September
1944
September
1944
1st September
The weather has turned very wet but nice and comfortable under canvas. Just eating and sleeping, not a gun to be heard. Should have returned to my unit today but transport is not available as the enemy is on the run and all transport is required to keep up the chase.
2nd & 3rd September
Still in the rest camp, eating, sleeping, trying to relax: nerves have been stretched to near breaking point during the last few weeks.
4th September
Left the rest camp at 1000 to join the Battalion somewhere to the north. After about ten hours arrived at a village about 80 miles from Amiens tired and hungry. Bedded down for the the night in a barn.
5th September
Still on the move. Arrived at the RASC camp to find the battalion was miles away to the north as they were on the move. Decided to join them eventually arriving at Battalion HQ at midnight.
6th September
Joined "D" Company in the forenoon at the village of Tolliers. 18 Platoon billeted in a barn. The Company is up to strength again except for an officer for 18 Platoon. The Company lost 39 of its strength in and around Seine. Very few of the original Company left.
7th September
Route march in the forenoon in a heavy rain storm. Rested in the afternoon. Embussed for the north at midnight.
8th September
Reached a village 40 kilometers north of Lille at 1100. Had a wash, a meal then on our way again arriving at the village of Nazareth by 2200. Now in Belgium, received a great welcome. Two Sergeants and myself took over a young couple's home as our sleeping quarters. They weren't very happy about it but the wife promised to cook for us.
9th September
Our wedding anniversary today. Managed to buy and post a beret to Nancy as a reminder of 9/9/39. On duty tonight as IC of Company guard. Tried to slip into my digs for something to eat but was locked out. Bit of a panic today. Rumour had it that a counter attack was expected from across the canal. Took up a defensive position but nothing happened. Never saw bunting and flags disappearing so rapidly.
10th September
Still in the same position. Too late for mass in the local church as the times had been changed. Invited out for a meal by three sisters, had to remove my boots and put on clogs in case I dirtied the kitchen. Enjoyed the food and the company even if the language made things difficult.
11th September
Left Nazareth at 1600 arriving at a small village 15 miles north east of Brussels. 18 Platoon billeted in the local school. One of the locals offered me a bed for the night, made the most of the offer.
12th September
The lady of the house offered to do my washing. Just finished when orders came to pack-up. Marched out with my spare underwear soaking in my pack. Arrived at another village about three kilometers from the Albert Canal. Enemy reported on the other side of the canal. On stand too for expected attacks by patrols coming over.
13th September
Marched out at 0700 to pick up transport to convey the Company to Murhout. Arrived late afternoon. Now resting in houses recently evacuated by the enemy.
14th September
Still in the same area busy drying clothes and preparing to go into action in the near future. Have to be on the alert for recce and fighting patrols coming over. So far everything is nice and peaceful.
15th September
PT in the forenoon to keep us occupied. Packed-up and ready to move at 2200. Still waiting at midnight.
16th September
Left the area at 0100 to put in an attack across the canal, "C" Company leading. They lost direction in the darkness with the result we didn't reach the canal before dawn. Seemingly the enemy is too strong for a daylight assault. Received orders to return to the village of Achterborch to await further instructions.
17th September
Moved out of the village at 1100 to another called Kivermont further up the canal in order to try to get across. Show cancelled owing to the strength of the enemy on the other side of the canal. Watched airborne Divisions going into attack at 1300. Sky full of planes and parachutes. The enemy, in our rear, flinging everything at them. A number of Dakotas came down in flames. A sight I will never forget.
18th September
Now lying in the outskirts of Gheel waiting to take over from the 44 Brigade who are having a rough time of it on the other side of the canal. Crossed over in assault boats just before midnight without taking casualties. 18 Platoon took over the forward positions from the RSF - a difficult operation in total darkness without making any noise.
19th September
Shelling and mortaring commenced in the early hours growing stronger as dawn broke. Guns concentrating on the canal. RE's trying to build a pontoon bridge. Unable to dig in more than a couple of feet. The land in this area is under water level even when we are standing in water at boot level. Will have to build up to give some kind of protection. Owing to the difficulty in movement 44 Brigade had to leave their dead. Beat off determined counter attack without suffering casualties. Gordons and HLI were able to advance about 100 yards during the hours of darkness.
20th September
Stand to at dawn watching my front. A German with a machine gun, about 150 yards got up and ran into nearby woods. Dawned on me afterwards that I should have shot at him: must have been half asleep. Another day of machine gun and shell fire.
Unable to get supplies owing to the crossing being under constant fire. CQMS wouldn't have a go until someone was able to fill him up with rum. He came over during the hours of darkness in a power operated boat with containers of hot meals, cursing the enemy at the top of his voice. He left the food and got back to the other side without a scratch.
