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    War Diary: Westminster Dragoons

    Month and year: November 1944

    The Westminster Dragoons November 1944 war diary covers the units time in the Netherlands clearing mines, several flail tanks were damaged by mines during the month.

    National Archive Reference: WO 171/864

    The "References to Appendices" column for this document was empty so has been omitted.

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    Page 1 of 4
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    NISTELRODE1A Sqn reverted to Army Res at E 371482 near S'HERTOGENBOSCH B Sqn less
    one tp with 1 R Tks, 22 Armd Bde, 7 Armd Div conc at 325385. C Sqn at
    VLIERDEN E 6217 det one tp to 4 Tk Coldm Gds, 6 Gds Tk Bde, 15 (s) Div for
    ops towards VENLO. This tp did not take part in ops but flailed to re cover
    a bogged A tk gun, and two CRABS were damaged by mines, one a write off.
    Mines in this area were normally RMi 43 or Teller laid double, and at very
    short intervals
    2Major J.M. Sidey left to command 79 Armd Div units in sp 51 (H) Div.
    3Recce party left for 79 Armd Div conc area SW of EINDHOVEN E 41.
    Lt. B.H. Pear with the three remaining CRABS of his tp of C Sqn led the
    advance of 4 Tk COLDM GDS in MEIJEL area. All tanks were hit and two
    brewed up. Lt. Pear and two crews were posted missing.
    40900RHQ Main moved to EIJKEREIND E 3405 near EINDHOVEN. Sqns did not go into
    action.
    5One tp C Sqn under Lt B.M.S. Hoban flailed in lead of GDS Tks in repitition
    of the attack of 3 Nov. One tank brewed up and others bogged, but all
    crews escaped. C Sqn now had only 8 CRABS fit for action. Owing to
    insufficient replacements being held in Fwd Del Sqn four CRABS were
    awaited from the 264 Sp Del Sqn.
    6A Sqn joined RHQ at EIJKEREIND. B & C Sqns saw no action. Lt. Col. W. Y. K.
    Blair Oliphant MC returned from Commanding 31 Tk Bde and re-assumed comd
    of the Regiment.
    7B Sqn reverted to Army Res and moved to EIJKEREIND. C Sqn did not go into
    action.
    13A Sqn allotted to 11 Div. C to 15 (S) Div - 6 Gds TK Bde and B Sqn
    to remain in 8 Corps res. No move yet. First WYMAN tank lane markers
    fitted.
    Page 2 of 4
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    EIJKEREIND160930Lt. Col. W. Y. Kington Blair Oliphant MC attended conference at HQ 15 (S) Div
    ZOMEREN E5911
    1500Tac HQ with Lts. Gould and Sellman moved to ZOMEREN
    17Three tks of B Sqn went into C Sec 30 Armd Bde Wksps for overhaul, One tp
    B Sqn released from Army res to 15 (S) Div but did not move. 48 hours
    leave to BRUSSELS continued and 5 Offrs and 35 ORs per A, B & C Sqns had now
    been,
    On 15 (S) Div front patrolling continued and Sjt Barnes C Sqn was killed
    during the night 17/18 Nov on inf patrol. An assault crossing of canals
    VAN DURNE and HELENSBAART east of MEIJEL E was proposed for 18 Nov to
    continue advance on the SEVENUM axis, grouping as follows:-
    RIGHT (2 Crossings) LEFT ( One Crossing).
    227 Inf Bde 44 Inf Bde
    One Bn Scots Gds Tks. One Tp C Sqn.
    2 Tps W Dgns (C Sqn) One Tp B Sqn
    2 Tps Crocodiles. Other arms est RIGHT
    2 CONGAS (222 ASRE)
    19Authority given to return one tp B Sqn u/c 15 (S) Div to Corps reserve.
    B Sqn put at 4 hrs notice by 31 Tk Bde.
    1100Lt. Col. W. Y. Kington Blair Oliphant MC attended conference GOC 15 (S) Div.
    20C Sqn moved to HEUSDEN E 6211. A Sqn moved to area 652245. CAMBRAI DAY
    Tp B Sqn gave show. Regimental Dinner. A and C Sqn unable to attend.
    21B Sqn moved to OPLOO 7136
    22One tp C Sqn flailed a lane in advance leading Scots Gds
    tks and GORDONS on ACHTESTER STEEG 804125
    One Tp A Sqn (L t M.A. Sutton) in sp
    23 H flailed a narrow lane E768205. Two 23H tks were brewed up and Lt Sutton was ordered
    to withdraw. His complete job was thus carried away. While returning back he dismounted under
    heavy fire to rescue wounded man on the ground. For this act he was recommended
    for the award of the M.C.
    Page 3 of 4
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    EIJKEREIND23Extensive recce on foot was now carried out with inf patrols before all
    attacks, normally by Tp Sjt.
    Lt. M. A. Sutton with remaining four CRABS flailed a lane area E7520 east to
    cross the canal leading 23H and 3 R Tks. Two CRABS blew up on mine, due to
    heavy ground reducing flail speed. The third tk bogged and the rotor of
    the fourth, while blowing a mine was carrued away, presumably because the
    formation of the ground caused the rotor to be only about one foot above the
    ground at this moment.
    24One tp B Sqn (Lt.Moore) in sp 3 (Br) Div.
    C Sqn moved to HORST 8218
    Tac HQ moved to 819158 South of HORST. B Sqn reverted to 8 Corps res.
    Recommendation for revised WE submitted to 30 Armd Bde. Chief proposal to
    exchange RHQ tanks for wireless vehicles to facilitate the operation of two
    separate Regt HQs.
    25Major Sidey's TAC HQ with 11 Armd Div withdrawn to RHQ Main,
    26B Sqn reverted in sp 8 Corps and conc at 765266 moving 27 Nov to area
    MAASBREE 8205 to join 22 Dgns in sp 12 Corps.
    A Sqn reverted in sp 8 Corps and conc at 651245. All tps of C Sqn were
    allotted in sp 3 Tk SCOTS GDS for attack on BROEKHUIZENVORST 9023 and
    BLITTERSWIJK 8726. They did not flail but the Sqn was heavily shelled.
    27Move of B Sqn to MAASBREE cancelled.
    28Tac HQ rejoined Main HQ at EIJKEREIND. C Sqn ceased to be in sp 15 (S) Div
    and remained at HORST.
    29C Sqn area in HORST shelled.
    30A Sqn attacked in sp 3 MON. Phase 1 objective KASTEEL 9021. 2 Tp in sp
    A Coy. Three lanes each one tk wide required for inf and completed.
    Cas one CRAB transmission jammed by heavy mine explosion. Phase 2 4 Tp
    in sp C Coy. Objective BROCKHUISEN 9022. Three lanes one tk wide
    required and completed. Cas one tk brewed up. LT.HALL and one OR wounded.
    Page 4 of 4
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    Fire sp each phase by one Sqn 15/19H, arty and mortars. Third task
    clearing western approaches to KASTEEL. Task completed with three tanks
    booged.
    B Sqn returned to billets at EIJKEREIND.

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