Thanks to The Airborne Soldier for this diary.

Abbreviations

2 i/c 440695 A/B Amn Armd Arty BC Bde BMRA Bn Br Bty CCRA Civ CO Commns Conc Corrd Coy CRA DF Div Dors Ech Elts Eny Fd FOO Fwd Gds Armd Gp H HAA HCR HF HQRA Hy Incl Inf Junc KRRC LO Locn Med MG Mvt Obs OP OR Posn Ptls Pz Gren RA Rd Rds Recd Regt Reps RHQ Rpg Rpt Sc Sitrep SLI SP Spt Sqn Stn Tac Tgt Tk Tp Tps U/C

Second-in-Command Map Reference Airborne Ammunition Armoured Artillery Battery Commander Brigade Brigade Major Royal Artillery Battalion British / Bridge Battery Corps Commander Royal Artillery Civilian Commanding Officer Communications Concentration Corrected Company Commander Royal Artillery Defensive Fire Division Dorsets Echelon Elements Enemy Field Forward Observation Officer Forward Guards Armoured Division Group Hour Heavy Anti-Aircraft Household Cavalry Harassing Fire Headquarters Royal Artillery Heavy Including Infantry Junction King's Royal Rifle Corps. Liaison Officer Location Medium Machine Gun Movement Observation Observation Post Other Ranks Position Patrols Panzer Grenadier Royal Artillery Road Rounds Received Regiment Representatives Regimental Headquarters Rounds per gun Repeat Scale Situation Report Somerset Light Infantry Start Point / Self-Propelled Support Squadron Station Tactical Target Tank Troop Troops Under Command

Month and year: September 1944

18th September 1944

1830 - Programme in spt 3 Br. Div tonight.  H + 15 to H + 5 Task 26.  HASTY 440695 495600.  Rate V slow H + 5 to H + 15 Task 26.  HAZARD.  Very slow.  212 only to engage.  H = 0000 hours unless changed.

2040 - 211 reported 4 casualties as a result of bombing.:- 1 officer, Lieut. V. W. SMITH, R.A. and 3 ORs, 904323 UL/Bdr. Markey, N., 6349218 Gnr. Humphries, J., 14580945 Gnr. Reeves, C. G. wounded by spandau fire about same time.  Bty posn being spasmodically subjected to spandau fire from E of rd.  Request made to 50 Div to silence this MG.

2240 - Following DFs cancelled: 4101, 4102, 4103, 4121, 4123.

2340 - 419 engaged tgt 486151. Sc. 1.

2345 - Shot on programme HASTY.

19th September 1944

0735 - HQRA reported 3 Br Div had 4 coys across canal on right and elts over on left.  Class 5 raft.  MGs shooting up Class 9 Br in construction.  Gds Armd half-way between EINDHOVEN - GELDROP rd and ZUID WILHELM canal last night.

0740 - Ptls reported entered GELDROP last night.

1100 - HCR reported in VEGHEL 4837 and UDEN 5342.  Bridge at ZON intact.

1420 - Gds reported linked up with airborne tps.

1900 - 2 i/c to report to 112 Fd Regt at 0830 tomorrow with survey recce party.

2300 - Eny reported interfering N of EINDHOVEN at dusk.  GRAVE clear including dug-in tanks 7373, 7671, 7469, 5048 not active.  NIJMEGEN - contact made with airborne tps.  Bridge intact.

20th September 1944

0100 - 2 i/c and survey recce party to 112 Fd Regt at 0930 hrs.

0530 - 2 i/c parties move behind harbour parties.  Time past SP now 0630 hours.

1030 - Tac Div move delayed 1 hour.  They now move past SP at 1320 hours.

1200 - Move now delayed 2 hours altogether.

1345 - No move likely before 1600 hrs.  Probably 1630 hours.

1615 - Regt moved off to pass SP at 1630 hrs.  Order as in movement order.

1740 - Regt crossed frontier into HOLLAND.  Move continued very slowly with many halts.

1830 - HQRA ordered keep on moving until otherwise ordered.

