War Diary of 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards 1944

		App D
	5 INNIS DG Operation Order No 1
	Operation BLUECOA T	SECRET
INFORMATION 1. Enemy. As already issued verbally. 2. Own Tps (a) First US Army. As already issued verbally. (b) VIII Corps, with under comd:- Gds Armd Div (in res area Bayeux). 11th Armd Div. 15th (S) Div. 6 Gds Tk Bde, are attacking and capturing the following places:- Sept Ventes 6857 - already captured. Les Loges 7054 - already captured. Ring contour 6951. Present posn as in latest sitrep. They intend to exploit with armour to Foret L'Eveque 6449 and Beny Bocage. (c) XXX Corps, with under comd:- 7th Armd Div. 43rd Div. 50th Div, is attacking and capturing objectives as follows:- (i) 43rd Div. Bois du Homme 7150 - ROBIN feature 7854, possible adv on left to La Bigne 7650. Posn as in latest sitrep. (ii) 50th Div. St Germain d'Ectot 7862, Anctoville 7861, Amaye-sur-Seules 7857. Present posn as in latest sitrep. (iii) 7th Armd Div is passing through 43rd Div and 50th Div after the latter have captured their objectives, directed on Mt Pincon 8445, carrying out recce within Corps bdy. 3. Bdys as already issued. 4. 7th Armd Div Order of March:- 131 Bde Gp. W DGNS less two sqns. 11H less one sqn. 22 Armd Bde Gp. One sqn 11H. RE Gp. 5. Centreline. St Andre 7773 - La Belle Epine 7669 - Xrds 7663 - Rd Junc 7565 - La Paumerie 7361 - Briquessard 7359 - Cahagnes 7356 - St Pierre du Fresne 7353 - Jurques 7451 - Le Mesnil Azouf 7346 - Mt Pincon 8345. 6. Tasks (a) (i) 131 Armd Bde are adv down centreline and securing bounds in order given in para 6(b) below. (ii) Be prepared to hand over bounds to 22 Armd Bde and continue adv themselves, or (iii) To hold bounds gained and allow 22 Armd Bde to pass through. (b) 22 Armd Bde are following down centreline, prepared (i) To take over bounds from 131 Bde or pass through on any of these bounds. (ii) On reaching rd junc 737558 to move East to capture Aunay-sur-Odon 8351. (iii) Order of March:- 5RHA. 1RTR Gp plus RE recce party. Tac HQ. Sqn 8H. 5DG Gp. 8H less one sqn. 1RB less two coys. 260 Bty 65 A Tk Regt. (iv) Bounds Codeword First: Line 735494 - Pt301 745490 - 756495 BRUTUS Second: Pt291 731465 - 753451 - Pt279 755468 - Pt295 749479 CAESAR Third: Corner of wood 776441 - 789439 - Wood 793460 - 793465 CATO Fourth: Rd and track Xing 817438 - Crepigny - Pt365 831457 - La Pugorie 819465 FABIUS Fifth: Track Xing 842435 - Pt279 850434 - Pt331 866467 NERO (v) Report Lines Codeword First: Coudraies 7743 - Pt301 7846 - Ondefontaine 7948 - St George d'Aunay 7953 ETNA Second: Sur Memont 8342 - Mont Pincon 8345 - Pt237 8551 VESUVIUS Third: Pt255 8636 - Pt266 8840 - Cauville 8742 - Pt245 8850 OSSA Fourth: Line of R Orne PELION Fifth: Lateral rd at La Ox des Landes 7763 SNOWDEN Sixth: Rd from bend 717520 to bend 749548 EVEREST (c) 11H. As soon as opportunity offers are to pass out in front of 131 Bde and recce with Corps bdys to R Orne. (d) 8H. Are to be prepared to take over flank protection from 11H as adv continues. (e) Arty. 5RHA are moving under 22 Armd Bde, unless required to sp 131 Bde. 7. Air (a) VCP and tentacle allotted initially to 131 Bde, transfers to 22 Armd Bde when this passes through. (b) Many RF Typhoons are at call. 8. Additional Tps Under Comd 5DG (a) A Coy 1RB. (b) In sp - K Bty 5RHA. INTENTION 9. 5DG will follow on Bde centreline, prepared to operate in accordance with orders issued on the ground. METHOD 10. Order of March B Sqn One tp Recce Sqn. RHQ. Recce Sqn less one tp. A Coy 1RB. A Sqn. C Sqn. A1 Ech. 11. Report Lines. As in para 6(b)(v) above. 12. Minefields. See trace already circulated. 13. Density. 60vtm. 14. Speed (a) Conform with coln. (b) Tactical after passing through 131 Bde. ADM 15. Rations. Two days res and five days pack rations on all vehs. 16. Pet. One pet lorry per sqn from A2 Ech will move with sqns and top-up before passing through 131 Bde, on orders from RHQ. After topping-up, these lorries will rejoin A2 Ech. 17. Rec. ARV and fitters' half-tracks move with sqns on approach march. Bde Rec Sec with Bde A2 Ech. Crock Pt 768683. 18. A2 Ech. Remain present location under Bde control. INTERCOM 19. Location of HQs (a) Tac HQ 22 Armd Bde moves as stated in para 6(b)(iii). (b) Main/Rear Bde HQ and A2 Ech remain present location. (c) RHQ moves in rear B Sqn. 20. Codes. Unicode and Unit Slidex. Place codenames as in App B and C attached. 21. DR Allotment. A1 Ech: 3. A2 Ech: 3. B Ech: 1. 22. Wireless communication as issued separately by Sigs Offr. 23. Notice to Move. 131 Bde is at 30mins notice. Time at which that bde moves will be notified to sqns.
Distribution:
OsC all sqns.
Recce Sqn.
EME, Tech Adjt, QM.
MO, RSM, Sigs Offr.
2IC, IO.
Capt Crockett.
Lt Osgood.
2Lt Berry.
A Coy 1RB.
K Bty 5RHA.


	AFTER-ACTION REPORTS 1944
	Report on Operations 5 INNIS DG
	1-31 Aug 44
1 Aug 44 The Regiment moved at first light to a fwd concentration area two miles SW of Granville. At 1700hrs the Regiment, with A Coy 1RB under comd, moved to area Canteloup in sp of 131 Inf bde, where it harboured for the night. Night 1/2 Aug 44 Regiment attacked from the air, anti-personnel bombs being dropped. No serious casualties. 2 Aug 44 The Regiment was ordered to clear a pocket of enemy resistance in area North of Coulvain 7654. This was successfully accomplished by B Sqn and A Coy 1RB. Recce patrol reached rd junc 774547 and found this mined and covered by AP and small arms fire. B Sqn and A Coy 1RB continued to clear area North of rd St Pierre du Fresne - Villers Bocage. The country was extremely close and this operation was continued throughout the day. Meanwhile, A and C Sqns continued the adv towards Query against some opposition and, by evening, were in position astride the rds just West of rd junc 774547. Any movement East of this line drew AP fire from area of Query village. Fifty prisoners were taken during the day. 3 Aug 44 Regiment remained in same area patrolling fwd and to the flanks and mopping-up prisoners. Considerable casualties were inflicted on the enemy in Query village, both by arty and tk fire. 4 Aug 44 The enemy evacuated Query during the night 3/4 Aug 44 and on morning 4 Aug 44 the Regiment was ordered to adv and secure the high ground NW of Aunay-sur-Odon 8351. The centreline led through very close country and a sunken lane, which was heavily mined about br at 793553. The clearing of these mines delayed the adv and by evening the CL was still not clear. The Regiment was therefore pulled out to harbour in area Query, the adv to be continued at first light. CL: La Poste 7986 - Maisoncelles Pelvey 8096 - Longvillers - Xrds 857542 - Pt245 8850. Twenty prisoners taken during the day. RE cleared the mines in area 793553 during night 4/5 Aug 44. 5 Aug 44 The Regiment adv, A Sqn leading, and by 1400hrs was established on Pt245 8850. Up to then no opposition had been met, but considerable delays imposed by mines at various points along the route. On arrival at Pt245, considerable movement was seen on the ridge 1,000yds to SW. This was identified by both our own and 11H observation as being enemy but, owing to some doubt as to the exact posns of flanking formations, higher formation refused to allow fire to be opened on them After prolonged observation, during which movement decreased but odd enemy were still seen moving, the Regiment was ordered to secure the ridge and high ground above Hamars 8948. The adv was led by B Sqn, sp by A Sqn from hull-down posns along Pt245 ridge, and the objective was secured without difficulty. Considerable enemy diggings were found and the movement seen had undoubtedly been enemy, who withdrew in front of our adv, offering no resistance. 6 and 7 Aug 44 The Regiment remained holding the posns secured and patrolling actively to the South. During these two days we were subjected to sporadic shell and mortar fire and A Coy 1RB suffered a few casualties. 8 Aug 44 The Regiment was ordered to be prepared to adv South through Vallee and L'Accard 8845, where 1RTR and 131 Bde were already established; but, after waiting for some hours, the opposition on this CL proved too strong and, in the afternoon, orders were received to move to a harbour area between Roucamps and Posty 836475, and come under 131 Bde on arrival. This move was successfully carried out and, on arrival, preparations were made and orders issued for an attack South from Le Plessis Grimault but, owing to the late arrival of the Queens bn which was due to take part, the operation was cancelled owing to lack of light. 9 Aug 44 Regiment remained under comd 131 Bde and supported an attack to seize high ground about Pt271 864446. 1/6 Queens carried out the attack, sp by C Sqn, little opposition was met and the objective was secured and consolidated. 10 Aug 44 Regiment remained in same location; 129 Inf Bde relieved 131 Bde and one sqn was placed in sp of each bn: A Sqn in sp 4 Wilts, B Sqn in sp 4 Somersets, C Sqn in sp 5 Wilts. 11 Aug 44 Regiment in same location. In the evening 129 Inf Bde relieved by 214 Bde. A Sqn transferred from 4 Wilts to 7 Soms, B Sqn transferred from 4 Soms to 5DCLI, C Sqn remained with 5 Wilts. Locations: A Sqn and 4 Wilts Pt265 865435, B Sqn and 4 Soms Xrds 872458 with one tp at 889434, C Sqn and 5 Wilts at 869426. 12 Aug 44 Sqns in same posns sp inf. RHQ moved to A Sqn area North of Caulville 864436. C Sqn action claimed one Tiger tk 886394, one Tiger 877397, two 50mm A Tk guns 880409 and one MkIV tk at 839425. Thirty POW. C Sqn action all day 12 Aug 44. Sp 5 Wilts they moved fwd to capture the high ground Le Jardin La Vardiere. This was done without much difficulty but, no sooner was the sqn in posn, when they were subjected to heavy shellfire which was continuous. Maj Ward-Harrison was able to deploy the whole sqn in fire posns, including his own HQ. The feature presented an ideal hull-down sqn posn. In the earlier stages only two tps were deployed but, as soon as the enemy tks were reported, the whole sqn moved up into posn. Three enemy tks (one MkIV and two Panthers) were knocked out at about 1,600yds range. Two 50mm A Tk guns were sighted and knocked out. The shooting was excellent and many German inf were killed. Our casualties were light, only 14220170 Tpr Verrell being wounded in the wrist and Capt Blundell-Brown slightly in the arm. In this action Cpl Carr's tk was shot up and brewed up; the crew baled out successfully but were attacked by German inf as they were dismounting. Cpl Carr was able to get hold of his Sten gun, which was kept outside the tk, and shot three enemy at close range, thus enabling the rest of his crew to get back to safety. 13 Aug 44 A Sqn sp 7 Somersets in clearing spur. B Sqn sp 5DCLI clearing area of ridge. C Sqn in reserve. 14 Aug 44 Regiment in area Mt Pincon, maintenance and refitting. 15 Aug 44 Regiment in area Mt Pincon. Evening RHQ moved to Pierre-Vieille 8739 in sp 129 Inf Bde. B Sqn with 3 Som to cross the R Orne at 8838, A Sqn and 4 Wilts over to western crossing Pt910, C Sqn and 5 Wilts eastern crossing 9136. 16 Aug 44 Sqns, with their respective bns of 129 Bde, waited all day for 124 Bde to secure a brhead over the R Orne, to permit 129 Bde to pass through. By 1800hrs 214 Bde had still not secured their objectives and the Regiment was released to revert to comd 7th Armd Div. By 2200hrs the Regiment reached Aunay-sur-Odon and by 2339hrs was mounted on tptrs. It had been intended that a night move should take place, but permission was granted to remain until first light (0500hrs) 17 Aug 44, and start the move to Cauvicourt at that time. 17 Aug 44 Regiment concentrated in area Cauvicourt 1052 at 1230hrs, under comd 7th Armd Div. 18 Aug 44 Move to St Pierre-sur-Dives 2649. Attacked from the air by night, one casualty in B Sqn. Shot up by our own air force 1930hrs, no casualties. 19 Aug 44 Regiment remained in area St Pierre-sur-Dives, bombed by night, no casualties. 20 Aug 44 Regiment moved to area Beaumont 3349 and ordered to watch the southern bridges between crossing 304489 and the Xrds 410745; A Sqn Right, C Sqn Left. Recce ordered to patrol South to St Martin de Fresnay 3144. pm move to area Hanoudiers 4370, one tp C Sqn at St Marguerite des Loges 4274, with 1RTR. 21 Aug 44 The Regiment moved at 0615hrs East through Livarot 4672, along Bde CL towards St Marguerite des Loges. This CL had been cut by the enemy during the night, just West of St Marguerite des Loges. At 0700hrs another attempt was made to cut the rd, one mile East of Livarot, by inf sp by one tk and a few SP. The main body of the Regiment was halted on the rd leading out of the town, unable to deploy off it, with a threat of enemy approaching the rd from the South, and the Yrds at 4674 was under MG fire and small arms fire. One coy of 1/7 Queens was placed under comd to clear up the situation and by 1000hrs C Sqn and coy 1/7 Queens had cleared the area, killing and capturing a total of 70 enemy inf and knocking out one MkIV tk. While this op was being completed, orders giving change of CL to main rd Livarot - Lisieux were received. B Sqn led and reached Xrds 494792 with little opposition, many prisoners giving themselves up. 22 Aug 44 No move 23 Aug 44 Regiment adv along CL Lisieux - Thiberville but, owing to heavy opposition to 5RTR, who were leading, only A Sqn and Recce Sqn passed through the town, and spent the night in an orchard 5587, just SE of the town and South of the CL, which was NOT clear. 24 Aug 44 The Regiment took the lead and continued the adv without opposition through Thiberville, and from there were directed NE to secure a crossing over R Risle, between Montfort 8601 and Pont Authou 8895. The first enemy to be met was a SS recce patrol of two motor cycle combinations and one Volkswagen, which met and passed the leading veh of Recce Sqn half-a-mile NE of Giverville, to be brewed up by a Honey round the next corner. Subsequently the enemy were found to be holding the villages of St Georges du Vievre 8096, St Benoit des Ombres 8294 and St Gregoire du Vievre 8495. The approaches to all these villages were through very difficult wooded country and the deployment of tks was almost impossible. Patrolling, assisted by guides from the local Maquis, was continued throughout the afternoon, and by A Coy 1RB during the night. Excellent information of the enemy posns in front of St Georges du Vievre was obtained by Recce, Sgt Roodhouse being wounded during the patrolling ops. 25 Aug 44 Recce at first light revealed that the enemy had pulled out of St Georges du Vievre - the adv was resumed with A Sqn leading. No opposition was met until leading tps reached the ridge overlooking the Risle valley from the West. Any movement on the rd, SE of bend 8796 towards Pont Authou, drew heavy mortar fire from the direction of Pont Authou village. The main rd br 8795 was blown. While an attack by 1RB to capture Pont Authou was being laid on, recce for an alternative crossing continued, an unblown br one mile North of Pont Authou was discovered. A Sqn crossed and formed a brhead, C Sqn was passed through onto the high ground due East of the br and North of Pont Authou village. The track which C Sqn passed through the woods West of the river was very bad going and unsuitable for regtl CL. 1RB subsequently took over the brhead from A Sqn, who continued to adv through Pont Authou and then East to the area of fork rds 8995, where the ?????????????????????????????. 26 Aug 44 Operations began at first light to clear area Le Val Vaudrin 9395 - Bonneville Appetot 9396 - Le Coudrai 9496 - Boissey le Chatel 9598. A good deal of resistance was encountered in thick country and some trouble given by mines and bazookas, but steady progress was made. At 1800hrs Bde CL was changed to Appeville 8503 - Rougemontiers 9008 - Routot 9210. 5DG on left CL Cauverville 8507 - Bourneville 8512. At dusk C Sqn was in contact with enemy with A Tk gun at Cauverville Xrds, and the Regiment leaguered in area La Marriotte 8505. 27 Aug 44 At first light the adv continued towards Bourneville. The opposition consisted mostly of snipers and bazookas, who were active in the woods on both sides of the CL, and each wood had to be cleared in turn. One tp B Sqn, with sec carriers from A Coy 1RB, was despatched at 1100hrs to find a route by any way West of Bourneville, to cut rd running North from the village about Yrds 8514. This tp, comd by 2Lt Bradfield, succeeded in reaching a point just West of main rd, when two tks were knocked out by 88mm in posn East of Yrds 8514. The tp ldr, however, manoeuvred the remainder of his tp and the carriers into a posn from which he could cover the main rd by fire, and maintained this posn for four hours, beating off a number of counter-attacks by enemy inf, and directing the fire of 5RHA on other targets in the area. By 1900hrs the remainder of B Sqn reached the same area, having had to fight its way round West of Bourneville, the enemy having closed in on the route taken by 2Lt Bradfield's tp in the morning. C Sqn reached Bourneville village by 1900hrs and remained in the village in sp of 1/5 Queens, who took over at dusk and continued mopping-up operations in the village itself. A and B Sqns and RHQ leaguered two miles South of village. 28 Aug 44 Regiment, under comd of 131 Inf Bde, had no action. At 1600hrs reverted to comd 22 Armd Bde and withdrew to leaguer three miles SW of St Georges du Vievre. 29 and 30 Aug 44 Moved to Chateau de Graveron R0677 for 48hrs maintenance and refitting. Comments on Operations from 1-29 Aug 44 1. General. This was the Regiment's first month in action since Jun 40. Almost all the operations took place in country very much closer than anywhere we had trained, or had contemplated as suitable for tks. The technique of operating with inf in this close country was quickly learnt and successfully carried out, but the lack of sufficient inf on several occasions made progress both slower and more expensive than would have been the case had more been available. During these first four weeks the frequent regrouping necessitated our working with no less than nine different inf bns. In practice we have found that the mutual confidence, which is the secret of successful co-operation, is governed more by the behaviour of the tps engaged during the first few minutes of an action, than by previous experience with the actual bn or coy concerned. 2. Recce. I do not consider that a recce sqn equipped entirely with Stuart tks is a satisfactory answer for recce in close country. A less conspicuous veh, and one from which dismounted men are readily available, has been found preferable. Various combinations of vehs - sometimes forced upon us by the availability of the various types rather than tactical requirements - have been tried out. The combination which has been most effective, and can be manned by the numbers within existing WE is:- HQ: One White half-track, one scout car. Three tps, each: One Stuart, one carrier, two scout cars. This combination has produced excellent results under varied conditions, and has been found sufficiently flexible to meet all the demands made upon the recce. 3. Maps. During some of the operations during this period, and especially during the early stages of the adv from the Seine to Belgium, there was a great shortage of maps. On one day, only three maps 1:100,000 per sqn were available and progress was considerably delayed by this shortage. I know that this was unavoidable at that time but, unless at least one map per tp is available, considerable delays are bound to occur. 4. Air Photos. A more liberal supply of air photographs would have been a great assistance to all commanders down to tp ldrs. When air photographs were available during an operation, much time in recce was saved.
Comments on Operations from 1-29 Aug 44 1. General. This was the Regiment's first month in action since Jun 40. Almost all the operations took place in country very much closer than anywhere we had trained, or had contemplated as suitable for tks. The technique of operating with inf in this close country was quickly learnt and successfully carried out, but the lack of sufficient inf on several occasions made progress both slower and more expensive than would have been the case had more been available. During these first four weeks the frequent regrouping necessitated our working with no less than nine different inf bns. In practice we have found that the mutual confidence, which is the secret of successful co-operation, is governed more by the behaviour of the tps engaged during the first few minutes of an action, than by previous experience with the actual bn or coy concerned. 2. Recce. I do not consider that a recce sqn equipped entirely with Stuart tks is a satisfactory answer for recce in close country. A less conspicuous veh, and one from which dismounted men are readily available, has been found preferable. Various combinations of vehs - sometimes forced upon us by the availability of the various types rather than tactical requirements - have been tried out. The combination which has been most effective, and can be manned by the numbers within existing WE is:- HQ: One White half-track, one scout car. Three tps, each: One Stuart, one carrier, two scout cars. This combination has produced excellent results under varied conditions, and has been found sufficiently flexible to meet all the demands made upon the recce. 3. Maps. During some of the operations during this period, and especially during the early stages of the adv from the Seine to Belgium, there was a great shortage of maps. On one day, only three maps 1:100,000 per sqn were available and progress was considerably delayed by this shortage. I know that this was unavoidable at that time but, unless at least one map per tp is available, considerable delays are bound to occur. 4. Air Photos. A more liberal supply of air photographs would have been a great assistance to all commanders down to tp ldrs. When air photographs were available during an operation, much time in recce was saved.


