Abbreviations
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2 IC 658797 AA Adjt Air Tps Armd A/Tk Bde Bn Br Comd Coy CRE Det Div Estab Fd FE Gds GOC GSO HQRE Infm Instrs Int IORE LZ M/C Med MG OC "O" Gp Op OR RA RAP RE Rly RV Sigs SP Sqn Tac Tps U/s X-rds |
Second in Command Map Reference Anti-Aircraft Adjutant HQ, 1st British Airborne Corps Armoured Anti-Tank Brigade Battalion Bridge Command Company Commander Royal Engineers Detachment Division Established Field Field Engineer Guards General Officer Commanding General Staff Officer Headquarters, Royal Engineers Information Instructions Intelligence Intelligence Officer Royal Engineers Landing Zone Motorcycle Medical Machine Gun Officer Commanding Orders Group Operation Other Ranks Royal Artillery Regimental Aid Post Royal Engineers Railway Rendezvous Signals Self-propelled Squadron Tactical Troops Unserviceable Crossroads |
Month and year: September 1944
Commanding Officer : Lt.Col. E.C.W. Myers CBE DSO RE
1st September 1944
Place: U.K.
RE planning Int Summary No.1 for Op LINNET issued.
1600 - Glider loading completed.
2nd September 1944
Place: U.K.
1000 - RE sigs instrs issued to unit
2145 - Orders for Cancellation for LINNET received.
3rd September 1944
Place: U.K.
1500 - "O" Gp for new operation (No.14) at HQ Air Tps - CRE attended.
1800 - Take off time for Op No.14 received - 1400 hrs 5 Sep.
2200 - All timings advanced 24 hrs - take off now 1400 hrs 4 Sep.
2350 - Op No.14 cancelled.
4th September 1944
Place: U.K.
1500 - "O" Gp for new op at HQ Air Tps.
5th September 1944
Place: U.K.
0800 - New Op - No.15 - to be named COMET.
7th September 1944
Place: U.K.
2300 - COMET postponed 24 hrs.
8th September 1944
Place: U.K.
2000 - COMET postponed further 24 hrs.
9th September 1944
Place: U.K.
2100 - postponed for further 48 hrs minimum.
10th September 1944
Place: U.K.
1215 - Tac HQRE returned to HQ Air Tps - Op COMET cancelled - New Operation (No.16) projected. "MARKET".
12th September 1944
Place: U.K.
1200 - "O" Gp held by GOC for MARKET.
1500 - CRE's "O" Gp for MARKET
13th September 1944
Place: U.K.
1800 - All necessary re-loading of gliders completed. Remainder checked.
16th September 1944
Place: U.K.
1530 - Final check of all HQRE loads.
17th September 1944
Place: U.K.
1038 - First Lift HQRE (CRE's glider) took off from FAIRFORD Airfield. First Lift HQRE (under comd FE) took off from KEEVIL Airfield.
1335 - HQRE, (CRE, IORE, FE, and 8 OR) landed on correct LZ West of ARNHEM.
1415 - HQRE estab wood to East of LZ 658797.
1930 - HQRE moved back to LZ and operated from gliders.
18th September 1944
Place: Arnhem area.
0600 - HQRE moved to edge of LZ.
0700 - HQRE moved to wood 665785.
1115 - Attacked by fighter aircraft.
1520 - 2nd Lift landed (Adjt RE and 2 OR). Scattered re-supply.
1605 - 2nd Lift joined main HQRE.
1800 - HQRE moved to HARTESTEIN HOTEL 7978.
19th September 1944
Place: Arnhem area.
0930 - Div HQ mortared.
1900 - Lt STORRS and 2 OR recced rly br and made contact with enemy.
20th September 1944
Place: Arnhem area.
1330 - Shelling and SA fire around HQ area.
1400 - Defence of Div HQ organised by GSO 1.
1406 - Re-supply drop over area.
1700 - Further re-supply over area.
1710 - 1 Para report WATERLOO br may NOT be prepared for demolition. Fuses removed from North end. South end may be prepared.
1740 - Adjt set out to cross NEDER RIJN to contact 2nd Army.
1945 - Road block to be laid across end of Div HQ drive.
