HEADQUARTERS,

FIRST CANADIAN ARMY

To all soldiers serving in First Canadian Army

Our victories in the battle of the Schelde Estuary and opening of the port of ANTWERP mark a decisive step in the final defeat of Germany. There should be no questioning of this fact. It is testified by the following extracts from a captured order issued by the German Army Commander:-

“The defence of the approaches to ANTWERP represents a task which is decisive for the future conduct of the war…… After overrunning the Schelde fortifications, the English would finally be in a position to land great masses of material in a large and completely protected harbour with this material they might deliver a death blow at the north German plateau and at Berlin before the onset of winter………….And for this reason we must hold the Schelde fortification to the end. The German people is watching us. In this hour, the fortifications along the Schelde occupy a role which is decisive for the future of our people.”

The fighting has had to be conducted under the most appalling conditions of ground and weather. Every soldier serving in this Army – whether he has fought along the banks of the Schelde or in driving the enemy from the north eastern approaches to ANTWERP – and every sailor and every airman who has supported us – can take a just and lasting pride in a great and decisive victory.

In the name of the Army Commander, I thank all commanders and troops for the loyal and able exertions which have contributed in such important successes.

G.G. Simonds

Lt Gen

4 Nov. 44

CFG-10

I MPS/11-2 (176)

15 F

Nov3

Reconnaissance NO. 773 21^st. November. 1914.

Aeroplane: No. B.E. 242.

Squadron No. 4.

Pilot: Capt Soames.

Observer. Ref Map: N.W. Europe, Sheet 1

Hour commenced: 12. noon. 1/250,000

Hour concluded: 3-55. p.m.

================================================================

Time Place OBSERVATION

—————————————————————————————————————-

2-30. p.m. FORET D’HOUTHULST. The snow in and about the villages

round the forest was very trodden in. There were also a lot of exercise circles.

STADEN. Rolling stock for three trains. Anti

aircraft guns.

2-55. p.m. CORTMARER. Rolling stock for 7 trains. One train

running through THOUROUT. One

train near ZAREN running towards CORTEMARER.

3-10. p.m. THOUROUT. Rolling stock for about 10 trains. No

movements seen. Two trains in LICHTERVELDE with steam up, one on the up and the other on the down line.

The road to BRUGES & railway were clear as far as I could see.

Height. 5.000.

Observation. Good

(Sd): A.W. Soames, Capt.

Observer.

Capt Paterson (3)

Nov2

HIGHLAND DIVISION T.F. No. 4387 (G).

CONFIDENTIAL.

The following extract from a letter from an Artillery Officer, serving with the Allied Forces, is circulated. All the information is confidential, and is not to be circulated outside the Highland Division:-

2.11.14.

…..”This battle has been going on for some time, and my battery has been under fire more or less continually for five days and nights now.

“To show you what sort of show it is, Number 4, at out No. 3 gun loaded by himself, in our first position yesterday, three and a half tons weight of 4.7” B.L. Q.F. shell. Of course, this is the most in our battery in one position, so far; but it gives one an idea of the show.

“You cannot really imagine the roar that goes on continuously day and night here.

“My first advice to fellows coming out here is to teach your men to take every conceivable cover from aeroplanes, i.e. have straw, etc., tied to all the spokes of wheels, rims of wheels wrapped up in old grain sacks, and gun covered in straw mattresses with loose straw on top. Cover the ground all round with straw for 20 yards.

“Never bring your battery into action in line, but always in a very eccentric way, with a field and hedges in between guns. Have all communications by telephone.

“Directly you see a German aeroplane, stop firing; so that they cannot see the flashes of your guns. If they see you they signal back to their “Black Marias” the square and position on it of your guns are on, and in half an hour you will be having hell on earth, and will have to abandon.

“Just called up to fire again. All right, we are back again in our funk-holes. These should be at the side of every gun, and dig them very narrow. You can generally undercut this soft clay soil, and so get extra cover.

“The Black Marias generally arrive on end, in bunches of three; then a pause of three seconds, and three more. The range generally varies about fifty to seventy-five yards. Their shooting is very accurate, and if your position is found you must leave the guns and get under cover.

“Never stay for more than one day in the same position, as, otherwise, spies give information of where you are.

“I suppose one will get used to it in time, but some of the shell-fire here is bad for the nerves, especially at night.

“Another good way to dodge aeroplanes is to come into action behind a wood by night, and build, by planting trees in the battery, a wood round the battery. It seems that these air fellows cannot notice the change in the slight increase in the wood.

