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This diary mentions 2 units with war diaries for October 1944.
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 463357 | 1 | Under Comd 15(S) Div, with the role of a mobile res. (See 8H Operational Order No 8) During the night 30 Sep/1 Oct the enemy counter attacked on our sector but this attack was broken up by our mortar and arty fire and 8H was not called out. During the day the regt carried out maintenance as far as commitments allowed. At 1700 hrs the C.O. gave out his orders for an attack on WEIBOSCH 4237 and SCHIJNDEL 4038, to be carried out in conjunction with 158 Bde of 53 (W) Div. The attack was planned for 4 Oct but was cancelled on 3 Oct. | GSGS 2541 Sheet 5. Appx I 8H O.O. No.8. | |
| 463357 | 2 | Maintenance and rest in 15(S) Div res. | ||
| 463357 | 3 | 8H came under comd 51(H) Div who were relieving 15 (s) Div but the regt's role remained unaltered. | ||
| 463357 | 4 | Under comd 51(H) Div in mobile res role. 5 Queens Bn left comd 8H. During the morning the C.O. gave of talk to all Sqns and echelons in which he dealt with the current war situation, and stressed the necessity of adopting a non-fraternizatian policy towards German civilians when the regt had crossed the Reich's frontiers. | ||
| 463357 | 5 | Under comd 51 (H) Div in mobile res role. Leading elts of 107 RAC of 34 Tk Bde arrived in 8H area preparatory to taking over. The relief was to be completed by 6 Oct when 8H would revert to comd 7 Armd Div, and, less one Sqn under comd 131 Bde, would relieve 5 R.Tks in VEGHEL 4837. | ||
| 463357 | 6 | 8H less two Sqns under comd 131 Bde and responsible for the defence of VEGHEL 4837. At approx 0900 hrs A Sqn moved to VEGHEL to relieve Sqn of 5 R Tks. The enemy was holding the WEST bank of the ZUID WILLEMS CANAL. as far as EASTINGS 45, so patrols from HQ Recce Tp were sent to the area 4539 during the morning to counter possible enemy crossings. These standing patrols remained out until last light but reported no enemy movement. At approx 1500 hrs RHQ less Tac HQ moved to area 473375. Tac HQ and C Sqn remained in their old locations until the take over by 107 RAC was completed, after which C Sqn came into reserve in VEGHEL. B Sqn had moved in the early morning to the area LOOSBROEK 4544 and came under comd 131 Bde as a mobile res. On 8H arriving at VEGHEL, 621 Fd Sqn RE came under comd with tps disposed along the line of the rly 463378 - 472383. | ||
| To Sheet No. 2/...... |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 473374 | 7 | 8H less B Sqn under comd 131 Bde and responsible for the defence of VEGHEL. At first light Recce Tp patrols moved out to the same area as on 6 Oct but again they had nothing to report. As far as possible HQ, A and C Sqns continued with maintenance. Morning stand-to which had been in force since 30 Sep was continued from 0600 hrs to 0630 hrs. Evening stand-to was discontinued as the enemy did not appear active in 8H sector. | GSGS 2541 Sheet 5. | |
| 473374 | 8 | 8H less B Sqn under comd 131 Bde. At first light Recce Tp patrols went out as usual. Again they had nothing to report though in the late afternoon small parties of enemy inf estimated at 12 men succeeded in crossing the canal at 425409 and 437405, overrunning a Queen's Bde O.P. at the former location. Civilian reports placed these enemy patrols as far EAST as the area 4739 but no trace of them could be found and it was assumed that they had succeeded in recrossing the canal although the post at 425409 had been reestablished. During the day B Sqn sent a successful fighting patrol, consisting of two tps, to MIDDELRODE 4042. Although the enemy reacted strongly and put down hy DF with mortars and arty our tks reached the EASTERN outskirts of the village and shot up numerous enemy in the village. They were however unable to obtain a P.W. for identification purposes. | ||
| 473374 | 9 | 8H less B Sqn under comd 131 Bde. During the day Recce Tp patrols reported only stray rifle shots WEST of the canal. During the afternoon the enemy shelled VEGHEL, five rds of hy calibre landing in the vicinity of the cinema which was in use by our own tps at the time. There were no casualties. | ||
| 473374 | 10 | 8H less B Sqn under comd 131 Bde. At midday a Daimler patrol of the Recce Tp found itself attacked by converging rifle and MG fire. It was unable to gain observation of the enemy and withdrew. A Tp of C Sqn was sent out but found no trace of the enemy. The Daimler patrol was restored, with light tks in close sp, and a foot patrol was maintained on the bank of the canal itself. A Sqn relieved B Sqn in the area LOOSBROEK and came under comd 6 Queens bn. A Tp supported by Inf undertook a fighting patrol to 402445. Four enemy, possibly more, were killed, and useful identifications obtained. | ||
