War Diary: 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment

Month and year: September 1944

The 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment September 1944 covers the units advance through France and Belgium into Holland.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1278

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Page 1 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	1st.		Orders came through to continue the journey and at 0600 hrs we started
			off again through CHAUMONT EN VEXIN 7490 and on through AMIENS 0958
			and just beyond to come to rest west of QUERRIEU 1962. We arrived at
		1800	1800 hrs and at 2100 hrs we were warned to be at sixty minutes readiness
			to move as a 'Battalion Group' on to the outskirts of ARRAS, 4799.
			We soon had the order to move, and we started our journey again at 2230 hrs
			to cover a distance of 25 miles at night to be ready to take over from the
			Guards Armoured at first light the next morning. Parties of the enemy
			were suspected to be on our route which took us over minor roads and
			across country, since the main road through ALBERT was not yet completely
	2nd	0415	clear. However we reached the outskirts of ARRAS without incident at 0415 hrs
			and our arrival was reported immediately to The 5th Guards Armoured Brigade.
		0630	At 0630 hrs the Companies moved independently into ARRAS and took up
			positions covering the NORTH and EAST of the town, awaiting the arrival
			of the rest of 231 Infantry Brigade.

Page 2 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	2nd	0630	The Enemy had left ARRAS the previous day, and the population was
			overjoyed to see us. The Battalion witnessed some remarkable spectacles
			in the town - notably the treatment of women 'Collaborators' who suffered
			the indignity of being marched through the town under escort and then having
			their hair cut from their heads. In the evening we were warned to move on
			the following day, still in the wake of the Guards Armoured Division, who
			were now directed on BRUSSELS.
	3rd	1050	At 1050 hrs we were again on the move and at 1200 hrs we were warned
			by the Guards Armoured Division that they had met opposition at PONT A MARCQ
			PONT A MARCQ and our assistance might be needed. In due course we arrived
			on the scene of the battle 'A' and 'B' Companies had unfortunately bypassed
			the battle area, and by the time the Commanding Officer had liaised with the
			Squadron Leader on the spot, 'A' and 'B' Companies were some miles away, and
			a D.R., dispatched immediately to stop than and bring them back.

Page 3 of 33

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
France	3rd	The picture as given to the Commanding Officer, was:-
		That the leading troop of the Squadron had been fired on by 6 88 mm
		anti-tank guns and five tanks had been hit and knocked out. The motor
		Company had then been committed and had successfully knocked out five of the
		anti-tank guns, an S.P. gun, several transports, and captured 200 prisoners
		Part of the village of PONT A MARCQ had been cleared and a large factory
		building to the east captured. The enemy had however withdrawn to a wood
		north west of the village and was still fighting back from that area.
		The Commanding Officer had at his immediate disposal 'C' and 'D'
		Companies, and having made a Recce, ordered 'C' Company to clear the outskirts
		of the village and enter the village itself. 'D' Company remained in reserve.
		In the meantime both "A" and "B" Coys had returned and while 'C'
		Company was carrying out its task a mobile column of the enemy was seen
		to be moving on a road perallel to the one on which the rest of the Brigade
		convoy was then halted. The distance between them and us was 2,000 yards.

Page 4 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	3rd		The gunners immediately went into action and their fifth shot blow up the
			leading vehicle which halted the rest of the column. The gunners were
			firing over open sights, and dealt with the remainder of the column in very
			swift fashion, and knocked out 2. S.P. guns and 10 other transport vehicles.
			A' and 'B' Companies captured 100 prisoners from these vehicles and 'C'
			Company captured 38 prisoners from their operation. The enemy were
			originally a battle group from a Panzer Gernadier Regiment from 248
		1730	Division, and by 1730 hrs had been liquidated and the route through to the
			Belgian border cleared. The Dorsets were still behind us and it was
			decided to let them pass through and we would follow as soon as possible.
		2030	At 2030 hrs we moved off again on to GENECH for the night - a village
			about 10 miles on and six miles from the Belgian border. The route there
		2230	was extremely tricky and it was well after dark when we reached it.
			On arrival it was found that part of an American Armoured Division was
			there. They had laid mines for their own protection and when we arrived

