November
1944
November
1944
1st November
Still in forward holding position. One of my duties, before dawn, is to check the Platoon area and issue the men with a rum ration and dry socks. The powers that be will not tolerate trench feet. Difficult to find the trenches if there is a heavy frost. The men's coats blend in with the surroundings.
2nd November
On watch before dawn. Officer resting. Could see in the semi-darkness some people approaching. Thinking they were from the forward trenches to report something gave the usual order to halt; they didn't. It was a German patrol that managed to slip through.
Charged when they heard my voice throwing percussion grenades. Had a rifle on the parapet, pressed the trigger and one of them dropped dead on the verge of the trench. The remainder disappeared in the gloom. The Corporal in charge of one of the forward sections nearly got a bullet when I got hold of him. They must have been asleep. The field telephone in the trench connecting us to HQ rang asking if we were having a little trouble. Trying to be funny. We were the forward Platoon and expected the enemy to annoy us.
4th November
Unable to move during the daylight as 18 Platoon is in a listening position, out in the open country, under sniper and mortar fire. The dead German just had to lie there, a good looker, young and about six feet tall. Nearly had it today. Was having a cigarette before darkness fell, must have allowed my head to appear over the trench parapet when a bullet just missed my nose. A sniper must have been waiting his chance.
5th November
Still in the forward position trying to get used to the cold, rain and frost, mortar fire and air bursts. The only exercise we get is twiddling our toes to try to keep our feet warm. Take turn about on watch with the Platoon officer. Pass the time talking about civvy street, brewing tea, chewing beef or porridge cubes. Using the toilet during the day was a problem - tin mugs came in handy.
6th November
Relieved, in the darkness, by the RSF. Marched out to Arten where we embussed for Helmond where we are now billeted in houses. I'm nice and comfortable in a house once occupied by a Nazi sympathiser. The first time I've relaxed for a long time. Junkers over at night dropping a few bombs.
7th November
Cleaning equipment and getting kit up to date. CSM left the Company today to take charge of the Divisional rest camp at Tilburg (lucky blighter). Bombers over again tonight. Guards Armoured Brigade took a knocking.
8th November
Resting in the forenoon. Left Helmond at 1500 by TCVs. Debussed about four miles from the front line. Relieved the KOSBs, difficult operation in the darkness. We know from past experience that the enemy try to put-in a counter attack, however we were able to get into ready made trenches without any trouble.
9th November
Heavy mortar and artillery fire in the forenoon and afternoon covering an enemy counter attack. easily repulsed as we were holding strong positions. Night patrol came in just before midnight using illuminated bullets to light-up our positions and tracers to guide them in. Recalled by very lights without causing much damage. The enemy do things in real style.
10th November
Weather seems to be holding-up any forward movement. Both sides using night and day patrols to keep everybody on the alert. Heavy rain and bitterly cold winds making life pretty miserable in waterlogged trenches. Relieved at 2200 by the RS. Spandus firing on fixed lines made us transfer, in a hurry, without casualties.
11th November
Returned to Helmond in the early hours after forced marching in lousy conditions. Arrived very late and hungry. Good sleeping conditions, good food and a bath parade soon put us on our feet again. Cleaned and checked weapons then rested for the remainder of the day.
12th November
Went to mass in the local church at 1030. Arrangements made, in the afternoon, to return to the front line to go on the offensive; cancelled at the last moment owing to the weather conditions.
13th November
Left Helmond in the afternoon, this time to take-up positions on the left flank. Formed up in an isolated area and issued, with what was supposed to be a hot meal. In the open with heavy rain and a cold wind making life miserable. Relieved the Argylls after darkness had fallen. Heavily mortared during the take over making us break all records. (Often wonder how many mortar bombs it takes to kill a soldier).
14th November
Weather still wet and very cold. Managed to issue men with fresh socks and their rum ration after dark. The antitank crew is well dug in. Managed to make us some tea before stand to. rip wire went off during the night an enemy patrol must have been out. Didn't come into the Platoon area.
15th November
Cold but dry this morning. Corp went on to the offensive this forenoon. 50th Highland Division and 50th Division went into the attack this forenoon using 400 guns of all calibre, concentrating on a three mile front. Enemy on the retreat. Patrols reporting nothing to be found in our part of the line.
16th November
Nice and peaceful except for day and night patrols covering the gap between the HLI and the Gordons. Hated night patrol; the imagination gets the better of us; its the Platoon officer's turn tonight. He always leaves his name and address - just in case - I do the same. Enemy still in the area using machine gun fire to keep us on our toes. So far no casualties.
17th November
Still in the same position. The REs have moved up to put over a pontoon bridge. They are taking casualties from the machine gun fire (the enemy must still be fighting a rear guard action). Our area has quietened down; left in the afternoon and returned to Helmond.
