Account: 3rd Tank Bn Scots Guards, Jul 1944 - May 1945

251985 Lieutenant Robert Alexander Kennedy RUNCIE, MC, 3 Scots Guards
6th Guards Armoured Brigade, 30 Corps
P/251985 War Substantive Lieutenant Robert Alexander Kennedy RUNCIE, 3rd Tank Battalion SCOTS GUARDS

During the attack on WINNEKENDONK (9934) on 2nd March 1945 Lieutenant RUNCIE's troop was in support of the leading wave of tanks when they came under heavy and close fire of concealed 88mm and S.P.s from the front and both flanks, all three tanks being hit.

Though his own tank had been brewed up the previous day Lieutenant RUNCIE unhesitatingly took his troop out into the open which was the only place from which he could see the enemy weapons and engaged them so effectively that he knocked out two 75 mm S.P.s and one 88 mm, also causing the enemy to abandon a nest of 50 mm. During this time not only was he being shot at by AP from a range of not more than 500 yards, but also was being subjected to very heavy shell and mortar fire. A short time later whilst being fired upon he personally successfully directed the fire of our artillery onto an area from which fire was holding up the advance.

There is no doubt that Lieutenant RUNCIE's courageous leadership and the magnificent marksmanship of his troop dealt so effectively with this strong enemy Anti-Tank screen that the tanks and infantry were able to get on into the town

5th March 1945
Granted an Immediate Military Cross



The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Runcie, Robert Alexander Kennedy
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: P/251985
Regiment: Scots Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 07 June 1945
Date 1945
Catalogue reference WO 373/54

 

6th Guards Armoured Brigade, 30 Corps
41098 Major, Temporary Lieutenant Colonel Claude Ian Hurley DUNBAR, 3rd Tank Battalion SCOTS GUARDS

Lieutenant Colonel Claude DUNBAR has commanded 3rd Tank Battalion SCOTS GUARDS with great success since that unit's arrival in this theatre in July 1944. But at no time have his soldierly qualities and his ability as a leader been so conspicuous as during the present Operation "VERITABLE".

On 15th February, 1945, his battalion was placed at short notice under command of 7th CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE for an operation at LUISENDORF (9648) the following day. Such was his energy and organising ability that he was able to make adequate liaison with all battalions of that Brigade and its affiliated Field Regiment in the few hours available before the attack was scheduled to be launched.

As a result, on 16th February the attack was completely successful, the infantry being preceded to their objectives by the tanks which dominated the ground until the infantry arrived to take over. Throughout the operation Lieutenant Colonel DUNBAR commanded his battalion with the greatest skill and coolness under very heavy and accurate shell and mortar fire, in the course of which his Adjutant was wounded. He also sent constant reports of the utmost value to HQ of the Infantry Brigade, giving them an up-to-the-minute picture of the progress of the battle.

As darkness fell the CANADIANS were firmly established on their objectives and Colonel DUNBAR arranged for adequate close support of the infantry with his tanks during the night.

Throughout the operation this officer again demonstrated his complete mastery of the battlefield. His handling of his own troops and sound advice to higher authority undoubtedly were responsible for the complete success of the operation and the capture of many prisoners.

20 February 1945
Granted an Immediate Distinguished Service Order


The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name: Dunbar, Claude Ian Hurley
Rank: Major
Service No: 41098
Regiment: Scots Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45
Award: Distinguished Service Order
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 10 May 1945
Date: 1945
Catalogue reference: WO 373/53

 

6th Guards Armoured Brigade, 30 Corps
2694192 War Substantive Serjeant Lewis AITKEN

This Serjeant was Troop Serjeant of the leading troop in support of 10th Battalion HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY during the attack on KRANENBURG on 8 February 1945. On approaching KRANENBURG every tank in the squadron became bogged except his. By superb command he managed to get onto the road and was led by his Troop Leader on foot over the bridge which was known to be prepared for demolition, and led the infantry down the main street dealing with Machine Gun posts and snipers on the way. The Infantry Company Commander reported that the effect of his supporting fire undoubtedly did much to force the enemy to surrender, that the way in which he fought his tank was quite magnificent and that his action undoubtedly save the infantry many casualties.

15 February 1945
Granted an Immediate Military Medal


The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Aitken, Lewis
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 2694192
Regiment: 3 Tank Battalion Scots Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 10 May 1945
Date 1945
Catalogue reference WO 373/53

 

VI. BETWEEN THE WESER AND THE ELBE

 

VI. BETWEEN THE WESER AND THE ELBE

On the 10th of April the Battalion with 227th (H) BRIGADE moved in the afternoon across the R. WESER to WUNSTORF (1527), South-East of the STEINHUBER MEER, arriving there just before dark. The Commanding Officer and Squadron Leaders had gone on ahead to plan the next day’s operations. 227th (H) BRIGADE GROUP was to advance North-East, pass through the 15th DIVISIONAL RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT, who were known to be in FUHRBERG (4343), and capture CELLE (5850). Left Flank and ‘S’ Squadron were to go ahead with the GORDONs - ‘S’ Squadron’s role being merely to carry the infantry; the BRIGADE’s Tactical HQ together with Battalion HQ was to come next, followed by the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY with Right Flank and finally the ARGYLLs.

IWM Ref: BU 3550

IWM Ref: BU 3554

The column moved off at a quarter past seven in the morning. After travelling nearly 15 miles it encountered a blown bridge (263425) and had to be diverted. All then went well until, at about one o’clock, the head of the column reached a point three and a half miles beyond FUHRBERG. Here there was another blown bridge (482462 - X on the Map of CELLE) and this time the crossing was disrupted by infantry with bazookas. The GORDONs suffered some casualties and Lieutenant FEARFIELD’s tank was hit by a bazooka which wounded two of his crew, Lance-Serjeant ELLIOTT and Lance-Corporal KELLY. At the same time the enemy began to shell the cross-roads just short of the stream with a medium gun. Lieutenant A.C. LAING and Serjeant JACKSON, the commander of the bridgelayer, were wounded and Lieutenant LAING’s operator, Guardsman COPLAND, was killed.

Lieutenant DUFFIN’s troop now moved forward to the blown bridge and the infantry were able to establish a small bridgehead on the far bank. The enemy seemed to be pulling out, though there was still some sniping. The bridge was laid and Left Flank went over and advanced slowly, meeting with small-arms fire from the thick woods on either side of the road. After the Sappers had filled in the crater, the bridge was lifted and the whole column moved on. In three miles another blown bridge was met (524473 - Y on the Map) and this was covered by small arms fire from the left and 20 mm gun firing from the right. These were engaged and Lieutenant DUFFIN’s troop was able to cross the stream. It was now getting dark and the whole column got off the road, close leaguered and replenished. A report meanwhile came in to the effect that there were some hospitals in CELLE containing allied prisoners of War and that, for this reason, the enemy did not intend to defend the town itself. Information of the same sort was received from a second source and was therefore thought not improbable. Indeed in the upshot it turned out to be true, though many German soldiers from Training Schools in the town were encountered in the fighting on the far side.

Orders were now given for the advance to be continued later on during the night. It was decided that Lieutenant DUFFIN’s troop, the OP tank and two companies of infantry should move off at midnight and make for the canal about a mile ahead (553482 - Z on Map); Right Flank and the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY would then pass through. But the GORDONs and Left Flank actually made such good progress that the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY and Right Flank did not in fact pass through until the middle of the town had been reached.

The centre of CELLE was found unoccupied but the main bridges over the main bridges over the R. ALLER (A on Map) were blown. The HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY gained a bridgehead leaving Right Flank on the near bank. The Reconnaissance Troop, carrying a Platoon of the GORDONs, was then ordered to investigate the bridges at ALTENCELLE (621484) two miles to the South-East. This they did at racing pace, killing some Germans on the way and charging over the bridges to capture them intact. As the result of this brilliant piece of work a new plan was made. Right Flank were ordered to go round by this new route and link up with the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY at LACHTEHAUSEN (6250), while the GORDONs were to move over and secure a local bridgehead in the area of these bridges and Left Flank were to concentrate on the near bank. Finally the ARGYLLs and ‘S’ Squadron were to move round by this same route and seize the high ground near GARSSEN (6254). There was, it is true, considerable doubt as to whether the two bridges would stand up to the considerable doubt as to whether the two bridges would stand up to the whole Battalion, but the risk was thought worth taking. The Westerly bridge, over the ALLER, (B on Map) was a flimsy-looking, wooden structure which sagged whenever a tank passed over it. Nevertheless it turned out to be the stronger of the two; for the Easterly one, over the Canal. (C on Map), collapsed before even the whole of Right Flank had got across. A little later the leading part of Right Flank found themselves held up at yet another crossing near the entrance to LACHTEHAUSEN (622500 - D on Map). Here the bridge was clearly not strong enough to carry a tank and the bridgelayer could not be employed as it was now on the wrong side of the bridge that had collapsed. So the rear part of Right Flank and the whole of ‘S’ Squadron had to wait until a Bailey bridge had been built over the Canal and the ARGYLLs were obliged to advance alone to their objective, which they reached without opposition. At four o’clock in the afternoon the Bailey was completed and the bridgelayer went across and laid its bridge South of LACHTERHAUSEN. This, of course, opened up the whole route and enabled Right Flank and ‘S’ Squadron to move forward and join up with the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY and ARGYLLs respectively. At eight o’clock in the evening Battalion HQ with the HQ of 227th BRIGADE moved across the main bridge in CELLE, which the ROYAL ENGINEERS had now built, and pitched for the night in the Northern part of the town. They were followed by the Germans and Left Flank.