	Advance from R Seine to Ghent
	31 Aug44 - 9 Sep 44
31 Aug 44 The Regiment left Chateau de Graveron at 0330hrs 31 Aug 44, as leading regt of the Bde. We crossed the Seine at St Pierre du Vauvray 2690 at 0745hrs, and the adv continued without incident to Gournay 6515, which was reached at 1345hrs. From Gournay the Regiment moved two up: A Sqn Right, C Sqn Left. C Sqn was held up by enemy inf with one or two A Tk guns in Caille Fontaine 5935 and A Sqn reported Formerie 6734 also held. The country in this area was exceptionally difficult and deployment off the rd almost impossible. Some unnecessary delay was caused, partly by this and the extreme shortage of maps, the supply of which only amounted to three per sqn. The opposition in Caille Fontaine withdrew after delaying our adv for about two hours. Further opposition was met in the thickly wooded area round Abancourt 7093, where A Sqn was held up one mile West of village by an 88mm firing straight down the rd. The country made any approach to the village by tks impossible, except along the rd. C Sqn managed to work through the woods NW of village to cut the rd Abancourt - Aumale, one mile North of the village. A Coy 1RB, sp by A Sqn, attacked the village from West and took several prisoners, but by dark the village was still NOT clear. The enemy pulled out during the night, except for about 30 in the North end of Abancourt, who were taken prisoner by C Sqn after a short fight the following morning. 72 miles were covered during the day. 1 Sep 44 At first light B Sqn led the adv through Abancourt. During the night 1RB had executed an outflanking march South of Abancourt and had reached rd junc 7347. At this point a Canadian armd bde cut into the Bde CL, causing a complete block in Morvillers 7548. The Regiment was then switched to find a new CL further East, and recce crossings over R Somme in area Conde - Longpre 8873. On arrival one mile North of Camps Lamienois 8558, the Regiment was ordered to concentrate and await further orders. 4 Armd Bde had already reached the Somme on our front and were in contact with enemy on the North bank. 2 Sep 44 The Regiment moved in Bde res, crossing R Somme one mile West of Amiens. The adv continued without incident until 8H were held up at the southern outskirts of St Pol. At 1945hrs the Regiment received orders to move round East of St Pol to cut the rd St Pol - Dieval 2517. This move was successfully carried out with B Sqn in the lead, the objective being reached at 2315hrs in moonlight. A few moments after the arrival of B Sqn, enemy HDT moving out of St Pol was shot up and six prisoners taken. 3 Sep 44 The Regiment remained in posn astride the rds St Pol - Divion 2921 and St Pol - Lillees, patrolling actively in the area. Seventy prisoners were taken. During the morning RHQ came under direct shellfire and suffered fourteen casualties in two minutes, including RHQ tp ldr, Lt Sedgewick, killed. The adv was continued at midday, directed on Lille, and was unopposed up to the line of La Bassee Canal. 11H reported that br at Cambrin 4625 was partially destroyed but might still take tks. The approach to this br was down a narrow street under small arms, but NOT A Tk, fire. The wooden supports of the br had been partly burnt through, but RE recce considered it would take Cl40 loads. It was decided to rush the br with one tp C Sqn, covered by two tps of same sqn from posns East and West of the street, in gardens on the South bank of the canal. A Coy 1RB to follow up immediately and to secure a brhead. Lt Dickson's tp made the crossing successfully, but the br collapsed as the last tk crossed. Two carriers of 1RB were knocked out by a 75mm a few hundred yards North of br. A tight brhead was established and held. During the night a scissors br was brought up and launched at first light 4 Sep 44. 4 Sep 44 Lt Dickson's tp of C Sqn worked its way onto the high ground by the church, while A Coy slightly enlarged their brhead by clearing some of the houses at South end of Festubert. Lt Dickson's tk was knocked out, after his tp had done excellent work and inflicted considerable casualties on the enemy in area Givenchy. The gun which did this was brewed later. A Sqn was passed through C, directed NE to cut rd La Bassee - Estaires. Steady progress was made against continuous opposition, and from Violaines the rd was under observation, and the FOO with A Sqn was able to destroy four guns firing from area of Lorgies. A patrol from B Sqn to La Bassee reported the main rd blown and 88mms North of canal, the rd Bethune - La Bassee held 800yds short of rd junc 6126. At midday 131 Bde was ordered to take over brhead from A Coy 1RB and clear Festubert. This was successfully carried out with sp from C Sqn on right flank. The Regiment was then withdrawn and moved in rear of the Bde CL Lens - Toufflers 8338 - Audenarde - Ghent. Crossing the Belgian frontier at Toufflers at 2215hrs, the Regiment leaguered at Coyghem 9147. 5 Sep 44 The adv towards Ghent was continued; 1RTR and 5RTR were soon held up on general line Mullem 1063 - Oruyshautem 0464. The Regiment, having moved up to South outskirts of Audenarde 0958, was ordered at 1000hrs to seize br over R Scheldt at or near Wetteren 2974, and cut the rds East out of Ghent. Our Recce reported br at Wetteren slightly damaged, br at Melle 2474 blown. Wetteren br was under small arms fire from buildings on North bank, and further attempts were being made to render the br useless. B Sqn and Recce Tp, with the help of Belgian patriots, lowered the br and forced the crossing. A coy of inf from 50th Div, who happened to be in the area, helped to clear the houses immediately covering the North approaches to br, and B Sqn was soon clear of village to North, and moving to cut rd Ghent - Zele 4181. Little opposition was met and by 1900hrs the Regiment was in posn astride the rds Ghent - Lokeren (A Sqn), Ghent - Zele (B Sqn), with RHQ and C Sqn in area Calcken 3178. A Sqn was backed up by A Coy 1RB and B Sqn by coy 1/6 Queens. An effort during the night by the enemy to break-out through B Sqn and coy 1/6 Queens was unsuccessful, after some sharp fighting at close quarters. 25 prisoners were taken. A Sqn destroyed much tpt and four 105mm guns on the Lokeren rd during the night. 6 Sep 44 A and B Sqns remained in the same posns. At 1000hrs a sharp counter-attack from the West developed against Wetteren br, which at that time was held only by 4 Fd Sqn. C Sqn was despatched to deal with this threat and fierce fighting took place in the street and gardens immediately NW of br. By 1200hrs the attack had been driven off and many prisoners, including the SS major comd the attacking force, were taken. This force had consisted of two coys SS, sp by five SP guns, and had been ordered to seize and destroy the Wetteren br at all costs. During this fighting SSM Clayton's tk was brewed up but, in spite of being slightly wounded in the foot, he continued to lead his crew in the attack dismounted, capturing six prisoners. A coy of 1/6 Queens assisted in the final clearing-up of the area. During the day, A and B Sqns patrolled westwards towards Ghent and by 1600hrs 120 prisoners had been taken. At 2030hrs a further 330, including three officers, surrendered to A Sqn. Total prisoners taken by the Regiment this day was over 900. 7 Sep 44 At 0900hrs the Regiment moved from their overnight location into East outskirts of Ghent, clearing the country astride the two rds as they went. No opposition was met, but a few prisoners rounded up. By 1200hrs A and B Sqns had reached the line of the main canal. A Sqn found the factories on the West bank in 1982 still held, and an attempt to lower the swing br at this point was met by heavy fire. At 1800hrs C Sqn were sent to area of br at Wetteren. A and B Sqns remaining in the eastern outskirts of Ghent, and RHQ at Chateau Destelbergen 2480. 8 Sep 44 A Sqn patrolled to area Oostacker 2185 - Destel Donk 2287, taking 50 prisoners including four officers. B Sqn passed to under comd 1/6 Queens in area Controde 2474, but had no action. At 1800hrs the Regiment concentrated in Div res, area Malbroek 2972. 9-13 Sep 44 Regiment remained at Mallbroek with one sqn at Lokeren. No activity.