21st September 1944

0400 - Regt ordered to halt until 0600 hours.

0625 - Moved off again.  2 i/c to recce harbour area 6659.

0845 - Regt to go into action in area 6659.

Place: Nijmegen 6659

0935 - Station calling itself PSC asked to come in on the Regimental net.  Identified itself as "people you are trying to meet".  Asked urgently for arty spt.  Identity firmly established by knowledge of mutual acquaintance between Adjutant, Capt. D.W SCRIMGEOUR, MBE, RA, and Sunray of station PSC, now realised to be CRA 1 Br. Airborne Div.  CO satisfied as to genuineness of identity and gave permission for regt to spt as soon as ready.  CO to HQ 30 Corps to make a report about these circumstances.

1035 - 211 ready: - A Tp 668593

                                B Tp 663591

Station PSC (FOO control of RA 1 A/B Div) immediately ordered ranging on MZ1 - 686774 NW200 S300. Sc. 10.

1100 - HQRA 43 Div not satisfied with genuineness of PSC.  Instructed CRA should be asked further specified personal questions.

1130 - Tgts ordered by FOO control to be engaged in rotation. Sc. 1.:-

MZ 7, 8, 9 & 10 out of range.  2 i/c went off to recce forward area for 211.

1145 - FOO control reported enemy attacking and pushing in hard.  Shelling (probably from N of ARNHEM) very heavy and either by mortars or 155 mms.

1205 - FOO control said this is now 1 Br A/B Div's only link with 30 Corps.

1207 - 2 i/c ordered B Tp to move.

1215 - 419 Bty position found at 663603.  419 cannot get up before late in the afternoon.

1230 - Second station - PLH - appeared on regtl net.  Identified as BMRA, 1 A/B Div, and was able to establish identity by giving reply to authenticated challenge.

1243 - MZ 13 ordered by FOO control 706773. Sc. 3.

1247 - MZ 14 706775 E 200. Sc. 3.

1251 - FOO control reported eny 100 yards away.  MZ 14 NE 100 repeat.

1300 - 212 in action: C Tp 664597

                                 D Tp 659599.

Shot on GERMANY "testing survey".  FOO control reported eny about 40 yards away.  Main body surrounded, but able to get back to them.

1316 - BMRA 1 A/B Div reported general situation much better.  MZ 14 706775 Sc. 3.

1325 - FOO control reported to his CRA he was being attacked.  Ordered to stay and drive eny back as there were only a few of them.

1330 - CO returned from HQ 30 Corps having seen CCRA.  Battle gp of 1 Armd Regt + recce + 1 Bde of inf with 1 Fd Bty and 1 Med Bty (with two OPs with flick frequency to us) with orders to contact 1 A/B Div.  A/B reps reporting to RHQ.

1356 - BMRA 1 A/B Div ordered MZ 3 684772.

1410 - B Tp in action 692637.  A Tp moved.

1456 - FOO control ordered MZ 15 704774 Sc. 2.

1500 - CO left with orders to report to HQ 82 US A/B Div.  Wireless to 43 Div and Regt.

1510 - DF tasks from 43 Div

1515 - MZ 14 W 200 Sc. 2.

                        N 100 Sc. 1.

                        Repeat Sc. 3. (Direct line on tgt reported by FOO control).

1600 - 419 Bty ready at 689615. ZL 20º.

1700 - CRA A/B Div asked for max air spt on village 676770 at 1830 hrs.  If not available, then did not want it at any other time.

1725 - MZ 16 705784. Sc. 3.

1730 - DF tasks from 43 Div:

1800 - FOO control ordered task GUINEAS.  No ranging 685771. Sc. 5 for 2 mins.  Also record DERBY - 683769 and LEGER 679767.

1825 - 43 Div reported impossible for air tgt to be accepted.

1945 - FOO control ordered MZ 17 688777 NE 100. Sc. 1.

1958 - MZ 17 NW200 repeat.

2015 - HF tasks from CO with 82 US A/B Div:

Engage 10 rpg at irregular intervals.  1 gun on each from now until 2359 hours.