The plan for the following day (13th April) was to advance North-East along the main road and capture UELZEN (8989) thirty-five miles away. Right Flank and the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY were to lead, followed by 227th BRIGADE’s “Tac” HQ and Battalion HQ, the ARGYLLs and ‘S’ Squadron, the GORDONs and Left Flank.



The BRIGADE Group moved off at a quarter to nine in the morning. The road was cratered at 666606, two miles short of ESCHEDE, but a way round was found. The bridge two miles the other side of the town was partially blown but passable and some prisoners were taken near this point. About this time several loud explosions were heard away to the North-East and it was clear that German demolition parties were only a short way ahead. If we pushed on with all speed, we might interrupt their work. Speed however was not easy.


IWM Ref: BU 3428

A further crater was met just short of SCHELPLAH (751764) where there were also several holes intended for Teller mines. The bridgelayer was laid over the crater and Right Flank passed over. They brushed aside some Bazooka and small arms opposition only to meet another very large crater a mile and a half beyond (770685). This was cleverly sited with a bog on either side and was quite impassable. It was decided therefore to build a Bailey Bridge over it, but while the Sappers were starting work a time-bomb, of which there were a number buried in the side of the road, went off, killing some of them and wounding Lieutenant GORDON, Serjent AITKEN and Guardsman WALLY. It was now clear that owing to the presence of more time-bombs, the clearance of this part of the Centre Line was beyond the ROYAL ENGINEERS’ resources of the BRIGADE. A detour was therefore made through the thick woods to the left. Lieutenant MacDONALD-BUCHANAN led Right Flank very skilfully through the narrow rides to a cross-roads (775710) in the forest where the column was to turn right and join the main road again at WEYHAUSEN (7869). As he arrived at these cross-roads he saw a German blowing down trees across the track. The German was promptly killed but he had already felled a number of trees. These obstructions Right Flank successfully by-passed, but shortly afterwards another enormous crater yawned in front, most cunningly placed and quite impossible to get round. This obstacle was the worst so far encountered; it was getting dark and nearly the whole BRIGADE Group was crowded in the narrow ride to the left of the Centre Line. Already about twenty miles had been covered since morning, and, even allowing for no further diversions UELZEN still lay sixteen miles away. The tanks therefore had to be refuelled and this presented a very difficult problem, for the ride in which they were was too narrow to make it possible for the wheeled vehicles to get up to them. By a great piece of luck however the ride for about 400 yards to the South-West of the cross-tracks was found to be wide enough to treble-bank the 800 vehicles to get by. This was duly done and refuelling and re-organisation were carried out.


IWM Ref: BU 3426

During this halt some exciting things occurred. A large number of Germans in all forms of transport drive past the position and were captured: one despatch-rider failed to stop when challenged and raced on past Right Flank. He was followed by a hail of revolver bullets and finally killed by the leading troop.

Meanwhile the Brigadier COLVILLE, the Commander of 227th (H) BRIGADE Group, decided to continue the advance by way of the forest rides and by-ways to UELZEN so as to avoid the obstacles which were certain to be put in our way on the main road. The risks of a night move of tanks through woods and enclosed country had to be accepted. The advance was to continue at three o’clock in the morning on the axis HOSSERLINGEN (8076) - SUDERBURG (8381) - HOLXEN (8583) - HOLDENSTEDT (8784) - UELZEN. The order of march was to remain unchanged.

It was pitch black when the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY and Right Flank started off along the forest ride. Lieutenant MacDONALD-BUCHANAN was the leading tank commander and it was an outstanding achievement on this part to find the way through the forest and country lanes. The pace throughout was terrific and the Germans in the villages were too astonished to take any action. Several vehicles were found with their headlights on and some of these were destroyed.

As it began to get light on the morning of the 14th, the head of the column reached HOLDENSTEDT and a large number of red flares were seen to go up in the direction of UELZEN. It was evident that the Germans were now waking up and at last realised our presence amongst them. Many of their vehicles were parked along the road between HOLDENSTED and the level-crossing South of UELZEN (889870). These were shot up by Right Flank and some prisoners were taken. Unfortunately, quite close to the level-crossing, a lorry (A on Map of UELZEN) which contained ammunition was shot up by Serjeant SHEARER. It immediately caught alight and the resulting barrier of flames and exploding shells prevented not only the soft-skinned vehicles but even the tanks of Right Flank from passing the place. The Germans now began to open up with many Flak guns from the open country to the left of the road, while the woods to the right were full of enemy with small arms. Some very confused fighting followed in which all the carriers of the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY were destroyed. Right Flank deployed to the right and the Flak guns were eventually silenced and many prisoners taken.

Brigadier COLVILLE had meanwhile ordered the rest of the column to halt at HOLDENSTEDT. Since the ammunition lorry was still burning fiercely, a by-pass to UELZEN was required. There were several tracks leading to VEERSEN (8988), a suburb to the South of the town, but the wood (B on Map) to the South-West of this place was held by the enemy. It was decided therefore that one company of the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY should attack the wood supported by the whole of Right Flank with the exception of Lieutenant MacDONALD-BUCHANAN’s troop which was to remain near the level-crossing. The attack went in at 7.15 and at once prisoners began to come in. In the end however it was not a success as the company were forced to withdraw from the wood owing to heavy shelling and small arms fire. Very soon afterwards a German counter-attack in the form of infantry and armoured cars was launched form the East;

Meanwhile, in the rear areas, mopping up had been going on. Battalion HQ Tanks actually fired their guns, for the first time since NORMANDY (with the exception, of course, of “PEPPER-POT” at GEILENKIRCHEN) and in the villages through which we had passed during the night 300 prisoners were brought in, making a total of 900 for the day so far. This alone shows the great success of the night march and the extent of the surprise gained.

Later on in the morning the Quartermaster, Captain F. MORLEY, M.B.E., and R.Q.M.S. DUFF were captured while on their way up to the Battalion in JEEPs from ‘B’ Echelon. They had tried to reach HOLDENSTEDT by the main road, not knowing that this was still held by the Germans. The incident was seen from afar by members of the ARGYLLs’ Carrier Platoon, who were powerless to take action for fear of shooting up Captain MORLEY and the R.Q.M.S.

By one o’clock the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY and the ARGYLLs had been ordered to hold firm in their position and by this time Left Flank had relieved Right Flank who had come back to HOLDENSTEDT. Since the enemy resistance around UELZEN showed no signs of weakening it was decided to mount a full-scale attack on the town with artillery support during the night. An hour before midnight the ARGYLLs were to seize the high ground (900878) East of VEERSEN while the GORDONs with Left Flank were to advance along the main road into UELZEN itself and capture the bridges over the R. ILMENAU. Finally, if a bridge was intact, ‘S’ Squadron were to pass over and link up with the ARGYLLs. In support of the attack ‘S’ Squadron were to fire a “Pepper-pot” on to the wooded area to the North-West of the town.

The attack on the right by the ARGYLLs was completely successful and met with little opposition, but the main attack found itself up against very stiff resistance from SP guns and infantry with Spandaus and Bazookas. Left Flank were badly held up in the outskirts of the town and lost their leading tank to Bazookas, Lieutenant BARNE, M.C. being seriously wounded. The HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY however successfully attacked the wood from which they had been thrown back in the morning and their two leading companies, with Lieutenant H. LAING’s troop, entered the village of VEERSEN before daylight on the 15th while the rest of Right Flank gave fire-support from the South. There were many German infantry in the village with half-a-dozen SP guns and they showed no disposition at all to pull out. The leading platoons were soon cut off and Lieutenant LAING was in an unenviable position. The situation was so confused that one German actually spoke to him and asked if he could give any help! He did not speak again. At first light the rest of the squadron advanced into the village, and shortly afterwards Captain the Honourable W.H.C.J.R. WATSON-ARMSTRONG and Lieutenant MacDONALD-BUCHANAN were wounded, the latter when his tank was knocked out by an SP. The whole day was spent in holding on to the Southern half of the village and collecting the two companies who had been leading in the night attack. It was a day spent fighting at very close quarters, for the Germans still occupied most of the houses, and Right Flank were mainly engaged in dismounted action and in stalking the enemy SP guns with PIAT mortars. A large number of enemy were killed and one SP knocked out, but Right Flank lost one of the M.10 SP guns attached to themselves. During the day the Commanding Officer of the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY Lieutenant Colonel R. BRAMWELL DAVIS, was wounded by a German who fired at close range over a wall; the Second-in-Command, Major F. NOBLE, came forward and took over the Battalion. A notable feature of the day was the magnificent way in which the Padre, the Reverend G.T.H. REID, gave assistance to the wounded both of Right Flank and HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY; he seemed to be everywhere, always turning up when wanted and often in places of great danger.

