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| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 063404 | 1 | Under comd 131 Bde. The morning was spent in maintenance and in preparation for the move to the new area. At 1330 hrs 8H moved and arrived at SPRANG 1444 at approx 1530 hrs, RHQ leaguered 138845 with A Sqn on their immediate left, B & C Sqns on their right. Billets were found for men and offrs, and the regt settled down to a short rest in 131 Bde reserve. SPRANG was shelled during the morning but no further shelling took place after the regt's arrival. | GSGS 2541 Sheet No. 5. | |
| 138845 | 2 | Under comd 131 Bde, in Bde reserve. During the morning the C.O. and all Sqn Leaders made a recce of 131 Bde fwd posns in the area WAALWIJK 1546 - CAPELLE 1047 - WASPIK 0747. Routes to be used if 8H were called out were decided upon. Sqns spent the morning in maintenance and the after- noon was left free for recreation. 131 Bde reported enemy still NORTH of OUDE MAASJE R. but apart from occasional shelling in WAALWIJK our front was quiet. | ||
| 138845 | 3 | Under comd 131 Bde in Bde res. Leave parties were sent to TILBURG. The remainder of the Regt spent the day in maintenance. Fitting of new tracks was continued. During the day the C.O. attended a confce at 131 Bde and on his return he issued verbal orders to Sqn Ldrs (See Appx) Sqn Ldrs then carried out a reconnaissance of battle posns. | Appx DI: 8H O.O. No. 9 and confirmatory notes of Verbal Orders by Comd 131 Bde. 3 Nov. J.l. | |
| 138845 | 4 | Under comd 131 Bde in Bde res. The morning was spent in maintenance and in loading tanks with HE amn. Between 1500 hrs and 1530 hrs the Sqns moved to the area 1545 and took un battle posns. They were followed by RHQ consisting of two tanks and two scout cars. Phase I of the Operation commenced on time and several fires were soon observed on the AFWATERINGS ISLAND. There was surprisingly little counter-battery fire from the enemy, none landing in the 8H area. Phase II was postponed for 15 mins, but the fire programme carried out according to plan. RHQ & Sqns then returned to SPRANG. 8H fire op was referred to as "extremely effective" by the Comd 152 Bde 51(H) Div. During the day Lieuts. Anstey, Jephson and Rampf, all of whom had been wounded in NORMANDY, rejoined the regt. | ||
| 138845 | 5 | Under comd 131 Bde in Bde res. During the morning leave parties were sent to TILBURG. The Padre conducted a service in the local Church. Arrangements were made for the resumption of regtl courses which had been commenced at VEGHEL 4737. | ||
| To Sheet No. 2/...... |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 138345 | 6 | Under comd 131 Bde in Bde res. Courses recomenced and maintenance was carried out as usual. C Sqn were ordered to move into the AFWATERINGS ISLAND in sp of 5 Queens bn, who had commenced the relief of 51 (H) Div in this area. C Sqn set up their HQ, at 255467. | GSGS 2541 Sheet No. 5. | |
| 138845 | 7 | Under comd 131 Bde in Bde res. The day was spent on courses and maintenance. C Sqn had nothing to report and the enemy was generally quiet on the Bde sector. | ||
| 138845 | 8 | 8H less C Sqn under comd 22 Armd Bde. Course and maintenance continued as usual. Two offrs were granted 48 hrs leave to BRUSSELS. 8H was warned during the day of an impending relief by elts 4 Cdn Armd Div to be followed by a move to a new area MAESEYCK (Ref Map 1/100,000 BELGIUM Sheet 4) (See Appces). | Appx E.1. - 7 Armd Div Op Instr No 16. Appx J.2. - 22 Arma Bde Warning Order 8 Nov. | |
| 138845 | 9 | 8H less C Sqn under comd 22 Armd Bde. Courses and maintenance continued during the morning and leave parties were sent to TILBURG. C Sqn returned to comd 8H and moved back to SPRANG. No Sqn was sent to relieve them owing to the impending move. | ||
