A Brief History to 50th Divisional Signals in WW2

Discussion in 'Royal Signals' started by Drew5233, Oct 14, 2010.

  1. (It has been difficult to get any memories of these months apart from the following, with a general sense of weariness until the break-out)
    “We were moving quite a lot – sometimes we would get into a position, dig in and be there for two hours, sometimes two days. The place would have been recced by the Artillery and Capt Soutar’s jeep and the halftrack would go forward first and then the big three ton command vehicle would arrive later. Sometimes the whole Section was together other times only a few of us. Brigadier Norton would co-ordinate all the artillery. Other times we would be in the same position as our Div Signals HQ but with the Artillery HQ. I can’t remember where we were or when, I wish I could.
    The bocage country was deadly, high hedges and sunken lanes that restricted your view. There was always ‘stand-to’ morning and night, but the shout could come at any time. One job I had was to maintain the Brens. One was always on the vehicle and I kept the other with me at all times. Only one had to be stripped down at a time. This particular day we were in a static position and had slit trenches around the field edge. My stand-to position was firing down a sunken lane. I had both of the Brens stripped when the shout came, so I gathered what I could and got to my hole.
    When Capt Soutar came round checking the positions I asked him if it was a genuine call because I had no ‘guts’ in the Bren! He said 'Oh****' and sent me down to reassemble it while he covered the lane with his revolver!
    We were always told to fire at enemy aircraft. I heard firing off to one side of our leaguer one day and looked up to see a Jerry plane coming over so I let go with the Bren. I was just outside the Artillery ‘cook-house’ at the time and they were not best pleased as they took cover and things went all over the place.
    I cannot recall a visit to a cinema, a show or a bath, or seeing any cricket matches!
    At some point the 15 Scottish passed through us, I remember the tops of the trucks were level with our field and they were pulling limbers with their guns. Capt Soutar had been posted from them, and I had told him my brother-in-law was a Bombadier with their artillery, so we went up in his jeep one time. I got a bollocking from a Sgt Major for having no tin hat and only my side arm. I found my brother-in-law brewing some tea and remember talking back to one of their young officers. It was something along the lines of ‘we haven’t been sitting on Richmond Hill for the last few years’. By that time we were all a bit fed up with being first in and last out and it was starting to show.
    The only other vivid memory of that time was of driving the halftrack back from somewhere with our D.R. Jimmy Yates, just the two of us. It was teeming down with rain really bad and we were stopped to pull ‘Monty’s’ caravan out of a field. Monty wasn’t there and we found out who it belonged to from his aides. I would have bogged down myself if I had gone in, it was that bad. I used the winch on the front round a tree and onto the caravan, and pulled it out. Then we were back on our way. Not much of a story really Im afraid.”
     
  2. August 1944
    Normandy: LA SENAUDIERE
    1 Aug: Main 50 Div HQ established at 786674
    30 Corps attack developing and enemy loosening up.
    56 and 231 Bde HQs move forward: 69 Bde HQ also move forward but encounter considerable difficulty owing to congestion on the roads – covering 3 miles in 2 hours. CV 1 and Tac Signal Office extracted from the convoy and push ahead to establish Bde HQ.
    209 Fd Coy RE on CRE net, working from CAUMONT on road maintenance.

    2 Aug: Bdes continue to make progress toward VILLERS BOCAGE.
    61 Recce Regt RAC under comd 69 Bde.
    151 Bde HQ move to 810650.
    Line and wireless communications satisfactory except in Fd Coys where distances are too great for 22 Sets. 69 Bde have trouble with lines but wireless is satisfactory.
    Inter Div Lateral W/T net opens with 50 Div as Control. 59 Div on left and 43 Div on right.
    ENSA show for troops in BAYEUX. Total of 100 sent from Main and Rear Div Sigs.

    3 Aug: General movement forward of 231 and 69 Bdes.
    151 Bde have only one Bn in line – remainder resting.
    Fairly heavy traffic on CRE forward control net, averaging 40-50 ‘Slidex’ messages daily.
    20 men sent to Corps Rest Camp at PORT EN BESSIN on the coast for 3days.
    59 Div moving across Div front.
    231 Bde being squeezed out and mortaring restricted.
    209 Fd Coy RE out of command CRE.
    56 Bde leave Div and pass to 59 Div.

    4 Aug: Bns of 231 Bde heavily shelled and mortared during morning but 1 Dorsets push on to VILLERS BOCAGE, report town empty and claim its capture.
    (Phase II of Operation OVERLORD completed)
    151 Bde out of action and resting.
    131 Bde also out of action and resting.

    5 Aug: 61 Recce Regt RAC leave 69 Bde and pass to under comnd 7 Armoured Div.
    50 Div not in contact with enemy for first time since D-Day, but 151 Bde are under three hours notice to move to 7 Armoured Div.
    Move of 151 Bde cancelled.
    231 Bde Sig Sec spend day resting and reorganising.
    69 Bde Sig Sec also resting. OsC Sections carry out general inspection of equipment and arms.

    6 Aug: New Corps Commander, Lieut-Gen. G.B. Horrocks, CBE, DSO, MC visits Bdes and gives introductory talk to all officers and senior NCOs.
    CRA Recce party sent out to find gunner area to support 43 Div on attack on MT PINCON 8445. Considerable indecision during afternoon as move is dependent on progress of 43 Div.
    Move finally cancelled.
    MT PINCON captured by 43 Div.

    7 Aug: Div HQ recce party sent out to find new Div HQ area. – OC ‘A’ Section and G III Ops.
    Second recce party sent out including 2 i/c ‘A’ Section.
    Move to area 775523. ROBIN
    Signals area littered with dead cattle; eight dead cows towed by jeep to large bomb crater in nearby field and buried.
    Lines laid to 151 Bde and 90 Fd Regt RA and spares laid along Div axis towards AUNAY SUR ODON ready for other Bdes when they move on 8 Aug.
    Heavy interference on CRE W/T net from 43 Div CRA and 50 Div ‘Q’frequencies
    New frequency 2372 kcs selected for CRE – to change at 0600 hrs 8 Aug.
    Tac HQ 69 Bde organised as follows:-
    1 x M.14 containing 2 x 19 Sets on Div’A’ (HP) and Bde ‘A’ (LP).
    2 Operators and Driver Operators.
    Capt. P.H. Salmon (OC ‘L’Section) in jeep.
    2 D.Rs on M/cs

    When Tac Bde is established, Tac Signals Office in Car 4-str and line jeep will be called up from Main Bde with 2 i/c Section in charge.
     
  3. 8 Aug: 69 Bde and 231 Bde move into locations SOUTH and WEST of Div HQ respectively and lines laid. 30 Corps main move to 792505.
    Tac Div move out. Attack by 7 Armoured Div with 151 Bde following postponed.
    Considerable interference on CRE net from 5 AGRA but no alternative frequencies available.

    9 Aug: Plans changed – 151 Bde and 69 Bde attack at 1200 hrs. 151 Bde successful in first hour and a half. Main Div under orders to move at 1300 hrs.
    Recce party out to new area at 1400 hrs.
    Group 7 (Signals Group) move first to 835490 arriving at 1715 hrs.
    Signals area shelled at 1745 hrs causing 10 casualties as follows:-

    Killed in Action :- 2574936 W/Sergt LOWES G.
    2588097 W/Sergt WRIGHT C.W.
    Buried at M.R. 838489

    Wounded in Action :- 2571639 W/CQMS LIGHTBODY W.A.
    2582896 W/Corpl JACOPI L.V.
    2346316 A/L/Cpl BAGGALEY J.
    2565184 A/L/Cpl GILLON J.J.
    14636604 Sigmn PEPPIATT F.E.C.
    2582890 Sigmn RIDLEY M.A.
    2574992 DvrIC TOWERS M.
    2363997 DvrIC DUNNING R.W.
    S.E. AUNAY SUR ODEON
    Remainder of Main Div arrive.
    Various troubles with lines owing to heavy traffic on roads.
    No. 2576231 W/Corpl PERCY R.C. (‘N’ Section) to 3 CCS with malaria.
    Several dead bodies in 69 Bde HQ area, both German and British, result of 151 Bde attack.

    10 Aug: Attacks by 151 and 69 Bdes successful.
    Tac Div move to 835455 on MT. PINCON.
    Some shelling of forward area throughout the day.
    90 Fd Regt close to forward area with little infantry protection. RHQ established in orchard littered with enemy corpses. A number of P.O.W. come in through gun positions of this Fd Regt. Regt 100% alert all day. P.O.W. made to bury enemy dead.
    Enemy shell area Tac Div on MT. PINCON during evening.
    Lieut G.E. SIMPSON (OC ‘C’Section) wounded by shell fire near Tac Div and removed to ADS 186 Fd Amb.
    Lieut SIMPSON dies of wounds in 186 Fd Amb.
    Arrangements made for burial service by SCF 50 Div – Revd J.F. Warner.