“We always have a squad of men told off to fire on air-craft with rifles, as soon as identified as German.

ORDERLY ROOM

Nov2

B/5583

2^nd Bn. THE BORDER REGT.

SOME NOTES ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE ORIGINAL 7^TH DIVISION.

Nov. 2^nd. An intercepted wireless massage this day announced the arrival of the

Kaiser on this front and as was expected, at about noon on November 2^nd another desperate effort to break through was made by the enemy from the direction of GHELUVELT against the 1^st Division and against the right of the 20^th Infantry Brigade.

The attack succeeded in driving back the 1^st Division and all its available reserves were used up without result. The last reserves of the 7^th Division were then sent forward to try and preserve the flank of the 20^th Infantry Brigade. The fighting this day was particularly fierce – the finest troops of the German Army, under the eyes of the Kaiser, hurled themselves in vain against the battered line of the 7^th Division.

This was really the last big attack the enemy made – for although he continued to bombard and attack our line, it was only in a half-hearted manner.

Some idea of the severity of the fighting the Division had taken part in may be formed by examining the fighting strength of Brigades at this time. The 20^th Infantry Brigade was reduced to 18 Officers 900 other ranks; the 21^st Infantry Brigade 13 Officers 910 other ranks; the 22^nd Infantry Brigade 13 Officers 586 other ranks.

SECOND WORLD WAR

Nov1

November 1944

(Britain)

The first V-2 Rocket (“Vengeance Weapon 2”) was successfully launched against London on the 8^th September 1944, in retaliation for the bombing of German cities by the Allies. By the 10^th November 1944 the Nazis launched up to eight V-2s daily against Britain. From October 1944 to March 1945 when the war ended a total of 3,172 V-2 Rockets were fired at Britain, Belgium, France and the Netherlands

(Liberation of Europe)

Following the success of the Battle of Normandy (D-Day) the Allies began a series of rapid advances into the low-countries. All supplies were being brought into Cherbourg in north-west Normandy. As they were so far away from the front line the Allies supply line was totally stretched. British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery decided that Operation Market Garden (Battle for Arnhem) was to be prioritised after Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk had been liberated. When the failed Operation Market Garden was called off, the intention to liberate the port of Antwerp was the next priority.

The port of Antwerp had been captured by the Allies on the 4^th September1944. Access to the inland port from the North Sea is the River Scheldt running along the west coast of the island of Walcheren. The island and surrounding areas were vigorously defended by the reinforced Germans who were aware the Allies needed to have access to have access to the port of Antwerp. The Allied advance was slow due to the supply chain from Normandy. On the 2^nd November 1944 Belgium was liberated and the port of Zeebrugge was captured. The day before, the 1^st November 1944, 0peration Infatuate II (Battle of the Scheldt), began. The attacks of Infatuate II were amphibious landings at Westkapelle, Walcheren. The landing craft were “Buffalo” developed to negotiate water-logged conditions. They transported assault troops and conventional armoured vehicles who otherwise would not be able to advance. In the shallow waters, naval support was required to assist the landings in the form of Support Squadron Eastern Flank (SSEF). Additional support was from a battleship and two monitors. Monitor vessels were gun platforms whose guns outranged German heavy shore batteries. As the landings began, due to bad weather conditions, no air support was available or spotter aircraft to guide the shallow draught naval guns on to the German defences. Fully alerted, the German coastal artillery took a toll on the SSEF where twenty ships were either sunk or too badly damaged to be repaired. The Canadian First Army with Polish and British assistance used landing craft and specialised armoured vehicles to gain superiority on the island. The defences, known as “Fortress Walcheren” were being overrun with both the towns of Westkapelle and Domburg being captured on the 3^rd November 1944. Minesweepers were ordered to begin to remove mines from the river on the 4^th November 1944 in anticipating the fall of “Fortress Walcheren”. Numerous amphibious attacks were slowed down when the Germans flooded vast land areas in the estuary. On the 6^th November 1944 the island’s capital Middelburg was captured by “Buffalo” tanks forcing an end to German resistance. With the Germans facing overwhelming forces they surrendered on the 8^th November 1944. The Scheldt Estuary had been cleared of all naval mines and underwater obstacles by Royal Navy minesweepers by the 28^th November 1944. The first convey led by Canadian freighter Fort Cataraqui entered Antwerp on the 28^th November 1944. Antwerp became the major supply route from Britain.

