1542349 Private Dennis PURSLOW, 1st Bn. Worcesterhire Regiment: 17/02/1945

War Diary for that day.
Worcestershire Regiment (29th/36th of Foot)

At 04.30 hrs Bn. H.Q. moved forward and established itself in the centre of Bn area. Bde "O" Gp at 08.00 hrs, where Bn were given the task of seizing the high ground commanding the River NIERS especially a rd bridge which was known to be prepared for demolition but not yet blown, passing through 5 D.C.L.I. who had successfully seized their objective the night before. Bn "O" Gp was at 09.30 hrs where detailed orders for the attack were given. Bn was to attack on a two Coy front - "A" Coy right "D" Coy left, "B" Coy were given the special job of passing through and seizing the bridge intact. Coys began to move up at 11.00 hrs and the two leading Coys were at the FUP by 12.15 hrs. There was a delay in the opening of the Arty programme and "H" hour was finally fixed for 13.20 hrs. During this time there was moderate shelling of the FUP area. 7 Som. L.I. who were attacking on our right overlooking the river. "D" Coy reported heavy and accurate mortar fire on the S.L. and "A" Coy reported unable to proceed as the left forward Coy of Som. L.I. were engaged in clearing bldgs a few hundred yards from S.L. from which area heavy and accurate M.G. fire was coming. "D" Coy then reported coming under heavy Spandau fire from N. end of wood, and also heavy and accurate Mortar Fire. "A" Coy then passed through the SOM Coy making for a X rds immediately West of DORMONDSHOF (should read DORMANNSHOF) and had to clear DORMANNSHOF. "B" Coy was then moved forward behind ""D" Coy and after advancing 400 yds were held up by SP Gun and spandau fire from corner of wood. "C" Coy meanwhile were digging in, in area IMIGSHOF (Tac H.Q.) especially guarding the exposed left flank in view of a likely enemy counter attack. "A" Coy seized x rds, knocking out a 75 mm Anti- tank gun and crew, and consolidated two platoons south of x rds. "D" Coy were meanwhile working round the left flank and entering the wood still under heavy mortar and shell fire. The enemy were contesting every inch of the ground and showed no signs of giving up. A heavy Arty stonk was laid on, on the area of the SP Gun and spandau and "B" Coy pushed on. After hard fighting they reached area of buildings some 400 yds from bridge. From there a recce patrol led by the C.S.M. went forward to look at the bridge which was found to be blown. "B" Coy were ordered to consolidate. "A" Coy meanwhile with one platoon forward seized the high ground and dug outs commanding the river. "D" Coy continued fighting through the wood and were ordered to consolidate on the left of "B" Coy - "C" Coy were ordered to prepare for a night attack on the bridge. This was cancelled at nightfall and they moved forward to dig in and consolidate in the area - northern tip of wood. Throughout the day shelling and mortaring had been heavy and accurate and enemy opposition had been stiffer than before. A further 90 P.Ws. were taken, mostly from 15 P. G. Div. Casualties to Bn :- 2 Officers, 63 O.Rs. (5 O.Rs. killed). It had been a very difficult attack owing to the terrain and strong enemy oppositions. Bn. H.Q. was established at IMIGSHOF and contact established with 7 Som. L.I. on our right.