Page 5 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	3rd	2230	lifted them for us to pass through. When we reached the last minefield
			which had been lifted and stacked on the side of the pavement, by a most
			unfortunate accident a wire attached to one of the mines caught up in the
			wheels of the second T.C.V., to pass through and exploded. No blame could be
			attached to any-one. - it was a very unfortunate incident resulting in
			3 men killed and 21 wounded. 2 T.C.Vs burnt out and 1 badly damaged.
			The Battalion continued into its harbour area by a diversion and plans
	4th	0730	were made to continue the journey the following morning at 0730 hrs.
BELGIUM		0840	We crossed the Belgian border at 0840 hrs and joined the main ORCHIES -
			TOURNAI road. We passed through TOURNAI at 0930 hrs and again
			the welcome was terrific. It seemed that the Belgians' had brought out
			all their garden produce for us and every vehicle was soon laden with apples,
			pears plums, and flowers; beer was also provided. After TOURNAI we
			turned off once again and our route took us across country
			and just before we reached LESSINES we were informed that we should continue

Page 6 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium	4th		straight through to Brussels. Our route took us through HERNE and to the
			outskirts of ENGHIEN where we turned NORTH EAST and came on to the main
		1600	BRUSSELS - NINOVE road. At 1600 hrs the Battalion halted in the
			suburbs of Brussels, and the Brigadier gave orders for the Brigade to move in.
			The 2nd Devons were to be in the very centre of the town covering the main
			exits. Such was the welcome that we got when we reached there, that it
			was not until after 2200 hrs that companies were able to organise themselves
			into defensive positions. It seemed for Brussels at any rate that the
			war had been forgotten, and the population was bent on giving British
		Mid-night	troops as good of time as possible. By mid-night Companies were
			properly established in their positions and the Brussels population
			continued their riotous merry making.
	5th	0630	At 0630 hrs orders were received for the 2nd Battalion, The Devonshire
			Regiment to move at once to ANTWERP, to give assistance to 159 Brigade

Page 7 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium.	5th	1050	It was not until 1050 hrs however that the Battalion was able to move
			with a troop of tanks from the Guards Armoured Division to escort us.
			The remainder of 231 Infantry Brigade stayed in Brussels. The Devons
		1430	arrived on the outskirts of ANTWERP at 1430 hrs, and we then came under
			command of 159 Brigade. Our immediate job was to mop-up in the HOBOKEN
			area, SOUTH and WEST of ANTWERP itself. 'B' 'C' and 'D' Companies were
		1800	despatched to do this and by 1800 hrs reported their area clear and that
			NO enemy had been found. Patrol from 'C' and 'D' Companies covered the
			River SCHELDT during the night.
			The night was quiet except for occasional rifle shots fired by the
			enemy from the other bank of the river.
	6th		Early in the morning Major Browne 2nd-in-Command took Recce parties
			from Companies preparatory to taking over positions from 5th Monmouthshires
			who wore going to push on beyond the town to the NORTH WEST during the
			night. In order to do this we were asked to provide 2 Companies to come

Page 8 of 33

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium.	6th	under command of the 5th Monmouthshires - One Company 'D', to go out and
		take up positions on an all important lock gates at the most westerly end
		of the docks and by road 3 miles from the centre of the town and about
		2 miles from the next nearest British troops. It was essential that these
		lock gates should be defended because were they to be destroyed the whole of the
		rest of the dock works would collapse, and rebuilding would take 20 years.
		The other Company 'B' were to take part in the 5th Monmouthshires attack and their
		job was to be, to take an isolated block of flats to the NORTH of the town,
		and about 700 yards out. The whole key to the situation was bridges and
		docks and the enemy had to be prevented from doing more damage than he
		had. Already he had successfully blown a number of bridges, others had been
		left standing complete. He had already attempted to blow 'D' Companies
		lock gates, but had not been entirely successful, and the water was still
		held. It was expected that the enemy would make another attempt to blow
		the look gates, and as 'D' Company moved up to re-inforce the 5th Monmouthshires

Page 9 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium.	6th		a counter-attack on this position was already in full swing. 'D' Company
			arrived in time to drive the enemy back and by dark were on one side of the
			lock gates and the enemy on the other. The lock gates were still intact
		2345	and the enemy later withdrew, and by 2345 hrs 'D' Company supported by 1 Sec
			Anti-tank and 1 sec M.M.Gs and 1 Sec 3" Mortars, reported all was under control.
			Just after mid-night 'B' Company now under command of the 5th Monmouthshires
			moved towards their forming up place and by now the remainder of
			the Battalion had moved up and were in positions vacated by the 5th
			Monmouthshires for their attack. 'A' and 'C' Companies were both in the
			dock area, and were prinsipally defending bridges. During the whole of this
			time, the enemy had been crossing the river SCHELDT about four miles up the
			river from ANTWERP. He was crossing be means of boats carrying about
			300 men at a time and was making a regular ferry service of it. This was
			his main escape route out of BELGIUM into HOLLAND and although he could be
			seen crossing from 'D' Company's position we could do nothing about it.

