The Story of the 79 Armoured Division

  The Pursuit

The Germans were quite unable to recover sufficiently from this blow to prevent a rapid advance to the Seine, and on the 25th of August, just over two weeks after the breakthrough South of Caen, British troops were established across the river. The enemy retired to the Somme but was forestalled by the 11th Armoured Division which, by a series of forced marches, captured on the 31st of August a bridge intact at Amiens.

The five German defence lines revealed by captured plans existed on paper only, and Brussels was liberated on the 4th of September, Antwerp the following day~General Patton's Third American Army which, by a stroke of fine generalship, General Montgomery had turned North almost outside the gates of Paris to cut the German retreat, was heading East taking the Maine and Meuse in its stride. Two famous names, Verdun and Sedan, returned, to allied hands on the 2nd; Metz and Nancy a few days later. General Hodges, recently appointed Commander of the First U. S. Army, having wheeled away from Argentan and Mortagne, was trying to catch up his colleague but moving on a more Northerly axis. His men captured Namur and seized crossings over the Meuse on September the 4th. The second Army dash had by now been halted on the general line of the Albert Canal, leaving most of Northern France and Western Belgium free of enemy. A certain amount of mopping up remained and most important of all, the whole Channel coast had still to be cleared. Owing to the pace of the pursuit, units of this Division were able to take little part in it. The enemy had no time to lay mines nor to man concrete defences; there was little attempt to stand in any force. A proportion of Crabs, AVREs and Crocodiles followed the leading armour in case of need. As it happened, they were not required.

  The Channel Ports

LE Havre and its promotory had already played an imporlong range fire had been aimed

at the landing beaches and from this port had gone forth E and U-boats to harry our shipping.

It had a garrison of 12,000 under a determined commander and was surrounded by strong fortifications, including an anti-tank ditch, a deep minefield on either side of the ditch, and many strong points.

1st British Corps was charged with the capture of Le Havre:

the assault was the responsibility of the 49th and 51st Divisions, each with a generous allotment of assault troops.

After a period of wet weather, the 10th of September dawned fine. A drying East wind was blowing and the heavy clay soil seemed to harden just enough to take tanks. It was Sunday afternoon, the sun was shining and French civilians had turned out in force; the sight of gay dresses and the shouts of excited children playing around the gun positions and even near the tank assembly areas lent the scene an air of unreality.

This was soon shattered when from 5 o'clock the town and its defences were subjected to half an hour of concentrated and extremely accurate bombing. This was followed by a heavy artillery programme, and at 5.45 the leading tanks moved off.

The 56th Brigade objective was the Southern plateau marked on the sketch map. 'A' Squadron, 22 Dragoons, began to flail three breaches through the minefield; two were half completed when, owing to heavy 'going' and consequent loss of flailing power, Crabs started to blow up on mines. In the right hand breach four were disabled in this' way, the fifth Crab in the troop completed and widened the gap to 20 feet. The centre lane was cleared to 24 feet with the loss of three Crabs and the left lane with the loss of two. One other Crab was hit by shell fire and brewed up. Much credit is due to Captain T. Barraclough (22 Dragoons) for the completion of these lanes.

The infantry went through these lanes supported by two troops of tanks, three troops of 'A' Squadron, 141 R.A.C. and a troop of 617 Assault Squadron RE. Two Crocodiles were lost on the start line and one knocked out in the minefield, leaving six to flame, which they did with gusto, and strong-point 5 gave in after eleven minutes.

An 88 mm got one AVRE, mines a second and a third became jammed between a carrier and a derelict tank, leaving three to help the Crocodiles against the strongpoints. They succeeded in destroying the 88 mm from a flank.

Infantry casualties had akeady been heavy and a fresh company was brought up to deal with strongpoints 6 and 7. By 2240 hours both had fallen and 40 odd prisoners taken. Strongpoint 8, a 51st Division objective, held up any further advance and AVREs and Crocodiles had an hour to wait before moving forward to the last objective.

In the centre of the 56th Brigade front, the minefield lay in front of the ditch and two troops of Crabs (one from each of 'A' and 'B' Squadrons, 22 Dragoons) started flailing on either side of the road, as shown on the map. In forty minutes the right troop had cleared a 24-feet breach to the ditch and at 1915 hours 222 Assault Squadron RE brought up an S.B.G. bridge. It was hit and so was a "Snake" which exploded. The reserve bridge was brought up, hit about 500 yards from the ditch and fell. For 20 minutes sappers worked under fire to winch it into position. By 2055 hours it was ready.

The road itself was believed clear of mines and was not flailed, but the "Jumbo" (Churchill bridgelayer), its track on a deep laid mine and 49th Divisional RE had to sweep a track round it. An AVRE which came up to tow off the "Jumbo" struck a mine and the road well and truly blocked. It was cleared next day.

On the left of the road all five Crabs, flailing through standing corn were, one by one, blown up on mines. The S.B.G. bridge was damaged by mortar fire, the "Snake" fired with difficulty, but the lane blocked by the troop commander's AVRE which itself hit a mine. This lane was abandoned.

The two breaches on the left, marked 'C' on the map, met equal trouble. In the first, three Crabs were knocked out by mines in the space of a few minutes: the lane was abandoned, and the surviving Crab (Cpl. Agnew, 22 Dragoons) made a second gap. This was completed to 24 feet by 1905 hours and down it went the infantry with two troops of 'A' Squadron, 141 RAC and a troop of 617 Squadron. It was the only lane open. Strongpoints I and 2 were soon taken: at 2035 hours the Crocodiles flamed No.3 which went up in smoke; but the Crocodiles got off course and missed No.4 which however fell later, disgorging about 30 prisoners. The Crocodiles then went for strongpoints 9 and 10 and wiped them out.

Meatwhile AVREs had bagged an 88 mm, knocked out a concrete pillbox at a range of 80 yards, and others were starting to bring up sledge-loads of sleepers to carpet the gaps. An infantry battalion passed through the minefield in Kangaroos (armoured personnel carriers, first used in the breakout South of Caen and soon to become part of 79th Armoured Division). They were supported by the remainder of 617 Squadron and entered the lanes in darkness. Their first objectives, strongpoints 9 and 10, had already been taken for them.

49th Divisional RE were trying to clear the road and track running South-West from Montivilliers and in particular that part short of strongpoint 9 which was heavily mined and blocked. Major J. 0. M. Alexander (Commai~ding 617 Assault Squadron RE) came to their rescue by leading five AVREs down from the plateau—on foot, in darkness, some 50 yards down a 40 degree slope sown with '5' mines. The AVREs demolished the road-block ('A' on the map) with 200 lb. of "808"' explosive, then cleared a second block (shown as 'B') to allow a bulldozer to fill in the crater. It went up on a mine but the job was finished by 7 in the morning.

Meanwhile the remaining three AVREs made two crossings over the River; Fontaine—under fire—using culverting and chespale. They swept the road, pulled away mines with signal cable and filled in craters. Dismounted Sappers could not have approached to do this.

Finally an AVRE brought an S.B.G. bridge 6,000 yards through the darkness only to drop it off on two unforeseen bumps 100 yards short of the stream. Fortunately it was not wanted. The infantry got across and the plateau was ours. The 51st (Highland) Division could not start their attack until midnight because they were overlooked in daylight from the high ground West of the airfield.

Visibility was about 30 yards when the three columns set out. In each case an AVRE led, followed by the Flail Troop Leader, then two AVREs with "Snakes", an AVRE with S.B.G. and finally the remaining Crabs and AVREs. Bomb craters made direction-keeping difficult, and, although coloured lights and tape had been put out, so inaccurate was the Bofors tracer that the right hand column (with AVRES from 284 Assault Squadron RE) overshot the salient of the ditch and had to come in around the corner. The other two columns (with AVREs from 16 Assault Squadron RE) also veered to the right. No mines were met before the ditch but progress was slow. One AVRE fell into the ditch. Then the "Snakes"' were blown successfully, and by 0240 hours the bridge in position. Fascines were dropped, Crabs of I Lothians & Border Yeomanry crossed and started flailing.

In the right lane, four out of five Crabs went up on mines— the same occurred in 'the centre 'but the left lane got through, the five Crabs were later all disabled on an unexpected minefield. The surviving Crabs succeeded in making two complete gaps which were shelled a good deal but the infantry was able to advance. One battalion took strongpoint 11, another seized the bridge East of the Fontaine-Ia-Mallet church and a third moved down the main road West of the Fontaine valley preparatory to attacking Mont Trottins.

One amusing incident is worth recording. A Scottish company commander was surprised when the German telephone rang in the dug-out he was using as his company headquarters. It was a routine call and he replied by inviting the German to surrender—this he refused to do but it was later discovered that other subscribers who had been listening in, accepted the invitation with some alacrity!

The North-East gun position was taken on by a troop of Crabs (from 'C' Squadron I Lothians & Border Yeomanry), three AVREs and half 'C' Squadron 141 R.A.C. accompanied by infantry; while another three AVREs, the other half of 'C' Squadron 141 R.A.C. and more infantry went for the Southern Post. Both positions were taken by 1600 hours.

Opposition was easing on the Southern plateau and by 1100 hours on the 11th the infantry, supported by 617 Squadron, were within 1,000 yards of the suburbs of Le Havre. AVREs took a gun position which yielded 200 prisoners.

East of the River Lezarde the infantry had some hard fighting in the orchards but 'C' Squadron 22 Dragoons beat a lane through a mined orchard by 1030 hours. The infantry attacked again at 1215 and the Crabs made two gaps for them blowing about 50 mines. Crocodiles of 'A' Squadron 141 R.A.C. sealed the enemy's fate and the position fell by 2 o'clock.

Earlier, other infantry had turned their attention to Harfleur (the scene of a famous siege by HenryV, 600 years before):

Crabs breached a minefield and the infantry formed up on the Route Nationale at 0730 hours. The hill known as "Oscar" was still held and, while the attack went in at midday, two AVREs and an armoured bulldozer started down "Route B (left)" with some infantry. Three road blocks were demolished with "Wade" charges, craters filled in and a barricade at road junction destroyed. The bulldozer dealt with a large double excavation, the AVREs assisted tanks in destroying enemy positions across the valley—and the whole force moved down to Harfleur.

On Route 'Ct AVREs filled in a ditch by felling trees with Petard fire—under heavy shelling and mortaring: they too moved into the town/

The next morning two AVREs entered the town by the left route; filled in craters, demolished a road block, clearing the way for infantry and tanks, reached the docks where they removed a road block with a "dustbin" and ended by taking 300 prisoners in a barracks to which they were led by an F.F.I. patrol. There they remained until the infantry relieved them and the rest of their troop arrived.

Meanwhile the strong position still holding out in the Southern Plateau was attacked. 617 Squadron met heavy opposition, including for 88 mm, and an AVRE was lost complete with crew. Another troop outflanked the position which surrendered at 1200 hours and 300 prisoners came out.

The work of the assault troops was over. 49th and 51st Divisions closed in and cleared the town which eventually surrendered. This operation was the first large-scale example of the Assault Team technique put into practise. In spite of very bad going, and by virtue of great gallantry on the part of Crab, Crocodile and AVRE crews alike, it succeeded. The lives of many infantrymen were saved (a fact much appreciated by the Corps and Divisional Commanders in letters of appreciation), and this well-planned operation enabled the object to be achieved in the shortest possible time.

The enemy reactions were interesting: the Crabs came as a novelty to them, they thought it madness when they heard tanks entering the minefields and were later dismayed at the results. Crocodiles they condemned as "unfair" and "un-British"—a nice compliment. One officer prisoner reported that a whole platoon, caught in the open had been burned to death. Had the guns been more stoutly manned there is no doubt that Crab, AVRE and Crocodile casualties would have been much higher.

Boulogne town was strongly Fortified. The girdle of hills surrounding it, and dominated by Mont Lambert in the East, had been covered with concrete forts, mutually supporting, with wire and very thick minefields. The town proper had its own fortifications—the harbour was shut off by wire and more concrete. The garrison was 10,000 strong.

The 3rd Canadian Division was to take the town—two brigades up.

HQ 31st Armoured Brigade had been placed under command of 79th Armoured Division in early September, and Brigadier G. S. Knight was given command of the 79th Armoured Division units to operate at Boulogne. They had just arrived after a long move from Le Havre where they had only finished fighting two or three days earlier.

The plan of assault, conceived by Lieutenant-General Simonds, 2nd Canadian Corps, was very original. It involved a reversal of the normal order of assault. The infantry were to seize and hold a penetration through the "crust", and the exploitation a further three miles into the centre of the town was to be carried out by three columns entirely armoured. Each column was commanded by a 79th Armoured Division Lieutenant-Colonel, and consisted largely of 79th Armoured Division components. The initial breaches were to be made by heavy bombers in great force using H.E. (not fragmentation). As soon as the bombing was over, infantry in Kangaroos were carried forward, dismounted where the cratering prevented further advance by Kangaroos, and occupied the area. Bulldozers were brought up and lanes were bulldozed through the devastation of the bombing to enable the armoured columns to go forward.

This new tactical procedure had a remarkable success at a very low price in casualties.These three armoured assault teams under 9th Canadian Brigade, each consisted of one troop of Crabs, two troops of Crocodiles and a half troop of AVREs.

The attack was preceded on the 17th of September by heavy bombing of the St. Martin Boulogne and Mont Lam-bert areas. 8th Brigade then attacked La Tresorerie in the North while 9th Brigade assaulted Mont Lambert and La Cocherie.

At 1100 hours a troop of 81 Squadron made a fascine crossing over the stream at Basse Clu~e and Crabs of 'C' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, crossed under an artillery barrage accompanied by infantry, and flailed a single lane to the objective with the loss of four Crabs. The remaining Flail doubled the gap, blowing 20 mines, and the lane became the Brigade axis.

More to the right, another crossing of the stream was made near the demolished bridge at Denacre to allow Crabs and infantry to cross. Another troop of 'C' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, flailed a lane to the objective by 1645 hours. This lane was not used after the first Canadian tank struck a mine missed by the Flails. Next day the demolished bridge was spanned by an SBG.9th Brigade infantry had meanwhile advanced in Kangaroos to La Coèherie supported by two AVREs. Other infantry, supported by one troop 87 Squadron, went for Mont Lambert itself — here progress was slow. The AVREs advanced down the main road petarding houses and defended positions and one was knocked out, complete with crew.

The special armoured columns were ordered forward in the late afternoon: their mission to seize bridges in the town over the River Liane. Column 'A' (commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Y. Dallmeyer, D.S.O., T.D., Commanding I Lothians & Border Yeomanry) set off at 1520 hours but was completely baulked by cratering and heaped rubble. None of the column got to the river that night but eight tanks succeeded in reaching the citadel. The column commander called a halt of the rest when in the darkness the leading Crocodile and Crab both vanished into craters, jamming further advance.

Column 'B' (Lieutenant-Colonel J. K. Shepheard, D.S.O., C.R.E. 6 Assault Regiment RE) made good progress till it reached the south-easterly main road on the outskirts of Boulogne. Here the enormous bomb craters ditched tanks right and left while heavy and accurate shell-fire plastered the road. The CRE's tank and bulldozer were knocked out.. and the CRE wounded. Lieutenant T. B. Sloan, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, did some good flailing but met no mines. The column at last got clear, leaving four tanks behind, and Lieutenant C. D. Gregory (141 R.A.C.) with a French taxi-driver as pilot, led them down the city streets where they met small opposition, but more craters.

At 1905 hours column 'B' reached their objective to find the bridge blown and Germans huddled beneath its arches. An uncomfortable night was spent in close leaguer by the river; streets and embankment were patrolled and all visible bridges reported blown.

At 0630 hours 18th September, 'A' column's advance continued. Outside the Citadel, which was surrounded by a high wall and had only two gates, an infantry company was held up by machine gun fire. A Sherman (Sgt. W. Grant, Lothians) located and destroyed four gun positions on its walls while the rest of the column entered the market-square where they were greeted by white flags and Lieutenant Sloan of 'B' column. The advance guard made for the river, and other tanks for the Citadel gate where three mines were removed and two Shermans entered.

They were not the first to arrive; the two AVREs left to support the company pinned by machine gun fire, petarded the main gate and demolished the rails which blocked it. At this moment white flags appeared on the battlements and the Adjutant came out with 30 men to arrange surrender. Almost simultaneously Canadian infantry appeared inside the Citadel having been shown a secret entrance by a Frenchman. The AVREs helped to round up two to three hundred prisoners.

Column 'B' had during the night been reinforced by a company of infantry and in the morning three parties, each accompanied by a platoon of infantry, set out hunting. Lieutenant Sloan's party met column 'A' in the marketsquare. Lieutenant Gregory shot up enemy transport in the area of column 'C's target bridge. The thir&party of Crocodiles rounded up about 200 prisoners who emerged from a tunnel. A gun from the Chemin Vert position found the range of column Headquarters but was knocked out with H.E. by Major R. de C. Vigors, Commanding 'C' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry. At 1700 hours 'B' column was ordered to withdraw to reserve; on the way back an AVRE was hit by AP and brewed-up, but the crew escaped. Meanwhile the attack on Mont Lambert had not been a success and column 'C' (Lieutenant-Colonel H. Waddell, Commanding 141 R.A.C.) was called upon to support the infantry. The fresh attack began at 0700 hours on 18th September; while 'A' Squadron, I .Lothians & Border Yeomanry, kept Herquelinque under heavy fire the rest of the column assaulted the steep slopes in two teams each of a Crab, two Crocodiles, three AVREs, two troops of tanks and a company of infantry. The Churchills got up with difficulty but the Shermans took an hour longer. There was little opposition by now, only a few stray shells from Boulogne, and the position was a "field day" for the AVREs and Crocodiles.

Four AVREs under Captain A. Ritchie, RE. went up the slope to the last massive stronghold, fired their Petards and out came the Germans. Another pillbox received salvoes from six Petards and more Germans appeared. By 1100 hours Mont Lambert surrendered: General Heim, the Garrison Commander, had withdrawn to Le Portel.Crabs shot the infantry into Le Chemin Vert, which position fell at 1700 hours.

At 1800 hours column 'C' moved slowly through the maze of cratered streets towards its target bridge. On the way they collected 50 prisoners and knocked out a machine gun and a 105 mm. At Ostrohove a Crab (Serjeant James, 'A' Squadron Lothians) brought 50 Germans out of a house with one round of 75 mm. At the main cross-roads before the bridge, the pilot Churchill (Lieutenant K. Macksey, 141 R.A.C.) was knocked out by an anti-tank gun and blocked the road. The column halted until morning.

