C Sqn.
The Sqn moved through SITTARD and into GERMANY by WEHR, and out again soon afterwards to JABEEK in reserve under command 131 Bde. No role unless a breakthrough by the enemy developed, except right flank liaison, Lt Pearson.

B Sqn.
The Sqn moved to OBBICHT and C Sqn took over at JABEEK. We had no commitment at OBBICHT. There was a lot of enemy air activity, single engined fighters.

D Sqn. 1 – 8th
In reserve at OBBICHT. Moved to JABEEK on the 4th and remained there until the 8th. While there we had a very good lecture by Major Nangle DSO (2i/c 1/5th Queens) on Infantry tactics and life. We also had a very good dance with the local band aided by Tpr Wright on the piano and Sigm Buttery with his trumpet. It snowed again on the 8th and the move back to OBBICHT was a bit skiddy.

B Sqn.
We took over from D Sqn at ROOSTEREN during the afternoon. 3Tp went to the chateau, 4Tp to the centre, 1Tp to the new position at 658779 (left centre) and 5Tp to the left. 2Tp occupied a position at 657782 by night. There were no incidents during the night which was one of the quietest we had spent up here. A sudden thaw set in during the night.

B Sqn.
Tps remained in their positions by day, although 2Tp had no responsibility. The Colonel went round the patrol positions and suggested several improvements to the wire and mine defences. More wire and mines arrived during the day and plans were made for working parties during the night. Lt Gibson took out 2 wiring parties during the night and the RE’s improved the minefield.
At about 2145 hours a member of the ROOSTEREN Maquis left to visit his brother who lived about a mile out of the village. He went past the A Sqn Tp at 653774 and afterwards a burst from a Schmeiser or something of the sort was heard, followed by a shout. A Sqn looked for the man but could not find him, so he must have been caught by a German patrol which had been lying up on the road. His cap was found the next day.

A Sqn.
Moved up to ROOSTEREN in the evening and had all five Tps out in the usual positions around the village. Nothing to report.

B Sqn.
1Tp was relieved by a Staghound from SHQ. The Colonel again went round the patrol positions. Some more wiring and mining was done during the afternoon. At about 1700 hours A Sqn took over ROOSTEREN and we went to ILLIKHOVEN. 2Tp took over a position on the canal bank at 653759 and 1Tp was at 653774 for the night only.
At about 0130 hours on the night 4/5th A Sqn patrols in ROOSTEREN were heavily shelled and mortared for about half an hour. 1Tp came in for some of this, shells falling near his position. The Sqn stood-to as it was thought an attack on ROOSTEREN might be imminent. However nothing happened and the Sqn stood-down. The weather had cleared at about midnight and it started to freeze hard.

B Sqn.
1Tp returned to ILLIKHOVEN at 0800 hours. At 1600 hours 5Tp relieved 2Tp and at 1715 hours 3Tp went out to the left position. The night was quiet.

C Sqn.
Sqn moved to ROOSTEREN to relieve A Sqn. 1Tp went to the OVEREIND position, 5Tp to the centre and 3Tp to the chateau. 3Tp sent a listening post to the canal bank, near the lock gate, this was commanded by Lt Markham. This listening post returned at about 2200 hours on seeing a small party of Germans crossing the canal. This party was not seen again by us, but Maquis between ROOSTEREN and ILLIKHOVEN opened fire on what may have been the same party, and they disappeared.
Further light was thrown on this party two days later, when a civilian in ILLIKHOVEN said that a party of Germans came to his house at about midnight. Otherwise an uneventful night except that at about 2130 hours many trip-flares went up in the area – these were believed to have been caused by heavy snow or cats.

A Sqn.
Nothing reported all day. C Sqn came up and relieved us in the evening and we moved to OBBICHT.

B Sqn.
3Tp returned soon after first light. 5Tp Scout sect took over from the Tp on the canal bank for the day. At 1715 hours 4Tp went to the night patrol position at 653774 and 1Tp took over from 5Tp on the canal.
At about 2145 hours the Maquis post at 650765 opened fire and 4Tp sent a Dingo down to find out what had happened. The Maquis had seen 8 men approaching them from the canal and had fired, whereupon the German patrol retired back towards the canal. C Sqn in the meantime had reported that their listening post had seen more Germans cross the canal. Later on a few stonks were put down on the canal bank in the hope of catching the Germans on the way home. There we no further incidents during the night.

C Sqn.
Nothing to report all day and no movement seen. A listening post (Cpl Bond) went out to the canal bank again. They heard sounds of talking and coughing from the pill-box on the other side of the canal, and then there were small explosions in OUD ROOSTEREN, believed to be mines or rifle grenades.

A Sqn.
Remained at OBBICHT doing maintenance.

B Sqn.
In view of the German patrol during the night, the position of out northern patrol was altered slightly, to 655772. Mines were laid round it and flares between it and the canal. 2Tp took up this position at last light and 3Tp went to the canal bank. The 75mm of the Sqn were out of action as the barrels we worn out, and some new ones had to be fitted. It started to snow during the evening and the night was very cold. A spandau fired from the canal bank in the direction of 2Tp, otherwise there were no incidents during the night.

A Sqn.
Moved down to JABEEK and remained there ready to take up position in case of a flap. D Sqn lent us Lt Gurteen to act as LO.

B Sqn.
It snowed quite hard during the day. The Sqn relieved C Sqn at ROOSTEREN during the afternoon. The take over was completed during daylight as visibility was reduced owing to the heavy snow which was falling. At about 2000 hours 2 grenades were fired at 5Tp. We replied by shelling OUD ROOSTEREN. At about 0100 hours, 6 more were fired falling about 100 yards East of 5Tp. They appeared to have been fired from the canal bank in the area of the bridge.

A Sqn. 9 – 10th.
Stayed in JABEEK.

B Sqn.
All Tps remained in their positions. A German with a spade was seen to emerge from the tunnel at 671789 and start to dig. He was engaged by our guns. A 2” mortar bomb was fired into the middle of the village and in reply we got the artillery to shell OUD ROOSTEREN. Snow fell intermittently during the day. 1Tp sent out a listening post to the canal bank. Except for odd flares and MG fire, mostly provided by our friends on the left, there was nothing to report.

D Sqn.
Still at OBBICHT.

B Sqn.
L/Sgt Edwards and 2 men went up to the chateau to man the OP for 1Tp who with the listening post out at night had had a hard time. D Sqn took over during the evening and we moved to OBBICHT. There was thick fog and it was freezing hard so the drive was anything but pleasant.
It was decided that the 75mm guns were worn out and it was not possible to replace them. Four Cromwell tanks armed with 95mm guns were to be issued to the Regt as a temporary measure. One of these had to be manned by the Sqn.

D Sqn. 10 – 12th.
Took over from C Sqn at ROOSTEREN. Very cold and freezing, some 20° at night. nothing happened while we were there and we moved to ILLIKHOVEN on the evening of the 12th.

C Sqn.
Nothing to report all day. At 2020 hours a D Sqn listening post heard movement on his right – but nothing was heard or seen by either of our patrols.

A Sqn.
Moved to PAPENHOVEN.

B Sqn.
We learned during the morning that we would not be moving to JABEEK on the following day but to PAPENHOVEN, where RHQ was, instead. The leave ballot for the remained of people eligible for leave took place in the morning.

A Sqn. 12 – 13th.
Remained in PAPENHOVEN.

B Sqn.
Moved to PAPENHOVEN at 1000 hours.

C Sqn.
At 0500 hours, 1/5th Queens attacked BAKENHOVEN which they took without much difficulty, the small garrison having baled out as soon as the attack started. But the preliminary bombardment again fell in amongst 3 & 4Tp, particularly 4 Dog who had shells all around them. Cpl Golding remained in his isolated position for some time and then asked for permission to return which was granted.
At 0700 hours thick smoke drifted over ROOSTEREN and at the same time, considerable movement was heard in OUD ROOSTEREN, including HDT and vehicles. 4Tp reported 1 mortar firing from 105°.
At 1730 hours we were ordered to send a listening post to the lock gates in order to find out if OUD ROOSTEREN had been evacuated, but before it could start the question was answered by spandau and mortars firing on BAKENHOVEN, and the Germans launched a counter-attack against BAKENHOVEN. They succeeded in occupying one house but were evicted in the morning, leaving 25 dead. During this attack, 3 & 4Tp were severely punished by medium DF tasks, which had still not been corrected. No casualties.
The listening post (Cpl Bean) was in position at 2130 hours. At 2200 hours all Tps reported sounds of digging in the canal area. Several guns on bearings due East, fired throughout the night, intermittently into BAKENHOVEN.

B Sqn. 13 – 21st.
Remained at PAPENHOVEN carrying out maintenance and training. On Jan 18th Major Grant Thorold left the Sqn to take the duties of 2i/c of the Regt, in place of Major Lawson DSO MC, who was leaving to take command of the Inns of Court Regt. Major H Petch MC DCM took over command of the Sqn.

D Sqn.
The night was noisy due to our capture of BAKENHOVEN, followed by a counter-attack which proved a failure. The post on the canal bank was in a good place to see the whole battle.

C Sqn.
At 1328 hours 3Tp reported 2 Germans walking towards the canal with what appeared to be ammunition boxes. Ten minutes later they returned without the boxes.
At 1400 hours 1 German walked South along track 667778 and disappeared behind a house at the northern edge of OUD ROOSTEREN. Movement continued along the same track until last light, up to 8 Germans being seen at the same time. By 1830 hours A Sqn had taken over all patrols and the Sqn moved to PAPENHOVEN.

A Sqn.
Moved to ROOSTEREN and took over from C Sqn and had the usual patrols out. Nothing to report.

D Sqn.
Major JAN Crankshaw MC, the Sqn Ldr, left the Regt for leave in the UK. The Sqn was therefore commanded by Capt T O’B Horsford with Lt RH Moore acting as his 2i/c.

A Sqn.
Sqn Ldrs birthday. Nothing happened during the day.

D Sqn.
This was a day of preparation for operation BLACKCOCK which was due to begin at 2100 hours, but was postponed due to fog, until the next day at 0730 hours.

A Sqn.
At about 0100 hours the listening patrol was brought back as our guns were going to shell OUD ROOSTEREN. When the stonk was finished the patrol went out again but as they were approaching the canal bank they were fired on by about 8 Germans from the other side of the canal. We immediately called for a stonk on that area and when it was finished Cpl McKissock, the patrol Ldr, got up to his position without any further trouble and called up the rest of his section. They remained in position until first light and had nothing further to report.
At 0700 hours the 7th Armd Div attack started with the 131st Bde taking DIETEREN after a preliminary barrage. At 1100 hours we were ordered to find out if OUD ROOSTEREN was held or not. 2Tp under Lt Morton was given the task. He took one of his cars right up to the edge of the canal bank overlooking OUD ROOSTEREN to try and draw fire. The visibility was so bad that he could see nothing and neither could he be seen. He sent his Scout sect under Cpl Higginson to cross the canal and work up from the South. The section crossed the ice about 200 yards South of the blown bridge and from there began to work up to the North until they hit the road running East from the bridge. The going was very slow owing to the fog.
While they were working forward, LCpl Oddie with his section from 3Tp was sent to sit on the East side of the canal to cover his withdrawal. After reaching the bridge Cpl Higginson started to move down the road but after he had gone about 100 yards he ran into 5 Germans in what appeared to be a spandau post. These chaps immediately got up and ran leaving their spandau behind and one was very nearly caught by Cpl Higginson. Both parties were so surprised at seeing each other that neither side fired. The enemy then began mortaring that area so the sect withdrew, and having found out that OUD ROOSTEREN was held, they dropped South and took up a position covering any movement South from there by the enemy on the East bank of the canal. Both sections remained out for the rest of the day and had nothing further to report.
During the afternoon we were told to have a listening post on both sides of the canal. To do this 3Tp and 5Tp White Scout sects under LCpl Oddie and LCpl Dineen were used, both under command Lt Osborne. At 1800 hours Cpl Higginson and LCpl Oddie were brought in and Lt Morton returned to his night position. Lt Osborne took out his listening posts, but for the first hour only had LCpl Dineen as his other one which had been out all day had to come in and have a meal before going out again.
About this time D Sqn had sent up two Tps under Lt Newton and Lt Hunter to help us out and this enabled 3Tp to come in for a well earned rest. Lt Osborne had a little difficulty in establishing his 2 posts, first of all he fell through the ice when crossing, luckily he was the only one. Also they could not find a slit trench on the East bank of the canal. In the end they went about 100 yards South and established a post there.
During the night the only thing that happened was that the Germans sent a patrol which passed within about 500 yards of one of our listening posts on the East bank. This patrol was driven off by our friends with a lot of firing but our post did not engage. A few shells fell during the night in the ROOSTEREN area but they only appeared to be over-throws.

D Sqn.
The object was to clear the Germans from the area East of the MAAS up to the rivers ROER and WURM. 131 Bde took DIETEREN and the Concrete works and then stabilised. A Sqn patrols crossed the canal from ROOSTEREN to OUD ROOSTEREN and captured spandau – crew fled. 2Tp and 4Tp helped out in the ‘Fortress’. Good news from the Russian Front.

C Sqn.
An operation to clear the enemy up to the river ROER started at 0800 hours. Troops taking part – 12 Corps with under command 7th Armd Div, 52 (L) Div and 43 Div. 131 Bde captured DIETEREN and 1st RTR pushed on towards ECHT.

A Sqn.
At first light 2Tp sent Sgt Gibson in his DAC up to the lock and try and draw fire as visibility was much better than the previous day. At about 1000 hours Sgt Gibson saw about 14 men walking about in OUD ROOSTEREN and engaged them with small arms fire and wounded one. After this they started mortaring and sniping him so he withdrew to his Tp position, having found out what was wanted, which was that OUD ROOSTEREN was still occupied.
At about 1700 hours a Coy of the KOSB attacked OUD ROOSTEREN and occupied it without firing a shot, capturing a Bn commander and 50 PoW. Lt Williamson went up to the bridge and contacted them by shouting. This meant that the only threat to ROOSTEREN was now from the North. It turned out that the reason the Bn CO and his staff were captured was because Cpl McKissock, unknown to us, had had their HQ under observation all day and they could not get out.

D Sqn.
131 Bde and the RB’s clear SUSTEREN and KOSB enter OUD ROOSTEREN at 1700 hours. OPHOVEN and part of ECHT were occupied. 1/5th Queens on the right met stiff opposition in area 6977. Thaw makes going ‘unsound’. WARSAW falls to the Russians.

C Sqn.
131 Bde with KOSB captured SUSTEREN but were held up at the bridge 695775 and SCHILBERG. The 8th Armd Bde came up to HEIDE and pushed East with some success.

A Sqn.
During the night the KOSB had been relieved by a Sqn of the Skins who we contacted at first light. After this we only had 2 patrols out during the day. During the morning, Cpl Higginson with his sect, went out and recced a position for another patrol to go out at night. The two Tps lent to us by D Sqn were sent back.

D Sqn.
ECHT cleared by 131 Bde, supported by 1st RTR, also part of SCHILBERG, but stiff opposition in the area 700783 held up progress on the right. 52 & 43 Divs attack begins on the right, directed on the line HONGEN – BREBEREN.

C Sqn.
9th DLI captured SCHILBERG with one Coy in HINGEN. The Sqn was then given the task of finding a route to MONTFORT. At 1115 hours, SHQ, 3, 2 & 5Tp went up to the SCHILBERG area. 2Tp went straight through SCHILBERG and started up the main road to MAASBRACHT and LINNE where he was to contact a patrol of the 1st RTR at 712815. Unknown to us however, the patrol had dropped back to the area 706800, owing to the presence of an A/Tk gun at 715813. 2Tp Lt Gale motored past this patrol who made no attempt to stop them, and continued on to the map ref previously given.
At 1300 hours his leading Dingo was knocked out by the A/Tk gun at 711813. The shot went straight through the engine, the crew, LCpl Dalloway and Tpr Chapple, were able to bale out into the ditch where they were heavily mortared by enemy mortars. Later they managed to reach a Tp of 1st RTR at 705811 and were returned to SHQ in the evening, none the worse for their narrow escape.
At the same time as the dingo was hit, Sgt Davies MM, who was behind the Tp Ldr, was sniped from a house at 712812 and was wounded in the neck. It was probably an explosive bullet, which burst on the side of his car and a piece of shrapnel struck him. He was evacuated but insisted on returning to his Tp the following day.
3Tp went to HINGEN where 1st RTR reported that any progress North was prevented by enemy Infantry with bazookas in the houses at 714806. Meanwhile 5Tp was working down the track East at 712800 but making slow progress owing to sniping from his North.
2Tp Ldr went to ECHT where he reported 695828 held by the enemy and friends told him that nothing more would be happening in that area that day. He then returned to SHQ.At 1635 hours 3Tp had reached 720796 where the track became too bad to go on. This proved a blessing in disguise, for at 1710 hours he reported 2 Germans walking about at 728792 and an A/Tk gun at 729788 very well concealed. 4Tp reported sniping in area HINGEN otherwise nothing to report. All Tps returned to SHQ at last light.
3 &5Tp had done particularly well to make contact down 2 very difficult tracks without incurring any casualties, in particular 3Tp Lt Markham for whom it was a first experience of mobile warfare.

A Sqn. 19 – 24th.
Remained at ROOSTEREN and after the 20th, we had no patrols out.

D Sqn.
SCHILBERG reported clear. C Sqn operates with three Tps out to the North and NE. slow progress, with additional hindrance from driving snow storms. 8th Armd Bde reach WALDEFUCHT along the BLACK route. DIETEREN and SUSTEREN are satisfactory evidence of the effectiveness of continuous harassing fire by our artillery during the previous weeks of inactivity. Hardly a habitable dwelling place to be seen, and the German morale must have undoubtedly been reduced to the lowest level by the unenviable living conditions thus forced upon them. The industry in their forward works (elaborate dug-outs, well fitted and sited weapon pits, assisted by the limited natural defences available, and wiring) seems to have hardly justified their efforts since they were taken with comparative ease.

C Sqn.
By the morning ST JOOST had still not been captured and civilians reported at least 300 Germans defending it. It later transpired that Regt HUBNER had been moved down from the ROERMOND area to defend it. 22nd Armd Bde was given the task of attacking it in the afternoon with 8th Hussars and 1st RB’s. At 1350 hours 4Tp went to 706800 and 1Tp Ldr in a dingo went to liase with 1st RB’s in HINGEN. The attack started at 1430 hours but was soon halted by fierce opposition in the South of ST JOOST.
At last light 5Tp moved up to the area of the dingo knocked out on the previous day. They were unable to turn it around, and while trying to do so were heavily stonked. Finally it was towed backwards all the way down the main road with the Tp Ldr, Lt Pearson, sitting on the top and steering it. This was done under shellfire and sniping from ST JOOST and was a very fine performance on the part of the Tp Ldr, who was commanding a Tp for the first time.

D Sqn.
Slow progress. 8th Hussars and RB’s push North towards ST JOOST from HINGEN and are directed on MONTFORT, with our C Sqn remaining behind them, ready to recce North towards MAASBRACHT which an independent Tp of B Sqn can observe from a point reached up the canal 696832. A PoW taken from HUBNER para Regt indicate reinforcements of troops in the area have come South from across the inter-army boundary which runs through LINNE.

C Sqn.
An attack was put in on ST JOOST by the 9th DLI during the night, but in the morning the enemy was still in possession, and 9th DLI who have fought consistently in every campaign since Alamein reported some of the stiffest opposition they have ever encountered.
At first light 5Tp went to 704812 where there were also two Tps of the 8th Hussars. There was heavy shelling and mortaring in the area but by 1200 hours 5Tp had managed to get to a house at 708815 where he had a good view NW and reported men at 712823.
At 1245 hours 4Tp went out to 5Tp’s old position at 704812 and throughout the day reported on odd enemy men in ST JOOST.
At 1400 hours the area of White patrols was heavily stonked by enemy guns, some falling extremely close to 4Tp Ldr, who however, refused to be shifted from his position.
At 1700 hours the enemy made a final attempt to shift 4Tp Ldr with shelling, all of which landed within a few feet of his car. 4Tp Ldr remained adamant and the German gunners realised they had met their match and did not trouble him any more. Both Tps returned at last light.