During the Alsace/Lorraine Campaign, in France, the cities of Metz and Strasbourg were liberated on the 23^rd November 1944. The Battle of Metz was fought between the U.S. Third Army commanded by Lt. General George Patton and the German Army commanded by General Otto von Knobelsdorff. With the Germans retreating, Allied command had halted the advance of the Allied armies south of the supply route to Arnhem. The halting of the advance enabled the Germans to fortify Metz and surrounding forts. The U.S. army resumed their advance on the 3^rd November 1944. Despite heavy fighting with huge losses to both sides the Americans entered Metz on the 18^th November 1944. Hostilities formally ended on the 23^rd November 1944, however, a number of isolated forts continued to hold out. In order to preserve ammunition for advance into Germany direct assault on the forts were forbidden. By the 29^th November 1944 most of the forts surrendered one by one and the last to surrender was Fort Jeanne d’Arc on the 13^th December 1944. Meanwhile further to the east the Liberation of Strasbourg was about to begin. The French 2^nd Army Division, commanded by General Philippe Leclerc, arrived at the city of Strasbourg on the 21^st November 1944. The Leclerc led 2^nd Army raised the Free French tricolor over Strasbourg Cathedral on the 23^rd November 1944. The raising of the tricolor was considered by the Allies to be the last major objective in the Liberation of France,

(Germany)

In February 1941 Nazi Germany’s Battleship Tirpitz was commissioned and entered service into the Kreigsmarine (Navy). She was the second of two Bismarck-class battleships and was similarly armed as her sister ship Bismarck. With the sinking of Bismarck in May 1941, Tirpitz received a series of modifications adding an additional 2,000 tons to her structure. Not only was she heavier than her sister ship but the heaviest in Western Europe. In 1941 Tirpitz was deployed to Norway in order to attack convoys bound for the Soviet Union. Fuel shortages frequently kept Tirpitz at her anchorage and she became known as the “Lonely Queen of the North” as she was rarely deployed. The Royal Navy retained sufficient ships in the area to contain her. Tirpitz had been seriously damaged by British mini-submarines in September 1943, and by April 1944 had been repaired. British Enigma decrypts revealed that Tirpitz was to conduct sea trials immediately. 40 Barracuda dive bombers dropped armour-piercing bombs, of which 15 scored direct hits and two near misses. She was again repaired and as a consequence had anti-aircraft guns fitted. Various RAF bombing attempts to destroy the vessel were unsuccessful. By September 1944 Lancaster bombers, each carrying one 12,000^lb “Tallboy” bomb were to be deployed to penetrate the ship’s heavy armour. On the 15^th November 1944, 32 Lancaster bombers, flying from their base in Russia, attacked Tirpitz and one “Tallboy”penetrated the ship and exited through the keel. A second “Tallboy” hit amidships and caused severe damage by blowing a hole in the ship’s side and bottom. The hole caused the ship to list 30 to 40 degrees before her captain gave the order to abandon ship. The list increased to 60 degrees and shortly after a large explosion completed the task of sinking Tirpitz. Up to 1,200 German sailors lost their lives with the sinking of the ship and approximately 200 sailors survived. “Tirpitz lived an invalid’s life and died a cripple’s death” was the comment Ludovic Kennedy wrote in his history of Tirpitz.

In June 1941 in readiness for the German invasion of the Soviet Union, (Operation Barbarossa), the Nazi Party required a military headquarters in Eastern Europe. The site was to be close to the front line, but safely enough away from the enemy. The site near Rustenburg in East Prussia was chosen. The complex was known as the “Wolf’s Lair” and completed in June 1941. Fuhrer Adolf Hitler arrived for the first time a few days later. On the 20^th November 1944, with the Red Army approaching East Prussia, Hitler retreated to Berlin and left the “Wolf’s Lair” for the final time.

(Eastern Front)

In Poland, the Sonderkammndo Revolt had been suppressed in Auschwitz Concentration Camp by the German Waffen-SS in late October 1944. The Sonderkammndos (special work force) were approximately 1,000 segregated Jews whose task was to feed the murdered Jews into the furnaces of the crematoria. The last mass transport of Jews arrived at Auschwitz on the 30^th October 1944. On the 2^nd November 1944 Reichfuhrer- SS Heinrich Himmler ordered the SS to halt the gas chamber murders. Finally, realising Germany was losing the war, on the 26^th November 1944 Himmler ordered the Auschwitz site to be destroyed. The remaining Sonderkammndos began to clear the site and dismantle the buildings.

