War Diary: 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars

Month and year: December 1944

The 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars December 1944 War Diary covers the units time in the Netherlands in the area of Grevenbicht and Gebroek.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/843

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WO 171/843 8 Kings Royal Irish Hussars

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Page 1 of 5

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
629796	1	Under comd 7 Armd Div. The day was spent in preparing to move night 1/2 Dec to the area of GREVENBICHT 6273 and there to come under comd 5 Gds Armd Bde (See Appx). Sqn recce parties left for the new area at 0900 hrs. In the afternoon the CO and Sqn Ldrs recced the posns to be taken over on 2 Dec 44.	GSGS 4336 Sheet 4. Appx D.1. 8H Mov Order 1. Appx E.1. 5 Gds Armd Bde Op Instr 9.
629796	2	8H moved out at 0100 hrs, RHQ. and C Sqns arrived GREVENBICHT 6373 at approx 0600 hrs, A and B Sqns went direct to Sqn areas to take over from 2 Armd I.G. and 2726 RAF Sqn. This take-over was uneventful and was completed by 1800 hrs. At 1400 hrs an Offr from 1 RB lectured A Sqn on dismounted patrolling and this Sqn sent out its first patrol of this nature at 1800 hrs. (See Appx) B Sqn did not send out patrols and had nothing to report. RHQ. located 630732.	Appx D.2. 8H Op Instr No. 11. Appx J.1 PATREPS (5 Gds Armd Bde) nights 2 - Dec 44.
630732	3	Under Comd 5 Gds Armd Bde. There was little enemy activity during the day but mov seen in OUD ROOSTEREN and 6 rounds 8.8 cm. shellfire was put down in B Sqn's area. During the day our tks shelled the area opposite us across the VLOED CANAL. During the night more successful patrols were sent out (See Appx).
630732	4	Under Comd 5 Gds Armd Bde. A and B Sqns reported more enemy movement during the day and the usual intermittent small-arms fire. Enemy 105mm guns shelled ROOSTEREN and GEBROEK, and our tks replied with harassing fire on OUD ROOSTEREN and DIETEREN. For patrols see Appx. A civilian from SUSTEREN was picked up and on being interrogated gave useful inf. about the enemy on our front.
630732	5	Under Comd 5 Gds Armd Bde. Enemy were seen during the day at 667780 and the br 663774 while a sniper was located at 665752. At 1800 hrs B Sqn area was again shelled with 30 rounds of 15 cm calibre. Our tks brought down harassing fire on OUD ROOSTEREN and DIETEREN. C Sqn went in sp 1 RB with HQ. at BUCHTEN 6573 and one tp in NIEUWSTADT 6872. After last light B Sqn reported a tk or SP gun starting up in the area 663772, tending to confirm earlier Tac R reports of enemy armour on our front. Our patrols were again active over night (See Appx) but had little to report. It was becoming evident that the enemy did not main his adv outposts every night.
		To Sheet No. 2/......

Page 2 of 5

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
630732	6	Under Comd 5 Gds Armd Bde. During the morning 11H elts arrived preparatory to taking over from 8H. 22 Armd Bde relieved 5 Gds Armd Bde and 8H reverted to their comd. There was little enemy activity during the day although GREVENBICHT was shelled at 1220 hrs. By 2100 hrs 11H had completed relief of A Sqn, which took over C Sqn area in GREVENBICHT. B Sqn was to be relieved at first light 7 Dec. There were no B Sqn patrols out, but to ensure no interference with the take over a demonstration of strength had been arranged for 2000 hrs. At this time our outpost in the area 664785 opened up with all arms, sp by fire from the tks. To the tp ldr's surprise his fire was answered by an enemy patrol est 10 - 12 men barely 100 yds to the NORTH. Visibility was nil and our outpost might easily have been surprised by this patrol who continued to give trouble until 0200 hrs 7 Dec.	GSGS 4336 Sheet No. 4.
630732	7	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde. By 0700 hrs 11H had completed the take over from B Sqn who reverted to 8H reserve in GREVENBICHT. 8H less C Sqn was now in 22 Armd Bde reserve, having completed successfully 4 days in a semi-dismounted role. The Regt had suffered no casualties, and keen patrolling had gained useful inf about the enemy.
630732	8	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. The day was spent in maintenance and rest. Programmes for fresh sqn courses were drawn up, C Sqn, still in sp 1RB, had nothing to report during the day.
630732	9	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde Reserve. The day was spent in maintenance and courses. C Sqn remained in sp of 1RB.
630732	10	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. The Padre held three church services in the morning. During the afternoon a football match was played against 11H resulting in another win for 8H.
630732	11	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. Courses and maintenance as usual.
630732	12	Under comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. Courses and Maintenance.
630732	13	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. Sqn courses and maintenance in the morning. At 1400 hrs a team of offrs played B Sqn at football and lost 6 goals to nil.
630732	14	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. Sqn courses and maintenance.
630732	15	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. A new Regtl W/T course began with classes for beginners and an upgrading class. A two-week Tk Comdr Course also commenced.
630732	16	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. At 0900 hrs a party of 2 Offrs and 18 ORs left for 7 Armd Div School to attend the following courses :- D & M Instrs, D & M B Vehs, Gny Instrs, Gun- laying, Crew Comds. Sqn courses and maintenance continued. At 1445 hrs the CO visited the Div Comd in connection with future ops.
		To Sheet No. 3/...