Next day, realising the bridge had gone, they went for the Sugar Factory and brought down heavy fire from the enemy side of the river. At 1200 hours the position surrendered at the encouragement of Lieutenant Macksey which was their prisoner. Some 300 Germans emerged, and column 'C' was released to reserve.

Meanwhile infantry had been shot across the river by armour brought up overnight. Crabs followed and went into Outreau while two troops of 87 Assault Squadron RE. supported from a distance, owing to mines, the infantry attack on the gun position West of the village. One AVRE (Lieutenant J. C. Ramsey, RE) was hit but the crew got away under smoke.

At 1545 Captain M. Crickmay, RE, who had commanded the advance guard of column 'A' with great skill and gallantry, took a force of two AVREs, two Crocodiles, a Crab and two Shermans across the river to support the infantry attack on Honriville. After hard going through a built-up area they reached a hill where the infantry had seen a gun and some blockhouses. The leading Crocodile ditched itself and the second tried to unditch him under heavy fire. Its trailer was hit and went up in flames. Captain Crickmay petarded two blockhouses and Crabs under Lieutenant P. S. Newman (1 Lothian & Border Yeomanry) flailed about 20 yards and blew four mines. Soon after, Captain Crickmay's AVRE was hit — twice — and he was killed. The other AVRE fell into a crater and Lieutenant Newman ordered the force to retire, less the ditched crews, all of whose tanks, except the first AVRE, were recovered by the light of the burning trailer. Lieutenant Newman distinguished himself in this and the final action described below.

Although by the night of the 19th the town proper was cleared, Wimille in the North held out until Crocodiles flamed it on the 20th; and Wimereux was only taken on the 21st.

There was hard fighting in the docks, and the factory area over the river and bulldozers were over-worked clearing rubble. Le Portel and Fort de Ia Creche, both very strong positions, were untaken although 'A' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, had destroyed a coastal gun at the former.

The last attack was launched on the 21st: infantry took Nocquet with fire and flame support from two troops of 'C' Squadron, 141 R.A.C.: Fort de la Creche did not fall until 24 hours later, on the 22nd and Le Portel, the core of the whole defence, was assaulted that afternoon. Two teams of Crabs, AVREs, and Crocodiles stood ready to reduce the Northern fort, and another team, led by Lieutenant R. W. Grundy, 141 R.A.C., went into action against the Southern fort. Before a shot was fired, a white flag was spotted and Lieutenant Grundy came back carrying Lieutenant General Heim, the Garrison Commander, who surrended to the 3rd

•Canadian Divisional Commander at 1630 hours.

It was obvious that a very large share of the credit for this operation was due to the men of 79th Armoured Division who took part. The assault columns had been unlucky, the heavy bombing had defeated its object; but th~ assault team technique, used this time in a variety of ways, was again a success.

Boulogne with its harbour was a valuable prize to the Allies and its capture a fine chapter in the history of 79th Armoured Division.

THE CROCODI LE S AT REST

The American Army had no special devices, and when it became evident that the Germans were prepared to fight hard for Brest, but recently in use as a submarine base and with a harbour that might be of use to the Allies; General I~radIey asked for some Crocodiles.

'B' Squadron 141 R.A.C. was selected and Major I. N. Ryle, the Squadron Commander, went on ahead to plan the operation, while the tanks covered the 400 odd miles on transporters.

Their task was the reduction of Fort Montbarey, on the West of the town — an old casemated fort with walls strengthened by earth and surrounded by a moat forty feet wide and fifteen deep. Three lines of defence consisted of 40 mm and 20 mm gun positions, with to the North and West an anti-tank ditch, and a minefield of 300 lb. naval shells. The Garrison numbered 250 men.

On the morning of the 14th of September U.S. engineers, under fire cover from the Squadron gun tanks and from self-propelled guns, swept and taped a lane under heavy fire. One' infantry company went through this gap in the minefield and along a sunken road but was halted by vicious fire 200 yards from the fort.

A Churchill (Captain J. L. Cobden) went under heavy fire to see if ditch and road were passable. On his return a troop of Crocodiles (Lieutenant H. A. Ward) led the infantry in their attack, covered by the Squadron gun tanks and self-propelled guns, while mortars put down smoke. The second Crocodile struck a 300 lb. shell, which blew it up; the driver was killed and crew wounded. A path had to be swept round it. Meanwhile Lieutenant Ward advanced, crossed all obstacles and started burning up machine and anti-tank gun positions and snipers. This put the infantry through the first two lines by which time the Crocodile had exhausted every drop of fuel, every round of 75 and twenty belts of Besa. Lieutenant Ward turned towards home after having seen the infantry well placed around the fort. The Crocodile, as bad luck would have it, fell into a ten-foot tank trap at the precise moment when Germans started to come out with white flags. They soon changed their tune and the position looked awkward when Captain Cobden appeared with three gun tanks and some engineers fighting as infantry. But one tank (Corporal Briggs) fell into another trap, Captain Cob-den's shed a track, and the third (Lieutenant H. L. Hare) stuck in a crater. The engineers took 30 prisoners, the tanks got out despite sniping and headed for home. On the way back they collected more prisoners, bringing the day's bag to six officers and 116 other ranks. Lieutenant Hare's tank hit a shell, the driver and co-driver were killed and crew wounded.

The day's work had accounted for two 50 mm guns, a 105 mm field gun and two strongpoints, but the fort was not yet taken.

On the morning of the 16th the battle was rejoined: one troop of Crocodiles (Serjeant Decent) supported by direct fire from every available tank and self-propelled gun, crept up to the fort and rolled their, flame over the moat. A gun tank pounded the main gate and three prisoners emerged. One was sent back to call for surrender—this was refused, so two more troops (Lieutenants C. Shone and T. P. ConI way) gave the fort all the flame and HE they had, to the accompaniment of all guns at hand. Phosphorous and mortar bombs rained; down/and a 105 mm gun pumped 200 more rounds into the gate. As the fire shifted to the Northern edge, the sappers, under smoke, blew charges against the wall and the infantry went in.

An officer with white flag greeted them: he and his 30 men were being suffocated by smoke and phosphorous, the outhouses were blazing and after a little hand-to-hand fighting, all was over.

The Germans expressed their respect for flame and showed how effectively casemates had been penetrated and crews burned alive.

These actions are worthy of mention. First, to reUord the gallantry of the men of 'B' Squadron, 141 R.A.C., many of whom later received decorations from General Simpson the Commander of the Ninth U. &Army: and secondly because it was the first of many occasions in which men of 79th Armoured Division fought iii support of American units.

General W. E. SANDS, Commanding 29 U.S. Infantry Division wrote:

"The flame thrower tanks were an important factor in the capture of Fort Montbarey. Their successful use can be attributed to . . . splendid cooperation between the infantry battalion commander and the flamethrower Squadron Commander .~. .; to the great courage displayed by the British Flame Thrower Unit and the American Infantry which took part in this attack; the skilful employment of the flame thrower tanks..., and the effective use of their 75 mm and machine guns against the enemy in the fort and outlying positions."

CAP GRIS NEZ AND CALAIS

AFTER Boulogne—Calais and Cap Gris Nez; Gris Nez with its long range guns that had for four years menaced shipping and the coast of England. These were sited in two battery positions, one at Framzelle and the other at Haringzelles. The former had four 15 inch guns and the latter four 11 inch; each position protected by 88 and 75 mm in concrete and a belt of mines. At Onglevert was a concrete strongpoint facing landward with two 75 mm and machine guns in concrete.

This latter position was knocked out long before the assault on the Cape proper started. On the 13th of September 'A' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry (Major D. R. R. Pc-cock), backed up by infantry, put down 550 rounds of tank 75 mm HE, fired indirectly, from a range of 5,000 yards. This unusual tank action resulted in the silencing of all guns, the setting alight of an ammunition dump which burned for six hours, and the capture of 25 prisoners.

3rd Canadian Division decided to direct one Brigade (7th Brigade) onto Calais, another (8th Brigade) onto the Escalles feature and 9th Brigade to take Gris Nez last of all.

On September the 25th, after heavy bombing, 7th and 8th Brigades attacked together, the former's first, objective being the Chateau Pigache position. At 1130 hours 'B' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, started flailing their way through the suspected minefield; they met no mines, only Germans with white flags. They waited on their objective until the infantry could come up, which was not until 1300 hours because the bomb-line ran through Chateau Pigache. The Squadron was then released.

On the left, while infantry attacked Belle Vue, 'C' Squadron 22 Dragoons remained back at Peuplingue where they were shelled and sniped all day. The infantry were held up on the ridge short of Belle Vue and called for help from tanks. 'A' Squadron 141 R.A.C. opened fire on the fort which was afterwards found to contain many dead and wounded Germans. Other infantry, assisted by AVREs of 81 Squadron, reduced five of the pillboxes to the East and were then held up. Two Crocodiles came to the rescue and flamed an underground dump and a pillbox. One developed a "run-away" gun and the pillbox was left burning.impossible as the road had a sheer drop on one side and cliff face on the other.

At 1530 hours a troop of 'C' Squadron 22 Dragoons flailed a path towards Belle Vue, found no mines and the infantry passed through, taking the position by 1730 hours. Supported by fire from Crabs, Crocodiles and AVREs, the infantry also cleared the Headquarters position at Le Grand Cour by 2000 hours.

8th Brigade found the gun positions at Noires Mottes a formidable task, with their four 16 inch guns in concrete, other guns and machine guns, wire, mines, anti-tank ditch and the naturally steep slope.

Crabs of 'C' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, led the way up from the re-entrant to the South. Two troops flailed a narrow lane, under fire support from the rest of the Squadron and Canadian tanks, between the craters and almost to the position itself. There they were stuck and a Conger was brought forward and fired. Meanwhile the third troop went with Captain 13. March, RE. to the West where craters were fewer. A lane was cleared, exploding some 35 mines and cutting through two double apron wire fences; infantry, followed by the Crabs, AVREs and some Crocodiles, got through this gap and the one made by the Conger and took the position.

The rest of the feature was no easier to take, the ridge being constantly shelled by such long range guns at Calais and Gris Nez as had landward traverse: these were of course out of range to the tanks who did succeed in knocking out an 88 mm on the beach.

To encourage the infantry, Captain March started off with a mixed force of tanks. His AVRE led the way down the steep slope, and after about 200 yards fell over the edge of a block-house. Cratering was bad and a Crocodile soon ditched, got free and lost its trailer on a mine. But the tank could not be started until the commander (Lieutenant I. W. Sutherland Sherriff, 141 R.A.C.) obtained batteries from a German position during the night. After the second Crocodile had its trailer hit four times and the third had lost four bogies from direct hits, the advance petered out. After a wet night the position surrendered to the infantry.

On the 26th, infantry started along the coast road to Calais supported by two Crocodiles, a command Churchill, and some Canadian armour. Heavy machine gun and 20 mm fire greeted them when they reached Ferme Tournant and the Shermans withdrew, but the Crocodiles went ahead just missing the minefield and cleared the dunes as far as Ferme Oyez. The troop leader (Captain J. L. Hall, 141 R.A.C.) reconnoitred on foot a way to Ferme Trouille, which was actually beyond the infantry objective, and the Crocodiles went forward and from there shot infantry onto the dunes. They were shelled at the farm until dark.

Next day Captain Hall took his Churchill and the Canadian Shermans to positions from where they could give fire support to infantry attacking Fort Lapin. In spite of heavy fire the Churchill shot them onto their objective.

To return to Gris Nez. Haringzelles was attacked on the 29th. AVREs of 284 Assault Squadron RE made two fascine crossings over the River du Noirde which eI)abled Crabs of 'C' Squadron I Lothians & Border Yeomanry to get across and clear two lanes into the position. Other Crabs gave fire support while the lanes were completed and a troop of Crocodiles advanced down each path. Of the left troop, one was ditched, a second had its track blown off but the third got through and flamed. Although flame could not be poured into the gun turrets, crews came out as soon as they realised that the minefield was breached and their expectation of life poor.

The right troop induced anti-tank gun crews to surrender after a dose of flame and then fired high explosive into the fort at Cran-aux-Oeufs. Infantry put in their attack led by Crabs, all of which bar one bogged on the way down the hill. When this failed, another troop tried to make a second breach under cover from the rest of the Squadron. Every tank struck mines and one brewed-up but the infantry managed to get through and take the fort.

Framzelle was tackled at the same time. A troop of AVREs under Captain 13. C. Pattenden RE started off at 0645 hours from the road Tardinghen—Ongleyert. They had to cross two streams and climb the mined and cratered slope to the gun positions. Progress was slow; at one time three AVREs were bogged and the other three towing them out. In view of cratering it was decided not to use 'a Conger but to risk mines and take a winding path through the belt. Captain Pattenden got through the mines and two double apron fences and opened fire. The AVRE behind him broke its track but two more AVREs under Lieutenant D. K. R. Lawson. RE made 'a second path and deployed to the right to cope with pillboxes. These surrendered but Lieutei~ant Lawson was wounded.

By this time Captain Pattenden and his crew, whose AVRE had broken down, had put a Beehive on the casemate of No. 4 gun but were forestalled by the Germans who surrendered. No. I gun followed suit immediately.

The last position around the lighthouse was subjected to an hour and half's shelling from Crabs, Shermans and some self-propelled guns, followed by an artillery concentration. Under this cover infantry approached on the right and as soon as the fire lifted, went in—while two troops of Crocodiles and three AVREs entered the village of Framzelle which they laid waste with fire and flame. White flags were seen flying from the lighthouse and Lieutenant A. G. S. Wilson (141 R.A.C.) walked through the minefield and brought back the Deputy German Commander who surrendered the remainder of his force.

The German flag from Gris Nez taken by the I Lothians & Border Yeomanry was presented by them to the Mayor of Dover.

Crocodiles were used once again on the 30th when the fort East of Les Barraques had to be taken. It was surrounded by~ water on three sides and was taken solely by Sherman 17-pounder fire and flame shot across the water. It also discouraged another fort and some huts over a mile away, who put out white flags with eager rapidity.

AVREs. were also used the same day to help in the clearance of a class 40 route into Calais from the South.

Calais itself fell to the Canadians on September the 30th.

The coast of France was clear from Brest to Calais; Dunkirk was invested and remained so until the final surrender. Most important of all the Channel was open. Allied shipping could "go about their lawful occasions", and London and the South coast of England was no longer threatened by 'V' bombs and long-range guns from the Pas-de-Calais. Judging from the strange constructions found there, in addition to the countless rocket sites, it was as well that the invasion had been no later. Many a delay had been imposed by the R.A.F. whose bombing of the sites had been magnificent, as anyone who visited them will admit; but given another year of freedom to develop and to build, there is no saying how near the Germans might have come to their avowed aim of "blasting our cities one by one".

Canadian troops had cleared the coast but without the special devices of 79th Armoured Division the operation would have proved a much more costly affair both in men, machines and time.

  Southern Holland

'WHILE the freeing of the Channel coast occupied the attention of First Canadian Army and most of 79th Armoured Division, Second Army entered Holland. After the great pursuit through Belgium which had brought his troops to the general line of the Meuse—Escaut Canal from Gheel westward, Field Marshal Montgomery decided to launch the First British Airborne Corps (LieutenantGeneral F. A. M. Browning).

He knew that behind his screen of outpost positions, the enemy was starting to prepare a series of very strong defensive positions based on the major water obstacles. Although the lines of communication stretching 'back to Normandy were over 400 miles, he considered it a justifiable risk to embark on a major operation. In the event, it did not achieve all he had hoped for but the result did, nevertheless, more than justify the risk taken.

The airborne forces were to capture intact the bridges at Grave, Nijmegen and Arnhem and to dominate the country between Eindhoven and Arnhem and to the immediate North of that town. Second Army was to link up with and relieve the airborne troops, then exploit to the Zuider Zee, thereby cutting off communications between the Western Netherlands and Germany.

The operation started on September the 17th and came to a virtual end on the 26th. The forward units then held a channel with troops astride the main road as far as the South bank of the Rhine below Arnhem and, on the West, below Renkum.

To sweep the Germans from the land West of the Maas took Second Army the best part of two months.

  The openinq of Antwerp

The town of Antwerp fell to 11th Armoured Division on the 5th September but the approaches to the harbour through the estuary of the Scheldt remained in German hands. The task of clearing the Southern bank had started before the fall of Calais. Dunkirk was by-passed, Ostend seized, and the old towns of Bruges and Ghent already ours Th Germans were clinging onto a strip of land~from just West of Terneuzen Zeebrugge, stretching in land as far as The Leopold Canal.

THE CROSSING OF SAVOYAARDS PLAAT

The 3rd Canadian Division was charged with eliminating the German division in possession and had already a small bridgehead over theCana1. A frontal attack was likely to meet heavy opposition so it was decided to hit the Gerrnan left flank by ferrying infantry across Savoyaards Plaat The channel a few miles West of Terneuzen.

With future amphibious operations in view, five quadrons of Assault R.E. had recently been equipped and, trained with Buffaloes (tracked amphibians) and Terrapins (the British Dukw). This force, which consisted of 5Assault Regiment RE complete and. 82: Assault Squadron of 6Regiment was concentrated in the area St. Nicholas. The..squadrons of 5Regiment manned 100 Buffaloes an 82 Squadron 40 Terrapins:their task.— to put 9th Canadian lnfantry brigade ashore and then supply them until they had linked up with 7th.Btrigade over the Canal.

After a demonstration to the infantry, the Buffalows loaded personnel and vehicles and set off up the Canal in which all obstructions had.been lighted. The locks at Neuzen had been damaged and two wooden ramps built to enable Buffaloes to reach the outer harbour by land. The ramps had not been perfectly constructed and gave way after a short time: thereafter craft had to be winched over by bulldozers with the result that only 30 were ready in time and the operation was postponed. 24~hours

Incriminating signs, marking lamps tapes etc. were removed two gaps in the dyke were netted over the buffaloes retired in darkness to areas wherethey could not be seen from the observation post 1n Ellewoutsdijk church,

The crossing was scheduled for 0200 hours on the 8th of October and at that hour two Buffalo flotillas set sail in bright moonlight and under the very nose of the guns on South Beveland. Assisted by a naval officer, Captain F. T. Forde. RE navigated from a motor boat with a compass, and by dint of this and Bofors '~tracer", the craft touched down on the two beaches selected—five minutes behind schedule. Tactical surprise was complete. The assault infantry were dropped short of the dyke, while reconnaissance parties called Buffaloes in by lamp. Some were bogged on mud banks but got off and the maintenance ferry service started. Machine guns opened up in daylight but did as little harm as the long range guns of Flushing. The reserve battalion which crossed in daylight was shelled both on water and land—there were no Buffalo casualties, largely due to an excellent smoke screen across the head of the "Plaat". Shelling of Terneuzen and the original gaps in the dyke, gained the Germans nothing.