Page 10 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
BELGIUM	6th		The crossing was out of range of our 25 pdrs and aircraft support which
			had been asked for had not arrived, by the time darkness fell, and by then it was too late
			for accurate bombing and straffing.
	7th		By dawn the next day 'B' Company was reported to have successfully
			captured its block of flats, and 'D' Company reported a total absence of enemy in the
			immediate neighbourhood of the lock gates. The enemy still had some heavy mortars
			and some 88 mm guns, and with these he fired at ANTWERP intermittently.
			The Belgian Forces of the Interior were of invaluable service to us
			and had provided guides and information with great willingness.
			Since the Monmouthshires had finished their job we now asked for the
		1200	return of 'B' Company to our command, and this was duly done and by mid-day
			we were working again as a composite Battalion, and under command of
			231 Infantry Brigade, having been divorced from them for nearly 48 hours.
			We were well settled into ANTWERP now and were ready for any counter-attack
			The night passed without undue incident.

Page 11 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium.	8th		The following morning 'A' Company found that one of its bridges was
			covered by S.A.A. from an L.M.G., on fixed lines from the far bank of the
			SCHELDT. This made the visiting of 'D' Company a rather tricky business.
			The road to 'B' Company was also under observation and any vehicle moving
			us it brought down mortar fire. Luckily we lost no casualties in either
			of these places. Otherwise there was again no outstanding incident.
			The enemy were still crossing the SCHELDT out of our range and escaping
			north of ANTWERP into HOLLAND. Air was again called for and this time appeared with some effect.
			All quiet in the morning and in the afternoon we learnt that we were to
			be relieved, probably sometime during the night. Late in the evening
			the Commanding Officer of the 3rd East Lancashire Regiment and his Recce
	9th	0430	party arrived and by 0430 hrs all companies Except 'D' Company were back on the southern
			outskirts of ANTWERP. 'D' Company was relieved at first light, and rejoined
		0930	us at 0930 hrs. By 1300 hrs we were on the move again - eastwards this time
			with indefinite future. We travelled about 15 miles with the rest of the Brigade,

Page 12 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Belgium.	9th	1300	and passed through LIERRE and stopped for the night at a village called
			WEST MEERBEEK, 9677, where we harboured for the night.

Page 13 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium	10th		We spent the whole of to-day still in WESTMEERBEEK sometimes with half an
		2100	hours notice to move and sometimes with an hours notice to move. By 2100 hrs
			we were officially informed that we would not move before 1000 hrs the next
			day. A further supply of drink, originally intended for the Germans arrived
			for the Battalion, and due justice done to it that night.
	11th		At 1200 hrs the Battalion moved to PAEL 2074 and took up defence positions -
			we were now close to the all important bridge at BEERRINGEN and this had to be
			held at all costs for future operations. Guards Armoured had captured intact
			a further bridge over the ESCAUT Canal 8 miles N.E. of us at GROOTE BARRIER
			just south of the Dutch Border. Our Battalion position was in fact on the
			west bank of the Albert Canal tributary turning towards HASSELT. The
			Battalion task was to protect the left flank of the bridgehead against enemy
			who had not by then made their way across the canal. We did a great deal
			of patrolling on our side of the canal, and it seemed that the enemy had
			evacuated our side of the canal, but had one or two S.P.Guns on the for side

