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Private Francis McNaught
Unit : Medium Machine Gun Platoon, Support Company, 11th Parachute Battalion
Army No. : 3131378
Awards : Mentioned in Despatches
Frank McNaught was born on the 8th March 1922, and was from Thurmaston, near Leicester [I.S.9. Escape & Evasion Report. March 1945]. He originally enlisted into The Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1939, as a boy soldier, but by the time he officially transferred to the Army Air Corps (Parachute Regiment) on the 8th January 1944, was listed as serving with a Heavy Anti-Aircraft unit of the Royal Artillery [The Parachute Regiment, Transfer & Enlistment Book 20, page 118].
He had volunteered for the Special Forces whilst based in the Middle East and completed Parachute Course 44, which ran from the 26th May to the 8th June 1943 [Parachute Course Report. Ramat David. June 1943], and initially joined the Special Boat Service branch of the Special Air Service (which at this time was known as the Special Raiding Squadron), but later transferred to the 11th Parachute Battalion, and was assigned to the Medium Machine Gun Platoon.
During Operation Market Garden, on Monday 18th September 1944, he took-off from Saltby aerodrome in a C-47 of the 314th Troop Carrier Group, bound for Ginkel Heath, DZ-Y. His aircraft was his by flak as it approached the drop zone and made a crash-landing with McNaught and most of his stick still inside. He was eventually picked up by the Dutch Underground, and after many months in hiding made it back to Allied Lines on the 7th March 1945. With the 11th Battalion disbanded in the aftermath of Market Garden, he was posted to the 2nd Parachute Battalion after returning from survivors leave, and transferred to the Royal Engineers on the 31st May 1945.
For his activities as an evader, McNaught was Mentioned in Despatches:
On 18th September 1944 McNaught was slightly injured by flak as the aircraft in which he was travelling crossed the Dutch coast. In the Rhenen area the plane caught fire, necessitating a crash-landing, and McNaught, who was one of the last to leave, pulled out an injured man as he jumped to the ground. Because he had sprained both ankles McNaught left two officers to care for the wounded man and hid in a nearby ditch. An hour later a Dutchman approached and arranged shelter.
On 11th October 1944 McNaught and a Dutch civilian were arrested as they were going to a different hiding place. They were locked in an empty house but escaped after killing two guards, the initiative being taken by the civilian who unexpectedly attacked the first German as he entered the room.
Twice during the next week McNaught went with sabotage squads to lay explosives on railway lines, and both operations were successful. Owing to German reprisals on innocent civilians this work was not continued. After participating in an organised attempt to reach Allied lines, which failed during the crossing of the Arnhem-Ede road, McNaught returned alone to the Arnhem area.
He remained in hiding in the woods for four days, although Germans constantly patrolled the area. By this time he was exhausted through exposure and hunger and in desperation attacked a German with a heavy stick and then tried to reach Barneveld. Friendly civilians provided him with food en route, and six days later he met one of his former helpers. Whilst waiting for another opportunity to cross the lines McNaught twice acted as an armed guard for expected "drops", each of which was cancelled at the last moment. In February 1945 he was taken to Niewe Merwede, but the final stage of the evacuation had to be postponed because of fog. Once again McNaught was hidden by the Dutch, until he was escorted to Allied forces at the Haven on 7th March 1945.
The following is Frank McNaught's escape and evasion report.
ACCOUNT OF ESCAPE OF: 3131378. Pte. McNAUGHT. Frank, 11 Para Bn, 4 Bde, 1 Airborne Division.
Date of Birth: 8 Mar 22.
Peacetime Profession: App Cast iron Moulder.
Army Service: 5 ½ yrs.
Private Address: 18 Winste Dr, THURMASTON, Nr. Leicester.