After a night's rest, ferrying was resumed and Terrapins now took part, landing, at high tide only, on a special Chespale mat.

By the 10th it was obvious that there was no future in continuing the frontal attack and 7th Brigade was withdrawn from the Leopold Canal and ferried across the Savoyaards Plaat to pass through 9th Brigade. That night the divisional reconnaissance regiment crossed too.

Although sorely in need of repair and maintenance, Buffaloes were not released until the l2th'when Terrapins alone carried on. 880 loads had been carried, including 680 vehicles and guns.

Casualties among Assault RE were light: 1~our, other ranks killed, two officers and twenty other ranks wounded. Three Buffaloes were lost, one after a collision, one bogged and hit and one as a result of a direct hit while afloat; almost every one was mechanically unfit. -

The infantry were to cross the Scheldt in Buffaloes and the allocation of Squadrons (all under command 1st Assault Brigade RE) A word of explanation: II Royal Tanks (Lieutenant-Colonel R. Dixon) had formerly been in 79th Armoured Division as part of 1st Tank Brigade. Now the battalion was back under command and equipped this time with Buffaloes. The Staffordshire Yeomanry had landed in France in LCTs on 'D' Day as part of 27th Armoured Brigade. Later selected to man DD tanks, they were given elementary training in England, and returned to Belgium where they eventually came under command 79th Armoured Division. 'B' Squadron (Major J. Turner) only, had completed its training and was therefore nominated to take part in the South Beveland landing.

The assembly area was Terneuzen and Buffaloes, DD tanks and infantry gathered there on October -the 23rd. Fortunately a 24-hour postponement occurred which allowed more time for loading. The last of the infantry only arrived in the late evening of the 23rd having travelled straight from their port of disembarkation.

At 0245 hours on 25th October 'A' and 'B' flotillas set sail from Terneuzen guided by LCA. The night was dark but clear, and the red marker lamps on the South bank could be seen plainly, as could the Bofors tracer.

The journey amounted to eight or nine miles but flotillas touched down within 5 minutes of schedule. The enemy on "Amber" beach fired a few perfunctory rounds before beating a hasty withdrawal and the Buffalo reconnaissance party was able to go ashore. Ten minutes later the first craft were called in, climbed the dyke and started inland. Two were bogged but some of the remainder were able to carry the infantry about one mile inland to within a few hundred yards of their objective.

The twenty Mark II Buffaloes (personnel carriers only) dropped their load on the beach and before long were mortared, causing casualties, including the 156th Brigade reconnaissance party. The setting up of a beach group organisation was delayed by this and by the unexpected steepness of the landward side of the dyke — which was eventually breached by RE.

'A' flotilla ran into -heavier fire on "Green" beach- and the dyke slopes proved slippery and hard to negotiate; but the Buffaloes succeeded both in carrying one company inland and landing the balance of men and vehicles on the shore. This beach was later abandoned and all traffic diverted to "Amber".

The DD tanks swam ashore at 1000 hours in good formation. They were unable to land at the selected spot, and came ashore not far from "Amber" beach. The dyke was too steep for all but four of them which used the Buffalo ramp. One tank was sunk in collision with a Buffalo and another broke its final drive on the dyke. The DD's became mud-bound except for the four which were able to operate inland to a limited extent.

Meanwhile 'C' flotilla brought the reserve battalion onto "Amber" beach at about 1100 hours — this without much difficulty.

Maintenance was done from loading areas North of Oossflisse, which had been carefully laid out, marked and lighted. The build-up was on the whole successful and averaged out at 15 Buffalo loads an hour from 0900 hours on the 26th — based on a 5-hour turn-round.

That night there was fog and many Buffaloes got lost and the ferrying delayed but not stopped. Search-lights and Bofors tracer were of help.

The carriage of 157th Brigade went on during the 27th and 28th in spite of heavy rain and consequent mud. This factor influenced a change of maintenance area to Terneuzen where ramps existed.

By this time the whole of 5 Assault Regiment RE (including 82 Assault Squadron RE and some Buffaloes from 11 Royal Tanks to make up numbers) had moved over to Ostend where they were to load aboard LCT for the invasion of Walcheren. Approximately two Squadrons of II Royal Tanks continued to ply between.South Beveland and the mainland, at the rate of 12 Buffaloes every 2 hours: this ceased on the 30th, by which time most of 156th and 157th Brigades were across, the causeway open, and the island all but cleared of enemy.

Over 700 Buffalo and Terrapin loads had been carried to South Beveland, and during return journeys a mixture of British wounded, civilian refugees and over 600 German prisoners transported to the mainland.

This operation was instructive: it confirmed first the importance of adequate reconnaissance for Buffaloes and DD tanks alike; second, the necessity for some form of prepared exit for DD tanks if banks are known to be at all difficult (air photographs are often misleading in this respect): and third, that, provided routes, loading and offioading areas, entrances and exits are well marked by day and night, an amphibian operation with Buffaloes will be a success.

WALCHEREN

The last German foothold on the Scheldt remained to be seized. The island of Walcheren had already a place in English history as the scene of a disastrous expedition in 1809, the failure of which inspired the famous rhyme:

"Lord Chatham with his sabre drawn

Stood waiting for Sir Richard Strachan

Sir Richard longing to be at 'em

Stood waiting for the Earl of Chatham."

This time the expedition was planned by 4th Commando Brigade and 30th Armoured Brigade in conjunction with an especially formed Naval force of landing and support craft. The island of Walcheren is shaped like a saucer, the centre being largely below high water level. Some weeks before the occupation of South Beveland, in view of the strength of the all-round defences of the island, Lieutenant-General Simonds (Commander 2nd Canadian Corps and officiating Commander First Canadian Army), had decided to flood the island. The R.A.F. had breached the seaward dykes in four places, viz: one mile North-West of Flushing, half a mile South of Westkapelle, one mile North-West of Veere and three miles East of Flushing; as a result of which the whole of the island, with the exception of the coastal belt of dunes, the town of Middleburg and the high canal banks of the Flushing-Veere canal, was flooded or saturated at high tide.

Walcheren was defended by a force about 10,000 strong comprising Army, Naval and German Air Force personnel. This force, though heterogeneous, was firmly determined to deny to the Allies use of the port of Antwerp, a task which in the words of the German Commander was considered "decisive for the further conduct of the War".

Coastal guns of up to 150 mm were sited on the West coast, in the North at Domburg, and on either flank of Flushing.

Underwater and beach obstacles existed in many places, but although none of the former were in fact met, an assortment of hedgehogs, posts, ramps and Element 'C' was encountered on dyke and beach.

Much concrete was in evidence, including gun casemates and machine gun positions in coastal defence positions and pillboxes and dragons teeth in gaps in the dunes and in the perimeter defence outlay of Flushing.

Rocket projectiles and flame-throwers were sited in groups among the dunes, designed to fire beach or landwards..

Minefields were found in the dunes, consisting of mines of all types; also along the dykes and in a few places inland. The assault on the island of Walcheren was carried out from two directions: with strong Air and Naval support in the South the assault on Flushing by No.4 Commando followed up by 155th Infantry Brigade: 'A' Squadron, 11 Royal Tanks, was used from Breskens in support of these forces. In the West, the assault on the Westkapelle area by 4th Commando Brigade less No.4 Commando.

One regiment of Buffaloes in LCT (combined 11 Royal Tanks and 5 Assault Regiment RE) was used to transport these Commandos from Ostend to the island. In addition, a special team of 79th Armoured Division vnits. was carried by LCT, landing on flanks of the breach in the dyke South-West of Westkapelle. This breach was now some 200 yards wide and the tide poured through at a rate up to 8 knots which made any crossing of the breach extremely hazardous. The team consisted of: ten Flails and two Sherman gun tanks of 'A' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, eight AVREs of 87 Squadron, 6 Assault Regiment. RE (four carrying SBG's and two fascines) and four bulldozers attached from 149 Assault Park Squadron; all under command of Major D. R. R. Pocock, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry.

They had three main tasks, first, to breach obstacles on the Westkapelle dyke and get into fire positions on the dyke. Secondly, to give fire 'support to the Commandos attacking Westkapelle. And thirdly, to support Commandos as necessary and as possible during the rest of the operation.

In the early hours of November the 1st, marine patrols landed successfully at Flushing and called forward No.4 Commando in LCA's from Ostend, followed by 'A' Squadron, 11 Royal Tanks, carrying 155th Brigade of 52nd Division from Breskens direct to Flushing. The Commando landed successfully at dawn with very few casualties. The following wave of Buffaloes came in under heavy fire but also succeeded in landing, losing about 15 per cent. It was an astonishing achievement in view of the great strength of the defences, enormous number of mines, both under water and above, and the size of the garrison. The Commando landed apparently at the only feasible spot that was not mined. During the period Ist—2nd November eighty-four trips were made by the Buffaloes, resulting in a lift of about 250 tons.

The assault in the West started with a Naval bombardment from 0830 hours on the 1st, during which H.M.S. 'Warspite" and the Monitors "Erebus" and "Roberts" pounded the coastal guns and defences, while rocket craft approached to engage them.

Clouds were low and air support impossible, even to the extent that the Naval bombardment lacked spotting planes, until an artillery observer plane flew out from the mainland and admirably directed their fire.

The discharges from rocket craft fell short and fire support for the assault was thus confined to the support landing craft which approached to within 1,000 yards of the shore and took the main brunt of the coast batteries. 75 per cent of these craft were lost in this gallant action which enabled the craft carrying the Buffaloes to beach just North of the bombed gap in the sea wall.

The Buffaloes set off inshore under heavy shell fire and landed 41 Commando on the North shoulder of the gap and 48 Commando on the South shoulder.

The LCT carrying the 79th. Armoured Division assault teams came in after 41 Commando. One craft was hit repeatedly, the SBG bridge shot away from its AVRE and a fascine AVRE (Serjeant J. Black, 87 Assault Squadron RE) set on fire. By the efforts of its crew, explosives were jettisoned and the fire put out. The craft was later ordered to withdraw back to Ostend.

One LCT ("Cherry") was hit hard astert~ and had many casualties, forcing it to withdraw and come in later. The third ("Bramble") was able to touch down among broken boulders. The first AVRE to get ashore bellied, so the craft pulled out and beached on sand further South. Two Crabs made heavy going of it but got up the beach: a bulldozer fol!owed but the SBG was hit by a shell and the AVRE stuck. The LCT ("Cherry") beached further South and off-loaded all but one Crab, which was inextricably tangled up in the bridge wrecked by fire. The bulldozer, in an attempt to recover the bellied AVRE off "Bramble", sank itself in a quicksand.

About this time Serjeant A. Ferguson ('A' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry) fired eleven rounds of 75 mm at the church tower East of Westkapelle which was being used as an observation post. The tower burst into flames and Germans came running out.

Westkapelle had been almost cleared by the Commandos but heavy shelling and mortaring of beaches went on. All over the shore Buffaloes and "Weasels" (small amphibious carriers) were searching for an exit. Two Buffaloes loaded with ammunition were burning fiercely, in fact the~ beach

• was covered in smashed and burning vehicles and casualties were mounting.

The fourth LCT ("Apple") landed on the left. The first Crab (Lieutenant S. A. Miller, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry) got ashore but stuck when it tried to tow the second off. The bridge AWE disembarked, laid its SBG over some bad "going", crossed it, then bogged, which blocked the way of the second AVRE already on the bridge. In spite of all efforts both tanks were drowned by the rising tide.

The tanks had found a small gap through the rocks but the sand was soft and they spoilt it completely for other vehicles. However, by dint of great perseverance and sterling work under shell and mortar fire by A. Q. M. S. Evans (REME) and his L.A.D. personnel assisted by Sgt. T. Hickson (Lothians) and others, two Shermans, two AVREs, two Crabs and a bulldozer reached the village. They worked right through it dealing with road-blocks and houses and filling in craters with the bulldozed rubble and trees. They then waited by the tower ready to support any advance by the Commandos. That night the tide through the breach rose so high that the two Crabs were drowned, further reducing Major Pocock's force.

Fifteen Buffaloes were put out of action in landing or on the beaches. Little difficulty was experienced with obstacles; stakes on dykes were easily snapped off and hedgehogs mostly avoided. In places large stones were encountered and vehicles trying to avoid them became bogged. Many vehicle casualties were caused by mines and shelling. By late afternoon unloading was complete and for the next two days Squadrons were constantly employed maintaining their respective Commandos: 26 Squadron with 40 and 41 Commandos, 77 Squadron with Commando Brigade Headquarters and RE, 80 and 82 Squadrons with 47 and 48 Commandos respectively and 79 Squadron engaged in assisting the medical units ashore. 80 Squadron operated South of Zoutelande, which fell on the morning of the 2nd, the remainder to the North of the gap band across it—an unpleasant job as the seas were running high and shelling persistent.

That afternoon the Commandos took a coastal battery position at Domburg but were then completely held up by fire from nearby guns in concrete. On the 3rd, 10 (Inter-allied) Commando took over from 41 and succeeded in hanging on — but precariously — until Major Pocock arrived after a difficult journey with his four tanks. The situation was at once completely changed.

The tower and concrete positions at Domburg were engaged and neutralized by 75 mm fire from the two Shermans and later they shot Commandos onto enemy positions North and North-East of Domburg, bringing out 200 prisoners of war, with few casualties to our own infantry.

From this time onwards for the next four days they were able, in spite of almost impassable ground, to support closely the advance of 10 and 41 Commandos along the North-West coast. The Churchill AVREs were able to find and make tracks just passable to the Shermans which might have been unable to progress without this assistance. There is no doubt that even this very small tank support was decisive in the rapid collapse of the enemy in the North. It was the fire power of the tanks that was the principle factor in the reduction of these defences. The Besas of the AVREs, as well as the armament of the Shermans were fully used and were most effective. Among others responsible for these successful actions was Capt. T. A. McDowell who acted as F.O.O. under hazardous and most difficult conditions.

Meanwhile the clearance of Flushing was proving slow and painful. By the evening of November the 3rd the town was in our hands except for a small factory area. Fort Remmekens on the East was still very offensive: it gave in on the 4th. Middleburg remained. Little progress had been made by infantry who had crossed the causeway from South Beveland and established a small bridgehead against heavy opposition. The only other route not under flood was along the banks of the Flushing-Veere Canal: but these were strongly held by emplaced anti-tank and machine guns, well obstructed with obstacles and heavily mined. Such an advance would have been slow and costly. It was, therefore, decided to attempt a surprise attack through the inundations from the. South-Westward with 'A' Squadron, II Royal Tanks (Buffaloes). After a reconnaissance on the evening of the 5th November, the Squadron moved in two task forces, one carrying a company, the other a battalion, of infantry.

Eight Buffaloes under command Malor T. R. Newton-Dunn, RTR, after losing two vehicles on submerged mines, reached Middleburg by 1630 hours on the 6th November. They were guided in by a Dutch civilian and were not fired on. Woods South of the road were searched and one Buffalo (Lance-Corporal Sykes) was blown up on a mine; one (Lieutenant Edis) became stuck and a third (Corporal Barrett) returned to Flushing with wounded.

Some of the Buffaloes took up positions covering all roads out of the main square while Lieutenant V. R. Lowe (11 Royal Tanks) went in search of the German Commander. Lieutenant-General Daser was reluctant to surrender to so junior an officer, but honour was satisfied by the simple device of immediate 'local and temporary' promotion, with the assistance of a waterproof coat, of the infantry company commander to Lieutenant Colonel for the occasion. German officers were put under guard in one house and the remainder of the garrison was rounded up; in many cases reluctantly, from a fear to venture outdoors and face the populace.

The second force of Buffaloes (under Captain R. Kirk, 11 Royal Tanks) arrived during the night with infantry reinforcements who took over the town and prisoners of war.

All Buffaloes returned to Flushing at midday on the 7th November.

The swift surrender of Middleburg, surprising in view of its strong defences, was a great factor in saving time and casualties.

The infantry in the North continued to be strongly opposed. On the 5th, 10 and 41 Commandos took on the important gun position known as W. 18. The four tanks again gave fire support and one of their number, an AVRE, struck amine. Both "going" and gunnery were difficult over the dunes. The tanks were often shelled and mortared as they stood fully exposed to get full depression. The position yielded 300 prisoners.

On the 6th and 7th fighting continued around the Black Hut. The Shermans had some good targets, including a slit in a concrete emplacement through which they "posted" HE. During these two days, the surviving AVRE ceased to survive, meeting a mined path: two of the crew were killed.

When resistance ended on the 8th, by which time a considerable number of the enemy had been evacuated North from Veere, the two Shermans had fired over 1,400 rounds of 75 mm and 30 boxes of Browning, and the AVREs, 46 boxes of Besa.

The Buffaloes of 5 Assault Regiment RE had continued to ferry stores and equipment. On the 5th 80 Squadron concentrated on ferrying across the Flushing gap, their loads being mainly stores and equipment for 4 Commando, then in the Zoutelande area, and prisoners. 26 Squadron was employed carrying stores from Westkapelle to Domburg and beyond.

On the 9th 5 Assault Regiment RE took over the craft of 'A' Squadron, 11 Royal Tank Regiment, who returned to the mainland, as did 82 Assault Squadron RE. Ferrying continued at the Westkapelle gap, the Flushing gap and North of Middleburg until the 14th. During this time craft were also used to evacuate men, stores and prisoners to collection areas at Veere and Flushing. In all, about 8,000 prisoners were taken.

On the 14th the Regiment re-assembled at Terneuzen.

This had been a costly operation. The Navy had lost heavily in craft and crews, the Commandos and infantry of 52nd Division were very depleted. Casualties in 79th Armoured Division were: 4 officers and 59 other ranks.

The success of this operation was a great credit to the menof 79th Armoured Division who took part in it. In the words of the Corps Commander "The operation would not have been possible without them".

The Buffaloes were indispensable on the flooded hinterland and on the coast and were consequently over-worked. The gallantry and endurance of the crews was highly praised by all concerned.

As for Major Pocock's small command; some of~ the most determined enemy resistance encountered was in the North. Without the tanks' fire-support it is doubtful if this could have been overcome; certainly not without very much heavier casualties among the Commandos, who had lost many of their support weapons and only had available the long range and consequently not very accurate fire-support of heavy and super heavy artillery. Evidence of prisoners of war emphasises the complete surprise and the moral as well as material effect of the tanks, which were well commanded and well driven over difficult country. The tank gunnery was excellent.