1955 - Ferry party reported safe arrival of Adjt RE.
2110 - 9 Fd Coy party at ferry reported ferry still running but enemy starting to dispute ground.
21st September 1944
Place: Arnhem area.
0330 - Adjt RE contacted American tps on bank of WAAL.
0625 - Ration scale down to one quarter.
0650 - HQ area mortared.
0930 - Adjt RE contacted CE 30 Corps and passed on infm regarding river banks etc.
1125 - Heavy mortaring.
1430 - Adjt RE crossed NIJMEGEN br with Gds Armd Bde in an attempt to reach ARNHEM.
1820 - Further mortaring HQ area.
1830 - Gds Armd Bde held up by enemy 88 mm guns. Adjt returned to Corps HQ to contact CE.
1840 - Lt SANKEY joined 10 Bn to command a roadblock.
2130 - Lt STORRS and party from 9 Fd Coy left for river to raft over POLES from South side. Unsuccessful.
2300 - Adjt attended conference held by CRE 43 Div to give infm on NEDER RIJN river banks for proposed assault crossing.
22nd September 1944
Place: Arnhem area.
0730 - Very heavy mortaring HQ area. 1 Jeep destroyed.
1210 - CRE left with GSO 1 to make contact with POLES and 43 Div by recce boat rowed by Lt STORRS. Spasmodic mortaring through morning.
1350 - Confirmation of safe crossing of CRE received.
1400 - Maj J C WINCHESTER RE (OC 9 Fd Coy) arrived HQRE to take comd in absence of CRE.
1550 - POLES to cross from South of river tonight 2030 hrs.
1735 - Mortaring and shelling of HQ area. Rations finished.
1800 - Adjt contacted 5 ducks of med supplies for Div at ARNHEM.
1900 - Ducks moved from NIJMEGEN in an attempt to make dash for river line.
23rd September 1944
Place: Arnhem area.
0220 - Maj WINCHESTER reported to Div HQ POLES being ferried over at rate 16 per hour. Crossing under fire from East and MG fire from bank.
0230 - Ducks held up 2 miles West of ELST by enemy 88 mm guns. Adjt and Sgt from 1 Bn went rest of way on foot through enemy lines. Lt STORRS made 26 trips over the river in an attempt to get POLES across.
0240 - GSO 3 reported CRE and GSO 1 returning night 23/24 Sep. CRE visiting CRE 43 Div to advise on assault crossing.
0400 - HQ area shelled.
0735 - Heaving shelling and mortaring HQ area.
0830 - Adjt RE contacted CRE 1 mile North of DRIEL.
0837 - RA report remainder of rly br is blown.
1215 - Heavy mortaring - second Jeep destroyed.
1650 - Mortaring - 50% of stores destroyed. 22 Wireless set u/s and contact with units lost.
1915 - Maj WINCHESTER to arrange return of GSO 1 by dinghy. Completed by Lt STORRS at 2300 hrs.
24th September 1944
Place: Arnhem area.
0120 - Mortaring of Div HQ area - continued until 0257.
0729 - Very heavy mortaring and shelling of HQ area commenced and continued throughout morning. 1 M/C u/s.
1427 - HQ under fire from Spandau on hospital and from snipers.
2330 - Adjt RE made unsuccessful attempt to cross river.
25th September 1944
Place: Arnhem area.
0425 - Mortar and SA fire around area.
0600 - Heavy mortar fire throughout morning. Remaining M/Cs hit. HQRE now completely without transport.
0830 - Adjt contacted CRE by wireless and received orders to remain in present location.
1600 - Orders received to evacuate South of River LECK.
1700 - Adjt RE attended conference with CRE 43 Div to assist in the evacuation.
2030 - HQRE moved out through enemy lines to river bank. Casualties - CRE and 1 OR slightly wounded.
2040 - Adjt RE contacted CRE on North bank and assisted in the evacuation of our tps.
2115 - Evacuation of HQRE completed - 1 OR admitted to RAP.
26th September 1944
Place: Nijmegen.
0430 - Arrived at MISSIEHUIS, NIJMEGEN.
1400 - Moved to NIJMEGEN BARRACKS.
