War Diary: 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment

Month and year: October 1944

The 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment October 1944 covers the units fighting in Holland in the area around Nijmegen

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1278

All diaries for this unit:

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.

« Return to war diaries

Page 1 of 23

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	1st October		The 1st Airborne Division had been withdrawn from ARNHEM two nights ago
			and British and American troops now held a bridgehead from NIJMEGEN to the
			southern banks of the LEK, slightly south and west of ARNHEM.
		0600	At six oclock in the morning we left MILL and went by T.C.Vs via GRAVE
			across the MAAS and on to DE KLUIS, 3 miles south of NIJMEGEN. Here we
			harboured for approximately six hours before receiving orders to move again
			to BERG EN DAAL, two miles to the east of NIJMEGEN. Here we were to
			provide backing to the 82nd American Airborne Division. BERG EN DAAL
			itself lay partly in Holland and partly in Germany and when the Coys had
			been finally put into position, C Company was in Germany and the rest of the
			Battalion in Holland. From A Company it was possible to gat a magnificent
			view of Holland to the north with the River WAAL cutting across the
			plain, and to the east, Germany.
			We were quite prepared to stay here for at least a few
			days but at midnight we received orders to move the following day into

Page 2 of 23

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	1		the bridgehead, to relieve 69 Brigade.
	2	0835	Just after half past eight the Bn crossed the NIJMEGEN Bridge
			and moved into a concentration area at LENT , a thousand yards north of
			the bridge.
		1100	At 11 oclock the C.O. returned from his 'O' Group with the Brigadier and
			put the Coys in the picture. We were to relieve 2 companies of the 7th
			Green Howards and 1 Company of the 5th East Yorks, in the area S.E. of
			ELST. Hampshires were to relieve the remaining 3 companies of the 5th
			East Yorks and Dorsets were to come into reserve behind us. Having put
			the companies thus far in the picture, the C.O. had to leave them so that
			he could continue his Recce.
			Suddenly OC 'C' Company (65193 T/Major HOWARD M.W. M.C.,) was
			ordered to move up to his intended position with his company as soon as
			possible, and on Hampshires Carriers. O.C. 'C' Company himself was to
			attend Hampshire 'O' Group and at any rate for the time being come under

Page 3 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	2	their command. 'C' Company's position was in the area of VERGERT orchard
		and was reputed to be a most unhealthy spot.
		The remainder of the Bn. meanwhile was moving up to positions on 'C' Company's
		left flank with 'D' and 'A' forward and 'B' In reserve next to Bn, HQ.
		The ground in front of the Companies was typically Dutch -- absolutely
		flat and full of ditches, and a thousand yards north of them a very
		pronounced dyke which ran right across our front and provided the enemy with his
		F.D.L.S. The enemy consisted of the BATTLE GROUP BRUN which had already
		suffered a number of casualties, Panzer Grenadiers from 9 Panzer Division,
		and 10 Panzer Division, plus elements of 116 Panzer Division. On top of
		all this the enemy had collected over 100 pieces of artillery of all types,
		and these proved to be our greatest menace.
		A' 'B' and 'D' Companies moved into their positions without incident
		to the great relief of 'C' Company who had moved in about an hour
		previously and had been holding a completely isolated position. To Support

Page 4 of 23

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	2		him O.C. 'C' Company had two troops of tanks from the IRISH GUARDS whose
			Infantry Bn. was our left-flanking neighbour., in the area of ELST.
			Soon after moving into their positions 'C' Company patrol ran into
			the enemy and 13 Platoon was sent out to deal with them. They returned
			with 13 prisoners after a great deal of S.A.A. had been shot off. The pri-
			soners were taken from a house not 50 yards from 'C' Company's left hand
			section and must therefore have seen 'C' Company move in.
			Not long after these prisoners had been disposed of , more firing
			broke out from the right flank where the enemy were seen to be crawling
			along a ditch parallel to 'C' Company is front. As the result of more
			S.A.A. fired in their direction, a white flag appeared and 35 more
			prisoners appeared All prisoners so far had come from the BATTLE GROUP
			BRUN.
		1830	At about half past six, just as the food was arriving, 'C' Company
			suffered its first 'stonk' from the enemy. It went on for approximately