Other members of the Crew:
Capt. MERS (?) USAAF. (Pilot) (believed evacuated) [Capt. George D. Merz. Wounded/Evaded]
Lt. WOOD. USAAF. (Co-pilot) (believed evacuated) [2/Lt. Ernest W. Haagensen. Wounded/Evaded]
Name unknown. (Navigator) (dead) [O-887160. 2/Lt. Russell C. Stephens. KIA: 18/09/44]
Cpl. HAGISSON. (?) (Crew Chief) (dead) [15382968. T/Sgt. Richard W. Eastman. KIA: 18/09/44]
Name unknown. (Radio Operator) (dead) [36349137. T/Sgt. William G. Buckley. KIA: 18/09/44]
Type of aircraft, place, date, time of departure. Dakota A/F in LEICESTER. 18 Sep 44. 1130 hrs approx.
Where and when did you come down. RHENEN, HOLLAND. GSGS 2541, Sheet 5. 520760, 18 Sep 44.
I was a Machine Gunner in the 11 Para bn, 1 Airborne Div, taking part in the Airborne expedition to ARNHEM. We took off from an A/F near LEICESTER in a Dakota at about 1130 hours on 18 Sep 44.
Shortly after crossing the Dutch coast we encountered some flak and I sustained slight wounds in the legs and arm. The aircraft apparently was undamaged but on approaching the area of RHENEN (Sheet 5, 510756) we were hit again by light flak, and the starboard motor caught fire. Capt. KING, [138204. Capt. Frank Douglas King. WIA/POW, Of 79, 585] our Coy Comd, immediately gave the order to jump and he baled out followed by our C.S.M. [6539551. W.O.II. George Gatland. WIA/POW, 11B, 118867] and another Paratrooper. Our height at the time was in the neighbourhood of 600 feet and the aircraft started to go into a dive thereby making it impossible for any others to jump. However the pilot, Capt. MERS, USAAF, made an excellent crash landing in a field despite the fact that the forward part of the aircraft was filled with smoke. We landed about one kilometre N.W. of RHENEN at approx. position (Sheet 5, 515767).
When Capt. KING had given the order to jump most of the stick had taken up their positions near the door and when we landed many left their parachutes and heavy kit bags in the aircraft before jumping to the ground. This made it difficult for the last men to get out and as I was leaving I saw Pte. SPRIGGS [1450874. Pte. Neville Aubrey Spriggs. POW, 7A, 140085] lying near the door and moaning, and also Sjt. METCALFE [S/152637. L/Sgt. Kenneth John Metcalfe. KIA: 18/09/44] of our Company, also unable to move. I told the Sjt that I would come back and help him out and I jumped out pulling SPRIGGS with me.
Owing to the angle at which the plane had finished up after landing the drop to the ground was much greater than I expected and in landing I injured both ankles. As I had been the third last man of the stick to get out the other men had all made off and only Capt. MERS (?) and Lt. WOOD (?) the co-pilot were left. They first attended to SPRIGGS whose clothing was by this time smouldering and whose face was badly scorched.
Because of my injured ankles I was unable to get back to help METCALFE, so I told Capt. MERS that he was still in the aircraft. However, when he started to approach the plane the ammunition started to go off and it was impossible to get near it. I later learned, also through the Dutch Red Cross, that the bodies of Sjt. METCALFE and the navigator and Wireless operator (names unknown), who also perished, had been recovered from the machine and had been given a proper burial at a cemetery near RHENEN.
I managed to crawl to a ditch about 25 yards from the aircraft where I hid. Capt. MERS (?) and Lt. WOOD (?) also hid in the same ditch but some distance away from me. After about an hour I saw a man approaching and Lt. WOOD got out of the ditch and went over to him. I could see WOOD showing the man some papers and I guessed that he was endeavouring to establish his identity. Capt. MERS (?) then joined them and presently I saw the three of them making off across the field. I shouted at them to wait for me and when they realised that I had difficulty in walking they came back and helped me. With their assistance I walked with them and their friend to a farm about one mile away and from there on my movements were arranged for me.
APPENDIX 'C'. I.S.9/W.E.A./1/290/2385.
ESCAPER's NAME, etc:- 3131378. Pte. McNAUGHT, F. 11 Para Bn, 4 Bde.
