8RS: Normandy to the Crossing of the Elbe

OVER THE TOP! Lieutenant Sydenham, 'B' Company, 8RS, leading his Platoon in an attack on La Beny Bocade in Normandy. Lieutenant Sydenham was killed later during the battle to capture the Escaut Canal.

The Staff Reporters writing in the Battalion Newspaper “First o’ Foot” in December 1945 when their memories were still very fresh wrote about the long journey the 8th Battalion The Royal Scots had undertaken as they fought from Normandy Beachhead to with a few miles of the Baltic shore. Here is their account which outlines their pride in the part they played as a unit of the 15th Scottish Division:

It was on the 15th June 1944, tense and excited, we landed on the coast of Normandy, profoundly conscious of the immensity of the task ahead. The world in breathless wonder followed the progress of British Army in those trying days, our kith and kin back home showered prayers on us for the success of our venture. The Royal Scots rose to the occasion and along with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and Royal Scots Fusiliers, brought glory to the name of the famous 44 Lowland Brigade.

Our first two attacks at Ross’s Wood (named by our C.O. after ‘A’ Company Commander) and La Gaule were picnics compared with what was to follow at Le Haut du Bosch. It was at the latter village that we really received our baptism of fire and learned how grim and bloody war can be.

Despite our thinning ranks, Royal Scots fought doggedly and repelled counter-attack after counter-attack. So serious was the situation at one period that cooks, clerks and transport drivers were ordered into the line. Two days later it was with a genuine feeling of pride that we withdrew from the front, to re-form and obtain reinforcements for our next assignment – that of clearing the enemy from Bougy and Garvus.

Members of the Battalion still rank that bloody onslaught at Bougy as the most memorable encounter during the campaign, others are inclined to say the Escaut Canal. Our stand at Bougy was really an incredible feat and although we accomplished our task – much to the surprise of senior commanders – we lost heavily in men.

The Battalion was reinforced five times during the Bougy attack and casualties in the main were caused by unusually heavy mortaring and shelling, rather than close combat.

Amid the shriek of shells crashing among the apple trees, the Battalion tried to snatch 40 winks after Bougy when suddenly – ever so suddenly – the 8th Battalion The Royal Scots were told to move some 40 kilometres across the narrow bridgehead to St Lo. There we secretly relieved the tired Americans who were in defensive positions.

The change-over completely flummoxed the Germans and it is said that when one of their patrols first sighted the ‘Scotlanders’ the feet of the enemy didn’t touch! It was a master stroke.

Then came the ‘advance to contact’ in the Caumont sector and the dramatic break-out through Falaise with the smell of victory in the air and the stench of death from the ground. We were afforded a grandstand view of the unbelievable destruction wrought by the RAF on the Wehrmacht. It was an unforgettable scene.

Helped by artificial moonlight, we carried out an assault crossing of the Seine at 3 a.m., to be followed by a burst of speed across Northern France in the wake of our armour. The liberated peoples let loose their pent-up gratitude on the Jocks and the milling crowds made it impossible for us to remain mobile.

Into Belgium where our first job was clearing up Courtrai. Next two wonderful days in Malaines where the pipe band staged a first-class show in the Town Square at short notice and then, on to . . .

Gheel. We shall never forget the Escaut Canal. There we lost some fine soldiers when the battalion encountered strong enemy positions. Nevertheless, we held on tenaciously to our small bridgehead despite the worst spate of enemy artillery experienced in the campaign.

We crossed into Holland – the land of windmills and big hearts. We were in the thick of many battles to keep open the supply corridor to Nijmegan. The undertaking was a success, a magnificent achievement. So on to Best, Fratershof and the never-to-be-forgotten liberation of Tilburg.

For hours we lay in the woods at Tilburg awaiting the order to advance. When it came we marched steadily on, expecting the worst, but hoping – always hoping – for the best. In staggered sections we swung into Tilburg. The people of the town came running out of cellars and dugouts to cheer us and give many of us our first taste of Dutch hospitality.

After Tilburg we were whisked without warning to Aston in the American sector because of a German breakthrough. Later we advanced slowly toward the River Maas and the borders of Germany.

The end of the old year was celebrated by the capture of Blerick following a well-thought out plan on the part of our Commanding Officer (Lieutenant Colonel Pearson DSO). At Blerick we are credited with having gone through the largest minefield of the war without a single casualty.

