War Diary: 3rd Bn Royal Tank Regiment

Month and year: October 1944

The 3rd Bn Royal Tank Regiment October 1944 war diary covers the units time in the Netherlands in the area around Helmond.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/866

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WO 171/866 3rd Bn Royal Tank Regiment

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Page 1 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Westerbeek	1	0600	Recce sec to posn of observation "V" wood.
		0700	Reveille.
		0800	C of E Service (Holy Communion).
		1200	RC Service - local church. Sqns commence individual trg.
		1800	Lt W.F. Yates leaves for WT Course, Bovington, England.
	2	0600	Recce sec to posn of observation "V" wood.
		0700	Reveille.
		1000	100 to Mobile Bath, HELMOND.
	3	0600	Recce sec to posn of observation "V" wood.
		0700	Reveille.
		1400	Sqn parties visit HELMOND for afternoon.
	4	0600	Recce sec to "V" wood.
		0700	Reveille.
		1930	Party of 75 to ENSA show in HELMOND.
	5	0600	Recce sec to "V" wood.
		0700	Reveille.
		1500	Party to Mobile Bath, HELMOND.
	6	0600	Recce sec to posn of observation "V" wood.
		0700	Reveille.
		1100	Major F.I.C. Wetherell to BRUSSELS to interview possible reinforcements.
		1400	180 to Mobile Bath Unit, HELMOND.
		1700	CO's conference.
	7	0010	Signal received to have Bn ready to move at 1200 hrs to take over area from 7 US Armd Div.
		0900	Major N.H. Bourne, DSO, to 7 US Armd Div HQ.
		1000	Lt Col A.W. Brown, MC, arrives to assume command of the Bn.
		1100	CO and 2IC to 3 MONS HQ, OPLOO, for conference with Brigadier C.B. Harvey, DSO, re take over from Americans.

Page 2 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Westerbeak	7	1430	CO and 2IC see American Commanders.
		1530	Sqn Comds to area to see ground they have to take over.
		1600	B Sqn take over in area OPLOO.
		1930	Party of 40 to ENSA show, HELMOND.
	8	0700	Reveille.
		0800	C of E Service - Holy Communion.
		0930	C of E Service.
		1100	Party to Mobile Baths, HELMOND.
	9	0600	C Sqn to NORTH of "fingerwood" 726333.
		0700	Reveille.
		1430	Cinema show in Bde HQ. Party of 50 attends.
		1700	CO's conference. General administration; discussion on harbouring in GERMANY.
	10	0700	Reveille.
		1400	Party of 180 to Mobile Bath Unit, HELMOND.
		1800	B Sqn take over from C area 726333.
	11	0700	Reveille.
		0930	CO to Bde.
		1600	29 Armd Bde OO No. 23 received. Order of March - A, Carrier SP, Recce,
			Tac HQ, B, C. Objectives (1) Area 7923 - VEULEN 7722. (2) AMERIKA - MILLENK.
	12	0700	Reveille.
		1000	Attack by 3 Brit Div commences.
		1100	Party to Mobile Bath Unit, HELMOND.
		1400	Party to Cinema show Bde A Ech lines.
		1700	Further show.
		2000	Further show.
	13	0700	Reveille.
		1100	Party to Bath Unit.
		1600	CO's conference. Confirming Order of March.

Page 3 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
westerbeek	14	0700	Reveille.
			Possibility of move tomorrow.
		1200	Mobile Baths. HELMOND.
	15	0700	Reveille.
		0900	Received word no move probable before first light tomorrow.
		0930	C of E Service.
		1100	Bath Party to HELMOND.
		1200	RC Service.
		1230	Signal received ready to move 1200 hrs tomorrow.
	16	0700	Reveille.
		0900	CO to Bde and 3 MONS.
		1400	Bn commence move to DE RIPS. Raining heavily.
		1600	Move complete. Orders received to be at immediate notice.
		1730	No move until first light tomorrow.
		1900	CO's conference. Intention 3 R Tks and 3 MONS to cut DEURNE - VENRAY road in area 742254. Order of March - A Sqn, B Coy; Carrier gp; Recce Tp; Tac HQ;
			H Bty; Sc Car, RE; B Sqn, C Coy; Carrier gp; A Coy; C Sqn, D Coy.
	17	0500	Reveille.
		0630	A Sqn moves with B Coy 3 MONS followed by remainder of Bn and MONS in groups at 10 minutes intervals.
		0830	Fwd elements at 726261.
		0930	Attack on wood at 731253 begins.
		1130	Attack on wood at 736247 commences. Both these attacks by A Sqn and B Coy supported by B Sqn and C Coy on right for second attack.
		1430	B Sqn and C Coy have road covered at 718242.
		1500	Wood at 741253 still giving trouble, while wood at 741241, SOUTH of road appears to hold anti-tk guns. Reorganisation of 3 MONS coy and further
			attack planned. On left to clear wood 741253 and gain x-tracks - main road 742242. When this is accomplished it is thought that C Sqn and D Coy would