27th September 1944
Place: Nijmegen.
0800 - HQRE established cafe rear of barracks.
28th September 1944
Place: Nijmegen.
1045 - Moved to LOUVAIN by transport. HQRE established ARTILLERY BARRACKS.
29th September 1944
Place: Nijmegen.
1500 - Moved to BRUSSELS airfield.
1645 - Emplaned for UK.
1930 - Arrived BARKSTON HEATH airfield, LINCS. HQ re-established FULBECK MANOR near GRANTHAM, LINCS.
Report of Activities 9 Field Company RE
The first lift of the unit landed at 1340 hrs on LZ 'Z', complete except for three glider loads. One of these, containing 24 OR crashed in England all occupants being killed. The remaining two glider loads of Jeeps and trailers arrived of 2 Sep with the second lift.
At 1430 hrs 17 Sep approx, Capt HEGGIE with 2 Jeeps and 11 OR, was despatched to join the Recce Sqn for the operation against ARNHEM road bridge via the North of the town.
At 1700 hrs 17 Sep, Capt O'Callaghan with No.2 Platoon less one section left the Coy RV to capture the railway bridge. None of the party was seen again by any member of the Coy, nor was any message received from them. Capt McKay, 1st Para Sqn RE reports, however, that he saw Capt O'Callaghan and his party on the pontoon bridge on 18 Sep. The railway bridge had apparently been demolished by the enemy as Capt O'Callaghan's party approached. Capt O'Callaghan reported having killed all demolition party, which attempted to escape. He then moved on into the town with 1 Para Bde and actually seized and held the pontoon bridge. He was here when last seen, but it is probable that he moved further into the town later with the rest of 1 Para Bde.
At 1500 hrs 17 Sep, Lt WISE ran into a party of Germans at X-roads 200 yards North of WOLFHAZEN HOTEL and was wounded. He rejoined the Coy at the original RV and reported that the WOLFHAZEN HOTEL was said to be held by about 300 enemy SS Troops.
At 1530 hrs Capt BINYON with half No.1 Platoon, Lt. TIMMINS and 12 men of No.2 Platoon were sent to capture the HOTEL WOLFHAZEN, which had previously been chosen as the future location of the unit. This party was held up by heavy enemy fire and Lt TIMMINS was killed during a move to outflank the enemy position.
At 1600 hrs the Coy less dets moved along a track towards the HOTEL WOLFHAZEN, was held up by fire, and established a defensive position at a X-tracks SW of WOLFHAZEN HOTEL. At dusk, Capt BINYON's party was withdrawn to rejoin the remainder of the Coy. During the afternoon the Coy position was attacked by stray parties of the enemy moving through the woods from RENKUM towards WOLFHAZEN. Three were killed, three wounded and one MG 42 captured. The killed belonged to the Hitler Jugend and were all very young.
18 Sep was a quiet day with little news of events. At 1600 hrs the Coy less dets moved behind Div HQ down the main road into ARNHEM from the West and established a defensive position in OESTERBEEK half a mile NW of the house occupied by Div HQ. During the night 18/19 Sep the Coy dug in and formed a good defence. A quiet night.
The second lift with Fd Park Det, and two gliders from the first lift joined the unit, having landed about 1430 hrs.
19 Sep. Quiet morning, except for strafing attack by enemy fighters. In the afternoon, re-supply aircraft were met by heavy AA fire. Only a small proportion of supplies were collected. Two Stirlings and three Dakotas were reported as having crashed.
Some firing and confusion in the late afternoon. Dets of 1 and 4 Para Sqns joined the unit, and took up positions on the perimeter immediately to the NW of the Coy position. To the north, the perimeter was held by BORDER and GLIDER PILOTS.
During the morning Capt HEGGIE and approx 8 OR visited HEVEADORP ferry area with OC, and attempted to collect barges and bring them upstream. They were unsuccessful, as either the barges had... {unreadable}
Capt BINYON spiked 22 enemy guns during the day in WOLFHAZEN.
20 Sep. Fairly quiet night. Re-supply at 1100 hrs. Two Coys BORDER to the North engaged two tanks and enemy in wood 150 yards to the North. Fairly heavy mortar fire on Coy position towards evening.