    231 Bde HQ prepare for operation ACHILLES with following under command:-
    ‘C’ Coy 2 Cheshires
    13 & 14 Hy Mortar Pln 2 Cheshires
    288 A/Tk Bty
    295 Fd Coy RE
    4/7 Dragoon Gds (Shermans)

    Communications between Sqns of 4/7 D.G. and Bns they are supporting, are arranged by Bn Signal Officers. 61 recce Regt RAC also under command of 231 Bde with L.O. and W/T Set at Bde HQ. All Fd Regts to support attack.

    11 Aug: 2599905 DvrIC DOVE J. Placed under close arrest by 2565739 Sergt. CASTLETON A. (‘C’ Section), for refusing to obey an order given to him by his superior officer.
    Lieut G.E. SIMPSON buried in T.T. Cemetery at M.R. 833478.
    Summary of Evidence in the case of Dvr Dove J. Taken by Capt. J.R. ENGLISH, (Adjutant) after case has been taken by OC 1 Coy. Commanding Officer requests a F.G.C.M.
    Main HQ 69 Bde established 1 mile South of LE PLASSY GRIMAULT but owing to enemy shellfire, vehicles could only move up main road in small groups of two or three.

    12 Aug: Two D.Rs of ‘L’ Section following up 6 Green Howards have narrow escape when jeep is knocked out by shellfire. Jeep eventually recovered and repaired.
    Information received that 2574992 DvrIC TOWERS M. Died of wounds on 11 Aug in 3CCS.
    Attacks by 151 Bde on Pts 262 and 249 square 9038-8938 are successful but various pockets of enemy left behind during advance.
    12 KRRC temporarily under command of 50 Div to cover gap between 50 Div and units of 8 Corps.
    CRE express a wish for a loudspeaker in his C.V. Electrician of ‘N’ Section trying to find one to match 19 Set.
     
  4. “When we got word Div HQ had been shelled we were up in front a way. I was sat in a field with the Bren trained on a group of between 30-40 German prisoners. The infantry lads would come and pick certain ones out and take them off for interrogation. When they brought them back they were kept separate on the left. This one young s** came back and went back into the main group and started talking. I remember he had a red-cross bag. I was shouting at him but he had that arrogant way about him and took no notice. One of the infantry lads waded into them and prodded him out with his rifle over to the left. They stopped taking them down in the end and just moved them all as one group.
    The 257, and 258 lads were all Darlington or Middlesbrough, in from the start and I knew them all from when I was in Ak Section”
     
  5. 13 Aug: 151 Bde come into reserve after handing over to 129 Bde (43 Div).
    69 Bde also in reserve and have quiet day.
    Large force of U.S. heavy bombers pass over to bomb concentration of MET attempting to escape from FALAISE-ARGENTAN pocket. Heavy damage reported.
    Tac Div still out on MT. PINCON. 231 Bde have Bns well forward of Bde HQ and consequently omly one line forward was laid.

    14 Aug: 231 Bde still operating SW of ST. PIERRE LE VIEILLE.
    RAF heavy bombers pass over after bombing in FALAISE area
    Capt B.A. LANE (OC ‘A’ Section) returns with Tac Div party.

    15 Aug: 231 Bde only active formation with 124 Fd Regt in support.
    General maintenance for other formations preparatory to next move forward.

    16 Aug: 295 Fd Coy RE supported by Bns of 231 Bde bridge R. NOIREAU near CONDE SUR NOIREAU. Army mobile cinema operating in 69 Bde area during evening.

    17 Aug: General preparations for operation ‘KITTEN’ (chasing the enemy).
    Main Div thinned out to essential vehicles only; remainder sent to Rear Div.

    18 Aug: Main Div moves to area S.W. ST. HONORINE DE CHARDONNE – M.R. 938272.
    Line to 30 Corps picked up from artery in main road CONDE-PUTANGES consisting of one Quad and one D.8 pair.
    More French civilians about in this area; very pleased to see us and make gifts of flowers and wine.
    CRE net communications satisfactory except 235 Fd Pk Coy with Rear Div now 20 miles in rear of Main Div.
    19 Aug: 231 Bde Group cross R. NOIREAU and Bde HQ established 911259.
    151 Bde Group move to area 028228.
    69 Bde Group in area 9424.
    Main Div move to CHENEDOUIT 029220 but convoy progress very slow. (9 miles in 2 hours).
    151 Bde Group move to area 063208. No contact with enemy.
    4348996 Sigmn JOHNSON P. (‘J’ Section) killed in accident whilst delivering S.D.R. packages. Buried by 149 Fd Amb at M.R. 274226.

    20 Aug: Main Div remain CHENEDOUIT all day. 151 Bde Group move to area 1221. Bde Comd 151 Bde has accident with recce jeep (BLR) of ‘J’Section but jeep replaced by one from Bde HQ. 151 Bde move to 2022; no contact with enemy.

    21 Aug: 231 Bde Group move to area COUCHES 1816. No lines laid in harbour area. Main Div HQ move to 165218 VAUX DE BAUDOULT. Raining all day and roads become very bad.

    22 Aug: Main Div HQ moves again in 24 mile bound to 515477 COURMENIL, one mile West of GACE. Very slow progress owing to traffic congestion. Average speed of convoy 3 m.p.h.
    A one to one W/T link established from Main to Rear Div using No.12 Sets (R/T) owing to increased distance and no line communications available.
    231 Bde Group move to area 5046.....Bde given task of clearing the FORET D’EVROULT, E of GACE. 90 Fd Regt in support but is not required.
    151 Bde HQ established at 417495. W/T is satisfactory but there are no lines to Bns.

    23 Aug: 231 Bde HQ move to area 523463 and plan for clearing woods is carried out.
    69 Bde in area RUGLES with Bde HQ at 811479.
    Main Div HQ move through GACE and ST. EVROULT N.D. DU BOIS to location 2 miles W. of LAIGLE. 231 Bde Group in area E. of LAIGLE (Div concentration area). 151 Bde Group in area 9143. Lines laid to Bns.

    24 Aug: Main Div HQ moves again to 901415 – E. of LAIGLE. Orders are received that division is to take over the bridgehead across R. SEINE at MANTES GASSICOURT from 79 U.S. Inf Div., commencing 25 Aug.
    231 Bde HQ established at 892410.
    Proposed move to SEINE cancelled.

    25 Aug: Warning order received that move is to take place on 26 Aug to area PACY SUR EURE 3965.
    German cipher machine captured by 505 Fd Coy RE handed in for return to 30 Corps.

    26 Aug: Main Div HQ moves along CLUB route: BRETEUIL-DAMVILLE – ST ANDRE DE L’EURE-PACY SUR EURE. Move completed in excellent time. HQ ....at 395632.
    Lines laid to 151 and 69 Bdes, although only portion of 69 Bde arrives; remainder held up on road due to traffic congestion.
    2 U.S. Armoured Div moving across Div axis with higher priority of movement.
    231 Bde some 40 miles back and not moving today.

    27 Aug: Heavy thunderstorms during early hours of morning causing considerable trouble on W/T nets for 3-4 hours but conditions satisfactory by 0700 hours. Remainder of 69 Bde move up in afternoon. 231 Bde Group also move and establish Bde HQ at 390687. Line already laid by ‘C’ Section before arrival of main body.
    8 Armoured Bde passes to under command 43 Div for R.SEINE bridging operation, and move into 43 Div area. 124 Fd Regt in action supporting 43 Div in R.SEINE crossing.

    28 Aug: Rear Div HQ commence move up DIAMOND route..located 1½ miles W. of Div HQ.
    All W/T in Bdes and Fd Regts reduced to minimum to allow for overhaul and maintenance. No move today.

    29 Aug: Raining at first light and continues all morning.
    Warning order received for move of Div HQ across R. SEINE......cross...at VERNON over class 40 Bridge (SAUL) and...established at 478735. Very muddy – roads and tracks very bad. Rum issue authorised.

    30 Aug: Main Div remain in present location all day, awaiting arrival of remainder of division.
    151 Bde Group push on up left flank of 30 Corps and reach LONGCHAMPS M.R. (M) 570030. Rear Div HQ arrive on E. bank of R. SEINE.....ECOS R. 563815.

