War Diary: 69th Infantry Brigade HQ

Month and year: November 1944

The 69th Infantry Brigade HQ November 1944 war diary covers the HQ, 6 & 7 Green Howards and 5 East Yorks actions and movements in The Netherlands.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/651

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Page 1 of 24

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
1	GOC visited 5 E YORKS and 6 GREEN HOWARDS and went round
	coys.
	There has been a considerable increase in shelling today.
	A NEBELWERFER has been active, in addition to mortars and
	guns.
	Lt. A. H. Burtonshaw joined the Bde as Counter Mortar Offr.
	Harassing fire from 4.2" mortars and MMGs was carried out
	and daily programmes will continue to be fired.
	69 Bde Op Instr No 28 issued dealing with evacuation of the	APPDX D1
	Island in event of flooding.
	All vehs in Bde HQ were ordered to be dug-in.
2	There was the usual spasmodic mortaring and shelling all
	day. Enemy arty has been more active during last two days.
	Snipers of 6 GREEN HOWARDS scored two kills and one wounded
	today.
2	During the night shells fell in Bde HQ area.
	Course run by 233 Fd Coy RE for Bn Assault Pnrs was begun.
	Fighting Patrol from 6 GREEN HOWARDS was unsuccessful in
	producing a PW.
3	At 0900 hrs Corps Comd held investiture for 50 Div at
	Colonial Barracks, NIJMEGEN. Capt. J.M.B. Isaac, Bde IO
	received MC.
	Bde Comd held conference with CO 5 E YORKS regarding 5 E
	YORKS trg cadre. This is now to become a Bde Trg Cadre. Maj
	Gibson is to continue as Comd. The course will be designed
	for junior NCOs from Bns to prepare for Div Battle School.
	Instrs to be provided by Bns. Programme for course issued	APPDX, D2
	7 GREEN HOWARDS relieved 6 GREEN HOWARDS leaving one coy in
	NIJMEGEN for trg.
4	Except for some shelling and mortaring the enemy has been

Page 2 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
4		extremely inactive. Very little has been seen of him in
		fwd posns,
		Staff Capt went on a 48 hr leave to BELGIUM.
		Bde Comd visited 5 E YORKS Trg Cadre in NIJMEGEN.
5		Again a very uneventful day except for some shelling and
		mortaring. Leaflets were shot over enemy fwd posns by 124
		Fd Regt.
		Patrols during the night were spoilt by bad weather and
		failed to contact the enemy.
		69 Bde Op Instr No 29 regarding relief by 231 Inf Bde issued.	APPDX, D 3
6		GOC visited 7 GREEN HOWARDS with Bde Comd.
	1400	Bde Comd held conference for COs and MG Coy Comd regarding
		sp and harassing fire.

Page 3 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
7		69 Bde was relieved by 231 Inf Bde. The relief was carried
		out without interference from the enemy and comd passed to 231
		Inf Bde at 2030 hrs. By midnight all bns were clear and Tac
		Bde left. The Bde is occupying the same acen in NIJMEGEN as
		before except that 7 GREEN HOWARDS are in a school at 705617.
8		GOC and Corps Comd visited Bde and 5 E YORKS.
		Entertainments, dances and bathing facilities were arranged
		for all units.
9		Bde HQ sent a party to the rifle range near NIJMEGEN. Bde
		Comd visited Rear Bde and B Echs. 50 (N) Div comes under
		comd 2 Cdn Corps in First Cdn Army.
10	0800	Bde received orders to relieve 508 RCT on the "Island"
		today, in the HAALDEREN sector. This was a quite unexpected
		order and all arrangements for entertainments had to be
		abruptly cancelled. The offrs of Bde HQ had intended holding

Page 4 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
10		a dance and the Dutch Liaison Offr was kept busy cancelling
		all the invitations to girls who had been invited.
	0945	Bde Comd and G3 left to contact 508 RCT. Preliminary
		orders were given for bns to take over as follows - right 7
		GREEN HOWARDS; left 6 GREEN HOWARDS; in res in BEMMEL 5 E
		YORKS.
	1015	Bde Comd gave out orders to COs.
	1345	Bde Comd held co-ordinating conference with COs of Bns; 90 Fd
		Regt; 107 A TK Bty ; A Coy 2 Cheshire; 12 Pl Mortars, D Coy,
		2 Cheshire.
		All 3 bns were to leave one coy training in their present
		posns in NIJMEGEN. The Bns were considerably stronger in
		numbers, though not in weapons, than the Americans. Very
		little was known of the enemy. 69 Bde Op Instr No 30 issued.	APPDX D4
		It was an extremely dark night with some rain, and it was