We spent some days in the vicinity of Tilburg training for the assault on the Siegfried Line. The attack was a success and we advanced through the ‘impregnable’ fortress to help capture Cleves and Goch. This was a costly operation.

The world knows the story of the Rhine Crossing and how the ‘Fighting Fifteenth’ attacked en masse. Once across the 400 yards of water, we swanned out over North Germany, crossed the Elbe, and advanced until halted at 0800 hour on 5th May – Armistice Day.

Thus the German war was over and our part with 21 Army Group cost us 1102 casualties, including 61 officers – a grim reminder indeed that this must be the last time that nations settle their quarrels by a call to arms.

I would like to add a footnote to this story of my former Battalion: Colonel Pearson was particularly proud of an honour that was paid to the Battalion. Following the speech of His Majesty the King George VI made on the wireless to the English-speaking world on Tuesday, 2nd May, there was a broadcast made by certain representatives of Field-Marshal Montgomery’s victorious troops. The sole Infantry representative of the 21st Army group was Private Nelson of ‘C’ Company of the 8th Royal Scots. This soldier had been chosen to represent the many hundreds of thousands of other infantrymen because he had served in a rifle company throughout the whole of the campaign in North-West Europe. He was, indeed, the only member of a rifle company who had served without a break in the 8th Battalion since their landing on the Normandy beaches eleven months before.


Joe Brown.

 

Joe,
A great read. Thanks for sharing.
cheers from the colony....

 

Joe

Many hard times for the first o' foot and all other Infantrymen who were promised to see the world...but not necessarily on foot...

Cheers

 

Owen,

Delighted you have discovered and put up this photograph of the 8RS. It is a dramatic moment, and good to have a copy that is so sharp and clear. My pix was from a newspaper printed in Germany in 1945 on newsprint but it is obvious the negative was reversed in the process. I will leave up my original as the contrast is of interest.

Best wishes,

Joe.

 

Joe,

I did a search on CWGC for Lt. Sydenham, as you mentioned he was later killed in the battle to capture the Escaut Canal. The only man I found with that surname killed from that time, has a headstone of the Royal Irish Fusiliers who is buried at Kasterlee War Cemetery. Was this the man and did he join the Royal Scots as a replacement Officer?

It would be good to get a copy of the Officers Returns from the war diary, as this could be an incorrectly engraved headstone. It was sad to see that the Royal Scots have 34 men buried at Kasterlee plus a Canloan Officer called Lt Jackson Stewart, whose headstone is marked as being attached to the Royal Scots.

Regards - Rob



PS - I found an example of how an Officer, whose Parent Regt was shown on the headstone together with the name of the unit he was attached to at the time of his death. An Officer of the Royal Scots attached to the KOSB.

 

Rob.

Thanks for kindly researching the burial place of Lieutenant M. J. Sydenham. I confirm he was an officer of the Royal Irish Fusiliers attached to the 8RS and serving in 'B' Company who were dug in an orchard located on the western curve of the bridgehead we had established which was under heavy fire and repeated counter-attacks. It was when the enemy brought forward several SP Guns that he was killed along with a number of Other Ranks.

Lieutenant Jackson Steward was a Canadian Officer serving in 'D' Company. Sadly he was killed in hand-to-hand fighting when his Platoon was attacked as they were being driven back, again by enemy self-propelled guns, whilst many of his men died behind their weapons.

It was a fierce and bloody battle as the Germans employed every effort and weapon to hold up our advance and retake the ground around the Escaut Canal.

It was good of you to upload the picture of the place where Lieutenant M. J. Sydenham lies. We must never forget these young officers and men who gave their lives at this very important juncture of the War.

With regards and thanks.

Joe

 

Joe,

I visited Kasterlee in 2010. A most unusual cemetery, but a very beautiful place. Here is a link to the photos I posted on the Forum back then. I also have photos of all the headstones from here.

Regards - Rob

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/24462-kasterlee-war-cemetery-belgium/#entry298627

 

Jim:

Kasterlee is a very special place for the 8RS. Seven years ago the Veterans on their last Reunion Visit to Belgium and Holland eight years ago spent time there to stand once again with beside their brave Comrades. Sadly our last visit, as we are now too old to do the trip again. But that beautiful, peaceful place is a hallowed memory.

I have made a note of your Thread to refer it to the Veterans.