D Sqn.
At 1600 hours the Sqn was ordered to take over BERKELAAR from the Commandos who had captured it the previous night. all round defence was necessary since vicious fighting was still in progress at last light in ST JOOST and at 1900 hours, 2 Germans were seen to leave the village itself.
Lt Moore went to the UK on leave and Lt Newton took over 2i/c of the Sqn.

C Sqn.
At first light 1Tp was in position at 704812. It was soon apparent that the remnants of the enemy had at last evacuated ST JOOST and 22nd Armd Bde pushed on without delay towards MONTFORT, and the Sqn was able to carry on with the task it had been trying to do for the last 3 days.
1Tp by 0900 hours had reached 712815 and 3Tp was working up through ST JOOST. At 712816 1Tp took a PoW from Regt HUBNER and by 0930 hours had reached 713821 where he picked up several mines on the level crossing. At this time 1Tp and 3Tp saw movement of men in the area 716830 and it was obvious that the enemy had not pulled back far, civilian reports substantiated this. Both Tps had a good duffy, and the men disappeared.
2Tp was then sent out to work up the track running NW from 712818. At 1030 hours 1Tp had reached 714826 and 3Tp joined the main road at 719833, turned right and worked NE up the main road. 1Tp continued up the main road and then turned up the track leading North to BRACHTERBEEK. At 1115 hours 3Tp had reached 728838 where he was halted by HE fire. 1Tp reached 718844 where some Germans in a slit trench were very close to his Dingo. They threw grenades, one of which landed in his Dingo but was thrown out by the commander Cpl Bown. The crew then dismounted from the Dingo and while doing so Cpl Bown was wounded in the leg and arm by spandau fire from the slit trench, they took cover behind the Dingo and the Tp Ldr Lt Brett Smith came up to the spot in his Daimler. He managed to get Cpl Bown on to the back of the Daimler and engaged the Germans with 2pdr and Besa fire. Two Germans were definitely killed, one by having his head removed by a 2pdr shot, and the spandau was knocked out. The remaining Germans went to ground and the Tp Ldr, having done all he could, withdrew.
Within a few minutes, CC Bty 5th RHA had kindly volunteered to support us throughout the day, brought down a heavy and extremely accurate stonk on the area, which was observed by 3Tp, who were in a good position to see all that was going on. This was repeated during the next hour, whenever curiosity or the love of English cigarettes induced the Germans to come out and examine the Dingo.
At 1141 hours 3Tp was fired upon by AP from 734849 and withdrew to a position of observation at 720834. 1Tp was withdrawn and 3Tp remained in observation. Further advance was out of the question, and D Sqn on our left had contacted the enemy in MAASBRACHT.
At 1300 hours D Sqn took over our patrols and the whole Sqn returned to SCHILBERG, 1 & 3Tps having done extremely well.

B Sqn.
The Sqn moved out to operate in the gap between the 7th Armd Div and 52 (L) Div and to advance in a NE direction. The front necessitated a three Tp front and 2, 3 and 4Tps went out at 0700 hours.
2Tp was in the centre and advanced to KLOOSTER LIBOSCH after making detours due to blown bridges and bad tracks. At KLOOSTER LIBOSCH he met up with a road block and was forced to detour. He then carried on to the X tracks at 758784 and was unable to proceed farther NE owing to mines. He made a large detour and advanced to X tracks at 766799 where his leading car was blown up on a mine. Whilst in this position he was fired on by two 88mm guns from the area of POSTERHOLT and was forced to withdraw under cover where a posn of observation was taken until last light.
3Tp advanced to 754815 by devious ways owing to bad going and blown bridges. At this position he was shelled and MG’d and was forced to drop back. He engaged a number of Germans in the woods at 751806 and killed one German who was armed with a bazooka, and wounded another. He also picked up 2 airmen from a farm at 756806. They had been living with the farmer for a number of months.
4Tp was on the right and contacted friends of the 52 Div at 730762 where he remained for the day. On his way to this position his leading car was blown up on a mine. All Tps were called in at last light to SHQ which was set up at PEIJ.

D Sqn.
At first light, Cpl Rivers began to work up the canal bank with his Scout sect and soon reported that he had reached the area of the lock but could detect no movement in MAASBRACHT or in the houses to the South. 1Tp Lt Alton confirmed the progress made by his Scout sect and using the track running parallel to the canal bank, reached the southern edge of the town without incident.
2Tp Lt Hunter was sent to the X roads 706840 to watch the rear and East flank of 1Tp who had now started to work his way up the road running North along the edge of the town. 2Tp nosed their way to the windmill at 710844. Cpl Chapman showed his dexterity in handling his Vickers K guns when he accounted for a German in the act of firing a bazooka at Lt Hunter’s car at 10 yards range. One barn which the enemy were seen occupying was set on fire by tracer.
2Tp then withdrew to the X tracks and remained observing the southern edge of the town. From this position they could see 5Tp Lt Nation Tellery who had taken over from C Sqn Tp at 716830 on the main LINNE road. Remarkable was the enemy’s failure to react, for 2Tp was in an entirely exposed position, overlooked from his North and NE, without a trace of cover on the ground to assist him. Half a dozen fairly accurate shells were the enemy’s only response.
Meanwhile Lt Alton had worked his way right into the town and reported that, in spite of odd parties of enemy Infantry, he had reached the church. A minor battle followed, in which Lt Alton, on foot with his Scout sect, worked round the back of some houses and engaged the enemy with grenades, Sten guns and revolvers. Cpl Chester in his Dingo showed remarkable coolness and gave great assistance to the skirmishers with his K guns. During this engagement every weapon in the Tp was used – and to great effect, for when Lt Alton was finally ordered to withdraw to the southern edge of town, they had accounted for 4 definitely killed, and several probably wounded out of a party estimated at 14 in strength. During this spirited action, the Tp Ldr reported he was outside a ‘wonderful shop full of tomato katsup’ and hoped to make his trip worthwhile.
Throughout, the party of enemy engaging 1Tp showed unusual spirit and under heavy fire did not hesitate to throw grenades and shoot automatic weapons at the cars at point blank range. Good fortune accompanied Lt Alton and his Tp, for they returned without a scratch, having undertaken an operation hardly deemed suitable for ACs.
No less enterprising was 2Tp who had entered the town at 706844, and had succeeded in taking 4 PoW (2nd Coy, Para Regt HUBNER) with the aid of LCpl Rose and his Scout sect. With them was taken a spandau and 2 machine pistols. Both Tps remained without further incident on the edge of town and at last light withdrew to SHQ, 5Tp remaining out for the night to cover the main road.

C Sqn.
Remained in Regtl reserve in same area.

B Sqn.
3Tp advanced to 756806 and was held up by heavy mortar fire from the NE and was unable to advance any further. He remained in observation during the day and reported snipers and an enemy OP at 755814. Also an enemy OP at 769814 with 300 Germans in the woods behind at 7781.
4Tp advanced to 767793 but was heavily mortared from the NE and was forced to withdraw. He also reported large numbers of Germans in the woods at AAN DEN BERG.All Tps returned to SHQ at last light at PEIJ.

D Sqn.
At first light 4Tp moved to 706840 in his Dingo and reported no sign of life in the MAASBRACHT area. At 0830 hours a Sqn of 1st RTR moved up and took over from him, to support the Commandos who went in to clear the town. 5Tp worked forward to 730840 but were forced to withdraw by fire coming from the houses and undergrowth at 733843. Lt Campbell in his Dingo reached 727846 and engaged odd Germans in the area of the windmill. He contacted some Commandos near there who seemed uncertain as to their location or destination.
At 1200 hours the Sqn was told to withdraw all patrols and return to BERKELAAR. Major Lawson came to say goodbye to the Sqn before going to take over command of the Inns of Court Regt.

C Sqn.
Sqn moved to PAPENHOVEN.

B Sqn.
1Tp advanced to 767803 where he was held up by a road block. He was forced to withdraw due to shelling and MG fire and remained in observation during the day. He reported 9 Germans at 773808.
5Tp advanced to 768789 and was fired upon from the woods and houses in AAN DEN BERG. He was also accurately shelled whilst picking up his Scout sect which had been doing a recce forward on foot. He extricated his Tp and withdrew to 765795 where he remained in observation.
2Tp advanced to 764787 where he was held up by a road block and unable to proceed. He took two PoW during the day.
4Tp advanced to 776779 and remained in observation. During the afternoon the Sqn was relieved by the 1st RTR and returned to PEIJ.

D Sqn.
The Sqn remained in reserve. 2Tp escorts a party of RE’s engaged in clearing mines and a road block.

C Sqn. 25 – 30th.
Still in PAPENHOVEN carrying out maintenance and a general clean-up. We shared a good Café with D Sqn, to act as a Canteen.

A Sqn. 25 – 28th.
Moved to PAPENHOVEN where we remained until the 29th, carrying out training and maintenance.

B Sqn.
Moved to PAPENHOVEN.

D Sqn.
At 1100 hours, the Sqn, having moved back to ECHT and taken over the RHQ billets, came under Div. 131 Bde was ordered to reach the East edge of the thick pine wood, MUNINGS BOSSETT, working through from the SW in conjunction with 1st RTR. D Sqn was allotted the role of recce forward of this line towards ST ODILIENBERG – POSTERHOLT.
1Tp lifted mines along the track and reached 786809 where they reported 4 men with a spandau in the woods to their West. When engaged these men were seen to go North. Shortly afterward 131 Bde reached the edge of the woods and dug in.
2Tp followed up behind 1Tp and turned NE at 786809; mines on the track delayed progress and at 797815, Lt Hunter reported that the bridge across the VLOOTBEEK was blown. Turning SE in an attempt to find another crossing, Cpl Chapman in a Dingo was blown up on an R mine, the 2 DAC having already crossed over it.
4Tp having failed to find a way round the South, due to blown bridges, was brought back and joined 2Tp in an abortive attempt to cross the stream. Meanwhile 1Tp had reached the bridge at 785821 and reported it blown. Having cleared mines in the immediate area of the bridge, 1Tp with the assistance of some 1/5th Queens and civilians (who were beginning to flood back from ST ODILIENBERG – POSTERHOLT) managed to repair the bridge sufficiently to get their Dingo across. Lt Alton with Cpl Rivers and his Scout sect then worked forward on foot and reached the southern outskirts of ST ODILIENBERG and reported themselves 200 yards away from an enemy MG post on the edge of the copse at 784838, the occupants seeming to be facing West.
Lt Hunter with Cpl Rose and his scout sect, and Lt Nation Tellery with a Scout sect, together with an RE officer, crossed the blown bridge at 798815 and, clearing mines along the road and in the diversion around a road block of felled trees, reached POSTERHOLT, where they reported more mines, which were lifted, and another road block at 802823. Lt Nation Tellery turned South in the town and reached 808818.
All Tps were then called back and returned to the billets in ECHT, the return trip being made just as it was getting dark. The day had been bitterly cold with a temperature throughout in the nature of 20° F. the Div Commander personally expressed his appreciation of the work done by the Sqn during the day. The numerous mines, covered by frozen snow, had made progress a hazardous undertaking. The Tps concerned had showed themselves to be inquisitive and thereby reached positions that the less ambitious would have deemed unattainable. In fact, a certain amount of incredulity was evident within the Div concerning the furthest point reached by the enterprising foot patrols of 1, 2 and 4Tp.

B Sqn. 26 – 30th.
Remained at PAPENHOVEN carrying out maintenance and training. During this period Capt Lockett MC embarked for the UK and Capt Ballingal MC took over 2i/c of the Sqn.

D Sqn.
From 0700 hours the Sqn came under command 131 Bde and was asked to recce forward towards the ROER in the direction of PAARLO and VLODROP. The 131 Bde with 1st RTR were given priority across the scissors bridge at 785821. It was not until 1030 hours that 3Tp and 5Tp managed to squeeze through the traffic jam and continue on through REUTJE. 4Tp was ordered to move up across the bridge and remain in reserve in the REUTJE area, with SHQ.
5Tp after having cleared several mined tracks, reached 813817 on the southern edge of open ground SW of VLODROP. In an attempt to reach VLODROP, 5Tp was compelled to cross the open ground overlooked by the church tower at VLODROP and also HARKENBOSCH on the North of the R ROER. The Tp was heavily fired on when it had reached 817822 and was forced to withdraw to cover at 813817. So vicious was the stonk that it was impossible to assess accurately the number or location of the guns, but it was estimated to be four 88mm sited in the VLODROP area. This was certainly sufficient evidence that VLODROP was held by the enemy, which was the role allocated originally to 5Tp.
Sgt Luke, later in the afternoon, inadvertently engaged a foot patrol of 52 Div in the area if HINGEN but succeeded in identifying them and making personal contact.
3Tp having encountered many small groups of mines on the way reached the outskirts of PAARLO where Lt Campbell reported enemy Infantry patrols in the immediate area, including men armed with bazookas. These he engaged and remained in observation in the area 811838. The visibility was limited but he could see across the ROER with difficulty. He reported no movement seen except for the stray Infantry in the area.
Since 1/5th Queens had ‘gone firm’ in the area of the woods 795830 and did not intend pushing NE, it was considered advisable to withdraw 3Tp to area 799829 where they remained until withdrawn at 1530 hours and returned to ECHT. At last light 4Tp and 5Tp were called in and together with SHQ returned to ECHT for the night.
Lt Hickman did excellent work during the day by recovering a DAC of B Sqn and Cpl Chapman’s Dingo. It was an unpleasant undertaking as he had to take the RHQ Scammel along mined tracks to reach them. Both were returned to the LAD by last light.

D Sqn.
Sqn came back under command of the Regt and at 1100 hours moved back to rest in PAPENHOVEN, where everyone was well billeted. Major Crankshaw MC returned from leave and resumed command of the Sqn.

D Sqn. 29 – 30th.
Still at PAPENHOVEN carrying out maintenance and cleaning vehicles etc.

C Sqn.
Sqn moved with the Regt to OUDENBOSCH in readiness for taking over from the 18th Canadian AC Regt.

A Sqn.
Moved to HOEVEN with the Regt.

B Sqn.
The Sqn moved to OUDENBOSCH preparatory to taking over from XII Manitoba Dragoons on the river MAAS.

D Sqn.
Sqn moved with the Regt to OUDENBOSCH to take over from 18th Canadian AC Regt.

C Sqn.
Sqn took over sector from 12th Manitoba Dragoons. A total front of about 14,000 yards with five Tps out. The river MAAS was on an average one mile wide between us and the enemy. We had a Battery of 90th Fd Regt in support. There was a Coy of Belgian Fusiliers under command also 100 OD. Capt Wingfield Digby MC and Lt Brett Smith were both on leave and Lt Gale was 2i/c. Very little could be seen of the enemy but many V1’s were launched from across the river to the North. Some of the sites were pinpointed by cross-bearings when the machines could be heard starting up. Several crashed on take off, which was pretty to watch.

A Sqn. 1 – 4th.
Stayed in rest at HOEVEN carrying out maintenance.

B Sqn.
Sqn establishment of officers and Sgts was:-

Major H Petch MC DCM	SSM Emery
Capt JR Ballingal MC	SQMS Smith
1Tp	Lt ATR Nicholson	Sgt Wilkins
2Tp	Lt IG Troup	Sgt Rader
3Tp	Sgt McGuire	Cpl Evans
4Tp	Lt RA Flood	Sgt Truswell
5Tp	Lt RCT Sivewright	Sgt Shakespeare
6Tp	Lt CB Gibson	Sgt Hughes
Gun Tp	Lt EAI Young	Sgt Richmond

The Sqn moved out to ZEVENBERGEN. Three patrols were used, 1Tp on the left at 806471, 2Tp centre at ROODE VAART and 3Tp right at MOERDIJK. The changeover was complete by 1400 hours. We had under command a Coy of Belgian Fusiliers who were responsible for manning the outposts at MOERDIJK. There were also 100 members of the Orange Bde (Home Guard) who were responsible for road checks and police duties.

D Sqn. 1 – 8th.
On Feb 1st Sqn took over from XII Manitoba Dragoons. Six patrols were out, 3Tp Lt Campbell at GERTRUDENBURG with 100 OD under command with 3 posts on the river BUND. 1Tp Lt Alton and 2Tp Sgt Lyon were at LAGE ZWALUWE with 100 OD under command. 5Tp Lt Hickman with 100 OD at DRIMMELEN and 4Tp Lt Gurteen at HOOGE ZWALUWE. The only good OP was in the windmill between LAGE ZWALUWE and MOERDIJK bridge which was manned daily. Much of the land is badly flooded. No incidents occurred during the 8 days we were there except the arrival of Brig Hackett (ex 8th Hussars) 1st Airborne Div and Cpl Warwick of the same outfit. This was a pleasant surprise and they spent the rest of the night after their 13 mile canoe ride at SHQ at MADE. During this period Sgt Luke was instructing at the school in BRUSSELS. Capt Horsford MC went on leave.

C Sqn. 2 – 5th.
Position remained the same. No incidents to report. 12 – 20 flying bombs passed over (or failed to) daily. Occasional men seen on the far bank of the river especially opposite WILLEMSTADT and were engaged by artillery. Two small enemy patrols were seen on this bank at night but both made their escape. In the evening 5th Feb A Sqn took over and we moved to HOEVEN in reserve.

B Sqn.
The patrols remained unchanged and reported that 4 doodle-bugs were launched during the night from the North and flying in a southerly direction.

B Sqn.
During the day 2 doodle-bugs passed over having been launched from the North. During the evening there was some slight shelling in the area East of MOERDIJK and slight activity heard at WILLEMSDORP and a searchlight shining from North to South between the 2 bridges.

B Sqn.
The V1 launching during the night was between 15 and 20 from the North and NW. during the day little or no activity was reported from all patrols.

C Sqn. 5 – 8th.
Sqn remained in reserve.A Sqn. 5 – 19th.
Moved up to FIJNAART and took over from C Sqn. We had 4 patrols out with a fifth consisting of 2 Scout sects under Lt Osborne. This went to Fort SABINA, 4Tp to WILLEMSTADT, 2Tp to BOVENSLUIS, 3Tp to TONNEKREEK and 5Tp to NOORD SCHANS. The Tp at Fort SABINA had a platoon of Belgian Fusiliers under command. 4Tp had a Coy of Belgians and some OB, 5Tp had some OB’s.
This front consisted of looking at a very few Germans across a wide expanse of the MAAS. There were no incidents during our stay on this sector except for one day when Cpl Wilson when out mending the ‘phone lines got his DSC stuck in full view of the enemy who immediately started to shell it. The fire was very accurate and Cpl Wilson had to abandon ship and the DSC was left out until dusk when it was fetched in. The main trouble during the period were the civilians who kept on wanting to go where they were not allowed to. On Feb 19th B Sqn came up and took over from us and we moved back to HOEVEN.

B Sqn.
The V1 report during the night was that between 10 & 15 were launched from the North. During the day visibility was restricted to between 800 & 1000 yards and no movement was seen. Three V1’s were launched between 1400 and 1630 hours, flying South.

B Sqn.
The Belgian Fusiliers manning the outposts at MOERDIJK commenced a short training programme under Lt Gibson and Sgt Edwards. They were given practical instruction in small arms and mines. During the day a little activity was seen and the causeway leading to the bridge at 856517 – 6 men were seen digging and in the afternoon 2 small explosions were observed. They were engaged by 25pdrs but with little effect. Seven V1’s were launched between 1600 & 1730 hours.

B Sqn.
There were no V1 launches during the night.

B Sqn.
During the night six V1’s were launched from the area 7454 and nine were launched from area 8257. During the day 12 men were observed working in area 835518.

C Sqn. 9 – 23rd.
In the evening of the 9th the Sqn took over from D Sqn at MADE. Again five Tps out on a front of about 12,000 yards. There were also 426 OD spread out along the front to thicken it up. The river was considerably narrower here being only 500 yards at the eastern end and enemy crossings were more frequent. Besides the enemy crossings, crossings by ex British PoW and civilians were frequent and care had to be taken not to shoot up the wrong party. V1’s and V2’s were also frequent over the area.
On the 22nd Feb at 0730 hours the right hand OD post reported that a number of Germans were approaching their position. A foot patrol of 4 men was immediately sent out and saw 12 Germans approaching; they made their intentions of deserting quite clear by waving white handkerchiefs and carrying no arms. They consisted of 3 NCOs and 9 ORs of 1 Coy, MG Btn 30 – the entire garrison of the small island OUDER PLAAT 9950. They were browned off with the war, not having seen their Coy commander for 12 days. They all talked freely and gave useful information. Their arms had been left on the ground on landing. A foot patrol went out and recovered 2 spandau, a tommy gun and a verey pistol. During this period of a fortnight in the line, just over 100 civilians came through our lines and also several ex PoW.