2030 - Stand fast on HF.

2035 - MZ 18 W500. Sc. 1.

2055 - Amn expenditure since arrival in area - 48 rpg.

2115 - FOO control called for GUINEAS. Sc. 5.

22nd September 1944

0020 - GUINEAS S200. Sc. 5.

                              E100. Sc. 1.

0040 - Relay stn sent out between RHQ and 1 A/B Div now with advanced Bn HQ of Irish Gds 700663.

0240 - DFs from 1 A/B Div:

All Sc. 3.

0540 - DF 6 and 7. Sc. 3.

0600 - GUINEAS Sc. 1.

0645 - Message from CRA 1 A/B Div: Support excellent.  Having magnificent results.  Must have more regts at earliest opportunity, especially fld regts from relieving formation.

0710 - M9 drop 200. Sc. 1.

0720 - Intercept CCRA to CRA 1 A/B Div: Can you send latest sitrep?  We are driving on hard.

0729 - Intercept CRA 1 A/B Div to CCRA: No change.  We shall be glad to see you.

0840 - MZ 19 registered 6800 7822.

0846 - MZ 19 Sc. 3.

0914 - Tgt recd via Airborne control from CRA Airborne Div (from LO).  M101 ranging.  Enemy assembly area.  211 ranging.

0930 - MZ 101 registered at 695785.

0940 - FOO control reported suspect eny guns at 715784 and 720779.

0941 - Tgts from 94 Fd Regt:

212 engaged up to total of Sc. 5 before 1030 hours.

0952 - FOO control ordered GUINEAS. Sc. 3.

0956 - CRA ordered MZ 101 through Airborne control N 100. Sc. 1.

0957 - 2 i/c to meet CO at 43 Div.  Recce to be done for 212 fwd.

1010 - CRA ordered MZ 103 through A/B control.  744805 80m Sc. 2 (Eny HQ).

1027 - RAF reported Flak train which runs between 708766 and junc 721788.  18 carriages.  May become Arty/R tgt.

1030 - CRA through A/B control.  MZ 101. Sc. 2.

1031 - FOO control ordered MZ14 NW200 Sc. 1.

1037 - MZ 101 NW100 repeat.

1050 - CRA 1 A/B Div ordered GUINEAS. N400. Sc. 1.

1100 - Tgts from 43 Div:

All under code name SWANAGE.

Fire plan SWANAGE:

1204 - Ordered to report to CCRA when 155s down to 75 rpg.

1215 - Fire RUM.

1220 - CRA A/B Div asked for max spt in 3 areas indicated by cardinal pts:

1230 - CO ordered 2 i/c to recce area for 212 in same area as 211.

1235 - Further tgts from 43 Div

1245 - MZ 15 E200.

1250 - OP to report to CCRA in hard vehicle by 1400 hrs.

1300 - Record MZ15 with corrections as MZ20.  (7025 7814).

1325 - SP guns and one or two tanks reported with coy in 682667 to 688669 with HQ at 686669.  Holding up attack, 7 SLI under spandau fire.

1333 - 212 engaged 685746 for 43 Div. Sc. 1.

1405 - Fire plan BROCKLEHURST.

1425 - Engage JERSEY.

1426 - MZ 19 6800 7822 50m.

1433 - MZ 19 3200. Sc. 1.  419 only.

1436 - 6995 7025 10m. Sc. 1.  Engaged by 212.

1440 - CRA A/B Div ordered MZ 105.  211 only. Sc. 2.

1500 - MZ 105. Sc. 2.

1510 - MZ 105 S100 repeat.

1530 - FOO control ordered M20. Sc. 1. N100.

1540 - M20 repeat Sc. 2.

1552 - MZ 21 engaged - close tgt - single SP gun.  Recorded at 6820 7782.

1630 - Reported Pz Gren officer POW stated SS Div in ARNHEM recaptured bridge.  Also elts other SS Divs incl VIKING SS.

1632 - 2 i/c recalled by 43 Div.

