VERITABLE 1945: 3rd Canadian Division in Op Veritable

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by stolpi, Mar 18, 2015.

  1. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    Here are a few more photos of a Ram Kangaroo used by the Canadians.
    Stoplight I hope you like.

    Cheers

    Kevin
     

    Attached Files:

  2. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Last edited: Mar 20, 2019
  3. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    5. Waterborn actions: Le Regiment de la Chaudiere at Erlecom & Leuth

    These Buffaloos enter the small village of Leuth along the western access, the Steenheuvelsestraat; at the time known as Heuvelschestraat. These images were taken on Feb 10th, 1945, and do not depict an advance into the village, they actually show how the Chaudieres are 'rescued' from the drowned village. The Chaudieres captured the village dry on the evening of Feb 8/9, but then were trapped by the rising water and had to move to the first floors and eventually to the attics of the houses. Or as Stacey mentions: "The rising water virtually cut off the battalions on their objectives, where they had to exist as best they might until Buffaloes became available to evacuate them" (Stacey, Victory Campaign p. 473).

    12310006_1688945298018126_3493682755382572680_o.jpg

    12308195_1688945314684791_8883775788129827415_o.jpg

    12304513_1688945104684812_7379713788028047134_o.jpg

    12314404_1688944938018162_8310934184882124014_o.jpg
    The last picture was taken with a view to the west towards Nijmegen. A small convoy of DUKWs is visible moving along the dike in the background, which is now the Erlecomseweg. Beyond that rises the high ground which stretches all the way to Nijmegen.

    A recent find on the internet. Have still to sort out the exact locations of these photographs (courtesy Bedee): WW2 RADIO - Zone inondée par les Allemands | Facebook
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2023
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  4. Great find stolpi! I knew some of them from the old "LIFE hosted by Google" website, but this is closer to the entire collection (53 in the fb album), apparently taken from the Google Cultural Institute. Click here for the complete set of 74 photos, including a few additional Buffalo shots:
    Search — Google Arts & Culture
    Note that all photos are zoomable to a rather high resolution :)

    Although the Squadron sign is not visible/legible on many LVsT, it is clear on the following:

    LVT2 OA (Squadron's Leader's) of 'C' Sqn, hence 79 Assault Squadron RE (photo 9/53):
    [​IMG]

    LVT4 'CAPTAIN CUTTLE', hence also 79 Aslt Sqn RE (photos 11, 48, 43 & 28/53):
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Vehicle numbers (2A, 2B etc.) also look more 79 Sqn style, so we might therefore assume that all LVsT in this album are from 79 Aslt Sqn RE, with the notable exception of 'SKEGNESS', from 4 Troop 11 Royal Tanks, which looks like it's stuck on something!

    Finally, DUKW P5576483 is from 297 General Transport Company RASC (AoS 54 with white bar on top):
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Michel
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2018
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  5. LVT2 1E P5822018 is the same as the one shot by Canadian photographer Capt Colin C. McDougall while embarking North Shores on 8 Feb:

    PA-190818 "Infantrymen of the North Shore Regiment climbing onto an Alligator amphibious tracked vehicle during Operation VERITABLE near Nijmegen, Netherlands, 8 February 1945." – only the extreme rear of 1E is visible on the left of this photo:
    http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=3525752
    [​IMG]

    PA-145769 "Infantrymen of the North Shore Regiment boarding an Alligator amphibious vehicle during Operation VERITABLE near Nijmegen, Netherlands, 8 February 1945."
    http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=3239986
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Michel
     
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  7. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Thanks a lot Michel for the information added. Will have a look around in the area as soon as weather permits. Hopefully to shoot some Now & Thens.

    The group of Chaudieres was also filmed; see at 2:35 on the following you tube film:

     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2018
  8. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Since the foul weather is persistent I've decided to switch to 'Google Street View'. Long live the internet!

    The last photograph in Michel's previous post was taken at the brickworks located next to the Waal River dyke at Erlecom, called "Steenfabriek Erlecom". Picture with a view to the west towards Nijmegen. The Chaudieres, after the evacuation of Leuth, moved back alomng th eWaal dyke to Nijmegen.

