9th September 1944 – The Guards Armoured Division crosses the Albert Canal at Beringen.
In France de Gaulle forms a Provisional Government of the Republic.
In Bulgaria the pro-communist resistance known as the Fatherland Front takes power and declares war on Germany. The next day Russia enters the capital Sofia.
10th October 1944 – the Irish Guards take an intact bridge at over the Maas-Scheldt canal at Neerpelt, which they call 'Joe's bridge’ after their commander.
Montgomery meets Eisenhower and obtains approval of his plan for Operation Market Garden.
Luxembourg is liberated by the US First Army.
11th September – US troops are the first Allies to cross the frontier into Germany, crossing the River Our from northern Luxembourg.
The RAF ‘terror bomb’ the Medieval city of Darmstadt near Frankfurt in central Germany.
Liberation of Dijon in Burgundy, France.
Battle of Geel: on 9th September the Durham Light Infantry, supported by 61st Reconnaissance Regiment and the tanks of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, push forward from the bridgehead towards Geel. They capture the city the next day despite German resistance and counter-attacks, which cut off part of the regiment and drive them back to the south of Geel. German resistance continues on the 11th with fierce fighting and losses and the British are ordered to withdraw.
Eric Brewer of B Squadron’s Assault Troop was at the Albert Canal on 9th September: "Still in same position. Gerry patrols came across on Recce but turned back when coming into contact with our fire. Gerry mortars and shells still coming over, also a few bombs dropped in the night. Plenty of refugees coming into our lines from Gerry side".
10th September: "Still at Canal position. Same as usual except a few shells." (From Eric Brewer’s Diary by kind permission of Derek Brewer and his family.)
Lt-Colonel Brownrigg continues his account of 61st Recce:
“Our next real engagement was in the Gheel bridgehead. ‘C’ Squadron under the command of the Durham Light Infantry Brigade was ordered to go over the smaller of the two bridges and reconnoitre some miles beyond. As they crossed the bridge they came under heavy machine-gun and 20mm fire from close range. All the Squadron Headquarters vehicles were holed, and soon afterwards the bridge was broken. The enemy had been reinforced during the night, and the bridgehead was only 300yds or so deep here, the infantry holding it having been continuously counter-attacked. They were overjoyed to see our armoured cars, which fought their way forward like tanks throughout the day, shooting off all their ammunition. The whole squadron did a great day’s work, but the casualties were heavy.” (From ‘A Reconnaissance Regiment in the B.L.A.’ by Lieutenant-Colonel P.H.A.Brownrigg D.S.O.)
Squadron Sergeant Major Robert Dudley Page was in charge of 'C' Squadron HQ vehicles in their offensive across the Albert Canal south of Geel. When the bridge was broken SSM Page ferried casualties across the canal by boat under heavy fire. He personally converyed essential ammunition supplies to the fighting troops throughout the day under mortar and machine gun fire. SSM Page earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his 'energy, enterprise and great personal courage'.
Lieutenant Joseph Graham Pilsbury earned the Military Cross for his part in the action that supported the Durham Infantry Brigade in enlarging and maintaining the Geel bridgehead. Lieutenant Pilsbury, having inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy in fierce fighting, was wounded in the closing stage of the battle.
Capitaine-Commandant B. del Marmol's valuable work as Belgian Forces Liaison Officer with 61st Recce at Olen, west of Geel is mentioned on his MC citation.
(See 61st Recce Battle honours.)
According to a 15th Recce report on 11th September the 61st Reconnaissance Regiment were south of Herenthals (west of Olen) and, although enemy were seen north of Herenthals, they no longer appeared to be holding the canal in great strength.
B Squadron’s Eric Brewer and Eric Postles moved to Harbour.
September 11th: "Shifted to Harbour, going out on Recce tomorrow. Things quiet in harbour." (From Eric Brewer’s Diary by kind permission of Derek Brewer and his family.)
Eric Postles recorded under 11th September 1944: "After further skirmishes we finally reached Bourg Leopold, a former Belgian Army training area. We found a food depot and among other things were frozen peas. At times both the Germans and ourselves were getting food from it. While there we were brought up to strength in men and equipment. Our new troop leader was Lt Cutler (ex 59 Recce). The 'Swan' had come to an end. We had taken over 4,000 prisoners during the regiments drive from the Seine." (Extract from ‘My War Years’ by John Eric Postles ISO used by kind permission of the author.)
Don Aiken was also at Bourg Leopold or Leopoldsburg on 11th September. Bourg Leopold was across the Albert Canal, north of Beringen (where the Guards Armoured Division had forced a crossing).
To the north two Household Cavalry Lieutenants undertake a daring reconnaissance of the road to Eindhoven in the Netherlands, driving through the frontline under fire to obtain information on the bridge over the river Dommel south of Valkenswaard.
61st Recce Roll of Honour includes the following who died on 9th September 1944:
Trooper Albert Edward Matthews (age 28) from Brislington, Bristol
Lance Sergeant Sidney Smith (age 26) from Newbury, Berkshire
and Trooper Reginald Robinson (age 25) of Oxford, who died on 11th September 1944.
All are laid to rest in the Geel (Stelen) War Cemetery, east of Antwerp.
Also Trooper Stanley Stamp (age 19) from Dagenham, Essex who died on 10th September 1944
and is laid to rest in the Brussels Town Cemetery.
(See 61st Recce Roll of Honour, courtesy of Recce Mitch.)
We will remember them.
Recent Comments