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    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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    Page 1 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Westerbeek10600Recce sec to posn of observation "V" wood.
    0700Reveille.
    0800C of E Service (Holy Communion).
    1200RC Service - local church.
    Sqns commence individual trg.
    1800Lt W.F. Yates leaves for WT Course, Bovington, England.
    20600Recce sec to posn of observation "V" wood.
    0700Reveille.
    1000100 to Mobile Bath, HELMOND.
    30600Recce sec to posn of observation "V" wood.
    0700Reveille.
    1400Sqn parties visit HELMOND for afternoon.
    40600Recce sec to "V" wood.
    0700Reveille.
    1930Party of 75 to ENSA show in HELMOND.
    50600Recce sec to "V" wood.
    0700Reveille.
    1500Party to Mobile Bath, HELMOND.
    60600Recce sec to posn of observation "V" wood.
    0700Reveille.
    1100Major F.I.C. Wetherell to BRUSSELS to interview possible reinforcements.
    1400180 to Mobile Bath Unit, HELMOND.
    1700CO's conference.
    70010Signal received to have Bn ready to move at 1200 hrs to take over area from
    7 US Armd Div.
    0900Major N.H. Bourne, DSO, to 7 US Armd Div HQ.
    1000Lt Col A.W. Brown, MC, arrives to assume command of the Bn.
    1100CO and 2IC to 3 MONS HQ, OPLOO, for conference with Brigadier C.B. Harvey, DSO,
    re take over from Americans.
    Page 2 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Westerbeak71430CO and 2IC see American Commanders.
    1530Sqn Comds to area to see ground they have to take over.
    1600B Sqn take over in area OPLOO.
    1930Party of 40 to ENSA show, HELMOND.
    80700Reveille.
    0800C of E Service - Holy Communion.
    0930C of E Service.
    1100Party to Mobile Baths, HELMOND.
    90600C Sqn to NORTH of "fingerwood" 726333.
    0700Reveille.
    1430Cinema show in Bde HQ. Party of 50 attends.
    1700CO's conference. General administration; discussion on harbouring in
    GERMANY.
    100700Reveille.
    1400Party of 180 to Mobile Bath Unit, HELMOND.
    1800B Sqn take over from C area 726333.
    110700Reveille.
    0930CO to Bde.
    160029 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.
    120700Reveille.
    1000Attack by 3 Brit Div commences.
    1100Party to Mobile Bath Unit, HELMOND.
    1400Party to Cinema show Bde A Ech lines.
    1700Further show.
    2000Further show.
    130700Reveille.
    1100Party to Bath Unit.
    1600CO's conference. Confirming Order of March.
    Page 3 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    westerbeek140700Reveille.
    Possibility of move tomorrow.
    1200Mobile Baths. HELMOND.
    150700Reveille.
    0900Received word no move probable before first light tomorrow.
    0930C of E Service.
    1100Bath Party to HELMOND.
    1200RC Service.
    1230Signal received ready to move 1200 hrs tomorrow.
    160700Reveille.
    0900CO to Bde and 3 MONS.
    1400Bn commence move to DE RIPS. Raining heavily.
    1600Move complete. Orders received to be at immediate notice.
    1730No move until first light tomorrow.
    1900CO'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.
    170500Reveille.
    0630A Sqn moves with B Coy 3 MONS followed by remainder of Bn and MONS in groups
    at 10 minutes intervals.
    0830Fwd elements at 726261.
    0930Attack on wood at 731253 begins.
    1130Attack 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.
    1430B Sqn and C Coy have road covered at 718242.
    1500Wood 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
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    17push through to objective 741235.
    161515/19H coming EAST along main DEURNE - VENRAY road spoil attack on wood
    741242. Cross track gained without much difficulty.
    1800Light 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.
    735247180530Reveille. Raining heavily - going bad.GOT TO HERE
    0715LO from Bde. Orders - 3 MONS and 3 R Tks to move to SCHEI 7723.
    0800This cannot be done until "Pond" wood 7323 is definitely clear.
    09003 MONS patrol wood and report it clear.
    091512 enemy vehs with at least 3 tks in area 746236.
    1000These vehs finally reported edge of would 743236. Stonk laid on on this area
    and also at 751236.
    1115C Sqn with D Coy MONS move on CL towards 743236, then turn EAST towards
    VOULEN 7623.
    1200C Sqn reach 752236. A Sqn prepare to move with B Coy to follow C Sqn.
    1215As 23H held up suggested A Sqn use main road before turning SOUTH to take
    NORTH route to SCHEI.
    1230A Sqn held up by 23H who make main road ahead.
    1300B Sqn ordered to follow C on original CL.
    1400C Sqn having party in VOOLON 7623.
    1500C Sqn come under heavy stonking and have to reorganise with MONS.
    1600B Sqn working towards SCHEI from the NORTH.
    1730A Sqn ordered to SOUTH side of SCHEI.
    1830Posns at SCHEI, A - 774234: C - 775235; B - 770241 : RHQ - 761236.
    1855Orders for tomorrow: assist 2 FF Yeo in area 777227 from NORTH. Opposition
    slight throughout day and about 100 PW pass through.
    761236190530Reveille.
    0815LO from 2FF Yeo arrives but has no form.
    0830Bde send word that party with 2FF Yeo is off.
    0900Brigadier and BM arrive. Observation EAST and SOUTH has to be kept without
    Page 5 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    19becoming 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.
    761236200530Reveille.
    1430Party of 50 to Cinema show in Bde area.
    1900Party 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.
    761236210530Reveille.
    0930CO to conference at BDE,
    11002IC and DAAQMG to HELMOND to recce area for Rest Centre.
    1400CO's conference. Bn to move one third at a time to HELMOND for period of
    five days rest.
    1500Adv party consisting of 2IC, Major J.D. Dunlop & Capt A.M. Dixon moves off.
    1600First 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.
    761236220530Reveille.
    1100First enemy movement seen in area 780229.
    1400Further enemy movement seen at 782236. Target engage by RA.
    1600Further 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.
    1630Capt H.G. Stubbs, MC, MM. wounded and evacuated.
    Page 6 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    761236230530Reveille.
    1430CO 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
    761236240530Reveille.
    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.
    761236250530Reveille.
    150030 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
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    76123625Movement observed until last light in factory area, wood and house area -
    781226. Enemy shelling continued throughout day.
    761236260530Reveille.
    150010 ORs to film show at Bde HQ.
    1530First Rest party returns.
    1600Second 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.
    761236270545Reveille.
    0600Net.
    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.
    761236280545Reveille
    Page 8 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    761236281000Visit 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.
    290545Reveille.
    0800Holy Communion.
    1100C of E Service held in barn.
    1100RC 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.
    300545Reveille.
    0830Rest Party returns from HELMOND.
    Enemy situation on MEIJEL, LEISEL front has improved. Not thought likely
    that the unit will move.
    310545Reveille.
    1415CO to Bde conference.
    1600CO'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.

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