Page 5 of 23

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	2nd	1830	3/4 of an hour and included everything from mortars to shells of 210 mm
			which made craters similar to a 500 lb bomb. Luckily casualties were few
			but 2 men were killed. More enemy were seen to be moving about on 'C'
			Coys left flank. but offensive operations were impossible now because
			of almost continuous stonking and because it was getting too dark. The
			main thing was that 'C' Company had got into position and was still there.
			During the night shelling and mortaring went on almost continuously
			spread now a bit more evenly over the Battalion Area, but always a bit extra
			for 'C' Company.
	3rd		In the morning the shelling and mortaring suddenly ceased altogether
			giving 'C' Coy a chance to adjust its positions, and during the pause
			another 9 prisoners came in - most of these however were wounded.
			The rest of the day passed very quietly - so quietly infact that
		1830	enemy artillery fire was conspicuous by its absence. At half past six
			the storm broke again - mainly on 'C' Company but some of it, especially

Page 6 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	3rd	the 210 mm spread round the Bn. It was the heaviest and worst shelling
		'C' Company and the Battalion had ever met and under cover of the terrific
		noise the enemy had brought up a tank and assaulting infantry right to the
		front lines of the leading 'C' Coy Platoon, 2 sections and Pl H.Q. of
		which were over-run. The other forward Platoon (No. 15) was immediately
		withdrawn nearer to Coy H.Q. where it formed a new defence line. 13 Platoon
		stayed put and maintained a firm right flank.
		In the midst of all this, a patrol from the Dorsets arrived, intrending to pass
		through 'C' Company. Since it was impossible for them to move now, they
		stayed to help and rendered valuable service.
		During this time the Company Commander had been trying to communicate
		with either Devons or Hants for D.F.Tasks - but unluckily his wireless
		communications had broken down. D.F. Tables meanwhile had been fired
		and it seened that as a result the attack had petered out and the
		shelling had stopped, at any rate for the time being. Under the improved

Page 7 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	3rd	conditions 'C' Coy Commander instructed the Coldstream Guard Tanks to "beat
		up" the woods and houses to his front and left flank where the enemy were
		suspected to be. This the Guards duly did.
		The Company Commander now sent 296979 Capt Heap, H. (MC) back to
		Bn.H.Q., to give an account of the battle so far and ask if 'B' Coy could
		help clear the situation completely.
		Capt Lloyd (R.A.M.C) suddenly appeared in 'C' Cay area and was persuaded
		after much argument to leave since it was no place for him yet.
		Finally a message arrived at 'C' Company headquarters that the Officers
		club would be opened in NIJMEGEN on the following day.
		'A' Company meanwhile had their skimish with the enemy who seemed
		to have found 'C' Company were more then they could deal with at the
		moment and had cut straight across to 'A' Company who found them digging in,
		in a ditch near their Coy H.Q., These Germans were shot as they dug and
		eight Germans were found the following morning.

Page 8 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Holland	3rd.	In the meanwhile in 'C' Company area a stretcher Bearer had been captured	by the enemy
		and had been forced to lead a German Patrol to 'C' Coy H.Q., to persuade 'C'
		Company Commander to surrender. The Stretcher Bearer Pte RUDDICK however
		slipped the patrol just before it roached the Coy H.Q.,
		He immediately reported to his Company Commander and told him 'Not to be
		a bloody fool and surrender - there are only six of them! The enemy patrol
		was then shot up, though casualties inflicted could not be gauged in the dark.
		'B' Company Commander by now had been ordered to take his company up to
		help 'C' Company and eventually to relieve 'C' completely. 'B' Company was to
		down the road towards Bn.HQ. then in across country through 'D' Company
		and 'A' Company, on the way clearing any enemy that might still remain in
		the orchards, and houses between 'A' and 'C' Companies. The enemy shellfire
		had ceased now, and 'B' Company moved to 'C' Company area without incident
		except for 3 small size shells landing fifty yards away from their leading
		Platoon as they passed 'A' Coy. Everything appeared to be well in hand and

Page 9 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	3rd	one platoon of 'C' COY was relieved and went back to 'B' Coys old area. The
		remainder of 'C' stayed where it was - and so the position remaind until the
		following morning. We were still not quite sure whether the area between
		A' and the now joint 'C' and 'B' position was clear of enemy. We know that the
		enemy was still occupying 'C' Companies original forward platoon area.
	4	The following morning 'B' Coy took over completely from 'C' and 'B' Coy.
		was ordered to restore the position completely. This however proved
		difficult in the orchards.
		At mid-day the Dorsets and Hant were going to attack on our right
		flank and occupy HEUVEL and the surrounding orchards there. This we hoped
		would relieve the situation in front of 'B' Coy and force the enemy to shift
		'B' Coy kept on prodding althrough the day and by four-o-clock in the afternoon
		had restored the position entirely on their front. Enemy however were still
		suspected to be in the houses on their left - between them and 'A' Coy. At
		four-o-clock 'A' Company produced two prisoners who confirmed that the enemy