| 138845 | 10 | 8H under comd 22 Armd Bde. Courses and maintenance as usual. The C.O. attended a confce at 22 Armd Bde HQ (See Appx). 8H prepared to move on 11 Nov to the new area, having been relieved by elts 4 Can Div. During the night 10/11 Nov the order came that the regt would cross the Bde SP at 0930 hrs 11 Nov. | Appx J.3. - Confirmatory Notes on CO's Confce 10 Nov 44. | |
| 138845 | 11 | At Approx 0830 hrs 8H moved out. Order of March : RHQ, Recce Tp, A1, A, B & C Sqns. Route : SPRANG 1444 - LOON OP ZAND 1539 - X rds 1037 - br 1334 - rd junc 157333 - X rds 1430 - rd junc 1427 - POPPEL 1219 - MERXPLAAS 0010 - GIERLE 9900 - LICHTAERT 0295 - CASTERLE 0697. At 072960, which was reached at 1145 hrs, the regt made a halt for lunch. The route continued to GHEEL 0888 - MOLL 1690 - LOMMEL 3194 - OVERPELT 3892 - NEERPELT 3994 - LILLE ST HUBERT 4294 - PETIT BROGEL. 4088 - PEER 4084 - rd junc 4078 - MEEUWEN 4580 - X rds. 5081 - GRUITRODE 4978 - NEERGLABBEEK 5178 - OPOETEREN 5476 - NEEROETEREN 5778 - MAESEYCK 6379. RHQ and C Sqn entered the barracks at 628795, A and B Sqns leaguered on the main rd slightly further East. At 1805 hrs 8H came under comd 131 Bde who had already relieved 53 (W) Div in the area of ITTERVOORT 6687. | GSGS 2541 Sheets 5 & 3 GSGS 4336 Sheet No. 4. | |
| 628795 | 12 | Under Comd 131 Bde in Bde res. The day was spent in maintenance and rest in preparation for coming ops (See Appx). | GSGS 4336 Sheet 4 Appx E.2. 7 Armd Div O.Instr 17. | |
| To Sheet No. 3/...... |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 628795 | 13 | Under Comd 131 Bde. Maintenance and rest in Bde res. The CO attended a confoe at 131 Bde HQ and he and Sqn Ldrs made their recce of the area WEST of WESSEM 7086 and the lock at 691879 (see Appx) At 1700 hrs the CO issued verbal orders for the operation WINDSOR I (See Appx). | GSGS 4336 Sheet No. 4. Appx E.3. Bde O.O. No. 9. Appx D.2. 8H OO No. 10. | |
| 628795 | 14 | 8H under Comd 131 Bde. The morning was spent in loading tanks with HE amn and general preparation for the afternoon. At 1430 hrs C Sqn moved out to come under comd 7 Queens bn at THORN. The remainder of the regt moved out at times as ordered, and fire tasks were carried out. Enemy defensive and counter-battery fire was heavier than usual but no casualties were suffered by A and C Sqns. Direct observation of targets and of fire effect was difficult to obtain owing to extremely poor visibility and to smoke put down in front of the target area 6987 by the RHA. C Sqn with two tps fwd gave close sp to 7 Queens bn. As was later shown by P.W. reports the attack took the enemy by surprise and, from the start, sp fire was extremely accurate. Enemy D.F. and spandaus caused fairly heavy casualties amongst our infantry but none to 8H tk crews. Several tks were however bogged during the adv and going was extremely bad. By 1645 hrs C Sqn tks were up with the inf at the lock gates and the lock itself was found to be intact. Only 5 PW were taken and it was evident that the enemy who were known to be thin on the ground had made no serious efforts to hold un our adv. No A TK defences were encountered. Shortly after last light 8H less C Sqn withdrew to MAESEYCK. C Sqn remained fwd under comd 7 Queens bn as a mobile armd res., and two tps were left at the lock until the inf had finally consolidated their posn there. | ||
| 628795 | 15 | 8H under comd 131 Bde. The day was spent in refitting and maintenance and W/T classes recommenced. C Sqn remained under comd 7 Queens bn in area ITTERVOORT 6687 with two tps fwd. There was hy shelling and mortaring by the enemy on this sector but no attempt at a counter- attack was made, the enemy being fully occupied by the adv SOUTH and EAST of 53 (W) Div on our left. | ||
