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COMMANDO · 04-05-2008, 08:57 PM

Here we go !

From the War Diary 2nd Armoured Irish Guards (Lt. Col. G.A.M. Vandeleurs) 17 September 1944

14.35 The bttalions advanced, keeping as close behind the barrage as possible.
The clouds of dust raised made this difficult, but the leading tank managed to follow some 300 yds behind the Shell bursts.
For 10 minutes all went well, but suddenly the rear of No.3 and the head of No.1 Sqns were attacked by infantry eith bazookas and Anti-tTK guns, and 9 tanks were knocked out in two minutes.
The remainder halted and go tinto defensice positions as best they could, spraying the edges of the wood and ditches with Browning and firing HE t any suspicious place.
Lance Sergeant COWAN, No. 2 Sqn, saw a Self-Proppeled gun and knocked it out, made the crew climb on the back of his tank and Point out their friends positions, which they did gladly in return, as they thought, for their lives.
Meanwhile Typhoons, were called for and answered immediately.
In the next hour 230 sorties were flown and very low and accurate attacks made on the enemy. Our tanks burnt yellow smoke abundantly an though the rockets landed within 100 yards of them, there was never any likelihood of a mistake, so sure was the Squadron’s support our advance could not have continued.

15.30 hrs The effect of the rockets, combined with the aggressiveness of our tanks and infantry, was almost instantaneous. Enemy came running out of the trenches trembling with fright and were sent doubling down the road in very quick time. All were still running when they passed Division HQ a mile the other side of the bridge.
The 4 Battalion devons which had followed us up, clearded each side of the road, also dug a number of enemy out of trenches near Battalion HQ with great vigour and relieved us from tiresome sniping/

Interogation showed the enemy tob e mainly 6 PARA regt with some of regt HOFFMAN. Most were new and ignorant recruits, others good fightinrs who had suffered Normandy and the retreat.
In all some 250 arrived at the Division cage, a little short of breath.
One DR acting as escort made his party travel at motor cycle pace. The MO enrolled others as unwilling stretcher bearers.

16.00 hrs The medium barrage was ordered again after No.3 Squadron had withdrawn 500 yards for safety. Some difficulty was experienced in turning around the bulldozer and it was 16.30 before firing could begin.

16.30 hrs. Advance continued, with Typhoons still overhead and attacking some 88 guns they had seen well in front.

Prisoners were still being taken. One [German] Warrant Officer from an Anti-Tank Coy said he had owned 10 – 7.62 Russian guns before the battle but none were left working and very few of his crews alive. He could not decide which was the worse, the rockets or the Browning and was sent weeping down the road.

We actually saw only 4 of the guns, but no more fired, so presumable he had spoken the truth.

17.30 hrs. The [Dommel] bridge was reported clear, intact and fit to Carry tanks. No.3 Squadron accordingly took up positions guarding it and No. 2 Squadron and No. 4 Company were ordered to pass through them and capture Valkenswaard and No.1 Squadron to Mount No.1 Company again on tank back. Preliminary ‘stonks’also came down on the likely points of resistance in the town.

17.45 hrs. 4 – 88 mm guns with their crews and towing vehicles were captured. They were from 602 Heavy AA Battery, and the crews in a great state of fear. Lt. B.C. ISITT in trying to destroy one gun, managed to fire it, therby greatly alaming Battalion HQ. The enemy trucks as usual were packed with loot.

Enemy opposition had not completely given in, and all the while there was quite a deal of sniping. Both the Commanding Officer and major D.M.L. GORDEN-WATSON MC had bursts of Spandau just beside them, but no Germans came near the mark as Lt. B C ISITT.

19.30-20.30 hrs. The re-shuffeling of the Group and crossing the small bridge took some considerable time. Also the leading Squadron had to approach the town very cautiously, and it was dusk before Major E G TYLER reported his Squadron in position covering the North exit. Again the only light was fromhouses set on fire by the shelling.

The rest of the groups soon came up and harboured around the central square, blocking all roads. Some 30 prisoners of all sorts were taken including two bicyclist scouts just back from Eindhoven who reported to us instead of their own commander, guarded by the Resistance. A german half-track later drove in – a welcome addition to the 3rd Battalion’s transport.

A Dutch civilian reported to battalion HQ from the Resistance in Eindhoven. He was agreeable and informative, so we took him on strength of the battalion and gave him a seat in a Honey with which he was well pleased.

21.00 hrs. The Major’s Clerk came running in to battalion HQ with a message thelephoned by the German Commander in Eindhoven to his subordinate whom he thought tob e still holding Valkenswaard. This unknown officer was to defend the town to the last amn, with the Assurance that reinforcements were on the way. Many very rude answers were given the cleck tos end back. By arrangment with the girl in the Post Office, however, we kept contact with her counterpart Eindhoven until 05.00 hrs next morning when the line was cut. All she could tel lus though was that the enemy were still there, and no sign had been seen of the American Airborne Forces.

22.00 hrs. Orders were issued for the advance at 07.00 hours next morning – the only differnce being that Household Cavalry regiment Squadron would lead.

The battalion then went to sleep.

The day’s fighting cost us in all 9 tanks with 8 men killed and several wounded, including SSM PARKES killed and Lt. D LAMPARD and Lt B P QUINAN wounded.

