1 January 1945 Stobs The Commanding Officer and the Adjutant, Captain M.J. F-BROCKHOLES, returned from Embarkation Leave. 2 January - 3 January The Battalion returned from Embarkation Leave. There were eleven absentees. 4 January Normal Routine. 5 January The Sergeants Mess held a Farewell Dance in Hawick which was well attended. The Commanding Officer along with many other Officers were present. 6 January The Sergeants Mess had their Christmas Dinner and Smoker. The Brigadier, Brigadier H.R. NORMAN DSO attended it. R.S.M. A. BARNSTAPLE and the Commanding Officer both made highly complimentary speeches. Thereafter the party began in earnest, and many sore heads and throats were evident next morning. 7 January Although a Sunday, this was a full working day. In the evening at 1800 hours, the Companies had their Christmas Dinners and afterwards held Smokers, all with great success. 8 January The Corporals Mess had their dinners and Smoker. The Commanding Officer and others attended. 9 January 0001 Hours The Battalion was officially mobilised and came under Overseas documentation rules. 10 January The Commanding Officer inspected the Battalion in Company Lines. 11 January Colonel W.H. WYNNE-FINCH MC (Regimental Lieutenant-Colonel) and Major A.D.B. PEARSON (Regimental Adjutant) arrived at midday and attended a Conference at Brigade H.Q. 12 January Colonel W.H. WYNNE-FINCH MC watched Company Training and departed with Major A.D.B. PEARSON in the afternoon. 13 January The Commanding Officer and Major H.D. TWEEDIE inspected Company Areas and Barrack Rooms in the morning. 14 January All Ranks attended Church Parade according to their denominations, it being assumed that this was the last Sunday before the Battalion departs for Overseas. 15 January Normal Routine. 16 January A Battalion Signals Exercise was held to test procedure and communications. Results showed that we have a lot more to learn. 17 January Normal Routine. 18 January Normal Routine. 19 January Normal Routine. 20 January Companies paraded in Company Lines dressed in the order for leaving Stobs and embarking - large pack contained blanket, change of underclothes, and washing kit; blanket and steel helmet attached on outside; water bottle on right side; haversack on left side; peaked cap worn; beret in pocket; kitbag with spare boots etc carried; personal arms carried. 20% of the Battalion were allowed away on Weekend Leave. The percentage was limited to 20 owing to lack of accommodation on the trains. 21 January Warning Order received via Scottish Command, to the effect that the Battalion is at 6 hours notice to move from Wednesday 24th 2359 hours. 22 January A Company Commanders Conference was held with reference to the move. In the absence of definite orders as to when transport was to move off, all trucks are to be loaded by the evening of January 23rd. APPENDIX F 23 January Colonel W.H. WYNNE-FINCH MC and Major A.D.B. PEARSON travelled up from LONDON on the night 22/23 arriving at HAWICK approximately 3 hours late. 1145 Hours The Regimental Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel W.H. WYNNE-FINCH MC spoke to All Ranks in the Brigade Hut and wished us all ‘Good luck’. The transport is not due to move off until 0915 January 25th, so at a Conference held by Major H.D. TWEEDIE, it was decided not to load trucks until January 24th. Details re postal, loading, medical etc arrangements were also given out. SCOTCO Movement Instruction (Appendix A) 2SG Movement Instruction (Appendix B ) and (Appendix C) 24 January Stobs 1600 Hours All ‘A’ and ‘B’ vehicles were loaded and were inspected by Major H.D. TWEEDIE on the Square. In the evening the order was received to move at 1200 hours on the 25th. 25 January 1200 Hours All Battalion ‘B’ vehicles under command of Captain R.A.C. GORDON-LENNOX and Captain R.L. STUART left on the first stage of their journey to the port of embarkation and all arrived safely at CARLISLE. In the evening it was learnt that the Battalion would entrain and move off to TILBURY in 3 groups from Sunday 28 onwards. The night 24/25 was the coldest we have experienced at STOBS, the thermometer showing well below 30 degrees of frost. 26 January The Commanding Officer inspected Barrack Rooms and Outhouses in the morning. A further Movement Order was received cancelling the last. The Battalion will move on 27th (tomorrow) in 3 parties, but the same details as before. News was received from Captain R.L. STUART that the transport had arrived safely at PRESTON before schedule, which considering the weather conditions (snow and ice) is very good going. 27 January Stobs In the early morning began the task of getting the tracked vehicles to STOBS SIDING. 2SG Movement Order No.1 (Appendix D) and re. ‘A’ vehicles (Appendix E) It was not easy as they could not drive along the ice roads bu thad instead to go across country which entailed some rather steep and snowy hills. The Carden Loyds fared worst and many Anti-tank gun sighted itself tactically in defence of the Camp either in a ditch or round the corner of a hut. However, the first two serials got off not long after the scheduled time. The 3rd Party paraded under the Commanding Officer at 2300 hours but word was received at the last moment that the train would not be in until 0050 hours and so the Party fell out for a time. They eventually arrived at the siding at 0050 hours in a blizzard but no train materialised - the engine driver and fireman had struct at HAWICK and it seemed to tae some time before others could be found. Orders for Rear Party (Appendix F) In the end the train turned up and we said goodbye to STOBS once and for all at 0215 hours. 28 January In the Train The journey was uneventful except for a stop at LEICESTER for tea and the usual long waits for reasons unexplained, and we arrived at PURFLEET at approximately 1545 hours, about three hours behind schedule. Here we were welcomed and sent on our way by a number of high ranking Regimental Officers including the Regimental Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel W.H. WYNNE-FINCH MC. The second part of the third serial (Left Flank and G Company) got out and departed for the Transit Camp, the remainder (Battalion H.Q., H.Q. Company and F Company) carrying on in the train to TILBURY, arriving at 1630 hours. This group, having been refreshed with a hasty cup of tea and buns, marched straight on board SS LONGFORD, formerly a trans-Irish Sea packet and was almost immediately At Sea. 29 January At Sea The night was spent anchored off SOUTHEND and early in the morning we moved off unescorted and eventually anchored off OSTEND at 1100 hours and were ashore by 1300 horus after an uneventful journey. 111 Transit Camp The Transit Camp (No. 111) was only 400 yards away so without much delay everyone was enjoying their first hot meal since leaving STOBS. 30 January The day, cold and snowy, was spent in cleaning ourselves up and otherwise arranging ourselves. The Camp is a barracks formerly occupied by the German Navy and is most efficiently run by a small British Staff and a number of Belgian civilians, all of whom are most cooperative. Major T.C. DUNDAS (DAA&QMG, 32 GUARDS BRIGADE) and Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE (Second-in-Command X Company, SCOTS GUARDS) arrived during the morning and gave us some news of the Division. In the afternoon the Commanding Officer departed with Major DUNDAS to visit 32 GUARDS BRIGADE. Little news was available of the rest of the Battalion but we found out that the rest of the Battalion (Right Flank, G Company, Left Flank and all the transport) would not be arriving before 31 January. 31 January 0800 Hours The Adjutant, Captain M.J. F-BROCKHOLES; Lieutenant & Quartermaster A. GREENWOOD and Lieutenant L.D. CAMBRIDGE (Signals Officer) and a number of Other Ranks left for the Division as Advance Party. The following documents are attached A.F. W3007/Serial 1 and 2. Order of Battle 2SG. In the morning H.Q. Company and F Company went for a two hour route march round the town. The remainder of the Battalion arrived during the afternoon in 3 ships after a rather unpleasant 3 days journey, of which the first was spent in a transit Camp at PURFLEET under frozen canvas. The Camp was universally condemned as a military crime. 1430 Hours G Company and Left Flank landed from their LST. 1600 Hours Right Flank, Support Company and the transport arrived in two LSTs and were unfortunate in having to march about 3 mils to the Camp through the thaw.
January Appendices [hr] APPENDIX F REAR PARTY, 22nd January 1945 Party ‘A’ Major J.V. INGLEBY C.Q.M.S. FRESTON C.Q.M.S. SPEEDY C.Q.M.S. BUCHANAN, Support Company 2694700 Sergeant GREENWOOD (Orderly Room), Left Flank 2698265 Lance Sergeant CAMPBELL (Officer’s Mess), Left Flank 2697869 Lance Corporal NUNN, H.Q. 2696553 Lance Corporal OSBOURNE (Cook), H.Q. 2695432 Lance Corporal GERRARD, H.Q. 2692929 Guardsman ANDERSON (Orderly Room), Left Flank Guardsman BISS (Major INGLEBY’s servant) 2697252 Guardsman GRAHAM, H.Q. (Cook) 2699004 Guardsman CAMERON, Right Flank 2697404 Guardsman CAULFIELD, H.Q. 2696803 Guardsman COOK, F Company 2699908 Guardsman FINLAYSON, H.Q. 2699857 Guardsman LUMLEY, H.Q. 2700299 Guardsman MOORE, Right Flank 2700377 Guardsman McIVOR (M.T. Driver), H.Q. 2695357 Guardsman O’NEILL, Left Flank 2694336 Guardsman BENDALL, F Company 2701464 Guardsman WOODROOF (M.T. Driver), Left Flank 2972662 Guardsman McFARLANE Party ‘B' 2696629 Sergeant SMITH, H.Q. 2699723 Lance Corporal WATSON, H.Q. 2983733 Lance Corporal GALLOWAY, H.Q. 2691636 Guardsman McARTHUR, Left Flank 2701008 Guardsman TOWNSLEY, F Company 2695871 Guardsman SMITH, Support Company 2695743 Lance Sergeant CORRIN, Support Company 2691741 Lance Corporal FAIRBAIRN, H.Q. 2696816 Guardsman KENWORTHY, Support Company 2697906 Guardsman McCLURE, Left Flank 2702396 Guardsman CARREY, Support Company 2697467 Guardsman FERGUSON, Support Company Party ‘C’ (Fatigues) 3245558 Corporal STRACHAN, CAMERONIANS 3907088 Corporal CAMERON, SEAFORTHS 3328130 Private McLAFFERTY, H.L.I. 7043978 Private FORDHAM, H.L.I. 3512504 Private McDADE, H.L.I. 3317824 Private WADE, H.L.I. 2876057 Private HEPBURN, GORDONS 14572131 Private VENROSS, H.L.I. 13050272 Private ARMSTRONG, GORDONS 3314828 Fusilier CORCORAN, H.L.I. 3301717 Private ELLIOTT, GORDONS 14633745 Private EWING, GORDONS 5678749 Private GREENWOOD, A.&S.H. 2823031 Private G????N, SEAFORTHS 2982452 Private SMITH (Detention), A.&S.H. 862085 Private McCABE, A.&S.H. 2977058 Private McALLISER, A.&S.H. 14208973 Lance Corporal BEVERIDGE, H.L.I. 4971257 Private LITCHFIELD, H.L.I. 3326217 Private CAIRNS, H.L.I. 2890631 Private SMITH, GORDONS 14209319 Private WILSON, H.L.I. 3130330 Fusilier McFADDEN, R.S.F. 3306268 Fusilier HOUSTON, R.S.F. 2888260 Private CRUIKSHANKS, GORDONS 14201933 Private TAYLOR, GORDONS 4925811 Private SAYER, LOND. SCOT. 299311 Private WARK, A.&S.H. 294004 Private LAWSON, QUEENS OWN 2879458 Private THIRD, QUEENS OWN 3715054 Private CAMPBELL, A.&S.H. 4209543 Private DAY, A.&S.H. [hr] APPENDIX ORDER OF BATTLE 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS - February 1945 Battalion HEADQUARTERS Lieutenant-Colonel H.N. CLOWES - Commanding Officer Major H.D. TWEEDIE - Second-in-Command Captain M.J. F.-BROCKHOLES - Adjutant Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE - Intelligence Officer Lieutenant & Quartermaster A. GREENWOOD - Quartermaster Regimental Sergeant Major A. BARNSTAPLE Drill Sergeant D. FRASER Drill Sergeant G. McKIRDY HEADQUARTER COMPANY Captain G.L.S. PIKE Lieutenant R.L. STUART - Motor Transport Offier Lieutenant L.D. CAMBRIDGE - Signals Officer Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant D. TOLMIE Company Sergeant Major T. LIDDLE Company Quartermaster Sergeant J. BROWN RIGHT FLANK Major W.D.M. RAEBURN, MBE Captain H.L.St. V. ROSE Lieutenant I.G. GOW Lieutenant W.A. ELLIOTT, MC Lieutenant V.E. de SOISSONS Company Sergeant Major J. LINDSAY Company Quartermaster Sergeant G. COSGROVE F COMPANY Major D.H.A. KEMBLE, MC Captain J.S.B. CLERK RATTRAY Lieutenant K.E. SEEL Lieutenant R.A. BERRIDGE Lieutenant H.R. TEMPEST Company Sergeant Major W. LUMSDEN, DCM, MM & Bar Company Quartermaster Sergeant J. HOUSTON G COMPANY Major A.E. CAMERON Captain R.A. WILLIS Lieutenant The Honourable A.R.H. ERSKINE, MC Lieutenant N.T. TORRANCE Lieutenant F.H. TAYLOR Company Sergeant Major J. FOULSTONE Company Quartermaster Sergeant G. FRISBY LEFT FLANK Major M.N. ROMER Captain N.H. BARNE, MC Lieutenant M.S. MacDONALD Lieutenant C.H. CAMPBELL Lieutenant J. SWINTON Company Sergeant Major J. KERR Company Quartermaster Sergeant W. DRONFIELD SUPPORT COMPANY Captain The Lord Robert CRICHTON-STUART Captain Sir J.G. WORSLEY-TAYLOR, Bart. - Carrier Platoon Commander Lieutenant H.B. CLARK - Second-in-Command Carrier Platoon Captain F.A.L. WALDRON - Anti-Tank Platoon Commander Lieutenant J.D.A. STAINTON - Second-in-Command Anti-Tank Platoon Captain D.G. MORPHETT - Mortar Platoon Commander Lieutenant A.N.J. GORDON (Hospital, Accidentally Wounded) - Pioneer Platoon Commander Company Sergeant Major P. LYALL Company Quartermaster Sergeant S. REID
1 February 1945 0830 Hours A further Party including cooks, CQMSs, a fitter, etc., under the command of Captain R.A. WILLIS left for the Division with the Company cookers and other ‘Q’ vehicles. In the afternoon the transport was shifted round into the correct order for departing tomorrow - no mean task in the space available - and verbal orders were issued concerning the move. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE timings for move (Appendix A, Original Only) 2 February The day started early; blankets had to be handed in and haversack rations drawn. The Battalion paraded at 0830 hours under Major M.D. TWEEDIE and marched to the transport. At 0858 we moved off for HOUGAERDE in three blocks, the soft vehicles followed by the tracks. Hougaerde The going was good and the roads clear and after a half-hour halt EAST of GHENT for haversack rations we reached the Battalion area at approximately 1645 hours. The trucks being slower arrived somewhat later after dark and we only had one DR missing (due to engine trouble) by 2000 hours. The Companies were soon guided to their billets and were able to get settled down for the night in quite pleasant billets. The Battalion was scattered round the countryside in small villages with Battalion H.Q. in HOUGAERDE. 3 February Hougaerde While the Other Ranks were busy on Maintenance and Interior Economy the Officers were kept well occupied. Notes for Companies (Appendix B, Original only) In the morning all Officers went over to 2nd Battalion WELSH GUARDS in JOIDOIGNE to meet their opposite numbers and discuss their various problems. Squadron/Company Group Tactics (Appendix C, Original only) (2nd Battalion WELSH GUARDS are the Armoured Battalion we expect to work with eventually.) Demonstration Squadron/Company Group Tactics (Appendix D) After lunch Officer and senior N.C.Os attended a Demonstration by a Squadron of 2nd Battalion WELSH GUARDS and X Company SCOTS GUARDS who showed us how to co-operate with tanks. The Demonstration was a success, and filled in a gap in our training which everyone felt badly: ( though training to become an Infantry Battalion in the GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION at STOBS we had never co-operated with or even seen a single tank). 1800 Hours In the evening the Commanding Officer, Second-in-Command, Adjutant, Intelligence Officer, Company Commanders and their Seconds-in-Command attended a Conference at Division. The Brigade Commander gave the assembled company a brief lecture on the salient points of our role and XXX CORPS’ part in Operation VERITABLE. We learned that the Battalion would follow along behind the Division under orders Division H.Q. At any rate for the first part of the Operation. 4 February This morning the Rifle Companies practices getting out of T.C.V.s and mounting tanks (as demonstrated yesterday). During the night 3/4 Lieutenant A.N.J. GORDON was shot through the shoulder by an IRISH GUARDS sentry; his remarks to the sentry after the incident are unprintable. In the afternoon the Commanding Officer visited X Company. 5 February This morning the G.O.C. GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION (Major-General Allan ADAIR, CB, DSO, MC) paid an informal visit to the Battalion and in the course of going round Companies, was introduced to all Officers and Warrant Officers. Later all Officers were briefed on Operation VERITABLE by the Commanding Officer. 6 February All kit not required for Operation VERITABLE, i.e the men’s kitbags, stiff caps, etc., was taken to the Divisional store. Even though this does lessen the kit to be carried, trucks are still very overloaded. 7 February Preparations for the impending move occupied most of the day and in the morning an Advance Party led by Major TWEEDIE, left for the TILBURG area. Operation Veritable - Advance Parties - Appendix E 8 February On the Road The Battalion under the command of Maor W.D.M. RAEBURN, MBE, (the Commanding Officer having been called forward to an ‘O’ Group) moved off at the tail of the Division at 1000 hours. 2SG Operational Instruction No.1 (Appendix F) We passed the S.P. (HERCLAVILLE) at 1130 and, after a journey of some 75 miles involving large detours because of road collapse, we arrived at our new billets at approximately 1730 hours. 2SG Movement Order No. 1 (Appendix G) (Route: TIRLEMONT - ST. TROND - HERCLAVILLE - HASSELT - BEERINGEN - DIEST - GHEEL - TURNHOUT - TILBURG). 2SG Adm Instruction No. 1 (Appendix H) The whole Battalion, less Left Flank, who are in TILBURG, are billeted in a Trappist Monastery just outside the town. Operation VERITABLE opens. Bomber support full owing to fine weather. 9 February D+1. Successful infantry attack. The early morning was slightly disturbed by several V1s which flew over the Monastery on their way to ANTWERP. Our one problem at the moment is to get enough trucks to lift all our stores and kit. Division are giving us 4 extra 3-tonners for this. 10 February D+2. Slower progress owing to road conditions. 84 Infantry Division ceases to exist as a fighting force. The Division was put at 4 hours’ notice to move from 0600 hours but never looked like moving. Later it was put at 1 hour’s notice from 0001 hours tomorrow. 1500 Hours The Commanding Officer, Company Commanders, less Captain G.L.S. PIKE (H.Q. Company), and various platoon commanders left in their command vehicles for attachment to 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS for at any rate the initial part of GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION’s phase in Operation VERITABLE. More V1s flew over us but only one fell within earshot. 