Tom. We sometimes got ahead of the leading infantry. Accompanied by orders to withdraw! and let the infantry deal. Sometimes with the expression "Those bloody Sappers again" Our Colonel had as his military Mantra. "You are Soldiers first and Sappers after" So we took our Colonel Tiger Urquharts RE orders seriously, and given a chance would carry out the Company motto, that was "Bash On" To be followed by "Those bloody Sappers again" Sapper
The last instalment: It was now nearly light, and the causeway road was most uncomfortable! It was a question of going fast enough to be missed by the tracers that whistled across the road. A very nasty line in air bursts, was also being concentrated over the bridge site. However an AVRE successfully demolished the concrete road blocks with Petards, the work being completed by the armoured Dozer, Our Coles Crane came to an unusual end when lifting the magnetic mines from their holes….It got hit by an 88 ! So the causeway was opened to those that could move fast enough to use it. At the cost of 4 wounded, an AVRE, and a Coles Crane knocked out. On the right however, 17th Field Co had got 185 brigade and its tanks almost to Arsten. The railway bridge not an obstacle, but the weak bridges was certainly “Weak” and more magnetic mines had been found. All tanks were held up by the weak bridge because no other rout existed, and there was no possible bridge site. The acting CO was scratching his head when the CRE (Tiger) arrived to scratch his. Together they decided to “TRY” a Sherman, the lightest tank there. It got across and was followed by the rest of the Squadron with the bridge wobbling and creaking alarmingly.. Having succeeded so far, and having grown in boldness, The “Crocs” went across. The bridge was then closed to everything over class 12. (12 tons) The last battle was now won, and the Div marched into Bremen without further difficulty. So ends this little narrative. It was a battle of great Courage and ingenuity. Now? Its a long time ago, and forgotten. But it does serve to show why other Regiments at times referred to the RE as …….. “Those Gallant Sappers” I hope you found it interesting. Sapper
Brian, Sounds like you should have been Recce, "Bash on" and always at the spearhead . A great example of soldiering. Regards Tom
Brian, I think that this is the bridge that you have written about. It crosses the Ochtum, a small river where the dykes were built many years ago to prevent flooding of the area. The map shows the number 3 where the bridge is situated on what is now a street called Kattenturmer strasse. Regards Tom
There are many more tales to tell. But for a old buzzard its hard work. Thank you for the post. sapper
One of the fiercest battle was the taking of Overloon and Venraij. (Limburg Holland) After the Americans took a beating, and retired to the South. We were given the job where the Americans had failed. In the event, we suffered three times the casualties, but it lay in our hands by the 18th of October. Its a long story: In my opinion the dirtiest bit of warfare conducted in absolutely appalling conditions, with almost continuous rain. With the mud and sand infested with mines of every description. far and away the worst slaughter, and most dangerous action of any that took place in The Europe liberation. But I shudder at the thought of describing it with my one fingered and bloody clumsy typing. Sapper
WE made out way down from Northern Holland to open up a new battle ground. operation Aintree. The taking of Overloon and Venraij. We made our way there as a complete company. (A rare thing) It rained all the way, and we found that the heavy traffic had caused the Dutch roads to collapse,so that the mud came up through as the road surface sank. At the time I was riding a DRs bike,and recall the bloody thing slipping and sliding all over the place. On the way we stopped and a young girl offered me a place to sleep that night. And she offered to wash my filthy clothes. Grateful, I accepted. When night fell, she took me to her near little bungalow that was split into two parts. One for the Folk, and one for the PIG, and that is where is slept..... With the pig..Mind you it was spotless. But to my dying day I shall never forget the stench if that bloody pig. Bloody awful pig smell. The next day, early, we set off again. The girl brought me my soaking wet clothes that I flung into the back of a three tonner, and never used again. In the mean time, the American 7th armoured div had taken on the enemy at Overloon, and got a hiding. We watched as they departed with some apprehension.. Sure enough. We got the bloody awful job. While the 7th US armoured vanished to the South.... never to be seen again. I have the dreaded lurgy so this may take some time. Sapper
Brian, Here are some photographs taken over the Christmas period of Kattenturm Bridge in South West Bremen, whilst visiting relatives. I could not find any pictures on the web of the site during 1945, but if anyone finds a picture(s) then please feel free to post them as a then and now scenario. Apparently the name Kattenturm or Cats Tower is from medievil times, when a watchtower was erected to protect the area, which was a strategic place and the scene of many bloody clashes. Cannon balls rained down during one clash and it was during this time that someone likened the cannon balls to cats heads and the figure of speech stuck. The tower is long gone, but the name lives on in the area. Regards Tom