Page 5 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
10		not easy finding the way into the Bn posns. Bde HQ was est
		at 722654, and the G3 remained at the 508 CP until comd passed.
		The Bde will use this CP as a Tac HQ in battle.
	2205	Comd passed to 69 Bde. There was some shelling during the
		relief but no other interference by the enemy. The area is
		extremely muddy. The res bn is under cover in houses.
11	0300	Enemy fighting patrol attacked fwd coy of 6 GREEN HOWARDS
		at 751684 but was driven off. One cas sustained by 6 GREEN
		HOWARDS. Retaliatory fire was put down on enemy by MMGs.
		During the day enemy arty and (to a lesser degree) mortars,
		were active on a greatly increased scale. Fwd coys and rds
		in BEMMEL were the chief tgts.
	0930	Bde Comd attended conference at 50 (N) Div on the posn on
		the "Island" and likely programme of future events.
	1400	Bde Comd held conference for COs. The Bde was to prepare

Page 6 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
11	1400	for a period of 14 days on the "Island". Inter-bn reliefs
		would take place on 15/16 Nov and 21/22 Nov. Standing patrols
		would be discontinued and bns would each prepare two fighting
		patrols. As much use of overhead cover, shelters and houses
		(used as strongpts) was to be made. A Per mines; trip flares
		and wire to be laid. 5 E YORKS to take over with 2 secs
		carriers 7 GREEN HOWARDS post in factory at 747659 with comn
		to ANRT set on opposite bank of river, with the object of
		watching the river, and area SOUTH of the bund.
		The enemy were known to have increased the number of guns
		(from 15 Army arty) considerably, and slit trenches were to be
		provided for all, in rear areas also.
		Bns have 4 A tk guns each, but with tp M10 and 288 A tk Bty
		area is well insured against penetration by enemy tks. 6
		GREEN HOWARDS also left their carrier pl in NIJMEGEN.

Page 7 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
11		Armistice Day, this year, passed almost unnoticed.
		Capt N.H. Nicholson, SC, promoted to rank of maj on SC's
		appt being changed to DAA & QMG.
12		7 GREEN HOWARDS patrol was fired on from enemy in houses
		within 100 yds of their fwd posns. Bde Comd visited all Bns
		and coys.
	1145	Codeword "WATERWINGS" received (see 69 Bde Op Instr NOAH)	APPDX. D1
		DAA & QMG and unit recce parties recced areas SOUTH of WAAL
		for use in event of flooding of the "Island".
	1425	Codeword SPRINGTIDE (see Op Instr NOAH) received. The Bde
		is at 4 hrs notice to evacuate the "Island". The river is
		now high enough for flooding to be practicable.
		Owing to the small allotment of 25 pr amn (14 rpg) a system
		of firing retaliation tgts was agreed. Bde coord Bns
		suggestions for retaliatory tgts (3 on each Bn front) for arty,

Page 8 of 24

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	12		4.2" mortars and MMG. These are changed daily and are fired
			on order of Bn or Bde whenever enemy shells the Bde areas.
			This does not interfere with any opportunity tgts which can
			be engaged by bns when observed. Except with MMG, harassing,
			CB, and Counter Mortar fire will be left to Div.
			Enemy shelling today has been on a reduced scale compared
			with yesterday but is still considerable. Very little enemy
			mov has been seen on the Bde front.
	13		Maj JM Clift appointed 2IC 7 GREEN HOWARDS vice Maj Lloyd
			and Maj RA Gwyn 2IC 6 GREEN HOWARDS vice Maj Hull, posted to
			UK for course under control Commission (CA) at Camberley.
			First course at 69 Bde Trg School began.
			Enemy shelling has decreased since the first day but is
			still on a greater scale than for some time in the "Island".
	14		GOC visited Bde Comd. Lay out on "Island" was discussed

