REGIMENTAL HISTORY

6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry

FRANCE
What i it! I it Ch"r#o$rg! I it r"ally Fran%"! It %o$ldn&t #" Nor'ay( %o$ld it! S$%h
'"r" a f"' of th" %o))"nt in th" "arly )orning of S"*t")#"r +rd ,-.. 'h"n th" Battalion
'o/" $* to "" th" dar/ )a of land o$tlin"d againt a #l$" /y and a *ar/ling and %ho**y
"a0 It 'a Fran%" and th" %$l)ination of fi1" y"ar training 'a in ight0 No' '" '"r" to ""
th" #loo)ing fr$it of all th" agoni" and )i"ri" '" had had to "nd$r" a)ong th" #og and
h"ath"r of th" S%ottih hill0 H"r" '" '"r" finally and irr"1o%a#ly %o))itt"d to *laying o$r *art
on th" W"t"rn Front of th" E$ro*"an Th"atr" of O*"ration0
Arro)an%h"2 What )")ori" that na)" r"%all2 O$r firt ight of th" )agnifi%"nt 'or/
don" #y th" Royal Engin""r( o$r lat ight of th" LSI &E)*ir" 3a1"lin& 'hi%h had #""n o$r /ind
#$t t")*orary ho)" for t'"nty fo$r ho$r4 a )all fihing 1illag" d"1"lo*"d into th" )ot
o$ttanding and )ot a)a5ing *ort in th" 'hol" hitory of th" 'orld and all 'ithin a *"riod of t'o
)onth 6 th" %")"nt #r"a/'at"r( th" t'o t""l *i"r tr"t%hing for half a )il" fro) land into th"
Chann"l0 All '"r" a tri#$t" to th" o$nd 'or/ of Britih Engin""r a#ly ait"d #y th" Royal
Na1y0 It 'a h"r" that o$r o*inion of th" Engin""r tart"d to ri"0 It 'a h"r" that th" r"al 7o# of
oldi"ring and /illing th" H$n 'a to tart in "arn"t0
W" lay off th" #r"a/'at"r for "1"ral ho$r $ntil finally "1"ral LCA %a)" alongid"
and '" %li)#"d do'n th" t""* id" of th" hi* into 'hat '"r" %o%/l"h"ll in %o)*arion0 Th"
f"at 'a not a%%o)*lih"d 'itho$t o)" littl" tr"*idation #$t it 'a )anag"d 'itho$t any in%id"nt
altho$gh at l"at on" offi%"r had hi h"art in hi )o$th on "1"ral o%%aion 'h"n h" tho$ght
o)" of th" )"n( load"d $* 'ith th" i)*"di)"nta of a )o$ntain di1iion( '"r" going to lo" th"ir
footing and *l$ng" to th"ir doo) in th" #l$" 'at"r far #"lo'0 Ha**ily all f"ar '"r" oon *$t at
r"t and th" Battalion di")#ar/"d in af"ty0 O$r f""t '"r" on th" a%r"d oil of Fran%"2
Th" Battalion at thi ti)" 'a( along 'ith oth"r #attalion in th" 8i1iion( $ni9$" in th"
Britih Ar)y0 W" '"r" )o$ntain""r and had 9$alifi"d to '"ar th" 'ord &MO:NTAIN& a an
addition to th" di1iional ign 6 th" St0 Andr"'& Cro0 Thi ditin%tion had #""n hardly 'on in
th" *r"1io$ t'o y"ar of training in th" Cairngor) Mo$ntain0 B$t( in addition to thi( th"
8i1iion it"lf had #"%o)" air6tran*ort"d *ra%ti%ally o1"rnight in an'"r to o*"rational
d")and0 Th" *oli%y of th" High"r Co))and 'a that it had #""n d"%id"d that on" #attalion in
th" 8i1iion 'o$ld #" r"9$ir"d to fight th" $**li" thro$gh to th" r")aind"r of th" 8i1iion at th"
*la%" 'h"r" th"y land"d #y air0 That ditin%tion f"ll to th" 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
#$t th" d"%iion 'a r"%"i1"d 'ith )i;"d f""ling0 W" too had ";*"%t"d to #" *art of th" air6
tran*ort"d ar)ada0 W" had &fan%i"d& o$r"l1" on th" 'ing and had a**li"d o$r"l1" 'ith
)ight and )ain to air#orn" loading *ro#l")0 No' all 'a in 1ain #$t '" %onol"d o$r"l1"
'ith th" tho$ght that if th" 8i1iion did land it %o$ld not ";it 'itho$t o$r h"l* 6 '" '"r"( aft"r all(
r"*oni#l" for th" $**li" on 'hi%h th" 8i1iion 'o$ld #" d"*"nd"nt0 H"n%" th" "a#orn"
landing 'ith f$ll "ta#lih)"nt of tran*ort and tor"0 A "1"nt ha*"d th")"l1" '" %o$ld
#oat lat"r that not only '"r" '" th" 1ang$ard of th" 8i1iion #$t '"r" alo th" firt to #" in
a%tion0 W" /"*t th" $**ly 'h""l rolling #$t th" 8i1iion n"1"r )ad" a &ha**y landing&0
Th" %roing of th" Chann"l it"lf had #""n $n"1"ntf$l0 Th" )ar%hing *"ronn"l
")#ar/"d at So$tha)*ton on <nd S"*t")#"r 'h"r"a th" tran*ort ")#ar/"d at Til#$ry on ,t
S"*t")#"r0 Th" for)"r n"1"r o )$%h a h"ard a ingl" hot fir"d in ang"r d$ring th" %roing
#$t it 'a r"*ort"d #y th" latt"r that( 'hil" *aing thro$gh th" Strait of 8o1"r( th"y '"r" h"ll"d
#y th" h"a1y G"r)an g$n at Calai0 It 'a )ity at th" ti)" and it i 9$"tiona#l" a to
'h"th"r or not th" %on1oy it"lf 'a #"ing h"ll"d0 N"1"rth"l" it did "") to gi1" th" troo* of
thi *arty a %"rtain a)o$nt of $*"riority 'h"n finally th" Battalion 'a r"$nit"d a a 'hol"
'hi%h( in%id"ntally( did not ta/" *la%" for o)" day0 :nha**ily( th" Chann"l )i#"ha1"d it"lf
and( altho$gh th" )ar%hing *"ronn"l '"r" a#l" to di")#ar/ 'itho$t )$%h diffi%$lty( it 'a
fo$nd i)*oi#l" to land th" tran*ort 'ith a )$%h ";*"dition and for "1"ral day th" )"n 'ith
th" MT 1"hi%l" had to li" off6hor" ";iting on #$lly6#""f and hard #i%$it to th"ir no littl"
dig$t2 In *oint of fa%t th" Battalion a a 'hol" had l"ft Tranit Ca)* 6=( a#o$t t'o )il" inland
fro) Arro)an%h"( "1"ral day #"for" th" lat 1"hi%l" r"a%h"d Fr"n%h oil0 W" '"r" $nd"r
ord"r to *ro%""d to Aalt in B"lgi$) and had to l"a1" a )all r"ar *arty to )arhal th"
r")aining tran*ort and follo' on aft"r that lat 1"hi%l" 'a $nload"d0
Th" int"r)"diat" %on%"ntration ar"a 'a L$%6$r6M"r 'h"r" all a1aila#l" troo* '"r"
intall"d #y th" "arly "1"ning of >th S"*t")#"r0 On -th S"*t")#"r th" final )o1" to Aalt
%o))"n%"d and( #y ,?th S"*t")#"r( th" roll%all ho'"d that "1"ry offi%"r and )an 'ho had l"ft
th" ho*ita#l" hor" of England had arri1"d in Aalt0 In%id"ntally( at thi ti)"( it 'a di%o1"r"d
that '" '"r" on" 3""* to th" good( than/ to th" &initiati1"& of th" offi%"r l"ft in %harg" of th"
)arhalling *arty at Ca)* 6=0 Ho' it 'a o#tain"d i a )ilitary "%r"t2
BELGI:M
Aalt
To arri1" at Aalt 'a a long and tir"o)" 7o#0 Th" Battalion did not ha1" r"al TC@
Atroo* %arrying 1"hi%l"B and th" tran*ort $"d 'a th" thr"" ton tr$%/ of o)" of th" 8i1iional
Royal Ar)y S"r1i%" Cor* 'hi%h h"l*"d to for) *art of th" &R$"ll For%"& a '" '"r" no'
/no'n0 Thi for%" %onit"d *ri)arily of th" 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry( th" >-th Fi"ld
R"gi)"nt Royal Artill"ry( o)" anti6tan/ g$nn"r( o)" anti6air%raft g$nn"r( t'o %o)*ani" of
Royal Ar)y S"r1i%" Cor* and th" ?<nd ALo'landB 8i1iion R"%onnaian%" R"gi)"nt0 All '"r"
)o#il" 'ith th" ";%"*tion of th" Battalion0 With a %"rtain a)o$nt of %$ring and *$hing and
ho1ing all )"n '"r" "1"nt$ally *a%/"d into th" RASC 1"hi%l" along 'ith ton $*on ton of
a))$nition( high ";*loi1" and *"trol0 It 'a a long 7o$rn"y and not ";a%tly a %o)forta#l" on"
#$t th" 3o%/ a%%"*t"d "1"ry hardhi* th"y '"r" a/"d to #"ar 'ith th" gr"at"t of good
h$)o$r0 W" "t off and oon #"%a)" *art of th" long"t %ontin$o$ %ol$)n of tran*ort th"
'orld had "1"r ""n0 A far a th" "y" %o$ld "" tr"t%h"d 1"hi%l" aft"r 1"hi%l"( no" to tail( and
all in a franti% h$rry to g"t to a *arti%$lar d"tination0 E1"ry ty*" of 1"hi%l" of th" )od"rn )ilitary
)a%hin" 'a r"*r""nt"d th"r"0 W" a' 3""*( '" a' tan/( '" a' fift""n6%'t tr$%/( '"
a' thr""6tonn"r( '" a' tan/ tran*ort"r( '" a' *i%/6$*( '" a' Britih tr$%/( A)"ri%an
tr$%/ and Fr"n%h tr$%/0 W" a' Royal Air For%" trail"r 6 and 'hat a n$ian%" th"y '"r" 6( '"
a' Royal Na1y tr$%/0 In fa%t( "1"ry ty*" of tr$%/ /no'n to )an %o$ld #" fo$nd on that road0
Th" 'hol" ight 'a a'"6in*iring0 It ho'"d th" tr$" )ight of Britih ar) and it ga1" $ a
%$rio$ f""ling of *rid" that '" too #"long"d to thi int"r)ina#l" array of )otor tran*ort0 On"
thing '" did noti%" *arti%$larly( to th" gr"at gl"" of th" dri1"r( 'a that on th" Contin"nt all r$l"
a to MIH and @TM a**"ar"d to ha1" gon" #y th" #oard0 What 'a %all"d for 'a *""d and
till )or" *""d0 Wo" #"tid" any dri1"r 'ho to**"d 'itho$t ad"9$at" r"aon2
B$t "1"nt$ally th" 7o$rn"y %a)" to an "nd at th" an%i"nt to'n of Aalt( a#o$t fift""n
)il" north '"t of Br$"l0 H"r" '" '"r" hail"d a li#"rator and '"r"( to all int"nt and
*$r*o"( gi1"n th" fr""do) of th" to'n0 It i a d"lightf$l to'n( th" old )i;ing 'ith th" n"' in
good *ro*ortion0 It 'a *ra%ti%ally $nda)ag"d #y th" r"tr"ating H$n 'ho had *$ll"d o$t in $%h
a h$rry that h" did not ha1" ti)" to %o))it $%h a%t of 1andali) a i hi 'ont0 To ay that '"
'"r" )ad" '"l%o)" 'o$ld #" to *$t it )ildly0 E1"ry ho$" 'a an o*"n door( "1"ry %afC 'a a
ho)" fro) ho)"0 Th" #""r 'a good and th" a**"tit" of th" 3o%/ for $%h 'a *ra%ti%ally
inatia#l"0 B$t th"y '"r" atifi"d0 Lat"r '" '"r" to h"ar of odd )"n h"r" and th"r" 'ho( 'h"n
th"y '"r" allo'"d to go to Ant'"r* for a day( foroo/ that %ity for th" %"rtain 7o1ial '"l%o)" th"y
'"r" $r" to r"%"i1" a)ong th"ir fri"nd in Aalt0
Bill"t '"r" $nh"ard of in th"" day of Indian $))"r0 Th" 'hol" Battalion #i1o$a%/"d
in th" *$#li% *ar/ 'hi%h $lti)at"ly 'a %o)*l"t"ly hand"d o1"r to $0 At firt it 'a no $n$$al
thing to find( 'hil" dr"ing at r"1"ill"( a do5"n of th" to'n)"n and to'n'o)"n ta/ing th"
$t)ot d"light in ga5ing in a'"tr$%/ ad)iration at th" 'ay in 'hi%h '" *$t o$r tro$"r on in th"
)orning0 B$t )"alti)" '"r" th" &*iD%" d" rCitan%"&0 Lit"rally h$ndr"d of %i1ilian throng"d
th" *ar/ at th"" ho$r int"nt on 'at%hing $ f""d0 Many a )an& ration 'a gi1"n a'ay to th"
h$ngry B"lgian %hildr"n 'ho hadn&t ""n $%h a *rof$ion of food in%" th" #"ginning of th"
G"r)an o%%$*ation0 In th" "nd it #"%a)" )or" than ")#arraing and th" *ar/ 'a %lo"d to
%i1ilian at %"rtain ho$r of th" day th$ r"li"1ing $ of 'hat 'a ra*idly #"%o)ing a o$r%" of
'orry0
On" of th" highlight of th" to'n 'a th" )agnifi%"nt *$#li% #ath0 No'h"r" had '" ""n
$%h fin" #ath0 Th"r" 'a th" 'i))ing *ool it"lf( th"r" '"r" hot *ray and %old *ray(
th"r" '"r" hot #ath and %old #ath0 Th" troo* '"r" '"l%o)" to ha1" a #ath at any ho$r of th"
day and th"y '"r" not lo' to ";"r%i" th" *ri1il"g"0 No %harg" 'a )ad" and at all ti)" %o$ld
#" ""n )")#"r of th" &R$"ll For%"& %l"aning th")"l1" in th" h"alth6gi1ing *ray of
Aaltian hot 'at"r0
Th" Cal) #"for" th" Stor)
Gr"at 'a th" r"gr"t of th" Battalion and "9$ally o of th" inha#itant of Aalt 'h"n
finally '" *$ll"d o$t of th" to'n on th" aft"rnoon of ,6th S"*t")#"r0 Th" )ann"r of o$r going
'a i)ilar to that of o$r arri1al0 Th" )ar%hing *"ronn"l %li)#"d a#oard h"a1ily lad"n thr""6
tonn"r0 Th" "at '"r" not ";a%tly oft #$t th"r" 'a a $ffi%i"n%y of roo) and th"r" 'a no
%o)*laint a to o1"r%ro'ding0 W" had a tr")"ndo$ "nd6off0 Era%ti%ally th" 'hol" of th" to'n
t$rn"d o$t to "" $ off and th"r" '"r" "1"ral "y" 'hi%h '"r" not o dry 'h"n '" )o1"d off(
inging and %h""ring0
O$r ro$t" 'a 1ia Br$"l0 Littl" did '" ";*"%t to r"%"i1" th" o1ation '" did in fa%t
r"%"i1" in th" B"lgian %a*ital0 It had to #" ""n to #" #"li"1"d0 Th" tr""t '"r" lin"d 'ith
%h""ring )$ltit$d" 'ho ho'"d th"ir gratit$d" at th"ir li#"ration in "1"ry 'ay *oi#l"0 N"1"r
had '" ""n $%h a *l"nit$d" of fr$it 6 and fr$it 'hi%h '" hadn&t tat"d for y"ar #a%/ in
S%otland0 Th"r" '"r" thro'n into th" tr$%/( a th"y *a"d thro$gh th" #o$l"1ard( a**l"(
*"a%h"( *"ar( *l$) and th" )ot l$%io$ #$n%h" of #la%/ and gr""n gra*"0 Th"r" 'a
a#ol$t"ly no do$#t 'hato"1"r a to th" 'ar)th of o$r '"l%o)"2 By th" ti)" '" l"ft Br$"l
#"hind "a%h tr$%/ r"")#l"d( in no $n%"rtain )ann"r( an itin"rant fr$it )"r%hant& ho*0 In *oint
of fa%t th" troo* ind$lg"d 7$t a littl" #it too fr""ly in thi $n'ont"d far" and for "1"ral day
th"r"aft"r th" M"di%al Offi%"r had to d"al 'ith 9$it" a n$)#"r of or" to)a%h( d$" in no )all
)"a$r" to th" a)o$nt and th" ri%hn" of th" fr$it '" had %on$)"d0
A far a '" %o$ld ""( Br$"l 'a $nda)ag"d #$t a gri))"r *i%t$r" 'a *r""nt"d
#y Lo$1ain0 H"r" ign of d"tr$%tion and d"1atation #"%a)" )or" a**ar"nt and h"r" o$r
'"l%o)" 'a not 9$it" o %ordial a it had #""n "l"'h"r" in B"lgi$)0 It 'a only nat$ral0
E"o*l" '"r" )or" %on%"rn"d 'ith al1aging th"ir #"longing than 1i"'ing th" troo* *aing
thro$gh and( in any %a"( th"" troo* '"r" th" indir"%t %a$" of r$in"d and dila*idat"d ho)"0
Still '" 7o$rn"y"d on $ntil finally( #y ,=0+= *0)0 that "1"ning0 all troo* arri1"d at th"
a")#ly ar"a in th" n"igh#o$rhood of H"$d"n 'h"r" '" "r"%t"d #i1o$a%/ in a *lantation0 A
%"rtain a)o$nt of int"r"t 'a %r"at"d h"r" alo in th" )ann"r in 'hi%h th" Britih oldi"r li1"d(
)o1"d and had hi #"ing #$t not to th" a)" ";t"nt a in Aalt( *ro#a#ly #"%a$" th" lo%al
*o*$lation didn&t n$)#"r on" t'"nti"th of th" good *"o*l" in that to'n0 W" tay"d h"r" for
"1"ral day and got a for"tat" of th" la%/ of no$rih)"nt *ro1id"d #y th" gr""dy H$n for th"
yo$ng"r g"n"ration of an o1"rr$n %ontin"nt0 It 'a h"r" that '" firt noti%"d th" '"al and or"
on %hildr"n& l"g and fa%" 6 '"al and or" 'hi%h '" '"r" lat"r to a%%"*t a a %o))on*la%"
in Holland0 It 'a h"r" too that '" firt tat"d G"r)an ration for( at thi ti)"( '" '"r" i$"d
'ith ration for "1"ral day 'hi%h had #""n %a*t$r"d fro) th" "n")y0 On th" 'hol" 1"ry good
ration th"y '"r" 'ith th" ";%"*tion of on" f"arf$l day 'h"n '" '"r" ";*"%t"d to %on$)"
hor"fl"h a o$r )ain )"al0 Gr"at 'a th" %atigation fl$ng at th" %oo/ for r$ining a )"al $ntil
it 'a di%o1"r"d 'hat th" )"at r"ally 'a0
It 'a h"r" too that '" r"ally %o))"n%"d to #"%o)" 'ar6%on%io$0 That i to ay to
r"ali" 'hat 'ar 'a going to )"an0 In th" ditan%" %o$ld #" h"ard th" lo' r$)#l" of #ig g$n
and th" night /y #"%a)" at ti)" ill$)inat"d #y th" *al" ghotly #"a) of "ar%hlight0 Th"r"
'a no do$#t a#o$t it( thing '"r" 'ar)ing $*0 8$ty a a "ntry #"%a)" a thing of r"al
i)*ortan%" and not )"r"ly a #$g#"ar0 Th" roar of *lan" o1"rh"ad #"%a)" th" ignal for an
irat" 1oi%" to ho$t &E$t o$t that light&0 Th" 'ar 'a %o)ing n"ar"r2 H"r" it 'a that th" final
%h"%/ing6$* of '"a*on #"%a)" a thing of *ri)ary i)*ortan%"0 All rifl" '"r" 5"ro"d and o too
'"r" th" light )a%hin" g$n0 For th" firt ti)" in%" th" tart of th" 'ar ";*"ndit$r" of
a))$nition 'a a thing of no i)*ortan%" and firt lin" r""r1" 'a #ro/"n into 'itho$t l"t or
hindran%"0 Cla" '"r" arrang"d in th" <=)) Eolt"n 'hi%h had *r"1io$ly #""n th"
*r"rogati1" of %olo$r "rg"ant and %oo/0 Int"r"t in '"a*on( *arti%$larly( 'a )o$nting0
Final to$%h" '"r" *$t to training and "1"ral ro$t" )ar%h" '"r" ind$lg"d in0 S)all %h")"
'"r" arrang"d and %arri"d thro$gh $%%"f$lly d"*it" #ad '"ath"r and *l"nty of rain0
E"ronal %l"anlin"( too( 'an&t forgott"n and f$ll ad1antag" 'a ta/"n of th" n"igh#o$ring
*ith"ad #ath 'h"r" "a%h )an had a ho'"r 6 th" lat h" 'a to ha1" for o)" ti)"0
Whil" tation"d h"r" "1"ral h$g" ar)ada of 8a/ota to'ing glid"r *a"d lo' o1"r
th" north '"t and th" Battalion )ad" an in1ol$ntary *arad" on th" "dg" of th" *lantation to
'ond"r0 It 'a a$)"d on "a%h o%%aion A'ith %har)ing in%onit"n%yB that thi 'a th"
8i1iion at lat0 W" had #"%o)" 9$it" fond of th")0 Th" 3o%/ i a#ol$t"ly in%al%$la#l"0 Th"
Ar)y N"' B$ll"tin( *ot"d 'ith ad)ira#l" r"g$larity and al)ot #ang $*6to6dat"( 'a
%r$tini"d 'ith a 7a$ndi%"d "y"0 N"'*a*"r( nor)ally $*"%t and no' fo$r to "1"n day old(
#"%a)" th" yardti%/ of tr$th0 Th" ,t :S Air#orn" and Arnh") '"r" in th" n"' AAr)y B$ll"tinB
#$t '" faithf$lly a'ait"d )"ntion of th" ?<nd in th" &S$nday Eot& or th" &N"' of th" World&0
Th$ '" did $ntil <.th S"*t")#"r on 'hi%h day ord"r '"r" r"%"i1"d to )o1" to a
%on%"ntration ar"a n"ar Ni7)"g"n0 A Colo$r Earty %oniting of Ma7or B"ll( th" "%ond6in6
%o))and( and a n$)#"r of )"n and a g$id" *arty $nd"r Ca*tain T0B0Hannigan and thirt""n )"n
l"ft a#o$t ,0+= *0)0 Th" r")aind"r of th" Battalion 'a to )o1" at ,, *0)0 By thi ti)" th"
it$ation 'a hard"ning and( fro) r"*ort filt"ring thro$gh( it 'a no' fairly o#1io$ that only th"
)ot d"*"rat" "ffort %o$ld "arn for th" air#orn" for%" th" in1al$a#l" #ridg"h"ad a%ro h"
ri1"r at Arnh")( th" #ridg"h"ad to'ard 'hi%h th" *"arh"ad 'a till *lo$ghing0 Th" '"t"rn
flan/ of thi dri1" 'a oft and r"a%t"d "niti1"ly to any thr"at( r"al or i)*li"d0
At -0.= *0)0 that "1"ning infor)ation 'a r"%"i1"d that "n")y "l")"nt had %$t th"
)ain road in th" ar"a of @"gh"l and that any )o1" 'a i)*oi#l" #"for" "1"n o&%lo%/ in th"
)orning0 That 'a a #ad night0 It 'a raining hard( all #i1o$a%/ had #""n di)antl"d and
*"rfor%" th" )"n lay do'n to l""* in gro$ndh""t and ga %a*"0 B$t t'o y"ar hard training
in th" )o$ntain had a#ly *r"*ar"d th") for $%h light di%o)fort a odd"n gro$nd( l"ad"n
/i" and in/y #la%/ night0 What 'a )or" "rio$ 'a th" fa%t that Ca*tain Hannigan& *arty
'a h"ld $* #"yond St0O"d"nrod" and %onta%t 'ith th" "%ond6in6%o))and& *arty 'a
t")*orarily lot0 Th" r"aliti" of 'ar '"r" #"%o)ing "1"r )or" *r"ing2
W" r")ain"d at a tat" of intant r"adin" to )o1" $ntil th" )orning of <6th S"*t")#"r
'h"n( at long lat( '" r"%"i1"d )ar%hing ord"r0 Th" it$ation had #""n )or" or l" %larifi"d #y
thi ti)" #$t a di1"rion 'a ord"r"d at Eindho1"n o'ing to th" it$ation on th" )ain a;i #"ing
in a fl$id *oition0 Lat good#y" '"r" aid to th" till6int"r"t"d lo%al and( ha1ing *r"1io$ly
*aid a 1iit to th" Ch$r%h of S%otland Cant""n 'hi%h a**"ar"d o$t of th" #l$"( th" Battalion
")#$"d and "t off at )idday0
Aft"r o)" diffi%$lty o'ing to tran*ort %on%"ntration and a )ita/" )ad" #y Traffi%
Control th" 'hol" %on1oy at long lat 'or/"d it 'ay thro$gh Eindho1"n( 'hi%h at on" ti)" )$t
ha1" #""n a *arti%$larly fin" to'n #$t no' #or" th" %ar of 'ar in no $n%"rtain )ann"r( and
)ad" it 'ay thro$gh B""l and G")"rt( 7oining th" )ain a;i at :d"n0 On th" road '" r"ally
%a)" %lo" to artill"ry and had )any a fright a th" g$n fir"d th"ir l"ad"n *ro7"%til"0 It 'a o$r
firt tat" of artill"ry firing in ang"r at a hort ditan%" fro) $ and 'an&t "ntir"ly a**r"%iat"d #y
"1"ryon"0
At :d"n th" %o)*l"t" Anti6tan/ Elatoon 'a d"ta%h"d fro) th" Battalion and l"ft $nd"r
%o))and of th" ,=, :S Air#orn" 8i1iion to ait in th" d"f"n%" of th" )ain a;i 'hil" '"
*ro%""d"d to o$r *r"1io$ly arrang"d %on%"ntration ar"a ro$nd th" )all 8$t%h 1illag" of R""/
'hi%h '" r"a%h"d at a#o$t ?0+= *0)0 H"r" '" r"%"i1"d a right royal '"l%o)" and h"r" '" firt
*artoo/ of 'hat *a"d $nd"r th" o#ri9$"t of #r"ad in Holland0 Th" &#r"ad& 'an&t r"%"i1"d 'ith
th" gr"at"t of *l"a$r"0

Th" "n")y in fair tr"ngth Aa#o$t fift""n h$ndr"d )"nB '"r" /no'n to #" in th" ar"a of
&H"rtog"n#o%h and '" '"r" gi1"n an o*"rational rFl" to ait in th" *r"1"ntion of any
infiltration to'ard airtri* it$at"d only a f"' )il" a'ay0 S$%h infiltration( '" '"r" told( 'o$ld
*ro#a#ly not #" of a t"rn ty*" #$t )"r"ly a "ar%h for food for th" "nor)o$ $**ly d$)* at
O had #""n ta/"n and it a**"ar"d that th" &H"rtog"n#o%h troo* '"r" di1"t"d of all
$**li"0 B$t 'h"th"r t"rn or not infiltration 'a infiltration and had to #" to**"d and
%o)*ani" '"r" d"*loy"d a ho'n in th" atta%h"d /"t%h A"" S/"t%h AB and digging6in 'a
%o))"n%"d0 In th" 1illag" of H"r*"n( H$i"ling and Ra1"nt"in '"r" 'hat r")ain"d of th"
,t Eolih Earatroo* Brigad" ha1ing fo$ght th"ir 'ay o$t of th" "n")y "n%ir%l")"nt at Arnh")0
8$ring thi "1"ning B Co)*any "nt o$t *atrol #$t no %onta%t 'ith th"( *r"$)a#ly( tar1ing
Bo%h" 'a )ad"0
For th" n";t t'o day digging6in 'a th" #"6all and "nd6all of ";it"n%"0 Anti6tan/
d"f"n%" '"r" i)*ro1"d #y th" arri1al of fo$r ,>6*o$nd"r fro) +=. Anti6tan/ R"gi)"nt Royal
Artill"ry and( on th" <Gth( th" "ntir" Anti6tan/ Elatoon r"7oin"d $ 'itho$t ha1ing aft"r all #""n
")*loy"d #y th" Yan/""0 T'o of th"" g$n '"r" it"d 'ith B Co)*any( t'o 'ith C Co)*any(
on" 'ith S Co)*any and th" r")aining on" 'ith 8 Co)*any0 By thi ti)" '" had h"ard of th"
fall of Arnh")( that th" 8i1iion 'o$ld not land and that '" 'o$ld go into a%tion 'itho$t th")0
On th" )orning of <-th S"*t")#"r '" r"%"i1"d intr$%tion to #" *r"*ar"d to )o1" in
an ho$r ti)" #$t #"for" th" ho$r 'a $* th"" intr$%tion '"r" %an%"ll"d o'ing to da)ag" to
th" #ridg" at Ni7)"g"n( Thi 'a o$r firt tat" of th" %an%"llation of ord"r0 It 'an&t to #" o$r
lat0
E1"nt$ally at > a0)0 on th" )orning of +=th S"*t")#"r '" '"r" ord"r"d to )o1" to
r"li"1" th" ?th Battalion Eat Yor/hir" R"gi)"nt 'ho '"r" in *oition aro$nd B"))"l0 Th"
r"%onnaian%" *arty "t off in good ti)" and th" r")aind"r of th" Battalion at noon0 Th"
a")#ly ar"a 'a north of L"at 'hi%h '" r"a%h"d at +0+= in th" aft"rnoon( d"#$"d and
)ar%h"d to o$r r"*"%ti1" %o)*any lo%aliti"0 Thi 'a o$r firt ";*"ri"n%" of ta/ing o1"r in th"
lin" $nd"r a%t$al g$nfir" and '" '"r" than/f$l that th" "ntir" r"li"f( 'ith th" ";%"*tion of on"
*latoon of 8 Co)*any( %o$ld #" %arri"d thro$gh in daylight0 Th" r"li"f 'a a %o)*arati1"ly good
on" Ahad" of E;"r%i" Al*ha2B and '" '"r" all "ttl"d in #y G0+= *0)0 Ero1id"n%" )$t ha1"
#""n /""*ing a %lo" 'at%h on o$r )o1")"nt for it 'an&t till th" Eat Yor/ had l"ft that '"
";*"ri"n%"d any h"lling or )ortaring0
Ho' gr""n '" '"r" in th"" hal%yon day2 Ho' littl" did '" g$" at 'hat 'a to
follo'2 W" tho$ght it 'a a lo1"ly "1"ning and that '" ho$ld ta/" th" air( that air 'hi%h 'a
lat"r to #"%o)" fill"d 'ith 1"no) and hatr"d in th" ha*" of gr"at li1"r of t""l0 W" '"r"
ato$nd"d at th" %hao in ho$" and ho*0 W" loo/"d 'ith a1idity on th" %oll"%tion of 'ir"l"
"t #ro$ght tog"th"r in th" To'n Hall #y th" ra*a%io$ H$n #$t '" for"#or" to to$%h th")0 W"
till tho$ght it to #" a g"ntl")anly 'ar2 B$t for all that '" didn&t forg"t to i)*ro1" th" tr"n%h"
%o))"n%"d #y th" Eat Yor/ and #"for" nightfall '" f"lt '" %o$ld ta%/l" anything0
W" '"r" di*o"d a follo' A"" S/"t%h BB0 Th" t"nion 'a )o$nting and '" '"r"
%"rtain that o)"thing 'a $r" to #r"a/ in th" 1"ry n"ar f$t$r"0 Nor '"r" '" dia**oint"d2
HOLLAN8
Th" Firt Ro$nd
B"))"l2 Th" front lin"2 At long lat '" '"r" in &it&0 W" '"r" glad( ";*"%tant and
";%it"d0 Th" gla)o$r of 'ar 'a till hanging o1"r $( th" r"aliti" '"r" not y"t a**ar"nt0 That
night )$%h of th" gla)o$r 'a di*"ll"d0
E1"rything /"*t 9$i"t till a#o$t ,,0+= *0)0 'h"n $dd"nly th" H$n )ortar #o)# tart"d
falling0 Littl" noti%" 'a ta/"n at firt #$t( aft"r on" or t'o n"ar )i"( it 'a d"")"d ad1ia#l"
#y "1"ry ingl" )an to )a/" for hi &#"tt"r &ol"&0 Th"" lit '"r" o%%$*i"d d$ring th" "ntir" night
6 o$r firt night of &hat"&2 It 'a d$ring thi *"riod that o)" )o1")"nt of tra%/"d 1"hi%l" 'a
h"ard in front of 8 and C Co)*any ar"a0 Wa it to #" an "n")y atta%/! W" %o$ldn&t ay #$t(
7$t to &)a/ i%%ar&( artill"ry fir" 'a %all"d for( %a)" do'n and )$t ha1" #ro/"n $* any
att")*t"d for)ing for atta%/ for nothing )$%h %a)" of it and( a*art fro) )ortaring int"r*"r"d
'ith h"lling #y 'hat 'a *r"$)a#ly a "lf6*ro*"ll"d g$n( '" '"r" l"ft in %o)*arati1" *"a%"0
8a'n 'a hail"d 'ith $n)itigat"d *l"a$r" for '" had not y"t a%9$ir"d th" t"%hni9$" of
r")aining $n*"rt$r#"d #y d"ath and d"tr$%tion #"ing ho'"r"d on $ fro) o$t of th" night /y0
W" '"r" tir"d #$t ha**y 6 '" had $ff"r"d no %a$alti" and had 'ithtood af"ly o$r firt
int"ni1" #o)#ard)"nt0
8$ring th" )orning and( in fa%t( all day th" 'hol" Battalion 'a fairly h"a1ily )ortar"d
and h"ll"d0 It 'a o#1io$ that th" )ain targ"t for th" h"lling 'a th" %h$r%h *ir" 'hi%h oon
#"gan to loo/ th" 'or" for '"ar0 Ga*ing hol" a**"ar"d in th" tr$%t$r" and it 'a a 'ond"r to
$ all 'hy th" 'hol" affair didn&t diint"grat" in r$in0 Th" 8$t%h )$t #$ild th"ir *ir" 'ith
o$nd )at"rial0
T'i%" d$ring th" day o$r fri"nd on th" l"ft( na)"ly th" >th Battalion Gr""n Ho'ard(
'"r" atta%/"d 'ith %onid"ra#l" for%" of tan/ and infantry #$t #oth th"" atta%/ '"r" dri1"n
off 'ith h"a1y lo to th" "n")y0 W"( too( did not "%a*" $n%ath"d for( at a#o$t <0.? *0)0( 8
Co)*any 'a atta%/"d #y a#o$t on" *latoon of th" "n")y and C Co)*any alo r"*ort"d
d"finit" )o1")"nt in front0 Th" atta%/ 'a dri1"n off #$t not 'itho$t light %a$alti"0
8$ring thi *"riod o$r Battalion ni*"r '"r" #a*ti"d a $%h for( $nd"r %o))and of
th" Battalion ni*"r "rg"ant( S"rg"ant Mill"r( th"y r"t$rn"d 'ith "1"ral S*anda$0 Th"y
%lai)"d fift""n /ill and a%t$ally "%$r"d id"ntifi%ation fro) th" #odi"0 8$ring thi *"riod alo
'" '"r" firt )ad" a%9$aint"d 'ith th" d"1atating fir" *o'"r of th" Ty*hoon for( to'ard th"
"nd of th" atta%/( o1"r th"y %a)" and th"ir ro%/"t and )a%hin" g$n add"d to th" %la)o$r of
hot and h"ll0 Th"y '"r" )agnifi%"nt2 Th"y 'oo*"d do'n fro) th" anti6air%raft *latt"r"d /y(
li/" th" "agl" th"y ar"( 'itho$t h""d for th" )iil" h$rl"d $* at th") fro) #"lo'0 Th"n( 'h"n
th"y had r"l"a"d th"ir d"ath6d"aling %argo( th"y ail"d off gra%"f$lly into th" #l$"0 Lat"r '" a'
th" r"$lt of thi atta%/ 6 it 'a d"1atating0 Wh"n th" "n")y firt a' th") flying o1"rh"ad h"
)$t ha1" /no'n hi atta%/ 'a #o$nd to fail0
Att")*t '"r" )ad" at infiltration 'hi%h '"r" to a %"rtain ";t"nt $%%"f$l #$t #y
nightfall th" original *oition had #""n r"tor"d0 T'o *atrol '"r" "nt o$t #y night( on" a
%onta%t *atrol to %onta%t o$r flan/ing $nit and th" oth"r to %l"ar an or%hard in front of 8 and C
Co)*any ar"a fro) 'hi%h firing had #""n dir"%t"d on to th" r"*"%ti1" Co)*ani" d$ring th"
day& ";%$rion and alar)0 No tra%" of a li1" "n")y in th" or%hard %o$ld #" di%o1"r"d0
Min" '"r" alo laid on all li/"ly a**roa%h" to th"" Co)*ani"& lo%ation0
On th" <nd O%to#"r '" #"gan to thin/ '" '"r" d"*i"d and r"7"%t"d of )"n0 W" had
forgott"n for th" non%" that '" '"r" a ingl" Battalion o$t of a 8i1iion 'hi%h had not y"t land"d
on for"ign oil0 Th" $*i%ion that '" '"r" li/"ly to #" tr"at"d a tr"n%h tor" #"gan to
%rytali" in o$r )ind0 It ha**"n"d th$'i"0 :* $ntil - *0)0 '" '"r" $nd"r %o))and of th"
6-th Brigad" of th" ?=th ANB 8i1iion 'ho th")"l1" '"r" $nd"r %o))and .+rd 8i1iion0 At ,=
o&%lo%/ that )orning th" G"n"ral Offi%"r Co))anding .+rd 8i1iion 1iit"d Battalion
H"ad9$art"r and infor)"d th" Colon"l that( a th" ?=th ANB 8i1iion 'a r"li"1ing .+rd 8i1iion(
'" 'o$ld no' %o)" $nd"r %o))and <+, Brigad" and r")ain in o$r *r""nt lo%ation0 Shortly
th"r"aft"r th" Brigad" Co))and"r 1iit"d $ to di%$ th" it$ation #$t #y no' '" had r"%"i1"d
anoth"r 1iitor0 Thi 'a Brigadi"r Gordon of ,?, Brigad"0 W" had #""n $nd"r hi %o))and
in%" ,,0+= *0)02 Hi 1iit 'a )ad" *ri)arily to di%$ d"tail of an atta%/ to #" la$n%h"d on
Baal th" follo'ing day in th" final *ha" of 'hi%h '" 'o$ld *arti%i*at" 6 '" '"r" to %a*t$r" th"
1illag" of Hald"r"n0
For th" r")aind"r of th" day a%ti1ity 'a light #$t that night a %"rtain a)o$nt of
%o))otion 'a %a$"d in Battalion H"ad9$art"r and B Co)*any ar"a #y o)" o1"r65"alo$
"ntri" 'ho )itoo/ a Britih tan/ *atrol for th" "n")y0 A it ha**"n"d( only t"n )in$t" aft"r
th" firt r"*ort a#o$t th" $*"%t"d tan/ r"a%h"d Battalion H"ad9$art"r( th" Bo%h" l"t loo" a
h"a1y %on%"ntration of )ortaring on thi "lfa)" ar"a 'hi%h l"d th" *o'"r that #" to th" #"li"f
that th"r" )ight #" o)"thing in th" tory0 Ho'"1"r( no har) 'a don" and "1"nt$ally th"
*oition 'a %l"ar"d $*0 Th" fog of 'ar 'a #"ginning to )a/" it *r""n%" f"lt2
Early in th" )orning of +rd O%to#"r a *atrol r"*ort"d th" lo%ation of an "n")y S*anda$
n"t a#o$t fo$r h$ndr"d yard ah"ad of 8 Co)*any *oition and y"t anoth"r *atrol fro) C
Co)*any r"*ort"d th" or%hard in front a #"ing %l"ar0 A a r"$lt of thi r"*ort ,? Elatoon of C
Co)*any )o1"d for'ard at G o&%lo%/ to o%%$*y th" for'ard "dg" of thi or%hard 'hi%h th"y
)anag"d to do $%%"f$lly aft"r di*"ring an ";tr")"ly '"a/ "n")y0 Lat"r in th" day th"
'hol" of C Co)*any di*oition '"r" alt"r"d o a to %onfor) 'ith th" n"' gro$nd gain"d #y
thi for'ard )o1"0 Th" '"ath"r 'a fin" and $nny( th" "n")y 'a $n$$ally 9$i"%"nt and '"
f"lt that( if h" att")*t"d to di*la%" $ '" %o$ld gi1" hi) th" #igg"t ha))"ring of hi lif"0 That
night( ho'"1"r( hi %o)*la%"n%y "")"d to d""rt hi) for th" 'hol" Battalion ar"a 'a h"a1ily
h"ll"d and )ortar"d and th" t'o for'ard %o)*ani"( C and 8( '"r" )ad" a'ar" of S*anda$
#$ll"t flying thro$gh th" tr"" a%ro th"ir front0 It 'a *a)odi% and *oradi% firing 'hi%h
%a$"d no %a$alti" 'hato"1"r and day on%" )or" da'n"d to find $ of good %h""r and
'aiting 'ith th" gr"at"t of ";*"%tation on th" arri1al of #r"a/fat0
Th" day 'a fat a**roa%hing 'h"n '" '"r" to )a/" o$r initial atta%/ and at &O& Gro$*
that )orning th" Co))anding Offi%"r ";*lain"d to th" Co)*any Co))and"r 'hat th" grand
trat"gy 'a to #"0 Th" g"n"ral id"a 'a to allo' t'o #attalion of th" 8$rha) Light Infantry(
th" Gth and -th( to *a thro$gh $ and( 'h"n that had #""n $%%"f$l( '" o$r"l1" 'o$ld do
th" a)" and ta/" Hald"r"n0 Nat$rally( ha1ing laid )in" in front of o$r ar"a( '" had to ta/"
th") $* again to allo' th" 8$rha) Light Infantry thro$gh to g"t to gri* 'ith th" "n")y0 Thi
'a don" and all )in" '"r" lift"d #y ,,0+= a0)0 Th" *"a%" of )ind of C Co)*any ho'"1"r
'a adly dit$r#"d 'h"n it 'a l"arn"d that th" initial %on%"ntration of artill"ry 'o$ld land a f"'
yard in front of th"ir for'ard *oition0 Th"r" 'a nothing for it #$t to r"tir" and r"6o%%$*y th"
*oition *r"1io$ly h"ld #y th")0 Thi th"y did 'ith no 1"ry good gra%" #$t /no'ing f$ll '"ll
that it 'a a )$%h #"tt"r thing to do than to r")ain in th"ir n"' *oition and di%o1"r th"y '"r"
#"ing h"ll"d #y th"ir o'n g$n0 A thing t$rn"d o$t( it 'a 7$t a '"ll th"y did o for( 'h"n th"
#arrag" '"nt do'n( o)" h"ll f"ll hort and in fa%t land"d in th" *oition h"ld #y th") at th"
ti)"0
Th" 8$rha) Light Infantry atta%/ '"nt in hortly aft"r th" initial oft"ning6$* atta%/ #y
Ty*hoon on th" fa%tory ar"a A"" air *hotogra*hB 'hi%h '" 'at%h"d( for th" "%ond ti)"( 'ith
f""ling of $n)itigat"d a'"0 Th" noi" it"lf 'a d")oraliing0 H"a1"n /no' 'hat th" G"rri"
at th" r"%"i1ing "nd tho$ght of it0 I))"diat"ly aft"r th" Royal Air For%" had had it fling th" g$n
o*"n"d $*( th" h"a1y )ortar o*"n"d $*( o$r o'n )ortar o*"n"d $* in $**ort and th"
)"di$) )a%hin" g$n o*"n"d $*0 A y)*hony of all th" %a%o*hono$ o$nd of 'ar y"t(
'ithal( 'ith o)"thing grand #"hind it2 An id"al 'hi%h '" '"r" all fighting for 6 th" right to li1"
o$r o'n li1" in o$r o'n 'ay $ntra)"ll"d #y th" "di%t and 1"to of any )i"ra#l" Contin"ntal
di%tator0 In to thi holo%a$t )ar%h"d o$r %o)rad"6in6ar) of th" 8$rha) Light Infantry and
too/ th"ir o#7"%ti1"0
8$ring th" r")aind"r of th" ho$r of daylight *r"*aration '"r" %o)*l"t"d #y $ for a
i)ilar atta%/ th" follo'ing day on Hald"r"n #$t( at - o&%lo%/ that night( '" '"r" infor)"d that o$r
atta%/ 'a *ot*on"d for t'"nty fo$r ho$r0 Thi 'a a 'i" d"%iion for( at that ti)"( '" '"r"
%o)*l"t"ly ignorant of th" gro$nd o1"r 'hi%h '" '"r" to atta%/ 'h"r"a a day& gra%" 'o$ld
gi1" $ o)" %han%" of 1i"'ing th" %o$ntry in front and of arranging o$r di*oition a%%ordingly0
It 'a a %a" of *$tting into *ra%ti%" th" old )ilitary adag" &Ti)" *"nt in r"%onnaian%" i
"ldo) 'at"d&0 Nor 'a it 'at"d in thi intan%" for( on th" )orning of th" ?th ( th" CO and all
th" Co)*any Co))and"r '"nt for'ard to th" F8LS of th" Gth 8$rha) Light Infantry 'h"r" a
thoro$gh r"%onnaian%" 'a )ad"( *lan 'or/"d o$t and "1"rything )ad" r"ady o far a
h$)an "nd"a1o$r %o$ld "n%o)*a to "n$r" that o$r atta%/ '"nt 'ith a 'ing0
Th" original *lan 'a to )a/" an atta%/ on i)ilar lin" to that of th" 8$rha) Light
Infantry #$t( in th" aft"rnoon th" CO h"ld anoth"r &O& Gro$* 'h"r" h" told $ that( o'ing to th"
9$i"tn" of th" 8$rha) Light Infantry front( it had #""n d"%id"d to o%%$*y o$r o#7"%ti1" #y
fighting *atrol d$ring th" night and #$ild $* on that #a" o that th" 'hol" Battalion %o$ld #" in
*oition on th" o#7"%ti1" #y firt light0 For thi *lan th" %od" 'ord 'a &Hangaroo&0 In th" "1"nt
ho'"1"r of th" &il"nt atta%/& *ro1ing i)*ra%ti%a#l" a f$ll6%al" atta%/( %o)*l"t" 'ith arrtill"ry and
all oth"r $**orting ar)( 'o$ld #" *$t in at >0+? a0)0 Th" %od" 'ord for thi 'o$ld #"
&El"*hant&0 In th" )"anti)"( '" '"r" to ha1" a hot at th" il"nt atta%/ )"thod and "a%h
Co)*any 'a to "nd for'ard a fighting *atrol of on" *latoon in tr"ngth to o%%$*y th" Co)*any
o#7"%ti1"0 Eatrol l"ad"r '"r" #ri"f"d( NCO '"r" #ri"f"d and )"n '"r" #ri"f"d and th"
*latoon "t off at t'"nty )in$t" *at i; 7$t a dar/n" 'a falling0 Th" r")aind"r of th"
night 'a 9$i"t and *atrol r"*ort "ntir"ly atifa%tory0 C Co)*any r"*ort"d %onta%t"d 'ith a
*arty of fift""n "n")y( o)" of 'ho) '"r" hot( "1"n ta/"n *rion"r and th" r"t di*"r"d0
HOLLAN8
Hald"r"n 6 Th" Bra1"t of th" Bra1"
At . a0)0 on th" )orning of 6th O%to#"r '" %ro"d o$r tarting lin" in ord"r to *$t in o$r
firt atta%/ of th" 'ar0 It 'a 'ith )i;"d f""ling that '" tart"d off0 What 'a to ha**"n to $!
Wo$ld '" a%hi"1" o$r o#7"%ti1" 'itho$t )any %a$alti"! Wo$ld '" #" h"ld $* at all! What
";a%tly 'o$ld '" f""l li/"! Th""( and )any oth"r 9$"tion( '"r" #$55ing thro$gh "a%h )an&
)ind a th" long Battalion %ol$)n "t off0
Shortly aft"r '" tart"d '" r"%"i1"d 'hat 'a th"n rath"r tartling infor)ation0 Thro$gh
th" 'ir"l" C Co)*any *atrol( $nd"r %o))and of Li"$t"nant Eyt"in F7a"rli on" of th"
Nor'"gian offi%"r 'ho had #""n atta%h"d to $ for o1"r a y"ar d$ring o$r )o$ntain training(
r"*ort"d that th"y '"r" #"ing atta%/"d and r"9$ir"d i))"diat" aitan%"0 Thi n"%"itat"d an
i))"diat" %hang" of *lan and C Co)*any '"r" ord"r"d to go for'ard traight to th" r"li"f of thi
*atrol 'itho$t 'aiting on th" r")aind"r of th" Battalion in th" for)ing6$* *oint0 Off th"y '"nt and
oon %onta%t"d Li"$t"nant F7a"rli0 Th" thr"at"n"d atta%/ on hi *oition had *"t"r"d o$t0
Th" )"n of C Co)*any 'ill al'ay r")")#"r Hald"r"n a a *la%" of ill o)"n0 Th"
follo'ing i th"ir toryI
Ha1ing )"t $* 'ith th" *atrol( th"y i))"diat"ly tart"d digging6in 7$t hort of th"
o#7"%ti1"0 It 'an&t r"ali"d at th" ti)" that th"y till had a %o$*l" of h$ndr"d yard to go0 Th"
)a* '"r" o ina%%$rat" that a )ita/" of thi ort %o$ld "aily #" *ardon"d0 S*a)odi%
S*anda$ fir" and '"ll6*oition"d ni*"r h"l*"d to )a/" th" *oition )or" o#%$r"0 It 'a
d$ring thi *"riod of digging6in that o)"#ody #l$nd"r"d for( gr"atly to th"ir horror and dig$t(
"1"ral h"ll fro) o$r o'n g$n f"ll in th" Co)*any ar"a0 :rg"nt '"r" th" r"*r""ntation of
Ma7or C0S0Bro'n that thi ho$ld %"a" forth'ith0 It did2 Nor 'a any da)ag" %a$"d0 It 'a
$nfort$nat" #$t 7$t on" of tho" thing that ha**"n0 Aft"r thi $n'"l%o)" att"ntion fro) o$r
g$nn"r digging6in '"nt on 'ith a 'ill and 7$t a '"ll it 'a for no oon"r had th" lit tr"n%h"
#""n d$g to th" af"ty d"*th than th" "n")y %o$nt"r6atta%/ %a)" in 6 atta%/ #y fir" and not #y
)"n0
It 'a *"rha* rath"r $nfort$nat" that th" Co)*any *oition 'a in th" ar"a of a
%roroad 'hi%h )$t ha1" alr"ady #""n r"git"r"d #y th" G"r)an g$nn"r0 In all *ro#a#ility it
'a a d"f"ni1" ta/0 E1"ry ty*" of h"ll and )ortar #o)# 'a h$rl"d on to thi ar"a and(
lit"rally for ho$r( th" )"n had to 'ithtand $%h a tor) of hot and h"ll that it #ro$ght forth
fro) th" For'ard O#"r1ation Offi%"r atta%h"d to th") th" tartling tat")"nt that n"1"r had h"
""n $%h a %on%"ntration #ro$ght do'n on on" %o)*any ar"a0 Thi offi%"r had "r1"d 'ith th"
?=th 8i1iion all thro$gho$t th" North Afri%an %a)*aign and hi o*inion 'a #a%/"d $* 'ith no
littl" ";*"ri"n%"0 Nat$rally $%h a h"lling %o$ld not #" 'itho$t "ff"%t and oon th" %ry &Str"t%h"r
#"ar"r& #"%a)" in%r"aingly %o))on0 Th"" $nar)"d and %o$rag"o$ )"n 'or/"d 'ith a 'ill
#$t $%h 'a th" ";t"nt of th" %a$alti" that it 'a $tt"rly i)*oi#l" for th")( d"*it"
$*"rh$)an ";"rtion( to %o*" 'ith it all0 A%%ordingly a )"ag" 'a "nt for th" i))"diat"
h"l* of o)" &Starlight aitant&0 Thi h"l* 'a oon forth%o)ing in th" ha*" of th" M"di%al
Offi%"r& 3""*0 It 'a th"n that '" r"ali"d th" d"*i%a#l" nat$r" of G"r)an H$lt$r for no oon"r
had thi 3""*( 'hi%h 'a *lat"r"d 'ith r"d %ro"( tart"d #a%/ on it "rrand of )"r%y than a
S*anda$ o*"n"d $* on it and /"*t $* a )$rd"ro$ fir" a it ra%"d #a%/ to th" R"gi)"ntal Aid
Eot0 No da)ag" 'a( in fa%t( don" #$t o$r o*inion of th" H$n an/ to a 1"ry lo' "## ind""d0 It
'a d$ring thi int"ni1" #o)#ard)"nt that th" 1agari" of h"ll #$rt '"r" r"ali"d0 On on"
o%%aion( d$ring a l$ll in th" h"lling( on" of th" )"n in C Co)*any *aid a 1iit to t'o of hi
fri"nd in th"ir lit tr"n%h0 No oon"r had h" 7$)*"d in than th" h"lling %o))"n%"d on%" again0
Thi *arti%$lar tr"n%h r"%"i1"d a dir"%t hit and hi t'o fri"nd '"r" /ill"d o$tright0 Th" &'and"r"r&
hi)"lf did not r"%"i1" o )$%h a a %rat%h2
It 'a d$ring thi day( too( that Ma7or N0G0R"id of 8 Co)*any had th" tragi% ";*"ri"n%"
of loing an "ntir" *latoon and hi r"ar Co)*any H"ad9$art"r0 8 Co)*any '"r" l"ft for'ard
d$ring th" atta%/ and ho' th" in%id"nt ha**"n"d ha n"1"r #""n atifa%torily ";*lain"d #$t
th"r" %an #" no do$#t that nin"ty6nin" *"r %"nt of it 'a d$" to th" ina%%$ra%y of )a*0 H"r" i
'hat Ma7or R"id had to ay a#o$t itI
&Th" atta%/ '"nt '"ll and no o**oition 'a "n%o$nt"r"d $ntil n"aring C Co)*any
o#7"%ti1"0 8 Co)*any ad1an%"d 'ith t'o *latoon for'ard( on th" l"ft ,> Elatoon( on th" right
,6 Elatoon and in th" %"ntr" Ad1an%" Co)*any H"ad9$art"r0 ,6 Elatoon 'a follo'"d at a
ditan%" of on" h$ndr"d yard #y R"ar Co)*any H"ad9$art"r $nd"r Ca*tain T0B0Hannigan0
On r"a%hing a tra%/ 7$t hort of )y o#7"%ti1" I halt"d ,> Elatoon a I int"nd"d th") to
#" )y r""r1" *latoon and '"nt for'ard to %onta%t ,G Elatoon 'hi%h I fo$nd to #" in *oition0
M"anti)" ,6 Elatoon on th" right had( I *r"$)"d( %arri"d on to th"ir o#7"%ti1"0 I r"t$rn"d to ,>
Elatoon( finally fi;"d th"ir *oition and th"n )ad" )y 'ay for'ard to %onta%t ,6 Elatoon0 No6
on" 'a to #" ""n in th" ar"a 'hi%h th"y ho$ld ha1" o%%$*i"d nor %o$ld I "" any ign of
R"ar Co)*any H"ad9$art"r0 Shortly th"r"aft"r I )"t a "%tion of B Co)*any 'ho had %o)"
for'ard too far #$t 'ho had not ""n any ign of th" )iing troo*0
By thi ti)" it 'a no' fairly light and( ha1ing h"ard o$nd of firing in th" ditan%"
tog"th"r 'ith o)" ho$ting( I '"nt for'ard to th" "dg" of th" 'ood0 3$t at thi ti)"( ho'"1"r(
o$r o'n g$n o*"n"d $* and th" h"ll '"r" landing in th" ar"a and th" dir"%tion of 'h"r" I
a$)"d th" troo* had gon"0 Thi ar"a 'a f$lly i; h$ndr"d yard #"yond th" li)it of )y
";*loitation0 I r"t$rn"d to Co)*any H"ad9$art"r to try and to* th" #arrag" #$t it 'a too lat"0
So)" ti)" th"r"aft"r t'o )")#"r of ,6 Elatoon( Eri1at" J$inn and O#orn"( ha1ing
1ol$nt""r"d to try and r"a%h th" Co)*any( r"t$rn"d 'ith th" tartling infor)ation that th" Elatoon
and R"ar Co)*any H"ad9$art"r '"r" all in a )all 1illag" i; h$ndr"d yard in front of th"
Co)*any *oition0 I i))"diat"ly r"*ort"d on%" again to Battalion H"ad9$art"r th" tat" of
affair and "1"ry "ffort 'a )ad" to g"t th") #a%/ 'ith th" aitan%" of )o/"0 In addition(
on" "%tion of th" Carri"r Elatoon $nd"r %o))and of S"rg"ant 8ornan tri"d to g"t thro$gh to th"
1illag" #$t %o$ld not )anag" on a%%o$nt of th" n$)"ro$ dit%h" 'hi%h %ro"d th" front and
th"y in th"ir t$rn had to #" 'ithdra'n $nd"r %o1"r of an artill"ry )o/" %r""n0&
In thi #ald tat")"nt of fa%t i %on%"al"d $n"nding h"arta%h" and 'orry0 It i int"r"ting
to not" that th" t'o )"n 'ho "1"nt$ally got #a%/ r"%"i1"d %o))"ndation for #ra1"ry fro) th"
Co))and"r6in6Chi"f0 W" l"arn"d lat"r that Li"$t"nant Ra"( 'ho %o))and"d th" Elatoon( 'ith
*ra%ti%ally all of hi )"n and Ca*tain Hannigan '"r" not /ill"d #$t '"r" )ad" *rion"r6of6'ar0
So )$%h for th" t'o for'ard %o)*ani" #$t 'hat of A and B Co)*ani" in th" r"ar!
