8th Infantry Brigade HQ War Diary: December 1944
The 8 British Infantry Brigade December 1944 war diary covers rotating through rest areas at GEMERT, BOEKEL, and HORST before returning to the line near VENRAIJ.
National Archive Reference: WO 171/611
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All diaries for this unit
1
War diaries that reference this unit
The 8th Infantry Brigade HQ are mentioned in 1 other war diaries from December 1944.
2
War diaries referenced here
This diary mentions 2 units with war diaries for December 1944.
Page 1 of 3
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Map Ref 767306 SOUTH of | 1 | 0800 | Bde Comd went away for two days to Guards Armoured Division to receive Bar to his DSO. Lt.Col. RE GOODWIN, OC 1 SUFFOLK acting Brigade Command. | |
| OVERLOON, HOLLAND | 2 | morning | 2 E YORKS moved to rest area GEMERT5730 relieved by 2 LINCOLNS (9 Brigade) who came under command. New GSO III Capt. NT HARDY, LEICESTERS arrived pm to replace Capt BJ HARRIS-St JOHN, BUFFS, taken on posted strength or 1 S LAN R. | |
| Map ref 575307GEMERT. | 3 | After- noon. | 1 SUFFOLK moved to rest area BOEKEL5736 relieved by 1 KOSB (9 Brigade). 9 British Infantry Brigade took over sector at 1400 hrs. Bde HQ moved to GEMERT5730. | |
| HOLLAND. | 4 | am | Brigade Command visited 1 SUFFOLK, 2 E YORKS and 1 S LAN R. | |
| 5 | am | Command 3 British Infantry Division visited this HQ and 2 E YORKS and 1 S LAN R. Stayed at this HQ for lunch. Bde Command and BM attended football match between 1 SUFFOLK and 2 MIDDLESEX. | ||
| 6 | am | Command 8 Corps visited this Headquarters (Lieut, BARKER, CB, CBE, DSO, MC) conferred with Brigadier and Battalion Commands. | ||
| pm | Brigade Command visited 1 SUFFOLK. | |||
| 7 | am | Brigade Command visited Battalions. | ||
| pm | Brigade Command and BM visited 185 Infantry Brigade. | |||
| 8 | am | Brigade Command visited 1 SUFFOLK and 2 E YORKS and attended officers discussion periods. | ||
| pm | Lecture to officers of three Battalions by CRA (Brigadier GG MEARS, MC). Brigade Command and BM attended. | |||
| 9 | Brigade Command attended officers study day at Battalion Headquarters 1 S LAN R. 8 British Infantry Brigade Operational Order No. 11 issued. | Appx 'A' | ||
| 10 | am | BGS 8 Corps visited this Headquarters (Brigadier RGV Fitz George-Balfour). Brigade Command visited 2 E YORKS and 1 SUFFOLK Church Services. Divisional Commander took salute after 1 SUFFOLK Church parade. |
Page 2 of 3
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Map Ref 575305GENERT. | 11 | am | Commander in Chief 21 Army Group (Field Marshal Sir B. MONTGOMERY) visited GENERT to present decorations to personnel of the Division. Amendment No.1 to 8 British Infantry Brigade Operational Order No.11 issued. | Appx 'B' |
| HOLLAND. Map Ref | 12 | am | Brigade relieved 185 Brigade. Brigade Command visited all battalions. | SMY |
| 678415WANROIJ. | 13 | am | Brigade Command visited 1 SUFFOLK. | |
| HOLLAND. | pm | Brigade Command visited 2 E YORKS. | ||
| 14 | am | Brigade Command visited ROYALS and 1 S LAN R. Divisional Commander arrived for lunch. | ||
| 15 | 1000 | Brigade Command attended Divisional Commands 'O' Group. | ||
| pm | Brigade Command and G III made preliminary recce of new area. (HORST8318 area). 8 British Infantry Brigade Operational Order No. 12 issued. | 8 Br Inf | ||
| 16 | am | Brigade Command visited 1 SUFFOLK. | Bde OO No. 12 att marked Appx 'G' | |
| 17 | am | Brigade Command attended Parade Service of 2 E YORKS and presented GOC's Certificates. 8 British Infantry Brigade Operational Instruction No. 13 issued. | Appx 'D' | |
| Map ref 575305 | 17 | 1130 | Considerably more enemy air activity than of late. | |
| WANROIJ, | 18 | 1130 | 8 British Infantry Brigade moved to Div reserve in area HORST (8318). | |
| HOLLAND. | 1615 | Divisional Commander visited this HQ. Less air activity than yesterday. | ||
| Map ref | 19 | am | Brigade Command visited 1 SUFFOLK | |
| 833180HORST, HOLLAND. | pm | Brigade Command visited 2 E YORKS and 1 S LAN R. 8 British Infantry Brigade Operational Instruction No.14 and Operational Order No.15 issued. | Appx E & 'F' |
Page 3 of 3
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Map Ref 833180HORST, HOLLAND. | 20 | am | Brigade Command left for United Kingdom on compassionate leave. Lt.Col RE GOODWIN, DSO, assumed command of Brigade. | |
| Map Ref 769269VENRAIJ, | 21 | 1330 | Brigade Group moved up to relieve 9 British Infantry Brigade. Brigade HQ VENRAIJ769269 1 SUFFOLKMEERLO856253, 2 E YORKSSMAKT799321, 1 S LAN ROOSTRUM807275. 8 British Infantry Brigade Operational Instruction No.16 issued. | Appx 'G' |
| HOLLAND. | 23 | am | Divisional Commander visited this HQ and conferred with Brigade Commander. | |
| pm | Brigade Commander ordered 'O' Group to generally put all concerned in the picture, and to emphasise necessity for no slackening of alertness over Christmas. | |||
| 24 | 8 British Infantry Brigade Operational Order No. 17 issued. | Appx 'H' | ||
| 25 | Officers played Serjeants at soccer result Serjeants 3 Officers 1. | |||
| 26 | Signal Officer organised a variety show, in which members of the Brigade Staff performed. | |||
| 28 | 2330 | Brigade Command returned and reassumed command of the Brigade Group vice Lt.Col. RE GOODWIN, DSO. | ||
| 29 | Brigade Command visited all three battalions. Major FM DE BUTTS, MBE, reported to assume duties of Second in Command 1 S LAN R vice Major PD DALY, 2 KSLI. | |||
| 31 | Brigade Command visited battalions. Divisional Commander visited this HQ. |
Units Referencing the 8th Infantry Brigade HQ
The following units mention the 8th Infantry Brigade HQ in their war diaries from December 1944:
Units Referenced in this war diary
The following units are mention in this war diary and have their own December 1944 war diary
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