Page 4 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	17		push through to objective 741235.
		1615	15/19H coming EAST along main DEURNE - VENRAY road spoil attack on wood
			741242. Cross track gained without much difficulty.
		1800	Light failing quickly. RHQ harbour 735247. A - same area, C - 500 yds to WEST, B - 728242. Tie up with 1 Sqn of 23H who have cut road at 743242.
735247	18	0530	Reveille. Raining heavily - going bad.	GOT TO HERE
		0715	LO from Bde. Orders - 3 MONS and 3 R Tks to move to SCHEI 7723.
		0800	This cannot be done until "Pond" wood 7323 is definitely clear.
		0900	3 MONS patrol wood and report it clear.
		0915	12 enemy vehs with at least 3 tks in area 746236.
		1000	These vehs finally reported edge of would 743236. Stonk laid on on this area and also at 751236.
		1115	C Sqn with D Coy MONS move on CL towards 743236, then turn EAST towards VOULEN 7623.
		1200	C Sqn reach 752236. A Sqn prepare to move with B Coy to follow C Sqn.
		1215	As 23H held up suggested A Sqn use main road before turning SOUTH to take NORTH route to SCHEI.
		1230	A Sqn held up by 23H who make main road ahead.
		1300	B Sqn ordered to follow C on original CL.
		1400	C Sqn having party in VOOLON 7623.
		1500	C Sqn come under heavy stonking and have to reorganise with MONS.
		1600	B Sqn working towards SCHEI from the NORTH.
		1730	A Sqn ordered to SOUTH side of SCHEI.
		1830	Posns at SCHEI, A - 774234: C - 775235; B - 770241 : RHQ - 761236.
		1855	Orders for tomorrow: assist 2 FF Yeo in area 777227 from NORTH. Opposition
			slight throughout day and about 100 PW pass through.
761236	19	0530	Reveille.
		0815	LO from 2FF Yeo arrives but has no form.
		0830	Bde send word that party with 2FF Yeo is off.
		0900	Brigadier and BM arrive. Observation EAST and SOUTH has to be kept without

Page 5 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	19		becoming involved, particularly area of factory at 777228. A Sqn have recce good posns to observe the area, and throughout day report constant movement.
			Stonks brought down on the whole of the area. At last light appreciated that possibly coy strength dug in in that area. Heavy enemy mortar, incl
			nebelwerefer, fire experienced during day, but some of these positions were silenced.
761236	20	0530	Reveille.
		1430	Party of 50 to Cinema show in Bde area.
		1900	Party of 25 to same show.
			A Sqn continued in observation throughout the day. Enemy movement continued. Some AP and MMG fire was reported. It was thought that the AP fire came
			from a tk or SP gun, which remained unlocated. Enemy shelling heavier than yesterday.
761236	21	0530	Reveille.
		0930	CO to conference at BDE,
		1100	2IC and DAAQMG to HELMOND to recce area for Rest Centre.
		1400	CO's conference. Bn to move one third at a time to HELMOND for period of
			five days rest.
		1500	Adv party consisting of 2IC, Major J.D. Dunlop & Capt A.M. Dixon moves off.
		1600	First party moves. A Sqn keeps observation throughout day and continue to
			report considerable enemy movement in factory area. 3 MONS move from this area to DEURNE. Coy of 8RB takes over.
761236	22	0530	Reveille.
		1100	First enemy movement seen in area 780229.
		1400	Further enemy movement seen at 782236. Target engage by RA.
		1600	Further enemy movement at 782234 stonked. At last light enemy vehicles
			heard starting up in area thought to be 782245. Enemy arty fire reasonably heavy during day.
		1630	Capt H.G. Stubbs, MC, MM. wounded and evacuated.