Th"y r"a%h"d th"ir o#7"%ti1" 'itho$t )$%h diffi%$lty and %o))"n%"d digging6in0 Th"y alo
$ff"r"d fro) th" h"lling and )ortaring *r"1io$ly r"f"rr"d to #$t not to th" a)" ";t"nt a C
Co)*any0
At ,<0+= *0)0 No0- Elatoon of A Co)*any $nd"r Li"$t"nant M0W03ohnon along 'ith a
troo* of tan/ 'a ord"r"d for'ard to try and "ta#lih th")"l1" at th" far "nd of th" 1illag" on
a %roroad 7$t for'ard of 'h"r" C Co)*any had #""n h"ld $*0 At th" a)" ti)" th"y '"r"
gi1"n th" ta/ of %l"aring th" ho$" in th" ar"a0 Th" for)"r ta/ *ro1"d i)*oi#l" o'ing to th"
h"a1y )all ar) fir" and h"lling 'hi%h th" Elatoon 'a $#7"%t"d to hort of th" %roroad0
A%%ordingly thi ta/ had to a#andon"d for th" )o)"nt and th" Elatoon too/ $* a d"f"ni1"
*oition in C Co)*any ar"a0
It "")"d o#1io$ that C Co)*any ar"a 'a th" dang"r *oint and( 7$t to *r"1"nt any
#r"a/thro$gh #y th" "n")y h"r"( th" Co))anding Offi%"r ord"r"d for'ard a *latoon of B
Co)*any to ta/" $* a *oition in th" r"ar of C Co)*any0 Th" anti%i*at"d %o$nt"r6atta%/ n"1"r
too/ *la%" #$t( if it had don"( it 'o$ld of n"%"ity ha1" fail"d $nl" it had #""n *$t in in
o1"r'h"l)ing for%"0 S/"t%h C ho' th" *oition at thi ti)"0
In ord"r to thi%/"n $* th" F8LS for th" night th" #alan%" of A Co)*any 'a ord"r"d
for'ard at 6 *0)0 to an ar"a on th" right of C Co)*any and B Co)*any of 6 8$rha) Light
Infantry too/ o1"r A Co)*any& 1a%at"d ar"a0 In addition( t'o "%tion of th" Carri"r Elatoon
'"r" in *oition along th" B$nd on th" right of th" Battalion ar"a and a third "%tion too/ $* a
*oition #"t'""n C and A Co)*ani"0 AS"" S/"t%h CB
8$ring th" night it 'a tho$ght ad1ia#l" that C Co)*any ho$ld )o1" for'ard #y firt
light to it original o#7"%ti1" and that A Co)*any ho$ld *$h on to th" %roroad 'hi%h had
#""n d"#arr"d to - Elatoon d$ring th" day0 A%%ordingly( aft"r an &O& Gro$* att"nd"d #y
r"*r""ntati1" fro) th"" %o)*ani"( a *atrol fro) A Co)*any 'a "nt o$t to a%"rtain
'h"th"r or not o)" ho$"( fro) 'hi%h had %o)" a fair a)o$nt of S*anda$ fir" d$ring th" day(
'"r" o%%$*i"d0 Th" *atrol "1"nt$ally r"*ort"d all %l"ar and #oth %o)*ani" )o1"d for'ard at ?
a0)0 Wh"th"r or not $%h a )o1" 'a $*"%t"d #y th" "n")y i not %l"ar and 'ill n"1"r #"
/no'n #$t 7$t a th" ad1an%" "l")"nt of th" %o)*ani" '"r" )o1ing off( th" "n")y g$n and
)ortar %o))"n%"d firing again0 Thi oon di"d do'n and th" for'ard )o1" 'a )ad" 'itho$t
%a$alti"0 C Co)*any )anag"d $%%"f$lly to g"t to th" ar"a aign"d to th") #$t
$nfort$nat"ly A Co)*any on th" right got "*arat"d fro) C Co)*any and th"ir No0- Elatoon and
'"r" h"ld $* #y S*anda$ and ni*"r 'ho "")ingly a**"ar"d o$t of th" #l$"0 AS"" S/"t%h
CB0
8$ring th" day of >th O%to#"r A Co)*any had a naty ti)" of it0 R"ar Co)*any
H"ad9$art"r and No0> Elatoon o)"ho' or oth"r '"r" "*arat"d fro) th" r"t of th" Co)*any
and '"r" a)#$h"d( r"$lting in th" %a*t$r" of Ca*tain 30C0Hno; A"%ond6in6%o))andB and on"
r$nn"r0 In addition Co)*any S"rg"ant Ma7or Ro( Lan%" Cor*oral Fot"r( th" Co)*any Cl"r/(
and t'o tr"t%h"r #"ar"r '"r" /ill"d0 Th" fir" 'a o int"n" fro) )ortar( GG)) g$n and
a$to)ati% '"a*on that no )o1")"nt %o$ld #" )ad"0 A a r"$lt of thi a%tion too( th" firt
Military M"dal falling to th" Battalion 'a gain"d #y S"rg"ant Ed)ond0 H" 'a on" of th" *arty(
in addition to tho" alr"ady )"ntion"d( 'ho '"r" a)#$h"d0 Th"y '"r" for%"d to li" $* d$ring
th" "ntir" day 'ithin t'"nty fi1" or thirty yard of th" "n")y( ";%hanging hot #$t( a dar/n"
f"ll( S"rg"ant Ed)ond( 'ith %onid"ra#l" /ill and no littl" ri/ to hi)"lf( )anag"d to organi"
th"ir 'ithdra'al $nd"r th" no" of th" "n")y and l"d th") #a%/ thro$gh th" 'ood( in 'hi%h
th" ar"a a#o$nd"d( right thro$gh to Co)*any lin"0
In th" %o$r" of th" day any )o1")"nt at all in th" ar"a of C and 8 Co)*ani"
i))"diat"ly #ro$ght do'n a %onid"ra#l" 1ol$)" of )all ar) and a$to)ati% fir" in addition to
h"a1y and a%%$rat" )ortaring0 At ti)" thi 'a 1"ry 1iol"nt tho$gh not 9$it" o #ad a '" had
";*"ri"n%"d th" *r"1io$ day0 So)"thing had to #" don" a#o$t thi %ontin$al ni*ing n$ian%"
and( a%%ordingly( th" Battalion ni*"r '"r" on%" again #ro$ght into th" *i%t$r" and( o*"rating in
C Co)*any ar"a( /ill"d at l"at fo$r "n")y ni*"r0 O$r ni*"r '"r" *ro1ing to #" 'orth th"ir
'"ight in gold2
It 'a d"%id"d d$ring th" day that B Co)*any( 'ho had had a %o)*arati1"ly "ay
*aag" o far( ho$ld r"li"1" C Co)*any in th" for'ard *oition0 Th" r"li"f %o))"n%"d at half
an ho$r aft"r )idday and 'a %o)*l"t"d "arly in th" aft"rnoon0 It 'a a fairly l"ngthy o*"ration
for th" only %o1"r"d a**roa%h to and fro) C Co)*any 'a #y 'ay of an ";tr")"ly )$ddy dit%h
'hi%h n"%"itat"d th" ";*"ndit$r" of %onid"ra#l" "n"rgy "1"n to drag on" foot aft"r th" oth"r2
N"1"rth"l" it 'a don" #$t not 'itho$t %a$alti" 'hi%h( ho'"1"r( '"r" light0 C Co)*any
)ight ha1" $ff"r"d )or" h"a1ily than th"y did for( no oon"r had t'o *latoon arri1"d at B
Co)*any& old ar"a( 'h"n a troo* of o$r o'n artill"ry o*"n"d $* and on%" )or" h"ll land"d
hort0 An $rg"nt t"l"*hon" %all r"%tifi"d )att"r2 8$ring all thi ti)" A Co)*any '"r" till
*inn"d do'n #y fir" and had to #" 'ithdra'n Thi o*"ration 'a a%%o)*lih"d $nd"r a h"a1y
#arrag" of artill"ry( )"di$) )a%hin" g$n and thr"" in%h )ortar at 60+= at night0
Whil" th" Battalion 'a th$ "ngag"d f$rth"r %hang" '"r" #"ing )ad" f$rth"r #a%/0
Th" ?+rd 8i1iion %o))"n%"d ta/ing o1"r fro) th" ?=th 8i1iion and th" Gth 8$rha) Light
Infantry '"r" r"li"1"d on o$r right #y th" ,t O; and B$%/0 Th" Battalion 'a no' $nd"r
%o))and of >, Brigad" of th" ?+rd 8i1iion and it 'a ho*"d to r"li"1" $ th" follo'ing night #y
th" ,t Battalion Highland Light Infantry 6 th" firt ti)" '" had %o)" into %onta%t 'ith o$r
r"gi)"ntal %o)rad" in%" th" #"ginning of th" 'ar2
It 'a d$ring th" "arly *art of that "1"ning that '" had o$r firt fatal offi%"r %a$alty(
Li"$t"nant A030St"1"non( th" Signal Offi%"r( 'ho 'a /ill"d #y a )ortar #o)# and th" )"n 'ho
'"r" in hi %lo" *ro;i)ity '"r" 'o$nd"d0 Th" )ortaring did not finih th"r" for( in th" )iddl" of
th" night( an ";tr")"ly h"a1y &ton/& %a)" do'n on o$r 'hol" ar"a and lat"d for a#o$t an ho$r0
Ha**ily no f$rth"r %a$alti" '"r" %a$"d and( 'h"n day da'n"d( '" all loo/"d for'ard to o$r
r"li"f0
All Co)*any Co))and"r '"r" ord"r"d to #" at Battalion H"ad9$art"r at ,= o&%lo%/
on th" )orning of Gth O%to#"r to )""t th"ir o**oit" n$)#"r of th" &&>,t Highland"r& A,t HLIB
and di%$ d"tail of th" r"li"f0 Lat"r( a to$r of th" Battalion ar"a 'a $nd"rta/"n and final
ad7$t)"nt )ad"0 Th" r"li"f 'a of $%h a nat$r" that it %o$ld not %o))"n%" till lat" in th"
aft"rnoon for %o)" of o$r %o)*ani" %o$ld not #" r"li"1"d in daylight and( d$ring th" aft"rnoon(
o$r Mortar Elatoon did a %"rtain a)o$nt of da)ag" to thr"" "n")y "%tion o#"r1"d on th" l"ft
flan/0 R"taliation( of %o$r"( 'a )ad" #y th" "n")y #$t thi r"taliatory fir" 'a lat"r il"n%"d
#y .0< in%h )ortar and th" r")aind"r of th" aft"rnoon 'a *"nt in %o)*arati1" 9$i"t $ntil ?0+=
*0)0 'h"n on" olitary )ortar #o)# land"d in th" ar"a of Battalion H"ad9$art"r( %a$ing no
l" than fo$r %a$alti"( t'o of 'hi%h *ro1"d fatal0 L" than t"n )in$t" lat"r t'o %a$alti"
'"r" r"*ort"d fro) th" Anti6tan/ Elatoon( on" "%tion of 'hi%h had #""n fir"d on #y a S*anda$
'h"n alt"ring th" g$n *oition0 In *oint of fa%t( fro) i; o&%lo%/ that "1"ning $ntil th" lat )an
had l"ft th" ar"a( not a ingl" #o)# 'a fir"d( 1"ry *ro#a#ly %a$"d #y th" fa%t that '" had
#ro$ght do'n )any %on%"ntration of g$nfir" on *oition indi%at"d #y th" )any and fr"9$"nt
h"ll r"*ort "nt to Battalion H"ad9$art"r thro$gho$t o$r "ntir" o%%$*ation of th" Hald"r"n
*oition0
At 60+= *0)0 th" r"li"f %o))"n%"d and all %o)*ani" had *a"d thro$gh th"
%h"%/*oint "ta#lih"d at Battalion H"ad9$art"r #y - o&%lo%/0 W" )ar%h"d #a%/ to A E%h"lon
ar"a at B"))"l 'ith than/f$l h"art and r"7oi%ing that '" had *ro1"d o$r"l1" to #" )"n $nd"r
th" )ot trying %ir%$)tan%" 'hi%h it had o far #""n o$r lot to $nd"rgo0 That night( aft"r a
$#tantial )"al Ath"r" '"r" no &%ra%/& l"1"ll"d at th" %oo/B( '" l"*t th" l""* of th" 7$t
$nd"r a**l" tr"" on gro$nd thi%/ly %ar*"t"d 'ith ri*" r"d fall"n fr$it0
NOTEI Th" total Battalion %a$alti"( /ill"d( 'o$nd"d and )iing( d$ring th" tay at
B"))"l and Hald"r"n( '"r" on" h$ndr"d and fifty6t'o all ran/0
HOLLAN8
8i" Wa%ht a) Rh"in
Th" )orning of -th O%to#"r da'n"d #right and $nny0 W" 'o/" to %l"ar air $n$lli"d #y
th" )"ll of d"tr$%tion and r$in to 'hi%h '" had #"%o)" o a%%$to)"d d$ring th" lat f"'
day0 It 'a good to h"ar th" o$nd of th" Co)*any hydra6#$rn"r %oo/ing #r"a/fat for $0 It
'a good( too( to #" a#l" to 'al/ a#o$t in th" o*"n 'itho$t th" ra*id tattoo of a S*anda$
dit$r#ing th" 9$i"t of th" )orning0 What did th" day ha1" in tor" for $!
No' '" '"r" on%" )or" $nd"r %o))and of o$r o'n Brigadi"r and th" "ntir" Brigad"
Gro$* %a)" $nd"r %o))and of ,< Cor*0 W" '"r" not trang"r to th" Cor* Co))and"r for
Li"$t"nant6G"n"ral N"il M0 Rit%hi" had #""n o$r 8i1iional Co))and"r in th" h"%ti% )onth of
)o$ntain training 'hi%h no' "")"d lot in th" r"al) of th" *at2 I))"diat"ly aft"r #r"a/fat
'" '"r" on th" )o1" on%" )or" 6 thi ti)" in troo* %arrying 1"hi%l" 'hi%h %arri"d $ a%ro th"
Ni7)"g"n Bridg" and '"t'ard and north'ard to'ard Aff"rd"n on th" o$th #an/ of th" Waal in
Holland0 Th" Waal i that *art of th" fa)o$ G"r)an ri1"r( th" Rhin"( 'hi%h r$n thro$gh
Holland0
Th" 7o$rn"y 'a 'itho$t in%id"nt $ntil '" had *ra%ti%ally r"a%h"d o$r d"tination 'h"n(
aft"r ha1ing ""n th" )any di1iional ign in th" *r"1io$ t"n day( th"r" da'n"d on o$r
d"light"d ga5" th" old fa)iliar St0Andr"'& Cro &A5$r" a Saltir" Arg"nt&0 It )"ant that '" '"r"
no' a)ong &oor ain /in&0 It 'a li/" a #r"ath of th" %l"ar air of S%otland and lo$dly a**la$d"d #y
on" and all0
By )idday '" had r"a%h"d o$r 1ario$ %o)*any ar"a0 Battalion H"ad9$art"r 'a
it$at"d in th" 1illag" of Aff"rd"n it"lf along 'ith A Co)*any( H"ad9$art"r Co)*any and S
Co)*any0 B Co)*any 'a "ta#lih"d in 8r$t"n( C Co)*any in 8""t and 8 Co)*any 7$t
o$tid" Aff"rd"n0 O$r rFl" 'a a n"' on" to $ #$t not( a thing t$rn"d o$t( an ";a%ting on"0
Firt '" '"r" to afford %lo" *rot"%tion to th" >-th Fi"ld R"gi)"nt Royal Artill"ry( 'ho" g$n
ar"a 'a it$at"d in 8""t0 S"%ondly '" '"r" to *r"1"nt any "n")y att")*t to %ro th" Waal
in any *art of o$r ar"a and( thirdly( '" had to "ta#lih a fir) #a" in th" 1illag" of Aff"rd"n fro)
'hi%h a )o#il" %ol$)n %o$ld o*"rat"0 It 'a larg"ly a %a" of o#"r1ation *ot #y day and
*atrol and lit"ning *ot #y night0 8$ring o$r firt night all *r"%a$tion '"r" ta/"n #$t nothing
of int"r"t 'a r"*ort"d0
Ho'"1"r( "arly in th" "1"ning( a %"rtain a)o$nt of ";%it")"nt 'a %a$"d #y th"
g$nn"r in 8""t it"lf0 3$t #"for" d$/ an "n")y h"ll land"d in th" )ain tr""t of th" 1illag"
and #$rt 'ith a tr")"ndo$ noi"0 No oon"r did thi o%%$r than it 'a r"*ort"d to C Co)*any
H"ad9$art"r that th" Bo%h" '"r" att")*ting to %ro th" ri1"r in aa$lt #oat0 A 'a nat$ral
all C Co)*any tood6to 'ith t'o *latoon and Ad1an%" Co)*any H"ad9$art"r #"hind th" dy/"
on th" ri1"r #an/ and R"ar Co)*any H"ad9$art"r and ,. Elatoon( 'hi%h 'a r""r1" *latoon(
tanding #y 'aiting for any ")"rg"n%y0 Th" 'hol" #$in" 'a $tt"rly $ntr$" and ho' th"
r$)o$r tart"d ha n"1"r #""n di%o1"r"d0 E"rha* it 'a d$" to a *ani%6tri%/"n %i1ilian 'ho
tart"d to i)agin" thing 'h"n th" h"ll #$rt or *"rha* it 'a th" o1"r61i1id i)agination of a
g$nn"r 'ho had #""n ind$lging too fr""ly in hi )onthly NAAFI ration2 At all "1"nt nothing
tran*ir"d and $lti)at"ly all 'a 9$i"t on%" )or"( 'ith th" %i1ilian 'ho had l"ft th"ir ho)" in a
*ani% r"t$rning rath"r ha)"fa%"d to th"ir ho)"0
8$ring th" "1"ning %onta%t 'a "ta#lih"d 'ith th" O8( th" 8$t%h :nd"rgro$nd
Mo1")"nt0 Mot of th" yo$ng )"n and )any of th" old"r )"n '"r" )")#"r of thi ad)ira#l"
organiation and '"r" to r"nd"r $ in1al$a#l" aitan%" in *atrolling th" ri1"r #an/( g"tting
a%ro th" ri1"r and l"tting $ ha1" infor)ation a to "n")y troo* )o1")"nt and
%on%"ntration0 W" fo$nd( too( that a larg" n$)#"r of th"" *atriot %o$ld *"a/ Englih 'hi%h
'a an $ndo$#t"d h"l*0 Ind""d o)" of th") had )ad" it th"ir #$in" to l"arn Englih d$ring
th" G"r)an o%%$*ation and )any '"r" th" tal" told of %on%"al"d 'ir"l" "t( th" *"nalty for
th" r"t"ntion of 'hi%h( in o)" %a"( 'a d"ath0 8$ring o$r 'hol" tay in thi ar"a C Co)*any
H"ad9$art"r 'a 1iit"d "1"ry "1"ning #y on" of th" %hi"f of th" O8 int"llig"n%" yt") 'ho
l"d till and had l"d d$ring th" 'hol" o%%$*ation a )ot a)a5ing lif"0 So)" of hi tori" '"r"
hair6raiing in th" ";tr")"0 H" 'a a *hiloo*h"r too for h" r"ali"d and tat"d 9$it" fr"9$"ntly
that h" and hi %o)*atriot had d"g"n"rat"d fro) #"ing a gro$* of id"aliti% yo$ng )"n into a
&)o# of gangt"r&( to 9$ot" hi o'n 'ord0
Th"" )"n of th" O8 '"r" f"r1"nt hat"r of th" H$n and th"ir on" ai) in lif" 'a to g"t
r"1"ng" for all th"y had $ff"r"d0 Th"y 'ant"d rifl" and till )or" rifl"0 B$t th"ir h"l* 'a not
all in 'ord0 Th"y %oo*"rat"d )ot 'illingly 'ith $ in *atrolling th" ri1"r #an/ and ga1" $
"1"ry fa%ility for "ta#lihing o#"r1ation *ot in th" #"t *ot fro) 'hi%h '" %o$ld 'at%h long
tr"t%h" of th" ri1"r0 In thi %onn"%tion th"ir lo%al /no'l"dg" 'a *ri%"l" for th" *$r*o" and
'" )ad" good $" of it0 On on" o%%aion( too( th" O8 'ith o$r h"l* $%%"f$lly "1a%$at"d
a%ro th" ri1"r thr"" 8$t%h di*lo)at and( 'hat 'a )or" atifa%tory fro) o$r *oint of 1i"'(
thr"" )")#"r of th" ,t Eara%h$t" 8i1iion0 Th"" O8 )")#"r ri/"d th"ir li1" daily to
%ro th" ri1"r( "ith"r #y 'i))ing or in )all #oat( and land on th" "n")y #an/ and no *rai"
%o$ld #" high "no$gh for th"ir intr"*id 1alo$r0 It )$t #" r")")#"r"d that th"y '"r" not train"d
oldi"r #$t '"r" %i1ilian 'ith an int"n" lo1" for th"ir J$""n and %o$ntry to 'ho) *"ronal ri/
'a nothing %o)*ar"d to th"ir %o$ntry& li#"ration0 Thi o7o$rn on th" #an/ of th" Waal ga1"
$ a d""* inight into th" )$ltit$dino$ and d"1io$ 'or/ing of th" $nd"rgro$nd )o1")"nt0
O$r tay in thi ar"a 'an&t ";a%tly a r"t #$t 'a it n";t6door n"igh#o$r0 Th"r" '"r"
1ol$ntary %h$r%h "r1i%" and *i%t$r" ho' #oth aft"rnoon and "1"ning and t'o 1iit fro)
)o#il" %ant""n0 B$t '" '"r" till a'ar" that th" H$n 'a on th" o**oit" #an/ for( at ,<0+=
*0)0 on th" ,,th O%to#"r a%ting on infor)ation r"%"i1"d( Ty*hoon atta%/"d a $*"%t"d fa%tory
and th" 1illag" of 8od"'aard 'ith ";%"ll"nt r"$lt0 Nor '"r" '" 'itho$t %a$alti" o$r"l1"
for( at ? o&%lo%/ th" a)" aft"rnoon( "1"n )ortar #o)# land"d in th" ar"a of B Co)*any
o#"r1ation *ot and 'o$nd"d t'o )"n( on" of 'ho) lat"r di"d0 Thi rath"r dit$r#"d any
f""ling of %o)*la%"n%y 'hi%h )ight ha1" #""n )a/ing it"lf f"lt and o#"r1ation *ot '"r"
on%" again gi1"n tring"nt ord"r not to ";*o" th")"l1" n""dl"ly0
On th" )orning of ,+th O%to#"r '" r"%"i1"d 'ord that o$r ar"a 'a to #" ta/"n o1"r #y
th" <nd Battalion Hing& Royal Rifl" Cor* and that '" '"r" to go to a %on%"ntration ar"a to 7oin
$* 'ith th" r")aind"r of th" 8i1iion( th" ad1an%" "l")"nt of 'hi%h had #y thi ti)" r"a%h"d
th" Contin"ntal id" of th" Chann"l0 It 'a arrang"d that th" Offi%"r Co))anding <nd Hing&
Royal Rifl" Cor* 'o$ld ta/" o1"r %o))and of th" ar"a at . o&%lo%/ that aft"rnoon0 Th" r"li"f
'a to #" a daylight on" 'ith th" ";%"*tion of B Co)*any and on" *latoon of 8 Co)*any 'ho
'"r" to l"a1" in tran*ort a oon a *oi#l" aft"r lat light0 Th" r")aind"r of th" Battalion 'a
to go #y )ar%h ro$t" to L"$r0 E1"rything '"nt a%%ording to *lan and th" + in%h Mortar Elatoon
had a lat fling at th" "n")y in th" ha*" of a %on%"ntration of )ortar #o)# on "1"ral /no'n
"n")y *oition at . o&%lo%/ in th" aft"rnoon0 No f$rth"r in%id"nt too/ *la%" and( #y ,= o&%lo%/
that "1"ning( th" Battalion 'a on%" )or" tog"th"r a a Battalion0
BELGI:M
Th" Fl""ting Ho$r
O$r *la%" of )""ting 'ith th" 8i1iion 'a gi1"n a th" n"igh#o$rhood of Gh"nt in
B"lgi$)0 It 'a 'ith high ho*" of a r"al r"t and r"fitting that '" l"ft L"$r on )otor tran*ort at
,,0+= on th" )orning of ,.th O%to#"r0 Th" )ar%hing *"ronn"l '"r" tran*ort"d in on" %ol$)n
in thr""6tonn"r and o$r o'n Battalion tran*ort in%l$ding all tra%/"d 1"hi%l" for)"d anoth"r
%ol$)n 'hi%h l"ft half an ho$r aft"r th" lat of th" thr""6tonn"r had )o1"d off0
Th" 7o$rn"y 'a to #" a%%o)*lih"d in t'o tag"6firt tag" to Tirrl")ont 'h"r" '"
'o$ld tay for th" night and th" final tag" to th" ar"a of Harl"#""/( not far fro) Co$rtrai0 By thi
ti)" '" had %o)" $nd"r %o))and of th" ,t Canadian Ar)y0
It 'a 'ith a "n" of *l"a$r" and no littl" r"li"f that '" %ro"d th" B"lgian fronti"r
and a' on%" )or" th" #la%/( y"llo' and r"d tri%o$l"$r of B"lgi$) flying fro) th" ho$" and
roofto*0 M")ori" of th" /indn"" '" had r"%"i1"d in Aalt '"r" #"ginning to r"1i1" and '"
anti%i*at"d a i)ilar r"%"*tion on%" again0 Th" 7o$rn"y 'a $n"1"ntf$l0 W" r"a%h"d Tirrl")ont(
th" firt tag"( in good ti)" and '"r" *lit $* into *arti" o1"r th" to'n in dan%" hall and
%in")a0 It 'a rath"r $nfort$nat" that th" R"%onnaian%" Battalion had r"a%h"d th" to'n
#"for" $ a th"y( 1"ry nat$rally( had "n%on%"d th")"l1" in th" lo%al #arra%/0 Th" #arra%/
'"r" in good %ondition and th" offi%"r in *arti%$lar %at "n1io$ "y" on th" #ill"t0 Ho'"1"r(
th"r" it 'a4 '" had #""n #"at"n to it and i)*ly had to )a/" th" #"t of it0 Nor '"r" '" long in
doing o and( #y th" ti)" night f"ll( all th" troo* '"r" organi"d and )a/ing th" ro$nd of th"
1ario$ %afC and *la%" of a)$")"nt0
At G o&%lo%/ th" n";t )orning '" "t off on th" final tag" of o$r 7o$rn"y to 'hat '"
tho$ght 'o$ld #" a land flo'ing 'ith )il/ and hon"y0 It 'a a long and tiring 7o$rn"y 'ith thr""6
tonn"r ta/ing 'rong t$rn "1"ry h"r" and th"r" )$%h to th" %ont"rnation and no littl" 'orry of
th" "nior offi%"r in th" %ol$)n0 Ho'"1"r all r"7oin"d th" %ol$)n in d$" %o$r" and( altho$gh th"
'"ath"r had #ro/"n do'n oon aft"r th" tart( '" r"a%h"d th" ar"a of Harl"#""/ in fin" *irit at
a#o$t .0+= in th" aft"rnoon0 Th"n #"gan th" $$al *ro%" of "ttling do'n in #ill"t 'hi%h had
#""n o%%$*i"d not o 1"ry long in%" #y th" hat"d W"hr)a%ht0
W" got a grand r"%"*tion and th" lo%al B"lgian did "1"rything in th"ir *o'"r to )a/" $
%o)forta#l"0 Th"y *ro1id"d "l"%tri% light and "l"%tri%ian in th" %a" 'h"r" th" light had fail"d(
th"y *ro1id"d %oal and th"y *ro1id"d tra' on 'hi%h to lay o$r '"ary h"ad0 In fa%t( th"y
%o$ldn&t ha1" #""n )or" oli%ito$ a to o$r '"lfar"0 H"r" tri#$t" )$t #" *aid to M and M)"
O%ar d" Tr"))"ri" of th" %afC at 6< Cha$C" d" Co$rtrai( Harl"#""/( for( not $ff"ring th"
troo* to loo/ 'ith longing "y" on th" array of good thing in th"ir %afC( th"y 'illingly a%%"*t"d
8$t%h %$rr"n%y in li"$ of B"lgian 6 '" had #""n in Holland and had only g$ild"r in o$r
*o"ion 6 and a ha**y "1"ning 'a had #y all0 It 'a not $ntil th" follo'ing )orning that th"y
di%o1"r"d that th" #an/ 'o$ld not %hang" th" 8$t%h %$rr"n%y into B"lgian fran%0 W"
)anag"d( aft"r a littl" d"lay( to *$t thi in ord"r0
W" had "1"ry int"ntion of "ttling do'n in th" ar"a for t"n day or a fortnight #$t th"
it$ation %o$ldn&t 'arrant it for( at ? a0)0 on th" )orning of ,6th O%to#"r )$%h to o$r dig$t( '"
r"%"i1"d a 'arning ord"r to #" *r"*ar"d to )o1" at )idday to r"li"1" th" ,=th Canadian Brigad"
in th" L"o*old Canal ar"a0 Thi 'a a t"rrifi% ho%/ to all and 'an&t r"%"i1"d 'ith 1"ry good
gra%" #$t 'ar i 'ar and th"r" 'a nothing for it #$t to o#"y ord"r( g"t *a%/"d $* and a'ait
f$rth"r d"1"lo*)"nt0 At ,= o&%lo%/ th" CO& r"%onnaian%" gro$* l"ft for Brigad" and at half
*at on" l"ft Brigad" to )""t th" Brigadi"r at +rd Canadian 8i1iion H"ad9$art"r0 A )"ag"
'a r"%"i1"d at Battalion H"ad9$art"r ord"ring %o)*any %o))and"r to *ro%""d forth'ith to
H"ad9$art"r( ,=th Canadian Infantry Brigad"0 Th"" ord"r '"r" d$ly %o)*li"d 'ith0
M"anti)"( th" Battalion 'hi%h had r"%"i1"d t'"nty thr"" thr""6tonn"r a troo* %arri"r 'a
tanding6#y r"ady to )o1"0 Th" ord"r for th" )o1" 'a r"%"i1"d and th" Battalion *a"d th"
Brigad" SE at 8"yn5" at + o&%lo%/ in th" aft"rnoon #o$nd for th" ar"a of Mald"g")( till in
B"lgi$) #$t an "ntir"ly diff"r"nt B"lgi$) to that 'hi%h '" had l"ft0 Th$ '"r" o$r high ho*" and
gr"at r"7oi%ing hatt"r"d0 W" '"r" on%" )or" #o$nd for th" thi%/ of thing0
BELGI:M
Th" L"o*old Canal
W" '"r" to r"li"1" th" Lin%oln and W"lland Battalion of th" ,=th Canadian Infantry
Brigad" and th" +rd Anti6tan/ R"gi)"nt and '" arri1"d in th" Mald"g") ar"a #y -0+= *0)0 C
and 8 Co)*ani" i))"diat"ly too/ o1"r fro) th"ir o**oit" n$)#"r at St La$r"nt and
Midd"ldor* r"*"%ti1"ly0 A( B and S Co)*ani" %o$ld not ta/" o1"r till firt light on th" follo'ing
day0 8$ring th" night all 'a 9$i"t and th"r" 'a no hit%h in th" final ta/"o1"r 'hi%h 'a
%o)*l"t"d #y ,= =&%lo%/ on th" )orning of th" ,>th0 Th" follo'ing 'a th" Battalion layo$t0
AS"" S/"t%h EB
It 'an&t long #"for" '" #"gan to )a/" o$r *r""n%" f"lt for at t"n )in$t" to t'"l1"
that )orning C Co)*any "nt o1"r th" ri1"r a )all *atrol $nd"r Li"$t"nant G0E0S08o'n" 'ho
"ar%h"d o)" $*"%t"d ho$" #$t 'itho$t )a/ing %onta%t0 At "1"n o&%lo%/ in th" "1"ning B
Co)*any #ro$ght in th" firt *rion"r( thr"" d""rt"r 'ho had %ro"d th" %anal and
$rr"nd"r"d to on" of B Co)*any& tanding *atrol0 Th"" )"n #"long"d to ,=+> R"gi)"nt
and th"y ga1" $ o)" int"r"ting infor)ation 'hi%h 'a *a"d on to th" *ro*"r 9$art"r0 On"
tartling( #$t non" th" l" '"l%o)"( *i"%" of infor)ation 'a that th" "n")y %o)*any tr"ngth
1ari"d #"t'""n thirty fi1" and "ighty )"n0 It ho'"d $ th" h"a1y toll o$r Canadian %o$in had
ta/"n of th" "n")y and that h" 'a in traight"n"d %ir%$)tan%" a far a r"infor%")"nt '"r"
%on%"rn"d0 8$ring thi day too '" l"arn"d that i; offi%"r and t'"l1" non6%o))iion"d
offi%"r of th" ?th Battalion '"r" to #" atta%h"d to $ for #attl" ";*"ri"n%"0 W" '"r" 9$it"
*r"*ar"d to t"a%h th" 'hol" 8i1iion 7$t 'hat '" had l"arn"d #y #itt"r ";*"ri"n%"2
O$r )or" or l" *"a%"f$l lif" in thi *ot 'a not long $ndit$r#"d for( at >0+= *0)0( th"
Co))anding Offi%"r 'a %all"d to Brigad" and infor)"d that th" Brigad" Gro$* 'o$ld r"li"1"
th" >th Canadian Infantry Brigad" in th" E"d" #ridg"h"ad a%ro th" L"o*old Canal( o$r *r""nt
*oition #"ing ta/"n o1"r #y th" +rd Canadian Anti6tan/ R"gi)"nt( +=. Anti6tan/ Batt"ry and
+?. Light Anti6air%raft Batt"ry0 Thi ta/"o1"r of o$r *oition 'a to #" %o)*l"t"d #y )idday on
th" ,Gth and o$r ta/"o1"r fro) th" >th Canadian Infantry Brigad" 'a to #" %o)*l"t"d #y 60+=
a0)0 on th" ,-th0
Th"" '"r" $n";*"%t"d tiding #$t #y thi ti)" '" '"r" g"tting 9$it" a%%$to)"d to
$dd"n )o1" and th" *ro*"%t of on%" )or" %hanging o$r *oition did not di)ay $ $nd$ly0
E1"rything 'a got r"ady( r"*r""ntati1" fro) th" in%o)ing $nit '"r" *$t in th" *i%t$r" and( on
ti)"( '" )o1"d o$t to %on%"ntrat" on th" )ain road *rior to ta/ing $* th" n"' *oition allott"d
to $0 W" '"r" to r"li"1" th" Canadian S%ottih Rifl" and th" R"gina Rifl" 'hil" th"
R"%onnaian%" R"gi)"nt too/ o1"r th" %o))it)"nt of th" Royal Winni*"g Rifl"0 So far a
'" '"r" %on%"rn"d t'o %o)*ani" %o$ld #" r"li"1"d in daylight #$t dar/n" 'a ""ntial for
th" ta/"o1"r of th" t'o for'ard %o)*ani"0 O$r rFl" 'a to hold th" ar"a a a fir) #a" and
*atrol o$t fro) it0
Th" Battalion 'ith th" ";%"*tion of 8 Co)*any and th" tran*ort %ro"d th" %anal #y
th" Ha*o/ #ridg"( '"t of th" Bail"y #ridg" 'ith a 1i"' to a1oiding th" h"lling 'hi%h 'a $$ally
dir"%t"d at th" latt"r0 8 Co)*any %ro"d #y a #ridg" o)" h$ndr"d of yard "at0 No
tran*ort 'a ta/"n for'ard )$%h to th" dig$t of th" %arri"r and Anti6tan/ *"ronn"l 'ho
d"g"n"rat"d into )"r" %arrying 'allah i0"0 th"ir d$ty 'a to %arry for'ard to th" rifl" %o)*ani"
ration( a))$nition and $%h tor" a th"y )ight r"9$ir"0 8 and B Co)*ani" '"r" for'ard
and C and A in th" r"ar a ho'n #"lo'0 AS"" S/"t%h FB
Th" "ntir" ta/"o1"r '"nt a%%ording to *lan and all %o)*ani" '"r" in *oition #y ,,0,?
that night0 It i tr$" B Co)*any ";*"ri"n%"d o)" )ortaring and h"lling at d$/ #$t no
%a$alti" '"r" %a$"d and a*art fro) thi th"r" 'a no "n")y a%ti1ity d$ring th" night 'ith th"
";%"*tion that t'o )or" "n")y ga1" th")"l1" $* a *rion"r6of6'ar0 O#1io$ly th" G"r)an
)oral" 'a d"t"riorating ra*idly0
Erior to )o1ing $* into th"" n"' *oition( ho'"1"r( th" g"n"ral Battalion *oli%y a to
offi%"r and NCO 'a radi%ally alt"r"d0 Er"1io$ly all offi%"r and NCO had gon" for'ard to
th" #attl" #$t( in ord"r to )ini)i" %a$alti"( it 'a d"%id"d that %"rtain offi%"r and NCO
ho$ld #" l"ft o$t for a )att"r of forty "ight ho$r0 Th"r"aft"r th"y %o$ld %o)" for'ard and
r"l"a" oth"r to ta/" th"ir *la%" at B E%h"lon0 Not only 'o$ld thi *oli%y h"l* to %$t do'n
%a$alti" #$t it alo ga1" a r"*it" to tho" 'ho had )ot r"*oni#ility on th"ir hand0 Tho"
'ho did not *arti%i*at" in th" #attl" '"r" /no'n a LOB that i to ay & *"ron l"ft o$t of #attl"&0
At thi ti)" th" *ro%"d$r" 'a "ntir"ly n"' and 'a r"%"i1"d 'ith )i;"d f""ling #y tho"
ord"r"d to tay o$t0 Lat"r th" 'ido) of thi %o$r" %a)" to #" r"%ogni"d and it #"%a)" an
int"gral *art of th" Battalion ad)initration0 For thi #attl" Li"$t"nant6Colon"l E"r%i1al
no)inat"d th" follo'ing offi%"r to #" LOBI Ma7or B"ll( R"id and H"ndry and Ca*tain And"ron
and Shirl"y0 In addition on" $#alt"rn or "rg"ant( t'o %or*oral and t'o lan%"6%or*oral '"r" to
#" no)inat"d fro) "a%h rifl" %o)*any and t'o "rg"ant or %or*oral fro) "a%h of no + and .
Elatoon0 Th" )od"rn ar)y( ho'"1"r( do" not %onit only of )"n #$t had 1"hi%l" alo 'hi%h
ar" al'ay in n""d of )aint"nan%"0 A%%ordingly it 'a laid do'n that( in addition to th" a#o1"(
t'o Carri"r :ni1"ral( t'o Carri"r Lloyd and on" Carri"r +K Mortar 'o$ld alo #" LOB 6 a *oli%y
'hi%h "1"r aft"r'ard *aid hando)" di1id"nd0
Wh"n day da'n"d and '" %o$ld ha1" a %lo" in*"%tion of th" Battalion ar"a it 'a
noti%"d that )any road and tra%/ '"r" o#tr$%t"d #y tr""( %rat"r and )in"0 Th"y had to #"
r")o1"d to allo' of "ay a%%" 6 '" '"r" %"rtain that th" "n")y 'o$ld not atta%/ and in thi(
a $#"9$"nt "1"nt *ro1"d( '" '"r" %orr"%t0 Th" Eion""r Offi%"r( Li"$t"nant H"ggi"( 'a
ord"r"d to r"%onnoitr" th"" o#tr$%tion and( at th" %on%l$ion th"r"of( to dra' $* a
*rogra))" of 'or/ for hi Elatoon0 Thi 'a d$ly don" and #"%a)" of *ara)o$nt i)*ortan%"
'h"n( at ,=0<= *)( fo$r "n")y d""rt"r %a)" in 'ho 'illingly 1ol$nt""r"d th" infor)ation that
th" "n")y had 'ithdra'n to th" north of Aard"n#$rg 7$t a%ro th" fronti"r in Holland0
Th"" tat")"nt '"r" #orn" o$t #y %i1ilian r"*ort 'hi%h at thi tag" #"gan to %o)" in
thi%/ and fat0 In ord"r to t"t th" r"lia#ility of th"" tat")"nt and( if tr$"( to gain )or" gro$nd(
th" CO ord"r"d t'o trong *atrol fro) B and 8 Co)*ani" r"*"%ti1"ly( "a%h 'ith a "%tion of
%arri"r and an FOO( to *$h for'ard to Aard"n#$rg0 Y"t anoth"r *atrol fro) C Co)*any 'a
ord"r"d to go to Midd"l#$rg0 All *atrol '"r" $%%"f$l in r"a%hing th"ir o#7"%ti1" ha1ing
"n%o$nt"r"d no o**oition #$t( 7$t in *aing( *i%/ing $* "1"ral "n")y d""rt"r 'ho '"r"
i))"diat"ly "nt #a%/ to Battalion H"ad9$art"r0 By "arly "1"ning B Co)*any *atrol had
%onolidat"d on th" %roroad '"t of Aard"n#$rg and 8 Co)*any *atrol on th" %roroad
"at of that to'n0 C Co)*any *atrol( ho'"1"r( altho$gh no o**oition 'a "n%o$nt"r"d( lot
to$%h #y 'ir"l" 'ith it *ar"nt #ody and it 'an&t till ,= o&%lo%/ that "1"ning that th"y r"t$rn"d(
)$%h to th" r"li"f of Ma7or Bro'n 'ho had #"g$n to i)agin" that hi *atrol had #""n 'i*"d o$t0
Ind""d o 'orri"d 'a h" that h" had r"9$"t"d th" CO& *"r)iion to go for'ard 'ith hi
'hol" Co)*any in ord"r to find o$t 'hat had ha**"n"d0 Thi *"r)iion 'a r"f$"d #$t( on
h"aring that Midd"l#$rg 'a %l"ar of th" "n")y( h" 'a ord"r"d to ta/" hi Co)*any for'ard
and o%%$*y that 1illag" #y firt light th" n";t )orning0
Th" infor)ation gi1"n #y B and 8 Co)*any *atrol 'a )ot $"f$l in that '" no'
/n"' th" lo%ation of road #lo%/( )in"( "t% and that th" road #ridg" at )a* r"f"r"n%" =,+=.G
'a #lo'n #$t th" foot#ridg" #"id" it 'a $nto$%h"d0 In addition th" rail'ay r$nning alongid"
th" )ain road to Aard"n#$rg 'a r"*ort"d %l"ar and *aa#l" for %arri"r0
F$rth"r r"*ort fro) *rion"r6of6'ar d$ring th" day )ad" it fairly o#1io$ that th"
"n")y had 'ithdra'n to a lin" r$nning #"t'""n Sl$i( 8raai#$rg and Oot#$rg( that th" troo* in
th" ar"a '"r" ,,th Battalion ,=+G Gr"nadi"r( that th"ir tr"ngth 'a )$%h d"*l"t"d and th"ir
)oral" ";%""dingly lo'0 Thi 'a #orn" o$t #y th" fa%t that not only did C Co)*any o%%$*y
Midd"l#$rg #y firt light on th" <=th #$t *atrol "nt o$t lat"r in th" )orning fro) B( C and 8
Co)*ani" r"*ort"d that "n")y a%ti1ity 'a nil( f"' if any )in"( %"rtain road '"r" $ita#l" for
at l"at on" 'ay traffi%( ign of "n")y a%ti1ity in th" n"igh#o$rhood of Sl$i and that Sl$i it"lf
'a a 'all"d to'n 'ith G"r)an digging in th" 'all0 Thi and oth"r in%id"ntal infor)ation
afford"d th" CO no oth"r alt"rnati1" #$t to ord"r th" Battalion for'ard to th" ar"a of Aard"n#$rg
and di*oition for th" night '"r" a ho'n #"lo' A"" /"t%h GB0
That night *a"d off 9$i%/ly and *"a%"f$lly and( in th" )orning( B and C Co)*ani"
'"r" intr$%t"d to "nd o$t r"%onnaian%" *atrol to %onfir) th" *r"1io$ day& r"*ort0
E1"rything 'a %onfir)"d "1"n to th" "n")y *ot at )a* r"f"r"n%" ->+=-< for th" *atrol fro) C
Co)*any 'a again fir"d on fro) thi ar"a00 It 'a rath"r a %$rio$ %oin%id"n%" that #oth *atrol
a**roa%h"d thi road 7$n%tion at th" a)" ti)" and that "a%h r"*ort"d "n")y )o1")"nt fro)
th" oth"r& lin" of a**roa%h0 It i o*"n to do$#t a to 'h"th"r th" fir" 'a G"r)an or i)*ly a
%a" of th" *atrol hooting $* "a%h oth"r2 Ho'"1"r no da)ag" 'a don" and "a%h *atrol
r"t$rn"d f""ling atifi"d that th"y had don" a good 7o# of 'or/0 8$ring thi day too( th" Carri"r
Elatoon 'or/"d 'ith a 'ill and %l"ar"d )any )in" and road #lo%/ in addition to filling $*
%rat"r l"ft #y th" "n")y0
H"r" again th" Battalion ni*"r %a)" into th" *i%t$r" for S"rg"ant Millar and Lan%"6
%or*oral Maon $%%""d"d in *"n"trating a $**o"d "n")y tronghold in a %oll"g" n"ar road
7$n%tion ->+=-<0 It 'a a fin" a%hi"1")"nt and h"r" i S"rg"ant Millar& toryI6
&At ,,== ho$r on ,,th No1")#"r( I 'a d"tail"d to g"t into a larg" %oll"g" it$at"d on
th" o$t/irt of Sl$i and find o$t 'hat infor)ation I %o$ld a#o$t th" "n")y "1"n if it )"ant
taying in th" %oll"g" all night0 I "t off 'ith Lan%"6%or*oral Maon and a rifl" "%tion of B
Co)*any $nd"r Cor*oral Windra 'ho" 7o# it 'a to h"l* g"t $ into th" %oll"g"0 Aft"r that it
'a $* to $(
Th" firt *art of th" 7o$rn"y 'a $n"1"ntf$l and '" got 'ithin ight of th" o#7"%ti1" fi1"
h$ndr"d yard a'ay0 Th" lat *art of th" ro$t" 'a along a )ain road 'ith )in"fi"ld on "ith"r
id" o( to gi1" $ %o1"ring fir" if n"%"ary( '" dro**"d off th" Br"n gro$* of th" "%tion0 Fo$r
of $ ALan%"6%or*oral Maon( Cor*oral Windra( a rifl")an and IB *ro%""d"d along thi road0
E1"rything 'a 9$i"t $ntil( a#o$t fifty yard fro) th" %oll"g"( a S*anda$ o*"n"d $* fro) th" road
a#o$t t'o h$ndr"d yard in front of $0 W" '"nt to gro$nd0 B"%a$" of th" )in"fi"ld '" %o$ld
not g"t off th" road and( a th" hot '"r" 1"ry %lo"( o)"thing had to #" don" 1"ry 9$i%/ly0 I
d"%id"d to try and g"t for'ard to a dit%h 7$t #"id" th" %oll"g"0 G"tting $* 9$i%/ly( I do$#l"d
a%ro th" road and )ad" th" dit%h0 Th" r")aining thr"" tri"d to follo' #$t did not $%%""d and
had to tay *$t0 Th" S*anda$ %ontin$"d to fir" at th" )"n on th" road 'ho( #y thi ti)"( had
tart"d %ra'ling #a%/ to af"ty0 L$%/ily non" of th") 'a hit0 B"ing o n"ar th" o#7"%ti1" I
d"%id"d to %arry on0 I got into th" %oll"g" gro$nd "aily "no$gh and 'or/"d )y 'ay right
thro$gh it to th" o**oit" "nd 'h"r" th" g$nn"r had #""n firing fro)0 I 'a *r"tty %ar"d at th"
ti)" a it 'a a larg" #$ilding 'ith do5"n of roo) 'hi%h %o$ld ha1" %ontain"d anyon"0
Ho'"1"r I )"t no6on" and "1"n th" g$nn"r had 'ithdra'n 'h"n I r"a%h"d hi *oition0 It 'a
a#o$t .0+= #y thi ti)" and I d"%id"d to g"t #a%/ to th" "%tion0 I got #a%/ all right 'itho$t
r$nning into anything #$t( 7$t a I r"a%h"d th" )"n( 3"rry o*"n"d $* 'ith hi )ortar on th"
%oll"g"0 H" )$t ha1" tho$ght '" '"r" in it0 Thing 9$i"t"n"d do'n and( Lan%"6%or*oral
Maon and I till ha1ing o$r 7o# to do( '" tart"d #a%/ to th" %oll"g"0 W" *ro%""d"d along th"
a)" ro$t" and got in af"ly0 W" "ar%h"d th" *la%" thoro$ghly and( a it 'a no' tarting to
g"t dar/( '" tri"d to find a *la%" to tay *$t for th" night0 W" finally d"%id"d on th" roof0 It 'a a
flat roof 'ith only on" "ntran%" to it 'hi%h %o$ld #" "aily d"f"nd"d if n"%"ary0 It 'a no'
a#o$t >0+= and 9$it" dar/0 W" "ttl"d do'n for a long night& 1igil 'h"n $dd"nly a 'hitl" 'a
h"ard0 O$r firt tho$ght 'a that 3"rry had di%o1"r"d $ and 'a $* to o)"thing0 Ho'"1"r
o$r )ind '"r" *$t at "a" 'h"n '" h"ard a faint ho$t in Englih0 W" '"nt do'n into th"
gro$nd and th"r" fo$nd Cor*oral Windra and Li"$t"nant Rhind( a B Co)*any offi%"r( 'ho
had #""n "nt $* to g"t $ o$t a o$r artill"ry 'a going to fir" on Sl$i0 W" )ad" o$r 'ay 9$it"
af"ly #a%/ to Battalion H"ad9$art"r in th" dar/ 'itho$t f$rth"r in%id"nt0
Lan%"6%or*oral Maon *ro1id"d th" on" a)$ing )o)"nt0 Wh"n %ra'ling #a%/ do'n
th" road $nd"r fir" h" had to go right o1"r a h"a* of )an$r" 'hi%h %a$"d hi) 9$it" o)"
di%o)fort0 KIt 'a a good 7o#K( h" aid( Kthat I didn&t ha1" to d$%/ d$ring th" *ro%" or I&d ha1"
#""n $ffo%at"dK0&
In thi ar"a 8$t%h *atrol '"r" %onta%t"d and ho'"d a%ti1ity in r"*orting 1ario$
ha**"ning0 Nor '"r" th"" r"*ort fal"0 Th" )ot int"r"ting *i"%" of infor)ation 'hi%h '"
had r"%"i1"d d$ring thi day 'a that thr"" h$ndr"d to fo$r h$ndr"d "n")y r"infor%")"nt '"r"
on th"ir 'ay to 7oin th" G"r)an in Sl$i fro) Hno%/"6$r6M"r0 It a**"ar"d a if '" '"r" to
r"%"i1" o)" att"ntion fro) th" H$n #$t nothing tran*ir"d that night 'hi%h 'a alo *"a%"f$l0
By thi ti)" th" )a7ority of th" 8i1iion had land"d and '"r" ra*idly *$hing $* to o$r
ar"a0 W" '"r" 9$i%/ly #"%o)ing an int"gral *art of th" good old ?<nd0
At G o&%lo%/ on th" )orning of <<nd O%to#"r th" CO $))on"d an O Gro$* and ga1"
ord"r for a )o1" f$rth"r for'ard0 Thi 'a i)*l")"nt"d in 'riting 'h"n an o*"rational ord"r
'a i$"d at ,<0.= *0)0 gi1ing d"tail of ho' th" ord"r 'a to #" %arri"d o$t0 3$t at thi ti)"(
too( it 'a l"arn"d that an ad1an%"d "n")y *ot of a#o$t on" *latoon in tr"ngth( in front of A
Co)*any& *oition( 'a d"iro$ of $rr"nd"ring #$t( o'ing to th" "agl"6li/" 'at%h /"*t on
th") #y fanati%al Na5i and SS )"n( it 'a i)*oi#l" for th") to %o)" in 'itho$t r$nning gra1"
ri/ of #"ing hot or at l"at of th"ir r"lati1" #a%/ in G"r)any #"ing *la%"d in %on%"ntration
%a)*0 A%%ordingly A Co)*any "nt o$t a trong *atrol to fa%ilitat" th"ir $rr"nd"r #$t till th"
"n")y r"f$"d to )a/" any a**roa%h for th" a)" r"aon0 Th" only thing to #" don" 'a to
%r"at" a f$rth"r f""ling of f"ar in th"ir )ind and thi 'a d$ly %arri"d o$t #y a not in%onid"ra#l"
d")ontration of fir" #y )ortar and artill"ry %o)ing do'n in r"ar of th" "n")y *oition0 E1"n
thi 'a of no a1ail 6 it a**"ar"d that f$rth"r 'arning had #""n gi1"n th") a to th" horri#l" fat"
in tor" for th"ir r"lati1" if th"y o )$%h a dar"d to ho' a 'hit" flag0 Th"r" 'a nothing for it
#$t to tranlat" th" *r"1io$ d")ontration into fa%t and th" *ot r"%"i1"d a "1"r" )ortaring0
8$ring thi *"riod all Co)*ani" had #""n *r"*aring to )o1" for'ard to %onfor) 'ith
th" o*"rational ord"r alr"ady i$"d #$t at t'o o&%lo%/ in th" aft"rnoon a )"ag" 'a r"%"i1"d
#y Brigad" %an%"lling th" o*"ration0 S$#6$nit '"r" infor)"d at on%" #$t th" )"ag" did not
r"a%h C Co)*any $ntil aft"r th"y had )o1"d0 ACa*tain And"ron( 'ho 'a %o))anding th"
Co)*any at thi ti)"( had *r"1io$ly r"%"i1"d *"r)iion to )o1" *rior to th" r")aind"r of th"
Battalion o'ing to th" fa%t that hi Co)*any had %onid"ra#ly f$rth"r to go0B Th"y '"r" 7$t
hort of Honitraat 'h"n th" %an%"llation 'a r"%"i1"d and( rath"r than r"t$rn to Midd"l#$rg(
th"y too/ $* a d"f"ni1" *oition ro$nd Honitraat 'ith *arti%$lar att"ntion #"ing *aid to th"
1ario$ tra%/ 6 *oi#l" tan/ a**roa%h" 6 'hi%h %on1"rg"d in that ar"a0 H"r" a)*l"
%onfir)ation of a *r"1io$ day& *atrol r"*ort that 'hat a**"ar"d to #" hayta%/ '"r"( in fa%t0
%a)o$flag"d a))$nition d$)* 'a r"%"i1"d0 Ea%h hayta%/ in th" ar"a 'a a hollo' h"ll
fill"d 'ith G"r)an a))$nition of all ty*" in%l$ding a larg" 9$antity of anti6air%raft h"ll0
S*"%i)"n '"r" lat"r ta/"n to Battalion H"ad9$art"r #$t it %o$ldn&t #" aid that a *arti%$larly
'ar) '"l%o)" 'a gi1"n to th") #y th" I S"%tion0 Eoor %ha*2 Th"y had #""n gi1"n o )any
diff"r"nt ha$l of %a*t$r"d a))$nition d$ring th" lat f"' day that th"y didn&t ";a%tly /no' 'hat
to do 'ith th") and thi find of C Co)*any 'a th" tra' that #ro/" th" %a)"l& #a%/0
That "1"ning '" r"%"i1"d %onfir)ation of th" r"*ort that thr"" h$ndr"d G"r)an
r"infor%")"nt had arri1"d in Sl$i for a *atriot 'ho had %o)" thro$gh th" "n")y lin" and 'ho
had hith"rto #""n a )in" of r"lia#l" infor)ation infor)"d $ that thi 'a th" %a"0 Thi *atriot
'a a grand %ha* ni%/na)"d &Tar5an& #"%a$" of hi n$)"ro$ ";*loit in o$t'itting and /illing
th" H$n0 Hi r"al na)" 'a 3oann" Fran%iino 30 Ca$'"ll and h" had )any tal" to r"lat"
and )any 'rong to a1"ng"0 Whil" on th" $#7"%t of *atriot it 'o$ld #" '"ll to )"ntion th"
$ntiring h"l* gi1"n $ #y Mynh""r 30 S%hlot"r 'ho a%t"d a o$r int"r*r"t"r thro$gho$t th" "ntir"
*"riod of o$r o*"ration in th" ar"a 6 an ";%"ll"nt ling$it 'ho *o/" Englih( G"r)an and( of
%o$r"( 8$t%h ";tr")"ly fl$"ntly0
Nothing of not" o%%$rr"d d$ring th" night 'ith th" ";%"*tion that th" Mortar Elatoon
$nd"r Ca*tain M%Il'raith %arri"d o$t "1"ral *r"di%t"d hoot on targ"t #a"d on infor)ation
r"%"i1"d fro) *atriot0 W" n"1"r f$lly l"arn"d th" r"$lt of th"" hoot #$t th"r" %an #" no
do$#t that th"y till f$rth"r "r1"d to lo'"r th" alr"ady lo' )oral" of th" "n")y0 Th" follo'ing
day alo *a"d 9$i"tly 'ith only o%%aional )ortar #o)# landing in A Co)*any ar"a #$t doing
littl" da)ag"0 A had ha**"n"d th" *r"1io$ day( "1"ry "nd"a1o$r 'a )ad" to g"t th" "n")y
*ot for'ard of A Co)*any to $rr"nd"r and in th" aft"rnoon a lo$d hail"r $nit 'a $"d to
ind$%" $rr"nd"r $#"9$"nt to anoth"r d")ontration of artill"ry and )ortar fir"0 It 'a of no
a1ail( th" only r"*ly #"ing th" r"%"i*t of th" a#o1"6)"ntion"d )ortar #o)# in A Co)*any ar"a0
E"rha* to ay that it 'a of no a1ail i not 9$it" th" %a" for in th" "arly ho$r of th" )orning
fo$r "n")y d""rt"r $rr"nd"r"d to an A Co)*any "ntry0 W" l"arn"d that( 'ith "1"ral oth"r(
th"y had #""n "nt o$t on a *atrol and( a th"y had #""n loo/ing for a %han%" to $rr"nd"r( th"y
"i5"d thi o**ort$nity to gi1" th")"l1" $*0 Th"y alo %onfir)"d th" fa%t( 'hi%h '" had
$*"%t"d for o)" %onid"ra#l" ti)"( that th" "n")y )oral" 'a *ra%ti%ally non6";it"nt0

At noon on <.h O%to#"r '" l"arn"d that '" '"r" to #" r"li"1"d #y th" R"%onnaian%"
R"gi)"nt and that '" '"r" to )o1" to a %on%"ntration ar"a at Hli"t( o$th of Mald"g")0 Thi