Infantry perspective of the assault on Kattenturm..... 24th to 25th April 1945 - 2 RUR Assault on Kattenturm On 24 April, at 1000 hrs, the Commanding Officer gave out his orders in the backyard of Bn. HQ. It was a glorious day and the weather, fine for three successive days, seemed to augur well for the night's operation. It was to be an imposing operation and the machinery for orders was on an appropriate scale. '0' Group in this case consisted of 28 different people, while the operation order produced by the Adjutant, Capt. Hatton, ran to some sixteen pages. The intention was clear; 2 RUR would, capture Kattenturm and seize the bridge. Zero hour was to be midnight, and companies were to lead exactly as practised, and be ready to move up to a forward assembly area by 2130 hrs. From that point it was the responsibility of the Buffaloes to put us down at the "debuffing point" on the bund. On landing "C" Company was to clear the bund and establish a firm bridgehead to cover subsequent landings. "A" Company clearing the bund, "D" the main axis for about six or seven hundred yards; and then "B" Company was to pass through and seize the bridge. Finally "C" Company was to leave its bridgehead advance up the main road for some five hundred yards and consolidate. If the bridge was secured, the main road would be thrown open, our transport would join us, and the whole operation would immeasurably be speeded up. An impressive number of guns were deployed for this operation. They had started to wage a private war with the Germans for some nights previously, and it was hoped that a normal barrage on this night would efface the sound of the Buffaloes plodding across the floods. Artillery support could not be as close as usual on account of the infirm timings imposed by the Buffaloes. They were, however, on call, and a preliminary canter by the mediums early in the evening did much to demoralise our foe. Beside the normal gunner support, a pepper pot had been arranged. This consisted of a hotchpotch of 4,2 Mortars, Machine Guns, and Bofors firing in a ground role, operating against known enemy positions and probable areas of defence. It was to continue incessantly from about 2200 hrs. onwards, and Bosche prisoners were later to remark how disconcerting they had found it. Finally, a single Bofors gun was detailed to fire three rounds at one minute intervals along the line of the Buffalo route in order to assist them in maintaining direction. Morning and afternoon were spent in briefing the whole Battalion, and then most people snatched a few hours rest before the rigours of the night, which was certain to be a sleepless one. At last preparations were complete, and at 2100 hrs. the companies marched down to the waiting Buffaloes and climbed aboard. It was a warm, yet fresh, Spring evening, with a glorious sunset, and the men were whistling and singing in great spirits as this strange convoy moved forward. At a forward assembly area just South of Leeste, we paused for an hour to drink hot tea and a tot of rum before settling down to the business of the night. Again the note of cheerfulness among all ranks was predominant. Everyone knew that this advance would be the longest that the Buffaloes had ever made, and appreciated the difficulties that faced them. As zero hour approached an air of rising excitement was visible and tangible in every member of this attack. Never had morale been higher, or the Battalion more certain of its ability to defeat the Bosche and achieve its purpose. At last the word was passed down the line. Everybody clambered aboard, and a great roar rose up as 47 Buffaloes sprang into life. Just as the convoy was moving off the Brigade Commander, with a clutch of press reporters, arrived, and wished the Battalion good luck and bon voyage. The barrage had already begun, but now there was a marked crescendo and it seemed certain that the sounds of the Buffaloes were effectively muffled. On our left the "pepper pot" could be seen in action as hundreds and thousands of tracer bullets and young shells winged through the air, lighting the sky in a veritable galaxy of colour and sound. Overhead the three guiding rounds of Bofors tracer sailed periodically by. They looked mysterious, almost ghostly, and so evidently fired for a specific purpose that we thought that the Bosche might tumble to it, until we realised that the trace was in the base of the round, and so would not be seen by the other side. The sound of the gun firing would have been impossible to pick out among all the noise that was going on. The convoy moved on past the point just North of Leeste where the Second-in-Command, Major Wheeler, had established his control point for vehicles that were to be ferried over later, and where the Adjutant was in position with the rear link wireless set to Brigade Headquarters. The column was a memorable sight. The moonlight was so vivid, and the night so luminous that the ugly