DATE OF INTERVIEW:- 7 Mar 45.
MAPS USED:- HOLLAND, 1: 100,000.
Our friend's name was Piet VELDHOVEN and he took us to his father's farmhouse at approx. position 513776, Sheet 5. Living in this house were VELDHOVEN senior, who was an engine driver, his son PIET and two daughters DICKIE and JANNIE, aged about 20 and 23 respectively. I gathered that their mother had been taken to a concentration camp for harbouring a Jew.
PIET, who was about 21, was not a member of the Underground, but he, together with several other local youths, were engaged in causing whatever trouble they could to the Germans including various acts of sabotage.
Here I was lodged in a bedroom while the two U.S. Officers occupied a cellar under the house. During the five weeks I stayed here I was very well fed and cared for, my diet including fresh milk, butter and eggs.
About 11 Oct 44 a friend of the VELDHOVEN family, an ex-policeman named Eevid VAN DAM, suggested that I should go to his house which was not far away and where he had a Sgt. David DECENTIAS [Desantis], U.S.A.A.F., living with him. As no English was spoken in either the VELDHOVEN or VAN DAM house it was thought that it would be company for DECENTIAS, who was alone there.
I agreed to the move, so about 1315 hrs on about 11 Oct I set off wearing overalls over my battle-dress and a cap in place of my beret and accompanied by a young guide, first name WALTER, whose father was the police chief in RHENEN.
We had just turned on to a main road from a path across a field when a German soldier, an N.C.O. I think, came up behind us and grabbed me, pulling open the neck of my overalls as he did so, thereby revealing my battle-dress. I have thought since that his suspicions were aroused by one of my gaiters which I afterwards noticed was exposed owing to the fact that the bottom of one leg of my overall trousers was caught up in the top of my gaiter.
The N.C.O. called to two German soldiers who were on the road a short distance away. They came over and a conversation took place. One of them left and the other, who was armed with a Schmeisser, together with the N.C.O., marched us down the road to a house which, so far as I could see, was empty.
We were then searched and a Colt 45 which I was carrying was taken from me and WALTER's revolver was also removed. We were then inside a garage attached to the house and through WALTER, who spoke German and English, the N.C.O. asked me for my Pay Book and Discs, which I gave to him. He asked if the details as to name, rank and number in the Pay Book were correct and I told him they were. He then tore out the page containing these details and gave me back the Pay Book. The Discs he kept. He then left us, leaving the sentry with the Schmeisser outside.
About half an hour later he returned and asked WALTER for his Ausweis and Personsweis, which he handed over to him. He had a short conversation with WALTER and then left us.
At about 1630 hrs he returned and as soon as he came inside, WALTER, who was a big man, immediately jumped on him and got him to the ground. The German was taken completely by surprise (as I was too). WALTER then grabbed him by the throat and endeavoured to strangle him, while I managed to get hold of the German's bayonet and ran it through him as near the heart as possible.
Apart from the thud made when WALTER and the German fell to the ground there had been little noise made and he had been prevented from crying out by WALTER's grip on his throat. However, the sentry who was sitting down at the time about 10-15 yards from the garage approached the door, which was slightly ajar. WALTER either saw or heard him coming and seizing the bayonet from me, sprang through the door at the German and ran the blade through his stomach. He let out a scream and dropped, and WALTER took to his heels and I followed.
He took us straight back to VELDHOVEN's house, having warned me on the way there to say nothing about the occurrence. WALTER then left.
Next day we were warned that the Germans were carrying out a search in the area and the two Americans and I hid in a haystack. This was an excellent hiding place. The entrance was through an opening in the wall of the loft above the 'deel' and was concealed by a chest of drawers on one side and by a bale of hay which we moved into position on the other side once we had taken up our positions. We went into hiding in the early afternoon and stayed there about an hour during which time a party of Germans came and searched the house.
Whether or not they were looking for me I do not know. The VELDHOVEN's, who did not, at this time, know what had happened the previous day, thought that they were searching for radio sets. However, they did not discover our hiding place.