Best wishes.

Joe

 

Joe,

Can i ask if you where in or near Best? I am trying to find out where the batalions had there positins in or around Best.
It looks if they where spread out from Best to Sint Oedenrode.

Thank you.

Eric from Best

 

Dear Eric.

When the 8RS reached Eindhoven, they were put on notice to be ready to move towards Best and they then pressed forward over the Wilhelmina Canal by a newly erected Bailey Bridge and entered Best. To the north there was a stretch of thickly wooded country which separated the British positions from 'sHertogenbosch and the south bank of the Maas. The 8RS then attacked northwards to open the way to the Maas. Heavy engagements took place at the crossroads a mile and a half north of Best . For three days a gruelling and ill-defined battle took place until the 8RS was moved eastwards to prepared to attack Fratershoef. As you know Fratershoef is just a few miles west of Saint Oedenrode. These notes are from The First of Foot by Augustus Muir, pp.331-2. I am sorry I don't know about the positions of the other Battalions.

I hope this information will be of help.

With best wishes.

Joe

 

good day joe brown.ww2 veteran.oct17th 2913 07:26pm.re:8rs:normandy to the crossing of the elbe.thank you for a descriptive post on the bravery of your regiment to all those who did not return.may they rest in peace.you had many heros in your regiment.the young lieutenant syddenham was a fine exanple to his men.and finaly private nelson "c" companya true survivor.thank you again I look forward to your post's.regards bernard85

 

Joe,

Thank you very much for you explanation. The crossroads you mention, do you now if that is nown by you as Steenweg? Because that road was an point of attack to enter the village.
7th Seaforts made an attack on Best and had many casualties. The brickfactory was an stronghold from the germans.

Tomorrow we commemorate the liberation of Best. 24 of oktober. At 19.00Hr

Thank you for your service

Eric

 

hello as i am reading the posts above i was also reading the information regarding the diary from which my grandad had
written.
private E.Lowe was serving with d coy 8th Royal Scots at the time the Canadian officer was sadly killed and in fact wasn't very far away from him at the time of his death .i have not as yet learnt how to upload pictures or diary's of my grandads from this period of time ,however i would love to post the information that i have from his diaries.along with his service records when they do finally arrive,what a wonder full site this is ,it is helping me to piece together my granddads experiences for his great grandchildren an the rest of my family including my grandads son who was 18 month old at the
time . .
THANK YOU ALL .ROBERT .LOWE . GRANDSON OF PRIVATE E. LOWE D COY 8TH ROYAL SCOTS REGT

 

Owen,

Oke.. Thank you for the information. But if you have info or can direct me. Please let me now.

Eric

 

Robert.

Welcome to the Forum. Delighted to be in touch with the Grandson of Private Lowe. I do hope you will upload your Grandfather's diaries and whatever pictures you have, which I would like to copy on The Royal Scots Forum so they are on the Regimental record. Would like to see a picture of your Grandfather. I served with the 8RS from May 1939 through till 1942 when I left the Battalion for OCTU. When commissioned, served with the 7th/9th Royal Scots.

I must send you a history card of the 8th RS and other information I think you would like to have, such as a copy of letter I am preparing to go to the 8RS Veterans which I am sure you and the family will find of interested. If when you have time you would kindly let me have your address by the private message system, we can keep in touch.

With all good wishes to you and the family.

Joe Brown

 

Hi joe
I have sent you a personal message,my grandad Ernest served with the 8th Bn Royal Scots from june 1944 wen he arrived in normandy ,the regiment he was with before landing in normandy was the 2nd Hertfordshire rgt,on arrival in Normandy he found himself in the 8th Royal Scots D coy ,Grandad was wounded in action on the 31st october 1944 ,it would appear from his diary that he was hit by shrapnel which hit him in his right leg just below the knee and travelled through his leg ,he was sheltering at the time from incoming mortar shells behind a tank when he was wounded.

 

hi joe i have sent you a private message

 

This is a picture of my grandad ,private E.Lowe Royal Scots ,he is sat far right of the picture ,the chap at the left of him sat at the back is of the 2nd Herefordshire regiment,The chap sat to the front of him nearest to the right of the picture is believed to be royal artillery ,and the sergeant on the left of the picture we have no idea what regiment he was with,sadly we don't have any names for the other chaps either sadly,maybe someone on here may know them hopefully.