1640 - Fire plan STUDLAND recd from 43 Div:

1648 - Fire plan OAKS from FOO control:

1710 - Rep with 179 Fd Regt ordered Tgt 3062 6753 6752 10m.  Axis 350°. Sc. 5.

1715 - 419 Bty engaged MZ 22 700777 ordered by CRA A/B Div. Sc. 1.

1720 - Tgt 3202 ordered by 43 Div.  212 engaged Sc. 2.

1725 - 43 Div reported 100 rpg 4.5" available FMC GRAVE.  155 mm will be available after 1900 hrs.

1745 - CRA A/B Div ordered MZ 19 Sc. 1.

1800 - CCRA ordered CRA A/B Div to report posn of most southerly tps with flank posns.

1835 - Line to be laid from RHQ to 94 Fd Regt RA.

1830 - STUDLAND. Ser. 3 on call.  As for Ser. 1. 3 mins slow.

1945 - MZ 33 registered by 419 Bty controlled by CRA 1 A/B Div 703762.

1955 - MZ 19 Sc. 3.

            SW 200. Sc. 2.

2031 - LINCOLN and OAKS.

LINCOLN 0500 hrs.

2052 - OP with 419 Bty reported 2 gps of fds who were separated by obstacle now in touch.  Tiger tanks in rear of his column.

2058 - CRA A/B Div ordered 2 tgts.

2230 - 212 posns chosen at: -

To be occupied at first light tomorrow.

2355 - HF from 43 Div:

212 to engage.

23rd September 1944

0245 - HF tasks:

211 Bty - 3 rds GF per serial.

419 Bty - 1  "    "     "       "

0330 - 30 Corps Signs leading DR and line detachment with 15 cwt.

0400 - DF tasks:

0520 - 212 moved to new posn.

0645 - 212 ready in new posn.

0745 - MZ 22. Sc. 2.

0809 - C OP reported village 6770 clear.  Contact with eny area 6268 ay 0750 hrs.

0818 - MZ 16 W500 N200. Sc. 2.

0835 - MZ 16 W200 Sc. 2.  419 Bty only.

0837 - C OP reported eny sniping on rd 698654 from NE.

0850 - Guns laid on YZ tgt 699788.  Eny assembly area.

0858 - YZ tgt cancelled.  Empty guns on MZ 16 N300.

0935 - MZ 19 SW300 SW300. Sc. 3.

0942 - N300 Sc. 1. rpt.

0955 - 212 engaged MZ 19. W200. Sc. 1.

1045 - U Tgt 3233 6818 6842 10m 345° Sc. 1.

1048 - Provisional H for BAGSHOT - 1230 hrs.

1052 - CRA A/B Div reported eny inf withdrawing. 1 tk KO'd and second tk not visible.  Attack petered out.

1105 - MZ registered Sc. 2.

1115 - MZ 24 467600 578... [unreadable]

1116 - MZ 52 ordered by r...  [unreadable] (419 and 212)  (Eny HQ... [unreadable])

1122 - GUINEAS N100 Sc. 2.

1130 - RHQ moving to 679615.

1132 - MZ 25 682776 Sc. 2. (2 Coy inf and SP guns attacking)

1205 - 211 X OP at 43 Recce Regt HQ 697654.

1215 - C OP 662675.  Reported eny gun at 523749.

1246 - Rep with 173 Fd Regt ordered tgt 3272.  All engage Sc. 2. at 1255 hrs.

1315 - Unconfirmed air report 7 eny tanks crossing river at 515750.

1320 - 211 X OP reported fds at 555730, 560719, 555694 and 575699.

1330 - MZ 26  695790 Sc. 2.

1343 - U Tgt 3251. Sc. 2.  211 and 212.

1413 - MZ 26.  Stand easy.  Eny inf attack now halted.

1416 - Tgt 3251. NW200. Sc. 2.

1500 - Tgts to be recorded:

1515 - HF.  Rd junc 781759 20 rp hour for next three hours.  Ordered by CCRA.

