Next month when we go to Belgium I aim to go to Moerbrugge to see where a Veteran friend of mine fought in September 1944 when serving with Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. Rather than spend hours keying in the story I've attatched photos that Art sent me.
Art's friend who was killed. Name: MORGAN, LIONEL A. Initials: L A Nationality: Canadian Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), R.C.I.C. Date of Death: 08/09/1944 Service No: B/143115 Additional information: Son of Reuben and Pearl Morgan, of Toronto, Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. B. 1. Cemetery: ADEGEM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Moerbrugge today. One photo of farmyard where Flak gun emplaced. Other of house where Lionel Morgan killed. These buildings are on oppsite sides of the canal. Spitting distance of eachother.
From here.The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (P.L.) MOERBRUGGE BACKGROUND MOERBRUGGE is a small Belgian village on the GHENT CANAL. As the Canadian army advanced toward the Belgian cities of GHENT and BRUGES in the fall of 1944, the extensive canal network provided frequent and serious obstacles. The crossing of the GHENT CANAL and piercing of the German defence line based on it would be one of the most difficult and bitter actions fought by the Argylls in the campaign in the low countries. MOERBRUGGE - THE PLAN The 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade was tasked to cross the GHENT canal about five kilometers south of BRUGES at a small village called OOSTCAMP. Directly across the canal from OOSTCAMP was another small village named MOERBRUGGE. The canal is about 20 metres wide and very deep. Opposition was not expected so only one battalion was chosen for the crossing: the Argylls. Two batteries of the 15th Field Regiment were placed in support but due to the rapid advance of the allied armies, supply lines were hundreds of miles long and not much ammunition was available for the guns. As a result, no preparatory fire was laid on. Fire would be provided on an "as required" basis. The South Alberta Regiment (SARs) would place its tanks on the friendly side of the canal at either side of the crossing point and hold the flanks of the crossing with their fire along with the Vickers machine guns of The New Brunswick Rangers. The 3 inch mortars of the Argylls and the 4.2 inch mortars of the Rangers were in support but as low on ammunition as the artillery. Finally, "A" Company of the Argylls, the Argyll scout platoon and one squadron of the SARs were moved to a point north of the crossing along the canal to provide a diversion and to test German defences in that area. At that time, the Argyll Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dave Stewart, was away from the unit which was left under command of the Deputy Commanding Officer, Major B. Stockloser. Major Stockloser ordered "B", "C", and "D" companies to cross the canal but had not arranged for assault boats stating that the operation would be "a crossing of opportunity". MOERBRUGGE - THE CROSSING At 1530 hours (3:30 PM) on 08 September 1944, the three assault companies moved to OOSTCAMP. Luckily, the "opportunity" Major Stockloser alluded to came about in the form of two civilian boats which were discovered by Major Mackenzie, Officer Commanding "D" Company. These boats would eventually ferry all three companies across the canal. At 1730 hours (5:30 PM), "D" Company started to cross and soon the Germans responded with 88mm and mortar fire. Casualties started to mount even before the companies reached the other side. In two hours, "C" Coy would drop in strength from 63 men to just 46. By midnight, all three companies were across and holding a narrow bridgehead on the far side. Major Mackenzie was wounded and "D" Company was driven back to the canal by German counter attacks. "C" Company was cut off from the "B" and "D" Companies by German infiltration. The day ended with 5 Argylls killed and 26 wounded. MOERBRUGGE - THE HOLDING ACTION The 09th of September 1944 would see The Lincoln and Welland Regiment cross the canal and take up a position on the right flank of the Argylls. The situation would remain serious all day and nobody really knows just how many German counter attacks were launched against the bridgehead. "C" Company was in a particularly difficult position being cut off from the other companies. In addition, their radios failed leaving them out of contact with all support. However, the company hung on and repulsed all counter attacks. Company Sergeant Major George Mitchell deserves much credit for holding the defense together. He personally led a party that brought up much needed supplies and ammunition. After the battle, he would be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Lance Corporal L.A. Webb held his position and returned fire with his BREN gun despite German machine gun and 20mm cannon fire directed at him. As ammunition ran low, the riflemen loaded their remaining rounds into his BREN magazines and kept feeding them to him. At one point, he inflicted 15 to 20 casualties on the attacking Germans in the matter of a few minutes. Three heavy counter attacks on "C" Company were driven off with extremely heavy losses visited upon the Germans. However, one Argyll platoon was overrun by sheer weight of numbers and the platoon commander killed. Because of the incessant German shelling and mortaring of the crossing site, the engineers found it impossible to construct a Bailey bridge so supplies and ammunition had to be ferried across the canal in boats. Slowly, more artillery ammunition was finding its way forward to the Canadian guns and supporting fire increased. The SARs and New Brunswick Rangers continued to hold the flanks of the assault force. At 1400 hours (2:00 PM), "A" Company and the Scout Platoon were recalled from their diversionary task and moved to a supporting position on the friendly side of the crossing. It was feared that the bridgehead might collapse and the six Argyll and Lincoln and Welland companies in MOERBRUGGE might have to be evacuated. At 1500 hours (3:00 PM), Lieutenant Colonel Stewart returned to the unit. The brigade commander placed him in charge of the crossing with the Lincoln and Welland under command. He immediately set about reorganizing the positions on the bridgehead. At 1900 hours (7:00 PM), the Germans blanketed both sides of the crossing with a hail storm of mortar fire as a prelude to their final counter attack. However, their attempt was thwarted and the counter attack was beaten back. Due to the fire, the engineers had to halt bridge construction yet again. However, by midnight, Canadian counter battery fire finally suppressed the German shelling of the bridge site. The Argylls lost seven killed, 22 wounded and 12 POW during the day. MOERBRUGGE - END OF BATTLE By the morning of 10 September 1944, the engineers finally completed the bridge. SAR tanks moved across and established contact with the cut off "C" Company. About 150 German prisoners were sent back over the new bridge. An estimated 700 Germans were killed, wounded or captured during the MOERBRUGGE battle. Twenty of their 20mm FLAK (anti aircraft) cannons were captured along with six 81mm mortars. German shelling and mortaring would continue sporadically all day but ownership of the crossing site was no longer an issue. One Argyll died and two were wounded on the 10th. The battle at Moerbrugge stands as an example of the stature of the Argylls in battle. After crossing a major obstacle in an improvised fashion without adequate fire support, they were forced to hold on in the face of fierce counter attacks which came close to wiping out the bridgehead.