r"li"f 'a th" "ai"t '" had o far "n%o$nt"r"d and #y "1"n o&%lo%/ that "1"ning '" '"r" all
%on%"ntrat"d in th" ar"a in 9$"tion( #"ing #ill"tt"d in r"9$iition"d ho$" and #arn( "t%0
It i int"r"ting to not" that( d$ring th" "ntir" o*"ration in th" L"o*old Canal "%tor( '"
%a*t$r"d "1"nty on" *rion"r( )any )all ar) and "9$i*)"nt and "nor)o$ d$)* of
a))$nition0 O$r total %a$alti" '"r" on" )an 'o$nd"d in a hooting a%%id"nt0
BELGI:M
Hli"t 6 A '"ll6"arn"d R"*it"
H"r" '" '"r"( r")o1"d fro) th" front lin" and li/"ly to #" allo'"d $ffi%i"nt ti)" to g"t
%l"an"d $* and r"organi"d0 So far a Hli"t it"lf i %on%"rn"d it i not #y any )"an a roaring
)"tro*oli 6 far fro) it0 Th"r" '"r" a fair n$)#"r of ho$" of a ty*" %o))on in that *art of
B"lgi$)( #arn and hayloft0 Th"r" 'a alo on" %afC 'hi%h did a roaring trad" on%" th" troo*
)anag"d to *"r$ad" th"ir Co)*any Co))and"r that a *ay *arad" 'a ""ntial0 B$t a*art
fro) that th"r" 'a littl" of int"r"t #"yond h"dg"( rolling fi"ld and *lo$gh"d land0 It i tr$"
that Mald"g") 'an&t far a'ay and in Mald"g") %o$ld #" *$r%ha"d fr$it( #""r and '""t0 B$t
to r"a%h Mald"g") at night )"ant 'al/ing for an ho$r and 'al/ing of any ort i anath")a to
troo* 6 "1"n for $%h an $n$$al d"light a #""r( "t%0 Tal/ing of '""t( it i aid that a %"rtain
Co)*any Co))and"r *"nt th" "9$i1al"nt of "1"ral *o$nd on 1"ry f"' '""t0 H" had an
";%""dingly '""t tooth2
No' 'a th" ti)" to organi" #athing fa%iliti" for th" 3o%/ and thi 'a d$ly don"( $"
#"ing )ad" of a Canadian Bath :nit tation"d in Mald"g")0 Tho" offi%"r 'ho '"r" &in th"
/no'& hat"n"d to %l"an" th"ir #odi" in a %i1ilian ho*ital( th" dir"%tor of 'hi%h g"n"ro$ly
fl$ng o*"n th"ir door to all Alli"d offi%"r 'ho d"ir"d a #ath0 In%id"ntally th" Fi"ld A)#$lan%"
too/ o1"r thi ho*ital and ran th" #ath on ";%"ll"nt lin"0
Thi 'a a *"riod 'h"n gr"at a%ti1ity 'a ind$lg"d in #y th" J id" of th" 'hol"
Battalion ad)initrati1" yt")0 Hit in*"%tion '"r" fr"9$"nt and r"%ord of d"fi%i"n%i" in #oth
/it and G,=-G tor" '"r" lodg"d 'ith a hara"d J$art"r)at"r0 Eoor No##y( hi gr"y hair
*"r%"*ti#ly 'hit"n"d d$ring o$r t'o day in Hli"t0 B$t it )$t not #" i)agin"d that it 'a all 'or/0
Not #y any )"an2 W" $"d th" th"atr" in Mald"g") for th" taging of *i%t$r" and ENSA
ho'( $" #"ing )ad" of th" Battalion tran*ort to %on1"y th" troo* to that to'n0
In all '" tay"d in Hli"t for t'o and a half day #y 'hi%h ti)" '" f"lt fr"h and r"ady to
fa%" th" fo" on%" )or"0 By no' th" "ntir" 8i1iion had r"a%h"d th" Contin"nt and trang"
r$)o$r '"r" afloat a to o$r n";t o*"ration in 'hi%h '" 'o$ld #" fighting #y th" id" of o$r o'n
/ith and /in0 No long"r '"r" '" an ind"*"nd"nt $nit0 W" '"r" *art of a for%" 'hi%h 'a
d"tin"d to )a/" it"lf f"lt 'h"r"1"r th"r" '"r" G"r)an0
All good thing %o)" to an "nd and( on th" )orning of <>th O%to#"r( '" '"r" ord"r"d to
#" *r"*ar"d to )o1" to a n"' ar"a0 W" l"ft Hli"t at t'o o&%lo%/ that aft"rnoon in a t"ady
do'n*o$r of rain and 'itho$t )$%h diffi%$lty r"a%h"d Sa 1an G"nt 7$t a%ro th" #ord"r in
Holland at half *at thr""0 Th"r" '" d$ly "ttl"d into #ill"t 6 th" #"t it had o far #""n o$r lot to
find on th" Contin"nt 6 and *r"*ar"d to a'ait "1"nt0 W" '"r" ";*"%ting a 9$i%/ )o1" #$t not
9$it" $%h a 9$i%/ on" a ord"r i$"d an ho$r or t'o aft"r o$r arri1al0 Th"" ord"r indi%at"d a
)o1" at . a0)0 th" follo'ing )orning0 What 'a 'or" ho'"1"r 'a th" $n*l"aant int"llig"n%"
that '" '"r" to ado*t a 7""* #ai0 Thi )"ant that( int"ad of /""*ing o$r ,?6%'t( all ""ntial
tor" '"r" to #" load"d into 7""* and trail"r0 In ord"r to #ring $ $* to th" %al" in 7""* '"
'"r" to r"%"i1" t'"l1" of th"" )ar1"llo$ littl" 1"hi%l" fro) th" ,t Glago' Highland"r0 It
'a a #it of a #lo' #$t it had to #" don" and o)" offi%"r and )"n *"nt )any an;io$ ho$r
d"%iding a to 'hat ho$ld #" di%ard"d and l"ft 'ith th" ,?6%'t tr$%/ and 'hat ho$ld #"
ta%/"d a#oard th" 7""*0
Th" r"li"f of all 'a gr"at 'h"n ord"r '"r" r"%"i1"d %o$nt"r)anding th" "arly )orning
)o1" and f$rth"r ord"r d"laying th" )o1" for t'"l1" ho$r '"r" i$"d0 It ga1" $ a littl"
#r"athing *a%"0 Th"r" 'a no %an%"llation of th" ord"r r" 7""* ho'"1"r and it 'a 'ith ad
h"art that '" *o/" a )"ntal 1al"di%tory to th" ,?6%'t 'hi%h had o no#ly %arri"d th" tor" $*
to th" *r""nt0
At a#o$t )idday on <Gth O%to#"r th" Colon"l& r"%onnaian%" *arty )o1"d to A;"l
'h"r" Brigad" H"ad9$art"r 'a it$at"d and( o'ing to 1ario$ r"aon( it r")ain"d th"r"
o1"rnight0 By thi ti)" '" /n"' th" %o*" and i)*ortan%" of th" o*"ration for( if it 'a
$%%"f$l( it 'o$ld )"an that 'ithin a hort ti)" th" *ort of Ant'"r*( on" of th" larg"t on th"
Contin"nt( 'o$ld #" o*"n"d $* in ord"r to allo' "nor)o$ )a" of )"n and )at"rial to #"
land"d on th" Contin"nt "1"ral h$ndr"d of )il" n"ar"r to th" fighting lin" than 'a at th"
)o)"nt *oi#l"0 Altho$gh Ant'"r* it"lf 'a fr""( th" iland in th" S%h"ldt Et$ary '"r" till
o%%$*i"d #y tho$and of G"r)an and th"" "ff"%ti1"ly *$t a to* to any %o)ing and going
fro) thi gr"at *ort0 Th" 8i1iional 7o# 'a to %l"ar th" iland0
Th" g"n"ral *i%t$r" at thi tag" 'a a follo' 6 ,?6 Brigad" A.L? Royal S%ot( 6th
Ca)"ronian and >th Ca)"ronianB 'ith( in addition( ?th Highland Light Infantry had )ad" a
"a#orn" landing on th" iland of So$th B"1"land( "%$ring a #ridg"h"ad in th" o$th "at"rn
%orn"r0 A Canadian di1iion 'a fighting '"t'ard along th" %a$"'ay lin/ing So$th B"1"land
'ith th" )ainland0 Th" ta/ of ,?> Brigad" l" ?th Highland Light Infantry A6th Highland Light
Infantry and ,t Glago' Highland"rB 'a to land at th" #ridg"h"ad and( aft"r r"a")#ling( to
*a thro$gh ,?6 Brigad" and ";*loit north'ard0 O$r o'n *arti%$lar rFl" in thi ta/ 'a to
%onta%t th" Canadian on th" )ain Go" road0 W" '"r" to land at firt light or a oon th"r"aft"r
a *oi#l" on <-th O%to#"r0
Th" r"aon 'hy th" CO& r"%onnaian%" *arty had to tay o1"rnight in A;"l 'a that
th" *lan 'a not r$nning to %h"d$l" o'ing to th" lo' %roing of th" oth"r #attalion0 It 'a
not a long d"lay for th" %roing 'a )ad" in B$ffalo" at N"$5"n at -0.? *0)0 on th" <-th and
th"y arri1"d at A)#"r B"a%h in So$th B"1"land at "l"1"n o&%lo%/0
M"an'hil" 'hat of th" Battalion! It had )o1"d in troo* %arrying 1"hi%l" to th"
")#ar/ation ar"a at T"rn"$5"n( l"a1ing Sa 1an G"nt at 60+= a0)0 Th" ")#ar/ation
%o))"n%"d at G a0)0 and all troo* '"r" land"d af"ly on A)#"r B"a%h #y -0+= a0)0 'h"r"
r"gro$*ing 'a i))"diat"ly %o))"n%"d0
SO:TH BE@ELAN8
Wat"r( 'at"r( "1"ry'h"r"( nor any dro* to drin/
By t'o o&%lo%/ in th" aft"rnoon r"gro$*ing had #""n $%%"f$lly a%%o)*lih"d and th"
Battalion )o1"d to an a")#ly ar"a to a'ait f$rth"r intr$%tion0 At thi ti)" th" only tran*ort
'hi%h 'a a%ro th" "t$ary 'a on" %arri"r( t'o 7""* and on" )otor %y%l"0 W" '"r" not
";a%tly 'hat )ight #" %all"d )o#il"2 A a gr"at %on%"ion '" '"r" #"ing allo'"d to ta/" o1"r
on" +6ton tor" tr$%/ #y 'ay of rafting0 Th"r"#y hang a tal" for th" tr$%/ i no' r"*oing &f$ll
fifty fatho) d""*& in th" )$d of th" S%h"ldt Et$ary0
It 'a g"tting '"ll on in th" aft"rnoon 'h"n it finally %a)" to th" t$rn of thi tr$%/ to #"
raft"d a%ro0 In *oint of fa%t( it had #""n d"%id"d that( o'ing to th" ra*idly falling dar/n" and
th" in%r"aing %ho**in" of th" "a( thi tr$%/ 'o$ld #" th" lat to #" ta/"n a%ro0 Th" a%ting
Int"llig"n%" Offi%"r( Li"$t"nant Watt( 'a in %harg" and h" had 'ith hi) S"rg"ant Arth$r( th"
)at"r %oo/( th" dri1"r and fo$r oth"r ran/0 Th" *ayload %onit"d of a))$nition( t'o hydra
#$rn"r and "1"ral hay #o;"( o)" of th" Colon"l& /it( a larg" *art of th" /it of &th" )ot
i)*ortant )an in th" Battalion&( th" R"gi)"ntal S"rg"ant Ma7or( and( of %o$r"( th" *"ronal /it
of th" &%r"'&0 Co)*any J$art"r)at"r S"rg"ant Hannan( 'ho 'a on" of th""( had a good
loo/ at th" raft *rior to "tting o$t and h" r")ar/"d to S"rg"ant Arth$r that on" of th" float 'a
l"a/ing0 Ho'"1"r( nothing da$nt"d( th" *arty "t off( ha1ing #""n a$r"d in th" ri%h"t
Canadian that "1"rything 'a &OH( S%otti"&0 3$t in %a" anything )ight ha**"n all th"
*a"ng"r %li)#"d o$t of th" tr$%/ and tood on th" raft fa%ing in th" dir"%tion in 'hi%h th" raft
'a tra1"lling0 All '"nt '"ll $ntil th"y '"r" a#o$t a h$ndr"d yard o$t in th" "t$ary 'h"n
CJMS Hannan( 'ho had all along #""n a littl" #it d$#io$ of th" l"a/ing float( had anoth"r loo/
at it0 To hi int"n" horror th" 'at"r 'a *o$ring in2 A a r"$lt all h"ad'ay againt th" 'ind
and tid" a**"ar"d to #" lot and th" raft 'a grad$ally in/ing lo'"r and lo'"r in th" 'at"r0 3$t
'ith that th" "ngin"( 'hi%h had #""n ra%ing a hard a it %o$ld ra%"( ga1" $* th" ghot and
to**"d0 Th"n th"r" tart"d a %ir%ling )o1")"nt 'hi%h( d"*it" all "ffort( %o$ld not #" to**"d
and( in addition( all 'a #"ing %arri"d f$rth"r into th" "t$ary0 It 'a o#1io$ that o)"thing 'a
far 'rong and anoth"r raft r"t$rning to th" )ainland hail"d th") a/ing if h"l* 'a n""d"d0 &No&(
'a th" an'"r( &"1"rything 'ill #" OH&0 Thi %onfid"n%" #"gan to g"t o)"'hat ha/"n 'h"n a
)otor #oat arri1"d on th" %"n" and a to' 'a r"9$"t"d0 A ro*" 'a d$ly thro'n a%ro #$t(
#y thi ti)"( th" %$rr"nt 'a o trong and th" raft o 'at"rlogg"d that th" )otor #oat 'a
$na#l" to gi1" any aitan%" and it 'a d"%id"d to t$rn #a%/ and )a/" for th" hor"0 Th"
)otor #oat $nloo"d th" to' 'hi%h %a$"d th" raft to tart &#irling& on%" again0 It 'a th"n that
thing tart"d to loo/ r"ally "rio$ for th" tr$%/ tart"d )o1ing and %a$"d th" raft to tilt "1"n
)or" than had #""n th" %a" #"for"0 A Canadian "rg"ant( 'ho 'a in %harg"( f$lly r"ali"d
'hat 'a to ha**"n and r")ar/"d in horror6tri%/"n a%%"nt &MMMMM MMMMMM0 S%otti"( h"& going
do'n and yo$&ll ha1" to 'i)&0 &By MMMMMM&( aid CJMS Hannan( &it&ll #" a MMMMM %old 'i)&0 All
tart"d la$ghing #$t it 'a no la$ghing )att"r0 Th" %ant 'a #"%o)ing t""*"r and t""*"r a
th" raft "ttl"d do'n in th" 'at"r0 Th" )otor #oat 'hi%h had #""n tanding #y 'a hail"d to
%o)" in %lo"r and( 7$t a h" r"a%h"d th" raft( th" tr$%/ li**"d off into th" 'at"r0 Mot of
tho" on #oard th" raft %ra)#l"d a #"t th"y %o$ld into th" #oat #$t( #"for" th" Int"llig"n%"
Offi%"r and fo$r of th" &%r"'& %o$ld )anag" thi f"at( th" raft it"lf %a*i5"d0 Ho' th"y "%a*"d
d"ath i a )ira%l" #$t "%a*" it th"y did #y %li)#ing on to th" /""l of th" raft fro) 'hi%h th"y
'"r" d$ly r"%$"d and r"t$rn"d af"ly( if a littl" '"t( to th" hor"00 E1"r aft"r( if th" Colon"l
%o$ldn&t find %"rtain arti%l" of /it( th" $$al an'"r )ad" #y hi #at)an 'a that th"y had #""n
lot in th" 'at"r0 What th" RSM aid i $n*rinta#l" #$t *"rha* th" )ot tragi% lo of all 'a
that a *ri5"d #ottl" of 'hi/y #"longing to CJMS Hannan fo$nd a 1"ry 'at"ry gra1"0
M"anti)"( o'ing to th" ra*id ad1an%" of th" Canadian on th" right and th" fa%t that #y
+=th O%to#"r th"y had )ad" %onta%t 'ith ,?6 Brigad"( th" rFl" of ,?> Brigad" 'a alt"r"d0 Th"
?th Battalion Highland Light Infantry( 'ho had #""n 'ithdra'n to th" ar"a of Ell"'o$tdi7/( '"r"
to )o1" north '"t to th" ar"a of Bor"ll"n 'hil" th" Glago' Highland"r '"r" to ad1an%" on
th"ir right fro) W"ldi7/ thro$gh 8ri"'"g"n to o%%$*y th" h"ll6ha*"d lin" of dy/" for'ard0 Th"
Battalion it"lf 'a to )o1" to an ar"a o$th of 8ri"'"g"n0 Thi 'a d$ly don" aft"r )$%h
tra1ail0 Th" Battalion l"ft it %on%"ntration ar"a at )idday and had a ti%/y )ar%h 6 ti%/y in )or"
"n" than on" 6 for th" )$d 'a a**alling( th" dy/" '"r" #ro/"n and 'at"r 'a "1"ry'h"r" 6
and )in" '"r" fo$nd thro$gho$t th" "ntir" ro$t"0 Ind""d( in all( no l" than nin" %l"aring
*arti" '"r" r"9$ir"d to )o1" th"" d"adly '"a*on0 A*art fro) thi $n*l"aant )$d and
H$nnih &hat"& nothing f$rth"r of in%id"nt too/ *la%" d$ring th" )ar%h and "1"nt$ally th" Battalion
'a di*o"d a $nd"r A"" S/"t%h HB0
Aft"r dar/n" f"ll t'o *atrol '"r" "nt o$t( on" fro) A Co)*any and th" oth"r fro) C
Co)*any( #$t th"y "1"nt$ally r"t$rn"d 'itho$t ha1ing %onta%t"d th" "n")y0 8$ring th" %o$r"
of thi night th" #alan%" of th" :nit 7""* tran*ort arri1"d( ha1ing r"a%h"d $ 1ia Ant'"r* 'ith
f"aro)" tori" to t"ll of th" flooding on "a%h id" of th" %a$"'ay0 W"( too( %o$ld t"ll o)"
tori" a#o$t th" )$d "n%o$nt"r"d d$ring th" )ar%h0
On th" follo'ing day '" '"r" ord"r"d a a Brigad" to r"li"1" th" .th Canadian Infantry
Brigad" and had "1"rything &t""d $*& for thi o*"ration0 So )$%h o( in fa%t( that th" %ol$)n 'a
a%t$ally on th" )o1" to N"i/"nland 'h"n it 'a di1"rt"d to a n"' %on%"ntration ar"a o$th6"at
of th" )$%h tal/"d6of So$th B"1"land6Wal%h"r"n %a$"'ay0 Th" r"aon for thi %hang" of *lan
'a that( o'ing to th" $n";*"%t"d ra*idity 'ith 'hi%h th" H$n '"r" r"tr"ating( th" *lan a a
'hol" 'a d"1"lo*ing 1"ry )$%h )or" 9$i%/ly than had originally #""n anti%i*at"d0 I))"diat"ly
on arri1al at thi ar"a th" Colon"l 'a %all"d to an O Gro$* fro) 'hi%h h" r"t$rn"d o)" ti)"
lat"r 'ith th" %o)*l"t" *lan for th" atta%/ on Wal%h"r"n0 Many $nit '"r" to ta/" *art( in%l$ding
Co))ando( #$t o far a '" o$r"l1" '"r" %on%"rn"d '" '"r" to r")ain for th" *r""nt in a
r""r1" rFl" on So$th B"1"land0
WALCHEREN
Th" S$n/"n Iland
O$r firt 1i"' of thi iland r"%lai)"d fro) th" "a 'a hardly in*iring0 8y/"
$rro$nd"d larg" ar"a of *"rf"%tly flat land 'hi%h "")"d to #" *"r*"t$ally %o1"r"d in )it0 Not
a hill in ight to r"li"1" th" "y" d"ad"n"d #y a flat ";*an"2 Th" %a$"'ay it"lf #"t'""n th"
t'o iland 'a a#o$t fo$r h$ndr"d yard long and ga1" no indi%ation of th" holo%a$t 'hi%h
'a oon to ta/" *la%" $ntil it "1"nt$al %a*t$r"0 It loo/"d 9$i"t and *"a%"f$l 6 for a ti)"2 B$t
not long '"r" '" l"ft in do$#t a to 'h"th"r th"r" '"r" )any G"r)an in th" 1i%inity0
To th" Canadian f"ll th" do$#tf$l hono$r of )a/ing th" initial aa$lt0 No oon"r had
thi o*"ration tart"d than th" 'hol" ar"a %a)" to lif"0 All ort of h"ll and )ortar #o)# '"r"
h$rl"d at th") and th" $#i9$ito$ S*anda$ )ad" it *r""n%" f"lt in no $n%"rtain )ann"r 'ith it
ra*id rat" of fir" o diting$iha#l" fro) o$r o'n Br"n0
Th" firt 'a1" of Canadian 'a dri1"n #a%/ and( d"*it" 1aliant "ffort( no fir) foothold
%o$ld #" o#tain"d on th" iland0 In 1i"' of thi and th" $n";*"%t"dly trong r"itan%" th" *lan
'a r"%onid"r"d and( on th" follo'ing day( y"t anoth"r aa$lt 'a *$t in #y th" &Can$%/& #$t
thi ti)" 'ith gr"atly in%r"a"d $**ort fro) g$n and )ortar0 No' a footing 'a o#tain"d and
i))"diat"ly th" ,t Glago' Highland"r( o$r Brigad" %o)rad"( '"nt for'ard to r"li"1" th")0
In%id"ntally( it 'a no "ay r"li"f for no oon"r had th"y arri1"d than th"y '"r" %o$nt"r6atta%/"d
#y th" "n")y 'ho "")"d to ha1" d"t"r)in"d that no Britih troo* 'o$ld #" allo'"d to "t foot
for any l"ngth of ti)" on th" iland0 Ho'"1"r Britih d"t"r)ination to tay *$t 'a %onid"ra#ly
trong"r than that of th" G"r)an and th" %o$nt"r6atta%/ 'a r"*$l"d 'ith lo0
8$ring all thi ti)" '" '"r" %ha)*ing at th" #it in th" r""r1" ar"a 6 o$r rFl" 'a for t'o
%o)*ani" to %onolidat" in th" #ridg"h"ad 'hil" th" oth"r t'o %o)*ani" '"r" to go thro$gh
and "ta#lih a tart lin" for oth"r "l")"nt in th" Brigad" in y"t anoth"r atta%/0 To f$rth"r thi
o*"ration th" CO& O Gro$* '"nt for'ard to th" ar"a of th" fighting 'hi%h 'a till int"n"0 H"r"
had alr"ady #""n 'o$nd"d 6ha**ily n"ith"r "rio$ly 6 Li"$t"nant Watt( th" Int"llig"n%" Offi%"r(
and Lan%"6%or*oral Walt"r of th" Int"llig"n%" S"%tion 'ho had *r"1io$ly *ro%""d"d on a
'at%hing #ri"f to th" Glago' Highland"r0
:nfort$nat"ly th"" %a$alti" '"r" *ra%ti%ally $nn"%"ary for th" fighting 'a till o
"1"r" that on%" again th" *lan 'a alt"r"d0 Thi ti)" it 'a d"%id"d that th" 6th Battalion Th"
Ca)"ronian AS%ottih Rifl"B 'o$ld )a/" a il"nt %roing of th" 'at"r %o$r"( "ta#lih a
#ridg"h"ad to th" o$th '"t of th" %a$"'ay and $lti)at"ly #" r"infor%"d #y th" ?th Battalion
Highland Light Infantry0 Thi in fa%t 'a don" and th$ th" trong *r"$r" on th" Glago'
Highland"r& front 'a r"d$%"d0
On%" )or" %a)" a %hang" of *lan and th" Glago' Highland"r '"r" ord"r"d to
"ta#lih th" tart lin" *r"1io$ly r"f"rr"d to0 W" '"r" gi1"n th" ta/ of ad1an%ing thro$gh th"
Glago' Highland"r to th" atta%/ of Ni"'land on ?th No1")#"r0 A%%ordingly( on th" night of
.thL?th No1")#"r a )ini)$) %al" of tran*ort and )ar%hing *"ronn"l %ro"d th" %a$"'ay
and( #y firt light( all Co)*ani" had "ta#lih"d th")"l1" in th"ir gi1"n ar"a0 B Co)*any
'a right for'ard %o)*any and A Co)*any l"ft for'ard %o)*any( follo'"d #y th" t'o r")aining
Co)*ani"0 At t"n o&%lo%/ that )orning th" tart lin" 'a %ro"d 'ith "1"ry )an /"y"d $* to
fighting *it%h0 Gr"atly to o$r $r*ri" and no littl" d"light th" ";*"%t"d o**oition had
dia**"ar"d and it 'a 'itho$t any diffi%$lty that th" t'o l"ading %o)*ani" anno$n%"d th"
%a*t$r" of Ni"'land at ,<0,? *0)0 On" ho$r lat"r B Co)*any '"r" ord"r"d to ";*loit north '"t
to th" %anal 'hi%h ran 7$t hort( and in front of( Midd"l#$rg( th" %a*ital of th" iland0 Th"y
tart"d off in fin" f"ttl" #$t hadn&t got 1"ry far #"for" gr"at diffi%$lti" #"%a)" a**ar"nt0 Th"
Bo%h" had o'n th" 'hol" ar"a 'ith T"ll"r and S%h$h )in"( %rat"r #lo%/"d th" road and )any
tr"" had #""n f"ll"d0 In addition th" dy/" had #""n #ro/"n and flooding 'a ";t"ni1" 'hi%h
had th" "ff"%t of 1irt$ally %onfining "1"ryon" to th" )ain road0 In %on"9$"n%" B Co)*any '"r"
only a#l" to *rogr" a f"' h$ndr"d yard at 'hi%h *oint th"y )ad" %onta%t 'ith th" "n")y in
th" ha*" of )all ar) fir"0 Thi latt"r 'a "ngag"d #y a #att"ry of Mo$ntain Artill"ry *la%"d at
o$r di*oal and 'a grad$ally il"n%"d0
8$ring th" %o$r" of th" aft"rnoon C Co)*any( 'ho had #""n ord"r"d to ";*loit to th"
right of B Co)*any( )anag"d to %ro y"t anoth"r %anal 'ith th" aid of a *atrioti% 8$t%h #oat)an
'ho f"rri"d th") a%ro( "na#ling th") to ta/" "1"nty fi1" *rion"r0 At nightfall( 'hil" th"
r")aind"r of th" Battalion 'a %onolidating it gain( C Co)*any %arri"d o$t an o*"ration to
)a/" "%$r" o$r o'n right flan/0 Th" total *rion"r ta/"n #y th" Battalion in th" %o$r" of th"
day 'a o1"r thr"" h$ndr"d0
C Co)*any& night o*"ration 'a )or" than $%%"f$l and( in th" *ro%"( th"y too/
anoth"r thirty fi1" *rion"r0 A%%ordingly( 'ith th" right flan/ #y th"n 9$it" "%$r"( B Co)*any
'a ord"r"d to r"$)" th"ir ad1an%" to'ard Midd"l#$rg0 By th" aft"rnoon of 6th No1")#"r
th"y had r"a%h"d th"ir o#7"%ti1" and %a*t$r"d a f$rth"r thirty fi1" *rion"r0 B$t th" o*"ration(
"1"n if th"y had #""n ")in"ntly $%%"f$l o far( '"r" not y"t %o)*l"t" and th" Colon"l 'a
%all"d to y"t anoth"r O Gro$* fro) 'hi%h h" r"t$rn"d 'ith th" int"llig"n%" that '" '"r" to ait
th" ad1an%" of ,?? Brigad" A'ho '"r" #"ing h"ld $* on o$r l"ft flan/( aft"r th"ir $%%" at
Fl$hing( #y "n")y in th" ar"a of @"ld5igtB #y th" d"*at%h of fighting *atrol to )o* $* any
"n")y *o%/"t of r"itan%" th"y %o$ld find0 Thi 'a don" #$t no %onta%t 'a "ta#lih"d 6 it
a**"ar"d that th" *r"$r" ";"rt"d on th" "n")y 'a ha1ing $%h an "ff"%t that hi lo'
'ithdra'al to Midd"l#$rg 'a d"1"lo*ing into o)"thing a**roa%hing a ro$t0 At thi tag" '"
had th" )ifort$n" to lo" Ma7or R0W0 Ho$ton( offi%"r %o))anding B Co)*any( 'ho 'a /ill"d
#y a$to)ati% fir" 'hil" )a/ing a r"%onnaian%" of hi Co)*any ar"a 'ith S"rg"ant Willia)on
'ho 'a 'o$nd"d0
Th"n trang" thing #"gan to ha**"n0 Both B and C Co)*ani" r"*ort"d gr"at 1ol$)"
of %h""ring fro) th" to'n 'hi%h '"r" follo'"d hortly #y an air raid ir"n o$nding th" all %l"ar0
Had th" to'n( in fa%t( %a*it$lat"d! Matt"r '"r" in $%h a tat" of fl$; at thi 7$n%t$r" that no
on" %o$ld t"ll for %"rtain 'hat 'a ha**"ning0 B$t '" '"r" not ta/ing any ri/ and A Co)*any
'a ord"r"d to *a thro$gh B Co)*any and ta/" $* *oition to th" '"t of that Co)*any0 Nor
'a high"r a$thority #"nt on ta/ing ri/ "ith"r for that night ?th Highland Light Infantry 'a
ord"r"d to %ro th" %anal in front of C Co)*any *oition and "nt"r Midd"l#$rg0 Thi 'a don"
'itho$t in%id"nt d"*it" th" fa%t that th" /i" had o*"n"d and th" rain 'a %o)ing do'n fro)
th" h"a1"n in h""t0 By thi ti)" '" had "nt #a%/ to th" %ag" a f$rth"r h$ndr"d
di%onolat" "n")y0 B$t thi 'an&t all for in th" "arly ho$r of th" )orning of th" >th( aft"r a
littl" aggr"i1" alt"r%ation 'ith a )all *arty of H$n 'ho "")"d to r""nt th"ir ad1an%"( A
Co)*any /ill"d on" G"r)an and too/ t'o )or" *rion"r( on" of 'ho) 'a a )a7or( th" high"t
ran/ing G"r)an offi%"r y"t falling to o$r ar)0 Thi ditin%tion ho'"1"r 'a not to #" o$r for
long for at =-+= ho$r that )orning it 'a r"*ort"d that th" G"r)an )ilitary %o))and"r in th"
to'n( G"n"ral 8a5"r( had hoit"d th" 'hit" flag and had $rr"nd"r"d tog"th"r 'ith th" garrion0
Th$ did Midd"l#$rg fall( th" *r"l$d" to th" %o)*l"t" "%li*" of th" "n")y on th" iland0
For th" n";t fo$r day "1"ry )an in th" Battalion 'a ")*loy"d in %oll"%ting "n")y "9$i*)"nt(
%l"aring )in"( )"nding road and g"n"rally )a/ing ord"r o$t of th" %hao l"ft #"hind #y th"
$$r*"r0 On th" ,<th No1")#"r '" finally l"ft th" iland and arri1"d at o$r n"' %on%"ntration
ar"a on th" )ainland at H""rl"0
O$r "ffort '"r" a%/no'l"dg"d #y Li"$t"nant6G"n"ral G0G0 Si)ond( G"n"ral Offi%"r
Co))anding ,t Canadian Ar)y in an Ord"r of th" 8ay0
HOLLAN8
H""rl" 6 R"t and R"organiation
H""rl" 'a a )all 8$t%h 1illag" 1"ry )$%h 'orn and #att"r"d #y artill"ry and #y th"
a1ag" adi) of th" H$n 'h"n h" r"tr"at"d0 In thi %onn"%tion '" l"arn"d that )ot of th"
far) had #""n )or" or l" #$rn"d to th" gro$nd 6 thi 'a tr$" a '" fo$nd 'h"n '"
att")*t"d to o#tain %o)forta#l" #ill"t0 Th" #ig #arn '"r" i)*ly h"ll and all th" %ont"nt
'"r" &/a*$t&0
Thi *art of Holland i *"rha* th" *oor"t in th" 'hol" %o$ntry and th" inha#itant "/"
o$t a 1"ry )"agr" ";it"n%" on th" *rod$%" of a not too /indly oil0 Nat$rally th"ir f""ling a to
o$r ad1"nt '"r" )i;"d0 Th"y had ""n th"ir li1"lihood d"troy"d #"for" th"ir "y" #$t "1"n th"n
th"y tri"d in "1"ry 'ay th"y %o$ld to %oo*"rat" 'ith $0 Th" %hi"f %hara%t"r and o$r #"t fri"nd
'a th" 1illag" *ri"t0 H" %o$ld tal/ ";%"ll"nt Englih and 'a of tr")"ndo$ h"l* in *ointing o$t
*la%" 'hi%h %o$ld #" $"d a #ill"t0 B$t not only 'a h" a *ri"t for( in th" day #"for" th"
li#"ration( h" had #""n h"ad of th" $nd"rgro$nd )o1")"nt and had train"d )any of th" yo$ng
)"n ho' to ta* G"r)an t"l"*hon" lin" and g"t #a%/ infor)ation to th" Alli"0 H" )$t ha1" l"d
an a)a5ing lif" d$ring th" y"ar of o%%$*ation in%l$ding #"ing arr"t"d "1"ral ti)"0 Erior to
")#ra%ing holy ord"r h" had #""n a r"g$lar offi%"r in th" 8$t%h Ar)y and hi /no'l"dg" of
affair )ilitary 'a of in"ti)a#l" 1al$" to th" ad1an%ing Britih and Canadian troo*( *arti%$larly
on th" o%%aion 'h"n o)" of hi yo$ng )"n )anag"d to &lift& a "ri" of )ar/"d G"r)an )a*0
Th" tal" h" told $ '"r" l"gion0 In hort( h" 'a a )ot int"r"ting *"ron and on" 'ho) it
'a a gr"at *l"a$r" to )""t0
8$ring o$r tay in H""rl" an int"ni1" *rogra))" of r"organiation and r"6"9$i**ing
'a %arri"d o$t0 B$t th" light"r id" of lif" 'a not n"gl"%t"d altog"th"r for( "a%h day( a %"rtain
n$)#"r of troo* '"r" ta/"n to B"rg"n6o*6Noo) and th"r" had th" *l"a$r" of ""ing ENSA
and fil) ho'0 Bath( too( '"r" th" ord"r of th" day 'h"n th" )$d and dirt of th" iland 'a
got rid of 'ith )any igh of r"li"f0 Ant'"r* 'an&t o 1"ry far a'ay and *"r)iion 'a
o#tain"d to "nd fi1" *"r %"nt of th" Battalion tr"ngth to thi B"lgian to'n daily0 Ea%h )an 'ho
'"nt had a#o$t t'"l1" ho$r to hi)"lf th"r" and )any '"r" th" gift *$r%ha"d and *ar%"l
"nt ho)"0 .G6ho$r l"a1" *arti" to Ant'"r*( Br$"l and Eari originat"d at thi *"riod0
Mon"y at thi ti)" 'a no o#7"%t2
B$t all 'a not *lay 6 '" till had t"rn"r thing for 'hi%h to *r"*ar" o$r"l1"0 W"
ind$lg"d in ro$t" )ar%h"( )in" %l"aring drill( drill *arad" and *hyi%al training0 Th" Co)*any
)"di$) )a%hin" g$n t"a) alo r"%"i1"d a #r$hing6$* of th"ir /no'l"dg" $nd"r th"
$*"r1iion of NCO fro) th" >th Battalion Th" Man%h"t"r R"gi)"nt0
It 'a d$ring thi *"riod that '" r"%"i1"d o$r firt draft of r"infor%")"nt( fo$r offi%"r
and i;ty thr"" oth"r ran/ arri1ing on ,?th No1")#"r0 Th"" '"r" ra*idly a#or#"d in th"
Co)*any tr"ngth and oon #"%a)" int"gral )")#"r of th" Battalion0 It 'a d"%id"d in thi
%onn"%tion to r$n a %adr" *rin%i*ally for th" #"n"fit of o)" of o$r 7$nior NCO and *ot"ntial
NCO fro) thi draft and in fa%t th" %adr" $#"9$"ntly %o))"n%"d on <=th No1")#"r0
Th" 1at )a7ority of $ #"ing S%ot)an( '" %o$ld not l"t th" o**ort$nity li* 'itho$t
taging a foot#all )at%h0 Arrang")"nt '"r" )ad" to *lay th" ?th Battalion and th" ga)"
a%t$ally too/ *la%" at B"rg"n6o*6Noo) on th" aft"rnoon of ,?th No1")#"r0 It 'a to #" a gala
affair %o)*l"t" 'ith th" Battalion *i*" #and 'ho '"r" to *lay to %ro'd of int"n"ly int"r"t"d
8$t%h *"o*l" 'ho '"r" to lit"n to th" &doodl"a%& for th" firt ti)"0 Longingly did th"y loo/ for
th" /ilt0 B$t h"r"#y hang a tal" againt Ei*"6Ma7or Bonar0 It a**"ar that th" gro$nd for th"
)at%h 'a %hang"d at th" lat )o)"nt 'itho$t hi ha1ing #""n infor)"d and( ha1ing r"a%h"d
thi *arti%$lar fi"ld( h" tho$ght no )or" a#o$t it for it 'a 9$it" o#1io$ to anyon" 'ith an "y" for
th" ga)" that th"r" 'a )ot d"finit"ly to #" a foot#all )at%h *lay"d th"r" that day0 A%%ordingly(
#ang '"nt th" dr$) and *ro$dly tr$tt"d th" *i*"r #lo'ing 'ith )ight and )ain0 Thin/ of hi
horror and %ont"rnation 'h"n h" di%o1"r"d( on th" t"a) ta/ing th" fi"ld( that thi )at%h 'a
#"t'""n th" Man%h"t"r R"gi)"nt Ao$r $**ort #attalionB and a t"a) of lo%al2 In%id"ntally( th"
Man%h"t"r )$%h a**r"%iat"d th" *ontan"ity of thi $n";*"%t"d and fri"ndly g"t$r"0 O$r
o'n foot#all )at%h 'a a gr"at $%%" in that it r"$lt"d in a 'in for th" Battalion #y i; goal to
thr""0 W" '"r" till /""*ing $* o$r foot#all r"*$tation not'ithtanding th" 1ario$ %hang"
'hi%h had of n"%"ity ta/"n *la%" in th" Battalion in%" l"a1ing th" hor" of Britain0
B$t thi lif" of %o)*arati1" "a" %o$ld not lat for "1"r and on <<nd No1")#"r a 'arning
ord"r 'a r"%"i1"d that '" 'o$ld r"li"1" "l")"nt of th" .th Canadian Ar)o$r"d 8i1iion north
of Til#$rg on <6th No1")#"r0 Thing '"r" oon $nd"r 'ay for thi n"' ar"a and 1ario$
r"%onnaian%"( O gro$*( "t%0( '"r" %all"d for and th" ad1an%" *arty l"ft on <.th No1")#"r0
Bri"fly( '" '"r" to ta/" o1"r a "%tion of th" Ri1"r Maa th$ r"li"1ing th" Argyll and S$th"rland
Highland"r of Canada0 On th" )orning of <?th No1")#"r '" #ad" good#y" to H""rl" and( at G
a0)0( th" h"ad of th" Battalion %ol$)n )o1"d off( arri1ing at th" d"#$ing *oint at Elho$t at
,<0+= *0)0 th" a)" day0 Th" ta/"o1"r *ro%""d"d i))"diat"ly 'ith th" ";%"*tion of th" t'o
for'ard *latoon of B Co)*any and th" 'hol" of 8 Co)*any 'ho had to 'ait in th" d"#$ing
ar"a till d$/ #$t( #y > *0)0( all 'a %o)*l"t" and th" Battalion 'a on%" )or" "ttling do'n in a
n"' ar"a0
HOLLAN8
Th" Ri1"r Maa
AS/"t%h &H& ho' th" layo$t of th" Battalion0B 8$ring o$r firt night 1ario$ *atrol '"r"
ord"r"d in%l$ding %onta%t *atrol 'ith th" Royal S%ot 'ho '"r" it$at"d on o$r right0 On" of
th"" %onta%t *atrol 'a *ro1id"d #y A Co)*any and th" oth"r #y th" Anti6tan/ Elatoon and
int"r6%o)*any %onta%t 'a /"*t $* all thro$gh th" night0 Lit"ning *ot( too( '"r" "ta#lih"d
#y all Co)*ani"0 Nothing of int"r"t ha**"n"d #"yond a %"rtain a)o$nt of S*anda$ fir"
altho$gh( at ,,0<? *0)0( t'o raft '"r" o#"r1"d in th" ri1"r0 For'ard *ot '"r" 'arn"d to #"
*arti%$larly al"rt #$t no %roing 'a att")*t"d0
8$ring th" follo'ing day th" ar"a of H"$d"n( inha#it"d for th" ti)" #"ing #y A
Co)*any( 'a $#7"%t"d to "n")y )ortaring #$t o far a '" '"r" %on%"rn"d it 'a )"r"ly a
'at" of #o)# for no da)ag"( in a )ilitary "n"( r"$lt"d0 It i int"r"ting( if o)"'hat
gr$"o)"( to not" that at H"$d"n '" had o$r firt tat" of G"r)an atro%iti" for( *rior to th"ir
d"*art$r" fro) th" 1illag"( th" H$n had %oll"%t"d tog"th"r in th" 1illag" %h$r%h a#o$t t'o
h$ndr"d of th" inha#itant and th"n d")olih"d it 'ith h"a1y lo of lif" to th" %i1ilian0 Shortly
aft"r B Co)*any had ""n and $n/ #y fir" a )all #oat on th" "n")y id" of th" ri1"r( an
"n")y 'or/ing *arty 'a o#"r1"d and h"ll"d #y o$r artill"ry0 Thi r"$lt"d in d"$ltory
r"taliatory fir" in th" for) of )ortar #o)# 'hi%h again land"d in A Co)*any ar"a #$t( on%" gain(
'itho$t doing any da)ag"0 At nightfall th" a)" "ri" of *atrol 'a again "nt o$t #$t did not
)""t any tro$#l"0 8$ring thi ti)" th" G"r)an "ngin""r )$t ha1" #""n #$y for( 7$t on
)idnight( a #ridg" on th" oth"r id" 'a #lo'n0 It loo/"d a if th" H$n 'a #"%o)ing a littl"
a**r"h"ni1" for hi o'n *rot"%tion0
It 'a d$ring thi *"riod that th" Anti6tan/ Elatoon had an o**ort$nity of ho'ing th"ir
/ill a )ar/)"n for it 'a r"*ort"d that a %"rtain to'"r 'a #"ing $"d a an "n")y
o#"r1ation *ot and th" Colon"l ga1" th" ord"r that th" to'"r ho$ld #" d")olih"d #y th" Anti6
tan/ g$n0 S"1"ral hit on th" to'"r '"r" r"*ort"d on th" to'"r in th" $#"9$"nt firing0
@"ry littl" a%ti1ity too/ *la%" on th" Battalion frontag" for th" n";t f"' day0 Th" ro$tin"
o far a *atrol '"r" %on%"rn"d 'a nor)al and no %hang" 'a )ad" in Co)*any di*oition
'ith th" ";%"*tion that C Co)*any r"li"1"d 8 Co)*any on th" night of ,t and <nd 8"%")#"r0
It 'a a %l"an%$t 'o*6o1"r of *oition and had no *arti%$lar ignifi%an%"0
On +rd 8"%")#"r a littl" ";%it")"nt 'a %a$"d #y th" fa%t that B Co)*any %a*t$r"d
no l" than fi1" G"r)an 'ho had )ad" th"ir 'ay a%ro th" ri1"r0 Th" %ir%$)tan%" of th"
%a*t$r" '"r" a follo'I
At a#o$t ?0+= a0)0 on" of B Co)*any lit"ning *ot $nd"r Lan%"6%or*oral Hno'l"
h"ard $*i%io$ noi" and '"r" a#o$t to in1"tigat" 'h"n $dd"nly a tri* flar" 'a "t off
o)" littl" ditan%" in front0 By )"an of thi th"y '"r" a#l" to *i%/ o$t )o1ing fig$r" againt
th" dar/ #a%/gro$nd of /y 'hi%h fig$r" "")"d to #" %o)ing traight for th" *ot0 Th"y
d"%id"d to "t a tra* and( if th" *arty t$rn"d o$t to #" an "n")y *atrol( to %a*t$r" it inta%t0 A
thing t$rn"d o$t( th" *atrol 'a ind""d an "n")y on" and it 'al/"d traight into th" a)#$h
*r"*ar"d for it0 It 'a oon diar)"d and d"*at%h"d *ot hat" to Battalion H"ad9$art"r0 A
%"rtain a)o$nt of 1"ry $"f$l infor)ation 'a o#tain"d 6 at no oth"r ti)" on thi "%tor had any
infor)ation a to id"ntifi%ation #""n *oi#l"0 W" tho$ght at thi ti)" that '" 'o$ld lay a tra* for
f$rth"r *rion"r for o$r *r"1io$ &#ag& had r"*ort"d that th"ir 7o# 'a to o#tain a )$%h
infor)ation a *oi#l"( li" $* d$ring th" day( hin" a light in a %"rtain )ann"r fro) a *arti%$lar
*oint on th" #an/ and a #oat 'o$ld %o)" a%ro and *i%/ th") $*0 Nothing 'a "ai"r and
a%%ordingly th" Eion""r Elatoon 'a intr$%t"d to "t $* th" r"9$iit" light in th" r"9$ir"d *ot0
Wh"n night f"ll all '"r" on th" &9$i 1i1"&0 At firt no r"$lt 'a forth%o)ing #$t at G o&%lo%/ in th"
"1"ning th" "n")y r"*li"d #y flahing a r"d light thr"" ti)"0 E;%it")"nt ro" to f"1"r *oint #$t
grad$ally $#id"d 'h"n it 'a ""n that nothing f$rth"r 'a ha**"ning0 To thi day '" %annot
ay 'hat 'a th" r"aon for th" non6a**"aran%" of th" "n")y #oat0 Wh"th"r th"ir $*i%ion
'"r" aro$"d or 'h"th"r it 'a th" '"ath"r( 'hi%h 'a ";tr")"ly #ad( 'hi%h )ilitat"d againt
th" "nding a%ro of anoth"r #oat( i i)*oi#l" to ay0
On +rd 8"%")#"r( to o$r no littl" $r*ri"( '" r"%"i1"d a 'arning ord"r that '" '"r" to
#" r"li"1"d #y a $nit of th" ,=th Canadian Infantry Brigad" and that '" '"r" to )o1" on to
*at$r" n"'0 Thi r"li"f did( in fa%t( ta/" *la%" on .th 8"%")#"r 'h"n '" '"r" r"li"1"d #y th"
Argyll and S$th"rland Highland"r of Canada( th" $nit fro) 'hi%h '" had ta/"n o1"r 6 )$%h to
th"ir dig$t and annoyan%"0
Th" )o1" 'a fairly long on" and had to #" don" in t'o tag"( th" firt #"ing to St
Mi%ha"l 'h"r" '" tay"d for th" night of .thL?th 8"%")#"r and 'h"r" th" *i*" #and of th"
Argyll and S$th"rland Highland"r of Canada( o d"light"d 'ith an $n";*"%t"d r"$nion 'ith th"
d"%"ndant of th"ir ditant for#"ar( t$rn"d o$t in tr"ngth to "nt"rtain th" 3o%/0 Th" "%ond
tag" 'a to th" ar"a of M""r"n 'hi%h( aft"r a lat" tart( 'a r"a%h"d #y + a0)0 on th" )orning
of 6th 8"%")#"r0
HOLLAN8
E;%$rion and Alar)
M""r"n 'a a *l"aant 1illag" it$at"d n"ar th" to'n of Maatri%ht and th" G"r)an
#ord"r0 W" '"r" )ad" 1"ry '"l%o)" #y th" lo%al 8$t%h inha#itant 'ho had ""n $%h a 1ari"ty
of troo* *a thro$gh th"ir tr""t0 It 'a h"r" that '" firt %onta%t"d o$r A)"ri%an %o$in in
tr"ngth0 Th"r" 'a a %ontin$o$ tr"a) of tran*ort *aing thro$gh at all ho$r of th" day
and night0 Many '"r" th" n"ar a%%id"nt and 1iol"nt 'a th" lang$ag" 'h"n tr$%/ n"arly
%ollid"d0 W" noti%"d that *""d 'a th" ""ntial of all A)"ri%an tran*ort0
It 'an&t long #"for" '" had an in/ling of 'hat $**ort '" '"r" to r"%"i1" in o$r n";t
ta/ for( at < o&%lo%/ on th" aft"rnoon of th" day of o$r arri1al( all rifl" %o)*ani" and
r"*r""ntati1" fro) S and HJ Co)*ani" '"r" int"n"ly int"r"t"d in a d")ontration #y tan/
of th" ,+thL,Gth H$ar follo'"d #y a l"%t$r" on infantry %oo*"ration 'ith tan/0 It loo/"d a if
'" '"r" to g"t to /no' )or" of th" a)" tan/( not in d")ontration #$t in o)"thing infinit"ly
)or" "rio$0 Thi 'a f$rth"r #orn" o$t 'h"n all Co)*any Co))and"r att"nd"d y"t anoth"r
l"%t$r" on tan/ %oo*"ration in th" "1"ning0 Th" follo'ing day 'a *"nt in ad)initrati1" 'or/
and %h"%/ing of /it( "t%0( and in th" "1"ning all a1aila#l" offi%"r and "nior NCO att"nd"d
anoth"r tan/ l"%t$r"0 It 'a o#1io$ #y thi ti)" to "1"n th" )"an"t int"llig"n%" that( 'hat"1"r
'a going to ha**"n( '" '"r" to ha1" th" $**ort of tan/0 On th" Gth $%h 'a )ad" till
)or" %"rtain 'h"n th" Battalion too/ *art in an ";"r%i" 'ith tan/0 Th" h"at 'a on for( on th"
follo'ing day( th" CO %all"d tog"th"r hi O Gro$* and all *ro%""d"d to th" *lanning roo) 'hi%h
had #""n "t $* at Brigad" H"ad9$art"r and 'h"r" th" d"tail and *lan for th" %o)ing
o*"ration '"r" di%$"d0 N"1"r had '" /no'n $%h "%r"%y *r"%"ding an o*"ration0 Tho" of
$ not in th" %har)"d %ir%l" of Co)*any Co))and"r and a f"' oth"r '"r"n&t "1"n *"r)itt"d
to "" th" )a*( far l" /no' anything a#o$t it0 S*"%$lation 'a rif"0 On" thing at l"at '" did
/no' and that 'a th" na)" of th" *ro7"%t"d o*"ration0 It 'a to #" %all"d &O*"ration Sh"ar&0
That o*"ration( ho'"1"r( n"1"r too/ *la%"0 W" n"1"r $nd"rtood 'hy altho$gh th"
*o*$lar g$" 'a that th" gro$nd 'a o oft and )$ddy that( had it #""n att")*t"d( th" tan/
and oth"r 1"hi%l" 'o$ld )ot %"rtainly ha1" #""n #ogg"d do'n on th" firt day0 Int"ad on th"
)orning of ,=th 8"%")#"r '" r"%"i1"d 'ord that '" '"r" to ta/" o1"r fro) th" >th Battalion
Th" Ca)"ronian AS%ottih Rifl"B in th" lin" in th" ar"a of G"il"n/ir%h"n0 A%%ordingly at ,= a0)0
on th" )orning of ,,th 8"%")#"r( ha1ing #""n *r"%"d"d #y an ad1an%" *arty on th" *r"1io$
day( th" Battalion )o1"d off to %ro th" 8$t%hLG"r)an #ord"r for th" firt ti)" and "nt"r &Th"
Fath"rland&0
GERMANY
R$in( 8"tr$%tion and 8"%ay
Thi *art of G"r)any 'a a orry *"%ta%l"0 Ela%" 'hi%h had on%" #""n thri1ing
1illag" '"r" no' no )or" than #la%/"n"d r$in and r$##l"0 Th" road th")"l1" '"r" d""*ly
*itt"d and r$tt"d 'h"r" th" RAF had hatt"r"d )ar%hing and )"%hani"d %ol$)n of th" &)at"r
ra%"&0 E9$i*)"nt of all ort 'a tr"'n #y th" 'ayid"( ha1ing #""n a#andon"d or /no%/"d
o$t0 Th"r" 'a a#ol$t"ly no "l"%tri%ity0 In hort( "1"rything 'a &/a*$t& 6 a 'ord '" '"r" to
h"ar r"*"at"d n$)#"rl" ti)" in th" "n$ing )onth0 In fa%t( that 'ord 'a oon to #"%o)" a
tandard ";*r"ion $"d #y th" 3o%/0
Th" Battalion ar"a 'a it$at"d north of G"il"n/ir%h"n in a 'ood /no'n a 8or"t Wood
fro) th" fa%t that it 'a a #attalion of that fa)o$ r"gi)"nt 'hi%h firt %l"ar"d it0 Thi 'a to #"
o$r firt tat" of 'ood lif"( li1ing in lit6tr"n%h" and d$g6o$t( #$t it 'an&t to #" o$r lat0 Th"
*oition th")"l1" '"r"n&t *arti%$larly in1iting0 Th" Co)*ani" '"r" o)" %onid"ra#l"
ditan%" a*art and on" 'a al'ay %on%io$ of an ""ri" f""ling 'h"n )a/ing on"& 'ay do'n
th" ta*"d tra%/ thro$gh th" 'ood0 W" had to %ont"nd 'ith a %"rtain a)o$nt of h"lling and
)ortaring not to *"a/ of th" odd S*anda$( *arti%$larly at night( #$t 'hat 'a 'ort of all 'a th"
)$d and 'at"r0 It 'a dirty )$d and /n""6d""* in )any *la%"0 Nor)al tran*ort %o$ld not g"t
thro$gh to Battalion H"ad9$art"r and '" had to )a/" $" of W"a"l to %arry $* th" ration
and 'at"r and a))$nition0 Th"" W"a"l '"r" )agnifi%"nt and '" %o$ld not ha1" ";it"d
'itho$t th")0 A 'ord of *rai" i d$" to Ca*tain W080 S%ott( th" %o))and"r of S Co)*any( 'ho
a#ly organi"d th" W"a"l f"rry yt") 'hi%h 'or/"d ";%"ll"ntly d$ring o$r tay in th" ar"a0
Th" r"li"f of th" >th Ca)"ronian 'a %o)*l"t"d #y 60,? *0)0 and( ha1ing *$t o$t
%o1"ring *atrol( '" "ttl"d do'n for th" night in th" *oition ho'n in /"t%h &3&0 Th" night
*a"d 'itho$t in%id"nt and o alo did th" follo'ing day 'ith th" ";%"*tion of o)" "n")y
)o1")"nt and )all ar) fir" fro) a )all 'ood( /no'n a S9$ar" Wood( dir"%tly to o$r front0
Th" na)" *"a/ for it"lf0 In th" "1"ning thing li1"n"d $* a littl" and flar"( hot and
)a%hin" g$n fir" '"r" r"*ort"d fro) th" a)" ar"a0 In addition( th" Bo%h" tho$ght it 'a high
ti)" '" '"r" 'ar)"d $* a #it and "nt o1"r o)" h"ll 'hi%h land"d in th" #a%/ ar"a ro$nd
Ni"d"rh"id"0 Ind""d 8 Co)*any r"*ort"d that fo$r of th"" )iil" land"d 'ithin a h$ndr"d
yard of th"ir h"ad9$art"r0 A*art fro) thi th"r" '"r" no ";%$rion and alar) and all *atrol
"nt o$t r"t$rn"d 'ith a %"rtain a)o$nt of $"f$l infor)ation0
Not %ont"nt 'ith %a$ing a 1"ry littl" %ont"rnation on th" ,+th( th" "n")y d"%id"d to
ha1" anoth"r hot at it on th" ,.th and( fro) ,=0,? *0)0 to ,=0<? *0)0( th" ar"a 7$t north of
Battalion H"ad9$art"r %a)" $nd"r h"llfir"0 In all a#o$t t'"nty h"ll land"d #$t no da)ag"
'a %a$"d0 Thi %o$ld not #" tol"rat"d and o$r g$nn"r too/ gr"at 7oy in r"t$rning th"
%o)*li)"nt0 Th"y r"*aid th" H$n )any ti)" o1"r for hi int"r"t in $ for 1"ry )any )or"
than t'"nty h"ll '"r" "nt %r"a)ing thro$gh th" air in th" $**o"d dir"%tion of th" "n")y
g$n0 That night 'a 9$i"t and thr"" *atrol '"r" "nt o$t( t'o fro) A Co)*any and on" fro) C
Co)*any0 Th"y r"t$rn"d in d$" %o$r" 'itho$t ha1ing $ff"r"d any %a$alti"0 Th" follo'ing
day 'a )or" or l" a ro$tin" on" 'ith th" ";%"*tion that B Co)*any *ott"d a *arty of i;
"n")y )o1ing into y"t anoth"r 'ood to th"ir front0 Artill"ry fir" 'a dir"%t"d into thi 'ood #$t
a**ar"ntly 'itho$t a**r"%ia#l" r"$lt for th" 9$arry 'a n"1"r ""n again0 No' %a)" th" t$rn of
o$r o'n )ortar 'ho '"r" dir"%t"d on a targ"t and %o))"n%"d firing at .0.= *0)0( 7$t a th"
light 'a #"ginning to fail0 It )$t ha1" #""n "ff"%ti1" for no oon"r had th" )ortar %"a"d
firing than t'"nty to thirty "n")y ro$nd '"r" r"%"i1"d #a%/0 Th"" land"d %lo" to th" )ortar
ar"a #$t l$%/ily did no da)ag"0 B$t *r"1io$ to o$r )ortar o*"ning $*( "1"ral h"a1y "n")y
h"ll land"d in th" 1illag" of Gilrath( 'h"r" A E%h"lon 'a %on%"ntrat"d( /illing on" )an of th"
Anti6tan/ Elatoon and 'o$nding anoth"r0
W" '"r" no' g"tting r"ally annoy"d 'ith thi "n")y )ortaring and it 'a d"%id"d that
o$r o'n )ortar ho$ld ta/" in S9$ar" Wood 'hi%h 'a trongly $*"%t"d of #"ing a Bo%h"
trong*oint0 A%%ordingly that night at - o&%lo%/ a h"a1y )ortar #arrag" %a)" do'n on it0 In th"