B Sqn.
During the night 12 V1’s were launched, 3 from 7454, 5 from 8257 and 4 from 8061 and during the day 2 launched from 8257 and 1 from 7171.
The working party in area 8351 were in evidence again and 4 pillboxes were seen occupied at 835512, 836512, 837512 and 838513. These targets were engaged by 37mm under Sgt Hornsby. Three direct hits were observed on an OP at 835512 and 12 men were seen to bail out of the pillboxes and withdraw North. During the afternoon 4 men were seen on the causeway at 857517.

D Sqn.
C Sqn took over and the Sqn moved into reserve at HOEVEN, 2 miles from RHQ.

B Sqn.
During the night 11 V1’s were launched from 8257, 2 from 8062 and 4 from 7454. During the day 15 to 20 men were seen in the area of the pillboxes at 835512. They were engaged by Shelldrake and our mortars and 37mm successfully. Also 1 V1 launched from area 8256 and 1 V2 from area 7953.

D Sqn. 10 – 13th.
Still in reserve at HOEVEN.

B Sqn.
During the night 4 V1’s launched from area 8051 as also were 20+ but launching sites not confirmed. Slight activity of men observed at 835518.

B Sqn.
During the night 4 V1’s from area 8257 and 1 from area 7454. Shelldrake engaged 15 men at 535522 and from observation it seemed to be very effective, only 2 men getting up after the shoot. Visibility was restricted to 800 yards from 1200 hours onwards.

B Sqn.
A quiet day with visibility restricted to 1000 yards from 1300 hours onwards.

B Sqn.
During the night 10 V1’s were launched and also 10 V2’s from no known areas. During the afternoon D Sqn (Major Crankshaw) relieved us and we went into rest at HOEVEN.

D Sqn. 14 – 28th.
The Sqn took over from B Sqn at ZEVENBERGEN. There were 3 Tp positions. One near MOERDIJK with a coy of Belgian Fusiliers attached. Another at ROODE VAART with an OD post of 13 men 300 yards to the West on the BUND and the third in a farm 2500 yards East of NOORD CHANS with an OD post in the next farm 500 yards East of him. In the main Tps were out for 2 days and 1 day in SHQ, with 2 days in every 10 days.
Very little was seen at all except a few men on the North ends of the bridges. In the main the weather was bad with rain and fog being prevalent. Large numbers of V1’s and V2’s were seen and reported, and their take-off positions worked out.
Pilot Officers Nunn and Mitchell came to stay with us for 4 days. They were pilot and navigator of night operating Mosquitoes, 42 Sqn RAF. During this period Lt Hunter and Lt Nation Tellery went and stayed with the RAF.
Capt Horsford returned on the 18th and went to hospital on the 27th with pneumonia, having been ill since the 22nd. Latterly the weather improved and much of the flood water disappeared. The river is about 2200 yards wide and visibility to the other side was only clear on really good days, which were few and far between. News came through that Lt Alton was awarded the MC and Cpl Rivers the MM for their hand-to-hand combat in MAASBRACHT.
We handed over to C Sqn on 1st march and returned to 4 days reserve at HOEVEN. Sgt Lyon MM went to the School as SSM, Cpl Cairns went to the School as W/T instructor and SQMS Carnes went to UK on leave.

B Sqn. 15 – 18th.
Remained at HOEVEN carrying out maintenance and inspections.

B Sqn.
The Sqn moved out and relieved A Sqn, Major Turnbull. There were five patrol positions to occupy and beginning from the West they were: FORT SABINA 691472, WILLEMSTADT 7248, BOVENSLUIS 748477, TONNEKREEK 761472, NOORD CHANS 780472 with SHQ at FIJNAART. At Fort SABINA, 2 Scout sects under Sgt Hughes together with a platoon of Belgian Fusiliers were responsible for the observation of enemy movement on the island of OVERFLAKKEE. 1Tp went to WILLEMSTADT, 2Tp to BOVENSLUIS, 3Tp to TONNEKREEK and 4Tp to NOORD CHANS. Visibility was restricted to 800 yards due to mist and no movement seen. Five V1’s were launched from area 6468.

A Sqn. 20 – 23rd.
Remained in rest at HOEVEN and got the LAD working on the cars.

B Sqn.
Tps remained in the same area and during the night 6 V1’s were launched. Visibility was again restricted to 1000 yards and no movement seen.

B Sqn.
Four V1’s launched during the night from area 8257 and 4 V2’s from area 7368. Between 1600 and 1800 hours an enemy gun, presumably 105mm, fired 50 rounds into area of KLUNDERT.

B Sqn.
During the night 3 V1’s and 3 V2’s were launched. An appreciable number of explosions heard during the day in area NE of NUMANSDORP but it was impossible to determine whether it was demolition work or preparation of defences.

B Sqn.
During the night 42 V1’s were launched. Other than 2 men and 2 HDT in area 660473 no movement seen.

C Sqn.
In the evening A Sqn took over and we went in rest at HOEVEN again.

A Sqn. 24 – 28th.
We moved up to MADE in the afternoon and took over from C Sqn. We had all five Tps out in this sector. 5Tp went to GERTRUDENBURG and this Tp had 100 OB under command and was ringed by 5 OB posts. 3Tp went to DRIMMELEN where it had 90 OB under command in posts all round. 1Tp went to HOOGE ZWALUWE and they had 30 OB under command. 2Tp and 4Tp went to LAGE ZWALUWE where they had 124 OB under command.
On the night of the 25th a German patrol came across and fired at two of 3Tps OB posts but no damage done to either side. Except for a few mortar shells fired at DRIMMELEN and 10 shells fired at LAGE ZWALUWE on the 27th the front was very quiet. The whole area was a very good one for wild fowl which were shot at all day and every day.

B Sqn.
During the morning odd rifle shots heard in area 7553, and a working party of 5 men seen at 661479 on OVERFLAKKEE.

C Sqn. 25 – 28th.
Remained in reserve at HOEVEN.

B Sqn.
During the night 17 V1’s were launched, 2 from 8257, 7 from 6468, 7 from 6862 and 1 from 6873. During the day 5 V1’s were launched, 2 from 8257, 1 from 7454 and 2 from 6468.

B Sqn.
Nine V1 launchings from 6468 and 1 from 7454. During the day 6 men and 1 HDT seen in area 7551.

B Sqn.
During the night 4 V1’s launched and during the day another 8. Enemy activity was again very slight.

B Sqn.
During the night 9 V1’s from 6164, 3 from 6468 and 1 from 7454. Five were seen to be shot down. Propaganda leaflets were fired onto WILLEMSTADT. During the month a total of 251 V1’s were reported and 18 V2’s all of which were launched from an area South of ROTTERDAM.
2Lt Wood joined the Sqn on the 21st and was allotted to 4Tp for instruction in the art of Troop Leading.

C Sqn. 1 – 16th.
Sqn moved to ZEVENBERGEN. Three Tps out, 1Tp at MOERDIJK, 2Tp at LOCHTENBERG and 3Tp at 807472. There was a Coy of Belgian Fusiliers under command at the ends of the MOERDIJK bridges and two sections of Dutch Infantry in between the centre and left patrols. The enemy could be seen on the far bank on clear days and on these occasions they were engaged either by mortar or by a Tp of 25pdrs who were in support. A few flying bombs came over – they were duly plotted and reported.

A Sqn. 1 – 11th.
In position at MADE and nothing happened except for a lot of crossers coming in and excellent duck shooting.

B Sqn.
During the night 11 V1’s were launched, 6 were shot down and one exploded at source, also 11 V2’s from ROTTERDAM area. During the day 5 V1’s were launched from 6164, 7 from 6469 and 2 from 7468.

D Sqn. 1 – 5th.
At HOEVEN in reserve, maintenance and training.

B Sqn.
The V1 launchings increased slightly during the night, 8 from 6468, 1 from 7161, 1 from 8255, 2 from 6164 and 16 V2’s. 55 cyclists were observed moving East at 769527 and were seen to change direction towards STRIJEN before disappearing from sight. 2 V2’s were launched during the day.

B Sqn.
During the night 12 V1’s were launched. The working party at 661483 were 11 present today and finished work at 1300 hours, today being Saturday.

B Sqn.
During the night 7 V1’s were launched. V2’s were also launched.

B Sqn.
19 V1’s and 1 V2 were launched during the night. A 105mm fired from 771560 and gunners answered with a few rounds. At 636506 20 men were seen working on the dykes.

B Sqn.
4 V1’s launched during the night. D Sqn took over our section and we returned to HOEVEN.

D Sqn. 6 – 21st.
At FIJART, take over from B Sqn. St up as follows:-
WILLEMSTADT.
3Tp Lt Campbell. The Germans occasionally fired 37mm at the church. The town was shelled once ineffectively. The Tp harassed the far bank with 2pdr and Besa periodically. Had Belgian fusiliers under command.
BOVENSLUIS.
5Tp Sgt Luke. Nothing occurred here. Duck shooting HQ.
TONNEKREEK.
1Tp Sgt Cooper and 4Tp Lt Hunter took alternative 48 hour tours. Nothing happened here at all.
NOORD CHANS.
2Tp Lt Tellery. The OD at the harbour entrance was shelled twice very lightly. A boat came in the creek and set off a grenade and booby. The occupants were unknown, presumably agent dropping. 18 OD under command.
FORT SABENA.
Lt Gurteen with Cpl Rivers White Sect (1Tp) and LCpl Thomas White Sect (4Tp). Unfortunately the first night, Tpr Price fell off the top of the Fort in the dark and had to be removed to hospital. The fort was shelled the next day without effect as a result of the ambulance coming up with headlights on. Otherwise it was quiet all the time. One Plt of Belgian Fusiliers under command.
SHQ spent most of the time dealing with civilians, having got the Burgomaster M. van UFFORD well organised. He was most helpful. All civilians were evacuated from WILLEMSTADT due to telephone lines being cut.Major Gerrard Leigh C Sqn 1st HCR came up and took over from us and the Sqn moved to HEIJTHUIZEN.

B Sqn. 7 – 10th.
At HOEVEN carrying out maintenance.

A Sqn.
Relieved by B Sqn and moved back to HOEVEN.

B Sqn.
Sqn moved and relieved A Sqn at MADE. All five Tps were employed which meant that they remained in the same patrol positions during all the period spent at MADE. A navigable creek at 8950 was used by the Dutch Underground for ferrying Dutch refugees from North Holland.

A Sqn. 12 – 16th.
In HOEVEN in rest.

B Sqn.
Slight mortar activity reported by 4Tp.

B Sqn.
Slight mortar activity again in 4Tp area DRIMMELEN. At LAGE ZWALUWE 22 civilians and 4 Allied soldiers were ferried across during the night.

B Sqn.
During the day two 105mm guns were active from area 982522 firing at the powerhouse at GERTRUDENBURG – little damage done. During the night 23 civilians came over and 1 German deserter and 2 Italians from a forced labour camp.

B Sqn.
In the early hours a German patrol were seen firing from a rowing boat. During the night 52 refugees came across. 3 V1’s and 2 V2’s launched during the night.

C Sqn.
A Sqn relieved us in the evening and were went into Regtl reserve at HOEVEN. Very slight enemy activity during the fortnight. 1Tp salvaged and repaired an enemy 75mm gun together with ammunition and fired about 100 rounds with it at its former owners. Three Dutchmen and one American crossed the river and were intercepted by 3Tp.
A flying bomb fell short and landed in the river just in front of the night position. Frequent canoe patrols were carried out by all officers along the river edge which abounded with geese and every type of duck.

A Sqn.
Moved to ZEVENBERGEN and took over from C Sqn.

B Sqn.
11 refugees came over during the night. A German patrol landed at 951509 and spent the night at a farm 958499. They captured a member of the OD at first light and returned to their own side.

C Sqn. 17 – 20th.
Sqn remained in HOEVEN.

A Sqn. 17 – 21st.
Stayed in the line at ZEVENBERGEN with nothing happening at all. During this time some HSC came up to us as they were going to take over from us.

B Sqn.
72 refugees came over during the night also 10 Allied military and 2 deserters.

B Sqn.
65 refugees and 10 members of Allied Military Forces ferried across during the night.

B Sqn.
51 refugees ferried across during the night. At 0915 hours enemy fired 12 shells, presumed 88mm, into GERTRUDENBURG which killed 5 and wounded 2 civilians.

C Sqn.
At 0700 hours the Sqn left to rejoin 7th Armd Div. March of about 100 miles was without incident or accident. Arrived at HEIJTHUIZEN soon after 2300 hours.

B Sqn.
22 refugees came across.

C Sqn. 22 – 24th.
Spent preparing for mobile operations as opposed to static line of observation jobs or limited advances against comparatively organised resistance. Intelligence were promising us “Motoring after the first few days”. Reorganisation of Echelon loads were undertaken, accordingly all vehicles had a good inspection. Some of them were feeling their age a bit having been operating since before D Day.
1Tp Lt Brett Smith
2Tp Sgt Davies (Lt Gale on leave)3Tp Lt Markham
4Tp Sgt Berry
5Tp Lt McAdam (Lt Esch at Regtl School)Scout Tp was allocated to Tps. Gun Tp had regrettably been disbanded owing to the inability of the Army to supply us with guns, the barrels of our original ones having worn out.

A Sqn.
Moved with the Regt to HEIJTHUIZEN.

B Sqn.
Handed over to HCR and moved to HEIJTHUIZEN in Div area.

A Sqn.
Stayed at HEIJTHUIZEN.

B Sqn. 23 – 24th.
Spent in HEIJTHUIZEN preparing for advance across the RHINE.

C Sqn.
Sqn moved up to concentration area just West of the RHINE.

A Sqn.
Moved to concentration area 012257.

B Sqn.
Moved to staging area near XANTEN.

D Sqn.
The Colonel spoke to all officers and Sgts about the forthcoming operations and said that the RHINE had been crossed at 0200 hours and the show was going well. We moved via VENLO to GELDERN where we parked in the woods preparatory to moving over the RHINE.

C Sqn.
Warning Orders and counter orders came in throughout the day and night until after midnight. Advance party left during the afternoon and crossed during the evening.

A Sqn.
Sqn moved across the RHINE in a night march which took nearly all night. We arrived at 305595 at 0500 hours on the 27th.

B Sqn. 26 – 27th.
Regt moved across the RHINE at XANTEN. We crossed at 1030 hours and moved straight up to BRUNEN arriving at 1200 hours. At 1300 hours the Sqn moved out on patrol. The centre, 1Tp Lt Troup, advanced to 331518 where he was held up at the bridge which was covered by shellfire and SAA. 2Tp the northern patrol was unable due to a blown bridge. 3Tp the southern patrol advanced through the woods to the SE and reported the going as very sticky. Tps returned to SHQ at night at 305499.

D Sqn. 26 – 28th.
As is always the case we were ordered to move and it was cancelled. We finally moved at 0350 hours to XANTEN where we stopped for 2 hours and crossed at 1000 hours on the 27th, moving up to a farm at HAMMENICH where we parked. Next day we moved in stages to a few miles South of BORKEN. At 1830 hours 3, 4 and 5Tp went up to BORKEN to try and get through. This was impossible due to bombing and resulting rubble. The Sqn parked 1000 yards South of BORKEN only 1000 yards from an ammunition dump which exploded 2 hours after we arrived. No damage was caused. All the lorries were stuck in the mud South of RAESFELD and the Scammel was at work getting them out.

C Sqn.
0330 hours – finally moved off towards the bridge. By 0530 hours we were within 1 mile of the bridge – held up in the world’s record traffic jam watching staff officers caravans etc crossing the river while we were not allowed to move. 1100 hours crossed the river without incident – rejoined advance party and later up to RHQ.

A Sqn.
By 0600 hours the Sqn was still not complete after the night march, 1Tp and 5Tp being missing having broken down. Our orders were to lead the 22nd Armd Bde along the centre line which ran through HAMINKEIN, BRUNEN and RAESFELD. We started with 3 patrols, 3Tp under Lt Osborne going along the CL, 2Tp under Lt Morton went parallel to the CL on the North up a minor road to try and get on the high ground and 4Tp went North of him to try and get over at 250500.
3Tp after passing through 6th Airborne Div on the high ground found that BRUNEN was clear but he was held up a bit by rubble. 3Tp got into the high ground with no opposition but 4Tp found 50 stray enemy who were a little troublesome. 3Tp carried on past BRUNEN and the first enemy he bumped into was at 298493 where the road crossed the stream. The bridge was blown and there was an MG post covering it. He opened fire on the MG and drove them out, wounding 4 Germans who were picked up later. He found a way round the blown bridge and carried on down the main road.
At this time 1Tp was sent NE along the track starting from 280487 to see what the track was like. After he had gone along it for about 2 miles he got badly stuck and had to remain there all day and that night which was not very pleasant as there was quite a bit of shelling in the area. 4Tp remained in his area all day as he could not find a good track to get up North and also there few a few enemy in his area which kept holding him up.
3Tp carried on down the main road and a little further on fired on a half-track which brewed up. A little further they ran into some dug in enemy round the X roads at 321508 who were supported by 2 guns and two 20mm flak guns. These forced him to pull back a little and he remained in observation.
When 5Tp reached the X roads at 315505 he was fired on by small arms and a suspected tank and had to drop back rather hurriedly and in so doing got his Dingo ditched and had to abandon it. 2Tp was also fired on from the same area and in dropping back the same thing happened to his Dingo. By this time B Sqn had come up and taken over the main road from 3Tp and also the Skins had arrived up behind 2Tp and 5Tp and began dealing with the enemy.
They quickly cleared the enemy from the X roads in front of 3Tp and also the pocket in front of 2Tp and 5Tp and all Tps were able to carry on. 3Tp went down to the X roads that had given all the trouble and then went up North and the other two carried on North. By this time it was getting dark and the Tps were called in and the Sqn spent the night near BRUNEN with 1Tp still out having been unable to get anything to pull him out.
Total bag for the day – 25 PoW, 1 ambulance and 2 half-tracks.

C Sqn.
The Sqn role was to recce 4 roads running North from the Div CL, to give left flank protection. Tps left the Sqn at 0600 hours. 4Tp went as far as 545285 by which time the track had become impassable to wheels, so the tanks took over and carried on. A few enemy were seen in the woods on the sides of the tracks but no real contact was made.
5Tp went to 314535 which was reached by 0830 hours, contacting a Tp of 53rd Recce who were held up by a number of enemy in the woods, just to the North, with mortars and bazookas. 5Tp carried on slowly up this track to the North, encountering many enemy in the thick woods on both sides of the track.
1Tp went North as far as the bridge at 324537 which was blown. 3Tp went North as far as the track junction at 342533. Here he could see enemy through the trees about 500 yards to the NW and guns, probably self-propelled, 800 yards NNW and firing South.
By 1030 hours Div CL at 352544 had been opened up as far at BRINK. 2Tp went out to track junction 375537 and from there NW. they got as far as the bridge at 363550 where they met a number of enemy. These they engaged and took 2 PoW. 2Tp were then ordered as far back as 368546 and North to junction 359559. They reached here OK and took PoW a German artillery officer who was trying to find out the situation.
3Tp were diverted up the same road as 2Tp as there were many enemy in the area who were nor surrendering as easily as they might. 1Tp had meanwhile reached X roads 330544 together with a Tp of 5th RTR. Here they were held up by 4 SP guns which shelled them. 5th RTR were trying to open up the road to the NE from this X roads. They found it held for most of the way by Infantry in the wood with bazookas and supported by SP guns.
4Tp had made slow progress against numerous disorganised enemy as far as 303553 together with some tanks. At this time (approx 1300 hours) there appeared to be a general hold-up. 2Tp and 3Tp were ordered to advance NW to try and cut the road off in the 3556 square to get behind the enemy who were holding up 1Tp and the 5th RTR. They encountered a lot of enemy with bazookas on the way but dealt roughly with them and took 12 PoW and probably killed as many and burnt down the farm they were occupying.
Meantime 2Tp continued to lead the tanks at 303553; tried to push North. The Dingo (Cpl Bell) which was leading had 3 very near misses from an SP at 304557. This was stonked by tanks. 5Tp then tried to make their way NE to THEBING but the going was very bad. 1Tp had meantime reached the road at 333577, the dingo with Lt Jaffray leading. The Tp Ldr came up to join him when a bazooka was fired at both cars and a brief withdrawal was required. The Dingo got ditched but was extricated with a tow rope. 2Tp had meanwhile got on well to the NE and had nearly reached BORKEN when he was shot at by an A/Tk gun, again near misses.
5Tp was still trying to get NE to THEBING. The Tp Ldr’s car got stuck and whilst they were trying to get it out 2 very large shells arrived. Tpr Hastings was killed and Cpl Bell wounded in the forehead. Tpr Hastings had been with the Regt for many years, joining in 1935.
It was now nearly dark so all Tps were recalled to join SHQ in area 3253 for the night. 5Tp could not get in due to bad going and rejoined the next day. It was a hard day – all Tps being fully employed. About 30 PoW were taken and many more by-passed who probably gave themselves up later. The country was thickly wooded and the tracks limited the cars to about 5 mph. Had the enemy shown determination any advance would have been extremely difficult; as it was there were several near misses.