As expressed by the Commando Brigade Commander "they were worth their weight in gold".

A word about the medical arrangements: they functioned excellently, due to the work of Lt.Col. G.Ord. R.A.M.C., who was most seriously wounded on board an LCT.

A few days later minesweepers had started on the hazardous task of sweeping the Scheldt. The port of Antwerp resumed its normal activities on 28th November. By its reopening, 21st Army Group was enabled to launch the series of operations which swept across the Maas, the Rhine, the Weser, and the EIbe and brought British troops to the shores of the Baltic — still supplied from Antwerp.

.

  A Winter's Tale

From the Walcheren expedition, the months of October, November and December were mainly

 charactensed by the number of small-scale, interwoven and. extremely important operations on a very wide front. The Division was scattered over a two Army Group front with units co-operating with First Canadian Army, Second British Army, First American Army and Ninth American Army. Divisional HQ was at this time stationed at s'Gravenwezel which proved to be about the Mean Point of Impact of the V I and V 2 missiles then being directed at Antwerp. There were some casualties amongst Staff Officers and other ranks and eventually the houses became uninhabitable.

Men of 79th Armoured Division were "in at the liberation" of many a famous Dutch town; Breda, Tilburg, s'Hertogenbosch, and Weert. They were also "in at the death7' of German towns like Geilenkirchen, Gereonsweiler and Freialdenhoven.

Many acts of gallantry were performed and many actions in which special devices played an important part: a selection of the more outstanding examples has been included in this history.

OVERLOON AND VENRAY 13 — 18 OCTOBER

'A' and 'C' Squadrons, Westminster Dragoons, and 617 Assault Squadron RE were in support of the 3rd Division and the 6th Guards Armoured Brigade.

On the 13th, a Crab of 'C' Squadron (Lieutenant B. Pear) flailed a lone path ahead of the Churchills for about 1,000 yards parallel to the woods South-West of Ovenloon. A similar task was carried out by Serjeant Barnes of 'B' Squadron who flailed on the 14th North-East of the town and up to the railway line.

Venray was attacked on the 15th and the assault was held up on a little river North-West of the town called the Molen Beek. 617 Squadron mounted two SBG bridges on AVREs and rushed them up ready for use the following day. The next day two "Jumbos" tried first to lay bridges over the river and flailed. Serjeant Finan, RE. drove his AVRE alone under heavy fire down a track mined on either side. Just beside the stream a large crater broke the path. Serjeant Finan saw that the release cables for his bridge were gone, dismounted and stood under fire while his Demolition NCO climbed on his shoulders and released the bridge. It dropped well; Crabs of 'A' Squadron, Westminster Dragoons, crossed it and flailed towards Venray. This was the only crossing the 3rd Division had for 24 hours.

Beck was the other objective: here Crabs of 'C' Squadron, Westminster Dragoons, flailed but met no mines. AVREs of 617 Squadron laid fascines in a ditch but when bulldozers tried to ramp them over, they were both bogged. The troop commander (Lieutenant J. G. S. Henderson, RE) dismounted and was first wounded by a sniper and later killed by a mortar bomb. Two AVREs giving covering fire were disabled on mines and a third struck a mine when reversing. Crabs flailed a fresh path and the bridge AVRE approached the ditch and laid its SBG. After a few tanks had crossed, the approaches became impossible and the crossing was abandoned. Another crossing was made with chespale later that evening, under sporadic mortar fire. Fighting near Volen, 4 miles South of Venray, a Crab (Lieutenant D. C. Bright, Westminster Dragoons) knocked out a 75 mm gun and alone brought about the surrender of 60 Germans.

FIGHTING SOUTH OF ROSENDAAL 20—28 OCTOBER

Sweeping the area North-East of Antwerp, culminating in the seizure of Bergen-op-Zoom and Rosendaal, was a lengthy task.

A mixed force of 79th Armoured Division units operated under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W. A. C. Anderson, D.S.O., Officer Commanding 22 Dragoons, and in support of 49th Division and 4th Canadian Armoured Division.

From October 20th onwards 'A' Squadron, 22 Dragoons, flailed on several occasions in the Nispen area for units of 4th Canadian Armoured Division. 'C' Squadron carried out similar tasks for 49th Division who had 34th Armoured Brigade under command. On the 21st HQ 49th Division, sited in some woods near Wuestwezel, was threatened from the North-East. Crabs knocked out self-propelled guns in the ensuing action but lost one of their number (Serjeant Wilkins). In the afternoon a half-Squadron attack was successful in clearing the woods and linking up with Canadian armour; 40 prisoners, one 50 mm and one 20 mm gun was the "bag".

They repeated their performance assisted by Crocodiles of 'C' Squadron, I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry, on the 23rd, this time with no opposition.

A word about the I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry. This regiment had been trained on Crocodiles in England and arrived in the theatre at the beginning of October. They were fully equipped in a few weeks and these were their first actions. Rosendaal showed little fight and fell on the 30th, Bergen-op-Zoom was taken a few days later.

S'HERTOGENBOSCH 22—26 OCTOBER

The attack was launched from the North-East astride the railway line from Oss. The 53rd and 7th Armoured Divisions were responsible.

On October 22nd a half of 'C' Squadron, 141 R.A.C., flamed in the capture of Nuland: after an artillery barrage, woods and houses were flamed with great success. A single spurt disposed of a sniper in the church tower: a 37 mm gun was flamed and its crew killed; 25 prisoners were taken by one infantry company as a result of flaming, and they 'had very few casualties themselves. The Crocodiles had casualties from Panzerfaust fire but definitely demoralised most of the German infantry.

Next morning houses in a village called Bruggen were flamed, 30 Germans were killed and 70 taken prisoner. Our infantry were in the outskirts of s'Hertogenbosch by the afternoon of the 24th. Crocodiles flamed houses to enable infantry to secure a lock crossing over the Willems Canal: they also assisted by laying smoke.

A few days after the fall of the town, 16 Assault Squadron RE did a fine piece of work for 7th Armoured Division. They made a class 40 route from St. Oedenrode to Hakler (due South of s'Hertogenhosch) which included bringing up a 60 foot Bailey bridge on sledges; to permit tanks to cross the river before Divisional RE had finished their permanent bridge.

TILBURG 27—28 OCTOBER

15th (Scottish) Division was held up: they needed Assault RE assistance and 16 Squadron was rushed across from the Hertogenbosch sector on the evening of October 27th. The following afternoon they bridged a' stream a mile outside the town after clearing with crowbars and sledges the wreckage of a former bridge. Beyond the stream was a large crater between houses; the bulldozers could not fill it so another SBG was dropped. Bulldozers crossed, demolished a log road-block and yet a third assault bridge was laid. The AVRE crossed its' own bridge and was the first vehicle to enter Tilburg: about 100 tanks and Kangaroos followed and the town surrendered without more ado.

The events which followed are worth recording. The Tilburgers, who had enjoyed a reputation for collaboration with the Germans, were naturally anxious to celebrate the liberation of their city: the idea was not altogether distasteful to the "Liberators".

During the festivities which followed, the senior Assault RE officer present felt it his duty to propose the health of Queen Wilhelmina. This he did amid cheers which shook the rafters. Quick as a flash, a Dutchman rose to reply. His glass held high and voice charged with emotion, he cried in English "Ladies and Gentlemen — Lloyd George"! A correction followed.

MEIJEL AREA 3—5 NOVEMBER

On November the 3rd the enemy was withdrawing before the 15th (Scottish) Division who were eventually held up by a minefield a few miles North of Meijel. Three Crabs of 'C' Squadron, Westminster Dragoons, at that time in support of 6th Guards Armoured Brigade, attempted to flail a lane. The leading Crab (Serjeant Birch) had almost completed the breach when it was hit. Small arms fire prevented the crew from dismounting so the troop commander (Lieutenant B. Pear) came up to give cover and placed his tank between the enemy gun and the other Crab. Churchills made smoke but both tanks were hit several times and Serjeant Birch's Crab "brewed-up". The attack did not go in. Lieutenant Pear did not return from this operation.

On the 5th, Guards' Churchills again met mines and 23 tanks were lost in an hour. A troop of 'C' Squadron, Westminster Dragoons, arrived and "beat" a lane: suffering one brew-up and earning the personal congratulations of General Barber, commanding 15th (Scottish) Division.

"THE ISLAND" 4—6 NOVEM BER

The Rhine and Maas reached flood level during the Winter, the peak occurring in the New Year when they over-flowed their banks to a distance greater than seen for many years. The early flooding of the old Maas shrunk the land West of s'Hertogenbosch, and bounded in the South by a canal, to a small island. It was held by a determined body of Germans.

Buffaloes of 'B' Squadron, II Royal Tank Regiment, were used on November the 4th by the 51st (Highland) Division; on the left with success, and 32 carriers and two 6-pounder guns, in addition to infantry, were ferried across dyke and canal: with less success on the right where reconnaissance had been prevented and fewer loads were carried.

Crocodiles of 'A' Squadron 141 R.A.C. also took part in this attack which eventually led to the capture of Heusden, the main centre of resistance. They were covered by tanks of 33rd Armoured Brigade and rolled flame onto infa~itry and defended positions on the far side of the canal. A pumping station was set on fire and infantry routed.

During this operation a troop of 222 Assault Squadron RE (Major T. Woolfenden, M.C., RE) took an SBG bridge over four miles of rough "going" and laid it successfully over a 28-foot ditch West of Hertogenbosch: the third time in a fortnight that Assault RE had made a crossing for armour, many hours before Divisional RE could have completed a bridge.

THE CANALS NEAR WEERT 14—16 NOVEMBER

5Ist and 53rd Divisions were to eliminate the German

salient between the Noorder and Wessem canals. 30th

Armoured Brigade supported them.

On the 14th two troops of 'C' Squadron, I Fife & Forfar

Yeomanry, supported by tanks of 33rd Armoured Brigade

And a heavy artillery concentration, flamed enemy positions over the Noorder canal. At the same time, the other half Squadron flamed across the Wessem canal with similar supporting fire.

Both these flame actions were followed by infantry crossing the canals—which they did with the minimum casualties. That night 'A' Squadron flamed across the Wessem canal for 53rd Division; the effect in the darkness was devastating and enemy greatly demoralised.

Crabs of 22 Dragoons flailed on several occasions. Once on the 18th on the approaches to the Canal Van Nederweert; again on the 19th around Panningen and on the 20th in woods West of Beringe. They were again in action on the 23rd. Crabs gave fire support to infantry on each occasion and encountered almost no mines when flailing, except on the 23rd when boggy ground, mines and self-propelled guns forced the attackers to abandon their attempt.

The assaulting infantry of both Divisions crossed in Buff aloes of II Royal Tanks: the banks were steep, muddy and mined in many places and it was not an easy opera.tion:

'C' Squadron carrying men of 'the 53rd Division fared best and ferr:ied 180 loads during 14 hours on the 15th November. A vital job was done on the 14th by a troop of 87 Assault Squadron RE who laid two SBG bridges across a lock on the Noorder canal and another across the canal South of it. This bridging was carried out under fire and provided the only class 40 crossing on the whole Corps front for more than six hours.

FIRST OPERATIONS IN GERMANY—NOVEMBER

A mixed force of Crabs from the I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, Crocodiles from 141 R.A.C., and AVREs from 42 Regiment went South under the orders of Colonel 'H. D. Drew, O.B.E., M.C., Second-in-command 31st Armoured Brigade. They supported the 30th Corps (General iHorrocks) in a series of operations East of the Maas and North of Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle).

The most important capture was the industrial town of Ceilenkirchen. Crabs of 'B' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, set off on November 18th to clear lanes up to the single-track railway, which was successful. They were the first troops in the Division to enter Germany. The bridge AVRE was called forward, but in the dark the AVRE slipped into the cutting and 'the bridge was mis-laid. A Panzerfaust opened up at short range and hit but did not penetrate the AVRE. There was then silence and German and British spent the night within a few yards of each other. The second bridge was placed successfully, the armour ciossed and entered the outskirts of the town. It fell next day to the infantry of 84th U.S. Division, backed by the tanks of 8th Armoured Brigade. It is a point of interest that two AVREs of 617 Squadron were the first Allied troops to enter Geilenkirchen which they did by mistake on the 19th — found it empty of German troops and reported the fact!

On the 20th an AVRE troop reduced five pill-boxes in the Siegfried Line, supported by fire from one Churchill (Major R. Stratton, Officer Commanding 'B' Squadron, 141 R.A.C.). 'On the 22nd 'B' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, gave indirect fire support to the American infantry fighting for Wurm and Beek, 5 miles North-East of Geilenkirchen. Further 'North the 43rd Division was fighting for Bauchem, Tripsrath and the woods beyond: 'C' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry supported them.

'B' Squadron, I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry, moved down to support Ninth American Army during the second week in November. Their first action with American troops was in support of the 2nd Armoured Division for an attack on Gereonsweiler (5 miles East of Geilenkirchen). The attack went in at 1100 hours on the 20th; Crocodiles flamed, shot 75 mm and Besa and the infantry went straight into the town and captured it. The Americans were delighted with the success of this operation which saved many infantrymen's lives.

Also on the 20th was the capture of Freialdenhoven. Here flame was used by two Crocodiles only: the remaining two were disabled on mines; later a trailer struck a mine and caught fire. There were no personnel casualties.

KASTEEL AND BROCKHUIZEN — 30 NOVEMBER

'A' Squadron Westminster Dragoons supported infantry of the 11th Armoured Division in the seizure of the Kasteel strongpoint and the village of Brockhuizen, two of 'the last pockets of resistance west of the Maas.

Lanes through a minefield were succesfully flailed and the tanks and infantry able to reach their objectives. One Crab after completing its lane was brewed up 'by 'a Panzerfaust which wounded the commander (Lieutenant Hall) and another member of the crew.

The infantry commander later affirmed that the attack could not have succeeded without the Crabs whose guns had also given valuable fire support.15th (Scottish) Division planned the attack on Blerick and regarded it as a set-piece assault by troops of 79th Armoured Division followed by infantry exploitation. The planning was detailed and from the results of the operation, successful.

'A' and 'C' Squadrons, 22 Dragoons, flailed five lanes up to the anti-tank ditch. 81 Assault Squadron RE laid six SBG bridges and the Crabs crossed to continue flailing, which they completed under heavy fire. Sgt. Swan (22 Dragoons) distinguished himself whilst in command of a troop. Infantry in Kangaroos of 49 APC Regiment then passed through and took the town.

General Barber was again appreciative' of the assistance his infantry had received from men of 79th Armoured Division, without whom the operation would have been slower and more costly.

This is the first mention of 49 Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment. This unit, which had been 49 Royal Tanks in 1st Tank Brigade, reverted to command in late December at 'the same time as the I Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment. These regiments were each equipped with Kangaroos (de-gutted Ram 'tanks) 'and have become a most important feature in the Division.

Within a few days he had regrouped his Corps, including the positioning of 30th British Corps North of the Meuse, prepared to strike at any threat across the river.

  The Ardennes Episode

ON the 16th of December Rundstedt launched 5 and 6 S.S. Panzer Armies, in a large scale counter offensive. The operation, largely a child of Hitler's brain, had as its first objectives Liege and Namur with bridges over the Meuse intact; then a bold dash for Brussels and Antwerp to cut the Allied lines of communication.

That its success was considered of paramount importance is borne out by captured documents — "We will not disappoint the Fuhrer and the Fatherland, who created the sword of retribution" (Model, Commander Army Group 'B'). In Ihe first 'few days the Germans made progress and caused considerable confusion among the units of First American Army who took the brunt of the attack. Field Marshal Montgomery was entrusted with arresting and destroying these Armies: the Ninth and most of the First American Armies came under his command.

Within a few days he had regrouped his Corps, including the positioning of 30th British Corps North of the Meuse, prepared to strike at any threat across the river.

Bastogne, a road centre vital to both sides, held out. The German tanks were halted in the woods South-East of Namur and in the country North of Stavelot and Malmedy. General Patton turned part of the Third U.S. Army North to close the Southern mouth of the pocket and another Corps attempted to close the North edge.

They could not close the neck and most of the German armour got away; a large proportion of the infantry was taken and the position completely righted by the middle of January.

This counter-offensive was thwarted by four main factors; Allied Air Superiority; the rapid regrouping and reorganisation of American and British Corps; the magnificent stand at Bastogne and extremely gallant resistance around MaImedy and by the British 6th Airborne, 11th Armoured and 53rd Divisions on the Meuse; and fourthly, the shortage of petrol which caused the surrender of many a German tank. 49 APC Regiment was the only unit of the Division to play an extensive part in these operations. They worked in support of 6th Airborne Division under the most difficult conditions of snow and ice.

A troop of II Royal Tanks was sent down to assist the 53rd Division but was hardly used.

Two troops of 'B' Squadron Canadian Carrier Regiment carried men of the 3rd Division through a snowstorm to assault a wood near Wanssum west of the Meuse. Seven Kangaroos were disabled by snow-covered mines.

  The Rhineland

RUNDSTEDT'S offensive had been successful in one respect: it had delayed by almost two months the clearance of the land that lies between the Rivers Maas and Rhine. The 30th British Corps, operating this time under First Canadian Army, was to clear the Reichswald Forest SouthEast of Nijmegen and as far as the Rhine about Xanten.

At the same time, the Ninth U.S. Army was to roll up the German left flank, starting from the Heinsberg area (North of Geilenkirchen) and eventually to meet the 30th Corps' Southward thrust.

The 30th Corps plan had originally been made to cater for frozen ground. With the arrival of thaw, it had to be modified. It was based on a five-divisional front and incorporated a large proportion of 79th Armoured Division units.

All operating under Brigadier Duncan, 30th Armoured Brigade, whose staff had an almost sleepless fortnight assembling their units.

This was 5 Assault Regiment's last operation with Buffaloes although 77 Squadron retained theirs until the End. 26 Squadron was on Walcheren as a mobile striking force. It is of interest that during the mounting of this operation which took several weeks, under conditions of great secrecy — a divisional movement programme was completed which involved the transfer of more than 560 tracked vehicles from dispersed locations to the Nijmegen concentration area. The tracked vehicle strength of 79th Armoured Division then stood at over 1,050, about three times the number in a normal armoured division.

A remarkable overhaul programme was undertaken by R.E.M.E.; over and above the normal repair and overhaul of Crabs, Crocodiles, AVREs and Buffaloes, more than 250 Kangaroos were overhauled in two weeks by R.E.M.E. resources which included 827, 828 and the APC workshops.