		App D
	SECRET	Copy No 24
21 Oct 44	5 INNIS DG Operation Order No 2

Operation ALAN (Phase 1) Ref maps: 1:25,000 Sheets 11 SW, NW, NE, SE. INFORMATION 1. Enemy (a) The eastern approaches to s'Hertogenbosch are defended by 712th Inf Div, which is providing left flank protection for the German Fifteenth Army. (b) North of Zee Dijk 3951 the area is lightly held by unidentified tps, possibly naval. (c) 712th Inf Div consists of 732 and 745 GRs, each of two bns, plus the Div Fus Bn, amounting altogether to the equivalent of four inf bns. Layout 732GR. I Bn South of main rd in wooded area 4048. III Bn believed in Div res in wooded area astride main rd 3848. 745GR. I Bn area 405492 and wooded area 3949. II Bn holding line of Zee Dijk rd from rly 407508 to approx Kruisstraat 383508. 712 Fus Bn. South of rly 408508. (d) Known defences as per trace already issued. There are NO known reports of any tks, nor enemy res believed available to sp 712th Inf Div. 2. Own Tps (a) XII Corps under comd: 15th (S), 51st (H), 53rd (W) Divs, Royal Netherlands Bde, 7th Armd Div, 4 Armd Bde, 6 Gds Tk Bde, are carrying out Op ALAN in three phases. Objects: (i) Capture area s'Hertogenbosch, Tilburg, Breda, (ii) Opening of Antwerp as a port. (b) Op ALAN Phase 1 (i) 53rd (W) Div, with under comd: RAC - 5DG, 11H, 5RTR (less two sqns); Flails - One tp; Croc - two tps; AVRE - one sqn; RA - 340 Sp Bty, 86 A Tk Regt, tp 344 SL Bty in sp: div arty 15th (S) Div; two med regts; one hy regt, are securing ground general line Fort Alexander 352489 - Molen Str to rd junc 357477 - rd junc 359477 - 362473 - 364471 and exploiting westwards to s'Hertogenbosch. 53rd (W) Div is attacking two bdes up: Right 160 Bde; Left 71 Bde; Res 158 Bde - who are to pass through 160 Bde and exploit to s'Hertogenbosch if opportunity occurs. (ii) 7th Armd Div are attacking simultaneously on left of 53rd (W) Div, to secure area Eikenlust at 3747 and Berlium 3745. (iii) 11H are carrying out right flank protection by watching all approaches from North, particularly rd Het Wild 3654 - Kruisstraat 3850. (iv) 160 Bde, with in sp 5DG; sqn crocs less two tps; tp flails; three fd regts; one med regt; 283 A Tk Bty; 282 Fd Coy with under comd one tp of AVREs; two MG coys 1 Manch; one mor pl 1 Manch, are attacking two bns up: Right 2 Mon; Left 4 Welch; Res 6RWF. Objectives, routes and boundaries as already issued. 3. Air Sp (a) Bomber effort: (i) 370503. 0800-0830hrs. (ii) Fort Alexander NOT later than 1000hrs. (iii) 333468 NOT later than 1200hrs. (b) Armd recce on rds between 0830-0930hrs: (i) Bruggen 370512 - rly br 354484. (ii) Rd junc 375489 - Xrds 360483. (iii) Rd junc 371482 - Xrds 340474. (c) Air sp depends on weather and availability of ac. (d) TCL with Bde HQ (i) Tgts NOT within 500yds of ANY tps may be demanded by bns. (ii) Tgts will be indicated by Green or Blue and NOT Red smoke. INTENTION 4. 5DG will sp 160 Bde attack and subsequently 158 Bde breakthrough. METHOD 5. Grouping Right. A Sqn with, after capture of first objective, under comd one sqn crocs less two tps, will sp 2 Mon. ??????????????? 6. SL. Loonsche Straat from rd junc 446526. 7. Axis Right: A Sqn - CUP Route. Left: C Sqn - SPUR Route. 8. First Objective, Rate of adv - 200yds in 1min. 9. H Hour. 220630hrs. 10. Routes to Start Line. A Sqn - track junc 438512 - rd junc ???????? ???????? 11. Fire Plan (a) Arty concs as per attached trace Tgt Nos 267, 277, 278, 279 to be engaged fron H Hr - H+5. Tgt Nos 280,281 from H Hr - H+6. Tgt No 201 from H Hr - H+10. Tgt No 283 from H Hr - H+24. (b) 4.2in mor are engaging area 404512 from H hr - H+8. (c) MMGs are protecting right flank. Admin 12. Med (a) ADS is opening H Hr at School 464533. (b) CCP is opening H Hr 434524 and moving fwd to Nuland, Hoismergen and Sprokkelbosch under orders 160 Bde. (c) In initial stages cas will be evacuated through inf bn RAPs or direct to CCP at Geffen. (d) RAP will remain present area and move on orders RHQ. 13. A1 Ech. Subsequent moves as ordered by this HQ. 14. A2 and B Ech. Will remain present areas. INTERCOM 15. RHQ will be established initially at 436523 and will move fwd on CUP or SPUR Routes as situation develops. 16. LOs. Reps will report: (a) To HQ 160 Bde at 211900hrs at 436523. (b) To HLI at 211800hrs area 4350. 17. Netting. A and C Sqns - sqn frequency. B Sqn - regtl frequency. 18. Codewords at App A attached. ACK Time of signature: 1545hrs. Method of issue: Capt, Adjt 5 INNIS DG
Distribution
OC A Sqn Copy No 1	2IC Copy No 13	OC Crocs 22
OC B Sqn 2	IO 14	War Diary 23-24
OC C Sqn 3	OC A1 Ech 15	File 25
Recce Sqn 4-6	OC A2 Ech 16
EME 7	OC B Ech 17
Tech Adjt 8	HQ 22 Armd Bde 18
QM 9	HQ 160 Bde 19
MO 10	OC tp Flails 20
RSM 11	OC tp Flails 20
Sigs Offr 12	OC tp AVRE 21

		App F
	5DG Patrol Reports 10-20 Oct 44
10 Oct 44 Patrols moved out this morning to 418516, 425506 and 427499. At 0830hrs northern patrol found mines on track at 410513, 50yds East of the derelict scout car which was blown up last night. Attempts to clear these mines brought immediate mortar fire from four mortars in area 405512. Patrol withdrew to 418516 and mortar area was shelled by 5RHA with airburst, shoot appearing effective. At 1000hrs centre patrol on foot had recced track from 425506 to Xtracks 423503 and found no enemy. Contacted foot patrol from South patrol at Xtracks 423502. At 1100hrs civ, previously known to be reliable, living at house 420498, reported that at about 0700hrs, when on his way to milk cows South of main rd, he was arrested by German patrol fifty-strong, carrying bazookas and mines. This patrol was in area of rd junc 421497, mostly in ditches South of rd, as far as 422494, with sentry on rd 423497 and some inf in houses 420498. At 1030hrs civ was released and stated all Germans had disappeared from this area. Dismounted patrol sent to these houses, confirmed that they were not occupied but showed signs of recent enemy occupation. Dismounted patrol at 1400hrs reached 415504, reported two enemy moving just East of Nuland church. Civ reports about 20 enemy in area between Nuland church and 413503. During afternoon, patrols maintained OPs at 411513 and 415504, who saw no further movement. Southern patrol investigated area 414496-414493, drew HE fire onto Xrds 414494, rd at 420496 and 415498, and small arms fire from houses 412497. Civ reports during day confirm previous reports of known enemy locations 405512, and stated number of enemy in area 400512-405512-407508-402506 and about 80, with HQ, in house 402502, which confirms yesterday's report of this HQ from another source. Rumours of imminent German evacuation of Nuland persist but NO signs of this, other than increase in minelaying activities in area, and evacuation of civilians, which may imply projected heavy mining and booby-trapping of village before eventual withdrawal, probably after fall of Tilburg, and general withdrawal to North. (Sgd) J E Swetenham Lt Col Comd 5 INNIS DG

11 Oct 44 1. Attack on Geffen Night 10/11 Oct 44. Attack was preceded by mortar and arty stonks on Runrot 430508 and Geffen between 2200-2230hrs. Assault began at about 2230hrs by about 50 inf approaching village along rd from South towards rd junc 429518. RB sec was driven back to rd junc but tk fwd of this rd junc retained its posn. Shortly afterwards, another party adv from SW along the South of rly, followed by a third party along the lane towards rd junc 429519 opposite church. Both these attacks were caught by DFs and suffered heavy casualties and made no impression on RB posns. Close fighting in the village continued for about 30mins, after which slight infiltration and movement on the outskirts continued for about two hours. By 0200hrs, A Coy RB reported situation fully restored and all quiet. Further investigation at first light resulted in capture of seven POW, including two wounded. Other bag, twelve dead and equipment - as already reported. PW stated attack carried out by one bn, a composite bn formed of all remnants 745 Regt and named 743 Fus Bn(?). 2. Patrols moved out at First Light. North Patrol route rd and rail Xing 454532 - Broekestraat - track junc 420521 - track junc 414519 - 415515. All this route clear and civ reported NO enemy during last two nights in area Heihook - Amstermind 4333. Some enemy had been in area 427522 during last night's attack, and one was killed and removed by his comrades. Patrol established itself 415315, having drawn mortar fire, which came down at 412514, this is usual place for DF, which then creeps NE along track. Dismounted patrol established OP 408512 and observed area 405512 throughout day NMS. Centre Patrol route Xrds 430508-425505. Established 425505. Dismounted patrol reached 413504 and maintained observation area Nuland church. Three enemy seen just East of church, otherwise NO activity. NO mines on track up to incl Xtracks 418502. South Patrol route Xrds 432300-420496. Civs at Bapendljk 432500 reported definitely NO gun firing from this area during last night's attack, but HE fire was landing at 434501. Dismounted patrols visited house 414494, NMS, and got within 50yds of rd block 407492, where NMS. No attempt was made to draw fire in this area today and civ reps imply area still occupied as yesterday. Civ Reps During Day. Strength of enemy in area NE Nuland church 60, with dug posts 411502 and 411503, with OP in tree about 411505. Six tks moved from s'Hertogenbosch to Rosmalen at 1600hrs 10 Oct 44 (these may have been SP guns which fired in sp last night's attack). Locations one 88mm 358510, four AA guns and 105mm 365470, tk dug-in bend rd 371460.
(Sgd) J E Swetenham Lt Col
Field		Comd 5 INNIS DG

12 Oct 44 SECRET 1. Patrols moved out at first light, operated in same areas as yesterday. 2. Enemy Movement Observed 0835hrs Two enemy at 409504. 0835hrs. Three enemy at 410510. 0906hrs One man with Spandau or bazooka 409512. 1200hrs Twelve enemy ran North-South through gardens of houses at 412497. 1215hrs. Four men digging in dyke parallel to rly at 412511. 1335hrs Half-track moved behind house 407509. Tp of tks engaged this with HE and AP and got to within 150yds of the house, but no brew of veh and could not observe it. Several enemy seen to leave house and withdraw South across rly. Close cover round house; possible that veh may have moved out unobserved. 1340hrs Dismounted patrol confirmed houses 413494 - excl Xrds 412496 NOT occupied. Rd block 404490 consists of complete trees felled across rd at intervals of 5-10yds and is 20-30yds long. One German met face-to-face in ditch at this point, but he escaped. 3. Action at 1600hrs. One tp adv to area 413497-413499 and shelled and Besaed houses from 412496-410502. NMS but immediate reaction in form of mortar and gunfire from about six mortars and one gun. Mortar fire directed on 419497 (usual DF seen before), 418499 (posn of rear tk which was observing), Xtracks 418502, 420499. Gunfire 421598 followed tp eastwards as it withdrew. At the same time one tk engaged houses at 403512, result immediate mortar DF on track junc 415515, which subsequently moved into tk posn at 413519. Location enemy mortars 404512 and 411505, both engaged by 5RHA. Gun appeared to be firing almost directly along rd. Reliable civ rep six guns in posn in garden of villa 384406, this coincides with direction of gunfire night 10/11 Oct 44 and today. 4. General. All civ reps and observation confirm no change enemy line along dyke from 400512 - 406510 - house 409509 - area East of Nuland church up to 412505 - track junc 410502 - Xtracks 412496, thence West to rd block 405490. Main posts:- (i) 409512. (ii) 409509. (iii) Area Nuland church - dyke 412505. No definite posns established South of track junc 410502 until rd block 404490, but any move within 500yds East of this line draws immediate mortar fire. (Sgd) J E Swetenham Lt Col Comd 5 INNIS DG
17 Oct 44 Enemy. Very little movement seen during the day but on two occasions mortar fire and shellfire was brought down on our patrols after they had fired on suspected enemy posns. Northern Patrol 0820hrs In posn 422516. 1235hrs Foot patrol to 414519. NTR, 1515hrs Foot patrol to 408513 reported ten inf digging in hedge at 411513. A tk was brought up and shot-up the area but reported NMS. This tk, on withdrawing, drew mortar fire on itself. Centre Patrol 0820hrs In posn 425503. Patrolled to 425505 and observed area Nuland church all day. NTR. Southern Patrol 0820hrs In posn 426500. 1350hrs Tk patrolled to 414493 then to houses at 413496. Shot-up by SA fire from house, house brewed up with exploding ammo inside. 1607hrs Foot patrol to 414492, in posn for two hours. Br at this ref is a concrete footbridge and is OK. NMS. 1620hrs Tp of tks from 424498 shot-up house suspected OP at 407498. NMS. This caused a reaction of shelling, shell falling:- (i) From 414494 East along rd to 424498. This fire followed the tks round and was believed to be observed. (ii) DF task on Runrot 430509.
		(Sgd) J E Swetenham Lt Col
Field		Comd 5 INNIS DG
BLA 17 Oct 44

18 Oct 44 Enemy Very little movement seen. Again there was occasional shell and mortar fire, but less than the day before. Northern Patrol 0745hrs In posn 422516. 0900hrs Veh patrols to 418513, 416516. Foot patrol 415511. NMS. 1000hrs Two enemy inf at 411513, in hedge. 1025hrs Patrol fired by SA from 409513. 1345hrs Shelling at 418512. 1400hrs Veh at 418513 shot at by SP, perhaps from 409508. Centre Patrol 0745hrs In posn 426506. Observed area Nuland church all day. NMS. Southern Patrol 0745hrs In posn 422499. Observed area Heike and Helzenhoek all day. NMS.
(Sgd) J E Swetenham Lt Col
Field		Comd 5 INNIS DG
BL A 18 Oct 44

19 Oct 44 1. General. No enemy movement was seen. Offensive action against North end of Nuland produced reaction described in para 2 below. 1730hrs An 88mm started firing AP at Geffen church, the overs landing around RHQ at 452520. Gun believed in area 416512. 5RHA brought down heavy stonks on that area. At the same time a 105mm shelled 497520. One gun firing only. Twelve shells landed. 2. Northern Area 0655hrs Patrol in posn 422517 and tp of tks at 425522. Observed area 409512 all day. NMS. 1410hrs Tp of tks adv to area 415508. Shot-up house at 409508 and houses 408507. NMS. Ten minutes after the tp shoot, HE from two guns was brought down on 415508, the tp having already left this area. After 2mins this fire was lifted onto cross tracks 418512 and subsequently onto 420505, both of the latter being previously known DF tasks. 3. Centre Area 0655hrs Patrol in posn 425505. Foot patrol to 417503. Observed area Nuland church all day. NMS. 4. Southern Area. Dismounted patrol left before daylight and got to rd block 408492, where sentry was found asleep in the ditch by the side of the rd. Noise of chopping wood heard in house 408493. 0830hrs In posn 423498. Observed Heike and Helzenhoek all day NMS.
		(Sgd) J E Swetenham Lt Col
Field		Comd 5 INNIS DG
BLA 19 Oct 44
20 Oct 44 General No movement in enemy posns seen. Two patrols were met as described below. No shelling or mortaring. Northern Area 0715hrs Patrol in posn at 422516. Tp of tks at 425522. 0815hrs One PW (sgt maj) captured at 416516. 0845hrs Two PW captured in houses at 416516. Patrol observed area 410513 all day. NMS. Central Area 0715hrs Patrol in posn at 425505. Foot patrol to 417503. Observed area Nuland church all day. NMS. Southern Area Dismounted patrol set out before first light and reached windmill at 416494, where an enemy inf sec with Spandau opened fire on patrol. One officer and one NCO wounded, the enemy taking the NCO prisoner. Patrol remained in posn 424499 and observed area Heike all day. NMS. (Sgd) P A C Bridgewater Maj for Lt Col Comd 5 INNIS DG