On the night of 13 Oct I joined a 'sabotage' party and it was at this time that the story of my adventure was told to the VELDHOVEN's. The 'sabotage' party, consisting of six young men, including PIET and WALTER, met at the VELDHOVEN house. WALTER asked for the loan of a revolver and when asked what had happened to his own he told of our capture and escape. VELDHOVEN senior was considerably worried, but there was no suggestion that I should leave.
At about 2200 hrs I set off with the saboteurs who were armed with a quantity of Hawkins Grenades, which they had acquired, picked up, I believe, in the dropping zone of the ARNHEM landings. We walked North until we reached a point on the railway at approx. position 480839, Sheet 2. This is a single track railway used only by the Germans and we placed the grenades, three on each rail, in a position so that at least one, if not all would be detonated by the passing of an engine.
We returned to the house and waited for the passing of a train which we knew was due to pass the VELDHOVEN house at 2335 hrs. We heard it go by, a few minutes late, and shortly afterwards we heard, very faintly, the sound of an explosion. We heard next day from friends in the area that the train had been derailed. What its contents were or the extent of the damage I do not know.
We repeated the operation three nights later at approx position 510795, Sheet 5, but on this occasion we used sticks of gelignite and fuses. The noise of the explosion which we heard from the safety of the VELDHOVEN house was considerable and the line was successfully cut. Using orange fuse wire we did not have to wait for a train to pass to detonate the charge. Having received a certain amount of training in explosives when I was with S.A.S. I was of considerable help to the saboteurs.
It had been our intention to continue this work but when we learned that the Germans had seized and shot the occupants of a house near the scene of our second operation we decided that the price was too great. I was told that the family on whom the Germans took this reprisal consisted of a man and his wife and daughter. Their house too, was destroyed.
About 20 Oct the two U.S. Officers left on bicycles with a member of the Underground. I subsequently learned that they joined a large party of E & E's who were successfully evacuated (Pegasus I) and that Sgt. DECENTIAS and I were to have gone as well but at the last moment bicycles could not be found for us.
However, on 21 Oct bicycles were found for us and, accompanied by PIET, DECENTIAS and I were taken to a spot at approx. position 540808, Sheet 2, where we met a horse drawn cart marked with the Red Cross. Here we were handed over to the care of a woman and a girl, both of whom spoke good English. They were mother and daughter and had lived in America for a number of years. We were taken in the cart to an office in LUNTEREN (550898, Sheet 2).
This office was, I think, the H.Q. of the local food distribution organisation, and here we were provided with ration books by an elderly man who appeared to be in charge. We also met his son who produced bicycles for us and escorted us to a farm at KOOTWIJKERBROEK (575968).
The name of the family I stayed with here is ESVHEILT. They are farmers and the family consists of father and mother and two daughters and five sons, the eldest DRECKIS, a boy of 17, and the youngest, KERRIT, a boy of six.
Here we lived in a room constructed in a haystack about 500 yards from the farmhouse. This room was made with supports inside the stack and was about 10 ft wide by about 6 ft high. To enter one simply pulled out sufficient straw and crawled in. Each night ESVHEILT would come himself to see that the entrance was properly concealed from the outside. Our breakfast and mid-day meal were brought to us, generally by the farmer himself, and our evening meal we took in the farmhouse. A bucket of water was brought down with our breakfast and we performed our ablutions in a chicken house next to the haystack.
When we arrived at ESVHEILT's, Major. McGUIRE, [130962. Maj. Hugh Pownall Maguire. GSO II (Int), 1st Airborne Division Headquarters. POW, Of 79, 642] an I.O. of 1 airborne Division, was living with the family, but thereafter he joined DECENTIAS and me in our haystack home.
On 23 Oct we had a visit from DICK and JOOP and from them I learned that the operation that WOOD and MERS (?) had gone on had been carried out successfully. DICK also encouraged us and told us that arrangements would be made to get us across pretty soon.