Meanwhile the bulk of Left Flank was concentrated about the level-crossing, but Lieutenant DUFFIN’s troop, with the leading company of the GORDONs, had pushed forward into the outskirts of UELZEN. At mid-day an incident occurred which demonstrated the complete confusion of the German forces in that area at the time. A staff car drove out of UELZEN down the main road and ran slap into Lieutenant DUFFIN’s troop and the platoon with him. The car, which was shot up and set on fire, was found to contain four German officers who were presumably as well informed as any other German in the place. During the morning Lieutenant DUFFIN’s troop was under heavy fire from snipers at very close range and was forced to lie very low. ‘S’ Squadron had been brought back early in the morning to take up a defensive position to the East of HOLDENSTEDT, as a result of the news of a German counter-attack on NETTLEKAMP (9179) and STADENSEN (8979) away to the South-East.

By this time the whole BRIGADE Group was extremely tired and orders were given for its relief. The GORDONs and Left Flank (less Lieutenant DUFFIN’s troop) came out at ten o’clock at night; but Right Flank and Lieutenant DUFFIN’s troop were not relieved until five o’clock the next morning (April 16th). They had, by then, been advancing and fighting for 72 hours without respite.



IWM Ref: BU 3915

IWM Ref: BU 3919

During the three days’ well-earned rest which the Battalion now enjoyed, plans were made for the next operation and the Germans withdrew from UELZEN. The BRIGADE Group moved off from HOLDENSTEDT at nine o’clock on the morning of the 19th. The order of March was ‘S’ Squadron and the ARGYLLs, 227th BRIGADE “Tac” HQ and Battalion HQ, Left Flank and the GORDONs, Right Flank and the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY. Very little was known about the enemy. The objective was the area of VASTORF (8815), about 16 miles to the North of UELZEN, where we were to form a firm base from which to mount a further attack. However no opposition was met and, after stopping at VASTORF for an hour, we moved on at 11.30 to the area of SCHARNEBECK (8525) on the far side of LUNEBURG, where the night was spent. On the 20th plans were made for a night attack on ARTLENBURG (8334) on the R. ELBE. The attack went in at half-past one in the morning of the 21st. From a point (825532) midway between LUDERSHAUSEN and ATLENBURG Left Flank fired a “Pepper-pot” on to AVENDORF (8135) in support of the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY and Lieutenant H. LAING’s troop, whose objective was the village of ARTLENBURG itself. The attack was successful, both places were captured, and 15th SCOTTISH DIVISION was thus placed securely on the West bank of the ELBE. During the day the Battalion went into billets in BEVENSEN (8002), twenty-two miles to the South. We found ourselves released from 227th BRIGADE for what proved to be the last time. The association had started at CAUMONT and now ended, nine months later, at the ELBE. To commemorated it a magnificent set of pipes was presented to us by the BRIGADE. Their notes will always awake proud memories of the many days and nights on which we fought beside the 10th HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY, the 2nd ARGYLL & SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS and the 2nd GORDON HIGHLANDERS of 227th BRIGADE.

 

080 Link GORDON AE 2873917 - 28/03/1945 SCOTS GUARDS

081 Link PEMBER RCG 165038 - 29/03/1945 SCOTS GUARDS

082 Link KERR DR 14315028 - 31/03/1945 SCOTS GUARDS

083 Link MCBRIDE W 2700583 - 02/04/1945 SCOTS GUARDS



Nemo me impune lacessit


N.B. As CWGC records do not include a battalion for many of the Scots Guards in their Roll of Honour, I have had to cross-reference casualties with Appendix A of The Scots Guards 1919-1955, Erskine. Apologies for any omission or erroneous inclusion.

 

V. ARDENNES AND ARMOUR - IN THE LEAD WITH THE AMERICANS.

Three weeks’ respite followed. For the first eight days we remained in and around WINNEKENDONK; but on March 11th the whole Battalion concentrated in the town of KEVELAER, two miles to the South-East. There it was joined by the rest of the BRIGADE for rest and maintenance in brilliantly warm spring weather. For the first time we found ourselves close to the 2nd Battalion [SCOTS GUARDS], now near GENNEP, and a joint dinner was held in the KOELNERHOF HOTEL at KEVELAER. On March 14th we were visited by the Army Commander, Lieutenant General Sir Miles DEMPSEY, and the next day the Commanding Officer and Squadron Leaders left secretly by air for ENGLAND to concert plans for the crossing of the RHINE and the break-out beyond with the 6th AIRBORNE DIVISION.

This operation was to become known as “VARSITY-PLUNDER” - “VARSITY” being the Airborne landing and “PLUNDER” the subsequent break-out. The preparations on this bank of the river for “PLUNDER” were to be concealed from the enemy by a vast smoke screen, and this, though highly successful in its purpose, added greatly to the difficulties of “VARSITY”. The “drop” was to be proceeded, on the night of D-1 to D day, by an Assault Crossing, just North of XANTEN, by the 15th SCOTTISH DIVISION, while 51st (H) DIVISION were to cross further North, near REES. We were to move down to the RHINE on the evening of D plus 1 and cross during the night as called forward on the wireless by 6th AIRBORNE DIVISION. Left Flank was to cross first and link up with them while the rest of the Battalion followed over. One imagined that the next phase would consist of the defence of a perimeter while the build-up took place in the bridge-head and that this in its turn would be followed by a break-out battle.

On the morning of Saturday March 24th the cloudless blue sky West of the RHINE was full of the great airborne Armada passing over. We picked up their DIVISIONAL HQ on the wireless soon after the landings - little knowing what fearful casualties had been entailed. In the course of Sunday 25th March we moved down by two stages to the RHINE bank near the village of WARNDT (1044). It was an ink-black night. The tanks crossed the river on rafts and the wheeled vehicles followed over in the early hours of the morning, using a bridge that the Sappers had completed with remarkable speed near XANTEN.

Left Flank pushed on 4 miles and linked up with 6th AIRBORNE DIVISION, who had suffered severely, in a clearing in the DIERFORDTER WALD (177472). The task assigned them was to support 6th AIR-LANDING BRIGADE in an attack on a section of the ridge, 5 miles ahead, which runs from BOCHOLT in the North to BRUNEN in the South. To do so it would have been necessary to take the tanks across a considerable stream by a bridge whose condition was doubtful; but the infantry met with only slight opposition in gaining their objective and Left Flank, who reached the neighbourhood of the stream at HAMMINKELN, were not called upon to cross. Meanwhile Battalion HQ and 6th AIRBORNE DIVISIONAL HQ moved up behind to KOPENHOF (189478) across the WESEL-EMMERICH railway and ‘S’ Squadron and Right Flank passed on to HERMANNSHOF (206477) just South of HAMMINKELN.

Before nightfall we all moved across the stream and the Battalion was put under command of 3 PARACHUTE BRIGADE for the break-out in the morning. For this we formed up in a large field near the hamlet of SCHOPPING, a mile South-West of BRUNEN. We advanced as far as the stream of the ISSEL, where a tank bridge had been laid but while the Battalion was in the act of crossing the whole plan was changed. For it had become clear by now that the enemy defences had no crust and that a bold advance might lead to a big break-through. The 6ht GUARDS ARMOURED BRIGADE GROUP was therefore hastily formed for the purpose of advancing at speed in the direction of MUENSTER - 50 miles away to the North-East.

The Brigade Group consisted of the COLDSTREAM and ourselves, the 513 PARACHUTE REGIMENT of the 17th U.S. AIRBORNE DIVISION, the Reconnaissance Regiment of the 3rd BRITISH DIVISION, the 6th FIELD REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY and the 61st MEDIUM REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY. The Battalion at once left the British Airborne troops and moved 4 miles South-East to PEDDENBERG (3141) on the WESEL-MUENSTER road to pick up the Americans who consisted of the 2nd Battalion of 513 PARACHUTE REGIMENT and were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A.C. MILLER. The SCOTS GUARDS Group was to lead with the COLDSTREAM Group behind. By 3 o’clock in the afternoon the Americans were on board and the great enterprise had begun.

To begin with we had the Reconnaissance Regiment ahead of us but they soon bumped some light opposition at DAMM and we passed through and took the lead. Almost immediately ‘S’ Squadron, who were in front, were held up by some SP guns and Serjeant IRWIN’s tank was knocked out. It was also apparent that another American formation was advancing on a similar axis in the dusk. So to avoid confusion we were ordered to halt for some hours.