| 628795 | 16 | 8H under comd 131 Bde. Maintenance and courses were continued until 1100 hrs when the CO gave a talk to A and B Sqns on the general situation of German forces in the WEST and on the significance of the ops begun 15 Nov by 2nd Army. The progress SOUTHWARD across our front by 53(W) Div and the consequent withdrawal of the enemy from the WEERT CANAL relieved C Sqn from its role of mob res. C Sqn returned to MAESEYCK and reverted to comd 8H. Lt. Pott joined the regt and was posted to B Sqn. | ||
| 628795 | 17 | 8H under comd 131 Bde in Bde res. Maintenance and courses as usual. At 1200 hrs the CO repeated his lecture of 16 Nov to C and HQ. Sqns. | ||
| To Sheet No. 4/...... |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 628795 | 18 | 8H under comd 131 Bde in Bde res. The CO held a confce on training during the morning. In the afternoon 8H played 11H at football and won 3 - 0. The Regt received complimentary tickets to visit the local cinema where a Belgian resistance film was showing. Before the performance the CO was presented with a bouquet of flowers in token of the gratitude of the people of MAESEYCK. | GSGS 4336 Sheet No. 4. | |
| 628795 | 19 | 8H under comd 131 Bde in Bde res. The padre held a Church service in the morning. In the after- noon an 8H football team played MAESEYCK winning 3 - 2. A Regtl dance was held in the evening at a local dance hall. Lt. Gould joined the regt and was posted to C Sqn. | ||
| 628795 | 20 | 8H under comd 7 Armd Div in Div res. The Tk Comds course commenced at SPRANG was continued and D & M courses recommenced. Sqn courses on gunnery and enemy weapons were begun and regtl wireless class continued as usual. | ||
| 628795 | 21 | 8H under comd 7 Armd. Div in Div res. Courses & Maintenance as usual. A leave party of Offrs and men was sent to BRUSSELS for 48 hrs. | ||
| 628795 | 22 | 8H under comd 7 Armd Div in Div res, Courses and maintenance as usual. | ||
| 628795 | 23 | Under Comd 7 Armd Div in Div res. Courses and maintenance during the day. An HQ. Sqn dance was held in the evening. | ||
| 628795 | 24 | Under comd 7 Armd Div in Div res. Courses and maintenance continued. | ||
| 628795 | 25 | Under Comd 7 Armd Div in Div res. Courses and maintenance continued during the morning. At 1430 hrs the new Div Comd, Maj-Gen LYNE, paid an informal visit to the unit. A B Sqn dance was held in the evening. | ||
| 628795 | 26 | Under comd 7 Armd Div in Div res. The Padre held a Church service in the morning and the remainder of the dav was spent in internal economy and recreation. In the evening A Sqn. held a dance. | ||
| 628795 | 27 | Under Comd 7 Armd Div in Div res. Approx one half of the Offrs of 8H attended a talk by Maj- Gen LYNE. A SHERMAN D & M course commenced and other courses continued as usual. | ||
| 628795 | 28 | Under comd 7 Armd Div in Div res. At approx 0900 hrs MAESEYCK and the area SOUTH of the barracks was shelled by 105 guns from across the R MEUSE. A leave party of Offrs and ORs went to BRUSSELS. Courses and maintenance continued as usual. | ||
| 628795 | 29 | Under comd 7 Armd Div in Div res. During the morning the CO attended a confce at Div in connection with the coming move of the Regt EAST of the R. MEUSE, the Regt commenced preparations to move on the night 30 Nov. | ||
| 628795 | 30 | At 0900 hrs CO attended a confce at Div HQ. A move that night appeared unlikely & it was eventually postponed until the night 1/2 Dec. The remainder of the Offrs attended a 2nd talk by Mai Gen LYNE. During the morning a test of the CHALLENGER & its tendency to throw tracks again proved. |
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