1520 - MZ 27.  693789. Sc. 2.  211 and 419.

1536 - 275 HAA Bty now u/c and ready at 696644.

1538 - MZ 25.  W300.  6 Hy mortars.

1600 - Ref Arty/R. QD1013 not before 1700 hrs.

1610 - OP with 419 Bty reported posn confirmed in his area.

1610 - Tgts from 419 - corrd coordinates.

1620 - Tp Tgt - Engaged MZ 25.  W300.

1630 - MZ 27.  693792. Sc. 2.  Eny inf.

1645 - 211 X OP reported friends holding firm base 598751 to 617693 to 605685 patrolling West.

1730 - A Tp 84 Med Regt available and on call to us for tgts, but not u/c.

1755 - MZ 25.  W300. (Now MZ 28).  6 Hy mortars.  Ranging with 1 gun 212.

1821 - MZ 28 Sc. 1. with 1 Tp.

1825 - Relay with 1 A/B Div now at 659690 with armour.

1830 - M53 with corrections engaged with 1 rd GF.  (Direct hit).

1835 - Tgt 3273. Sc. 3.

1848 - M54 (M53 with corrections) recorded after Sc. 1.

1845 - Eny previously reported area 5975 on N bank digging in and siting section post incl at least 3/20mm Flak guns.  Friends would not permit engagement.  Locn of 211 X OP 659770.

1940 - Corrected coords

1930 - MZ 22 Sc. 2.

1930 - OP with 419 Bty asked for Salvos at irregular intervals for 2 hours on

2007 - MZ 22. Sc. 2. (Eny forming up).

2025 - MZ 22 repeat    "        "         "

2030 - 2 i/c to recce area tomorrow - 6669 and W½ of 6769.  H hour not before 2300 hours.

2125 - Tgt for 43 Div: 7050 7137 10m. Sc. 2.

2215 - H hour for 212 - 0100 hrs.

2252 - Task SKYE: H Hour - 2300 hrs.  On call. Ser. 1. engage with 1 Bty. Sc. 3.  Tgt 3223 7100 7715 25m.

2300 - MZ 27.  Sc. 2.  Eny inf forming up.

2308 - MZ 17 S500. Sc. 2.

2316 - Repeat MZ 17.

2330 - MZ 27. Sc. 1.

24th September 1944

0047 - SKYE probable in 10 mins.

0320 - Tgt 3290 (U Tgt) 7000 6983 10m 125° Sc. 2. (engaged by 212 and 419).

0442 - SKYE Sc. 1 rpt.

0500 - SKYE Sc. 1. rpt.

0507 - BAGSHOT (Tgt 3274) to be engaged at 0530 hrs. Sc. 2.

0520 - HQRA ordered 1 Bty (211) to engage 720783 as HF task if possible with observation from 1 Airborne Div.  Ammn train reported coming into ARNHEM at 0600 hrs.  1 Airborne Div no observation.

0558 - Shot on HF task. Sc. 3.

0610 - Shot on HF task. Sc. 3.

0640 - 419 engaged mortar area 746806 for 1 Airborne Div, searching and sweeping to Sc. 3.

0705 - C OP at 698752 reported CO of A Sqn 43 Recce would not permit engagement of tgts N of river.

0720 - MZ 26.  SE450. Sc. 2 engaged for CRA Airborne Div.  Demand by him for air support:

0744 - CRA A/B Div repeated eny digging in round mill or factory at 703767.

0745 - 693685 and 670690 reported clear.

0747 - MZ 25 W100 (Mortars) 211 and 212. Sc. 2.  Rds in right area, though observation difficult.

0820 - MZ30 695794 211 and HAA Bty. Sc. 2.

0830 - MZ30 W200 211 and HAA Bty Sc. 1.

0840 - Relay stn reported 6 Tigers and 2 Panthers and number of POW taken yesterday.  129 Bde pushing towards area 7272.

0900 - Request for air spt for 1 A/B Div refused by RAF.

0930 - CRA 1 A/B Div asked for Arty/R spt in areas 6679, 7179, 6776, 6777, 6778 in view of RAF's refusal to accept demand.