A Sqn.
B Sqn took over our task and we remained doing maintenance. At 1940 hours the Sqn moved to 395604 and we were ordered at first light to send three Tps through BORKEN and then to GEMEN and then on to RAMSDORF where they would fan out North and NW. 4Tp was sent to spend the night at BORKEN so as to get a flying start in the morning. We also had to send a Tp SE from BORKEN to recce the tracks and see if the area was clear.

B Sqn.
At first light three Tps were despatched along the CL and on to capture RAESFELD. At approx 1130 hours RAESFELD was captured and the patrols were able to fan out. 4Tp took the northern route to BORKEN. Light A/Tk guns and Infantry were encountered but were dealt with by the Skins and at last light BORKEN was in our hands.
5Tp Lt Sivewright in the centre made little progress due to bad going and was recalled. 2Tp Lt Troup advanced to 393535 stropping up odd groups of Infantry on the way. At this point he ran into an 88mm A/Tk gun, possibly a Jagdpanther and unfortunately was put out of action. His car was brewed up and the Tp Sgt’s car damaged. Casualties suffered were; Lt Troup killed, Cpl Mayes, Cpl Sykes, LCpl Oliver, Tpr Gray, Tpr Quantrill and LCpl Clarke wounded.
1Tp went out immediately to give assistance. He was soon on the spot and decided against taking his cars across open ground and so went forward on foot with his Scout sect and succeeded in moving all the wounded who had been well controlled by Cpl Sykes. Lt young then went back to search for Lt Troup but found he was still in his car which was on fire. 1Tp then carried on with the patrol and made contact with 1st RTR who were also directed on HEIDEN. At last light a night attack was staged by 1st RTR and the town was in our hands.
During the day 60 PoW were taken. Tps were called in at last light to SHQ except 4Tp who remained with A Sqn for the night and rejoined the next morning.

C Sqn.
In the morning the Sqn moved up to BORKEN and remained same area all day.

A Sqn.
4Tp moved up to GEMEN at first light and then went NE to RAMSDORF with a Tp of D Sqn. 1, 3 & 5Tp followed him up and 2Tp under Lt Williamson who had just returned from leave, went down SE.
Soon after leaving GEMEN 4Tp ran into some enemy with bazookas which held him up and from then on progress was very slow. He was joined by the 1st RTR and went along with them all day against opposition. 2Tp going SE ran into a few enemy and had quite a good shoot but found the tracks rather hard to get along. He contacted 1st RTR and then called in as there was no future along the tracks in his area.
1Tp and 5Tp remained at GEMEN as 4Tp was getting on so slowly. 3Tp was sent to 409637 to have a look at the bridge there and to try to find a way to RAMSDORF via the tracks. He found the bridge OK but after crossing it ran up against a tank and some Infantry at 409643 and in trying to back out one of his cars got badly stuck. The crew had to bale out and he remained in observation of the area all day and recovered his car in the evening when the Infantry had cleared the area.
During this 4Tp was getting on very slowly and had run up against a large road block just West of RAMSDORF which took a long time to clear and also friends were finding quite a lot of opposition in the town itself. 1Tp and 5Tp remained around GEMEN during the day and got involved in a stonk from 2 SPs. Tpr Corbett, Lt McLean’s driver being wounded but luckily not badly. During the evening we moved up to 405675 and called in all Tps except 4Tp who spent the night with the 1st RTR.
Total bag – 1 PoW.

B Sqn.
5Tp Lt Sivewright was sent at first light to VELEN but was recalled and the patrol taken over by the Inns of court. The Sqn was recalled into Regtl reserve.

D Sqn.
5Tp worked out West of BORKEN in a thick mist and had a car brewed up by a tank hull down by a stream – Tpr Timlin was slightly wounded. 3Tp and 4Tp pushed on up the CL to WESEKE and to the Y roads just South of SUDLOHN. 1Tp worked out to the right of the CL and killed 3 Germans in a house by the railway station in WESEKE. It rained all day.

C Sqn.
0600 hours Sqn moved up to RHQ area 4067. 0915 hours SHQ, 3Tp and 4Tp moved up to just South of STADLOHN. Here there was still considerable fighting inside the town. 3Tp tried to bypass it to the left but the going was impossible. D Sqn found a bridge and crossed at 445782. 4Tp followed up but could not get back across country to the main road leading North. Sqn leaguered just South of STADLOHN which was practically clear by dark.

A Sqn.
At 0900 hours we were ordered to patrol out to WINTERSWIJK and up to VERDEN. 4Tp and 5Tp were sent to WINTERSWIJK and 1Tp and 2Tp to VERDEN. 3Tp were nearly off the road having to leave 1 DAC behind for the fitters to repair.
2Tp went up North but could not get through owing to the tracks and eventually got a car so badly stuck that he had to leave it. During this swan he collected 5 PoW. 1Tp eventually got a way through to 381741 and was followed by 4Tp and 5Tp. We had with us a Sqn of SAS who were going with 5Tp to help down the small tracks as they had Jeeps.
5Tp moving West ran into trouble almost immediately at 374751. He ran into an enemy position held by a 20mm and Infantry and Lt Newnham had his car brewed up almost straight away. Sgt Murray, his Tp Sgt, ditched his car trying to back out of it and had to bale out and it was hit and brewed up soon afterwards. The White and Dingo managed to get out of it; also Sgt Murray’s crew got back except for the driver, Tpr Hunter. Lt Newnham’s operator was wounded but brought back by Sgt Murray but Lt Newnham and his driver Tpr Toughill, failed to get back. 4Tp under Lt Woodhouse was immediately sent to assist and as soon as he got there he covered the area with fire and went up to the brewing cars on foot but could see no sign of the men left out and had to get back owing to the enemy fire. For about 3 hours 4Tp remained in observation of the area, firing at any movement and sending his Dingo up twice to look for the missing men, each time it was driven back by fire. A new officer, Lt Sheepshanks, was in command of it. After about 3 hours one man was seen trying to crawl back to 4Tp from near one of the cars and the dingo went out to try and help him, supported by the SAS on foot each side of the track. The man turned out to be Lt Newnham who had had his leg blown off below the knee. He was put on the back of the Dingo and the SAS also found Tpr Toughill who had been badly wounded in the arm, and Tpr Hunter who was alright. All 3 were brought back and the 2 wounded were fixed up by the MO of the SAS and sent straight back. Lt Newnham had put on his own tourniquet.
4Tp remained in the area until dark and then drew back to cover the X roads at 380730. 1Tp and 2Tp dropped back to 385764 and SHQ went to 394734 for the night.
Total bag – 14 PoW.

B Sqn.
Regtl reserve at SUDLOHN.

D Sqn.
4Tp found the bridge at STADLOHN not blown. Shot up enemy party coming to mine it and with 3Tp and a Sqn of 1st RTR pushed on 2 miles North. 1Tp was in area of main road bridge which was covered by the enemy and came under some mortar and artillery fire. Lt Nation Tellery accidentally wounded by a shot in the arm, was evacuated. LCpl Nuttall wounded by rifle shot.

C Sqn.
0530 hours 3Tp and SHQ went to main bridge at STADLOHN which was completed by 0600 hours. The road was badly crated just beyond and a bulldozer had to be got up to make the road passable. 3Tp went West from T roads at 461843 and almost immediately ran into a number of enemy Infantry, about Coy strength. There was a large road crater ahead and woods on either side. A considerable quantity of small arms ammunition was expended by both sides without loss to 3Tp. It is probable that a number of enemy were hit as they were completely surprised at first. Two cars from 2Tp came up to thicken the barrage. 3 PoW were taken. Soon after the 5th DG and a Tp of B Sqn came up and took over.
1Tp and 4Tp went into AHAUS which 1st RTR had entered the previous evening. 1Tp tried to go NE down the CL and 4Tp tried to go NW. 4Tp were held up early on by a covered road block and made no progress. 1Tp together with Recce Tp 1st RTR reached 523891 when the leading tank was KO’d by an A/Tk gun. 1Tp Ldr who was 30 yards behind had 3 near misses. It was not until 1800 hours that we could make any further progress down the road. In the meantime 1st RTR had done a difficult advance across country parallel to the road.
Whole Sqn leaguered at 528885.

A Sqn.
At 0100 hours the 5th RTR came through us to try and get to VERDEN and capture the bridge. At first light the Sqn moved up to VERDEN but the bridge had been blown and we were just sending out patrols to the East and West to try and find a way across when the 5th RTR and us were ordered back.
Lt Williamson as he was moving West suddenly saw a Mk VI tank about 100 yards from him and he withdrew. The 5th RTR got up a Firefly and brewed it up with the third shot. The Sqn then moved back to 402735 where we stayed for the rest of the day and that night.

B Sqn.
Sqn had to supply left flank protection to the CL. Three Tps were used and worked with the Skins and 5th RTR. 5Tp was sent to WINTERSWIJK but was held up by craters and remained at 432810 in observation. 1Tp was despatched on the road to OTTENSTEIN but was also held up by craters and remained in observation at 452852 where he took 5 PoW. 4Tp went along the road to WESSUM and met the enemy at 481865 in the form of 30 Infantry and 1 SP gun. Despite a prolonged argument the Tp was unable to make further progress. All Tps returned to SHQ at WULLEN at last light.

D Sqn.
3Tp and 4Tp reached AHAUS, 3Tp had a DAC and a DSC blown up on Teller mines near the station, when trying to get out to the right. Tpr Smith, Tpr Morris and LCpl Jenner were wounded and evacuated. No progress, to speak of, was made. 1Tp captured a staff car and 8 Germans. Lt Hickman took over 2Tp. Sqn concentrated for the night at WULLEN where it rained.

C Sqn.
At 0530 hours 2Tp and 3Tp advanced down the main road as far as the leading troops at 560917 where there was a large concrete and wood road block. A Sherman bulldozer destroyed and removed this within ½ an hour. Meanwhile 2Tp Dingo and 1 Scout sect tried to work round to the left down a very bad track. 2Tp passed through the road block and advanced to Y roads at 565921, where he met a tree across the road – which he removed – and a number of mines of a type not known to us and which an RE officer showed us how to remove. 2Tp followed by 3Tp went to STENBORG where they saw and engaged a number of enemy. 4Tp went to HEEK where they joined 5th DG who had got there across country.
SHQ, 3 Scout cars, went to a schloss to have breakfast. The sudden appearance of number of Germans in the grounds of the schloss caused breakfast to be abandoned rather hastily. The Germans were engaged, but not it is thought, with conspicuous success.
4Tp together with the 5th DG got as far as half mile short of METELEN. Here the Tp was held up for a time by a large road block of 12 trees and some mines. The tanks got around it but were themselves held up by another block. Meanwhile 2Tp had gone NE as far as 586965 where he amongst a number of enemy which he engaged. 3Tp went as far as 585962 then SE to 620947 where he met a large road block and mines.
2Tp decided that the enemy might pack-up if boldly attacked. The Dingo commander, LCpl Garner DCM led, followed by Sgt Davies MM. They got right amongst the enemy and, as was later found out, only 2 yards from some mines. The Dingo had 2 bazookas fired at it from about 10 yards range and went into the ditch. The DAC had 3 A/Tk gun shots from the flank which missed. The DAC reversed out of it and the Dingo crew got back on foot. LCpl Garner had been captured in 1940 with Lt Pitman. After several unsuccessful attempted escapes, which were very severely punished, he finally succeeded in getting back to our own lines in Italy in 1944. He rejoined C Sqn after just over 4 years absence.
By 1120 hours 4Tp got through METELEN just ahead of 5th DG and was then directed on RHEINE – a distance of about 12 miles. At 683980 there were some mines across the road which Sgt Berry removed, and then motored straight on without any halts to within 1 mile of the outskirts of RHEINE. Here a 75mm A/Tk gun opened up on him, but missed with 5 shots. Sgt Berry halted his Tp behind a house, which if he went either to the left or right of it, he got shot at. At this stage he noticed that the house was a pub so he went inside and had a well deserved glass of beer. 5th DG and the DLI came up shortly and took over.
In the afternoon 1Tp and 3Tp had to go out to 698022 and 713030 as left flank protection. They stayed there for the night.

A Sqn.
Moved off at 0615 hours up the CL to catch up with the rest of the Regt. We carried on up the CL until we reached NEUENKIRCHEN where C Sqn were held up about 1 mile North of it. 4Tp were sent to try and get to SALZBERGEN and 3Tp was sent to OHNE, Lt Morton in command as Lt Osborne had gone on leave to England.
4Tp got on well encountering only a few enemy with rifles until he got to an aerodrome in area 739112 and here he was held up by exploding bomb dumps. He found the Germans in process of blowing them up and a dump of incendiaries were exploding in the middle of the track, which prevented him from going any further. 1Tp was sent out to help him and protect his rear as there were quite a few enemy milling about in the area.
3Tp had not gone very far along his route before he ran into an enemy position consisting of two 20mm guns and Infantry. His leading car was hit and the driver wounded in the foot. Lt Morton had to drop back but the driver was got out OK and Lt Morton went back on foot to see if he could help the other two, Sgt Turner and Tpr Smith ’91. The enemy kept firing at the car and pinned the 3 in a ditch for some time, and brewed up the car. 2Tp under Lt Williamson was sent to help and soon after he arrived, the 3 missing people turned up alright, except that Sgt Turner had a small bit of shrapnel in his forehead. The rest of 3Tp was sent back to SHQ and 2Tp remained in observation of the enemy position until dark.
Just before last light SHQ moved to 7408 and 1Tp and 4Tp came in, but 2Tp remained out all night with a Coy of Infantry who were protecting his left flank. 2Lt Sivewright joined the Sqn and was put under Lt Williamson.

B Sqn.
From first light a small swan gathered momentum from AHAUS and was brought to a halt at RHEINE. The Sqn travelled along the CL in a good position for a sprint down the straight. There were two Tps at the head of the advance, with SHQ and the reserve Tp well placed a short way behind, with yet another Tp about 2 miles further behind. This Tp was called upon to deal with some Infantry who tried to snipe the thin-skinned kit moving behind the armour.
Incidentally, this enemy Infantry surprised C SHQ HQ at breakfast. Lt Flood dealt with the enemy Infantry and then finished off C Sqn’s breakfast, which was still warm.
On reaching NEUENKIRCHEN three Tps swung East to recce the bridge over the river EMS at MESUM and then to fan out to the bridges over the DORTMUND – EMS canal at BIRGTE, REISENBECK and BEVERGERN. 3Tp Sgt McGuire was given the BIRGTE bridge, 5Tp Lt Sivewright the REISENBECK bridge and 1Tp Lt Nicholson the BEVERGERN bridge.
At MESUM the leading Tp met up with friends from the 11th Armd Div which necessitated a change of orders. 11th Armd Div were over the bridge at BIRGTE and to prevent a duplication of tasks we were ordered to advance on RHEINE from the SE between the river and the canal. 5Tp were on the left and advanced to FIEDLER where he was held up by Infantry with bazookas in the woods at 8306. 3Tp in the centre and 1Tp on the right were unable to progress further than 907065, where they were bogged down on the soft tracks. All Tps returned to SHQ at last light at 874046, East of ELTE.

D Sqn.
Sqn in reserve and moved during the day from WULLEN via AHAUS HEEK METELEN WEETRINGEN and NEUENKIRCHEN to area 7703 where we stopped for the night.

C Sqn.
There was nothing to report during the morning. 2Tp and 5Tp relieved 1Tp & 3Tp. They were joined by a Sqn of 5th RTR at dusk as there was a flap on – nothing materialised.

A Sqn.
At first light 4Tp went back to the aerodrome where there were still a few Germans about, blowing up bomb dumps. 2Tp went back to the area of the enemy position but could not see any Germans and could not get down the track owing to the burnt out car blocking it.
At 1000 hours the Sqn moved to 758035 and 2Tp and 4Tp were called in. At 1200 hours 1Tp was sent out back down the CL to a wood at 6998, where some Germans had smartened up Corps HQ the night before, to see if he could clear up the situation. When he got there the track into the woods was not passable to him, so he just sat there until our Infantry arrived and when they started clearing up the place he was brought back to SHQ.
During the day 3Tp was broken up and another DAC came up so Lt Morton with his car, took over 5Tp, which had not been operating since it had its cars knocked out. Sgt Murray, 5Tp Sgt, got a new car and crew, so we then only had four Tps, with a WSC and a Dingo making up a 5Tp for local protection.

B Sqn.
The situation remained unchanged, with stiff resistance being encountered in RHEINE, and three Tps were despatched to carry out the task which was abandoned on the 1st of April. 4Tp went to FIEDLER, 3Tp went to LOOSE and 1Tp to REISENBECK. No advance was made, but 13 PoW were taken during the day.

D Sqn.
Rained all day. Moved to NEUENKIRCHEN to join 131 Bde over 11th Armd Div bridge as RHEINE was still held by fanatics but owing to traffic congestion and opposition in the hills North of the canal we spent the whole day and night at NEUENKIRCHEN.

C Sqn.
A few shots from an enemy gun in the morning. 53 Div Recce came up during the evening and all Tps were withdrawn.

A Sqn.
We did maintenance in the morning and at about 1700 hours we moved up to MESUM behind RHQ where we spent the night in a very high class house with a good cellar.

B Sqn.
Tps were despatched to the same patrol positions with 4Tp left, 2Tp centre and 5Tp on the right. 4Tp advanced as far as the railway bridge at 812080 and reported the road mined and the bridge prepared for demolition. Lt Flood made a recce on foot with the Scout sect, to the North side of the bridge and captured 7 PoW and a 20mm A/Tk gun. 2Tp Lt Young was switched from his position to work on 4Tp immediate North but was held up by shellfire. 5Tp remained in position all day and had nothing to report.
During the afternoon SHQ moved up to 131 Bde HQ with 1Tp at LOSSMANN on the North side of the canal. 1Tp were required to advance on the high ground which dominated the bridge at BIRGTE and was held by the enemy in some strength. Formations of enemy being mainly officer cadets and NCOs from a training school in HANNOVER. The Tp advanced on the left of the Devons who were engaging the enemy, and tried to work up through the wooded slopes. Owing to inclement weather, the tracks were so bad that no progress was made past the forward slopes at 946068. The project was given up and all Tps returned to SHQ at last light to our position near ELTE.

D Sqn.
Moved to a farm South of REISENBECK at 9404 with the purpose of being handy to get over the bridge. Came under command 131 Bde and spent the night there.

C Sqn.
Sqn moved with RHQ during the morning over the 11th Armd Div bridge on the DORTMUND – EMS canal, then carried on during the afternoon and evening to a bridge over the WESER – EMS canal held by the Inns of Court at 307220. Spent the night at the bridge.