'ord of a )")#"r of that Elatoon &W" /no%/"d h"ll o$t of it&0
O$r tay in th" lin" 'a ra*idly dra'ing to a %lo" for '" r"%"i1"d ord"r that '" 'o$ld
#" r"li"1"d #y th" >th Ca)"ronian AS%ottih Rifl"B d$ring th" day and "arly "1"ning of th" ,6th
and( at half an ho$r aft"r )idday( th" firt arri1al of that $nit r"*ort"d and %o))"n%"d th"
ta/"o1"r0 It 'a a long dra'n o$t *ro%" for "1"ral of th" *oition %o$ld not #" r"li"1"d
d$ring daylight0 A a %on"9$"n%" it 'a '"ll aft"r nightfall #"for" th" 'hol" Battalion got o$t
and not 'itho$t o)" littl" ";%it")"nt for( d$ring th" r"li"f of C Co)*any( fo$r %a$alti" a)ong
th" r"li"1ing $nit '"r" %a$"d #y )ortaring0 Wh"th"r thi 'a 7$t #ad l$%/ or 'h"th"r th"
"n")y $*"%t"d that a r"li"f 'a in *rogr" 'ill n"1"r #" /no'n0
By half *at "ight at night th" 'hol" Battalion had r"*ort"d in %o)*l"t" to th" 1illag" of
T"1"rn 'hi%h 'a to #" o$r t")*orary a#od" for th" n";t f"' day0
GERMANY
T"1"rn 6 Th" 8""rt"d @illag"
T"1"rn 'a a 1illag" a#o$t t'o )il" o$th '"t of G"il"n/ir%h"n0 Wa i th" ad1ia#l"
t"n" to $" for no' it 'a no )or" than a h"a* or r$in 'ith an o%%aional ho$" )or" or l"
%o)*l"t" altho$gh th"r" 'a not a ingl" on" %o)*l"t" in "1"ry d"tail0 In o)" *la%" th"
t"n%h 'a t"rri#l" and on" had to #" 1"ry r"ady 'ith on"& hand/"r%hi"f in ord"r to *a o)"
of th" )ot &'""t&6)"lling *la%"0 Th" int"rior of th" ho$" '"r" ha)#l"0 S)ah"d and
#ro/"n f$rnit$r" along 'ith rag of di%ard"d %lothing 'a tr"'n "1"ry'h"r"0 Th" road '"r"
road in na)" only ha1ing #""n )$%h %h$rn"d $* #y traffi% of all ort in addition to a fair
n$)#"r of *othol" %a$"d #y h"ll and trafing fro) th" air0
W" '"r" 7$t a littl" tir"d 'h"n '" arri1"d and( #"yond )a/ing th" *la%" ha#ita#l" #y
'ay of %l"aring o$t a *ro*ortion of 7$n/ and finding to1" to h"at th" #ill"t( '" did littl" that
night #$t &g"t do'n to it&0 In%id"ntally '" fo$nd a 1"ry a)*l" $**ly of %oal d"*it" th" fa%t that
)any oth"r $nit had inha#it"d th" 1illag" *rior to o$r arri1al0 Thi 'a o$r firt ";*"ri"n%" of th"
$ntr$th in th" )any tori" '" had h"ard of th" la%/ of %oal in G"r)any0
Ha1ing had a good night fr"" fro) S*anda$( h"lling and )ortaring( '" f"lt li/" n"'
)"n th" follo'ing day and *ro%""d"d 'ith )ight and )ain to )a/" o$r t")*orary a#od" a
*l"aing a *oi#l"0 Th" 3o%/ '"r" )ot ing"nio$ at )a/ing th" )ot of th"ir not too
ha#ita#l" #ill"t and )any '"r" th" %ontri1an%" rigg"d $*0 C"rtainly )ot )"n )anag"d to
%ro$ng" )attr"" for th")"l1" and '"r" th$ "na#l"d to ha1" a oft l""* a %ontrat"d
'ith th" rath"r %old( '"t and hard gro$nd to 'hi%h th"y had #"%o)" a%%$to)"d d$ring th"
*r"1io$ f"' day0 Bath( too( '"r" ind$lg"d in and "1"ryon" f"lt fr"h"r and )or" li/" hi)"lf
on hi r"t$rn fro) 'ahing th" dirty G"r)an )$d off hi #ody0
It 'a 7$t at thi ti)" that th" G"r)an #r"a/thro$gh in th" Ard"nn" 'a "rio$ly
dit$r#ing th" "1"n t"nor of th" High"r Co))and and it 'a d"")"d ad1ia#l" that *r"%a$tion
ho$ld #" ta/"n againt th" *oi#ility of a *ara%h$t" landing ta/ing *la%" o)"'h"r" in o$r
n"igh#o$rhood and '" '"r" to #" *arti%$larly al"rt againt thi00 8"*it" thi 'arning th" night
*a"d *"a%"f$lly and( in th" )orning( '" got do'n to th" 7o# of digging d"f"ni1" *oition
"rio$ly0 Thi 'a /"*t $* all day and in no ti)" at all th" d"f"ni1" lay6o$t for th" 1illag" too/
ha*"0 B$t all 'or/ and no *lay )a/" 3o%/ a '"ll a 3a%/ a d$ll #oy o that "1"ning '"
%on1"rt"d a larg" ")*ty %afC into a %in")a and f$lly thirty *"r %"nt of th" Battalion 'a *r""nt
at th" $#"9$"nt fil) ho'0
For th" n";t f"' day th" )ain 'or/ 'a digging $ntil finally th" *oition '"r"
%o)*l"t"d in%l$ding %a)o$flag" and( in o)"( th" %a)o$flag" 'a o ";%"ll"ntly don" that at
ti)" on" 'o$ld %o)*l"t"ly fail to "" o)" of th" "%tion *ot0 O$r ti)" to r"6"nt"r th" lin"
'a ra*idly a**roa%hing and( ha1ing r"%"i1"d a Chrit)a )"ag" fro) Fi"ld Marhal
Montgo)"ry on <,t 8"%")#"r( '" '"r" 'arn"d that '" 'o$ld ta/" o1"r fro) th" 6th Battalion
Ca)"ronian AS%ottih Rifl"B on <.th 8"%")#"r0 Thi )"ant that '" 'o$ld #" *"nding
Chrit)a in th" lin" #$t( aft"r all( '" did ha1" t"rn"r thing to thin/ of than th" f"ti1" "aon 6
'" '"r" till fighting a 'ar againt an $n%r$*$lo$ and $nd"f"at"d fo"0 Ho'"1"r( Chrit)a
far" 'a not altog"th"r forgott"n for it 'a d"%id"d that all Co)*ani"( ";%"*t A and B( 'o$ld
ha1" an "arly Chrit)a dinn"r and th" <+rd 'a laid do'n a #"ing th" dat" for thi f$n%tion0
Th" dinn"r 'h"n it finally %a)" to #" "r1"d 'a firt %la and th" $$al r$l" a to Chrit)a
dinn"r '"r" faithf$lly o#"r1"d0 Li"$t"nant6Colon"l E"r%i1al and Ma7or B"ll( along 'ith th"
Ad7$tant( 1iit"d "a%h Co)*any in rotation and( aft"r toat and *""%h"( l"ft again to th"
train of &For H"& A 3olly Good F"llo'&0 Conid"ring all th" %ir%$)tan%"( '" %"l"#rat"d o$r
firt Chrit)a on G"r)an oil in a fitting and *ro*"r )ann"r0
B$t all good thing )$t of n"%"ity %o)" to an "nd and at -0+= a0)0 on th" <.th '"
*ro%""d"d #y )ar%h ro$t" to th" r"li"f of th" 6th Ca)"ronian AS%ottih Rifl"B in th" ar"a of
Ho%h"id0 Th" r"li"f 'a %arri"d tho$gh 'itho$t diffi%$lty #$t on" in%id"nt of not" o%%$rr"d 'hi%h
rath"r d$)#fo$nd"d $ all0 3$t in th" )iddl" of th" r"li"f a G"r)an *lan"( flying at high *""d
7$t a#o1" th" tr""to*( %a)" o1"r )$%h to o$r annoyan%"0 Th" 'hol" in%id"nt too/ *la%" in a
flah and it 'a not *oi#l" in th" ti)" to g"t )all ar) fir" to #"ar on th" intr"*id G"r)an
a1iator0 Th" r"li"f 'a totally %o)*l"t"d #y <0.? *0)0
GERMANY
On%" again 6 th" 'ood
S/"t%h H ho' o$r n"' *oition 'hi%h '"r" not 9$it" o ""ri" a '" had ";*"ri"n%"d
on o$r lat 1iit to thi ar"a0 W" '"r" #a%/ to th" a)" #$in" of lit"ning *atrol and
"1"ryon" at intant r"adin" to r"*"l any *ro7"%t"d atta%/0 Ind""d( d$ring th" firt night(
"1"ral flar" and light ignal '"r" ""n on th" Battalion front and '" tho$ght o)"thing 'a
#r"'ing0 In1"tigation a %lo" a *oi#l" di%lo"d nothing and '" #"%a)" a%%$to)"d to
th"" flar"( "t%0( d$ring th" "n$ing night0 A*art fro) thi( th" firt night 'a a 9$i"t on"0 W"
'ond"r"d if th" H$n 'a going to l"a1" $ in *"a%" d$ring Chrit)a 8ay and $%h 'a th"
%a" #$t "1id"ntly h" tho$ght that a**ar"nt %"ation of hotiliti" d$ring th" ho$r of daylight
'a $ffi%i"nt for( at t"n )in$t" *at i;( a g$nflah 'a r"*ort"d #y on" of o$r o#"r1ation
*ot0 Th" ar"a 'a th"r"$*on "ngag"d #y o$r thr"" in%h )ortar0 What 'a a$%" for th"
goo" 'a )ot d"finit"ly a$%" for th" gand"r0 Lat"r that night( #"t'""n ,=0+? and ,, o&%lo%/(
B Co)*any '"r" th" r"%i*i"nt of a#o$t t'"nty )ortar #o)# 'hi%h did no da)ag"0 Th" day
'a f$rth"r "nli1"n"d #y th" $n";*"%t"d arri1al of a E$#li% R"lation d"ta%h)"nt %o)*l"t" 'ith
fil) $nit #$t l" th" all6i)*ortant g"n"rator0 Aft"r ta/ing fil) of th" Co))anding Offi%"r 1iiting
hi Co)*ani" and of th" 3o%/ at 'or/ and *lay on Chrit)a 8ay( it 'a d"%id"d that th"
Battalion Co))and Eot 'a *hotog"ni%0
Th" Co))and Eot 'a a 'hit"6'ah"d %"llar of )od"t di)"nion( hor"d $* 'ith
ti)#"r *ro* and "nli1"n"d 'ith Chrit)a %ard0 Th" Co))anding Offi%"r& and th" Ad7$tant&
i)*ro1i"d d"/( a t"l"*hon"( a f"' %hair( th" Int"llig"n%" Offi%"r& )a*( )a*#oard( tra%"
and air *hotogra*h and a Till"y la)*( 'hi%h #$rn"d fitf$lly #y day and night( and Battalion
H"ad9$art"r& r$) ration %ontit$t"d it f$rnihing0 Aft"r franti% "ffort( a g"n"rator 'a
"1"nt$ally o#tain"d and hot of th" CO and hi taff( "ngag"d in nor)al d$ti"( '"r" ta/"n0 It
ha in%" #""n h"ard that th"" hot ar" li/"ly to #" in%or*orat"d in a do%$)"ntary fil)
%hroni%ling th" %a)*aign in th" North W"t E$ro*" th"atr" of o*"ration( th" %o$nt"r*art of
&8""rt @i%tory&0
On <6th 8"%")#"r '" '"r" notifi"d that ?th Highland Light Infantry 'o$ld ta/" o1"r
fro) $ th" follo'ing day and '" 'o$ld ta/" o1"r fro) that $nit and lat"r a 'arning ord"r to that
"ff"%t 'a i$"d0 8$ring th" night( on" )ortar #o)# falling in B Co)*any ar"a %a$"d on"
%a$alty and )any flar" and light '"r" r"*ort"d0 Th"r" )$t ha1" #""n "n")y a%ti1ity
o)"'h"r" for( at t"n )in$t" *at "ight in th" )orning of th" day '" '"r" to #" r"li1"d( it 'a
r"*ort"d that t'o G"r)an had #""n ""n in th" #a%/ ar"a0 Thi %o$ld not #" tol"rat"d and th"
CO i))"diat"ly ord"r"d all troo* in that ar"a to tand6to0 A "ar%h *arty fro) Battalion
H"ad9$art"r $nd"r R"gi)"ntal S"rg"ant6Ma7or Cha)#"r 'a "nt o$t and r"t$rn"d
$%%"f$l at -0<= a0)0 O$r t'o 'ar dog( R$f$ and M$%h( '"r" $"d in thi "ar%h and th"
ight of th"" t'o 'a *ro#a#ly th" *ri)ary %a$" of th" %a*t$r" of th" t'o G"r)an altho$gh a
ro$nd fir"d at a *aing ro" d""r alo a%t"d a an in%"nti1" to th" t'o to &*a%/ in&0 Th""
*rion"r '"r" id"ntifi"d a Li"$t"nant R"%/nag"l of th" Int"llig"n%" Staff of ,G+ 8i1iion and
G"fr"it"r Fa" of th" ,,th Battalion Th" +.+ R"gi)"nt A,G+ @G 8i1iionB0 Th"ir tory 'a that
th"y had #""n "nt o$t to *atrol o$r for'ard ar"a to di%o1"r ho' )$%h of th" )ain road 'a in
o$r hand and a taff offi%"r had #""n %ho"n for th" 7o# #"%a$" of th" *oor r"$lt o#tain"d #y
th"ir nor)al *atrol 'hi%h *"a/ a lot for th" 1igilan%" of o$r o'n troo*0
At ,=0.? a0)0 that )orning th" ad1an%" "l")"nt of ?th Highland Light Infantry arri1"d
and th" 'hol" r"li"f 'a %o)*l"t"d 'itho$t in%id"nt #y +0+= *0)0
GERMANY
G"il"n/ir%h"n 6 E;%it")"nt at lat
O$r n"' ar"a 'a ro$nd a#o$t th" )$%h #att"r"d 1illag" of G"il"n/ir%h"n0 It 'a a
*"%$liar it$ation in that th" Battalion 'a $**o"d to #" in r""r1" y"t C Co)*any 'a '"ll
for'ard in th" front lin"0 In fa%t( th"y '"r" f$rth"r for'ard than th"y had #""n in th"ir lat
lo%ation0 Th"y alo had th" ditin%tion of #"ing th" ";tr")" right flan/ Co)*any of th" "ntir"
Britih <nd Ar)y for th" &fri"nd& i))"diat"ly to th"ir right '"r" an A)"ri%an %a1alry $nit0 B"lo'(
th"r" i a /"t%h of th" Battalion lay6o$t0
I))"diat"ly aft"r #"ing *$ll"d #a%/ to thi ar"a it 'a d"%id"d that on" %o)*any ho$ld
*$t in a raid on th" G"r)an *oition0 Thi raid 'a to #" don" #y B Co)*any and *artly
thro$gh th" C Co)*any ar"a0 Er"*aration '"r" 9$i%/ly )ad" and "1"ry )in$t" d"tail 'a
tho$ght of( in%l$ding a r"%ontr$%tion of th" gro$nd o1"r 'hi%h th" raiding *arty 'a to )o1"(
thro$gh th" )"di$) of air *hotogra*h0 B$t all thi *r"*aration 'a for nothing a "1"nt t$rn"d
o$t for( on th" )orning of th" *ro7"%t"d raid( th" Bo%h" hi)"lf *$t in an atta%/ tho$gh not in o$r
Battalion ar"a0 At i; o&%lo%/ in th" )orning th" o$nd of h"a1y and %ontin$o$ )a%hin" g$n
and )ortar fir" '"r" h"ard to th" north '"t0 At 60,=( a thi firing had not a#at"d( #oth 8 and A
Co)*ani" '"r" ord"r"d to &Stand To& and #y 60<? th" 'hol" Battalion 'a at th" a)" tat" of
r"adin"0
At thi ti)" it 'a r"*ort"d #y th" ,t Glago' Highland"r( 'ho '"r" o%%$*ying o$r old
*oition in 8or"t Wood( that h"a1y fir" 'a %o)ing do'n in th"ir ar"a0 At 60., A Co)*any( t'o
"%tion of Carri"r and on" "%tion of Mortar '"r" *$t on fi1" )in$t" noti%" to )o1"0 Th" ?th
Battalion '"r" alo at th" r"%"i1ing "nd of 'hat th" H$n 'a "nding o1"r for( #y 60.6( th"y had
r"*ort"d that th" HJ at Ho%h"id 'a #"ing h"a1ily h"ll"d0 By > a0)0 '" /n"' that th" "n")y
had *"n"trat"d th" *oition of th" l"ft for'ard Co)*any of th" ,t Glago' Highland"r and #y
>0,> th" Glago' Highland"r& Co)*any in Tri*rath 'a #"ing atta%/"d fro) th" o$th0 Th"
*oition #"%a)" )or" %onf$"d o)" ti)" lat"r and it 'a d"%id"d that A Co)*any ho$ld
)o1" $* to th" 'ood"d ar"a h"ld #y th" Glago' Highland"r and %o)" $nd"r %o))and of that
$nit0 Ma7or 3080H"ndry 'a in %o))and of A Co)*any and th"r" follo' hi tory of th"
$#"9$"nt a%tion0
KAt a#o$t ,=0.? th" Co)*any 'a ord"r"d to )o1" $* to th" 'ood ar"a G6=6>,( th"r" to
%o)" $nd"r %o))and of ,t Glago' Highland"r 'ith a 1i"' to )a/ing "ith"r a %o$nt"r atta%/
on th" o$th "nd of Tri*rath( 'hi%h 'a /no'n to #" in "n")y hand( or on th" 'ood"d ar"a
north '"t of Ri%hd"n and north "at of Hatt"rath 'h"r" th" it$ation 'a o#%$r"0
Th" )o1" to th" a")#ly ar"a 'a %o)*l"t"d #y ,<.? ho$r0 On th" final tag" of
th" )o1" th" Co)*any %a)" $nd"r int"r)itt"nt #$t a%%$rat" h"llfir"0 At th" a)" ti)" th"
'ood 'a $nd"r fir" fro) light )a%hin" g$n .== yard to th" front0 Th" $#"9$"nt hold6$*
r"$lt"d in > Elatoon #"ing %a$ght in th" o*"n and th"y $ff"r"d "1"ral %a$alti" in%l$ding t'o
"%tion %o))and"r( Cor*oral 8"an and Cor*oral M$rgatroyd( /ill"d0
Ha1ing ""n th" Co)*any di*"r"d $nd"r %o1"r in th" 'ood( I *ro%""d"d #a%/ to
Battalion HJ ,t Glago' Highland"r in Ri%hd"n 'h"r" I a' Lt0Colon"l Fr"n%h0 Hi
infor)ation 'a that th" "n")y had for%"d th"ir 'ay into th" north"rn "nd0 On th" l"ft front 8
Co)*any HJ and , Elatoon '"r" $rro$nd"d and th"r" 'a no %o))$ni%ation 'ith th" t'o
for'ard Elatoon in th" north ti* of th" 'ood G?66G+0 C Co)*any '"r" "ngag"d #y th" "n")y
'ho had infiltrat"d thro$gh th" 'ood o$th '"t of th"ir *oition 'hi%h 'a at G6.6G+0
I 'a ord"r"d to atta%/ 'ith th" Co)*any and #r"a/ thro$gh to 8 Co)*any HJ at a#o$t
G?>6>? th" %l"ar thro$gh to C Co)*any in th" north "at %orn"r of th" 'ood0 Thi o*"ration 'a
to #" %arri"d o$t a oon a *oi#l" a r"*ort fro) 8 Co)*any indi%at"d that th"y '"r" hard
*r""d0 No $**ort 'a a1aila#l" a h"ll or )ortar fir" 'o$ld ha1" "ndang"r"d o$r o'n troo*
holding o$t in th" 'ood0
Hno'ing th" gro$nd( I d"%id"d that a frontal atta%/ $nd"r %o1"r of )o/" 'a th" only
f"ai#l" *lan if *""d 'a ""ntial0 I 'a a#l" to #orro' t'o in%h )o/" fro) th" Glago'
Highland"r0
Th" *lan 'a to atta%/ a%ro th" o*"n gro$nd to Mortar Co*"( %l"ar th" Co*" and
%ontin$" traight into th" )ain 'ood traight thro$gh th" Co)*any HJ *oition0 Th" ad1an%"
a%ro th" o*"n gro$nd 'a to #" %o1"r"d #y t'o in%h )o/" %r""n laid #y Glago'
Highland"r Anti6tan/ d"ta%h)"nt and on" *latoon Glago' Highland"r 'ho '"r" d$g in on th"
l"ft of th" a")#ly ar"a0 Th" initial ad1an%" to Mortar Co*" 'a to #" $nd"rta/"n #y -
Elatoon on th" right( > Elatoon on th" l"ft 'ith G Elatoon in r""r1"0 On r"a%hing th" far "dg" of
Mortar Co*"( > Elatoon 'ith t'o in%h )ortar d"ta%h)"nt fro) G and - Elatoon '"r" to %o1"r
th" f$rth"r ad1an%" into th" 'ood0
Th" atta%/ %o))"n%"d a#o$t ,.0,= $nd"r %o1"r of a *"rf"%t )o/" %r""n laid a%ro
th" front of Mortar Co*" and th" )ain 'ood and Br"n fir" fro) th" right and l"ft flan/ of th"
a")#ly ar"a0 Th" ad1an%" a%ro th" o*"n 'a a%%o)*lih"d 'ith only on" %a$alty in *it"
of a %onid"ra#l" 1ol$)" of )all ar) fir" fro) th" 'ood and "n")y h"llfir" 'hi%h fort$nat"ly
f"ll on" h$ndr"d yard o1"r th" l"ading Elatoon Aa 1"ry good ill$tration of th" in"ff"%ti1"n" of
light )a%hin" g$n fir" 'hi%h i $nai)"d and not in "nfilad"B0 T'o or thr"" S*anda$ *ot '"r"
%l"ar"d $* in th" front "dg" of th" 'ood and a n$)#"r of *rion"r ta/"n( o)" of 'ho) had
gon" to gro$nd and had to #" %oa;"d o$t0 Th" ad1an%" of - Elatoon %ontin$"d( 'inging right
hand"d thro$gh th" HJ of 8 Co)*any Glago' Highland"r and finihing $* on th" "at id" of
th" W"a"l tra%/ 'h"r" th" M0O0 and th" Eadr" of th" Glago' Highland"r '"r" fo$nd in th"
";tr")"ly $n%o)forta#l" *oition of #"ing h"ld *rion"r ha1ing #""n ";*o"d to th" fir" of #oth
id" for th" *r"1io$ t'o ho$r0 Th"y had 'ith th") t'o G"r)an tr"t%h"r #"ar"r and "1"ral
'o$nd"d of #oth id"0 Thi *art of th" o*"ration 'a %o)*l"t"d #y a#o$t ,.<? ho$r0
Th"r" 'a a *a$" for fi1" )in$t" on th" Co)*any HJ *oition to r"organi" and
r"load d$ring 'hi%h ti)" th" *oition 'a h"ll"d 'itho$t %a$ing any %a$alti" a all '"r" in
tr"n%h"0 Th" ad1an%" 'a %ontin$"d to'ard th" north "nd of th" 'ood 'h"r" th" t'o for'ard
*latoon of 8 Co)*any Glago' Highland"r had *oition0 Nothing had #""n h"ard fro) th""
t'o *latoon in%" th" "n")y atta%/ had %o))"n%"d at =6== ho$r that )orning0
Thi ad1an%" 'a don" 'ith - Elatoon on th" right and th" r""r1" *latoon of th" ,t
Glago' Highland"r on th" l"ft0 G Elatoon 'a l"ft #"hind in th" Co)*any HJ ar"a to for) a
fir) #a" 'ith > Elatoon r")aining in Mortar Co*" to %o1"r a 'ithdra'al ho$ld it #"%o)"
n"%"ary0
Th" for'ard *latoon *oition '"r" r"a%h"d 'ith littl" in%id"nt and '"r" fo$nd to #"
o%%$*i"d #y a )all for%" of "n")y( a#o$t fift""n of 'ho) '"r" ta/"n *rion"r0 Th"r" 'a no
ign of th" Glago' Highland"r *latoon0 Thr"" *oition on th" north and "at id" of th"
'ood I l"ft o%%$*i"d 'ith a holding for%" of t'o "%tion in "a%h 'hil" I '"nt #a%/ to Co)*any
HJ to "nd a r"*ort and a/ for r"infor%")"nt 'hi%h '"r" n"%"ary if th" 'hol" *oition 'a
to #" h"ld againt "n")y %o$nt"r6atta%/ or infiltration0
Shortly aft"r r"a%hing Co)*any HJ a r$nn"r %a)" fro) th" for'ard *latoon 'ith a
)"ag" fro) Co)*any S"rg"ant Ma7or Ro")$nd( 'ho 'a in %o))and( to th" "ff"%t that th"
"n")y '"r" )o1ing do'n "ith"r flan/ of th" 'ood in a tr"ngth of a#o$t t'o %o)*ani"0 I
ord"r"d th" CSM to 'ithdra' a th"r" 'a a ditin%t dang"r of th" for'ard *latoon #"ing %$t off
again( 'h"n th" it$ation 'o$ld ha1" #""n th" a)" a #"for" o$r atta%/ %o))"n%"d0 Th"
*latoon 'ithdr"' and a trong*oint 'a for)"d ro$nd th" Co)*any HJ ar"a0 By thi ti)" it
'a d$/ and a no'tor) had %o))"n%"d0
T"n )in$t" lat"r th" "n")y a**roa%h"d( "")ingly $na'ar" that '" '"r" again in
%ontrol of th" it$ation( a th"y )o1"d do'n th" tra%/ n"ar th" Co)*any HJ in ingl" fil"0
E1"rything o*"n"d $* on th") at l" than a h$ndr"d yard and %onid"ra#l" %a$alti" '"r"
%a$"d0 Th"y %att"r"d in all dir"%tion and r"t$rn"d fir" 'ith "1"rything fro) rifl" to #a5oo/a
and rifl" gr"nad"0 A t'o in%h )ortar d"ta%h)"nt 'hi%h o*"n"d fir" fro) t'o h$ndr"d yard
rang" 'a 'i*"d o$t0 Aft"r t'"nty )in$t" or o firing di"d do'n and th"r" '"r" no )or"
dit$r#an%" that night0 A fighting *atrol "nt o$t fro) Battalion %onta%t"d $ d$ring th" night
and( on th" follo'ing )orning( 8 Co)*any 6th HLI %l"ar"d th" ar) of th" 'ood to C Co)*any
Glago' Highland"r& *oition0 A fighting *atrol fro) G Elatoon 1"rifi"d th" fa%t that th" north "nd
of th" 'ood 'a %l"ar aft"r 'hi%h th" Co)*any )o1"d $* and o%%$*i"d th" north"rn "nd in th"
*oition *r"1io$ly o%%$*i"d #y th" t'o Glago' Highland"r *latoon0
Thi )all a%tion *rod$%"d t'o l"on0
AaB Th" 1al$" of th" t'o in%h )ortar a a )o/" *rod$%ing '"a*on $nd"r fa1o$ra#l"
%ondition0
A#B Th" )oral" "ff"%t on #oth id" of light )a%hin" g$n fir" in th" g"n"ral dir"%tion of
th" "n")y %o)#in"d 'ith dah and d"t"r)ination on th" *art of th" atta%/ing troo*0K
For th"ir *art in thi a%tion( Ma7or H"ndry 'a d"%orat"d $#"9$"ntly 'ith th" Military
Cro and S"rg"ant Grant and Eri1at" S)ith 'ith th" Military M"dal0
8$ring th" %o$r" of th" +=th 8"%")#"r( o'ing to th" "nding for'ard of th" #$l/ of th"
troo* of th" $nit to th" aitan%" of th" Glago' Highland"r( it 'a d"")"d ad1ia#l" to
r"infor%" th" G"il"n/ir%h"n ar"a and a%%ordingly t'o %o)*ani" of th" >L- Battalion Royal S%ot
too/ o1"r th" *oition *r"1io$ly o%%$*i"d #y A and B Co)*ani" and in th" "arly )orning of
th" +,t 8"%")#"r a f$rth"r %o)*any of th" Royal S%ot along 'ith Battalion HJ *"ronn"l
arri1"d to ta/" %o))and of th" troo* in th" G"il"n/ir%h"n ar"a0 In th" "1"ning of th" a)" day
'" '"r" infor)"d that o$r r"li"f 'o$ld ta/" *la%" on ,t 3an$ary0 That )"ant '" 'o$ld *"nd
Hog)anay in th" lin"0
It 'a a %$rio$ Hog)anay0 E1"rything 'a 9$i"t $ntil a#o$t ,, o&%lo%/ 'h"n( on o$r
right flan/ in th" A)"ri%an "%tor( a %"rtain a)o$nt of h"lling and S*anda$ fir" too/ *la%"0 It
"")"d to th" %a$al o#"r1"r that nothing "rio$ 'a ha**"ning0 Ho'"1"r it all %a)" to
na$ght and #y ,,.? *0)0 "1"rything 'a till and 9$i"t0 Th"r" did not "") to #" a 'ar in
*rogr"0 Th"n $dd"nly( fro) th" A)"ri%an "%tor 7$t on th" tro/" of )idnight( h"ll #ro/"
loo"0 Tho" A)"ri%an fir"d "1"ry '"a*on th"y had( %o)*l"t" 'ith h$ndr"d of ro$nd of
tra%"r0 Th" land%a*" %o$ld %"rtainly ha1" *$t Bla%/*ool ill$)ination in th" had"0 Th" Yan/
'"r" )ot %"rtainly %"l"#rating N"' Y"ar0 On" %o$ldn&t h"l* #$t noti%" th" di1iding lin" #"t'""n
th" t'o ar)i"0 On th" l"ft all 'a a il"nt a th" gra1" and on th" right th" noi" #"ggar"d
d"%ri*tion0 Inid" fi1" )in$t"( ho'"1"r( th" firing di"d do'n and th" N"' Y"ar had #""n
$h"r"d in0
On ,t 3an$ary '" '"r" r"li"1"d #y th" >L- Battalion Royal S%ot 'ith th" ";%"*tion of
8 Co)*any 'hi%h r")ain"d in th" north "nd of G"il"n/ir%h"n $nd"r %o))and of th"
R"%onnaian%" S9$adron 'hil" th" r")aind"r of th" Battalion r"t$rn"d to T"1"rn #$t not #"for"
Ta%ti%al Battalion HJ and all troo* in th" 1i%inity had had th" o**ort$nity of ")*tying th"ir
)aga5in" into a G"r)an air%raft 'hi%h had th" t")"rity to fly tr""6to* high o1"r th" for'ard
*oition( "n ro$t"( it i *r"$)"d( for RAF airfi"ld in B"lgi$)0 Th" *lan" n"1"r r"a%h"d it
d"tination tho$gh 'h"th"r o$r light anti6air%raft g$nn"r or o$r o'n for'ard troo* %an 7$tifia#ly
%lai) th" %r"dit for that )$t r")ain for "1"r in do$#t0
GERMANY
T"1"rn r"1iit"d
T"1"rn 'a( #y thi ti)"( in an "1"n 'or" %ondition than 'h"n '" firt 1iit"d it and o$r
%ar"f$lly %l"an"d #ill"t '"r"( if *oi#l"( filthi"r than th"y had #""n on o$r arri1al0 Th"r" 'a
nothing for it #$t to "t to and %l"an th") $* again0 B"for" long thing '"r" hi*ha*" and '"
%o$ld t$dy and a**r"%iat" th" 1ario$ )"ag" 'hi%h had arri1"d that day fro) high"r
a$thoriti"0 Brigadi"r 3080R$"ll "nt th" follo'ing )"ag"I6
KTh" Brigad" Co))and"r than/ all ran/ for th"ir to$t finih to ,-.. and 'ih" th")
good l$%/ in ,-.?0K
and Ma7or6G"n"ral Ha/"'"ll6S)ith( C0B0E0(M0C0( "nt thiI6
KTh" Ar)y Co))and"r 'ih" )" to %on1"y hi %ongrat$lation on th" *l"ndid
a%hi"1")"nt and h"a1y lo" infli%t"d on th" "n")y #y ,?? and ,?> Brigad" and th"ir
$**orting ar) in r"%"nt d"f"ni1" fighting0 I a) 1"ry *ro$d of yo$ all0 B"t 'ih" for ,-.?0
Th" G0O0C0 add hi in%"r" %ongrat$lation and i f$lly %onfid"nt that( 'h"n ?<nd
ALo'landB 8i1iion i again r"9$ir"d to fa%" a #igg"r t"t "ith"r off"ni1"ly or d"f"ni1"ly( th"
'hol" 8i1iion 'ill gi1" a fin" or fin"r a%%o$nt of it"lf0 W"ll don" th" 8i1iion in ,-..2
Yo$ ha1" good r"aon to #" *ro$d of yo$r"l1" and th" 1"ry #"t of good l$%/ in ,-.? to
"1"ryon" in it0K
Ha1ing %l"an"d $* o$r #ill"t( th" n";t thing on th" *rogra))" 'a #ath and
";%hang" of %lothing fro) th" 8i1iional Mo#il" La$ndry it$at"d in Br$n$) in Holland0 Th"
#ath $"d '"r" *ith"ad on" and '"r" ";%"ll"nt0 All of $ l"ft "ith"r th" H"ndri/ Min" or th"
E))a Min" r"fr"h"d in #ody and o$l #y th" )agnifi%"nt hot 'at"r of 'hi%h th"r" 'a an
$nli)it"d 9$antity0 Th"r" 'a alo a %in")a in Br$n$) and( on +rd 3an$ary ,-.?( a *"r%"ntag"
of th" Battalion on%" )or" had th" *l"a$r" of ""ing a fil)0
It 'a d$ring thi *"riod that A Co)*any( 'ho had a#ly h"ld $* th" good na)" of th"
Battalion in th" r"%"nt "ngag")"nt( r"%"i1"d th" hono$r of #"ing *"%ially in*"%t"d #y th"
8i1iional Co))and"r 'ho *o/" to )any )")#"r of th" Co)*any on th"ir a%hi"1")"nt and
addr""d th") %oll"%ti1"ly at th" %on%l$ion0 H" aid that( #y th" %o$nt"r6atta%/ in 8or"t
Wood( th"y had h"l*"d to %l"ar $* *ro)*tly 'hat )ight ha1" d"1"lo*"d into an a'/'ard
it$ation0 Th" in%id"nt had #""n r"*ort"d to th" Cor* Co))and"r and th" Co))and"r6in6
Chi"f 'ho had %o))"nt"d fa1o$ra#ly on th" 'ay in 'hi%h th" it$ation had #""n r"tor"d0 H"
%on%l$d"d #y 'ihing th" Co)*any th" #"t of l$%/ for ,-.?0
B$t d"*it" th" fa%t '" '"r" $**o"d to #" in a r"t ar"a '" '"r" not fr""d fro)
";%it")"nt of an $n*l"aant nat$r"0 At half *at t'"l1" )idnight on ?th 3an$ary '" r"%"i1"d a
)"ag" fro) Brigad" HJ %on1"ying th" $n'"l%o)" int"llig"n%" that th"r" 'a an $n%onfir)"d
r"*ort of t'"nty "n")y *ara%h$tit dro**"d in th" ar"a of Oir#""/0 Fift""n )in$t" lat"r a
i)ilar )"ag" 'a r"%"i1"d fro) ,?? Brigad" 'hi%h alo tat"d that %onid"ra#l" )all ar)
fir" had #""n h"ard fro) th" ar"a of Wa$#a%h0 C Co)*any 'a ord"r"d to tand6to and a
"%tion of Carri"r and t'o ar)"d 7""* *arti" $nd"r S"rg"ant Hay of C Co)*any '"r" "nt to
in1"tigat"0 Th" in1"tigation di%lo"d nothing6it a**"ar"d a if th" 'hol" affair had #""n a
fal" alar)0 Ero#a#ly o)"on" in on" of th" B E%h"lon ar"a had gon" to #"d 'ith a or" h"ad(
a'a/"n"d d$ring th" night and i)agin"d th" 'hol" thing0 At any rat" C Co)*any 'a tood
do'n at +0.= a0)0 and nothing f$rth"r tran*ir"d0
That day '" )o1"d #y )ar%h ro$t" to th" ar"a of Gilrath and too/ o1"r fro) th" >th
Battalion Ca)"ronian AS0R0B0 No oon"r had '" r"li"1"d th") than '" r"%"i1"d int"llig"n%"
fro) Brigad" HJ that th"r" 'a th" *oi#ility of an atta%/ #y th" "n")y on th" ?th Battalion HLI
front0 Th" ?th Battalion 'a on o$r l"ft flan/0 S*"%ial tand6to arrang")"nt for th" )orning of
6th 3an$ary '"r" )ad"0 In addition( "1"ral *atrol '"r" "nt o$t not only a a )att"r of ro$tin"
#$t alo to K)a/& i%%arK0 O$r *atrol r"t$rn"d 'ith nothing to r"*ort0
Th"r" follo' a /"t%h A/"t%h MB of th" Battalion di*oition at thi ti)"0
O$r ta/ in thi ar"a in%l$d"d a %h"%/ of o$r o'n and "n")y )in"fi"ld and th"
Eion""r Elatoon %o))"n%"d a r"%onnaian%" 'hi%h 'a highly $%%"f$l and fro) 'hi%h a
)at"r tra%" 'a %o)*il"d at Battalion HJ0
8$ring daylight it 'a 1"ry 9$i"t on th" Battalion front 'ith th" ";%"*tion of t"n )ortar
#o)# 'hi%h land"d in B Co)*any ar"a #$t did no da)ag"0 8$ring th" night o)" )all ar)
fir" 'a h"ard in th" n"igh#o$rhood of Birgd"n( l"ft of th" Battalion *oition0 Th" follo'ing day
'a alo 9$i"t a 'a th" night d"*it" th" fa%t that *"%ial *r"%a$tion '"r" ta/"n o'ing to th"
fa%t that ?th Battalion H0L0I0 r"*ort"d "n")y )o1")"nt on th"ir right flan/0
It 'a at thi ti)" that '" ";*"ri"n%"d a 1"ry h"a1y no'fall0 W" had( )ot of $( #""n
rath"r $r*ri"d at th" %o)*arati1" )ildn" of th" '"ath"r #$t thi no'fall 'a a r")ind"r that
'int"r 'a not o1"r #y any )"an0 Wh"n day da'n"d th" no' 'a "1"ral in%h" thi%/ and in
)any *la%" 'h"r" drift had *il"d $* it 'a "1"ral f""t d""*0 Sno' i on" of th" #$g#"ar of
an ar)y o'ing to it annoying ha#it of #ogging $* tran*ort0 A%%ordingly( all a1aila#l" *"ronn"l
'"r" ")*loy"d in %l"aring th" )ain road thro$gh th" Battalion ar"a0 A*art fro) thi th"r" 'a
no in%id"nt of any not" to r"lat"0 That night 'a alo 9$i"t0
At ,= o&%lo%/ on th" )orning of th" -th o$r artill"ry *o/" har*ly to a *arty of th" "n")y
'ho '"r" ""n digging in a 9$arry0 Si)ilarly a ho$" $*"%t"d of #"ing an o#"r1ation *ot
'a "ngag"d0 That night 'a )or" *rolifi% in r"*"%t of in%id"nt r"*ort"d #y *atrol and 1ario$
o$nd '"r" h"ard at diff"r"nt ti)" #$t nothing of any r"al i)*ortan%" tran*ir"d0
On th" ,,th a 'arning ord"r 'a i$"d to th" "ff"%t that '" 'o$ld #" r"li"1"d that day
#y th" .th Battalion Wilthir" R"gi)"nt0 In no ti)" at all th" ad1an%" "l")"nt of that $nit
arri1"d and %o))"n%"d to ta/" o1"r0 It 'a of n"%"ity a long *ro%" o'ing to th" fa%t that
"1"ral %o)*ani" %o$ld not #" r"li"1"d $ntil aft"r dar/ and it 'an&t $ntil aft"r ,, *0)0 that th"
Battalion 'a tog"th"r again in W"hr( ha1ing r"li"1"d th" <nd Battalion 8"1on R"gi)"nt0
WEHR
Into Battl"
W"hr 'a th" firt G"r)an 1illag" '" had y"t tr$%/ 'hi%h 'a not o#1io$ly #lo'n to
*i"%"0 Th"r" 'an&t a %i1ilian a#o$t th" *la%" #$t( o far a '" %o$ld ""( th" ho$" '"r"
$nda)ag"d0 It loo/"d 1"ry )$%h a if it had #""n a#andon"d in a *ani%6tri%/"n flight #y th"
inha#itant0 Th" 'at"r *$)* '"r" in good 'or/ing ord"r and th" 'indo' '"r" $n#ro/"n0 Th"
only ign of 'ar '"r" th" ")*tin" of th" ho$" and th" la%/ of "l"%tri%ity0 It 'a a long
traggling 1illag" on th" )ain road l"ading into G"r)any fro) th" 8$t%h fronti"r to'n of Sittard0
A and B Co)*ani" '"r" li1ing a &'ood)"n& to th" north of th" 1illag" 'ith 8 Co)*any
doing right flan/ *rot"%tion and C Co)*any in th" 1illag" it"lf0 Battalion HJ 'a alo lo%at"d in
th" 1illag"0
So far a a%t$al fighting 'a %on%"rn"d '" '"r" no' "n7oying a *"riod of *ra%ti%ally
%o)*l"t" i))$nity for( d$ring o$r 'hol" tay in th" ar"a( nothing of r"al int"r"t too/ *la%"
altho$gh B Co)*any 'a )ortar"d on t'o or thr"" o%%aion0 It 'a a *"riod of 'at%hf$ln"
and( o'ing to th" a**ar"nt ina%ti1ity of th" "n")y( th" %ontant train 'a o)"'hat r"la;"d0
W" didn&t dar" ri/ too )$%h( ho'"1"r( altho$gh '" did )anag" to g"t a %"rtain a)o$nt of
%o)fort in "1"ral d$go$t #y th" 7$di%io$ r")o1al of to1" and %oal fro) th" d""rt"d ho$"
in th" 1illag"0 It 'a #itt"rly %old and th" no' 'a in%h" d""*0 On" day it rain"d 1"ry h"a1ily0
Th" no' dia**"ar"d 'ith ";tr")" ra*idity and '" all tho$ght '" had ""n th" lat of it0 B$t
th" '"ath"r on%" )or" %hang"d it t$n" and( #"for" '" /n"' 'h"r" '" '"r"( th" gro$nd 'a
hard a iron and 'hit" on%" again0
8$ring thi *"riod of "")ing 9$i"%"n%" thing '"r" ha**"ning #"hind th" %"n" and
*lan '"r" #"ing 'or/"d o$t for infli%ting a )a7or d"f"at on th" "n")y and %l"aring th" 'hol"
ar"a $* to th" Ri1"r Ro"r0 W" got an in/ling of thi 'h"n( on ,?th 3an$ary( '" r"%"i1"d o)" of
th" ad)initrati1" d"tail for th" o*"ration 'hi%h 'a to #" /no'n a &Bla%/%o%/&0 On th" ,6th
and ,>th f$rth"r d"tail '"r" i$"d and it 'a o#1io$ to all that '" '"r" in for o)"thing #ig0
A "1"nt lat"r *ro1"d( tho" 'ho had th" *"r*i%a%ity to "n" 'hat 'a in th" 'ind '"r" no
fal" *ro*h"t0 It i i)*oi#l" to gi1" %o)*l"t" and d"tail"d *lan of thi #ig $nd"rta/ing 'ithin
th" %o*" of thi hort hitory #$t $ffi%" it to ay that o$r Mortar Elatoon 'a to "t th" #all
rolling #y $**orting an atta%/ #y ,?6 Brigad" on Hong"n( a 1illag" 'hi%h %o$ld #" ""n fro) o$r
for'ard %o)*any ar"a0 Th"y did thi to o)" t$n" for at =6?= ho$r on ,Gth 3an$ary th" hoot
%o))"n%"d and #y =G.? ho$r no l" than t'o tho$and ro$nd of )ortar a))$nition had
#""n ";*"nd"d0 W" tho$ght thi good 'or/ at th" ti)" #$t it 'a a )"r" dro* in th" o%"an to
'hat th" final total t$rn"d o$t to #"0 By ,=.? ho$r th" fig$r" had ri"n to fi1" tho$and fi1"
h$ndr"d ro$nd and( at t'"nty *at fi1" in th" "1"ning 'h"n th" hoot t"r)inat"d( th" grand total
'a gi1"n a t"n tho$and ro$nd0 All *rai" to th" )ortar )"n for thi )agnifi%"nt f"at and
)or" o 'h"n( on a Brigad" El"%tri%al and M"%hani%al Engin""r& in*"%tion( th" )ortar '"r"
*rono$n%"d *"rf"%tly %a*a#l" of firing a f$rth"r t'o tho$and ro$nd "a%h2 Thi %"rtainly ho'
that( o far a )aint"nan%" 'a %on%"rn"d( th" Mortar Elatoon '"r" not a)at"$r0
8$ring thi h"%ti% day for th" )ortar( th" "n")y 'a not "ntir"ly idl" for h" r"taliat"d
'ith a %"rtain a)o$nt of air#$rt h"ll and )ortar #o)#0 Ha**ily( altho$gh th"y land"d in o$r
ar"a( th"y did no da)ag" 'hato"1"r0 Th" '"ath"r( 'hi%h ha #""n a %o$ld #" ";*"%t"d at th"
ti)" of th" y"ar( #ro/" do'n lat" in th" aft"rnoon and C Co)*any( 'ho had #""n "nt for'ard at
,>.? ho$r to a%t a %arrying *arti" for ration and $**li" to th" ?th Battalion HLI( no' at
Ha1"rt( had an ";tr")"ly '"t ti)" of it0 Th" night 'a *it%h #la%/( rain 'a t"")ing do'n(
tra%/ '"r" not tra%/ #$t i)*ly "a of )$d and 'at"r and "n")y h"lling 'a rath"r
dit$r#ing0 Ho'"1"r th" 7o# 'a don" and o$r it"r Battalion did not go hort of "ith"r food or
a))$nition0 It too/ a long ti)" to do thi and it 'an&t $ntil =<== ho$r on th" ,-th that a 1"ry
#"draggl"d C Co)*any r"t$rn"d to W"hr( ha1ing $ff"r"d on" light %a$alty0
Thing '"r" )o1ing fat no' and( at ,=+= ho$r on th" )orning of th" ,-th( th"
Co))anding Offi%"r r"t$rn"d fro) a Brigad" &O& Gro$* 'ith th" n"' that '" '"r" at on" ho$r&
noti%" to )o1" 'ith "ff"%t fro) ? o&%lo%/ that "1"ning0 Thi n"%"itat"d an ord"r that )a;i)$)
r"t 'a to #" ind$lg"d in0 W" %o$ld no' afford to #" l" tri%tly on th" al"rt for th" atta%/ on
Hong"n i))"diat"ly to o$r front had #""n "ntir"ly $%%"f$l0 W" '"r" th$ no long"r in th"
front lin"0 No )o1" 'a to ta/" *la%" that day( ho'"1"r( for at ,G+= ho$r '" r"%"i1"d
infor)ation to that "ff"%t fro) Brigad" 'ho ga1" th" *oi#l" tart ti)" a > o&%lo%/ on th"
)orning of th" <=th 'h"n '" )ight #" r"9$ir"d to *$t in an atta%/ on Laff"ld0 Ord"r '"r" in fa%t
gi1"n o$t for th" atta%/ #$t '"r" lat"r %an%"ll"d0
For th" lat t'o or thr"" day W"hr it"lf had #""n r"o$nding to th" high *o'"r"d noi"
of tan/ "ngin" a tan/ '"r" *ar/"d in all a1aila#l" o*"n *a%" #"t'""n th" ho$"0 Th"r"
'a no do$#t that( 'h"n '" '"r" finally %o))itt"d( '" ho$ld ha1"6'hat 'a a %o)*l"t"
no1"lty to $6tan/ $**ort0 Nor '"r" '" l"ft long in do$#t for( on th" <=th at =<== ho$r on th"
Colon"l& r"t$rn fro) y"t anoth"r &O& Gro$*( '" '"r" gi1"n ord"r to atta%/ th" 1illag" of Bo%/"t0
To do thi '" '"r" to #" gi1"n th" aitan%" of no l" than thr"" 9$adron of th" S0F0Y0
Th" *lan 'a i)*l"0 T'o rifl" %o)*ani" '"r" to rid" on th" tan/ of A and B
S9$adron *r"%"d"d #y on" troo* "a%h of flail and %ro%odil" 'hil" th" r")aining 9$adron( C
S9$adron( 'a to afford %o1"ring fir" fro) *oition '"t of Bo%/"t0 Th" r")aining t'o rifl"
%o)*ani" '"r" to )ar%h0 Artill"ry 'a laid on to )o/" th" n"igh#o$ring 1illag" of Hont")
and Waldf"$%ht and( 'h"n thi 'a %o)*l"t"d( '"r" to #" on %all0 8 Co)*any 'a gi1"n th"
hono$r of l"ading( )o$nt"d on th" tan/ of A S9$adron( to #" follo'"d #y C Co)*any on th"
tan/ of B S9$adron0 B and A Co)*ani" '"r" to )ar%h0 Th" 1illag" of Sa"ff"l"n( #y thi ti)"
%a*t$r"d #y ,?6 Brigad"( 'a to #" th" a")#ly ar"a0 Fro) h"r" th" ro$t" 'a to #" thro$gh
Na%h#arh"id" and into Bo%/"t0 Th" tart ti)" fro) th" a")#ly ar"a 'a to #" ,,== ho$r0
A%%ordingly at > o&%lo%/ on a %old 'int"r& )orning( 8 and C Co)*ani" %li)#"d on to*
of th"ir tan/ and( a hort ti)" lat"r( tart"d off0 Th" troo* '"r" in fin" f"ttl"0 Alli"d to th" fa%t
that th"y '"r" going to ha1" o)" r"ally hot a%tion at long lat 'a th" no1"lty of riding th""
iron )ont"r0 E1"n th" #iting %old( 'hi%h "")"d to %$t thro$gh o$r %lothing li/" a /nif"( 'an&t
$ffi%i"nt to da)* th"ir ardo$r0 Nor did th" fa%t that( o'ing to th" tr"a%h"ro$ $rfa%" on th"
road( th" tan/ '"r" %ontin$ally liding and /idding into dit%h" )a/" th" light"t 'hit of
diff"r"n%"0 It had( ho'"1"r( th" "ff"%t of d"laying th" tart of th" atta%/ for no l" than fifty
)in$t"0 M"an'hil" th" t'o )ar%hing %o)*ani" had arri1"d at th" a")#ly ar"a0 At ,,?=
ho$r 8 Co)*any on tan/ )o1"d off and( 'itho$t any r"al diffi%$lty( %a*t$r"d th"ir o#7"%ti1"
'hi%h '"r" a )all ri" in th" g"n"ral l"1"l of th" gro$nd o$th "at of th" 1illag" and th"
"at"rn "nd of th" 1illag" it"lf0 O**oition "n%o$nt"r"d #y th") 'a light 'ith th" ";%"*tion of
fairly h"a1y )ortaring and h"lling( non" of 'hi%h did any da)ag" #$t had th" "ff"%t of lo'ing
do'n th" ad1an%"0 C Co)*any( alo on tan/( )o1"d off at ,<<= ho$r to th" a%%o)*ani)"nt
of 7""ring %at%all and ri#ald la$ght"r at th" ";*"n" of a *hotogra*h"r fro) an ar)y fil) $nit
'ho 'a doing hi #"t to *hotogra*h "1"ryon"0 It a**"ar"d that hi #"t 'an&t good "no$gh
for th" 3o%/ 'ho d"light"d in tri/ing th" )ot ridi%$lo$ attit$d" 'h"n *oing for hi)0 Th"
tan/ of thi %o)*any '"r" h"ld $* #y )in" aft"r a hort ditan%" and th" %o)*any had to
d"#$ at ,+=6 ho$r and )ar%h into th" atta%/0
E1"rything '"nt '"ll 6 "1"n at th" %roroad "1"ral h$ndr"d yard o$tid" th" 1illag"0
W" had anti%i*at"d a %"rtain a)o$nt of h"lling h"r" 'hi%h did not )at"riali" in ti)" to %h"%/
th" ad1an%" #$t( 7$t hort of th" o#7"%ti1"( o)" h"ll and )ortar #o)# #"gan to fall0 8"*it"
thi th" atta%/ 'a *$h"d ho)" 'ith a 'ill and #y ,?=> ho$r a 9$art"r of th" '"t"rn *art of
th" 1illag" 'a in o$r hand0 In%id"ntally it 'an&t $ntil o)" ti)" aft"r thi that th" %roroad
r"f"rr"d to *r"1io$ly f"lt th" f$ll '"ight of th" "n")y artill"ry0 B$t th"n it 'a too lat"0 On%"
)or" th" H$n had #""n %a$ght na**ing0 On%" in th" 1illag"( ho'"1"r( %onid"ra#l" o**oition
'a ";*"ri"n%"d and th" ho$" had to #" %l"ar"d on" #y on"0 8$ring thi ho$" %l"aring
Eri1at" Ih"r'ood of C Co)*any d")ontrat"d in no $n%"rtain )ann"r th" "ff"%ti1"n" of th"
EIAT AEro7"%tor Infantry Anti6tan/BB in di*oing of an "n")y S*anda$ *ot in th" $**"r roo) of a
ho$"0 Wh"n hi *latoon 'a h"ld $*( h" 'a %all"d on #y hi *latoon %o))and"r( S"rg"ant
Coy( to #ring $* th" EIAT and "" 'hat h" %o$ld do0 On" hot 'a all that 'a n"%"ary 6 th"
S*anda$ t"a) diint"grat"d2 By ,>.? ho$r C Co)*any '"r" fir)ly "ta#lih"d in th" 'hol" of
th" '"t"rn half of th" 1illag"0
By thi ti)" B Co)*any had "ff"%ti1"ly "i5"d th" %"ntr" of th" &inha#it"d lo%ality& and
had lin/"d $* 'ith 8 Co)*any to th" "at0 A Co)*any had )o1"d into th" o$th"rn *ortion in
*r"*aration for any %o$nt"r6atta%/ 'hi%h )ight "1"nt$at"0
No' th" "n")y /n"' '" '"r" *r""nt in for%" and h" *ro%""d"d to gi1" $ a hot
r"%"*tion in th" nat$r" of h"ll( 'hi%h r"*r"h"ni#l" *ra%ti%" h" %ontin$"d all night #$t h" did
littl" or no da)ag" ";%"*t to "t alight o)" ho$"0 Ta%ti%al Battalion HJ )o1"d $* and had
"ta#lih"d a Co))and Eot in th" 1illag" #y ,>+= ho$r0 No atta%/ d"1"lo*"d d$ring th" night
and( a*art fro) th" annoyan%" %a$"d #y h"lling( th" ho$r of dar/n" did not tro$#l" $0
In all( th" %a$alti" for th" day had #""n t'o /ill"d and fift""n 'o$nd"d0 To %o$nt"r6
#alan%" thi '" had /ill"d and 'o$nd"d a larg" n$)#"r of th" "n")y and ta/"n "ighty thr""
*rion"r0
OEERATION &BLACHCOCH& CONTIN:E8
At - o&%lo%/ on th" )orning follo'ing o$r $%%"f$l o%%$*ation of Bo%/"t th" Colon"l
att"nd"d a %onf"r"n%" at HJ ,t Glago' Highland"r at 'hi%h $**ort to #" gi1"n #y $ to that
$nit on th"ir atta%/ on Hont") and Frilingho1"n that day 'a di%$"d0 On hi r"t$rn h" ga1"
ord"r for thr"" in%h )ortar $**ort and )all ar) $**ort fro) o$r Carri"r Elatoon and 8 and
B Co)*ani" if *oi#l"(
Th" ta%ti%al *oition 'a alt"ring 'ith "1"ry )o)"nt that *a"d for( at t"n )in$t" to
t"n on that a)" )orning( '" '"r" ord"r"d #y Brigad" to "ngag" 'ith thr"" in%h )ortar )o/"
and high ";*loi1" th" '"t"rn o$t/irt of Frilingho1"n a it a**"ar"d 9$it" d"finit" that an
"n")y atta%/ on Waldf"$%ht( %a*t$r"d th" *r"1io$ "1"ning( 'a in *rogr"0 It %"rtainly 'a in
*rogr" and %o)*l"t" 'ith tan/ and "lf *ro*"ll"d g$n0 In *oint of fa%t( a larg" *art of that
1illag" 'a r"%a*t$r"d #y th" W"hr)a%ht #$t th"y '"r" lat"r dri1"n o$t #y a %o$nt"r %o$nt"r6
atta%/ #y .th Battalion Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r 'ith th" aitan%" of A Co)*any( 6th
Battalion HLI0 W" l"arn"d lat"r that thi "n")y %o$nt"r6atta%/ had originally #""n *lann"d for
o$r #"n"fit on Bo%/"t #$t o)"thing had int"rf"r"d 'ith th" *lan and it 'a la$n%h"d on
Waldf"$%ht int"ad0 Ho'"1"r th" Brigad" ord"r 'a d$ly %arri"d o$t and( at ,,+? ho$r( "n")y
tan/ and "lf *ro*"ll"d g$n 'hi%h had #""n o#"r1"d in Hont") '"r" "ngag"d #y )"di$)
artill"ry and di*"r"d0 O#"r1ation 'a good and( at t"n *at on"( o)" "n")y ""n at
Frilingho1"n '"r" ta$ght that th" #$in" "nd of a thr"" in%h )ortar %o$ld #" )ot "ff"%ti1"0
Th" Glago' Highland"r r"*ort"d th"ir t'o o#7"%ti1" $%%"f$lly %a*t$r"d #y t"n )in$t"
*at fi1" that aft"rnoon and th"n o$r o'n )ortar and %arri"r *latoon '"r" a#l" to tand do'n0
Whil" all thi ";%it")"nt 'a going on( th" G"r)an had not forgott"n that '" '"r" till in
Bo%/"t and th"y h"ll"d th" 'hol" ar"a *a)odi%ally not 'itho$t %a$alti" to $0
By thi ti)" th" o*"ration a a 'hol" 'a *ro%""ding at $%h an $n";*"%t"d *a%" that
)or" "ffort '"r" %all"d for fro) $0 At .0?= *0)0 on thi a)" day a 'arning ord"r 'a r"%"i1"d
