Abbreviations

ABD

Amn

Bde

Br

Coy

Dep

Div

Ech

Galls

Loct

Maint

M/C

OC

Offr

OR

Pet

Pl

PP

Pty

Reorg

SP

Sup

Veh

Airborne Division

Ammunition

Brigade

Bridge

Company

Departure

Division / Divisional

Echelon

Gallons

Location

Maintenance

Motorcycle

Officer Commanding

Officer

Other Ranks

Petrol

Platoon

Petrol Point

Party

Reorganisation

Supply Point

Supply

Vehicle

 

 

Commanding Officer: Major J.H. Gifford RASC

Month and Year: September 1944

 

1st September 1944

Coy moved back to Div Area at LA MINE.  Amn loaded up.  Tents handed in to ADOS.

 

2nd September 1944

Depart 0500 hrs in convoy.  Weather wet.  Move to GISORS, crossing R.SEINE at VERNON.  Bivouac for night.

 

3rd September 1944

Move postponed until 1630 hrs.  Convoy to CROISSY (S.W. of AMIENS).  Conference at Div HQ.  Amn off-loaded from 3 ton vehs.

 

4th September 1944

Rest day.

 

5th September 1944

Veh. Maintenance.

 

6th September 1944

1330 - Move to LA VIEVILLE (3 miles W of ALBERT).  12 x 3 ton vehs off-loaded and 20000 galls pet collected in two shifts.  P.Ps set up. 3 German prisoners taken. Weather wet.

 

7th September 1944

0730 - Move (less Coy HQ) to LOTH (SW of BRUSSELS) via ALBERT, ARRAS, DOUAI, TOURNAI, ENGHIEN, HAL.  All vehs in by 2030 hrs.  Very windy.

 

8th September 1944

0850 - Move via suburbs of BRUSSELS to LOUVAIN.  Coy halt and disperse to NEERHSSCHE (NE LOUVAIN). Bivouac.

 

9th to 14th September 1944

In same location - nothing to report. Weather warm & fine.  Pl football competition, veh maint + route march.  OCs parade + Church Service. Liberty lorries run to BRUSSELS.  At 6 hrs notice to move.

 

15th September 1944

0700 - Move past SP.  Route LOUVAIN - DIEST - BEERINGEN - LILO.  Vehs sorted into 'A' + 'B' Echs ('A' comprising Coy HQ + Amn vehs, 'B' remainder of Coy).  Wet night.

 

16th September 1944

Rest day. Weather fine.

 

17th September 1944

'D' Day.  1000 hrs Briefing conference at 30 Corps (Rear).  Also at 1730 hrs.  Lt Col Curtis gave verbal orders concerning operation MARKET GARDEN.  1300 hrs. landing of 1 ABD at ARNHEM.

 

18th September 1944

D+1.  At ½ hours notice from 1200 hrs.  Wet.

 

19th September 1944

D+2.  Move postponed.  At short notice from 1700 hrs.  Very warm.

 

20th September 1944

0600 - 'A' Ech, comprising all amn vehs move forward into HOLLAND, crossing ESCAUT Canal at 0900 hrs.  Halt for remainder of day at point 9 miles South of EINDHOVEN to allow 43 Div past.

 

21st September 1944

2000 - Follow 43 Div tail.  Fast night convoy through EINDHOVEN, VEGHEL, UDEN.  No incidents.  1 m/c damaged..

 

22nd September 1944

0500 - Arrive GRAVE. Route cut near UDEN and stand-to 1500.  1530 hrs move over GRAVE Br.  Recce and move at 1800 hrs to area 4 miles South of NIJMEGEN.

 

23rd September 1944

Place: Nijmegen

 

Recce by DDST + OC of captured Supply Depots. loct.  Arrival of Dvr Jones T. who had force landed at HERTOGENBOSCH on 'D' Day & found his way through enemy lines.

 

24th September 1944

1300 - Supply Drop SW GRAVE. 17 C47s with 16 panniers in each.  237 panniers collected.  Captured Depot taken over by Coy.  Stocks checked.  Arrival of 'B' Ech.

 

25th September 1944

Supply Drop expected but did not take place.  Reorg of Coy.  Evacuation from ARNHEM.

 

26th September 1944

Assist in evacuation of Polish Para Bde to GRAVE.  Only 2 offrs + 62 ORs came back from ARNHEM.  20 jeep + trailers attached to Polish Bde.

 

27th September 1944

Evacuated personnel refitted.  DID handed over.  Preparations for move of Coy.

 

28th September 1944

Coy and ARNHEM Pls, leave NIJMEGEN 0730.  Convoy to LOUVAIN.  Shelled.

 

29th September 1944

Airborne pty stand by but do not take off.

 

30th September 1944

Dep of Airborne Pty by C.47 from BRUSSELS.  Move of Seaborne Ech to NEERHSSCHE.  Div Sup + Pet collections carried out.  SP + PP set up.