30th Corps had three main defence lines to overcome; the main "Siegfried Line" running from North of Cleve to the Materborn feature (which dominated the immediate surroundings) and through the Eastern Reichswald to the Goch area. Subsidiary lines existed from about Horst to Erkelom via the Querdam, and further East on the fringe of the Hochwald. German strength was thought to be two divisions, with little or no armour. Divisional tasks were from right to left: 51st Division to clear the South Reichswald and open the road from Gennep (where a bridge would be built) to Goch; 53rd Division to sweep the forest; 15th Division to breach the Siegfried Line North of the forest and take the Materborn feature, then capture Cleve and exploit towards Emmerich; 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions to protect the Corps left flank by eliminating all enemy pockets in the flooded area North of the Nijmegen—Cleve road. (The Rhine had overflowed its banks and all this country was under four to six feet of water.) 43rd Division was in reserve prepared to exploit through 15th Division towards Geldern; and Guards Armoured Division had the task of passing through the 15th and 43rd Divisions to capture Xanten and, if possible, the Wesel bridge, intact.

8th FEBRUARY

At 0500 hours on the 8th of February a barrage of over 1,000 guns burst forth and continued for five hours, when the. leading troops crossed the start line.

On the 51st Division front, Crabs of 'B' Squadron I Lothians & Border Yeomanry flailed for 500 yards up to the antitank ditch, exploding about 30 mines, an SBG was brought up by 222 Assault Squadron RE. and launched successfully; a bulldozer ramped the ditch with rubble, farm carts, fascines and a burnt-out enemy truck. This, the right lane, was ready by 1230; the centre one by 1900 hours and the left abandoned. Delay in the centre lane was caused by two Churchills being bogged, a Crab bazooka'ed and brewed-up and another Churchill striking a mine and blocking the route.

Infantry and tanks crossed through the right hand lane and worked slowly eastward.

The 53rd Division's advance was across a natural anti-tank ditch in boggy ground. Crabs of Westminster Dragoons started to flail but met no mines and soon became bogged. AVREs of 82 Squadron came up, petarded a pillbox and laid two bridges and some fascines. The left bridge was laid in ground so soft as to be unusable and infantry and tanks passed over on the right.

The other gapping team on the left was even less fortunate. One bridge AVRE broke a track, the other lost its bridge; an AVRE with fascine also broke its track. Infantry and tanks reached Vortsche bridge which they took intact and the approaches were improved with chespale. 53rd Division had no further assistance from units of 79th Armoured Division.

The 15th Division's attack on Kranenburg was preceded by ~'B' Squadron 22 Dragoons who flailed over almost impassable ground. In one team all but one Crab (Sjt. Johnson, 22 Dragoons) bogged and it alone beat a 1,000 yards lane, with no fire support, and enabled infantry to pass through and take the town. Flame was used by 'C' Squadron 141 RAC in the reduction of Frasselt, and Kangaroos of 'A' Squadron, I Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment carried the infantry over the anti-tank ditch.

In the flooded country the Canadians were entirely reliant on Buffaloes.

The 7th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division had support from 77 Assault Squadron RE. augmented by 12 craft of II Royal Tanks. The infantry advanced on foot to within a short distance of their objective then embarked in assault boats and attacked under covering fire from Buffaloes; these in addition to their own Polsten and Brownings had a Piat and two light machine guns manned by infantry.

Zyfflich had already been taken by a Crab (Corporal Keenan, 'B' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry) which had caused the. surrender of its garrison of about 100 Germans by the simple act of flailing and firing down the village street in the gathering dusk.

That night Niel was attacked. Infantry set off in Buffaloes around midnight. The command craft was hit by two Panzerfausts. Captain T. W. Fairlie, RE. and the infantry commander were both killed and the remaining passengers and crew wounded. Lieutenant J. K. Tarling, RE. took command and through the Forward Observation Officer asked for artillery fire on the objective; this served the double purpose of keeping enemy heads down and enabling craft to keep direction. Niel itself was on dry land and with Buffalo fire support, the infantry took it by 0630 hours on the 9th.79 Squadron was in support of 8th Brigade and carried them to Zandpol on the evening of the 8th; on the way the Buffalo carrying the company commander became bogged he transfered to another craft which did the same. His Second-in-command was wounded and as there were no other infantry officers, Captain R. C. A. Cunningham, RE. (senior troop commander) took charge of the infantry, led them onto the dyke, reorganised them and started moppingup operations. He again led them into Leuth. They took over 200 prisoners while under his command; in most cases the Germans showed little fight, one party who had been forewarned of the impending attack — was found in their best uniforms, cleanly shaven and ready to surrender!

9TH FEBRUARY

The 51st Division made slow progress through the Western Reichswald, as did the 53rd Division to the North of them. The 15th Division started its assault in the Siegfried Line at 0400 hours.

Out of the five crossings planned to span the anti-tank ditch East of Frasselt — two were successful. The Crabs of 22 Dragoons bogged almost everywhere. 81 Assault Squadron RE. originally made two SBG and one fascine crossing, but one bridge had slipped and became unusable.

'A' Squadron of the Canadian Kangaroo Regiment carried the infantry forward supported by a troop of 'B' Squadron 141 R.A.C. and some tanks. The Kangaroos led the way into Cleve and the Western outskirts were taken with flame support from Crocodiles. Infantry of the 43rd Division passed through during the night and the town fell to these Divisions, though they remained under fire from woods to the South.

Meanwhile Buffalo "fleet actions" continued amid the floods. At 0510 hours on the 9th Buffaloes supporting 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade set off, loaded with infantry and a Forward Observation Officer~ in the direction of Mehr. It was easily taken. Two troops of Buffaloes carried infantry to within a mile of Keeken into which they marched followed by the Buffaloes. They were then used to evacuate wounded and in passing through the gap in Querdam one craft struck a mine. The Medical Officer (Captain B. Harbinson) was badly wounded, two men killed and the Buffalo lost. Buffaloes of 79 Squadron and ii Royal Tanks carried two companies of infantry into Millingen where roads were passable but frequently mined.

Throughout daylight, ferrying continued of personnel and vehicles from the factory area East of Nijmegen to the Dyke. It is interesting that Buffaloes had been able to float over most of the Siegfried Line defences. This was partly due to the enemy action of blowing the dyke which protected this low land and partly by the extensive digging of defences which so weakened the Querdam that it virtually collapsed under the weight of water.

10th 12th FEBRUARY

The Highland Division was held up North-West of Hekkens by dug-in-Spandaus. A troop of 'A' Squadron, I Fife & For-far Yeomanry (Lt. D. J. Dudley), succeeded in flaming these positions in the woods and the infantry were able to advance.

The River Niers was the next obstacle. A small bridgehead was made near Gennep on the 11th and a Buffalo ferry service started as soon as two troops of 79 Squadron arrived. Shell and mortar fire forced them to change the loading area but not to stop the ferrying, and vehicles of one battalion were across by 1700 hours, those of a second battalion by morning. The mechanical strain imposed on these Buffaloes by the prolonged ferrying of the last three days began to tell the next day and some had to be laid up for maintenance. However, a bridge was across by 1230 on the 12th, and the infantry had mopped-up resistance in Gennep with the aid of Crocodiles of 'A' Squadron, I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry. Hekkens was taken on the 11th but infantry found the bridge over the Niers blown.

53rd Division succeeded, after heavy fighting through the woods, in reaching the eastern fringe of the Reichswald at Klosterhufe.

Meanwhile Cleve was clear: and a "Jock-column" of tanks, armoured cars and carriers, with infantry carried in the Kangaroos of I Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment and two troops of 49 Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, set out for Calcar. North of Bedburg, the leading tanks struck an enemy anti-tank screen of guns and Panzerfaust positions. Kangaroos dropped their infantry and were then ordered to take the lead. It was hardly surprising that seven of their number were knocked out. The column returned to Cleve.

The 43rd Division had regrouped in the Materborn area on the 10th and was successful in throwing back a small counter-attack on the 11th which yielded a bag of one Panther and 180 prisoners. Next day the Division started South but its advance was strongly opposed and the enemy lost 7 self-propelled guns and 2 tanks in actions around Hau. The floods had not abated in the North and Buffaloes continued to supply the Canadians.

13TH FEBRUARY ONWARDS

51st Division decided to cross the Niers in Buffaloes: and on the night 13/14 February 79 Squadron lifted two assault companies across between Hekkens and Zelderheide. A second battalion and the vehicles, stores, etc. of both battalions were ferried over on the 14th.

Shelling knocked out one craft, killed one man and wounded the rest of the crew. But during the night reinforcements arrived in the shape of a troop from each of Il Royal Tanks and 77 Squadron. The third battalion of 154th Brigade was "buffaloed" across.

Moyland Wood, a strong enemy gun area, was attacked by 15th (Scottish) Division on the 14th. They later handed the task over to 7th Canadian Brigade who took five days to eliminate the fanatical opposition. 7th Brigade also directed two battalions on to Calcar. Their men were carried forward by Kangaroos of the Canadian 'A' Squadron and met heavy small arms fire. Kangaroos put the left forward companies almost onto their objectives and then brought up two reserve companies.

On 15th February, the left sector with the five divisions responsible, passed to command 2nd Canadian Corps.

The next 30th Corps objective was Goch. A brigade of 43rd Division, carried in Kangaroos of 'A' and 'C' Squadrons 49 APC Regiment, gained the escarpment NorthEast of the town and cut the Goch-Calcar road. Half of 'C'~. Squadron 141 R.A.C. flamed in support of the 44th Brigade just East of the escarpment.

Meanwhile 53rd Division had emerged from the impenetrable Reichswald gloom and had one brigade sitting firmly astride the Cleve-Goch road. Contact with 43rd Division was made and both formations stood fast waiting for the Highland Division.

Once over the Niers, the Scottish infantry took Heijen~ where 222 Squadron bridged a crater and destroyed a road block; and reached Hommersum, using a bridge pUt down by 222 Squadron outside Heijel. The left brigade took Kessel by a Buffalo-borne attack on the 14th; and while Buffaloes kept up a ferry service until a bridge was built, went for Hassum in the face of determined opposition. A troop of 'A' Squadron, I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry, helped to obliterate the railway station which was hastily abandoned by about 50 Germans after a strong dose of flame, high explosive and Besa fire had accounted for 30 of their fellows. Hassum fell on the 17th.

Asperden had fallen on the 16th but the way to Hervorst was blocked by Siegfried Line defences. 24 rounds from AVREs of 222 Squadron brought out the officer and his twenty men—to the disgust of the Crocodiles who were ready to flame if Dustbins failed.

The attack on Goch went in on the 19th. The Highland Division, moving two brigades up, encountered three pill-boxes which covered the way to their objective. No. 1 Troop and five Headquarters tanks of 'A' Squadron, I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry, assisted by a half-troop of 222 Squadron and some Churchills, subdued the first with high explosive and Besa. The second and third were subjected to 18 Dustbins and a great deal of flame, and 60 Germans surrendered.

The first objective taken, infantry moved East on the 20th, cleared more pillboxes with help from the Crocodiles and AVREs, and entered the western outskirts of Goch. The Crocodiles flamed houses with success but one struck a mine and another bogged when assisting 153rd Brigade in the South-West of the town.

The 53rd Division attack went well and by the 19th leading companies were well established in the northern district.15th (Scottish) Division was to pass through the 43rd Division and enter Goch from the North-East. An anti-tank ditch was the first obstacle: three bridges and some fascines were laid by 284 Squadron but only one bridge was successful. Infantry depouched from 'A' and 'C' Squadrons, 49 APC Regiment, just North of the ditch and entered the town. 'C' Squadron 141 R.A.C. gave flame assistance and, little by little, streets were cleared.

Goch was clear by the 20th but a great deal of mopping~ up remained to be done in the immediate neighbourhood. Particularly strong resistance was encountered on the Goch—Calcar road. The 2nd Canadian Division sent its leading battalions forward in Kangaroos of 'A' Squadron, I Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment. The "going" was bad but, moving behind a heavy rolling barrage, they put the infantry onto or just short of their objective. Four Kangaroos fell to 88 mm. The infantry held this road against every counter-attack and exacted a toll of II tanks, six 88's and two 75's destroyed, and 275 Germans taken.

Other places holding out included a school near Hervorst which only gave in to flame from 'A' Squadron, I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry; Vrij, where the Guards had a severe setback; Bucholt, which fell to men of 15th (Scottish) Division carried in 'A' and 'C' Squadron Kangaroos of 49 APC Regiment. Goch itself was counter-attacked on the night 21/22 February.

The Highland Division was pulled back into reserve on the 28th but not before it had cleared as far South as Groote Horst. On the 26th 82 Assault Squadron RE. had laid three bridges and three fascines between Goch and Siebengewald; while Buffaloes of 11 Royal Tanks and 77 Squadron provided the only means of crossing the flooded ground North-West of Afferden. The latter fell to the 52nd Division which eventually relieved the 51st.

In the fighting South and East of Goch, 49 APC Regiment carried infantry of the 15th Division South of the Goch— Udem railway where the 3rd Division took over from them. 53rd Division reached Rottum on the 24th; and the whole front paused before launching the final two-Corps offensive. Early in the morning on the 23rd of February the Ninth American Army started on its northward sweep, hitherto delayed by floods caused by the shattered Roer dams. This offensive was to bring them in a remarkably short time to the banks of the Rhine. The assault started by Crabs of 'A' and 'C' Squadrons, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, flailing before the American tanks. These two Squadrons were released on the 3rd day of the offensive. The Roer was crossed, Roermond, Erkelenz and München-Gladbach taken and armour rolled North and East almost unopposed.

Upstream, the 6th and 12th Army Groups were up to and, in some places, over the Rhine, and the German High Command was withdrawing and regrouping its much reduced armies for a final defence of the Fatherland.

This pressure was bound to cause some slackening of resistance in the North but for the next ten days the Hun fought a series of stubborn rearguard actions. His primary defence line ran generally from Rees to Weeze via the western edge of the Hochwald.

The 53rd Division attacked Weeze on the 1st of March. 82 Squ~idron put down a bridge across the north-eastern ditch but it collapsed and a "Skid Bailey" was erected on the main road. The infantry crossed supported by tanks. Sjt. Scott (141 RAC) distinguished himself in the flame attack on the anti-tank ditch and houses beyond.

From the North came more infantry. They were forced back from the anti-tank ditch so the reserve brigade went in from the North-East. They found the town clear on the 2nd.

Kevelaer fell on the 3rd and Guards Armoñred Division passed through to Kapellen directed on Bo~ninghardt. 284 Squadron laid a bridge for them on the 8th near' Alpen.

The 3rd Division made slow progress: 'B' Squadron, I Lothians & Border Yeomanry, flailed for them and 'A' Squadron, 49 APC Regiment carried infantry to within 1,000 yards of Kervenheim. 'C' Squadron 141 R.A.C. lost a Crocodile here but did not flame. 284 Squadron laid one bridge and three fascines over streams. The Kangaroos again carried infantry on the 3rd; this time to Winnenkendonck, where 284 Squadron filled craters with fascines and Headquarters 6 Assault Regiment RE. had casualties from shelling. The Second-in-command (Major B. C. Bloomer, RE.) and Regimental Serjeant-Major were badly wounded and 4 other ranks killed.

0Further North, the 11th Armoured Division sent their leading infantry into the Balberger Wald in Kangaroos of 'B' Squadron, Canadian Carrier Regiment. 81 Squadron made crossings over a ditch and the Division moved SouthEast to Sonsbeck on the 3rd of March.

The 4th Canadian Armoured Division was directed onto the plain which lies before Xanten. They formed a series of task-forces each containing Crabs, Crocodiles and AVREs as well as tanks and infantry in Kangaroos. 'A' Squadron, I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry, flamed in Fallingshof and suffered a brew-up from an 88 mm. The task-forces had a difficult task; the ground was soft and in places a mire; opposition was determined and included a number of antitank guns. They reached Veen on the 6th: 'A' Squadron, 22 Dragoons, flailed in this area during the next few days. The Canadians were faced with the task of clearing the Hochwald. But the high ground South of Calcar had first to be taken. 2nd Canadian Division with in support 22 Dragoons, half 'C' Squadron 141 R.A.C. and their infantry in Kangaroos of the Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment, moved forward on a three-battalion front. Mines were met, the going bad, and the Germans stout-hearted. But the objectives were in our hands and on the 6th the Division was ready to take on the Hochwald.

On their left the 43rd Division had occupied Marienbaum and Vynen; the forward troops relying on waterborne supply by 26 and 77 Assault Squadrons RE. (26 Squadron had, at long last, been released from guarding Walcheren.)

At dawn on the 8th, the two Divisions attacked: 43rd Division down the Marienbaum—Xanten road, assisted by 81 Squadron, who put down fascines and laid a "Jumbo" bridge; and 2nd Canadian Division in a frontal assault on the Hochwald defences. These they passed after a little hard fighting and reached Xanten from the West. 'B' Squadron 141 R.A.C. flamed and 'A' Squadron, I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry, went with an armoured column to the river bank and used flame to clear a wood beyond Birten. This brought in 200 prisoners and killed about 30 Germans.

In the last few days, Ninth Army troops had taken Geldern and linked up with the leading units of 2nd Canadian Corps (to whom 30th Corps had handed over control of the whole operation).

The Germans had evacuated the bulk of their troops via Rees and Xanten but had heavy losses in the rearguard actions. At any rate, the object had been achieved and Allied formations stood po.ised on the Rhine, ready to cross and "crack about the plains of Germany".

Units of 79th Armoured Division had played a variety of. roles, all useful. The "going" had been too bad for much flailing but mines were "flogged" in places, with some success.

Kangaroos again played an important part: an enthusiastic Canadian officer even claimed that "since the substitution of the musket for the cross-bow, there had been no development in infantry equipment comparable to the arrival of the Kangaroo".

Crocodiles were in great demand and without Buff~Ioes the operation, at least in its initial stages, could not have succeeded. Assault RE. were heavily employed, mainly in bridging, and route clearance; all well done.

Conditions had been hard and the German resistance stiff:

all the more power to the Allied soldiers who won the day.

  The Wings

,F' W I N G

In early December, HQ Second Army passed certain problems to 79th Armoured Division. These were mainly in connection with mines—anti-personnel in particular—and the best means of combating them.