that '" '"r" to r"li"1" >th Ca)"ronian AS0R0B at S"lt"n #y ? o&%lo%/ on th" )orning of th"
<<nd0 F$ll"r d"tail '"r" not long in %o)ing and a f$ll &O& gro$* 'a h"ld l" than t'o ho$r
aft"r r"%"i*t of th" 'arning ord"r in 6 'hat 'a no' %o))on*la%" 6 a %old da)* %"llar #y th"
light of %andl" and tin/ing h$rri%an" la)*0 It a**"ar"d that r"%onnaian%" *arti" '"r" to
l"a1" forth'ith and th" )ain #ody 'a to follo' on o a to l"a1" Bo%/"t a n"ar to + o&%lo%/ in
th" )orning a *oi#l"0 Th" 'hol" Battalion 'a to #" in *oition #y ? o&%lo%/0
Th" r"%onnaian%" *arty l"ft i))"diat"ly in th" Signal Elatoon %o$t %ar and n"1"r
#"for" ha any %o$t %ar h"ld $%h a n$)#"r of tir"d and 'orri"d )"n0 Th"y '"r" "1"n *il"d on
to* of th" %an1a hood 6 and all thi on a night of #itt"r %old and th" hard"t of frot o1"r road
'hi%h '"r" $n/no'n to any of th") and to a 1illag" 'hi%h had only #""n ta/"n in%" dar/n"
f"ll0 S$ffi%" it to ay that th"y arri1"d 'itho$t in%id"nt and %o))"n%"d *"rfor)ing th"ir 7o#0
Th"y '"r" l$%/y for( hortly aft"r th"ir arri1al( a %roroad 7$t o$t'ith th" 1illag" r"%"i1"d 1"ry
%ar"f$l att"ntion fro) "n")y g$n and( ind""d( a %o$nt"r6atta%/ 'a tart"d 'hi%h( ha**ily( 'a
#ro/"n $* and %a)" to na$ght0
S"lt"n it"lf 'a th" )ot l$rid *"%ta%l" y"t ";*"ri"n%"d0 Many ho$" '"r" #la5ing(
th" no' 'a "1"ry'h"r"( an o%%aional &#r"'"d6$*& tan/ 'a )"t 'ith( th" dar/ ha*" of
#odi" %o$ld #" ""n o$tlin"d againt th" no' and th" roar of th" fla)" riing into th" *it%h
#la%/n" of th" night 'a f"aro)"0 Th" int"r)itt"nt )oaning of 'o$nd"d )"n only add"d to
th" %"n" of horror and d"1atation0 S$%h 'a th" %"n" 'hi%h )"t o$r ga5" 'h"n '" r"a%h"d
th" 1illag" #"for" da'n0 Battalion HJ( along 'ith tran*ort( had l"ft Bo%/"t at 60,? a0)0( arri1ing
at S"lt"n at >0<= #$t not 'itho$t %a$alti" for th"y had r$n th" ga$ntl"t of th" %roroad 'hi%h
'"r" on%" again #"ing h"ll"d and no l" than i; )"n of th" B"ar"r S"%tion '"r" hit( of 'ho)
thr"" $%%$)#"d to th"ir 'o$nd0
S"lt"n i 'orthy of not" if for no oth"r r"aon than that it 'a h"r" that '" )"t th"
L$ft'aff" in off"ni1" a%tion0 A ingl" *lan" %a)" o1"r 7$t *rior to th" %o)*l"tion of th" r"li"f
and dro**"d on" olitary #o)#0 It 'a a n"' ";*"ri"n%" for $ 'hi%h had no dir" r"$lt0
Th" 'hol" at)o*h"r" of that 1illag" 'a ind$%i1" of a**r"h"nion( an a**r"h"nion
'hi%h( ha**ily( 'a n"1"r t$rn"d into fa%t altho$gh( hortly aft"r ,= o&%lo%/ on th" )orning of th"
<<nd( C Co)*any indi%at"d that( fro) noi" in th"ir front( it a**"ar"d that th" "n")y 'a $* to
o)"thing0 Th" Colon"l 'a ta/ing no %han%" and a h"a1y &ton/& fro) o$r $**orting artill"ry
oon *$t an "nd to any tho$ght of #attl" on th" *art of th" G"r)an0 8$ring th" %o$r" of th"
)orning a f$rth"r "1"n G"r)an *rion"r '"r" ta/"n 6 l"ft o1"r( no do$#t( #y th" Ca)"ronian
in th" %o$r" of th"ir atta%/ of th" *r"1io$ day0
8$ring th" aft"rnoon th" Mortar Elatoon( 'ho lot th"ir a%ting Elatoon Co))and"r(
S"%ond Li"$t"nant M$ir( d$ring th"ir o*"ration in Bo%/"t 6 'o$nd"d #$t not too "rio$ly 6 (
ga1" a)*l" and ad"9$at" $**ort to th" ?th Battalion HLI in th"ir atta%/ on Laff"ld 'hi%h 'a
%a*t$r"d $%%"f$lly and 'hi%h( a it t$rn"d o$t for $( 'a on" of th" /"y *oint in th"
o*"ration0 B$t )or" of that lat"r0 In addition( that aft"rnoon t'o %arri"r of th" Carri"r Elatoon
'"r" "nt o$t %o)*l"t" 'ith %r"' and a fighting *atrol to loo/ aft"r o$r l"ft front0 A*art fro) th"
a**"aran%" of a tan/( r"*ort"d to #" a Royal Tig"r 'hi%h $#"9$"ntly 'ithdr"'( th"ir *oition
'a h"ld 'itho$t in%id"nt $ntil th"ir r"li"f at ?0+= th" n";t )orning0
At -0+? that "1"ning '" r"%"i1"d o$r *r"li)inary ord"r for an atta%/ on th" 1illag" of
A*ho1"n0 Th" atta%/ 'a ti)"d to %o))"n%" at , *0)0 on th" <+rd 'ith nor)al artill"ry $**ort
and th" addition of thr"" )"di$) artill"ry r"gi)"nt0 Th" 'hol" *lan 'a di1id"d into fo$r
*ha"( "a%h *ha" r"*r""nting on" 9$art"r of th" 1illag" 'hi%h 'a a long traggly on"
%oniting a it did of on" long tr""t 'ith ho$" and )all far) on "ith"r id"0 Ea%h Co)*any
ta/ 'a th" %a*t$r" of on" 9$art"r of th" 1illag" o that( #y th" ti)" th" lat Co)*any had
r"a%h"d and %onolidat"d it *oition( th" 1illag" 'o$ld #" o$r0 W" '"r" alo to ha1" th"
aitan%" of tan/ and fla)" thro'"r( th" id"a #"ing that th" firt Co)*any 'o$ld rid" on th"
tan/ to th"ir o#7"%ti1"( %onolidat" and th" "%ond Co)*any 'o$ld %o)" $*( ta/" o1"r th"
tan/ and o on $ntil th" 1illag" 'a %l"ar0 Th" final d"tail '"r" to #" thrah"d o$t at a
%onf"r"n%" at G0+= a0)0 at Sa"ff"l"n at 'hi%h th" 1ario$ tan/ %o))and"r 'o$ld #" *r""nt0
Th" %onf"r"n%" did ta/" *la%" at th" a**oint"d ti)" and all th" littl" d"tail in%id"ntal to
th" *lan '"r" in1"tigat"d and r"ol1"d0 A r"%onnaian%" of th" ro$t" 'a %arri"d o$t and all
ti)ing fi;"d0
Thi i 'h"r" th" i)*ortan%" of th" %a*t$r" of Laff"ld a**"ar0 Fro) th" o$t/irt of
S"lt"n and r$nning into th" o$th"rn "nd of Laff"ld th"r" 'a a %o)*l"t" %o))$ni%ation tr"n%h
d$g( at o)" ti)"( #y th" G"r)an a a d"f"ni1" )"a$r"0 To ad1an%" a%ro %o$ntry 'o$ld
ha1" #""n to di%lo" o$r int"ntion to th" H$n a 'o$ld alo ha1" #""n th" %a" if '" ad1an%"d
along th" road #"t'""n th" t'o 1illag"0 Ad)itt"dly( to $" th" tr"n%h )"ant that th" Battalion
'o$ld #" tr$ng o$t in on" long lin" #$t it 'o$ld %on%"al $ "ff"%ti1"ly and gi1" ad"9$at" %o1"r
$ntil '" r"a%h"d Laff"ld 'h"r" '" %o$ld d"#o$%h and go traight $* th" road to A*ho1"n0
B"aring thi in )ind th" Colon"l d"%id"d on th" $" of th" tr"n%h0 Lat"r '" '"r" to #l" hi) for
hi 'ido) in ado*ting thi %o$r" of a%tion0
Th" ord"r of )ar%h 'a gi1"n a B Co)*any( A Co)*any( 8 Co)*any and C Co)*any
and at ,<<= ho$r B Co)*any "t off fro) S"lt"n and "nt"r"d th" tr"n%h0 In d$" %o$r" th"
oth"r Co)*ani" follo'"d0
AEHO@EN
At th" )orning %onf"r"n%" Ma7or S/"n"6S)ith of B Co)*any had arrang"d 'ith th"
troo* %o))and"r of th" $**orting fla)" thro'ing tan/ that( to g"t th" gr"at"t #"n"fit fro)
th"" "ngin" of d"tr$%tion( it 'o$ld #" #"tt"r for th") to )o1" a littl" for'ard of hi troo* a
oon a th"y %a)" o$t of th" %o1"r of th" Laff"ld ho$"( g"t off th" road and &9$irt& th" ho$"
on #oth id" of th" road0 Th" troo* 'o$ld alo d"*loy off th" road a th"y l"ft Laff"ld and(
i))"diat"ly th" fla)" thro'"r had don" th"ir 'or/( th" troo* 'o$ld r$h in a hard a th"y
%o$ld( on" *latoon #"ing on "a%h id" of th" road0 H"r" i Ma7or S/"n"6S)ith& tory of 'hat
a%t$ally ha**"n"dI6
KTh" Co)*any )o1"d off in ingl" fil" fro) S"ld"n ( do'n th" )ain tr""t and into th"
%o))$ni%ation tr"n%h0 W" %ra'l"d and 'al/"d thro$gh thi into Laff"ld 'h"r" '" 7oin"d th"
Cro%& Afla)" thro'"rB0 At thi *oint '" )"t th" Co))anding Offi%"r 'ho aid that
S%hi"f"ndaal on o$r right 'a not y"t ta/"n #$t that th" atta%/ 'o$ld go on0 Th"r" 'a no d"lay
and '" %ar%"ly had ti)" to *a$" #"for" )o1ing off0 A oon a '" l"ft th" %o1"r of Laff"ld t'o
thing ha**"n"d 6 AaB h"a1y )ortar and h"ll fir" %a)" do'n on th" road and A#B th"r" 'a no
roo) for "ith"r infantry or tan/ to d"*loy a th" #"ginning of A*ho1"n 'a only a#o$t t'o
h$ndr"d and fifty yard fro) th" "nd of Laff"ld0
Th" only %o$r" o*"n to $ 'a to go hard $* th" road for th" 1illag" and( on%" inid" it(
to fan o$t on "ith"r id" of th" ho$"0 Thi '" did 'ith littl" d"lay and( a oon a '" '"r" in
th" 1illag"( th" l"ading &Cro%& to**"d and &9$irt"d& a ho$" a littl" to it front0 Th"r" 'a no
ign of r"itan%" fro) th" ho$"0
Th" )o1")"nt fro) Laff"ld to A*ho1"n 'a %arri"d o$t 1"ry 'iftly and thi i *ro#a#ly
th" r"aon 'hy f"' %a$alti" '"r" $ff"r"d in %roing th" o*"n gro$nd #"t'""n th" t'o
1illag"0
In A*ho1"n it"lf it #"%a)" larg"ly a *latoon %o))and"r& #attl"( )y t'o for'ard
*latoon )o1ing on" on "ith"r id" of th" tr""t 'ith th" r""r1" *latoon a#o$t t'o h$ndr"d
yard to th" r"ar 'ith th" ta/ of d"aling 'ith any r"itan%" $#"9$"nt to th" )o1" for'ard of
th" l"ading *latoon0 Th" *latoon on th" l"ft of th" road "n%o$nt"r"d o)" r"itan%" fro) an
or%hard a#o$t half 'ay to th"ir o#7"%ti1"0 Thi th"y d"alt 'ith( *""dily %a*t$ring fo$r of th"
"n")y ho'ing th" R"d Cro #$t n"1"rth"l" ar)"d and $ing th"ir ar) to good *$r*o"
againt $0
On th" right( %"llar *ro1"d 9$it" a *rolifi% gro$nd for th" ta/ing of *rion"r0 Th" troo*
had )"r"ly to thr"at"n to thro' a gr"nad" or t'o into th"" %"llar in ord"r to ind$%"
9$it" a n$)#"r of G"r)an oldi"r that di%r"tion 'a th" #"tt"r *art of 1alo$r0
A#o$t half 'ay to o$r final o#7"%ti1" th" l"ading &Cro%& 'a hit and &%o))"n%"d to &#r"'
$*&0 A a r"$lt( th" r")aining thr"" in th" troo* '"r" $na#l" to *a #$t( ha**ily( th" la%/ of
th"ir 1al$"d "r1i%" t$rn"d o$t to #" no gr"at handi%a*0K
So )$%h for B Co)*any #$t ho' did th" r")aining thr"" %o)*ani" far"! A Co)*any
'ho follo'"d B Co)*any '"r" %o)*arati1"ly l$%/y in that th"y *a"d thro$gh B Co)*any and
r"a%h"d th"ir o#7"%ti1" 'itho$t o**oition( a*art fro) a littl" )ortaring and h"lling( o that #y
<0.? *0)0 on" half of th" 1illag" 'a h"ld "%$r"ly0 Th"n %a)" th" t$rn of 8 Co)*any0 Th"y
'"r" not 9$it" a fort$nat" a A Co)*any had #""n in th" %l"aring of th"ir *ortion of th" 1illag"0
Th" firt 8iting$ih"d Cond$%t M"dal of th" %a)*aign 'a 'on #y S"rg"ant R0Hadl"y 'ho 'a
a%ting Elatoon Co))and"r0 In hi ad1an%" h" %a)" a%ro an $n";*"%t"dly trong G"r)an
*oition on th" l"ft flan/ and( 'ith Cor*oral Byfi"ld( h" '"nt for'ard to in1"tigat"0 Whil" th"y
'"r" ha1ing thi loo/ th"y '"r" )a%hin"6g$nn"d at a rang" of a f"' yard0 H"r" i hi o'n
toryI6
KTh" G"r)an )$t ha1" #""n #adly rattl"d #"%a$" n"ith"r of $ 'a hit 6 an
";traordinary *i"%" of l$%/ 6 and '" '"r" a#l" to lo%at" t'o d$g6in g$n *oition0 I r"t$rn"d to
Ca*tain Sh"l)"rdin" 'ho 'a %o))anding th" Co)*any and )ad" )y r"*ort on th" it$ation0
I 'a ord"r"d to go #a%/ 'ith a "%tion and %l"ar th" "n")y o$t0 I 'a *"rf"%tly %onfid"nt that it
'o$ldn&t #" a diffi%$lt 7o# not'ithtanding that th" *oition 'a a fairly trong on"0
I r"t$rn"d a ord"r"d( %ho" on" of )y "%tion to %o)" 'ith )" and "t off( %r""*ing
$* on th" G"r)an on "a%h id" of th" road0 A a r"$lt '" had a )all &*arty& #$t $nfort$nat"ly
%o$ldn&t g"t to %lo" gri* 'ith th")0 I )ad" )y 'ay #a%/ on%" again and told Ca*tain
Sh"l)"rdin" ho' '" '"r" it$at"d0 H" )ad" arrang")"nt for a f$ll %al" atta%/ to go in 'ith
th" $**ort of o)" tan/0 A "1"nt t$rn"d o$t( ho'"1"r( it 'a $nn"%"ary0 Th" fir" of )y
"%tion had #""n o a%%$rat" and o %on%"ntrat"d that th" "n")y had #"at a haty r"tr"at0
Wh"n th" atta%/ "1"nt$ally did go in '" fo$nd no li1" G"r)an th"r"0K
Th" g$n r"f"rr"d to #y S"rg"ant Hadl"y '"r" t'o ,=0? %"nti)"tr" g$n 'hi%h '"r"
%a*t$r"d inta%t and in 'or/ing ord"r0 Hi tory i )ild %o)*ar"d 'ith th" a%t$al fa%t for Ca*tain
Sh"l)"rdin" lat"r r")ar/"d that( had h" /no'n th" tr$" tat" of affair( h" 'o$ld ha1" "nt
for'ard no l" than t'o *latoon rath"r than a ingl" "%tion0 H" had not r"ali"d ho' trong
th" o**oition r"ally 'a0 It i good to thin/ that S"rg"ant Hadl"y $r1i1"d th" 'hol" %a)*aign
and 'a till going trong at th" $lti)at" %a*it$lation of th" G"r)an nation0
M"an'hil" 'hat of th" r"ar)ot %o)*any( C Co)*any! Th"y had "t off at th" r"ar of
th" Battalion and 'or/"d th"ir 'ay grad$ally along th" %o))$ni%ation tr"n%h0 O'ing to th"
l"ngth of th" %ol$)n( ho'"1"r( B Co)*any had %o))"n%"d th" atta%/ on th" 1illag" o)" ti)"
#"for" C Co)*any %o$ld g"t o$t of th" tr"n%h and th" H$n #y th"n /n"' 'hat 'a in th" 'ind0
Th" "n")y /n"' 7$t a )$%h a#o$t th" tr"n%h a '" did and it 'an&t diffi%$lt for hi) to *$t t'o
and t'o tog"th"r to )a/" a r"aona#l" fo$r and %on%l$d" that '" '"r" $ing th" tr"n%h a o$r
lin" of ad1an%"0 A%%ordingly( 7$t #"for" r"a%hing Laff"ld( C Co)*any had to $ff"r h"a1y )ortar
fir" in th" tr"n%h ar"a( a a r"$lt of 'hi%h t'o )"n in th" r""r1" *latoon '"r" /ill"d0 It 'a
";tr")"ly l$%/y that no f$rth"r da)ag" 'a don"0 C Co)*any had to 'ait o)" ti)" in Laff"ld
#"for" th"ir t$rn %a)" to "nt"r A*ho1"n and( 'h"n thi ti)" %a)"( it 'a a %a" of a r$n at th"
do$#l" along th" road0 So)" S*anda$ fir" on th" right %a$"d a littl" tro$#l" #$t( on a**li%ation
#y Ca*tain And"ron for %o1"ring fir" fro) th" tan/( thi S*anda$ t"a) 'a oon il"n%"d #y
th" tan/ )a%hin" g$n and high ";*loi1" h"ll fir"d fro) th" tan/& >? )) g$n0
:lti)at"ly th"y tart"d going thro$gh 8 Co)*any #$t '"r" h"ld $* for a hort ti)" #y
th" )a%hin" g$n n"t r"f"rr"d to in S"rg"ant Hadl"y& tory0 8"*it" th" att"ntion of thi
flan/ing "n")y( th"y *$h"d on and %o)*l"t"ly %l"ar"d th"ir *ortion of th" 1illag"0 Ha1ing don"
o( a *latoon 'a "nt for'ard to ";*loit #"yond th" o#7"%ti1" and %l"ar "1"ral ho$" a hort
ditan%" ah"ad at th" %roroad 7$t o$tid" th" 1illag"0 Thi 'a don" 9$it" $%%"f$lly and
"1"ral G"r)an '"r" hot or ta/"n *rion"r0 On arri1al at th" %roroad fo$r 'hit"6*aint"d
tan/ '"r" o#"r1"d "1"ral h$ndr"d yard ah"ad0 :ntil a troo* %o))and"r of o$r o'n tan/
%a)" $* th"r" 'a o)" d$#i"ty a to 'h"th"r th"" '"r" fri"ndly or "n")y tan/ #$t h" did not
l"a1" $ long in do$#t0 KMy God( th"y&r" Tig"r2K On h"aring thi th" *latoon( ha1ing don" th"ir
7o#( r"tir"d to th" li)it of th"ir o#7"%ti1" to %o))"n%" digging6in0 Th"y '"r" not l"ft for long in
*"a%" for( #y thi ti)"( it 'a *at"nt to th" "n")y that h" had d"finit"ly lot th" 1illag" and h"
%o))"n%" to rain do'n GG and ,=? )) h"ll0 Th"" h"ll too/ toll of C Co)*any and thr""
)"n '"r" /ill"d and half a do5"n 'o$nd"d0
All that night h"lling of th" 1illag" %ontin$"d0 It 'a r"*aid 'ith int"r"t #y o$r o'n
g$nn"r *arti%$larly hortly aft"r )idnight 'h"n o$nd of tra%/"d 1"hi%l" '"r" h"ard #y C
Co)*any o)" ditan%" fro) th"ir front0 An "ntir" r"gi)"nt 'a %all"d do'n in thi ar"a( a fir"
'a tart"d and no f$rth"r )o1")"nt 'a r"*ort"d0
8$ring th" %o$r" of th" "1"ning a )"ag" d"tailing th" %o$r" of th" o*"ration and
th" r"gro$*ing of oth"r troo* 'a r"%"i1"d and( a a r"$lt( th" Carri"r Elatoon 'a ord"r"d o$t
to th" right flan/ to *rot"%t th" tart lin" for th" .th Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r and th" >L-
Royal S%ot *r"*aratory to th"ir la$n%hing a f$rth"r atta%/0 E1"rything 'a going a%%ording to
*lan0
Littl" "l" of int"r"t o%%$rr"d d$ring th" night 'ith th" ";%"*tion of th" h"lling r"f"rr"d
to *r"1io$ly and )orning da'n"d %l"ar and %ri*0 W" '"r" 1"ry glad to "" th" light of day2 At
,,?= a0)0 th" Mortar Elatoon 'a ord"r"d to tand #y to "ngag" Li"%/ if n"%"ary0 A it t$rn"d
o$t th"ir "r1i%" '"r" not r"9$ir"d0 Th" atta%/ #y th" Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r and th"
Royal S%ot 'a ";tr")"ly $%%"f$l and '" h"l*"d th") o$t #y ta/ing %harg" of on" h$ndr"d
and t'"nty fi1" *rion"r6of6'ar %a*t$r"d #y th")0 Th"" *rion"r '"r" "%ort"d 9$i%/ly to th"
%oll"%ting *oint 'h"r" o$r d$ti" in thi %onn"%tion %"a"d0 Shortly aft"r dar/n" f"ll( th"
Eion""r Elatoon %o))"n%"d %l"aring a ro$t" for th" ?th HLI 'ho '"r" to *a thro$gh $ and
atta%/ Hir%hho1"n0 Thi 'or/ 'a d$ly %o)*l"t"d and th" Eion""r r"*ort"d #a%/ 'itho$t lo at
,,+= *0)0
In th" "arly ho$r of th" <?th 3an$ary( ?th HLI )ar%hing *"ronn"l and $**orting ar)
*a"d thro$gh $ $%%"f$lly and '" '"r" alo a#l" to filt"r thro$gh "l")"nt of ,?? Brigad"
F E%h"lon0 Th" road '"r" %l"ar again #y ? a0)0
All atta%/ had *ro1"d to #" )ot $%%"f$l and Hir%hho1"n and th" larg" to'n of
H"in#"rg had fall"n to th" ?<nd 8i1iion0 It i 'orthy of not" that H"in#"rg 'a th" larg"t
to'n in G"r)any y"t to fall to Britih ar)0Fro) all r"*ort it "")"d %l"ar that th" "n")y had
'ithdra'n #"hind th" nat$ral #arri"r of th" Ri1"r Ro"r0 O*"ration &Bla%/%o%/& had #""n
%o)*l"t"d0
At )idday '" r"%"i1"d ord"r that '" '"r" to #" r"li"1"d that aft"rnoon #y th" ?th
Battalion Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r0 Thi r"li"f 'a %o)*l"t"d 'itho$t in%id"nt and th"
Battalion had %on%"ntrat"d in Bra$nrath #y 60+= *0)0
At th" #"t of ti)" Bra$nrath 'a a )all 1illag" #$t no' it had )ot d"finit"ly ""n it
#"t day0 Th"r" 'an&t a ho$" #$t 'a #adly hatt"r"d and o)" '"r" %o)*l"t"ly and $tt"rly
d"troy"d0 Still '" didn&t )ind that o 1"ry )$%h a half an ho$r& 'or/ %o$ld %l"an o$t a %"llar
#$t '" '"r" ";tr")"ly annoy"d to arri1" and find that oth"r '"r" alo in th" 1illag" and had
#agg"d all th" #"t #ill"t0 Th" *la%" 'a &hoa%hing& 'ith all ort of g$nn"r and '"( a th"
lat"t arri1al( had to find a%%o))odation 'h"r" '" %o$ld0 It 'an&t 1"ry *l"aant0 In fa%t( n"1"r
#"for" or aft"r 'a th" Battalion o #adly %ra)*"d for *a%"0 It i not to #" i)agin"d that
Bra$nrath 'a a r"t ar"a 6 far fro) it0 W" till had an o*"rational rFl" for it 'a 9$it" f"ai#l"
that th" G"r)an High Co))and 'o$ld )a/" an att")*t to r"gain th" gro$nd o r"%"ntly lot to
th")0 W" '"r" /"*t #$y "nlarging th" *oition l"ft #y oth"r $nit0 A it ha**"n"d( th" H$n
'a too #$y li%/ing hi 'o$nd to thin/ of )a/ing any %o$nt"r6atta%/ and '" '"r" l"ft
$n%o)forta#l" #$t $ndit$r#"d altho$gh( on on" o%%aion( it 'a r"*ort"d that on" or t'o
"nor)o$ h"ll fro) th" Si"gfri"d Lin" had fo$nd th"ir 'ay into th" ar"a0 W" tay"d h"r" for
thr"" day and '"r" )or" than glad to #" told that '" '"r" going #a%/( for a hort ti)"( to th"
fri"ndly at)o*h"r" of Holland0
In %on%l$ion( th" 'ift "9$"n%" of "1"nt in thi #attl" ho$ld #" not"d0 With gr"at /ill
and for"ight th" 8i1iional Co))and"r had #ro$ght to #"ar on th" "n")y an $n%"aing flo' of
&*$n%h"& o that h" 'o$ld find hi)"lf atta%/"d #y on" #attalion #y day and( 'h"n that atta%/
had #""n %on%l$d"d $%%"f$lly( #y a fr"h #attalion #y night0 Th" train i)*o"d on th" "nior
%o))and"r in th" Battalion 'a gr"at for( no oon"r had th"y %onolidat"d th"ir o#7"%ti1" 6
nor)ally that )o)"nt 'h"n th" firt #r"ath"r %an #" ta/"n and th" *"nt6$* t"nion of th"
*r"%"ding ho$r of #attl" r"li"1"d 6 than th"y had to att"nd an &O& Gro$* and tart *lanning for
th" n";t *ha" of th" o*"ration0 So th" 'orri" and r"*oni#iliti" of th"" %o))and"r '"r"
n"1"r a#"nt thro$gho$t th" %a)*aign0 Y"t o)"ho' "1"ryon" %a$ght th" *irit of $rg"n%y a
#attl" aft"r #attl" 'a 'on and all /n"' that th" "n")y 'a #"ing r$n off hi l"g0 Th$ fortifi"d(
th" off"ni1" *irit o1"rrod" '"arin" and %arri"d all along to th" final o#7"%ti1" 6 th" Ro"r0
HOLLAN8 ONCE AGAIN
G"l""n
On <Gth 3an$ary '" l"ft th" G"r)an fronti"r #"hind $ and in th" lat" aft"rnoon arri1"d
at G"l""n( a )ot ho*ita#l" 8$t%h to'n o$th of Sittard and a to'n 'ho" #$ilding had hardly
$ff"r"d at all in th" %o$r" of th" 'ar0 W" '"r" r"%"i1"d 'ith o*"n ar) #y th" to'nfol/ and in
no ti)" at all th" 3o%/ '"r" &hail f"llo'( '"ll )"t& 'ith "1"ryon"0 G"l""n 'a a 1"ry %l"an and
tidy littl" *la%" and #oat"d no l" than t'o %in")a 'hi%h '"r" a tr")"ndo$ attra%tion to #oth
Britih and 8$t%h0 Many fri"ndhi*( 'hi%h ha1" $r1i1"d to thi day( '"r" tr$%/ $* in th""
day of r"t0
Th" troo* '"r" #ill"tt"d in ho$" 6 *"rha* t'o or thr"" to a ho$" 6 and had a grand
ti)" toating th"ir to" #"for" th" $n$$al #$t not to ay $n"n7oya#l" h"at of '"ll6fill"d to1"0
Th" ho*itality of th"" 8$t%h *"o*l" 'a ato$nding0 Th"y had littl" or nothing to gi1" a'ay in
th" nat$r" of food and drin/ #$t 'hat th"y had 'a *r""d on on" to $%h an ";t"nt that it
'o$ld ha1" #""n in$lting to r"f$"0 Th"r" 'a al'ay a /"ttl" #oiling and( in1aria#ly( a %$* of
%off"" or "1"n t"a in th" #a%/gro$nd 6 1"ry '"a/ t"a #$t gi1"n 'illingly fro) ";tr")"ly )"agr"
o$r%"0
In all( '" tay"d in thi *l"aant *ot for fo$r day( d$ring 'hi%h ti)" a n"' draft of
r"infor%")"nt arri1"d 6 a #adly n""d"d draft for( in addition to th" #attl" %a$alti"( th"r" had
#""n th" $$al 'atag" d$" to i%/n" "t% and all th" Co)*ani" '"r" )$%h #"lo' tr"ngth00
Thi additional )an*o'"r *$t $ on o$r f""t on%" )or"0
O$r tay in G"l""n 'a not d"1ot"d "ntir"ly to a)$")"nt and to drin/ing t"a or %off""
for th" o**ort$nity 'a "i5"d on 'ith a1idity to thoro$ghly %l"an '"a*on( tor" and "9$i*)"nt
and to %o$nt $* th" %ot of o$r r"%"nt a%tion0 Th" )o#il" #ath $nit *aid $ a 1iit and '" '"r"
a#l" to rid o$r"l1" of G"r)an oil0 It 'a 'ah"d into "'"r and g$tt"r 'h"r" it rightly
#"long0 What a r"li"f it 'a to f""l that on%" again '" '"r" fr"" fro) any taint of G"r)any2
On th" "1"ning of th" <-th '" had th" hono$r of "nt"rtaining Brigadi"r I0Grant(
80S0O0(M0C0( 'ho had no' ta/"n o1"r th" Brigad" fro) Brigadi"r 3080R$"ll( 80S0O0(M0C0( o$r
old fri"nd and r"gi)"ntal %o))and"r0 It 'a a gr"at #lo' to lo" Brigadi"r R$"ll a alo it 'a
a "1"r" 'r"n%h for hi) to go to #" tranlat"d to anoth"r *h"r" of infl$"n%"00 W" r"ol1"d that(
in f$t$r" o*"ration( '" 'o$ld ho' th" n"' Brigadi"r 7$t ho' %a*a#l" '" '"r" #y li1ing $* to
th" ";traordinarily high tandard "t #y Brigadi"r R$"ll0 W" n"1"r did fall #"lo' that tandard0
Th" ti)" of r"t 'a no dra'ing ra*idly to a %lo" and( on +=th 3an$ary( '" r"%"i1"d o$r
)ar%hing ord"r in th" ha*" of an intr$%tion to "nd a for'ard r"%onnaian%" *arty to initiat"
th" r"li"f of th" ?th Battalion 8or"t R"gi)"nt0 Thi *arty d$ly "t off on th" lat day of th"
)onth to #" follo'"d on ,t F"#r$ary #y th" r")aind"r of th" Battalion0 O$r tay at G"l""n had
%o)" to an "nd0
ONCE MORE GERMANY
Old S%"n" R"1iit"d
Th" ?th Battalion 8or"t '"r" holding *oition %lo" to th" #an/ of th" Ri1"r Ro"r
and( on o$r 'ay( '" *a"d )any '"ll6r")")#"r"d *la%" 'hi%h '" had #oth h"ld and lat"r
fo$ght o1"r #$t thi ti)" th"r" 'a a ditin%t diff"r"n%"0 Th"y '"r" no' o$r0 Th"r" 'a no
dang"r of #"ing atta%/"d fro) th" for#idding6loo/ing 'ood fro) 'hi%h o oft"n had %o)"
)ortar and artill"ry fir" in addition to th" "1"r6*r""nt S*anda$0 W" had *artly %a$"d all thi to
ha**"n and( a '" )otor"d *at( 'ho %o$ld #la)" $ if a *irit of *rid" on o$r a%hi"1")"nt
gri**"d $0
Th" '"ath"r had %hang"d "ntir"ly0 Rain had #""n falling h"a1ily for th" *at t'o day
and th" no' 'hi%h had %loth"d "1"rything in a 'hit" )antl" had dia**"ar"d0 O'ing to thi
%hang" in th" '"ath"r and th" r"$lting 1"ry $dd"n tha'( th" road 'hi%h at th" #"t of ti)"
had n"1"r #""n #$ilt for h"a1y traffi% #"gan to %a1" in and )$d( $%h a '" had rar"ly ""n( 'a
"1"ry'h"r" a**ar"nt0 8"*it" that '" )ad" good *rogr" and arri1"d at o$r n"' lo%ation at ,
o&%lo%/ in th" aft"rnoon0
Th" *oition 'a a littl" diffi%$lt0 Th" 8or"t had %o)*ani" in "1"ral )all 1illag"(
%"nt"r"d on S%hi"f"ndahl( and th"r" 'a alo in th" ar"a and right on th" Ri1"r Ro"r a 9$adron
of .+ 8i1iion R"%onnaian%" R"gi)"nt( *lit #"t'""n th" n"igh#o$ring 1illag" of
S%hafha$"n and E%h'"il"r0 Th"y had alo to #" r"li"1"d and o$r o'n 8i1iion
R"%onnaian%" R"gi)"nt 'a not %o))itt"d0 What 'a to #" don"! Th" ri1"r had to #" h"ld
o C Co)*any 'hi%h( had it ta/"n o1"r fro) it o**oit" n$)#"r in th" 8or"t 'o$ld ha1" #""n
th" r""r1" %o)*any( 'a gi1"n th" 7o# of ta/ing o1"r fro) th" R"%onnaian%" 9$adron0 A
#oth th"" 1illag" '"r" $nd"r o#"r1ation #y th" "n")y fro) th" high"r #an/ of th" ri1"r th"
r"li"f %o$ld not ta/" *la%" $ntil dar/0 E1"nt$ally th" r"li"f too/ *la%" and th" Battalion "ttl"d
do'n for th" night( ha1ing "nt o$t %onta%t *atrol to g"t into to$%h 'ith th" n"igh#o$ring $nit0
Th" night it"lf 'a 9$i"t #$t C Co)*any& %o)*arati1" *"a%" 'a r$d"ly dit$r#"d at
?0,? a0)0 'h"n t'o #o)# fro) an "n")y air%raft land"d thr"" h$ndr"d yard to th" r"ar
'itho$t( ho'"1"r( %a$ing any da)ag"0 Non" of $ li/"d thi a#o)ina#l" %o$ntry o1"r)$%h
*arti%$larly a th" rain 'a till falling and th" 'at"r6logg"d gro$nd 'a t$rning into a "a of )$d
#"for" o$r 1"ry "y"0 Wh"n it 'a l"arn"d that( at G0+= that )orning( an offi%"r and an NCO had
d"*art"d for Brigad" to for) *art of an a%%o))odation r"%onnaian%" *arty to Eyd"n in
B"lgi$) th"r" 'a a %"rtain a)o$nt of 7$#ilation *r""nt on th" f"at$r" of all ran/0 It did
a**"ar a if o$r tay in thi 9$art"r 'a not to #" a *rotra%t"d on"0 W" '"r" %orr"%t in thi
a$)*tion for it 'a l"arn"d lat"r that '" '"r" to #" r"li"1"d on .th F"#r$ary and it 'a
alr"ady th" <nd0 It a**"ar"d alo that o$r r"li"f 'a to #" #y A)"ri%an troo* and '" '"r" all
an;io$ to g"t to r"ally %lo" 9$art"r 'ith th" A)"ri%an for th" firt ti)"0
Th" "n")y had #y no )"an finih"d 'ith $ for( at + o&%lo%/ that aft"rnoon( a %"rtain
a)o$nt of h"lling of an i)*ortant %roroad in th" ar"a 'a ";*"ri"n%"d and lat"r th" )ain
road #"t'""n H"in#"rg and G"il"n/ir%h"n in B Co)*any ar"a 'a h"a1ily h"ll"d0 Thi 'a
$ndo$#t"dly attra%t"d #y th" %onid"ra#l" )o1")"nt of th" h"a1y lorri" of an A)"ri%an artill"ry
$nit 'hi%h arri1"d in th" ar"a d$ring th" aft"rnoon0 By thi ti)"( night 'a falling( all h"lling
%"a"d and th" %onta%t *atrol( again "nt o$t( r"t$rn"d 'ith nothing to r"*ort0
By daylight on th" +rd it 'a *ra%ti%ally d"finit" that '" '"r" to #" r"li"1"d and that at
no long int"r1al for( at -0+= a0)0( Ma7or B"ll along 'ith %o)*any r"*r""ntati1" l"ft to find #ill"t
for th" Battalion0 H" r"t$rn"d lat"r in th" day( ha1ing allo%at"d 1ario$ ar"a to th" diff"r"nt
%o)*ani"0 At ,0+= *0)0 an ad1an%" *arty fro) th" +L+<= :S R"gi)"nt arri1"d and( ha1ing ""n
all that 'a to #" ""n( d"*art"d again0
8$ring th" )orning of .th F"#r$ary th" final ord"r for th" hand o1"r to th" in%o)ing $nit
'"r" i$"d and o alo 'a th" ro$t" to Eyd"n0 Altho$gh '" had n"1"r ""n th" *la%" '"
/n"' it 'a in B"lgi$) and that 'a $ffi%i"nt for )ot of $ a '" till had )or" than *l"aant
)")ori" of th" tri/ing ti)" '" had ";*"ri"n%"d o )any )onth ago in Aalt0 A g"n"ral
gloo) f"ll on th" Battalion 'h"n it *"r)"at"d fro) th" "at of th" )ighty that o$r tay in
B"lgi$) 'an&t li/"ly to #" a long on" 6 t'o day at )ot0 By thi ti)" Colon"l E"r%i1al had
r"%"i1"d ad1i%" fro) Brigad" to *$t o*"rational ad1an%" *arti" on hort noti%" 'ith "ff"%t fro) >
a0)0 on th" ?th0 Still( nothing %o$ld #" 'or" than th" )$d in 'hi%h '" '"r" no' 'allo'ing and
thi int"llig"n%" 'a r"%"i1"d 'ith fairly good gra%"0
Shortly aft"r , *0)0 th" ";*"%t"d A)"ri%an #"gan to arri1" to ta/" o1"r fro) o$r
%o)*ani" #$t( o'ing to th" i)*oi#ility of r"li"1ing C Co)*any $ntil aft"r dar/( o$r o'n
Co))anding Offi%"r r")ain"d in %o))and of th" ar"a till a 9$art"r to "ight that night 'h"n th"
"ntir" r"li"f 'a %o)*l"t"d0
BELGI:M
Eyd"n
No )an 'ho too/ *art in that night 7o$rn"y fro) G"r)any into B"lgi$) 'ill "1"r forg"t it0
H"a1y tran*ort alli"d 'ith 3a%/ Frot had %h"'"d $* all th" road o #adly that th"r" 'a no
$rfa%" l"ft and 'hat had on%" #""n fairly good road %o$ld not no' #" d"ignat"d a road at
all0 Th" rain 'a t"")ing do'n for at l"at *art of th" 'ay 'hi%h didn&t h"l* )att"r in th"
light"t for all th" *othol" '"r" f$ll of 'at"r and '"r" not 1ii#l" in th" 1"ry di) light of id"
la)*0 A a r"$lt th" 'hol" 7o$rn"y 'a( to *$t it )ildly( of a #$)*y nat$r"0 Th" ditan%" it"lf
'a not 1"ry far a ditan%" go #$t th" diffi%$lti" )"ntion"d a#o1" )ad" for a 1"ry trying and
tiring 7o$rn"y0 It 'a not $ntil t'"nty )in$t" *at on" in th" )orning that th" final %o)*any
%lo%/"d in0
By thi ti)" ord"r had #""n r"%"i1"d fro) Brigad" that th" ad1an%" *arty 'a to l"a1"
Eyd"n at G *0)0 It 'a o#1io$ '" '"r"n&t going to #" gi1"n a gr"at d"al of r"t2 In *oint of
fa%t( "1"n tho$gh it 'an&t long( for '" l"ft Eyd"n at ?0,? a0)0 on th" )orning of th" 6th( it 'a
a tr")"ndo$ r"li"f for all ran/ to ha1" a f"' ho$r in )or" or l" %i1ili"d $rro$nding on%"
)or"0 H"r" 'a no r$in and d"tr$%tion0 Th" ho$" '"r" a%t$ally 'hol"0 No r$##l" 'a
%att"r"d in th" tr""t and no d"%aying )"ll off"nd"d o$r notril0 In addition th"r" '"r" %afC
and *$# 'hi%h did a roaring trad" d$ring o$r hort tay0 It 'a d"finit"ly a )ot "n7oya#l" #r"a/
and a '"ll d""r1"d on" "1"n if it 'a only for a )att"r of a f"' ho$r0
THE MAAS ONCE AGAIN
Hort and Ar"a
O$r n"' lo%ation 'a in th" ar"a of Hort( th" )ain 1illag" hort of th" Ri1"r Maa0 W"
'"r"n&t a%t$ally in Hort it"lf to #"gin 'ith 6 that %a)" lat"r 6#$t had th" rFl"( not #y any )"an
n"'( of g$arding a tr"t%h of th" ri1"r0 It too/ a long ti)" to r"a%h thi ar"a for( on%" again( th"
road '"r" in a f"arf$l tat" and it 'an&t $ntil 6 o&%lo%/ at night that o$r ta/"6o1"r fro) th" <nd
Battalion Royal :lt"r Rifl" 'a %o)*l"t"d0 :nfort$nat"ly( o'ing to th" tat" of th" road( th"
Battalion %ol$)n had #""n torn to ri##on0 Ho'"1"r th" )ain thing 'a that '" all r"a%h"d o$r
$lti)at" d"tination in good f"ttl" "1"n tho$gh it did in1ol1" a long )ar%h 'ith all o$r /it0
Th" layo$t r"ading fro) th" l"ft 'a B Co)*any( A Co)*any( 8 Co)*any and C
Co)*any0 Th" latt"r '"r" t"%hni%ally in r""r1" #$t a%t$ally th" ri1"r too/ a 'id" #"nd in th"ir
ar"a and( to all int"nt and *$r*o"( th"y alo '"r" for'ard tho$gh *"rha* not in $%h an
";*o"d *oition a "ith"r B or C Co)*ani"0 In any %a" th"y had to do 7$t a )$%h *atrolling
a th" o6%all"d for'ard %o)*ani"0
With th" ";%"*tion of a %"rtain a)o$nt of )a%hin" g$n fir" and h"lling '"ll to th" right
of th" Battalion ar"a( th" firt night 'a 9$i"t and( at firt light( 1ario$ *atrol '"r" "nt o$t 7$t
to )a/" $r" that no ad1"nt$ro$ H$n had d"%id"d to %ro th" ri1"r to *y o$t th" li" of th"
land0 Th"" *atrol all r"t$rn"d 'ith n"gati1" r"*ort0 Nothing of not" o%%$rr"d d$ring th" ho$r
of daylight on >th F"#r$ary #$t at t"n )in$t" *at "ight that night B Co)*any fir"d a flar"
ha1ing h"ard $*i%io$ noi" on th"ir front0 Nothing 'a ""n nor did any f$rth"r d"1"lo*)"nt
ta/" *la%"0 It i int"r"ting to not"( and not "ntir"ly to th" %r"dit of th" )an$fa%t$r"r( that in all
i;t""n flar" '"r" $"d #"for" on" '"nt off0 B Co)*any '"r" $nl$%/y at thi 7$n%t$r" in that
th"y "")"d to attra%t )ot of th" "n")y& att"ntion0 Shortly aft"r )idnight on" of th"ir tanding
*atrol on th" ri1"r #an/ %a)" $nd"r %onid"ra#l" )ortar fir"0 Thi did not go 'itho$t r"*ly for a
)ortar r"*ort 'a o#tain"d and th"" "n")y )ortar r"%"i1"d th" lo1ing att"ntion of o$r o'n
artill"ry0 That oon *$t a to* to th" annoyan%" 6 for it 'a nothing )or" than that( no %a$alti"
ha1ing #""n %a$"d0
So far a *atrolling 'a %on%"rn"d( "a%h *atrol r"*ort"d #a%/ 'ith nothing to r"lat"0 Th"
"n")y had not #""n ""n nor had anything $*i%io$ #""n fo$nd0
Th" tat" of th" road 'a( #y thi ti)"( gi1ing gr"at %on%"rn to "1"ryon" and(
a%%ordingly( all *"ronn"l 'ho %o$ld #" *ar"d fro) th" ri1"r #an/ it"lf '"r" ord"r"d to h"l*
r"*air th" lin" of %o))$ni%ation0 It 'a a h"art#r"a/ing 7o# for( no oon"r had on" *othol"
#""n fill"d 'ith ton"( 'ood( til"( #r$h'ood "t%( than anoth"r on"( *r"1io$ly hidd"n #y
o%"an of )$d( a**"ar"d0 On" 'o$ld ha1" tho$ght that( fro) #"ing a Battalion of fighting
oldi"r( '" had d"t"riorat"d into a not 1"ry ";*"rt *ion""r $nit0 Ho'"1"r it 'a ""ntial that
thi 'or/ #" don" and don" it 'a to th" #"t of o$r a#ility0 In fa%t '" '"r" /"*t hard at it $ntil
'" '"r" r"li"1"d0
It )$t not #" tho$ght that th" "n")y 'a 9$i"%"nt d$ring thi *"riod of na11ying0 Far
fro) it for( on th" )orning of Gth F"#r$ary at a**ro;i)at"ly -0+= a0)0( 8 Co)*any ar"a 'a
h"ll"d0 Th" g$nn"r and o$r o'n thr"" in%h )ortar r"*li"d 'ith a hoot on Lo)) and Ho"/"n0
Again( at ?0,? *0)0( A Co)*any r"*ort"d Bo%h" )ortaring and( lat"r in th" "1"ning( 8 Co)*any
'a th" targ"t for $nai)"d )a%hin" g$n fir"0 Thi fir" 'a 9$it" ha*ha5ard( no on" *la%" #"ing
ingl"d o$t( #$t th" 'hol" ar"a 'a )or" or l" *ray"d0 It 'a a ho%/ing 'at" of
a))$nition #$t not o 'a o$r r"*ly for th" g$nn"r o*"n"d $*0 Aft"r "ight ro$nd th" S*anda$
'a il"nt and r")ain"d o for th" r"t of th" night0
Th" -th 'a an $n"1"ntf$l day0 On" or t'o h"ll '"r" "nt o1"r at $ #$t( for all th"
da)ag" th"y did( th"y )ight 7$t a '"ll ha1" #""n r"tain"d on th" G"r)an id" of th" ri1"r and
road6)a/ing '"nt for'ard 'ith a 'ing0 That aft"rnoon Colon"l E"r%i1al dir"%t"d a h"a1y
artill"ry and thr"" in%h )ortar hoot on a $*"%t"d G"r)an h"ad9$art"r0 Th" "n")y r"taliat"d
'ith )or" S*anda$ fir" and thi ti)" 8 Co)*any '"r" $nfort$nat" "no$gh to $ff"r on" %a$alty
6 not a "rio$ on"0 :nfort$nat"ly '" %o$ld not r"*ly #"%a$" '" had #""n infor)"d that th"
#attalion on o$r right AO; and B$%/B '"r" "nding a *atrol a%ro th" ri1"r that night0
Arrang")"nt '"r" )ad" for #oth g$n and )ortar to hoot aft"r that *atrol had r"t$rn"d0 Thi
'a don" and th" *a)odi% )a%hin" g$n fir"( 'hi%h had #""n annoying 8 Co)*any( 'a oon
il"n%"d0
Th" ,=th of F"#r$ary 'a a orro'f$l day0 Thi 'a not #"%a$" of %a$alti" #$t fro)
old ao%iation for '" r"%"i1"d 'ord that all o$r faint ho*" of r")aining 'ith o$r old Brigad"(
,?> AHLIB Brigad"( '"r" at an "nd0 W" had #""n told *r"1io$ly that it 'a a )att"r of *oli%y
'ith S$*r")" H"ad9$art"r that any Brigad" %oniting of on" r"gi)"nt only 'a to #" #ro/"n
$*0 Th" id"a #"hind it 'a a good on"0 It )"ant that( if on" #rigad" 'a $nl$%/y "no$gh to
$ff"r 1"ry h"a1y %a$alti"( too )$%h orro' 'o$ld not #" %a$"d to any on" *arti%$lar ditri%t
of th" :nit"d Hingdo)0 Ho'"1"r '" hadn&t tho$ght )$%h of that( *arti%$larly at thi tag" of th"
'ar0 O$r root '"r" #$ri"d d""* in ,?> AHLIB Brigad" and had #""n o for )any y"ar0 No' '"
l"arn"d that o$r long( old and 1al$"d ao%iation '"r" to %o)" to an "nd and that '" 'o$ld
%o)" $nd"r %o))and of ,?? Brigad" on ,<th F"#r$ary0 Thi )"ant that '" 'o$ld %o)" o$t of
th" lin" and #" a%%o))odat"d in Hort a %o$nt"r6atta%/ for%" and that ?th Battalion Hing& O'n
S%ottih Bord"r"r 'o$ld ta/" o1"r fro) $ and %o)" $nd"r %o))and of ,?> Brigad"0 M$%h a
'" 'o$ld "n7oy a *"ll &o$t& "1"ry ingl" on" of $ 'o$ld 1"ry )$%h rath"r ha1" tay"d &in& than
#" d"*ri1"d of th" )oral $**ort( if nothing "l"( of o$r %o)rad" of th" Highland Light Infantry0
Ho'"1"r( an ord"r i an ord"r0 By th" aft"rnoon of ,,th F"#r$ary( th" ad1an%" *arty of th" Hing&
O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r had arri1"d( th" 'hol" Battalion follo'ing on th" n";t day0 Th" r"li"f
'a %o)*l"t"d #y > o&%lo%/ that "1"ning and '" '"r" tog"th"r again a a #attalion in th" to'n of
Hort0
In Hort( 'hi%h had not #""n #adly da)ag"d( '" '"r" )ad" )ot '"l%o)" #y /indly
8$t%h fol/0 B$t '" '"r" not to '"ar o$t o$r '"l%o)" for o$r tay in Hort 'a a hort on"0 A
'arning ord"r 'a i$"d to all %o)*ani" on th" )orning of ,,th F"#r$ary to th" "ff"%t that
har#o$r *arti" '"r" to #" r"ady to )o1" at hort noti%" for a d"tination a y"t $n/no'n0
N"1"rth"l"( tho$gh '" '"r" not to r")ain long h"r"( '" )ad" th" )ot of o$r ti)" for '" had
th" *l"a$r" of lit"ning to th" )$i% of o$r o'n R"gi)"ntal Band at t'o *"rfor)an%" and to
th" Ma"d Ei*" Band of ,?> AHLIB Brigad" 'hi%h *lay"d &R"tr"at& in th" 9$ar" of Hort0 Thi
'a in th" nat$r" of a far"'"ll and )any '"r" th" ad h"art 'h"n th" o$nd of &R"tr"at& f"ll
on o$r "ar0 Aft"r &r"tr"at& 'a o1"r t'"l1" of th" old"r offi%"r 'ho had had th" long"t
ao%iation 'ith th" Brigad" "t off for th" &gr""tin )""tin& at Brigad" H"ad9$art"r0 H"r" th"y
'"r" "nt"rtain"d right royally and th" f$n 'a fat and f$rio$0 Many *""%h" '"r" )ad"(
)any ong '"r" $ng and )$%h li9$or 'a dr$n/0 Y"t '" %o$ld not r"it a dra'ing at th"
h"art tring 'h"n th" *arty #ro/" $*0 W" '"r" n"1"r again to %o)" $nd"r th" %o))and of ,?>
AHLIB Infantry Brigad"0
O$r tay in Hort( 'hi%h had #""n "ti)at"d originally to #" for a 1"ry f"' ho$r( t$rn"d
o$t to #" long"r than anti%i*at"d for it 'a not till th" )orning of th" ,?th F"#r$ary that th"
ad1an%" *arty $nd"r Ma7or B"ll l"ft for Bo;)""r( 7$t hort of th" Ri1"r Maa and %lo" to th"
G"r)an #ord"r0 At ,<0.= *0)0 that day th" )ain #ody of th" r"li"1ing $nit( +rd Battalion +>G
Infantry R"gi)"nt( -- :S 8i1iion( arri1"d and %o))"n%"d to ta/" o1"r0 Thi ta/"6o1"r 'a
a%%o)*lih"d $%%"f$lly and at t"n )in$t" *at fo$r in th" aft"rnoon th" Battalion %ol$)n
'a on th" )o1" for Bo;)""r fro) 'hi%h to'n( altho$gh a #attl" 'a i))in"nt( no )o1" 'a
%onid"r"d li/"ly #"for" "l"1"n o&%lo%/ in th" )orning0 Th" #attl" 'a on on%" again2
THE BEGINNING OF THE EN8
Bo;)""r( G"nn"* "t%0
Bo;)""r i a 8$t%h to'n )$%h too %lo" to th" G"r)an fronti"r for th" li/ing of th" lo%al
inha#itant0 It i it$at"d on th" 8$t%h id" of th" Ri1"r Maa and( 'hil" '" '"r" th"r"( did not
a**"ar to ha1" $ff"r"d too #adly fro) th" "ff"%t of 'ar0 Tr$"( 1"ry f"' 'indo' '"r" l"ft and
th" 'hol" *la%" 'a ")*ty #$t( a*art fro) an o%%aional ho$" "ntir"ly &/a*$t&( not too )$%h
da)ag" had #""n don"0
A thing t$rn"d o$t '" '"r" not fl$ng into th" fray 9$it" a "arly a ";*"%t"d and ,6th
F"#r$ary 'a *"nt in allo'ing a )any 3o%/ a *oi#l" to r"t in *r"*aration for 'hat 'a to
follo'0 It 'a o#1io$ to all that '" '"r" on%" again to #"%o)" &'ood)"n& and '" all /n"' 'hat
that in1ol1"d0 Sl""*( th"r"for"( 'a th" ord"r of th" day altho$gh it )$t #" ad)itt"d that o)"
)"n fo$nd ti)" to &*$r%ha"& gift for th"ir fri"nd #a%/ in S%otland and England0
At 60+= a0)0 on ,>th F"#r$ary '" %ro"d th" tart *oint( Moo/ Bridg"( and #y G0+= '"
'"r" in o$r gi1"n a")#ly ar"a i0"0 H"i7"n0 O$r o#7"%ti1" 'a th" 1illag" of Groot" Hort and(
at t"n o&%lo%/( th" a%ting C0O0 Ma7or B"ll( Colon"l E"r%i1al ha1ing ta/"n o1"r %o))and of th"
Brigad" t")*orarily( ga1" o$t a ro$gh d"tail of th" *lan for o$r atta%/0 Thi 'a to #" %arri"d o$t
in t'o *ha"I AaB A and 8 Co)*ani" '"r" to %a*t$r" th" lin" of an anti6tan/ dit%h and A#B B and
C Co)*ani" '"r" to *a thro$gh to th" final o#7"%ti1"0 Thi *lan 'a hort6li1"d for( at ,,
o&%lo%/( th" a%ting C0O0 'a $))on"d to an &O& Gro$* 'h"r" h" 'a told that th" >L- Battalion
Royal S%ot '"r" to ta/" th" dit%h in 9$"tion and th" 6th Battalion HLI %o)*l"t" '"r" to ta/"
Groot" Hort0 H"( in t$rn( h"ld a Battalion &O& Gro$* at 'hi%h th" follo'ing *lan 'a "n$n%iat"d 6
A and 8 Co)*ani" '"r" to l"ad th" atta%/ and B and C Co)*ani" '"r" to *a thro$gh and
o%%$*y th" for'ard "dg" of th" 1illag"0 Th" for'ard troo* '"r" to l"a1" H"i7"n at >0+= *0)0 for
th" for)ing6$* *la%" on th" north '"t "dg" of a 'ood hort of th" anti6tan/ dit%h0 Th"y '"r" to
%ro th" tart lin" at ,= *0)0
At th" d$ly a**oint"d ti)" th" Battalion )o1"d off and r"a%h"d th" for)ing6$* *la%"0
Ho'"1"r( o)"thing "")"d to ha1" gon" 'rong for no oon"r had '" arri1"d than '" '"r"
infor)"d that '" '"r" to r")ain th"r" for f$rth"r ord"r and not to *$t in th" atta%/ a *lann"d0
Th" r"aon for thi 'a that th" >L- Royal S%ot had "n%o$nt"r"d $n";*"%t"d diffi%$lty in
"ta#lihing th" lin" of th" anti6tan/ dit%h and had #""n h"ld $* hort of th"ir o#7"%ti1"0 At a
9$art"r #"for" )idnight '" '"r" *la%"d at t'o ho$r noti%" and told '" '"r"n&t li/"ly to )o1"
#"for" da'n on th" ,Gth0 A%%ordingly '" tart"d to dig in and( 'h"n that 'a %o)*l"t"d to o$r
atifa%tion( *"nt a )ot $n%o)forta#l" night0
At . a0)0 '" '"r" ad1i"d that .th Battalion Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r 'o$ld )o1"
thro$gh $ 'ith th" int"ntion of "%$ring a li)it"d o#7"%ti1" to o$r front0 Th"y '"r" to %l"ar a
'ood and "i5" th" road r$nning north "atLo$th '"t0 At ,,0.= '" '"r" ord"r"d to ta/" $* a
d"f"ni1" *oition a f"' h$ndr"d yard in front of o$r *r""nt ar"a0 By ? o&%lo%/ all %o)*ani"
'"r" d$g in0 Thi hard digging 'a %a$"d #y th" fa%t that o**oition to >L- Royal S%ot and .
Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r 'a ";tr")"ly h"a1y 6 o )$%h o that n"ith"r of th"" $nit had
#""n a#l" to #r"a/ o$t of th" 'ood 'hi%h 'a #"ing 1"ry h"a1ily )ortar"d and h"ll"d0 Th"r"
'a nothing for it #$t to 'ait till o)" oth"r *lan 'a "1ol1"d0 8$ring th" "1"ning '" o$r"l1"
did not "%a*" h"lling for A Co)*any 'ho '"r" in th" ar"a of %ro tra%/ '"r" $nfort$nat"
"no$gh to %o)" $nd"r h"a1y h"llfir"0 L$%/ily th"r" '"r" no %a$alti"0
At l"ngth th" %hang" of *lan r"a%h"d $0 W" '"r" ord"r"d to ta/" o1"r thr"" %o)*any
lo%aliti" fro) ?th Battalion HLI( 'ho '"r" on o$r l"ft( and had to do o #y )idday on ,-th
F"#r$ary0 Ha1ing )ad" th" $$al r"%onnaian%"( Ma7or R"id( a%ting "%ond6in6%o))and(
r"*ort"d that it 'a not *oi#l" to r"li"1" on" of th"" %o)*ani" d$ring daylight and th" ord"r
'a gi1"n o$t that( in th" %a" of thi %o)*any( th" r"li"1ing %o)*any 'o$ld "nd o$t trong
*atrol #y firt light and th" r")aind"r of th" %o)*any 'o$ld %ra'l into *oition0 Battalion
H"ad9$art"r and th" r"li"1ing %o)*ani"( i0"0 B Co)*any( C Co)*any Al" on" *latoonB and
8 Co)*any '"r" in *oition0 A Co)*any( 'ho did not ta/" o1"r fro) th"ir o**oit" n$)#"r in ?
HLI( had on%" again to dig in( in y"t anoth"r ar"a0
At ,,0?= a0)0 and ,<0.? *0)0 ? HLI laid h"a1y )o/" %r""n to ait th"ir lat *latoon
to *$ll o$t0 It i a 1"ry a*t *ro1"r# that th"r" i no )o/" 'itho$t fir" *arti%$larly in 'ar for no
oon"r had th" )o/" %r""n #""n *$t do'n than th" "n")y r"taliat"d 'ith h"a1y h"lling and
)ortaring in%l$ding th" dr"ad"d N"#"l'"rf"r0 Thi t""l &hat"& land"d )otly in th" ar"a of C
and 8 Co)*ani" #$t( 1"ry fort$nat"ly( %a$"d only on" %a$alty0 It a**"ar"d a if th" G"r)an(
ha1ing ""n th" )o/" go do'n( tho$ght that an atta%/ 'a i))in"nt 6 a 1"ry nat$ral %on%l$ion
to dra' 6 and d"t"r)in"d to #r"a/ it $* in it initial tag"0 8$ring th" r")aind"r of th" )orning
h"a1y & ton/& %a)" do'n in #oth th"" Co)*ani"& ar"a0 It loo/"d 1"ry )$%h a if th"ir
*oition '"r" %lo" to "n")y d"f"ni1" ta/0 Sh"ll r"*ort '"r" "nt #a%/ to th" g$n and
th"r" i no do$#t that th" H$n r"%"i1"d "1"n #"tt"r than h" ga1"0
At thi ti)" th" "n")y 'a 1"ry daring( thin/ing hi)"lf "%$r" #"hind th" anti6tan/
dit%h0 H" 'a oon diill$ion"d for th" Battalion ni*"r o*"rating in C Co)*any ar"a had a
fi"ld day and %lai)"d thr"" "n")y /ill"d and thr"" or fo$r 'o$nd"d i)*ly #"%a$" th"y had
#""n )o1ing a#o$t %ar"l"ly #"hind th" anti6tan/ dit%h0
Th" *ro#l") no' 'a 'h"th"r th" dit%h 'a h"ld at night0 Thi had to #" "ta#lih"d
and a *atrol 'a "nt o$t to &)a/ i%%ar&0 It r"t$rn"d at +0?= a0)0 on <=th F"#r$ary 'ith th"
infor)ation that th" dit%h 'a ind""d h"ld0
Th" day 'a %o)*arati1"ly 9$i"t %o)*ar"d to 'hat had ta/"n *la%" d$ring th" *r"1io$
t'"nty fo$r ho$r and it 'an&t $ntil t"n *at i; in th" "1"ning that anything of not" o%%$rr"d0 At
thi ti)" "1"ral hor"6dra'n 1"hi%l" '"r" ""n )o1ing in a north "at"rly dir"%tion0 Th" g$n
'"r" %all"d do'n a 9$i%/ly a *oi#l" and( aft"r ha1ing fir"d S%al" < ( th"r" 'a no f$rth"r
)o1")"nt0 That i not to ay th" H$n 'a finih"d 6 not #y any )ann"r of )"an 6 for at -0.?
*0)0 an "n")y N"#"l'"rf"r 'a r"*ort"d( firing on a #"aring of ,,6 d"gr"" fro) C Co)*any
H"ad9$art"r0 Th" 'hol" "n")y ar"a 'a "ngag"d #y th" artill"ry and it i to #" ho*"d that th"
N"#"l'"rf"r 'a /no%/"d o$t0 At any rat" it 'a il"n%"d 'hi%h 'a th" )ain thing0
Th" follo'ing )orning at "1"n o&%lo%/ a h"a1y %on%"ntration land"d( 'itho$t "ff"%t( on
8 Co)*any ar"a and at -0,? th" R"%onnaian%" R"gi)"nt on o$r right 'a h"ll"d h"a1ily0 In
addition a Mar/ I@ tan/ 'a ""n 'hi%h l"d to th" nat$ral a$)*tion that a %o$nt"r6atta%/ 'a
*oi#l"0 All %o)*ani" '"r" 'arn"d to #" on th" loo/6o$t #$t ha**ily no %o$nt"r6atta%/
)at"riali"d0 Th"r" 'a a trang" 9$i"tn" #"hind th" anti6tan/ dit%h on C Co)*any front thi
)orning and it "")"d *oi#l" that th" Bo%h" had 'ithdra'n to o)" ho$" o)" ditan%"
a'ay0 S)o/" a**"ar"d fro) th"" ho$" at "l"1"n o&%lo%/0 Th" g$nn"r '"r" %all"d in( th"
ho$" '"r" "ngag"d and th"r"aft"r th"r" 'a no )o/"0
Still all 'a not 9$i"t and an o%%aional h"ll fro) a "lf6*ro*"ll"d g$n and th" %ont"nt
of a Moaning Minni" '"r" %a$ing $ no littl" tro$#l"0 W" $*"%t"d th" ar"a fro) 'hi%h th""
'"a*on '"r" firing and '" %all"d in fo$r Fi"ld and on" M"di$) R"gi)"nt to 'rit" &fini&0 That
'a not $ffi%i"nt and th" t"na%io$ G"r)an %ontin$"d to fir"0 Th" d"ir"d r"$lt 'a th"n
o#tain"d #y th" %on%"ntrat"d fir" of no l" than "1"n Fi"ld R"gi)"nt0 W" '"r" l"ft in
%o)*arati1" *"a%" that night 'ith only a f"' h"ll %o)ing o$r 'ay and at -0+= a0)0 th"
follo'ing )orning th" Colon"l( 'ho for th" *at f"' day had #""n %o))anding th" Brigad"(
r"t$rn"d0 Shortly aft"r , *0)0 C Co)*any r"*ort"d a $n$$al n$)#"r of to'"l and h""t #"ing
di*lay"d fro) ho$" on o$r l"ft0 Thi "")"d to indi%at" th" thro'ing6in of th" *ong" and th"
infor)ation 'a *a"d on to th" G$ard Brigad" to ta/" any a%tion th"y %onid"r"d n"%"ary0
Lat" in th" aft"rnoon f$rth"r "n")y )o1")"nt 'a noti%"d 'hi%h( on #"ing #ro$ght to th" noti%"
of th" g$nn"r( oon to**"d aft"r o)" dir"%t hit0
By thi ti)" '" /n"' '" '"r" to #" r"li"1"d #y th" ?th Battalion Hing& O'n S%ottih
Bord"r"r and '"r" to ta/" o1"r fro) th" ,t Battalion Glago' Highland"r in 'hat 'a aid to
#" a r"t ar"a in Aff"rd"n0 Ho' th" *o'"r that #" i)agin"d Aff"rd"n to #" a r"t ar"a 'h"n th"
Bo%h" '"r" only a f"' h$ndr"d yard along th" road i on" of tho" )yt"ri" of 'arfar"0 Th"
hand6o1"r to ? Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r %o))"n%"d on <+rd F"#r$ary and %ontin$"d
'itho$t any gr"at in%id"nt 'ith th" ";%"*tion that Battalion H"ad9$art"r r"%"i1"d th" ditin%tion
of #"ing ingl"d o$t for a f"' "n")y h"ll 6 ha**ily no da)ag" 'a don" 6 and th" Battalion
ha1ing *ro%""d"d #y )ar%h ro$t" had ta/"n o1"r th" o6%all"d #ill"t in Aff"rd"n #y i; o&%lo%/ in
th" "1"ning0 Th" #ill"t( in%id"ntally( '"r" fir" *oition0 Thr"" *latoon of B Co)*any 'ho had
#""n *la%"d $nd"r th" %o))and of ?<nd Lo'land 8i1iion R"%onnaian%" R"gi)"nt too/ o1"r
fro) th"ir o**oit" n$)#"r in th" ha)l"t of R")fi"ld0 Th" r"t ar"a 'an&t fr"" fro) dang"r #y
any )ann"r of )"an a Battalion H"ad9$art"r l"arn"d to th"ir no )all %hagrin 'h"n at G0+=
at night i; h"ll land"d t'o h$ndr"d yard fro) th")0
Ha1ing r"%"i1"d th" d"ignation &r"t ar"a&( it had to #" ho'n %l"arly that Aff"rd"n 'a
in fa%t a r"t ar"a0 On th" follo'ing day '" '"r" gi1"n th" o**ort$nity to #ath( r"t and %l"an $*
g"n"rally0 Ent"rtain)"nt 'a not forgott"n and a )all *"r%"ntag" of th" Battalion 'a l$%/y
"no$gh to o#tain "at at a %in")a and ENSA ho'0 R"t ar"a or not th" "n")y did not
%onid"r it o and *o**"d o1"r th" o%%aional h"ll thro$gho$t th" ho$r of daylight #$t th" night
'a %o)*arati1"ly 9$i"t0 Th" Ri1"r Maa( 'hi%h had #""n #adly 'oll"n and had #ro/"n it
#an/( 'a no' n"arly do'n to it nor)al l"1"l and th"r" 'a al'ay th" *oi#ility that th"
"n")y )ight att")*t a %o$nt"r6atta%/ along th" ri1"r to o$r right flan/0 On" Co)*any
Co))and"r at l"at 'an&t going to #" %a$ght na**ing in thi 'ay and had hi )"di$) )a%hin"
g$n )o$nt"d o that it %o$ld "ngag" any "n")y a**roa%hing fro) th" flan/ )$%h to th"
%ont"rnation of th" R"%onnaian%" R"gi)"nt 'ho '"r" in th" ha#it of "nding a *atrol along
th" ri1"r #an/0 S$ita#l" liaion 'a )ad" and nothing $nto'ard too/ *la%"0
Th" follo'ing day Mr G"org" Bla/"( '"ll6/no'n a a no1"lit and radio %o))"ntator(
*aid th" Battalion a flying 1iit and tal/"d to th" 3o%/ )ainly on th" 9$"tion of ho$ing at ho)"
aft"r th" 'ar0 Th"r" 'a an a**r"%iati1" a$di"n%" at "a%h of hi tal/ and "1"ral
$**l")"ntary 9$"tion d"aling 'ith th" la%/ of #""r to fighting oldi"r '"r" *$t to hi)0
Shortly aft"r th" lat of hi tal/ th" for'ard "dg" of th" 1illag" too/ a h"a1y &ton/& for a#o$t fi1"
)in$t" and 'a alo tro$#l"d #y )a%hin" g$n fir" and )o1")"nt fro) o)" ho$" "1"ral
h$ndr"d yard f$rth"r along th" )ain road0 It 'a tho$ght that o)"thing 'a a#o$t to ha**"n
and A and C Co)*ani" '"r" ord"r"d to tand6to0 It )ay ha1" #""n a light di1"rion or th"
"n")y )ay ha1" ta/"n %old f""t at th" lat )o)"nt for( )$%h to "1"ryon"& r"li"f( nothing
ha**"n"d and an ho$r lat"r th" t'o Co)*ani" '"r" ord"r"d to tand do'n0
At ,,0+= on th" )orning of <6th F"#r$ary th" Colon"l att"nd"d an &O& Gro$* at 8i1iion
and r"t$rn"d 'ith th" n"' that th" Battalion 'a to r"t$rn to th" 'ood fro) 'hi%h th"y had
%o)" *r"*aratory to an atta%/ on th" 1illag" of Ho"/o/ and Hl"in" Hort0 H" intr$%t"d hi
Co)*any Co))and"r to )a/" th" n"%"ary r"%onnaian%" of th" gro$nd 'hi%h 'a d$ly
don"0 Aft"r anoth"r &O& Gro$*( thi ti)" at Brigad"( h" h"ld a f$ll Battalion &O& Gro$* at ?0<= *0)0
and i$"d hi ord"r for th" %o)ing atta%/0 Bri"fly th" *lan 'a that B Co)*any 'a to %a*t$r"
Ho"/o/ and C Co)*any 'a to %a*t$r" Hl"in" Hort0 On %onolidation 8 Co)*any 'o$ld ta/"
$* *oition on th" right of C Co)*any and A Co)*any 'o$ld #" h"ld in ta%ti%al r""r1" along
'ith Battalion Ta%ti%al H"ad9$art"r( th" 'hol" ho' to #" *r"%"d"d #y a h"a1y #arrag"0
Co)*ani" '"r" to )ar%h to th" for)6$* *oint at <0+= in th" )orning of <>th F"#r$ary0
Ha1ing had a )$%h r"t a *oi#l"( th" Battalion )o1"d off and r"a%h"d th" for)6$*
*oint #y . a0)0 F E%h"lon tran*ort l"ft at + a0)0 and alo arri1"d at it ar"a #y . a0)0 B and C
Co)*ani" )o1"d $* to 'ithin thr"" h$ndr"d yard of th" tart lin" and( at ? o&%lo%/( th" #arrag"
tart"d0 It 'a a %r""*ing #arrag" and th" atta%/ing Co)*ani" )o1"d $* 'ith it0 Fo$r h$ndr"d
yard a%ro th" tart lin" B Co)*any '"r" h"ld $* t")*orarily a o$r o'n h"ll '"r" falling
hort0 :nfort$nat"ly on" )an 'a /ill"d #$t th" ad1an%" %ontin$"d lo'ly #$t $r"ly0 Th" t"rrain
'a $%h that no *""d %o$ld *oi#ly #" o#tain"d0 No o**oition 'a "n%o$nt"r"d and( #y
>0,? a0)0( all Co)*ani" '"r" at th"ir o#7"%ti1" and '"r" %onolidating0 Only on" al1o of
"n")y h"ll land"d n"ar th" tart lin"0 Wood to th" front of B and C Co)*ani" '"r" *atroll"d
and fo$nd to #" %l"ar and 8 Co)*any 'a ord"r"d for'ard to o%%$*y th")0 Thi o*"ration 'a
%o)*l"t"d #y ,=0+= a0)0( A Co)*any alo ha1ing gon" for'ard to it allott"d ar"a of 'ood0 Th"
Battalion Eion""r th"n got #$y %l"aring tra%/ thro$gh th" 'ood to allo' o$r F E%h"lon
1"hi%l" to %o)" $* fro) th"ir *ar/ing ar"a0
At thi *oint '" )ad" %onta%t 'ith ?,t AHighlandB 8i1iion and a *latoon of 8 Co)*any
'a ord"r"d to %l"ar y"t anoth"r 'ood( 'ait and %onta%t "l")"nt of that 8i1iion on th" road
Si%h"ng"'ald 6 Groot" Hort0 It 'a a long 'ait #$t "1"nt$ally th" ,t Battalion Gordon
Highland"r arri1"d and th" $$al infor)ation 'a ";%hang"d0
8"*it" th" "ffort of th" Eion""r( 'ho 'or/"d li/" la1"( it 'a fo$nd i)*oi#l" to
%l"ar th" #oggy tra%/ thro$gh th" 'ood to allo' all F E%h"lon to g"t thro$gh and o)" anti6
tan/ g$n and on" %arri"r '"r" #ogg"d do'n0 It 'a h"r" too that A Co)*any 3""* ran o1"r an
S )in" on th" 1"rg" of a tra%/0 Th" r"$lt of th" ";*loion 'a that th" "%ond )an 'a
'o$nd"d( not "rio$ly( and th" 3""* 'a *$t o$t of a%tion0
Thro$gho$t th" day no %onta%t 'a )ad" 'ith th" "n")y and it 'a only d$ring th"
night that th"y )ad" th"ir *r""n%" f"lt in th" ha*" of t"n h"ll landing in 8 Co)*any ar"a0
Si)ilarly( aft"r 6 a0)0 on th" lat day of th" )onth( a f$rth"r "ight h"ll f"ll in thi Co)*any ar"a0
Not to #" o$tdon"( a *atrol 'a "nt o$t fro) 8 Co)*any at -0+= a0)0 Thi *atrol *"n"trat"d
thro$gh to th" 1illag" of Groot" Hort( %a*t$ring on th" 'ay thr"" d""rt"r fro) th" <nd
Co)*any of th" <nd Eara%h$t" R"gi)"nt 'ho %lai)"d to ha1" #""n di%harg"d fro) ho*ital
and r"t$rn"d to find th"ir $nit gon"0 Th" 1illag" it"lf 'a d""rt"d ";%"*t for a f"' %i1ilian and
A Co)*any '"r" ord"r"d for'ard to o%%$*y th" 1illag" and th" gro$nd for'ard of it $* to th"
anti6tan/ dit%h0 Thi 'a don" 'itho$t in%id"nt tho$gh in th" "arly "1"ning th" 1illag" 'a
h"ll"d 'itho$t da)ag" to o$r"l1"0 It 'a $*"%t"d that th" "n")y g$n ar"a 'a in th"
n"igh#o$rhood of th" fort of St E"tr$h"i) and it 'a arrang"d that th" H$n 'o$ld r"%"i1" a
tat" of th"ir o'n )"di%in" in th" )orning0
Th" firt )orning of th" n"' )onth da'n"d on an $n$$al 9$i"tn" and th" Colon"l
too/ th" o**ort$nity of r"gro$*ing th" Battalion0 Nothing )$%h ha**"n"d $ntil .0<? *0)0 'h"n
th" "n")y h"ll"d H""r"1"n and %or"d a dir"%t hit on a ho$" o%%$*i"d #y a *latoon of B
Co)*any0 It 'a a l$%/y hit and( a 'a oft"n th" 'ay of th"" l$%/y hit( %a$"d too )$%h
da)ag" 6 t'o )"n '"r" /ill"d and fo$r 'o$nd"d0 Groot" Hort alo r"%"i1"d th" a)"
$n'"l%o)" att"ntion and h"r" %a$alti" '"r" %a$"d in th" G$nn"r& O#"r1ation Eot0
B Co)*any "nt o$t a r"%onnaian%" *atrol to o)" ho$" 'hi%h '"r" li/"ly %"ntr"
of "n")y r"itan%" and( in th" light of th" r"*ort th"y #ro$ght #a%/( a fighting *atrol 'a
d"*at%h"d fro) th" a)" Co)*any at - *0)0 Thi *atrol r"t$rn"d at ,,0+= *0)0 'ith +. %i1ilian
and th" int"llig"n%" that th" "n")y( i;t""n in n$)#"r ( had #""n th"r" #$t had 'ithdra'n aft"r a
%lah 'ith th" r"%onnaian%" *atrol0 8$ring th" ti)" thi *atrol had #""n o$t "1"ral larg"
flah" fro) th" ar"a of St E"tr$h"i) '"r" ""n0 Thi ga1" ri" to th" o$nd a$)*tion that
th" "n")y 'a )a/ing th" #"t of a #ad 7o# #y #lo'ing $* a))$nition d$)*0 Th"r" i no
do$#t that thi a$)*tion 'a %orr"%t a lat"r "1"nt #or" o$t0
At half an ho$r *at )idnight on th" <nd a r"%onnaian%" *atrol fro) 8 Co)*any
r"t$rn"d 'ith th" n"' that an anti6tan/ dit%h to th"ir front had #""n #lo'n $* and that "1"ral
ho$" in th" a)" ar"a '"r" $no%%$*i"d 6 nothing ha1ing #""n ""n of th" "n")y0 It a**"ar"d
a if th" "n")y 'a g"tting o$t 7$t a 9$i%/ly a h" *oi#ly %o$ld and thi 'a #orn" o$t #y th"
fa%t that th"r" 'a no a%ti1ity d$ring th" 'hol" day0 It 'a ti)" to *$h for'ard and Brigad" "nt
o$t a )"ag" that night 'arning $ of *"nding )o1"0 Th"" '"r" not long in ta/ing *la%" and
#y G0.= *0)0 th" 'hol" of F E%h"lon had arri1"d0 By -0+= nin" of th" Battalion thr""6tonn"r had
#""n 'arn"d to #" at a %"rtain r"nd"51o$ to ait in *i%/ing $* th" .th Battalion Hing& O'n
S%ottih Bord"r"r0 It 'a th"n '" l"arn"d th" ad n"' that o$r Motor Tran*ort Offi%"r(
Li"$t"nant 30H0Mill( had #""n /ill"d0 H" had %o)" for'ard 'ith thi tran*ort and( 'hilt in th"
*ro%" of t$rning hi 7""*( had #""n #lo'n $* on a )in"00
W" '"r" th"n *$t on on" ho$r noti%" to )o1" for'ard0 Thi tat" of r"adin" h"ld good
$ntil ?0<? *0)0 on th" +rd 'h"n '" '"r" *$t at fift""n )in$t" noti%"( har#o$r *arti"( in th"
)"anti)"( #"ing at intant r"adin"0 Th"" *arti" l"ft at 60,= *0)0 for th" 1illag" of T'it"d"n
'hi%h 'a to #" o$r n";t halting *la%" and '"ll into th" G"r)an Fath"rland0 TC@ arri1" to
tran*ort $ and #y nin" o&%lo%/ th" firt %o)*any( C Co)*any( 'a off to th" n"' lo%ation0
E1"nt$ally all arri1"d at th" 1illag" and o#tain"d #ill"t0 H"r" '"r" G"r)an %i1ilian and it 'a
o$r firt r"al o**ort$nity of li1ing in %lo" *ro;i)ity to "n")y national0
TWISTE8EN
Thro$gh th" Si"gfri"d Lin"
T'it"d"n 'a a 1illag" 'hi%h '" lat"r %a)" to r"%ogni" a ty*i%al of G"r)an 1illag" 6
a long tr""t 'ith )all ho$" on "ith"r id"( )any &*$#&( a %h$r%h( a %")"t"ry and littl" "l"0
Th" anitation 'a )i"ra#l" %o)*ar"d to Britih tandard and '" '"r" not *arti%$larly
i)*r""d 'ith th" odo$r 'hi%h gr""t"d $ in %"rtain *la%"0 It 'a o#1io$ that thi 1illag" had
*lay"d 9$it" an i)*ortant *art in th" Si"gfri"d d"f"n%" for( only a hort ditan%" a'ay( '"r"
di%o1"r"d all ort of %on%r"t" *ill#o;" and oth"r d"f"n%" 'or/0 It 'a h"r" alo that '"
)ar1"ll"d at th" tr"ngth of th" G"r)an $nd"rgro$nd and %on%r"t"d air raid h"lt"r %o)*l"t"ly
fitt"d 'ith #$n/ and #"d0 Ind""d( th" Eion""r Elatoon %ho" on" of th"" $nd"rgro$nd
d'"lling a it t")*orary a#od"0
Th" tory of T'it"d"n i on" to 'hi%h '" had #y thi ti)" #"%o)" 9$it" a%%$to)"d 6
&Ord"r( Co$nt"r6ord"r and 8iord"r2&0 W" had ";*"%t"d to tay h"r" for on" night only and in
a%t$al fa%t '" tay"d for "1"ral day0 At > a0)0 on .th Mar%h '" '"r" told to g"t r"ady to )o1"
t'o ho$r lat"r to Bor)ig0 3$t forty )in$t" #"for" '" '"r" d$" to )o1" th" ti)" of o$r
d"*art$r" 'a *$t #a%/ to ,= a0)0 and on" ho$r lat"r int"llig"n%" 'a r"%"i1"d that a )ain
#ridg" 'a #lo'n and that th" road '" '"r" $**o"d to ta/" 'a #adly %rat"r"d0
R"%onnaian%" *arti" '"r" ord"r"d to r"*ort on th" tat" of oth"r #ridg" and it 'a a**ar"nt
fro) th"ir r"*ort that not on" #$t fi1" #ridg" '"r" #lo'n( t'o of th") ho'"1"r #"ing *aa#l"
#y infantry0 At ,0+= *0)0 '" '"r" *$t at t'o ho$r noti%" to )o1" 'ith r"%onnaian%" *arti" at
on" ho$r noti%"0 At G0.? *0)0 th" Co))anding Offi%"r( 'ho had #""n $))on"d to a Brigad"
%onf"r"n%"( r"t$rn"d and ord"r"d r"%onnaian%" *arti" for ?0+= a0)0 on th" ?th 'ith f$rth"r
intr$%tion that th" Battalion 'o$ld )o1" at G0+= a0)0 th" a)" )orning0
At th" a**oint"d ho$r th" r"%onnaian%" *arti"( $nd"r %o))and of Ma7or B"ll(
d"*art"d for Bor)ig #$t( on arri1al( fo$nd that A)"ri%an troo* '"r" in o%%$*ation and that th""
troo* had no ord"r to "1a%$at"0 Th" Colon"l( 'ho had follo'"d th" r"%onnaian%" *arti"(
'"nt traight to Brigad" to %larify th" it$ation and 'a infor)"d that th" A)"ri%an 'o$ld
"1a%$at" th" 1illag" "1"nt$ally #$t not that day0 A n"' %on%"ntration ar"a for th" Brigad" had
#""n allott"d and at ,<0,? *0)0 a )"ag" 'a "nt to Ma7or B"ll to r"%onnoitr" th" ar"a0
Ho'"1"r at ,<0.? th" *ro7"%t"d )o1" to Bor)ig 'a %an%"ll"d and Ma7or B"ll& r"%onnaian%"
*arty 'a r"%all"d0
In th" "arly ho$r of th" )orning of 6th Mar%h th" Brigad" Ma7or 1iit"d th" Ad7$tant and
'arn"d that r"%onnaian%" *arti" 'o$ld )o1" a ord"r"d *r"1io$ly #$t at -0+= a0)0 and that
th" Battalion 'o$ld )o1" #y )ar%h ro$t" at a ti)" to #" gi1"n lat"r0 Half an ho$r #"for" th"
r"%onnaian%" *arty 'a d$" to )o1" off '" '"r" ad1i"d that th"r" 'o$ld #" no )o1" to
Bor)ig a it 'a li/"ly that th" Brigad" 'o$ld #" r"9$ir"d to ta/" o1"r fro) a Brigad" of ?+rd
AW"lhB 8i1iion and that th" &O& Gro$* 'o$ld #" r"9$ir"d to tand6#y a fro) )idday0 At 60+=
*0)0 a f$rth"r )"ag" 'a r"%"i1"d 'hi%h tat"d that th"r" 'o$ld #" no )o1" #"for" ,= o&%lo%/
on th" )orning of th" >th Mar%h and that th" Brigad" 'o$ld r"li"1" th" >,t Infantry Brigad" in
th" ar"a of I$)0
ISS:M
Th" W""l Eo%/"t
Th" Battalion( ha1ing ")#$"d in TC@( "t off d"ad on ti)" fro) T'it"d"n for I$)0
It 'a an $n"1"ntf$l r$n and( on th" 'ay( '" *a"d thro$gh th" fair6i5"d to'n of G"ld"rn 'hi%h
had r"%"i1"d a t"rrifi% *o$nding fro) th" air0 W" tho$gh it 'a #ad "no$gh #$t( in fa%t( it 'a
nothing to 'hat '" '"r" to "" lat"r0 At I$) '" too/ o1"r fro) th" ,t O; and B$%/ and( a
'" '"r" in a ")i r""r1" rFl"( all troo* '"r" *$t into #ill"t0 Th" n"ar"t "n")y 'a
r"%/on"d to #" at Al*on( a )il" or t'o a'ay0 Th" follo'ing day '" '"r" intr$%t"d to ta/" o1"r
fro) th" >th Ca)"ronian 'ho '"r" in th" 'ood o$th of Al*on and '"r" tho$ght li/"ly to #"
in1ol1"d 'ith th" .L? Royal S%ot F$ili"r in th" %ont")*lat"d atta%/ on Al*on0 To thi "nd
r"%onnaian%" *arti" 'ith th" Co))anding Offi%"r l"ft I$) at G0.? a0)0 to %l"ar $* th"
*oition0
Th" Battalion had #""n 'arn"d to #" r"ady to )o1" off #y )ar%h ro$t" #$t th" "ntir"
*oition 'a o#%$r" 6 #y lat" aft"rnoon th" >th Ca)"ronian had not y"t r"%"i1"d ord"r to
)o1"0 Th" r"%onnaian%" *arti" a%%ordingly r"t$rn"d to th" Battalion0 Brigad" '"r" till of th"
o*inion that at l"at t'o %o)*ani" of th" Ca)"ronian 'o$ld #"%o)" in1ol1"d #$t that no )o1"
'a li/"ly #"for" ? *0)0 Thi $n%"rtainty 'a di*"ll"d at -0+= *0)0 'h"n t'o of o$r %o)*ani"(
C and 8( '"r" ord"r"d to ta/" o1"r fro) th"ir o**oit" n$)#"r forth'ith0 Th" r")aind"r of th"
Battalion got th"ir )ar%hing ord"r and ho$r and a half lat"r0
Th" )ar%h 'an&t at all *l"aant0 Th" noi" of 'ar '"r" a$di#l" "1"ry'h"r" and th"
#la%/n" of th" night in %on7$n%tion 'ith o$r *rogr" along )$ddy tra%/ thro$gh thi%/ 'ood
ga1" an ";tr")" f""ling of ""rin"0 Th" 'hol" ar"a had #""n a $**ly *oint for th" Si"gfri"d
Lin" and 'a lit"rally ta%/"d high 'ith all ort of G"r)an a))$nition0 Ho'"1"r '" arri1"d at
Battalion H"ad9$art"r of th" >th Ca)"ronian 'itho$t $nd$" 'orry and '"r" th"r" )"t 'ith th"
$n'"l%o)" n"' that( aft"r all( th" Ca)"ronian '"r" not to )o1" that night0 Thi )"ant th"
fi;ing of a Battalion %on%"ntration ar"a and ra*id digging6in if '" '"r" to g"t any l""*6h"ll
'"r" /no'n to land in th" ar"a2 L$%/ily th" oil 'a andy and digging 'a not diffi%$lt0
E1"ryon" "t to 'or/ 'ith a 'ill and in a 1"ry hort ti)" all )"n '"r" #"lo' gro$nd0
At >0,? a0)0 th" Ca)"ronian r"*ort"d that th"ir C and 8 Co)*ani" '"r" to #" *la%"d
$nd"r %o))and of th" .L? Royal S%ot F$ili"r0 O$r o'n C and 8 Co)*ani" '"r" th"r"for"
ord"r"d to ta/" o1"r th" 1a%at"d *oition at G a0)0 Within an ho$r it 'a inti)at"d that th"
'hol" Battalion 'a to ta/" o1"r fro) th" Ca)"ronian and thi )o1" 'a r"*ort"d to Brigad"
a ha1ing #""n a%%o)*lih"d $%%"f$lly #y ,,0?= a0)0 Th" ar"a 'a not a *l"aant on" 6 it
'a all h"a1ily 'ood"d and #ro$ght #a%/ $n*l"aant r"%oll"%tion of th" ti)" '" had *"nt in
th" G"il"n/ir%h"n ar"a a f"' )onth "arli"r0 Th" "n")y 'a not %ont"nt to it #a%/ and do
nothing6 h"ll '"r" landing %ontin$o$ly 'itho$t doing 1"ry )$%h da)ag" altho$gh A Co)*any
'"r" $nfort$nat" in thi r"*"%t in that th"y $ff"r"d thr"" *lint"r %a$alti"0 Wor/ 'a
%o))"n%"d right a'ay on th" i)*ro1")"nt of th" ";iting tr"n%h"0 8$g6o$t '"r" )ad" a
ha#ita#l" a *oi#l" and '"r" roof"d 'ith tr"" tr$n/ 'hi%h '"r" in *l"ntif$l $**ly0 It )ight
al)ot #" aid that th"" d$g6o$t '" )ad" '"r" th" fin"t "1"r %ontr$%t"d #y th" Battalion0
W" had *l"nty of ";*"ri"n%" no'2 A thing t$rn"d o$t( ho'"1"r( '" n"1"r r"ally o%%$*i"d th")
and all o$r *rodigio$ la#o$r '"r" for nothing0
At + *0)0 th" Colon"l r"%"i1"d th" infor)ation that th" Battalion 'a li/"ly to #" on th"
)o1" #y G0+= that "1"ning to ta/" o1"r fro) th" Coldtr"a) G$ard o)"'h"r" in th" ar"a of
M"n5"l"n and that h" 'a to att"nd a Brigad" &O& Gro$* i))"diat"ly0 Erior to l"a1ing th"
Battalion( th" Colon"l $))on"d hi &O& Gro$* and intr$%t"d it to )o1" for'ard to )""t hi) if
ord"r"d0 Th"r" 'a an air of t"nion a#o$t th" 'hol" *ro%""ding 'hi%h a$g$r"d no good0 At .
*0)0 th" &O& Gro$* 'a ord"r"d for'ard to H"ad9$art"r S%ot G$ard to #" th"r" #y ? *0)0 It
'a h"r" '" l"arn"d that '" '"r" d"finit"ly to ta/" o1"r fro) th" Coldtr"a) that night( th"
*oition ha1ing #""n %a*t$r"d #y th") d$ring th" aft"rnoon aft"r a #loody #attl"0 Thi #attl"
had )ot d"finit"ly not $#id"d for th" %o)*any ar"a '"r" r"%onnoitr"d $nd"r a tor) of hot
and h"ll $%h a '" had "ldo) had to $ff"r0 GG)) h"ll '"r" 'hi55ing o1"rh"ad( S*anda$
'"r" firing and that intr$)"nt of d"ath( th" n"#"l'"rf"r 'a landing it #o)# 7$t a fat a th"
Bo%h" %o$ld fir" it0 W" had al'ay #""n a l$%/y Battalion and n"1"r had o$r l$%/ #""n )or"
"1id"nt than it 'a that night for th" /y it"lf 'a *it%h #la%/ #$t th" 'hol" ar"a 'a 1i1id 'ith
th" light of #$rning ho$" and ";*loding h"ll and n"#"l'"rf"r #o)# and y"t 'ithal th"
Battalion got into *oition 'ith only thr"" %a$alti" 6 on" offi%"r 'o$nd"d ALi"$t"nant Stinon of
B Co)*anyB( on" )an /ill"d and on" )an 'o$nd"d0 Th" f$rio$ %annonad" #y th" "n")y
%ontin$"d thro$gh th" night and only to**"d at a#o$t ? o&%lo%/ in th" )orning0 H" had thro'n in
th" *ong" and r"tir"d a%ro th" Rhin" o1"r th" W""l #ridg" 'hi%h h" lat"r d")olih"d0
At th" ti)" '" '"r" not d"finit"ly a'ar" of thi 'ithdra'al altho$gh th" $n$$al 9$i"t
"")"d to $gg"t it0 At ,= a0)0 '" '"r" infor)"d that Brigad" 'a ta/ing no %han%" and had
ord"r"d >L- Royal S%ot to *$t in an atta%/ on Rill0 At th" ti)" of r"%"i*t of thi )"ag" th"
Royal S%ot '"r" half'ay to th"ir o#7"%ti1" 'itho$t o**oition0 On Rill #"ing ta/"n '" '"r" to
)o1" for'ard0 Si)$ltan"o$ly a *atrol 'a ord"r"d to )o1" north "at along th" rail'ay lin" a
f"' h$ndr"d yard #"yond M"n5"l"n0 Th" *atrol d$ly l"ft and r"t$rn"d hortly aft"r'ard 'ith
fi1" G"r)an d""rt"r 'ho d"%lar"d that M"n5"l"n 'a %l"ar0 It 'a #"%o)ing in%r"aingly
"1id"nt that o$r $*i%ion r"garding th" "n")y 'ithdra'al '"r" *ro1ing tr$" and th"
Co))anding Offi%"r ord"r"d A and B Co)*ani" to )o1" for'ard0 At ,,0<= a0)0 '" '"r"
ad1i"d #y Brigad" that th" ,t Glago' Highland"r( 'ho" ta/ it 'a to o%%$*y M"n5"l"n(
had "n%o$nt"r"d o**oition and that A Co)*any 'a not to )o1" )"anti)" #$t that B Co)*any
'a to #" allo'"d to *ro%""d0 By ,,0<= A Co)*any 'a alo on th" )o1"( ha1ing #""n
intr$%t"d to a%t a %$t6off to any "n")y trying to "%a*" fro) M"n5"l"n0 An ho$r aft"r )idday B
Co)*any r"*ort"d th")"l1" in *oition 'itho$t diffi%$lty and that "1"ral R )in" had #""n
"n%o$nt"r"d "n ro$t"0 Th" Eion""r '"r" "nt for'ard to d"al 'ith th""0 En")y d""rt"r
'"r" no' #"ing #ro$ght in and( in no ti)" at all( '" had a%%$)$lat"d a #at%h of forty t'o0 By th"
"1"ning th" 'hol" Battalion had )o1"d for'ard to a n"' ar"a "at of 'h"r" '" had *"nt that
f"aro)" night0
Th" night of ,=L,,th Mar%h *rod$%"d no ";%it")"nt 'hato"1"r and th" troo* '"r"
a#l" to g"t a good r"t0 Th" 'hol" )orning of th" ,,th 'a 9$i"t and #y ,<0<? '" had #""n
infor)"d that th" 'hol" '"t #an/ of th" Rhin" 'a %l"ar and that '" '"r" to ta/" o1"r a tr"t%h
of th" ri1"r in th" ar"a of Mari"n#a$) 'hi%h 'a north '"t of o$r *r""nt *oition0 W" '"r" to
#" at t'o ho$r noti%" 'ith "ff"%t fro) , *0)0 R"%onnaian%" *arti" $nd"r %o))and of Ma7or
B"ll l"ft at ,0,?0 Th" r"t of th" Battalion 'ait"d( "n7oying th" 9$i"t and r"t aft"r th" $n'ont"d
noi"( $ntil th" Co))anding Offi%"r 'a $))on"d to an &O& Gro$* aft"r ? o&%lo%/0 On hi
r"t$rn th" t'o ho$r noti%" 'a r"d$%"d to on" ho$r0 TC@ had #""n ord"r"d $* and #y
)idnight '" '"r" off on o$r tra1"l on%" )or"0
@YNEN
Th" Lat Barri"r
W" arri1"d at @yn"n on th" Rhin" at +0+= on th" )orning of ,<th Mar%h and *ro%""d"d
to ta/" o1"r fro) th" ,t Wor%"t"rhir" R"gi)"nt0 Thi ta/"6o1"r '"nt 1"ry )oothly and #y
>0+= a0)0 '" '"r" intall"d along th" ri1"r #an/ 'itho$t any tro$#l" 'hato"1"r0 W" had an
"nor)o$ Battalion frontag" and '"r" r"*oni#l" for "n$ring that nothing %ro"d th" Rhin"
fro) th" "n")y #an/0 To do thi '" '"r" r"9$ir"d to "ta#lih n$)"ro$ o#"r1ation *ot
along o$r front to o#tain th" )a;i)$) infor)ation a#o$t th" "n")y0 All %o)*ani"( in%l$ding S
Co)*any in an infantry rFl"( '"r" to ta/" th"ir har" in thi %"a"l" 'at%h0 By ? o&%lo%/ in th"
"1"ning all had #""n &t""d $*& and '" '"r" r"ady for anything to ha**"n0
@yn"n it"lf 'a a )all 1illag"( not too #adly da)ag"d( and in th" %"ntr" of an
agri%$lt$ral %o))$nity0 Ci1ilian '"r" till in th" ar"a and '"r" r")o1"d lat"r0 Th"r" '"r"
h$ndr"d of %attl" roa)ing th" fi"ld and till )or" h$ndr"d of h"n0 Th" %attl" '"r" a
n$ian%" and( in th" day that follo'"d( )any dri1" '"r" )ad" to %oll"%t th") and dri1" th")
to a Brigad" %attl" *"n fro) 'hi%h th"y '"r" lat"r r")o1"d0 Thi 'a not th" %a" 'ith th" h"n0
Ea%h o#"r1ation *ot gath"r"d $nto it"lf a larg" n$)#"r of h"n 'hi%h '"r" *"nn"d in and
/"*t for th" ol" *$r*o" of $**lying $ 'ith "gg 'hi%h had #""n a#"nt fro) o$r di"t for o
long0 N"1"r had '" "at"n o )any "gg and n"1"r again '"r" '" to do o0 It 'a a land
flo'ing 'ith )il/ and hon"y0 Th" a)o$nt of food '" fo$nd hidd"n a'ay in th"" far)ho$"
'a in%r"di#l"0 Ha) #y th" %or" 6 and good ha) at that 6( 1"g"ta#l" of all ort in%l$ding
tho" '" had )i"d for long "no$gh( fr"h *otato" and a%/ of $gar0 A a r"$lt( th" %o)*o
ration 'a loo/"d on 'ith %orn and( a*art fro) th" '"l%o)" t"a( 'a to$%h"d only o%%aionally0
All th" %attl" had not #""n dri1"n off and tho" far)"r and a)at"$r far)"r a)ong $ '"r" not
lo' to *ro1id" $ 'ith fr"h )il/0 In hort( '" li1"d on th" fat of th" land0
Th" 1illag" of @yn"n( 'h"r" Battalion H"ad9$art"r 'a it$at"d( had not )$%h of
i)*ortan%" oth"r than a to'"ring %h$r%h *ir"0 It 'a th" o#1io$ *la%" for an artill"ry
o#"r1ation *ot and o 'a %"rtain to attra%t th" att"ntion of th" "n")y0 In *oint of fa%t thi did
ha**"n and )any h"ll '"r" fl$ng at it0 It 'a good hooting too for it 'a tr$%/ "1"ral ti)"0
Nat$rally '" did not $" it0
Th" ,+th and ,.th Mar%h did not *rod$%" )$%h ";%it")"nt0 A littl" )o1")"nt( lat"r
id"ntifi"d a %i1ilian( 'a o#"r1"d and r"%"i1"d th" lo1ing att"ntion of th" g$nn"r0 B Co)*any
'a $nl$%/y "no$gh to #" at th" r"%"i1ing "nd of a#o$t a do5"n h"ll #$t no da)ag" to
*"ronn"l 'a r"*ort"d0 By th" ,.th '" had r"%"i1"d )or" *r"%i" infor)ation of o$r *r""nt
rFl"I
AaB '" '"r" to *r"1"nt "n")y %roing fro) '"t to "at0
A#B '" '"r" to %a*t$r" any "n")y %roing fro) "at to '"t0
A%B at irr"g$lar int"r1al '" '"r" to %o)# th" 'hol" ar"a for "n")y hiding in th" no'
")*ty %ottag"0
AdB '" '"r" to "ta#lih an infor)ation and %h"%/ *ot on th" )ain Mari"n#a$)L@yn"n
road to r"g$lat" ar)y *"ronn"l %o)ing into th" ar"a0 All *"ronn"l oth"r than tho" #"longing
to ?<nd Lo'land 8i1iion had to #" in *o"ion of a *a ign"d #y a "nior offi%"r of th"
8i1iion0
For th" n";t f"' day nothing of r"al )o)"nt too/ *la%" 'ith th" ";%"*tion of "1"ral
h"ll landing in th" Battalion ar"a 'itho$t %a$ing %a$alti"0 Th" Battalion o#"r1ation *ot
'"r" on th"ir to" and "1"ry ign of "n")y )o1")"nt 'a r"*ort"d to th" g$nn"r 'ho
in1aria#ly had a hoot( in o)" %a" lating for o)" %onid"ra#l" ti)"0 Altho$gh '" a**"ar"d
to #" 9$i"%"nt #ig thing '"r" ha**"ning #"hind $6th" gr"at *lan for th" Rhin" %roing 'a
#"ing 'or/"d o$t and tor" and '"a*on of all ort and d"%ri*tion '"r" #"ing got r"ady for
th" final *$h0 W" '"r" all a'ar" of thi and it 'a #ro$ght har*ly to o$r noti%" 'h"n th"
"nor)o$ )o/" %r""n 'hi%h tr"t%h"d for )il" and )il" along th" 'hol" l"ngth of th" ri1"r
fro) Eindho1"n to Cologn" 'a "t off0 At ti)" it 'a )ot $n*l"aant and( on on" night in
*arti%$lar( it 'a o thi%/ that( $nl" r"*irator had #""n 'orn( '" 'o$ld ha1" had "1"ral
%a$alti"0 Th" H$n )$t ha1" $*"%t"d 'hat 'a going on #"hind th" )o/" %r""n #$t(
o'ing to th" 1igilan%" of all troo* on th" ri1"r( f"' if any "n")y ag"nt %o$ld ha1" got a%ro
th" ri1"r 'ith n"' of th" )agnit$d" of th" o*"ration0
That th" "n")y 'a )or" than an;io$ to di%o1"r 'a ha**"ning 'a "1id"n%"d #y
th" fa%t that h" tart"d to $" o)" r")nant of th" )$%h61a$nt"d L$ft'aff"0 Th"" *lan"
%a)" o1"r at night only and %o$ldn&t "" )$%h altho$gh th"y did dit$r# $ at ti)" #y dro**ing
th" odd #o)#0 For all th" good th"" #o)# did th"y )ight a '"ll ha1" #""n 7"ttion"d into th"
"a0
By th" <<nd Mar%h '" /n"' th" Rhin" %roing 'a n"ar0 S"1"ral g"n"ral offi%"r(
in%l$ding Sir Mil" 8")*"y( <nd Ar)y Co))and"r( had 1iit"d o$r ar"a and had #""n ho'n
ro$nd0 Anoth"r of th"" 1iitor 'a th" %o))and"r of ,<th Cor*( o$r old fri"nd and l"ad"r
G"n"ral Rit%hi"( 'ho r"%"i1"d a h"arty '"l%o)"0 Not only '"r" th"" g"n"ral offi%"r "1id"nt
#$t )all"r fry in th" ha*" of #attalion %o))and"r( na1al Co))ando and Royal Engin""r
alo *$t in an a**"aran%"0 E;%it")"nt 'a riing0 Wa th" %roing to #" $%%"f$l!