A Sqn Advance to s'Hertogenbosch 22-24 Oct 44

On 20 Oct 44 the Regiment was notified of the intended attack to clear the enemy from the s'Hertogenbosch area and westwards. A Sqn was detailed to support 2 Mons. We were in possession of the outline of the plan on 21 Oct 44 and we spent the day reconnoitring posns for our tps for the initial attack on Nuland. The plan in brief was as follows: Heavy arty bombardment of the Nuland area and known enemy locations to the West; 2 Mons, with one coy up, were to adv sp by tks, from Geffen down the line of the Koppel Dijk, to capture Nuland. When this feature was consolidated, the bn was to continue the adv one up along the dyke to Kruisstraat. First Day 22 Oct 44 We spent the night of 21/22 Oct 44 in our usual harbour area East of Geffen and we moved to the startline for the attack at 0530hrs in complete darkness. Zero was 0630hrs for the inf to cross the startline. 4Tp on the right in the area of track junc 414519 and 2Tp on the left in the area of 415515, opened fire sharp at 0630hrs on the known enemy posns in the dyke East of Nuland. If it had not been for the careful recce on the previous day, this sp fire would not have been practicable, as it was most difficult in the half-light to see our own inf and, throughout almost the whole of the early part of Phase I of the attack, fire was controlled on a time basis. At 0640hrs 1Tp moved up to 100yds from the level Xing at Nuland Station and fired all they had at the enemy posns on the dyke. Very shortly after this the leading wave of inf reached the dyke and the enemy came out of their foxholes and gave themselves up without any fight. Some 50 POW were taken from this area alone. The posn was quickly consolidated and the second and third coys of the Mons moved up for the next phase. There was some delay here, owing to the fact that we had to wait for the Sappers to clear the mines from the area of the Xtracks 496513, before we could move the tks up. At about 0845hrs the adv was renewed - two coys up astride the dyke, with 2 and 3 Tps sp on the left and right respectively. It was at this stage we had our first casualty. Sgt Carden was in a hull-down posn North of the dyke, sp 2Tp as it began its adv. He was fired at and hit by an unlocated 88mm, situated apparently in the woods South of the rly. The first shot broke the track and did no other damage. The second shot jammed the turret, so that the guns could not traverse, and the crew had to bale out. LCpl Wright, the dvr, was the only casualty - he broke his arm. The opposition began to stiffen from here on and 2 and 3 Tps, working well together, had to brew a large number of houses as they adv. It is worth recording here that the inf were splendid to work with and gave admirable sp to the tks and, in consequence, despite the opposition, the adv progressed at a reasonable rate. At about 1330hrs the leading inf and tks had made good the Kruisstraat Xrds at 384507 and the 'powers that be' decided to send through a mobile coln, composed of the E Lancs in Kangeroos, with B Sqn and some flails under comd, with the intention of pushing through to the eastern outskirts of s'Hertogenbosch that day. Unfortunately the plan did not materialise, as the recce element of 53rd Div was held up by strong enemy opposition at Bruggen 3750, and no further adv was made that day. The total of prisoners taken during this day's fighting was over 250, and the casualties on our side were extremely light. Second Day 23 Oct 44 During the night of 22/23 Oct 44 the E Lancs pushed up to the outskirts of Bruggen and at first light the leading coy of the Mons, sp by 4Tp and a tp of flamethrowers, attacked the village. At first things were very sticky and it did not appear as if we were going to get on but, once the flamethrowers got to work, the Bosche showed considerably less interest in fighting, and 4Tp had some excellent shooting at the enemy in their efforts to get away. Bruggen was finally captured and consolidated by approximately 1000hrs and there was a delay here while our inf regrouped. The adv was then continued towards Rosmalen, with three coys up, each of whom had a tp of tks in sp. From here the country became even worse, if possible, than before, and some very confused fighting took place in the built-up area around Rosmalen. It was not until almost last light that we achieved our final objective. The range of vision was so short that tps had difficulty in keeping contact with the tks in their own tp, let alone keeping contact with the tps on their flank and, in consequence, there were some indignant accusations from 4Tp that they were being shot-up by 3Tp. Progress, accordingly, was very slow. 2Tp (Sgt Carr) on the extreme right had little difficulty until they were almost on their objective, when the tk comd by Lt Wallworth was knocked out by an enemy SP gun at fairly close range. However, we got our own back two minutes later, when 3Tp knocked out this same SP. As it was getting dusk, 1 and 3 Tps on the right obtained good observation from gun flashes away to the West and were able to bring down some heavy concentrations (including medium arty) which must have caused considerable casualties to the enemy. Lt Fitzgerald, 3Tp, thought that he had knocked out an 88mm, which could not be confirmed that night, but it was subsequently verified in our adv the next day. This was a long and hard day's fighting for all tps, and we did not get back into harbour until after 2000hrs. However, considerable progress had been made and the results were more than satisfactory. During this day more than 290 prisoners were taken and over 50 dead counted. Third Day 24 Oct 44 During the night the E Lancs adv and obtained a footing in the suburbs to the NE of s'Hertogenbosch, which was still held by the enemy and, as there was a rumour of enemy tks in the area, the Brig was most anxious to get some tk sp up to them, but it was easier said than done as all the ground North of the rly was flat, swampy and impassable for tks, and 1,000yds away to the North the high banks of the dyke commanded the ground between it and the rly. To the South of the rly, B Sqn was adv in sp of 4RWF and there were known to be a considerable number of 75mms and at least two confirmed locations of 88mms. The only possible line of adv for the tks was down the rly line, which ran on an embankment for some 2,000yds, 15ft above the level of the ground and completely exposed on both flanks. However, it was considered vital that a sqn of tks should be got into the town and, after a very careful and thorough arty plan, we adv down the line in three parties. It was with a sigh of relief that we got to the other end. Only one tk (Sgt Heaps) broke a track and, fortunately for all concerned, this was the last tk of the sqn. When we got into the town one coy of the E Lancs, with 3Tp in sp, moved round North of the pond to capture the br at 326465. This they did without meeting any opposition, but it was found that all the brs on the canal South of this one had been blown, so there was little more that we could do. However, it was necessary to gain further information of the extent of the damage to these brs and Lt Wallworth was unlucky enough to have a second tk hit and brewed up under him in two days, while making a recce. Fortunately there were no casualties to the crew and he got the necessary information. He was fired at from very close range by a SP lurking in buildings on the far bank. As it was getting dark, A Sqn and the remainder of the Regiment were ordered to concentrate in the area of Rosmalen, prior to a move round to the Boxtel area the next day. So ended three days of hard and very successful fighting. 2 Mons expressed great satisfaction with the sp that they had received from the sqn, and we were no less delighted with the sp received from them. They are undoubtedly a fine regiment.

Report of Operations Carried Out by B Sqn from 22-24 Oct 44
For the initial phase of XII Corps attack, the sqn was placed under comd 1 Bn E Lancs, 158 Bde 53rd (W) Div, and was part of a force which was to be launched on the Div Comd's order, when it was considered that the crust of the enemy's defensive posns had been cracked on the general line Bruggen 3649 - Heide 3748, with the role of driving westwards on s'Hertogenbosch to secure the canal Xings at 327462 and 328404. The force consisted of 1 Sqn 53rd Div Recce Regt, B Sqn 5DG with under comd one tp (five vehs) of Flails, and 1 Bn E Lancs mounted in Kangaroos and accompanied by the bn A Tk Pl. The bn tpt and admin elements were not included, with the exception of the RAP, which was mounted in Kangaroos, the total number of these vehs being 32. The group was under comd CO E Lancs and moved in the order of march: Sqn Recce Regt, 2Tp (Lt Cowdy) B Sqn 5DG, coy E Lancs in Kangaroos, 1Tp (Lt Coxon) B Sqn 5DG, tp of Flails, and thereafter the balance of the sqn and the bn similarly interspersed. Communication while the bn was mounted was by No 19 Set, the net comprising the bn comd, the sqn ldr using the second set in his tk, and each coy comd of the inf using the No 19 Set in their respective Kangaroos. After dismounting, communication was to be by No 18 Set from coy to tp, for which each coy comd was provided with an extra No 18 Set, to be netted on the sqn comd net. The column married-up at rd junc 429513 SW of Geffen, at 1230hrs on the morning of 22 Oct 44, and commenced the move westward, passing through the posns won since 0630hrs on 22 Oct 44 by A Sqn and the Monmouthsire Regt, and C Sqn and the Welch Regt, roughly on the line of the North-South track through Kruisstraat 3850, using the Div route CUP, at 1400hrs. On clearing this line the sqn of Recce Regt immediately made contact with the enemy and was halted by mines and bazookas and Spandau fire from houses 500yds West of Kruisstraat. This opposition was not immediately cleared and at approximately 1530hrs CO E Lancs was ordered to recommence the advance, and directed that both the opposition and the elements of the Recce Regt should be brushed aside or bypassed, and the lead taken up by the leading tk tp (2Tp - Lt Cowdy). After a certain delay, 2Tp took up the adv but, immediately the tp ldr's veh left the rd, it was blown up on a mine but without any injury to the crew; and the leading tk rendered useless by mechanical failure of both the main and subsidiary armament. The tp of Flails was then ordered fwd to deal with the mines, during which operation the tp ldr's tk was engaged by AP and HE. At the same time, the leading coy of E Lancs dismounted from their Kangaroos and, having mopped-up the opposition which had caused the initial halt, moved fwd to the eastern fringe of Bruggen. At approximately 1730hrs orders were received to pull back all elements to form a defensive posn round Kruisstraat 3850, and this was effected by 1900hrs; some considerable delay being caused by the concentration of some 45 tracked vehs and 30 wheeled vehs endeavouring to regroup themselves and turn about on the rd which constituted the centreline, and off which it was impossible to move; and the added complication of dismounting the balance of the bn from their Kangaroos and despatching the latter eastwards down the CL to their original SP. For the night, the sqn took up posns by tps in coy areas, but at midnight the E Lancs moved out to make a silent attack on Bruggen, and established itself in that village and, although no positive orders were received that night, it was understood that the sqn had reverted to Regimental comd. At first light on 23 Oct 44 the sqn came under comd 6RWF, 160 Bde, but did not move to the bn location and remained in the Kruisstraat area throughout the day, the sqn ldr being at Bn HQ. The role of the bn for the day was flank protection to 160 Bde as it moved westward, and subsequent task allotted of securing a line further West was not carried out until last light, by which time the sqn again reverted to Regimental comd and was re-allotted to 4RWF, 158 Bde. At 0700hrs on 24 Oct 44 the sqn, with a tp of Crocodiles in sp and a tp of M10s under comd, married-up with 4RWF east of Rosmalen 3549, and moved to a forming-up area at Molenhoek 3048, and thence with two coys - B Coy on the right sp by 1Tp (Lt Coxon) and A Coy on the left sp by 3Tp (Lt Shelton), across a startline running roughly North and South along the line of the Molen Straat from 353484 - 357477, the leading elements crossing the startline at approximately 0830hrs. The right hand coy, sp by 1Tp, had a first objective at 350479, in which a small force of the enemy was located with at last two A Tk weapons, and this was reached by 0900hrs with the capture of five PW and confirmation of the destruction by arty fire, which preceded the attack, of three 75mm A Tk guns found in the area of the objective. The left hand coy, with 3Tp in sp, moved concurrently with the right hand group, using the East-West rd to Hintham as their axis, and had as their role the clearing of the area astride the rd from the startline to the rd and track junc at 345474. This was an operation, for both tps, which called for the closest co-operation with their respective coys. In particular, 3Tp sp A Coy had the job of clearing the enemy from houses and gardens in which, in some cases, they were firmly established; and 1Tp sp B Coy, a similar task in the latter stage of the coy's adv, and initially a sp role over relatively open ground. Both groups made good progress with few casualties - no tk or personnel casualties within tps - and had secured a total of approximately 50 PW by 1200hrs, when they converged onto the outskirts of Hintham and completed the first phase of the bn attack. For the last 100yds of A Coy's adv, 3Tp was unable to give sp as a result of having three tks bogged. The next phase of the adv took the form of a continuation of the westward movement by the right hand group (B Coy and 1Tp) from the western outskirts of Hintham, with the main rd as their axis and the factory area at 332468 as the objective. This objective was reached with only slight opposition by 1330hrs. The sp given by 1Tp during this adv was restricted by the ground, which made it impossible to deploy off the rd to the North and, as a result, only one tk moved in close sp. This in no way delayed the adv, as the North flank protection, which would normally have fallen to one or two tks, had been rendered unnecessary by the adv of the E Lancs to the factory area at 3247 earlier in the day, and the subsequent movement, to the area, of A Sqn in sp. The third phase of the adv was the use of C Coy 6RWF to capture the factory block in the area 333467, which was achieved with little opposition by 1500hrs. No tk sp was given for this phase. The succeeding phase of the bn adv, namely the capture of the br at 337464, was then prepared but, a few minutes before the operation began, information was received that A Sqn, with elements of E Lancs, had moved South from the factory area at 3247 and had secured the br intact. The role of the bn was therefore adjusted and, after closing up on the area immediately East of the br, the bn comd was given orders to secure a brhead on the West side of the second water obstacle, in the area of the sluice gates at 326462. A plan was immediately made involving a crossing by B and C Coys at the sluice gates, sp by 2Tp (Lt Cowdy) and the tp of Crocodiles. This was immediately organised and the leading coy (B Coy), intimately sp by 2Tp, adv down two streets, with one pl on the right and the remainder of the coy on the left; 2Tp putting two tks down each and the Crocodile tp putting one Crocodile down the right hand street, following-up the inf, and two, one immediately sp the leading tk, down the left street. The approach to the immediate vicinity of the sluice gates was unopposed. On arrival at the lateral rd running alongside the eastern side of the canal, the coy formed up in the left hand street and, under cover of Besa fire from the leading tk in each street, and flame sp from the Crocodile in the right hand street, co-ordinated and controlled by Lt Cowdy (2Tp), commenced the crossing by secs. Light enfilade fire from small arms was immediately directed against the inf as they commenced the crossing, but its source was quickly located by Lt Cowdy, who moved his tk fwd to a posn where he was able to silence the fire. As a result, the leading coy was put across with only one casualty and the second coy, after an interval of 15mins, with no casualties. The crossing of the second coy was covered, on its right flank, by smoke from No 80 smoke grenades thrown onto the exposed section of the rd by the crew comd (Sgt Goodwin) of the right hand tk, one grenade being used to cover each sec as it crossed and being put down on a sign from the coy comd, as and when each successive sec was ready to cross. Within 5mins the whole of the second coy was across the canal without any casualties and opposition had been silenced. The actual casualties inflicted on the enemy by the flamethrowers and the Besa fire could not be ascertained; but the joint effect, both material and moral, appeared likely to be considerable as, within a few seconds of the arrival of the leading veh on each street, the flamethrower had completely engulfed in flames the four or five houses dominating the sluice gates from which opposition might reasonably have been expected; and the Besa fire had been directed on other probable enemy posns, apart from that which was positively located, which were inaccessible to the Crocodiles. Within 30mins of the arrival of the second coy on the far side of the canal, and on receipt of a report that both coys were established, the sqn received orders to revert to Regimental comd, and accordingly pulled back and rejoined the Regiment in a harbour area at Rosmalen. During the operations from 0630hrs on 22 Oct 44 until 1800hrs on 24 Oct 44, no casualties were suffered in the sqn's F Ech, though Tpr Young was killed and LCpl Read wounded in A1 Ech, as a result of enemy shellfire.