Page 14 of 33

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium.	11th	and with these he shot at other minor wooden bridges along the Canal, which
		had infact already been blown. The eneny sent five fighter-bombers over
		just as dusk was falling to bomb the bridge at BEERINGEN 2,000 yards to
		the EAST of us. However his bambs fell wide of the bridge, and NO damage
		was done, and the night passed without furthor incident.
	12th	To-day was spent with more patrolling on our side of the canal - the
		enemy had now definitely disappeared from our side and were being harrassed
		by the Dorsets and Hampshires patrols on the other side . Late in the evening
		unconfirmed report stated that the enemy while making another attempt to bomb
		the bridge had also droppod some parachutists. This caused a stir but none
		were found.
	13th	7th Battalion, Green Howards relieved us in our position at 0900 hrs this
		morning, and the Battalion moved over the bridge to the other side of the
		canal - into a concentration area at TERVANTER HEIDE 2277. ready to clear
		the enemy out of the EAST bank as well. It was apparent however that the

Page 15 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
BELGIUM,	13th		Enemy had withdrawn to some extent, so fighting partols from 'B' and 'D'
		1800	Companies were dispatched to confirm this information. By 1800 hrs both
			patrols returned with the information that there were no enemy between us
			and KWADMECHELEN and so it was decided to move the Battalion to that Village
			area before dark.
	13th	2040	By 2040 hrs most of the Battalion was established in the area
			KWADMECHELEN 1881-1981, the villagers gave us a great welcome which was
			spoilt unfortunately by the presence of enemy planes again trying to bomb
			the bridge at BEERINGEN, now 3 - 4 miles south of us.
	14th		Patrol with carriers were sent as far north as BAELEN 205890 and still
			there was no sign of the enemy. In the afternoon we were ordered to move the
			next day to relieve the Coldstream Guards in their bridgehead at GROOTE
			BARRIER 355961. Recce parties from Companies went during the afternoon to
			see their new company areas. We were to take over the spearhead of the bridge-
			head and our foremost Company 'B' now under 87009 A/Major T.M. LAING

Page 16 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium	14th		was to be right up on the Dutch Border. We were to move probably after dark the
			next day, because the whole Battalion Position was under observation from
			the enemy.
	15th		Confirmation was sent that we were not to move into the Bridgehead area
		1400	until dusk. So at 1400 hrs the Battalion started off. The route lay through
			BOURG LEOPOLD, Belgian's equivalent to ALDERSHOT and to the harbour area
			just short of GROOTE BARRIER, where the Battalion remained until 2030 hrs and
		2315	moved into position as dusk fell. By 2315 hrs the hand-over and take-over
			was complete, and was unhampered by enemy interference except for a short salvo
			of about 10 shells, which dropped round the Battalion Area. There was some
			other spasmodic shelling during the night.
	16th		The morning was quieter than we had expected - we had been prepared for
			constant counter-attacks but the enemy contented himself with mortaring and
			occasional shelling, and sending out what must have been patrols. We were
			now un against a Bn of 6 Parachuts Regiment to which has been recruited some

Page 17 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium	16th		extremely courageous but poorly trained Air Force personnel.
			B' Company had some good shoots during the morning because the enemy was
			bringing up troop carrying lorries to within 700 yards of 'B' Coys FORWARD
			Position and off loaded his troops there.
			This went on intermittently throughout the day, and on one occasion was
			supported by an S.P. gun which didn't fire and was promptly hit seven times
			by a tank from 15/19 Hussars who were in support of us.
		1200	At mid-day we were put in the picture about future operations which were
			going to include the dropping of 3 Parachute Divisions - 1 British and
			2 American and a Polish Parachute Brigade - all planned for the next day
			at about 1400 hrs. 2nd Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment were to help
			in the initial stages by clearing the flanks of Guards Amoured Division in
			their first push into HOLLAND. Meanwhile we were to hold the bridgehead
			"at all costs" This Division in fact having been the first to land in France
			the first infantry to cross into Belgium, were now to be the first infantry

Page 18 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Belgium.	16th		to cross into HOLLAND, led by the 2nd Bn The Devonshire Regiment.
			The night was spent in careful patrolling with the object of pin pointing
			the enemy positions as exactly as possible for Guards Armour. The night
	17th		passed with the almost constant chatter of Spandaus.
			During the morning final preparations were made for our part of the operations.
			For this the Battalion was split into two - 'B' and 'D' were to be under the
			Command of 635978 T/Major G.B. Browne, and word to clear the woods, skirting
			the East and West of the road to HOEK and 'A' and 'C' Companies
			Commanded by the Commanding Officer, the woods further East of the road	[West 3601 see 231 Bde WD]
			The operation for us was timed to start at the same time as Guards Armoured
			with Z. Hour at 1435 hrs.
		1300	Just after 1300 hrs softening up of the enemy positions began
			Typhoons, Lightnings, 25 pdrs, mediums and heavies all joined in and worked
			up to crescendo. In the distance we could see the troop-carrying aircraft
			passing on to their destinations streched right across Holland.