    The Germans had blown up the Waal River Dyke, hard east of the brickworks at Erlecom, near the junction with the Duffeltdijk. The gaping hole in the Waal dyke is visible on the the 2nd and following photographs in Michel's post # 44. The river dyke has been raised in recent years.

    Erlecom.jpg

    For more details on the brickworks see (courtesy Bedee): zoekplaatje

    or : Industriespoor
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2019
  9. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    War Diary of Le Regiment de la Chaudiere for 7 - 12 February 1945. A translator is required. I get the gist of it and conditions recorded at the time. They were also in Leuth. A map is posted so you can see the map refs for 9 Feb in Leuth.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  10. Translation of the Chaud's War Diary:

    Nijmegen.......7 Feb 1030..The ceremony over, our chaplain Major J.R. Daicourt gives the General
    Holland,.........45........Absolution and the Holy Communion.
    Sheet 6 SW...cont'd).......Temperature: Mild.
    MR. 726631.................Visibility: Favourable.
    1/25000
    Holland,.......8 Feb 0300..The Advance Party, comprised of the C.O., the I.O. and a few signallers go to
    MR. 776619......45.........the assembly area M.R. 776619.
    Sheet 6SW............1000..The Regiment takes position in its assigned area. While passing on the
    1/25000....................dike M.R.756644, we are engaged by an enemy machine gun, wounding 88
    ...........................one soldier.
    .....................1700..The Coys go to their positions in "buffalo".
    ...........................For details of the attack see: APPX 4 Dated
    8 Feb 1945
    Leuth,.........9 Feb 0600..Bn. H.Q. goes to M.R. 795625.
    Germany..........45..1445..Bn. H.Q. moves again to M.R. 793615.
    Sheet 6 SW...........1800..Water level goes up continuously.
    1/25000..............2100..Water is now inside the house and Bn. H.Q. is forced to move to the 2nd
    ...........................floor.
    ...........................Temperature: Rainy and cold.
    ...........................Visibility: Favourable.

    ...............10 Feb0800..The Regiment prepares to return to Nijmegen, in view of the impossibility to occupy a
    ...........................flooded terrain.
    Nijmegen,............1500..The Regiment arrives at Nijmegen.
    M.R. 726631................Temperature: Cold.
    Holland....................Visibility: Favourable.
    Sheet 6 SW.
    ..............11 Feb.......The whole day is spent cleaning.
    ................45.........Temperature: Rainy and cold.
    ...........................Visibility: Poor.

    ..............12 Feb1830...Movie [or cartoons?] offered by the Chevaliers de Colomb.
    ................45.........Temperature: Rainy and mild.
    ...........................Visibility: Poor.


    Michel
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2016
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  11. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    The gaping hole in the Waal Dyke must have been somewhere near Map Reference 793 628 to the east of Erlecom and the brickworks.


    Locations of some of the pictures:

    LEUTH_Locations.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2016
  12. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    12309645_1688945658018090_4628286632651692042_o.jpg
    At the western edge of Leuth. View to the east. The factory chimney of what seems to be an old milkery has been rebuild. The raised ground in the distance is the Materborn ridge overlooking Cleve. In between - what looks like a church tower - probably is the township of Niel, which was taken by the Canadian Scottish of the 7th Cnd Inf Brigade. The Canadian Scottish had a similar experience as the Chaudières, they became marooned at Niel on an island that was fast shrinking. They had to take refuge on second floors and rooftops of the village buildings before their tribulation ended after several days. The Canadian Scottish nearly ran out of food before they were rescued.

    Leuth western edge.jpg

    12307591_1688945218018134_1474191261466037246_o.jpg
    Almost the same spot as previous picture.


    12304071_1688945511351438_5014346414215943863_o.jpg

    Village church of Leuth then & now

    Leuth church.jpg

    12273785_1688945554684767_212571098923064516_o.jpg

    Almost same spot along the Heuvelstraat Then & Now

    Leuth church 2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2019
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  13. bakker-m

    bakker-m Member

    The house with the ladder, and "Skegness" stranded almost in front, is nr 14 Steenheuvelsestrraat.
     