silhouettes of these monstrous amphibians could be seen at six or seven hundred yards distant. Somehow one could not help but think of H. G. Wells' fantastic conceptions in "Shape of things to come". Yet here were machines, at once more strange and more practical than anything he devised, being used in the year of grace 1945. The water seemed to emphasise the line of these silhouettes, and the first companies were quite prepared to expect a warm reception as their craft drifted into view. "C" Company crossed the startline at midnight, "A" and "D" Coys in two parallel, snake like columns at 0020 hrs. The route was expertly taped and lit to the startline, and subsequently the leading Buffaloes dropped off buoy lamps to guide those who followed. Not a single Buffalo was either lost or permanently bogged, even though all of them were severely tested by the almost perpendicular slopes of the Canal. One of the Buffaloes had to tranship its load in midstream, and in Tactical Battalion Headquarters the 22 set wireless link to the Adjutant and to Brigade was for some time marooned 50 yards from the shore. But both were soon recovered and set on their way, thanks to the inspired recovery drill and co-operation of the Buffalo Commanders. When "C" Company were still 50 yards from the crook of the bund which they were to consolidate as a bridgehead, two red verey lights went up from behind it, and immediately small arms and bazooka fire began to come at the Buffaloes. They pushed on unflinchingly however, and landed each of the three platoons exactly on the parts of the bank which had been prearranged as the platoon objectives. This was not done without incident. The left hand platoon under Sjt McAleavy, cleared its objective after an exchange of rifle shots, and collected six prisoners. On the right, the leading section, under Cpl. McMullan, rushed from their Buffaloes to find two 3.7 flak guns just being brought into action against the Buffaloes. This section promptly disposed of the crew by killing one, wounding five, and capturing eleven others. It was a great start, and a vital one, for if the guns had been allowed to fire, it might have been disastrous for the oncoming Buffaloes. As it was, two guns were now turned and fired against Arsten until the ammunition ran out. Quite a lot of resistance remained to be mopped up even after "A" and "D" Companies had come into land, and "C" Company in a thorough search of this part of the bund, found many Boche skulking in their slit trenches. Not all of them however. As the first troops of "A" Company ran ashore, they were greeted by a fusillade of panzerfausts, which burst all round them, wounding several of them, including Sjt. Bonass. This was disconcerting but was not allowed to hinder the advance; a quick rush, a few shots, and the Company's first prisoners were brought in. "A" Company's advance along the bund now began, and it swiftly became clear that theirs was to be a difficult passage. The enemy was dug in all along the bund, which was only about four yards wide, and he was defending his positions stubbornly with unsparing use of panzerfausts and small arms. The leading Platoon of "A" Company fought its way along the bund, literally "winkling" the enemy from every position. It was precarious fun, for the Boche kept popping up from the backside of the bund, appearing and firing usually at point blank range. Rfn Loughran was sniped as he crawled across the bund to deal with one of these posts, but straightaway Rfn. Mellon crawled across and brought him back with bullets whistling all round. Casualties were sustained in twos and threes but the advance went on. The opposition was particularly stiff round a large house set back about twenty yards from the bund. It was defended obstinately with spandaus and many panzerfausts, and a fierce fight waged between this knot of opposition and a platoon of "A" Company under Lt Songest. Several NCOs and men, and Lt Songest, were hit, though he was able to retain control until the action ended. A second platoon was brought forward by the Company Commander, Major Tighe-Wood MC, who was continually forward giving encouragement, and keeping his men cool and steady in these difficult conditions. But this platoon was in fact never deployed, because a gallant rush by Cpl. Lambourne and his section - from Lt Songest's platoon - had carried the position. The reason for the opposition now became apparent. In the garden of the house was a well concealed 88 mm gun, in perfect working order. Fortunately it had been unable to traverse sufficiently far to the left to trouble the Buffaloes. It was a great success and Cpl Lambourne was subsequently awarded the MM for his supremely courageous performance. This splendid action of "A" Company broke the back of resistance of Kattenturm. The Company fought magnificently, displaying throughout a determination to crush the enemy and gain their objectives. Typical of this fighting spirit was the behaviour of Rfn Wilkes, the company runner, who, though hit in the face by the explosion of a panzerfaust, refused to be evacuated until the action was complete; or again that of L/Cpl. Dalton who, when all other NCOs in his platoon had been