Page 19 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Belgium	17th	1435	At 1435 hrs the first tanks and the first infantry (from the 2nd Devons
			pushed ahead and the advance began. Soon after the start Guards Armoured
			tanks were held up by an S.P. Gun and 6 of their tanks were brewed up, 'B' and
			'D' Companies meanwhile continued their part of the operation and captured up
			to 60 prisoners. Air support by now was terrific. Typhoons were swooping
			down at all angles and there was a constant bail of rockets and machine
			gun fire from then on to the enemy. 'B' Company being rather far forward
			came in for some of this straffing causing a few casualties.
			Eventually Guards Armoured were able to move on and 'A' and 'C' Companies
			under the Commanding Officer prepared to clear their big wood, which was reputed to
			contain the H.Q, of the Parachute Battalion. We had artillary support on
			to the wood and tanks accompanied our advance across the open country
		1900	Communications between the two halves of the Battalion became very
			difficult owing to the fact that by an unfortunate chance the M.14. containing
			the Adjutant 180290 T/Capt K. Boatswain and the Signal Officer 308477 WS/Lieut Thornes F.A.

Page 20 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	17th	1900	2 Signallers and the rear link wireless, and codes had been blown up on
			a mine on the verge of the main road.
		1730	Major Brownes' Group reached HOEK by 1730 hrs - their main trouble had been
			in the initial stages, and as soon as they had broken through the enemy
			defences they reached HOEK in very good time and organised themselves into
			a defensive position with Anti-tank guns and M.M.Gs.
			The Commanding Officers' group by now was clearing the big wood. It was
			impossible to do all of it before dark, so it was decided to form a defensive
			position on the forward edge of the wood, and stay the night there with the
			intention of clearing the rest of the woods on the morrow. D.Rs were our most
			reliable form of communication and by this means we Iet 231 Infantry Brigade
			know where we were and what we were going to do. A D.R. was also sent off to
			bring food, which in due course miraculously appeared at midnight. To our
			credit so far in this battle were 70 Prisoners, about 50 German dead - (these
			to Major Brownes' group) - 1.S.P. gun which had been abandoned with its engine

Page 21 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	17th		still running and five prisoners- those to the Commanding Officers' group.
			Thus the Battalion spent the night with one half at HOEKS and
			the other in a big wood about 5,000 yards away with no inter- communication
			except D.R.
			However the night passed without any untoward incident, and
	18th		in the morning the Commanding Officers' group continued its wood clearing.
			As it was preparing to start however a German motor vehicle towing an
			anti-tank gun drove up to our position, obviously not aware of our presence.
			The not result of its approach was 2 prisoners, 1 dead, 1 knocked out
			vehicle and 1 knocked out anti-tank gun. The remainder of the morning
			was spent clearing our wood, and the job was not completed until mid-day,
		1230	and by 1230 hrs the Battalion had joined up again, and Companies were
		1600	re-organised into positions covering the main road. By 1600 hrs all Coys
			were in position except for 'D' Company. As a result of Recces being made
			by Northumberland Hussars and our own anti-tank Platoon Commander

Page 22 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	18th		285867 WS/Lieut Pearce, H.F. it was established that the enemy were in some
			strength in the village of SCHAEFT where 'D' Company were to go. Major
			Komrower, 288 Anti-tank Bty had been wounded and was still in the village.
			His driver had also been wounded - both by spandau fire and their jeep had
			upset. 'D' Company prepared to advance into the village supported by a troop
			of 15/19 Hussars. Meanwhile 31156 Capt J.T.A Lloyd R.A.M.C, was
			informed of the two casualties in the village and immediately decided to
			go down and attend to them, report attached.
			Eventually 'D' Company established a position on the western edge
		2000	of the village of SCHAEFT and by 2000 hrs the whole Battalion was in position.
			During the night each Company provided contact patrols with one another until
	19th		dawn, At frist light we could report to Brigade that there were no enemy
			within the Battalion area, but that there were still small parties of enemy
			in the village of GEITENSCHOOR, just beyond SCHAFT.