Strange Memorial there. That's the memorial that we mentioned elsewhere yesterday - the one I described as a "pile of scrap"! (basically, in all reality , that's what it is!) It's the "chopped up tank" memorial that we discussed. Dave
Do you know about the Canadian War Museum at Adegem, Owen? It's well worth visiting, Owen, as is the Canadian cemetery not too far away (isn't it actually Maldegem where the museum is, Paul, with Adegem being the location of the cemetery?). If you time it right, you can always amuse yourself watching the line-dancing classes in the adjacent cafeteria after your visit too! Dave
Well if you both recommend it then I'd better get my backside over there. I'll add to this next month. The Museum website.Het Canada War Museum te Adegem heet u welkom! I think Paul wins Dave, as this is the address. Adres: G. Van Landschoot, Heulendonk, 21, 9991 - Adegem - Belgium Tel 050/710666 Fax 050/717132
Here's some close ups of the memorial and the main street, with buildings held by C Coy ASHof Can. There was even a log pile in the back of one of the gardens. Wonder if it was one mentioned in Art's story. It was fantastic walking the ground with the story by one of the Veteran's in my hand.
Art's friend: Name: MORGAN, LIONEL A. Initials: L A Nationality: Canadian Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), R.C.I.C. Date of Death: 08/09/1944 Service No: B/143115 Additional information: Son of Reuben and Pearl Morgan, of Toronto, Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. B. 1. Cemetery: ADEGEM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Here's the plot where alot of the ASH Can casualties of the Moerbrugge battle lie in the Adegem Cemetery.
Name: JENKINSON, CHRISTOPHER Initials: C Nationality: Canadian Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), R.C.I.C. Age: 35 Date of Death: 10/09/1944 Service No: B/45650 Additional information: Son of Dennis and Bridget Jenkinson; husband of Monica Jenkinson, of Toronto, Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. A. 12. Cemetery: ADEGEM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Name: JARVIS, ALAN B. Initials: A B Nationality: Canadian Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), R.C.I.C. Unit Text: 1st Bn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 09/09/1944 Service No: B/145835 Additional information: Son of Wilfred Reginald and Edith Louise Jarvis, of Toronto. Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. A. 9. Cemetery: ADEGEM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Name: CARLSTROM, ROY SIGMUND Initials: R S Nationality: Canadian Rank: Corporal Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), R.C.I.C. Age: 19 Date of Death: 09/09/1944 Service No: H/1154 Additional information: Son of Emanuel and Olga Carlstrom, of Sturgeon Creek, Manitoba. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. A. 7. Cemetery: ADEGEM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Name: HARRISON, GEORGE A. Initials: G A Nationality: Canadian Rank: Lance Sergeant Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), R.C.I.C. Age: 26 Date of Death: 09/09/1944 Service No: B/46513 Additional information: Son of George and Ellen Harrison; nephew of Margaret A. Gallagher, of Fort Erie, Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. A. 6. Cemetery: ADEGEM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Name: GOODIN, JOHN L. Initials: J L Nationality: Canadian Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), R.C.I.C. Age: 21 Date of Death: 09/09/1944 Service No: H/195698 Additional information: Son of James Goodin, and of Emma Goodin, of Culligan, Restigouche Co., New Brunswick. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. B. 2. Cemetery: ADEGEM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Had this email from Art today. Hi Moose; Many thanks for your letter and the picture of Moerbrugge. The post card hasn't arrived yet but I will look forward to receiving it. What did you think of the restored tank??? It was one of the South Alberta Regiment's Shermans, which participated in the battle.Fay and I were present at the unveiling.St Godlieve Straat has changed since we were there, but there are still a lot of the wartime houses there,from the picture. I had an email from friends in Moerbrugge just a couple of weeks ago. Our Company of the Argylls, held houses on the left side of the street, as you cross the bridge-after reaching the church wall, we withdrew to the next house, which, when Fay and I were there was a butcher shop. We were entertained by the folks who occupied the shop during our visit. Fond and sad memories. Cheers, Art As to the Canadian Museum. We went on a Monday. They don't open on Mondays. Bad planning? er......Yes.