A Sqn.
At 1245 hours the Sqn moved off with the following task. Going up the CL of the 11th Armd Div through TECKLENBURG to 085055 with the object of reporting on the state of traffic etc on the route. When we got to 085055 4Tp was sent to WESTKAPPELN and 1Tp went up behind him and remained at the Xroads at 088092 to block anything coming in from the West.
On his way to WESTKAPPELN 4Tp was shelled by a gun which was not very effective. When he reached there he was told to patrol due East along the main road, but he could not get very far owing to bazookas so he took up a position covering the approaches to the town from the West and NW.
2Tp was sent up from 085055 to LOTTE and then to WERSEN and then on to look at the bridge at HALEN 143159. He got up there without seeing anything and found the bridge intact and fit for heavy traffic. From there he went North towards BRAMSCHE, reaching halfway, before being called in at last light.
5Tp was sent during the afternoon to WESTKAPPELN and told to work up NE along the main road towards BRAMSCHE. He did not get very far owing to heavy traffic on the CL. For the night 1Tp stayed with friends at the Xroads, 4Tp and 5Tp stayed with friends at WESTKAPPELN and 2Tp came back to SHQ. At 160165.

B Sqn.
3Tp and 5Tp were operating on the left and right in the same area and at midday we were relieved by 52 Recce. The Regt was moving up towards OSNABRUCK and we remained in the ELTE area until the traffic thinned out a little on the CL on the North side of the canal.

D Sqn.
Late in the afternoon we moved over the bridge and went to LEDDE arriving in the dark. The SSM’s SAC stuck on the only track to our farm and was pulled out by the 8th Hussars who went on passed us with the 1/5th Queens. However, they met enemy at the railway crossing 2 miles ahead and stayed the night in that position.

C Sqn.
At first light the Sqn advanced with 3Tp leading, NE. At HUNTEBURG 3Tp saw a few German soldiers but they went into houses and we moved through, the RBs following up, took 12 PoW here. 3Tp was next held up by a road block at RHEININGEN which was held. It was engaged and a tank brought up to help destroy the road block. Lt Markham went forward to inspect the block and took PoW I officer and 1 OR, 2 others were found wounded nearby. The advance continued to Xroads 437298, several military hospitals were overrun.
4Tp had meanwhile forked left to go South of STEMMER, a large commanding feature which overlooked the CL. 5Tp relieved 3Tp on the CL and advanced North through LEMFORDE to MARLE where he engaged and halted a staff car, the occupants escaped. 2Tp went East along the North side of STEMMER and soon took 2 PoW and engaged others. 3Tp again followed up 5Tp and forked right at 437348. He soon came amongst a number of Germans which he engaged and took PoW 1 Major and 3 ORs, the Major was wounded in the head.
Soon after that both 3Tp and 5Tp came under accurate A/Tk fire from the North. In 5Tp, the WSC had an 88mm shell burst only a yard from the front wheel, the driver Tpr Barr was seriously wounded in the head and later died in hospital, and all the crew were slightly wounded. A tank of the 5th RTR which was following up the Tp saw the gun and knocked it out, also killing all the crew. 3Tp had several near misses but no damage.
LEMBRUCH was definitely held by a number of Infantry and up to 4 A/Tk guns. 5th RTR smartened the town up with artillery and later pushed through. 4Tp contacted the Inns of Court at WESTRUP and then returned to SHQ. 3Tp pushed on East and engaged a number of Infantry at 4836. He took 7 PoW including another officer, his 3rd for the day.
1Tp was meanwhile leading the advance again up the CL. It was slow as the road was on an embankment with very occasional ways off. It was lined by trees on both sides and there were periodical road blocks. German soldiers and civs were regularly seen on the road ahead. Beside this there was an airfield to the West apparently defended by 88’s of which he could see 4, which he thought were abandoned. 1Tp passed these guns and our Infantry were asked to destroy them. The Infantry duly came up to do the job and were slightly sarcastic when they found the guns to be dummies! They agreed however, that they were very good dummies. On this road 1Tp took 7 PoW. 1Tp got as far as the rail crossing at 427435 by dark.
The Sqn leaguered just South of that area for the night. It had been a good day and we had led the Div for 16 miles; all against light opposition to LEMBRUCH when the 88’s started showing up. The Luftwaffe made quite a good showing, continually over the area from 1400 hours till dark, straffing the roads. The first plane to attack caught his wing-tip in a tree and spread himself out over 300 yards of countryside. This considerably encouraged everyone who had a gun and a formidable SA barrage greeted all future attacks. There was no AA or RAF and the Sqn fired 10,000 rounds of SA ammunition. Bag for the day – 3 officers and 19 ORs and 1 staff car.

A Sqn.
At first light 2Tp moved out to BRAMSCHE. 1,4 &5Tps stayed in their night positions. When 2Tp was about 1000 yards South of BRAMSCHE he was joined by some of the 1st RTR and they found the bridge blown and held by four 20mm guns. The tanks started engaging these and while this was happening, 2Tp’s Dingo was straffed by a FW190 without doing any damage. 2Tp remained in observation for the rest of the day.
At 1000 hours 5Tp was recalled to SHQ and 4Tp ordered to feel West along the main road. He was doing this when he ran into some bazookas and had to get back out of it. Lt Woodhouse was very lucky as one just missed his car, hit a nearby tree and wounded him in the hand. Shortly after this the Sqn came under command of the Div and we were ordered to recce the bridges at 075189 and 040185. 4Tp went to the first one and when he got to within 200 yards of it he saw some enemy on it, which he smartened up. The bridge was intact but he could not get on to it so remained in observation for the rest of the day.
5Tp was sent out to the second bridge but never reached it as the track was very bad. He got about halfway before it got dark and halted owing to bad visibility. At 1800 hours the Sqn came under command 1/5th Queens and we were told to leave our patrols out until we were given further orders. At 2030 hours we were ordered to call in all patrols and move to ENGTER. Wireless was very bad this night and the patrols were not got in until 2300 hours and we did not start moving until 2400 hours to ENGTER.

B Sqn.
Starting early in the morning we motored to join up with the Regt. After covering 55 miles we eventually fetched up at DIELINGEN. C Sqn was advance guard along the CL with Tps feeling out to the East. We were given the eastern commitment and 3 Tps were used, all directed on to WAGENFELD. 5Tp was on the left and advanced to WAGENFELD from the West, 3Tp in the centre was advancing from the South and 4Tp on the right advanced from the SE. 3Tp and 5Tp got into the village with a small amount of difficulty and 3Tp took 9 PoW. 1Tp with Tac SHQ had a brush with a small force of 50 oozlebahts and succeeded in brewing up a couple of houses. At night all roads leading into WAGENFELD were covered by various Tps and a peaceful night was spent.

D Sqn.
At first light 2Tp joined the leading Tp of the 8th Hussars at the railway crossing. 4Tp tried to work West and made about 3,000 yards.
1Tp tried all the tracks to the East and found them impassable.
At 1000 hours we got orders to return to the Regt as quickly as possible. We pushed on madly via WERSEKE over HALEN bridge to WALLENHORST, ENGTER, VENNE, where we halted for 3 hours, and finished up with RHQ at BROCKEM. All afternoon we were harassed by Me109’s, Fw190’s and rain. No damage was caused and we had some good shooting.

C Sqn.
Before first light the RBs went into DIEPHOLZ and more or less cleaned it up. 4Tp started along the CL to the East, 2Tp went NE and 1Tp to the North. 4Tp got as far as 450463 when he was held up by a road block. He recced forward on foot and found that the bridge was prepared for demolition with 2 large bombs. These took a bit of time to shift.
2Tp got as far as JAKOBIDREBBER where his leading DAC was hit by a bazooka. The missile struck the gun mantlet and just perforated the armour into the turret. The crew were a bit winded by blast but were otherwise OK.
4Tp continued to lead the advance as far as BARVER Xroads. Here he turned North and 3Tp took over the CL due East. SHQ moved to BARVER Xroads to meet the Colonel who had ‘liberated’ a road from the South. The Xroads was overlooked by a pub which contained 3 bottles of champagne which duly received the punishment they deserved.
3Tp continued to push East at a very fast pace – he met, head-on and put in the bag, an officer and staff car and pushed on as far as the rail crossing at 705525. Here he saw an AFV just SW of SOLINGEN with men on it. The tanks who were following up were asked to deal with it. This took a bit of time and the approach into SOLINGEN was slow and awkward. 3Tp set his scouts ahead on foot (4 men) into the town to recce the situation. They met a Volkswagen with 4 soldiers in it – they disabled it with Bren and the crew ran into a house and were later captured.
The CL was now diverted NW for about 3 miles before going East again. 1Tp took the lead while 3Tp went up the road due North. They both reported enemy ahead and were both shot at. 1Tp Dingo (2Lt Jaffray) had a couple of near misses and fired his smoke which obscured his vision and he put his machine into the ditch. The Tp came back out and the Dingo was recovered that night.
The Sqn leaguered just North of SOLINGEN. Another good day in which we had led for 20 miles – removed or bypassed quite a lot of opposition and taken several PoW. Sgt Berry had engaged a Me109 with K guns which were seen to hit, and it produced black smoke as it went down behind a hill.
Bag for the day – 1 officer, 7 ORS, 1 staff car and a Volkswagen.

A Sqn.
Arrived at ENGTER at 0100 hours and all the Tps were put out blocking all the roads. When we arrived we found that the RBs were doing the job so there was really no need for us. At 0900 hours we were told to flick back to the Regt, and to move off to rejoin them as soon as possible. By this time they were miles ahead of us, so we moved of at 0930 hours straight up the CL until we could get into wireless contact with them and find out where to go. We eventually arrived at RHQ B1 at WAGENFELD where we picked up our Echelon and replenished. We then moved on to VARREL where 4Tp went NW to 7448 to make good the road to the main road. 2Tp went NE to 6750 to make that road good. When they had done that they were both called back to SHQ. At 2000 hours the Sqn moved to SOLINGEN with RHQ where we spent the night.

B Sqn.
A slight change in the CL. Instead of being directed onto NIENBURG the CL was switched NW to HOYA. 5Tp was directed on HOYA and reached 922646 which was 5 Kms South of the place. He took 30 PoW. 2Tp and 1Tp were directed onto ASENDORF from the South but made little progress after SIEDENBURG. 2Tp took 4 PoW. 3Tp felt his way along the main road towards NIENBURG but was held up by a blow in the road at BORSTEL. All Tps returned at last light to SHQ at SIEDENBURG.

D Sqn.
We moved at first light in a thick fog to WAGENBURG where we remained until 1500 hours. At 1500 hours the Sqn returned to under command 131 Bde who had orders to clear area DIEPHOLZ, BARNSTORF, SE to the CL.
1Tp went West to REHDEN and worked North making 2000 yards only, as an ammunition dump exploded and barred any further progress, it included gas shells.
3Tp worked North from 5747 to BORKEN which was clear, and reached 562491 where the bridge was blown and covered by the enemy. Four 88’s fired on him during the evening.

C Sqn.
2Tp and 4Tp started with the same roles. 2Tp was fired on early by A/Tk guns in the area South of SCHOLEN. 4Tp got into SCHWAFORDEN OK where there were a few snipers who soon packed up. 2 & $Tp pushed on slowly – 2Tp to the North towards BASSUM and 4Tp to the East, where he got as far as ENGEIN where he mat a Tp of B Sqn who had come in from the South. He remained in that area.
3Tp meanwhile went North from 772660 through SUDWALDE and as far as the northern edge of the wood at 714712. From here he could see the village of NEUBRUCHAUSEN which appeared to be occupied by enemy. 3Tp Ldr entered a nearby house and telephoned the burgomaster. This gentleman said that the town was still occupied and that there were flak guns on both sides of the road. He also stated that he thought the occupants wished to surrender. 3Tp therefore advanced towards the village and had almost got into it when 2 of the flak guns (37mm or 20mm) opened up on the leading car, Sgt Howard, and scored several hits without serious damage. The 2 cars then endevoured to get back along the road which was partially blocked by a road block. The leading car was hit again and through the smoke, crashed into the road block, completely blocking the road. Both crews had to bale out and were heavily fired on as they returned to the remainder of the Tp.
SHQ followed by 1Tp came up immediately to 3Tp and covered the damaged cars from any further assault. Up to 40 Germans and several lorries and flak guns could be plainly seen. Artillery support was called for but NOT supplied. After about an hour the enemy started to withdraw and we recovered the cars – not seriously damaged and entered NEUBRUCHAUSEN. 2Tp had meanwhile gone on slowly, being regularly shot at by A/Tk gun which used to have a couple of quick shots, then pull back. This was difficult to cope with but luckily the shots were not very accurate.
Sqn spent the night in NEUBRUCHAUSEN.

A Sqn.
At 0545 hours 1Tp moved out East along the main road for 2 Kms and then up North to 818630 to recce the route for RHQ and the 8th Hussars who were going to use it. The rest of the Sqn, less 5Tp and the B1, moved off to follow 1Tp at 0630 hours. When 1Tp reached 818630, 4Tp was pushed on up to him and directed NW to 761760.
4Tp got on well to begin with and reached just short of 825692 without any opposition. 1Tp ran into some enemy with at least 1 A/Tk gun at 835681 but by that time the 8th Hussars were up behind him and they started to deal with it. From then on 1Tp worked with the leading tanks and got on very slowly, as VILSEN was held and had to be cleared by some Infantry and he only reached 859720 by the middle of the afternoon. After he had got through VILSEN he ran up against a tank which was hiding in the woods and he had to wait until the 8th Hussars had shifted it.
4Tp, as soon as the Xroads at 825693 were clear, started moving North but ran into an A/Tk gun and some men with bazookas who were covering the road. The gun did not fire but he drew back and remained in observation as he could not get round them. When it was seen that 4Tp were held up, 2Tp was sent out to just behind him and then up a side road to UNZEN and then on NW to bypass this road block.
At 1700 hours the 8th Hussars were ordered to move to THEDINGHAUSEN as quickly as possible and to try and bounce the bridge to the North across the river WESER. The Sqn was ordered to go with them and give them any help we could. The 8th Hussars route was from VILSEN then NE to THEDINGHAUSEN, with one Sqn going through 4Tp to clear up his little pocket. This they did without much trouble and flushed about 8 Germans.
2Tp was told to go along with the leading tanks and if they were held up to try and bypass the opposition and get onto the bridge. 4Tp were going along behind 2Tp once he had got through the road block. SHQ and the rest of the Sqn followed behind 8th Hussars RHQ.
At 790785 5Tp was sent along the road West to sit on it and act as a block. The leading tanks made good progress but were held up in the area 8281 by bazookas and Infantry. 2Tp tried to work round to the NE from 825805 but was held up, so 1Tp tried further East from the road junc 812800, but he was also held up, mostly from the fog of war as our tanks were firing all over the area. The enemy remained in position until last light and all Tps were withdrawn to SHQ at 820800.

B Sqn.
HOYA was entered by 1st RTR at night on the 6th and the bridge over the river WESER was blown. This meant that all river crossings northwards towards BREMEN were to be recced. 5Tp on the right advanced to WUHRDEN and was held up all day by a road block covered by Infantry. Shots were exchanged during the day and 1 German was killed. 2Tp advanced to BAHLUM and joined up with the 8th Hussars with whom he spent the night. He captured 11 PoW, 2 staff cars and a MC.
1Tp was held up West of HOYA by a road block covered by Infantry. This was eventually cleared and he advanced onto BRUCKHAUSEN and NE to MARTFELD and then carried on NE to SUDSTEDT where he joined Tac SHQ and came into reserve.
3Tp advanced as far as BEPPEN and captured approx 150 PoW and 4 transports. In one instance he advanced so quickly that 50 enemy Infantry were so surprised that they had no time to seek cover in their prepared trenches and all were put in the bag. He was held up at BEPPEN by 2 SP guns one of which was destroyed and abandoned by the enemy, the other remaining to cover the road. Cpl Thacker and Tpr Ogden were wounded by shellfire.

D Sqn.
At first light we tried again but at 0830 hours the Brigadier decided that the capture of BASSUM and TWISTRINGEM would dominate the area and we dashed off to try and clear the route to give the 5th DG and DLI a good start.
2Tp left the CL at 700520 and worked NNW.
4Tp and 5Tp worked off at SOLINGEN and part of ANSTEDT 685595.
5Tp carried on North with 5th DG and 4Tp went to join 2Tp at EHRENBURG where a lorry was brewed up and 3 Germans killed.
2Tp then carried on towards TWISTRINGEN and reached the railway crossing just before last light, to find it held by 20 enemy. However, 5th DG and DLI got in from the East and cleared it up.
4Tp carried on North through WEDERHORN, found the railway crossing South of BASSUM not held, and at last light brewed up a house on the main road killing 6 Germans and burning an 88mm tractor.
5Tp reached the railway crossing with the 5th DG South of BASSUM and they KO’d an 88mm and a 50mm, but quite a lot of Infantry held the embankment and no further progress was made that night. We stopped at WEDERHORN.

C Sqn.
At first light 4Tp advanced West towards BASSUM and 1Tp went North to SYKE which was not quite clear and the 5th RTR and RBs were clearing it up. 4Tp got nearly as far as BASSUM and came amongst a number of enemy. They were engaging these when a bazooka was fired at the Tp Ldr’s car; it missed but Sgt Berry was wounded though not seriously. He withdrew his Tp to reorganise and report. Sgt Berry had to be evacuated, much against his wishes, and Sgt Reid took over on the spot.
1Tp had meanwhile passed through SYKE and got as far as Xroads 700797. There he met a number of Germans which they shot up – killing one and scaring several others. They pushed on into PESTINGHAUSEN where they saw some transport coming up behind them on the left. They did a sharp ‘about’ and bagged 3 lorries and half a dozen Germans incl an MO. 1Tp then returned to PESTINGHAUSEN and took up an OP position in a house. 3Tp went out to look after their rear which was a bit exposed, and to evacuate the PoW.
SHQ endeavoured to liberate the road SW from SYKE. The first objective, 715796, was reached OK and a halt for breakfast was called. During this, 2 Germans with 5 horses appeared and were taken PoW. A further 2 were found hiding in a ditch soon afterwards.
1Tp had an excellent position of observation in PESTINGHAUSEN and reported two 88’s, an SP gun or tank, several lorries, staff cars and many men in NORDWOHLDE only a mile away. The lack of our own 75mm guns (barrels worn out) was most keenly felt. Artillery support, or better still an OP to go to the spot was urgently requested. Finally we got an artillery tank with SHQ and Lt Brett Smith conducted a shoot on the Infantry positions just in front of him. The 88’s had unfortunately moved away.
BASSUM was reported clear by midday and 4Tp was ordered to enter from the East. They lifted mines on the rail crossing and shortly afterwards took 22 PoW in the same area. SHQ advanced as far as 680750 and 4Tp came up to meet them. 1Tp noticed some movement in a house nearby and sent the Scout sect to investigate, they captured a Cpl.
SHQ and 4Tp returned to 7179 and met up with the B1 Echelon and also found a couple of deserters in a house nearby. 1Tp and 3Tp returned at dusk. Bag for the day – 38 PoW, incl 1 officer, 1 killed and 3 lorries, 1 MC captured. A dump of 47 staff or civ cars in various states of decomposition was overrun – some of them were in quite good condition.

A Sqn.
At first light 2Tp was sent North up to THEDINGHAUSEN, 1Tp was sent NE to REIDE and 5Tp was sent to DONNERSTEDT and then due West to have a look at REIDE from the East.
1Tp ran into a road block at 812848 and while they were looking around a German had a shot at them with a bazooka but missed. The Scout sect baled out and shot the bazooka man and then went for the house he had come from. In the general mix up they killed 2 more Germans but then had to withdraw. When the whole Tp had dropped back a bit they found that Cpl Ogden was missing. Lt McLean went back to look for him but had a grenade thrown at him so had to come back again. The Tp remained in observation of the road block for the rest of the day. At about midday, Lt McLean again went out to try and find Cpl Ogden and this time found him by a house dead, and was unable to bring him back.
After 2Tp had got through the road block he carried on to THEDINGHAUSEN with the 8th Hussars close behind him. He got through the town and when he was coming out of the NE end of it when 4 SPs opened up on him and the leading tanks. He then spent a very uncomfortable 2 hours unable to move as the SPs were only 200 yards away and every time anyone moved they fired. Luckily no damage was done to him and very little to the tanks. After 2 hours the SPs withdrew and he was brought back into the town.
During the morning 5Tp managed to get right up to REIDE without any trouble. His leading car went in and was just turning into the main street when the car commander, Sgt Murray, saw a tank turning with about 30 soldiers around it. He immediately backed down a side turning and the whole Tp dropped back to some high ground and sat in observation of the town. A troop of the 8th Hussars was sent to support him.
At 1600 hours we came under command 22nd Armd Bde and our orders were to protect the right flank of the 8th Hussars as they moved NW through REIDE to SUD. 2Tp was called in, but 1Tp and 5Tp remained out as a Sqn of the 8th Hussars was going through each of them to attack REIDE. This attack took the rest of the day but they took it by last light and did not go any further so all Tps were called in to SHQ for the night at 830827.
Lt Woodhouse was evacuated owing to his wound going sceptic and Lt Sheepshanks took over his Tp.