18th November
Weapons cleaning and resting in the forenoon. Parades the Platoon in the afternoon for baths and the issue of new battle dress. Supply lines are now stretched to the limit owing to the distance from the ports. Battalion is now on captured German rations. The troops are complaining about having to survive on pork and red wine.
19th November
Mass at 0830, then a demonstration of setting trip wires at 1030. Medical inspection in the afternoon completed the days duties. Bombers over three times today, bombing installations. Must sense something big is brewing.
20th November
Reveille at 0500. After a hot meal embussed on TCVs to our FUP to put in an attack in the Venlo area. Platoon officer, McFarland from Motherwell, promoted and transferred. His replacement has just arrived from the training college. Reached our FUP and advanced in extended order under heavy mortar fire. The Platoon went to ground when we came under heavy machine gun fire on our right flank. Crawled over to the officer for instruction, he asked me to take over as he was not sure of the procedure.
Ordered 1 and 2 sections to be prepared to advance with the officer. Took charge of 3 section. Ordered bayonets to be fixed and be ready to charge and take our objective, a small farm house. Gave the order, "sights down five rounds rapid fire", then charged the strong point.
The enemy were coming out of the cellar, with their arms up, when we battered in the windows and doors. The strong point seemingly was held by a unit of the Herman Goering Division. The youths weren't very happy as they expected to be shot.
Was busy checking them for weapons when shrapnel, from a near miss, tore the flesh from the inside of my left thigh. It knocked me off my feet, I was lucky enough to find that the bone hadn't been touched. Instructed the section Corporal to take charge of the prisoners and report casualties to the Platoon officer.
Put on a shell dressing; it was not big enough to cover the wound. Stretcher bearers arrived and strapped me onto a jeep (keeping my fingers crossed as we were still under mortar fire). Arrived at RAP safely.
MO dressed the wound and gave me an anti-shock injection. Padre O'Brien had a look and though that with a wee bit of luck I might reach Blighty. Evacuated to a forward clearing station somewhere near Eindhoven. Had a good dram of rum before the attack commenced, gave me the courage to keep going.
21st November
Waiting my turn to go into theatre. Noticed the RAMC orderlies taking everything off a wounded German waiting his turn. I didn't think this would happen to me. When I did come-to, after the operation I had nothing but my diary, Nancy's photograph and indicator tabs. My Omega watch, vest pocket camera, cash and map with all the actions the Battalion had been involved in, were gone. Put in a complaint to the Padre, at the station, who told me it was a waste of time. Left the clearing station, as a stretcher case, on an old Harrow bomber arriving at the 8th British Hospital, in Brussels, late afternoon.
22nd November
The surgeon reports that the wound is nice and clean having no evidence of infection. Settling in fine, the wound is painful but bearable. Needing a shave badly. Have no money and the Red Cross can't help at present. Would be quite content if I had some mail from home.
23rd November
On penicillin injections every four hours, uncomfortable for about half an hour. Operated on again in the afternoon. The ward sister is one of the old school - stands no nonsense. When I started taking an interest in life after the operation I noticed she had put a vase of flowers and Nancy's photograph where I could see it when I came to.
24th November
Off penicillin and on to tablets of some kind. The wound must be healing but still has to be stitched. Ice cream being sold in the ward, had no money to buy any so had to do without. Rations a bit scarce, the ward sister gave me half of her own. Had a visit from three Boy Scouts who played guitars and sang "By Yon Bonnie Banks".
25th November
Doctor on his rounds in the forenoon. I nearly faded away when I saw how much flesh had been cut out. Still lying in the afternoon without the wound being dressed. The nurse had forgot but I promised I wouldn't report her. Had a visit from a Belgian lady at tea time, more interested in my rations than myself. Food seems pretty scarce, she carried her weeks ration of coal, one piece, in a newspaper. She helped me finish my meal.
26th November
This time last week I was looking forward to 48 hours leave in Brussels. Had a new battle dress ready and my monthly spirit ration, didn't expect to arrive in a stretcher. Someone will be enjoying my whisky and gin. Wound is becoming painful, I suppose it has to be expected. Now on sleeping tablets to give me some sleep.
27th November
Wound to be stitched in a day or two, according to the doctor. The weather seems to have improved which should help the troops push into Germany. Don't get any news in here. A lot of wounded in this ward are from the heavy mortar units with buttock wounds caused by diving for cover from the enemy counter fire.
30th November
Operated on in the forenoon on Tuesday, haven't taken notes since the 27th - feeling miserable and suffering a lot of pain. Depending on drugs to allow me to rest and get some sleep.