During this halt the Brigadier ordered the Battalion Group to capture DORSTEN, eight miles away, and seize the road and railway bridges over the R. LIPPE, if possible, intact. It was decided to advance by night - a daring decision which was fully justified by the surprise achieved. We started at a quarter to one in the morning. It was pitch-black and foggy. Right Flank led. American infantry were carried on every tank as a protection agains bazookas, and route-finding was entrusted to a patrol of the Reconnaissance Troop under Serjeant FRASER. All went well until the village of SCHERMBECK (3945) was reached. Here there was a road-block which Captain PEMBER investigated and pronounced immovable. Serjeant FRASER was therefore sent to find a way round to the South of it and back on to the SCHERMBECK-DORSTEN road on the far side of the village, Captain PEMBER following and guiding him over the wireless. In spite of thick mist their joint efforts were successful - a truly amazing performance. But the ground over which the detour lay was very soft and many tanks bogged before they got through. By 3 o’clock, however, every tank was formed up again on the main road and the advance continued. Three hours later, at about first light, we were in the Northern half of the town, but the bridges were found blown and for a time there was a good deal of sniping. Two tanks of Lieutenant ELLIOT’s troop of Left Flank, coming along behind the others, were attacked by a bazooka fired from the cellar of a house in the outskirts. One tank was knocked out and its commander, Serjeant GORDON, was killed. The other tank engaged the house with HE besa fire while the Americans mopped up a small wood just ahead. Most tragically too Captain PEMBER, who had been so largely responsible for the success of the advance, had been shot whilst placing his HONEY tanks in position to watch the Northern entrances to the town and died of wounds which he received.

By seven o’clock, thanks to the energetic measures of the paratroops, resistance had ended and a little later in the morning the American Corps Commander, Major General RIDGEWAY, sat on the Commanding Officer’s tank and wrote out a short despatch announcing that the “6th GUARDS ARMOURED BRIGADE Group Commanded by Brigadier GREENACRE has captured the town of DORSTEN.” This was duly slidexed and wirelessed back to Army HQ.

At about 10 o’clock an attempt was made to find out whether the bridge over the LIPPE Canal near HERVEST was intact. First Lieutenant FEARFIELD’s troop and then the whole of Left Flank went out two and a half miles to the East of the town to assist a Company of paratroops on this mission. There was much opposition from enemy infantry and bazooka-men in the woods surrounding the village and, though we inflicted considerable casualties, it was found impossible to get near to the bridge and at one o’clock the force was withdrawn.

Meanwhile the COLDSTREAM Group had passed through to the North of DORSTEN along the HALTERN road. During the afternoon and the early morning of the following day (March 29th) we remained where we were. The position we occupied was made pretty uncomfortable by heavy close-range shelling - mostly air-bursts - and we were all glad when the time came to get on and the Battalion moved out to the East of the town. Five miles ahead, and almost on our axis, some 88 mms had been reported between the R. LIPPE and the Canal; so the infantry were called upon to destroy them and ‘S’ Squadron planned to support them by a squadron shoot. The infantry however did so well, capturing 500 prisoners, that this support was not required and the Battalion came on to pick them up near LIPPRAMSDORF (5546). We then pushed ahead fast through HALTERN (6249) to DULMEN (6959) where we halted just short of the ruins of the town for the night. We had come about 19 miles. Early next day a MESSERSCHMIDT flew low along the column. It did not attack but the rarity of German planes in the sky made its appearance quite an event. A little later we received orders to continue the advance through DULMEN towards MUENSTER. We knew that the COLDSTREAM were engaged in heavy fighting in the village of BULDERN, five miles ahead, but this we were to by-pass to the North. Accordingly, three miles after leaving DULMEN, we turned left up the BILLERRECK road. In another three miles ‘S’ Squadron, who were in the lead, bumped a fairly strong German position in very open country near the hamlet of HORST. A tank and several SP guns were identified and the latter were well sited. Right Flank however worked slowly round them by the left, the American paratroops showed the greatest enterprise in stalking them and eventually they were induced to withdraw. The affair cost ‘S’ Squadron one HONEY and Right Flank two CHURCHILLs. It was now quite dark, except for the glare of blazing ricks and farmsteads, and it was decided to harbour for the night. Battalion HQ and Left Flank settled at the farm, called GROSS HERZOG (724657), ‘S’ Squadron two miles to the North of GROETHE (724679) and Right Flank in farm between the two. During the night an infantry patrol pushed on into the town of NOTTULN (7350) and found it unoccupied. So at six o’clock in the morning of March 31st we moved in and began, in the first undamaged and inhabited place that we had struck in Germany, to make ourselves comfortable.

But it was not to be for long. Soon after mid-day, the Brigadier ordered us to push on another 8 or 9 miles to the region of ROXEL (8673), a small village on the Western outskirts of MUENSTER itself. To do so by the simplest route would have involved passing close under the heights of the BAUMBERGE (7871) which were clearly held by the enemy. It was decided therefore that the Gunners should unload their guns into this area and that we should then make a detour, striking first South-East towards APELHULSEN (7866) and then, when a mile short of this place, turning Eastwards across country to BOESENSELL (8269). This brought us right up against the COLDSTREAM who were fighting their way forward North of APELHULSEN. Left Flank led. Light opposition and some shelling were encountered but by dusk the Battalion was in BOESENSELL and patrols went forward to reconnoitre a route for a night-march through the difficult country beyond. The night was already far gone when their reports came in. The obvious way involved two crossings of a stream called the HAMMER and was obstructed in the woods beyond by felled trees. It was reluctantly decided therefore to postpone the advance until the next evening.

For most of Easter Sunday we were accordingly in BOESENSELL; but at a quarter past fie we moved on to a farm named AHLEBRANT, about half a mile South-West of ROXEL, and orgers were given for an attack across the R. AA on what the map called the GIEVEN-BECKER lines beyond. The infantry were to advance at nine o’clock in the evening to the capture of the cross-roads East of ROXEL with support from some of ‘S’ Squadron’s tanks. Having secured the near bank, the infantry were then to cross the river and gain a bridgehead while Right Flank and ‘S’ Squadron, from a lane on left of the cross-roads were to direct fire on to the higher ground beyond. Finally Left Flank were to pass through, cross the bridge, if intact, and joined the infantry on their objective before first light. A good deal of anxiety was felt about this crossing as our CHURCHILL Bridgelayer had got bogged in a crater and another, borrowed from the COLDSTREAM, took a long time to arrive. Lieutenant GREIG, who went out to look for it, was fired on by a man quite close to our HQ who claimed to be a Canadian Engineer erecting a road-block - a strange little incident !

At about 10 o’clock Right Flank and ‘’S’ Squadron moved into position to cover the infantry crossing; but, before they could do so, they came in for some extremely accurate air-burst from the North which caused casualties amongst some infantry. The Americans, magnificently handled and with fire-support from the tanks, pushed on now from the cross-roads which they had captured, crossed the stream and gained their bridgehead after a stiff fight in the pitch dark. Left Flank’s bridge however was blown and the ground near by was quite unsuitable for a CHURCHILL Bridgelayer so that Left Flank were forced to give what support they could from the near bank. In order therefore that the infantry should not be left unsupported ‘S’ Squadron were ordered to move round by the North, to cross the AA by a bridge nearly two miles upstream and, by a flank march, join up with the Americans in their bridgehead. They moved off at six o’clock, piloted by Lieutenant SHEARER in a HONEY, crossed the stream and doubled back along the high ground upon its Eastern side. As the daylight grew, many Germans struggled out of the woods and hedgerows to give themselves up. Just past a farm called DEGENNER (868754) they entered a lane bounded on the left by a small wood and on the right by an exceptionally large ditch. Two hundred yards up it the column turned off to the right across fields into the woods surrounding NUNNING Hospital (875748). The rear of the column was just crossing the ditch when some 88 mm guns less than 300 yards to the North opened up. Serjeant ROBERTSON’s tank was “brewed up” and the driver, Gaurdsman McBRIDE, was killed: Lieutenant GILPIN’s tank just ahead was also in a very tight corner. The Squadron had gone on. He had no map. The Germans were right on top of him. The infantry carried on these rear tanks happened to be newly arrived reinforcements, without battle experience or organisation. Nor could the SP guns which followed him give any help by reason of the wood. Accordingly he used his seven remaining Guardsmen to hold the wood whilst the remainder took cover and, since it was clearly impossible to go forward, turned his column round to go back. Two Guardsmen - CANDLISH and GREY - and one American, on their own initiative and at great hazard, went up and retrieved all documents and codes from the abandoned tanks. By now Lieutenant SHEARER had turned up with a map and it became possible for the first time to send a situation report over the air. Some German signallers with a telephone, who were no doubt responsible for the trouble, were routed out of the ditch. They declared that there were four guns - a lie; there were actually nine; but it made little odds for their position was so close to our own that it was impossible to put our own guns on to them. Lieutenant SHEARER therefore kept them quiet with Browning fire whilst the party started to make its way across the AA to Battalion HQ.

Meanwhile ‘S’ Squadron had remained halted in the woods ahead until the situation was clarified. Eventually they were able to proceed and joined up with the infantry about 10 o’clock. In view of the difficulties and dangers the whole march was a very fine achievement. The strong point which failed to stop all but the tail of the column was later found to consist of nine 88 mms, many flak guns, three tanks and a couple of hundred infantry!

