WO 171/678 - 153 Infantry Brigade - November 1944

Instructions regarding War Diaries and Intelligence Summaries are contained in F.S. Regs., Vol. 1. and the Staff Manual respectively Title pages will be prepared in manuscript.	WAR DIARY or INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY	Army Form C.2118
	WAR DIARY or INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY	Unit: HQ 153 Inf Bde
Month and Year: November 1944	(Erase heading not required).	Commanding Officer: Brig J.R. Sinclair, DSO

Place	Date	Hour	Summary	Reference
	14		During the morning the Bde Gp conc in the area South of ROEVEN 6198 prior to the Operation. At 1600 hrs the attack began with a heavy arty barrage. By 1622 hrs tanks of 144 RAC in sp of our tps reported that they were in posn on the canal bank and that no opposition was being encountered. First waves of inf began to cross the obstacle at 1632 hrs and at 1725 hrs both bns reported that all their rifle coys were on the enemy bank. Between 1815 hrs and 1830 hrs 1 Gordons and 5/7 Gordons were able to report that all objectives were captured. At 1825 hrs the Bde Comd ordered 5 BW to commence Phase II of the attack at 1930 hrs. This attack developed as planned supported by 127 Fd Regt, two coys of 1 Kensingtons (MMGs) and 2 pls of 'A' Coy 1/7 Mx (4.2 in mortars). At 2036 hrs 5 BW reported the capture of their first objective and by 2218 hrs the bn was in posn. Inf opposition during Phases I and II was not serious and cas were light, the majority being caused by mortar and shell fire. No mines were encountered during the operation. Early in the operation it became apparent that in spite of the gaps blown in the canal revetment by RE the Buffaloes could not operate on account of the steepness of the far bank. The Buffaloes were, therefore, withdrawn having transported only one jeep across the canal. Rafting proved equally difficult and 5 BW succeeded in getting over only two jeeps and one Atk gun by this means. Good progress was made on the Class 9 bridge, however, and by 0100 hrs it was open to traffic. By 0145 hrs all 5 BW F1 Ech had crossed and by 0645 hrs all F1 and F2 Echs of the bde were across the canal. Satisfactory progress was made on the Cl 40 br and by 0840 hrs this was open to all traffic. POW taken by the bde during the operation numbered one offr and 54 ORs, the majority from Bn Piltz.

Source: Jeroen Koppes, TracesOfWar.com, transcribing: Hans Houterman.

Disclaimer: This War Diary is based on its original, but typos might be corrected. Locations are calculated, so might not be in the correct place. For historical research, always check the originals.

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