0940 - MZ31 687787 engaged by 212 and 419 Sc. 1.

1015 - Eny reported digging in at 703767.

1025 - MZ31 engaged by 212 and 419 Sc. 1. (1 x 88 SP gun and 1 tk).

1030 - BC 211 reported from RAF sources - tp train carrying approx 200 tps went across river at 515750 last night.  Detrained at 522726.

1045 - MZ20. N33.  419 engaged Sc. 2.

1050 - C OP reported eny in KESTEREN 5173.  Eny mortar fire on OPHEUSEEN 5472 at 0900 hrs.  Much eny mvt N of river at 5975, 6076 incl about 40 men digging area hotel 600765.  Policy silent in every respect.  212 expended all 80 lb shell and can only re-engage MZ31 once more.

1100 - BC 211 reported firm base - 43 Recce as for last night - patrolling 6000 yds W.

1114 - MZ 31.  212 and 419 engaged Sc. 1.

1130 - Eny gun flashes at 668766.  Too dark to engaged by obs.

1152 - MZ32.  701787.  212 and 419 engaged Sc. 2.

1222 - YZ1 689792 SW200 engaged by 212, 419, HAA Bty and A Tp 84 Med Regt. Sc. 2.  (Conc. of eny and weapons of all types.  Followed by 10 rpg per Tp per hr).

1231 - MZ31 engaged by 419. Sc. 1.

1243 - 43 Div called for U Tgt 3234.  7170 7065.  212 and 419 engaged Sc. 1.

1307 - Continue HF on YZ1 until 1330 hrs.

1310 - 27/28 Bty of 7 Med Regt now u/c and 1 Tp ready.  X OP 211 Bty reported considerable activity in KESTEREN 5172 last night.  Eny appears from civ reports to be establishing N - S line E of town.

1340 - 27/28 Bty ready.

1350 - Message from OP with 84 Med Regt.  One Med FOO party will be required to cross river tonight in boat.  Should report to 674711 (130 Bde) by 1630 hrs.  Captain BAILEY detailed.  Detail afterwards cancelled by CRA 43 Div.

1407 - MZ 31 687787 engaged by 211 and 419 Btys. Sc. 2.

1445 - MZ 401 688777 212 and A Tp 84 Med. Sc. 2.

1446 - CRA A/B Div reported eny attack from east penetrating to 693776.

1510 - MZ 31 re-recorded at 6838 7903 by 211. Sc. 2.

1530 - 1 A/B Div warned that fighter bombers going in to attack area 6679 any moment.

1555 - Three tgts from CRA A/B Div

All engaged Sc. 3.

1640 - MZ 31 Sc. 2 by 211 and HAA.  Eny in wood.

1715 - Ammn - 4.5 now held:

1729 - MZ 31 engaged Sc. 1 - 1 Coy and 5 tks in the open.  Repeated Sc. 2. and W200. Sc. 1.

1730 -Sitrep from C OP with 43 Recce - a/c ptl along 55 eastings have firm base of carriers plus 12 KRRC on line VEHEILK 6267 to ANBELEST 6179 to ZETTEN to RANDWIJK 6075.  Intention to push up one Bn of KRRC to ptl line and hold it with inf.

1811 - MZ 34.  698777.  Eny in open. Sc. 2. followed by E100. Sc. 1.

1820 - MZ 34 repeat.  SE 200 rpt.

1846 - MZ 35 690787. Sc. 1.

1857 - Repeat Sc. 2.  Repeat Sc. 2.  CRA sent down "Highly successful - thanks very much".

1930 - CRA A/B Div reported air attacks of yesterday were successful.

1953 - M55 641765.  211, 212 and 27/28.  Sc. 1. for 112 Fd Regt.

2150 - H Hour not before 2230 hrs for BARN.  Amendment to programme:

2212 - BARN not before 2330.

2240 - BARN not before 0100.

25th September 1944

0000 - Locn of OP with 419 Bty - 685755.