11 February D+3. Still hampered by road conditions and also by at least five parachute Battalions. The Division was placed at one hour’s notice from 0001 hours and later 32 GUARDS BRIGADE was transferred to under command XXX CORPS and left for GROESBEEK. Later in the morning the remainder of the Division was at one hour’s notice from 1200 hours still with little likelihood of moving today. The Division, which now consists of the Armoured Battalions ( less 2nd Armoured Recce Battalion WELSH GUARDS) and 1 Motor Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS and ourselves, can serve no useful purpose until the road to and through CLEVE becomes more passable; - hence the continuous postponement of the move to the battle area. 1800 Hours One hour’s notice to move from 1200 hours 12 February. 12 February a.m. Four hours’ notice to move later increased to six hours. Owing to this it was possible to send Companies out on Exercise and run-marches were organised in the evening. 25% of each Company was allowed to walk out in TILBURG. p.m. The Commanding Officer and others who left for attachment to 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS on 10 February returned as it does not appear as though GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION will take part in Operation VERITABLE for some days owing to ground conditions. 13 February D+5. REICHSWALD Forest entirely clear. Steady progress on other sectors despite ground conditions and a reinforced enemy. 0930 Hours The Commanding Officer inspected billets and was impressed by their tidiness. Drill Parades and run-walks were held by Companies, and the Battalion began settling down for what may easily be a prolonged stay, though we are still at 6 hours’ notice to move. 2SG State of Readiness to move (Appendix I) 14 February D+6. Slow progress. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE (Infantry only) put in the line under command 51 (H) DIVISION. Normal routine consisting of Drill Parades and exercise within the Battalion. 2000 Hours Message received that the ‘spectator group’ is to go forward to 32 GUARDS BRIGADE arriving at a Rendezvous SOUTH of the REICHSWALD FOREST at 1000 hours 15 February. General pandemonium ensued as most drivers and Officers’ servants were walking out in TILBURG. However preparations were completed for a very early breakfast and move tomorrow. It is not known what the ‘spectators’ are going to see but considering the swampy nature of the ground the projected operation can only be very limitd. 15 February 0430 Hours The Commanding Officer and others of the ‘spectator’ group moved off on their way to OTTERSUM. Normal routine for Companis. p.m. A message was received putting the Battalion at eight hours’ notice to move. 16 February D+8. Steady progress against elements of eight German Divisions. A wreath and a letter of condolence was sent to the monks of the monastery to mark our respect for the abbot who died yesterday. Normal routine for Companies, including Field Training and firing. 2SG Training Directive (Appendix J) Efforts are being made to increase our billeting area. The monastery affords little space for the Battalion less one Company, and the R.M.O., Captain A.S. FAIRBURN, R.A.M.C., today advised the A.D.M.S. that the quarters are too cramped and therefore unhygienic. A.D.M.S. is attempting to get ups more room. Originally the intention was for the Battalion to be here for not more than two days but in view of the progress of the battle, our billet can no longer be regarded as merely a concentration area where one expects to be crowded up. 17 February In the evening permission was given by Division for Right Flank to move into new billets in TILBURG. Captain H.L.St. V. ROSE made a reconnaissance of the new area and discovered that another unit had the same idea. Whereupon it was resolved to move in early the next morning and so forestall this other unit. In the afternoon the ‘spectator group’ returned from 32 GUARDS BRIGADE, having seen very little tank activity and quite a lot of enemy nastiness. The Commanding Officer’s Scout Car was the only casualty - the petrol tank pierced by a piece of shell. 18 February 1000 Hours A Parade Service for the Battalion less Left Flank and Right Flank was held in the Monastery gardens, the Reverend F. TIDD officiating. During the morning Right Flank moved out into their new billets and took them over with no opposition, whereby allowing the remainder of the Battalion to disperse itself more comfortably in the Monastery. p.m. The Commanding Officer visited V Company R.H.U. and called in on Left Flank and Right Flank in TILBURG. 19 February 1000 Hours A memorial service was held in the Chapel for the Abbot who died a few days ago. Many top-hatted notables arrived from TILBURG, and the Battalion was much honoured by being asked to send representatives. Captain The Lord Robert CRICHTON-STUART, Captain M. F.-BROCKHOLES, Captain D.G. MORPHETT and Lieutenant The Honourable A.R.H. ERSKINE attended. a.m. F Company practised a road movement demonstration and in the afternoon demonstrated to representatives of all Companies. The Division Commander paid the Battalion a short visit in the afternoon and watched the Officers practising wireless procedures. 2200 Hours We were suddenly informed by Division that we would move tomorrow under command 32 GUARDS BRIGADE. Orders were hurriedly given, though vital people had to be collected from walking out and elsewhere. 20 February The Advance Party left in the very early hours of the morning. The Commanding Officer with Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE (Intelligence Officer) departed at 1100 hours in the Staff Car for HOMMERSUM, going via s’HERTOGENBOSCH, the GRAVE bridge and NIJMEGEN calling in at Brigade H.Q. on the way. After a brief look round the 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS positions in HOMMERSUM, the Commanding Officer returned to Brigade to learn that the Battalion would have to park and sleep on the roadside as there was no accommodation in GENNEP. The Advance Party recce’d the roadside and arranged for their Companies to go into various extremely dilapidated houses along the road. Gennep At approximately 2200 hours the Commanding Officer and Intelligence Officer (Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE) met the column some six miles from GENNEP and not long after the trucks were parked on either side of the road and the Battalion asleep in the houses allotted. 21 February Hommersum 821442 In the morning the Battalion moved off and by 1100 hours had taken over the IRISH GUARDS billets in HOMMERSUM. All Map References taken from Sheet 4302 GOCH 1/25,000 (Appendix M) The IRISH GUARDS, being in reserve were not in tactical positions, and all Companies except F Company were close together in the village which had suffered through shellfire in no small way. Most of the Battalion found itself in GERMANY but Battalion H.Q. was about 25 yards over the frontier in HOLLAND. GERMANY - Relations with the civilian population (Appendix K) The IRISH GUARDS moved out and attacked at 1300 hours with initial success but later they ran into heavy opposition and were compelled to withdraw having had fairly heavy casualties. The night was spent in being as hospitable as possible to the IRISH GUARDS who trickled into HOMMERSUM lighted by F Company H.Qs which was conveniently ste on fire (NOT by enemy action.). 22 February In the morning the Battalion was ordered to take over from 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS in their sector of the line. The Commanding Officer and Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE immediately set forth to 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE Message (Appendix L, Original only) Battalion H.Qs followed soon after by the Company Commanders. Recces were made and the relief organised. The ground consisted of several farms and a few very indifferent tracks which were impassable for anything other than tracks or 4-wheel drive vehicles. However in spite of this difficulty the take over was completed successfully by 1600 hours. Mull 826434 All Companies except Right Flank were fairly well off for houses and Battalion H.Q. was accommodated in a barn whose cellar was obviously constructed as part of the SIEGFRIED LINE. Our position was a curious one as the 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS were well forward on our left and the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY of 52 DIVISION the same on our right, leaving the Battalion in an inverted salient. There was slight shelling during the night, and Right Flank’s Standing Patrol on the bridge over the Anti-tank ditch had NTR [Nothing To Report] except for contacting an H.L.I. patrol, which was unfortunately shot at owing to the patrol leader not answering the challenge correctly. One private in the H.L.I. was wounded. 23 February The Companies settled in and improved their trenches. 2SG Operational Instruction No. 1 (Appendix M) G Company was given a counter-attack role on Right Flank’s position and motor and artillery fire plans were made, and the ground recced. In the evening after last light Lieutenant N.T. TORRANCE (G Company) took a recce patrol down the road through Right Flank’s standing patrol to the houses 846415, but came back with a negative report. 24 February The Commanding Officer visited Brigade H.Q. and Rear Battalion H.Q. in GENNEP during the morning, arranging at Brigade a number of patrols both daylight and during darkness. The inexperienced Officers took out short patrols in daylight and had a look round the houses and farms on our immediate front. The result was negative from an intelligence point of view but 13 civilians were brought in - no end of a nuisance, as the facilities for evacuating civilians from the front line are nil, and it cannot be denied that they may be extremely dangerous to us wandering about the Company positions. Two of these latter patrols were done by Lieutenants F.R. TAYLOR (G Company) and M.S. MacDONALD (Left Flank). During the night Lieutenant I.G. GOW (Right Flank) with Lieutenant H.R. TEMPEST (F Company) under instruction took a recce patrol out as far as the house 854412 and had a look round the tracks at 855414 but contrary to expectations came back with a negative report. 25 February In the morning we learned that the Battalion would probably be relieved on 27 February, and later the Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion CAMERONIANS visited Battalion H.Q. and was put in the picture. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE Warning Order (APPENDIX N, Original only) A long and dangerous fighting patrol was laid out for Lieutenant K.E. SEEL (F Company) for the night but owing to the 53rd DIVISION’s progress down the road from GOCH towards WEEZE, 51st (H) DIVISION began an attack one day earlier than was planned, and a patrol standstill order was given us. 26 February The 51st DIVISION’s attack was successful, and the first phase of their plan was completed with little difficulty thus putting us even more in an inverted salient. In the morning we learned that 6th Battalion HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY would take over from us but not very much later this was cancelled, 6 H.L.I. going to support the 51st DIVISION’s attack (second and last phase) during the night. During the day a new track was opened up for us by the ROYAL ENGINEERS from the SOUTH of HOMMERSUM to MULL. This track through it went across fields was fit for wheeled vehicles which greatly helped us in the matter of supply, all rations, petrol etc having previously been brought up in cariers. 27 February The 51st DIVISION's attack was successful by 1100 hours after slight trouble on their left, and 6 H.L.I. successfully took PLIERAIJ 858409 thus pinching out the Battalion from the front line. We remained operational in case of emergency but Companies were allowed to make recces with a view to improving their indoors accommodation and getting everyone under a roof once we became non-operation. 1500 Hours Battalion H.Q. moved from MULL to a pub in the southern end of HOMMERSUM, as it was more convenient to be by a roadside. 28 February The Battalion became non-operational at 1000 hours and we were told that we would not move for 48 hours. The Companies spread themselves over their areas and got everyone under a roof of sorts. The remainder of the day was spent in improving tracks with bricks and rubble and Lieutenant C.M. CAMPBELL (Left Flank) built a very fine bridge over the Anti-tank ditch, using telegraph poles and netting. The bridge was a remarkable effort even taking a 3-tonner. A.Fs W.3008 & W.3009 attached (Original only)
1 March 1945 Hommersum 8244 0001 Hours 32 BRIGADE now under command 52 (L) DIVISION. 1000 Hours Informed by Brigade that Battalion is at one hour’s notice to move from 1300 hours to occupy a layback position SOUTH WEST of GOCH. In view of the previous instruction saying that we were unlikely to move for 48 hours this change of plan caused considerable pandemonium. The Commanding Officer was summoned to Brigade at 1300 hours and came back with instructions to occupy an area bounded by SEMINARY 882407 on the left and WINKEL 893403 on the right. This area, we were assured, was clear of our own troops. Company Commanders were hastily warned, an RV given, and the Commanding Officer left to recce the new area. On arrival at the SEMINARY the ground was found thick with troops, including 2 battalion H.Q.s who had no idea that the Battalion had been ordered to move in. Company Commanders had a swift look at their Company areas and a skeleton ‘O’ Group was held on the side of the road. Plans were made for the move tomorrow, but it was decided that unless the troops at present in the area moved before the Battalion arrived it would be impossible to accommodate the Companies or the Battalion H.Q. However the Commanding Officer was assured by 32 GUARDS BRIGADE that the area would be clear for us tomorrow morning. 2 March 0830 Hours Harbour parties moved off to the new area only to find on arrival that no one had moved out. The Commanding Officer rang up 156 BRIGADE who professed to know nothing of any order to move out. By this time the Battalion was formed up and ready to move away from HOMMERSUM. At the last minute before they were due to move, the Adjutant (Captain M.J. FITZHERBERT-BROCKHOLES) was told to get in touch with our own Brigade and get the matter cleared up. The Battalion was thus prevented from moving and returned to their previous billets The Commanding Officer visited 32 GUARDS BRIGADE and was informed that the Battalion was now at 3 hours’ notice to move, probably not tonight, to join the GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION. 2SG Movement Order No. 1 (APPENDIX A) 3 March At short notice to move throughout the day with many false alarms, ending up by being at two hours’ notice form 0100 hours, March 4. Brigade Operational Instruction (APPENDIX B, Original only) 4 March Hommersum During the night notice to move was changed to two hours’ from 0800 hours. The head of the Division column with 5 BRIGADE leading reached KAPELLEN during the day but even so there was little likelihood of the Battalion moving as we were last, except for the Division A.P., in the order of march, though under command 32 BRIGADE. However in the evening we were told we would move before dawn on March 5. 5 March On the Move Well before dawn the Battalion was formed up and ready to move but owing to the fact that the Bridge in HOMMERSUM gave way and had to be repaired when only half of the tanks of 2nd Battalion WELSH GUARDS were across, the Battalion did not move until daylight. Progress was slow, and after passing the Brigade S.P. in GOCH became agonising. The road in front consisted of one mass of tanks and transport jammed together nose to tail and we moved in short sharp jerks through WEEZE to KEVELAER arriving at about 1100 hours. Meanwhile the Commanding Officer had gone forward to Brigade H.Q. in WETTEN and had been informed that the Battalion would have to find room to park itself as best it could with a possibility of a stay of four or five hours. The Commanding Officer and Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE made a hasty reconnaissance of the Eastern outskirts of KEVELAER and on arrive the Battalion was parked nose to tail on the verges of a few side roads that were not already occupied by other units. As it seemed almost certain that we would stay the night billets were found and in the late afternoon the Companies were all under cover though the transport remained where it was parked on the roadside. A ‘O’ Group was called for by Brigade H.Q. at 2100 hours and here the Commanding Officer was ordered to attack and secure the Eastern end of the BONNINGHARDT feature, with 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS attacking in conjunction on the right. The Commanding Officer returned to the Battalion and an ‘O’ Group was assembled at 2330 hours, (Lieutenant-Colone C.I.H. DUNBAR of the 3rd Battalion and a party being rather unceremoniously ushered away from dinner). 6 March 0600 Hours Final ‘O’ Group held at Tac Division H.Q., H Hour for both 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS and 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS being settled as 1100 hours. The Battalion embossed at KEVELAER and debased just South West of KAPELLEN at 0730 hours, and marched on the assembly area. A final Battalion ‘O’ Group was held in the house 076326 and the fire plan given to the Company Commanders concerned. 1015 Hours Companies moved off to F.U.P. 1050 Hours G Company and Right Flank, followed respectively by F Company and Left Flank, left the F.U.P. and crossed the Start Line on time at 1100 hours to the accompaniment of a considerable artillery barrage, and with a squadron of tanks of 2nd Battalion WELSH GUARDS in support. Right Flank advanced through the woods without much difficulty taking many Prisoners of War who showed little if any fight. But Right Flank’s axis of advance was considerably blocked by fallen trees and was also lightly mined with HOLZ mines. Map at APPENDIX J G Company on the left met stiffer opposition, one platoon getting out of touch with the rest of the Company, who by-passed the trouble and carried on. At this time Lieutenant F.R. TAYLOR (G Company) was wounded in the arm. F Company, following behind G Company, cleared up the enemy position that G Company had by-passed, and shortly after the two leading Companies reported themselves on their objective and digging in. Houses 103327 Meanwhile Battalion H.Q. had moved along the main axis and had been established in the farm at 103327. 