In the early afternoon a new plan was made. ‘S’ Squadron were to be left with the 2nd Battalion of 513 PARACHUTE REGIMENT to consolidate in the HERMANN GOERING Barracks (Gievenbecker Lines) but Right Flank, Left Flank, and Battalion HQ were to move right up North to NIENSBERGE (8877), join up with 194 PARACHUTE REGIMENT and rush MUENSTER from the North-West while the COLDSTREAM entered in from the South. Few important attacks can have been launched with so little chance of preparation. We had barely time to reach NIEBSBERGE before it was due to start. The American Infantry with whom we were to co-operate were entirely unknown to us.The distance to be covered was four good miles and of the character of the opposition which we were likely to meet we know almost nothing. It was clear however that the strong point which ‘S’ Squadron had encountered in the morning would lie on our right flank - perhaps a mile away, perhaps less - soon after we crossed the Start Line. With seven minutes in hand we met our “new friends” and formed up astride the main road with Right Flank on the right and Left Flank on the left. Despite the impossibility of making any properly concerted plan the attack went like clockwork. Much opposition was encountered from infantry and flak guns and Right Flank were obliged to throw out a smoke-screen, which exhausted their entire supply of smoke, as a protection against the known dangers of the right flank. However, before dusk, both squadrons and their infantry were firmly established in the very heart of the city and early the next day (April 3rd) ‘S’ Squadron and their infantry joined us there. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons followed in: By the evening the occupation was complete and the Americans, without any assistance from us, had liquidate the strong point near NUNNING Hospital.

MUENSTER was much the biggest German town to have fallen to the British so far. It was in an indescribable state from bombing and shelling but a considerable proportion of its 141,000 inhabitants had remained behind and were busily engaged in looting each other’s houses. Large numbers of prisoners were beginning to come in. Rumours reached us that villages and towns for miles ahead were already flying white flags and the GRENADIERS were reported in OSNABRUECK, nearly 30 miles to the North-East. There were however pockets of resistance close at hand, as the following incident shows:

On the 3rd April Lieutenant FLETCHER and Lieutenant RUNCIE obtained a magnificent Delage car, still flying the flag of a German Army Commander, from a Garage in the city. In the evening they were induced to make this over to the Brigadier and the three went out in the car “on test”. The party drove due North up an unreconnoitred road. No real anxiety was felt about the enemy as GREVEN (9188), towards which the sign-post pointed, was known to be in our hands: besides, they were following an American Jeep. Quite suddenly some shots rang out. The Jeep in front went up in flames, four bullets passed through the car, slightly wounding the Brigadier, and the next second the whole party was in the ditch crawling at speed towards home. More shots followed and a burst from a Spandau. Pausing to look back, Lieutenant FLETCHER observed a German on the roof of the abandoned Delage, taking aim! But the incident had a happy ending. *After crawling nearly a quarter of a mile the party broke into a run which, in turn, subsided into a walk and landed them at Brigade HQ a trifle late for dinner!
*(Order of march: GREENACRE, FLETCHER, RUNCIE)

On April 4th we said good-bye with real regret to Lieutenant Colonel MILLER and his splendid American Battalion. On the 6th we moved to HAGEN (167001), six miles South of OSNABRUECK and came under command of 227th BRIGADE of 15th SCOTTISH DIVISION. The next day we went on over the lovely WIEHEN GEBIRGE, in glorious spring weather. Thousands upon thousands of released allied prisoners and escaped or liberated slave-workers thronged the roads, attired in nondescript uniforms of every kind, their scanty luggage piled high on hand-carts, prams and bicycles or carried on their backs. Many thousands of glum looking German prisoners and refugees were shuffling Westwards. A march of 54 miles brought us at last to the village of SAPELLOH (976263), a few miles from the R. WESER on the Northern fringe of the Forest of MINDEN and in that region we rested until April the 10th.

 

VII. TO THE BALTIC

The end of the story is quickly told. During our stay at BEVENSEN a few Officers took the opportunity of visiting BELSEN Concentration Camp and witnessing its unspeakable horrors, taking with them a Jeep-load of chocolate and sweets for the unfortunate children there. We found ourselves under command of 5th BRITISH DIVISION which had recently joined 2nd ARMY from the South of France and at last, on May 1st, the order to move on came to the BRIGADE Group which consisted now of no more than 6th GUARDS ARMOURED BRIGADE HQ and ourselves, in the middle of the night.

We crossed our last Start Line at two o’clock in the morning of May 2nd and moved North. By eight o’clock we were in LUNEBURG, stuck fast in an apparently hopeless traffic block. While halted in the streets the news of Hitler’s death came over the Wireless and was joyfully communicated by Tank Crews, in “dog German” to very glum looking civilians. But this was the only bright spot in a day otherwise spent in edging slowly forward from jam to jam down to the banks of the ELBE. At length we crossed at ARTLENBURG in the middle of the afternoon and though, on the other bank, the column was able to move at a more reasonable speed, our troubles were not yet over; for within five miles the leading squadron crushed a small bridge under the weight of their tanks and the remainder of the column had to be deflected by another route. Eventually, after seventeen hours on the road, we reached the small village of SIEHENEICHEN (9150) and learnt there that momentous events had been occurring all day. 6th AIRBORNE DIVISION had reached the sea; 11th ARMOURED had captured LUBECK - our original objective - and whole formations of the enemy were “in the bag”.

Early next morning the Commanding Officer went off to 6th GUARDS ARMOURED BRIGADE HQ and returned with the news that to all intents and purposes the war in North-Western Europe was over and that it was reported that Field Marshal von BUSCH was already suing for an armistice. We were told to reconnoitre more permanent billets on the RATZENBURGER SEE to the East; but the Reconnaissance party, which as usual was under Major W.S.I. WHITELAW, M.C., learnt on arrival that the order had been cancelled. The day was yet young so the party decided, in spit of wind and rain, to “swan” to LUBECK. All the way there and back the eye could see practically nothing by a stream of grey-clad German soldiers flooding back in countless thousands to the Cages, with every now and then a cheering Briton, liberated from a large camp which had been overrun by the GRENADIERS. R.Q.M.S. DUFF, who had been taken prisoner with Captain MORLEY and Lance-Serjeant TODD at HOLDENSTEDT, succeeded about this time in getting away from another camp further East. When liberated he was refused permission to go off in search of the Battalion but, nothing daunted, he “acquired” a motor-bicycle and contrived to rejoin us in time to be in at the death.

Eventually, at nine o’clock in the evening of the 5th May, the long-awaited news of the surrender came over the air. Within ten minutes the noise in SIEHENLEICHEN was as loud as any battle. Besas and Smoke bombs, Verey-pistols and Sten guns were loosed off at appalling angles and the celebrations soon gravitated towards a hollow in the village green where an enormous bon-fire appeared to start by spontaneous combustion. Furniture, farm-carts and an old German lorry quickly fed the flames and

“The hours of darkness were as bright and busy
as the day”

The end of the story is quickly told. During our stay at BEVENSEN a few Officers took the opportunity of visiting BELSEN Concentration Camp and witnessing its unspeakable horrors, taking with them a Jeep-load of chocolate and sweets for the unfortunate children there. We found ourselves under command of 5th BRITISH DIVISION which had recently joined 2nd ARMY from the South of France and at last, on May 1st, the order to move on came to the BRIGADE Group which consisted now of no more than 6th GUARDS ARMOURED BRIGADE HQ and ourselves, in the middle of the night.

We crossed our last Start Line at two o’clock in the morning of May 2nd and moved North. By eight o’clock we were in LUNEBURG, stuck fast in an apparently hopeless traffic block. While halted in the streets the news of Hitler’s death came over the Wireless and was joyfully communicated by Tank Crews, in “dog German” to very glum looking civilians. But this was the only bright spot in a day otherwise spent in edging slowly forward from jam to jam down to the banks of the ELBE. At length we crossed at ARTLENBURG in the middle of the afternoon and though, on the other bank, the column was able to move at a more reasonable speed, our troubles were not yet over; for within five miles the leading squadron crushed a small bridge under the weight of their tanks and the remainder of the column had to be deflected by another route. Eventually, after seventeen hours on the road, we reached the small village of SIEHENEICHEN (9150) and learnt there that momentous events had been occurring all day. 6th AIRBORNE DIVISION had reached the sea; 11th ARMOURED had captured LUBECK - our original objective - and whole formations of the enemy were “in the bag”.