B Sqn.
The Sqn moved West to HEILIHENFELD and three Tps went West to SYKE ready to move out NE & NW once SYKE was ours. 1Tp advanced as far as the bocage at 7185 which was held by a Btn of SS. 5Tp did nothing because no openings were made.

D Sqn.
In the morning BASSUM was captured and 5Tp pushed out to the NW and reached 6475 where the bridge was blown and there were a few enemy. A sniper was shot.
3Tp worked out West and reached ELLECKENHAUSEN capturing 1 officer and 3 ORs. The Xroads in front was held by MG and Pzfaust.
4Tp worked out to the NW but was shelled if he advanced any further than the outskirts of the town. Spent the night at STELLE.

C Sqn.
2Tp and 3Tp went to PESTINGHAUSEN to take up the same OP as 1Tp had done the previous day. Many enemy could be seen (more than 100) within a mile of their position. Artillery support or an OP was again demanded at 0730 hours. At 1100 hours increased movement among the enemy was observed and an officer was plainly seen issuing orders and pointing to the East. The OP had still not arrived, though promised and actually on his way. RHQ, and in turn Div, were warned of an impending counter-attack, and we laid the Adjutant a fiver at evens, that the counter-attack would arrive before the OP, but there were no takers.
At 1128 hours a tank was heard to start up and advance towards 2 & 3Tp positions. At the same time the Infantry started to try and outflank their position. They were ordered to withdraw to SHQ who were at 700797, about 1000 yards back, at the Xroads. 3Tp was ordered to withdraw East if further withdrawal was necessary, whilst SHQ and 2Tp went South.
We took up a position on the northern edge of a wood about 200 yards South of the Xroads. The Infantry, about 50 – 60 strong, continued to advance East from PESTINGHAUSEN, but the tank hung back a bit, so we allowed the Infantry to come within 100 yards before we opened up. We had 6 MGs (3 K guns, 1 Bren, 1 Besa, 1 Browning) and two good shots with rifles all lined up and we all opened up together. It was a nice barrage and the enemy did not appear to like it. The enemy all went down together but it was impossible to say who was hurt and who was frightened.
The tank then came round the corner, almost certainly a Tiger, but could have been an SP with 88mm. Anyway the gun got onto our position and a further withdrawal was indicated and carried out in good order. 3Tp meanwhile had reported the sound of more tracked vehicles to his North and approaching. He had to pull back fast to avoid being cut-off. A second column of 2 Tigers and about 100 men came down from LEERSSEN to the main road at 709801.
The OP meanwhile had arrived with SHQ and put down several good stonks with 5.5’s off the map onto the reported enemy positions. 3Tp had meanwhile contacted 2 tank destroyers of the Norfolk Yeomanry and directed them onto the Tigers. They also thickened up the barrage with 2pdr till a very near miss from an enemy 88mm HE damaged his car and forced him back. One Tiger was destroyed.
3Tp also saw a stonk from the 5.5’s land well amongst the Infantry. The enemy Infantry and tanks were now only 1000 yards from the Sqn B Echelon and reserve Tps. We also lined the main road South of the forest to BASSUM to prevent infiltration South. The enemy had got to within 1000 yards of SYKE through which the Div CL ran. That was as far as he got. Enemy shelling by a troop of 88’s and two troops of 105mm started on SYKE. We gave shellreps on their positions.
Watching the woods in the afternoon we picked up 3 PoW, 1 of them aged 60 wearing bedroom slippers and carrying a walking stick – without which he would have definitely fallen down. He had NOT taken part in the attack in the morning. Nothing further occurred during the day and we spent the night in SYKE.

A Sqn.
We still had the same job of protecting the right flank of the 8th Hussars, so at first light 4Tp went to 833889 and sat in observation. 5Tp went to ASHAUSEN but had to wait until the 8th Hussars had cleared it before he could get in. When he did get in he sat in observation watching North. 1Tp came up through 5Tp and was going to DREYE to sit, but could not get any further than Xroads 782900 which the enemy was holding, and the road beyond there to DREYE.
At 1200 hours we came under direct command of Div and the Sqn Ldr went there to receive orders. These were to watch the line of the river WESER from 8686 to 970820 where there was an unblown bridge held by the enemy. Capt Churton moved the Sqn to 891815 while the Sqn Ldr went to see a Btn of KOSB who were we taking over from at EINSTE. When he got down there he found we were taking over from and Armd Regt and a Btn of Infantry on a fairly active front, and into the bargain, had been given a larger area. However, soon after he got there our orders were changed slightly and we were put under the KOSB to give then any help they wanted. For the night 2Tp and 5Tp were sent to BLENDER to support a Coy that was in there. The rest of the Sqn remained at 891815.

B Sqn.
The same commitments were given with the addition of one Tp to move West from BARRIEN and take up a position of observation from which to observe West. 3Tp at the bocage made no progress. 5Tp got into SUD and joined up with the 8th Hussars and together they made their way wet towards LEESTE, fighting all the way against SS troops. He took 7 SS PoW. A small counter attack took place West of SYKE and the B1 Echelon was moved out to the South for safety. The attack was held off and beaten back by C Sqn and the B1 returned to SYKE. All Tps returned to SYKE at last light.

D Sqn.
The same proceedings as before. C Sqn, on the right, were attacked from NORDEWALD and 4Tp was despatched North of BESSUM to link up with C Sqn left and then observe. Nothing however came our way and 4Tp was withdrawn. 5th DG came round through TWISTRINGEN and with out 2Tp got on well, reaching the road junc East of WILDESHEN where stiff enemy resistance was encountered. 4Tp carried on North of BECKELN but only got 1000 yards and came under heavy mortar fire from KOHREN. Thus things remained for the night and we parked at HOBBINGHAUSEN

C Sqn.
At first light Sqn moved to BECKELN and later to RECKUM. From here 1, 2 & 3Tps went to WILDESHAUSEN, liberated that day, to watch the roads West, SW and South respectively. They all pulled out about 1 mile and hid up. The first arrival was to 1Tp and consisted of a Jerry RSM and one other, at 60 mph on a MC. He went so fast that he got past the Dingo in front but the AC pulled him up sharpish. Next, 2Tp saw a Coy of Infantry (about 70) marching from THOLSTEDT to DUNGSTRUP. Later all Tps advanced about a mile.
2Tp was approached by a MC who halted suspiciously and was fired on by LCpl Garner with the Dingo K guns and he immediately ran into a house. The Tp then advanced on the house which turned out to be a convalescent depot. The rider of the MC turned out to be an officer who made a further attempt to escape but was neatly bowled over by a Sten bullet in the cheek. Sgt Davies then organised a sick parade for the inmates and passed 10 of them fit which he evacuated, together with the officer as PoW. The remainder were either too old or too rough and were left.
1Tp was approached by a staff car which stopped suspiciously about 100 yards short. The car was shot up but the crew baled out and got back into the woods and away. 3Tp (Lt Pearson as Lt Markham had gone on leave) were held up by a road block, but their Scout car captured a staff car with 3 Germans. Bag for the day – 16 PoW, 2 staff cars and 2 MCs. Sqn joined RHQ for the night.

A Sqn.
At 0200 hours 2Tp who was with the forward Plt at BLENDER was attacked but drove the enemy off. They were again attacked at 0500 hours, but saw them off, making the enemy leave a lot of kit and 1 dead man. At first light 1Tp was sent down to look at the bridge at 960754 and found it intact, so sat on it for the rest of the morning.
At 1400 hours we got orders to take over from the KOSB to let them concentrate and rest in that area. Their Colonel kindly left his Coy resting at BLENDER to help 2Tp. At about 2200 hours the Coy at BLENDER sent out a party to bring in 3 of their dead from the day before, supported by 2Tp Dingo. This party came under very accurate fire from about three 88’s firing air-bursts. There were no casualties but they had to leave one of the dead still there. SHQ moved up to EINSTE for the night.

B Sqn.
Moved off West at first light to BECKELN and our job was to stop the roads leading into the 131 Bde CL from the North and if possible to advance North. All five Tps were used, four of which converged onto HARPSTEDT from the South and West. This was accomplished and three were ordered North, NE and NW from HARPSTEDT but very soon the enemy were encountered and further progress held up. 3Tp went NW to 5582 and encountered a road block covered by bazookas. 2Tp went North and ran into an SP which held him up. 5Tp went NE and was held up by mines and enemy Infantry. One of his cars was blown up on the mines. 1Tp advanced to KATENKAMP where he remained in observation. All Tps came in at last light to SHQ at GR. KOHREN.

D Sqn.
At dawn the Colonel arrived and the Sqn returned to the Regt in reserve. However, at 1500 hours the Sqn was ordered to move to NIENBURG. The plan was to clear the Div concentration area, which was mostly forest. The Sqn arrived at BORSTEL at 1800 hours and clearing began at once, 1 officer and 22 ORs being captured.5Tp found a colossal underground factory in the forest North of STEYBURG, for powder and cordite. Needless to say no bomber had ever been near it. The clearing was completed by 2300 hours and we parked at BORSTEL.

C Sqn.
Regt moved to LIEBENAU area.

A Sqn.
5Tp moved into BLENDER to protect the left of 2Tp as the KOSB moved out at 0700 hours. Everything was quiet until about 1245 hours when 2Tp was attacked by about 10 Germans who had crawled up to him along the hedgerows and got to within 20 yards of him. The Tp saw then off after about half an hour and forced them to leave behind quite a lot of their kit – 1 was definitely wounded and another believed killed.
At 1600 hours 2Tp stood-to again as some Germans had got into a farm about 100 yards from his position. Soon after this all four Tps were airbursted by about two 88’s and 2Tp had some mortar shells fired at him. Soon after this 2Tp were again attacked and sniped at by rifle and MG fire from very close range. He could not tell how many there were as everytime anyone put his head up to look they were sniped. Their ammunition was beginning to run low so they could only shoot at definite movement. The Dingo had a bazooka fired at it from about 10 yards, but luckily it missed. They managed to beat them off and a Dingo was sent up with ammunition for them.
At one point things were getting so hot, it looked as if he would have to pull out and his other DAC would not start. They eventually managed to get it going but did not need to pull out. During this action, Cpl Higginson and Tpr Searle were missing as they had been sent down to the town in search of a suspicious chap, but they returned alright in the end.
At last light all Tps came back to SHQ at EINSTE where we went firm with a Coy of the Royal Scots who had been sent up to help us.

B Sqn.
The Regt moved to LIEBENAU preparatory to crossing the WESER at NIENBURG and advancing on the river ELBE.

D Sqn.
At first light the Tps went out to check on certain civreps of SS, and collect guns etc from the villages.
At 1330 hours the Sqn was ordered to cross the river WESER and sweep the area between 53 Div and 11th Armd Div. We swept most of it, all non-metalled tracks were impassable. RETHEM was strongly held and the area was full of Inns of Court, 23rd Hussars and RBs. No enemy were seen on this side of the river ALLER but a few were seen on the East bank. We spent the night at WOLPE – North of NIENBURG.

C Sqn.
Remained in same area.

A Sqn.
At first light 5Tp moved to BLENDER and found it clear. 4Tp went to OISTE and found that clear also. At 1200 hours a Sqn of 3 Div Recce came up and relieved us and the Sqn moved down to the Regt at 909473.

B Sqn.
Remained at LIEBENAU.

D Sqn.
Returned at first light to MAINSHE to rejoin the Regt and reorganise the cars etc.

C Sqn.
Crossed river WESER.

A Sqn.
Remained in same area doing cleaning and maintenance.

B Sqn. 13 – 14th.
Moved to HASBERGEN and remained there until the 15th.

C Sqn. 14 – 15th.
Remained in the same area.

A Sqn.
Moved at 0730 hours across the WESER and arrived at HASSBERGEN at 0930 hours where we stayed for the rest of the day.

D Sqn. 14 – 15th.
Moved over the NIENBURG bridge and joined RHQ at HASSBERGEN preparatory to crossing at RETHEM when the area had been cleared by 53 Div.

A Sqn.
Stayed in the same area.

B Sqn.
Moved out at 1700 hours and came under 22nd Armd Bde. Crossed the river ALLER at RETHEM and recced to the South of the CL. 1Tp moved North from ALTENBOITZEN to CL and was held up by a bazooka team at 201724. 2Tp advanced North from HOOLLIGE to 219758 and took 3 PoW. 3Tp advanced North to FULDE which was held by Infantry. All Tps returned to SHQ at last light at WALSRODE.

C Sqn.
Sqn moved off at 0830 hours to cross river ALLER at RETHEM. At 1125 hours the Sqn halted at 230733 for orders. The 1st RTR were North of WALSRODE which was clear, but where the bridge was blown. At 1200 hours all five Tps moved out.
5Tp went to blown bridge at 254778 to cross over as soon as the RE’s had repaired it.
1Tp went through JARLINGEN which had just been taken by 1st RTR, with the intention of going East, but again the bridge was blown so he went North instead.
2Tp also went through JARLINGEN directed on VISSELHOVEDE, but was held up by large numbers of aggressive enemy in thick woods at 2685.
3Tp went up the main road as far as 238814 when he saw enemy ahead with bazookas.
4Tp tried to go NW to STELLICHTE but was held up by enemy at 238812. Every bridge over the WARNAU stream was blown with the exception of a small diversionary one at 270805 which was found soon after midday. 4Tp took 8 Marines PoW and 3Tp took another 4 PoW. 3Tp was then straffed in error by Typhoons which killed one PoW stone dead.
At 1400 hours all Tps were relieved on the West side of the river WARNAU and the Sqn crossed over. From KROGE 3Tp went SE towards DORFMARK. 5Tp went to the Xroads at 309849 where there was no movement seen. 1Tp went North to rail crossing at 335903 and 2Tp went East with 1st RTR as far as Xroads 382926.1Tp was in thick country and saw some Germans ahead so he sent his Scout sect forward of the Tp. They bumped into 2 SS – killed one and pricked the other. Soon after they saw a German half-track with a flak gun on top. The ACs engaged this; the first shot caused the crew to bale out and the second brewed it up.
3Tp passed through DORFMARK and went NE but was without support. He took 1 PoW and spent the night at 374830. He was on the main Div axis far in advance of the tanks who were held up by blown bridges at WALSRODE and FALLINGBOSTEL. The remainder of the Sqn leaguered at 362893 – quiet night. Bag for the day – 17 PoW, 1 killed and 1 half-track destroyed.

A Sqn.
Moved at 0900 hours across river ALLER at RETHEM to 223748. From there we had to send a patrol out through FULDE then up to IDSINGEN and then on to STELLICHTA. 1Tp moved out to do this. He reached FULDE and contacted some RBs and then moved on to IDSINGEN. At 191790 he ran into a road block which he could no get round so he came back to FULDE and tried to work NW through the wood to SIEVERDINGEN. The first thing he met in the woods were lots of German civilians who were camping there, having been evacuated from BERLIN. He ran into a few enemy just SE of SIEVERDINGEN, whom he smartened up and then saw some of the 4th Armd Bde sitting just SW of it. He contacted them and found out their form, and discovered that the road running NE from there was covered by some 88’s so no one could get on. After this he dropped back to 215788 where he sat for the rest of the day.
At about 1500 hours 5Tp was sent up to 238812 to relieve C Sqn and sit on the Y roads and block them. SHQ moved to 238788 for the night and all Tps came in except 5Tp who sat on the Xroads at 239808.

B Sqn.
Advanced to FALLINGBOSTEL with 8th Hussars. 1Tp recced South to HARTEM and took 14 PoW. 3Tp recced NE to 4178 and took 29 PoW. 5Tp working with the 8th Hussars reached a point 1 mile East of DARFMARK. During the day a Stalag was liberated at FALLINGBOSTEL and one of the inmates was Tpr Walker of C Sqn who had been captured shortly after D Day. All Tps returned to SHQ at ORBKE.

D Sqn.
Left at 0900 hours and crossed the river at RETHEM and went to WALSRODE. 3Tp 4Tp and 5Tp went South to DUSHORN after much difficulty due to blown bridges. Our immediate right flank as far as 11 Armd Div being clear, we moved at last light to KROGE for the night with RHQ.

C Sqn.
At 0600 hours 1Tp went back to the rail crossing with the intention of going to NEUENKIRCHEN. 2, 4 & 5Tps went NE to try and find a route to the main NEUENKIRCHEN – SOLTAU road, which was difficult as the track was marked on the map and a bridge had been damaged by tanks. 4Tp got as far as 358943 where he was held up by Infantry ahead. He was approached by two MT both of which he destroyed. One was an ammunition lorry and went up well. 2Tp and 5Tp got stuck but 5Tp engaged a number of Germans – took 3 PoW and wounded another who hollered the house down.
3Tp was now far behind us but still waiting for tanks to come up the main road along which he continued to advance NE. from the school at MITTELSTENDORF a bazooka was fired at his Dingo and narrowly missed. The school was set on fire with the 2pdr and 3 PoW taken – dirty little schoolboys in the Volksturm.
At about 1300 hours 1, 4 & 5Tps were relieved and came on to SCHNEVERDINGEN. Soon afterwards 3Tp was relieved and finally rejoined us in the evening. From SCHNEVERDINGEN 2Tp went East to 415057, taking a staff car and 2 PoW (one a Capt). 1Tp went through SCHNEVERDINGEN to the West towards LUNZEN and 4Tp went North with the tanks as far as the bridge at 363130. This bridge was damaged but OK for our cars, but not for tanks.
4Tp carried on towards WELLE, through very thick woods with very considerable numbers of enemy in them. He got as far as 100 yards short of the road junc at 376042 when a bazooka was fired at the leading Dingo – it is thought by a civ – possibly Volksturm. The bazooka struck the magazine of the K gun just in front of Cpl Hayward’s face. It slightly damaged the gun enough to prevent it from firing and the man got away. 5Tp held the road junc at 362006 and took 1 lorry and 3 PoW. 1Tp found a very large ammunition dump at 3405 and took 6 PoW in that area. The Sqn B1 also took 21 PoW. The Sqn leaguered in the area INSEL. Bag for the day – 37 PoW and 1 wounded, 2 lorries destroyed and 1 lorry and 1 staff car captured.

A Sqn.
At first light 5Tp pushed on up North along the main road. 4Tp went back along to SIEVERDINGEN and then up to STELLICHTA and 2Tp went to JARLINGEN where there were some friends and then up North to OTTINGEN. 4Tp got to STELLICHTA without meeting anything but just North of STELLICHTA he came onto a road block which he could not get round.
5Tp ran into about 30 enemy at 237840. They were SS and he managed to capture 2 but the rest were very determined and he remained in that area all day, trying to deal with them – he was forced back a bit during the day as they were trying to get round him in the woods. There were also quite a few civilians around who were helping them.
2Tp got to JARLINGEN and contacted the Devons and pushed on up North. When he reached 271868 a gun opened very accurate fire on him and as the country was very thick and he saw a few enemy on each side of the road, he withdrew to an open patch and sat blocking the road. 4Tp was then brought back and sent round to BOMMELSEN and then NW to try and get into OTTINGEN that way. He worked up very slowly as the country was very thick. When he had reached 276671, having seen only the odd stray German, 2Tp was told to work up North again to support his left. When 2Tp reached where he had before he ran into some Germans lying in a ditch with bazookas who fired on him and forced him to withdraw again. 4Tp carried on for a bit longer when suddenly his leading car, Sgt Atkinson, was hit by a bazooka in the turret. The driver managed to get the car away and get it back to Lt Sheepshanks. There the driver and operator were got out but Sgt Atkinson had been killed instantly and while they were trying to get him out 3 spandaus opened up so they had to get back out of it, unfortunately leaving Sgt Atkinson’s body in the car which by now had begun to brew. The rest of 4Tp withdrew just NW of BOMMELSEN. Tpr Winteringham was evacuated owing to a pieced eardrum but the operator was alright only having a slightly burnt hand. 1Tp went up and took over from 4Tp and sat with a Coy of Infantry, blocking the road.
At about 1700 hours 2Tp got a report that 30 SS were moving down South on his left. He saw no sign of them but dropped back a little to cover his left. He eventually saw them coming down the railway on his left but could not engage them. He dropped back to the northern end of JARLINGEN and saw the enemy get to the station, but still could not engage them and at last light they were still there.
1Tp stayed the night with a Coy of DLI who came up to him at last light. 5Tp dropped back to the Y roads but found some of the Guards Armd Div sitting on it so he went and spent the night with 2Tp at 267808. SHQ spent the night at BOMLITZE.