wounded, took over the duties of platoon Serjeant and carried on in a most able manner. "A" Company took some 40 prisoners, and besides this, killed and wounded an appreciable number. Booty included the 88 mm gun, three lighter flak guns, and a host of small arms. As against this, their own casualties were one officer and 24 wounded, and most of these were fortunately not serious. "A" Company has much cause to be proud of this achievement. Meanwhile "C" Company's bridgehead was now the scene of furious activity. Vehicles, anti-tank guns, and men poured out of the Buffaloes and were directed onwards by Capt. Gray who, as Battalion Landing Officer, had come in with "C" Company to search out a landing ground and routes forward for vehicles. "D" Company had pressed on, simultaneously with "A" Company, but the German defences were without depth, and apart from a few snipers which were cleared without much trouble, "D" Company's advance was unopposed. Tactical Battalion Headquarters moved up close behind "D" Company and established itself at the Eastern end of the village for the duration of the attack. "B" Company had landed without incident, and as soon as "D" Company reported their objectives gained, "B" Company was slipped through towards the greatest prize of all, the Kattenturm bridge. Almost at once they came under fire from the road and a large house to the left. The leading section, under Cpl. Holt, rushed the position and eliminated it, whilst another section dealt swiftly with the house, and soon the advance was resumed. Lt McCrainor, the leading platoon commander, had been given orders by Major Cummins to push on as fast as he could towards the bridge and to bypass any opposition which was not sufficiently serious to detain him. At the cross-roads near the bridge they encountered opposition, and were able to do this; and by slipping round the enemy, they seized the bridge before it could be blown, quickly establishing themselves on both sides of it. Subsequently the enemy on the cross-roads and along the bund, where it went towards the bridge, were liquidated at leisure. Altogether 4 Officers and 20 or 30 other ranks and one camp follower were discovered in the Company locality; so that had the position been assaulted frontally, serious opposition might have been met. As it was the Sapper reconnaissance party, following close up behind the leading platoon, quickly rendered innocuous the two bombs which were found sunk into the side of the road as a demolition charge; and soon a bulldozer arrived to assist in the clearance of a formidable road block which the retreating Germans had left behind on the bridge. "B" Company had begun their advance soon after 0330 hrs., and it was just after first light when the great news passed through that the bridge had been won intact. Now "C" Company left the bridgehead area - for the attack on Arsten which 2 Warwicks were launching, had eliminated any threat to it now - moved up to the main road and completed the consolidation of the area and rounded off the Battalion's part of the attack. 5 Officers and 128 other ranks was the final total of prisoners, while an 88 mm and five other smaller flak guns were captured, above all the bridge had been seized intact. There can be no doubt but that complete surprise had been achieved. One of the German officer prisoners said afterwards that so certain was the Bremen garrison commander that the attack would come up the line of the Brinkum road that the 88 mm gun had been taken off its wheels and given an arc of traverse which was limited to a particularly vulnerable part of the main road. He thought that the turning manoeuvre which the Battalion had carried out was the finest thing tactically that he had seen done by British troops in the whole campaign, and with the rest of the prisoners, he gazed goggle-eyed at the "Schwim-Panzer" which had traversed what was considered to be impassable country. The award of the Distinguished Service Order to Lt.-Colonel Drummond was a fitting conclusion to such an enterprise. Since he had taken command, the Battalion's chain of successes had been unbroken, and now the campaign had been wound up in really superb style. This last operation had been at once the most spectacular and the most difficult that the Battalion had undertaken, and, without doubt, the completeness of the triumph was due largely to his bold plan and resolute leadership. During the rest of the day, I KOSB and 2 Lincolns passed through to capture a vital cross-roads and a factory without much opposition, and later I KOSB resumed the advance, pushing through Bremen, pausing during the hours of darkness and resuming at first light, to reach the main railway line. In order to release them to begin this advance we were moved up to the area of the cross-roads for the night, and next morning at 0800 hrs, assisted by a squadron of tanks from 22 Dragoons, we cleared a built up area on the far side of the railway, and completed 9 Brigade's part in the attack on Bremen. There was virtually no opposition, but again the PW total was well over 100. The battle for Bremen was thenceforward in the hands of 8 Brigade, part of which began to pass through us at about 1300 hrs.