Action by C Sqn on 22/23 Oct 44 in the Assault on s'Hertogenbosch
On 21 Oct 44 the sqn was placed in sp of 4 Welch Regt, with two tps of Crocodiles (The Buffs) under comd. The day was spent in planning the assault on Nuland, and recces of the approaches to Nuland were carried out by coy comds, tp ldrs and pl comds. Recce showed that the going was heavy and the country intersected by large ditches. The attack was to take place in three phases, but it was only possible to make a detailed plan and recce for Phase I. Phase I Plan. The sqn was to lead, crossing the startline (rd running from, in the North rly 417514, South to track junc 423504) at 0630hrs, covered by a heavy conc on Nuland village. The inf, two coys up, were to cross the startline at the same time as the tks and follow the tks as quickly as possible. The right hand tp (1Tp), with one tp Crocodiles were to adv to a point 100yds East of the objective at 479509. The centre tp, with one tp of Crocodiles, were directed on Nuland church. On the left the third tp were directed on a point 300yds SE of the objective, from where they were to give sp fire across the front of the adv inf. On reaching the three posns, both tps of Crocodiles were to adv onto Nuland, using their flame to destroy the houses in the North and the church, rectory and factory area, the inf to follow and mop-up. As soon as the inf had gone in, 1 and 2 Tps were to get into fire posns West of the village and 3Tp to the track junc at 409504. 4Tp in res. Action. Tks and inf crossed the startline according to plan in the half-light, under mortar fire. After five minutes, 2 and 3 Tps had reached their posns. 1Tp came onto heavy going and two tks and two Crocodiles got bogged, but managed to extricate themselves in fifteen minutes and, on proceeding to their posn, ran onto a minefield and one tk was knocked out and another damaged, but was able to proceed to the posn. The Crocodiles with 2Tp, in the centre, went into the factory area and quickly set fire to the church and the buildings in the factory area. Meanwhile, 3Tp had been giving fire sp from the left flank. The inf reached their objectives but were held up on the left flank, owing to intermittent Spandau and mortar fire. During the final stages of this phase 3Tp ldr (Lt Aykroyd) was wounded and two of his tks were temporarily bogged. At this stage 4Tp was committed on the left flank in order to assist the inf fwd and cover the de-bogging of 3Tp. By this time it was completely light and, as soon as 4Tp arrived on the third posn, one tk was knocked out by an enemy 75mm SP gun; LCpl Powell was wounded and Tpr Everitt was killed. At the same time the tk comd by Sgt Elliott was bogged, Tpr Weir DCM and Pte Ireland being wounded. The remaining two tks were able to sp the inf to their objective. During mopping-up operations between 40 and 50 POW were taken and the posn was successfully consolidated under heavy shell and mortar fire. The sqn was then regrouped, forming three tps - 1Tp (Lt Lewis), 2Tp (Sgt Price), 3Tp (Lt Woods). The plan was then made with coy comds for Phase II. Phase II Plan. To adv on a two-coy front, each coy sp by a tp of tks, to a line running South from the rly 2,000yds West of Nuland, the attack to be sp by arty conc on area target. Action. Phase II started at 0930hrs with 3Tp on the right sp B Coy, and 2Tp on the left sp A Coy. 1Tp in res. The attack went according to plan against slight opposition, enemy POW taken including the bn comd of 712 Fus Bn. One 88mm gun was overrun and captured intact by 3Tp and the gun crew captured. The objective was reached by 1030hrs and consolidated, and preparations were made for Phase III. Phase III Plan. To adv on a two-coy front sp by two tps tks. Objective, the track running South from the rly 385498 to the main rd Heesch - s'Hertogenbosch. Action. Phase III started at 1230hrs and the adv proceeded against fairly heavy Spandau fire and intermittent shelling. The Spandau was neutralised by the tps and the objective was finally reached by 1630hrs and consolidated, the sqn remaining in sp of the inf on the objective until last light, shooting up enemy escaping from the wood in a westerly direction at 383495. The inf remained on the posn overnight and the sqn pulled back to a leaguer area for replenishing of petrol and ammo at 396502. During the whole of Phases II and III it was necessary to replenish with ammo and, in order to do so, tks had to be sent back one at a time. This, although a difficult operation, was carried out successfully. Sqn gunners during the three phases of the operation were quick on the draw, with the result that the progress of the inf was made much simpler. Communications. The sqn 2IC was established at Bn HQ and netted on the sqn net. Communications between sqn ldr and coy comds was only possible through personal contact on the ground. 23 Oct 44 The posn in the morning was the HLI working on our South flank had not progressed at the same speed as ourselves, with the result that our left flank was somewhat exposed and we remained so until they pushed fwd. Consequently, it was decided not to adv until the left flank had been made secure so, at 1000hrs, the HLI still being in the same posn, it was decided to continue the attack in two phases. Phase I Plan. Two coys to be sp by two tps. Objective track running South of rly, South to main rd Heesch - s'Hertogenbosch. Arty sp as usual. Action. The attack went according to plan but was held up by Spandau fire from the woods at 375486. No further adv was possible and the plan was made that the left hand coy and 2Tp should clear this area. This was done successfully and the objective was finally reached about midday. More POW taken, including a bazooka crew captured by 2Tp. During this phase an enemy lorry was brewed up. This posn was consolidated but, from now onwards, we were under observed shellfire. O gps were held with some difficulty, owing to the shelling, and a plan was made for the assault on the final objective. Phase II Plan. Two coys to be sp by three tps of tks, two tps on the right and one on the left. Objective, track running South from rly at 360487, South to the main Heesch - s'Hertogenbosch rd. Arty sp normal. Action. The adv started at about 1600hrs and the objective reached by 1700hrs against little opposition. Shelling and mortaring continued throughout. As soon as the objective was reached, two 75mm SP guns appeared on the track at 360485 and were immediately engaged by 1 and 3 Tps, and were brewed up. A wireless truck was destroyed, including six enemy. An unidentified object was observed on the left flank by Sqn HQ and was engaged; this was subsequently discovered to be another SP gun. The sqn remained on the final objective until the inf A Tk guns were in posn, and then pulled back to the same leaguer area. During the operations on this day it was again necessary to replenish with ammo, employing the same method as before. During the operations of these two days, which to my mind were entirely successful, I would like to stress that the success was entirely due to the close co-operation between the inf comds and the tk comds, and the mutual understanding of what was required of each other. The inf were quick to make the fullest use of the sp afforded them by the tks and wasted no time in getting to grips with the enemy wherever he appeared. I noticed that coy comds were always to be seen at the head of their men in the battle; a factor which undoubtedly also contributed greatly to the success of the operation.

C Sqn Attack on De Heidebloem Position
On Sat 28 Oct 44 the adv was held up by enemy strongly entrenched in the southern edge of the woods East and West of the De Heidebloem Xrds. Two armd cars of the 11H had been brewed up near the Xrds earlier in the day, and any movement North of the woods at 113366 drew fire, the intervening country was dead flat, in fact a disused aerodrome. Civs reported that they had been employed by the enemy to dig trenches and enlarge a tk obstacle just South of the posn. On Sun 29 Oct 44 C Sqn and I Coy 1RB were ordered to take the posn. The plan was briefly as follows:- Arty sp by four med regts and one fd regt, commencing at H-30 on selected targets and finishing with conc on the objective from H - H+10, smoke to cover the left flank. I Coy was to travel on the back of the tks and one tp of A Sqn was put under comd, making four tps in all. The force was to form up behind the woods at 114366 and drive to the small wood at 105372, swing North and drive onto the objective. Tps carrying a pl each to 103379, 104379 and one to 105379. One tp to get into fire posn at 105372. Attack H Hr was 1030hrs and, owing to a shortage of time, only a brief recce had been possible; however, tp ldrs were able to have a short look at the ground. We formed up and crossed the startline on time and moved fwd three up, 1Tp (Lt Lewis) on the left, 3Tp (Lt Woods) in the centre and 2Tp (Sgt Tartt) on the right; 4Tp (Sgt Carr, A Sqn) being in res. We reached the small wood in five minutes, after exploding a few S mines on the way up, which did no damage. 2Tp swung North and reached a point 100yds short of the objective, but could get no further owing to an A Tk ditch. Almost immediately, Cpl Benge's tk was brewed up by a 75mm A Tk gun from the corner of the wood. The whole crew baled out (Bestwick, Sims, Keegan, Day) and soon arrived back at Sqn HQ with all their arms, including the Bren gun, which was very creditable as the tk went up in flames immediately it was hit. Meanwhile, all 1Tp, with the exception of the tp ldr, had got bogged in the very heavy going West of the small wood. Lt Lewis had gone on alone and reached a point 200yds short of the objective. 2Tp also had one veh bogged and the tp ldr's veh had been blown up on a mine. 4Tp had also run into trouble, as Sgt Carr's tk was blown up on a mine while getting into fire posn on the western edge of the small wood - LCpl Dunn being fatally wounded. All tks in the sqn opened up with everything and several more shots were fired at us from the A Tk gun. The gun flashes could easily be seen at 103382 and a stonk was immediately called for; and our request was quickly and accurately met by G Bty 5RHA, the first conc being in exactly the right place and the gun did not fire again. The inf, meanwhile, had dismounted and taken cover as two Spandaus opened up, one from the farm building at 095377 and one from 107379. These were engaged by our Besas and 75s with HE, but were difficult to pinpoint and continued to fire for some time. At this stage Lt Lewis was wounded in the head and his veh forced to withdraw. A conference was held by the sqn ldr with the coy comd and it was decided to reinforce the success achieved by 2Tp, and put all the inf into the wood opposite their posn. Unfortunately, owing to a complete breakdown of his communications, he was unable to get in touch with any of his pls; however, they ultimately rallied behind a small wood, after considerable delay. By this time the enemy were recovering from their initial bombardment and Spandaus, with other SA fire, continued and was continually engaged by all tks. Owing to this fire and other causes, the coy comd decided that it was not possible to reform the coy in the present posn, and it was decided that they should be carried back behind the wood at 113366 on the back of all remaining mobile tks. Theis was carried out under the direction of the sqn 2IC. The remaining tks were forced to remain where they were and they continued to engage the enemy on the rd South of the objective, and to direct G Bty's fire. The coy reorganised and the attack was continued astride the main Tilburg - Heidelbloem rd. The coy, moving on foot, were sp by two composite tps, left flank protection being afforded by the bogged tks in the old posn, and with A Sqn on the right flank. The objective was reached after a short skirmish, in which two inf were killed. Mopping-up commenced and 50-60 POW were taken, including two officers. B Sqn and A Coy 1RB then passed through and continued to clear the rest of the woods. Subsequently, two 75mm A Tk guns were found to be knocked out and a considerable amount of arms and equipment abandoned. From H Hr to the time the objective was finally cleared was 6½hrs. Comments 1. The time for adequate recce of the ground was not possible, owing to the fact that H Hr could not be further retarded, otherwise we would have lost the sp of the med. 2. The value of accurate and continual Besa fire on the area of the A Tk gun after it first opened up was very effective as, although it fired another seven shots before it was silenced by G Bty, it did not obtain another single hit on any of the stationary tks, which were bogged and completely exposed. 3. Inf communications completely broke down, which was the cause of considerable delay. 4. As usual, the majority of Spandau posns were difficult, but conc Besa and HE fire on the suspected area proved to be effective.


	SECRET
		Copy No 18
		24 Dec 44
	5 INNIS DG Operation Order No 3

Ref maps: 1:50,000 Sittard Sheet 48. 1:25,000 Sittard (N) Sheet 48N (Western and Eastern half). Sittard (S) Sheet 48S (Western and Eastern half).
INFORMATION 1. Enemy (a) As in latest I summaries. (b) It is possible that the enemy may launch an attack on the Div front. The most probable axes of this attack are either (i) The main rd Neeuwstad - Sittard - Maastricht., or (ii) The rd Hongen - Tuddern - Sittard - high ground area 6967 - 7067. 2. Own Tps (a) The Div front is being held by: Right - 131 Inf Bde; Left - 22 Armd Bde. 52nd (L) Div is on right of 131 Inf bde. (b) 131 Inf Bde is holding the Bde front, within present bdys, with Right - 1/5 Queens, Left - 2 Devon, with under comd one sqn 1RTR. (c) Additional Tps Under Comd 131 Bde and Tasks 1RTR (one sqn located Hillensburg 7266): (i) Immediate sp 1/5 Queens. (ii) Counter-attack from East onto high ground 6967-7067. (iii) Counter enemy penetration on axis Gangelt - Hillensburg - Geleen. Regiment less two sqns located Broeksittard 7068 in Bde res. 1 Lothians less two sqns - one sqn located at Leijenbrook 6866 with battle posns in 6967 and 7067: (i) To deny use of rd Gangelt - Sittard to the enemy. (ii) Covering 9DLI during occupation of posns in 6967 and 7067. (iii) Immediate sp of 9DLI in these posns. (d) Div Res. 5DG and 2 Devon are in Div res. Tasks of 2 Devon: (i) To be prepared to occupy defensive posns in area 696 7067, leaving one coy in area Geleen. (ii) To be prepared to occupy defensive posns in area Geleen to cover rd Sittard - Geleen. (iii) To be prepared to counter-attack with 5DG into South end of Sittard. (iv) To be prepared to counter-attack with 5DG onto high ground 6967 and 7067 in event of enemy penetration. INTENTION 3. 5DG will be prepared to:- (a) Counter-attack South of Sittard. (b) Counter-attack high ground 6967-7067. (c) Sp 9DLI in area Geleen. METHOD 4. B Sqn with under comd one tp Recce Sqn will establish itself in area of Missiehuis 688670. Tasks:- (a) To prevent any enemy penetration from North between incl rd Sittard - Leijenbrook and incl br 685671. (b) To provide a fire base for, and to sp by fire, a counter-attack into Ophoven. (c) To sp 9DLI in counter-attack onto high ground 6967-7067. (d) Posns in area Missiehuis will be occupied on codeword ORANGE. 5. C Sqn (a) Will sp 9DLI in area Geleen. (b) Will be prepared to counter-attack enemy penetration along axis Sittard - Geleen in conjunction with 9DLI. (c) Posns in sp of 9DLI covering approaches to Geleen will be occupied on codeword APPLE. 6. A Sqn (a) Will be prepared to counter-attack into Ophoven in conjunction with elements 9DLI, either from South or from East across br 685671. Codeword LEMON. 7. Recce Sqn (a) Will place one tp under comd B Sqn. (b) Will carry out recce as ordered in accordance with situation. 8. Arty (a) Allotment of FOOs. One FOO 5RHA is available and will be allotted according to situation. (b) 3RHA is sp 131 Inf Bde. Two med regts, one fd regt and two btys HAA are at call. 9. RE. A minefield is being laid in 6967, trace will be distributed when available. ADMIN 10. (a) A1 Ech. Will conc in Wintraak 7065 under comd A1 Ech. (b) A2 Ech. Will conc South of Geleen, under comd A2 Ech. (c) No B vehs will move onto rds in Munstergeleen until ordered by this HQ. (d) B Ech. Remains present area. 11. RAP. Remains 685657. INTERCOM 12. Wireless (a) Regtl net. (b) All sets open on codeword JUMP. 13. LOs. OC Recce Sqn will detail one LO to report to this HQ for subsequent duty with 9DLI. ACK Time of signature: 1510hrs. Method of despatch: By DR. (Sgd) G Blundell-Brown Capt, Adjt 5 INNIS DG
Distribution:
A Sqn Copy No......... 1	2IC Copy No.................. 9
B Sqn......................... 2	Adjt..............................,..... 10
C Sqn......................... 3	Main HQ 22 Armd Bde...... 11
HQ Sqn...................... 4	Main HQ 131 Inf Bde...... ...12
Recce Sqn.................. 5	9DLI.................................. 13
Sigs Offr..................... 6	1LB Yeo............................ 14
MO............................ 7	File .............................. 15-16
CO............................. 8	War Diary..................... 17-18

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January 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col F P B Sangster
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Whitby	2 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Maj J E Swetenham assumed command of the Regiment.
	3 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	4 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	5 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	6 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	7 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	8 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Joint church parade with 15/19H.
	9 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	10 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	11 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	12 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	13 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	14 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
			The Corps Commander, Lt Gen Sir Desmond F Anderson KBE CB CMG DSO, visited the Regiment.
	15 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Lt Col Sangster reassumed command of the Regiment.
	16 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	17 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	18 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	19 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Road party moved to Longhorsley.
Longhorsley	20 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	21 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	22 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	23 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	24 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	25 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	26 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	27 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	28 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	29 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Maj R Northen rejoined the Regiment.
	30 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	31 Jan		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
			Regimental Band visited the Regiment.