At 6 o&%lo%/ on th" "1"ning of th" <+rd th" Co))anding Offi%"r h"ld an &O& Gro$* and
told $ 'hat to ";*"%t in th" n";t f"' ho$r0 Th" ri1"r 'a to #" %ro"d that night and th" gr"at
G"r)an Fath"rland 'a to #" r"nt a$nd"r0 At th" a)" ti)" th" #arrag" o*"n"d $*0
N"1"r had '" h"ard $%h a noi" of g$n of all %ali#r"( n"1"r had '" ""n th" night
/y ri1"n #y $%h #rilliant flah" and o )$%h tra%"r( n"1"r #"for" had '" h"ard and ""n th"
Britih "9$i1al"nt of th" G"r)an n"#"l'"rf"r0 It a**"ar"d a if all h"ll had #ro/"n loo"0 O$r
o'n ";*"ri"n%" in th" W""l *o%/"t 'a a nothing %o)*ar"d to thi inf"rno of noi" and
%r"a)ing h"ll0 What it )$t ha1" #""n li/" for th" G"r)an on th" far #an/ %an only #"
i)agin"d0 W" had ";*"%t"d r"taliatory fir" #$t $%h 'a th" '"ight of )"tal thro'n do'n on th"
G"r)an g$nn"r that th"y )$t ha1" a#andon"d th"ir g$n for( a*art fro) an odd h"ll( nothing
'a fl$ng #a%/ at $0 :nd"r thi %o1"r of hot )"tal th" %roing 'a a%%o)*lih"d0
W" did not ta/" *art in th" a%t$al %roing #$t thro$gh o$r lin" %a)" "l")"nt of that
7$tly fa)o$ di1iion( th" ,?th S%ottih l"d #y th" ,=th Battalion Highland Light Infantry( and in C
Co)*any ar"a on" of th" firt #ridg" o1"r th" Rhin" 'a #$ilt #y th" intr"*id Engin""r0 W"
a' th" h$g" air raid on W""l0 Th" noi" of th" Royal Air For%" o1"rh"ard %o$ld #" *i%/"d o$t
againt th" #a%/gro$nd of artill"ry fir" and '" "aily r"%ogni"d th" %r$)* of th" #o)# a th"y
f"ll and ";*lod"d0
M"ag" '"r" %o)ing tho$gh fat and f$rio$ #y thi ti)" and it 'a a**ar"nt to all
that th" %roing had *ro1"d to #" on" of th" )ot $%%"f$l ";*loit of th" "ntir" 'ar0
G"r)any had #""n %ra%/"d o*"n li/" a rott"n n$t0
All thro$gh th" night and th" n";t day th" g$n /"*t firing0 Sl""* 'a i)*oi#l" and in
any %a" ";%it")"nt 'a at $%h a *it%h that no on" 'ant"d to l""*0 W" '"r" *ri1il"g"d to #"
in at 'hat '" all tho$ght and 'hat $lti)at"ly t$rn"d o$t to #" th" d"ath /n"ll of Na5ido)0 Th"
r"al highlight of thi day 'a th" 'ond"rf$l grandtand 1i"' '" had of th" o*"ration #y th" 6th
Britih Air#orn" 8i1iion and th" ,>th :0S0 Air#orn" 8i1iion0 E$n%t$ally at ,= a0)0 th" *lan"
and th"ir glid"r *a"d o1"r o$r *oition in *"rf"%t for)ation0 W" %o$ld "" th" #lo# of th"
*ara%h$t" gliding g"ntly to "arth and '" %o$ld "" th" glid"r %ating off th"ir to' ro*" and
gliding do'n $ntil th"y '"r" lot to 1i"' #"hind th" int"r1"ning tr""0 Th" 'hol" o*"ration 'a
%o)*l"t"d in 7$t t'o ho$r0 It 'a a )ira%l" of ti)ing and ad)initration0 W" '"r" lat"r to
%oll"%t and )ar1"l at th" 1ario$ it") of "9$i*)"nt $"d #y th"" #ra1" )"n0 8$ring th"
r")aind"r of th" day all road l"ading to th" ri1"r( 'hi%h d$ring th" *r"1io$ '""/ had ""n littl"
or no traffi%( '"r" 7a))"d and "1"rything *oi#l" 'a don" to gi1" aitan%"0 That night a
ingl" "n")y *lan" a**"ar"d o1"rh"ad in an o#1io$ att")*t to d"troy th" #ridg" #$t th"
'"ight of anti6air%raft fir" 'a $%h that th" *ilot tho$ght di%r"tion to #" th" #"tt"r *art of 1alo$r
and h" %ont"nt"d hi)"lf 'ith )a%hin"6g$nning th" #an/ #"for" flying off0
Th" <?th Mar%h a' till )or" )o1")"nt of tran*ort and only a 1"ry o%%aional h"ll
landing in th" ar"a0 Th" G"r)an g$nn"r '"r" falling #a%/ 7$t a fat a th"y %o$ld and th"
Britih ad1an%" 'a o ra*id that '" on th" '"t #an/ of th" ri1"r '"r" '"llnigh o$t of rang"0
8$ring th" )orning 8 Co)*any 'a *la%"d $nd"r th" %o))and of ,== Light Anti6Air%raft
Brigad" for th" %lo" d"f"n%" of a #ridging it" and lat"r all %o)*ani" r"%"i1"d intr$%tion to
%on%"ntrat" in th"ir *r""nt ar"a 'ith on" *latoon of "a%h %o)*any at fift""n )in$t" noti%" a
an anti6*ara%h$t" for%"0 It 'a tho$ght that( in a lat d"*airing "ffort( th" "n")y 'o$ld att")*t
to %onf$" th" i$" #y dro**ing *ara%h$tit to dir$*t $**li" going for'ard to th" troo*0 In
*oint of fa%t thi n"1"r ha**"n"d and o$r *r"%a$tion '"r" not n""d"d0 Ho'"1"r '" had
l"arn"d to #" *r"*ar"d at all ti)" for any r$" th" "n")y )ight ado*t0
On th" <,6th Mar%h a %"rtain n$)#"r of o$r )"n had th" gr"at"t good fort$n" to #" at
@yn"n %roroad 'h"n a @IE arri1"d in a %ar flying th" :nion 3a%/0 O$t t"**"d th" Eri)"
Minit"r( Th" Right Hono$ra#l" Winton Ch$r%hill( a%%o)*ani"d #y Fi"ld Marhal Montgo)"ry
and in a )ira%$lo$ly hort *a%" of ti)" a %ro'd 'a $rging ro$nd th")0 Th" Eri)" Minit"r
*o/" 'ith "1"ral )"n of th" Battalion and Eri1at" H"rr had th" hono$r of ha/ing hand 'ith
hi)0 Both th" Eri)" Minit"r and Fi"ld Marhal Montgo)"ry '"r" in fin" f"ttl" and th"ir
a**"aran%" o %lo" to th" front lin" had a ti)$lating "ff"%t on all troo* in th" 1i%inity0 Th"y
dro1" off a)id a %h""ring %ro'd0 Alo a%%o)*anying th" Eri)" Minit"r '"r" th" Chi"f of th"
I)*"rial G"n"ral Staff( Fi"ld Marhal Sir Alan Broo/( th" <nd Ar)y Co))and"r and th" ,<
Cor* Co))and"r0
Th" ti)" 'a no' a**roa%hing ra*idly 'h"n '" too 'o$ld %ro th" ri1"r to ta/" o$r
*art in th" final d"f"at of G"r)any and( at 6 a0)0 on th" <6th( '" '"r" *$t at t'o ho$r noti%" to
)o1"0 8"*it" 1ario$ %onf"r"n%" and intr$%tion 'hi%h '"r" lat"r %an%"ll"d '" '"r" till at
thi noti%" at - *0)0 'h"n '" '"r" infor)"d that '" %o$ld ta/" thing a littl" "ai"r and that '"
)ight )o1" any ti)" aft"r )idday on th" <>th0 W" did )o1" on that dat" to %o)" $nd"r
%o))and of th" ,?th7 AS%ottihB 8i1iion and '" '"r" at o$r %on%"ntration ar"a on th" far id" of
th" ri1"r #y <0+= *0)0 Chang" of *lan '"r" again ta/ing *la%" and( at on" *"riod( '" did not
";*"%t to r")ain in o$r *r""nt ar"a o1"rnight0 At G *0)0 '" '"r" infor)"d that '" '"r" to ta/"
*art in an atta%/ to #" la$n%h"d th" follo'ing )orning0 Thi atta%/ 'a to #" on a t'o %o)*any
frontag" 'ith A and B Co)*ani" ta/ing th" initial t"* on th" right and l"ft r"*"%ti1"ly 'ith C
and 8 Co)*ani" )o1ing thro$gh th") to th" final o#7"%ti1"0 Th" "%tion of Wa* 'a gi1"n
th" rFl" of fla)ing th" "dg" of a 'ood *rior to th" infantry going in0 O$r H6ho$r 'a to #" ,=0+=
on th" )orning of th" <Gth #$t( altho$gh "1"rything 'a r"ady to #" "t in )otion on ti)"( H6
ho$r 'a *$t #a%/ #y thirty )in$t"0
It a**"ar"d that th" S"aforth Highland"r 'ho had a%%o)*lih"d th" firt *ha" had )"t
'ith no o**oition not "1"n artill"ry fir" and "1"rything *oint"d to th" fa%t that th" "n")y in thi
*arti%$lar ar"a had 'ithdra'n d$ring th" night0 Thi 'a %orr"%t for 'h"n '" did la$n%h o$r
atta%/ #oth o#7"%ti1" '"r" ta/"n "aily at a %ot to th" "n")y of "1"n d""rt"r "nt #a%/ to
th" *rion"r6of6'ar %ag" and at no %ot to o$r"l1"0 Eatrolling 'a th"n th" ord"r of th" day
and a %arri"r *atrol *"n"trat"d to th" gr"at G"r)an a$to#ahn 'hi%h( a*art fro) o)" )in"
tr"'n on th" road 1"rg"( 'a di%o1"r"d to #" in *"rf"%t %ondition0 Th" )in" '"r" 9$i%/ly
and "aily r")o1"d0 Ha1ing r"%"i1"d thi int"llig"n%" it 'a tho$ght ad1ia#l" that th" a$to#ahn
it"lf ho$ld #" %o1"r"d thoro$ghly and in ord"r to do thi th" 'hol" Battalion layo$t 'a
%hang"d0 Thi alt"ration in *oition 'a $%%"f$lly a%%o)*lih"d #y G *0)0 At - *0)0 '" '"r"
infor)"d that th" -th Battalion Ca)"ronian of ,?th AS%ottihB 8i1iion 'o$ld ta/" o1"r o$r
*oition th" follo'ing )orning and that '" 'o$ld on%" again %o)" $nd"r %o))and of ,??
Brigad" and ?<nd ALo'landB 8i1iion0
Thi 'a a 1"ry )ooth hand6o1"r and( #y -0+= a0)0 on th" <-th Mar%h( all %o)*ani"
had #""n r"li"1"d #y th"ir o**oit" n$)#"r and '"r" on th" )ar%h to th" n"' %on%"ntration
ar"a 'hi%h 'a r"a%h"d #y noon0 A%%o))odation 'a li)it"d #$t '" did not ";*"%t to r")ain
h"r" for any l"ngth of ti)" 6 forty "ight ho$r at )ot0 Th"r"aft"r '" '"r" to ta/" *art in th"
gr"at %ha" aft"r a #ro/"n and d"f"at"d "n")y0
W" did in fa%t tay in thi ar"a for forty "ight ho$r and th" ti)" 'a not 'at"d for
*arti" '"r" "nt o$t fro) "a%h %o)*any 'ith intr$%tion to %oll"%t and al1ag" a )$%h
air#orn" "9$i*)"nt a *oi#l"0 Thi had #""n th" dro**ing ar"a for th" air#orn" di1iion and
'a f$ll of all ort of "9$i*)"nt0 Th" troo* 'or/"d 'ith a 'ill and( #y th" ti)" '" l"ft( a larg"
a)o$nt of /it #oth "r1i%"a#l" and $n"r1i%"a#l" had #""n %oll"%t"d0 H"r"#y hang a tal"0 Th"
%o$ntryid" in thi r"gion 'a fairly thi%/ly *o*$lat"d 'ith )allholding and la#o$r"r& %ottag"
)ot of 'hi%h had $ff"r"d o)" da)ag" *arti%$larly to th" 'indo'0 On" far)ho$" a**"ar"d
to ha1" a to%/ of gla #$t no *$tty0 It 'a r"*ort"d to a %"rtain offi%"r #y on" of th" %oo/ that
a G"r)an %i1ilian had #""n ""n gath"ring 'hat a**"ar"d to #" a))$nition0 Thi offi%"r had a
loo/ thro$gh hi fi"ld gla" and agr""d 'ith th" %oo/ that o)"thing fihy 'a going on0
Ta/ing 'ith hi) hi Co)*any S"rg"ant Ma7or and a %o$*l" of )"n ar)"d to th" t""th and 9$it"
*r"*ar"d to %la* "1"ryon" %on%"rn"d into gaol( h" 1iit"d thi far)ho$"0 Th" %i1ilian didn&t
d"ny *i%/ing o)"thing $* and th"y ho'"d th" offi%"r th" r"$lt of th"ir la#o$r0 Th"r" th"y
'"r" 6 #"a$tif$l n"' *an" of gla h"ld in *oition #y0000g"lignit"2 Th"ir hat" to rid th")"l1"
of it 'h"n told th" r"al nat$r" of th" o6%all"d *$tty 'a l$di%ro$0
IBBENB:REN
Th" Hano1"rian OCT:
At 60.= a0)0 on ,t A*ril th" ";*"%t"d )o1" too/ *la%" and( aft"r an ";tr")"ly lo' and
tiring 7o$rn"y( th" Battalion arri1"d in a %on%"ntration ar"a 7$t o$th of B$rlo at ,= a0)0 Th"r"
'an&t )$%h doing h"r" altho$gh t'o G"r)an oldi"r in %i1ilian %loth" '"r" *i%/"d $* fro) a
%"llar an ho$r lat"r0 It 'a %onid"r"d $nli/"ly that '" 'o$ld )o1" f$rth"r that day and '" '"r"
*$t on i; ho$r noti%"0 Thi a$)*tion *ro1"d %orr"%t and it 'a not $ntil .0+= a0)0 on th" <nd
that '" r"%"i1"d a 'arning ord"r r"garding o$r n";t )o1"0 E1"n th"n '" had *l"nty of ti)" to
tidy $* th" lat d"tail for '" '"r" not to l"a1" th" ar"a $ntil a#o$t 6 *0)0
Th" road '"r" 7a))"d 'ith tran*ort and it didn&t a**"ar that '" %o$ld *oi#ly )o1"0
Ho'"1"r '" )anag"d it and #y t"n )in$t" to "ight that night '" '"r" on o$r 'ay on%" again0
W" arri1"d in th" ar"a of Aha$ and had 7$t a#o$t %a$ght $* 'ith th" l"ading "l")"nt of th"
gr"at ar)o$r"d thr$t0 It 'a th"r"for" no $r*ri" to $ to l"arn that '" '"r" at t'o ho$r
noti%" 'ith "ff"%t fro) G a0)0 th" follo'ing )orning 'h"n '" 'o$ld %o)" $nd"r %o))and of th"
>th Ar)o$r"d 8i1iion0
A#o$t )idday o$r &'anning& ord"r %a)" thro$gh and r"%onnaian%" *arti" l"ft
i))"diat"ly for an ar"a on th" 8ort)$nd6E) Canal0 Th"y '"r" follo'"d oon aft"r #y th" r"t
of th" Battalion0 It a**"ar"d that a %onid"ra#l" a)o$nt of tro$#l" 'a #"ing %a$"d #y th"
)")#"r of an OCT: AOffi%"r %ad"t training $nitB fro) Hano1"r 'ho '"r" "ta#lih"d fir)ly on
high 'ood"d gro$nd north of th" Canal and o$th of th" to'n of I##"n#$r"n0 It 'a th" Brigad"
7o# to atta%/ and d"troy th") and o o*"n $* th" )ain road to I##"n#$r"n0 That night th" .th
Battalion Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r '"r" to ta/" $* a *oition o$th of th" high gro$nd and
atrid" th" )ain a;i 'hil" th" >L- Royal S%ot '"r" to ta/" o1"r fro) a #attalion of th"
8"1onhir" R"gi)"nt 7$t a%ro th" %anal and( on th" n";t )orning( atta%/ and %a*t$r" th"
high gro$nd '"t of th" )ain a;i0 O$r 7o# 'a to *a thro$gh th" Royal S%ot 'h"n th"y '"r"
$%%"f$l( %a*t$r" th" high gro$nd "at of th" a;i and ";*loit for'ard o)" i; h$ndr"d yard0
W" had to #" in o$r a")#ly ar"a #y + o&%lo%/ on th" )orning of .th A*ril0
With thi "nd in 1i"' it 'a d"%id"d to har#o$r th" Battalion for th" f"' ho$r #"t'""n
th"ir arri1al and th" ti)" 'h"n th"y 'o$ld r"9$ir" to "t o$t for th" a")#ly ar"a in th" )all
1illag" of Gri"1" in ord"r that a hot )"al %o$ld #" *r"*ar"d and "at"n in )od"rat" %o)fort and
a )$%h r"t a *oi#l" o#tain"d0 Th" ro$t" to th" a")#ly ar"a 'a r"%onnoitr"d #y th"
Colon"l and th" Int"llig"n%" Offi%"r in %o)*any 'ith a "%tion of Carri"r $nd"r S"rg"ant L""0
Thi *arty r"t$rn"d 7$t a dar/n" 'a "tting in0 At ,,0,? *0)0 on a *it%h dar/ night 6 it had
#""n *o$ring for )ot of th" "1"ning altho$gh it 'a no' dry 6 th" firt &O& Gro$* 'a h"ld and
th" follo'ing *lan laid do'n0 Th" atta%/ 'a to #" *$t in on a t'o6%o)*any front( 8 Co)*any
l"ft and C Co)*any right( th"" t'o %o)*ani" #"ing *a"d thro$gh on%" th"y had r"a%h"d
th"ir o#7"%ti1" #y B and A Co)*ani" 'ho" 7o# it 'a to ";*loit to a d"*th of a#o$t i; h$ndr"d
yard0 Th" Carri"r Elatoon 'a intr$%t"d to gi1" fir" and 'a* $**ort fro) th" right flan/ 'ith
th" Mortar Elatoon on %all0 O$r $**orting artill"ry 'a alo to #" on %all on *r"6"l"%t"d targ"t0
Th" t'o l"ading %o)*ani" '"r" to %ro th" tart lin" 6 a tra%/ r$nning thro$gh th" 'ood on
to* of th" %r"t 6 7$t a oon a th" Royal S%ot had %l"ar"d to th"ir o#7"%ti1"0
Th"r" 'a a %"rtain "l")"nt of do$#t a#o$t th" 'hol" it$ation for no6on" /n"' 'h"th"r
or not th" lat r")nant of th" OCT: had #""n $%%"f$lly di*o"d of #$t( nothing da$nt"d(
th" h"ad of th" Battalion %ol$)n )o1"d off for th" a")#ly ar"a at ,0<= a0)0 and '" arri1"d in
good ord"r aft"r t'o ho$r )ar%hing thro$gh )$d and 'at"r0 That night 'a #itt"rly %old and
'h"n day da'n"d it fo$nd $ ha1ing #""n $na#l" to l""* and #l$" in th" fa%" o'ing to th"
froty at)o*h"r"0 S)all *atrol '"r" "nt o$t at firt light to %onta%t th" Royal S%ot and th""
r"t$rn"d( ha1ing #""n $%%"f$l( in a hort ti)"0 Th" $n 'a #y thi ti)" in th" a%"ndant and
%old and %ra)*"d li)# '"r" #"ginning to tha' o$t0
At >0<= a0)0 th" Battalion )o1"d off 'ith C and 8 Co)*ani" l"ading follo'"d #y
Ta%ti%al Battalion H"ad9$art"r( A and B Co)*ani"0 Th" )o1" 'a of n"%"ity lo' a th"
for'ard %o)*ani" had to /""* %l"ar of th" Royal S%ot and had to li)it th"ir rat" of ad1an%" to
that $nit& *a%"0 By G0+= '" h"ard o1"r th" air th" %od" 'ord &T"a& and &Mil/& 'hi%h )"ant that
th" Royal S%ot had #""n $%%"f$l0 Th"y alo r"*ort"d that th"ir only hindran%" %a)" fro)
light )all ar) fir" 'hi%h 'a 9$i%/ly #r$h"d aid"0 A%%ordingly '" "t off in good f"ttl"
d"t"r)in"d that all o#7"%ti1" 'o$ld #" ta/"n in no ti)" at all0 Ho' #adly '" '"r" )ita/"n20
On" ho$r aft"r th" $%%" ignal fro) th" Royal S%ot( 8 Co)*any alo r"*ort"d
$%%"( ha1ing "n%o$nt"r"d *oradi% rifl" fir" in$ffi%i"nt to d"lay th"ir ad1an%"0 At thi ti)"
th"r" '"r" a$di#l" o$nd of a larg" %al" #attl" %o)ing fro) C Co)*any ar"a #$t(
n"1"rth"l"( Ta%ti%al Battalion H"ad9$art"r )o1"d for'ard to th" tart lin" 'h"r" A and B
Co)*ani" '"r" 'aiting for 'ord to go for'ard0 B Co)*any 'a ord"r"d thro$gh 8 Co)*any
and "ta#lih"d it"lf 'itho$t diffi%$lty #y ,,0,= a0)0
B$t )"an'hil" 'hat of C Co)*any on th" right! To r"a%h it o#7"%ti1" it had to
d"#o$%h fro) th" high gro$nd and 'ood on on" id" of th" )ain road( 7$t on a hort right6
angl" #"nd( and %li)# th" high gro$nd thro$gh th" 'ood on th" oth"r id"0 All '"nt '"ll $ntil(
7$t hort of th" road( a Br"n g$n $dd"nly o*"n"d $*0 Littl" 'a tho$ght of thi #"yond th" fa%t
that 8 Co)*any )$t ha1" tray"d o$t of th"ir gi1"n ar"a0 Within "%ond( ho'"1"r( it 'a a
diff"r"nt tory for( along 'ith th" Br"n( '" h"ard th" ra*id #"at of S*anda$ and )a%hin" *itol
along 'ith rifl" and o)"thing 'hi%h 'a till )or" dang"ro$( #a5oo/a0 It 'a o#1io$ that
th" "n")y 'a ";tr")"ly '"ll d$g6in on th" lo*" and had *l"nty of a$to)ati% and oth"r
'"a*on at th"ir %o))and0 All thi fir" 'a d"li#"rat"ly ai)"d and %a$alti" '"r" )o$nting0
A i al'ay th" 'ay 'h"n )ot 'ant"d th" ,G S"t( 'hi%h 'a th" only fat 'ay of
%o))$ni%ating 'ith H"ad9$art"r( had gon" &di&0 R$nn"r '"r" "nt o$t to ";*lain th" *oition
and to a/ for A Co)*any to ta/" $* th" ga* #"t'""n 8 and C Co)*ani" and th$ )or" or l"
%o)" do'n on to* of th" trongly "ntr"n%h"d "n")y0 O'ing to th" ra*id ad1an%" of Battalion
H"ad9$art"r non" of th" r$nn"r %o$ld lo%at" it thro$gh th" thi%/ 'ood0 In d"fa$lt of
aitan%" fro) anoth"r Co)*any th" r""r1" *latoon 'a "nt ro$nd to th" l"ft flan/ to try and
)a/" it 'ay do'n on to th" "n")y #$t h"r" again it )"t 'ith a$to)ati% fir" too trong for it to
ad1an%" and thi fail$r" 'a r"*ort"d to Co)*any H"ad9$art"r0 On hi 'ay #a%/( th" r$nn"r
fro) th" r""r1" *latoon 'a #adly 'o$nd"d and d"")"d to #" )iing altho$gh it 'a
aft"r'ard l"arn"d that h" had #""n "1a%$at"d and 'a r"%o1"ring0 What 'a to #" don"! Th"
atta%/ had to #" *r""d ho)" #$t 'itho$t $**ort it 'o$ld ha1" )"ant a t"rri#l" 'atag" in
%a$alti"0 It 'a i)*oi#l" to $" th" "%tion of WASE for( o'ing to th" thi%/n" of th"
'ood( th"ir lin" of ad1an%" %o$ld only #" along th" )ain road 'hi%h 'a %o1"r"d #y th" "n")y
#a5oo/a0 A))$nition too 'a #"ginning to r$n hort0 E1"nt$ally %onta%t 'a "ta#lih"d 'ith
Main Battalion H"ad9$art"r #y )"an of 'ir"l" lin/ and th" Co)*any %arri"r 'a "nt
for'ard 'ith r""r1" a))$nition0 It a**"ar"d that all th" ,G S"t '"r" 'or/ing ";tr")"ly #adly(
*ro#a#ly d$" to th" ";t"ni1" %r""ning %a$"d #y th" larg" n$)#"r of tr"" in th" ar"a0
Th" a))$nition $**ly 'a no' a$r"d #$t to ad1an%" 'a th" *ro#l")0 On th" right
flan/ a#o$t a 9$art"r of a )il" a'ay( '" %o$ld "" th" h$ll of a 9$adron of tan/ 'hi%h '"r"
$**orting th" .th Battalion Hing O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r and at l"at on" of th"" tan/
"")"d to #" in a fa1o$ra#l" *oition to hoot $* th" "n")y0 A%%ordingly( Ca*tain And"ron(
'ho 'a %o))anding C Co)*any( )ad" hi 'ay #a%/ to th" tan/ and 'a a#l" to dir"%t a
%onid"ra#l" a)o$nt of >?)) fir" on to th" ar"a0 H" th"n l"ft th" tan/( ha1ing arrang"d that
'h"n"1"r fir" 'a n"%"ary h" 'o$ld fir" on" 'hit" @"r"y light( and )ad" hi 'ay #a%/ to th"
Co)*any0 Th" "n")y fir" had di"d do'n %onid"ra#ly #y thi ti)" 6 no do$#t d$" to th" h"a1y
fir" fro) th" tan/ 6 and to &)a/ i%%ar& t'o 'hit" @"r"y light '"r" fir"d0 3$t th"n a ignall"r
anno$n%"d that %o))$ni%ation had #""n "ta#lih"d at long lat 'ith Ta%ti%al Battalion
H"ad9$art"r and th" Colon"l 'a on th" air0 Th" *oition 'a ";*lain"d to hi) and it 'a
arrang"d that a %on%"rt"d atta%/ #y A and C Co)*ani" 'o$ld #" *$t in at ,<0+= and 'o$ld #"
*r"%"d"d #y a +K )ortar hoot0 E1"rything '"nt '"ll and #oth Co)*ani" r"a%h"d th"ir
o#7"%ti1"( %oll"%ting a fair n$)#"r of *rion"r on th" 'ay0
Er"1io$ly A Co)*any 'hi%h( it 'ill #" r")")#"r"d 'a at th" tart lin" 'ith B
Co)*any( had #""n ord"r"d to go for'ard i))"diat"ly 8 Co)*any 'a $%%"f$l0 Th"y '"r"
to %onta%t th" >L- Royal S%ot %o)*any at that %o)*any& o#7"%ti1" and dri1" to th" )ain road(
)o**ing $* any "n")y ni*"r 'ho )ight #" "n%o$nt"r"d on th" 'ay0 Shortly #"for" ,, o&%lo%/
CSM Ro")ond of A Co)*any arri1"d at Battalion H"ad9$art"r 'ith th" $n'"l%o)"
int"llig"n%" that Ca*tain 3ohnton( th" Co)*any Co))and"r( and Li"$t"nant Brigg had #""n
/ill"d #y ni*"r 'hil" trying to r"%onnoitr" for'ard and that th" Co)*any 'a h"ld $* #y '"ll6
*la%"d ni*"r on th" lo'"r lo*" of th" hill in th" ar"a #"lo' and to th" right of Battalion
H"ad9$art"r0 H" alo r"*ort"d that C Co)*any( till f$rth"r to th" right( 'a alo h"ld $*0 Th"
Co))anding Offi%"r d"%id"d that th" #"t )"thod of dilodging th" "n")y 'a to atta%/ th"
*oition in th" flan/ and r"ar and( a%%ordingly( a *latoon of A Co)*any 'a ord"r"d to Battalion
H"ad9$art"r and a *latoon of 8 Co)*any *$t at intant r"adin"0 Th" *lan 'a to dri1"
atrid" th" )ain road 'ith A Co)*any *latoon '"t of th" road and 8 Co)*any *latoon "at of
th" road th$ %at%hing th" "n")y fro) a n"' angl"0
Ho'"1"r( #"for" thi %o$ld #" *$t into o*"ration th" "n")y d"%id"d to 'ithdra' and
a#o$t a do5"n of th") '"r" ""n to #" )a/ing off $* th" hill to ho$" on th" far id"0 Anoth"r
)all *arty 'a ""n )o1ing $* th" dit%h on th" right of th" 'ood0 It 'a int"r"ting to not" that(
'ith th" t""*n" of th" hill and th" fa%t that th"y '"r" '"aring gr"at%oat( th"ir *rogr" 'a
lo' #$t 'a gr"atly a%%"l"rat"d 'h"n a Br"n g$n of A Co)*any o*"n"d $* on th") at long
rang"0 8"*it" th" rang" th" fir" #"%a)" in%r"aingly a%%$rat" and "1"ral %a$alti" '"r"
%a$"d0 Anoth"r *arty of th" "n")y )o1"d along th" dit%h to th" north )a/ing for I##"n#$r"n
and "n%o$nt"r"d a *arty of Battalion ni*"r $nd"r S"rg"ant Millar 'hi%h had #""n ord"r"d to
'or/ it 'ay do'n th" )ain road in a o$th '"t"rly dir"%tion in an att")*t to &ni*" th" ni*"r&0
S"1"ral %a$alti" '"r" %a$"d to th" "n")y #y thi *arty0
In th" )"anti)" th" artill"ry 'a %all"d do'n on on" of th" *r"6"l"%t"d targ"t( C
Co)*any& o#7"%ti1"( to 'hi%h *oint th" "n")y %o$ld #" ""n )a/ing th"ir 'ay0 Th" hoot 'a
not a $%%"( th" )a7ority of th" h"ll landing #"t'""n Battalion H"ad9$art"r and 8 Co)*any
and o)" ind""d falling 'ithin #oth ar"a0 I))"diat"ly th" fir" 'a to**"d and a )a*
%oordinat" gi1"n0 On%" again th" h"ll f"ll in th" a)" ar"a and th" hoot 'a %all"d off0
F$rth"r *arti" of th" "n")y '"r" ""n traggling a%ro th" ro$gh and th" Battalion )ortar
'"r" %all"d on to *ro1" th"ir )"ttl"0 Thi th"y did right '"ll for( aft"r a f"' %orr"%tion( th"
#o)# '"r" o#"r1"d to land *l$)# on th" targ"t0 Thi )ortar fir" %ontin$"d for t'"nty )in$t"
and )$t ha1" %a$"d th" "n")y %onid"ra#l" in%on1"ni"n%" to ay th" l"at0
S"rg"ant Millar had #y thi ti)" r"*ort"d that th" "%ond road #lo%/ r"*ort"d #y
int"llig"n%" did not in fa%t ";it0 To th" gr"at %ont"rnation of th" Int"llig"n%" Offi%"r( h" th"n
%olla*"d and it 'a di%o1"r"d that h" had #""n hit in th" ho$ld"r d$ring th" a#orti1" artill"ry
%on%"ntration #$t had aid nothing a#o$t it0 Lan%" Cor*oral 3a)i"on had #""n /ill"d at th"
a)" ti)"0
By ,0,= *0)0 all th" Battalion o#7"%ti1" had #""n ta/"n and th" %od" 'ord &S$gar& 'a
d$ly *a"d to Brigad"0 It "")"d a if a 1"ry hard )orning& 'or/ 'a at an "nd #$t '" '"r"
)ita/"n0 3$t aft"r + *0)0 it 'a r"*ort"d that B Co)*any 'a #"ing %o$nt"r6atta%/"d and that
firt on" and th"n a "%ond *latoon had #""n o1"rr$n0 8"f"ni1" fir" 'a %all"d for and at firt
r"f$"d o'ing to th" *ro;i)ity of troo* of th" 8$rha) Light Infantry )o1ing $* on th" right flan/
#$t( aft"r f$rth"r initan%" and an alt"ration of rang"( thi fir" 'a #ro$ght do'n0 At t"n *at
fo$r a r"*ort %a)" in fro) 8 Co)*any that th" Offi%"r Co))anding B Co)*any and "1"ral
)"n of Co)*any H"ad9$art"r had arri1"d in th"ir ar"a0 B"yond thi nothing 'a /no'n and it
loo/"d 1"ry )$%h a if th" r")aind"r of th" Co)*any had #""n o1"rr$n0 T'"nty )in$t" lat"r 8
Co)*any r"*ort"d %onta%t 'ith th" "n")y and a f$rth"r 8F ta/ 'a #ro$ght do'n0 Straggl"r
fro) B Co)*any '"r" no' )a/ing th"ir a**"aran%" and a**ro;i)at"ly forty of th"" '"r"
*la%"d on th" l"ft of 8 Co)*any to hold 'hat a**"ar"d to #" a rath"r l"nd"r d"f"ni1" *oition0
Fro) th"" )"n '" l"arn"d 'hat had ha**"n"d to B Co)*any and it 'a a tory of ";tr")"ly
g$il"f$l %ond$%t on th" *art of th" "n")y0 It a**"ar"d that th" %o$nt"r6atta%/ 'a *r"%"d"d #y
th" a**"aran%" of thr"" o6%all"d d""rt"r in a B Co)*any *latoon ar"a 'ho tat"d that th"
r")aind"r of th" "n")y had "ith"r #""n /ill"d or had 'ithdra'n0 Aft"r allo'ing $ffi%i"nt ti)" for
th" tory to *"r%olat" thro$gh th" %o)*any( th" "n")y la$n%h"d a )ot d"t"r)in"d atta%/ fro)
#oth flan/ i)$ltan"o$ly( ha1ing infiltrat"d to ";tr")"ly %lo" rang" $ing ";%"ll"nt fi"ld%raft0
It 'a no' %onid"r"d that th" "n")y 'o$ld )a/" "1"ry "nd"a1o$r to #r"a/ %onta%t
and 'ithdra' into I##"n#$r"n and a "%tion of %arri"r 'a "nt for'ard to a%t a a %$t6off0 At
?0,= *0)0 th" #alan%" of B Co)*any and a *latoon of 8 Co)*any '"r" ord"r"d to *$h for'ard
to ";t"nd th" fir) #a" #y a f"' h$ndr"d yard a it 'a /no'n that th" .th Battalion Hing& O'n
S%ottih Bord"r"r had #""n ord"r"d to ad1an%" on I##"n#$r"n it"lf0 Thi ad1an%" *ro1"d a
fail$r" a no oon"r had th" l"ading "l")"nt of that $nit r"a%h"d th" %r"t than th"y '"r" )"t
'ith )all ar) and S*anda$ fir"0 A *oition on th" r"1"r" lo*" of th" hill 'a th"r"$*on
o%%$*i"d and %onolidat"d0
At >0<= *0)0 8 Co)*any r"*ort"d o$nd of th" "n")y digging6in ,?= yard to th"ir
front #$t all 'a 9$i"t on A and C Co)*any front a*art fro) a littl" ni*ing 'hi%h di"d do'n
#"for" lat light0 Th"r" 'a littl" f$rth"r a%ti1ity d$ring th" night0
8a'n #ro$ght a gr"at $r*ri" in th" ha*" of <nd Li"$t"nant Bar%lay of B Co)*any
'ho had #""n *ot"d a )iing0 Thi i hi 1"r#ati) a%%o$nt of 'hat ha**"n"dI6
KA#o$t ,?== ho$r th" "n")y infiltrat"d and o1"rran ,< Elatoon on th" ridg"0 Th"y fir"d
fro) h"r" on to )y *oition and ad1an%"d on #oth flan/0 S"rg"ant Bla/" 'a hot0 I ran o$t of
a))$nition and 'a ta/"n *rion"r 'ith t'o oth"r of Elatoon H"ad9$art"r0 I thin/ o)" of )y
)"n )anag"d to g"t a'ay0
Th"y $"d $ to t"nd th" 'o$nd"d and( lat"r on( )o1"d $ to a g$lly at )a* r"f"r"n%"
-G<=?G 'h"r" '" *"nt th" night 'ith th" 'o$nd"d0 T'o G"r)an 'o$nd"d di"d0 I a' no oth"r
*rion"r and do not /no' 'hat ha**"n"d to th" r"t of )y )"n0 I a' ,< Elatoon *oition and
)ot of th") a**"ar"d to ha1" #""n /ill"d0
I r"t$rn"d at firt light 'ith 'al/ing 'o$nd"d0 Oth"r 'o$nd"d ar" $* th"r" 'ith an
$n'o$nd"d )an loo/ing aft"r th")0
Th" "n")y '"r" #"t'""n fifty and i;ty trong and had t'o offi%"r0 Th"y tr"at"d $
1"ry '"ll0K
Eri1at" Ha'/ha' of ,< Elatoon( %o))and"d #y Li"$t"nant Rhind 'ho 'a /ill"d in th"
%o$nt"r6atta%/( had a n"r1"6ra%/ing ";*"ri"n%" fro) 'hi%h h" ")"rg"d lightly 'o$nd"d and
)ad" hi 'ay #a%/ to A Co)*any lin" arri1ing th"r" at a#o$t ,0,? a0)0 on ?th A*ril0 Thi i hi
toryI6
KW" '"r" right for'ard *latoon of B Co)*any0 S$dd"nly a #$rt of a$to)ati% fir"
'o$nd"d S"rg"ant B$%/l"y0 Li"$t"nant Rhind %a)" $* and tart"d firing0 I 'a hit in th" ar) #y
a )all )ortar and lay in th" tr"n%h0 S*r$%"( )y )at"( got hot thro$gh th" t")*l"0 All firing
to**"d0 G"r)an ho$t"d &Hand $*&0 I lay doggo in th" #otto) of th" tr"n%h0 I h"ard no
o$nd of *"o*l" #"ing ta/"n *rion"r #$t 9$it" a lot of o$r )"n '"r" 'o$nd"d and /ill"d0
Wh"n I l"ft at a#o$t ==.? I h"ard no o$nd of )o1")"nt 'hat"1"r in th" 1i%inity ";%"*t
light )o1")"nt in th" g$lly0
B"for" th" G"r)an atta%/"d thr"" of th") a**roa%h"d $ a if to gi1" th")"l1" $*
#$t on" had a rifl" o 'a fir"d on0 W" %a*t$r"d th" oth"r t'o #$t th" )an 'ith th" rifl" got
a'ay0 I n"1"r h"ard a S*anda$ on o$r front0 I thin/ th"y $"d a$to)ati% rifl"0 Th" "n")y '"r"
'"ll $* to $ #"for" '" got any fir" to #"ar on th")0K
S"rg"ant Clar/" and fo$rt""n )"n of B Co)*any alo )anag"d to "%a*" and r"7oin"d
th" Battalion 1ia th" 8$rha) Light Infantry on th" right0 Lat"r it 'a a%"rtain"d that a *arty of
th" "n")y "ti)at"d to #" a#o$t ,== trong had *a"d thro$gh th" lin" of th" 8$rha) Light
Infantry of ,+, Brigad" and )ad" th"ir 'ay #a%/ to I##"n#$r"n0
Th" .th of A*ril 'a a #l"a/ day in o$r hitory0 W" lot in thi on" a%tion no l" than
thr"" offi%"r and thirty t'o oth"r ran/( in%l$ding Co)*any S"rg"ant Ma7or Mill"r of 8 Co)*any(
/ill"d 'hil" forty fo$r oth"r ran/ '"r" 'o$nd"d in%l$ding Co)*any S"rg"ant Ma7or Gat"ly(
8CM( of C Co)*any 'ho( at all ti)"( 'a %on*i%$o$ for hi $tt"r dir"gard of dang"r0 On th"
%r"dit id" '" too/ fifty on" *rion"r in%l$ding t"n 'o$nd"d and /ill"d at l"at thirty fi1"0
A 'ord )$t #" aid of o$r o**on"nt( th" fin"t oldi"r '" had y"t "n%o$nt"r"d0 Th"ir
*hyi9$" 'a of an ";%"*tionally high tandard and th"ir /no'l"dg" of fi"ld%raft %o)*ar"d 1"ry
fa1o$ra#ly 'ith that of o$r o'n S%hool of Infantry0 Th"y '"r" )ainly 'arrant offi%"r and NCO
fro) th" 1ario$ Hano1"rian #attl" %hool( '"ll $**li"d 'ith a$to)ati%( )all ar) and
#a5oo/a #$t 'itho$t any $**ort #y h"a1i"r '"a*on0 In *it" of thi th"y tood $* for "1"ral
day and night againt %ontin$ing atta%/ #y th" Mon)o$th of ,,th Ar)o$r"d 8i1iion( ,??
Brigad" of ?<nd ALo'landB 8i1iion( th" 8"1on of ,t Ar)o$r"d 8i1iion and finally >, Brigad"
of ?+rd 8i1iion0 A r"%ord of 'hi%h th"y %o$ld #" *ro$d0
Th" day& #attl" 'a not at an "nd a far a '" '"r" %on%"rn"d for at ,=0,? a0)0 on th"
?th A*ril th" Co))anding Offi%"r ord"r"d C and 8 Co)*ani" to *atrol for'ard to "ta#lih
%onta%t 'ith th" "n")y0 Th" *atrol *"n"trat"d al)ot on" )il" for'ard #$t )ad" no %onta%t0 At
,0,? *0)0 A and 8 Co)*ani" '"r" ord"r"d to )o1" for'ard to th" lin" of th"ir original final
o#7"%ti1"0 Both Co)*ani" '"r" in *oition( $n%hall"ng"d( #y .0+= *0)0 An int"r"ting fa%t i
that 8 Co)*any too/ a n$)#"r of *rion"r fro) d""rt"d ho$" and on" of th"" *rion"r
had on hi *"ron an o*"rational dir"%ti1" fro) th" R"gi)"ntal Co))and"r of th" OCT: laying
do'n th" *oition to #" o%%$*i"d #y th" thr"" #attalion on th" high gro$nd north of
I##"n#$r"n0 Thi do%$)"nt 'a for'ard"d i))"diat"ly to H"ad9$art"r ( >, Brigad"( 'ho '"r"
to atta%/ th" to'n it"lf that "1"ning0 At ? o&%lo%/ in th" "1"ning C Co)*any 'ith on" "%tion of
)ortar and on" "%tion of anti6tan/ g$n '"r" ord"r"d to ta/" o1"r fro) a i)ilar %o)*any
gro$* of th" -th 8$rha) Light Infantry on th" o$t/irt and o$th "at of I##"n#$r"n0 Th"y l"ft
an ho$r lat"r ( '"r" )"t #y g$id" and got into th"ir n"' *oition 'itho$t in%id"nt ";%"*t that
"1"ry )an 'a oa/"d to th" /in a rain 'a no' *o$ring do'n0
3$t a it 'a g"tting dar/ th" ,t Highland Light Infantry( 'ho '"r" l"ading th" >,
Brigad" atta%/ on I##"n#$r"n( *a"d thro$gh o$r lin" and ad)init"r"d th" final &%o$* d"
grO%"& to Hano1"r OCT:0
SWANNING
Th" O*"n Road
In th" "arly ho$r of th" )orning of 6th A*ril '" '"r" *$t on on" ho$r noti%" to )o1" to
an $n/no'n d"tination0 At . a0)0 '" '"r" ord"r"d to "nd a r"*r""ntati1" to Brigad" for
f$rth"r intr$%tion and to #" r"ady to )o1" at 60+= a0)0 O$r r"*r""ntati1" r"t$rn"d 'ith th"
infor)ation that '" '"r" to for) *art of th" Brigad" %ol$)n on an ad1an%" to 8i"*hol5 'h"r"
o$r *ro#a#l" ta/ 'o$ld #" th" *rot"%tion of th" )ain a;i0 Co)*ani" '"r" ord"r"d to
%on%"ntrat" on th" )ain road to a'ait th" arri1al of th" TC@ '" had #""n *ro)i"d0 On th"ir
arri1al '" ")#$"d and "t off0 It 'a a ti%/y 7o$rn"y for th" road '"r" o #lo%/"d 'ith traffi%
of all ort and %ondition fro) tan/ and #$lldo5"r to 7""* and A$tin *i%/$* that '" only
)anag"d to )a/" nin" )il" in thr"" ho$r0 At W"t"rha**"ln th" Colon"l 'a told that '"
'"r" to *rot"%t th" )ain a;i 'ith %o)*ani" at W"t"rha**"ln( th" #ridg" at Hal"n(
Wall"nhort( Engh"r and th" #ridg" at @"$n"0 O'ing to th" %ondition of th" road it 'a lat" at
night #"for" th" Battalion 'a "ttl"d into th" 1ario$ %o)*any ar"a and th" troo* '"r" a#l" to
g"t a hot )"al0 Th$ '" r"li"1"d th" Anti6Tan/ R"gi)"nt of th" >th Ar)o$r"d 8i1iion and it 'a
agr""d that th" M,= 'o$ld r")ain in *oition 'ith B Co)*any at W"t"rha**"ln( 8 Co)*any at
Wall"nhort and A Co)*any at Engh"r 'hil" a "%tion of %arri"r 'o$ld g$ard th" #ridg" 'h"r"
M,= '"r" alo in *oition0 W" had h"ard that $rro$nd"d *o%/"t of th" "n")y '"r"
%ontin$ally trying to #r"a/ o$t on to o$r lin" of %o))$ni%ation to do a )$%h da)ag" a th"y
%o$ld0 A it t$rn"d o$t th" night 'a 9$i"t and no in%id"nt '"r" r"*ort"d( At . o&%lo%/ th" n";t
)orning '" again r"%"i1"d ord"r to )o1"( thi ti)" to an ar"a o$th of S$ling"n 7$t a oon a
'" %o$ld #" r"li"1"d #y a $nit of ?+rd 8i1iion0
Th" ,t Battalion Highland Light Infantry had arri1"d in Wall"nhort and '" tho$ght that
th"y 'o$ld #" th" r"li"1ing $nit #$t it a**"ar"d th"y had #""n allo%at"d a diff"r"nt ta/0
Ho'"1"r( at G0.? a0)0( th" Colon"l d"%id"d to hand o1"r to th" ,t Battalion a th"r" a**"ar"d to
#" a gr"at "l")"nt of do$#t a to 'hat ";a%tly 'a th"ir ta/0 Thi t$rn"d o$t to #" a 'rong
d"%iion for no oon"r had '" %o))"n%"d th" hando1"r than r"*r""ntati1" of th" O; and
B$%/ arri1"d to ta/" o1"r fro) $0 Th" r"$lt 'a that th" Battalion did not r"a%h th" n"' ar"a
till 7$t #"for" G *0)0 A oon a '" r"a%h"d o$r %o)*any ar"a B Co)*any 'a ord"r"d to go
to Bar1"r a %lo" *rot"%tion for Brigad" H"ad9$art"r0 It a**"ar"d that th" "n")y had #""n
r"*ort"d in th" 1illag" to th" north and that a "lf6*ro*"ll"d g$n had #""n a%ti1" all day0 8$ring
th" night S Co)*any %a*t$r"d an "n")y oldi"r '"aring %i1ilian %loth" and a f$rth"r thr"" '"r"
%a*t$r"d n"ar 8or*"l #y a %arri"r "%tion0 Th"" thr"" t$rn"d o$t to #" d""rt"r fro)
I##"n#$r"n 'ho had littl"( if any( /no'l"dg" of th" *r""nt ar"a0 That night A(C(B Co)*ani"
and Battalion H"ad9$art"r '"r" #ill"tt"d in Lind"rn 'ith B Co)*any at Bar1"r a *r"1io$ly
)"ntion"d and S Co)*any at a ha)l"t on th" oth"r id" of th" road fro) Lind"rn0 All day '"
had #""n *aing h$ndr"d of Alli"d *rion"r of 'ar 'ho had "ith"r "%a*"d or #""n li#"rat"d
in th" %onf$ion %a$"d #y th" ra*id ad1an%" of th" ar)y0 In Lind"rn it"lf '"r" $*'ard of fifty
Fr"n%h)"n %a*t$r"d in ,-.= and "1"ral Eol"( o)" of 'ho) had #""n ta/"n *rion"r in th"
a#orti1" $*riing in Wara' a f"' )onth *r"1io$ly0 Th" Fr"n%h)"n '"r" %onfin"d tog"th"r in
a 'ir"d "n%lo$r" and gr"at 'a th"ir r"7oi%ing 'h"n o$r ad1an%" *arty arri1"d0 Many harro'ing
tal" '"r" told to $ of th"ir $ff"ring d$ring th"ir y"ar of %a*ti1ity0 Th" )a7ority of th") had
dia**"ar"d #y th" follo'ing )orning( d"t"r)in"d to )a/" th"ir 'ay #a%/ to Fran%"0
W" '"r" not l"ft in *"a%" for long a #y )idday ord"r had #""n r"%"i1"d to *$h on
and %o)" $nd"r %o))and of th" <<nd Ar)o$r"d Brigad" on th" W""r0 O$r ta/ 'a to "%$r"(
'ith th" ,L? J$""n R"gi)"nt( a %"rtain #ridg"0 Th" Co))anding Offi%"r 'ith hi %o)*l"t" R
Gro$* l"ft for thi ar"a at ,0<= *0)0 follo'"d a littl" lat"r #y th" Battalion0 Ha1ing %onta%t"d th"
Gth H$ar at +0<= *0)0( th" Colon"l l"arn"d that o$r ta/ 'a i)*oi#l" a th" #ridg" had
#""n #lo'n *rior to hi arri1al0 H" /n"' th" Battalion 'a follo'ing al)ot on hi h""l and
a%%ordingly %)*any ar"a '"r" allott"d and 1ario$ far)ho$" r"9$iition"d a #ill"t $ntil th"
it$ation %o$ld #" %l"ar"d $*0 Th" Battalion arri1"d( got into th"ir #ill"t( tay"d for a#o$t thr""
9$art"r of an ho$r and th"n '"r" on th" )o1" on%" again0 Thi ti)" '" '"r" #o$nd for
Ba$) to ta/" o1"r that to'n and th" 1illag" of T'itring"n fro) -th 8$rha) Light Infantry and
to for) a fir) #a" for an atta%/ to #" *$t in #y ,+, Brigad" th" follo'ing )orning0 Th" Battalion
arri1"d at - *0)0( C Co)*any and th" Anti6tan/ Elatoon ha1ing #""n di1"rt"d "n ro$t" to
T'itring"n0 All th" oth"r %o)*ani" '"nt into Ba$) 'h"r" th"y had th" $**ort of <?G Anti6
Tan/Batt"ry0 Th" ta/"6o1"r fro) -th 8$rha) Light Infantry '"nt off 'itho$t in%id"nt and 'a
%o)*l"t"d #y )idnight o far a Ba$) 'a %on%"rn"d #$t not $ntil < a0)0 in T'itring"n0
At a#o$t ,= o&%lo%/ on th" )orning of th" follo'ing day B Co)*any ar"a r"%"i1"d th"
$n'"l%o)" att"ntion of G"r)an g$nn"r and Ca*tain Shirl"y& #at)an had 7$t a#o$t a narro'
"%a*" fro) d"ath a %o$ld *oi#ly #" i)agin"d0 H" ha**"n"d to #" al""* in Co)*any
H"ad9$art"r 'h"n a h"ll %a)" traight thro$gh th" 'all of th" ho$"( *a"d o1"r hi h"ad
and ";*lod"d a f"' f""t a'ay0 H" 'a r$d"ly a'a/"n"d to find hi)"lf %o1"r"d in d$t and
*lat"r #$t 'itho$t a %rat%h0 So)" *"o*l" ar" #orn l$%/y2 Th" h"lling did not lat for long and(
)"anti)"( C Co)*any )anag"d to 'in/l" o$t fro) %"llar in T'itring"n a#o$t forty "n")y
oldi"r dr""d in all ort of $nifor) and *lain %loth"0 It i an int"r"ting %o))"ntary that(
'h"n ta;"d 'ith #"ing )")#"r of th" W"hr)a%ht( th" )"n in *lain %loth" n"1"r d"ni"d it0
At .0,? *0)0 8 Co)*any 'a *$t on on" ho$r noti%" for a ta/ of *rot"%ting th" tan/ of
th" Gth H$ar o$th of Har*t"dt and at > *0)0 th"y too/ o1"r thi ta/0 In ord"r to fill th" ga*
in th" d"f"n%" of Ba$) %a$"d #y 8 Co)*any& d"*art$r" th" "ntir" Carri"r and Eion""r
Elatoon '"r" $#tit$t"d in th"ir *la%"0
Th" "arly ho$r of th" )orning #ro$ght th" n"' that '" '"r" on%" )or" $nd"r
%o))and of ,?? Brigad" and that +rd 8i1iion 'a to ta/" o1"r th" ar"a $* to and in%l$ding
T'itring"n at a#o$t ,= o&%lo%/ that )orning0 C Co)*any '"r" th"r"for" ord"r"d to %on%"ntrat"
at th" o$th"rn "nd of Ba$) i))"diat"ly on th"ir r"li"f #y ,t Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r0
No in%id"nt too/ *la%" d$ring thi %hang"o1"r0 At .0,? *0)0 '" r"%"i1"d a 1iit fro) Brigadi"r
M%Lar"n 'ho di%$"d o$r *ro#a#l" f$t$r" rFl" 'ith th" Co))anding Offi%"r0 It 'a d$ring thi
day that t'o train %ontaining lorri"( a"ro*lan" and ignal "9$i*)"nt '"r" di%o1"r"d at
Ba$) tation and C Co)*any '"r" ord"r"d to *la%" a g$ard on th")0
F$rth"r infor)ation $#"9$"nt to a %hang" in *lan 'a r"%"i1"d on th" ,,th A*ril0 W"
'"r" no' to *ro%""d to Ni"n#$rg and ta/" o1"r fro) th" <nd Mon)o$th of ?+ 8i1iion to
*rot"%t th" #ridg" #"ing #$ilt a%ro th" ri1"r0 Thi #ridg" 'a /no'n a &3ordan Bridg"&( th"
tho$andth to #" #$ilt in%" 868ay0 Th" r"%onnaian%" *arty arri1"d to find that th" Mon)o$th
had alr"ady #""n r"li"1"d #y th" .th Royal W"lh F$ili"r and '" had to ta/" o1"r fro) th"
W"lh)"n0 Th" h"ad of th" %ol$)n r"a%h"d Ni"n#$rg #y +0,= *0)0 and th" %o)*ani" '"r"
)"t #y g$id" 'ho l"d th") to th"ir r"*"%ti1" ar"a0 By .0+= *0)0 th" ta/"6o1"r had #""n
$%%"f$lly %o)*l"t"d and th" %o)*ani" '"r" "ttling do'n in #ill"t and good #ill"t th"y
'"r"( 7$t a#o$t th" #"t '" had "n7oy"d for a %onid"ra#l" ti)"0 In "1"ry )an& )ind 'a th"
f"r1"nt d"ir" that '" tay h"r" for 7$t a day or t'o a th" *ro*"%t of f$rth"r 'anning 'a
#"ginning to *all a littl"0 In th" "arly "1"ning ,= *rion"r '"r" ta/"n( )otly G"r)an fla/ troo*
of an%i"nt 1intag" 'ho '"r" only too "ag"r to #" %a*t$r"d and th$ g"t o$t of it all0
A it t$rn"d o$t '" did g"t a r"t fro) th" "t"rnal tra1"lling in TC@ for '" '"r" l"ft at
Ni"n#$rg for t'o day d$ring 'hi%h ti)" th" 'hol" Battalion got #ath and a %hang" of %lothing0
W" had on%" again r"1"rt"d $nd"r %o))and of ,?? Brigad" on ,<th A*ril0 On th" ,+th '"
r"%"i1"d th" follo'ing S*"%ial Ord"r of th" 8ay Aatta%h"dB fro) Ma7or6G"n"ral L0O0Lyn"( CB(
8SO( Co))and"r of th" >th Ar)o$r"d 8i1iion0 It 'a r"ad o$t to all ran/0
Ho'"1"r th" 'ar 'a not y"t finih"d0 At ,= o&%lo%/ on th" )orning of ,.th A*ril '"
'"r" ad1i"d that th" Co))anding Offi%"r& R Gro$* 'o$ld #" at on" ho$r noti%" fro) ? o&%lo%/
in th" "1"ning0 A )"a$r" of %onolation 'a afford"d in th" o*inion ";*r""d that it 'a not
%onid"r"d li/"ly that '" 'o$ld )o1" that day a th" <<nd Ar)o$r"d Brigad" had only
%o))"n%"d )o1ing o1"r th" #ridg" that )orning0 Thi o*inion t$rn"d o$t to #" %orr"%t for at ,,
*0)0 th" Co))anding Offi%"r 'a infor)"d that hi *r""n%" 'o$ld #" r"9$ir"d at H"ad9$art"r
<<nd Ar)o$r"d Brigad" no "arli"r than > a0)0 on th" ,?th0 Th" Battalion 'a *$t on on" ho$r
noti%" fro) that ti)"0
By G o&%lo%/ on th" )orning of th" ,?th Colon"l E"r%i1al had #""n infor)"d that th"
'hol" Brigad" 'a to #" ")*loy"d in th" *rot"%tion of th" right flan/ of th" )ain a;i and that
o$r *arti%$lar 7o# 'a th" %a*t$r" of th" )all 1illag" of Alt"n#oit5"n #$t that( o'ing to th"
"nor)o$ 1ol$)" of traffi%( it 'a $nli/"ly that any of th" #attalion 'o$ld #" a%ro #"for" th"
aft"rnoon0 Thi )"ag" 'a *a"d #a%/ to th" Battalion and th" O Gro$* ord"r"d $*0 Th"
Brigad" Gro$* did not tart )o1ing $ntil <0+? *0)0and '" '"r" th" lat #attalion in th" %ol$)n0
A a r"$lt '" arri1"d at th" d"#$ing ar"a at ? *0)0( ha1ing *"nt a )ot )i"ra#l" and
aggra1ating )orning 6 '" had #""n /"*t at intant r"adin" to )o1" for no l" than fo$r ho$r0
It 'a no *l"a$r" to anyon" to it in ordinary thr"" ton lorri" for thi l"ngth of ti)" doing i)*ly
nothing #$t 'aiting on th" 'ord to &g"t %ra%/ing&0
Ho'"1"r th" ad1an%" '"nt a%%ording to *lan 'ith 8 Co)*any l"ading0 On" G"r)an
