| 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 |
| Unit: HQRA 3 Br Inf Div | ||
| Month and Year: November 1944 | (Erase heading not required). | Commanding Officer: Brig. G.G. Mears, MC |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Note 1: throughout the greater part of the month of November bad weather and heavy rain caused the country west of r Maas to be completely waterlogged and flooding of the river which hampered all kinds of movement. | |||
| 1 | Note 2: During the first part of November restriction of daily amn expenditure curtailed to some extend the activity of the Div Arty. | |||
| 1 | Note 3: Througout the whole month HQRA was established at 708352 near OPLOO, although later it had to be moved slightly to be clear of the rising flood caused by the saturation of the ground. | |||
| 1 | Note 4: On 1 Nov 44 the front line an down the line of R Maas from Cuijk 7149 in north as far as VIERLINGSBEEK 8034 line of rly 7934 to SMAKT 7931 - east of ST SERVATIUS Convent 787270 - LEUNEN 7723. | |||
| 1 | Note 5: During first half of month enemy (180 Div north and Div Erdman (later 7 Para Div) to south of front were fairly active in patrolling especially at night. | |||
| 2 | Op Merry - succesfull arty, mortar and MG shoot on bridge 809241 and along MOLENBEEK to 800335 on 3 Recce Regt sector by 7 Fd Regt, one tp 92 LAA Regt and 2 Mx - provoked enemy shelling on VIERLINGSBEEK 8034. | |||
| 4 | MAASHEES church tower 8231 engaged by 7.2"gun but not demolished | |||
| 5 | Further provokation shoot by 7 Fd Regt and tp 92 LAA Regt on AFFERDEN 7938. | |||
| 9 | AFFERDEN church steeple shot down by A Tk SP and med Arty | |||
| 14 | 12 Corps Op Mallard to clear enemy West of R Maas from WESSEM northwards started. Slight opposition encountered and good progress made. | |||
| OPLOO | 15 | Order group held by CRA. Agenda - future ops. | Confirmatory Notes at Appx D4 | |
| 19 | Relief of 159 In Bde (11 Arm Div) by 2 Warwick and 9 Br Inf Bde extende Div front to area south of VENRAY | |||
| 21 | Op by 11 Arm Div to capture AMERIKA succesfull with 33 Fd Regt in Sp | |||
| 22 | Enemy withdrawal along front of east of NIJMEGEN - VENLO rly from SMAKT 8031 - OOSTRUM 8027.Order group for Op Peacock. | see OO No 18 , appx D5 | ||
| 23-24 | Op Peacock. 9 Br Inf Bde attacked to clear enemy from sw of rly as far as OIRLO 82224 in three phases. Pahse 1: 1 KOSB to clear wood and orchard 7721 and 2 Lincolns with one sqn 4 Coldm Gds under comd to subdue factory area 777227. Phase 2: 2 RUR with under comd one sqn Coldm Gds to adv the wood 8022 then school 7923. Phase 3: Adv Oirlo. RA 3 3 Br Inf Div (less 25 Fd Regt) supported attack with tasks at call ( NOT called for). Tac HQRA established at MERSELO (743268) 23 nov. Op succesful - little opposition ecountered exept mines. Whole area West of r Maas cleared of enemey exept the KASTEEL of GEIJSTEREN 8329 and three pockets east of WANSSUM 8527 | |||
| 25 | Op to reduce KAASTEEL at GEIJSTEREN by 1 Suffolk sp by 76 Fd Regt unsuccesful. | |||
| 27 | Order group ref adjustment of Bde areas and roles RA Regt. | Confirmatory Notes at Appx D7 | ||
| 29 | Enemy withdraw form KASTEEL during night : occupied by 1 SUFFOLK | |||
| 30 | Nigt op to clear area west of BLITTERWIJK by 2 RUR unsuccesful in fade of determined opposition by enemy. |
Source: Jeroen Koppes, TracesOfWar.com, transcribing: Theo Vervoort.
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.
Looking for reliable information or news facts about WW2? Do you want to create your own battlefield tour to sights of wars from the past? Or are you interested in war medals and their recipients? TracesOfWar.com tells you more!
More information
© STIWOT, 1999-2024. All rights reserved. Privacy statement, cookies, disclaimer and copyright