I'm sorry, but due to the switch-over to Invision Power Board this topic was completely messed up, with most attachements gone. No use/fun to keep this one up. The topic has been restored here: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/49363-nijmegen-bridgehead-iiss-pz-corps-counterattack-in-october-1944/
That is a map I know well. For we got cut off when the enemy got in behind us, and we had to live on bloody German rations we had captured YUK! And to make matters worse...We had no cigarettes I went over Nijmegen bridge nearly half way to Arnhem... With instructions to find a harbour area in case the company moved up. What happened? I returned with the info only to find that we went off in the opposite direction to Overloon and Venraij.... And later, the end of my war..... I hope that the bits I left behind got a decent burial?
Amongst my normal active service duties I was given tasks as a Dispatch Rider. (Volunteered) I recall my orders very well. I had to make my way onto the "Island" and get as far as I could towards Arnhem, and find a "Harbour area" for my company. I did just that until the shells straddled the road I made notes on my pad about a place on the right hand side of the road it looked like a workshop or engineering place....After all these years I am not sure, When I Crossed Nijmegen bridge I was stopped by infantry Sgt who asked."Do you have to go across"? Jerry keeps sending sea mines down the river trying to blow the bridge" He pointed up to where there were soldiers in the metal work with rifles and Brens keeping a look out for any floating mines. AS I said ...All to no avail,we went of to Overloon where I lost many good mates including my platoon Sgt...Sgt Rees. In a massive explosion of lifted mines while under fire...
Thanl You for your PM...My company were very active in Holland. And left to many good friends at the beautiful Overloon war cemetery. The company at the time was in the vicinity of Moook opposite the Reichwald. Near Grave. Heumen. area Linden.... I wnet over Nijmegen Bridge soon after it was taken.......I dont know how long? Anything particular you need to know? then ask, and I will try to answer Cheers sapper
Nice report Stolpi, thanks for posting it. One problem though, the diary pages posted in #10 the first two pages are the same, is there a page missing? Cheers mate, Mike
Nice report Stolpi, thanks for posting it. One problem though, the diary pages posted in #10 the first two pages are the same, is there a page missing? Mike No just a double - I've edited the post. Thanks for pointing it out. B)
Stolpi, Another superb thread. I wonder if you can carry a Dutch, British, and of course, Canadian citizenship all at the same time. Is Bienen coming to the forum soon?
...An hour later a more serious situation developed as a German attack hit A and C coys of the 7th Green Howards [SS Pz Gren Regt 21 from Baal?]: "at 1720 hrs under cover of a smoke screen at 743690 a further enemy attack was launched against A and C coys and fwd coys were isolated (.) At 1800 5 E Yorks moved fwd to counterattack and restore position as of first light (.) Meanwhile posn with 7 Green Howards was growing more serious (.) heavy arty conc by div arty and 124 Fd Regt was put down to immediate front of 7 Green Howards fwd coys and on north flank (.) This conc was very succesful and fell in area of enemy main conc (.) Enemy remaining commenced to withdraw and situation in fwd coys of 7 Green Howards improved". Excellent work Pieter! Just a clarification of the above quote at Message 13 and War Diary at Message 7: the 124th Field Regiment, RA, was divisional artillery of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, and usually attached to the 69th Infantry Brigade - 6th & 7th Bn Green Howards and 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regt. I therefore believe the drafts person was making the point (and distinction) when stating "heavy arty conc by div arty and 124 Fd Regt was put down to immediate front of 7 Green Howards fwd coys and on north flank" that the 124th Field Regiment was being supported in the stonk by the other elements of the divisional artillery. Best, Steve.
A very good thread Stolpi, the pictures, maps, and diary entries are wonderful. You will note that nearly all accounts of MARKET-GARDEN end with the withdrawal of 1st Airbn Div across the Rhine. To that point, the Germans might claim a success. In typical fashion, however, they proceeded to throw away large numbers of troops in a futile and costly effort to retake The Island. The same SS panzer divisions which had overwhelmed the airborne suffered crippling casualties in these operations. From the Allied point of view, then, The Island was a highly successful battle of attrition. Yet as far as I know, no historian has ever taken account of this when assessing MARKET-GARDEN.
Or, the Div arty of 43rd Wessex? Note that 69 Bde was attached to the Wessex Division at that date. But I 'm not certain. Maybe one of our arty experts on the forum could shed some light on this. Agreed, Pieter. I read subsequently that the 43rd and 50th Divisons' divisonal artillery were giving mutual assistance throughout, but no specific 43rd Division artillery regiment named. Best, Steve.