Page 10 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	4th	"1 Officer and 6 Other Ranks" were in the houses between 'A' and 'C' Coy
		The Commanding Officer contacted the Squadron Commander of our supporting
		tanks to shoot H.E. and S.A into those houses. The result was a white flag
		with a Red cross on it, waving wildly from one house, and 1 Officer and 32 Other
		Ranks trooped out. These prisoner came from 9 Panzer Division and had been waiting
		to hand over their positions to Battle Group BRUN, who hadn't appeared, mainly
		because they'd been caught in a D.F. task and had been wiped out.
		The Battalion position had now been completely restored and even improved.
		Our right flank was secure and as a result of the advance of Hants and Dorsets
		and 'D' Coy's position had been taken over by Coldstream Guards, allowing us to
		thicken up in our centre. 'C' Coy had suffered casualties but the balance
		was well in our favour for we had taken to date 80 prisoners.
		The remainder of the evening and the night passed with intermittent
		shell-fire on the Battalion area.
	5th	During the morning 'D' Coy were shelled fairly heavily but no other offensive

Page 11 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	5th	action was taken by the enemy. During the afternoon a carrier section was sent
		out under Carrier Platoon Commander to take over part of 'D' Coys right
		flank. On arrival the section found there was a house there and on visiting
		it found it occupied by the enemy. However they were not offensive-minded
		and all,8 of them surrendered inmediately - more remnants of Battle Group
		BRUN.
		The remainder of the day passed with enemy artillery fire very much
		less intence. After dark Pte NAYLOR returned to us having been taken
		prisoner on the night of the 3rd and on being escorted back to enemy lines
		had been wounded by our shellfire and lain up in a ditch ever since.
	6th	We arranged to hand over our positions to II Bn 508 Airborne Infantry
		Major STOPKA (U.S.A and the relief was completed without any incidents by
		2000 hrs we came back into NIJMEGEN hoping for at least 3 days rest, in woods
		on the S outskirts of NIJMEGEN.
	7th	Coys were allowed to find their own billots and B.C.D. moved out from

Page 12 of 23

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	7th		the wood to places of their own choosing, causing the Signals Officer
			a bit of a headache.
		2100	At 1200 hrs we were informed that we were going to move back into the
			bridgehead again, this time to relieve a Bn of 502 Airborne Infantry
			Regiment. Another Sunday move.
	8th		Just after 1400 hrs the Battalion crossed the NIJMEGEN bridge again
			and by 1300 hrs had taken over the American positions just NORTH of ELST.
	9th		Luckily the night was a quiet one, opposite us this time were 1.2. and 3.
			Companies of 10 Panzer Grenadier Regimant who were supposed not to be there
			in an offensive role - and the enemy artillery which by now had quietened
			down a bit our positions were bounded by the road and railway that ran
			due NORTH to ARNHEM, now only 3 miles away from us.
			ELST itself was a most unhealthy place since it was the enemy's
			main 'Stonking ground'. We spent most of the day sending back 'Shellreps'
			to Brigade and listening to our own retaliatory fire going back.

Page 13 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	9th	Getting food to the forward Companies presented a difficult problem
		- the road was unusable owing to shell-fire and observation from the
		enemy. So the only course was to lump it up to the Coys keeping as far
		as possible under cover of the many orchards. The Battle now was mainly
		one of hand grenades and rifles in the forward companies, and swift return
		fire from supporting aims.
	10th	The next day passed much the same as the previous one - fire at short
		range on 'D' Coy's right. 2" and 3" mortars saw that off. 'D' Coy front was bounded
		by a large double dyke and the enemy was on one side and 'D' Coy the other.
		At mid-night Bn.H.Q., was shelled for 10 minutes and caused quite a bit
		of consternation.
	11th	More shell reps, mortar reps, retaliatory fire - and rain. At 2100 hrs
		'D' Coy Commander himself escorted a Prisoner from 10 Panzer Grenadier Regt
		to Bn.H.Q., This prisoner, a youth of 17, Polish by birth, had intended to join
		the Luftwafte, had completed all his preliminary instruction, been diverted