| 473374 | 11 | Under comd 131 Bde Recce Tp patrols were sent out as for 10 Oct but had nothing to report during the day. Leave parties were sent to EINDHOVEN and re-painting and general maintenance of all vehicles continued. One coy 6 Queens Bn. came under comd 8H at 1800 hrs and 8H area of responsibility was re-defined : bdy between 8H and 6 Queens all incl 8H line of rly 479385 - canal br 464377. | ||
| To Sheet No. 3/...... |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 473374 | 12 | 8H less A Sqn under comd 131 Bde. Recce Tp patrols went to area 4539 at first light but had nothing to report during the day. 621 Fd Sqn RE left comd 8H at 0900 hrs, their posns along rly line 479385 - canal br 464377 being taken over by one coy 6 Queens bn. Refitting and maintenance was carried on as usual. | GSGS 2541 Sheet No. 5. | |
| 473374 | 13 | 8H less A Sqn under comd 131 Bde. Again there was nothing to report from Recce Tp patrols on the ZUID WILLENS CANAL. One offr per sqn was granted 48 hrs leave to ANTWERP. | ||
| 473374 | 14 | 8H less A Sqn under comd 131 Bde. There was nothing to report from Recce Tp patrols on the ZUID WILLEMS CANAL, but considerable minelaying activity on the part of the enemy was reported from the remainder of the Div front. The C.O. held a conference on training and programmes for the following courses were approved :- Offrs Cromwell D & M Course, Tk Comd Course, Offr Patrol Leaders Course, Wireless Ops Course, Map-reading course. In the afternoon a football match was played against a local team, resulting in a win for 8H. | ||
| 473374 | 15 | 8H less A Sqn under comd 131 Bde. At first light Recce Tp patrols went out as usual but had another quiet day. Leave parties were sent to EINDHOVEN. | ||
| 473374 | 16 | 8H less A Sqn under comd 131 Bde. Courses, as planned, commenced and continued throughout the morning. Recce Tp patrols had nothing to report. | ||
| 473374 | 17 | 8H less A Sqn under comd 131 Bde. C Sqn who were ready to relieve A Sqn as mobile res in the LOOSBROEK area 4544, were ordered not to do so and remained under regtl comd at VEGHEL Recce tp patrols were accompanied by C Sqn Daimler sec. They had little to report beyond desultory firing SOUTH of the ZUID-WILLEMS CANAL. During the day 8H Sigs personnel were inspected by the O.C. 7 Armd Div Sigs. At 1100 hrs the C.O. attended a conference held by the Div Comd to discuss future ops. | ||
| 473374 | 18 | 8H less A Sqn under comd. 131 Bde. Recce Tp patrols and courses as usual. The C.O. gave a talk to all Sqns on the present war situation and outlined the regt's possible future role. At 1100 hrs the C.O. himself attended an address by the Army Commander at NISTELRODE 5047. | ||
| 473374 | 19 | 8H less A Sqn under comd 131 Bde. Recce Tp patrols were out at first light but had nothing to report during the day. Recce parties were sent out to 8H concentration area for the coming operation, in the area ZANDKANT 4443. The re-painting of vehs was completed. Sixty offrs and ORs attended an ENSA performance in VEGHEL. | ||
| To Sheet No. 4/...... |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 473374 | 20 | 8H less A Sqn under comd 131 Bde. Recce Tp patrols were sent out as usual but had nothing to report. During the day maintenance was completed and courses ended. B Sqn moved from VEGHEL to a new conc area at 438432 and came under comd 7 Queens bn in readiness for the forthcoming operation. | GSGS 2541 Sheet No. 5. | |
| 473374 | 21 | Under comd 131 Bde. 8H was relieved of all responsibility for the defence of VEGHEL. At 1000 hrs RHQ moved to 8H conc area at 443436 and C Sqn moved to 442443 where one sec HQ Recce To came under comd. A Sqn moved to 461448 coming under comd 5 Queens bn in readiness for operation ALAN phase 1 which was to commence on 22 Oct. (See appendices). | Appx II 7 Armd Div O.O. No. 16. Appx III 131 Bde O.O. No.8. | |