The Divisional Commander decided to form a small experimental establishment, to be called 'F' Wing, the next in line after the various 79th Armoured Division training Wings in England. This formed at Gheel, in Belgium, under Colonel H. D. Drew, with a mixed staff of R.A.C., R.E. and R.E.M.E. personneL Major R. de C. Vigors (Second-in-command I Fife & Forfar Yeomanry) assumed command in mid-January. 'F' Wing carried out a motley selection of trials, including:

Anti-mine devices such as: Tapeworm; Rollers and burning by Crocodile flame; a Weasel mine-clearer (known as the Rodent) for use against Schumines; also Multi-barrelled smoke dischargers, folding SBG bridge, Ark, log and other carpets, and Tank Dozer (Bulldozer device on tank).

'G' W I N G

As soon as General Dempsey, the Second Army Commander, had made his plan for the Rhine crossing, he entrusted 79th Armoured Division, with the task of evolving a suitable technique. This was to be worked out in conjunction with Commander, 12th Corps, General Ritchie, whose Headquarters was to mount the operation.

Accordingly, after a suitable training area had been found

—it lay a few miles North of Maastricht on the river Maas—a trials Wing was set up, this time bearing the letter 'G'. Colonel Drew, who was in charge, had the broadly defined Charter of supervising all trials and training connected with assault river crossing.

The two Commanders set up Headquarters in Eysden, near the river bank, and over the next two months thrashed out in theory and then in practise all the problems which presented themselves.

On the 29th of January, 33rd Armoured Brigade (Brigadier H. B. Scott, D.S.O.) came under command. It consisted of Northamptonshire Yeomanry (Lieutenant-Colonel D. Forster D.S.O.); East Riding Yeomanry (Lieutenant-Colonel T. C. Williamson, D.S.O.) and 144 R.A.C. (LieutenantColonel A. Jolly, D.S.O.). The last named Regiment assumed in March the title of 4Th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment which had been in abeyance for three years.

This Brigade, which had in England been attached to the Division for 6 months, and had fought throughout the campaign with Sherman tanks, was now to be re-equipped and re-trained with Buffaloes. The units were located on the Maas within a few miles of 'G' Wing; there they went through a course of training under II Royal Tanks (Lieutenant-Colonel S. I. Howard-Jones, M.C.) who were now incorporated in 33rd Armoured Brigade.

The. Staffordshire Yeomanry were moved across to 'G' Wing in the middle of January where they continued DD training under the supervision of Captain J. J. Burke (Canadian Armoured Corps).

They were joined at the beginning of March by 44 Royal Tanks (Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. Hopkinson, D.S.O., M.C.) who came under command, together with Headquarters 4th Armoured Brigade (Brigadier R. M. P. Carver, D.S.0., M.C.). This Regiment was trained in the short space of three weeks by Canadian and British instructors under Captain Burke. An American Squadron (from 736 U.S. Tank Battalion) was also trained.

Also trained in this general area was 7 Royal Tanks (Lieutenant-Colonel R. P. Wood). This Regiment had fought through the campaign as part of 34th Armoured Brigade; invested Dunkirk during the winter and came to 79th Armoured Division in February 1945 to be trained on Crocodiles.

It is of interest that 79th Armoured Division was now the largest Division in the British Army in addition to being the only all-armoured formation. Its five Brigades comprised a total of 17 Regiments, bringing the divisional strength to 21,430 all ranks and 1,566 tracked A.F.V. as opposed to the normal armoured divisional total of about 14,400 all ranks and 350 A.F.V. These statistics are shown in detail on the map prefacing and ending this book.

Whilst allied troops fought their way through the Rhineland, 'G' Wing was not idle. In addition to the training of DD and Buffalo units, trials of new and modified equipment took place; the Buffalo carpet-layer, which had previously been designed by the Assault Brigade RE., was further developed for use with DD tanks, which, as already proved at South Beveland and elsewhere, were not able unassisted to climb soft, muddy river banks. Then again, the 50/60 ton raft, operated by Assault RE. was trained upon both by the sappers (who~ also opened their own establishment near Nijmegen) and by a proportion of the R.A.C. drivers whose tanks might have to cross the Rhine by this method.

The whole technique gradually crystalised, keeping of course, within the 12th Corps plan; and culminated in a series of demonstrations and rehearsals with the actual infantry battalions selected for the assault.

'H' W I N G

As already mentioned, the Assault Brigade RE. opened a rafting camp at Nijmegen which they named 'H' Wing.

It opened at the end of February, under Major W. S. Tyzack, RE. Second-in-command of 5 Assault Regiment RE. Its task—to train Squadrons in heavy rafting over a wide river.

By the middle of March it had trained 16, 79, 81, 284, 222 and 617 Squadrons in the noble art.

'J' W I N G

It soon became obvious that DD tanks and Buffaloes alike would have to operate either by night or in visibility obscured by smoke and shell-fire.

'J' Wing was formed on the Waal, west of Nijmegen. Major D. Fauquier (Canadian Armoured Corps) was in charge, assisted by Major P. F. H. Wykeham, Northamptonshire Yeomanry. As a result of preliminary trials, navigational aids were reduced to certain primary methods: gyro and P8 compass, with D.K. equipment as a double-check; "Tabby" to assist Buffaloes in landing~ and "homing".

The Direction-keeping equipment used was developed from an existing device known as the Ground Aerial system by Lieutenant-Colonel L. Rhys-Jones, G.S.O. I (Technical), 79th Armoured Division, and certain other R.E.M.E. officers. It consisted of two No. 19 wireless sets set up on the near bank and transmitting signals which were picked up by other sets on each craft and translated to the visual by a discriminator. The principle was the R.A.F. method of "coming in on a beam "Tabby", a device enabling lights to shine but not be seen from a distance, was used for two purposes; headlamps mounted on Buffaloes to enable them to land and climb river banks more easily; secondly as homing beacons for returning craft.

Trials completed, DD and Buffalo Squadron and troop commanders were put through a short course on navigation. By the 21st of March all three Wings had completed their tasks; they were wound up and staffs returned to their rightful units.

It is only fitting that this story should contain a word of praise for the officers and other ranks who worked on the Wing staffs, and for all ranks of the Workshop (I Brigade Workshop R.E.M.E.) responsible. The latter did sterling work night and day, maintaining motor boats; modifying Buffaloes and other vehicles; and above all, recovering sunk and stranded craft. Every DD tank lost in training was recovered, no easy task in the swollen waters of the Maas.

The Workshop commander (Major S. Ord, R.E.M.E.) died in March. It was tragic that he never learned the important part the three Wings had played in the training that preceded the Rhine Assault.

  Over the Rhine and far away

The assault Crossing of the Rhine and subsequent drive through the plains of Westphalia was given the somewhat prophetic title of 'Operation Plunder7'.

The strategic intention was for the whole Allied Expeditionary Force to crush the river defences and penetrate deep into Germany to meet the Russians. The Russian westward offensive would start a few days after the Rhine crossing, with an all-out attack on Berlin and a concentrated effort to meet the Western Allies on or about the Elbe in central Germany, so divorcing the enemy's northern armies from those in the south.

The First American Army already had a small but firmly established bridgehead between Bonn and Coblenz, opposite Remagen.

The assault technique conceived by 12th Corps and 79th Armoured Division and adopted by Second Army was based on the principles of 'D' Day. DD tanks were to be used and other armour, including special devices, was to be ferried over as early as possible. Defences were not of concrete nor in most places were they staunchly manned, so that there was no immediate task for Flails, Crocodiles and AVREs.

Buffaloes were to carry the assaulting infantry — in some places even a short distance inland — and Kangaroos were to be used just as soon as the ferries could take them across. Eight Class 50/60 rafts were to be built by Assault RE Squadrons and operated by them until bridges were built or other personnel detailed to take over.

Second Army planned to cross on a two Corps front between Wesel and Rees, 12th Corps on the right and 30th Corps on the left. Brigadier G. S. Knight, D.S.O., 31st Armoured Brigade and Brigadier N. W. Duncan, C.B.E. 30th Armoured Brigade were respectively in command of the 79th Armoured Division units supporting the two Corps. Buffaloes operated under Brigadier H. B. Scott, D.S.0., their own commander: DD Tanks left command of the Division, HQ 4th Armoured Brigade and 44th Royal Tanks coming under 12th Corps and' Staffordshire Yeomanry under 8th Armoured Brigade (Brigadier G. E. Prior-Palmer, D.S.0. late commander of the 27th Armoured Brigade) in 30th Corps. The detailed allocation of units is shown overleaf.

When the two assaulting divisions had established a bridgehead, the plan was as follows: 12th Corps to enlarge with the 53rd Division and exploit with the 7th Armoured Division: and 30th Corps to pass 43rd and 3rd Canadian Divisions through to develop the bridgehead northwards and to take Emmerich and the high ground to the north of it. The whole Army plan was designed to tie in with 18th American Airborne Corps (6th British and 19th U.S. Airborne Divisions) and with the Ninth U.S. Army whose assault was to be launched simultaneously with that of Second Army. The success of this will be described later.

Between 5 and 6 o'clock on the evening of March 23rd, bombing by medium aircraft took place. River defences, troop concentrations and assembly areas, and immediate communications were the targets.

From 6 o'clock an immense artillery programme took effect and continued intermittently until the actual assault when it lifted further inland.

The Highland Division made its assault at 2100 hours under the fire of 1,700 guns. Each of 4th Royal Tanks and Northamptonshire Yeomanry carried the assault elements of two battalions across the river. The Buffaloes started on their four-minute swim and reached the east bank where Colonel Jolly himself planted the old Royal Tank Regiment flag from Bovington. The initial landing met machine gun fire and some shelling but the infantry were able to disembark, 153rd Brigade making for Rees and 154th Brigade for objectives to the north east of the town.

The leading wave which had carried only men and equipment, was followed by others loaded with guns and vehicles. These travelled several hundred yards inland and then, like the first, returned to the west bank to start ferrying. Meanwhile, at 2130 hours some 500 heavy bombers delivered a load of High Explosive on Wesel. Men of 1st Commando Brigade had already crossed the river in Buffaloes of 77th Assault Squadron and positioned themselves just outside the town until the last bomb had fallen. They then assaulted the town which fell after a surprisingly determined fight. 77th Squadron (commanded at this time by Major A. E. Younger, D.S.0.) continued to ferry men, vehicles and guns of the Brigade, suffering casualties from shell and mortar fire. Between 2130 and 2300 hours about 1200 all ranks were carried together with guns and light vehicles: this for the loss of three craft, one of w~iich had brewed up.

The Squadron dug its craft in with the help of bulldozers and in consequence only lost one Buffalo and one man wounded during the fairly heavy shelling to which they were subjected from midnight onwards.

The Staffordshire Yeomanry reconnaissance parties crossed in Buffaloes soon after the Northamptonshire Yeomanry. Carpet-layers were called across and exits prepared. Unfortunately the regimental inflation area was shelled and mortared during the night and several tanks were damaged. The first Squadron launched lost six DDs stuck on mud and three sunk by gunfire, eight got ashore by 0515 hours.

'A' Squadron landed successfully soon after 0545 hours deficient of two tanks which had been damaged on the "home" bank. At 0630 hours 'B' Squadron launched, followed by RHQ, and the Squadrons deployed to support their respective infantry brigades.

The 12th Corps attack was loosed at 0200 hours with the four leading battalions of the 15th (Scottish) Division carried in Buffaloes of 11th Royal Tanks and the East Riding Yeomanry. The crossing was virtually unopposed, although 11th Royal Tanks suffered spasmodic shelling; Captain W. J. 0. Bartlett set an RTR flag and Captain E. R. Allan a flag in Battalion colours on the far tank. The leading waves were back on the west side by 0230 hours. Infantry experienced opposition on the left from the direction of Haffen and Mehr but the advance towards Bislich continued fast.

44th Royal Tanks were ready to launch by 0545 hours:

routes to launching points had been reconnoitred and marked by Captain J. J. Burke (Canadian Armoured Corps) and others: exits had been prepared on the far bank and carpets were in position. Some DDs were bogged and others hit by enemy fire but the crossing went slowly but suiely. By 0800 hours fifty-nine tanks were across and in process of going into action with the leading infantry.

Rees was proving a stumbling stone to 30th Corps. Spandau and other small arms fire was being directed at the crossing place of 'C' Squadron, 4th Royal Tanks and quite ruled out the construction of rafts. Tanks of the Staffordshire Yeomanry moved in to help infantry in the town. The C. D. L. Squadron has not yet been mentioned. 'B' Squadron 49 APC Regiment was responsible during the night 24/25 March first for giving "movement and direction light" to Buffalo crossings; secondly to illuminate Rees and protect the upstream flank of. the Highland Division against floating mines, sabotage swimmers etc. Both these task were accomplished with success. The C. D. L. tanks, as was expected, drew much enemy fire, and for that reason, were not popular amongst nearby units, but they more than justified their use, with the loss of only one tank.

The 18th Airborne Corps was scheduled to land from 1000 hours onwards in an area north east of Wesel. The air lift, which was considerable, amounted to:

541 Parachute-dropping aircraft.

1,250 Glider-towing aircraft

1,230 Gliders

1,200 Fighters on fighter-sweeps

100 Fighter escorts.

This immense armada flew in on time, accomplished its task and reached home bases less 51 of its number; of these, about 20 landed on the continent.

The escorts claimed 93 German Aircraft destroyed and 16 damaged.

One further statistic of interest: 2,200 "heavies" were employed in bombing alone during the period of this operation: this excludes medium bombers of 2nd T.A.F.

The airborne troops had the dual task of seizing intact bridges over the Ijssel and linking up with the advancing Second Army troops. .Both tasks were successfully completed by nightfall on the 24th. This created a bridgehead some seven miles' deep and thirty miles long; only Rees held out until the 25th.

Until Class 40 bridges could be built the only method of transporting armour to the east bank was by means of Class 50/60 rafts.

On the 12th Corps front 42 Assault Regiment had their first raft in operation by 1830 hours on the 24th and all four were working by about 2100 hours. They had no interference from enemy fire and were able to ferry across about 250 tanks by the time they were closed down 'on the afternoon of the 26th. 5 Assault Regiment was less fortunate: although the left pair of rafts was able to start ferrying at 0615 hours on the 24th, construction of the right pair was delayed by enemy lire from Rees. The first trip was made in darkness around midnight on the 24th. These four squadrons ferried a total of 437 vehicles including over 300 tanks and SP guns. They were closed down early on the 27th. During the 24th, 25th and 26th the build-up of men, vehicles and stores was carried forward at high rate.

Each Corps controlled this "build-up" by means of a Bank Group organisation modelled on the Beach Groups which had worked so well on the Normandy beaches. This organisation directed the movement of Buffaloes, Dukws and ferries until sufficient bridges were in operation to cater for the weight of traffic required. In this way, the reinforcement of our formations on the far bank could continue unabated.

The four Buffalo regiments made a total of 3,842 craft-trips and suffered comparatively light casualties; four officers wounded, 4 other ranks killed and 30 wounded. 77 Squadron had to their credit 164 loads for two other ranks wounded. Out of 425 Buffaloes operating, 9 were written off and some 55 damaged.

Ferrying ceased on the 26th. By this time Northampton-shire Yeomanry had taken across the assault ele~nents of 154 Brigade (Highland Division), 9 Canadian Brigade followed by most of 3rd Canadian Division, and the 43rd Division. 4th Royal Tanks had carried 153 Brigade of the Highland Division and part of the rest of that Division and of the 43rd Division. The East Riding Yeomanry and 11th Royal Tanks had lifted most of the 15th (Scottish) Division and the land-borne troops and vehicles of the 6th Airborne Division.

Finally, on the 26th, 'W Squadron 11th Royal Tanks had the honour of carrying, in six Buffaloes, the Prime Minister and his party which included Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke, Chief of Imperial General Staff, Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery,. Commander-in-Chief 21st Army Group, Lt General Sir Miles Dempsey, Commander Second Army, and Lt General Ritchie, Commander 12th Corps. The Prime Minister spoke to the men "I congratulate you and your Buffaloes on a splendid job of work". Field Marshal Montgomery followed with the suggestion ,,Go on, ask him for a cigar".

The CDL Squadron was given on the 25th the sole task of watching the river; to destroy any objects which might damage bridges, ferries, etc., further down stream. Watch was kept during the nights of the 25th March to 6th April inclusive and during this time three sabotage swimmers in their special rubber suits were exposed and captured, a considerable quantity of floating "objects" sunk, and in some cases exploded. One might well have been a midget submarine and the remainder logs strapped with explosive: the fact remains that no interruption occurred to bridging and ferrying. The CDL tanks were several times engaged by enemy aircraft and were frequently shelled: no casualties were suffered.

The Rhine assault was the most important operation undertaken by this Division since 'D' Day.

The DD device again proved itself the most I effective method to date of landing armour in the early stages of an amphibian operation. The support of~ these tanks was of inestimable value to the infantry fighting to enlarge the bridgehead. Many DD lessons were learned from "this operation.

Buffaloes had proved invaluable. The crews manning them had been well trained and were splendidly led. They turned their training to good profit, made use where necessary of the navigational aids provided and handled their craft well. The Assault RE accomplished an important task well:

without their ferries the rate of armoured build-up would have been much slower.

The CDL Squadron definitely prevented bridges and rafts from being damaged or even destroyed by midget submarines or other floating infernal machines. The appreciation by all concerned of the sterling work of units of 79th Armoured Division is exemplified by these words written by General Ritchie:

"We are over theRHINE. For you, after your experiences of the landing in NORMANDY, perhaps this is not a great achievement, but to me it has loomed as rather a large proposition. And now that we are across it safely, I feel that I must write and thank you for all the wonderful help that you have given us. It was a mighty interesting proposition to work out, and its exeUution I know could not have been successfully achieved had it not been for all your help and advice, and for the provision of all the special equipment and craft that made the undertaking the success it has been. I know that you will have had many congratulations from elsewhere, but I would like to add mine very much, and to tell you how highly I prize the relationship that existed between your staff and mine in planning for this operation. I know that most of the credit for crossing this river is yours and I would like you to realise that I appreciate this fact very much.".

It was fitting that 79th Armoured Division should be "released to the Press" at this time, and that tributes, sometimes admittedly inaccurate, should be paid to the Division both by the BBC and the newspaper ,world.

  Swan Song

25TH—28TH MARCH

Will rees clear the Highland Division advanced north and east sending 153rd Brigade to Groin, 154th Brigade to Bienen and 9th Canadian Brigade to Grieterbusch on its way towards Emmerich. Crocodiles were used on the afternoon of the 25th when a troop of 'C' Squadron 141 R.A.C. flamed houses on the outskirts of Esserden.