    31 Aug: Main Div HQ move in long bound (37 miles) to 825965, following 69 Bde Group. 231 Bde Group follow Main Div on same road. No further move today...lines laid to local units only.
    Fwd troops of 151 Bde in AMIENS area with 11 Armoured Div.
    Commander of German 7th Army captured NE of AMIENS.

    GENERAL:

    The Division has actually been operating as a motorised force during the latter part of the month, without the increased W/T facilities appertaining to motorised formations. This was particularly noticed in Inf Bns where the No. 18 Set to Coys was hopelessly outranged at times.
     
  6. War Diary September 1944

    1 Sept: Main Div moves in bound of 45 miles to area 0534 passing through BEAUVAIS en route. Airfield construction coys already at work on BEAUVAIS airfield.
    231 Bde Gp have very long move but completed in excellent time. Bde Gp move through AMIENS later in day. 69 Bde ...leaguer SW of AMIENS. –all commns by wireless.
    151 Bde Gp remain same location for the day.

    2 Sept: Div HQ coln moves to PAS 255860 and remain for rest of day. 69 Bde Gp move to DAINVILLE – 4 killos E of ARRAS. 231 Bde Gp also move to ARRAS, Bde HQ being situated in the Citadel Barracks and comes under command of Guards Arm’d Div.
    OC ‘K’ Section (231 Bde) and members of section view the graves of the French civilians killed by the Gestapo in the grounds of the CITADEL. The civilians hold a communal burial service for these victims of German brutality during the morning.
    151 Bde move to DOULLENS.

    3 Sept: A Belgian Bde Gp arrive at ARRAS and placed under Comd 231 Bde.
    151 Bde have 13/18 Hussars and 7 Med Regt RA under comd. Gp move during day to 535200
    Main Div HQ ..to area 612261. Numerous pockets of enemy still in area. Situation unsettled.

    2100- 9 DLI Bn HQ shot up by enemy ambush. 1430043 Sigmn BERRY E. (Operator W&L) killed (buried TEMPLEMARS 686287). Sigmn DYMOND F (Operator W&L) evacuated to 168 Fd Amb with “exhaustion”
    Driver operator of M.14 at 9 DLI (Sigmn Wall H) commended for his action and coolness. He maintained commns during night until relief operators arrived.
    231 Bde enter Belgium with Gds Arm’d Div.

    4 Sept: Main Div remain same location during morning but enemy commence shelling Div HQ at 1130 hrs and preparations are made to move at 1330 hrs. Continued enemy shelling which wounds several Ors in HQ RA and one NCO in ‘N’ Sec HQ RE, causes Main Div to move at 1300 hrs.
    Column moves through GONDECOURT 632261 which is also being shelled, and SECLIN, across the Belgian border to LAMAIN 855325.
    ‘J’ Sec (151 Bde) have several casualties from shelling of GONDENCOURT including Lieut GCHA WHITWORTH, 2 i/c Sec. Others wounded are2590702 Cpl SLATTERY L; 2340749 Cpl GREENSTONE A; 836906 L/Cpl TODD J; 14630004 Sigmn JAMES B and 2585846 Sigmn BRAILEY A. The latter OR remains on duty.
    1245 231 Bde reaches BRUSSELS amid scenes of wild enthusiasm. Difficult for transport to move through crowded streets.
    Belgian Bde make a ceremonial entry into BRUSSELS headed by Household Cavalry Regt., Comdr Guards Arm’d Div and ‘C’ Coy 1 HAMPS.
    1700 Bns of 231 Bde disposed throughout city in defensive positions.
    Bde HQ established in buildings previously occupied by Gestapo in Avenue Louise.
    69 Bde Gp in ALOST 4060 and have tremendous ovation from civilians.
    Dance held in evening.

    6 Sept: ‘L’Sec (69 Bde) manage to arrange baths in ALOST. It is impossible to obtain any privacy in the town as the civilians could not be kept away from the vehicles.
    1200 Main Div HQ move via TOURNAI to NINOVE J 395570. Field Marshal MONTGOMERY passes convoy on the road and waves his hand in his usual cheery fashion.
    151 Bde in BRUSSELS. 231 Bde in ANTWERP. (under comd 11 Arm’d Div). 69 Bde still in ALOST.

    7 Sept: Wet morning.
    151 Bde under comd 2 Army w.e.f. 0600 hrs.
    231 Bde under comd 7 Armd Div for operations and 12 Corps for admin.... guarding ANTWERP docks and harbour installations. One Coy of 2 Devons situated at dock gates NE of city are provided with a No 19 Set in coy comdrs jeep to maintain communications.
    Comdr 231 Bde appointed temporary Garrison Commander of ANTWERP.
    1030 Div HQ moves via MALINES (great reception from civilians) to BEERSEL 852778. Very strong wind blowing –erection of penthouses very difficult.
    1200 69 Bde Gp leave ALOST and after a journey of 56 miles, are established in area of WESTERLOO, a village just S. of ALBERT CANAL. With this latest move, it is of interest that 69 Bde Gp have moved 420 miles since 18 August.
     
  7. “On the move up through France and into Belgium we kept to side roads, passing through small villages, and were away from the main Div most of the time I think. We didn’t go into Brussels, we by-passed it to the East, and went no-where near Antwerp.

    At one point I recognised the area from 1940 and when we parked up Capt Soutar gave me leave to visit Loos. I went with our D.R., Jimmy Yates, on the back of his bike. The place had been bombed, but cleaned up with piles of rubble at the sides of the road. The school we were billeted in was undamaged as was the estaminet across the street. Madame Martine was there, we used to call her ‘Mama’. She remembered me, Mel-lee she called me. Jimmy and I sat down to a plate of egg and chips each. The place soon filled up, with people asking about people from all sorts of Units and whether certain people had got out at Dunkirk. I asked about ‘old Maurice’ who we got to sing songs for us. Someone went to get him and he turned up in his best suit, crying his eyes out. I had to go through the lads they remembered and what had happened to them.

    The other place I remember is Heist op den Berg. It just stuck with me, the name, I don’t know why.
    People here were climbing on the vehicles and we leaguered up for the night by a cross-roads. Jimmy and I went off again on the bike. We rode down the main street and people started cheering at us. He pulled up by some girls and one of them stole his beret. (We weren’t wearing tin hats.) We chased her and ended up staying the night in Heist op den Berg. We were treated very well and I remember the next morning we could see our faces in our boots – someone had taken a great deal of time to clean and polish them. They were outside the room door, just like expensive hotel service!”
     
  8. 8 Sept:1100 Div HQ recce party sent out to find new area near HEERTSEL 002768.
    1445 Main Div moves but final location changed to AVERBODE 062748...arrive 1620 hours.
    231 Bde use ASSU tentacle to good effect, on enemy escaping NORTH across R. SCHELDT.
    Typhoons use rockets with successful results. Recce parties 158 Bde (53 Div) arrive at 231 Bde without warning to arrange relief.

    9 Sept: During the night, bns of 158 Bde relieve 231 Bde and Bde move to concentration area S. of ANTWERP. 151 Bde in HASSELT area with Bde HQ at 052795.
    1800 Lines...to all Bdes. Lines from 74,124 and 90 Fd Regts RA and 7 Med Regt RA are laid to 151 Bde exchange. These regts are to support attack across ALBERT CANAL. HQ RE have extra fd coys RE...for bridge building. 71,73,209 Fd Coy and CRE 7 Army Tps RE on CRE’s comd net.
    2000 8 DLI make successful crossing of Canal and bridges are built at 048855 (Class 40) and 085838 (Class 9).

    10 Sept: 1930 151 Bde HQ move over Canal to 072856 but enemy have infiltrated into area and Bde HQ successfully avoid contact and re-establishes itself at 046847 without..casualties.

    11 Sept: Rear Div recce party out looking for new location ..in area E of DIEST.
    Confused fighting still going on in 151 Bde bridgehead.

    12 Sept: 1015 Field Marshal Montgomery visits Div HQ.
    1500 44 Bde (15(S)Div) relieve 151 Bde Gp in GHEEL bridgehead.
    151 Bde HQ move to 052759.

    13 Sept:0930 Main Div coln move to location BREELAER 183740..arrive 1100 hours.
    1230 Main 30 Corps line through ok. Belgian Bde Gp under comd 50 Div.
    German aircraft over BEERINGEN bridgehead (ALBERT CANAL) during early evening. Many flares but few bombs .

    14 Sept: Main Div recce party out to BOURG LEOPOLD for new location. HQ established in Military Barracks- excellent location. The town bears marks of heavy street fighting and barracks area have been heavily damaged by air attack.