A few nights later Major McGUIRE, DECENTIAS and I went to a neighbouring house where we again met DICK and JOOP. DICK had some knowledge of my escape from the Germans and questioned me about it. He then asked me for my Pay Book which he destroyed and told me to use another name and number. He suggested that I assume a name which I would not easily forget, so henceforward I used my wife's maiden name PAYNE and assumed the number 3132313.
During the first few days of November we were joined at our hideout by the co-pilot and navigator of a Fortress crew, Lt. Charlie (surname unknown) and Lt. Norris (surname unknown). They had been shot down in a BERLIN raid about seven months earlier.
During my conversation with Major McGUIRE I had learned that preparations were being made for an evacuation of another large party and about 11 Nov he left us after telling us that someone would come for us at the appointed time without giving us any idea just when that was.
At about 1730 hrs on 17 Nov DICK came and told us to get ready to leave and after saying goodbye to our good friends, the ESVHEILT's, we set off and after walking for about 45 minutes we arrived at a shed near a farm and here we joined a party of about 30 E & E's which include Capt. KESSEL, [227647. Capt. Alexander William Lipmann-Kessel. 16th Parachute Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C. Evaded] R.A.M.C. (Report No. IS9/WEA/1/279/2367). Here we were issued with Sten guns, rations, and were briefed for the journey by Major. McGUIRE.
On the operation (Pegasus II) I was one of the five paratroopers at the head of the column with major. McGUIRE and my story of the journey up until we crossed the main ARNHEM-EDE road is in the main the same as that narrated by Capt. KESSEL (Report No. IS9/WEA/1/279/2367 Paras 15-19).
When the Spandau on the road opened up I continued through the wood on the South side of the road until I reached a ploughed field. Seeing two others in the field I whistled to them and they joined me. They were F/O. GOGGIN (Report No. IS9/WEA/1/282/2373) and an R.A.M.C. officer. We waited about 10 minutes in the hope that some others might also come through the wood and join us, but by this time the Germans were putting up Verey lights and their M.G. fire was getting rather too close, so I suggested that we split up and each make off in different directions thereby lessening our chances of being hit.
I SET OFF South and kept on going until I reached what I recognised to be our original D.Z. by the number of empty containers lying about (approx. position 625830, Sheet 2). My intention at this time was to try and reach the RHINE, but as I was not entirely sure of my bearings I decided to rest up until daylight, so I crawled into a small ditch and pulled a container over the top to help conceal me.
At daylight I got out of my place of hiding and was having a look round when I saw some distance away four or five men coming my way. I could not make out who they were, but I saw that they were carrying rifles. I made off as fast as I could and they started to run after me. I reached a wood at (approx. position 633820, Sheet 2). It was a young fir wood, the trees growing close together with their lower branches pretty close to the ground, so by lying down I was able to get effective concealment.
I could see the four men who were dressed in civilian clothes but wearing the German S.S. cap and badge and carrying Schmeisser's. They came into the wood shouting and talking to each other and occasionally firing their guns indiscriminately. However, they kept to the paths and did not attempt to walk among the trees and after about two hours the search died down.
Unfortunately for me they maintained a constant patrol on the main paths through the wood near where I was lying. From where I lay I could see what appeared to be a dumping ground for tin cans, etc, and there may possibly have been a regular patrol maintained in this area. I did not want to move at night as it was difficult to find my way in the dark without keeping to the path and I also knew that the wood was bounded on the South by the railway line, over which it would be dangerous to move. Moreover for two days I could hear intermittent firing from the area to the North where I had come from, which told me that the search in that area was still on.
I lay in my hiding place for four days in all until hunger and desperation finally drove me out. At about 1000 hrs on 23 Nov I decided to move. I could see the patrol on the path so, after waiting until he got some distance past I crept forward towards the path intending to make off in the opposite direction. Unfortunately he decided to turn back and finally sat down on a log beside the path only a few paces from where I lay, with his back towards me. He proceeded to take out some sandwiches and the sight of the food and my own precarious position made up my mind for me. Seizing a stout piece of wood nearby I sprang forward and hit him over the head as hard as I could. He fell like a log.
