18th September 1944 - the US 9th Army finally take Brest, an important port on the Atlantic coast of Brittany. It was in a tragic state after 6 weeks of siege.
In Operation Market Garden more British Airborne troops landed late in their drop zone on Ginkel Heath after weather delayed them in England. By then German anti-aircraft guns were focused on their flight pathway and those airborne troops already landed were engaged in fierce fighting and gradually being surrounded. Major General Urquhart was still out of contact so Brigadier Hicks, now in charge of the Division, made his HQ in the Hotel Hartenstein in Oosterbeek (now the Airborne Museum). The Tafelberg (which Field Marshal Model had left rapidly the previous day) and Schoonord Hotels were also taken over by the Division, filling with wounded tended by Dutch volunteers. All troops approaching Arnhem were now pinned down near the St Elisabeth Hospital, just west of the town, where the Germans had the advantage of high ground. Airborne HQ didn’t know this had become an impenetrable choke point. The newly arrived 4th Para Brigade were all heading towards Arnhem, with 11th Para battalion charged to push through to the bridge.
Colonel Frost’s troops on Arnhem bridge had begun the day by successfully stopping a column of German reconnaissance from returning across the bridge. They were heavily engaged in street fighting to hold houses north of the bridge but could not secure the south end of the bridge and remained isolated. Difficulties in radio contact persisted so no-one back in Britain, or in the ‘Garden’ ground advance, knew what was happening to the British Airborne in Holland.
Field Marshal Model urgently ordered German re-inforcements and arms for Arnhem. 9th Panzer SS Division focused on preventing more British Airborne from reaching the town while 10th SS Panzer were sent to retake the Arnhem bridge and (forced to cross the Neder Rijn in ferries further east) to protect the Nijmegen. Almost all of the German 15th Army, who had escaped across the Scheldt estuary north of Antwerp were now directed against the west flank of Market Garden.
82nd Airborne secured all its bridges except the Nijmegen road bridge where the Germans now hold firm positions. With bitter street fighting in the town they begin to set fire to many areas. General Browning is with the 82nd Airborne and prioritises defence of the high ground south of Nijmegen and land to the east facing Germany and the Reichswald Forest over taking the bridge.
A small company of 101st Airborne who made it to the other bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal, at Best, fight helplessly and unsuccessfully to prevent the Germans destroying it. The Division secures four bridges over the river Dommel and begins the liberation of Eindhoven.
The Guards Armoured Division had a leisurely start from Valkenswaard, although they were 24 hours behind schedule (Brigadier Gwatkin had advised there was no hurry because they could not cross the Wilhelmina Canal but various excuses have been given for the delay including a battalion who said they were waiting to be replaced by infantry from 61st Recce’s 50th Division! After heavy losses the Irish Guards were also unwilling to advance without air cover, which was cancelled due to ‘poor flying conditions’).
British armoured cars speed through Eindhoven that evening believing it to still be occupied by the Germans although the Guards' tanks arrive to a rapturous welcome a couple of hours later. At last work began on constructing a Bailey bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal – the engineers and equipment appear to have been stuck behind the Guards along the narrow route.
61st Recce were involved in finding routes from Valkenswaard for the tanks; they passed through villages to the east of the main route including Leende, Geldrop and Helmond, meeting up with 101st Airborne at Veghel. (The Household Cavalry were first to meet up with 101st Airborne Division at Woensel, between Eindhoven and Son). (From ‘Beaten Paths are Safest’ by Roy Howard, Brewin Books 2004, ‘Arnhem’ by Anthony Beevor, Viking 2018 and Don Aiken.)
Sandy Handley, of Dick's No 5 Troop, recalled an incident at Eindhoven “where Phillips factory were making radios. I shall not forget the civilian populations bringing their barrows and loading up with radios and not only civilians but us, we had several of these brand new radios on board but the laughable part was when we got back to camp we found there were no valves in them so they were useless. One of our conscientious officers ordered us to take them back at once; this is pillage he said or pilfering. However none were taken back.” (From Ex Trooper S Handley’s ‘61 Recce - Memories of Normandy 1944 – 1945’, unpublished).
Eric Brewer, also of B Squadron was “now in Corp grouping area (near Hasselt in Belgium) watching for big push. Just been told by C.O. that Dempsey* is very pleased with the 50th Recce work we have done and especially the counter attack we have been the key to stopping. He also told us that we were three days ahead of the 7 Armoured Corps (in Normandy) and were waiting outside Vire for them.”
*Lt.General Miles Dempsey, commander of the British Second Army and Montgomery's deputy.
Whether Dick was with the Guards Armoured Division in the advance or still in Belgium like Eric Brewer, he managed to find time to write to Chotie:
Letter written on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th September 1944
61st Recce Regt RAC
BLA
Monday Sept 18th
Chotie Darling,
Many thanks for your letter received a couple of days ago. There’s nothing much of any real interest to tell you – no current news, anyhow.
We’ve been much luckier of late in getting into some towns instead of the old perpetual fields and orchards. Have spent several days recently in or near a small town (Wimborne* size) and been able to get a harbour and several other necessities.
There are plenty of pubs here, and although they are still called cafés, they correspond much more to our conception of a pub. They also have the excellent idea of having the barbers inside the pub itself so that you can have a pint or two whilst waiting your turn. Altogether a very happy solution to this queueing problem.
A lot of my troop have bought scent and powder with enticing Paris labels – but personally I’ve avoided buying any as I don’t trust them. One of my blokes bought three bottles which cost him 1000 f (£5) which is obviously Black Market stuff. Maybe I’m sceptical – as usual.
I’ve been trying to read my Mozart, which is pretty heavy going, being in French. It’s an excellent book, however, so I’m persevering. I also have a copy of ‘Gentlemen prefer Blondes**’ in French, which is quite amusing but less instructive.
Have met a lot of Ted’s crowd*** but haven’t yet contacted him.
Brinner is still at Base as far as I know – he’ll probably still be there when we get the final ‘cease firing’.
I imagine Johnny Jones is with this latest Airborne effort. Did you hear anything of him when you were on leave? I haven’t heard a thing.
We now manage to get a better variety of food, than hitherto – eggs & tomatoes**** (hundreds of them) instead of the endless run of sausage-meat. We also get a few mushrooms from time to time. Must close here to do some work.
All my love
Darling
Dicker
Will write some more tonight.
Well, Darling, I couldn’t finish this letter last night because we moved during the evening.
I’ve found out where Brinner is but as he’s some 60 miles from me at the moment there seems no chance of contacting him.
I’m afraid I can’t write any more as I have a full day ahead fitting new wireless sets to my cars.
All my love Precious
Dicker.
*a small town in Dorset.
**the American novel by Anita Loos published in 1925.
***the Guards Armoured Division.
****Uncle Ted told me he once had to hide out in a tomato field behind enemy lines and just lived on tomatoes for a couple of days - he couldn't bear to eat them after that (Chotie’s Daughter).
© Chotie Darling
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