Page 14 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	11th	in August to a Flak Regiment, and at the begining of October drafted to
		10 Panzer Division, to keep their numbers up.
	12th	Representatives from 9, D.L.I. came to see us prior to taking over
		from us that night. The afternoon was passed in the usual way - constant
		shell and mortar reps. We hoped we would be relieved fairly early in the
		evening and thanks to the speed of 9, D.L.I. we were all installed again
		in NIJMEGEN by 2230 hrs. This time all under one roof in an Institution
		in NIJMEGEN itself.

Page 15 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	13th	Bn prepared for at least four days rest. Everything was in our
		we were all under one roof and we had a Cinema in the building, other
		entertainments were arranged in NIJMEGEN and baths were to be had.
		In addition there were football and hockey pitches close at hand and a
		Company knock-out competition soon started. Companies also carried out
		some training including P.T.
	14th	More training, recreation and entertainment. During the night the
		area around our billet was shelled by an enemy S.P. Gun. However no
		damage was done to us and the Battalion continued its interrupted sleep.
	15th	We challenged the Dorsets to a football match and beat them 2-1 after
		a good game. In the evening the Sergeants Mess invited the Commanding
		Officer and all Officers in for a drink and a reasonable rowdy evening
		was spent. To-day was Sunday and up to now no orders had come through
		for a move, although we had arranged and held a Church Parade - an almost

Page 16 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	15th	Certain prelude to a move.
	16th	The final of the Company football competition was played, and won
		by 'H.Q' Company Prizes of cigarettes were presented to the team by the
		Commanding Officer. The Officers played a game of Hockey against a mixed
		side from our C.C.P, whom we beat 4-2. The C.C.P however got their own back
		by beating our football side 3 - 2.
		A dance for Officers organised by Support Company Commander was held
		in the evening in NIJMEGEN, while on a 'high level' our future moves were
		being decided. We had heard that we might not be going to relieve
		69 Brigade at the Northern tip of the island, but nobody had heard what
		alternative there was. However at 11p.m. Brigade informed us we were to
		relieve the 2nd Battalion of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry in the area
		of HAALDEREN on the south eastern outskirts of our bridge-head on the
		island.

Page 17 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	17th	Recce parties arrived at Ox and Bucks H.Q. at 10 a.m. and the
		area was found to be quiet though very muddy. Our H.Q., was nearly a
		mile away from the Company position but it seemed that there was no other
		place for it. The Battalion position this time was bounded on its right
		flank by a flood-bank on top of which was a road. 'D' and 'C' Companies
		found themselves in orchards, 'B' was in reserve around HAALDEREN itself,
		with one platoon next to 'C' Company and 'A' Company held the right flank with one
		section in a nearby factory area. We took over command at 2000 hrs.
		We weren't sure what type of enemy was in front of us since no prisoners
		had been taken but we were told it was a battle group. Except for some
		Spandau fire the night passed without incident.
	18th	'C' Company found that in places the enemy were not more then 75 to
		100 yards away from them in buildings which 'C' Company soon engaged P.I.A.T.S.
		In 'C' Coy area there was a good O.P. in the roof from which enemy

Page 18 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	18th	movement could easily be seen and it proved to be a gunners delight.
		During the day the form was to leave just the necessary look-outs
		while as many men as possible could rest, bath or go to the Cinema in
		NIJMEGEN, while during the night we should do active patrolling.
		Accordingly recce patrols were laid on to discover the lie of the land.
		The enemy at night however was up to his usual tricks, and spent most
		of his time firing spandous towards us. This brought 3" Mortar fire
		down on him very promptly.
	19th	No result from the night patrolling except confirmation of enemy
		positions. The day passed very quietly until the evening when 'D' and 'B'
		Companies complained of being shelled. Our gunners immediately retaliated
		at the rate of 5 shells to every one.
		More patrols went out at night - one led by Cpl Hemmings covered
		a great deal of ground and brought in some useful information.