Taking his sandwiches I made off South down the path until I reached the railway (position 629818, Sheet 2). Here I turned west, walking parallel to the track but keeping in the woods through which the railway runs. My plan was now to try and get back to the BARNEVELD area which DICK had told us to do should our plans miscarry. Fortunately I had some knowledge of the lay of the land, thanks to our original briefing before the ARNHEM expedition.
On reaching the outskirts of EDE (580830, Sheet 2) I met a workman whom I approached, explaining to him in the few words of Dutch which I had by this time learned, who I was and where I wanted to go. He gave me his overcoat and cap to hide my battle-dress, and I made my trousers into 'plus fours' with the aid of my socks, thereby hiding them as far as possible under the coat.
I set off again still intending to make for BARNEVELD (528960, Sheet 2). I was by this time very weary and suffering from exposure after my five nights in the woods, during which time it had rained continuously. Incidentally the rain had one advantage as it provided me with my only means of quenching my thirst. However, my condition was such that I decided that I must have assistance if possible.
I had not gone very far before I met a boy on a bicycle, so I stopped him and told him my story. He told me to hide in the wood beside the road, telling me that he would try and get help for me, and at the worst he said he would bring me some food. He said he would return at 1700 hrs, and ring his bell as a signal. As a precaution I hid on the opposite side of the road from that which he had indicated in case he proved to be unfriendly and give me away.
However, he came back alone at 1700 hrs bringing with him some food, a pair of overalls, and a second bicycle. He took me to a farmhouse at approx. position 542850, Sheet 2. The farm had been evacuated and only the son of the farmer was living there. My young guide left me here and I remained for three days. I do not know the names of either my guide or my host.
On the morning of 26 Nov I set off again and after a journey lasting six days I finally made contact with DICK again. Apart from the fact that I had not the strength to travel very far at a stretch I had to travel cross country, avoiding all roads and making many detours in areas where I was warned of Germans in the district. During my journey I got food from various farms en route and lodging on two of the nights. The other three nights I slept once in a haystack and twice in chicken coops. Whenever I asked for food or help I got it.
At about 1600 hrs on 1 Dec I knocked at the door of a house situated by a railway at approx. position 516984, Sheet 2. I had actually walked beyond BARNEVELD, though at the time I did not know it. By good luck it was a meeting place for the local Underground.
I found several men of the Underground in this house, but none with whom I had previous contact and having no Pay-Book or discs I was very thoroughly questioned. Fortunately one of the party spoke good English and through his association with other paratroopers in hiding was familiar with certain details of our work, places of training, etc, and I was able to satisfy him. Before asking then for DICK by name, however, I asked what proof they could give me as to their own standing, whereupon they showed me their 'arsenal'.
They then sent word to DICK that I was there and next morning a girl courier, PUK, came and took me on bicycle to my old home with the ESVHEILT's, who welcomed me with open arms. I found there Pte. H. RILEY, [2373370. Sigmn. Harold Green Riley. J-Section, 1st Airborne Divisional Signals] 1 A/B Bn, Sgt. HALLER, J., [14291815. Sgt. Bernard John Frederick Haller. 24 Flight, 'G' Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment] Glider Pilot, Sgt. DECENTIAS, and Lt. Charlie (surname unknown) U.S.A.A.F. Another 'compartment' had by this time been constructed in another hay stack to accommodate the 'growing family'.
During my stay I acted as an armed guard on the D.Z. during the two 'drops' arranged by DICK. See F/O. GOGGIN's Report No. IS9/WEA/1/282/2373.
About the end of January, Sgt. DECENTIAS and Lt. Charlie (surname unknown) were moved to another address as the ESVHEILT's were finding it difficult to provide food for such a large number.
