in TCVs	APPX 'D'
	left ETREPAGNY at 0720 hrs and arrived at the Staging area at about 1930 hrs. Tracks left at 1740 hrs and arrived at about 0800 hrs, 17 Sep. The Bn had a clear
	run through very interesting country including the last war battle fields. The Bn got a great welcome from the people of all towns through which it passed.

17	The Bn left the staging area at 0635 hrs and arrived at about 1400 hrs in an area South of the MEUSE ESCAUT CANAL near LILLE ST HUBERT. The Bn had a quick run
	by-passing BRUSSELS and passing through LOUVAIN a town which, to those few of the Bn who were serving with the original 1st Bn during the campaign in 1940, brought back
	memories. Fwd Coys were in contact with the enemy who were holding the line of the NORTH bank of the canal. The enemy however had little arty and only a few mortars
	so the posn was a very quite one.

Page 3 of 6

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
		Remarks and
18	Recces were made for assault crossing of MEUSE ESCAUT Canal by 9 Br Inf Bde. Tracks arrived in Bn area at 1700 hrs. At 1800 hrs orders were received for the Bn to conc near the river in the area LILLE ST HUBERT and to provide carrying and rowing parties for 2 RUR and 2 LINCOLNS who were to be assault Bns during this crossing. Major RC MacDonald arrived to take over the appointment of 2 I/C.
19	H hour was 2400 hrs and the two assault Bns made a successful crossing of the river. Some mortar and MG fire was directed on the crossing places, and the parties provided by the Bn received casualties. Lieut JW Skelly and approx 7 ORs were wounded. 2 ORs were killed. At approx 0430 hrs the Bn was ordered to start crossing the canal on 2 LINCOLN's (the rt bn) front where enemy opposition was strongest. Coys crossed in the order A, C, B, D. The first task of the two fwd Coys was to protect the right flank of 2 LINCOLNS who had suffered considerable casualties during the crossing. The Bn was fortunate in completing its crossing under cover of a heavy ground mist and suffered very few casualties. The advance was continued at about 0700 hrs with right C Coy and left A Coy, the first objective being the rly line crossing the main rd running NORTH from the canal at 427960. The Plan was to establish a firm base on the rly line with A and C Coys, and then to adv with D Coy up to the village of ACHEL 4297. Opposition from MGs sited with good fields of fire over open ground was encountered and the two fwd Coys had some casualties. Lieut BL Taylor of A Coy was killed. The advance to the rly line was slow and support from arty and mortars was called for on several occasions, B Coy provided a right flank guard to C Coy in their final attack and D Coy was pushed through between A and C with the HALT 426960 as objective. By 1330 hrs fwd Coys were established on the rly line, and shortly after that time infm was received that an armoured thrust was expected from the NORTH. The Bn therefore remained on the rly line. At 1600 hrs infm was received that the armd thrust would not now materialize and the Bn was ordered to push on to ACHEL. Further opposition from MGs from the right flank was encountered, and the mortar pl put down an effective smoke screen. Under cover of this D Coy entered the SOUTH of ACHEL and by nightfall the Bn was established with two Coys B and D in the SOUTHERN half of ACHEL and A and C Coys with Bn HQ in the area of the HALT. Patrols during the night found that the enemy had withdrawn.
20	The enemy has now definitely withdrawn in an Easterly direction and by 0900 hrs Bn HQ was set up in ACHEL with Coys in the village. At this time 11th Armd Div started to pass through going NORTH into HOLLAND. This movement of armour continued throughout the day, At midday orders were received for the Bn to move up to the area of ACHEL rly station 419998 to make room for other tps of the Bde in ACHEL, and this move was carried out during the afternoon. An unusual feature of this battle was that the Belgian civilians remained in the area throughour the fighting which was very localised, and the inhabitants of ACHEL came out and welcomed the troops as they marched in.	APPX E