0015 - BARN now at 0130.

0130 - Engage MZ 34 as HF task single rds of GF on Bty (27/28) between 0200 and 0500 hrs.

0132 - 419 Bty OP reported so far everything going well.  Not much mortaring.

0146 - RHODES engaged by 211 and HAA Bty.

0150 - CYPRUS and CRETE engaged by 211 and 419 respectively. Sc. 1.

0155 - CYPRUS engaged by 211 every 2 mins for 20 mins.

0159 - 419 OP asked for rounds on the ground all time.

0200 - MZ20. Sc. 2 engaged by 27/28 Bty.

0211 - Stop on CYPRUS.  One gun reported firing short.

0228 - WIGHT engaged 3317 by 211, 3318 by 212, 3319 by 27/28.

0235 - MZ19 Sc. 1 engaged by 211.

0247 - MZ19 Sc. 1 engaged by 211.

0251 - JERSEY engaged by 27/28 Bty.

0317 - RHODES engaged by 211 and HAA Bty.

0332 - WIGHT engaged by 211, 212 and 27/28 Bty.

0342 - JERSEY engaged Sc. 1., every 2 mins for 10 mins.

0358 - 419 Bty OP reported not much news of progress, but considerable supplies over river.

0406 - CRETE engaged by 419 - single rd every 40 secs for 10 mins.

0410 - RHODES engaged by 211 and HAA Bty.

0423 - WIGHT engaged by 211, 212 and 27/28 Bty.

0424 - JERSEY engaged by 211 and HAA.

0442 - MZ 19 engaged Sc. 2 by 211 for CRA 1 A/B Div.

0521 - 4 Dors 1000 yds W of proposed meeting place with 1 A/B Div.  Supplies across, but 419 thought no actual contact.

0532 - 419 OP reported 6 Tigers KO'd near ELST.

0609 - MZ 34 engaged by 211 and 27/28 N500 Sc. 1.

0637 - MZ 35 NE 100.  211 and 27/28. Sc. 1.

0710 - FOO 1 A/B Div reported altered dispositions of neighbourly tps rendered own positions precarious.  Preparing for house to house fighting - request for arty spt.

0745 - V3265 engaged - 7070 7216 10m 153°, S2 by 212, HAA Sc. 4.  Eny area.

0804 - MZ 35 E100.  212 and 27/28 engaged.

0805 - V3265 N200 repeat.

0810 - MZ35 NW800 repeat. Sc. 1.

0822 - 419 OP reported 350 inf and 2 tons of supplies across last night.

0850 - Tgt 3163 7050 7490 90° engaged by 212. Sc. 3.

0907 - MZ37 recorded by A Tp 6947 7797.  B Tp 6960 7838.  Eny mvt.

1025 - Div ordered "BERLIN tonight".  Passed to 1 A/B and understood.

1050 - Tgt D1 engaged and recorded at 464200 576260 10m.  Simultaneously B51 recorded by Air OP at 464320 578620 22m.

1105 - Tgt from 43 Div 642785 engaged by 27/28.

1125 - Tgt from 43 Div 646785 engaged by 27/28.

1147 - MZ35 683785 engaged by 27/28.

1213 - MZ35 W100 N200. Sc. 1.

1221 - MZ35 NW600 1 Tp. Sc. 1.

1235 - HF ordered on MZ37 for 2 hours. Sc. 2 every half hour.

1240 - Considerable eny activity reported area 717749 - appear to be digging.

1245 - MZ38 683785 engaged Sc. 2 W200 Sc. 1. by 27/28.

1305 - M56 engaged by HAA 712775.  3 x 88's.

1315 - Message from CRA 1 A/B Div:  Wheeled supplies over river but cannot get owing to eny action and lack of own vehicles.  Aircraft RE supplies essential repeat essential today under all circumstances.

1330 - Tgt 3081 engaged by 27/28.  709721 110° Sc. 1 (Tanks approaching).

1335 - Tgt from A/B Div 699773 NE100 Sc. 1.  Engaged by 211.