1415 Hours F Company, with a fire plan arranged by Major D.H.A. KEMBLE MC, attacked the isolated wood to the extreme North East of the BONNINGHARDT feature, passing through G Company. It was during this attack that one troops of 25-pounders was firing short, fatally wounding C.S.M. W. LUMSDEN, DCM, MM & BAR. This attack was successful, and soon the Company transport was moving up over tracks checked by the ROYAL ENGINEERS. This battle by common consent is to be called “The Battle of HAAGSCHER Wood”. Total Prisoners of War numbered over 150, over 100 of whom were taken by Right Flank and all of whom came from 1062 GRENADIER REGIMENT. Our own casualties during the attack and after were:- One Officer wounded, 8 Other Ranks killed and 25 wounded. ROLL OF HONOUR 6th March 1945 6204831 W/Corporal (ULS) G.J. BAGGE - Killed in Action 2703132 Guardsman J. BLYTON - Died of Wounds 2702044 W/Corporal (ULS) I.C. CUTHBERTSON - Killed in Action 2702618 Guardsman P. GIANOTTI - Killed in Action 2695592 W/Corporal (ULS) H. GLAISTER - Killed in Action 2702907 Guardsman T.W. IRESON - Killed in Action 2694174 W/Warrant Officer (C.S.M.) W. LUMSDEN DCM, MM&Bar - Died of Wounds 2702915 U/Lance Corporal R. MEEKS - Killed in Action 7 March The night was rather noisy with considerable spandau fire directed at F Company positions and more or less forcing all three forward Companies to keep underground, but the morning dawned quieter and soon we were visited by the Brigadier (Brigadier G.F. JOHNSON, DSO), who told us we would probably be relieved tomorrow and go back to a rest area beyond the River MAAS. Soon after, however, the Brigade Major (Major The Honourable M. FITZALAN HOWARD, MC) arrived with entirely different orders to the effect that 1 (Motor) Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS would take over from us during the afternoon and that the Battalion would move and occupy an area between 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS, who had captured BOMNNINGHARDT the previous evening, and the forward elements of 52 DIVISION South of ALPON. During the morning F Company sent a patrol to the houses at 11?333 and came back with 13 Prisoners of War who proved to be from 1052 REGIMENT, an interesting identification in that they showed that the Regimental Boundary between 1062 and 1052 Regiments rant EAST - WEST along the Northern edge of the wood. The Commanding Officer made hurried plans for the relief and set off to see 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS who had had foot and tank patrols over the area that the Battalion was ordered to occupy. At 1500 hours a Battalion ‘O’ Group was held near 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS H.Q. and soon afterwards the Companies who had suffered considerable mortaring on leaving their areas because of the large amount of transport that 1 (Motor) Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS had brought forward with them, were concentrated in the trees on either side of the road 103324 to 117318 and the transport lined up on the side of the road. Owing to the observation that the enemy had on F Company, it was decided not to relieve them until after dark. The ground to be occupied was not known to be entirely clear of enemy, so G Company led off tactically and occupied their position without interference followed by Right Flank and Left Flank at suitable intervals. Houses 136308 On arrival at their position, G Company sent out a recce patrol under Captain N.H. BARNE, MC, (Left Flank) to see whether the bridge at 144324 (henceforth known as NIGEL) was held. Captain BARNE returned having been sniped at from the houses to the WEST of the bridge. In the evening the Commanding Officer was called to an ‘O’ Group at Brigade where he was told that he must get a Company in position that night at any rate as far as the Western approaches of NIGEL in preparation for an attack over the ROMER stream tomorrow. Consequently on the arrival of F Company after dark, Left Flank was sent off to dominate the bridge. The sniper had left and much to the astonishment of all the bridge was found intact and classed as Class 40, i.e. capable of carrying tanks. This greatly affected tomorrow’s plan of attack over the stream, and a platoon of Left Flank (Lieutenant C.M. CAMPBELL) was immediately placed on and around the bridge and told to hold it. The enemy fully realised that we held the bridge and a certain amount of mortar fire was directed at it, Lieutenant C.M. CAMPBELL being wounded by this during the night. 2359 Hours The Commanding Officer attended an ‘O’ Group at Brigade H.Q. and the plan of attack across the ROMER stream was made. ROLL OF HONOUR 7th March 1945 2701675 Guardsman J. BURTON - Killed in Action 2696902 Guardsman G.H. HUGHES - Killed in Action 2703121 Guardsman G.H. ROBERTS - Killed in Action 2698689 Guardsman C.W. McINTOSH - Died of Wounds 8 March 0900 Hours Battalion ‘O’ Group held. Considerable shelling on the Company positions the previous day which during this morning was ascribed to an Observation Post in the steeple of a church in ALPON. This steeple was dealt with by our S.P. troop who hit the mark with 22 17-pounder shells out of 22 fired but failed to demolish it. The morning and early afternoon were given over to preparing for the ‘Battle of the ROMER Bridgehead’ and for once everyone had sufficient time to make their arrangements. Map at APPENDIX K A spandau firing at the bridge from a South-Easterly direction was quietened on the approach of the tanks and at 1630 hours the leading Company (Left Flank) doubled across NIGEL and formed a closed bridgehead on the others side, closely followed by Right Flank and G Company, whose first objectives were KUHNEN and WEGERSHOF respectively. Right Flank were unfortunate in losing Lieutenant W.A. ELLIOTT MC, wounded, shortly before crossing the bridge and Lieutenant I.G. GOW was killed by the blast of a shell in KUHNEN. F Company were last over the bridge and made off in a South-Easterly direction towards the stream. All the Companies having crossed over the squadron of 2nd Battalion WELSH GAURDS tanks started to follow, but soon the laconic message ‘NIGEL is crumbling’ came over the air and only three troops managed to get over before the bridge became to dangerous for any more. These three troops attached themselves one to G Company, one to Right Flank, and one to Left Flank, and on the code word being given began shooting these Companies into their final objectives. The first objectives had all been captured without much difficulty a considerable number of Prisoners of War being taken by G Company in WEGERSHOF, and there is no doubt that the tank support greatly helped the infantry in winkling out the German parachutists. Many houses were set on fire by the tanks who were very liberal in the use of their BESA ammunition. Right Flank and G Company pushed on up to the EAST-WEST railway while Left Flank tried to get up to the NORTH-SOUTH railway, but the light began to go rapidly and the tanks were unable to perform at the end thus denying us command over the railway embankments. If there had been half an hour more daylight the Companies could have established themselves on the railway but were now unable to do more than cover it. G Company came under spandau fire from the railway junction and Left Flank having started to advance beyond WEGERSHOF had to fall back to the area of the village and F Company found that they could not sit on the high ground NORTH of the stream. Meanwhile Battalion H.Q., except for the tail end, had crossed the bridge, which gave way after all the important vehicles had crossed, and after spending some time on the road at 144327, moved into the southern-most house in KUHNEN. The Companies, having got as far as they could, dug themselves in, and began to spend an uncomfortable night full of mortaring and a certain amount of spandau fire. During the operation 110 Prisoners of War were taken, identifications being mostly from 22 and 24 PARA REGIMENTS. Our own casualties were one Officer killed and five wounded (including Lieutenants N.T. TORRANCE (G Company), J. SWINTON (Left Flank) and M.S. MacDONALD (Left Flank) not mentioned above, and 7 Other Ranks killed, one missing and 33 wounded. ROLL OF HONOUR 8th March 1945 P/186919 Lieutenant I.G. GOW - Killed in Action 2702982 Guardsman J.D.McR. ANDERSON - Killed in Action 2701978 Guardsman D.E.W. BILSBY - Killed in Action 2703049 Guardsman L. FARRAR - Killed in Action 2693280 Guardsman D. LAW - Killed in Action 2702112 P/Lance Corporal C. MASSEY - Killed in Action 2724091 P/Lance Corporal W.H. McHATTIE - Killed in Action 2702692 Guardsman A.McC. WILSON - Killed in Action 9 March Kuhnen 144329 During the night a Bailey bridge was built over the ROMER on the site of the old bridge at 143329. 0700 Hours Brigade ‘O’ Group held and plans for the day arranged. 4 K.O.S.B. of 52 DIVISION will attack and capture HAUS LOO 1633 starting at 1000 hours, and 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS will pass through us and clear the area bounded by the railway and road in front of us. There was still considerable mortar and shellfire on all Company positions, most of the trouble coming from the SOUTH EAST from the area of the factory at 158326 where several S.P. guns were operating. These guns could be seen by F Company but owing to their proximity to the leading elements of 52 DIVISION who were not more than 300x away from them and yet did nothing about them, our own guns were not allowed to fire. These S.P.s were most active during the morning and anything that moved in F Company and Left Flank localities was shot at. The Brigade Signals Officer (Captain R. SYKES) was wounded outside Battalion H.Q. by one S.P. stink. At 1000 hours the K.O.S.B. attack supported by tanks of 2nd Battalion WELSH GAURDS began, but progress was extremely slow, though HUAS LOO was eventually captured. Casualty List (APPENDIX C) On this place being taken, 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS were able to begin their attack and passed through us at 1600 hours. This was entirely successful, objectives being taken after about 40 minutes, with a large bag of Prisoners of War. Roll of Honour (APPENDIX D) To add to the excitement, some American Thunderbolts appeared and dropped bombs on the COLDSTREAM and on the town of ALPON which was firmly in our hands. Meanwhile the Canadians attacked during the morning and captured the woods in square 1334 to the NORTH of the Battalion area thus safeguarding our left flank. We were warned to expect a contact patrol but they never turned up. After the COLDSTREAM GUARDS attack shelling and mortaring on the Company positions vitally ceased though one Nebelwerfer kept up intermittent salvoes during the evening. The capture of the factory area 158326 during the night by 52 DIVISION successfully dislodged the S.P. guns. During the evening our Regimental Medical Officer (Captain A.S. FAIRBURN) who had been attending to the casualties of three Battalions during the day, collapsed due to the hard work he had put in and was sent back to hospital. ROLL OF HONOUR 9th March 1945 2703075 Guardsman T.H. HELM - Killed in Action 2702997 Guardsman J. PHILLIPS - Killed in Action 2703119 Guardsman W.A. PRICE - Killed in Action 2701912 Guardsman J. NICHOLSON - Died of Wounds 2702739 Guardsman W. SHEPPARD - Died of Wounds 10 March Quiet morning with hardly a shell, which gave the impression that the Germans had withdrawn across the RHINE. This was confirmed later. The Brigadier (Brigadier G.F. JOHNSON, DSO) visited Battalion H.Q. at about 1000 hours and told the Commanding Officer that the Battalion H.Q. at about 1000 hours and told the Commanding Officer that the Battalion would move back to NIJMEGEN area today, and at about 1200 hours the Brigade Major (Major The Honourable M. FITZALAN HOWARD MC) arrived and confirmed the Brigadier’s orders in more detail. Meanwhile complete chaos reigned in the Battalion area. It seemed that all 52 DIVISION had decided either to assemble Battalions or to establish H.Q.s in our area and at one time a lone Battalion of the 3rd DIVISION made its appearance, all with the intention of advancing in various directions and chasing non-existent Germans. However, the interestes of the Battalion were no longer centred on the tactical situation and at 1400 hours G Company moved off, met the Company transport on the ALPON - BONNINGHARDT road and were soon on their way to HEUMEN, whither Major H.D. TWEEDIE and the Company recce parties had gone during the morning. G Company was followed at half hour intervals by Right Flank, F Company, Left Flank, Support Company and Battalion H.Q.s in blocks of about a dozen vehicles and soon the whole Battalion was rolling towards HEUMEN though ISSUM, GELDERN, KEVELAER, GOCH, ASPERDEN and OTTERSUM. Heumen 6953 The road was clear and the last block was received by the Advance Party and shepherded into their billets in HEUMEN by 2000 hours, the Adjutant (Captain M.J. FITZHERBERT-BROCKHOLES) distinguishing himself by getting lost on the way. All Ranks were badly in need of sleep and soon the Battalion was snoring peacefully for the first time since March 5. A new Regimental Medical Officer (Captain A.J. BRIGGS, RAMC) joined us in place of Captain A.S. FAIRBURN. Final day of Operation VERITABLE. ROLL OF HONOUR 10th March 1945 2702942 Guardsman E.E. HEALD - Died of Wounds 11 March Complete rest. ROLL OF HONOUR 11th March 1945 14674346 U/Lance Corporal W.S. GILES - Died of Wounds 12 March General clean-up and more rest. 13 March Commanding Officer attended a Conference at Division, where he learned that 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS were going back home and that we should get X Compay SCOTS GUARDS as reinforcements and a certain amount of transport from 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS. In the morning the Officer reinforcements from 40 R.H.U. arrived and were sub allotted to Companies in the afternoon. They are Lieutenant S.R. DOUGLAS who is taking over from Lieutenant L.D. CAMBRIDGE who is returning to ENGLAND, and Lieutenants J.F. CORY-WRIGHT, A.N. MANNOCK, R.G. MUTTER and P.W.P. COMYNS. 14 March A draft of 81 men arrived in the evening from 40 R.H.U. Captain F.A.L. WALDRON left the Battalion for V Company R.H.U. Transfers Other Ranks (APPENDIX E) 15 March Normal routine. The draft was sub allotted to Companies in the morning. Captain The Lord Robert CRICHTON-STUART left the Battalion for 40 R.H.U. and Captain D.H. WHITEFORD CF took over from Captain F. TIDD CF, as our new Padre. 16 March Normal routine. 17 March Heumen 6953 Normal routine. 18 March X Company was transferred from 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS and arrived with the Battalion in the late morning. The 72 Other Ranks were sub allotted in the afternoon to Companies. Major HOPE going to command Support Company and three subalterns (Lieutenants J.B. DENHAM, G.C.W. RADCLIFF and P.J. LENG) to the Rifle Companies. Parade Services were held during the morning and our new Padre (Captain the Reverend D.H. WHITEFORD, CF) officiated. 19 March The Companies began training in the form of Field Training, Zeroing, and Route Marches. 20 March Normal routine for Companies. Much time is spent nowadays liaising with 2nd Armoured Recce Battalion WELSH GUARDS with whom we will be operating in the future. Programme at APPENDIX L The 3rd Battalion of the REGIMENT entertained the Officers of the 2nd Battalion in their mess at KEVELAER. 21 March Normal routine for Companies. The Commanding Officer attended a Briefing Conference at Corps H.Q. on Operation PLUNDER. Order of Battle APPENDIX F 22 March The Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE, attended an ‘I’ Conference at Divisional H.Q. on Operation PLUNDER. Company Commanders briefed. 23 March 1000 Hours Battalion Parade in a large grass field. Right Flank left the Battalion and are under command XXX CORPS for the purpose of manning TCPs. 24 March All Officers, Warrant Officers and Sergeants were briefed by the Commanding Officer on Operation PLUNDER. 2SG Operational Instruction No.1 (APPENDIX G) News of the initial crossing and of the airborne landing received with great confidence. The Commanding Officer visited Right Flank in the afternoon. The Battalion is now at 6 hours’ notice to move. 25 March 1100 Hours A memorial service for those who fell in battle over the period 6 - 10 March was held in the open. The Last Post and Reveille were blown by the drummers and the Pipe-Major played a lament. The Commanding Officer read out the names of those who fell. 26 March Normal routine. The opening round of the Company knockout football competition was played. G Company beat F Company, and H.Q. Company beat Left Flank. 27 March The football competition continued. G Company beat Support Company and in the final H.Q. and G Company drew with the score 1 - 1. A reply will be held tomorrow. 28 March 1200 Hours Order to move received. The Battalion will move at 1800 hours to concentrate in the UDEM area preparatory to moving over the RHINE at midday tomorrow. Recce parties left hurriedly at 1345 hours under Major H.D. TWEEDIE. Later the time of move for the main body was put back to after midnight. The football final was not played owing to preparations for the move. 29 March The Battalion crossed the Brigade Start Line in MOCK at midnight and after travelling rather slowly through OTTERSUM, GOCH and WEEZE, was met by Major H.D. TWEEDIE in UDEM at about 0400 hours. There was little cover available and most men had to sleep by their vehicles. The Commanding Officer attended an 'O' Group at Brigade H.Q. at 1200 hours. 5 BRIGADE will probably cross the RHINE early tomorrow morning followed by 32 GUARDS BRIGADE later in the morning. Scots/Welsh Group March Table No. 1 (APPENDIX H) Meanwhile the Battalion is at 3 hours’ notice to move from 1300 hours. Our destination is apparently HAMBURG. 30 March At 1000 hours we heard that 5 BRIGADE had crossed and were held up by demolition near AALTEN. Battalion put at 1 hour’s notice to move from midday. Battalion moved at 1625 after Recce Parties had been called forward in a great hurry to find harbour areas. The ‘marrying-up’ of Companies and Squadrons worked well considering it was the first time we had done it, and the group was soon moving very slowly through UDEM and MARIENBURG to LONDON BRIDGE at REES where we crossed the RHINE by the light of searchlights at about 2000 hours. Arrived in harbour areas at about 2200 hours (one mile SOUTH EAST of ANHOLT) and received orders to be at one hour’s notice to move from 0600 hours tomorrow. 31 March 5 BRIGADE reported the capture of ISSELBURG at 0900 hours and soon the HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT were 3 miles NORTH of the town. As a result of this move, the Battalion was ordered to be prepared to move off at 1045, on a different Centre Line to 5 BRIGADE to the left of the main CL. Eventually moved off at 1130. Progress was very slow owing to the bad roads on the Dutch-German border. Reached DIXPERLO at 1300 hours where we waited for 2 1/2 hours. 5 BRIGADE were reported in GROENLO and at 1530 hours the Group moved on at good speed, bypassing BORCULO and league ring the night just NORTH of BELTRUM. Map BOCHOLT (APPENDIX M) Received orders to push on at dawn tomorrow with the COLDSTREAM Group leading as today. A.F.W. 3008 and 3009 Serial 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 (Original only) Two platoons of G Company, the reserve Company, were dropped off during the day to look after vulnerable points on the Centre Line.