Early next morning the Commanding Officer went off to 6th GUARDS ARMOURED BRIGADE HQ and returned with the news that to all intents and purposes the war in North-Western Europe was over and that it was reported that Field Marshal von BUSCH was already suing for an armistice. We were told to reconnoitre more permanent billets on the RATZENBURGER SEE to the East; but the Reconnaissance party, which as usual was under Major W.S.I. WHITELAW, M.C., learnt on arrival that the order had been cancelled. The day was yet young so the party decided, in spit of wind and rain, to “swan” to LUBECK. All the way there and back the eye could see practically nothing by a stream of grey-clad German soldiers flooding back in countless thousands to the Cages, with every now and then a cheering Briton, liberated from a large camp which had been overrun by the GRENADIERS. R.Q.M.S. DUFF, who had been taken prisoner with Captain MORLEY and Lance-Serjeant TODD at HOLDENSTEDT, succeeded about this time in getting away from another camp further East. When liberated he was refused permission to go off in search of the Battalion but, nothing daunted, he “acquired” a motor-bicycle and contrived to rejoin us in time to be in at the death.

Eventually, at nine o’clock in the evening of the 5th May, the long-awaited news of the surrender came over the air. Within ten minutes the noise in SIEHENLEICHEN was as loud as any battle. Besas and Smoke bombs, Verey-pistols and Sten guns were loosed off at appalling angles and the celebrations soon gravitated towards a hollow in the village green where an enormous bon-fire appeared to start by spontaneous combustion. Furniture, farm-carts and an old German lorry quickly fed the flames and

“The hours of darkness were as bright and busy
as the day”

After such celebrations the official rejoicings were bound to fall a trifle flat. One or two incidents, it is true, rescued them from complete anti-climax. The Second-in-Command, for example, was compelled by the terms of water publicly to smoke his first cigar and a notable horse-race was held, with captured German mounts at which the firm of “BRUCE and STEVENSON, Turf Accountants”, lost a very considerable sum of money. But on the 8th May itself Reconnaissance parties were busy in the region of LUTJENBERG near the Baltic and on the 9th the Battalion joined them in what we believed would be our permanent area. Battalion HQ and HQ Squadron settled in LUTJENBERG and HELMSDORF, Right Flank near the sea at PANKER, ‘S’ Squadron and Left Flank further South at KLETKAMP and SCHONWEILE respectively. The War in Europe was over and Occupation duties had begun.

They opened somewhat sensationally with the capture of a submarine! Lieutenant RUNCIE saw it, as he was driving towards the sea one evening, lying at anchor about three-quarters of a mile offshore. There were no reinforcements immediately available, so he returned to PANKER, where Captain GRAHAM, who was at that time commanding Right Flank, quickly organised a boarding party. This consisted of Lieutenant FLETCHER, Guardsman BOGLE and Guardsman PEARSON as body-guards, and a German ex-Naval cook, named Leo, who was at that time the Squadron’s interpreter.

After a hair-raising drive, with Captain GRAHAM at the wheel of the squadron’s Volkswagen, the party arrived at the little fishing village which they had selected as “F.U.P.” Two ancients were ordered to launch their craft and row out to the U-Boat, which was evidently by this time aware that an attempt was to be made on her. Some of the crew could be discerned on deck, pointing and gesticulating. Spurred on by Leo, the two elderly oarsmen succeeded at last in getting alongside and the party found itself faced with its first real problem - that of getting on board without falling into the water. The sides of the submarine stood up fairly high, they were rounded and slippery and there was no ladder available. The difficulty however was solved by the crew, who now leant over and dragged the party to the comparative safety of the U-Boat’s deck. Here they were met by the Captain. He was incline to be truculent at first but nevertheless saluted and asked in intelligible English what was wanted. He was told that he and his crew were prisoners and would remain on board until the submarine was able to proceed to KIEL: any member of the crew found ashore would be put in close arrest and probably shot. These terms appeared to relieve him for he now dropped his arrogance and, after arranging for a supply of fresh water, offered a conducted tour of the ship. During this investigation one of the crew asked Guardsman BOGLE where he had been born, and, on being told “at X, near the coast of Ireland”, smiled broadly and said that he knew the place quite well and that the crew had many friends there!

Finally, after a repeated warning to the Captain, the party once again negotiated the slippery plates and rowed back without further incident to the shore. The U-Boat remained at anchor for some days and then slipped off to KIEL on the first stage, no doubt, of her last voyage to ROCKALL DEEP in the Atlantic. The Battalion turned to other cares.

 

VIII. THE ACTIVITIES OF 'A' AND 'B' ECHELONS.

The organisation of 'A' and 'B' Echelons was continually changed during our training in England, and it was not until a few months before the Battalion was due to go abroad that a final decision was made as to which vehicles would be in which. The decision having been made, Squadrons were able to carry out stowage and weight trials. We were fortunate in our last home in England - EASTWELL PARK, near ASHFORD - in having mock landing craft in the grounds which enabled all drivers to have plenty of practice in backing on and driving off both by day and night.

At eight o'clock one July morning the wheeled vehicles formed up ready to move to the concentration area. It was an uneventful drive on a glorious summer’s day and all the vehicles arrived safely. The final preparations for the crossing were made; but it was a worrying moment for Major Sir C.H.F. MacLEAN (who was commanding ‘A’ Echelon) when the driver of the Commanding Officer’s car informed him that the hub-studs of the near-side rear wheel were almost worn through and he doubted whether the car would reach the “Hards”. However owing to the wonderful organisation in the concentration area, the car was repaired and arrived fifteen minutes before the LST sailed. The drive down to and the loading on to the LSTs went smoothly, the wheeled drivers being relieved to find that they could drive straight on to the ships.


CROSSING
The crossing was uneventful but rough. It was only a short time after sighting the Normandy coast that all the wheeled vehicles were in harbour with ‘F’ Echelon at ESQUAY-SUR-SEULLES.

The first order to move came at short notice on 28th July. Everything was packed at great speed and ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons were ready to move on time. It was in the early hours of the following morning that we arrived in darkness in our new harbour area, to the accompaniment of much artillery and Anti-Aircraft fire; everyone dug in and by the time slit trenches were finished it was daylight.


CAUMONT
It was not long before ‘A’ Echelon was required to make its first replenishment to ‘F’ Echelon. A message received from BRIGADE gave the likely location in which the tanks would harbour the same evening. Water, Petrol and Ammunition vehicles were got ready and rations were also taken. The small column left harbour at about four o’clock in the afternoon for this somewhat vague rendez-vous. On arrival there was much congestion of vehicles and it was dark. It was imperative that the vehicles should get off the road so Major C.H.F. MacLEAN, who was commanding the column, made a quick reconnaissance and was lucky enough to find a most suitable cornfield a few hundred yards down the road. He had decided to get the vehicles into it, and was just leaving the field when he noticed the flashing of a torch. Wondering who this was, he moved over to the light to investigate. It was almost too good to be true when the owner of the torch spoke, for it was the Commanding Officer who had just left the Battalion to find a suitable harbour for ‘F’ Echelon. So though the tanks were already on their way back from LES LOGUES the ‘A’ Echelon vehicles were ready in the field when they arrived; a great piece of luck. The next morning the remainder of ‘A’ Echelon came forward.

Our second move was to LES LOGUES and our third to ST. CHARLES DE PERCY. ‘A’ Echelon only was involved for ‘B’ had been brigaded and from then on moved either with the Battalion or as a brigaded ‘B’ Echelon. The supply to ‘F’ Echelon from ST. CHARLES DE PERCY was not easy; a lot of the route was over very bad roads and across fields and the dust raised by the vehicles always brought a reminder that the enemy was not far away. The Pack Rations with the mail and such things went up to the Squadrons on their respective Water Trucks, the drivers of which seemed to be quite oblivious to the fact that shelter under a Water Truck, was not the same as under a Tank. Petrol and Ammunition was also taken forward.


TICHEBRAI
After ‘A’ Echelon had made two further moves, the Battalion complete with ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons settled at TICHEBRAI in the last week of August. All drivers took advantage of a few days maintenance and the D.R.s who had been worked very hard on dusty and sandy roads, had a chance to rest. Some vehicles left to assist in convoy work from BAYEUX to BRUSSELS. Captain R.H.G. MOUNSEY-HEYSHAM joined the Battalion from England and took over ‘B’ Echelon as Second-in-Command, Headquarter Squadron. Our next move was to be a long one, and on a chilly afternoon ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons left TINCHERBRAI for a 100 miles drive to OMOUVILLE near the SEINE. It was a bitterly cold night although only early September. The following morning the column was met by Major W.S.I. WHITELAW, M.C., the Second-in-Command, who had left previously with an advance party and guided us into our various Squadron areas. ‘F’ Echelon arrived later the same day.

It was not many days before the whole Battalion moved again this time to cross the SEINE and harbour at BACQUEVILLE. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons led the field once again and were met by guides who had as usual laid out in excellent fashion the Battalion HQ and Squadron areas. ‘F’ Echelon joined us the same day. Our stay at BACQUEVILLE was most enjoyable. The weather had got warm again. The fields and orchards were dry and the apples, pears and blackberries ripe. Much maintenance and repairs were done to the vehicles and the L.A.D. worked hard and put in many new engines for the 3-tonners. Many vehicles and D.R.s were still away on transport duties to BRUSSELS.