Page 9 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
14		and possible dates for relief of the Bde.
		Bde Comd visited Bde Trg Cadre.
		During the day more enemy mov than usual was seen: At
		2145 hrs a deserter gave himself up to 7 GREEN HOWARDS from 1
		Coy 22 PGR. For details see sitrep.	APPDX. C 1
		Although the PW reported that many in his coy wished to
		desert, it was decided not to make a loud-speaker broadcast to
		these tps for two reasons viz: NCOs would be likely to be more
		on the alert for deserters and propaganda is unlikely to have
		much effect against SS tps.
		Civs have been evacuated from the BEMMEL area today.
15		Bde Comd attended GOC's conference. Adjustments of the
		posns on the "Island" were agreed and infm of likely ops was
		given.
	1400	Bde Comd held conference for COs. 9 Following points were

Page 10 of 24

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
15	covered:- New disposns of 5 E YORKS. Mines and wiring
	programmes. Road repairs - rd to 7 GREEN HOWARDS BnHQ to be
	improved by men from 5 E YORKS. Patrols. Trg and adm pts
	were also dealt with, particularly with regard to the four
	cases of "trench feet" in the Bde.
	Rubber boots on the scale of 60-80 per coy are issued, and
	in a number of cases drums have been sunk into the ground in
	weapon pits to give a dry standing. In many cases now, men
	are having to man waterlogged posns, particularly after recent
	hy rains. Today the rain has ceased and it has been very cold
	with frost at night. The river is 2.5m above normal at
	NIJMEGEN. 69 Bde Op Instr No 31 issued.	APPDX. D5
	Civs are now being evacuated from the whole "Island", less
	some men who are required to look after cattle etc.
16	Bde Comd and GOc visited Bde Trg School.

Page 11 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
16	1100	Bde Comd attended GOCs conference on the subject of the
		future moves of the Div.
		Bde Comd visited 7 GREEN HOWARDS area.
	2030	Coy 5 E YORKS took over coy posn of 6 DLI (see Op Instr 31)
		without incident.
		Bde IO gave a talk at Bde School on the War Situation.
		Rear Bde moved from HEYENDAAL to make room for 151 Bde.
17		Quiet night. Patrols from 7 GREEN HOWARDS heard enemy
		mov in orchard at 764669 and second patrol drew fire from a
		spandau at 766667.
		Bde Comd visited the coys in NIJMEGEN.
		Enemy shelling has increased again today. CB org seems
		unable to deal with enemy btys which continue to fire on ELST
		and BEMMEL without interruption,
	1530	7 GREEN HOWARDS sent patrol to ambush enemy patrol which

Page 12 of 24

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	17		was heard in the orchard at 764669 last night. It was an
			extremely wet and cold night and the patrols returned at 1900
			hrs without seeing any sign of the enemy. The rain continued
			all night and there was very little enemy activity as a result.
			BEMMEL was shelled at 0330 and 0525 hrs.
			7 GREEN HOWARDS suffered 5 cas - 2. killed and 3 wounded -
			from mortar fire - the first cas since the Bde came into this
			sector.
			Courts Martial were held at Bde HQ.
	18		Today there was a distinct reduction in enemy shelling and
			mortaring.
			During this period each Bn is working on a programme to
			improve the defences by wiring and laying trip flares, etc.
			233 Fd Coy RE are carrying out a programme in front of the
			coy of 5 E YORKS protected by a standing patrol.

Page 13 of 24

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	18		7 GREEN HOWARDS snipers killed 2 Germans (one probably an
			offr) and 6 GREEN HOWARDS snipers also scored one kill. The
			Bde Comd congratulated the Bns concerned.
			BM lectured on sp arms at Bde School and Lt Lewisohn on
			"The Germans".
			Maj Humphries and Capt Coote, 7 GREEN HOWARDS were sent on
			10 days leave to PARIS.
	19		Bde IO left for 48 hrs leave in Brussels.
			Lt-Gen Guy Simms CB DSO Comd 2 Cdn Corps visited Bde HQ
			where he met Bde Comd and Bn COs.
			Shelling throughout day was confined mainly to NIJMEGEN br.
			233 Fd Coy continued mine-laying helped by artificial
			moon light.
			Sniper Sjt 7 GREEN HOWARDS carried out a one man patrol on
			night 18/19 to locate enemy SP gun in area 763661. Gun was

