View Map
Close
Map here
Overlay transparency

Layers

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

The "References to Appendices" column for this document was empty so has been omitted.

All diaries for this unit:

Please use the contact us page to report any errors or inaccuracies.

Viewing map locations

Many of the location in this diary have been geocoded, these locations are highlighted clicking on them will display them on a map. Many location also have historical maps and aerial photographs of the area available.


Found this useful?

If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.

By me a coffee

« Return to war diaries

Page 1 of 11
Place 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
Place 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
Place 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.

Found this useful?

If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.

By me a coffee