    15 Sept: General maintenance ordered for sections at Main Div. No move for 2-3 days.
    1200 HQ RA proposes to move nearer to bridgehead over ESCAUT CANAL to control fd regts. operating in support of Guards Arm’d Div.
    1715 Rear Div move to location ½ mile from Main HQ
    1800 Men visit Div Concert Party Show in LUNA PARK Theatre, BOURG LEOPOLD.

    16 Sept: Orders...that Main Div complete will move nearer to bridgehead...insufficient room for whole Div HQ...Tac Div and HQ RA move instead at 1600 hours.

    17 Sept: Main Div to move to Guards Arm’d Div location at 353894. ...starts to arrive 1130 hours. Whole area very crowded.
    Airborne operation ‘MARKET’ commences.
    231Bde with 9 DLI under comd enlarge bridgehead over ESCAUT CANAL and allow Guards Arm’d Div to pass through in drive for EINDHOVEN and NIJMEGEN.
     
  9. 17 Sept: During the afternoon the M.14 with No.19 Wireless set attached to 2 Devons (231 Bde) was blown up on a mine just over the dutch border with the following casualties:- Killed in Action – 2040919 Sigmn STRAHAN JR (Operator), 14224301 Sigmn HOOD AG (Dvr Operator) and 6032153 Sigmn BALLS WF (Operator). In addition the Bn Signal officer was killed and the Adjutant seriously wounded. The reserve M.14 held at Bde HQ was immediately despatched with a crew, but until its arrival the Devons CO recce set provided rear link commn.

    18 Sept: Hard fighting on main road to EINDHOVEN but Guards Arm’d Div make satisfactory progress, and join up with 101 U.S. Airborne Div. 231 Bde established N. of bridge over Canal. Length of line (12 miles) gives constant trouble owing to heavy traffic.
    50 Div now under operational comd of 8 Corps with the task of protecting flank of 30 Corps and keeping main road N.open.
    2000 heavy enemy air attack on bridgehead area and assembly areas. 151 and 69 Bde HQs have bombs, both HE and AP in area. No casualties to signals personnel but various lines damaged. Line parties out most of night on repairs.

    19 Sept: Several power lines blown down by enemy action.

    20 Sept: 69 Bde less 124 Fd Regt RA move to NIJMEGEN area and under comd 30 Corps.
    124 Fd Regt RA supports 3 (BR) Div in an attack on Div right flank.

    21 Sept: 124 Fd Regt. move N. to rejoin 69 Bde but part of coln is cut off by enemy penetration of supply route near VEGHEL.

    23 Sept: 0630 Tac Div move out to area N. of EINDHOVEN.
    0730 Div HQ recce party out.
    0900 Main Div HQ move through EINDHOVEN where coln is halted one hour to allow 7 Med Regt RA to pass through. Arrive area 439237, 4 miles S. of ZON 4426, at 1230 hours.
    Rear Div move in 2 miles S. on main road to EINDHOVEN.
    Remainder of 69 Bde Gp which have been out off S. of VEGHEL arrive in NIJMEGEN during the night.

    24 Sept: Main Div Gp move to 457306 arriving at 1315 hours. Location 1 mile E. of ST. ODENRODE which is being shelled by enemy in SCHINDEL area to W. of main road.
    151 Bde Gp also move to area 4526 with 9 DLI in Main Div area.
    1600 Road cut again between ST. ODENRODE and VEGHEL by enemy infantry and 2-3 tanks. All traffic for 30 Corps stopped at ST. ODENRODE. Enemy infiltrated to within 1 ½ miles of Div HQ. Line commn to 231 Bde and 101 U.S. Airborne Div, both S. of VEGHEL, cut by enemy shellfire – unable to be repaired. L.O. with W/T srt in jeep sent by other route to maintain commn with 101 U.S. Airborne Div.
    Enemy shell general area of ST. ODENRODE throughout the night.
    690Bde Gp move N. of NIJMEGEN Bridge and come under comd of Guards Arm’d Div.

    25 Sept: Battle Group 7 Arm’d Div (part 131 Bde) arrive in ST. ODENRODE to deal with enemy on W. of main road. Line laid to Tac 131 Bde in ST. ODENRODE.
    1500 Line commns restored to 101 U.S. Airborne Div. W/T commn only to 231 Bde.
    Road cleared of enemy but no traffic allowed to pass – enemy continues to shell main road.
    1900 69 Bde HQ ‘dug in’ N. of NIJMEGEN Bridge as situation rather fluid. Anticipated that Bde will remain static for about a week....

    26 Sept: 231 Bde move to VOGHEL 5640. Bridges now available over ZUID WILLEMS VAART Canal for traffic to 231 Bde.
    1430 Main Div HQ recce party out for new location in VOGHEL area 5737.
    69 Bde are counterattacked from NE but withhold ground.
    Survivors of British Airborne Div evacuated from ARNHEM area.

    27 Sept: Div HQ Gp moves to BOGHEL area 550359. 151 Bde Gp moves to VOLKEL and HQ established at 560395. 231 Bde Gp moves to MILL 631444.

    28 Sept: Line section out all day repairing P/L route along railway line from VOLKEL to MILL 5742-6545. 69 Bde send L.O. with No.22 set to 505 U.S. Para Bde.

    29 Sept: General maintenance.....no move for division for 2 – 3 days.
    NIJMEGEN road bridge damaged, and railway bridge destroyed by German divers coming down river with explosive charges.

    30 Sept: main Div HQ recce party out for new location N of GRAVE in area 6858 but no move before 1 Oct.
    69 Bde have two extra bns under comd – DCLI and 6 HLI but 43 Div Sigs have to loan an M. 14 with No.19 Set to 6 HLI to act as rear link.
    151 Bde HQ including members of ‘J’ Sec play football in afternoon against D Coy 2 Cheshires (Mortars). Win 6-2.

    Review of Month’s Work
    Once again all units have been constantly on the move with the constant strain on communication systems. Wireless nets have been reasonably satisfactory....although interference from other groups could not be entirely ruled out.
    Many miles of field cable have been laid out and not recovered owing to the speed of the advance....
    The reception given to the unit as it passed through eastern Belgium will not be forgotten for a long time. It surpassed anything seen in France.
     
  10. (The following are in memories of the move up the corridor for ‘Garden’ –again dates and places are not possible to acertain)
    “We had parked up in a farmyard. An open square; with buildings on three sides and a midden or cesspit in the centre. There was a village at the top of the lane and we had come through it first. The halftrack was up against a barn and the big Command vehicle was across the yard. We had lines from the farm up to the main road. Artillery HQ were with us and there were other vehicles in the yard. The mortars were very close- two second flight – ‘plump’, one, two, bang! Everyone took the nearest cover they could find. A half dozen bombs hit us maybe more.
    When it stopped I came out from under the halftrack. Everyone started packing up to get out. Capt Soutar said they must have a spotter because we were the only unit in the area, Brigadier Norton said he would have put some shells in on them but we were low on ammo. One mortar had landed to the rear of the halftrack and another had taken part of the back off. The piece of metal had been flung across the yard and hit the side of the Command vehicle in the side door. When I checked the rest of the halftrack there were holes in the canvas on the back but none of the sets were touched. The Command vehicle tyres were blown and the lads were busy changing them. I went to get the lines with Major Habberfield. We went down to the corner by the lane where it was hooked round the edge of a building. I offered to climb up but he said to cut it, cut it, lets go -we needed to get out sharpish.
    We had one casualty hit in the arm, and then there was ‘Plodder’. When everyone took cover poor old ‘Plodder’ Jones was half way across the yard and he dived straight into the cesspit. As we drove out he was perched on the bonnet by the mudguard because they wouldn’t let him in the back and I didn’t want him in the front!”
    “Stopped one time all strung out along a road with a lot of vehicles and a driver just up ahead jumped out right onto a mine. Blew his foot off, we heard. That was just one hold up.
    Another time we were stopped and the Brigadier was talking with an officer who had infantry off in a wood, ready to go in. Two Yankie glider pilots came up to me and said they were authorised to commandeer any vehicle they came across in order to get back. They were very insistent until I pointed out Brigadier Norton and said ‘See that fella’ with the red band round his hat, go and have a word with him. This belongs to him”. They cleared off after that.
    “The first time we crossed to ‘The Island’ we used the big road bridge. The pontoon wasn’t across at that time. We set up HQ in an orchard and stayed there up until the end, although we moved about now and then.”
     
