An escaped American from Kassel

WAR DIARY of 61 Recce Regt RAC November 1944

– Lt Col P.H.A. Brownrigg

Date 17^th       Place ELST

‘The regiment – less “A” Squadron – moved to the ELST area and was in position by 1900 hrs.  Regimental HQ is established at 709693, with “B” Squadron right in area 7370, and “C” Squadron left in area 7171.  The weather could not have been worse but with some adjustments it will be possible to put most of the troops under cover of some sort.

The take-over was quite peaceful and it appears that there are no positions in close contact.  The rain continued and a forward position in “B” Squadron’s sector was flooded out and had to be withdrawn.’

 

Dick returned to the ‘Island’ on 17^th November. 

“B” Squadron were on the front line near Bemmel until early December.

 

WAR DIARY of 61 Recce Regt RAC November 1944

– Lt Col P.H.A. Brownrigg

Date 18^th       Place ELST

‘Today has been spent in making preparations with the Royal Engineers to mine the Regiment’s front.  In addition Squadrons are wiring as fast as they can.  The sappers are due to start mining tonight.

There has been little enemy activity today and apart from three men seen by “C” Squadron this afternoon at 721717 shelling and mortaring has been slight, though ELST and BEMMEL have had their usual daily plastering.

At 2000 hrs a US infantryman walked into RHQ.  He was from 2^nd US Infantry Division and had been taken prisoner by the Germans at NANTES at the end of August.  He escaped from CASSEL (Kassel in central Germany, between the Ruhr and Leipzig) and aided by civilians had reached ARNHEM then making his way through the enemy front line.  He regrettably knew very little of the enemy facing us.

Arrangements were made today for the evacuation of the ‘island’ should the enemy breach the dykes – Exercise ‘NOAH’.’

 

Eric Brewer might have appreciated this.  On 18^th November he wrote:

“Moored in a position, Bemmel near Arnhem - about the coldest and wettest position I have ever been in.  There is 2 ft of water in the slit trenches and we have to stand in it. Three chaps went ill tonight. I reckon I shall have had it if I stay here.  Plenty of Spando fire.” (From ‘Beaten Paths are Safest’ by Roy Howard, Brewin Books 2004)