Decided to crawl out of my trench to check how my Platoon was getting on. A tank or a SP gun must have been trained on the Platoon's position as a shell from the gun just missed my head. Decided to stay put. The powers that be decided to withdraw from this part of the canal.
After we left our positions in small groups the enemy must have sensed what what was happening as they gave us a real pounding. Returned to Gheel to wait further orders.
21st September
Resting, cleaning arms and equipment. A discussion was held about the last two day's operation. I had two killed and one or two bomb happy due to continual mortaring and shell fire. The Division was without support weapons during the canal crossing. The Corp was pushing forward all available weaponry to try to get through to the airborne troops at Arnhem. The 15th Scottish Division was used to hold as many of the enemy on the flank to try and help the relief through the narrow corridor to Arnhem. Seemingly it hasn't been a success. German patrols over the canal after dark to find out what is happening.
22nd September
Departed Cheel at 1300 by TCVs arriving at a small village ten miles over the Dutch border at 1500. The local turned out in full strength. Waited their for further instructions.
23rd September
On the move again in the forenoon, by TCVs, arriving early afternoon at Eindhoven - got a great welcome. Billeted with a young couple (Mr and Mrs Kalsbeek). They have a five year old son staying with them and a nine year old in occupied Holland. Food is very scarce, they are living mostly on their own garden produce. The son queued up with me for McConnichies M and V. Was issued with my monthly ration of one bottle of gin and one of whisky. By night time we were in a happy and sentimental mood.
24th September
Mr. Kalsbeek went with me to the local church. He refused to take part in the mass. The German occupation has made them very bitter. Received a payment of Dutch money but there is nothing to spend it on. Embussed for the north at 1900, cancelled at the last minute - what a cheer went up. The Battalion beat the retreat on the town square watched by a packed audience. Feeling a bit more relaxed as 18 Platoon now has a replacement officer. Take a load off my mind.
25th September
Reveille at 0500 to put-in an attack on the village of Best which is held by the enemy. The village is about ten miles from Eindhoven. TCVs conveyed us to our forming up area. "D" Company is to lead the attack. Our objective is an area to the left of the village. 18 Platoon advanced over a railway embankment in extended order to be met with concentrated fire from machine gun and mortar fire from the village.
The platoon went to ground trying to get some kind of cover in the open. Crawled over to my officer for instructions to find him dead with a head wound. Trying to make my mind up what to do, as there was no sign of movement when I called to the Platoon section leaders. The CSM crawled up to find what could be done. I was asking him if we could get some kind of covering fire as the Platoon was pinned down when he was killed by a bullet before he even had a chance to answer.
Company second in command came over to try to get things moving. He was killed coming over the embankment. Decided I had had it - started walking back for some kind of assistance as I could not get any movement from the Platoon as mortaring was still very heavy. If they were still alive no one was moving, nothing could live without covering fire to keep the enemys' heads down. Got to my feet, a sniper must have had me in his sights. His first shot went through the heel of my boot and knocked me down. The second missed my arm. The third went through my scalp and knocked me out for a short period.
When I came to, I though I was blind as the blood from my scalp had run into my eyes. Managed to get over the embankment; tied a shell dressing on to stop the bleeding. Came across "A" Company who had lost line of direction and didn't realise that "D" Company was out in front. The leading Platoon officer was wounded and losing the place. As a precaution I took his revolver off of him as he was firing it in the air.
Things being a bit hazy. the next thing I remember is getting the wound dressed at the RAP by the MO. Spoke to Padre O'Brien before a jeep took me to a clearing station at Gheel.
26th/27th September
Departed Gheel by ambulance in the forenoon arriving in Brussels by mid-day. Taken to the 39th British hospital. The ward was packed with American wounded from the Nijmegen bridgehead; mostly "Screaming Eagle" paratroopers. Waiting to be moved to somewhere in France as the hospital is to be prepared for further casualties resulting from heavy fighting along the Dutch front.
28th September
Reveille at 0630 all packed and ready to move. Cancelled at the last minute. Food is very scarce as are cigarettes. Unable to buy anything locally as I've only Dutch currency.
29th September
Departed Brussels for the south by Red Cross train at 1900. A slow but pleasant journey with plenty of nurses to attend to our needs. Still on the train at mid-night.
30th September
Arrived at Lille in France at 0830. Remained there for two hours. Had time to walk down the main street to stretch my legs. Entrained at mid-day arriving at the FDS, a mobile hospital on the outskirts of Amiens at 1600. The rain has made the place a bit of a quagmire.