| 443436 | 22 | Under comd 131 Bde. The attack was delayed slightly owing to bad visibility but by 0730 hrs B Sqn were across the S.L. B Sqns rt hand tp suffered an early casualty when one tank was lost on a mine at 403435 and the remainder of the to were held up by an enemy strongpoint at 398435 throughout the morning. The left hand tp reached the main rd DINTER- MIDDELRODE without incident at 406430, and then turned WEST making first contact 400430. Here the tp ldrs tank was mined and almost immediately engaged by a med. cal. A Tk gun firing from the area 396429. Another tp, sent down to assist, had two tks bogged and the tp ldr shortly afterwards was sniped in the area 400431. The rt hand tp together with the res tp brought heavy fire to bear on the houses at 398435 knocking out one 75 mm A Tk gun there. A simultaneous attack overran the area and they then brought fire to bear on enemy withdrawing along the MIDDELRODE-BERLIKOM rd. B Sqn 2 i/c was wounded by shrapnel. On the rt, A Sqn, with 5 Queens Bn, had similar difficulties with boggy ground and mines, losing two tks on the latter. The ARVs grouped under the RTA - an arrangement which was found to work very well - dealt with two bogged tks. A Sqn made steady progress in bitter fighting against dug-in inf, and few prisoners were taken but many enemy were killed. By last light the fwd to of A Sqn was in DOORNHOEK at 386448 and 5 Queens bn established themselves along line DOORNHOEK - river 382440. A Sqn went into close leaguer, area 394444. B Sqn leaguered 407436 and during the night 7 Queens bn entered MIDDELRODE without difficulty, the enemy having withdrawn under cover of darkness. On the right C Sqn who had been observing the wood 4147,4146, had nothing to report. | Appx IV 1/7 Bn Queens O.O. No. 1. | |
| To Sheet No. 5/...... |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 443436 | 23 | Under comd 131 Bde. B Sqn, its task completed, reverted to comd 8H during the morning. C Sqn's role was as for 22 Oct and again they had nothing to report. A Sqn gave right flank protection during the day to 5 Queens, who advanced against weakening opposition to BERLICUM and the line of the dyke 3745. At approx 1600 hrs. A Sqn also reverted to comd 8H and withdrew to leaguer close to RHQ. | GSGS 2541 Sheet No. 5. | |
| 443436 | 24 | 8H came under comd 22 Armd Bde for the operation DON. During the morning the regt stood by in readiness to move to a fwd conc area SOUTH of the ZUID WILLEMS CANAL, and at 1330 hrs recce parties were sent out. The Regt followed at approx 1500 hrs (For route and march table see Appx) RHQ. leaguered at 412393 At 2100 hrs the C.O. attended a conference at 22 Armd Bde HQ (See Appx) and on his return issued verbal orders. | Appx V. 7 Armd Div Mov Order 24 Oct 44. Appx VI. 22 Armd Bde Op Instr. No. 6. | |
| 412393 | 25 | 8H under comd 22 Armd Bde. The br at ESCH 3037 was not completed, so the div was compelled to adv on a single centre-line via br at HAL 3240. The leading elts. of 11H were unable to pass through br hd owing to stiff opposition from en emy inf and 88mm A Tk guns. 8H therefore received no orders to move during the morning. At 1500 hrs, however, 8H Gp and 1 RB less two coys plus coy 7 Queens and det RE, were ordered to move to a conc area 3135 preparatory to a night attack over the river by 1 RB in the area 2635. RHQ. leaguered at 315357. During the night a patrol of 1 RB found the brs at 273354, 267353, 263349 all blown, though inf might cross at the last mentioned br. In view of the impossibility of getting armour across the river DE AA at this point, the attack by 1 RB did not take place. | ||
| 315357 | 26 | At 0715 hrs the cl. 40 br at ESCH was reported to be nearing completion. 8H was therefore ordered to follow up the main adv over this br when it was completed, and to take over the role originally allotted to 1 R.Tks (See Appx) ,One Tp of C Sqn was to be left at the br 263329 to harras the enemy at this point and divert his attention from the main br hd. Satisfactory progress was made during the morning by 5 and 1 R.Tks and at approx 1600 hrs 8H moved from the area 315357 to follow up 1 R.Tks. The C.O. went ahead to UDENHOUT where he found 1 R.Tks engaged in mopping up the enemy rear guard. At last light 8H were ordered to assist 1 R.Tks in defending UDENHOUT during the night. At approx 1900 hrs the Regt arrived and went into posns previously recced by the C.O. RHQ went into close leaguer in the area 211387. B Sqn took over responsibility for the NORTH-SOUTH rd in area 320392 up which, it was expected, enemy rearguards would withdraw. | Appx VI 22 Armd. Bde Op Instr. | |
| To Sheet No. 6/...... |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 315357 | 26 | (Cont). At 2200 hrs the C.O. issued verbal orders for the capture of LOON OP ZAND 2539 on the following day. Method : 8H was to adv with one Sqn (C) up along the centre-line X rds 203380 - rd junc 287400 - LOON OP ZAND. In the event of strong opposition being met on this route, C Sqn was to exploit alternative routes and would be supported in this by A Sqn NORTH of the centre-line and B Sqn SOUTH of it. Order of March : C Sqn, Tac HQ, A Sqn, K Bty, RHQ, B Sqn, Al Ech. B Sqn was to remain responsible for the NORTH - SOUTH rd 320393 until relieved by 5 DG. The tp of C Sqn which had been left at the br 263349 had been subjected to continuous sniping but in return claimed 20 enemy wounded or dead. | GSGS 2541 Sheet No. 5. | |