The next more was to be the longest continuous drive we had. Starting early one morning ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons drove all day to arrive just West of CAMBRAI in the late afternoon. It was an uneventful drive and not difficult; “HAT ROUTE”, so well remembered by many of us, was signed most excellently; and owing to this and to good driving and careful nursing by the D.R.s who controlled the column, all vehicles arrived safely.


HOLLAND
The following day we entered and left BELGIUM for HOLLAND, once again to be met by Major WHITELAW, at a small village name RIEL, between GELDROP and EINDHOVEN. The following day ‘F’ Echelon arrived and the wheeled vehicles were placed with their various Squadrons. From RIEL ‘A’ Echelon moved on the 16th October to some woods near OVERLOON. It rained hard and the Reconnaissance Troop had to give considerable help to vehicles which “bogged down” in trying to leave the wood four days later. After a short spell at BAKEL where we met ‘B’ Echelon again, ‘A’ Echelon followed ‘F’ to ZON on the 24th October and then on to the outskirts of TILBURG via SPOORDONK and MOERGESTEL.

By now it had been agreed that ‘A’ Echelon should be fairly free to move of its own accord, provided permission was asked from BRIGADE and the policy adopted was for ‘A’ Echelon to keep as close behind ‘F’ Echelon as the situation and state of roads permitted. If on the other hand this meant too big a distance between ‘A’ and ‘B’ then the happy medium had to be decided upon by ‘A’ Echelon Commander. During ‘A’ Echelon’s move to TILBURG, ‘B’ Echelon had been brigaded and had moved twice.


TILBURG
After settling down outside TILBURG for what was expected to be 24 hours, O.C. ‘A’ Echelon and several other Officers went into the town to purchase any wines etc. that might be available. They arrived back at the Battalion area to find it deserted; no one had the slightest idea where the Battalion had gone; the only clues were the marks made by the tanks. So it was decided to follow these but to do so was none too easy in the gathering darkness. However all was well and the tail of the Battalion column was soon reached and we learned that it was on its way to ASTEN.


ASTEN
‘A’ Echelon spent one night in ZOMEREN and moved to join ‘F’ Echelon just outside ASTEN. Here it harboured with Battalion HQ in a small wood. It was the last time that its members lived out that year: from henceforward it was to be houses or cellars until next summer.


HELMOND
‘B’ Echelon arrived in HELMOND on November 1st and was soon followed by ‘A’ and ‘F’. Up till now, during our time in HOLLAND, supply had been no difficulty. ‘A’ Echelon always managed to be near enough to the tanks to permit its Commander to visit Battalion HQ daily while O.C. ‘B’ Echelon was able to visit ‘A’ Echelon each day and more often than not Battalion HQ as well.

The Battalion’s stay in HELMOND was most enjoyable though the wheeled vehicles were kept fairly busy. However plenty of maintenance and repairs were done in preparation for the winter.


HEUSDEN
‘A’ Echelon’s next move was to HEUSDEN on the 20th November and while ‘F’ Echelon was making its advance to SEVENUM and HORST, ‘B’ Echelon remained in HELMOND. This period was one which taxed us to the uttermost. It was obvious that ‘A’ Echelon was likely to move anything up to 35 miles from ‘B’ if it was to keep up with ‘F’. This likelihood never materialised. The Divisional Axis (SKYEROUTE) for once was not a good road and it was only due to the tenacity of the drivers that Supplies, Petrol and Water got to the Battalion during the next few days. The condition of the route was appalling and the day after the ROYAL ENGINEERS had laid sever mils of Summerfelt Tracking there were only a few yards left showing through the mud and slime. D.R.s could not operate, and Jeeps were used instead though even these were often to be seen “bogged down”. Serjeant ANGUS did manage however to get over the route once, but it took him several days to get his motor cycle into working order again.


HELMOND
It was with relief that we heard that ‘F’ Echelon were returning to HELMOND and everyone hoped that we should remain there long enough for a good Christmas after a most unpleasant time. However this was not to be. In the early hours of a cold December morning, a warning order was received by the Adjutant the result of which was that O.C. ‘A’ Echelon was awakened at six o’clock by a very flustered S.S.M. with the information that ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons were to be ready to move at ten o’clock that morning. Considering that ‘B’ Echelon had been in their billets for nearly eight weeks and ‘A’ Echelon for a fortnight, Major MacLEAN thought this an impossibility. However on telling the S.S.M. as much, he received the reply - “ ‘A’ Echelon is ready to move now, Sir, and ‘B’ Echelon will be ready by 1000 hours.” The personnel of ‘A’ and ‘B’ had certainly got used to sudden moves but this one, coming as it did after ‘B’ Echelon had been static for nearly two months and when everyone was preparing for Christmas, could not have come at a more inconvenient time.


BREE, VALKENBURG
Reconnaissance parties, again under command of Major WHITELAW, left for BREE and were soon followed by ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons. We arrived in BREE while it was still ight and the Echelons split up and went to their respective Squadron areas. ‘F’ Echelon arrived in the early hours of the following morning. After two nights in BREE the whole Battalion left for VALENBURG, which we reached on the 22nd December. There everyone made themselves comfortable and the inhabitants were most kind: at last it looked as if we were settled for a few days: so once again preparations for Christmas were put under way and a most enjoyable Christmas and Hogmanay were spent. There was plenty of snow and ice on the road and driving conditions were bad.

From VALKENBURG ‘A’ Echelon moved to BRUNSSUM to be nearer ‘F’ Echelon who had moved forward to GEILENKIRCHE, and ‘B’ Echelon moved to “NUTH to be brigaded.” The next move was back to VALKENBURG, where ‘B’ and ‘F’ Echelons rejoined us. There were now rumours of a move to TILBURG and after one more night in VALKENBURG, Major MacLEAN went there with a reconnaissance party. Major WHITELAW was now commanding the Battalion while the Commanding Officer was on leave, so while the Advance Party was settling Squadron areas and billets in TILBURG, Major MacLEAN had to go on to NIJEMEGEN to reconnoitre billet areas there. It appeared that the Battalion’s stay in TILSBURG was to be a short one. Two days later ‘F’, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons arrived in TILBURG. There was still some snow on the ground and the BRIGADE had been ordered to move a large quantity of special Track Links for use on ice-bound road to NIJMEGEN, to be available as soon as the tanks arrived. However the thaw arrived the same day as the Toebar Tracks and they were never fitted.


TILBURG
After three nights in TILBURG the Battalion less ‘B’ Echelon moved to NIJMEGEN. At this time secrecy of movement was paramount. All signs and unit numbers were obliterated and great care was taken over camouflage. Much preparation went on in NIJMEGEN for the next operation which was to take the Battalion through the SIEGFRIED LINE. Every sort of “Funny” AVsRE, CROCs and FLAILs had now joined the Battalion with their respective “SUP” and “POL” vehicles, which came under command ‘A’ Echelon.


NIJMEGEN
O.C. ‘B’ Echelon made frequent visits to NIJMEGEN which were much appreciated as they kept the two bodies in close liaison. It was at NIJMEGEN that O.C. ‘A’ Echelon received a mysterious message that he was to send transport to collect 3 Tons of “Dustbins” and to return any empty bottles the Battalion might have so that they might be exchanged for full ones. It seemed a queer request, but a telephone call to BRIGADE cleared up any doubts as to the nature of the stores. O.C. ‘A’ Echelon was apparently not sufficiently up to his duties: “Dustbins” is the name given to the Ammunition used by the AVsRE, and “Bottles” are the Cylinders used by CROCODILEs! Any way the “Dustbins” and “Bottles” were duly collected.

For the two days previous and on the day (8th February) on which ‘F’ Echelon was able to move forward by a route through the REICHSWALD to ZU DONSBRUGGEN and after two nights there, into the billets which Right Flank had vacated, on the outskirts of CLEVE. It was hear that once again ‘B’ and ‘A’ Echelons joined hands. At this stage mention should be made of the splendid work done by the Water Trucks. While ‘F’ Echelon was steadily moving forward, it was often impossible to locate a Water Point, and the drivers of the Water Trucks had, on their own initiative, often without maps, to find water, to purify it and pump it into the trucks. Also it should be noted here that the first Guardsman in the Battalion went on “UK Leave” the day the Battalion arrived at TILBURG. This meant that there had always to be vehicles available to fetch and carry Leave personnel, quite apart from carrying their normal loads, from place to place. A few bombs were dropped around ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons at CLEVE but no damage was done.

