The 101st Airborne Division, ‘the Screaming Eagles’, is renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, Operation Market garden and the Battle of the Bulge. It has since paid a prominent role in many military campaigns and is one of the most highly decorated units in the US Army.
WAR DIARY of 61 Recce Regt RAC October 1944
– Lt Col P.H.A. Brownrigg
Date 8th Place HERVELD (west of Elst)
‘The Regiment – less “A” Echelon – crossed NIJMEGEN bridge at 1030 hours and came under command of 101 US Airborne Division. We are based on HERVELD 6369 and RHQ and “A” Squadron are located there. “B” & “C” Squadrons are forward. The area lends itself easily to defence and Squadrons are mainly behind the American FDLs (Forward Defense Lines?) with the armoured car and some carrier troops forming mobile outposts looking WEST and NORTH over the NEDER RIJN. In addition “C” Squadron assault troop and “B” Squadron Anti-tank Battery have formed a block on the railway at 580714. The area was taken over from 52 Recce Regiment* and the relief completed by 1600 hours. The remainder of the day was fairly quiet with only intermittent shelling of the FDLs.’
*Dick’s future regiment
Dick was now on ‘the Island’ again.
The regiment remained near Herveld until 13th October 1944.
Eric Brewer’s diary for 8th October records: “two counter attacks also shelling which has increased.” (From ‘Beaten Paths are Safest’ by Roy Howard, Brewin Books 2004)
Sandy Handley recalls “After the Arnhem do we was used for line holding, watching long stretches of river or open ground for which our mobility and communications were well suited. We were sometimes supporting the 101 American Airborne. Later we had a series of ordinary infantry positions in the lowland between Arnhem and Nijmegen.” (From Ex Trooper S Handley’s ‘61 Recce - Memories of Normandy 1944 – 1945’, unpublished)
Field Service postcard sent to Chotie by Dick on 8th October 1944.
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