Page 3 of 5

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
630732	17	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. During the morning A Sqn relieved C Sqn at BUCHTEN with one tp in sp 1RB at NIUEWSTADT. B Sqn prepared to relieve I Coy 1RB, in a dismounted role at HOLTUM 6573 (See Appx). Enemy fighter bombers were seen over area at 1900 hrs and small bombs were dropped in the area of LIMBRICHT & SITTARD. It was not clear whether this was preparatory to a German offensive in our sector, or a recconnaissance in strength to discover our own intentions.	GSGS 4336 Sheet No. 4. Appx E.2. 22 Armd Bde Message G 28 dtd 171415 A.
630732	18	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. At 0900 hrs a 3" Mortar course commenced. It was hoped that the Regt., when acting in a dismounted role, would be able to provide its own mortar support. In view of recent air-activity, and reports of parachutists and saboteurs from the MONSCHAU area, guards were doubled and arrangements made for the dismounted defence of HQ area. There were also reports of considerable movement behind the enemy lines facing us and the possibility of an enemy attack in our sector could not be ignored.
630732	19	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde reserve. During the day B Sqn moved to HOLTUM coming under comd 1 RB and relieving I Coy 1RB. B Sqn sent out one patrol night 19/20 Dec (See Appx) Shortly after dark B Sqn outposts reported more tk movt in area of SUSTEREN 6775.	Appx J.2. PAT- REPS 19/21 Dec.
630732	20	8H less B Sqn under comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde res. At 0830 hrs the CO left for ENGLAND on comp- assionate leave. Maj Phillips assumed comd with Maj Huth as 2 i/c. At approx 0900 hrs B Sqn outposts engaged an enemy patrol of 10 to 15 men to their immediate front. This patrol had evidently come in under cover of the fog and been caught when the fog suddenly lifted. Some casualties were caused to the enemy. On 11H front a similar incident occurred and 8 enemy were reported just NORTH of GEBROEK 6575. They proved troublesome and one tp of A Sqn was sent out to deal with them. At least one cas was caused to the enemy. It was evident that the enemy was probing our defences strongly, but his ultimate intentions were not yet clear. At approx 1430 hrs B Sqn HQ was heavily shelled and some direct hits scored. A number of men sustained cuts from splintered glass. For patrols see Appx. For 8H role see Appx.	Appx E.3. - 22 Armd Bde Message Form dtd 192054 A.
630732	21	8H less B Sqn under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde res. The day was quiet except for propaganda shells and mortar airbursts containing leaflets directed on B Sqn at HOLTUM. One leaflet was in the form of a Christmas Card with the following inscription :- ""We thought you would be home for Christmas" Well boys - take it easy - you've been promised so many things. Its not your first and certainly not your last disappointment - Cheer up - console yourself with JERRY. He wishes you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and the best of luck in the NEW YEAR."
		To Sheet No. 4/......

Page 4 of 5

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
630732	22	8H less B Sqn under comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde res. During the morning I Coy 1RB relieved B Sqn at HOLTUM and B Sqn reverted to comd. 8H in GREVENBICHT. C Sqn's move to area LIMBRICHT was finally cancelled (See Appx) and 8H role was redefined in 8H Op Instr No. 12 dated 22 Dec (See Appx).	GSGS 4336 Sheet No. 4. Appx E.3. 22 A B Message Form 192054 A.
630732	23	8H under comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde res. The day was spent in courses and maintenance.	Appx - D3. 8H Op Instr 12
630732	24	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde res. As C Sqn was to relieve I Coy 1RB at HOLTUM on. 25 Dec, they celebrated Christmas on 24 Dec.
630732	25	Under comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde res. C Sqn left for HOLTUM at approx 1200 hrs and the takeover was completed by 1500 hrs. During the morning, Maj Huth gave a lecture to the Sqns on security points arising out of operations in the Ardennes. Christmas dinners were greatly enjoyed and offrs waited on men in traditional manner. At approx 1500 hrs the Brig comd 22 Armd Bde visited the Regt. The enemy was generally quiet throughout the day and singing heard from his lines showed that he too was celebrating. Fresh identifications of enemy armoured formations in the Ardennes, revealed that he had. little or no reserve for an attack in our sector. For C Sqn patrols see Appx	Appx J.3. - PAT- REPS 25/27 Dec.
630732	26	8H less C Sqn under comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde res. At 0530 hrs the enemy sent a strong fighting patrol into the 11H posns at GEBROEK. The small post was forced to withdraw leaving their vehs which could not be started owing to the freezing weather. GEBROEK was heavily shelled by our guns and at 1100 hrs two tps. from A Sqn were sent to retake the village. They found that the enemy had withdrawn after burning the abandoned vehs. 8H prepared to take over responsibility for GEBROEK on 27 Dec. (See Appx)	Appx E.4. - 22 Armd Bde Message For of 261520 A
630732	27	8H less C Sqn under comd 22 Armd Bde in Bde res. During the day the following reliefs took place :- 1. A Sqn 8H relieved C Sqn 11H in GEBROEK with HQ remaining in BUCHTEN. 2. B Sqn 8H moved to BUCHTEN in sp of A Sqn. 3. C Sqn was relieved at HOLTUM and reverted to comd 8H in GREVENBICHT in readiness to sp 11H. A Sqn at last light had nothing to report from GEBROEK. No patrols were sent out this night or those following owing to the extensive mining which had been carried out round the perimeter defences.
630732	28	8H under comd 22 Armd Bde. A very quiet day was reported by A Sqn. The remainder of the Regt continued maintenance and sqn courses.
		To Sheet No. 5/......

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