0On the 26th the 43rd Division took over on the left flank of the 51st Division, and assumed command of the 9th Canadian Brigade who were now in Androp and Bienen and about to attack Millingen. Kangaroos of 'B' Squadron Canadian Carrier Regiment took the infantry forward; the town was taken and in spite of heavy counter attacks the division had established by the 27th, firm positions on the Autobahn.

The 15th Division was fighting hard to enlarge its bridgehead. Bislich was taken on the 25th and the next day half of 'A' Squadron~, .7th Royal Tanks flamed in support of infantry trying to cross the Wesel-Haldern road. The other half squadron helped to clear woods and houses two miles west of Dingden. Crocodiles went into action again on the 27th against pockets in thinly wooded country east of Haldern which had been by-passed by the leading troops. Here fifty prisoners were taken and an 88 mm and half-track knocked out. At dusk the same day Crocodiles flamed Clasenhaus which infantry of the 15th Division took: a 105 mm SP gun was destroyed. Haldern was captured on the 28th by men of the 46th Brigade (15th Division) with half 'A' Squadron in support but not used.

It was the 12th Corps plan to break-out with the 7th Armoured Division on the right and the 53rd Division on the left. The former division directed on Borken, the latter on Bocholt. The 52nd Division was in reserve and intended to mop up behind the 7th Armoured Division. The 53rd Division took Dingden on the 27th and moved against Vreden supported by 'B' Squadron 7th Royal Tanks. The Crocodiles flamed successfully north of Dingden on the night of the 27th, then gave fire support to the infantry attacking factories on the way to Bocholt.

Canadian patrols reached Dornick on the 27th and the village fell the next day. 7th Canadian Brigade reached the factory area east of Emmerich where they were halted by heavy fire. 'C' Squadron 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry supported the infantry during their assault next day. Flame, 75 mm, and Besa were 'all used and the attack a success. The north-eastern corner of the town was tackled that afternoon by infantry supported by 'C' Squadron's gun tanks and Crocodiles. The Germans fought hard, one Crocodile fell to an SP gun and two more were ditched in bomb craters after flaming.

29TH — 31ST MARCH

Meanwhile, downstream, Isselburg had fallen to the Highland Division who reached the line of the Aalne on the 29th. The 3rd Division then took over and advanced on a three battalion front supported by 'B' and 'C' Squadrons, 22nd Dragoons and 'A' Squadron, 141 R.A.C.: Werth was taken and the Bocholt-Anholt road crossed with fire support from 'C' Squadron 22nd Dragoons and 'A' Squadron 141 R.A.C. 16 Assault Squadron laid a 60 ft "Skid Bailey" near Werth. Further West, Mechelen fell to the 43rd Division on the 29th, with flame support from 'C' Squadron 141 R.A.C. 'B' Squadron Canadian Carrier Regiment lost three Kangaroos during the approach to this place, but went into action again the same day carrying infantry to Anholt and the next day through Varseveld to the woods beyond. The battalion to the right of them was carried by 'A' Squadron. 12th Corps attacked Bocholt on the 28th. Infantry of the

53rd Division cleared the southern outskirts helped by 82 Assault Squadron who demolished a hefty road block. The northern part showed less fight and with the assistance of 'B' Squadron, 7th Royal Tanks, who administered flame, HE and Besa, infantry took the town. On the 30th Winterswilk fell to infantry under flame and gunfire cover and the leading troops harboured just south of Vreden for the night of the 31st.

On 'the 30th infantry of the 53rd Division met an antitank gun screen north of Rhede. 'F' Squadron 49 APC Regiment who were carrying them, lost eight Kangaroos. This Squadron (commanded by Major R. G. A. Kynaston, RAC) which had previously been 52 Tank Squadron, came to the Division in early March, 1945, was equipped and trained with Kangaroos and made part of the permanent organisation of 49 APC Regiment. It had crossed the Rhine on the 26th March and had operated in its first actions in support of the 53rd Division.

7th Armoured Division reached Borken on the 28th — their infantry in Kangaroos of 'A' Squadron 49 APC Regiment— and Gemen on the 29th where the Kangaroos took pri'soners. Again in Kangaroos they reached the outskirts of Ahaus.~on the 31st.

In the north the crust of Emmerich's main defences had been broken and the town fell on the 30th. 3rd Canadian Division now reverted to 2nd Canadian Corps who led the right flank of the Canadian Army's drive to reach the Zuyder Zee and clear Northern Holland.

9 U.S. ARMY SECTOR 24TH—31ST MARCH

Meanwhile the Ninth American Army who had also crossed on the 24th had a strong bridgehead and were turning their attention to investing the Ruhr. On the 29th March, Crocodiles of 'B' Squadron, Fife and Forfar, flamed in support of American infantry north-west of Gelsenkirchen and again on the 30th in the same area; machine gun posts were knocked out and about twenty prisoners taken. Two troops operated once more on the 1st, flaming woods on the north fringe of the Ruhr and taking prisoners. No mines had been met by the Americans so 'B' Squadron, 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry had so far not been used.

1ST—1OTH APRIL

April the 1st saw the 3rd Division approaching Hengelo; they took Enschede on the 2nd supported by 'A' Squadron 41 R.A.C.: 16 Assault Squadron laid an SBG bridge north of Neede. The 7th Armoured Division had made great progress through Ahaus to Metelen, the leading infantry carried by 'A' Squadron, 49 APC Regiment.

By the 4th, the 43rd Division had entered Bori~, using Kangaroos of 'C' Squadron 49 APC Regiment: the 53rd Division had 'reached a point ten miles from Rheine, with leading infantry ~carried by 'F' Squadron; and the 7th Armoured Division was fighting in Ibbenburen, having arrived in 'A' Squadron's Kangaroos. Two more battalions came up the following, day over the Dortmund-Ems Canal, "em-pouched" in the same Kangaroos.

By the 6th the 53rd Division had taken on the task of clearing Ibbenburen where personnel of German' Training Schools were fighting fanatically. 'B' Squadron, 7th Royal Tanks eventually "settled their hash" by plentiful use of flame; the Highland Division had sent' troops as far north as the woods south-east of Lingen supported by 'A' Squadron 141 R.A.C., and further south had reached Schuttorf and started clearing the pockets north of Rheine covered by fire support from 'C' Squadron, 22nd Dragoons. The 43rd Division had taken Nordhorn, assisted by 'C' Squadron 49 APC Regiment; the 3rd Division reached Lingenwhich they took with flame and fire support from 'A' Squadron, 141 R.A.C.

The 52nd Division was well east of Hopsten using 'F' Squadron's Kangaroos. Osnabruck was threatened and the enemy holding out north-east of Ibbenburen gradually wiped out by the 52nd Division backed by flame from 'B' Squadron 7th Royal Tanks: the Ems-Weser canal was crossed and troops not far from Bramsche. East of Lingen, 'A' Squadron 141 R.A.C. flamed in support of the 3rd Division.

In Holland the Canadians had reached Zutphen, approaching from the south-east; here they were "flamed in" by 'C' Squadron 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry. 'A' Squadron 7th Royal Tanks also operated east of this town in support of 2nd Canadian Division, causing many casualties and bringing in about 100 prisoners, Canadians were also in Deventer. The 49th Division was in process of eliminating the remaining Germans south and west of the Waal (or Low~er Rhine). 'A' Squadron 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry gave fire support to the infantry attack on Elden and Rykeswaard, and also had the pleasure of engaging indirectly targets north of the river at a range of 7 to 10,000 yards. 617 Squadron had dropped four fascines near Angeren to form a detour round two large craters and so allow armour to pass: on the 3rd they had successfully dropped an SBG bridge near Huissen and given infantry Besa support in this area. At Huissen they cleared a lane through a Schu- and Teller-minefield.

In the south the sweeping of the Ruhr by First and Ninth U.S. Armies went steadily ahead. On April the 7th, 'B' Squadron 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry flamed road blocks and buildings east of Dortmund; they routed some 100 Germans and knocked out one Panther. 'B' Squadron 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry performed the unenviable task of protecting road blocks in the Ruhr for the 75th U.S. Division.

CANADIAN SECTOR 1OTH—10TH APRIL

The Canadians were now ready to launch 1st Canadian Corps into Central Holland. The River Ijssel was to be crossed in two places: between Deventer and Zutphen and south-east of Arnhem.

4th Royal Tanks was to "Buffalo" the 1st Canadian Division across in the first-mentioned sector. After careful reconnaissance and preparation of routes by sappers of 79 Assault Squadron the crossing was made just west of Gorssel, about five miles down-stream of Zutphen. At 1630 hours on April 11th 'A' and 'B' Squadrons each augmented by craft from 'C' Squadron carried the assault elements of an infantry battalion to the west bank of the ljssel. No small arms fire and only spasmodic shell-fire was met, mainly directed at the Gorssel cross roads; this was surprising in view of the comparatively large number of prisoners taken soon after landing.,, Smoke covering the left squadron cleared too early and

shell fire came from up-stream. It was heavy but did not stop ferrying: it slackened when more smoke was put down and counter-battery fire directed towards the gun area. When the down-stream bank became impassable all ferrying took place across the left Squadron's crossing. The regiment ceased to ferry on the morning of the 13th by which time a bridge had been built over which the last battalion of the Division crossed. Every other unit had been taken across by Buffalo.

This was an almost model Buffalo operation. The whole transportation, problem was left in the hands of the Buffalo regimental commander who worked out his complete programme, allowing for rest, casualties, maintenance, etc., and allotted serials to the infantry who filled them with personnel and vehicles in the priorities required. The result Was that no time was lost, no Buff aloes stood unintentionally idle: the infantry suffered few and the 4th Royal Tanks no casualties. Amongst others Lieutenant A. S. King, 4th Royal Tanks and Lieutenant J. H Wilson 79 Assault Squadron R.E. distinguished themselves in this action.

The infantry reached Tweloo that night. Meanwhile further south the 49th Division was preparing to cross the Ijssel immediately south-west of Westervoort. The preamble to this operation had started on April 2nd. As already stated, 'A' Squadron 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry and 617 Assault Squadron had been in action, and the 49th Division stood ready to cross the Ijssel in Buffaloes of 11th Royal Tanks and take Arnhem from the east.

The assault was made at 2250 hours on April 12th: it started badly as the bund had not been gapped as planned, but after some difficulty Buffaloes got over and landed the infantry in spite of a certain amount of shelling. Schumines were encountered but during darkness a total of three infantry battalions was 'Buffaloed' across. Credit is due to the reconnaissance parties, and in particular to Captain E. R. Allan, 11th Royal Tanks for a good job done under shell and mortar fire.

A class 40 bridge was ready by 0930 hours on the 13th and tanks, Crabs and Crocodiles crossed, followed by the second infantry brigade. The leading infantry fought slowly through the town: one troop of 'A' Squadron 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry (Sjt G. F. Hopkins) gave fire support and another flailed mines on the river bank. The third supported infantry in taking the power house.

In the evening Crocodiles of 'A' Squadron 1st Fife and For-far Yeomanry flamed houses in street-fighting with no casualties. The Buffaloes rallied near Westervoort, but stood by in case the bridge was damaged in any way. 260 loads had been carried for the loss of 2 craft. One officer died of wounds and 11 other ranks were wounded.

Arnhem took two more days to clear. The whole of 49 Div~~~0~ infantry was engaged. 'A' Squadron 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry did a great deal of flaming and expended a lot of HE and Besa. AVREs petarded road blocks, and gave Besa fire support. On the 16th the Velp area was flailed and then taken by the infantry with flame support. The advance north continued.

SECOND ARMY 10TH — 21ST APRIL

During all this time immense progress had been made to the south-east. Third U.S. Army were in Leipzig and beyond Jena. First U.S. Army had almost reached Dessau on the Elbe, while Ninth Army had linked with First Army Troops advancing north-west and the whole Ruhr pocket was encircled.

8th British Corps (Lt-Gen Barker) had the 15th Division fighting for Uelzen. Hanover was invested by the Americans. 11th Armoured Division was held on the Aller southeast of Rethem; 7th Armoured Division approaching Walsrode and 53rd Division nearing Verden: 30th Corps advancing on Bremen. I

Units of the Division participated in many an action; Kangaroos were in greatest demand. 'C' Squadron 49 APC Regiment had been of assistance to 43rd Division carrying leading infantry rapidly up centre lines, clearing trees, blocks, etc. with the assistance of 16 Assault Squadron. 'F' Squadron supported the 53rd Division from the AIler to Walsrode and Holtum, to Eilstorf and in the Bendingbostel area, where they met heavy opposition. They collected a good "bag" including four 150 mm and two 88 mm guns destroyed, two 37 mm and 160 Germans captured. Later on the 20th, they reached Soltau and beyond with 7th Armoured Division.

'A' Squadron also carried men of the 7thArmoured Division, up to and beyond Walsrode; then up to Liebingen with infantry of the 79th. U.S. Division.

Flails were for the most part used as Sherman gun tanks and with great success. 'B' Squadron 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry was released from the Ruhr on the 15th, but not before they had had several minor actions. 'C' Squadron Westminster Dragoons supported 3rd Division in Wildeshausen repelling several German counter-attacks and carried out a very successful minor offensive action on 13th April, killing about 20 Germans. 22nd Dragoons came to be regarded as normal armour by the Highland Division who used them in their attack on Bottlingen (16th April) and had five tanks damaged and one written off on mines. Again south of Delmenhorst on the 18th when 'B' and 'C' Squadrons claimed an 88 mm and SP gun. On the 21st they lost one tank "Bazookaed" near Ganderkesee, losing one man killed and one wounded, but a good shoot was had. Crocodiles were overworked during this period. 'B' Squadron 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry flamed in support of 75th U.S. Division in Dortmund and later in support 79th U.S. Division in Bochum. Both actions were successful, brought out prisoners and no casualties to own troops.

'C' Squadron 7th Royal Tanks was with the 53rd Division. They flamed near Barnstedt - on the 12th, at Hohenven.. bergen and area on the 15th (here a Crocodjle was brewed up by a Panzerfaust): and in very heavy fighting east of Verden on the 16th. Another Crocodile fell to aPanzerfaust. Verden again on the 17th and half the Squadron helped the infantry to take Kirchlinter and 40 Germans. The 3rd Division claimed them on the 19th and they flamed to very good effect in Brinkum. Half the Squadron supported 52nd Division in Baden and surrounding woods on the 21st.

'A' Squadron 7th Royal Tanks worked mainly with the 3rd and 51st Divisions. In support of the former they flamed north of Syke; for the latter they gave flame support in Adelheide and Stuhr on the 19th April. 'B' Squadron of the same regiment supported the Highland Division in its attack on Ganderkesee and area on the 21st.

'A' Squadron 141 R.A.C. also flamed in support of the Highland Division, this time near Vechta on the 13th.

Assault R.E.: 16th Squadron have already been mentioned. They helped to clear 43rd Division routes near Haselunne: petarded houses at Holze and laid an SBG to the west of it. On the 11th 82nd Squadron built a Bailey at Bramsche and called it "Funnies Bridge". Ten days later, on the 21st, they helped 52nd Division to clear road blocks north-west of Verden. 222nd Squadron petarded road block on the 13th near Oldenburg and on the 18th near Syke.

CANADIAN ARMY 13TH — 22ND APRIL

As for the Canadian Army, they had reached the North Sea near Leeuwarden on April 16th; they were into Germany as far as Papenburg (50 miles south-west of Wilhelmshaven); they held Zwolle and Apeldoorn,- were on the Zuyder Zee near Kampen and were moving west towards Amersfoort.

The Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment was in action near Assen on the 13th in support of the 1st Canadian Division. They helped seize intact a bridge over - the Willems canal just east of Assen. 'B' Squadron carried infantry of the 4th Armoured Division into Neurenberg south of Friesoythe. On the 15th 'A' Squadron carried men of the 2nd Canadian Division to Groningen, where a bridge was seized intact in the face of heavy fire, and the town fell.'A' Squadron 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry supported 49th Division towards Renkum and flailed about 13 mines:one tank brewed up, wounding all members of the crew.

Apeldoorn fell on the 17th to infantry of the 1st Division under covering fire from 'A' Squadron 141 R.A.C. They supported them west to Barneveld. On the day Apeldoorn was taken, Headquarters 5th Canadian Armoured Division was at Otterloo some miles away: This town was attacked by a German Brigade Group about 1000 strong and in the fighting that followed No ~ troop of 617 Assault Squadron (Captain A. H. Warde, M.C.) distinguished itself by disposing in one hour of about 100 enemy by a rain of Petard and Besa fire. The situation was saved and General Hofmeister personally thanked the Squadron Commander.

23RD—28TH APRIL

By the 23rd of April the end of organised resistance was in sight. The French Army was on the Swiss border and along Lake Constance. Seventh Army had reached Chemnitz, First Army the Elbe. Ninth Army had eliminated the Ruhr pocket with its 320,000 German soldiers. Model, the Commander in Chief of German Army Group "G", had committed suicide. Almost 100,000 men had been surrounded in the Harz mountains. Ninth and Second Armies were on the Elbe from below Magdeburg (where the Americans had secured a small and not very secure lodgement) to northeast of Lüneburg.

BREMEN

Bremen was outflanked to the east by the 7th Armoured Division who were approaching Harburg. The former was subjected to a Corps attack on the 25th.

In the advance towards Bremen from the east the 43rd and 52nd Divisions each had support from units of 79th Armoured Division. On the 23rd 'C' Squadron 7th Royal Tanks flamed and shot 52nd Division into Uphusen. 'C' Squadron 49 APC Regiment carried their infantry on the 24th to Mahndorf, south-east of the town where 'C' Squadron flamed again, losing a tank; and on the 25th into the outskirts at Hastedt, while 'A' Squadron carried men of 43rd Division through Bassen to the edge of Bremen.

The 3rd Division attacked from the south on the 25th. The infantry had to cross ground flooded to a depth of about 3 feet and very boggy, in order to reach the village of Arsten, the airfield to the left of the main road, and the general factory area on the south bank. 4th Royal Tanks provided the Buffaloes which operated as two strong Squadrons and' made a total of 115 trips before ferrying ceased. Some small arms fire was directed at them, but the crossing was in darkness and no casualties were incurred.

Crocodiles were in some demand. 'A' Squadron 7th Royal Tanks flamed in support of the 3rd Division infantry through Dreye, Arsten and Harlenhausen on the 25th, and on the 26th flamed the infantry on to the railway line outside the town taking 26 prisoners.

222nd Assault Squadron had laid a Skid Bailey on the 24th over the main road north of Brinkum, and on the following two days destroyed road blocks and laid fascines.