March Appendices [hr] APPENDIX C CASUALTIES period 6 - 9 March 1945 6 March 1945 Officers Wounded - 1 Other Ranks Killed - 8 Wounded - 23 7 March 1945 Other Ranks Killed - 3 Wounded - 11 8 March 1945 Officers Killed - 1 Wounded - 5 Other Ranks Killed - 7 Wounded - 33 Missing - 1 9 March 1945 Other Ranks Killed - 3 Wounded - 8 Total Over Period Officers Killed - 1 Wounded - 6 Missing - 0 Total - 7 Other Ranks Killed - 21 Wounded - 75 Missing - 1 Total 97 [hr] APPENDIX D 2ND BATTALION SCOTS GUARDS ROLL OF HONOUR KILLED IN ACTION 6204831 W/Corporal (ULS) G.J. BAGGE - 6/3/45 2702044 W/Corporal (ULS) I.C. CUTHBERTSON - 6/3/45 2702618 Guardsman P. GIANOTTI - 6/3/45 2695592 W/Corporal (ULS) H. GLAISTER - 6/3/45 2702907 Guardsman T.W. IRESON - 6/3/45 2702915 U/Lance Corporal R. MEEKS - 6/3/45 2701675 Guardsman J. BURTON - 7/3/45 2696902 Guardsman G.H. HUGHES - 7/3/45 2703121 Guardsman G.H. ROBERTS - 7/3/45 P/186919 Lieutenant I.G. GOW - 8/3/45 2702982 Guardsman J.D.McR. ANDERSON - 8/3/45 2701978 Guardsman D.E.W. BILSBY - 8/3/45 2703049 Guardsman L. FARRAR - 8/3/45 2693280 Guardsman D. LAW - 8/3/45 2702112 P/Lance Corporal C. MASSEY - 8/3/45 2724091 P/Lance Corporal W.H. McHATTIE - 8/3/45 2702692 Guardsman A.McC. WILSON - 8/3//45 2703075 Guardsman T.H. HELM - 9/3/45 2702997 Guardsman J. PHILLIPS - 9/3/45 2703119 Guardsman W.A. PRICE - 9/3/45 DIED OF WOUNDS 2703132 Guardsman J. BLYTON - 6/3/45 2694174 W/Warrant Officer (C.S.M.) W. LUMSDEN DCM, MM&Bar - 6/3/45 2698689 Guardsman C.W. McINTOSH - 7/3/45 2701912 Guardsman J. NICHOLSON - 9/3/45 2702739 Guardsman W. SHEPPARD - 9/3/45 2702942 Guardsman E.E. HEALD - 10/3/45 14674346 U/Lance Corporal W.S. GILES - 11/3/45 [hr] APPENDIX E X Company V Company 40 RHU on joining 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS 14 March 1945 A - nominal roll X Company, joining Battalion from 1WG RIGHT FLANK 2693522 Sergeant DODD 2696062 Lance Corporal McCORMICK MM 2695109 Guardsman MULEY 2702362 Guardsman McRAE 2702115 Guardsman MORRISON 2701866 Guardsman GRIFFITHS 2702080 Guardsman BUTLER 2701735 Lance Corporal EASTHAM 2701523 Lance Corporal FRENCH 2702368 Guardsman TROTTER F COMPANY 2692657 C.S.M. McCLELLAND MM (due to go on leave 24th or 26th) 2701118 Lance Sergeant HOGG 2702015 Lance Sergeant McDAIRMANT 2694157 Lance Corporal FLOYD MM (Carriers) 11001564 Lance Corporal SINTON 5735205 Guardsman BRIMACOMBE 5735105 Guardsman GREENWOOD 2701826 Guardsman BUDGE 2702316 Guardsman DARLINGTON 2702272 Guardsman PERBRACHE 2702289 Guardsman BLANCHE 2702302 Guardsman LUMSDEN 2702101 Guardsman MIDDLETON 14429089 Guardsman SINCLAIR 2701071 Guardsman TWEEDIE 2702105 Guardsman THOMPSON 2702388 Guardsman URMSTON 2702284 Guardsman SMITH 2701962 Guardsman DAVIDSON 2698360 Guardsman FALCONER 2694663 Guardsman SHEARER 14430797 Guardsman FAY 5735022 Guardsman FAY 14709473 Guardsman FRASER 2702425 Guardsman OFFICER 2702025 Guardsman MICHIE 14688133 Guardsman ROBERTSON 2699196 Guardsman IANSON G COMPANY 2701673 Lance Corporal BRUCE 14499016 Guardsman CLARK Guardsman WRIGHT 2700389 Guardsman ANDERSON 14602271 Guardsman BOOTH 2702184 Guardsman CROAK 2701866 Guardsman GRIFFITHS 2702156 Guardsman HERBERT 2702277 Guardsman LESSLES 2702278 Guardsman LINTON 2702216 Guardsman WATSON 2701977 Guardsman HEDLEY 2701911 Guardsman MORTIMER Guardsman GIBSON 2701291 Guardsman RILEY 2702233 Guardsman FIRTH 2702431 Guardsman SPENCER LEFT FLANK 2697828 Lance Sergeant MILLER 2702364 Lance Corporal MAXWELL 14625087 Guardsman WEST 14698996 Guardsman McGINTY 2701911 Guardsman MORTIMER 2702115 Guardsman MORRISON 2702206 Guardsman McALLAN 14675760 Guardsman PAGE 2702037 Guardsman SMITH 5734112 Guardsman STREATHER 2702245 Guardsman GILL 14696037 Guardsman ALLEN HEADQUARTER COMPANY 2693426 C.Q.M.S. MORRISON 2694116 Guardsman SAMPSON (MT) 14499016 Guardsman CLARK WRIGHT (Sniper Attached G Company) 2699253 Guardsman GIBSON (Sniper) 2698936 Guardsman HANNAH (Clerk) 2702426 Guardsman McGANCHIE (Stretcher Bearer Attached F Company) 2695474 Guardsman NEWTON (MT) 11408558 Guardsman SMITH (Cook Attached F Company) 2695211 Guardsman McKINNON (Piper & Stretcher Bearer Attached Right Flank) 2695928 Guardsman WATSON (MT) 2698241 Guardsman CLARK (Attached Brigade H.Q.) 2702394 Guardsman BENNETT (Stretcher Bearer Attached F Company) 3" MORTARS 3719100 Lance Corporal EILBECK 2702367 Guardsman SANDERSON CARRIERS 2697146 Guardsman BURNS ANTI-TANK 2701494 Lance Corporal MacDONALD 11408555 Guardsman SMITH A - Nominal Roll Amendments, dated 14 March 1945 RIGHT FLANK Add 2701877 Guardsman BROWN F COMPANY Add 2701826 Guardsman BRIDGE Delete 2702101 Guardsman MIDDLETON 2702105 Guardsman THOMSON 2701962 Guardsman DAVIDSON 2702025 Guardsman MICHIE G COMPANY Delete 2701866 Guardsman GRIFFITHS LEFT FLANK Add 14696037 Guardsman AHERN Delete 2701911 Guardsman MORTIMER H.Q. COMPANY Delete 2699528 Guardsman WATSON 2699253 Guardsman GIBSON (Sniper) SUPPORT COMPANY Carriers Delete 2697164 Guardsman BURNS B - nominal roll V Company, joining Battalion from 40 RHU RIGHT FLANK 2695619 Sergeant WHYTE 2702930 Lance Corporal STOCK 7 Guardsmen F COMPANY 2701302 Lance Sergeant DUNCAN 2703215 Lance Corporal ABBOTT 2702458 Lance Corporal McINTYRE 15 Guardsmen G COMPANY 2695619 Sergeant CAMERON 2701710 Lance Corporal FRASER 11 Guardsmen LEFT FLANK 2702458 Lance Corporal GILLESPIE 8 Guardsmen HEADQUARTER COMPANY 2701544 Drummer ALLAN (Stretcher Bearer to be Attached G Company) SIGNAL PLATOON 2702613 Guardsman CAMPBELL 2702623 Guardsman JORDAN 2701898 Guardsman KIERNAN CLERK 5735549 Guardsman THOMSON SUPPORT COMPANY 3" MORTARS 14350052 Guardsman CAMPBELL 2702763 Guardsman CLARK 2702730 Guardsman DELGARNO 2702764 Guardsman DAVIDSON 14442737 Guardsman HOBHAM ANTI-TANK 2701223 Lance Corporal SWEENEY 2702543 Guardsman LAWRENCE 2702571 Guardsman McLEAN 2702581 Guardsman MORRISON 2701691 Guardsman PARKER CARRIERS 2702648 Guardsman CAMPBELL 4 Drivers with V Company C - nominal roll X Company, joining 40 RHU initially 2694858 Sergeant DANNFALD 2699419 Sergeant DUNDERDALE 2697856 Lance Sergeant TURNER 2699587 Lance Sergeant CUNNINGHAM 2698487 Lance Sergeant BROWN 2696467 Lance Sergeant FORBES 2696467 Lance Sergeant HAMILTON 11264072 Lance Sergeant KEMP 2693046 Lance Corporal FINNIGAN 3056107 Lance Corporal BRUNTON 2701548 Guardsman OLIVER 2698267 Guardsman McGREGOR 2755160 Guardsman HARLEY MM 2698266 Guardsman BOYD 2698457 Guardsman PINKERTON 2700253 Guardsman GORDON 2697671 Guardsman McGREGOR 2698445 Guardsman TOMLINSON 2699253 Guardsman GIBSON [Sniper] 2693461 Guardsman BOYD 2702056 Guardsman GIBSON MM 2695256 Guardsman McEWAN 2698901 Guardsman ADAMS 2700345 Guardsman McMURDO 2700308 Guardsman THOMSON 2699665 Guardsman RIDDELL 2697164 Guardsman BURNS 2697862 Guardsman CONNELL 3595677 Guardsman JOHNSTONE 1520621 Guardsman MORRIS 2701847 Guardsman MITCHELL 2702336 Guardsman McPIKE 1621208 Guardsman ROGERS 14684493 Guardsman ROBINSON 1659264 Guardsman SCRAGG 11005867 Guardsman COGGILL 2702083 Guardsman BROWN 2702274 Guardsman HODGE 2697674 Guardsman POTTER 2702117 Guardsman RAMSAY 2698084 Guardsman BROWN (Officer’s Servant) 2697280 Guardsman IRVING (Officer’s Servant) C - Nominal Roll Amendments, dated 14 March 1945 Add 2701147 Guardsman BRYDIE 2702101 Guardsman MIDDLETON 2702105 Guardsman THOMSON 2701962 Guardsman DAVIDSON 2702025 Guardsman MICHIE 2697164 Guardsman BURNS J. 2699528 Guardsman WATSON 2699253 Guardsman GIBSON 2700319 Guardsman BURNS P. [hr] APPENDIX F ORDER OF BATTLE 2ND BATTALION SCOTS GUARDS 21st March 1945 BATTALION H.Q. Lieutenant-Colonel H.N. CLOWES - Commanding Officer Major H.D. TWEEDIE - Second-in-Command Captain M.J. FITZHERBERT-BROCKHOLES - Adjutant Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE - Intelligence Officer Lieutenant & Quartermaster A. GREENWOOD - Quartermaster R.S.M. A. BARNSTAPLE - Regimental Sergeant Major Drill Sergeant D. FRASER Drill Sergeant G. McKIRDY HEADQUARTER COMPANY Captain G.L.S. PIKE Lieutenant (A/U/Captain) R.L. STUART - M.T.O. Lieutenant S.R. DOUGLAS - Signals Officer Lieutenant L.D. CAMBRIDGE R.Q.M.S. D. TOLMIE C.S.M. K. MORRISON C.Q.M.S. J. BROWN RIGHT FLANK Major W.D.M. RAEBURN, MBE Captain H.L.St. V. ROSE Lieutenant V.E. de SOISSONS Lieutenant R.G. MUTTER Lieutenant A.N. MANNOCK C.S.M. J. LINDSAY C.Q.M.S. G. COSGROVE F COMPANY Major D.H.A. KEMBLE, MC Captain J.S.B. CLERK RATTRAY Lieutenant K.E. SEEL Lieutenant R.A. BERRIDGE Lieutenant H.R. TEMPEST C.S.M. C. McCLELLAND, MM C.Q.M.S. J. HOUSON G COMPANY Major A.E. CAMERON Captain R.A. WILLIS Lieutenant The Honourable A.R.H. ERSKINE, MC Lieutenant J.F. CORY-WRIGHT Lieutenant G.C.W. RADCLIFFE C.Q.M.S. G. FRISBY LEFT FLANK Major M.N. ROMER Captain N.H. BARNE, MC Lieutenant P.W.P. COMYNS Lieutenant P.J. LENG Lieutenant J.B. DENHAM C.S.M. J. KERR C.Q.M.S. W. DRONFIELD SUPPORT COMPANY Captain E.J. HOPE, MC Captain Sir J.G. WORSLEY-TAYLOR, Bart. - Carrier Platoon Commander Captain D.G. MORPHETT - Mortar Platoon Commander Captain J.D.A. STAINTON - Anti-Tank Platoon Commander Lieutenant A.N.J. GORDON - Pioneer Platoon Commander Lieutenant D.G. THOMAS - Reserve Pioneer Platoon Commander C.S.M. P. LYALL C.Q.M.S. S. REID ATTACHED Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE - Attached from 40 R.H.U. Captain D.H. WHITEFORD - Padre Captain A.J. BRIGGS - Medical Officer
1 April 1945 The vehicles were all packed up and ready to move at an early hour in the morning but although we moved, we soon came to a halt owing to the traffic jam in front. Reference Map 1/250,000 Sheet K53 OSNABRUCK (APPENDIX K) Carried on at a reasonable pace later, passing through villages newly liberated, and lined with rejoicing Dutchmen, who seemed genuinely pleased to see us. The COLDSTREAM Group reached the canal at ENSCHEDE 4203 and bypassed it to the SOUTH EAST, capturing ENSCHEDE. In the afternoon we passéd through the COLDSTREAM losing our way in ENSCHEDE where we received a great welcome, and eventually set off towards OLDENZAAL, the objective for the night less Right Flank Company/Squadron group who were sent up the road NNW of ENSCHEDE to 385050 where they captured a number of Germans and were themselves contacted by a Hun patrol which caused two casualties. Enschede 4203 Soon after leaving ENSCHEDE however, and as the leading tanks were passing the Aerodrome, an anti-tank gun knocked out the two leading tanks, and owing to the rapidly dwindling daylight, it was decided to leaguer where we were for the night, as it was impossible to locate the gun or guns. A plan was made to capture the aerodrome in the morning with two companies and two squadrons (Left Flank and F Company), a gunner fire plan was arranged, and soon all were settled in for the night. During the morning, the Quartermaster, Lieutenant A. GREENWOOD, succeeded in capturing several Germans who shot at him as he was motor-cycling along the road NORTH of AALTEN. A camera and Luger were also among the booty. 2 April At 0700 hours the attack on the Aerodrome went in, but the enemy had left and no opposition was met and F Company found three abandoned Anti-tank guns in the woods to the EAST of the airfield. At 1030 hours we pushed on, with a squadron of HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT in front, and were soon moving through OLDENZAAL (4413). Soon after, HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT were held up by a blown bridge and one S.P. gun on the frontier. We were told it was essential to get NORDHORN by last light and a plan was made to capture the town. A weak bridge was found intact, and this having been strengthened, Right Flank and a squadron of tanks rushed the first bridge in the town and captured it intact. The second bridge was found to be blown but repairable, but the third was blown. A certain amount of small arms and S.P. gun fire was met at the third bridge by Right Flank. However the HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY found a substitute for the 3rd bridge further to the NORTH. Our orders were that if a way for tracked and wheeled vehicles could not be found through the town, 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS would have to push on on foot a distance of 12 miles during the night to LINGEN on the River EMS. This contingency did not arise, and the group formed up with three squadron/company groups in front followed by Group H.Q. Nordhord 5427 The order of march was Right Flank, Left Flank, and F Company all riding on the tanks of their respective squadrons. G Company was left behind to garrison NORDHORN 5427. The ‘Mad Night Dash’ to the EMS, as it is called, began at 2300 hours, the tanks using full headlights when negotiating the difficult bridges and narrow streets of NORDHORN. Extract from ‘Daily Mail’ (APPENDIX A) The whole column got safely over the first two bridges but as the tanks of the third company/squadron group were passing over the third, it gave way, thus cutting off Group H.Q. from the leading squadrons, who were immediately ordered to push on to their objective, the bridges over the EMS river and the DORTMUND-EMS canal. They pushed on as fast as they could in the dark, knocking out a considerable amount of enemy transport on the way, including two S.P. guns which were being towed by a captured Sherman ARV. Here a slight skirmish with bazooka-men and spandaus took place and a diversion had to be found round the abandoned S.P. guns. ROLL OF HONOUR 2nd April 1945 Guardsman Hugh CALLAGHAN - Died of Wounds Lance Sergeant John MONOGHAN - Killed in Action 3 April Soon, however the leading squadron/company group was on the move again, and not long afterwards reached the bridge over the EMS and managed to push two sections of infantry over it before it was blown up just as the leading tank was about to cross. This was a great disappointment, but defence positions were taken up on the WESTERN bank by Right Flank and Left Flank behind and the two sections which got across initially were withdrawn by scrambling over the girders of the wrecked bridge. At dawn any movement in Right Flank area was harassed by S.P. gunfire and the enemy also were able to cover the bridge with small arms fire. During the whole day’s operation about 100 Prisoners of war were taken, the majority by Right Flank. Meanwhile our sappers had been working on the third bridge in NORDHORN and at 0800 hours Group H.Q. and Support Company were able to move over it and soon rejoined the rest of the Battalion, Group H.Q. being set up in SUDLOHNE (6533). Later in the day, we were told that 3rd DIVISION would be coming up during the night and would attack over the EMS and canal to capture LINGEN (7136), also that our night dash had successfully split the divisions of 2 PARA CORPS by cutting their lines of retreat. F Company in the afternoon was moved up from their company area in SUDLOHNE to clear the woods SOUTH of SCHEPSDORF which they did with no opposition and G Company and H.Q. Company arrived in the evening thus making the Group complete once more. Sudlohne 6533 G Company relieved Right Flank in SCHEPSDORF (6935) during the night, Right Flank returning to SUDLOHNE. ROLL OF HONOUR 3rd April 1945 Guardsman Robert TROTTER - Killed in Action 4 April 3 DIVISION attacked at 0400 hours over a bridge which the HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT had discovered the previous evening to the NORTH of LINGEN and which was firmly held by the COLDSTREAM Group. The COLDSTREAM worked down SOUTHWARDS between the river and the canal, and had cleared down to Right Flank bridge by the evening. Captain Sir J.G. WORSLEY-TAYLOR took a carrier patrol down through F Company position as far SOUTH as the canal during the morning, but found nothing except one Prisoner of War and a car. Meanwhile with the COLDSTREAM on the opposite bank it appeared that our operational role as about completed and companies recced billets in their areas, but were not allowed to move in yet. A hectic night was spent by G Company carrying rations and ammunition over the girders of the bridge to supply the COLDSTREAM squadron/company group on the far side, Lieutenant The Honourable ERSKINE MC’s platoon doing the work. ROLL OF HONOUR Lance Sergeant Thomas DUNCAN - Died of Wounds Guardsman John Malcolm FLETCHER - Died of Wounds 5 April A carrier patrol was again sent out to the SOUTH of F Company but again met no opposition. During the afternoon German fighter planes made a rare appearance, strafing and bombing down the LINGEN-NORDHORN road but doing no great damage. In the evening orders were received to advance tomorrow with the intention of seizing the crossing over the WESER at 8890 travelling by the CLUB route, the southerly CL of the Division, provide that 3 DIVISION had made a reasonable bridgehead for us to break out of. Meanwhile LINGEN was reported to be not entirely clear. 6 April The Group set off at 0700 hours and crossed the COLDSTREAM bridge at 0830 in the order F and G Companies on tanks and Right Flank and Left Flank in TCLs. The leading squadron/company, however, was soon held up by mines and one S.P. gun from 0900 hours for half an hour. But at 0930 the crew of the S.P. gave themselves up and the advance continued for a hundred yards or so, until we were again held up by a mined road block which the ROYAL ENGINEERS had to clear. Considerable opposition was met here from an S.P. and infantry in the woods astride the road and Major D.H.A. KEMBLE MC, Commanding F Company, was unfortunately killed by a burst of spandau fire. Meanwhile it was decided that the CLUB route was not practical owing to the opposition, and Lieutenant Colonel J.C. WINDSOR-LEWIS, DSO MC, WELSH GUARDS, Commanding the Group, decided to switch to the SPADE route and try to get to LINGERICH (8639). Reference Map 1/100,000 Sheet N2 OSNABRUCK (APPENDIX L) Considerable difficulty was experienced in withdrawing F Company who were fairly heavily committed with the enemy, but the reminder of the Group pushed on up the new C.L. After three miles or so G Company was held up by an S.P. gun supported by Infantry and an attack was laid on to clear BROCKHAUSEN (7738) with G Company and the bridge to the SOUTH of the village by Right Flank. By the time the attack went in, the enemy had withdrawn but mines on the road accounted for one carrier and one tank. A squadron of the HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT through at 1700 hours but were unable to get far owing to Anti-tank gunfire, but the tanks, coming up later, knocked out four 88mm guns without any casualties to themselves. Grumsmuhlen A further Anti-tank guns was encountered a little further on and as it was beginning to get dark, the Battalion went into leaguer where it was (Group H.Q. at GRUMSMUHLEN). Lieutenant-Colonel H.N. CLOWES attended an ‘O’ Group at Brigade H.Q. at 2200 hours where the plan for attacking LENGERICH was made up. ROLL OF HONOUR Lance Corporal George William ABBOT - Killed in Action Guardsman Herbert CULLING - Died of Wounds Lance Corporal Wiliam GRAY - Killed in Action Guardsman William HOUSTON - Died of Wounds Major David Horace KEMBLE MC - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Cathel Sutherland MELVILLE - Killed in Action Guardsman John Wiliam MOON - Killed in Action Guardsman John OWEN - Killed in Action Guardsman Donald George ROBERTSON - Killed in Action 7 April Battalion ‘O' Group held at Group H.Q. at 0545. Group moved off at 0700, preceded by a rolling barrage up the road to just WEST of LENGERICH. The leading tanks were held up by mines WEST of the village but these were soon cleared, and the leading squadron/company group (Right Flank) advanced to the Western edge of the village where they contacted the enemy in some numbers. Owing to this an infantry attack was planned with two companies but diminishing opposition changed the plan and an ordinary attack with the companies riding on the backs of the tanks was laid on. However, Right Flank were still fairly heavily involved and the Brigadier, Brigadier G.F. JOHNSON DSO, having arrived, it was again decided to attack with Infantry while the tanks supported. A big artillery and 4.2” mortar programme was laid on and the village received two doses of LIMEJUICE (Typhoons). The attack went in at 1515 hours, G Company passing through Right Flank and capturing the 1st objective, F Company passing through G Company, and Left Flank through F Company until the whole village was occupied by 1700 hours. No opposition was encountered as the enemy and apparently thought better after our bombardment but a few prisoners were brought in. All was quiet until 1730 when a few air bursts arrived from NORTH, but nothing further troubled us. Lengerich 8639 It was learned that the CG Group coming up from the SOUTH had cut our C.L. about 5 miles EAST of LENGERICH and a squadron/company group (Left Flank) was sent out to contact them. The remainder of the group stayed in LENGERICH and Group H.Q. established itself in the SOUTH of the village. ROLL OF HONOUR 7th April 1945 Lance Sergeant Gerrard WHITE - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant William WILSON - Killed in Action 8 April Today the COLDSTREAM GUARDS took the lead, and we remained standing by to move all day, moving behind Brigade H.Q. at 1745 hours. An ‘O’ Group was held on the roadside in the evening and orders given out for tomorrow’s