I came across these pic's etc from ATB's OMG and thought the Recce chaps (Tom/ Mitch) might be interested. I don't know what it is but there is something about these pictures that have been telling me to post them (especially the second one) for weeks now. Hope you like em On Sept 11, 1944, on special orders from Division, two Daimler Scout Cars of the 2nd Household Cavalry, led by Lieutenant Rupert Buchanan-Jardine of D Squadron, carried out a daring reconnaissance into Holland to see whether the Dommel Bridge just south of Valkenswaard was intact and would carry the XXX Corps tanks. Crossing the enemy lines shortly after noon, two Daimlers drove on for some five miles, questioning several Dutch civilians on the way, until they reached a roadside cafe, 'Rustoord', about a mile short of the bridge, where they were surrounded by a large group of overjoyed Dutchmen who thought liberation had come. While Lt. Buchanan-Jardine tried to calm the civilians, the commander of the other scout car, Lance Corporal-of-Horse Jack Brook, carried on the recce to the bridge. It was intact for he saw a German Mark IV parked right on it. Returning to the cafe they sent back a radio report. This done, the patrol returned the way it had come, racing through the German lines at full speed and regaining friendly territory with everything on their cars punctured and broken by German bullets. General Horricks of XXX Corps was to later judge the exploit 'The most daring reconnaissance that was carried out in the last war'. One of those Dutchmen who met the patrol along the way was the parish priest of the nearby village of Borkel en Schaft, Pastoor Hendrik Goyarts. He took these unique pictures. Here Lt Buchanan-Jardine (Standing) and his driver, Trooper Bob Buckley (In the scout car), pose with locals from Borkel en Schaft. Lance Corporal-of-Horse Brook (With the rather splendid tash) and his driver, Trooper Bateman, in the other scout car. Brook and Bateman did not officially belong to Buchanan-Jardines No.2 Troop, being part of No.3 Troop, D Squadron. Buchanan-Jardine had 'borrowed' them because the second Daimler in his own troop was temporarily out of action. Though successful from an Allied point of view, the patrol would have a dramatic sequel for the Dutch. After the scout cars had left, German troops, incensed by the enemy exploits, opened fire on Pastoor Goyart's party of civilians near the Dutch frontier post, and shortly after shot four of them in cold blood, killing two. One of them, Jan Maas, is standing behind Buchanan-Jardine. (The man with the hat and glasses over his left shoulder). Hope you've enjoyed this pre Market Garden exploit. Cheers Andy
Andy, Thanks for the thread. The Recce appeared to be a little outgunned when they spotted the Mk IV at the bridge. The Daimler scout car was pretty fast and I have read reports of them being very badly shot up and returning on 4 wheel hubs! (not quite as fast). I do not know what the 44 painted on the front right denotes, as 41 was allocated to all Recce vehicles. Regards Tom
As a young boy I lived in Borkel en Schaft, the Netherlands, the approximate location of the photos. I recall hearing about the executions of the local villagers . The widow of the man in the photo identified as Jan Maas, lived across the street from my family. I played with the grandson of one of the wounded victims. His wounds rendered him a paraplegic. A third victim walked with a permanent limp. One of the villagers feigned death and was not even wounded. Another wounded person crawled away through a ditch. I was an altar boy for the priest H. Goyaerts, the photographer. As a young boy this was just another war story. I was more interested in playing in abandoned fox holes and searching for war relics. In recent years I have searched net for more information on this incident. I emigrated to Canada wth my family in 1955 and have no further contact with anyone in Borkel en Schaft, thus making it difficult to research this event further. Finally I stumbled across the WW2 forum web site where I observed the photographs. From that site I was referred to WW2 talk. I am very pleased to find these photos and accompanying information. If anyone is able to expand on this incident even more I would be happy to hear from them.
Hi Grandpajabs and welcome to the forum. There is some more info on this subject in the book mentioned above including some more recent pictures. Regards Andy
I do not know what the 44 painted on the front right denotes, as 41 was allocated to all Recce vehicles. 44 on green over blue was the serial for an Armoured Car Regiment, the white bar signifying Corps Troops, though these were later attached to the Armoured Divs. On black, 44 was the RE Postal unit in an Armoured Division, but I think we can rule that out in these pictures.
My step-father was in B Squadron of the 2nd Household Cavalry - I forwarded this posting to my mother who asked that I post this reply. I have included a photo of my step-father with 5 Troop leaning against a Matador scout vehicle. He is fourth from the left doing the victory sign. "During the war my husband Bernie Wright served in the Royal Horse Guards 2nd Household Cavalry. On the 50th anniversary in 1994 we toured Europe following the route to Arnhem. The Cafe Rustoord (now renamed The White Horse) was one of our stops. We met at the Cafe with other dignitaries including Lnt. Jardine, Jack Brooks and Bob Buckley. We stayed in Valkansward at the same hotel as Bob and his wife and got to know them quite well. Bob was a very ordinary slipper and pipe man, one that you would meet in the local supermarket and not give a second glance. His wife was the same. He told us how it was when they returned from the bridge in great haste. He was driving head down through a hail of German fire coming from the woods that lined the roadside. Jardine was yelling, begging him to go faster using various 'expletives'! Bob told the story with great humour and without any desire to be called a hero. I thought he was. Jardine recieved a Military Cross for this expedition, but Bob received nothing. He told us his war medals were removed for the event from a photo frame where they have been hanging for donkey's years. We also met up with the locals and one who was the secretary of the 'Belgian Secret Army' resistance movement (veterans group). His father was a barber who cut the hair of the Germans and overheard a plot to do some damage somewhere. He passed the information on and as a result the plot was foiled. The German authorities traced the informer back to the barber and he was interned in a concentration camp and brutally tortured. His son (the Belgian Secret Army Sec) who had been sent to live with an aunt in England for the duration of the war, told us that when he was old enough to understand, his mother revealed to him his traumatised father and the scars that he still carried as a result of his torture. There were lots of photos taken and the unveiling of a memorial stone which featured the 'Ever Open Eye' the symbol of Guards Armoured Div. I feel very prviliged to have been involved in the anniversary celebrations. For your information the Cafe Rustoord was just south of Valkansward on what is know as "Hell's Highway."
FANTASTIC ! Makes me glad I started the thread just to read: He told us how it was when they returned from the bridge in great haste. He was driving head down through a hail of German fire coming from the woods that lined the roadside. Jardine was yelling, begging him to go faster using various 'expletives'! Bob told the story with great humour and without any desire to be called a hero. Cheers Gooner (I hope your not a Arsenal Fan?) and welcome to the forum. Kindest regards to your mother too. I'm sure others as well as me would love to see some more pictures if you have any. Regards Andy