Crabs were used mainly as gun tanks. 'A' and 'B' Squadrons 22nd Dragoons shot infantry into the barracks and factory area, and over the airfield. They knocked out an 88 mm during the night of the 26th. Corporal R. G. Tremeer, 22nd Dragoons distinguished himself in these actions.

The advance from the east went slowly. 82ndi Assault Squadron petarded road blocks and had an AVRE written off by a naval mine on the 24th. 'B' Squadron 7th Royal Tanks did a lot flaming and helped the 52nd Division take some 300 prisoners on the 25th and about 180 on the 26th. l6tlv Assault Squadron cleared road blocks in Rockwinkel, in the north-eastern outskirts, and in the town.

Centaur-dozers of 87th Assault Squadron assisted in clearing roads and the dock area on the 26th and 27th. This Squadron had been deprived of its AVREs in January, waited a long time for Centaur-dozers to arrive and had then been trained on them in Belgium.

'B' Squadron 22nd Dragoons supported men of the 43rd Division against snipers and machine gun positions.

B the 27th the town was in our hands less certain dock areas and defensive positions in the town park. The latter were flamed by 'C' Squadron Royal Tanks and the whole of Bremen clear by the 28th.Fairly determined opposition was still being met by the 7th Armoured Division south of Harburg. 'F' Squadron

49 APC Regiment carried their infantry in the slow advance north, on the 24th near Neundorf and on the 27th in the village of Sieversen.

No less determined was the fighting north of Bremen. Bremervörde was holding out against the Guards Armoured Division and the 43rd and 51st Divisions were making slow progress towards Bremerhaven.

The Canadians were almost to Emden (they reached Leer on the 28th April) and had cleared the north coast of Ho!land less a small pocket near Delfzijl. 79th Assault Squadron had supported the 1st Canadian Division by petarding houses and road blocks.

  Finale

"This is the way the world ends; not with a bang but a whimper" T. S. Elliot

The 8th British Corps was to cross the Elbe at Artlenburg with 18th U.S. Airborne Corps assaulting on its right near Bleckede. 8th Corps had 15th (Scottish) Division in the lead, with 1st Commando Brigade under command. 6th Airborne Division Was to pass through the initial bridgehead and make contact with 18th Corps. 11th Armoured Division would break out arid cut off Lübeck from the north-west while the 5th DiviSion attacked it from the east.

18th Airborne Corps would develop its bridgehead, swing east and take 6th Airborne Division under its command.

15th (Scottish) Division crossed the Elbe at 0200 hours on April 29th in Buffaloes of 'A' and 'C' Squadrons, 11th Royal Tanks. Further upstream 'B' Squadron, 11th Royal Tanks and 77 Assault Squadron also assaulted at, 0200 hours.

Opposition was less formidable' than the steep, wooded escarpment on the enemy I~ank suggested (there was even one German soldier at the water's edge with hands up) and the assaulting infantry gained a firm foothold early., Ferrying went on, throughout the 29th April. 'B' Squadron 11th Royal.- Tanks~.ar4 .77 Assault Squadron (again with the

1st Con~mando Brigade — whp successfully stormed Lauenburg, capturing the canal bridge east of the town) made 482 trips,' whik 'A" and 'C' Squadrons, 11th Royal Tanks, made 385 crossings to the, very limited vehicle exits on, the north bank. Amongst others, Captain T. .C. Whewell,, 11th .Royal Tanks, distinguished himself in this action.

Added to shell-fire and mortaring the buff aloes had spirited 'air attacks t~ . contend: with. Directed against the bridges, the diving planes were met with Browning and Polsten fire. Each, of 'A'. and 'C' Sqwidrons, 11th Royal Tanks, 'and .77 Assault~ Squadron,. claimed several Focke-Wulfe 190 shot down or damaged.

'A' Squadron Staffordshire Yeomanry (a composite Squadron' of 24. tanks) made the crossing in~DD .tanks at Artlenburg. They. started crossing at 0500 hours, suffering no casualties, 'and were 'assembled on 'the far hank by 0600 hours. Their first task was to' clear trees, which were across the only two road ~exits. from the bank, after all other vehicles (including, an airborne bulldozer) had failed.

This well e,çëcuted 'crossing gave quick and:vàluahle tank support to both the ~1st 'Commando and 44th Brigades~ with whom the squadron . fought inland, eventually reaching Wangalau. five miles north' of the river. -

505 U.S. Infantry R~gintent provided the assaulting infantry of 18th -Corps. They 'crossed in 'stormboats, and 'A' Squadron, 4th Royal' Tanks, 'carried out a ferry 'service for them. 'A' Squadron started early morning 30th April to the tune, of' accurate enemy mortar fire.' on- the oDly 'available unloading points and heavy shelling of the collecting area.Happily, this did not last and ferrying of American stores, vehicles, casualties, and German PWs was carried on intermittently until 2nd May; when 18th U.S. Airborne Corps released 'A' Squadron. That their work was well appreciated is shown by the letter written by Commander 18th U.S. Airborne Corps (Lieut General Ridgeway).

"The LVTs of your formation were of the greatest of value to the assaulting troops and aided materially in the accomplishment of this Corps' objective."

During the 1st and 2nd May, 11th Royal Tanks and 77 Assault Squadron carried across the Elbe about 300 carriers of the 3rd Division in addition to a number of personnel, including General Dempsey, the Army Commander. These Squadrons made a total of 1,343 trips and performed well a most important task which led directly to 'the defeat of Germany.

At both the American and British crossing places, valuable Movement-light was provided, by the C.D.L. tanks of 'B' Squadron, 49 APC Regiment.

'Disasters 'rained pell-mell upon the enemy in 'this first week of May. Thei'r forces in Italy and Southern Austria had surrendered, Berlin had fallen and with it Hitler, Goebbels, and other leaders of the Nazi gang.

First American Army, whose troops had the distinction of being the first of, the Western soldiers to link-up with the great Russian armies from the east, now held a common front with them over some fifty miles of Central Germany. The country was split 'in two, communications almost nonexistent and, as was soon revealed to the Allies, confusion reigned throughout the German High Command.

21st Army Group was well across the Elbe. On the 3rd the

6th Airborne Division made history by reaching the Baltic, a land achievement never before realised by English troops. They met the Russians at Wismar. The 11th Armoured Dlvision ran them a close second, reaching Neustadt, then wheeling north-west for Kiel.

Hamburg remained' a little longer in German hands and Bremerhaven was staunchly defended. In the advance to' and eventual sacking of Bremervörde several units of the Division played a part.

Kangaroos of 49 APC Regiment bore the Highlanders to this town assisting them in minor actions en route.

22nd Dragoons shot them in on the 2nd May, suffering casualties themselves. Crocodiles of'7th Royal Tanks and 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry supplied flame when required.

16 and 82 Assault Squadrons worked hard at clearing routes, destroying road blocks and laying bridges.

Meanwhile in the Canadian sector, Oldenburg fell to the 2nd Canadian Division supported by 'C' Squadron 141 RAC, and 'C' Squadron 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry. The North Holland seaboard was in their hands, as was Central Holland as far west as Amersfoort. Negotiations had begun to convey food, during periods of armistice, to the people of Western Holland.

During the first week of May the roads of North-West Germany presented the most 'extraordinary scenes. Every highway, and many a secondary road too, was crowded with Germans. They came in trucks—moving in convoy—in carts and limbers, bicycles and barrows, to surrender. Mile upon mile of slowly-marching German troops, often 'quite unaccompanied by Bri'tish soldiers, moving towards the Elbe — to the prisoner cages. At the same time liberated slave labourers of both sexes and of all races of Europe swarmed over the country .in every direction, and tens of thousands of freed Allied prisoners of war were welcomed and fed.

The end was very near. Hamburg surrendered on the 2nd and the next day men of the7th Armoured Division entered the ruined city in Kangaroos of 49 APC Regiment.

On the morning of May the 3rd, a delegation of senior German officers arrived at Headquarters Second Army. They were headed by General Admiral von Friedeburg who was, it appeared, an envoy from the German High Command and empowered to discuss surrender terms. The party was accordingly despatched to Field Marshal Montgomery s Tactical Headquarters near the village of Deutsch-Evern. The Field Marshal who from his caravan had seen the Germans arrive, demanded of his staff 'What do these officers want?" He went out to hear their statement.

He had come, said von Friedeburg, from Keitel, to negotiate surrender of the German forces in the North, so as to save "their soldiers and valuable people from being savaged by the Russians".

The Commander-in-Chief curtly made it clear that he was only prepared to accept the unconditional surrender of all German land, sea and air forces in North-western Germany, Holland and the islands. This the delegation was not authorised to decide and a document was drawn up for the High Command incorporating in detail the Field-Marshal's demands.

Meanwhile von Friedeburg was asked if he knew the current war situation. His affirmative changed to tears when he was shown the operations map.

A few minutes after six o'clock on 'Friday the 4th of May 1945 surrender terms were signed at Tactical Headquarters 21st Army Group.

During this period Tactical Headquarters 79th Armoured Division was established within two miles of the FieldMarshal's own Headquarters.

On the 6th of May took place the total and unconditional surrender of all German armed forces to the Allied Armies of Britain, America, and Soviet Russia.

  They also serve

During its 21/a years of existence the 79th Armoured Division has carved out a unique position for itself. The decision made in 1943 by the C.I.G.S. to vest in one man the control and development of all specialist armoured devices, has paid a good dividend.

The principle of advice and control has proved a success. Army Commanders when planning an operation, have taken advice from 79th Armoured Division and then submitted their requirements to Army Group. When approval has been given, mixed detachments of specialist units have been placed in support of the formations concerned. They remain under the command of. the 79th Armoured Division Brigadier or Regimental Commander selected who also plays the role of adviser to the operating Commander.

Field Marshal Montgomery has approved this system and has stated "I consider that in any future Expeditionary Force one such formation should be included' directly under command7t.

Our equipments were specifically designed to operate in assault roles. They move in the van of the attack and more often'than not bear the brunt of fierce opposition. Their outstanding record of success is a clear proof of the ability and personal gallantry of all crews. Abnormal equipment is especially prone to mishaps; maintenance must be good, that is a First Principle. Even so, an exceptionally high standard of leadership is demanded of all ranks; it has been forthcoming in 79th Armoured Division.

Casualties have been heavy and awards for gallantry numerous; some statistics appear in the appendix.

This is primarily the story of the fighting troops but would be incomplete without mention of the Royal Corps of Signals and Service units which muster almost one third of all ranks in the Division.

Signals:have in this formation faced a series of unique and almost insoluble problems. The Division was always dispersed, sometimes to a width of a Two-Army Group front. For about a month the furthest-flung units were almost 400 miles apart. Yet, to the great credit of Divisional Sig. nals, communications were maintained, by wireless always and by cable whenever distance and routing permitted. The time of the Rhine crossing provides a good example. The Division was spread over three armies and rear-links were respectively 160, 110 and 50 miles distant from Main Divisional Headquarters which was itself 160 miles from Tactical Headquarters.

The maintenance of these lines and of the 2,450 wireless sets in the Division taxed to the utmost the already slender Signal resources.

All ranks of Divisional Signals have upheld the high standard of work in 79th Armoured Division.

RASC:companies have always functioned with platoons widely scattered. Frequent switches of command necessitated central control and a flexible organisation.

Up to 17 regiments and normal divisional troops with, it must be remembered, very heavy demands for Ordnance lift to supply so many REME workshops have been maintained by II platoons. This has resulted in hard work for all ranks who have responded to a man. Amongst many jobs well done, the case of Corporal C. A. Blackburn (502 Company) has been singled out. This N.C.O. had his Buffalo, loaded with ammunition, blown up on a mine on Walcheren. Realising the urgent need for this ammunition, he started on his own to load it into another Buffalo although the area was dotted with mines and movement dangerous. He completed his task and delivered the ammunition.

Medical:Until September 1944 the Light Field Ambulances in this Division were organised on normal lines. Since that date -they have been enabled to operate each, 18 Medical Sections (for attachment to fighting squadrons) two 10-bed and one 20-bed sick bays. The sub-allocation to regiments was ultimately, made permanent—in and out of action—and the success of the whole reorganisation is proven both by the general state of health in the Division and by the following statistics: between September 1944 and April 1945, 1,282 patients have been treated in sick bays: in the fighting to clear the South bank of the Scheldt a single section treated arikd evacuated 537 patients of all nationalities; and finally the same unit cleared 240 casualties at the time of the Rhine crossing.

Ordnance:The task of Ordnance Field Parks has been severely complicated both by wide dispersal and by the peculiar nature of spares required. As these are invariably in short supply, strict centralised control has been maintained to regulate priorities. The collection of stores from the Base presented many difficulties, as Armies frequently had insufficient transport available to carry stores for the Division. The Ordnance Field Parks assumed this additional task which was quite outside their normal functions.

Two examples: between October 1944 and midMaich 1945 one unit carried forward a total of 14,670 tons of Stores; before the Rhine crossing one unit issued in 10 days stores which included 690 strips of Track, 106 engine assemblies, 748 bogies and 1,564 sparking plugs.

The system in use has survived the test of action and all ranks have carried out a difficult task with great success.

REME:Modern war is mechanical: machines demand a high standard of maintenance and the attention of expert tradesmen. Without the hard work and fine craftmanship of the REME units, the Division could not have achieved what it has. At one period the strength of REME personnel in 79th Armoured Division stood at over 3,300 all ranks, more than four times the number contained in a normal armoured division. Second line workshops were organised on a special establishment and operated customarily on a composite basis in support of brigade groups.

Third line workshops were directed centrally; to ensure the most suitable positioning and a careful regulation of their continually varying loads. They have frequently been employed in the manufacture and modification of experimental equipment and have provided the Division with what amounted to factory resources in miniature.

Some interesting statistics show the remarkable volume of work achieved by REME units.

During autumn 1944 829 Armoured Troops Workshop 'converted in 14 days 29 Churchili~ tanks to Crocodiles and modified 42 trailers:' between the 7th of January and the 7th of March 1945, the conversion of 96 Churchills and modification of the same number of trailers was completed. In the short period of eight weeks ,33rd Armoured Brigade Workshop handled 569 Buffaloes, including the completion of all modifications1 the fitment of 106 Major Assemblies, the stripping of 300 Bilge Pumps and the manufacture of 100 Bilge Pump Drive Shafts. The frequent necessity to manufacture special spare parts has already been mentioned: during January, February and March 1945, Crab spares were in short supply and 825 Armoured Troops Workshop manufactured sufficient to enable repairs to continue. The total included 300 Rotor flail chain bushes; 76 sets of spare chain brackets; 275 cowls for station-keeping lights ~and 1,360 components for Whyman Markers.

REME men landed with the assaulting units on

D Day. Several outstanding~ acts of gallantry

have been described in this book. Two fine

examples are those of Captain J. J. Pollock,

M.C., EME to 11 Royal Tanks, and' Serjeant

P. L. Gregory attached to I Lothians & Border

•Yeomanry. The former. rescued under heavy

•fire the crews of twO run-away Buffaloes and a naval motor launch at the time of the Ijssel crossing. Serjeant Gregory was responsible in September 1944 for recovering 13 tanks from a minefield near Le Havre. He personally located and removed mines, brought up his ARV and completed recovery within 48 hours.

Provost, Field Security Personnel, the Postal Section and the Field Cashier have all contributed most valuable work throughout the last three years, as have the Chaplains of the division.

No mention has so far been made in this book of 557 Assault Training Establishment R.E. Formed in July 1944 from the squadron of that number, it landed in Belgium in carly December and was located at Gheel. There it has remained playing the triple race of Holding and Training unit for Assault RE reinforcements and Experimental Establishment to the Assault Brigade R.E.

Finally, the Delivery Squadrons. Supplies of special tanks have always been limited and their distribution controlled by Divisional Headquarters through the Delivery Squadrons. 'Demands have been urgent and have left the minimum time for servicing and kitting. Amongst records achieved, one of the most outstanding was the clearance of 283 tanks of all types through one Squadron during March 1945,~ this the 264 Special Delivery Squadron, which has been part of the Division since 1943, added to its delivery duties the supervision of training cadres.

Now it is June 1945 and the process of disbandment has started. The Division was designed to bring success to the European compaign; it has done this. It has fought under one Commander-in-Chief and one Divisional Commander only;' it 'has assumed something of each of their personalities. It has left its mark both ' metaphorically in military history and literally upon the walls and roads of Europe. Allies and Germans alike will not forget the Bull's Head!

  EPILOGUE

THE war in Europe is over. It has ended not a day too soon.

It was as well in"1940, when Britons stood alone, that ,we refused to admit the might of our opponents.

We know now the magnitude of their.plans and the—devilish ingenuity and resource with which they harnessed Europe's Industry. We have much to. learn from them4

The brains of their own and enslaved scientists were given scope and encouragementQ They set no limit to fantasy; plans were grandiose and plant extravagant. They lacked few materials and to compensate' produced effective sub~ stitutes.

Labour was plentiful and. expendible; human guineapigs were legion. Their ever-latent taste foy 'Sadism had full rein and Science flourished.

This. was the Promised Land~ where every -woman, man and child, thriving ~on looted food and cattle, clothes and furniture enjoyed a luxury they, had never known. They saw that War was good; it brought them heart's-desire, in exchange for -one sacitflce—their .indi.viduajit,y. It seemed so small a price to give and' with so little moral effort. But while they prospered Europe paid, in kind at first, and then in bodies, living only while they served a useful purpose. From their Concentration Camps the British soldier gleaned his first real understanding of the German people.

The Jackboot is their symbol. Watch the German draw it on, you see him don an arrogance, and straightening to remembered music, feel himself a Siegfried. His mind is diseased. Today we seek a cure,— that must tomorrow he maintained by continental nations.

And now the Hun is down; beaten by men who, better led,. equipped and served are individually his masters. Europe

is free again. Let it remain so; and on this hopeful note your story ends borrowing from Milton's verse these final lines:

"Oh how comely it is, and how reviving

To the spirits of just men long opprest

When God into the hands of their deliverer

Puts invincible might

To quell the mighty of the Earth, th' oppressour

The Brute and boisterous force of violent men;

Handy and industrious to support

Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue

The righteous and all such as honour Truth;

He all their ammunition

And feats of War defeats

With plain heroic magnitude of mind

And celestial vigour arm'd,

Their Armories and Magazins contemns

Renders them useless, while

With winged expedition,

Swift as the lightning glance he executes

His errand on the wicked, who, surprised,

Lose their defence, distracted and amaz'd.".