From CLEVE ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelon moved into GOCH. Captain MOUNSEY-HEYSHAM took the Advance Party and the vehicles were sent off a few at a time owing to traffic congestion. The wheeled vehicles of each Squadron joined their ‘F’ Echelons on the Eastern outskirts of the Town. On ‘F’ Echelon moving out of GOCH they returned to O.C. ‘A’ Echelon. A tiresome move of 200 yards two nights later took place as our billets were required by a unit of the 53rd (WELSH) DIVISION. It was annoying to see the houses we had vacated standing empty when the expected unit never arrived. However it was not long before ‘A’ Echelon moved out of GOCH to a big field, known to the Battalion as the ‘BIGHT’. Here ‘A’ Echelon ‘lived out’ for the first time in 1945. ‘B’ Echelon remained in GOCH. During the next period ‘F’ Echelon was slowly moving further and further away and Supply became a more and more difficult task. It was a day’s journey by Jeep to reach them and return but owing to the complete collapse of the paths and tracks which the vehicles had to use, O.C. ‘A’ Echelon had permission to remain in the ‘BIGHT’ and not move up. ‘B’ Echelon however had orders to move to GELDERN, South of KEVELAER, but on arrival they found their allotted area already occupied and had to return to GOCH the following morning; this was not a popular move with O.C. ‘B’ Echelon. While in GOCH Captain MOUNSEY-HEYSHAM made frequent visits to ‘A’ Echelon and Battalion HQ and on several occasions returned to the ‘A’ Echelon tent in the ‘BIGHT’ with a chicken under one arm and a duck under the other. He was always a welcome visitor.

Our next move was to join ‘F’ Echelon who were moving from WINNEKENDONK into KEVELAER. The whole Battalion concentrated in the town which was to be our jumping-off point for the crossing of the RHINE.

Much preparation was made for the Supply of rations, petrol etc for the first 48 hours after crossing the RHINE. ‘A’ Echelon moved out from KEVELAER on Sunday the 25th March, to its concentration area just West of the river and was joined that night by ‘F’ Echelon. During the night ‘A’ Echelon crossed the RHINE just as it was getting light on the morning of Monday the 26th March. On arrival on the East bank, ‘A’ Echelon moved to a harbour previously chosen from the map to find the first of ‘F’ Echelon had already arrived, having crossed the river by ferry. It was not long before the whole Battalion except for ‘B’ Echelon was concentrated and refuelled.

‘A’ Echelon’s next move was to BISLICH WOOD. Here O.C. ‘A’ Echelon acquired his dog (which at a later day, at HELMSDORF, removed a large piece from the leg of the Commanding Officer’s best Battle Dress trousers!), ‘’B’ Echelon had by now also crossed the RHINE. After three nights here ‘A’ Echelon moved through WESEL on to the main road which was to be our route to MUNSTER. From our arrival on this Axis there were no further Supply difficulties. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons moved along the same Centre Line, always keeping to visit Battalion HQ almost daily. ‘B’ Echelon moved behind ‘A’ Echelon, ‘brigade’, but on several occasions it was able to break away and join up with ‘A’. One amusing incident was a conference at BRIGADE HQ for ‘A’ Echelon Commanders and Major MacLEAN met his opposite number from 2nd Battalion U.S.A. 513th PARACHUTE REGIMENT. The American Captain announced that he had a “train” in the wood two miles down the road and asked permission to move it into the field now occupied by our column. It occurred to Major MacLEAN that this operation might be expected to take considerable time. However it turned out not to be necessary to lay lines and the “train” consisted of 2 1/2 Tonners, a Water Truck, an Ambulance and a Jeep!

After uneventful moves ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons joined ‘F’ Echelon in MUNSTER on 2nd April. ‘A’ and ‘B’ left again three nights later and again followed ‘F’ as closely as possible and harboured one night in HAGEN and the following night in WARMSEN. In MELLENSDORF O.C. ‘A’ Echelon and S.S.M. PICKARD left for UK Leave. Captain MOUNSEY-HEYSHAM came up from ‘B’ Echelon to take command.

Two more moves were to see the two Echelons together again at SIEBENEICHEN with the rest of the Battalion and it was here that the active operations ended on May 8th 1945.

 

V. ARDENNES AND ARMOUR - IN THE LEAD WITH THE AMERICANS.

 

From The Scots Guards 1919-1955, David Erskine; page 555:

THIRD (TANK) BATTALION
8th May, 1945
At the end of the War


H.Q.
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant-Colonel C.I.H. DUNBAR, D.S.O.
Second-in-Command: Major W.S.I. WHITELAW, M.C.
Adjutant: Captain A.J.C. SEYMOUR
Intelligence Officer: Lieutenant H.L.C. GREIG
i/c Battalion H.Q. Tanks: Captain G. CAMERON, M.C.

Quartermaster: Captain F. MORLEY (Temp. P.W.)
Medical Officer: Captain A.T. MacKNIGHT, R.A.M.C.
Chaplain: The Reverend G.H.T. REID, R.A.Ch.D.
Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Officer: Captain R. OWEN, R.E.M.E.

Regimental Sergeant-Major: G. BROWN
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant: D. DUFF (Temp. P.W.)
Drill Sergeants: A. MATHIESON & I. MOORE
Technical Quartermaster Sergeant: A. ARBER
Mechanical Quartermaster Sergeant: J. McGOWAN
Pipe-Major: C. CRAIG


HEADQUARTER SQUADRON
Squadron Leader: Major Sir Charles MacLEAN
Second-in-Command: Captain R.H. GUBBINS-MOUNSEY-HEYSHAM
Recce Officer: Captain I.S.R. BRUCE, M.C. (Technical Adjutant)
Troop Leaders: Captain H. LLEWELLYN SMITH (Signal)
Lieutenant J.M. GOW (Acting Quartermaster)
Lieutenant A.G. LAING, M.C.
Lieutenant J.C.J. SHEARER
Lieutenant E.G. PATERSON
S.S.M.: R. PICKARD


RIGHT FLANK
Squadron Leader: Major The Earl CATHCART, D.S.O., M.C.
Second-in-Command: Captain C.R.S. GRAHAM
Recce Officers: Captain D.W. SCOTT-BARRETT, M.C.
Captain R.A.K. RUNCIE, M.C.
Troop Leaders: Lieutenant H. LAING
Lieutenant A.I.D. FLETCHER
Lieutenant F.J.N. CURZON
Lieutenant D.P.M.S. CAPE
S.S.M.: C. CRAGGS


'S' SQUADRON
Squadron Leader: Major C.O'M. FARRELL, M.C.
Second-in-Command: Captain H.N. NEVILE
Troop Leaders: Lieutenant E.P. HICKLING, M.C.
Lieutenant A.R.G. STEVENSON, M.C.
Lieutenant M. LAW
Lieutenant P.M. WARD
Lieutenant T.E.P. GILPIN
S.S.M.: J. TODD


LEFT FLANK
Squadron Leader: Major J.P. MANN, M.C.
Second-in-Command: Captain D.L. BANKES
Recce Officer: Captain C.J.R. DUFFIN
Troop Leaders: Lieutenant M. FEARFIELD
Lieutenant A.K.McC. ELLIOTT
Lieutenant J.L.M. CRICK
Lieutenant A.B. PURVIS
S.S.M.: A. PRICE, M.C.


Detached at Forward Delivery Squadron: Captain W.P. BULL

 

From The Scots Guards 1919-1955, David Erskine; page 526:

STATISTICS OF CASUALTIES - THIRD BATTALION, NORTH-WEST EUROPE
n.b. Regimental Totals shown in brackets

KILLED
12 Officers (98)
74 Other Ranks (943)

WOUNDED
19 Officers (150)
195 Other Ranks (2,099)

PRISONERS OF WAR
1 Officer (27)
8 Other Ranks (750)

TOTALS
32 Officers (275)
187 Other Ranks (3,792)

 

Gallantry Awards & Honours: SCOTS GUARDS

From The Scots Guards 1919-1955, David Erskine; page 532:

DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY - THIRD BATTALION, NORTH-WEST EUROPE

Distinguished Service Order
Lieutenant-Colone C.I.H. DUNBAR
Major The Earl CATHCART, M.C.

Military Cross
Major W.S.I. WHITELAW
Major The Earl CATHCART
Major The Honourable M. FITZALAN HOWARD
Major J.P. MANN
Major C.O'M. FARRELL
Captain V.F. ERSKINE CRUM
Captain R.C.G. PEMBER
Captain D.W. SCOTT-BARRETT
Captain G. CAMERON
Captain H.W.L. SMITH
Captain I.S.R. BRUCE
Lieutenant J.M. BARNE
Lieutenant A.R.G. STEVENSON
Lieutenant R.A.K. RUNCIE
Lieutenant J. MacDONALD-BUCHANAN
Lieutenant A.G. LAING
Lieutenant E.P. HICKLING
S.S.M. A. PRICE

Military Medal
Sergeant L. AITKIN
Sergeant J. BROWN
Sergeant T. COLEMAN
Sergeant T. IRWEN
Sergeant H.R. JACKSON (H.Q 6th Guards Tank Brigade)
Sergeant T. SHEARER
Sergeant R. THOMPSON
Lance-Sergeant J.T. HACKLING
Lance-Corporal T. OLLERTON
Guardsman D. CRAWFORD
Guardsman R. DRUMMOND
Guardsman J. THOMSON

 

Thanks Wills, the transcription has now been completed.

 

Quit harping, you know I was busy with other files
Turns out those sketch maps were used as basis for the illustrations in the SG history - the originals are far better.

-

Thanks Will for showing what Slidex looks like. Makes sense that those men went back to retrieve them from abandoned tanks.