Just realised that the maps held by my old man relate to the last battle involving 2 RUR - assault on the Kattenturm Bridge - and so thought these may be of interest on this thread...... Size and resolution restrictions make it a bit difficult to make out and would appreciate any indication of significance of the circled areas on the lower scale "South of Bremen" map (other than presumably strategic crossroads?). Quis Separabit
Its such a long time ago...... Happy Christmas everyone. While all that was going on. I was tucked up in me hospital bed.....Though not nice All through the Sappers line..... I Just wish that I could find my old platoon Corporal Ginger Ford. 2 Platoon came from Hayling? Island It was he that saved the crossing of the Rhine from complete disaster Are you out there Ginger Mate? Sapper
Quis Separabit Thank you for your post very interesting along with the actual maps made good reading.
Just realised that the maps held by my old man relate to the last battle involving 2 RUR - assault on the Kattenturm Bridge - and so thought these may be of interest on this thread...... Size and resolution restrictions make it a bit difficult to make out and would appreciate any indication of significance of the circled areas on the lower scale "South of Bremen" map (other than presumably strategic crossroads?). Quis Separabit Quis Separabit Thank you for your post very interesting along with the actual maps made good reading. I have to agree that the maps make interesting viewing, The airfield shown to the left of the river from Kattenturm is the old FockeWulf factory and is now the Regional Airport and Airbus factory location. Many thanks for sharing. Regards Tom
The Battle for Bremen. The Bridge at Kattenturm. A classic Sapper operation. Taken from the RE document “The Way Forward” This was a document explaining what happened. And why. This was also, the last battle of the Third Division. The battle for Bremen. While it was taking place, I was back in the UK, covered in plaster from head to foot, a mummy! being cared for by pretty nurses. This operation is well worth recalling, as it seems to me to be a classic RE Field Company under fire. And between ourselves,. It showed the great courage and tenacity of the Sappers when faced with almost insurmountable difficulties. The stage was set by the 20th of April. There were three and half days for final planning and preparation for the assault. These days were invaluable, because the problem was most involved, and, because the results were so successful that the story is laid out here in some detail Bremen was surrounded by a belt of flooded country being defended by SS troops, who having come from Holland, were experienced in flooding country. The lock gates of the canal had been heightened, and in addition, the flood banks of the Wesser had been breached. The country was intersected with deep ditches giving the water a maximum depth of between 6 to 8 feet and while the general depth was about 4 feet the were patches of ground above water. This precluded the use of assault boats and wading. The width of the flooded belt varied between a quarter to one mile. The only approaches were on the right though Dreye and Arsten. In places, only a causeway, and believed to be blocked under a railway bridge. In addition a bridge of very limited capacity and condition. (If any of ther place names are wrong?) Blame the translation of the war time document, written on an old clapped out army typewriter. I am sure you have seen them? I will add more later as I manage to Make sense of the document that is almost undecipherable in places. And on the left was very adequately covered by a pill boxes, on the perimeter of the airfield. One dOn the left was the main road from Brinkum to Bremen which was wholly on a causeway emolition was visible on this road, and further along there was a very substantial road block. Finally from the map, there was a bridge of considerable span over a canal at Kattenturm…There were no other alternatives. Before the final plans could be made, many patrols had to be carried out to at night to gather the information, As the whole area was completely open to observation these had to be done at night. By day officers studies the ground by air Op. A daily flight was made to watch the floods and the vital bridge at Katenturm. There was some doubt to begin with whether this bridge was demolished or not, it was difficult to see from the air because of the trees and houses in the immediate vicinity. Eventually it was concluded that the bridge was intact, and about 80 feet long. It had, however, some considerable excavations at the far end which were obviously housing the usual bombs. At our end there were some very large concrete blocks. The first patrols reached the first