Hello, I just finished John Sliz's book "Storm Boat Kings" about the 23rd Field Compnay R.C.E. and their actions during Op.Berlin rescuing the stranded 1st Abn.Div. men. I have a question though, in Donald Burgett's "Road to Arnhem: A Screaming Eagle in Holland" he mentions watching the Canadian Engineers paddle their boats across the river. However in the pictures you clearly see a storm boat with outboard motor in the frame. I remember in Storm Boat Kings mention of a second attempt at rescue later on after Op.Berlin in which American Abn. Soldiers took part but only rescued some half dozen guys. So was Burgett involved in this second attempt? Were the RCE in question using Assault Boats or Storm Boats? Its kind of a lame-duck question because I'm assuming someones read the same two books I have but I thought I'd ask it none the less.
The 260 Wessex Field Company paddled boats across the river. 23 RCE used Stormboats with motor. Source: Martin Middlebrook Ron....
Ronald, that much is certainly understood. I'm not questioning what boats 23rd RCE used during their ops. What I'm questioning is if Donald Burgett saw men paddling their boats across the river, which unit would he have seen or been attached too? Which would result in the following questions: (1) Which rescue op was Burgett (A Coy. 506th Inf.Reg't, 101st Abn.) participating in? The first Op.Berlin or the Pegasus 2(?) which took place a month or so later. (2) Which unit of Canadian Engineers would his stick have been attached to during the Op.? He makes very clear that they are Canadian Engineers and not British Engineers. Those two questions should have been in my original post.
Hi Rule, A good friend of mine tells a really interesting story about this.. His name is Alan Kettley who was in fact with Leo Heaps the Canadain made famous in the battle for Arnhem.. Leo finds this place must have beeen between Arnhem and Nijmegen must have been kind in no mans land there was a ring on the house there they were staying...The place was going to be attacked by the Canadain's because they thought it was Germans that were in it, so Leo's out and about and seeing the troops walks over and its only because an old school mate of his knows him they stop the attack... So yes I believe that it was the Canadain who were around at that time as for the unit I'm not sure will check that out.... In fact will read Alan's MI5 report about this and get back to you... Cheers Tom
Hello Rule, Definitely Op.Pegasus and if Burgett says that only half a dozen or so men were ferried across then I would say it was Op.Pegasus II as this was far less successful than Op.Pegasus I, when over 100 men were rescued. All the best...
I'm afraid I muddled up the context when I posted. In Burgett's book I don't believe he references the Operation by name. However in Sliz's book reference is made to 23rd RCE carrying the Red Devils across on Pegasus 2. So it could very well be Pegasus 1 or 2. It basically boils down to which of the two Burgett's unit participated in.