1345 - Tgts engaged for A/B Div - 689787 Sc. 1 and 693774 Sc. 1.  Main attack developing.  Engaged by 211 and 27/28.

1450 - MZ39 engaged by 211, 212. Sc. 2.

1515 - MZ39 Sc. 1 repeated with everything available requested by A/B Div.  Situation quite serious.

1530 - Fire plan ONGA fired by 27/28. Ser.1 7028 7070 125° H to H + 5 - rate slow.

1540 - MZ 25 engaged by 211 and 27/28. Sc. 1.  MZ39 682776 by 212 - to engaged intermittently up to Sc. 10.

1545 - Engaged D1 E300. Sc. 2.

1556 - CRA A/B Div reported attack more or less died down.  Report of 1 Tiger disabled.

1601 - D1 E300. Sc. 2.

1605 - MZ39 E100 on HF.

1608 - D1 N200. Sc. 2.

1614 - 419 OP reported he had been to 704763 to try and help.  Nothing worth our while.

1614 - Report of tanks at 707726.

1622 - MZ39 E100 on HF - carry on for further 10 mins.

1626 - D1 NE400. Sc. 2.

1630 - D1 NE400. Sc. 2.  MZ19. SW300. 211 and HAA Bty. Sc. 1.

1650 - MZ19. SW300. Sc. 2 by HAA.

1653 - MZ19.  211 and 27/28. Sc. 1.

1655 - MZ39. E100. Sc. 1.

1711 - MZ39 as corrected.  HF - 1 Tiger tk re-attacking.  212 engaged.

1715 - 1 Tp 211 laid own MZ31.

1729 - MZ40 690774 TOT 1745.  MGs now firing.

1734 - MZ39 as corrected Sc. 2 by 212.  Enemy attacked.

1745 - Shot on MZ 40.

1747 - MZ40 all S100. Sc. 1.

1750 - MZ31 engaged by Tp 211. Sc. 1. E200 repeat.

1810 - MZ31. Sc. 3.  CRA reported very successful shoot.

1820 - CRA A/B Div reported enemy forming up.  MZ39 Sc. 3 at 1835.

1835 - 212 shot on MZ39.

1902 - MZ31. Sc. 2.

1915 - MZ31. Sc. 1.

1927 - MZ31. 211 engaged Sc. 2.

1930 - MZ39. Sc. 5.

1932 - Div ordered ly on Tgt 3042.  7115 7605.

1935 - MZ31 repeat Sc. 2.

1953 - MZ40. Sc. 3.

2019 - MZ19 Sc. 2 by 27/28.  SW 300 repeat.

2100 - Shot on JAVA.

2104 - MZ19. SW300. Sc. 1.

2110 - MZ19. Sc. 2.  Enemy tanks.

2125 - MZ19. SW300. Sc. 2.

2140 - MZ19. SW300. Sc. 3.

2210 - MZ31. Sc. 3.

2222 - 419 OP reported 1 officer and 60 ORs returned to this side of river tonight.  Position of rest of bn unknown.  Both FOO party sets destroyed.

2258 - 419 OP reported results satisfactory at the moment.  Contact now lost with 1 A/B Div.  Commns never resumed.  Afterwards found out they closed down at about 2200 hrs.

26th September 1944

0545 - 419 OP reported that it was estimated 500 more of 1 A/B Div still to come in.

0615 - Operations concluded for the night.

1042 - Tgt 3160 cancelled.

1043 - HB's at 7338 8025

                        7714 7665

Engage with 212 Sc. 1 twice with half an hour between each Sc. 1.

1223 - BC 212 established OP at 649753 - reported 4 Dorsets now considered wiped out.

1230 - 906752 L/Sjt. Phipps, T. E., reported  with RHQ "B" Ech.  Had been ambushed in ST. OEDENRODE area on way up.  Captain G.F. MAT, R.A. and L/Bdr. Durrett, Gnrs. Higgings, Gay, Jarman, Fenning, Mitchell, Gilbert and Sigmn. Preston missing, though some say at least be... [unknown]