operations. SCOTS/WELSH Group will lead again passing through the COLDSTREAM who reach a point some three miles EAST of BERGE (0047). Harbour parties were sent off to recce positions for the night, but the two Seconds-in-Command, Major H.D. TWEEDIE, SCOTS GUARDS, and Major R.B. HODGKINSON, WELSH GUARDS, took a wrong turning at OHRTE 9644 in their Scout Car and ran into the enemy who bazooka’ed the Scout car, killing Major H.D. TWEEDIE and wounding Major R.B. HODGKINSON. As a result the harbouring was slightly chaotic but all eventually settled in for the night. Between OHRTE and BERGE Left Flank took up positions in defence of BERGE and Right Flank looked after the road junction at OHRTE, the remainder of the group leaguering between them in the woods on the side of the road. ROLL OF HONOUR 8th April 1945 Major Hugh Douglas TWEEDIE - Killed in Action 9 April Moved off at 0700 hours, Squadron HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT leading. Held up at 048494 by Infantry with Bazookas. Left Flank cleared away the opposition, and had got to 050498 at 0920 hours but mines and a large road block prevented any further advance for some time. An attempt to bypass these down a road to the right was unsuccessful owing to a blown bridge and attention was concentrated on the first road block which was soon removed and a scissors bridge put in position over a small stream just beyond it. However, another very extensive road block of felled trees was met SOUTH of the canal and accurate Machine Gun fire pinned the infantry to the ground. While this was happening the bridge at 033512 was reported intact and a squadron/company group was sent there at 1300 hours to hold it. Eventually all companies were across the canal having passed over via the newly discovered bridge. house 048497 Battalion H.Q. remained on the other side at 048497 but had to evacuate their house during the night owing to fire. Lieutenant J. CORY-WRIGHT (G Company) was killed during the crossing operations and Lieutenant R.A. BERRIDGE (F Company) died of wounds as a result of a patrol during the night. ROLL OF HONOUR Lieutenant Richard BERRIDGE - Killed in Action Guardsman Leonard CAUSTON - Killed in Action Lieutenant Jonathan Francis CORY-WRIGHT - Killed in Action Guardsman William FULLARTON - Killed in Action Guardsman James McLELLAND - Died of Wounds 10 April Moved off at 0700 to try and get a breakthrough in order to let the COLDSTREAM Group take the lead. Order of march was Right Flank & 2 Squadron, G Company & 3 Squadron, and Left Flank and 1 Squadron, and F Company. But much opposition from enemy infantry was encountered and the leading group was held up for some time at road junction 051541. A company/squadron attack was laid on and G Company successfully captured the road junction and village beginning at 1400 hours. An hour later Right Flank attacked NORTHWARDS and secured the bridge at 048549 which was unfortunately blown. Later in the evening Left Flank and their squadron successfully attacked MENSLAGE (0553) burning down most of the village. house 036536 During these small battles approximately 170 Prisoners were taken, the vast majority being from the Pioneer Battalion of 21 PARA REGIMENT. During the night Left Flank patrolled SOUTHWARDS from MENSLAGE in order to clear the main C.L. It was found clear and the ROYAL ENGINEERS at once got on with bridging operations. ROLL OF HONOUR 10th April 1945 Guardsman Peter Buchanan DAVIDSON - Killed in Action Lieutenant Victor de SOISSONS - Killed in Action 11 April The COLDSTREAM Group attacked NORTHWARDS through our forward positions at dawn and had soon reached the River HASE, and crossed it later. From the Battalion point of view the day was one of rest. 12 April 5 BRIGADE passed through COLDSTREAM Group during the morning. Battalion was at one hour’s noticed to move behind 32 BRIGADE H.Q. from 1300 hours and later at 3 hours but 5 BRIGADE’s progress was slow and we did not move today. 13 April Luesche 2359 Moved behind Brigade H.Q. at 1300 hours to LUESCHE 2359 a long and boring journey with many endless halts Order of Battle APPENDIX B 14 April The morning was spent in clearing up a sector of the divisional rest area. G Company and their squadron patrolled along all the important roads in the area, and roped in several prisoners. Included among the prisoners was Oberst HOPSTEDT, Commander of BG HOPSTEDT. Kappeln 2568 The Divisional rest area having been cleared by the two brigades during the morning the Group moved into the KAPPELN 2568 area in the afternoon and prepared for 3 or 4 days of complete rest. Reference Map 1/100,000 Sheet M2 OLDENBURG (APPENDIX M) Many Frenchmen were met here, all of them overjoyed to see us, and on their information, the Carrier Officer, Captain Sir J.G. WORSLEY-TAYLOR, accompanied by Lieutenant The Master of ERSKIN,E, arreste the local Ortsgruppenfuhrer who was hiding in civilian clothes, having burnt all his papers and uniform, in his house in KAPPELN. 15 April A day of complete rest and reorganisation. In the morning Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE and a troop of tanks from 1 Squadron 2nd Battalion WELSH GUARDS contacted 43 DIVISION in CLOPPENBURG 2072 and found out exactly where they were. Message to All Ranks from GOC GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION (APPENDIX C) The Battalion was prepared to counter attack CLOPPENBURG should it be recaptured by the enemy. 16 April At about 1500 hours we were suddenly informed that we would move at first light to under command 12 CORPS. Personal Letter from Commander 30 CORPS (APPENDIX D) Destination was given as NIENBURG 0050 a distance of at least 60 miles. Preparations were at once made for the next day’s drive, harbour parties laid on, etc, and the Battalion settled down to as much sleep as it could get. Notes on Operations (APPENDIX E) 17 April Moved at 0600, leading the Brigade. Route - EMSTECK 2872 - VECHTA 3760 - DIEPHOLZ 4346 - SULINGEN 7254 - NIENBURG 0050. Walsrode 2475 On arrival at NIENBURG the group carried straight on to a Concentration area SOUTH of WALSRODE 2475 via RETHEM 1267 and moved into the WALSRODE area in the evening, Left Flank being responsible for the WESTERN exits to the town and F Company the NORTHERN road. Reference Map 1/100,000 Sheet N3 MINDEN (APPENDIX N) During the late evening a rumour of SS troops approaching F Company who were feeling a bit naked led to G Company being set up to support them but the alarm amounted to nothing and no counter-attack materialized. 18 April The Group moved from WALSRODE NORTHWARDS towards VISSELHOVEDED 2489 at 0700 hours but was soon held up at the road junction SOUTH of KETTENBURG 2386 by infantry with bazookas. Reference Map 1/100,000 Sheet M4 SOLTAU (APPENDIX O) An attempt was made to bypass this and approach VISSELHOVEDE from the SOUTH EAST and Left Flank with their squadron reached OTTINGEN 2787 and pushed up to RIEPHOLM 2888 to the railway. Meanwhile the COLDSTREAM Group had captured NEUNKIRCHEN 3395 and appeared to threaten VISSELHOVEDE from the NORTH EAST. However we wer up against the remains of Z MARINE DIVISION who has still got plenty of fight left in them and a set piece attack on KETTENBURG had to be staged. During this attack, which began during the afternoon, a large number of prisoners were taken (approximately 250) and the village was taken by 1600 horus. Our own casualties were not severe, but Lieutenants F.A.L. WALDRON (Right Flank), J. SWINTON and P.W.P. COMYNS (Left Flank) were wounded. Kettenburg 2386 Having taken KETTENBURG at this relatively late hour in the day we were ordered to push on and take VISSELHOVEDE. A plan was laid on and the attack started; however opposition was met from the woods to the right of the road SOUTH of the town, and owing to wireless communication difficulties and the rapidly approaching dusk, permission was received from Brigade to call off the attack. The forward company/squadron groups were withdrawn and the group settled down for the night in a tight defensive position round KETTENBURG. ROLL OF HONOUR 18th April 1945 Guardsman Thomas DARLINGTON - Died of Wounds Guardsman William DEMPSTER - Killed in Action Sergeant Alfred James DODD - Killed in Action Guardsman William FRASER - Killed in Action Guardsman William FREEL - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Hugh Smith MILLER - Killed in Action Guardsman Mathew Patrick WYPER - Killed in Action 19 April The attack on VISSELHOVEDE began in the late morning. Spandau fire from the same woods on the right of the road caused some casualties, but the two leading squadron/company groups pushed on leaving F Company to clear the woods. Meanwhile Left Flank advanced from their positions at OTTINGEN 2787 and soon reached the railway 2589 where they linked up with the COLDSTREAM Group advancing on the town from NEUNKIRCHEN 3294. All went well to begin with the company/squadron groups taking their objectives with little opposition though the left-hand group experienced slight 88mm fire from the area of NINDORF 2289. However when Battalion H.Q. had crossed the railway and established itself in the centre of the town a counter-attack was put in by 1st Battalion 7 M.G.R. and for once Battalion H.Q. had to fight at extremely close quarters until rescued by various troops and platoons detached from the company/squadron groups. During this counter-attack Lieutenant The Honourable A.R.H. ERSKINE MC, was badly wounded by a spandau and died shortly afterwards. Visselhovede 2489 The position was restored after many hectic minutes and a tight defence zone was established in the town for the night. Many prisoners were captured during the day (approximately 400) including Colonel ORDAN, commanding 5 M.G.R. and many of his staff. ROLL OF HONOUR 19th April 1945 Guardsman Charles BROWN - Killed in Action Guardsman William Raymond BURDEN - Died of Wounds Guardsman Alexander CONNELL - Killed in Action Guardsman Charles William DUNSTONE - Killed in Action Guardsman Thom EAVES - Died of Wounds Lieutenant The Honourable Alastair Robert Hervey ERSKINE MC - Died of Wounds Lance Sergeant Francis Charles GREEN - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Thomas Campbell HOGG - Died of Wounds Guardsman Raymond HORNSBY - Killed in Action Sergeant William HUNT - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Robert Neilson MEIKLE - Killed in Action Lance Corporal Ronald PERKS MM - Killed in Action Guardsman George William RAMSAY - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Mathew Blair ROSS - Killed in Action 20 April In the morning a Battalion of 71 BRIGADE took over the town and Left Flank Company/Squadron Group took over SCHWITSCHEN 2692 from the COLDSTREAM. Warning Order (APPENDIX F) Later the Group moved towards ROTENBURG 1203 but was held up by a road block and cratered road just to the WEST of HEMSLINGEN 2501 where they came under some Nebelwerfer fire from the wood in 2300. One company/squadron group attempted to bypass this by way of BELLEN 2398, but were held up by bad going and also by the nebelwerfer hunt. The 3” mortars joined in this hunt and claim to have destroyed one nebelwerfer. Hemslingen 2500 As it was about to get dark operations for the day were suspended and H.Q. established in HEMSLINGEN. 21 April During the previous day the COLDSTREAM Group had captured SCHEESSEL 1709 and a plan was laid on for the capture of ROTENBURG using both infantry battalions supported by their tanks. The COLDSTREAM without much difficulty reached their start line NORTH EAST of the town, but although opposition to our group was not severe, operations were hampered by having to clear several small villages on the C.L. and also by the very large numbers of prisoners which had to be dealt with (approximately 700 in all). One platoon of G Company working with a troop of tanks managed to get 250 Prisoners of War. Opposition was met on the railway line at 1602 and it was clear that we would not be able to attack the town that night. This was confirmed by the Brigadier in the evening and the Group concentrated on reaching the Start Line for tomorrow’s attack. F and G Companies captured and occupied the start line, with Left Flank remaining in HEMSBUNDE 1602 and Right Flank with Group H.Q. in WENSEBROCK 1803. 22 April Wensebrock 1803 Attacked ROTENBURG with H Hour at 0930. Rapid progress was made, G Company and Left Flank being the forward companies. Soon the area of the Asylum and hospital were in our hands, many prisoners being taken or rather giving themselves up, from a large housing estate just over the S.L. It was clear from the beginning that no serious opposition would be met, and soon F Company had passed through Left Flank, and Right Flank through F Company on to the final objective. The COLDSTREAM Group had been equally successful and had captured the whole of the NORTH part of the town. Recce parties from the OX and BUCKS of 71 BRIGADE arrived shortly after the consolidation and before very long the Group moved out of the town just as the nebelwerfers from the NORTHWEST were getting a bit close, with the intention of billeting ourselves in SITTENSEN 1823. Route was ROTENBURG - HEMSLINGEN - 2500 - SCHEESSEL 1709 - SITTENSEN 1821 and we arrived at the latter at approximately 1700 hours, prepared for a day or two of rest and, more important, reorganisation after the casualties of the past few days. Almost as soon as we arrived the Carrier and Anti-tank platoons had to be sent out to sit on the autobahn at the bridge 1623 in order to give good warning of any German counter-attack from the SOUTH WEST. Reference Maps 1/100,000 Sheets L3, L4, M3 BREMERHAVEN, HAMBURG, BREMEN (APPENDIX P, Q, R) Companies were grouped far from Battalion H.Q. in SITTENSEN, F Company and Left Flank being in KLEINE MECKELSEN 1524 and G Company and Right Flank in HAMMERSEN 1619. 23 April Sittensen 1821 Resting and reorganising in SITTENSEN. 24 April Resting and reorganising in SITTENSEN. 25 April Received order to move tomorrow in afternoon. Group will pass through COLDSTREAM GUARDS Group and GRENADIER GUARDS Group in ZEVEN 0323 and attack WESTWARDS towards TARMSTEDT 8915. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE Group Operational Instruction No. 2 (APPENDIX G, Original only) 26 April Moved at 0500 hours. Passed through 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS in ZEVEN at 0600 hours to the accompaniment of a fire plan. Soon held up at road junction 006230 by a road block and enemy in the woods. One infantry gun firing ineffective H.E. and A.P. knocked out. S.P. gunfire from the NORTHWEST caused a few casualties and Lieutenant W.H. STRUTHERS was killed by M.G. fire. Meanwhile G Company and 3 Squadron Group took a different route and were soon entering OLDENDORF 0121 where opposition was negligible and 30 Prisoners of War were taken. The opposition to the main body in the woods took some time to overcome and great care had to be taken as a tank or two was reported in the neighbourhood. However the leading troops eventually cleared the woods on either side of the C.L. and an attack was laid on to capture BADENSTEDT 9821 where considerable shellfire caused several casualties though again infantry opposition was negligible. The bridge 982208 was found blown but a crossing was discovered by means of the railway bridge at 981205 one company/squadron group being pushed over before the diversion became impassible. The remainder of the group consolidated in BADENSTEDT while the bridge was being built and the squadron/company group over the stream managed to push on into OSERTIMKE 9619 where again shelling was fairly intense, and a few infantry from 115 PGR were met. Ostertimke 9619 The bridge having been built at 1800 hours the remainder of the Group passed over it and all were established in OSTERTIMKE by nightfall, F Company/Squadron Group having unsuccessfully tried to push on to KIRCHTIMKE 9418 being held up by S.P. gun fire just outside OSTERTIMKE. The Battalion suffered fairly heavy casualties from shellfire during the day, about 50 in all. During the afternoon the Camp Commandant of the Prisoner of War Camp in WESTERTIMKE 9317 and his Naval Lieutenant walked into our lines with a letter from General RODT commanding 15 PG DIVISION suggesting a ten hour truce in which to evacuate the 8,000 odd Prisoners-of-War at WESTERTIMKE through our lines. The bearers were immediately sent to BRIGADE and later we were told that no answer would be sent back as the Geneva Convention states that all Prisoners of War are to remain in situ. Moreover ten hours would have given General RODT time to withdraw his disorganised troops. ROLL OF HONOUR 26th April 1945 Guardsman Frederick Percival MAYES - Died of Wounds Guardsman Hugh Reid RUSSELL - Killed in Action Guardsman Campbell SANDERSON - Killed in Action Guardsman George SCRAGG - Killed in Action Lieutenant William Hutchinson STRUTHERS - Killed in Action 27 April Attack on KIRCHTIMKE began at 0915 after a patrol had reported opposition from the EAST of the village. The 4/2” mortars and artillery were used in considerable weight and soon Left Flank on the right and F Company on the left were well on their way to the objectives. Again shellfire and mortaring were more than we have usually experienced, and Lieutenant R.G. MUTTER (Right Flank) was killed. The attack did not go down the road but through the fields on either side, and as soon as the H.Q. tanks and reserve troop of the leading squadron tried to get down the road they came across mines at 955188 and the two company commanders of the leading companies who were travelling with the Commanding Officer were cut off from their companies. Later they walked forward over the fields but during the interval the attack and consolidation was organised by Lieutenant C.M. CAMPBELL (Left Flank). 3 S.P. guns were destroyed in the village but more escaped. After a considerable delay, during which Right Flank company/squadron group were sent round right flanking via cross tracks 954199 to assist Left Flank and F Company but also met mines and had to stop, the road was reported clear and the tanks started up again. After going approximately 100 yards the leading tank went up on a mine on the so-called ‘cleared’ road and the sappers had to make a further search. Meanwhile Right Flank went through on foot and helped the consolidation of the village. The ROYAL ENGINEERS reported that the mines on the road were laid very deep and that their detectors could not reach them owing to the magnetic quality of the cobble stones; also that the leading tanks could easily go over a mine, packing down the earth on top of it so that a later tank touched it off. As a result the road was never reported 100% clare and vehicles continued to get blown up as we took the risk of continuing. Kirchtimke 9418 Eventually the whole Group got into the village, a squadron being sent to guard the high ground 944189. G Company and 3 Squadron was pushed through the village with orders to capture WESTERTIMKE 936177 where 35 Prisoners of War from 104 PGR were taken with the assistance of a platoon of Right Flank and two sections of carriers. Contact was made with Prisoners of War Camp during the night. ROLL OF HONOUR 27th April 1945 Lieutenant Ronald Graham MUTTER - Killed in Action Guardsman Thomas McKINNEY - Killed in Action 28 April Right Flank was sent down into Westertimke in the morning to assist G Company who were no longer in contact with the enemy. Order of Battle APPENDIX H The Prisoner of War Camp was visited by a large number of people. The Prisoners, some of whom had been Prisoners of War for 5 years were overjoyed to see us. The Divisional Commander, Major General Allan ADAIR, CB DSO MC, and Corps Commander, General N.M. RITCHIE, CB CBE DSO MC, visited us in the afternoon and were profuse in their praise of the Battalion. In the evening leading troops of 51 DIVISION coming up from the SOUTH contacted the Brigade, and 7th Battalion BLACK WATCH harboured in the Battalion area. Owing to our casualties during the preceding days it was decided to reorganise the Battalion on a 3 company basis, F Company being disbanded. Order of the Day (APPENDIX J) 29 April 1330 Hours Ordered to be prepared to move at 1730 hours. Commanding Officer attended Brigade ‘O’ Group at 1415 and we moved to AHRENSWOLDE 1532 and BOKEL 1332 at 1730 via ZEVEN - HEESLINGEN 0625 - WANGESEN 1231. The journey was a peace move as the COLDSTREAM Group and Brigade H.Q. were in front of us. Ahrenswolde 1532 Right Flank, Left Flank and Battalion H.Q. were billeted in AHRENSWOLDE, and G Company and Support Company in the BOKEL area. 30 April 1 HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT got on well towards STADE 1557 and COLDSTREAM Group followed up. At 1600 hours we moved to conform and establish ourselves in HARSEFELD 1741 where the bridge to the NORTH was blown. Harsefeld 1741 When the bridge was repaired at 1900 hours, G Company/squadron group went over to a billet area in ISSENDORF 1845. 2115 Hours Brigade ‘O' Group. Ordered to move tomorrow through COLDSTREAM GUARDS to occupy high ground WEST of STADE including the villages of HADDORF 1057 and WIEPENKATHEN 1155. One hour's notice to move from 0700 1 May.