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  14. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Steenheuvelsestraat 14, Leuth, then:

    Leuth.jpg

    and now:
    Steenheuvelsestraat 14.jpg

    Erlecom 2.jpg
    The French Canadians in different stages of their 'scramble up' to keep dry feet. The carrier in the end probably had to be abandoned.

    Erlecom.jpg
    Most members of the Chaudières ended up in the attics of the small houses of Leuth from where they were 'rescued' by the Bauffaloes.
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2019
  15. LVT2 1E 5822018 of 79 Aslt Sqn RE stationed in front of a house not far from Leuth church:
    [​IMG]

    The same house now, with Bredestraat on the left and Pastoor van Tielstraat on the right just past the house:
    [​IMG]

    The address is 66 Steenheuvelsestraat:
    [​IMG]

    A montage showing LVT2 5822066 loaded with troops passing 1E:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Michel
     
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  16. Bedee

    Bedee Well-Known Member

    Michel,

    I have seen the pictures many times, but not in this way...
    Thanks, good job

    Cordialement,

    B
     
  17. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Michel - Tres bien fait, merci !
     
  18. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Break in the Erlecomse Dam

    Gap in dyke 22.1.45.jpg
    This oblique aerial was taken on Jan 22nd, 1945, when the ground was still snow-covered. Visible are the Waal/Rhine river (flowing toward Nijmegen - top left but not visible), the brickworks of Erlecom, the break in the dyke and the village of Leuth and the settlement of Zandpol. Note that the Rhine river is still in its 'summer bed', the polder land to the west of the Duffeltdijk is still dry (Photo: annex to War Diary 8 Cdn Inf Bde, Feb 45; courtesy Bedee).

    Gap in dyke jan 45.jpg
    Close up of the break in the dyke. The German demolition holes are clearly visible. This aerial was taken somewhere at the end of Jan 1945. The ground is still covered in snow and there is no flooding (Photo: annex to War Diary 8 Cdn Inf Bde, Feb 45; courtesy Bedee).


    LEUTH_Locations.jpg
    Map of the same area


    Gap in dyke 02-02-1945.jpg
    On Feb 2nd, 45, the snow has disappeared but there is no flooding, yet ... the water level of the Waal river started rising in early February, with a sudden lapse on 4 February when the river rose nearly two meters in a day. The water level finally reached its highest point on 14 February. The indicated ramp (for Buffaloos) is a small sloping road used by the local farmers to reach their land (Photo: annex to War Diary 8 Cdn Inf Bde, Feb 45; courtesy Bedee).

    Gap in dyke 6.2.45 floodwater.jpg
    This aerial was taken a few days later, on Feb 6th, 45. The situation has radically changed: the river water now stands right up against the dyke (the grey area at the top of the photo) and gushes through the break. The Erlecomse Polder is entirely flooded (the light grey area to the left); Photo: annex to War Diary 8 Cdn Inf Bde, Feb 45 (courtesy Bedee).

    12309791_1688944831351506_2008756847870282432_o.jpg

    12309951_1688945574684765_7895758395547240359_o.jpg
    Pictures of the gap in the Waal Dyke blown by the Germans in the winter of 1944. View from the Erlecomse Polder through the gap towards the Rhine/Waal River.


    Below more pictures taken near the road fork of the Duffeltdijk and Erlcomse Dam:

    12291067_1688945464684776_889459917883109077_o.jpg
    Above and below: Buffaloos make an attempt to up on to the dyke near the ramp.

    12303938_1688945171351472_4204873244284465521_o.jpg

    Smoke screen 2.jpg
    Picture of the Duffeltdijk with a view to the south towards the low ridge east of Nijmegen. The village of Beek is situated at the foot of the ridge farther to the right (not visible on the photo).
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2021
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  19. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    One more restored ... ;)
     
  20. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Fragment of the Regimental History of the Régiment de la Chaudière re the action at Erlecom and Leuth (courtesy of JvD). The text starts with a reference to the opening bombardement of Operation Veritable on the early morning of 8 Feb 1945.

    Chauds 1.jpg Chauds 2.jpg

    Maybe one of our Francophone members could translate it into English?
     

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