  11. War Diary October 1944 (extracts)

    1 Oct:0700 Recce party for Main HQ to new location E. 676572.
    0830 Main Div HQ group moves via UDEN-GRAVE OVER ASSELT to new location arriving 1100 hrs.
    151 Bde Gp remains old location...231 Bde Gp move during morning to MALDEN 6955. Later move to area 7261 in reserve role for defence of NIJMEGEN bridge. Bde also available to support 82 U.S. Airborne Div.
    Bde was in billets for first time since European operations commenced.
    ‘C’ Section lays five pairs of D8 cable across canal near Div HQ as canal bridge is demolished.
    1400 Div recce party out again to HATERT area for new location. ‘L’ Section (69 Bde) have quiet day resting after enemy counter attacks have quietened down.

    2 Oct: 0630 Tac Div HQ out.
    1015 Orders received that Main Div HQ with minimum transport was to move over NIJMEGEN bridge to area 6767. 231 Bde already over relieving 69 Bde. 151 Bde to follow later at 1130 hrs.
    1045 Selected vehicles and personnel of Div HQ party move off to clear bridge before 151 Bde Group start, and join Tac Div at 670670. Remainder of vehicles of Div HQ move over canal to area HATERT previously recce’d for Div HQ.
    1130 151 Bde Group move over R. WAAL and HQ established at 7000658 by 1400 hrs. 6 HLI (52 (L) Div) under command.
    Casualty occurs in ‘K’ Section (231 Bde) whilst waiting to cross bridge in 231 Bde column. Shells land 200 yds SOUTH of bridge wounding No. 14221967 Corpl DAVISON A. (Section MT Corporal) and other personnel of Bde HQ.
    1700 Bde completes take over from 69 Bde.
    1630 Rear Div HQ arrives and located in HATERT area.
    2300 69 Bde complete in rest area.

    3 Oct: OC 3 Coy and Adjutant with remainder of Main Div Signals’ vehicles rejoin Main Div HQ NORTH of R. WAAL. Line completed to Rear Div, using u/g cable under R.WAAL.
    69 Bde remains in rest area. Mobile cinema available and football match played in afternoon – ‘L’ Section versus remainder of Bde HQ.
    All Fd Regts deployed N. of R. WAAL in support of Bdes.

    4 Oct: 61 Recce Regt move N. of R. WAAL. Line laid to Regt from 32 Gds Bde... 151 Bde HQ move to 723676
    1030 ‘L’ Sec (69 Bde) assist to extricate 7 civilians from bombed house near Bde HQ. Jet propelled enemy plane dropped single bomb – 2 children killed – 5 other persons rescued. ‘L’ Section consider rest area more dangerous than location N. of river, as enemy shells the town spasmodically, drops occasional HE bombs and AP bombs also dropped by planes flying very high.
    ‘N’ Section still S. of river with main body of HQ RE.
    231 Bde make attack with limited objectives. Certain amount of confused fighting but Bns eventually gain objectives. Bde area hevily shelled during day – line comns cut but wireless remains satisfactory.
    151 Bde make coordinated attack to conform with 231 Bde. Casualties light. 500 Boche killed, wounded and P.O.W.
    ‘J’ Sec line party under Sigmn Brown J. work extremely well. Dvr Lamb D. – Dvr Mech wounded by shell splinter and is evacuated to 10 C.C.S.
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  12. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Please find attached a wartime maps of the Nijmegen -'s Hertogenbosch area.
     
  13. 5 Oct:0700 Sigln ANDERSON M. Of ‘J’ Sec (151 Bde) A.W.O.L.
    0900 Trial by FGCM of Dvr GAVIN J. commences at 205 CRC in WIJCHEN E. 6159 but adjourned.....
    43 Div being relieved by 101 U.S. Airborne Div during day.
    Apart from slight shelling, Bdes have a quiet day. Fd Regts engaged on couner battery work. 69 Bde in rest area. Visits organised to cinema and TT Concert Party in Colonial Barracks – now operating as Divisional Ors Club. Ors allowed in town until 2200 hrs.

    6 Oct: 231 Bde Group relieved by 508 Para Inf Regt (82 U.S. Airborne Div).
    FGCM on Dvr Gavin J. resumed....case is completed by 2000 hrs.
    OC 53 Div Sigs pays visit to unit to discuss hand over arrangements.

    7 Oct: 1000 Signal Office TEV (53 Div) commence taking over lines.
    1100 231 Bde complete in concentration area S. of R. WAAL but warned that Bde would return to bridgehead the next day.
    ‘L’ Section have one casualty – slightly wounded –when AP bombs fall in Bde area.
    1400 Main Div HQ commence to move to old location 680590 HATERT. Tac Div remains to control the take over by 53 Div.
    1730 Main Div HQ complete in new location...under command 12 Corps.

    8 Oct: 0800 Orders received that Main Div is to return to previous area NORTH of R. WAAL. 69 Bde also moving over River to take over area from 501 and 502 U.S. Para Regts.
    1030 Main Div HQ recce party move over river to select area – 300 yds SOUTH of previous location (53 Div HQ still occupying old position) 231 Bde Group also move into bridgehead and Bde HQ established at 693673.
    1230 Main Div HQ column commence moving out progress through NIJMEGEN very slow. Fortunately no shelling of bridge approaches during crossing.
    1420 Arrived new location.
    1600 69 Bde HQ established at 685701 and take over from 501 and 502 U.S. Para Regts completed.
    2100 Dvr Searle S. (MM) and Sigmn Chambers return to ‘J’ Sec from hospital.

    9 Oct: Rear Div HQ recce party out for new location near WEEURT 6754. All Fd Coys RE and Fd Pk Coy RE......located SOUTH of River.

    10 Oct: 0230 enemy shell 151 Bde HQ in rest area causing casualties. Pte Hampson J. (orderly) killed. L/Cpl Comben R... Sigmn Whittle J. wounded ..evacuated to 3 C.C.S.
    1000 Rear Div HQ move and established at 670642. Lines transferred from Power House u/g terminal on SOUTH bank of R.WAAL to new location. CO and OC 1 Coy recce possibilities of putting cable across R. WAAL from Main to Rear Div as HQs are on opposite sides of the River.
    1400 Pte Hampson (151 Bde HQ) buried at 10 CCS Cemetery M.R. 690595.
    Weather bad – raining all afternoon and evening.

    11 Oct: Barges to carry cable over river obtained through RE and civilian channels. Lines laid to river bank in preparation for river crossing. Intermittant shelling of Bde areas on ‘Island’.
    The area bounded on the South by R.WAAL and North by NEDER RHINE and WEST to 60 Easting grid has familiarly been termed “the Island” and is used in all official correspondence.
    Arrangements made for 231 Bde to move to rest area in NIJMEGEN while 151 Bde relieve.
    Humber wireless car at 233 Fd Coy has narrow escape from destruction when shell lands in coy area. Superficial damage sustained.

    12 Oct: ‘C’ Section out all day on river crossing. Two pairs D8 successfully put across using barge masts for supporting spans. Manouvring of boats very difficult owing to strong flow of river (3-4 knots).
    151 Bde relieve 231 Bde during day, and 231 Bde retire to rest area, in NIJMEGEN.
    Reserve Bde have so many lines to cope with that detachment from ‘C’ Sec is attached to Bde HQ for maintenance.
    Heavy rain again during the day, making roads and tracks very bad.

    13 Oct: The whole of ‘N’ Sec less duty operators go to cinema at Ors Club during afternoon. Main Div Sigs play 53 Div Sigs in afternoon at soccer and win 8-3.

    14 Oct: Some shelling in 69 Bde area at midday – holds up line party repairing lines for one hour. Main Div Sigs play ‘G’ Staff Main Div HQ in seven a side rugby match. Sigs lose match by 10-5.

    15 Oct: Hut erected in Main Div Sigs leaguer fitted with stoves to act as drying room. 231 Bde still in rest area. ‘K’ Section spend whole time on maintenance, admin and entertainment. Cinema and theatre shows each day at TT Ors Club. All units....utilising the ....facilities and sending parties each day.
    L/Cpl COMBEN PH (‘J’ Section) dies of wounds in 3 C.C.S.
     
  14. 16 Oct: Information....53 Div are moving out of “the Island” and 50 Div is to take over area vacated by two brigades of that division.
    ‘L’ Sec M.14 with 5 E.Yorks damaged by shrapnel but personnel unharmed.

    17 Oct: 231 Bde move in to “Island” and take over part of 69 Bde’s commitments. 61 Recce Regt (dismounted) also in to “Island” and take over remainder of 69 Bde area.
    69 Bde to rest area in NIJMEGEN. ‘C’ Sec maintenance party remain with reserve bde.
    1300 Command of troops in eastern portion of “Island” passes to 50 Div.