| 211387 | 27 | Under comd 22 Armd Bde. The night was uneventful and shortly after first light C Sqn passed through 1 R.Tks. First contact was made at 187400 where inf were dug in at the side of the road, and rd itself was covered by A. Tk fire. The leading tp was held up and it was decided to develop the SOUTHERN route X rds 192390 - rd junc 180380 - rd junc 179381 - rd junc 157380. Good progress was made on this route and shortly after midday C Sqn had their tps established WEST of the main rd TILBURG - LOON OP ZAND in the area 155392. Here they were held up by dug in inf and arty. Meanwhile No. 4 Tp of C Sqn, in endeavouring to develop the main axis of adv at 187400 had successfully dealt with the inf but had lost two tanks from A Tk guns sited NORTH of the main road. 8H and 7 Queens bn now reverted to comd of 131 Bde and were ordered to attack LOON OP ZAND from the SOUTH. The C.O. issued verbal orders to the Sqn Ldrs of A and C Sqns. A Sqn was to support 7 Queens bn in the attack, while C Sqn with the tps already in posn, were to provide left flank protection. The attack went in at 1700 hrs but encountered stiff opposition and by last light was held up on the 385 Northing. RHQ leaguered 171383. | ||
| 171383 | 28 | Under comd 131 Bde. The attack by A Sqn and 7 Queens bn on LOON OP ZAND was to have been continued at first light but was postponed until 0815 hrs owing to enemy shelling of the F.U.P. There was stiff fighting all day against enemy MGs, mortars and arty. The first objective was captured at 1130 hrs and one tp of A Sqn two 50 m/m A Tk guns at 158391 and 159392. At 1430 hrs the same tp disabled an enemy. S.P. gun at the rd junc 157398. The left hand tp found strong opposition at 154396 and street fighting continued until 1645 hrs when 1/7 Queens Bn consolidated along the line of the rd 159398 - 152398. | ||
| To Sheet No. 7/...... |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 171383 | 28 | (Cont). A Sqn had suffered no casualties and 8H bag was on S.P. gun disabled, two 50mm A Tk destroyed, and 9 P.W. During the afternoon C Sqn supported 5 Queens bn in an attack to clear the rd WEST of 7 Queens bn. They reached the line of the 395 Northing but were heavily shelled and mortared and forced to withdraw. | GSGS 2541 Sheet No. 5. | |
| 171383 | 29 | Under comd 131 Bde. 8H less C Sqn came into 131 Bde reserve. C Sqn under comd 5 Queens bn continued the attack to clear the rd running WEST from LOON OP ZAND. Bitter fighting took place with determined enemy rearguards in the area 1339 and 1239 but by midday the rd. was securely held and our tks were thrusting WEST to the woods and on to the X rds 1039. At approx 1600 hrs 8H was ordered to move to the area X rds 1038. Route : 171383 - rd junc 1538 - rd junc 161358 - canal 154345 - thence along the canal to main rd 136350. C Sqn reverted to comd 8H and the regt leaguered in area 1137. In the morning O.C. C Sqn had suddenly encountered a German offr hiding in a slit trench and, with great presence of mind, had taken him prisoner by the simple expedient of jumping on his stomach. | ||
| 116371 | 30 | Under comd 131 Bde. At first light B Sqn took 7 P.W. from 256 Volks grenadier Div. These had been cut off from the general withdrawal by the arrival of our tks and had gone into hiding. During the night 7 Queens bn. patrols had found DONGEN (6640) still occupied. 11H patrols set out at first light to recce this town, and B Sqn 8H stood by in readiness to follow up and secure the town. At approx 0830 hrs 11H reported that DONGEN was clear and three tps of B Sqn immediately went to take up posn. at the canal br 0439, river br 059407, and at 059420. In view of the progress of 22 Armd Bde to the NORTH and NORTH WEST these patrols were withdrawn about midday. The remainder of the regt entered DONGEN at approx 1130 hrs and took up comfortable quarters there, still in 131 Bde reserve. The remainder of the day was spent in maintenance and recreation. | ||
| 063404 | 31 | Under Comd 131 Bde. At 0900 hrs the C.O. attended a conference at 131 Bde. 131 Bde was to relieve elts of 51(H) Div along the line of R. MAAS between 10 and 20 EASTINGS. 8H was to remain under comd 131 Bde in the role of mobile reserve. The regt stood by ready to move at midday but recce parties to the new area found that 51(H) Div were still in occupation and would not be ready to move out until 1 Nov. 8H move was therefore postponed and the remainder of the day was spent in maintenance and recreation. |
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