Page 4 of 6

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
21	Orders were received that the Bn was to move SOUTH EAST to the area HAMONT 4697 and thence NORTH EAST to BUDEL 4999. The Bde was to follow up the armour of 11 Armd Div travelling in a NE direction. C Coy sent out a patrol with carriers to Beverbeek Fm area. The Bn left by march route for BUDEL and crossed the Dutch border before entering BUDEL, where the troops were given a great welcome by the inhabitants.
22	Patrols were sent out by B and C Coys, the former with nothing to report. C Coy brought back one prisoner. The Pipe Band played in BUDEL in the evening. Later preparations were made for a move the following day. Patrols were sent out at night.
23	Recce and Harbour parties left in the morning in preparation for move to area of DEURNE, following up the 11 Armd Div. Two prisoners were brought in during the day. Later in the evening the recce party returned as move was postponed.
24	The recœ party left again in the morning while the Bn stood by to move. The Bn left in TCVs at 1730 hrs and arrived in the area LIESEL666145 at about 2000 hrs. Considering the bad conditions with rain and darkness, the move went well.	APPX. 'F'
25	B Coy sent out a patrol of 1 Pl strength to area of SLOT. Two prisoners were brought into B Coy by civilians. C Coy sent out a patrol to the farm buildings in area of ZAND and reported them clear of enemy. D Coy recce patrol reports LOON 6615 clear of enemy, also suspected 88mm gun at 696155. This was found to be incorrect.
26	A Coy patrols reported LOONSCHE BAAN to the East of LIESEL clear of enemy for the first thousand yards, but also a small number of enemy wandering about on the West of the Canal looking for food of which it seems they are somewhat short. Later on 2/Lt McKenzie and patrol reported half the houses in area 698120 abandoned and five or six of the enemy wandering about looking for food. A further A Coy recce patrol drew fire from post at 714101, both MG and rifle fire. B Coy on carriers went down the main road, drawing Mortar fire, probably from 720090, and reported MEISEL clear of enemy, also that the Church there had been destroyed. C Coy recce patrols reported enemy posts at 705133 and 707129 with possibly an MG on the west of the canal at 706128. Lt McCreath and patrols captured two German POW at BROEK 701098, then went due EAST to canal but were unable to get definite information as to enemy posns. D Coy again sent a patrol under Lt AJM Brown to the area of the suspected gun 696155 they reported that there was definitely no gun, but that there were some enemy in trenches on the far side of the canal in this area, probably about one section strong.

Page 5 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	26		A carrier patrol of 2 sections between 1600 and 1900 hrs penetrated through MEIJEL, where they were cheered by the inhabitants much to their annoyance, and got as far as DONK709057 where they cut East down a track to within 500 yards of the Canal. The enemy as well as holding the South East bank and having blown the bridge, have burned down all houses and trees obstructing their view, thus obtaining a very good field of view and fire from the South East side of the Canal. At 1700 hrs the enemy shelled the Church in LEISEL and wounded Capt. Huggan of "A" Coy. During the night there were inter-coy patrols. Two POW were captured by "B" Coy.
	27		At 0130 hrs contact was established by patrol between the Royal Warwickshire Regt and ourselves at road-track-junc 645139. Patrolling on similar lines to preceding day. Reports indicate that the drawbridge at HOGGEBRUG 708122 has been blown. Carrier patrols went to MEIJEL in the morning and at dusk. No enemy were observed. A and D Coys cleared area 682128- 702122 - 703078 - 720079. No enemy encountered. C and D Coy recce patrols to 695156 and 697153. No enemy movement seen. B Coy night recce patrol to HOGGEBRUG challenged by enemy. This was the most northely point on the canal in our unit sector that showed any sign of enemy. Warning order to move received 1915 hrs. Nightly contact patrol with the Warwicks cancelled.
	28		Advance party under 2IC, Maj RC Macdonald leaves at 0730 hrs for new location, which was to be B and D Coys fwd on X rds at MILHEESE. A and C Coys with Bn HQ and S Coy in rear in area BAKEL. Later the plan was changed and the whole Bn took up posns covering X rds at MILHEEZE, with Bn HQ in the centre. Two patrols went out during the night to obtain details of the ground and of the Canal due East of the Bn posn. The patrol under Sgt Batey got to within 20 yards of the Canal, but on observing the enemy on the near bank had to withdraw. Lieut Vaughan's patrol reached the Canal bank but had to withdraw owing to MG fire. It seems that the enemy are ensconced in the wood at 7128 and that he sends patrols across the bogs and canal for food and information. B Coy moved up to a posn forward of the X rds, so we have the rifle coys round the X rds and forward of it, with Bn HQ just behind with S Coy protecting the rear and left rear flanks. B Coy put out a standing patrol consisting of one sec carriers and one sec inf 300 yards in front of their own posn at 663246, during the hours of darkness. D Coy provided contact patrol to 1st Suffolks on our left at 0100 at X tracks 653263.

Page 6 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	29		To our intense relief the Bath Unit eventually arrived and the whole Bn felt clean again for the forst time since Etrepagny. Clean laundry was also provided. Elements of the US forces moved into DEURNE. Patrols during the day had nothing to report. O.Ps. are very scarce in this part of the country as the ground is flat and there are innumerable pine woods. None of our O.Ps. observed anything. The Bde was allotted the Officers' Shop in HELMOND for the day. During the hours of darkness a patrol of 1 sec of Carriers made contact with US troops in WASBURG just North of DEURNE at 1900 hrs, 0100 hrs and 0600 hrs. No enemy were seen. "B" Coy standing patrol at 663246 consisted of two sections of infantry.
	30		Contact was made with 1 Suffolks at X tracks 653263 at 0100 hrs. Owing to the expected American sweep South across our front from ST.ANTONIS, we were prepared to deal with anything driven across our front. Celanese triangles were displayed to assist our fighter planes to locate the enemy. Preparations were made for expected move. Inter-coy patrols as usual.

Units Referencing the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

The following units mention the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers in their war diaries from September 1944:

2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, September 1944 War Diary

Units Referenced in this war diary

The following units are mention in this war diary and have their own September 1944 war diary