    18 Oct: ‘L’ Sec Sig Office 3-tonner bogged when moving to rest area during night....winched out at first light but as Sig Office in rest area is in a house, truck is sent to LAD for overhaul.
    AP bombs dropped during night damage Humber wireless car attached to 505 Fd Coy. Superficial damage to body work – no personnel casualties.
    Considerable rain during day – mud everywhere. Remainder of 53 Div leave “Island”
    1400 Main Div HQ (G Ops, Sig Office etc) move 400 yds away to location vacated by 53 Div. HQ RA, HQ RE and Signals remain in existing leaguers.

    19 Oct: Rear Div recce billets in BEUNINGEN 6564.
    Spasmodic enemy shelling in 231 Bde area.

    20 Oct: Rear Div Sigs to move next day as civilians have not moved out.
    Main Div Sigs play rugger in afternoon against 151 (Durham) Inf Bde HQ which includes members of ‘J’Section. Unit loses 17-0.
    Rain again in evening.
    Heavy shelling at night in 231 Bde area. Several lines cut out communications maintained owing to intensive system of lateral lines.

    21 Oct:69 Bde HQ, officers and NCOs above the rank of Cpl including sig secs attend talk given by Commander 30 Corps in TT theatre.
    The newly arrived Div Commander, Maj Gen L.O. LYNE, DSO takes the opportunity of introducing himself to the brigade. Corps Commander also visits 231 Bde HQ.
    1100 Rear Div Sigs move into billets.
    69 Bde HQ hold dance in NIJMEGEN in evening. All off duty members of ‘L’ Sec attend.

    22 Oct: 69 Bde relieve 151 Bde during day.
    1100 C of E service held at Main Div HQ.
    During morning 15 tons of ashes are put down on Main Div Sigs camp tracks in endeavour to ease the mud situation.
    Football match in afternoon NIJMEGEN NFC versus 50 Div. L/Sgt WHARTON J. (‘C’ Sec) playing. Div team wins 8-2.
    Shelling during day on 231 Bde area causes occasional breaks in Bde-Bn lines but not serious. ‘C’ Sec commence cleaning up all unused cable in Div HQ area.

    23 Oct: Enemy continue to shell 231 Bde area during day but no lines affected.

    24 Oct: Three remaining Ors of 21Beach Sig Sec who have been working with ‘K’ Sec are despatched to UK to return to own section. These men have proved excellent all-round operators. OC ‘K’ Sec is sorry to see them go as they have done extremely good work since ‘D’ day.
    Wireless equipment in captured enemy train at ELST 7070 inspected by 2i/c ‘L’ Sec.
    ‘L’ Sec and ‘J’ Sec on training periods for operators W and L.
    Div Sigs lose to Div HQ (Main and Rear combined) at rugger in afternoon by 14 pts to 5. 151 Bde HQ (including ‘J’ Sec) also play rugger against 149 Fd Amb and win 9-3.

    25 Oct: ‘K’ Section takes opportunity of overhauling Bde Comdr’s recce jeep wile Bde Comd on leave in BRUSSELS. Overhaul of wireless sets in ‘J’ Sec completed by REME. ‘M’ Sec commence overhaul of sets in ‘N’ Sec at rate of one per day.
    1400 G.O.C. 50 Div (Maj Gen L.O. Lyne, DSO) inspects div sigs.

    26 Oct: Corpl SLATTERY and Sigmn JAMES, previously wounded in N. FRANCE, return to ‘J’ Section from hospital.
    R. WAAL has risen several feet during last few days causing adjustments to be made in barge support cable route across river. One barge mast broken and has to be replaced.
    ‘L’ Sec hold and hour’s session of ten minute talks on “ What I did in civvie street,” during the evening.

    27 Oct: Wood and sheet metal for building up M.14’s issued to sections holding these vehicles. It is intended to make them more weatherproof. Luggage racks in Humber wireless cars in ‘J’ Sec completed by Bde W/shops. ‘K’ Sec continue to clean up unused cable in Bde area – building up own lines at the same time.

    28 Oct: 151 Bde relieve 508 U.S. Para Regt in “the Island”.
    2 i/c ‘L’ Sec (Lieut M.M. BARKER) and section sergt attends lecture on ‘Release System’ by War Office representative in TT Theatre...the same lecture given again at 1400 hrs.
    Signals Centre established in Colonial Barracks, NIJMEGEN to deal with div units in that part of the town, as 508 U.S. Para Regt are occupying Reserve Bde billets and it is decided that the resting formation cannot be expected to cope with divisional units on its own exchange.
    48 hours leave to Antwerp commences.

    29 Oct: 231 Bde HQ shelled during early hours of morning but no casualties to sig sec personnel.

    30 Oct: Cpl GREENSTONE and Cpl BOYD return to ‘J’ Sec. Cpl Greenstone had been previously wounded in N. FRANCE. Cpl Boyd has been trying to get back to section for several months.
    Unit rugby trial in afternoon.


    31 Oct: Capt. T.I.G. Gray leaves unit on posting to School of Signals, Catterick as instructor.
    ‘C’ Section continue to clean up lines in div area.

    GENERAL
    The unit has settled down to the static period knowing that there would be several weeks of this type of warfare.
    The weather has deteriorated during the month but considerable improvements have been made to troops’ living quarters; some being fortunate to be in billets. The roads, however, have been in a bad state, DRs and Linemen being particularly affected. An issue of Wellington boots and leather jerkins has helped to ward off any ill effects, as have the occasional rum issues.
    A number of entertainments have been arranged for the welfare of the troops – both cinema and ENSA concert parties being available. Toward the end of the month, 48 hour leave periods were organised to BRUSSELS and ANTWERP.
     
  15. The Artillery HQ was in the next field and we shared their cook house. It was one of their lads who suggested we shoot the pig. He was a butcher by trade. We all had a go at killing the pig. As I said the farmer’s wife wasn’t happy, even though it was eating her chickens! It tasted bloody awful as well!
    When the pontoon bridge was in place there were MPs at either side that gave you the all clear to go across. It was one way at a time. I remember there was a big sign on the Nijmegen side that read: ‘When you pass this point you are under enemy observation’, something like that. The Engineers, poor buggers, had to keep it open. The wash of shells landing in the river would twist the boats that the road way was on and the engineers had to fix it, sat out in the boats while shells were coming down!
    The first time I met the Folley family I was on the back of Jimmy Yates DR bike. I think Jimmy was glad of the company and if I wasn’t needed I would go with him on his rounds. We had just torn across the pontoon and stopped in Nijmegen in a street by the bridge. We just started talking to a couple and they invited us into their home. Mr Folley worked at Phillips ‘Fabrikan’ factory where he told me they made light-bulbs. Their two sons had been put up against the front of their house and executed by the Gestapo. There were two daughters. A postman lived in the house with the older daughter. The younger girl was fourteen-fifteen and called ‘Meep’. When there was any shelling going on she would walk about with an umbrella up! These people had nothing, but they made us welcome, insisted we took their front bedroom when either of us stayed, and fed us pea soup – always pea soup- most likely all they had – but they shared it with us. I went back to see them when I was with ‘Phantom’ in ’45 and made very welcome again. Great people the Dutch – suffered a lot.
    The worse crossing, and they were all bad, was when I was detailed to take the ‘odd-job’ bike to another Section. Sergeant Gill and, sometimes, Capt Soutar would use this. It was designated the Section Sergeant motorcycle – but known as the ‘odd job’ bike. Jimmy was in front directing me and I was coming back with him. There were shells coming in when we got down to the pontoon and when we got the nod from the MP we were off like a shot. At the other side I came off the bike and had to drive it to the Section with twisted handle bars. They refused to sign for it, but we left it with them in the end anyway.
    Much later I took my halftrack across to be repaired. I had it all planned to spend the night in Nijmegen, drove right to the outskirts to an L.A.D. set up in a farm, and walked back into the town. When I came back for a wash and to get ‘spruced-up’ for the night the vehicle was ready and waiting for me! There was a door at the back with a handle where the damage had been and someone had drawn a ‘Donald-Duck’ on the side. The Brigadier wasn’t best pleased with that and told me to ‘get it off’.
    It was after that I picked up a Humber car and took it back along the track to the orchard where we had our HQ. It was a terrible night, lashing it down with rain and I was crawling along while a long line of infantry was coming the other way, toward the bridge. Brigadier Norton took the Humber and I drove my halftrack with the operators in the back to the far side to farm quite close to the river. After I had parked up next to a barn I went inside for ‘shufty ‘and to get out of the weather. There were lots of potatoes in sacks and I started piling these up to give some protection. A couple of Yanks walked in and asked what I was doing. I said you never know what might happen and you should always be ready. They looked a bit bemused and wandered out. Later I saw more Yanks outside and then the Paras came through. Not a great deal of them – a handful was all that came past where I was. They were a bit ragged, and quiet.”
     