B Sqn.
Crossed the BOHME at FALLINGBOSTEL and moved up the CL and took over some positions from C Sqn whose communications were a little stretched. 1Tp was despatched towards NEUENKIRCHEN and was held up by Infantry in the woods a mile to the South. 2Tp was also held up 1 mile to the East of NEUENKIRCHEN. 5Tp was held up by Infantry at the railway crossing West of SOLTAU. 1Tp and 3Tp remained out for the night but the remainder returned to SHQ at 3795. Bag for the day –4 PoW and 1 staff car.

D Sqn.
Moved at first light up to 377915 where 5Tp worked SE on the main road towards SOLTAU, reaching the outskirts and brewing a staff car and 4 Germans. He came under AP fire and withdrew, remaining in observation for the rest of the day. During this time he noticed 2 tanks firing from the SW end of the town.
2Tp moved East from WEIDINGEN. In the woods at 405927 Sgt Williams’s car was destroyed by what later turned out to be a Panther (KO’d by 8th Hussars). The crew were killed, Tpr Glover and Tpr Roger. The 8th Hussars later turned up and burned the wood and reached the main road, destroying the Panther and an 88mm but could not maintain their position and withdrew to their start point. 2Tp remained in observation.
1Tp went East from ELLINGEN but found 20 enemy and 1 gun in the village at 4094 and could not get on. Late in the afternoon the Div had driven through the gap between SOLTAU and NEUENKIRCHEN and had opened out a bit. 3Tp went and joined the RBs at HEBER and stayed out for the night. The Sqn concentrated for the night with B Sqn at 377957.

C Sqn.
At 0600 hours 3Tp moved to the ammunition dump area and 5Tp went to Xroads 355100. 2Tp and 4Tp went to WINTERMOOR to wait until WELLE was taken by the RBs. From there 2Tp was to go NE and 4Tp NW. WELLE was clear at 1000 hours and the Tps went through.
The woods NE of WELLE were very thick and strongly held and very little progress was made during the day. 4Tp pushed on slowly and was halted by the bridge at 330210 over the railway which was blown with a 60 foot gap. 3Tp went out to try a track between 2Tp and 4Tp and finally crossed the railway at 342222 and got into TODTGLUSINGEN. This was the only advance made by the Div for 3 hours so the tanks were diverted to follow him up. Unfortunately, as we forewarned them, the tanks made the track impassable for wheeled vehicles.
At 1705 hours 3Tp was on the northern edge of TODTGLUSINGEN and reported several men and an A/Tk gun at 337242. The tanks came up to 3Tp and engaged the A/Tk gun – probably a 50mm. There were also 3 88’s firing from the NE and it was also thought that there a tank in the area of the A/Tk gun. No further advance was made.
At 1720 hours a shell struck 3Tp Ldr’s car, probably from the suspected tank at 1200 yards range, and set the car on fire. The crew were all OK but the car was burnt out. All Tps were withdrawn at last light to WELLE. Bag for the day – 6 PoW.

A Sqn.
2Tp was relieved by the HCR at first light and also 1Tp. The Sqn moved at 0900 hours up the CL to catch up with the Regt again. We arrived with them at 1100 hours at SCHNEVERDINGEN where we met our Echelon and replenished.
2Tp moved out at 1230 hours directed on WESEL with 5Tp behind it to branch of NE to HOLM. They got through HAMSDORF but 2Tp’s leading car, Cpl Dineen, was fired on by a bazooka from 5 yards range at 425181. This held them up for the rest of the day as they could not remove the bazooka boys.
All Tps were brought in for the night which the Sqn spent at WELLE. Lt Osborne arrived back from leave, Lt Hodgkinson – his knee having recovered – came back and Lt Woodhouse also arrived back, his wound in the hand having healed. Lt Woodhouse took over his old Tp, 4Tp, and Lt Sheepshanks took over 5Tp from Lt Morton. Lt Osborne came back to SHQ and Lt Hodgkinson was sent back to B3 to await more cars and to get 3Tp back into operation again.

B Sqn.
1Tp and 2Tp took up positions of observation in the places they had reached on the 17th, until relieved by the HCR and were then called in. 3Tp advanced NW and reached the outskirts of GROSSENWADE and was held up by an SP and Infantry. 5Tp reached the be at LUNZEN and remained in observation. 4Tp reached SPRENGEL and took 60 PoW and 6 MET. All Tps returned to SHQ at last light at ZAHRENSEN.

D Sqn.
We all moved at first light up to SCHNEVERDINGEN and 3Tp pushed East reaching Xroads 455015 where he found the usual bazooka teams. The RBs and a Tp of 5th DG came up and eliminated them later in the day. The bridge at 485035 was blown as was the one at 477039, 3Tp then returned.
5Tp went South down the CL and then worked East to DEIMERN where a battle ensued where Cpl Rivers destroyed an 88mm and killed the crew of 2, while Sgt Luke and LCpl Greensides kept the remainder’s heads down. LCpl Greensides however was shot in the heart by a rifle bullet while firing his guns and was killed instantly.
4Tp meanwhile went up the CL to 407120 and worked along SE through the forest as far as 485055, thence back and NE to WILSEDE, thence NNE to UNDERLON where he met the DLI. He got lost coming home and spent the night with C Sqn. The remainder of the Sqn spent the night at 438114.

C Sqn.
Owing to the fact that the other three Sqns were far to the South dealing with large pockets of enemy, it was impossible to keep W/T contact and therefore the Sqn came under 22nd Armd Bde. At 0630 hours 8th Hussars advanced North from TOSTEDT nearly to HOLLENSTEDT and then turned East along the HAMBURG – BREMEN autobahn. 1Tp acted as left flank guard and 2Tp followed 8th Hussars to 360035 – went South to WENZENDORF. From here he could see enemy Infantry at 382300 and friendly tanks at 385285. At Xroads 380325 8th Hussars went North and 5Tp was ordered to carry on East. As soon as they started to remove a road block near the Xroads they were heavily stonked. The AA defences of HAMBURG – which were considerable – undertook a ground role and made it very nasty. 5Tp could not advance any further.

A Sqn.
At first light 2 patrols were sent out. 4Tp went to IMZUHLEN and then onto HOLM and 1Tp to WESEL. Both Tps got there without meeting anything and 1Tp contacted the 5th RTR in WESEL. From HOLM 4Tp was sent to SCHIERHORN then to ASENDORF and then on to MARXEN which was reached without any sign of the enemy except for a few in ASENDORF who were dealt with by some friends.
1Tp was sent on from WESEL to HANSTEDT but just South of there he ran into a few SS who held him up and he had to wait for 5th RTR to come up from the South before he could get into the place. He went in with 5th RTR and found that the bridge was intact and fit for heavy traffic.
Meanwhile 4Tp had reached MARXEN and was then directed on BRACKEL. BRACKEL was found to be clear and he moved on to THIESHOPE which was also clear, and halted there.
1Tp when he got through HANSTEDT was directed on NIENDORF and then East to GARLSTORF where he contacted some Inns of Court. 5Tp was sent to TOPPERSTEDT but found the tracks very bad and had to be brought back.
At last light all Tps came back to HANSTEDT where the Sqn went firm for the night.

B Sqn.
Moved out as a Sqn at first light to the East side of the CL to BEHRINGEN. From this place three Tps were to strike out SE into the forrest of MUNSTER but all were held up by enemy in BISPINGEN and TIMMERLON. Eventually we managed to clear BISPINGEN and two Tps moved South but were again held up by Infantry in the forest. 45 PoW were taken on the clearing of BISPINGEN and the Sqn leaguered for the night in BISPINGEN and all Tps were positioned to guard the roads into it.

D Sqn.
3Tp worked East from UNDERLON and reached EGESTORF by 1100 hours, capturing a few PoW. 2Tp went to WESEL and made 2000 yards NE before being withdrawn and sent to WILSEDE, thence SE working on to Xroads 5200044 where he met a Tp of B Sqn, thence East to Xroads 539039 then South to HUTZEL where the bridge was ok but mined, the mines were removed. From there he went NE up to STEINBECK where he discovered a radio station and some enemy holding a marine dump area at 557044. It was now dark so he returned to WILSEDE.
5Tp after lunch moved via VOLKWARDINGEN NE to HORPEL and EVENDORF where he met 3Tp coming South from EGESTORF. From here he moved East and reached RAVEN gathering 20 PoW and meeting the Inns of Court. All returned to WILSEDE for the night. Bag for the day was 98 PoW and 1 lorry.

C Sqn.
At 0615 hours 1Tp and 4Tp moved out to recce forest East of the road running North from 380325. It was a complete jungle with tracks running through. 1Tp went in at 372349 and emerged at EMSEN. He then went South to the autobahn and then East along it until he met SHQ at 391329. 4Tp went in at 368366 and managed to make a mile or so down a very bad track. He took 2 PoW and was called back. 4Tp went East into the woods at 390403 while 1Tp went North to VAHRENDORF then West to meet 4Tp. Again it was thick with bad tracks but they finally met – 1Tp taking 4 PoW on route. Bag for the day – 6 PoW.

A Sqn.
At 0330 hours everyone was woken by a loud explosion which turned out to be a German bazookering the B1 Staghound which immediately caught fire. The Sqn stood-to but no sign of the person who did it was seen.
At 0730 hours four Tps went out. 1Tp to NIENDORF then on to GARLSTORF and then up North to WULFSEN and ASHAUSEN. 2Tp followed 1Tp to GARLSTORF then North to THIESHOPE and on to STELLE. 4Tp went to MARXEN then to HORST and then to MASCHEN. 5Tp went to JESTERBURG and when he arrived he found that the 131 Bde were using his road as their CL so there was no need to go along it.
4Tp got on very well along his route and some of the 5th RTR were going along it with him. He reached MASCHEN without meeting any opposition, but there about four 88’s started firing at the leading tanks. 4Tp could do no good in that area so he withdrew to HORST where he sat for the rest of the day.
2Tp got on well until he reached BRACKEL and just NE of it he ran into a few Germans and saw three 20mm guns covering the road. This delayed him for a bit until he managed to get near enough to see that the guns were not manned. After this he pushed on until he came to the outskirts of STELLE. Here he ran into a road block which was manned, so he withdrew a bit and sat in observation of it. At about 1700 hours some of the 5th RTR came into STELLE from the West so he pushed in from the South and got in without opposition.
1Tp made good headway, seeing only 6 stray Germans on his route, and managed to get into ASHAUSEN without opposition. He sat in there for the rest of the day. At last light all Tps returned to SHQ at BRACKEL.

B Sqn.
In Regtl reserve at HANSTEDT approx 30 Kms South of HAMBURG.

D Sqn.
5Tp moved to STEINBECK and cleared up a pocket of Marines, 1 officer and 27 ORs being bagged. Meanwhile 4Tp pushed on NE meeting the Inns of Court at SODERSDORF and then up to SALZHAUSEN.
3Tp to EGESTORF, North to GARLSTORF then East to SALZHAUSEN – where he met 4Tp, then South to EYENDORF then West to EGESTORF again, collecting 34 PoW at LUBBERSTEDT.
5Tp was then recalled and 4Tp carried on North and NW to STELLE, then back to PATTENSEN. He collected a number of PoW and the Sqn then returned to RHQ at HANSTEDT arriving at 1700 hours.

C Sqn.
D Sqn came up and relieved us and the Sqn reverted to command of the Regt and went into reserve in the HOLLENSTEDT area.

A Sqn.
At 0730 hours the Sqn moved to DRESTEDT where we stayed until 1800 hours when we moved to RHQ at REGENSBOSTEL and stayed the night.

B Sqn.
Moved as a Sqn to HOLLENSTEDT from where three Tps moved to the West and NW. 5Tp advanced to APENSEN and negotiated for the surrender of the place. He then advanced to HARSEFELD and reported it held by Infantry armed with Pzfaust.
3Tp advanced to WIEGERSEN from where he went North to RUSCHWEDEL and remained in observation of the main lateral road between HARSEFELD and BUXTEHUDE.
4Tp advanced through 2430 to 2229 when he was called in.
1Tp was ordered to tap in on the lateral HARSEFELD – BUXTEHUDE road at GRUNDOLDENDORF. He sat on the road at this point 2343 and effectively blocked any traffic of the enemy, capturing a MC, a staff car, 3 officers, 1 ATS girl.
At night the Sqn was dispersed to guard all entrances on the North and East sides of APENSEN with D Sqn guarding the South and West sides.

D Sqn.
The whole Sqn moved at 0600 hours to OLLENBUTTEL 355355 from where 1Tp, 4Tp and 3Tp worked West to MOISBURG where the head Nazi took poison and died on his arrest by lt Hickman (2Tp). The bridge was blown on the main road to the South but a way was found around it.
1Tp worked North to the main road at 334417 where he captured a lorry and trailer with a few PoW.
4Tp worked North reaching just North of PEPPENSEN and reported 25 enemy in the woods.
5Tp was despatched to IMMERBECK, worked West through EILENDORF and drew down South towards 4Tp, knocking out a 37mm A/Tk gun covering 4Tp. Enemy could be seen in BUXTEHUDE where it was thought there were valuable Naval papers. Commander Curtis DSC RN came and saw us about it.
3Tp moved NW to APENSEN the NE reaching 280424 reporting a road block held at the beginning of the woods.
The Sqn spent the night at APENSEN. 4Tp captured a staff car with 12 new bazookas in it. PoW amounted to 20.

A Sqn.
At first light three Tps moved out. 1Tp went to 255449 where he sat watching NW. 2Tp went to 237437 and sat watching NW, as did 5Tp at 215427.
At 1200 hours 1Tp was told to move up the road NW but after going for about half a mile he ran into a road block held by men with bazookas. A Sqn of the 5th DG went up to help him clear this block which they did, but after getting a civrep that HORNBURG was held, 1Tp came back to his original position, having blown up the road block and 5th DG returned to APENSEN.
During the day 2Tp sent his Dingo into NOTTENDORF which he found clear. About 1700 hours both 1Tp and 2Tp heard track movement to their NW, which was very close, so both retired a little and the Sqn of 5th DG went up and sat just behind them to give any support that was needed, but nothing came of it.
At last light all Tps came into SHQ for the night at APENSEN.

B Sqn.
Remained in the same area and three Tps were despatched to contact Tps of the HCR who were working up in the area.
3Tp went to WANGERSEN where he contacted the HCR.
4Tp contacted the HCR at AHLERSTEDT.
2Tp advanced into HARSEFELD and reported that there were no enemy in the town but that they were defending the southern entrance and also that there was a report of enemy in the woods to the North. He was attacked later by Infantry with bazookas and withdrew to the SE.
All Tps were called in at 2000 hours and the Sqn spent the night at REGESBOSTEL.

D Sqn.
1Tp pushed NE from APENSEN and 4Tp North from MOISBURG. After some general area machine gunning, the Commandant came out and surrendered to Lt Hunter, who took over command at 0805 hours, collecting for the bag – Admiral Emerin, 40 officers, 450 ORs and 500 Wrens. This was a considerable swipe in the eye for 22nd Armd Bde who had laid on a large attack with the RBs and 5th DG for its reduction. All the PoW were disposed of, Lt Newton gor round the road block and the 5th DG arrived at 1000 hours. The Sqn returned to REGESBOSTEL.

C Sqn.
1, 2 & 3Tps moved out to 180403, 142359 and 125315. HARSEFELD just West of 1Tp had been entered by a B Sqn Tp the previous day and had been attacked with bazookas and had withdrawn. 1Tp was warned that HARSEFELD could be held. He therefore halted and made a careful recce on foot and saw Germans on the railway line at the entrance to the village. It was later found out that the Germans had laid a trap by planting Teller mines, carefully concealed in the cobbled road and were also laying up with bazookas.
1Tp halted short of the village and camouflaged his cars. He then sent a couple of snipers forward, 400 yards ahead of the Tp – hiding in a bomb crater. After about an hour 2 German soldiers wearing Iron Crosses and carrying bazookas on bicycles advanced toward the Tp. They halted 50 yards short of the snipers and looked for the Tp through 10 x 50 Zeiss glasses. As they remounted their bikes to continue the advance they were both bowled over. One was dead and the other severely wounded and was taken PoW and sent back to RHQ.
Soon afterwards a civilian was contacted and sent to the Burgomaster with a message that if all German soldiers were not out of the town by 1400 hours, something very nasty would happen to the town. The Burgomaster sent back a message to say that they had all left. The Tp therefore entered the town – the Scouts first, removing 7 very skilfully laid Teller mines. A large store of rifles and shotguns was handed over, those not worth keeping were destroyed.
A Belgian PoW, who had been detained in HARSEFELD, gave information and led us to the houses of 2 very bad men. One – the owner of a dairy – had stated he intended to kill 10 Americans before committing suicide. The other was a schoolmaster who had included in his syllabus, the use of the bazooka and the hand grenade. Both these gentlemen were arrested and sent back. Two Tps of the 5th DG had co-operated with us during the occupation of the village. Bag for the day – 1 killed, 1 PoW.

A Sqn.
At first light 2Tp went back to his yesterday’s position as did 5Tp. 4Tp had the task of trying to work to JORK to see if it was clear. To do this he went as far as 265446 with his whole Tp, then carried on with his task in two Dingos, leaving the rest of the Tp at the T roads. He also had a Tp of 5th DG at the T roads to support him and an OP in NEUKLOSTER from G Bty 5th RHA who also to support him. Lt Woodhouse managed to get within 100 yards of the Xroads at 286489 when he saw men around it with bazookas, so he dropped back and the OP proceeded to stonk it. He then tried to go up again but the bazooka men were still there so he came back.
The Tp of 5th DG then went up to him and tried to get to the Xroads with Lt Woodhouse behind. They were fired on by a bazooka so they had to get out of it fairly quickly. Lt Woodhouse then went back to 278469 where he sat watching, having called the rest of his Tp up to him there. 5th DG went back and sat in NEUKLOSTER. 4Tp was withdrawn to the railway at 265448 where they sat for the rest of the day with Lt Woodhouse in the OP with the 5th RHA OP.
Suddenly at 1900 hours, one of 4Tp Dingos was hit by a bazooka and brewed up – a DAC was also fired on but missed. This appears to have been done by two parties who sneaked up along the railway, one each side of the Tp. Everyone got into their cars and opened fire but they could not see anyone as the country was so thick. The Tp then withdrew about 200 yards but left Tpr Ffitch behind as he had run into a house away from the cars.
After about half an hour Lt Woodhouse managed to get back to the burning Dingo and found Tpr Ffitch in one of the houses dead. He appeared to have been killed by a spandau which had fired just as he reached the house. He was buried at NEUKLOSTER.
At last light all Tps came in and the Sqn moved back to RHQ at REGENSBOSTEL where we stayed the night. When we got back there we found Lt Hodgkinson with some new cars and so 3Tp was on the road again giving us five Tps.

B Sqn.
Came under command 131 Bde and moved to STELLE. The gap between the right of 7th Armd Div and the left off 11th Armd Div was considered too great and we were required to fill it. This entailed patrols moving from STELLE to WINSEN to contact 11th Armd Div and patrols to the West to contact the 5th RTR. These patrols were despatched twice a day, at varying times, using alternate routes. At night all roads were stopped by Tps.
A curfew was imposed on the civilians, from 1800 – 0900 hours and 1200 – 1600 hours daily. This job was more or less in the nature of a rest and all troops had baths and some good maintenance was carried out.

D Sqn. 23 – 24th.
Sqn reorganised and carried out maintenance. A German was encountered by the sentry at 0200 hours. The sentry, Tpr Bell, was himself shot in the arm, as was Cpl Lyon in the ensuing fracas. The German unfortunately escaped.