Page 14 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
19		not located as sjt had to return before dawn broke to avoid
		discovery.
		It was learned during day that the BM, Ma,j CPN Parker,
		was leaving to take up a post as G2 Ops at HQ Second Army.
		Ma Parker joined 69 Bde from HQ 50 (N) Div in Apl 43 after
		the battle of WADI AKARIT.
20		Patrol from 7 GREEN HOWARDS night 19/20 heard sounds of
		enemy mov in orchard at 765669. Apart from this night was
		quiet. Shelling throughout day was confined mainly to
		NIJMEGEN br and town. There was some shelling of Bde area.
	1400	BM, Maj CPN Parker, left to take up new appt.
	1435	Conference on future ops attended by Bde Comd, COs, G3 and
		DAA & QMG was held at ADS 694655.
		7 GREEN HOWARDS sent out a fighting patrol which made contact
		with enemy, threw grenades but did not succeed in taking PW.

Page 15 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
21		It was learned that Maj Gen DAH Graham is returning to the
		Div. Maj-Gen LO Lyne called to say goodbye.
		The enemy was quiet during the day and there was little shelling.
		69 Bde played a game of rugby football against 151 Bde
		and were soundly beaten
22		Bde Comd attended the passing-out parade at the Bde School
		and delivered the closing address at the end of the first
		course.
		The enemy were again very quiet all day
	1930	Brig Stanier, (acting GOC) asked the Bde Comd to ascertain
		if enemy were holding their posns in the same str. 10 SS Div
		had been moved SOUTH and it was possible enemy had reduced
		the number of tps holding the line.
		From 2000 - 2200 hrs arty, mortar and LMG fire, incl smoke
		was put down on the enemy posns in order to find out what posns

Page 16 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
22		were still occupied. The enemy retaliated from most known
		posns with spanday fire. Except for a few rds on 7 GREEN
		HOWARDS there was no arty retaliation.
	0300	7 GREEN HOWARDS sent out a fighting patrol SOUTH of the
		bund. At 761661 patrol met an enemy standing patrol. Shots
		were exchanged. Wire with tin cans attached was found in
		this area also.
23	0800	Another harassing shoot was staged to test the enemy's
		reactions along the whole Bde front. This time only 3
		spandaus responded and there was no arty reaction.
		During the day there was a complete absence of enemy
		activity of any kind.
		For the last 48 hrs there has been almost continuous rain
		and the ground has become completely waterlogged. Galvanised
		drums sunk into the ground are essential if slits are to be

Page 17 of 24

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	23		manned.
			Acting GOC visited Bde Comd.
			Courts Martial were held at Bde HQ.
	24		7 GREEN HOWARDS sent out two patrols during the night, both
			of which made contact with and drew fire from the enemy, and
			confirmed our notion of the enemy line.
			Bde Comd attended a demonstration of flamethrowing from WASPS
			Another day of rain. There has been practically no activity
			by the enemy.
	25		Enemy shelling increased during the night and some mov was
			seen during the morning. The enemy has adopted the practice
			of firing a few mortar bombs into the factory at 768653
			in retaliation every time our mortars fire. No cas have
			been caused but approx 100 bombs landed in this area.
			During the day there has been a corps arty programme fired on

Page 18 of 24

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	25		targets in the Bde area and in addition Typhoons successfully attacked
			targets in ELDON and ANGEREN.
			Bde Comd issued directive on future policy if the Bde
			remained on the "Island" as regards improving posns and
			moving as many tps into buildings as possible.
	26		The church at ANGEREN was attacked by Typhoons and demolished,
			Thus the most prominent feature of the landscape and obvious
			enemy OP has been eliminated.
			By day and night a considerable increase in the number of
			light trails seen in the sky and presumed to be from V2s has
			been observed.
			The river, as a result of 3 successive days' rain has risen
			over the summer bund and flowed up to the main bund.
			7 GREEN HOWARDS were forced to move their sec from the
			factory at 7466. The land round the other factory at 7565