  16. War Diary November 1944 (extracts)

    1 Nov: Court of Inquiry held at 151 Bde HQ on the absence of Sgn. Anderson, (D.R. D.III) of ‘J’ Section.
    L Section (69 Bde) completed command post (dug in) for R/T fwd control and rear link sets. Section held a spelling bee in the evening.
    50 Div. Signal Instruction No.5 ...operation NOAH, issued, dealing with evacuation of Island in event of flooding.
    8 DLI relieved 9 DLI during night. 9 DLI in Div Res. And under command.
    Second 48 hour leave party to Antwerp in tpt provided by Rear Div HQ.

    2 Nov: Rugger game in afternoon, Main and Rear Div Signals v Div HQ. Signals team won 18-10.
    1800 508 R.C.T. (82 U.S. Airborne Div) commenced relief of 231 Bde. 231 Bde moved to rest area in NIJMEGEN. Relief completed by 2200 hrs.

    3 Nov: L Section able to get most men into NIJMEGEN for baths during the day.
    N Section giving maintenance to all W/T sets with coys in rotation.
    K Section spent day in maintenance and brought in operators from Bn rear links so that they could meet their old friends during the rest period.
    Work commenced on winterising the M.14’s with wood and sheet metal obtained through R.E. channels.

    5 Nov: 3-tonner sent to Power House NIJMEGEN , for ashes. Fatigue party working all morning putting ashes on tracks in Main Div Signals leaguer.
    K Section in rest area, getting plenty of organised games and entertainment. All bde Sections thoroughly enjoyed their five days rest period.

    6 Nov: M Section busy on carpentry and tin-smith jobs. C Section running through recovered cable.
    Strong wind across R.WAAL broke a barge mast, carrying cable to Rear Div. C Section repaired damage during morning.
    231 Bde received orders for relieving 69 Bde on 7 November.

    7 Nov: Wind reached gale force at times. O.C. J Section and four O.Rs to Brussels on 48-hours leave. Main Div HQ held Rugger trials in afternoon. Seven Signals personnel selected to play.
    O.C. K Section recced new Bde HQ area during morning, and took over existing communications from O.C. L Section (69 Bde).
    231 Bde HQ commenced to move into new area 1430 hours. Relief completed 2015 hours. 69 Bde to rest area.

    8 Nov: K Section having difficulty with lines in Bde area, owing to wet conditions and power cables being mixed up with field cables in fwd area. River WAAL rising considerably – low-lying land on both sides of river now flooded. Water beginning to seep up through fields on North side of Bund road near Main Div Signals leaguer. Dugouts become uninhabitable owing to this feature.

    9 Nov: 231 Bde area heavily shelled during early hours of morning. Civilians still living in ELST area occupied by Bn of 231 Bde, were discovered removing Army cable from existing line layout, to provide lead-in’s from the power line to their houses. Civ. Affairs informed. 2 Cdn. Corps commenced to take over Corps area.

    10 Nov: K Section constructed a metallic pair to one Bn. using assault cable, (PVC). This was.....an experiment, as previous experience of this cable in its normal role had not been very satisfactory. J Section also carried out the same experiment.
    69 Bde received orders to relieve 508 R.C.T.....three days earlier than expected and curtailed the rest period. 231 Bde area heavily shelled in evening – 1 Dorset line out for 1 ½ hours
     
  17. 11 Nov: L Section commenced to build up lines in Bde area (69 Bde), with assault cable. This method has proved satisfactory in the other Bde sections provided there were sufficient poles or trees en route. K Section complete assault cable line to 1 Hamps; which proved very satisfactory. It was realised that this type of construction would not stand up to blast as would D3 cable.
    Rugger game in afternoon at Goffaert Stadium......
    231 Bde area again shelled during evening.

    12 Nov: Leave party for Brussels left 0830 hrs.
    “Water Wings” (NOAH codeword) received 1200 hrs. All recce parties in accordance with pre-arranged plans, sent off to Div reserve area, south of River WAAL. Preparations for evacuation of the ‘Island’ revised.
    1400 “Springtide” (codeword) received. Wireless nets opened... Order given in Main Div Sigs for all unnecessary vehicles to move to Rear Div areas, S; of R. WAAL. All vehicles were clear by 1800 hours.
    1900 Lt. Col C.L. Ommanney R Signals, arrived from 21 Army Group to take over from Lt. Col G.B. Stevenson, R. Signals.

    13 Nov: Lt. Col G.B. Stevenson and Lt. Col C.L. Ommanney visited sections in 2 and 3 Coys, during the morning, and HQ RA, HQ RE in the afternoon.
    River WAAL rising at the rate of 1 ¼” per hour. View from Bund road running along river bank near Main Div HQ very ominous. Much wreckage coming down river. Two barges carrying cable to Rear Div. broke adrift during afternoon, but lines still through to Rear Div.

    14 Nov: 0930 Enemy resumed shelling of ELST area in 231 Bde sector, resulting in trouble with 1 Hamps line. K Section linemen out on maintenance.
    1000 Rear Div lines (2 x D8 pairs)now dis, and no chance of repairing damage. Div ‘B’ net opened up to clear traffic, for Rear Div.
    1400 Third barge dragged anchor and carried downstream. Lt.Col. Ommanney and Lt. Col. Stevenson investigated possibility of using submarine cable across river near SLIJK-EWIJK.
    River still rising at alarming rate. Fields flooded and dykes over flowing in Main Div area. Bde sections successfully evacuated unnecessary tpt from Main Bde areas to Rear Bdes.

    15 Nov: 0930 Lt. Col G.B. Stevenson handed over.... left unit for U.K. (Sigs 9, War Office).
    C Section working on Rear Div lines, using submarine cable.
    9 D.L.I. relieved 8 D.L.I. as Div Reserve Bn.

    17 Nov: During the day 61 Recce Regt (dismounted), relieved 151 Bde. 151 Bde less 9 D.L.I. in Div Reserve, moved to Rest Area in NIJMEGEN.
    1200 Enemy shelled 231 Bde HQ with 17-cm gun. Sgt Cooper F.C. (Sec Sgt K Section) killed during this bombardment. Sgt Cooper had been with K Sec since it was formed in Malta, and had been through Sicilian and Italian campaigns. His death was a serious loss to the section.
    Rained again during afternoon and evening.

    18 Nov: Rugger match at main Div.
    K Section experienced trouble with assault cable to one Bn which was being constantly shelled. The cable is most satisfactory except where blast causes excessive movement.

    19 Nov: River WAAL ceased rising, and showed signs of going down. Much relief.
    151 Bde held ceremonial Church Parade in NIJMEGEN. The D.L.I. Band from the depot in U.K. was in attendance.

    20 Nov:1800 50 Div Admin Instr. No.7 received, giving details of relief of the division and subsequent move to rest area.

    21 Nov: Two DRs despatched with Div Adv Party to new area.

    22 Nov: 0600 Sigs adv party consisting of OC HQ Coy, R.S.M., O.C. C Sec, Cipher Officer, OC H Sec (HQ RA), and one line detachment left for rest area.
    0630 Bde sections and 124 Fd Regt Signal Section sent off adv parties to new area. 151 Bde relieved 231 Bde on the Island during the day.

    23 Nov: 505 Fd Coy left Div area for rest area.

    24 Nov: Fire at 151 bde HQ destroyed two tents on charge to J section. Rained again during day. Mud situation now serious on all tracks in Div area. DRs and linemen now equipped with extra waterproof clothing, gum boots, jerkins leather, etc. DR’s driving jeeps now have new style (American pattern) waterproof coats – excellent issue under present conditions.

    27 Nov: Maj. Gen D.A.H. Graham, C.B.E. D.S.O., M.C., returned to command the division after several weeks in U.K. recovering from an accident.
    231 Bde commenced the relief of 69 Bde in the Island.

    28 Nov: 69 Bde prepared for move to rest area in Belgium. Column to start after dark.
    1000 Orders for relief of the division by 49 (WR) Div issued by ‘G’Ops.
    1600 69 Bde HQ incl L Section formed vehicles up for move.
    2000 69 Bde column moved off on long night march to ROULERS in BELGIUM.