demolition which was only partial. A concrete culvert with two large holes blown in it, and the structure considerably weakened; however there was still about eleven feet of very doubtful road between the two holes. The span was about 20 feet and the depth of water below about 15 feet. There were a pile of stones set on the top, which made classification of the remnants very difficult, so the night before the operation these were removed, or at least the majority bearing in mind the need for concealment. Another patrol from 246 Field Company was directed to the next road block and they reported that it was a most substantial affair constructed with timber stockades and sand filled and three in number. One being in the middle of the 30 feet of road and one each on each verge. The passage in between was obstructed by 11’ by 9’ RSJs. This patrol having done the job without interference, they decided to try and reach the Kattenturm bridge. They got quite near and confirmed the existence of the concrete road blocks. (although the bridge itself could not be seen) There were a number of Germans talking in the houses nearby. More deciphering Later . Getting back to the bridge at Kattenturm. After the previous patrols. More information was needed. So the third and fourth patrols supplied by 17th Fd Co RE were asked to deliver the depth of water on either side of the causeway,, and to report the width and the state of the of the banks of the canal with a view to putting buffaloes across. The patrol on the left was led by Lt Bridgeford, whose calmness and courage extricated them from a particularly dangerous situation when they, having crossed the canal by the lock gates, found that a German patrol had seen and got behind them at the lock gates. They all returned safely and brought back the required information. The water was too deep to wade with the assault troops and assault boats were of no value because of the raised ridges. There was however a raised path now submerged along which the left hand patrol passed. The canal and its banks were rather doubtful obstacles to the buffaloes but it was considered that they could reach the far bank and discharge their loads. On the right the canal was no obstacle. The final plan was now made. The assault North of the Wesser was to be done by (52) (L) Div. Both operations being carries out concurrently. A deception plan was organized and put into practice by (51) (H) div to give the impression that the Attack was being launched from Delmenhorst. This subsequently proved to have been completely successful . On the right,185 Brigade supported by 17th Fld Co RE, a squadron of 4/7 Dragoon Guards in Sherman’s, Crocodiles, and AVRE were to attack along the axis Dreye-Arsten-Habenhausen-Bremen. with 1 battalion crossing the flooded area in Buffaloes and landing between the railway and Arsten. On the left 9 Brigade were attacking on the right of the Brinkum Katenturm road with the RUR crossing in buffaloes. and taking Katenturm in the rear. This principle task being the capture of the bridge intact. When the road was opened, KOSB would pass through them and into Bremen, Their objective being the barracks. The supporting progamme included practically everything….First of all 700 Lancasters “Doctored” the part of Bremen North of the river. Followed by medium bombers on the barracks, and a wonderful display by the Typhoons on Kattenturm bridge. The artillery of 51 (H) div, our own, and sundry medium Regiments and a pepper pot of LAA and 2 EX were to give continuous fire in the neighbourhood of the airfield. Finally a smoke programme was organized just in case the airfield might give further trouble. The Engineer plan was difficult and complicated. First of all the Buffaloes routes had to be cleared as far as possible, including the wire fences in the flooded areas. On the right 17th Fld Co with a AVRE assault Bridge to open the right hand axis with a particular reference to the railway bridge whish was reported to be “Concreted up” And the doubtful bridge. The attack by 8 brigade was supported by 253 Fld Co who were to open the Buffaloes routes and to provide a special party that was to go with the Ulsters and “delouse” the charges on the bridge at Kattenturm. . The Vital causeway road was the sole responsibility of 246 Fld Co (mine) with the help of a troop of AVREs and an Arty FOO. It was this road that was the Top Priority for the Div axis …But if that was impossible then the Dreye road was to be used. Next the opening of the causeway/ The plan then for opening this causeway road with its collection of obstacles was as follows; As much as possible was to be done under cover of armour, because of the open left flank, and the fact that no infantry were out in front. Two Skid Bailey’s were built, and