Page 23 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	19th		The Guards Armoured Division were still passing through us on the
			main road. 53 Division were coming up well on our left flank and it was
			hoped that by tomorrow 3 Division would be up on our right flank. During
	20th	0830	the night we again carried out contact patrols between companies, and by
			0830 hrs we were told that the Fyfe and Forfar Yeomanry of the 11th
			Armoured Division had linked up with 3 Division at ACHTEL thereby securing
			our right flank.
			During the rest of the day we watched 43 Division pass up the main road through
			us. The Battle had again passed by us and we were allowed a 75% relaxation.

Page 24 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	21st		Companies spent the day training it was impossible to get
			them back for baths in the factory at GROOTE BARRIER because one way
			traffic only on the main axis was allowed and then it was two and sometimes
			three deep. We watched late in the afternoon supplies being flown by
			DAKOTAS to Airborne troops miles NORTH of us.
	22nd		Bridging equipment and 52 Division Recce passed along the main
			axis during the day - and the administration trucks of 1st Airborne who had
			been dropped at ARNHEM- so far no contact had been made by the Guards Armoured
			with 1st Airborne Division.
		2390	At 2330 hrs we got a warning order to move further up the main
			axis to ZON. We had heard rumours that the main axis had been cut here by
			the enemy and we presumed that we were going up to deal with this.
			ZON was a small village about 15 miles NORTH of us.
	23rd	0600	We moved out at 0600 hrs in teeming rain and by 0900 hrs the
		0900	Battalion had arrived at ZON - and we learnt that the road had in fact

Page 25 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	23rd		been cut between ZON and VECHEL five miles beyond ZON but had now been
			cleared again. ZON in any case was but a concentration area for the
		1015	Brigade and at 1014 hrs we were ordered to take up a defensive position
			just SOUTH of WILHELMINA CANAL on the west side of the main axis running
		1200	through ST ODENROEDE. We were in position by 1200 hrs and both the Battalion
			front and its right flank were bounded by canals. The WILHELMINA CANAL
			crossing our front presented no threat to us, but the enemy were reported
			to have a small bridgehead on the NORTH SOUTH CANAL to our right, about
			4,000 yards away.
			A patrol was sent out with carriers right away to substantiate this report.
			Civilians and 52 Recce contradicted each others stories - civilians that there
			were no enemy this side of the canal - 52 Recce, that there were.
		1930	Our Patrol came back at 1930 hrs and reported contact with 52 Recce in the
			area of the suspected enemy bridgehead and this time it was substantiated that there
			were no enemy this side.

Page 26 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	23rd		Consequently we sent out a standing patrol to this area,
		2115	who remained there all night. At 231 Infantry Brigade 'O' Group
			we received orders to move to a little village called ERP - while the Dorsets
			and Hampshires established themselves at VOLKEL and BOEKEL. Our role was
			still to be that of right flank protection of the main axis.
	24th	0935	At 0935 hrs the Battalion moved off towards ST ODENRODE and VECHEL -
			passing on the way numerous U.S. Airborne personnel who were defending the
		1220	left of the main axis. By 1220 hrs we were in ERP and had relieved a
			Battalion of 101, U.S. Airborne Regiment who had moved in an hour in front
			of us. The road between ST ODENRODE and VECHEL was now under constant and
		1600	heavy enemy shell fire - a preliminary to an attack by the enemy at 1600 hrs
			which succeeded in cutting the road, south of VECHEL. We had however
			successfully moved in our 'B' Echelon and therefore had at least 3 days food
			with us. 231 Infantry Brigade however sent a message to all Battalions to
			the effect that ammunition expenditure would be strictly controlled.

Page 27 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland,	24th		During the night we sent out contact patrols to Hampshires at BOEKEL and
			A' Company were shelled from the S.W. - area GEMEERT 6,000 yards away.
	25th		In the morning we were told that the main axis was still cut by the
			enemy, and that our main threat lay in that direction. Our front and
			right flank were now fairly established and secure.
		1200	At mid-day two pioneers were killed while inspecting T.T. mines - and
			others were wounded.
		1315	At 1315 hrs arrangements were made for a Sapper Officer and a covering
			Patrol from 'D' Coy to recce an alternative route for supplies, since the
			main axis was still cut, and 30 Corps Commander was the wrong side and trying to get
			back to his Corps H.Q.,
		1555	Later in the afternoon it was reported that the enemy had left GEMEERT
			and we sent a carrier patrol to Contact 11th Armoured Division who were now
			there.
		2300	At 2300 hrs we recieved orders to move- this time to the village of MILL -