    29 Nov: Enemy shelling of 231 Bde area causes breaks in two Bn lines Breaks repaired by first light. Increased enemy shelling of 151 Bde area during the morning. Line commns remained intact.
    Adv party from 147 Bde HQ arrived at 231 Bde to discuss details of takeover.
    1200 69 Bde arrived in ROULERS complete. Signal section housed in billets...
    1330 Main HQ 147 Bde arrived....231 Bde commenced to move into rest area location in NIJMEGEN.

    30 Nov: 1000 Adv party 56 Bde (49 Div) arrived at 151 Bde to arrange takeover. 49 Div Signals established Tac HQ in Oosterhout, and teed in on 50 Div line to Bdes and Fd Regts.
    1400 56 Bde commenced relief of 151 Bde which moved to rest area in NIJMEGEN.
    1500 231 Bde commenced move to YPRES in Div concentration area.
    1600 All Div HQ vehicles less CV1 left Island for Rear Div. All W/T nets closed down – Div now on W/T silence.
    1800 HQ RE and remaining Fd Coys commenced move to MOORSLEDE in Div concentration area.

    During the day all Bdes were informed of the reason for this move to BELGIUM. The Div was to be reduced in establishment to a training Div., and sent to U.K. to train infantry riflemen reinforcements.

    This came as a sad blow to all units of the Division, who had been fighting together in many campaigns throughout the war. Considerable discussion took place amongst the men as to the ultimate fate of the unit. There was no definite news as to what Div Sig’s’ fate would be.

    1900 CV1 joined remainder of Main Div at Rear Div location, BEUNINGEN.

    GENERAL
    The unit existed in the Island during the month under rather trying conditions of weather, and varying forms of enemy activity.
    Towards the end of the month the possibility of the enemy flooding the Island, added to the unit’s anxieties. But throughout this time, all members of the unit remained cheerful.
    The news of the fate of the Division was received with some sadness, but no definite information as to the future of the unit could be given out.
     
  18. “The worse times are going in and coming out of a position. Everyone is on edge. Once you’re in there you can get some protection, but going in and coming out you are exposed. We had the order to move out. We were going back to Belgium and the Div was being disbanded. I got the halftrack up onto the track, but had wrapped the line telephone cable around the tracks. Major Habberfield was standing by the Command Vehicle and the phone was ripped from his hand. I stopped the vehicle and he shouted at me ‘What the hell are you doing you stupid fool!’ That did it for me.
    I jumped out with the loose Bren and had it at waist level ready to fire. I said something but can’t remember what, and then I heard Norman Gill telling me to hand him the Bren. I drove back to a village in Belgium the same day but cannot remember anything of it, apart from the Brens were not on the vehicle. I did have the Smith and Weston in the holster still though. Nothing was said. Some- time after that I took four or five lads and some equipment to Lille in a 3 ton Bedford and returned the same night. When I got back Gilly said ‘Your compassionate leave came through, get your gear together’. I took the halftrack to a depot and exchanged the revolver for a Sten and six magazines. This was because I didn’t have the rank to carry it.
    Next day I was on a train and ferry and another train and home. Orders were to report back to a reinforcement depot in Bruges in 10 days. (I managed to stay in Dover an extra three days waiting for a ship back and spent Christmas 1944 in Bruges.) I had my big kit bag stolen on Darlington station with two clips for the Sten. Never saw any of the Section again. That was apart from Major Habberfield. In January 1945 I was waiting to be reassigned in Bruges when the desk sergeant said they had an officer looking for a driver. Major Habberfield came in, took one look at me and said ‘No, no!’ before leaving. The Sergeant said ‘What’s the matter with him, do you know him I said ‘never seen him before in my life’”
     
  19. December 1944
    (Reproduced in full as a record of how part of this proud Division was dismantled)

    1 Dec: 0600 Main Div column moved out en route for DIXMUNDE in BELGIUM.
    0645 rear Div column moved out. Route: S’HERTOGENBOSCH, TILBERG, LIERRE, MALINES, AUDENARDE, COURTRAI, MENIN, DIXMUNDE. Column kept moving all day. No long halts.
    1800 151 Bde commenced move to Div Rest area.
    Main Div column arrived DIXMUNDE. Meals and billets all arranged by advance party, and unit settled in by 2130 hrs. One vehicle missing on column (Security Section 15-cwt) still out at 2359 hrs.

    2 Dec: General settling down of all formations. 151 Bde arrived in POPERINGHE.
    Orders given to detached signal sections for G.1098 equipment and vehicles not required for essential maintenance commns. to be handed in to QM stores in DIXMUNDE.
    1100 O.C. 3Coy (Major D. Roberts) gave talk to L Section on the possible future of personnel of the unit.
    The line party under O.C. C Section (Capt RMW Davies, M.C.), and the attached (Cdn) L. of C. construction section were still busy with line commitments, although all essential main routes had been completed before the arrival of the main body.

    3 Dec: K Section sent in transport and stores not required.
    2 E.S’s from J Section posted to 74 Fd Regt Sig Section, now with 49 (WR) Div Signals.
    N Section were elated to hear that they were to stay complete with HQ RE, which was to become an AGRE.

    4 Dec: Div Comdr now visiting all units and fmns. in the Div, to explain the future role of the Div.
    N section given the bad news that they were to be split up with the rest of the unit and not go with HQ R.E. Great disappointment throughout the section.

    5 Dec: J and L Sections hand in to QM vehicles and stores not required.
    3 O.R’s of J Section posted to 7 Armd Div Signals as rear link crew for 9 D.L.I. now under comd. 7 Armd Div. 1/7 Queens now under comd. of 151 Bde. 1/6 Queens under comd. 231 Bde in place of 2 devons.

    6 Dec: Convoy of returned vehicles and stores sent to Ord. Fd Pk. Stores at Roubaix; vehicles to COURTRAI. N Section handed in vehs and stores direct.
    G.O.C. 50 Div addressed 231 Bde HQ and 1 Hamps at YPRES. In his address he explained the reason for the reorganisation of the div. and concluded by saying goodbye to all ranks who were leaving the division.

    7 Dec: C.O. and Adjt attend conference at C.S.O’s Branch, 21 Army Group HQ.
    Fd Regts for disbandment commenced to arrive in Div area.
    C Section and L. of C; construction section busy in the menin area on commns for these extra regts.
     
  20. 8 Dec: 1030 C in C 21 Army Gp. Fd Marshal Sir B.L. Montgomery, K.C.B. D.S.O., visited YPRES and addressed all officers of 50 (Northumbrian) Division in the municipal Theatre. The Field Marshal reviewed the campaign since D Day, and discussed the qualities of the comdrs and men of the German armies facing us on the Western Front. The C in C concluded by explaining the cause for the reorganisation of the division, and bid ‘goodbye’ to all members.
    1130 C in C presented immediate awards to personnel of the division in the Municipal Theatre. Sigmn. Nourse, G. (L Section), recipient of M.M. unable to attend owing to sickness.
    1250 C in C given lunch at 231 Bde HQ.
    1400 C in C presented C in C certificates. The following members of the unit received certificates: Capt T.I.G. Gray, R. Signals, Lt A.E. Kilner R. Signals, C.S.M. E. Jordan, A/Sgt Bishton, T.F.S., Cpl Greenstone A.B., L/Cpl Wall H.
    1830 L Section held a party attended by both Brigadier and Bde major of 69 Bde. Brigadier gave an exceedingly complimentary farewell speech.

    9 Dec: J Section medically inspected. Sgn ALLAN (D.R. DII) of J Section sent to 74 Fd Regt Sig Section (49 Div) to replace D.R. drowned during evacuation of the Island after enemy flooding.

    10 Dec: Units proceeding to U.K. and drafts of infantry trainees now departing for U.K. via OSTEND. Unit Orderly Room busy preparing Nominal Rolls of the unit, plus attached Fd Regt Sig Sections. Details required by C.S.O. Branch, 21 Army Gp HQ.

    11 Dec: All movement of personnel from the Division held up. No explanation given.

    12 Dec: Ban on movement lifted. Unit dance held in DIXMUNDE.

    13 Dec: Div H.Q. (cadre) leave for U.K. Div H.Q. in DIXMUNDE closes down. Commns remain in situ.

    14 Dec: 124 Fd Regt Sig Section and 110 Fd Regt Sig Section, leave for U.K.
    124 Fd Regt Sig Section comprised mostly of personnel from 191 Fd Regt Sig Section. Sgt Bishton, M.M. volunteered to go as Section Sgt. as both Sig Sections are believed to be going to the Far East.

    15 Dec: Draft of 2 officers, 93 O.R’s being formed to return to the U.K. for Far East. Two officers volunteers – Capt J. St. C.W. Robinson, and 2/Lieut. R.H.G. Spencer.
     

Share This Page