|
Date
|
Hour
|
Summary of Events
and Information
|
| 16 Feb 1945 |
0700
|
Weather-cold, misty.
|
| |
0615
|
CO [Commanding Officer]
to Brigade HQ to get last minute details.
Recce party goes out.
|
| |
0700
1030
|
Marching troops cross
SP [self-propelled guns] at 892556.
Movement goes without incident and
Tactical Battalion HQ locates at MR
937521 (CALCAR Sheet) by 1030 hrs.
|
| |
1155
|
H-Hr for
us is set for 1330 hrs. |
| |
1330
|
Attack gets
under way with A Coy [company] leading
off. CO sets up a command post at 950513. |
| |
1530
1630
|
A Coy and
C Coy are encountering considerable
opposition for enemy is in the woods
[Moyland Wood, near Calcar]. Seem to
be large numbers of enemy there despite
fact that posts of enemy had been previously
cleared by British units. B Coy moves
up at 1630 hrs but encounter enemy in
woods North East of road approx MR 958511. |
| |
2000
|
CO visits
Brigade HQ at 2000 hrs to give Brigade
Commanders situation. On return plans
to move D Coy up in the morning to help
other companies in the woods. C Coy
had attempted to enter woods in the
vicinity of MR 968504 but became almost
completely surrounded and finally withdrew
across road to MR 964500. |
| 17 Feb 1945 |
0700
|
Weather-over
cast-cool. |
| |
0700
|
During night
companies already committed are attempting
to consolidate firmly in the positions
they now hold. |
| |
1000
|
B and D Coys,
with Artillery SP, attempt to clear
through woods from 958512 to EAST. Become
disorganized by own artillery fire and
the attack is cancelled. CO goes to
Brigade. Companies are now located as
follows: A Coy-961514, B Coy-959513,
C Coy-966502, D Coy-959511. When CO
returns find we are to remain in present
position for present as woods are being
by passed and 4 Brigade of 2 Canadian
Division is expected to pass through
to our right. Our C Coy is to move back
in position near Command Post. |
| |
1400
|
Considerable
SP Artillery program for attack going
in by Royal Winnipeg Rifles and Canadian
Scottish Regiment to SOUTH brings considerable
return fire on us which at first appeared
to be counter attack but cleared. Intermittent
enemy mortaring and shelling continues
through evening, but 4.2" and 3"
Mortars in addition to Artillery keep
most positions well covered from possible
counter-attacks. |
| |
1830
|
C Coy moves
to vicinity to Command Post and is located
at 949513. |
| 18 Feb 1945 |
0700
|
Weather-overcast
and cool. |
| |
0700
|
Night has
been fairly quiet. Occasional shells
land in the area. |
| |
1000
|
Brigade Commander
visits us. Picture is much the same.
2 Canadian Infantry Division are waiting
to get on through us and we still must
try to clear out our part of the wood.
6 Canadian Infantry Brigade of 2 Canadian
Infantry Division are taking over woods
held by British troops today. |
| |
1230
|
We again
attack woods, this time across road
vicinity of MR 963506 (CALCAR Sheet)
North EAST to take high ground and clear
woods from 965596 WEST and NORTH WEST
to 51 grid line. From the commencement
of attack going is very heavy. The enemy
have considerable number of heavy machine
guns in the wood, also their heavy guns
from across RHINE are plastering the
wood. B Coy clear their section of woods
with aid of WASP flame throwers, although
one blows up. Then D Coy press through
further. Enemy keep counter-attacking
right flank of B Coy, and D Coy have
a very difficult time. They finally
get two platoons on objective and A
Coy pass through to clear NORTH sector
of woods to grid line and road. Enemy
keep up a relentless machine gun and
shelling barrage. A Coy finally consolidate
on objective but further exploitation
is impossible due to depletion in coy
strength. Also many men, although not
actually casualties are suffering from
exhaustion due to continual shelling
and nature of the woods. |
| |
1900
|
One platoon
of C Coy is sent in to help button up
the three coy positions for the night.
Balance of C Coy which is already greatly
depleted remain in reserve. |
| |
2400
|
Things have
become reasonably quiet. Coy Commanders
agree that the shelling and fighting
in these woods have been just as bad
as anything encountered in NORMANDY.
Few prisoners of war taken have been
mainly paratroops, many of which have
been moved in to this sector in the
past 24 to 48 hours from NORTHERN HOLLAND! |
| |
|
[Summary for February 1945]
With the Commencement of operation
"VERITABLE" on 8 Feb 45
we ended three months of static warfare
and change overs. The enthusiasm shown
in the operation by all ranks was
evidence enough that all were keen
to take up the initiative and to get
into GERMANY itself. Morale was high,
men were fit and refreshed and a degree
of the team spirit was evident.
Entry into GERMANY meant no fraternizing
with civilians in any way, and raised
problems of how to treat them. Many
men were at a loss, despite previous
lectures on the subject, just how
to treat them firmly, without being
too chummy. Especially due to the
fact that they observed breaches of
these regulations going on about them.
However, our men have carried themselves
exceptionally well in most cases.
During some of the stiff woods fighting
near MOYLANDS on 16-19 Feb, a rather
high percentage of cases arose coming
more or less under the heading of
Battle Exhaustion. Few were diagnosed
by the Medical Officer as being definitely
such, however, one or two resulting
in charges of cowardice in the face
of the enemy. On the other hand, many
instances of exceptional heroism and
devotion to duty occurred, and recommendations
for Honors and Awards were submitted
for them.
Throughout the advances during the
month, problems of supply and transport
were extremely acute due to flooding,
mud and lack of alternative routes.
However, the new policy of living
as much as possible from the land
eased the situation considerably and
the fresh pork, beef, chicken and
eggs made a very welcome change.
|
Canada in WWII