Page 28 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Holland.	25th		further still on the east and about 8 miles from the River MAAS.
	26th	0600	We started off at six-o-clock through BOEKEL and VOLKEL and arrived at MILL
		0835	at 0835 hrs, where we met Units of our own Divisional Recce. It seemed that
			the enemy was withdrawing completely from this side of the main axis and
			making the far bank of the River MAAS his next defence line.
		0930	By 0930 hrs the Battalion was in position and the rest of the day
			passed very quietly - HQ Company indulged in a game of football with the
			local DUTCH team resulting in a Draw 5-5.

Page 29 of 33

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Holland	27th	We expected to move at any time to-day - however no such orders
		came through. Hampshires moved up to ST HUBERT and into the area of
		'D' Company who were very loth to move out. The Company Commander had
		settled his headquarters in a public house and the bar-maid was found to be
		all very willing to do the washing in Company H.Q.,
		The day passed very peacefully and the Battalion was allowed 50%
		stand down'
	28th	Another peaceful day - the companies arranged their own football on the
		local village ground.
		After dark enemy aircraft came overhead and one interested himself in
		machine-gunning the H.Q., of Headquarter Company.

Page 30 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
HOLLAND.	29th		The Battalion remained in MILL and continued training by Companies.
		1230	By 1230 hrs we were informed that no enemy remained within the Brigade
			boundary, - that meant that also country between us and the river MAAS was
			clear and we could relax a bit. In the evening the Companies visited the
			nearest equivalent to a "Public House" and although there was not a great
			deal to drink they enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
	30th		To-day we wore informed that representatives of this Brigade had
			crossed into Germany on patrol. 1st Bn. The Dorset Regt had the honour
			to be the first troops in 50th (Northumbrian) Division to cross the border.
			Later in the evening we were warned we would be leaving MILL early the
			following morning. So far nearly all our moves had been on a Sunday and this
			provod to be no exception. The Padre had arranged a HARVEST FESTIVAL
			Service for the morrow but now it was brought forward to 1800 hrs on
			Saturday evening. The people in MILL were kind enough to let us use a
			large room above the Police Station. This had been very attractively

Page 31 of 33

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
HOLLAND.	30th	decorated by the Padre. At the Service we were honoured by the presence
		of the Brigadier
		We had enjoyed our stay at MILL and we hoped the people of MILL
		found us as friendly and kind as they were to us. We had played several
		games of foot-ball with the local team.
		While we were in MILL our numbers were increased by the volunteered
		services of two French Soldiers of fortune - MARCEL and PIERRE, whose one idea
		was to kill Germans. They found life with us in MILL very uneventful
		under these circunstances and warned us that if we didn't soon start
		fighting the Germans they'd leave us to rejoin the INNS of COURT to whom
		they had previously attached themselves.

Page 32 of 33

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Holland.	31	Consolidated list of Casualties. OTHER RANKS.
		3. Sep 44 3 Killed 18 Wounded.
		6th Sep 44. 2 Killed.	Total Killed. 19.
		7th Sep 44. 1 Killed.	Wounded. 38.
		17th Sep 44. 11. Killed. 19 Wounded. 1. Died of Wounds.	Died of Wounds. 1.
		25th Sep 44. 2 Killed. 1 Wounded.

		RE INFORCEMENTS OTHER RANKS.
		2nd Sep 44. 13 O.Rs.
		14th Sep 44. 23 O.Rs.
		16th Sep 44. 1. O.R.
		20th Sep 44. 7.O.Rs.
		23rd Sep 44. 7.0.Rs.
		TOTAL. 68 O.Rs.
		Consolidated list of Casualties . OFFICERS.
		17th Sep 44. 117084 T/Capt Sopwith I.G. Killed in Action.	Total Killed. 1.
		308477 WS/Lieut Thornes, F.A. Died of Wounds.	Died of Wounds.1.
		180290 T Capt BOATSWAIN, K. Wounded in Action.	Wounded 1

Page 33 of 33

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Holland.	31st		REINFORCEMENTS. OFFICERS.
			20 Sept 44 93980 WS/Lieut Doble, K.W.

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War Diary: 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment

Month and year: September 1944

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