February 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col F P B Sangster
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Longhorsley	1 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	2 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	3 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	4 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	5 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Mr Duncan Sandys MP.
	6 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	7 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	8 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	9 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Church parade held in Newcastle to commemorate Capt Oates of Scott's Antarctic Expedition.
	10 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	11 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Maj J E Swetenham assumes command of the Regiment.
	12 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	13 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	14 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	15 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	16-25 Feb		The Regiment was engaged on Ex EAGLE.
	26 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	27 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	28 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	29 Feb		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.

March 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col F P B Sangster
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Longhorsley	1 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	2 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	3 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	4 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	5 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	6 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	7 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	8 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	9 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	10 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			MT holiday. 9th Armd Div ceased to be under the command of II Corps, and come under command of Northern Command.
	11 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	12 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	13 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	14 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	15 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	16 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Lt Col F P B Sangster reassumes command of the Regiment.
	17 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	18 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	19 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	20 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	21 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	22 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	23 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	24 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	25 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	26 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	27 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			MT holiday. CinC Home Forces, Gen Sir H E Franklyn KCB DSO MC, visited the Regiment.
	28 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	29 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	30 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	31 Mar		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.

April 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col F P B Sangster
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Longhorsley	1 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	2 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	3 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	4 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	5 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Maj J E Swetenham assumes command of the Regiment in the absence of Lt Col Sangster on duty. All leave cancelled wef night 5/6 Apr 44.
	6 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	7 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	8 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	9 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	10 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	11 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	12 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	13 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	14 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	15 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	16 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	17 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	18 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	19 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	20 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	21 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
			Lt Col Sangster reassumes command of the Regiment.
	22 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	23 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	24 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	25 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	26 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. Intense gas training commenced.
	27 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	28 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
			Lt Gen Sir G le Q Martel KBE CB DSO MC paid an informal visit to the Regiment and addressed all NCOs on Russia.
	29 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. Maj J E Swetenham assumes command of the Regiment in the absence of Lt Col Sangster on duty.
	30 Apr		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. Gas training ceases.
			The Regiment was engaged on 75mm gunnery training and firing during month.

May 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col F P B Sangster
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Longhorsley	1 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Lt Col Sangster reassumes command of the Regiment.
	2 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	3 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	4 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	5 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	6 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	7 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	8 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	9 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	10 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	11 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	12 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
			Part of Regiment took part in Bde Ex LAME DUCK to try out medical services.
	13 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	14 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	15 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	16 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Maj J E Swetenham assumes command of the Regiment wef this date in the absence of Lt Col Sangster on duty.
	17 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	18 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	19 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	20 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Lt Col Sangster reassumes command of the Regiment.
	21 May		Lt Col Sangster is promoted Substantive Lieutenant Colonel on approval of HM The King, vice Maj Gen Keightley CB OBE.
	22 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	23 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	24 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	25 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	26 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	27 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	28 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	29 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
			The Regiment received orders to mobilise for overseas service.
	30 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Lt Col Sangster relinquishes command of the Regiment. Maj J E Swetenham is appointed Lieutenant Colonel and assumes command of the Regiment.
	31 May		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.

June 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col J E Swetenham
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Longhorsley	1 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	2 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	3 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	4 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	5 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	6 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	7 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
			Advance party to Kirkcudbright.
	8 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
Kirkcudbright	9-25 Jun		The Regiment moved to Kirkcudbright. .
			Engaged on practise firing on AFV ranges for period 9-25 Jun 44. Rear party remained at Longhorsley
	20 Jun		Gen Sir Harold E Franklyn KCB DSO MC, CinC Home Forces, visited the Regiment and watched A Sqn firing the Battle Practice.
	26 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	27 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
	28 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	29 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns.
	30 Jun		Sqns paraded under orders of OsC sqns. MT holiday.
		0001	The Regiment became mobilised.

July 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col J E Swetenham
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Kirkcudbright	1 Jul		Completed shooting at Kirkcudbright.
	2 Jul		Regiment returned to Longhorsley.
Longhorsley	3 Jul		Completed drawing up B vehicles.
	4-9 Jul		Conversion courses to Sherman completed. Preparation of all B vehicles, painting of signs etc, completed.
	10-12 Jul		Regiment moved to concentrate in Fornham West Camp, Bury St Edmunds.
Fornham West Camp	13 Jul		Regiment complete at Fornham West Camp.
	14-15 Jul		Final preparation before embarkation.
	15 Jul		CO with regimental advance party left Fornham West Camp for France.
			Regiment received orders to move in two parties to the marshalling area, wheels tonight, remainder of Regiment early Sunday morning.
	16 Jul		Regiment arrived in marshalling area and were concentrated by 2000hrs.
			Visit by Maj Gen R Evans, Colonel of the Regiment.
	17 Jul		Advance party embarked but lay fog-bound in the Solent all day.
			Main party embarked in the afternoon at Portsmouth in four LCIs and sailed at 2000hrs in large convoy of 23 ships.
	18 Jul	0100	Advance party sailed and arrived at 1300hrs, four hours after the main party.
Elbow	19 Jul		Regiment concentrated in reception camp at Elbow, two miles South of Courseulles-sur-Mer.
Commes			Pm 19 Jul, Regiment moved to Commes, close to the Chateau du Boseq.
	20 Jul		The CO visited HQ Second Army, where it was definitely confirmed that the Regiment would replace 4CLY as soon as fighting permitted.
			Arrangements made for Regiment to prepare Cromwells for action at the ARU.
			In an attempt to save the lives of two Canadian soldiers, who had got into difficulties bathing, the following lost their lives:- Capt J A Newman CF, Lt G A Rawlins and 7922997 Tpr Bloom P.
Maisons	21 Jul		Regiment moved to Maisons, three miles South of Port-en-Besin
	22 Jul		Funeral of Lt G A Rawlins.
	23 Jul		The Regiment started taking over new Cromwell tanks and preparing them for battle.
	24-28 Jul		Preparations continue to 28 Jul 44.
	28 Jul		A Sqn recce party, consisting of all crew comds, were shelled in the area of the cross-roads La Senaudiere. Lt D G P Leavey was killed. 7881869 Sgt Piper and 14427757 Tpr Smith were slightly wounded.
Julage Mandage	2		Orders received to replace 4CLY in 22 Armd Bde. Regiment moved up and joined the Bde at Julage Mandage.
	30 Jul		Regiment settled into the Bde.
	31 Jul		First op order received, namely Op BLUECOAT. See App D

	App B to 7th Armd Div
	Op Order No 7 dd 30 Jul 44
		SECRET
Encode List

Place	Codeword	Place	Codeword
Anctoville 7760	GLUCK	Le Quesnay 7358	THIRSK
Amaye-sur-Seulles 7758	BACH	La Riviere 7456	BRADFORD
Bruyere 7757	MOZART	La Foulerie 7455	REDCAR
Candon 7761	BEETHOVEN	Locqueville 7455	MARSKE
Canflais 7358	YORK	Le Homme 7254	BEVERLEY
Cahagnes 7356	LEEDS	Les Haies 7353	LOFTUS
Canteloup 7354	SALTBURN	La Houlette 7253	LEYBURN
Feuguerolles 8061	BRAHMS	Le Parquet 7352	SCARBOROUGH
Fossard 7759	STRAUSS	Orbois 7963	BIZET
Gd Bosq 7759	GREIG	Pt158 7662	SULLIVAN
Launay 7661	WAGNER	Pt138 7959	KREISLER
Les Landes 7863	ELGAR	Pt174 7957	TAUBER
Lictot 7961	CHOPIN	Pt193 7657	TCHAIKOVSKY
Le Buis 7960	SCHUBERT	Pt198 7656	AMBROSE
La Douette 7859	VERDI	Pt174 7557	SIBELIUS
La Dresserie 7758	PURCELL	Pt136 7863	HYLTON
Le Haut de St Louet 7958	BYRD	Rue de Moutier 7760	GERALDO
Le Mesnil 7958	STANFORD	St Germain d'Ectot 7762	TOSCANINI
Le Bils 7357	ORPHEUS	St Pierre du Fresne 7353	SKELTON
La Bruyere 7357	DRIFFIELD	Tracy Bocage 7856	LAMBERT
La Croix 7457	HULL

		SECRET
	App C to 7th Armd Div Op Order No 7 of 30 Jul 44 Operation BLUECOAT
List of Codewords
	Encode Decode
7th Armd Div Line 735494 - Pt301 745490 - 756495 BRUTUS Line Pt291 731465 - 753451 - Pt279 755468 - Pt295 749479 CAESAR Line Corner of wood 776441 - 789439 - Wood 793460 793465 CATO Line Coudraies 7743 - Pt301 7846 - Ondefontaine 7948 - St Georges d'Aunay 7953 ETNA Line rd and track Xing 817438 - Crepigny - Pt365 831457 - La Pugorie 819465 FABIUS Order for 7th Armd Div to move GALLOP Line track Xing 842435 - Pt279 850434 - Pt331 866467 NERO Area Mt Pincon OLYMPUS Line Pt255 8636 - Pt266 8840 - Cauville 8742 - Pt245 8850 OSSA Line of R Orne within XXX Corps bdy PELION Line Sur le Mont 8342 - Mt Pincon 8345 - Pt237 8551 VESUVIUS

August 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col J E Swetenham
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Granville	1 Aug		The Regiment moved at first light to a fwd conc area 2½ miles SW of Granville.
		1700	The Regiment, with 1RB under comd, moved to area Canteloup in sp of 131 Inf Bde, where it harboured for the night. Night 1/2 Aug, Regiment attacked from the air, anti-personnel bombs being dropped. No serious casualties.
	2 Aug		B Sqn, in sp of A Coy 1RB, ordered to clear pocket of resistance in area North of Coulvien.
			Operation successful. Recce patrol under Lt J P Bissill reported rd junc 774547 mined. B and C Sqns continued the adv towards Query 7755 and, by the evening, were in posn North and South of the Villers Bocage - Coulvein rd, West of the rd junc at 773547. 50 prisoners were taken.
			Casualties:- Offrs: Lt Philo, Lt Marshall and Lt Irwin wounded. ORs: 7936683 LCpl Burns wounded, 317433 Tpr Hodgson and 14412350 LCpl Booth killed.
	3 Aug		Regiment remained in same location, patrolling forward and mopping-up prisoners.
	4 Aug		C Sqn, in sp of A Coy 1RB, were ordered to adv and secure the high ground NW of Aunay-sur-Audon 8351. Owing to mines and booby traps, the adv was held up in the close country about the br at 793553, and the Regiment was pulled out and ordered to harbour for the night in the Query area.
			Orders were received the same evening for the Bde to move at first light on 5 Aug 44, the Regiment leading, to seize the high ground at Butte La Bouquet, centreline La Poste 7986 - Maisoncelles - Pelpey - Longvilles - Xrds 857542 - Pt245 8850. 20 prisoners taken.
	5 Aug		Regiment adv, A Sqn leading, and by 1700hrs were established on the high ground at Pt245 (fourteen miles). A further adv the same evening, led by B Sqn and sp by A, secured the high ground just North of Hamara 8948.
Hamara	6-8 Aug		Regiment remained in same posns, patrolling fwd, till evening 8 Aug 44 - Regiment occupying high ground North of Hamara, during which time were under sporadic mortar and shellfire.
	8 Aug		Evening - Regiment moved to harbour area between Roucamps and Posty 836475. Placed under comd 131 Inf Bde and everything arranged for an attack but, owing to insufficient daylight, this operation was cancelled.
	9 Aug		Regiment under comd 131 Inf Bde. C Sqn, in sp of 1/6 Som, ordered to seize the high ground about Pt271 864546; operation completely successful. Regiment moved fwd to the area Pt273 861452.
	10 Aug		Regiment under comd 129 Inf Bde, one sqn being placed in sp of each inf bn.
Pt273 861452	11 Aug		Regiment in same loc. In the evening 129 Inf Bde relieved by 214 Bde. A Sqn transferred from 4 Wilts to 7 Som, B Sqn transferred from 4 Som to 5DCLI, C Sqn remained with 5 Wilts. Locs:- A Sqn and 4 Wilts, Pt265 865435; B Sqn and 4 Som Xrds 872458, with one tp at 889434; C Sqn and 5 Wilts at 869426.
	12 Aug		Sqns in same posns sp the inf. RHQ moved to A Sqn area North of Caulville 864436. C Sqn action claims one Tiger tk 886394, one Tiger 877397, two 50mm A Tk guns 880409 and one tk MkIV at 839425. 30 POWs.
			C Sqn in action all day 12 Aug 44. Sp 5 Wilts, they moved fwd to capture the high ground Le Jardin La Vardiere. This was done without much difficulty but, no sooner was the sqn in posn, when they were subjected to heavy shellfire, which was continuous. Maj Ward-Harrison was able to deploy the whole sqn to fire posns, incl his own HQ. T
			he feature presented an ideal hulldown sqn posn. In the earlier stages only two tps were deployed but, as soon as the enemy tks were reported, the whole sqn moved up into posn. Three enemy tks (one MkIV and two Panthers) were knocked out at about 1,600yds range. Two 50mm A Tk guns were sighted and knocked out.
			The shooting was excellent and many German inf were killed. Our cas were light, only 14220170 Tpr Verrall being wounded in the wrist and Capt Blundell-Brown slightly in the arm. In this action Cpl Carr's tk was shot-up and brewed-up; the crew baled out successfully, but were attacked by German inf as they were dismounting. Cpl Carr was able to get hold of his Sten gun, which was kept outside the tk, and shot three enemy at close range, thus enabling the rest of his crew to get back in safety.
			C Sqn rested all day, A Sqn remaining in sp of 7 Som, B Sqn in sp 5DCLI.
	24 Aug		Regtl Gp adv to Thiverville, thence NE, with a view to getting a crossing over the R Risle between Montfort 8601 and Pont Authou 8895. The adv was held up at 1800hrs by enemy holding the villages St George de Vievre 8096, St Benoit des Armbres 8294 and St Gregorie de Vievre 8495. Recce patrols were sent up to these villages, assisted by guides from the Maquis. Patrolling continued throughout the night, while the Regiment spent the night in the area La Minardier 8093. Sgt Roodhouse was wounded on patrol.
	25 Aug		A Sqn, with 1RB, continued to adv via St Benoit des Armbres 8294 and St Gregorie de Vievre 8495.
			Regtl Gp moved fwd, A Sqn leading, to recce the crossing of the R Risle. Crossing North at Pt Athou 8894 found to be intact and, by 1700hrs, a small bridgehead had been est.
		1800	The Regiment crossed the river and spent the night in the area East of Pt Athou 9196.
	26 Aug		The whole day was spent clearing the area Le Val Vandrin 9395 - Bournville Eppitot 9396 - La Coudrai 9496 - Boissey Le Chatel 9598. Cas five killed, nine wounded.
		1800	The whole Bde was switched to area North of Foret de Montfort, with the Regiment directed on Bournville 8412. Spent the night in area La Marriot 8505.
	27 Aug		Regtl Gp fought its way to Bournville, clearing up woods at 8410 and 8411 and, by 1900hrs, had cut off the exits from Bournville. C Sqn remained during the night in the area Bournville. Remainder of Regiment in Ordhards, two miles South of Bournville 849100.
Ordhards	28 Aug		Regiment under comd 131 Bde. B and C Sqns under comd 1/5 and 1/6 Queens respectively. No action of any importance.
		1600	Reverted to 7th Armd Div and came back three miles SW of St George de Vievre 8495.
	29 Aug	1600	Regiment under comd XII Corps, moved to Chateaux de Graveron for 48hrs rest.
Chateaux de Graveron	30 Aug		Regiment at Chateaux de Graveron. Maintenance and refitting.
		1730	Received orders for the first stage of the pursuit march.
	31 Aug	0330	Left Chateaux de Graveron..
		0745	Crossed the Seine at Pierre de Vauvray 2690, East of Louvries 2689, and reached Gournay 6512 at 1345hrs, thence continued the adv two sqns up, A right and C left. Held up at Lannov-Guiller 7040 by inf and guns.
			Spent the night two miles West of Abancours 7040. The village contained one 88mm gun shooting down the rd and some inf, which 1RB dealt with during the night. Total mileage - 72.