April Appendices [hr] APPENDIX A The following is an extract from the “Daily Mail” dated Saturday, 7th April, 1945 TANKS LED BIG BREAK-THROUGH MIDNIGHT 15-MILE “MAD” DASH BY GUARDS. It was midnight, a pitch-black night under the cold, distant stars over Germany, and forward elements of the GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION halted for orders. Eager, hushed voices echoed in the still of the night. Lumbering tanks stopped with grating squeals of protest. The orders came, short, curt, and definite. “Get going - and go fast,” they said. The Guards got going. Huge Cromwell tanks and every kind of armoured vehicle, blurred and shapeless in the inky blackness, moved off. Their lightning advance against every kind of opposition opened up the road for streams of British armour to pour on to the plains of North-West Germany. TOP SPEED In the van were a battle-group of SCOTS GUARDS riding on WELSH GUARDS’ tanks. They travelled at top speed, without lights, in an attempt to force the Ems River and the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Battle was joined at NORDHORN, where the Guards group fought their way to the bridges in the town, which was blazing fiercely. The bridges blew up in their faces. They found another bridge, over which the tanks passed. Later that bridge collapsed. Then came a long, thrilling 15-miles dash. As the leading tank squadron, with its supporting infantry company, raced into the black night they met groups of bewildered Germans walking or driving down the road towards them. Motor-cycles, carts, and lorries laden with equipment were knocked off the road and fired on by the racing wreckers. But they did not slow down. SURPRISED A German officer captured in NORDHORN said he was on leave, and declared that his comrades would be taken absolutely by surprise. They had no conception such an advance could be made. For eight miles the tanks roared on, and the burnt shells of enemy vehicles by the roadside next morning showed how their daring charge had succeeded. Then the leading tank ran into the back of two self-propelled guns, one a captured Sherman camouflaged by the Germans, which were also moving towards LINGEN. Seventeen-pounder shells put paid to these. “I could only see a blur of a target through my sights, but I let them have all we had got,” the gunner of the leading tanks said. These guns blocked the road and the column was halted in a murderous blaze of bazooka and Spandau fire. The two leading tanks were disabled. A German motor cyclist raced past and threw a bomb on to one of the tanks. A DETOUR The crew were blinded by smoke and fumes, but their machine-gunner squared the account with a sharp burst. The night was lit by red tracer from British and German machine-guns and explosions of 75mm and bazooka shells. Resistance broke after a short but hectic battale. Another troop took the lead, and a detour was made through fields adjoining the road, where the headlong charge continued. More German trucks travelling from and towards LINGEN were shot up and left blazing in the ditches. On went the Guards to SUDTHOLNE, a village on the west bank of the river opposite LINGEN. Here more bazookas were encountered, but the Scotsmen leapt from the tanks to dash ahead with the leading troop of tanks. Two sections raced across the bridge. When the tracks of the first tank were only three yards away, it was blown by the Nazis on the far bank. As soon as the bridge was blown the Germans sent a hail of Spandau and 20mm fire across the Ems river and the nearby canal. The leading tank was hit and ditched, the second tank was hit twice, but managed to reach cover. Infantry sections, cut off and under fire, swam back across the river with some losses to dig in on the nearside and hold the bridge approaches until relieved in the morning. FASTEST DASH The GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION made the spectacular dash to BRUSSELS, the fastest military advance ever made. But this time it is breaking no records. Desperate remnants of the famous German EIGHTH PARACHUTE ARMY have systematically blown bridges and cratered roads every few miles along the Guards’ advance route, while defence positions have been held with all the old fanatical tenacity of the German Parachute formations. The Guards crossed the RHINE on Good Friday. They broke out of the bridgehead the same day and re-entered Holland to liberate AALTEN, GROENLO, ENSCHEDE, and OLDENZAAL. Over the German frontier again they captured BENTHEIM, strongly held by parachute troops In four nights the divisions sappers were ordered to build 11 bridges. Each one was ready on time. This time the going is tough. But the Guards are tough men. [hr] APPENDIX B ORDER OF BATTLE 2ND BATTALION SCOTS GUARDS April 1945 BATTALION H.Q. Lieutenant-Colonel H.N. CLOWES - Commanding Officer Major W.D.M. RAEBURN, MBE - Second-in-Command Captain M.J. FITZHERBERT-BROCKHOLES - Adjutant Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE - Intelligence Officer Lieutenant & Quartermaster A. GREENWOOD - Quartermaster R.S.M. A. BARNSTAPLE - Regimental Sergeant Major Drill Sergeant D. FRASER Drill Sergeant G. McKIRDY HEADQUARTER COMPANY Captain G.L.S. PIKE Lieutenant (A/U/Captain) R.L. STUART - M.T.O. Lieutenant L.D. CAMBRIDGE - Signals Officer Lieutenant S.R. DOUGLAS - Assistant Signals Officer R.Q.M.S. D. TOLMIE C.S.M. K. MORRISON C.Q.M.S. J. BROWN RIGHT FLANK Captain H.L.St. V. ROSE Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE Lieutenant F.A.L. WALDRON Lieutenant W.A. ELLIOTT, MC Lieutenant A.R.C. ARBUTHNOT C.S.M. J. LINDSAY C.Q.M.S. G. COSGROVE F COMPANY Captain J.S.B. CLERK RATTRAY Lieutenant H.B. CLARK Lieutenant K.E. SEEL Lieutenant A.J. SINCLAIR Lieutenant P.A. WINTER C.S.M. C. McCLELLAND, MM C.Q.M.S. J. HOUSON G COMPANY Major A.E. CAMERON Captain R.A. WILLIS Lieutenant The Honourable A.R.H. ERSKINE, MC Lieutenant J.B. DENHAM Lieutenant G.C.W. RADCLIFFE C.S.M. J. FOULSTONE C.Q.M.S. G. FRISBY LEFT FLANK Major M.N. ROMER Captain N.H. BARNE, MC Lieutenant P.J.H. LENG Lieutenant J. SWINTON Lieutenant P.W.P. COMYNS C.S.M. J. KERR C.Q.M.S. W. DRONFIELD SUPPORT COMPANY Major E.J. HOPE, MC Captain Sir J.G. WORSLEY-TAYLOR, Bart. - Carrier Platoon Commander Lieutenant R.G. MUTTER - Second-in-Command Captain J.D.A. STAINTON - Anti-Tank Platoon Commander Captain D.G. MORPHETT - Mortar Platoon Commander Lieutenant A.N.J. GORDON - Pioneer Platoon Commander Lieutenant D.G. THOMAS - Assistant Pioneer Platoon Commander C.S.M. P. LYALL C.Q.M.S. S. REID [hr] APPENDIX C Special Message to All Ranks, GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION During the last fortnight the GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION has been engaged without respite in fighting against the best troops of the German Para Army. These Paratroops did all they could to prevent our advance, they held every key position, they fought desperately, they put obstacles of every sort in our way in a stretch of country generally unsuitable for the deployment of our armour. In spite of this, we have advanced over 100 miles since crossing the Rhine, and captured some 6,000 prisoners. We did not have a quick run through this time, but assisted by the splendid work of our Sappers, the daily progress of the Division has been consistent and relentless. We have done much towards breaking up the Para Army. Now we hope to have a few quiet days in which to get ready for the next phase of this final operation. I wish to thank you all for what has been achieved and am confident that further triumphs lie ahead. Signed Allan ADAIR Major-General, Commander, Guards Armoured Division Germany, 15 April 1945 [hr] APPENDIX D Subject:- Personal letter from Commander, 30 CORPS I have received a letter from Lieutenant-General B.G. HORROCKS, CB, DSO, MC, Commander, 30 CORPS, extracts of which are as follows:- “It has been a great privilege to have the GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION under my command for such a long time - since we crossed the Seine, and I am very sad that to-day you leave me to go elsewhere. Quite apart from the magnificent fighting qualities of your Division, I and my staff have got very fond of you all during our long partnership. My only consolation at your departure is the fact that I can see no task in this Corps suitable for an Armoured Division, and I hope that you may now get the “break” which you so richly deserve. I should be grateful if you would say good-bye for me to my many friends in the Division.” Signed Allan ADAIR Major-General, Commander, Guards Armoured Division B.L.A. [hr] APPENDIX H ORDER OF BATTLE 2ND BATTALION SCOTS GUARDS April 1945 BATTALION H.Q. Lieutenant-Colonel H.N. CLOWES - Commanding Officer Major P. STEUART-FOTHERINGHAM - Second-in-Command Captain M.J. FITZHERBERT-BROCKHOLES - Adjutant Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE - Assistant Adjutant Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE - Intelligence Officer Lieutenant & Quartermaster A. GREENWOOD - Quartermaster R.S.M. A. BARNSTAPLE - Regimental Sergeant Major Drill Sergeant D. FRASER Drill Sergeant G. McKIRDY HEADQUARTER COMPANY Captain G.L.S. PIKE Lieutenant (A/U/Captain) R.L. STUART - M.T.O. Lieutenant L.D. CAMBRIDGE - Signals Officer Lieutenant S.R. DOUGLAS - Assistant Signals Officer R.Q.M.S. D. TOLMIE C.S.M. K. MORRISON C.Q.M.S. J. BROWN RIGHT FLANK Major W.D.M. RAEBURN, MBE Captain H.L.St. V. ROSE Lieutenant K.E. SEEL Lieutenant A.J. SINCLAIR Lieutenant A.M.G. RUSSELL C.S.M. J. LINDSAY C.Q.M.S. G. COSGROVE G COMPANY Major A.E. CAMERON Captain R.A. WILLIS Lieutenant The Honourable J.L. VERNON Lieutenant J.B. DENHAM Lieutenant G. MacGREGOR C.S.M. J. FOULSTONE C.Q.M.S. G. FRISBY LEFT FLANK Major M.N. ROMER Captain N.H. BARNE, MC Lieutenant C.M. CAMPBELL Lieutenant P.J. LENG Lieutenant H.J.K. SMITH C.S.M. J. KERR C.Q.M.S. W. DRONFIELD SUPPORT COMPANY Major E.J. HOPE, MC Captain Sir J.G. WORSLEY-TAYLOR, Bart. - Carrier Platoon Commander Lieutenant H.B. CLARK - Second-in-Command Captain J.D.A. STAINTON - Anti-Tank Platoon Commander Captain D.G. MORPHETT - Mortar Platoon Commander Lieutenant A.N.J. GORDON - Pioneer Platoon Commander Lieutenant D.G. THOMAS - Assistant Pioneer Platoon Commander C.S.M. C. McCLELLAND, MM C.Q.M.S. S. REID Captain J.S.B. CLERK RATTRAY - Spare C.Q.M.S. J. HOUSTON - Spare (On Compassionate Leave) [hr] APPENDIX J SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY Owing to the high rate of casualties among All Ranks of the Battalion in the last few weeks, and to the lack of reinforcements, it has been found necessary to reform the Battalion on a three Company basis. I have therefore decided temporarily to disband F Company and to reform this Company again as soon as the reinforcement situation permits. In the meantime I wish to congratulate F Company on the magnificent example they have set throughout many weeks of hard fighting, and to thank All Ranks for their gallant and untiring efforts. Signed H.N. CLOWES Commanding, 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS B.L.A. 30 April 1945 [hr] ROLL OF HONOUR 2ND BATTALION SCOTS GUARDS 2nd April 1945 Guardsman Hugh CALLAGHAN - Died of Wounds Lance Sergeant John MONOGHAN - Killed in Action 3rd April 1945 Guardsman Robert TROTTER - Killed in Action 4th April 1945 Lance Sergeant Thomas DUNCAN - Died of Wounds Guardsman John Malcolm FLETCHER - Died of Wounds 6th April 1945 Lance Corporal George William ABBOT - Killed in Action Guardsman Herbert CULLING - Died of Wounds Lance Corporal Wiliam GRAY - Killed in Action Guardsman William HOUSTON - Died of Wounds Major David Horace KEMBLE MC - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Cathel Sutherland MELVILLE - Killed in Action Guardsman John Wiliam MOON - Killed in Action Guardsman John OWEN - Killed in Action Guardsman Donald George ROBERTSON - Killed in Action 7th April 1945 Lance Sergeant Gerrard WHITE - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant William WILSON - Killed in Action 8th April 1945 Major Hugh Douglas TWEEDIE - Killed in Action 9th April 1945 Lieutenant Richard BERRIDGE - Killed in Action Guardsman Leonard CAUSTON - Killed in Action Lieutenant Jonathan Francis CORY-WRIGHT - Killed in Action Guardsman William FULLARTON - Killed in Action Guardsman James McLELLAND - Died of Wounds 10th April 1945 Guardsman Peter Buchanan DAVIDSON - Killed in Action Lieutenant Victor de SOISSONS - Killed in Action 18th April 1945 Guardsman Thomas DARLINGTON - Died of Wounds Guardsman William DEMPSTER - Killed in Action Sergeant Alfred James DODD - Killed in Action Guardsman William FRASER - Killed in Action Guardsman William FREEL - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Hugh Smith MILLER - Killed in Action Guardsman Mathew Patrick WYPER - Killed in Action 19th April 1945 Guardsman Charles BROWN - Killed in Action Guardsman William Raymond BURDEN - Died of Wounds Guardsman Alexander CONNELL - Killed in Action Guardsman Charles William DUNSTONE - Killed in Action Guardsman Thom EAVES - Died of Wounds Lieutenant The Honourable Alastair Robert Hervey ERSKINE MC - Died of Wounds Lance Sergeant Francis Charles GREEN - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Thomas Campbell HOGG - Died of Wounds Guardsman Raymond HORNSBY - Killed in Action Sergeant William HUNT - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Robert Neilson MEIKLE - Killed in Action Lance Corporal Ronald PERKS MM - Killed in Action Guardsman George William RAMSAY - Killed in Action Lance Sergeant Mathew Blair ROSS - Killed in Action 26th April 1945 Guardsman Frederick Percival MAYES - Died of Wounds Guardsman Hugh Reid RUSSELL - Killed in Action Guardsman Campbell SANDERSON - Killed in Action Guardsman George SCRAGG - Killed in Action Lieutenant William Hutchinson STRUTHERS - Killed in Action 27th April 1945 Lieutenant Ronald Graham MUTTER - Killed in Action Guardsman Thomas McKINNEY - Killed in Action
1 May 1945 Bridging in COLDSTREAM GUARDS area not completed up to schedule owing to the long distance involved in fetching the material Group moved at 1030 hours and occupied WIEPENKATHEN 1155, HADDORF 1057 and the high ground 142586 without opposition. Message from Commander 12 CORPS (APPENDIX A, Original only) During the move we heard with relief that the town of STADE 1557 had surrendered to the HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT. Later the Group less Left Flank, who remained on the high ground moved into STADE which was entirely undamaged and full of comfortable billets. Reference Map 1/250,000 Sheet L54 HAMBURG (APPENDIX P) 2 May Nothing to report. 3 May Our gunners and medium machine gunners shot up a village and farm from which the HITLER YOUTH had fired at a HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT patrol. 4 May Stade 1557 Many German soldiers began to give themselves up in the town, and all were locked up in the jail under the experienced guardianship of Sergeant RUSSEL, the R.P. sergeant. In the afternoon, rumours of peace negotiations between the German Army in the North and Field Marshal MONTGOMERY began to circulate and just before 2100 hours we heard over the BBC that all Germans on our front would surrender unconditionally by 0800 hours tomorrow. This news was widely celebrated in every Mess. Meanwhile a civilian brought in two German Officers representing the Artillery between the ELBE and the OSTE who asked for a three day truce so that they could find out from their higher command whether they could surrender to us with honour. They were sent back to Corps and later passed back through our lines with the information about the surrender. 5 May 0800 Hours The German Army in the North officially surrendered unconditionally. Brigade Message (APPENDIX B, Original only) Just before 0800 hours a “Feu de joie” was fired by our 25-pounder battery. They fired as much ammunition as they could in one minute including every kind of coloured smoke; one gun getting off 17 rounds. Message from Commander SECOND ARMY (APPENDIX C, Original only) 1000 Hours Battalion Parade held to celebrate the end of Captain M. FITZHERBERT-BROCKHOLES’ period as Adjutant. He will be succeeded on the 7th by Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE. 6 May 1100 Hours Church Parade - Thanksgiving Service. Lieutenant A. GREENWOOD (Quartermaster) was promoted to Captain. In the evening Brigade informed us that the group would move North into previously held German Territory to accept the surrender of 7 PARA DIVISION. 32 BRIGADE Warning Order (APPENDIX D, Original only) 7 May 0930 Hours O’ Group at Brigade. First orders under code-word ECLIPSE. 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS will seize and secure CUXHAVEN 6386. 32 BRIGADE March Table No. 10 (APPENDIX E) COLDSTREAM GUARDS Group will guard the prisoners of 7 PAR DIVISION concentrated on the airfield 6075. Strengths of 7 PARA DIVISION & CUXHAVEN Garrison (APPENDIX F) The Battalion moved at approximately 1300 hours in the following order - Left Flank/3 Squadron WELSH GUARDS, Tac H.Q. Group, Right Flank, G Company, H.Q. & Support Companies. Crossed over the bridge at HECHTHAUSEN 0062 at 1400 hours. A German Naval Captain and his interpreter were soon met and were placed on the leading tank as guides. Soon our own naval detachment under command Captain LAWFORD, ROYAL NAVY joined in the column and at NEUHAUS 8579 where a halt was arranged to pick up a more junior officer than the German Captain to sit on the leading tank, a Conference was held on the roadside to tie up the details of surrender. This being over, the column made good speed through OTTERNDORF 7680 and halted just outside CUXHAVEN for Left Flank to mount the tanks of 3 Squadron. Left Flank / 3 Squadron then made straight for the dock gates and took up tactical positions covering the harbour where several German naval vessels were berthed. Right Flank then went through to the two barracks at the western end of the town and took up positions round them. They were full of German soldiers who quietly obeyed all orders. Dolles Hotel Cuxhaven After much conferring with German naval, military and civil officers, naval H.Q. and H.Q. 