04-05-2008, 08:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
COMMANDO Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 88	Here we go ! From the War Diary 2nd Armoured Irish Guards (Lt. Col. G.A.M. Vandeleurs) 17 September 1944 14.35 The bttalions advanced, keeping as close behind the barrage as possible. The clouds of dust raised made this difficult, but the leading tank managed to follow some 300 yds behind the Shell bursts. For 10 minutes all went well, but suddenly the rear of No.3 and the head of No.1 Sqns were attacked by infantry eith bazookas and Anti-tTK guns, and 9 tanks were knocked out in two minutes. The remainder halted and go tinto defensice positions as best they could, spraying the edges of the wood and ditches with Browning and firing HE t any suspicious place. Lance Sergeant COWAN, No. 2 Sqn, saw a Self-Proppeled gun and knocked it out, made the crew climb on the back of his tank and Point out their friends positions, which they did gladly in return, as they thought, for their lives. Meanwhile Typhoons, were called for and answered immediately. In the next hour 230 sorties were flown and very low and accurate attacks made on the enemy. Our tanks burnt yellow smoke abundantly an though the rockets landed within 100 yards of them, there was never any likelihood of a mistake, so sure was the Squadron’s support our advance could not have continued. 15.30 hrs The effect of the rockets, combined with the aggressiveness of our tanks and infantry, was almost instantaneous. Enemy came running out of the trenches trembling with fright and were sent doubling down the road in very quick time. All were still running when they passed Division HQ a mile the other side of the bridge. The 4 Battalion devons which had followed us up, clearded each side of the road, also dug a number of enemy out of trenches near Battalion HQ with great vigour and relieved us from tiresome sniping/ Interogation showed the enemy tob e mainly 6 PARA regt with some of regt HOFFMAN. Most were new and ignorant recruits, others good fightinrs who had suffered Normandy and the retreat. In all some 250 arrived at the Division cage, a little short of breath. One DR acting as escort made his party travel at motor cycle pace. The MO enrolled others as unwilling stretcher bearers. 16.00 hrs The medium barrage was ordered again after No.3 Squadron had withdrawn 500 yards for safety. Some difficulty was experienced in turning around the bulldozer and it was 16.30 before firing could begin. 16.30 hrs. Advance continued, with Typhoons still overhead and attacking some 88 guns they had seen well in front. Prisoners were still being taken. One [German] Warrant Officer from an Anti-Tank Coy said he had owned 10 – 7.62 Russian guns before the battle but none were left working and very few of his crews alive. He could not decide which was the worse, the rockets or the Browning and was sent weeping down the road. We actually saw only 4 of the guns, but no more fired, so presumable he had spoken the truth. 17.30 hrs. The [Dommel] bridge was reported clear, intact and fit to Carry tanks. No.3 Squadron accordingly took up positions guarding it and No. 2 Squadron and No. 4 Company were ordered to pass through them and capture Valkenswaard and No.1 Squadron to Mount No.1 Company again on tank back. Preliminary ‘stonks’also came down on the likely points of resistance in the town. 17.45 hrs. 4 – 88 mm guns with their crews and towing vehicles were captured. They were from 602 Heavy AA Battery, and the crews in a great state of fear. Lt. B.C. ISITT in trying to destroy one gun, managed to fire it, therby greatly alaming Battalion HQ. The enemy trucks as usual were packed with loot. Enemy opposition had not completely given in, and all the while there was quite a deal of sniping. Both the Commanding Officer and major D.M.L. GORDEN-WATSON MC had bursts of Spandau just beside them, but no Germans came near the mark as Lt. B C ISITT. 19.30-20.30 hrs. The re-shuffeling of the Group and crossing the small bridge took some considerable time. Also the leading Squadron had to approach the town very cautiously, and it was dusk before Major E G TYLER reported his Squadron in position covering the North exit. Again the only light was fromhouses set on fire by the shelling. The rest of the groups soon came up and harboured around the central square, blocking all roads. Some 30 prisoners of all sorts were taken including two bicyclist scouts just back from Eindhoven who reported to us instead of their own commander, guarded by the Resistance. A german half-track later drove in – a welcome addition to the 3rd Battalion’s transport. A Dutch civilian reported to battalion HQ from the Resistance in Eindhoven. He was agreeable and informative, so we took him on strength of the battalion and gave him a seat in a Honey with which he was well pleased. 21.00 hrs. The Major’s Clerk came running in to battalion HQ with a message thelephoned by the German Commander in Eindhoven to his subordinate whom he thought tob e still holding Valkenswaard. This unknown officer was to defend the town to the last amn, with the Assurance that reinforcements were on the way. Many very rude answers were given the cleck tos end back. By arrangment with the girl in the Post Office, however, we kept contact with her counterpart Eindhoven until 05.00 hrs next morning when the line was cut. All she could tel lus though was that the enemy were still there, and no sign had been seen of the American Airborne Forces. 22.00 hrs. Orders were issued for the advance at 07.00 hours next morning – the only differnce being that Household Cavalry regiment Squadron would lead. The battalion then went to sleep. The day’s fighting cost us in all 9 tanks with 8 men killed and several wounded, including SSM PARKES killed and Lt. D LAMPARD and Lt B P QUINAN wounded.