September 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col J E Swetenham
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
In the Field	1 Sep		Continued the adv via Lignirens - Chatelain 7747 as far as Camps L'Amienois 8657 (28 miles). B Sqn pushed North to Airiancs 8567, with a view to recce the crossing of the R Somme.
		1400	The Regiment was ordered to conc in the area North of Camps L'Amienois 8567 and wait for further orders. Refuelling and rest; at two hours notice.
	2 Sep		The adv continued, crossing the R Somme one mile West of Amiens 1058, the Regtl Gp being in res.
		1945	Reached Xrds 1406 three miles South of St Pol. The Regiment was then ordered to move round the East flank of St Pol to cut the rd St Pol - Bryas 2215. This was achieved by 2315hrs by B Sqn. Enemy horse-drawn tpt shot-up moving out of St Pol.
	3 Sep		In posn astride the rd with active patrolling. 70 prisoners taken. In the morning, RHQ came under direct shellfire, one shell causing fourteen cas, Lt Sedgwick being killed.
		1500	The adv continued direct on Lille.
		1700	The Regtl Gp reached Noyelles amid terrific reception from the civilian population. The line of the Canal de La Bassee was held and it was decided to force a crossing at the br 4625 between Bethune and La Bassee. C Sqn got one tp over with one coy 1RB, when the br gave way and had to be repaired. The situation remained like this overnight.
	4 Sep		C Sqn managed to get a tp up to the high ground by the church, but one tk was knocked-out by an 88mm gun (Lt Dickson wounded). A Sqn got two tps over in the early morning and, by 1000hrs, we were commanding the high ground with tps of A and C Sqns. A patrol from B Sqn was sent to recce La Bassee and reported two 88mm guns North of the village, firing South and SW. 131 Bde ordered to take over the brhd area and mop-up the buildings North of the canal.
		1800	The Regiment was pulled out of the canal area and continued the adv on a new centreline via Lens, directed on Ghent.
		2115	Crossed the Belgian frontier at Tufflers 8338 and spent the night at Coyghem 9147.
	5 Sep		The adv continued along the line of the R Escout through Oudenarde, with the intention of cutting the East exits of Ghent. The br at Wetteren 3075 was found to be slightly damaged, but the Regtl Gp was able to cross and achieved its object by 2100hrs. A Sqn cut the rd Ghent - Lokeran 3785, B Sqn cut the rd Ghent - Overmeire 3478, C Sqn in res. During the night the enemy put in an unsuccessful attack on B Sqn and one coy of 1/6 Queens, in an effort to break away to the East. 25 prisoners were taken.
	6 Sep		A and B Sqns in the same posn.
		1000	The br at Wetteren was threatened by an enemy counter-attack. The br itself at this time only being held by Sappers. C Sqn was despatched at speed to bolster up the defence. They arrived just in time and fierce fighting took place along the street leading to the br North of the river. Later, a coy of 1/6 Queens were sent to clean up the area. It transpired that the attack was put in by two coys of inf and about five guns, with orders that the br was to be taken and destroyed at all costs, for the safety of the withdrawal of all the German force. By 1200hrs the attack had been liquidated.
			A1 Ech, who were just North of the br and West of the main rd, came into action in the ditch along the main rd and Bren guns fired to good effect, preventing the enemy from breaking NE.
			During the action SSM Clayton's tk was brewed-up, but he and his crew continued the assault on foot with Tommy guns. SSM Clayton and Tpr Addyman were wounded. In the meantime, A Sqn and B Sqn were patrolling westwards towards Ghent and by 1600hrs 120 prisoners had been taken.
		2030	330 Germans and three officers surrendered to B Sqn. Twelve collaborators were also taken and disposed of. During all the operations this day, over 900 prisoners were taken. A very successful day.
	7 Sep		Orders received to clean up the area from present posns West, converging on Ghent. A Sqn on North rd, C Sqn centreline, B Sqn South rd.
		1200	All sqns had reached the line of the Escout.
		1800	C Sqn were sent to the area of the br at Wetteren, where they were shelled for two hours during the night.
			RHQ at Destelbergen 2480, at the Chateau de Destelbergen.
	8 Sep		Patrolling and mopping-up East of Ghent by A Sqn (four officers and 46 ORs taken prisoner by these patrols). B Sqn in area Gontrode 2474, watching the SW approaches. C sqn at Wetteren br.
		1800	Regiment ordered to move to Div res, two miles South of Wetteren, for rest at Mallbroek 2972.
Mallbroek	9 Sep		Regiment at Mallbroek 2972.
		1900	B Sqn ordered to come under comd 1RB in the area Lokeren 3784.
	10 Sep		Regiment at the same area. B Sqn at Lokeren 3784.
	11 Sep		B Sqn relieved by C Sqn at Lokeren.
	12 Sep		Regiment remained in the same area.
		1400	C Sqn was ordered to return from Lokeren to the Regimental area. Capt J R Crockett and Lt Chevalier Charles de Selliers sent on recce to a new area on the eastern outskirts of Malines 7275.
			Regiment to be ready to move into new area, into Corps res, at 0730hrs 13 Sep 44. Lt Col J E Swetenham temporarily commanding 22 Armd Bde.
Malines	13-17 Sep		Regiment moved to Malines and remained there in Corps res at the Seminarium St Joseph until 17 Sep 44. Refitting and rest during this period.
Moll	18 Sep		Regiment put under comd 53rd Inf Div and moved to Moll 1790, with a view to operating North of the Merse Canal.
	19 Sep		One tp B Sqn in sp of two mot pls A Coy 1RB, sent to the br at 2296 between Mill and Lommel, to prevent enemy from crossing the br and entering the houses South of it. Tp remained in posn for a tour of 24hrs duty.
Mill	20 Sep		Regiment at Mill 1690. B Sqn tp at crossing replaced by another from B Sqn.
	21 Sep		B Sqn tp at crossing relieved by a third tp of B Sqn, which remained at the crossing until last light. 1700. Regtl Gp moved to Moogeind 3417, crossing the frontier into Holland at 1830hrs.
	22 Sep		B Sqn in sp 1RWF ordered to clear enemy from village at Blisterveld 3419; this operation was successfully carried out. Regiment under comd 71st Div. Adv on Middel-Beers 2721, where considerable opposition was met. Regiment spent night in area Donk 2817.
	23 Sep		HLI, with Regiment in sp, attacked Middel-Beers with a view to securing the crossing at 269223 but, owing to fanatical resistance by SS troops, were only able to clear as far North as the Xrds 273218 by last light. Regiment spent night in area Meerven 2818.
	24 Sep	0030	Regtl Gp received orders to pull out from Middel-Beers 2721 and to cease to be under comd 71st Div. Regiment under comd 15th(S) Div and moved at first light via Eindhoven 4318 to Best 3726.
		1800	Crossed the canal at 289251 and spent the night area just NE of crossing 389253.
	25 Sep	0200	Regiment received orders to move to the area NE of St Oedenrode 4328, with the intention of clearing the XXX Corps centreline, which had been cut during the night 24/25 Sep 44
		0600	Moved, and at 0800hrs made contact with American airborne troops one mile SW of St Oedenrode 4238. Combined attack on the cut at 452346 by American airborne and British tks from the NE, and Regtl Gp and 131 Bde from the SW, cleared the centreline by dusk, except for occasional SA fire which was being brought to bear on the rd by isolated German snipers.
	26 Sep	1300	Centreline finally cleared of all obstacles and whole day spent endeavouring to clear the area North of the rd, by driving the enemy North towards the rly line, in sp of 131 Bde.
			During the day's ops A Sqn, who were on the West flank, met considerable opposition South of the rly and suffered cas. By evening a firm line had been established facing the enemy, who were in posn along the rly line. Centreline again in full use between St Oedenrode 4232 and Veaghel 4837.
	27 Sep	1130	Regiment released from under comd 131 Bde and moved to harbour area NE of Veaghel 4837, at 494377.
	28 Sep		Regiment moved to link up with 22 Armd Bde in area Nistelrode 5047 and concentrated there at 0945hrs in Bde res.
Nistelrode	29 Sep		Regiment in Nistelrode area. No action.
	30 Sep		C Sqn sent out to sp 11H in the area 4350 and, at 1430hrs, A Coy 1RB sent out to mop-up same area, with C Sqn in sp. 31 PW taken.


Regimental Orders By Lt Col J E Swetenham
Commanding 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards
	September 1944
No 9. In the Field Fri 15 Sep 44
Orders for Saturday 1. Detail Officer for the day Lt D F O'Dowd. Orderly Sergeant Major SSM Baker. Telephone Orderly C Sqn. Guards Under sqn arrangements. 2. Parades. Sqns will parade under orders of OsC sqns. 3. Promotions and Appointments. The Commanding Officer has approved the following promotions and appointments, which will come into effect forthwith:- Promoted Paid Sergeant 7940869 LSgt Wagstaffe. 405784 Cpl Smith E R. 7945290 LSgt Strickland. 410850 LSgt Sheppard R. Appointed Paid Acting Sergeant 4610796 Cpl Swift 320163 Cpl Oldham J. 4743992 Cpl Carr H. 408999 Cpl Irons R. Promoted Paid Acting Corporal 7926866 LCpl Grinham C 7907001 LCpl Webb. 2598647 LCpl Burrow E. 14215703 LCpl Fuller. 321661 LCpl Ryan D. 14231015 LCpl Fathers. 4624449 LCpl Rumble. 7946251 LCpl Lane. Appointed Paid Acting Lance Corporal 7952677 LCpl Wootton J. 555577 LCpl Morris. 319771 LCpl McGuigan. 7952431 LCpl Powell. 7908017 LCpl Collings. 14303530 LCpl Lamacraft F. 7955840 LCpl Maxwell. 318887 Tpr Beasley. 7960228 LCpl Horseman. 7888326 Tpr Javes. 14429070 LCpl Coombes. Appointed Unpaid Lance Corporal 14232785 Tpr Marshall. 4. Discipline. It is published for the information of all ranks that all troops will be clear of Malines by 2200hrs daily. 5. French and Belgian Currency. Bank managers and shopkeepers in Belgium are perfectly correct in refusing to accept French currency from troops. Importing such currency, though unavoidable as far as troops are concerned, is an offence against Belgian foreign exchange regulations. Belgian subjects, therefore, have difficulty in exchanging French money if received by them, because they may render themselves liable to penalties for holding foreign money. Sqns should therefore make arrangements whereby troops may exchange French currency now in their possession. 6. Petrol Economy. A system of transport work tickets for all B vehicles has today been issued to sqns. Drivers are warned that all vehicles must have a work ticket signed by an officer before proceeding on a journey. 7. Field General Courts Martial. A FGCM will assemble at 1000hrs 16 Sep 44 at the local law court, Church Square, at Heyst Oppeen Berg (MR8979) for the trial of the undermentioned ORs:- 7916289 Sgt Holmes H. 14436407 Tpr Priestman K. 14422852 Tpr Ryan T. 14412066 Tpr Fitzsimmons B. OC A Sqn will arrange for accused and witnesses to be at the above location by 0950hrs. Sgt Hudson will report to A Sqn office at 0900hrs to act as escort to the accused. The undernamed officers will also be in attendance:- Capt K F E Woods - Waiting Capt Member. Capt M Peters MBE - Defending Officer for Tprs Ryan and Fitzsimmons. Lt P G Lewis - Defending Officer for Sgt Holmes and Tpr Priestman. Dress:- Officers - Service Dress. ORs:- Escort and Witnesses - Best Battledress, waist belt and arms. Accused - Best Battledress, waist belt. 8. Inniskilling Society. OsC sqns will detail ten men per sqn, including one senior NCO, to parade under the RSM at RHQ at 1345hrs.
		(Sgd) R B Kettle
		Capt Adjt 5 INNIS DG