Capt HEGGIE and 3 Platoon Det sent to hold HEVEADORP ferry, which was being given up by BORDER, who were taking up new positions 500 yards further East.
21 Sep. 0600 hrs heavy mortar fire opened on Coy position. It continued most of the day. One Jeep and trailer damaged. Approx 0900 hrs Capt HEGGIE and party returned to report that they had been driven off the ferry by enemy advancing from HEVEADORP along the river bank. Re-supply in the afternoon. POLISH Para Bde reported as having landed in the later afternoon on South bank of the river.
Lt STORRS took Sgt GREEN and a party from 3 Platoon with recce boats and trailer rafts. The river current proved too strong to enable a line to be passed across, and the rafting operations were not very successful.
22 Sep. Heavy mortar fire all day on Coy position. CRE crossed to South bank of river to contact 30 Corps and Maj WINCHESTER acted as CRE in his absence. Coy commanded by CSM COUSINS, all officers being wounded or missing, except for Capt BINYON. He was holding 1 Airlanding Bde perimeter with 18 men near Bde HQ.
23 Sep. Heavy mortar fire all day. In the evening, ferrying det from 1 Para Sqn RE under Capt BROWN ferried 57 Poles to North bank of river.
24 Sep. Heavy mortar fire all day. Approx 300 men of DORSET said to have crossed to North bank of river during the night in assault boats, and attacked HEVEADORP ferry.
25 Sep. CRE returned from South bank at dawn. Maj WINCHESTER returned to 9 Fd Coy 1130 hrs with plan for withdrawal to South bank of river. 1400 hrs all officers of 9 Coy, 1 and 4 Para Sqns briefed for the withdrawal. 1600 hrs all men briefed. 1945 hrs Maj WINCHESTER and det taped West route to river, leaving Coy under command Capt GEORGE of 1 Sqn. 2120 Coy evacuated defended positions and moved towards river in small parties of 12, each under an NCO. Heavy mortar fire as Coy left position and some casualties. 1015 hrs Coy reached river and started embarking in assault boats. All men of Coy across by 0100 hrs approx.
APO England. 30 Sep 44.
(Signed) J C WINCHESTER, Maj RE,
OC, 9th Field Company RE (Airborne)
Report on Operations of 1 Parachute Squadron RE at ARNHEM 17 - 25 Sep 44
The Sqn dropped at 1400 hrs on the DZ 7 miles WEST of ARNHEM. It was a successful drop, and the Sqn formed up at the RV with only 4 casualties, with 90% of its equipment accounted for. At 1530 hrs the Sqn moved off with two Troops along the South route and one Troop with a Bn on the North route, leaving behind a small party under the 2 IC to clear the DZ of Engineer stores.
The South party pushed ahead and got into the outskirts of the town by dusk, and managed to reach the bridge at 2130 hrs after three minor skirmishes. Here half a Troop supported the assault against the pill-boxes, and 88mm guns on the bridge with flame-throwers. The force round the bridge was so small that it was decided to put the remaining one and a half Troops plus Sqn HQ into the houses on the Eastern side of the ramp leading up to the bridge. These positions were immediately attacked, but after some slight reorganisation, were held.
The Troop with the North force were held up, and laagered for the night.
On morning 18 Sep, the one and a half Troops in a school beside the bridge eliminated two MG posts, and then were attacked by a column of armd half-tracks which came over the bridge. During the engagement, six half-tracks were knocked out and 30 Germans killed. All Sqn positions were constantly attacked with infantry, MGs and mortars, using infiltration tactics for the remainder of the day. At dusk enemy attempted to set the school on fire, first by igniting the knocked-out half-tracks resting against the walls of the school, second by burning down the next house. Three attacks put in on the school after the flames died down. In the second, SW corner of the school was blown away by an A/Tk projector. In the third, a great number of the enemy was surprised under the windows, and a further 30 were killed.
On morning Sep 19 the enemy resumed his attacks on the Sqn positions with four Mk III tanks, two Wasp SP Guns and supporting infantry. One Mk III and one Wasp were knocked-out with gammon bombs, and infantry suffered casualties. Attempts to burn out Sqn HQ by setting fire to both ends of the block they were in. Fires were held in check till dark, when Sqn HQ evacuated.
