8th Bn Royal Scots 24th March 1945 ?Any info about this battalion, their role in WWII about this time and activity in and around the Rhine area holland/germnay, the town of Kleve etc. Regards.
My Great Uncle was in the 1st bttn Black Watch and is interned in this cemetry. There are more details on the rhine crossing on my thread in this topic
They were in 15th Scottish Division. I'll check one or two books later. From Monty's Northern Legions by Patrick Delaforce, all I can tell you is that 24th/25th/26th March 1945 8 Royal Scots were well across the Rhine heading for the bridge over the River Issel near the unfinished autobahn in the area of Gervershof west of Dingden. Sorry that's about all I can tell you. War Diary at TNA , Kew. WO 171/5258 1945 Jan.-Dec. Detecting your browser settings
Hi, This is an extract from 4th Armoured Divisions involvement with 8th Royal Scots on this day,hope it gives you a starting point. The 4th Armoured Brigade was now under command of 15th (Scottish) Division, who were to assault the Rhine under 12 Corps. The Scots began their assault in Buffaloes of 33rd Armoured Brigade in the early hours of 24th March 1945 and a 04:00 in the morning 44th RTR moved from their assembly area to a final forming up area by the river's edge on the extreme right of 15th (Scottish) Division's sector opposite the village of Bislich. Shortly before 06:30 they began to cross the Rhine itself, with their recce parties having already crossed beforehand with the leading buffaloes. A few German Machine Guns were still active on the left of the crossing area, but the only dangerous fire was from guns and mortars directed on the area of the crossing itself. By 08:00, 55 of 44th RTR's DD tanks were over the Rhine, with four having been hit before entering the water and two more in midstream. There they met up with the leading battalion of 46th Infantry Brigade, who were 7th Bn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. After helping 44th Infantry Brigade to clear the northern outskirts of Bislich. 44th RTR then turned north with a company of the Camerons in support toward Mehr they cleared the east bank of the river between the two bridgeheads and went to clear the village of Mein. The next day 44th RTR moved North West to secure the crossing of the River Issel making contact with the enemy several times on the way, throughout the, 44th RTR were continuously engaged in extending the bridgehead to the north and north-east, joining hands with 6th Airborne Division and 'B' squadron coming under the latter's command. The regiment was relieved by 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry, whose 'C' Squadron were in support of 8th Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers of 44th Brigade. 'B' Squadron of 3rd/4th CLY were supporting of 6th Bn. The Kings Own Scottish Borders who had just been heavily counter-attacked. Elsewhere, 'A' Squadron, 3rd/4th CLY, was under the command 8th Bn. The Royal Scots of 44th Brigade and had moved to area near Hamminkeln, where they were shooting up enemy movement including an 88mm gun for a while before they started to be spasmodically shelled and mortared. So they lay low for the rest of the day, but at 19:00 put in a planned attack, with the infantry from 8th Royal Scots and 4th RHA support. As they advance opposition was encountered by all types of enemy fire, and some casualties inflicted on the Squadron. During the day 3rd/4th CLY captured 200+ POW, destroying 15 lorries and of course one 88mm gun. During the afternoon of the 24th, 4th RHA had crossed the river by raft and were all over after dark, although they did lose one half track and crew when a pontoon bridge broke apart. During the night of 24th/25th March the Scots Greys, 2nd KRRC and TAC Brigade HQ crossed by the Class 40 bridge at Bislich which was receiving constant attacks from the Luftwaffe. Regards Verrierres
Map from Delaforce book showing 8 Royal Scots crossing Rhine and moving to top right hand corner. From your other post on the forum I see your Uncle was killed on 27th. CWGC :: Casualty Details From Delaforce book again. By 0600 hours on the 27 March the Issel bridge had been built. On the left flank the Royal Scots had a nerve-racking night at Heisterhof between the autobahn and the River Issel. They were counter-attcked during the night by paratroops with bazookas and spandaus. 'A' Company was nearly overrun and fighting went on all night . They were saved by the Royal Scots artillery forward observation officer bringing down DF targets.