October 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col J E Swetenham
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
In the Field	1 Oct		Regiment moved to area NW of Heesch 4851, with the intention of clearing the area Oss 4754 - Geffen 4352 - Papenbyk 4350 - Heesch 4851, with A Coy 1RB. Little opposition was met and the area was clear by 1300hrs.
			Regiment concentrated in the area 4451, with patrols out covering the rly, track running East from Nuland 4050 - Runrot 4351 and the main s'Hertogenbosch 3147 - Heesch 4851 rd at 420498. Recce withdrew at last light and posns taken over by A Coy 1RB.
	2 Oct		Recce patrols active and very successful all day, obtaining the general layout and dispositions of the enemy FDLs. Withdrew at last light to the Regimental leaguer area.
	3 Oct		Recce repeated patrolling at first light and confirmed enemy posns as on 2 Oct. Increase of shelling and mortaring by enemy. Withdrew at last light. Sgt Strickland wounded.
	4 Oct		Regiment relieved by 1RTR and moved to Heesch 4851 into Bde res.
Heesch	5-8 Oct		Regiment at Heesch.
	9 Oct	0930	The Regtl Gp moved out and took over from 1RTR. Patrols from Recce sent out to confirm enemy posns.
	10 Oct		Recce patrols at 418516, 425506 and 427499. Slight movement observed on the part of the enemy. Patrols withdrawn at last light.
			Night 10 Oct 44 - Enemy Attack on Geffen.
			This attack was preceded by mor and arty stonks on Runrot 4350 and Geffen 4251, between 2200hrs and 2230hrs
			The assault began at 2230hrs by about 50 inf approaching the village along the rd from the South, towards the rd junc at 429518. Sec 1RB was forced to withdraw to the rd junc, but the tk tp (3Tp A Sqn) fwd of this rd junc retained its posn. Shortly afterwards another party adv from SW along the South of the rly, followed by a third party along the line towards rd junc 429419, opposite the church. Both these attacks were caught by DFs and suffered heavy cas, making no impression on the two 1RB pl posns.
			Close fighting in the village continued for about 30mins, after which slight infiltration and movement on the outside continued for about two hours. By 0200hrs A Coy 1RB reported the sit fully restored and all quiet. Further investigation at first light resulted in capture of seven POW, twelve dead and much equipment, incl one complete mor detachment. POW stated the attack was carried out by one bn of 745 Regt.
	11 Oct		Recce patrols sent out as before, and established posns at 412514, 425505, fwd to 415504, maintaining observation on the area Nuland church and patrol at 425505.
	12 Oct		Recce patrols out as usual. NTR.
	13 Oct		Regiment relieved by 1RTR and returned to Heesch 4851 in Bde res.
	14 Oct		Regiment at Heesch. Conference on personnel and training. Classes in gunnery and wireless of one week's duration arranged.
	15-16 Oct		At Heesch. Gunnery and wireless classes.
	17 Oct	0930	.Regiment took over from 1RTR with recce patrols out as before.
	18-19 Oct		Recce patrols as usual.
	20 Oct		Recce patrols out. Patrol in the South on the main s'Hertogenbosch - Heesch rd, under Lt W J M Crocker, proceeded dismounted to recce the houses in the area 420498. Lt Crocker and Cpl Wiseman were proceeding dismounted and had reached the mill 416495 without meeting opposition but, on continuing the patrol West from the mill, they ran into a German patrol at close quarters, lying-up in the ditch.
			They were fired on and both wounded. Lt Crocker received a severe abdominal wound and Cpl Wiseman was hit in the leg. The German patrol took Cpl Wiseman prisoner, leaving Lt Crocker in the ditch. Sgt Moule, who heard the firing, came down the rd in his tk and picked up Lt Crocker, who died from his wounds the same afternoon, in hospital.
			Regiment, less B Sqn, under comd 160 Bde 53rd Div; C Sqn under comd 158 Bde. Day spent in conference for prospective attack on s'Hertogenbosch 3246 (see App F).
	21 Oct		Recce patrols out as usual. Final preparations for the attack and tying up with the inf. A Sqn in sp 2 Mon, C Sqn in sp 4 Welch.
	22 Oct		Attack on s'Hertogenbosch (See App D).
			H Hr 0630hrs. Fire plan commenced at 2230hrs (counter-bty). A and C Sqns moved in sp their respective bns and crossed the start line at 0630hrs. A Sqn North of the rly, C Sqn South of the rly. For the first 1,000yds progress was good, but shortly after this opposition was met by C Sqn and three tks were knocked-out as a result of mines. Two were knocked-out by bazookas.
			A Sqn made good progress along the North rd, via Heechheind 398513 and Kruisstraat 383508, and had one tk knocked-out by an A Tk gun in the woods South of the Dyke but, by 1630hrs, had reached Kruisstraat 383508. Equally good progress South of the rly by C Sqn, who came up level with A Sqn along the line of the Kruisstraatsche Dijk at the same time. During this adv on the whole front, over 400 POW taken, incl a regtl and Bn comd.
			At 1430hrs B Sqn, in sp of 1 E Lancs, were ordered to push fwd along the North rd through the A Sqn and 2 Mon posn, and exploit to Rosmalen 3648. This op was held up and orders were given to pull back into posn for the night. During the night 22/23 Oct 44, 1 E Lancs put in an attack on Bruggen 370503 and they succeeded in securing the houses at the eastern end of the village.
	23 Oct		The adv continued. C Sqn South of the rly were held up on the line of the track running North and South from 369493 to 370488, by Spandau and mor fire from the woods on their left flank. A Sqn were able to push fwd, with the aid of flamethrowers, through the village of Bruggen 370503, which had not been completely captured during the night.
			By 1730hrs A Sqn and 2 Mon reached the Div objective on a line running North and South through Fort Alexander 353488. C Sqn and 4 Welch were established on a line in the North 363488, South to wood 365484.
			The Inf established themselves in this posn for the night and A and C Sqns withdrew to harbour areas West and South of the rly. During the day's ops over 200 POW were taken.
	24 Oct		The adv towards s'Hertogenbosch 3246 continued in the North, with A Sqn in sp 1 E Lancs and B Sqn in sp 1/6RWF in the South. During this phase of the adv, seven SP gun posns were overrun, one being captured intact. At 1730hrs A and B Sqns had reached the line of the Suidwielems Vaart Canal and were occupying the whole of the town on the NE side of the canal.
			B Sqn supported two coys 1/6RWF while they crossed the br at 326462. At dusk the sqns were recalled from s'Hertogenbosch 3246 to Rosmalen 3549, where the Regiment spent the night.
			Later in the evening the Regiment ceased to be under comd 53rd Div and reverted to comd 22 Armd Bde (see App J )
		0050	Regiment ordered to move at first light to Muggenhoek 4542.
	25 Oct	0645	Regiment moved to Muggenhoek, where the day was spent in res.
	26 Oct	0630	Regiment moved to area one mile NW of Boxtel 3235. Arrived at 1300hrs and remained for the night.
	27 Oct	0630	Regiment moved to a pt two miles NE of Udenhout 2037 and grouped with I Coy 1RB and G Bty 5RHA.
		1130	Regtl Gp moved, directed on Dongen 0639. Recce patrols were sent to report on the centreline. Adv held up, owing to enemy in the woods at 1239 and 135396. Recce lost one Honey by bazooka and B Sqn lost two tks. The night was spent in the area FM157382.
	28 Oct		Regiment continued the adv towards Dongen 0639, B Sqn leading, and reached the wooded area 1034 by 1730hrs, three miles North of Tilburg. Any further movement North of this area could be observed from the woods at 1038, 2,000yds to the North of our posns. Patrolling by 1RB at night revealed that the woods at 1038 were held by enemy.
	29 Oct		Plan laid on to attack the wood 1038. Arty available - four med regts and one fd regt. C Sqn to carry I Coy 1RB on its tks to the open field to the South side of the wood at 103379, and to sp the inf while clearing the objective; A Sqn to sp with fire from right flank.
			The initial attack was not successful, owing to mines opposite the West half of the wood and the bad state of the ground. C Sqn got three tks bogged and two knocked-out, so pulled back to the copse 105373, where they reorganised and, in conjunction with A Sqn on their right, made a plan to attack the eastern half of the wood. This attack was successful and B Sqn, with A Coy 1RB, moved up and cleared the wood to the West, incl the wood at 096383. 60 POW taken.
			The wood was taken over at dusk by 1/7 Queens and the Regiment moved North to harbour area on the Loonsche Dreef at 103407, where it spent the night.
	30 Oct		Regtl Gp moved to Dongensche Vaart 0842, with patrols in the s'Gravemmoer area watching the northern approaches.
	31 Oct		Regiment moved to the area Loonsche Dijk Nieuwe Vaart 0945, with orders to watch the northern approaches between excl Capelle 0497 and incl Wispick 3047. Two posts per day supplied by Recce at 084473 and 074480. By night, sqns finding posts.


	SECRET
	A pp A to 5 INNIS DG
	Op Order No 2 dd 21 Oct 44
Codewords:- Codeword Meaning Div Control Lines 1. (a) BOWL Div report lines. CRUET DISH KETTLE (b) POT Div objective. Bde Control Lines 2. (a) TOE Bde intermediate objectives. FOOT HAND NOSE (b) HEAD Bde final objective. Routes 3. CUP 2 Mon axis. SPUR 4 Welch and Bde deviation from Molenweg. PAN 4 Welch and Bde axis when opened. To be used by 148 Inf Bde in breakthrough. Ops 4. (a) SAUCEPAN B Sqn 5DG and 53 Recce Regt come under comd 158 Inf Bde, Bde will break through to s'Hertogenbosch. (b) LADLE SAUCEPAN op will NOT take place. (c) WHISK 53 Recce Regt will exploit through 160 Inf Bde to Line POT. 5. Place Names s'Hertogenbosch SAVILLE. Het Wild 3654 PANTON. Kruisstraat 3850 BRYANSTON. Nuland 4050 CARLTON. Orthen 3148 HANOVER. Rosmalen 3549 MOUNT. Marked at Trace Q attached

		App J

From: Maj Gen G L Verney To: Lt Col J E Swetenham 5 INNIS DG I have heard from both the Corps Comd and the Comd of 53rd Div how very well your Regt fought during the early stages of the recent operations. 53rd Div attribute their success very largely to the determination and dash of your Regt, and I have been asked to give you their thanks for the splendid way you co-operated with them. Please congratulate all ranks on the success which they achieved. It laid the foundations of a most successful battle, which is rapidly driving the Germans out of SW Holland.

November 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col J E Swetenham
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Nieuwe Vaart	1-9 Nov		Regiment remained in the area Nieuwe Vaart 0945, watching the northern approaches between Capelle 0947 and incl Waspick 0747.
	10 Nov		4 (Cdn) Armd Bde took over Regiment's area of responsibility.
Dongen	11 Nov		Regiment moved to Dongen, where it remained in res until 16 Nov 44.
Opoereten	16 Nov		Regiment moved to Opoereten 5476, where it remained in res until the end of the month.
	17 Nov		BBC broadcast on 8 o'clock news that the Regiment had been fighting in France, Belgium and Holland since 17 Jul 44.
	17-30 Nov		The following individual training programme was carried out:-
			D&M courses on the Sherman tank. Wireless refresher courses. Crew Commander courses. Gunnery courses within sqns. First Aid courses.


Regimental Orders By Lt Col J E Swetenham
Commanding 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards
	November 1944
No 11. Fri 24 Nov 44
Orders for Saturday 1. Detail Officer for the day Lt E W Imms DCM. Officer next for duty Lt C P Martel. Orderly Sergeant Major SSM Bevington. Telephone Orderly HQ Sqn. Guards Under sqn arrangements. 2. Parades. Sqns will parade under orders of OsC sqns. 3. Relinquishments - Officers. Capt R B Kettle relinquishes the appointment of Adjt and temporary rank of Captain with effect from this date. 4. Inter-Sqn Transfers - Officers. The undermentioned inter-sqn transfers are effective from this date:- Capt G Blundell-Brown from C to RHQ Sqn with the appointment of Adjt. Capt V S Duncan-Jones from B to C Sqn. Lt R B Kettle from RHQ to C Sqn. Lt R De Grey from RHQ to C Sqn. 5. Inter-Sqn Transfers - ORs. The following inter-sqn transfers are effective from this date:- 7907097 Tpr Chandler G from HQ to C Sqn. 404641 Tpr Barnard S from C to HQ Sqn. 6. Duties - Officers Lt E Imms DCM is appointed Gas Officer, effective from this date. Lt C G B du C Snell is appointed Gunnery Officer, effective from this date. Lt P Duckworth is appointed Sports Officer, effective from this date. Lt H S L Tottenham and Lt W M Aykroyd are appointed Entertainment Officers, effective from this date. Capt G A Glover is appointed OIC D&M, effective from this date.
		(Sgd) G Blundell-Brown
		Capt Adjt 5 INNIS DG

December 1944 Commanding Officer: Lt Col J E Swetenham
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Opoeteren	1-6 Dec		Regiment in Opoereten 543765. Individual training continued. No operational role.
	5 Dec		Lt Gen B G Horrocks CB DSO MC, comd XXX Corps, visited the Regiment and addressed all sqn ldrs.
Broeksittard	7 Dec		Regiment moved to Broeksittard 7168, under comd 131 Inf Bde (see App C).
	8 Dec		A Sqn moved to Gangelt 7767 in sp 9DLI.
	17 Dec		B Sqn relieved A Sqn at Gangelt in sp 9DLI.
Munstergeleen	21 Dec		Regiment moved to Munstergeleen 6866 in Div res. Operational role - counter-attack if necessary.
	31 Dec		B Sqn at Wentrahen 7065.

		App C
	SECRET	Copy No 17
		6 D ec 44
	5 INNIS DG Movement Order No 2
General 1. The Regiment will move as part of 131 Lorried Inf Bde from present area to area Broeksittard 7068 on 7 Dec 44. Order of March 2. A Sqn. Recce Sqn. RHQ. B Sqn. C Sqn. A1 Ech. RAP will travel with A1 Ech. SP and Timings 3. SP - Xrds 591708. Head due over Bde SP - 1025hrs. Tail due over Bde SP - 1050hrs. Regiment will move from present location 0915hrs. Route to SP: Neeroteren - 602744 - SP. Head of A Sqn will not go beyond Xrds 602744 until tail of 131 Fd Amb is clear. Due past 1010hrs. Route 4. Xrds Lanklaer 5970 - BERG Br - DOUBLE DUTCH Br 622687 - Rd junc 625690 - Xrds 659678 - Sittard 6968. Dis Pt 5. DP: Xrds 685683. Sqn guides will meet column here. Harbour Parties 6. Harbour parties will proceed as already detailed. March Discipline 7 (a) Halts: None. (b) Speed: 10mih. (c) Density: 40vtm. (d) Two officer representatives, to be detailed by OC Recce Sqn, will report ahead of main column. One to TCP4 at 607707 and the other to TCP3 at 624687. (e) Route will be signed by Div Axis. A2 and B Echs 8. A2 and B Echs will act on separate instructions. Intercommunication 9. Complete wireless silence until further instructions. Time of signature: 1400hrs. Method of issue: DRLS (Sgd) G Blundell-Brown Capt, Adjt 5 INNIS DG


	SECRET
		Copy No 18
		28 Dec 44
Amendment No 2 to 5DG OO No 3 dd 24 Dec 44
Ref para 2(d), amend as follows:- Line 1. Delete 9DLI, substitute 2 Devon. Line 2 For 'Tasks of 9DLI' substitute Tasks of 2 Devon. Time of signature: 1130hrs. Method of despatch: DRLS (Sgd) G Blundell-Brown Capt, Adjt 5 INNIS DG
Distribution as for OO No 3 dd 24 Dec 44.


Regimental Orders By Lt Col J E Swetenham
Commanding 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards
	December 1944
No 11. Mon 25 Dec 44
No 42. Orders for Tuesday 1. Detail Officer for the day Lt P Walworth. Officer next for duty Lt C N Shelton. Orderly Sergeant Major Sgt Gilliland. CO's Orderly C Sqn. Main Guard B Sqn. Prowler Guards Under sqn arrangements. 2. Parades. Sqns will parade under orders of OsC sqns.
		(Sgd) G Blundell-Brown
		Capt Adjt 5 INNIS DG