During afternoon, a number of MG posts and one mortar were eliminated by the school force. At dusk, school attacked by two Tiger tanks at range of 30 yards. Position held. NW corner of school blown away. Enemy set remainder of buildings in bridge area on fire at dark and only attacked half-heartedly. School the only building intact in bridge area.
On morning 20 Sep, attacks resumed half-heartedly with Mk III's and infantry till mid-day, when remainder of British resistance closed in the area. After mid-day, school was systematically demolished by Tiger tank and 75 mm SP gun from 80 yards until fires got out of control. School was evacuated and wounded carried to next burnt-out building. 75% of force killed or wounded. Wounded surrendered. Remaining 25% broke out of area and attempted to reach own forces. All are killed or captured by nightfall.
Sep 22, four of Sqn escaped from Germany to British lines. During this period, remaining Troop and DZ Clearing Party fought as infantry with the remainder of the Div on the outskirts of ARNHEM, and those that did not become casualties were evacuated across the LEK on night 25/26 Sep.
Report on Activities of Detachment of 261 Fd Park Coy RE (Airborne)
17 Sep. Transit Camps UK.
Detachments as follows in Transit Camps.
(1) Lt SKINNER. L/Cpl ROFF. Dvr WHITMORE. Dvr DAY. L/Cpl TRIM. Spr CONNOLLY. attached 4 Para Sqn RE
(2) Sgt FLOWER. Spr GREENWOOD. Spr ANDERSON. Spr BATTERSBY. Spr COLLINS. Dvr COOKSLEY. attached 1 Para Sqn RE.
(3) L/Sgt POTTER. L/Cpl UNDERWOOD. Spr DIAMOND. Spr BELCHER. Spr BRYANT. Spr CHUTHAM. Spr BODEN. Spr MacFARLANE. Spr PAGE. Dvr CLARKE J.W. attached 9 Fd Coy RE.
18 Sep. Weather fine. ARNHEM area.
All detachments left for operation around LZ approx 1500 hrs without casualties. Dets (1) and (3) joined respective units. Det (2) unable to contact 1 Para Sqn, who were in ARNHEM, and spent night approx 2 miles outside town.
19 Sep. Weather fine. ARNHEM area.
Det (2) reported to Div HQ and became attached to 9 Fd Coy RE at 0900 hrs. Det (3) ordered to construct 40 crosses, and supplied Jeep and driver to assist Padre in burying the dead. Det (1) were assisting 4 Para Bde to defend LZ and were withdrawn at approx 1430 hrs. Only two members of this party were contacted by 9 Coy Dets - L/Cpl ROFF and Spr CONNOLLY. The remainder were last seen withdrawing under culvert through a railway embankment and nothing further was seen of this party. This night Dets (2) and (3) moved by 9 Coy to second line defensive position, came under heavy Mortar fire, but were not attacked.
20 Sep. Weather fine. ARNHEM area.
Dets (2) and (3) with 9 Fd Coy consolidating positions. Heavily mortared. No casualties.
21 Sep.
------ Ditto ------
22 Sep.
Ditto. Rations not dropped. Water cut off.
23 Sep.
As before. Increase in mortar fire and shelling. Spr MacFARLANE and Dvr CLARKE J W, wounded - the latter evacuated. Weather still fine.
24 Sep.
As before. L/Cpl UNDERWOOD, Sprs PAGE and MacFARLANE sent forward to assist 4 Para Sqn at dusk. Spr MacFARLANE again wounded, and sent to 4 Para Sqn RAP. NO rations received.
25 Sep. Rain.
Dets ordered to withdraw across river with 9 Coy at 2115 hrs. Barrage increased at 2100 hrs. Proceeded to river. Spr ANDERSON was killed by mortar bomb, and Spr PAGE wounded en route, but arrived at RV on far bank.
The men underlined above were known to have returned to South bank and TV at NIJMEGEN.
APO England. 30 Sep 44.
(Signed) J N Chivers, Maj RE,
OC 261 Fd Park Coy (Airborne)