Living in the ESVHEILT house was a member of the Underground called JAN whom we saw frequently and we understood from him that no more crossings were to be made and that we would have to remain in hiding until the Allies came. However, at about 1400 hrs on 8 Feb 45 he came and told RILEY, myself and Pte. WALSH [4389317. Pte . Samuel Peter Walsh. 11 Platoon, 'C' Company, 156 Parachute Battalion] (Report No. IS9/WE/1/295/2386) who had joined us the previous night, to get ready to move and though he did not tell us that a crossing was being arranged, we guessed as much.
Bicycles were provided and wearing our overalls as usual, we set off with JAN as guide, leaving Sgt. HALLER behind. We cycled to BARNEVELD, where we met DICK and two guides at a cross roads. From DICK we learned that a crossing was being arranged and after saying goodbye we set off with the two guides.
We arrived at about 2100 hrs that night at a chicken hut which was an Underground arsenal situated in the woods near DOORN (355850, Sheet 2) and after staying there overnight we were taken next evening to Mrs. LELS, HOOGHLAND, DOORN. Mrs. LELS, an English lady, is the wife of a large Tug [boat] owner in ROTTERDAM. Here we were joined by Pte. GORDON [6466835. Pte. William Alexander Gordon. 10 Platoon, "C" Company, 156 Parachute Battalion] (Report No. IS9/WEA/1/293/2383) who, I believe, had returned after an unsuccessful attempt to cross the LEK.
About 1730 hrs on 17 Feb we left DOORN, accompanied by a girl courier and two members of the Underground and cycled until about 1930 hrs, when we arrived at a house standing on a canal somewhere about position 190830, Sheet 2. We stayed here overnight and at about 0630 hrs next morning we set off again and cycled to a point on the LEK at approx. 989740, Sheet 4.
After waiting here about 20 minutes a rowing boat appeared and in it we all crossed the river, taking the bicycles with us. We then continued to a house in GROOT AMMERS (993735, Sheet 4) where we were handed over to two new guides and with them we proceeded to MOLENSAARSGRAAF (993684, Sheet 4) to the house of a Domine DECKER.
Next night, 19 Feb, at about 1700 hrs we set off again, travelling in pairs, each accompanied by a girl courier. RILEY and I travelled together, RILEY on the back of my bicycle. At about 1800 hrs we arrived at a house in SLIEDRECHT (955620, Sheet 4). Here we were joined by Lt. BELTON, U.S.A.A.F. (Report No. IS9/WEA/1/291) and F/Sgt. RADCIFFE, R.A.F. (Report No. IS9/WEA/1/292/2382).
At 2200 hrs our guides for the crossing arrived and at about 2230 hrs we all set off. On reaching the river I got into a canoe with one of the guides while the other five followed in a rowing boat in which, besides their guide, there were three Underground agents, one a girl. We crossed the MERWEDE and entered a waterway at position 926610, Sheet 4, which we followed down until we reached the NIEWE MERWEDE at position 948590, Sheet 4. At one stage of our journey we had to pull our canoe over a dyke in order to circumvent the lock gates which barred our way.
On reaching the NIEWE MERWEDE we waited for the motor canoes which we understood were being sent to pick us up, but by 0400 hrs the guides decided that they were not coming. Later we were told that they had made the attempt but had been forced to turn back on account of fog.
There was nothing for it but to return to SLIEDRECHT which we did in the same order as before. We all got back safely to the same house from which we had started off the night before. At about 1700 hrs that afternoon RILEY and I left again with a girl courier and retraced our steps to Demine DECKER's house at MOLENSAARGRAAF, while the others remained at SLIEDRECHT.
On the evening of 5 Mar the same girl courier arrived and escorted us down to SLIEDRECHT where we stayed overnight at our previous R.V. Next day we were joined by the other four members of the party and again we set off at about 2130 hrs, this time all together in a large rowing boat accompanied by two guides.
We took the same route as before, but this time we made the complete crossing in our rowing boat. Our guides were familiar with the route and we had an uneventful journey, arriving at the HAVEN (898510, Sheet 4) at about 0430 hrs on 7 Mar, safe at last.
My thanks to Bob Hilton for this account.