Page 19 of 23

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	20th		A fairly quiet day, Int., 'OP' at C Coy H.Q. observed movement on the
			front and 'Sheldrake' lined them up with a good stonk. During early evening
			Bn.H.Q. 'B' and 'D' Coys were shelled.
	21st		During night 'B' and 'D' Coys sent in bearing of gun believed shelling
			Bn.H.Q.' this was passed to the Gunners.
		0500	'D' Coy reported heavy tracked vehicles moving N.E. along rd 900 yards
			to their front, Gunners engaged.
			During the morning Coy areas were shelled, 'C' reported tank heard firing
			on a bearing of 145 degrees. Bde were infirmed and asked if Air O.P. could
			go up and spot for veh, movements, this was done but with no result.
			During the afternoon int., O.P. reported smoke coming from House in enemy
			lines, this was engaged by our 3rd Mortars, enemy were seen to run out of
			House to slit trenches near the house, but returned when stonk was over.
			As darkness was falling enemy shelling in our Coy areas increased. House
	21st		near 'C' Coys HQ., suffered a direct hit in which 3 men were killed and

Page 20 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	21st	a number wounded. Quite a number of shells were going over our posn and
		falling in the reserve Bn area at BEMMEL.
	22nd	During the night movement heard in front of 'A' Coy area this was engaged
		by 4.2 mortars. Boufor's did a harrassing ground shoot during night.
		To-day was a very bad one for Coy O.Ps, starting from left to right,
		the enemy knocked 'D' Coy 'O.P.' out be shell fire, 'C' Coy 'O.P'. was also
		shelled and House adjoining was set on fire by incendiary bullets, this left
		us with only a very poor 'O.P'. in fwd Pl of 'A' Coy.
	23rd	During the night recce patrolling was carried out on our front, no good
		information was obtained. The day passed very quietly with very little
		enemy shelling, track veh was heard moving on our 'A' Coy front.
	24th	During early morning tracked veh heard again by 'A' Coy. 'B' Coy
		standing patrol return, had nothing to report. A quiet night apart from
		intermittent 'Spandeau' fire.
		During 'Stand-to' it was reported by Int Sec., that our last 'O.P'. in

Page 21 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	24th	factory chimney in 'A' Coy area was being destroyed by 'S.P.' Gun. Our
		Gunners immediately engaged.
		Remainder of the day passed quietly and during the afternoon and evening
		Bn was relieved by the 'DORSETS' and we moved back into reserve in the
		'BEMMEL' area. Short leave to BRUSSELS and ANTWERP started to-day.
	25th	During the early hours movement was heard in orchard adjoining 'A' Ech
		this was reported by the guards to the M.T.O. who turned out the whole of
		'A' Ech to clear the orchard. NO enemy were found.
		Commanding Officer took over Comand of the Brigade in the absence of
		the Brigadier on short leave.
		The day was spent cleaning up, and passed very quietly except for a
		88 mm shells in Bn area.
	26th	Day was spent doing training under Coy arrangements. Baths and
		entertainment were allotted during the afternoon.
	27th	A very quiet day spent in training and entertainment.

Page 22 of 23

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	27th	2200	'D' Coy patrol with the object of taking P.W. went out deep into enemy
			lines, but encountered NO enemy. The weather was now becoming a serious
			problem, and rain was continuous throughout the day and night.
	28th	0335	Bn.H.Q., was heavily stonked, about 20, 88mm fed in the area. 'Shellreps'
			were passed to the Gunners.
			I.O. failed to return from Leave in Antwerp, owing to accident sustained
			in 'Jeep'. He was taken to No: 6 Canadian Gen Hosp and later evacuated to
			England.
		1000	'O' Group was called at Bde H.Q. Possibility of enemy withdrawing on
			Bde front was discussed. It was decided by the A/Bde Comd that the two
			fwd Bn would send out strong recce patrols to be followed by strong
			fighting patrols and to build up on patrols if they were successful. Recce
			patrols went out but enemy were found in exactly the same posn.
			During the morning our Bn Snipers crawled to within 100 yards of
			'Spandeau' post and observed 5 Germans wearing 'Black Uniforms' which confirmed

Page 23 of 23

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	28th	presence of 'S.S.' troops on our front.
	29th	Bn area was shelled during early morning.
		Coy Church Parades were held during the morning, Div Comd attended
		Church Parade at Bn.H.Q.,
	30th-31st	Very quiet days, nothing to report. Comd Offr left for a short leave
		in BRUSSELS on 30th.

Found this useful?

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

Layers

War Diary: 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment

Month and year: October 1944

Viewing map locations