A Sqn. 24 – 25th
Remained at REGENSBOSTEL resting.

B Sqn. 24 – 27th.
Remained in STELLE carrying out the same duties. Approx 20 PoW were taken during this period.

C Sqn.
4Tp went to the right position, 5Tp to the centre and 2Tp to the left. 4Tp and 5Tp remained static – 5Tp staying just outside HARSEFELD. The village was too big for one or even two Tps to hold, with a hostile population and the telephones still operating.2Tp tried to enter BARGSTEDT from the SE but the bridge at 145413 was blown. 2Tp then crossed the river at KAKERBECK and tried again from the South, but another bridge at 127397 was blown. In the afternoon 2Tp tried again, this time from the West. They soon encountered enemy about 1000 yards West of BARGSTEDT. The enemy were dug-in and had spandau, bazookas etc. 2Tp immediately engaged them with 2pdr and MG. They were well dug-in amongst the trees and showed no sign of surrender.LCpl Garner DCM took his Dingo down a narrow track to the right flank to try and get behind them. This he did and engaged them from very close range with K guns and grenades, killing 3 of them. LCpl Garner was just changing magazines on the K gun when he was hit by a burst of spandau – one bullet hitting him in the head and several in his left hand. LCpl Kensall, the driver, did very well to get the Dingo back to the Tp. The doctor came out very quickly and did all that possibly could be done, but he died without regaining consciousness. He had no sense of fear whatsoever and a genuine love of danger. A very great loss.
Sniping increased from the area of the railway line to the North. Sgt Davies had a burst of spandau across the top of his turret, slightly grazing his hand and Cpl Jones was shot by a sniper – the bullet hitting his prismatic compass which he was carrying in a pouch on his belt. Though knocked over and winded, he found he was unhurt and the bullet was still in his compass. 2Tp were then ordered to withdraw to area BREST. The Sqn leaguered for the night at AHRENSWOLDE.

D Sqn.
Sqn moved at first light to AHLERSTADT where patrols went to KAKERBECK, meeting up with Major Daly’s Sqn of the HCR. 3Tp (comd by Sgt Cooper as Sgt Luke had gone on leave) worked up to BREST found it clear and pushed on to APSE where he searched every house and found no one. However, at 1500 hours he went off the air and Sgt Walker, on his way up with his car repaired, reported that the civilians had said that the Tp had been bazooked. Shortly after this, 2Tp who had joined Sgt Walker picked up Sgt Cooper and Tpr Goulbourn. 15 bazookas had been let off unseen by anyone in the Tp, 6 of which were on guard. Spandau and Schmeizer fire raked the village. The DAC was burned out and the WSC was hit as far as they knew. LCpl Bell drove the DSC away and left it in a barn as his only escape route South was barred by the enemy – he returned by bicycle, and Cpl Rose, Tprs Williams, Hartnell, Page and Wycherley were still missing so the Burgomeister was sent up to find out what had become of them. The German Lt sent back word that 2 or 3 were killed and 1 taken PoW. It also transpired that they had made the WSC a runner and had found the DSC.
1Tp turned West at KAKERBECK then NW to REITH, thence FARVEN which was clear and the main road bridge intact but held.3Tp went on SW to 0835 where he got 5 officers and 38 ORs, a staff car and a trailer, then NW to MALSTED which was clear.
4Tp cleared area ORSDORF – OTTENDORF – KLEITEN and lifted 10 Teller mines. The Burgomeister of KAKERBECK was made responsible for the bridge, under threat of the whole village being burnt, if it was mined or destroyed.
The whole Sqn returned to AHLERSTADT.

C Sqn.
A Sqn took over our area and Sqn went into reserve.

A Sqn.
We moved at first light to take over from C Sqn. 1Tp went to 215427, 4Tp to 180104 , 2Tp to 147389 and 3Tp through KAKERBECK on towards BREST.
3Tp ran into bazookas just South of BREST, one of which he killed, but could not get into the village and at 1100 hours he was relieved by a Tp of D Sqn and he returned to the B1 at REVENAHE.
The other patrols remained static during the day with 4Tp sending his Dingo into HARSEFELD once during the day and reporting it clear, but with enemy in the woods to the North. At about 1900 hours 1Tp had some enemy trying to get at him, but which he managed to keep off. At last light all Tps came into SHQ at REVENAHE.

D Sqn.
2Tp moved to a position of observation at 103403. 1Tp to the windmill at 071400 and 4Tp to 033377. NMS all day.
Civilians reported 100 SS coming into MALSTED, so Lt Hunter went down and burned 10 of the 15 houses in the village.
All but Tpr Hartnell were picked up by 1Tp. Tpr Hartnell was reported PoW but OK. The Capt i/c bazookas was captured by A Sqn and had come from STETTIN with orders to fight with us against the Russians!!

A Sqn.
At first light 5Tp went out to 215427, 1Tp went to 180104 and 3Tp to 148390. Immediately 1Tp got into position he was sniped at by a few enemy on the railway embankment. This died down and nothing more happened until about 1700 hours when a smoke screen was suddenly laid in front of him by a mortar. At that time visibility was very bad and he thought that Infantry were trying to work round him so he dropped back a bit, but the mortar kept following him back. He tried to smarten them up but he was not quite certain where they were. We had with us an OP from 5th RHA who put down a stonk at 180104 and after this there was no more trouble.
During this the 1st HCR came up to take over from us and the Tp went out to look at 3Tp position and another went up to 1Tp with 2Tp from the Sqn. 2Tp was acting as a stop at 190385 and also as a link to 1Tp. The rest of Major Murray Smith’s Sqn came into REVENAHE ready to take over next morning at first light. 1Tp worked back towards his old position but it got dark before he reached it and at last light all Tps came into SHQ.

D Sqn.
Same procedure except that 3Tp went out on the right and it rained all day. Lt Newton at the windmill saw our DSC bowling down the road to him, with black crosses on it, and put it in the bag, complete with the bazooka coy commander, a nice young chap late of the 21 Pz Recce and HIMEIMAT, MOGHRA VALE and ALAMEIN – an “8-wheeler” man! He said that Tpr Hartnell was with him and well. He liked the Dingo and said his recce outfit only had civvy cars and bazookas.
In the afternoon 1st HCR came and took over, Major Foster’s Sqn parking with us for the night.

C Sqn.
Sqn moved to BECHDORF.

A Sqn.
At first light 4Tp moved to 215427 and SHQ and the rest of the Sqn went to APENSEN. Nothing happened all day and 4Tp came in at last light.

B Sqn. 28 – 30th.
Remained at STELLE. Approx 30 PoW were taken during this period.
BAG REPORT FOR APRIL
Killed – 1, 3 officer PoW, 487 OR PoW, One 20mm A/Tk gun, 4 staff cars, 2 MCs, 4 HDT, 4 lorries.

D Sqn. 28 – 30th.
Moved to BECHDORF and got on with maintenance etc.

D Sqn BAG FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL.

8th	1 officer	3 ORs
9th	1 officer	18 ORs
10th	1 officer	19 ORs
16th		22 ORs
17th		11 ORs
18th		14 ORs	1 88mm, 1 staff car and 4 killed
19th	2 officers	96 ORs	1 3 ton truck
20th	1 officer	84 ORs	1 3 ton truck
21st		11 ORs	1 staff car, 1 30cwt truck and 1 37mm KO’d
22nd	1 Admiral, 40 officers	450 ORs and 500 Wrens	1 staff car, 1 3 tonner.
25th	5 officers	39 ORs	1 staff car and a trailer
26th		9 ORs
27th	1 officer	6 ORs	and our own DSC

Total PoW – 53 officers, 782 ORs and 500 Wrens.

CASUALTIES

Sgt Williams	KIA
Tpr Glover	KIA
Tpr Roger	KIA
LCpl Greensides	KIA
Cpl Lyon	Wounded
LCpl Bell ’43	Wounded
Tpr Guest	Wounded
Tpr Hartnell	Missing – believed PoW

VEHICLES

3 Daimler AC destroyed
1 White Scout car captured

C Sqn.
Sqn moved to APENSEN and relieved A Sqn. 3Tp went to T roads 215427 at 0930 hours. At 1100 hours 1Tp went to the same area with a view to making good the road between that point and HARSEFELD. He encountered a road block at 206426 which he removed and continued to 190420 where he met ACs of the HCR. Our job in this area was then complete and both Tps returned to APENSEN at 1430 hours.

A Sqn.
At first light 2Tp went out to 215427 and at 1100 hours we were relieved by C Sqn. At 1700 hours the Sqn moved back to RHQ at BECKDORF.

C Sqn. 1-2nd.
Sqn remained at APPENSEN with no Tps out. Hitler’s death was announced in the evening. Major WV Burden MC went to England for his months LILOP and Apr 30th and Lt RN Brett Smith left 1Tp to become 2i/c of the Sqn. 2Lt Jaffray who had been under instruction in 1Tp took over that Tp.

A Sqn. 1-2nd.
Stayed at BECKDORF doing maintenance.

B Sqn.
Relieved by D Sqn (Capt Horsford MC) and moved to the Regt at BECKDORF.

D Sqn.
The Sqn moved to STELLE and came under 131 Bde, taking over the area from B Sqn. Total commitment consisted of sending out daily patrols East to contact 53 Div at WINSEN, and West to the Autobahn to contact 5th RTR. Continual stream of deserters coming South across the ELBE. From an OP position in STELLE, shipping and trains could be seen operating in the HAMBURG area. German radio reported Hitler dead.

B Sqn.
Remained at BECKDORF.

D Sqn.
Same patrols. Many line-crossers. Goebbels kaput. BERLIN surrendered. 11th Armd Div reached LUBECK and we were still negotiating for HAMBURG.

C Sqn.
HAMBURG surrendered and the Regt moved in at 1900 hours. The Sqn moved straight to the HOTEL ATLANTIQUE – a former HQ of Himmler. This was a disappointing place and we pushed on out to the northern sector of the town. About 30 PoW gave themselves up and 3Tp patrolled to BRAMFELD without incident. There was an elaborate system of road blocks and defensive positions, none of which were manned.
The town had suffered indescribable damage from the many visits it had received from our bombers, and in some areas, one could drive for a mile and see nothing but ruins.

A Sqn.
At 1630 hours we moved into HAMBURG with the rest of the Regt after it had surrendered. We moved through the town and out to the western edge, where we were responsible for seeing that nothing came in from that direction. There were no incidents and the Germans organised the surrender of the city amazingly well.

B Sqn.
HAMBURG was declared an open city and we entered into the place and all Tps were stationed on the main roads leading in from the East. Tps remained out for the night.

D Sqn.
The Sqn led 7th Armd Div into HAMBURG – a city completely devastated and made even more eerie by the strictly enforced curfew. The Sqn’s allotted objectives – Post Office, Telephone Exchange, Police Barracks etc – just weren’t there!
The Sqn then went to the NW outskirts of the city. Half a million PoW on all fronts during the day. RANGOON captured by the 14th Army.

C Sqn.
8th Hussars relieved the Sqn and we moved to RHQ in the West sector of the town. All Sqns were warned of the approach of high ranking German officers to our lines. At 1000 hours the Sqn, with a Tp of 8th Hussars and an OP from 3rd RHA, moved to PINNEBURG. German soldiers were giving themselves up in large numbers, marching unattended towards HAMBURG. It was obvious that the surrender of HAMBURG had had a far reaching effect on all soldiers in NW Germany.
PINNEBURG was entered unopposed and 3Tp Lt Markham went to Xroads 362670, 1Tp to APPEN and 5Tp Lt Esch to PRISDORF. Owing to the large numbers of PoW, a cage was started in PINNEBURG and during the day over 3000 passed through it, mostly taken by 3Tp and incl quite a number of SS officers and soldiers.
1Tp found an aerodrome near APPEN, where he took 100 assorted PoW without opposition, and found a camp full of 150 German ATS girls which 4Tp Sgt Reid dealt with. An Allied PoW camp was liberated near PINNEBURG and several overjoyed RAF officers were let loose, some of whom had been PoW for 5 years.
Throughout the afternoon PoW poured in, some on foot, some in their own transport, and it was obvious that big events were shaping. At 2100 hours it was announced that all German troops in NW Germany had capitulated. Our celebrations that night were greatly helped by the capture of a Brandy store by 2Tp in PINNEBURG.

A Sqn.
At 1100 hours we moved off as a Sqn to WEDEL where we stayed for the rest of the day. The whole time was spent trying to organise thousands of German PoW in a prison camp. They kept coming all day, some just walking in and others sent from other Sqns. Lt Hodgkinson and Lt Sivewright had the unpleasant job of doing this. We also had a Tp of the 8th Hussars with us to help. At 2300 hours a Coy of DLI came to take over the PoW camp from us. At 2100 hours we heard the great news of the German surrender in NW Europe over the BBC and all went to bed very pleased with life.

B Sqn.
At first light the 8th Hussars relieved us and we came back into Regtl reserve. We then moved as a Sqn to RELLINGEN.

D Sqn.
Sqn moved to a stop line at QUICKBORN. General Admiral von Friederburg, representing Admiral Doenitz (new fuhrer) entered British lines through 4Tp patrol, where he was retained until collected by 21st Army Group and taken to Field Marshall Montgomery’s HQ to sign the unconditional surrender of all German land, naval and air forces in NW Europe. Indeed a historic and memorable day for D Sqn.

C Sqn. 5-6th.
Remained in area PINNEBURG with patrols out at APPEN and PRISDORF. PoW came in the whole time and were despatched to PoW camps. All fighting had ceased and there was nothing to report.

A Sqn. 5-6th.
Moved back to the Regt at RELLINGEN and remained there until the 7th.

B Sqn. 5-6th.
Remained at RELLINGEND Sqn.
Admiral Hoffman (C-in-C of the German Fleet) arrived to hand over the German Navy. “CEASE FIRE” at 0800 hours. More high ranking German officers passed through on their way to Field Marshall Montgomery’s HQ (one inexplicable disappearance of a wrist watch caused certain consternation in the realm of Olympus!).

C Sqn.
Sqn moved to KAISER WILHELM bridge over the Kiel Canal. The bridge was found intact and demolition charges removed. 1Tp guarded it until 1600 hours when he was relieved by a Sqn of 5th DG. The Sqn then moved to BENDORF where we remained until the 9th.

A Sqn.
Moved as a Sqn to BRUNSBUTTELKOOG on the KIEL Canal and stayed there until 1900 hours. When we arrived we found a lot of shipping incl destroyers and TBs which we did not know what to do with, so left them to themselves. The whole place was full of soldiers and sailors all trying to give themselves up at the same time. The naval commander wanted to surrender but would not do so to Lt Sivewright as he thought he was too junior, so we left him and the GOC took his surrender the next day, escorted by 1Tp and 4Tp. At 1900 hours we moved to BENDORF.

B Sqn.
Moved to ORSDORF and cleared the area on the way, i.e. directed the German War Machine to PoW camps.

D Sqn.
Move with RHQ to BENDORF, South of the KIEL Canal.

A Sqn. 8-12th.
Remained at BENDORF enjoying ourselves.

B Sqn.
At one minute past midnight hostilities ceased on the 21st Army Group front. At 2130 hours SSM Emery broadcast on the BBC from LUNEBURG. His speech was as follows:-“That way seemed very long ---- when we were at ALAMEIN, but once we saw the Germans crack in TUNIS --- in the last corner in Africa --- we knew we would see them crack again – as we have done in the northern corner of Europe. We knew the end was near last week, when German Generals drove through our lines. But for me it’s not all over --- I’m a regular soldier. I’ve done my share out East, so I’ll bring my wife out here and stay with the Army of Occupation. That’s a job we’ve got to do well --- or everything we have done will be wasted.”
The speech was very well given by the Sgt Major and all the Sqn listened in to it.

D Sqn.
VE DAY!! The Sqn celebrated with rum punch, listened to the King’s speech and the Colonel set fire to a vast bonfire surmounted by a Swatika flag. SQMS Barnes blew up the “Cease fire”. The Nazi emblem perished in the blaze – visible for miles around.

C Sqn. 9-24th.
Sqn moved to BRUNSBUTTEL. This place is a big naval base and a large force had surrendered to a Tp of A Sqn the previous day, incl many naval ships, personnel and shore establishments. In addition there were large numbers of German soldier making their way to the peninsula which was to become a large PoW cage.
The Sqn was to act as a garrison to the town, provide the necessary guards, and watch a stop line along the line of the canal. Very little policy was laid down and in conjunction with Lt Tottenham (22nd Armd Bde), the Sqn controlled the naval personnel, the army personnel and the civil affairs of the town.
This continued uneventfully until 14th May when it was decided to make the canal itself the stop line. 30 Btn Royal Marines had arrived by then and as they were perforce sitting on the East side of the canal to guard the ships, they did our job for us. We however provided a 24 hours guard on the vehicle ferry at BRUNSBUTTEL.

B Sqn. 9-12th.
ORSDORF carrying out maintenance.

D Sqn.
Sqn under 131 Bde moved to FRIEDRICKSTADT and recced EIDERSTADT peninsula.

D Sqn. 10-28th.
The Sqn moved to TONNING – capital of the “Kingdom of EIDERSTADT” and set up totalitarian rule, the enviable position of which they retained until 29th May.

A Sqn.
Moved down to ECKLAK and had to watch a section of the KIEL Canal to prevent anyone crossing. To do this we had three Tps out, helped by searchlights at night.

B Sqn. 13-19th.
Major Petch left the Sqn to go on leave and Capt Ballingal took over. Early on the 13th RHQ, B & A Sqns moved to ST MARGARETHEN, 4 miles East of the entrance to the KIEL Canal. We began to prepare the Sqn, men and vehicles to go to BERLIN as part of a force escorting the Allied Control Commission. We were put on 4 days notice to join the force at HANNOVER, under command of Major General Whistler. Everone worked very hard, so that when the GOC commanding the 7th Armd Div inspected on May 17th, the turnout was one of which all concerned could be proud.

B Sqn. 20-28th.
On Sunday May 20th the Regtl Memorial and Thanksgiving Service was held in the Church at ST MARGARETHEN, the Regt being played into the church by the band.
A week later on the 28th, a Sqn concert was held in the garden of the canteen. A stage was erected and the dance sect of the Regt Band played.

D Sqn. 29-31st.
During this period the Sqn enjoyed the diverse amenities of their little kingdom, which included a small fleet (2 E Boats, 41 fishing smacks, and various motor boats etc), 2 railway trains and a good stable of horses.
Meanwhile 233 Pz Div and 166 Infantry Div from DENMARK were marched into the peninsula, together with a multitude of stragglers, which in all finally totalled 88,000 German prisoners, in addition to 15,000 civilian inhabitants. Boating, bathing, horse riding and merciless photography on a diet of sole, fresh butter, cream and eggs was certainly a fitting end to the European War 1939-1945.On 28th May the Sqn returned to RHQ and installed themselves in BUTTEL on the ELBE estuary. Sgt Trendall with a caravan of 17 horses and 8 German (soldiers) made the journey by road, arriving at the Sqn area 30th May, all sound.

B Sqn.
The Sqn moved at 0500 hours, taking 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Tps with 3 SHQ Humberettes. At 0830 hours we arrived at 6255 on the Autobahn, 6 miles East of HAMBURG, where at 1000 hours we met 2 MP officers who took us to SCHONINGSTEDT. Here was lined up the Army Group HQ of General BLUMENTRITT. The General and 3 of his Staff Officers went off to 21st Army Group HQ and the rest of the German vehicles were divided into 2 groups of 127 and 92. The first of these groups was escorted by 3, 4 & 5Tps under Lt Preston while the second party was lead by Capt Ballingal.The first party proceeded by way of HAMBURG to the canal at 045160, where the Germans were handed over to be taken into one of the western peninsulas for de-mobilisation. The second party followed the HAMBURG – LUBECK autobahn past LUBECK to the BALTIC, thence up the coast to HAFENBURG, 5 miles further North, then inland to EUTIN where at 1930 hours this party was handed in to the western peninsula for segregation and de-mobilisation.

Major JAN Crankshaw	Bar to MC
Lt AS Hunter	MC
Lt JDA Woodhouse	MC
Lt DAF Williamson	MC
Lt RCT Sivewright	MC
Lt RA Flood	MC
Lt PF Chapman	MC
Cpl Young (R. Sigs)	BEM
Cpl Jones	MM