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS were established in the DOLLES HOTEL in the centre of the town. 32 BRIGADE Message re Terms of Surrender (APPENDIX G) 8 May VE DAY Guards had to be found on two Displaced Persons Camps near the town and G Company provided a platoon for each. Personal Message from the Commander-in-Chief (APPENDIX H) Otherwise Nothing To Report. 9 May Infantry Barracks, CUXHAVEN Battalion H.Q. moved from DOLLES HOTEL to a large Infantry barracks in the NORTHWEST of the town during the afternoon and was followed by the Companies in the evening. Once again the whole Battalion was in Barracks with plenty of room. A central Officers’ Mess was immediately set up. To the great joy of the Signal Platoon, all offices and Officer’s room were found to be connected to an automatic telephone exchange and no line had to be laid. At 2230 hours a platoon was called for to help guard the Divisional Prisoner of War Cage. Right Flank provided the platoon. 10 May 1100 Hours Company Commanders Conference. Ten officers under the command of Captain N.H. BARNE, MC, escorted about 200 German Officers of 7 PARA DIVISION to the former British Prisoner of War Camp at WESTERTIMKE lately liberated by the Battalion. 11 May At an early hour in the morning, Right Flank embarked on board five German mine-sweepers and were soon on their way to HELIGOLAND, the Battalion having been ordered to take over the Island from the 2,000 odd Germans who were there. The ‘Times’ Article (APPENDIX J) Right Flank disembarked at 1300 hours and formed up a small guard of honour to receive Rear-Admiral MUIRHEAD-GOULD, ROYAL NAVY as he came ashore. The Commanding Officer accompanied the party, and together with the Admiral, inspected the Island, which was a complete shambles after to CUXHAVEN in an R-boat. Right Flank’s mine-sweepers were all German manned and still sailed under the German flag. A useful acquisition on the Island was 3,500 bottles of beer. See also: http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/scots-guards-at-heligoland-surrender-11-05-1945.91146/ 12 May Nothing to report. 13 May 1020 Hours A Divisional Thanksgiving Service was held in one of the CUXHAVEN Churches. General Allan ADAIR took the salute at the March Past after the Service. 14 May Normal routine. Order of Battle (APPENDIX K) 15 May Normal routine. 16 May Heard that the Brigade will be moving to the ROTENBURG area on Saturday 19 May. 17 May Recce parties of a SEAFORTH Battalion from 51 (H) DIVISION were shown over the Barracks and round the various Guards that we are finding in the harbour. Lieutenant L.D. CAMBRIDGE left the Battalion on his way back to PIRBRIGHT and Lieutenant S.R. DOUGLAS took over the duties of Signals Officer. Right Flank returned from HELIGOLAND in a minesweeper escorted by R-boats, disembarking at approximately 1700 hours. Exchange of Signals (APPENDIX L) 18 May 0930 Hours Harbour parties from all Companies departed to choose our future Company areas to the West of ROTENBURG. A Company of the 2nd Battalion SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS took over form our sentry posts round the harbour perimeter during the evening. 19 May 0615 Hours The Battalion led by Support Company left the Barracks CUXHAVEN and arrived in the ROTENBURG area in the early afternoon. 32 BRIGADE Move Order No. 11 (APPENDIX M, Original only) Owing to lack of accommodation, it was impossible to centralise the Battalion and Companies are billeted in small villages over a considerable area. 2SG Move Order No. 1 (APPENDIX N) 20 May Waffensen 063042 Settling in to new areas. 21 May NCOs Cadre Course (Drill) began. 22 May Normal routine. 23 May Normal routine. 24 May - 25 May The Commanding Officer left for ENGLAND. 26 May Harbour parties to recce the SEEDORF PWX (Russian) Camp were sent off. 27 May PWX Camp 0028 Battalion H.Q., F Company, G Company and Left Flank took over from 73 ANTI-TANK REGIMENT the PWX Camp at SEEDORF 9929. 2SG Move Order - Male Nurse (APPENDIX O) The Camp at present holds about 8,000 Russians. 28 May The business of organising the ‘Q’ side of the Camp got well under way and patrols were sent out during daylight to the small villages in the neighbourhood with the orders to prevent the Russians looting the local Germans. 29 May Right Flank and Support Company moved from their old location to ZEVEN 0323. Approximately 800 Russians left the Camp on their way back to RUSSIA under Command of Captain N.H. BARNE MC. 30 May Normal routine. 31 May A further 750 Russians left for RUSSIA.
May Appendices [hr] APPENDIX A Subject:- Personal Message to Commander, GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION, from Commander, 12 CORPS 1 May 1945 I have received the following letter from Lieutenant-General M. RITCHIE, CB, CBE, DSO, MC, on our passing form command 12 CORPS. “This is to wish you all good fortune, and to say how much we all in 12 CORPS admire the great fighting qualities of our Division. It has been a great honour to have had the GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION in battle. You have always carried through everything asked of you, and I do congratulate you all.” Signed Allan ADAIR Major-General, Commanding, Guards Armoured Division B.L.A. [hr] APPENDIX B MESSAGE FORM From H.Q. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE To 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS Date 05 Time 0800 RESTRICTED Germans SURRENDERED UNCONDITIONALLY at 1820 hours 4 May 45. Hostilities on all sectors Army fronts will cease at 0800 hours today 5 MAY 45. NO repeat NO advance beyond present front line without order from the H.Q. All informed. [hr] APPENDIX C MESSAGE FORM From H.Q. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE To 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS Date 05 Time 1100 The following message from the Army Command will be read out to All Ranks forthwith quote As Commander of the 2ND ARMY I say to every man under my command and to All Ranks of 83 GP. R.A.F. THANK YOU AND WELL DONE Signed M.C. DEMPSEY, Lieutenant-General unquote All informed. Companies all have been informed. [hr] APPENDIX F STRENGTHS OF 7 PARA DIVISION DIV. H.Q. - 186 19 PARA REGIMENT, I & II - 430 20 PARA REGIMENT, I & II - 724 ANTI-TANK BATTALION - 137 H.Q. AR - 80 I/12 ARTILLERY REGIMENT - 367 II/12 ARTILLERY REGIMENT - 243 III/12 ARTILLERY REGIMENT - 295 AA BATTALION - 436 SIGNALS - 215 SUPS - 786 12 ASSAULT GUN BRIGADE - 223 SUBTOTAL 4122 CUXHAVEN GARISON MAR. AA BATTALION 224 - 114 MAR. ARTILLERY ABT. 114 (CUXHAVEN) - 802 BATTERIE SPINNE - 14 MAR. AA BATTALION 214 CUXHAVEN - 926 F 314 - 232 KOMMANDANT A14/XI - 327 ALARM BTL 701 - 635 ALARM BTL 5 - 265 ALARM BTL 3 - 647 ALARM BTL 12 - 219 ALARM BTL 11 - 310 ALARM BTL 10 - 314 ALARM BTL 9 - 359 ALARM BTL 8 - 450 ALARM BTL 7 - 594 ALARM BTL 6 - 439 FIRE COMPANY STICKENBUTTEL - 166 ALARM BTL (SUPS) - 409 SUBTOTAL 7222 TOTAL 11344 [hr] APPENDIX G MESSAGE FORM DATE & TIME OF ORIGIN:- 08 1230 FROM:- H.Q. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE TO:- 1st Armoured Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS, 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS, 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS, 2nd Armoured Recce Battalion WELSH GUARDS, No. 1 Independent Machine Gun Company NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, Camp, Signals. RESTRICTED The following message received from SECOND ARMY is a digest of the Terms of Surrender signed by C.-in-C. 21 ARMY GROUP and GERMAN Reps 4 May 1945. They will be read out to all troops and then posted on unit notice boards where it can be seen by All Ranks. QUOTE First The GERMAN Comd agrees to the surrender of all GERMAN forces in HOLLAND in NW GERMANY in SCHLESWIG HOLSTEIN and in DENMARK to the C in C 21 Army Group. Those forces to lay down their arms and to surrender unconditionally. Second All hostilities on sea on land or in the air by GERMAN Forces in the above area to cease at 0800 DBST Sat 5 May 45. Third The GERMAN Comd to carry out at once and without argument or comment all further orders that will be issued by the Allied Powers on any subject. Fourth Disobedience of orders or failure to comply with them will be dealt with by the Allied Powers in accordance with the accepted laws and usages of war. Fifth This instrument of surrender is independent of without prejudice to and will be superseded by any general instrument of surrender imposed by or on behalf of the Allied Powers and applicable to GERMAN and the GERMAN Armed Forces as a whole. Sixth The instrument of surrender is written in English and in German. The English version is the authentic text. Seventh The decision of the Allied Powers will be final if any doubt or dispute arises as to the meaning or interoperation of the surrender terms. UNQUOTE [hr] APPENDIX H 21 ARMY GROUP PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE C-IN-C (To be read out to all Troops) 1. On this day of victory in Europe I feel I would like to speak to all who have served and fought with me during the last few years. What I have to say is very simple, and quite short. 2. I would ask you all to remember those of our comrades who fell in the struggle. They gave their lives that others might have freedom, and no man can do more than that. I believe that He would say to each one of them: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” 3. And we who remain have seen the thing through to the end; we all have a feeling of great joy and thankfulness that we have been preserved to see this day. We must remember to give the praise and thankfulness where it is due: "This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” 4. In the early days of this war the British Empire stood alone against the combined might of the axis powers. And during those days we suffered some great disasters; but we stood firm: on the defensive, but striking blows where we could. Later we were joined by Russia and by America; and from then onward the end was in no doubt. Let us never forget what we owe to our Russian and American allies; this great allied team has achieved much in war; may it achieve even more in peace. 5. Without doubt, great problems lie ahead; the world will not recover quickly from the upheaval that has taken place; there is much more work for each one of us. I would say that we much face up to that work with the same fortitude that we faced up to the worst days of this wary. It may be that some difficult times lie ahead for our country, and for each one of us personally. If it happens thus, then our discipline will pull us through; but we must remember that the best discipline implies the subordination of self for the benefit of the community. 6. It has been a privilege and an honour to command this great British Empire team in western Europe. Few commanders can have had such loyal service as you have given me. I than each one of you from the bottom of my heart. 7. And so let us embark on what lies ahead full of joy and optimism. We have won the German war. Let us now win the peace. 8. Good luck to you all, wherever you may be. Signed B.L. MONTGOMERY Field-Marshal, C.in-C., 21 ARMY GROUP Germany, May, 1945. [hr] APPENDIX J The Times, May 15th, 1945 OCCUPATION OF HELIGOLAND SCOTS GUARDS TAKE OVER ADMIRAL’S VISIT From a Correspondent HELIGOLAND, May 13 The British occupation of Heligoland, the tiny island fortress which dominated the entrance to the German ports, had several remarkable features. This was the first time for many generations that a British admiral and British infantry, a company of SCOTS GUARDS, have taken over an island and have used enemy warships for the purpose. Rear-Admiral MUIRHEAD GOULD, naval commander in north-west Germany, travelled to Heligoland with a staff of gunnery and disarmament expertes in two German R-boats, small but powerfully armed coastal escort vessels, with German crews. The discipline and seamanship of these Germans were good, and whatever they may have been feeling about the trip their professional pride forbade any slacking. The commander was wearing the Iron Cross. Before the Admiral was piped aboard breech-blocks of guns were taken away and scuttling charges removed. These were common-sense precautions, though the whole attitude of the Germans around Wilhelmshaven is that of willing and genuine cooperation. During the voyage the German crew gathered in the stern except for the commanding officer and a German signalman, who both stayed close to the British admiral, and it was the German commander who said respectfully: “Heligoland in sight, sir.” At this stage we were joined by five ships of the 7th German Minesweeping Flotilla, ships of the famous M class, who gave our men a lot of trouble during the war. These ships carried the men of the SCOTS GUARDS who are to form the temporary garrison under the command of Major RAYBURN [sic]. They came fresh from their triumphs with the GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION, and some senior officers accompanied them. As we steamed into the dock at Heligoland we passed two merchant ships full of German soldiers, the 2,500 men who had formed the garrison, men who had maned the giant guns. They were being taken to the mainland, five sleek black U-boats lay just outside, and there was another in a U-boat pen. The commander of each stood stiffly at the salute in the conning tower. R.A.F DAMAGE Ashore, awaiting our party, were German naval and military officers and a crowd of fishermen many of them hoping that the order to evacuate the island would be postponed. The admiral stepped ashore on a jetty strewn with the debris of the last R.A.F. raid. There were two big raids in which 1,300 bombers were used. One of his staff produced a document by which the Germans bound themselves to keep the surrender terms faithfully and in detail. The German commander, Captain ROEGGELER, using an overturned water-tank as a table, signed at once. The present intention of the British is to destroy every form of armament on the island, including, of course, mines, and to evacuate, at least temporarily, the population except for a few who are being left behind to operate such essential services as are functioning. Until the disarmament experts have completed their work it is difficult to say how many guns were put out of action in the two R.A.F raids. I saw several big ones which had been knocked sideways, with great gaping holes in the turrets. One gun barrel was pointing skyward, but little was left of it apart from the barrel. It seemed evident that no thickness of concrete could withstand a fair and square hit from the biggest bombs, although by some queer chance the huge U-boat pens had suffered nothing except that bits of concrete were chipped off the roof. Inside, the roof showed no signes of even a crack, and all the apparatus for repair and maintenance was in good condition. Outside, the spring sun blazed strongly down on the wreckage of homes and batteries, but inside the U-boat pen it was cool and refreshing. The great guns of the fortress had never been fired during the war except for practice shoots, but A.A. guns had been used a lot at raiders passing overhead. [hr] APPENDIX K ORDER OF BATTLE 2ND BATTALION SCOTS GUARDS 15 May 1945 BATTALION H.Q. Lieutenant-Colonel H.N. CLOWES - Commanding Officer Major P. STEUART-FOTHERINGHAM - Second-in-Command Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE - Adjutant Lieutenant The Master of ERSKINE - Intelligence Officer & Assistant Adjutant Captain & Quartermaster A. GREENWOOD R.S.M. A. BARNSTAPLE - Regimental Sergeant Major Drill Sergeant D. FRASER Drill Sergeant G. McKIRDY The Reverend D.H. WHITEFORD, CF - Padre Captain A.J. BRIGGS, RAMC - Medical Officer HEADQUARTER COMPANY Captain G.L.S. PIKE Lieutenant (A/U/Captain) R.L. STUART - M.T.O. Lieutenant L.D. CAMBRIDGE - Signals Officer Lieutenant S.R. DOUGLAS - Assistant Signals Officer R.Q.M.S. D. TOLMIE C.S.M. K. MORRISON C.Q.M.S. J. BROWN RIGHT FLANK Major W.D.M. RAEBURN, MBE Captain M.J. FITZHERBERT-BROCKHOLES Lieutenant G.C.W. RADCLIFFE Lieutenant A.J. SINCLAIR Lieutenant A.H.R. LYELL Lieutenant D. MILLEN C.S.M. J. LINDSAY C.Q.M.S. G. COSGROVE F COMPANY Captain H.L.St. V. ROSE Captain J.S.B. CLERK RATTRAY Lieutenant K.E. SEEL Lieutenant A.J. KENNEDY Lieutenant A.M.G. RUSSELL C.S.M. C. McCLELLAND, MM C.Q.M.S. J. HOUSON G COMPANY Major A.E. CAMERON Captain R.A. WILLIS Lieutenant The Honourable J.L. VERNON Lieutenant J.B. DENHAM Lieutenant G. MacGREGOR C.S.M. G. FOULSTONE C.Q.M.S. J. FRISBY LEFT FLANK Major M.N. ROMER Captain N.H. BARNE, MC Lieutenant C.M. CAMPBELL Lieutenant N.E. BOURCIER Lieutenant H.J.K. SMITH C.S.M. J. KERR C.Q.M.S. G. DRONFIELD SUPPORT COMPANY Major A.D. HAMILTON Captain J.G. WORSLEY-TAYLOR, Bart. - Carrier Platoon Commander Lieutenant H.B. CLARK - Second-in-Command Carrier Platoon Captain J.D.A. STAINTON - Anti-Tank Platoon Commander Captain D.G. MORPHETT - Mortar Platoon Commander Lieutenant A.N.J. GORDON - Pioneer Platoon Commander Lieutenant D.G. THOMAS - Assistant Pioneer Platoon Commander Sergeant A. MACKIE - Acting Company Sergeant Major C.Q.M.S. S. REID Captain D.A. COLQUHOUN - Spare [hr] APPENDIX L Exchange of Signals between O.C. Right Flank and the N.O.I.C. on the occasion of Right Flank’s departure from HELIGOLAND on 17 May 45:- To:- Major RAEBURN, & SCOTS GUARDS From:- Lt. Comd. AYLWIN & Naval Party Au revoir. We much enjoyed our joint occupation HELIGOLAND. - To: Lt. Comd. AYLWIN From:- Major RAEBURN Many thanks for your message. We all enjoyed working with you and your party. Best of luck from all.