Page 19 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
26		was flooded but the pl there remained.
		69 Bde Op Instr No 32 issued	APPDX. D6
27		By 0900 hrs the river began to fall.
		By 0930 hrs recce parties from 231 Bde arrived.
		The relief of the Bde proceeded without interference from the
		enemy, and comd passed by 1900 hrs. 5 E YORKS passed into
		Div res and remained on the "Island". The rest of the Bde
		moved into the same buildings as before, and Bde HQ was est
		at HEYANDAAL.
	2115	Orders were received from 50 (N) Div that the Bde would move
		at 2000 hrs on 28 Nov to the new location at ROULERS.
28	0115	OO arrived from Div confirming the order for the move.
	0900	69 Bde Op Instr No 33 was issued.	APPDX D7
	1030	Amdts to 50 (N) Div Op Instr were received incl alteration to

Page 20 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
28		route. 69 Bde Amdt No 1 was issued.	APPDX. D8
		Maj Gen DAH Graham, on his return to the Div called to meet
		the Bde Comd. The Bde Comd was to remain behind for a
		conference at 1430 hrs at Div on 29 Nov.
	1400	DAA & QMG left with cooks trucks of Bde for new location.
	1945	Bde coln crossed SP led by GSO III.
		During the period on the "Island" under comd 2 Cdn Corps it
		was found that air cover was not flown according to
		requirements of divs and no air cover of the whole Bde area
		was available, although sorties were flown. The fact is NOT
		yet appreciated that Bdes require copies (for distribution down
		to bns ) as soon as possible of the most recent air cover of
		their areas. Air photos are used in Bns and coys in place
		of maps to a large degree.
29	0715	Bde arrived at TERMONDE and met the cooks trucks which had

Page 21 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
29		breakfast prepared.
	1315	Bde coln arrived at destination ROULERS - at almost exactly
		the scheduled time.
		The journey of 180 miles was NOT easy. There was a moon but
		rain made the night fairly dark for the first part of the
		journey and at intervals later on. There were numerous
		occasions when vehs took the wrong road. The speed was very
		slow (20 mi2h by night) and could have been considerably
		increased, but this would undoubtedly have increased the
		number of accidents. Div Pro gave no assistance whatever to
		the marking of the route. It was beyond the resources of a
		Bde Pro Sec to mark such a long route with lighted signs at
		all completely (the route left the MAPLE LEAF route soon after
		passing TURNHOUT) and this was the reason for most of the
		wrong turns. The total number of accidents and cas to vehs

Page 22 of 24

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
29		was small. REME recovered 7 X 15 cwt, 4 Jeeps and 2 carriers
		damaged as a result of accidents.
		Bde HQ was est at 765710. All men of the Bde are living in
		private billets all over the town.
	1430	Bde Comd and Cos attended GOCs conference on future ops at
		Main Div HQ, having remained behind in NIJMEGEN.
30		69 Bde Adm Order No 15 issued, in amplification of 50 (N)	APPDX. D9
		Div Adm Order.
		50 (N) Div OO for Op SPARK received.
		Bde Comd returned from 131 Bde and is due to return to comd
		that Bde on 1 Dec. It was disclosed that Brig Cox is to
		comd 69 Bde.
		Bde Comd disclosed to offrs of Bde HQ the details of Op
		SPARK. The order was issued at a conference of COs.
		This is the last month in which the Bde operates as a

Page 23 of 24

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	30		fmn, and this therefore is the last War Diary to chronicle
			its ops. A great change for 69 Bde.
			Except for a period of trg in England in the winter 1940/41,
			the Bde has been overseas engaged in ops or directly
			preparing for ops, for the great part of the war. The
			period in England after the Sicilian Campaign was intensely
			occupied in trg for the assault on Europe, an op which the
			Div had not expected to be called upon to tackle.
			It is fitting here and now, to pay a tribute to the infantry
			of the Bde. With little publicity and for the most part
			without spectacular actions, the GREEN HOWARDS and E YORKS
			have played a great part in defeating Germany; in their
			trenches in France in 1940; in their slits in the sand and
			rock of the desert; in the lava dust of Sicily; among the
			hedges of the Bocage and in the cold mud of Belgium and

Page 24 of 24

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	30		Holland, disgruntled perhaps, but relaible always, they
			were there. They were nearly always there - wherever the
			battle moved.
			Now some of the newer ones will continue to be there but not
			with Fifty Div. Some will find jobs in the base areas.
			Others will pass on to trainees in England, the results of
			the long experience of battle of 69 Bde,

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War Diary: 69th Infantry Brigade HQ

Month and year: November 1944

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