prepared in Brinkum and were to be towed into position, The first past the semi demolished bridge, if necessary using the bridge to give passage to the towing tank and the armored dozer required for the road block and finally to go into position at Kattenturm if that bridge was blown. A quantity of Bailey equipment was to held in sledges to be towed by Kangaroos with Sappers, just in case a greater length of bridge was required. The second Skid Bailey was for the first semi demolished bridge. The complication being it is impossible to get one Skid bailey over another. The road block was to be dealt with by General Wade charges prepared beforehand, and the concrete ones at Kattenturm by Petards by the leading AVRE. At dusk on the 24th of April, the battle started and about 21 hrs the Skid Baileys started off from Brinkum. But not before the troop commander of the AVRE was wounded in a “Stonk” He however, carried on. A very careful check of the road was being carried out by 246 Field Co. for mines. The first AVRE and its Skid bailey got across the first bridge between the holes with a bit of creaking and complaint from the bridge. A party of Sappers went forward to put the charges on the road block, The mine clearing found something they had never found or seen before…Three very large Naval magnetic mines very well concealed and connected to batteries in the verge. They did what they thought was a “good thing” and the OC pronounced them safe. In the mean time the second Skid Bailey was in position and a safe passage was ensured over the first obstacle at least. The charges on the road blocks were fired and the timber caught fire and caused some reaction from the enemy. So far as we knew the bridge at Kattenturm was still intact and the infantry were having difficulty in reaching the place. It was decided to have a shot at getting to the bridge with the few Sappers as the enemy was now awake to the situation, and it was obvious the bridge was going to go up, unless something was done quickly. They got to the bridge and a Sgt from 246 Field Co actually crossed it when 7 figures appeared out of the darkness advancing menacingly towards him. He withdrew to the cover of the concrete road blocks, not knowing if these were enemy or our own infantry. One of the 7 then lay down in the road and started doing something, The Sappers challenged them, but as there was no reply they were driven off with a few bursts of Bren fire. This started a bit of a shooting match, some of it from the houses on our side of the bridge. The Sappers where then told to withdraw, because the infantry having trouble had called for fire on the bridge. This was done though no fire came down, as the Ulsters had reached Kattenturm, Sgt Lomax of 253 Field Co and his little party of Sappers, disregarding the small arms fire rushed the bridge and pulled out the leads. It was then discovered that the German lying in the middle of the road was just connecting the firing circuits to the junction pointy…So the bridge was intact…. It was now nearly light and the causeway road was most uncomfortable! It was a question of going fast enough to be missed by the tracers that whistled across the road. A very nasty line in airbursts, was also being concentrated over the bridge site. However an AVRE successfully demolished the concrete road blocks with Petards, the work being completed by the armoured Dozer, Our Coles Crane came to an unusual end when lifting the magnetic mines from their holes….It got hit by an 88 ! So the causeway was opened to those that could move fast enough to use it. At the cost of 4 wounded, an AVRE, and a Coles Crane knocked out. On the right however, 17th Field Co had got 185 brigade and its tanks almost to Arsten. The railway bridge not an obstacle, but the weak bridges was certainly “Weak” and more magnetic mines had been found. All tanks were held up by the weak bridge because no other rout existed, and there was no possible bridge site. The acting CO was scratching his head when the CRE arrived to scratch his. Together they decided to “TRY” a Sherman, the lightest tank there. It got across and was followed by the rest of the Squadron with the bridge wobbling and creaking alarmingly.. Having succeeded so far, and having grown in boldness, The “Crocs” went across. The bridge was then closed to everything over class 12. The last battle was now won, and the Div marched into Bremen without further difficulty. So ends this little narrative. It was a battle of great Courage and ingenuity. Now? Its a long time ago, and forgotten. But it does serve to show why other Regiments at times referred to the RE as …….. “Those Gallant Sappers”
This was re-introduced as a natural sequel to the Royal Ulster Rifles posting. It seemed to me to round the thing off admirable.
