War Diary: 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards

Month and year: October 1944

The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards October 1944 War diary covers the units actions in the Netherlands around the Nijmegen / Bemmel area

National Archive Reference: WO 171/838

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Page 1 of 11

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
1		Padre held Church Parade Service for those in the OOSTERHOUT area in the
		morning, and during the service flap warning was received, and the Regt.
		placed at an hours notice to move, but no move was made during the day,
		but Capt.D.J.B.Richards (OC "B" Sqn) had to make a number of recces with
		the DCLI.
20	800	"B" Sqn. with the DCLI West of BEMMEL and remained throughout the day in that area. The Hun had put in an attack which met with a little success
		to the N.E. near. ELST.
	15000	13/18 H relieved Sqn of their commitments with the DCLI. The Regt. less "A" Sqn. now under comd. 50 Div. "A" Sqn. remaining with 214 Inf. Bde.
	1900	Commanding Officer held O Gp at which the following orders were issued.
		Information - Enemy approx. 30 tanks and 3,000 enemy are to the East
		flank of the Island. Included in these are S.S. Tps from 9 and 10-Pz.Divs. Own Tps. 50 Div. were now on the Island, and had the job of securing the Eastern flank in the BEMMEL area. 43 Div would stay on the Inland for the time being

Page 2 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	2 Contd.		The Regt. less "A" Sqn now in support of 151 Bde.
			Our intention - 151 Bde with Regt in support will clear area East of BEMMEL
			to HAALDEREN, our object being to cover the Inf. while they consolidate their
			positions, but taking every opportunity of shooting any Bosche they saw.
			Method. At a time - probably P.M. 3rd October at first light "B" Sqn would
			move to area near 8. DLI West of BEMMEL and in an emergency would support
			8 DLI. Attack will be carried out by 8 DLI and 6 DLI. "C" Sqn. when the
			attack had started would move into "B" Sqn area and OC "C" Sqn. would recce
			the area round the 9 DLI. RHQ would go with 151 Bde with the usual two
			tanks.
	3		"B" Sqn moved out at first light to join 8 DLI at RESSEN, and stayed the
			day and night with them. As the weather was wet and dull the Typhoons
			attack could not take place. Therefore the 151 Bdes attack was postponed.
			Major I.G.Gill MC commanded "A" Sqn and Captain W.P.Riley "C" Sqn.
			The Commanding Officer and the Adjutant visited "A" Sqn area by 215 Bde in

Page 3 of 11

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
3 Contd.		the evening.
4	1030	"O" Gp. Brigadier G.E.Prior-Palmer called in the morning and gave the Commanding Officer certain information telling us that we should probably
		be on the Island till 7 October when we should go back and rejoin the Bde.
		S of NIJMEGEN, 2nd U.S. Forces were coming into the Island with Units of
		the 4 A.Bde. (the latter to take over 13/18 H commitments).
		Intention - The original attack which was postponed was to be carried out
		more or less according to the plan (i.e. 50 Div. clearing the Hun back E of
		BEMMEL and from the edge of the Orchard dominating the open ground NE of BEMMEL.
		Method - DLI on right, 9 DLI on left, "B" Sqn. to support both Bns and on 5 October 6 HLI would mop up HAALDEREN. Big fire support laid on and
		Typhoons. To-night "B" Sqn would lay back near 151 Bde. HQ and to-morrow
		would move out at first light to original position prior to shooting in the 6 HLI. "C" Sqn would move out into "B" Sqn area.

Page 4 of 11

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
4 Contd.	1330	151 Bde HQ would move up to the BEMMEL road just W of RESSEN where RHQ would
		move. Orders end. The attack went well and by 1800 hrs. all the Inf. were
		on their objectives, "B" Sqn. giving excellent support and killing a lot of the
		enemy.
5		"A" Sqn to the W had to send a Tp out to the ORPHEUSDEN area where the enemy
		put in a Coy attack. This Tp did good work and had a good shoot. "C" Sqn
		relieved "B" Sqn at 1000 hrs. "B" Sqn moving to reserve W of RESSEN, RHQ
		moved back to OOSTERHOUT.
6		"A" Sqn involved again with two Tps one of them carrying out successful
		indirect shoot at long range. "C" Sqn. saw the Inf into HAALDEREN which
		was occupied without any trouble though there was considerable mortar fire
		at times, and Lieut.D. Mann was wounded.
	1830	"O" Gp. was held. "A" Sqn were to stay on the Western approaches, the Regt.
		remaining under comd 50 Div in reserve to support if necessary 151 Bde (to
		the right),508 Para. Regt. U.S. Army (in the centre) 160 Bde of 53 Div (on

Page 5 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	6 Contd.		the left). "C" Sqn would remain near RESSEN, "B" Sqn. staying in the
			OOSTERHOUT area and the Tac RHQ near RESSEN. All Sqn Ldrs had to carry out
			many recces of routes to be taken in case of counter attack or enemy
			penetration. Lieut-Colonel L. Williams formerly 2nd-in-Comd. and Sqn.Ldr.
			of "C" Sqn. now commanding 53rd Recce Regt. visited us.
	7		Nothing to note.
	8		Commanding Officer held a short Conference in the afternoon 44th RTR
			should be arriving soon to take over our positions. The Regt. did not
			leave the Island on the 7th October as originally promised.
	9		Nothing to report. Little shelling near "C" Sqn. and Tac RHQ locations.
	10		44th RTR relieved the Regiment, and the Regiment moved over the Bridge
			through NIJMEGEN to rest area along the South bank of the WAAL at WEURT.
			All personnel getting into billets of some sort.
			Admin conference was held, and maintenance and other programmes were laid on for next few days.