oldi"r 'a "n%o$nt"r"d in th" d$/ and i))"diat"ly hot0 Th"r" )$t ha1" #""n o)"thing
'rong 'ith int"llig"n%" for( aft"r a %a$tio$ and *ainta/ing ad1an%"( th" l"ading "l")"nt of 8
Co)*any 'or/"d th"ir 'ay to th"ir o#7"%ti1" only to find a troo* of Britih g$nn"r *laying a
ro$ing ga)" of foot#all0 N""dl" to ay( th" 'hol" 1illag" 'a oon o%%$*i"d and #y ,, *0)0
th" anti6tan/ g$n '"r" in *oition and had r"*ort"d all %l"ar0 T"n a#7"%t *rion"r '"r" ta/"n
fro) th" %"llar #y an anti6tan/ "%tion and d"*at%h"d on th"ir 'ay to th" EW %ag"0 Anoth"r
nin" '"r" %oll"%t"d #y - a0)0 on th" ,6th0 It 'a r"*ort"d that )o1")"nt had #""n noti%"d in th"
'ood to th" o$th of Holling" and B Co)*any "nt o$t a *atrol0 Th"ir r"*ort ho'"d that( if
th"r" had #""n any "n")y th"r"( th"y had no' 'ithdra'n0 A %arri"r *atrol 'a "nt to Holling"
it"lf and thi 1illag" 'a alo r"*ort"d %l"ar of th" "n")y0
At 60+= in th" "1"nin)g a liaion offi%"r fro) Brigad" #ro$ght ord"r that '" ho$ld
r"%onnoitr" an ar"a in th" n"igh#o$rhood of Ho$"rding"n a '" 'o$ld *ro#a#ly #" %all"d on to
a%t again a )ain a;i *rot"%tion in that ar"a0 Th" R"%onnaian%" and O Gro$* "t off at >0+=
*0)0 'hil" th" Battalion r")ain"d %ooling th"ir h""l in Alt"n#oit5"n a'aiting f$rth"r intr$%tion0
W" didn&t )o1" off $ntil '"ll aft"r dar/ and didn&t arri1" at th" di*"ral ar"a $ntil . a0)0 only to
find no g$id" to l"ad th" %o)*ani"0 So)"on" had #l$nd"r"d and th" Battalion had not #""n
)"ant to )o1" that night0 W" n"1"r 9$it" got to th" #otto) of th" )att"r #$t trong $*i%ion
r"t"d on th" o1"r5"alo$n" of a "rg"ant 'ho had gon" #a%/ 'ith an in%orr"%t )"ag"
ord"ring $ for'ard0
Ha1ing l"ft th" Battalion 'ith th" R"%onnaian%" Gro$*( no oon"r had h" arri1"d at
th" *"%ifi"d *oition than th" Colon"l 'a $))on"d to att"nd a %onf"r"n%" at Brigad"0 H"r"
h" 'a told that th" Battalion 'o$dl #" r"9$ir"d to )o1" to 8orf)ar/ th" follo'ing )orning for
y"t anoth"r ta/ of right flan/ *rot"%tion0 H" only l"ft that %onf"r"n%" at . a0)0 'h"n th"
Battalion 'a arri1ing0 With o)" diffi%$lty '" got into #ill"t of ort and *r"*ar"d to *"nd
'hat 'a l"ft of th" ho$r of dar/n" in $n"ay l""*0 W" had alr"ady #""n told of th" n";t
day& *lan and th" O and R Gro$* '"r" to l"a1" at 60+= a0)0
Th" )ain #ody of th" Battalion follo'"d at G a0)0 and '" r"a%h"d 8orf)ar/ at -0,=0 At
,,0+= '" '"r" told that >L- Royal S%ot '"r" to atta%/ Solta$ at )idday and that '" '"r" to
tand #y in th" "1"nt of $nd$" o**oition0 By lat" aft"rnoon '" h"ard that th" Royal S%ot '"r"
in th" o$t/irt of th" to'n and that T"t"ndorf and a 'ood a hort ditan%" a'ay '"r" in "n")y
hand0 W" 'o$ld #" r"9$ir"d to %l"an $* th" ar"a 'ith on" %o)*any0 A Co)*any 'a %ho"n
for thi o*"ration and 'a ord"r"d to )a/" it 'ay to 3"tt"#r$%h in *r"*aration for it ta/ 'hil"
th" r"t of th" Battalion 'a to %on%"ntrat" 7$t o$th of Solta$0 It 'a g"tting dar/ #y thi ti)"
and th" ad1an%" of A Co)*any 'a lo' a it 'a )a/ing a thoro$gh 7o# of %l"aring th" 'ood
'hi%h 'a 1"ry thi%/0 A it got f$rth"r a'ay '" lot %onta%t #$t( o'ing to th" la%/ of o$nd of
fir"( '" '"r" not $nd$ly 'orri"d0 By -0+= *0)0 th" Battalion 'a in th" %on%"ntration ar"a allott"d
to it and #y ,=0,= '" /n"' that A Co)*any had #""n $%%"f$l0
SOLTA: AN8 BEYON8
A )ot $n*l"aant ";*"ri"n%"
On th" )orning of th" ,6th th" Co))anding Offi%"r 'a %all"d to a Brigad" %onf"r"n%"
and( on hi r"t$rn( infor)"d $ that o$r rFl" for th" follo'ing day 'a to atta%/ and %l"ar th"
'ood north "at of Solta$0 In addition( on" %o)*any had to #" "nt to g$ard th" #arra%/ and
th" li#"rat"d EOW %a)* in th" to'n it"lf0 For thi latt"r o*"ration B Co)*any 'a %ho"n and
"t off at <0<= a0)0 Th" r")aind"r of th" Battalion tart"d off on th"ir ta/ at 6 a0)0 Th" *lan on
thi o%%aion 'a for C and 8 Co)*ani" to %arry tho$gh th" allott"d ta/ 'ith th" Carri"r
Elatoon 'hil" A Co)*any 'a to r")ain in r""r1"0 A l$%/ 'o$ld ha1" it no "n")y 'a
"n%o$nt"r"d 'ith th" ";%"*tion of a G"r)an Military Ho*ital 'hi%h %o$ld hardly #" %la"d a
"n")y and #y G0,= and -0<= C and 8 Co)*ani" had r"*ort"d in *oition0 B Co)*any had alo
a%hi"1"d $%%"( th" taff of th" EOW Ca)* $rr"nd"ring 'itho$t any o**oition0 In th" &#ag&
'"r" a li"$t"nant6%olon"l( thr"" )a7or( i; $#alt"rn and i;ty fi1" oth"r ran/0 A 'a only
nat$ral aft"r y"ar of $#7"%tion to th" iron di%i*lin" of th" H$n( th" r"l"a"d la1" 'or/"r and
EOW ind$lg"d in 9$it" "rio$ looting and &g"tting th"ir o'n #a%/&0 Thi ro" to $%h "rio$
h"ight that all Battalion H"ad9$art"r and A Co)*any '"r" ")*loy"d in *$tting an "nd to it and
%l"aring th" to'n0
Altho$gh th" initial ta/ had #""n $%%"f$l '" '"r" not allo'"d to r"t on o$r la$r"l
and( 7$t #"for" l$n%h ti)"( '" '"r" ord"r"d to )o1" for'ard and ta/" Bi*ing"n a 9$i%/ly a
*oi#l" th$ o*"ning $* a $#idiary a;i0 O'ing to th" la%/ of infor)ation %on%"rning th"
"n")y and hi di*oition it 'a d"")"d ad1ia#l" to )o1" off in th" nat$r" of an ad1an%" to
%onta%t0 A%%ordingly th" ord"r of )ar%h 'a Carri"r Elatoon( C Co)*any( Anti Tan/ Elatoon(
Ta%ti%al H"ad9$art"r( A Co)*any( th" #alan%" of S Co)*any( B Co)*any( Main Battalion
H"ad9$art"r and 8 Co)*any0 Th" troo* of anti tan/ g$n 'a originally a to'"d on" #$t( o'ing
to infor)ation *"r%olating thro$gh in th" )ot )yt"rio$ 'ay( it 'a d"%id"d to %hang" th"" for
a troo* of "lf6*ro*"ll"d "1"nt""n *o$nd"r th"n in *oition 'ith >L- Royal S%ot0 Thi h"ld $*
th" ad1an%" 'hi%h did not %o))"n%" $ntil + *0)0
T'"nty )in$t" *a"d and th"n %a)" a r"*ort fro) th" Carri"r that th"y had #""n
fir"d on #y anti6tan/ g$n fro) a road #lo%/ on o$r a;i of ad1an%" and that "1"ral "n")y had
#""n ""n in th" n"ar 1i%inity of th" road #lo%/0 At th" a)" ti)" th"y #l"' a #ridg" o1"r a )all
tr"a) 7$t #"hind th" road #lo%/0 A *latoon of C Co)*any '"nt off to %l"ar th" 'ood 'hil" th"
%arri"r *"ronn"l( di)o$nt"d( 'or/"d th"ir 'ay to th" road #lo%/( d"troy"d th" anti6tan/ g$n(
/ill"d thr"" of th" "n")y and %a*t$r"d i; oth"r0 Shortly aft"r . *0)0 th" 'ood had #""n
%l"ar"d( C Co)*any 'a *$hing a%ro th" #lo'n #ridg" on foot and th" %arri"r '"r"
"ar%hing for a #y*a ro$t" to th" l"ft0 N"ith"r '"nt far for th"y %a)" $nd"r N"#"l'"rf"r fir" in
th" ar"a of th" #ridg"0 By good l$%/ only on" )inor %a$alty 'a %a$"d( Eri1at" B"ll of C
Co)*any( th" Co)*any Co))and"r& #at)an( r"%"i1ing a )all *i"%" of hra*n"l in th" foot(
#$t for a )o)"nt or t'o it 'a tho$ght that th" 'hol" of C Co)*any H"ad9$art"r had #""n
'i*"d o$t0 At l"at on" #o)# had fall"n 'ithin f""t of th")0 It 'a $ndo$#t"dly on" of th"
l$%/i"t "%a*" of th" 'hol" %a)*aign0
Within a f"' yard( ha1ing tri"d to *$h on( C Co)*any 'a to**"d #y h"a1y )all
ar) and #a5oo/a fir" %o)ing fro) ho$" 'hi%h '"r" not %l"ar"d for half an ho$r0 B Co)*any
'a ord"r"d $* #"hind C Co)*any0 Shortly aft"r'ard th" Carri"r Elatoon r"*ort"d that an
alt"rnati1" ro$t" to th" l"ft had #""n "ta#lih"d for o)" ditan%"0 Th"ir oth"r n"' 'a )or"
di9$i"ting for on" of th" N"#"l'"rf"r al1o had land"d a)ong th") /illing fo$r and 'o$nding
"1"n0 A Co)*any 'a no' ord"r"d to )a/" th"ir 'ay to 8"i)"rn #y th" l"ft hand ro$t" 'h"r"
th"y 'o$ld #" ";%"ll"ntly *la%"d to ait C Co)*any& ad1an%" if r"9$ir"d0 At >0+= *0)0( a#o$t
a )il" hort of thi 1illag" th"y too ran into tro$#l"0 Th"y '"r" h"ll"d h"a1ily and( 'hat 'a
)or" "rio$( lot %onta%t 'ith on" of th"ir *latoon0 Th" N"#"l'"rf"r fir" had not #""n to**"d
#$t "1"ral #"aring on it *ro#a#l" *oition had #""n ta/"n and "nt #a%/ to th" Royal Artill"ry
Liaion Offi%"r 'ho ord"r"d t'o hoot on it0 Th"" hoot '"r" not *rod$%ti1" of any gr"at
good for it a**"ar"d a if th" h"ll '"r" landing any'h"r" #$t in th" %orr"%t ar"a0 Thi 'a
#orn" o$t lat"r #y tat")"nt )ad" #y *rion"r0
It "")"d a if '" had #""n tal")at"d for th" )o)"nt( at any rat"( and th" Co)*ani"
'"r" ord"r"d to %onolidat" for th" night in a**ro;i)at"ly th" *oition th"y '"r" holding0
Artill"ry and )ortar hoot on th" C Co)*any front and on 8"i)"rn '"r" ord"r"d for )idnight
and a 9$art"r to on" in th" )orning0 M"an'hil"( fro) th" noi" %o)ing fro) o$r right flan/( it
a**"ar"d 9$it" d"finit" that '" '"r" not th" only *"o*l" to #" in1ol1"d0 A fi"r%" #attl" had rag"d
all aft"rnoon #"t'""n th" >L- Royal S%ot and a trong *arty of th" "n")y holding th" rail'ay
lin"0
8$ring th" night *atrol fro) #oth A and B Co)*ani" "n%o$nt"r"d th" "n")y a hort
ditan%" fro) th"ir *oition0 A Co)*any( 'hi%h 'a till o$t of to$%h 'ith it )iing *latoon(
'a ord"r"d to *$h on to 8"i)"rn at all %ot0 Thi )o1" 'a $%%"f$l 0 Th" "n")y 'ho
had *r"1io$ly h"ld $* thi %o)*any had 'ithdra'n( l"a1ing only a f"' ni*"r to d"lay o$r
*rogr"0 Th" o**oition *$t $* #y th"" 'a light and th"y '"r" oon d"ad or *rion"r0
M$%h to Ma7or H"ndry& r"li"f th" )iing *latoon 'a %onta%t"d on th" o$t/irt of th" 1illag"0
Th"y had o)"ho' or oth"r )anag"d to *$h thro$gh th" "n")y lin" and had tay"d for th"
night in o)" ho$" 'hi%h th"y had hatily fortifi"d 'ith $%h )"an a '"r" at th"ir di*oal0
S"1"ral d""rt"r '"r" ta/"n 'ho ga1" th" infor)ation that th" "n")y had 'ithdra'n in a north
"at"rly dir"%tion0
C Co)*any in th" )"anti)" '"r" till h"ld $* #$t a *lan for a $**ort"d atta%/ had
#""n 'or/"d o$t0 Th"y '"r" to #" aid"d #y artill"ry and )ortar fir" and '"r" to atta%/ fro) th"
l"ft flan/ 'hil" B Co)*any *$h"d o$t to th" rail'ay to loo/ aft"r th" right flan/0 B$t thi 'a not
9$it" o "ay of a%%o)*lih)"nt a it had #""n ho*"d for B Co)*any on th"ir )o1" to th" right
'"r" on%" again h"ld $*0 In a%t$al fa%t B Co)*any n"1"r )anag"d to g"t to th"ir agr""d
*oition #$t did )anag" to n"$trali" fir" to a 1"ry larg" ";t"nt 6 o )$%h o that at ,<0.? *0)0 C
Co)*any did la$n%h th"ir atta%/0 Th" gro$nd 'a 1"ry o*"n and th" going lo' and diffi%$lt0
Finally( at +0+= *0)0( th"y r"*ort"d th"y '"r" $na#l" to *ro%""d f$rth"r0 Th" g$nn"r '"r" th"n
ord"r"d to try and "" 'hat th"ir h"a1i"r )"tal %o$ld do to dilodg" a )ot *"rit"nt "n")y0
It 'a for thi a%tion and for a f$rth"r "ngag")"nt that Li"$t"nant 8o'n" 'on th"
Military Cro0 An ";tra%t of th" %itation follo'I6
KC Co)*any( 6th Highland Light Infantry( 'a ord"r"d to atta%/ th" 1illag" of H"#"ndorf (
north "at of Solta$( 'h"r" an "n")y for%"( "ti)at"d at fifty trong( '"r" off"ring t$##orn
r"itan%"0 Li"$t"nant 8o'n" 'ho 'a in %o))and of No0,+ Elatoon *"ronally l"d t'o of hi
"%tion into th" "n")y lin"( $%%""d"d in ta/ing th" "n")y #y $r*ri" and infli%t"d
%onid"ra#l" %a$alti" on hi)0 B"for" hi Elatoon H"ad9$art"r and th" r")aind"r of hi
*latoon '"r" a#l" to 7oin hi)( Li"$t"nant 8o'n"& for%" %a)" $nd"r h"a1y and a%%$rat"
S*anda$ and #a5oo/a fir"0
Thi 'a follo'"d #y a %o$nt"r6atta%/ 'hi%h Li"$t"nant 8o'n"( #y hi /ilf$l and daring
l"ad"rhi*( 'a intr$)"ntal in r"*$ling0 Th" "n")y th"n %on%"ntrat"d hi f$ll for%" on that of
Li"$t"nant 8o'n" #$t th" latt"r h"ld hi gro$nd $ntil ord"r"d to 'ithdra' 'h"n h" %ond$%t"d a
li)it"d and /ilf$l di"ngag")"nt0 A a r"$lt of thi a%tion Li"$t"nant 8o'n" 'a a#l" to gi1"
a d"tail"d a%%o$nt of th" "n")y& di*oition0K
Erior to thi 8 Co)*any along 'ith Ta%ti%al H"ad9$art"r had )o1"d to th" *oition
o%%$*i"d #y A Co)*any d$ring th" night #$t( 7$t a#o$t th" ti)" C Co)*any 'a finally halt"d(
8 Co)*any %a)" $nd"r h"a1y fir" fro) Har)"ling"n and th" high gro$nd to th" north0 In
addition to )all ar) fir" fro) th" Co)*any( artill"ry fir" 'a #ro$ght do'n and had th" d"ir"d
"ff"%t in 9$i"ting th" "n")y0
Th" C Co)*any *oition no' "")"d to #" th" )ain o$r%" of tro$#l" and at ?0<= th"
Co))anding Offi%"r d"%id"d to $" th" troo* of "lf6*ro*"ll"d "1"nt""n *o$nd"r and a
*latoon of A Co)*any on th" "n")y ")*la%")"nt0 Th" g$n '"r" to 'or/ do'n th" tra%/
l"ading fro) th" n"' Ta%ti%al H"ad9$art"r ar"a to H"id"ndorf to a *oition fro) 'hi%h th"y
%o$ld hoot $* th" ho$" at thi *la%" *rot"%t"d all th" 'hil" #y th" *latoon of A Co)*any0 Thi
*lan 'or/"d ";tr")"ly '"ll and #y >0,? C Co)*any had t'o *latoon ro$nd th" %roroad at
H"id"ndorf 'ith th" third *latoon %l"aring th" rail'ay lin" on th" right flan/0 T"n *rion"r '"r"
ta/"n in thi o*"ration and a#o$t th" a)" n$)#"r of "n")y '"r" /ill"d0
In ord"r to )a/" th" Battalion ar"a )or" %o)*a%t and gi1" additional d"*th( 8 Co)*any
'ho '"r" till "ngag"d '"r" ord"r"d to fall #a%/ at lat light to 8"i)"rn 'ith a "%ondary ta/ of
%l"aring a 'ood"d ar"a a#o$t half a )il" o$th "at of th" 1illag"0 S$%h 'a th" ";%it")"nt
d$ring th" "ntir" day that littl" noti%" 'a ta/"n of th" "n")y h"lling and n"#"l'"rf"ring 'hi%h
l$%/ily 'a not n"arly o a%%$rat" a on th" *r"1io$ day and 'hi%h #y nightfall had di"d do'n
%o)*l"t"ly0 8 Co)*any& atta%/ on th" 'ood 'a %o)*l"t"ly $%%"f$l( $%h "n")y a th"r"
'"r" #"ing ta/"n %o)*l"t"ly #y $r*ri"0 Th" 'ood 'a %l"ar"d #y < a0)0( on" offi%"r and "ight
oth"r ran/ ha1ing #""n %a*t$r"d againt o$r lo of on" oth"r ran/ 'o$nd"d0
O$r trial and tri#$lation in thi ar"a '"r" 1"ry n"arly at an "nd for( #y thi ti)"( th"
r"*r""ntati1" of th" 6th Battalion Royal W"lh F$ili"r 'ho '"r" to r"li"1" $ had arri1"d at
Battalion H"ad9$art"r and( that Battalion ha1ing arri1"d hortly #"for" + a0)0( th"y %o))"n%"d
i))"diat"ly to ta/" o1"r0 Th" r"li"f 'a %o)*l"t"d #y ?0?? a0)0 and th" Co))anding Offi%"r
finally hand"d o1"r at 60+=0 Ea%h Co)*any on #"ing r"li"1"d )ad" it 'ay #a%/ to th" #arra%/
at Solta$ 'h"r" all had a )$%h6n""d"d )"al( 'ah and l""*0
Th$ "nd"d th" Solta$ in%id"nt0 It 'a an a%tion i)ilar in )any r"*"%t to that at
I##"n#$r"n 'ith th" ";%"*tion that artill"ry 'a $"d #y #oth id"0 Th" ty*" of %o$ntry 'a
)$%h th" a)" 'ith th" a)" thi%/ 'ood and riing gro$nd0 It( too( 'a a ni*"r& *aradi" and
'a '"ll $"d #y th" "n")y0 A)ong th" *rion"r ta/"n '"r" "1"ral H$ngarian6dar/( #la%/6
a1i"d %r"at$r" 'ho a**"ar"d to ha1" #""n #orn 'ith a *"r*"t$al %o'l00 W" '"r" not
i)*r""d2
BREMEN
@"rd"n 6 A hort r"*it"
A good it") of n"' had no' #""n r"%"i1"d0 W" had on%" )or" r"7oin"d o$r o'n
8i1iion0 S'anning 'ith th" ar)o$r 'a all 1"ry '"ll in it 'ay #$t th"r" 'a o)"thing good in
th" /no'l"dg" that o$r /no'n and '"ll tri"d %o)rad" '"r" to #" 'ith $ in 'hat o#1io$ly '"r"
to #" th" %loing #attl" of th" 'ar0 O$r d"tination th"n 'a to #" @"rd"n 'h"r" '" ho*"d to
ha1" an ho$r or t'o of r"t *rior to %at%hing $* 'ith th" 8i1iion0 W" l"ft Solta$ in o$r troo*
%arrying 1"hi%l" at ,= a0)0 on th" <=th and( aft"r an $n"1"ntf$l 7o$rn"y( r"a%h"d @"rd"n at half
*at on"0 T'o *latoon '"r" $nl$%/y "no$gh to #" %ho"n a #ridg" g$ard #$t oth"r'i" '"
had no rFl" a y"t0
@"rd"n 'a a fairly larg" to'n on th" W""r and had not $ff"r"d too )$%h da)ag"
"ith"r fro) th" air or th" gro$nd0 It 'a a %l"an and tidy to'n 'ith a fin" 9$ar" in th" %"ntr"0
Battalion H"ad9$art"r "ta#lih"d it"lf in a )ot *alatial $it" of offi%" o1"rloo/ing th" 9$ar"
and th" %o)*ani" '"r" all #ill"tt"d 'ithin "ay r"a%h in n"igh#o$ring ho$"0 Th" to'n 'a f$ll
of %i1ilian 'ho ho'"d a %"rtain a)o$nt of %on%"rn at #"ing $n%"r")onio$ly t$rf"d o$t of th"ir
ho$" to )a/" roo) for th" ro$gh( dirty and till 1"ry tir"d Britih oldi"r0 Littl" r"%/"d '" of
that2 Sl""* 'a th" firt *riority and '"ll did th" troo* l""*0 B$t l""* %o$ld not lat for"1"r6'"
till had to finih th" 'ar0 At )idday on th" <,t th" Co))anding Offi%"r 'a $))on"d to a
Brigad" &O& Gro$* and at th" a)" ti)" '" '"r" 'arn"d that '" 'o$ld #" at i))"diat" noti%"
fro) ? o&%lo%/ that "1"ning0 Th" goal of th" 8i1iion 'a th" gr"at ind$trial %ity and *ort of
Br")"n #$t( *rior to thi( o$r i))"diat" ta/ 'a to ta/" th" 1illag" of :"n( A%hi) and
Bi"rd"n0 W" '"r" to ta/" on" half of A%hi) and th" n"igh#o$ring %o))$nity of Bi"rd"n 'hil" to
th" Royal S%ot 'a to fall th" ta/ of ta/ing th" oth"r half of A%hi)0 O$r %on%"ntration ar"a for
thi o*"ration 'a to #" 8a1"rd"n on th" )ain road to Br")"n0
A%hi) and Bi"rd"n
8"ad on ti)" at ? o&%lo%/ '" "t off and arri1"d hortly at th" 1"ry #adly hatt"r"d
1illag" of 8a1"rd"n0 It had #""n #adly /no%/"d a#o$t #"for" '" arri1"d and 1"ry f"' ho$"
'"r" 'hol" #$t $%h a th"r" '"r" ga1" $ $ffi%i"nt h"lt"r to r"t and *r"*ar" for o$r o*"ration
in th" "arly ho$r of th" follo'ing day0 Soon th" %o)*l"t" *lan 'a 'or/"d o$t0 W" '"r" to go
#y tran*ort to Bad"n l"a1ing 8a1"rd"n at . a0)0 H"r" '" '"r" to d"#$ and follo' $* th"
Royal S%ot 'ho( it 'ill #" r")")#"r"d( '"r" to ta/" on" half of A%hi)0 On %o)*l"tion of th"ir
ta/ '" '"r" to go thro$gh th")( %roing th" tart lin" at ?0+=( and ta/" th" r")aind"r of th"
1illag" and alo Bi"rd"n0 B Co)*any 'a to #" in th" l"ad and( $**ort"d #y %ro%odil" and
'a*( 'a to )a/" traight to th" %"ntr" of th" 1illag" follo'"d #y 8 Co)*any 'ho" 7o# it 'a
to ta/" th" north "at *art of th" to'n0 Th"n A Co)*any 'a to *a thro$gh 8 Co)*any for th"
north '"t %orn"r and finally C Co)*any 'o$ld ta/" th" o$th"rn *art and Bi"rd"n0 Th"r"aft"r B
Co)*any 'a to ";*loit f$rth"r for'ard on th" )ain road to Br")"n0 Th" $$al artill"ry #arrag"
'a to #" a *r"l$d" to th" atta%/0
E1"rything '"nt '"ll and '" )or" or l" 'al/"d into th" *la%"0 Ind""d( th"
Co))anding Offi%"r 'a th" )ot $n%on%"rn"d )an in th" Battalion( 'al/ing a#o$t in a oft %a*
'ith a hotg$n $nd"r hi ar) a if going for a 9$i"t )orning& hooting rath"r than 'hat )ight
ha1" d"1"lo*"d into a #loody #attl"0 W" too/ a n$)#"r of *rion"r in A%hi) #$t( )$%h to o$r
%hagrin( all th" "n")y "")"d to ha1" #""n %on%"ntrat"d in th" ar"a ta/"n #y th" Royal S%ot
'ho had an "nor)o$ #ag0
Ha1ing $%%"f$lly %o)*l"t"d o$r *art of th" ta/ it no' r")ain"d for C Co)*any to
ta/" Bi"rd"n and for B Co)*any to ";*loit for'ard0 Both %o)*ani" tart"d off at G0,? to do thi
additional ta/0 B Co)*any "n%o$nt"r"d o)" "n")y fir" a hort ditan%" '"t of th"ir li)it of
";*loitation #$t( aft"r a 1"ry d"t"r)in"d fir" fight( th"y r"*ort"d ha1ing dri1"n off th" "n")y and
ha1ing %onolidat"d0 C Co)*any '"r" "9$ally fort$nat"0 Th"y got into Bi"rd"n $no**o"d0 Th"
G"r)an had on%" again #""n %a$ght na**ing for Bi"rd"n 'a th" r"gi)"ntal h"ad9$art"r of
o)" fla/ Aanti air%raftB troo*0 Th"y '"r" all %a*t$r"d in%l$ding th" %oo/ 'ho '"r" #$ily
"ngag"d in *r"*aring a )"al0 What )$t ha1" #""n th"ir tho$ght 'h"n th"y '"r" r$d"ly told
#y o)" gri)y S%ottih 3o%/ to *$t do'n th"ir *oon and "l"1at" th"ir ar) %an only #" l"ft to
th" i)agination0 Th" total #ag %onit"d of th" $nit %o))and"r( "1"ral li"$t"nant( #"t'""n
forty and fifty oth"r ran/ and th" lo%al )"di%al offi%"r 'ho( in%id"ntally( *o/" fl$"nt Englih0 H"
'a a good %ha* 'ho" on" %on%"rn 'a for hi *ati"nt( o)" of 'ho) '"r" lying a hort
ditan%" a'ay ha1ing #""n hit #y th" "arly )orning #arrag"0 H" #"gg"d to #" allo'"d to #ring
th") in and( on hi gi1ing hi *arol" of hono$r that h" 'o$ld not %o))$ni%at" 'ith oth"r "n")y
troo* in th" 1i%inity( h" 'a allo'"d to do o0 H" did not #r"a/ *arol"0
Battalion H"ad9$art"r 'a "t $* in A%hi) in a larg" ho$" n"ar th" %"ntr" of to'n and
%lo" to th" rail'ay tation0 Gr"atly to o$r atonih)"nt it 'a di%o1"r"d that a t"l"*hon" 'a
till in 'or/ing ord"r at th" rail'ay tation and '" %o$ld a%t$ally g"t thro$gh to Br")"n it"lf0
Lan%" Cor*oral Sa)on( on" of o$r Battalion Int"llig"n%" S"%tion and an int"r*r"t"r( 'ho *o/"
fl$"nt and *"rf"%t G"r)an "nt a )"ag" 1ia th" %o))and"r of th" troo* at Matindorf %alling
on th" garrion of Br")"n to $rr"nd"r oth"r'i" th"y 'o$ld #" #o)#"d and h"ll"d o$t of
";it"n%"0 Thi t"l"*hon" 'a lat"r $"d #y Ca*tain Arnold( Fi"ld S"%$rity Offi%"r at 8i1iion( for
th" a)" *$r*o"0 Ch"t"r Wil)ot of th" BBC 'a in att"ndan%" %o)*l"t" 'ith #road%ating
a**arat$ #$t $nfort$nat"ly n"gotiation #ro/" do'n and a %on%"ntrat"d raid on Br")"n #y a
)all for%" of #o)#"r "nd"d 'hat had #""n an ";%iting "*iod"0
M"an'hil" th" "n")y 'a not idl" and h" tart"d h"lling th" 'hol" ar"a( *arti%$larly
th" road a#o$t Battalion H"ad9$art"r0 Thi h" /"*t $* for th" r")aind"r of th" day 'itho$t
doing )$%h da)ag" "1"n tho$gh C Co)*any H"ad9$art"r r"%"i1"d t'o dir"%t hit0
Th" night 'a $n"1"ntf$l and( a*art fro) %ontin$"d *a)odi% h"lling( o alo 'a th"
day of th" <+rd0 It "")"d a if th" )ain for%" of th" h"lling 'a #"ing %on%"ntrat"d on ,?>
Brigad" on o$r right0 8$ring th" day th" Co))anding Offi%"r att"nd"d t'o %onf"r"n%" 'hi%h
finally r"$lt"d in a d"tail"d *lan for th" %a*t$r" of th" 1illag" of A*ha$"n( Mahndorf and
Ar#"rg"n #y .th Hing& O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r( >L- Royal S%ot and o$r"l1" r"*"%ti1"ly0 At
nin" in th" "1"ning ord"r '"r" gi1"n o$t for th" atta%/ on Ar#"rg"n0 Thi in1ol1"d an "arly tart
in th" r"gion of . a0)0 d"*"nding )or" or l" "ntir"ly on th" *rogr" )ad" #y th" Royal S%ot0
B Co)*any '"r" to )o1" thro$gh th" Royal S%ot firt and %l"ar and "%$r" a *ortion of th"
rail'ay lin" to "na#l" th" aa$lting Co)*ani"( C A and 8( to %ro th" lin" and ta/" th" 1illag"0
I))"diat"ly on thi tart lin" #"ing "%$r"d C and A Co)*ani" '"r" to ad1an%" to th" o$th
'"t and north "at r"*"%ti1"ly( follo'"d #y 8 Co)*any #o$nd for th" north '"t %orn"r0
:lti)at"ly B Co)*any '"r" to *a thro$gh and ta/" $* *oition #"t'""n C and A Co)*ani"0
For $**ort( in addition to th" g$nn"r( '" had %ro%odil" and tan/ #$t it 'a do$#tf$l if th""
'o$ld #" of )$%h h"l* o'ing to th" fa%t that th"y 'o$ld #" $na#l" to %ro th" rail'ay lin"( all
#ridg" ha1ing #""n #lo%/"d0
R"1"ill" on th" <.th 'a 1"ry "arly and #y +0,? a0)0 all %o)*ani" had r"*ort"d a
#"ing in th" for)ing $* *oition0 At +0.= '" '"r" ad1i"d that th" Royal S%ot '"r" doing '"ll
and that H6ho$r 'o$ld #" .0,? a0)0 W" got on th" )o1" ha1ing #""n *r"%"d"d #y B Co)*any
'ho at .0+= r"*ort"d light o**oition on th" tart lin" #$t thi th"y '"r" d"aling 'ith0
Th" 1illag" of Mahndorf( 7$t ta/"n #y th" Royal S%ot thro$gh 'ho) '" had to *a(
'a a ha)#l"0 It 'a a 1"ry dar/ night and o)" ho$" '"r" #la5ing 'hil" th" r")aind"r
'"r" #adly #att"r"d0 H"r" '" had to halt for a f"' )in$t" #"%a$" it 'a oon ""n that it 'a
i)*oi#l" for $ to %arry on #y th" ro$t" *r"1io$ly *lann"d0 It a**"ar"d that th" r"tr"ating
"n")y had $tili"d a ?== l# #o)# a a )in" *lant"d in th" )iddl" of th" road0 :nfort$nat"ly on"
of th" l"ading %ro%odil" had *a"d o1"r th" #o)# 'hi%h had don" th" 7o# for 'hi%h it 'a
int"nd"d( na)"ly had #lo'n $* #oth th" road and th" %ro%odil" %r"ating an "nor)o$ %rat"r and
%o)*l"t"ly #lo%/ing th" road0 Whil" a "%ondary ro$t" 'a #"ing r"%onnoitr"d '" '"r" th"
r"%i*i"nt of on" or t'o h"ll 'hi%h land"d 1"ry %lo" #$t ha**ily did no do $ any da)ag"
tho$gh th"y till f$rth"r d")olih"d o)" of th" ho$"0 By thi ti)" B Co)*any had
di%o1"r"d that %"rtain #ridg" had #""n #lo%/"d 'ith tr"" and r$##l" o that it 'o$ld #"
i)*oi#l" to g"t th" 1"hi%l" a%ro th" rail'ay lin" 'hi%h 'a g$ard"d #y an anti6tan/ dit%h or
rath"r th" #"ginning of on"0 That i to ay that th" #attl" for Ar#"rg"n 'o$ld #" "ntir"ly an
infantry on"0
Th" n"' ro$t" 'a fo$nd and on%" )or" '" "t off #$t #y thi ti)" '" '"r" o )$%h
#"hind %h"d$l" that '" had not r"a%h"d th" anti6tan/ dit%h6along 'hi%h '" had to )a/" o$r
'ay for a#o$t on" )il" till '" '"r" o**oit" th" 1illag"6'h"n th" artill"ry #arrag" %a)" do'n0
That #arrag" for o)" r"aon or oth"r o$nd"d lo$d"r and d"adli"r than )ot '" had y"t
";*"ri"n%"d and( 'h"n th" H$n r"*li"d 'ith a #$rt( thing '"r" not too *l"aant0 N"1"rth"l"
'" '"nt on( r"a%h"d th" dit%h( '"nt along it and "1"nt$ally r"a%h"d a *oint 'h"r" '" %o$ld
di%"rn th" 1illag" a%ro t'o or thr"" fi"ld on th" far id" of th" rail'ay ")#an/)"nt0 W"
%ra)#l"d a%ro th" ")#an/)"nt( do'n th" oth"r id"( 'ad"d a tr"a) 'hi%h 'a d""*
"no$gh to %o)" 1"ry n"arly $* to th" ar)*it of th" )all"r 3o%/( %harg"d a%ro th" fi"ld and
th" 1illag" 'a o$r #$t not $ntil G0.= a0)0 #y 'hi%h ti)" th" $n 'a high in th" h"a1"n0 C
Co)*any ";*"ri"n%"d a littl" tro$#l" fro) a ho$" on th" ";tr")" l"ft of th" 1illag" #$t had
%l"ar"d th" 'hol" it$ation #y hortly aft"r )idday0 No o**oition 'a ";*"ri"n%"d #y any of th"
oth"r Co)*ani" and to B Co)*any f"ll th" hono$r of ta/ing an GG)) g$n inta%t 'ith th"
";%"*tion of th" firing )"%hani)0 Battalion H"ad9$art"r( ho'"1"r( 'a not o l$%/y for( ha1ing
%o)" along th" "%ondary ro$t" and "ta#lih"d it"lf in a ho$" n"ar th" rail'ay lin"( it 'a
h"a1ily h"ll"d( *arti%$larly #"t'""n +0+= and ?0+= in th" aft"rnoon0 8$ring thi int"ni1"
h"lling th" h"ad9$art"r ho$" 'a hit "ight""n ti)" and t'o 7""* '"r" "t on fir"0 On" of
th"" 'a th" Eion""r 7""* load"d 'ith "1"nty fi1" gr"nad" 'hi%h tart"d ";*loding and
%o)*l"t"d th" d"tr$%tion alr"ady $ff"r"d #y th" ho$" #y "tting it on fir" th$ %a$ing it to #"
"1a%$at"d at ?0<= *0)0 8$ring th" h"ight of th" h"lling and 'hil" th" "1"nty fi1" gr"nad"
'"r" till ";*loding th" CO and th" RSM #"t'""n th") ho'"d gr"at %ooln" and *r""n%" of
)ind #y dri1ing into af"ty no l" than "ight oth"r 1"hi%l" *at th" fla)ing ho$" and th"
";*loding gr"nad" th$ o#1iating f$rth"r 1"hi%l" %a$alti"0 In addition th" Colon"l alo
";ting$ih"d a fir" 'hi%h had %o))"n%"d on on" of th" "1"nt""n6*o$nd"r "lf6*ro*"ll"d g$n
lying %lo" #y0
By 6 *0)0 th" h"lling had %o)*l"t"ly to**"d and #y G0+= F E%h"lon tran*ort had #""n
%all"d $*0 Th" road 'a #y thi ti)" %l"ar"d and %a*a#l" of $"0 T'"nty fi1" *rion"r had
#""n ta/"n d$ring th" %o$r" of th" day0
W" lay in Ar#"rg"n d$ring th" 'hol" of th" <?th and <6th A*ril 'hil" th" gr"at #attl" for
Br")"n %ontin$"d on o$r right flan/0 Nothing *"%ta%$lar o%%$rr"d to dit$r# $ altho$gh( in th"
"arly )orning of th" <?th( t'o @ol/t$r) a**roa%h"d A Co)*any( '"r" %hall"ng"d and fail"d to
r"*ly0 Th"y '"r" fir"d on and on" 'a /ill"d0 T'"l1" additional *rion"r '"r" ta/"n a a
%orollary to an int"ni1" "ar%h of "a%h %o)*any lo%ality0 On th" )orning of th" <6th it 'a
inti)at"d that '" 'o$ld ha1" to "nd a %o)*any gro$* %oniting of a rifl" %o)*any( t'o
"%tion of %arri"r and th" 'a* "%tion to %o)" $nd"r %o))and of >L- Royal S%ot 'ho '"r"
finding it diffi%$lt to *r"1"nt infiltration a%ro th" rail'ay lin"0 B Co)*any '"nt off to thi 7o#0 By
lat" aft"rnoon '" l"arn"d that th" .th Hing O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r '"r" in th" h"art of Br")"n
#$t 'ith a )$%h larg"r ar"a to *rot"%t than th"y %o$ld "ff"%ti1"ly d"al 'ith and o y"t anoth"r
%o)*any 'a "nt for'ard to ait th")0 C Co)*any 'a %ho"n for thi0
At , o&%lo%/ in th" )orning of th" <>th '" l"arn"d that Br")"n to all int"nt and
*$r*o" 'a %o)*l"t"ly in Britih hand and that th" r")aind"r of th" Battalion 'a to ta/"
o1"r a *ortion of ,?> Brigad" ar"a #y - o&%lo%/ in th" )orning0 Th" ar"a to #" ta/"n o1"r had
#""n o%%$*i"d #y 8 Co)*any ?th Highland Light Infantry( C Co)*any and Battalion
H"ad9$art"r ?th Hing O'n S%ottih Bord"r"r0 W" had ta/"n o1"r #y >0<= in th" )orning and
hortly th"r"aft"r '" '"r" infor)"d that th" 8i1iion 'a to #"%o)" r"*oni#l" for th" 'hol" of
Br")"n th" follo'ing day0 N"' #attalion ar"a had #""n allott"d and 1ario$ *oint of di%i*lin"
had #""n laid do'n0 Ea%h #attalion 'a to ha1" on" %o)*any at on" ho$r noti%" 'hil" in "a%h
of th"" %o)*ani" on" *latoon 'a to #" at thirty )in$t" noti%"0 Eatrol '"r" to #" %arri"d o$t
r"g$larly 'ithin th" *r"%ri#"d #attalion ar"a and )o#il" long6ditan%" *atrol %oniting of a
"%tion of th" %arri"r *latoon of th" #attalion in addition to th" *latoon of MMG '"r" to #"
don" in ar"a not i))"diat"ly o%%$*i"d #y troo*0
On th" follo'ing day( th" <Gth A*ril( B and C Co)*ani" %a)" #a%/ $nd"r %o))and
and at ,,0<= th" G"n"ral addr""d a *"r%"ntag" of th" Battalion and %o)*li)"nt"d offi%"r and
)"n on th"ir fin" 'or/ d$ring th" a**roa%h to th" %ity0 H" alo r"ad o$t a %o)*li)"ntary l"tt"r
fro) G"n"ral Horro%/ %o))anding += Cor* and ga1" a #ri"f o$tlin" of *ro#a#l" f$t$r"
o*"ration0 E1"n no' '" had ";%iting )o)"nt for Battalion H"ad9$art"r on%" again n"arly
'"nt $* in fla)" 'h"n #y )i%han%" a fir" 'a tart"d #y a Brigad" ignall"r0 Thi fir"
d"troy"d a << S"t( an ,G S"t and o)" #"dding and "9$i*)"nt #"for" it %o$ld #" #ro$ght
$nd"r %ontrol0 Ci1ilian looting a n"ar#y %oal d$)* '"r" di%o$rag"d #y a Ci1il Affair ar)o$r"d
%ar firing a f"' ro$nd into th" air and 8 Co)*any 'a ord"r"d to *la%" a g$ard on th" d$)*0
No' 'a o$r *"riod of r"la;ation and #ath( %in")a ho' and %on%"rt *arti" '"r" th"
ord"r of th" day0 W" had had a hard and ";%iting )onth and for th" n";t t'o day '" '"r" gi1"n
th" %han%" of g"tting #a%/ to nor)al on%" again0 In all in th" )onth of A*ril '" too/ i;t""n
offi%"r *rion"r and fi1" h$ndr"d and forty thr"" oth"r ran/ *rion"r0
BREMEN
A 8"1atat"d City
Th" 'ord &Br")"n& ha al'ay gi1"n ri" to tho$ght of tall hi*( rolli%/ing "a)"n and
a gr"at ind$trial *ort0 No do$#t thi 'a tr$" of th" %ity at on" ti)" #$t no' 6 'hat a %hang"2
Wh"n '" '"r" at A%hi) and Bi"rd"n '" had thr"at"n"d $%%"i1" #o)#ing raid $ntil th"
garrion %a*it$lat"d and '" had a%t$ally ""n and lit"n"d to on" of th"" gr"at raid #"ing
d"li1"r"d #$t '" had no id"a of th" d"1atation and d"tr$%tion 'hi%h had #""n %a$"d0
Br")"n i a %ity no long"r6it i )"r"ly )il" and )il" of r$##l" 'ith h"r" and th"r" a #$ilding
till tanding #$t "1"n thi i 'itho$t 'indo' and roof0 Th" d"tr$%tion in th" "at"rn o$t/irt
ha #""n %a$"d )ainly thro$gh h"lling and that i #ad "no$gh in all %on%i"n%"0 Ind""d (for
o)" day aft"r o$r arri1al( th"r" al'ay a**"ar"d to #" a )o/" *all hanging o1"r thi ditri%t0
B$t th" %"ntr" and th" hint"rland of th" do%/ ar"a i ind"%ri#a#l"0 E1"ry ho$" i g$tt"d( th"
do%/ ar"a in *arti%$lar #"ing nothing )or" than a giganti% h"a* of #ro/"n ton" and #ri%/0 It i
i)*oi#l" in o)" *la%" to g"t fro) on" tr""t to anoth"r 'itho$t %la)#"ring o1"r *il" of 'hat
had on%" #""n d'"lling ho$"0 Th" tr""t in thi ar"a ar" in fa%t inditing$iha#l" and( $nl"
on" had an inti)at" /no'l"dg" of th" *la%"( on" 'o$ld #" %o)*l"t"ly lot in l" than fi1"
)in$t"0 W" '"r" *ro1id"d 'ith larg"6%al" )a* of th" to'n in 'hi%h "a%h tr""t 'a
)"ti%$lo$ly )ar/"d and na)"d #$t( in th" do%/ ar"a at l"at( th"" )a* '"r" a )$%h $" a
a *i"%" of %ra* *a*"r0 Th" %a$alty lit )$t ha1" #""n "nor)o$ in thi ditri%t for nat$rally it
'a on" of th" )ot thi%/ly *o*$lat"d ar"a in th" 'hol" %ity0
Th" %"ntr" of th" to'n 'a not 9$it" o #ad( *"rha* o'ing to th" fa%t that o)"
att")*t had #""n )ad" to %l"ar $* a #it aft"r "a%h raid #$t h"r" again th" r$in '"r" 'or" than
'" had y"t ""n0 Th" road '"r" )ah"d $* and #ro/"n( "nor)o$ #o)# %rat"r '"r"
"1"ry'h"r" a**ar"nt( t"l"*hon" and tra)'ay %a#l" %a$"d )otoring to #" a littl" dang"ro$(
ditort"d *i"%" of )"tal 'hi%h had on%" #""n tra)lin" a**"ar"d "1"ry'h"r" in grot"9$"
angl"0 Of ga light and "l"%tri% *o'"r th"r" 'a non" and all 'at"r had to #" *$)*"d #y hand0
Th" "ntir" 'at"r and drainag" yt") had diint"grat"d0
Y"t 'ithal '" %o$ld "" that Br")"n had at on" ti)" #""n a 1"ry li1"ly %ity 'ith
)agnifi%"nt and tat"ly #$ilding0 H"r" tri#$t" )$t #" *aid to th" a%%$ra%y of th" RAF #o)#ing0
Th" %ath"dral 'ith it t'in *ir" 'a littl" da)ag"d tr$%t$rally and th"" t'in *ir" to'"r"d
into th" /y in har* %ontrat to th" $rro$nding r$in0 Th" do%/ too had $ff"r"d littl"0 Th"y
'"r" to #" $"d #y th" 1i%torio$ for%" of th" Alli" and gr"at %ar" had #""n ta/"n to "" that
a )$%h &lif"& 'a l"ft in th") a *oi#l"0
So)" of th" gla of Br")"n ho'"1"r 'a till inta%t in th" ha*" of #ottl" d""* in 'in"
%"llar0 H$ndr"d and h$ndr"d of #ottl" of all ort of 'in" and *irit( )otly loot"d fro)
Fran%" and B"lgi$) 'ith a %"rtain a)o$nt of Rhin" 'in"( '"r" di%o1"r"d and( in ord"r to
*r"1"nt any in%id"nt( g$ard '"r" i))"diat"ly *ot"d on th"" 'in" %"llar0 J$it" a*art fro)
th" fa%t that indi%ri)inat" drin/ing of h"ady 'in" #y troo* $n$"d to it 'o$ld ha1" l"ad to
%hao and 'or"( '" '"r" not at all $r" that th"" #ottl" had not #""n ta)*"r"d 'ith #y th"
fl""ing G"r)an0 W" did not 'ant to ha1" any %a" of *oioning on o$r hand at thi tag" of
th" 'ar0 E1"ry )an got a har" of th" #ottl" 'hi%h had #""n &1"tt"d& and "n7oya#l" *arti" '"r"
ind$lg"d in #y tho" off d$ty0 C Co)*any '"r" l$%/y "no$gh to find )any #ottl" of th" )ot
#"a$tif$l li9$"$r and "1"ry %o)*any )" in th" Battalion r"%"i1"d it fair har" 'hi%h %a$"d
o)" *"o*l" to a%9$ir" a )ot ";*"ni1" tat" in th"ir drin/0 Ma7or R"id of 8 Co)*any 'or"
that th" )ot )agnifi%"nt drin/ h" had "1"r tat"d in hi lif" 'a Bol A*ri%ot Brandy0
B$t '" %o$ld not r")ain f"ating on th" fl"h*ot of Br")"n for"1"r and( "arly in th"
)orning of <nd May( '" on%" again r"%"i1"d o$r )ar%hing ord"r0
@ICTORY2
Littl" did '" r"ali" that th" "nd of th" E$ro*"an 'ar 'a at hand and( 'h"n '"
r"%"i1"d a )"ag" that '" '"r" to r"li"1" a $nit of th" .+rd 8i1iion( '" too/ it a a )att"r of
%o$r" that '" '"r" #o$nd for y"t anoth"r #attl"0 Ho'"1"r( th" %o)*arati1" r"t *"riod at
Br")"n had "t all on th"ir to" on%" again and '" '"r" r"ady for anything0
At G0.= a0)0 on <nd May th" R"%onnaian%" Gro$* l"ft Br")"n and oon arri1"d at th"
*oint 'h"r"( a%%ording to intr$%tion( g$id" '"r" to )""t th") to ta/" th") to th" Battalion
H"ad9$art"r of th" ?th 8$rha) Light Infantry 'hi%h $nit '" '"r" $**o"d to r"li"1"0 Ho'"1"r
o)"thing "")"d to ha1" gon" 'rong and( int"ad of th" *ro)i"d g$id"( nothing 'a fo$nd
#$t an "nor)o$ %rat"r 'hi%h *artially #lo%/"d th" road l"ading to th" north '"t and %o)*l"t"ly
#lo%/"d th" road l"ading to th" north "at0 Aft"r o)" %ating aro$nd and "ar%hing( 'ith no
do$#t o)" i)*r"%ation a to th" *"ron 'ho had )ad" th" arrang")"nt( 'hat had #""n th"
Battalion H"ad9$art"r of th" ?th 8$rha) Light Infantry 'a fo$nd #$t th" $nit had alr"ady
)o1"d0 Infor)ation 'a o#tain"d ho'"1"r fro) a g$nn"r 'hi%h *$t th" CO *artly in th" *i%t$r"
and( 'h"n &O& Gro$* arri1"d lat"r( th"y '"r" #ri"f"d and "t off to r"%onnoitr" %o)*any ar"a0
Shortly aft"r ,=0+= a #$lldo5"r 'a to**"d #y th" CO and th" %o))and"r 'a a/"d to do 'hat
h" %o$ld a#o$t filling in th" %rat"r0 H" agr""d to do 'hat h" %o$ld o far a th" north '"t road
'a %on%"rn"d #$t th" oth"r road 'a an i)*oi#l" 7o# in th" ti)" h" had at hi di*oal0
Th" Battalion )o1"d off at ,<0,? *0)0 and( a an alt"rnati1" ro$t" $gg"t"d #y Brigad"
had #""n fo$nd #y th" R"%onnaian%" Gro$* to #" i)*aa#l"( a )"ag" 'a "nt #a%/ #y
th" CO that th" Battalion 'a to ignor" thi alt"rnati1" ro$t" and ti%/ to th" on" gi1"n originally0
If( #y th" ti)" th"y arri1"d at th" %rat"r( it had not y"t #""n fill"d in th"y '"r" to *o" th"ir
o$l in *ati"n%" till thi 'a don"0 In *oint of fa%t( th" road had #""n r"nd"r"d *aa#l" #"for"
th" troo* arri1"d and th"y '"r" a#l" to g"t into *oition 'itho$t )$%h diffi%$lty0
Shortly #"for" . *0)0 th" Brigad" Co))and"r ord"r"d a *atrol of th" road Fal/"n#$rg6
Fran/"n#$rg6O#"r"nd"6Mitt"l#a$r 'ith th" *ro1io that( if no "n")y '"r" "n%o$nt"r"d( th"
*atrol 'a to r")ain in th" ar"a of Mitt"l#a$r0 Thi ta/ f"ll to a *latoon of B Co)*any along 'ith
t'o "%tion of Carri"r and an aa$lt "%tion of Eion""r0 By G0<= that "1"ning th" *atrol had
#""n %o)*l"t"d $%%"f$lly 'itho$t "n%o$nt"ring "n")y o**oition0 Th" follo'ing )a* ho'
th" %o)*any lo%ation for th" night of <ndL+rd May0
Th" 'ar 'a )ot d"finit"ly not y"t at an "nd for( d$ring th" night( B Co)*any *atrol
%a)" $nd"r o)" )ortar fir" and th" a)" thing ha**"n"d on th" )orning of th" +rd aft"r light
"n")y )o1")"nt 'a ""n0 A%%ordingly th" #alan%" of B Co)*any 'a ord"r"d for'ard at -
a0)0 and at ,,0<= an artill"ry hoot 'a %all"d for on th" "n")y *oition0 Rath"r daringly Ma7or
S/"n"6S)ith of B Co)*any( thro$gh th" "r1i%" of a G"r)an %i1ilian( int"r1i"'"d th" o**oing
G"r)an %o))and"r to t"ll hi) that th" it$ation 'a ho*"l" o far a h" 'a %on%"rn"d and
that th" #"t %o$r" h" %o$ld ado*t 'a to $rr"nd"r0 Thi )"an of a**roa%h had no "ff"%t and
artill"ry and )ortar hoot '"r" ind$lg"d in d$ring th" r")aind"r of th" day0 A *lan of atta%/ 'a
dra'n $* only to #" %an%"ll"d lat"r #y high"r a$thority0 Thi %an%"llation rath"r %a$"d $ to
'ond"r and to thin/ that o)"thing tartling 'a in th" 'ind #$t th" G"r)an '"r" till
d"t"r)in"d to fight on a %o$ld #" ""n #y th" r"*ly to o$r artill"ry haraing fir" for th"y
*rod$%"d a h"a1y &ton/& lating fro) 6 *0)0 $ntil d$/ d$ring th" %o$r" of 'hi%h a#o$t i;ty
h"ll land"d in B Co)*any ar"a0 Fort$nat"ly th"y did no da)ag" altho$gh B Co)*any
H"ad9$art"r 'a tr$%/ t'i%"0
Th" .th of May 'ill n"1"r #" forgott"n not that )$%h o%%$rr"d d$ring th" day #$t at G0+?
*0)0 '" l"arn"d o1"r th" 'ir"l" th" glad tiding for 'hi%h th" 'hol" 'orld 'a lit"ning 6 all
"n")y troo* in Holland( 8"n)ar/ and North W"t G"r)any had $rr"nd"r"d $n%onditionally0
That )"ant that all fighting on <, Ar)y Gro$* frontag" 'a finih"d altho$gh o)" do$#t till
";it"d a to th" *oition in Nor'ay and th" Eat"rn front0 Th" 'ond"rf$l n"' 'a r"%"i1"d
'ith d""* 7oy and than/gi1ing0 Th" E$ro*"an War 'a at an "nd and '" '"r" no'( all of $(
%"rtain to r"t$rn ho)" to o$r lo1"d on" 'ith no )or" f"ar of #"ing #lo'n to #it0 Th"r" 'a a
%"rtain a)o$nt of #oit"ro$ f""ling ho'n in th" ha*" of a f"' 1"r"y light going into th" air
#$t thi 'a oon to**"d and( ind""d( it 'a th" ";%"*tion rath"r than th" r$l"0 W" l"*t that
night 'ith glad and ha**y )ind0
Within t'"nty fo$r ho$r th" "ntir" %a*it$lation of all G"r)an for%" 'a anno$n%"d0 In
1"ry tr$th th" 'ar 'a o1"r0 It 'a diffi%$lt to #"li"1" that( in 7$t "l"1"n )onth fro) th" dat" th"
firt landing '"r" )ad" on th" Nor)andy %oat( th" )$%h 1a$nt"d )ilitary )a%hin" of th" )ot
)ilitary nation in th" 'orld had #""n $tt"rly d")orali"d and d"troy"d0
By th" ?th May '" had #"g$n th" ta/ of go1"rning G"r)any and thi( in th" )"anti)"(
%onit"d of "ta#lihing %ontrol *oint to *r"1"nt $nd$" )o1")"nt of di*la%"d *"ron and
%i1ilian in and o$t of th" Battalion ar"a0 In th" aft"rnoon o)" ";%it")"nt 'a %a$"d in B
Co)*any ar"a #y th" %rahing of an "n")y *lan"0 T'o of th" $r1i1ing )")#"r of th" %r"'
'"r" *i%/"d $* and "1a%$at"d thro$gh nor)al *rion"r of 'ar %hann"l0
Th" 6th of May 'a a S$nday and on thi day '" had th" firt Battalion %h$r%h *arad"
in%" firt #"ing in a%tion )any )onth ago0 It 'a a good *arad" d"*it" '"t and $n*l"aant
'"ath"r0 Ea%h and "1"ry )an att"nding %h$r%h ga1" than/ to God for o$r gr"at and glorio$
1i%tory and d"di%at"d hi)"lf to th" %a$" of 'orld *"a%" on%" )or"0 It 'a a ol")n o%%aion0
Th" Gth of May had #""n anno$n%"d offi%ially a @E68ay and( on thi day( th"
Co))anding Offi%"r to$r"d th" Co)*any ar"a and ga1" "a%h Co)*any a hort addr" on th"
"1"nt l"ading $* to th" a$*i%io$ o%%aion( ";*r"ing hi a**r"%iation of th" loyal and 'illing
$**ort gi1"n #y th" Battalion thro$gho$t th" dar/ and trying day0 W" had li1"d $* '"ll to th"
tradition of o$r gr"at and glorio$ r"gi)"nt0 W" had *lay"d a no#l" *art in th" d"f"at and
h$)iliation of th" o6%all"d )at"r ra%"0 No' that ra%" )yth had #""n #lo'n /y high and it i to
#" ho*"d 'ill n"1"r again tro$#l" th" 'orld0
SIC TRANSIT GLORIA GERMANIAE
GO8 SA@E THE HING