1 June PWX Camp 0028 Arrangements made to accomodate POLES and CZECHS as well as RUSSIANS in the Camp. Polish and Czech Advance Parties arrive. 2 June Commanding Officer returned from Regimental Conference in ENGLAND. 3 June 600 Poles and 400 Czechs arrive. 4 June Headquarter Company beat G Company in the final of the Company Soccer Competition, postponed over since HEUMAN. 5 - 8 June - 9 June “Farewell to Armour” parade took place on ROTENBURG Airfield. See APPENDIX A Major W.D.M. RAEBURN, DSO, MBE; Lieutenants A.H.J. GORDON and The Honourable J.L. VERNON and 198 men took part. 10 June Battalion Recce party left for new area (Major W.D.M. RAEBURN, DSO, MBE and Captain D.A. COLQUHOUN). 11 June - 12 June Company Recce parties left for new area under the Command of Captain G.L.S. PIKE. See APPENDIX B Recce party from 4th Battalion SURREY REGIMENT arrived to take over PWX Camp. 13 June - 14 June Main body of 4th Battalion SURREY REGIMENT arrived and the Camp was handed over to them at 1800 hours. 15 June - 16 June 0500 Hours Battalion moved from SEEDORF PWX Camp and travelled a distance of approximately 180 miles and billeted the night at BECKUM. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE Adm Instruction (APPENDIX C, Original only) 17 June Beckum B 2252 0800 Hours Battalion moved on and arrived at WIPPERFURTH (760800) at 1500 hours. 32 GUARDS BRIGADE Movement Order (APPENDIX D, Original only) All Companies billeted in the town. 2SG Movement Order (APPENDIX E) 18 - 22 June - 23 June Wipperfurth (Map Reference F 760800) p.m. Heard that Battalion will take part in looking after the delegates at the forthcoming Big 3 Meeting. 24 June 0830 Hours Left Flank left for BIELEFELD (B5383) on their way to look after H.Q. 4 L of C during Operation TERMINAL (Big 3 Conference). 25 June - 26 June Left Flank left BIELEFELD for BABELSBERT E6536 SOUTH WEST of BERLIN. 27 - 28 June - 29 June Left Flank, having been held up for many hours at the frontier between the British and Russian zones at MAGDEBERG, eventually arrived at BABELSBERG. Operation “CURFEWBUSTER” took place. 12 arrests were made. See APPENDIX F. 30 June -
1 July 1945 - 2 July Wipperfurth (Map Reference F 764799) The Commanding Officer and Captain The Master of ERSKINE set out for BERLIN to visit Left Flank. All went well until MAGDEBURG was reached. Here it was found that Russians would not let the party cross “Friendship Bridge” into Russian occupied territory. Billeted the night at HELMSTEDT. Major A.E. CAMERON MC, left the Battalion to become Brigade Major at STOBS. 3 July Commanding Officer and Intelligence Officer all day at HELMSTEDT, 25 miles West of MAGDEBURG. 4 July Commanding Officer and Intelligence Officer crossed over with 7 ARMOURED DIVISION after even they had been delayed some three hours at the frontier. Reached BABELSBURG and Left Flank at about 1800 hours. 5 July Commanding Officer and Intelligence Officer returned to Battalion having had a clear run through from BERLIN. A curfew check resulted in no malefactors being caught. See APPENDIX A 6 July An operation beginning at 0330 hours and designed to clear a large area of woods near WIPPERFURTH resulted in no Russians are supplied with information by Germans, probably Nazis and that this happened this morning. 7 July General Swabbing. A road check resulted in no arrests as the difficulty of telling a genuine pass from a false one is great as there are so many different types of pass. 8 July - 9 July It is possible that the whole Battalion will go to BERLIN in the near future. 10 July The Commanding Officer received the award of the Distinguished Service Order. Operation “Last Straw” (Disarmament of Germany) began taking priority over all other training or exercise. See APPENDIX B 11 July - 12 July Commanding Officer and Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE left for BERLIN. 13 July - 14 July Heard that the Battalion will NOT now be going to BERLIN. 15 July - 16 July Official end of non-fraternisation order. 17 July Commanding Officer and Adjutant returned from BERLIN. 18 July Attempt to blow up ammunition train on siding outside WIPPERFURTH station. Charge spotted by alert sentry but would not have gone off as it was incorrectly put together. The train is 1 1/2 miles in length and requires a guard of 100 men. 19 July - 20 July - 21 July Battalion Drill Parade. The 1st phase of Operation “Last Straw”, i.e. the searching for and registering of ammunition, equipment and essential stores in the Battalion area of responsibility resulted in the discovery of approximately 230 tons of ammunition, 80 guns, 300 vehicles of different sorts besides a large quantity of useful maintenance material. The 2nd phase i.e. the removal of this ammunition to a central Brigade Dump will now start. 22 July - 23 July - 24 July Rehearsal for BRUSSELS Parade at 2nd Battalion WELSH GUARDS. See APPENDIX C German public houses and cafes now in bounds. 25 July Rehearsal for BRUSSELS Parade at 2nd Battalion WELSH GUARDS. 26 July Rehearsal for BRUSSELS Parade at 2nd Battalion WELSH GUARDS. 27 July Personnel for BRUSSELS Parade and Spectators left for BRUSSELS at 0730 hours. 28 July Battalion Parade. BRUSSELS Parade - Major P. STEUART-FORTHRINGHAM, Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE, Lieutenants J.B. DENHAM, G.C.W. RADCLIFFE and 48 Other Ranks with C.S.M. McCLELLAND, MM took part in the Parade followed by various dances in the evening organised for the occasion. Major P. STEUART-FOTHERINGHAM was presented with a plaque in commemoration of the role played by X Company in the liberation of BRUSSELS. 29 July - 30 July BRUSSELS Parade party returned. 31 July -
1 August 1945 - 2 August - 3 August Wipperfurth (Map Reference F 764799) Left Flank returned from BERLIN where they had been providing Guards for the PRIME MINISTER at the Conference of the “Big Three”. 4 - 9 August - 10 August Major W.D.M. RAEBURN, MBE, left the Battalion for the Staff College at CAMBERLEY. The Command of Right Flank was taken over by Captain M.J. FITZHERBERT-BROCKHOLES. 11 - 12 August - 13 August The guard for the ammunition train parked in a siding near WIPPERFURTH was reduced in size, and the Command ceased to be that of an Officer. No further attempts at sabotage had been made since July 18th. 14 August Major M.N. ROMER left the Battalion to take over Command of Right Flank 3rd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS. The Command of Left Flank was taken over by Captain J.G. WORSLEY-TAYLOR, Bt. At 2300 hours JAPAN capitulated to the Allies and endeavours were made by every Company to hold some sort of celebration. 15 - 18 August - 19 August A Thanksgiving Service for the complete victory of the United Nations was held in the Battalion Theatre. 20 August - 21 August The Command of the German POW Camp at DELLBRUCK near COLOGNE was assumed by Major A.D. HAMILTON. Captain H.B. CLARK took over Command of Support Company. 22 - 23 August - 24 August A Zone-wide road check, Operation TARANTULA, was held in order to ascertain the number of unlawful vehicles on the road, and to check up on vehicles being used for a purpose for which they were not authorised. 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS took part but did not succeed in capturing any illegal vehicles. 25 August Nine members of the Nazi Party arrested by the Battalion. 26 - 31 August - General Note: At frequent intervals throughout the month various security patrols, road checks and house checks have been carried out by the Battalion with the object of ensuring that the so-called “Displaced Persons”, belonging to various European Nations, conducted themselves in an orderly manner and refrained from molesting the civil population and that the Germans themselves did not carry out activities contrary to Allied interests and security regulations.
1 - 6 September 1945 - 7 September Right Flank took over Guard Duties at DELLEBRUCK P.O.W. Camp. Captain M.J. FITZHERBERT-BROCKHOLES was granted powers of Detachment Commander for the period of their duty (1 week). 8 - 14 September - 15 September Major G.L.S. PIKE assumed the appointment of Education Officer. Captain J.D. HENDERSON assumed Command of H.Q. Company in his place. The following new Officers were posted to the Battalion: Lieutenant I.D. MacKENZIE (C Company) Lieutenant J.C. SHERWOOD (C Company) Lieutenant P.W.M. FARQUARSON (Right Flank) Lieutenant D.S. BOWSER (Left Flank) 16 - 17 September - 18 September A further six Warrant Officers, NCOs and Guardsmen left the Battalion for eventual release from the Army on 24 September 1945. 19 - 25 September - 26 September Lieutenant S.R. DOUGLAS was appointed Intelligence Officer vice Captain The Master of ERSKINE who was appointed Adjutant of the 3rd Battalion. 27 September A Training Conference was held by the Commanding Officer for the discussion of training programmes shortly to be carried out by Companies. The Conference was attended by all Company Commanders, Major G.L.S. PIKE and Captain A.N.J. GORDON. Officers were warned that those of them who were in Age & Service Group 22 or above were liable to be retained for a minimum period of 3 months after their Group was due for release from the Army. 28 September All Ranks were warned against bartering cigarettes and food for goods from German civilians. 29 September An Inter-Battalion Athletic Contest was held with the 3rd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS at COLOGNE Stadium. Official Programme and List of Judges - APPENDIX A The meeting covered the whole day and was won by the 3rd Battalion with 86 points to the 2nd Battalion’s 85. The Piping contest proved to be the decisive factor. The prizes were awarded by the Commanding Officer. 30 September - General Note: Throughout the month, the Battalion carried out routine road and house checks, and the normal monotony of routine life was broke for F Company and G Company by a Company March (in transport) to LAKE CONSTANCE on the Swiss border; such an enterprise was much appreciated by all who took part.
1 - 2 October 1945 - 3 October Wipperfurth (Map Reference F 764799) The Commanding Officer left WIPPERFURTH by car to visit the 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS at TRIESTE. He was accompanied by Captain R.L. STUART. 4 - 14 October - 15 October The Commanding Officer returned from TRIESTE. 16 October Lieutenant M.E. BOURCIER left WIPPERFURTH for NUREMBERG where he will attend the War Criminal Trials to be opened on 20 November 1945. 17 October Major H.L.St.V. ROSE and Lieutenant D.G. THOMAS were sent to U.K. to fetch the Battalion Colours. 18 - 21 October - 22 October Major-General J.C.O. MARRIOTT, CVO DSO MC - G.O.C. GUARDS DIVISION, visited the Battalion. He was accompanied by Captain The Honourable D.A. BETHELL MC. See APPENDIX A 23 - 26 October - 27 October A lecture was given to the Battalion by Dr. AGAR, an American geologist. His subject was topical - “The Atomic Bomb”. 28 - 31 October - General Note: During the month of October, the Battalion has had increasingly less to do with troublesome Displaced Persons, though at the end of the month there were two big plunderings accompanied by murder and rape. The Germans have given no trouble at all, but it is generally felt that the Battalion may experience a rising resentment among the civilian population when Winter has set in and the influx of refugees from the other occupied Zones commences. It is expected that the Battalion may have to carry out large mobile patrols to KOLN or DUSSELDORF during the winter to assist the Battalions at present occupying these cities. House Checks were carried out regularly in October with negative results.
1 November 1945 - 2 - 5 November - 6 November The Battalion paraded for an inspection by Major-General J.C.O. MARRIOTT CVO DSO MC, G.O.C. GUARDS DIVISION. The King’s Colour and Regimental Colour, which were carried by Lieutenant A.J. SINCLAIR and Lieutenant A.H.R. LYELL respectively, were trooped in slow time through the Ranks. 7 - 8 November - 9 November A party of Officers and NCOs left for a three day Tour of the BONNINGHARDT Battlefield conducted by the Commanding Officer. The Party was accommodated at 31 R.H.U. KREFELD. 10 November - 11 November Armistice Day was observed by the Battalion with a two minutes silence at 1200 hours in remembrance of the dead both in the last Great War and the War 1939 - 1945. All flags were flown at half-mast and the Last Post and Reveille were sounded. 12 - 13 November - 14 November A Drill Competition was held by the Battalion in the centre of the town. The winning Company was F Company with a total of 82 points. 15 - 29 November - 30 November A War Crimes Trial at WUPPERTAL was attended by Major A.D. HAMILTON, Captain Sir J.G. WORSLEY-TAYLOR, Bt., and nine Other Ranks of the Battalion. Members of the former German Luftwaffe were on trial for alleged torture of ROYAL AIR FORCE personnel. General Note: During the month, personnel from the Enemy Ammunition Disposal Control Unit were removing ammunition from the train and exploding it by the NEYE TALSPERRE (F 770822) House Searches and Road and Black Market Checks were carried out regularly by the Battalion in common with other Battalions in the DIVISION. The Intelligence Section, working in co-operation with Field Security Police, arrested a number of Germans who came into the automatic arrest categories.
1 December 1945 Wipperfurth (Map Reference F 764799) - 2 - 8 December - 9 December The first number of the Battalion Weekly Magazine “The Thistle Weekly” was printed and published. Appendix A - The 3rd No. of Vol. 1 of the Thistle Weekly. The printing was done by a German in ENGELSKIRCHEN and the editing by Major G.L.S. PIKE. 10 - 11 December - 12 December The Major-General Commanding the BRIGADE OF GUARDS visited the Battalion and inspected a number of billets and departments. APPENDIX B - 2ST Letter dated 9th December 1945 The Major-General was met at 1500 hours by the Commanding Officer and Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE and left the Battalion at approximately 1600 hours. 13 -14 December - 15 December The Battalion was represented in a Brigade Drill Competition at DELLBRUCK (F 528647) PCW Camp by F Company who came third with a score of 280 points. 16 - 17 December - 18 December The arrest was made of PAUL SCHMITZ a member of the Gestapo at LINDE bei OBERATH (F 683595) and of JOSEF SCHEVER at KLUPPELBERG (F 825792). SCHEVER was a Stellvertreter - Ortsgruppenleiter in a District of COLOGNE. 19 - 23 December - 24 December Toni SAAL, Obersturmbannfuehrer in the S.A. and his son Toni SAAL of the Hitler Jugend (STREIFENDIENST) were arrested at MUCH (F 770564). 25 December Celebration of CHRISTMAS DAY in the Battalion began with a service in the Battalion Theatre at 1030 hours. The Commanding Officer accompanied by Major A.D. HAMILTON, Captain A.N.B. RITCHIE and Captain The Reverend D.H. WHITEFORD, visited each Company in turn at its Christmas Dinner. 26 - 31 December -
thanks for taking the time to post the war diary. My fathers cousin was Guardsman William Houston killed 6/4/1945 and sad to say Williams brother was killed whilst serving with the HLI six weeks previously.
[/QUOTE] dbf you are a star! I was just about to type out the relevant SG diary pages and found you'd done them already. You've saved at least a me a few hours of finger trouble. Pints owed!