National Archive Reference: WO 171/866
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Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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 |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
---|---|---|---|---|
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. |