Page 6 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
761236	23	0530	Reveille.
		1430	CO to GRAVE for demonstration. A Sqn sitrep covering day's observations. :-
			0710 Factory and chimney rpt completely destroyed. 0715 - 0915 Occasional shelling and MMG fire to SW at 781226. 1215 MET heard approaching from centre of wood.
			1300 Heavy medium stonk brought down on area. Shelling removed camouflage and brought to light concrete building running along front edge of wood.
			Target recorded.
			1820 Hy mortaring - 6 mortar bombs fall in A Sqn area. 1835 Four more fall. Stonk put down on 782231
761236	24	0530	Reveille. A Sqn sitrep:-
			0755 "Moaning Minnies" heard on EAST of wood - Brew up seen 200 yds SE of wood. 1020 1 AP from SW to NE across factory area front.
			1115 Spandau fire in area EAST of factory. 1135 MMG, rifle and mortar fire on bearing 119 deg.
			1527 Two mortars on roof of OP, 12 drop in area. 1720 3 X 105mm on bearing 143 deg grid.
			1722 Same guns fire again. 1820 Mortars fall in barn area.
			1855 Minnies again. Enemy arty and mortars more aggressive today.
761236	25	0530	Reveille.
		1500	30 ORs to cinema show at Bde. A Sqn sitrep:-
			0620 Haystacks EAST of Crucufix (782235) burning caused by mortar fire from NW to NORTH.
			0835 Box mines found area 771229. 1215 Stonk brought to bear on enemy digging at area 779231.
			1415 Slight enemy movement.

Page 7 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
761236	25		Movement observed until last light in factory area, wood and house area - 781226. Enemy shelling continued throughout day.
761236	26	0530	Reveille.
		1500	10 ORs to film show at Bde HQ.
		1530	First Rest party returns.
		1600	Second rest party leaves for HELMOND. Major N.H. Bourne, DSO, assumes command during absence on duty of Lt Col A.W. Brown, MC.
			A Sqn sitrep:-
			0300. Small enemy attack on farm building at 778324 with rifle, MMG, grenades and mortars. No casualties.
			0925. New digging observed at 780227. 1015. Bosohe seen digging at 780226.
			1200 to 1700. Number of stonks brought down on enemy posts. In return Minnies and hy mortars received.
			2030. Leading pl of inf report number of vehs moving EAST towards wood area.
761236	27	0545	Reveille.
		0600	Net. A Sqn sitrep:-
			1245. Spandau fire in short bursts from ESE direction. 1300 - 1400. 81mm-mortar bombs fall in general area. No cas reported.
			1400. Inf pl supported by REs enter houses at 779234 and set booby traps. They withdrew successully at 1500 hrs.
			Civilians seen moving from SW to NE in front of rectangle wood. Appreciated that enemy evacuating civilians. Civilians in A Sqn
			area are evacuated by 1630 hrs. No civs left forward of locality. At last light Spandau fire incl tracer from factory area.
			In view of enemy infiltration on flanks last night, extra guards posted. Crews dismount and man slit trenches as inf. Almost 100% stand to from
			1800 hrs to 280630A hrs.
761236	28	0545	Reveille

Page 8 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
761236	28	1000	Visit from D&M and Gunnery circus under Major Cashmore and Capt Beate.
			Enemy movement on A Sqn front continued throughout day. Enemy stonking remains on a fairly high scale.
	29	0545	Reveille.
		0800	Holy Communion.
		1100	C of E Service held in barn.
		1100	RC Service held in Bde area.
			Enemy reported to have entered MEIJEL and LEISEL. Rest Party to be recalled tomorrow morning. Div now fully operational.
			Enemy activity continues on A Sqn front.
	30	0545	Reveille.
		0830	Rest Party returns from HELMOND. Enemy situation on MEIJEL, LEISEL front has improved. Not thought likely
			that the unit will move.
	31	0545	Reveille.
		1415	CO to Bde conference.
		1600	CO's conference. General situation well in hand. Still possibility of
			GERMAN attack to enlarge his br head. A Sqn will move to area 756232 as a counter attack force.
			A Sqn have a comparitively quiet day, although enemy shelling continues.