Page 6 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	11,12,)		The Regiment in WEURT area enjoying a rest and carrying out Maintenance etc.
	13,14,)		On the 13th Sqn Ldrs carried out a recce with the Commanding Officer of the
			43 Div area SE of NIJMEGEN where we were to move on the 15th to relieve the
			SRY.
	15		The Regiment moved to 43 Div area NE of MOOK, "A" Sqn. with the 129 Bde. and
			"C" Sqn. with the 130 Bde. "B" Sqn. being in reserve with RHQ in area S of
			MALDEN.
	16		Nothing to report. Certain amount of enemy shelling occurred in the area.
	17		Nothing to report.
	18		"B" Sqn. relieved "A" Sqn. with the 129 Bde. "A" Sqn. carried out a rehearsal
			of tabloid demonstration to be given tomorrow to Brigadier, C.Os..and Coy
			and Platoon Comds of 130 Bde.
			The Commanding Officer held Conference in the evening. 8 Armd. Bde. less
			3 Armd. Regts. moved W to HORSSEN (West of NIJMEGEN) where they took over
			responsibility with the 12 KRRC and 43 Div. Recce Regt. for the Western

Page 7 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	18 Contd.		approaches S. of the River.
	19		"A" Sqn. carried out demonstration for the Inf. in the afternoon comprised
			of the Echelon under the RSM playing the part of the Inf. The demonstration
			was successful in showing the desirability of only having one Tp up supporting
			two Platoons in an advance on 200 yd. front, with a second Tp behind as against
			one Tp with each Platoon. GOC 43 Div. (General Thomas) watched latter part
			of the demonstration. The Adjutant and I.O. attended the demonstration by night
			of Crocodiles flame throwers, and saw how the Inf. can work over the ground on
			to which the flame has been thrown. RHQ had a large number of shells landing in
			their area during the night, but the only casualties were two wounded and a 15 cwt. damaged.
	20		Nothing to report. 8 Armd. Bde. Concert Party gave two performances which were
			very good. Captain G.R.W.Harker organized this party, turns being given by personnel from all Units of the Bde.
	21		"A" Sqn. relieved "C" Sqn. of their duties with 130 Bde. in the morning.

Page 8 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	21 Contd.		During the past week Lieut. General B.G.Horrocks, C.B., D.S.O., Comd.30 Corps had given a talk to members of 43 Div. on the last big operation, i.e. advance
			into HOLLAND with a few details of the future. A few Officers, WOs and Sergts.
			of the Regiment were allowed to attend.
	22		Nothing to report.
	23		In the afternoon "B" carried out Inf. co-operation training in the Quarry with Tps of 130 Bde.
	24		"B" and "C" Sqns. carried out plan with two Tps each with Inf. of 130 Bde. "C" Sqn. also carried out a shoot against a Panther target which Brigadier
			G.E.Prior-Palmer attended.
	25		The Adt. returned with Major I.G.Gill MC from the 30 Corps Rest Camp. at
			ANTWERP having been lucky enough to have had a day's extension of leave,
			"C" Sqn. relieved "B" Sqn. of their duties with the 129 Inf.Bde, (the
			forward Bde) and "B" Sqn. went into reserve at MALDEN. REME inspection
			teams from Workshops who had been inspecting "B" and "C" Sqns tanks for

Page 9 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	/		overhaul programme continued their inspections to-day. "A" Son. carried
			out field firing with 129 Inf. Bde.
	26		"B" and "C" Sqns REME inspections completed. "B" Sqn. in particular got
			a very good report for their maintenance. Sqns. recced new area at WINNSEN (near
			South bank of WAAL) W of NIJMEGEN, whereto Regiment was to move to-morrow for
			5 days rest.
			"C" Sqn. carried out field firing with 129 Inf. Bde.
			The Commanding Officer and Son Ldrs of 13/18 H who were. taking over from us to-morrow called in the morning
	27		The Regiment was relieved of responsibility with 43 Div. to-day by 13/18 H
			and moved to rest area at WINSSEN. Some selected "C" Sqn. tanks went to
			8 Armd. Bde W/s in the evening for overhaul: 9 "B" Sqn. tanks should have gone
			to-day to 823 Tk Tp W/s at GRAVE but owing to delay in issue of W.D.Nos to the
			Sqn. this was not possible till following morning. REME"Z"lorry team
			commenced inspection of all wireless sets in the Regiment.

Page 10 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	28		6 Officers and 130 O.Rs proceeded to the 8 Armd.Bde Rest Camp at LOUVAIN from
			where they could go for the day to BRUSSELS: duration of holiday 3 days
			including travelling.
	29		The Padre held Service for Sqns. at which the 30 Corps D.A.C.G. preached the
			sermone. The Commanding Officer, 2nd-in-Comd. and Adjutant visited the SRY
			on the Island and found out details of our duties there when we relieve the
			SRY on 2 Nov. The Commanding Officer and Adjutant returned across the River
			using the Class 9 Ferry run by the REs. The Bde I.O. (Captain P.J.R.B.Barlow)
			called in the morning).
	30		Another party of 6 Officers and 130 O.R.s went to the Brigade Rest Camp and
			the previous party returned to-day. The Commanding Officer and Major S.R.M.
			Jenkins MC also went on leave for 3 days. Major W.P.Riley immediate award
			or The MC was announced to-day. The Regiment had to supply by night at
			DEEST (near "B" Sqn a section to watch the river WAAL to the West. "B" Sqn.
			did this job last night, and the Recce Tp were to do it to-night and to-morrow

Page 11 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	30 Contd		night.
	31		Attached at Appx "A" are copies of the News: Letters for preceding periods.

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War Diary: 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards

Month and year: October 1944

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