The Baltic Offensive, which began on the 14^th September 1944, was a battle between the Red and German armies in the Balkan States. Beginning on the 27^th September 1944 the Moonsund Landing Operation was an amphibious landing on Estonian Islands. On the 25^th November 1944 the Moonsund Landing Operation ended with the Red Army victorious.

(Pacific)

In December 1941 Japan entered the Second World War after the attack on Pearl Harbour. During February 1942 they captured the island of Singapore, resulting in the surrender of British and Commonwealth forces. On the 5^th November 1944 the first of eleven long range air raids by U.S. bombers were conducted against Japanese-occupied Singapore. 76 B-29 bombers were despatched from their bases near Kharagpur. India. Each B-29 carried two 1,000lb bombs owing to the extreme range to the target. King George VI Graving Dock was the primary target, with a secondary target of Pangkalan Brandan refinery in Sumatra. With only two bombs on board the bombers were instructed to fly lower than normal bombing height for greater accuracy. The raider’s accuracy was such that the dock was rendered un-serviceable for three months. Damage to the dock ensured that the stricken battleships from the Battle of Leyte Gulf could not be repaired. Seven B-29s attacked the refinery and lost two from flying accidents. Japanese anti-aircraft guns were minimal. The next raid on Singapore was on January 1945.

During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, U.S. aircraft carrier USS Lexington was pursuing the retiring Japanese fleet on the 5^thNovember 1944. She was struck by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft near her control island structure. Most of the carrier island structure was destroyed and fire from the kamikaze aircraft was sprayed in all directions. She was able to continue normal flight action within twenty minutes when all major fires were under control. An American fighter was able to take off and shoot down a kamikaze pilot. Arriving in Ulithi on the 9^th November 1944 for battle damage repairs the crew heard that Tokyo had once again claimed Lexington had been sunk. During the kamikaze attack Lexington’s losses were 50 killed and 132 wounded.

Departing from their recently built airfields on the Mariana Islands, 111 Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers attacked Tokyo for the first time on the 24^th November 1944. The Mariana Islands are located 1,500 miles (2,400 km) south of Tokyo. The B-29 was capable of reaching the target and returning without having to refuel. The aircraft were capable of reaching speeds up to 350 mph (560 km/h) and altitude of 31,800 ft. (9,700 m) whereby Japanese fighter aircraft could not catch them. Very few Japanese fighters were able to reach that altitude and were easy prey to defensive gunners. The attacks were continued until the end of the war. The attack against Tokyo on the 24^th November 1944 was the first attack since the Doolittle Raid in April 1942.

U.S. aircraft carrier USS Intrepid was another carrier involved in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On the 27^th October 1944 Intrepid was hit on the port side gun position by a Japanese kamikaze suicide fighter. The damage to the carrier was minimal. On the afternoon of the 25^th November 1944 Intrepid was again struck by two kamikazes causing a serious fire. Whilst the carrier remained on station the fires were extinguished within two hours. During the kamikaze attack 69 U.S. sailors lost their lives. On the 26th November 1944 she departed for repairs in San Francisco arriving on the 20^th December 1944

(Other Areas)

Field Marshall Sir John Dill was a senior British Officer who served in both the Great War and Second World War. At end of 1941 British Prime Minister Winston Churchill posted Dill to Washington D.C. as his personal representative. He attended many conferences as Churchill’s representative. He was also immensely important in getting the Chiefs of Staff of both countries to function to joint satisfaction. He was particularly friendly with American General George Marshal and the two exercised a lot of influence on President Roosevelt. Whilst stationed in Washington, on the 4^th November 1944 Dill died of Aplastic Anaemia. A memorial service was held in Washington National Cemetery as a mark of respect and affection he had earned. The route to Arlington National Cemetery was lined by thousands of troops including his friend George Marshall who was visibly stricken. Following a simple service at the graveside, American Joint Chief of Staff sent a message of condolence to their British colleagues. An equestrian statue of Sir John Dill was erected over his grave. His statue is one of only two at the cemetery, the other being Major-General Philip Kearny, a Union officer during the American Civil War. In 1944 Dill was posthumously awarded the American Army Distinguished Medal.

The 32^nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt was first elected in 1933 and by the time the U.S. entered the war in 1941 he was in his third presidency. War production under his administration was healthy. With the war in the Pacific against the Japanese and in Europe against the Axis powers, Roosevelt decided to run for his fourth term of office. On the 7^th November 1944 Roosevelt was re-elected and chose Harry Truman as his deputy.

—————————————————-

Oct31

SECOND WORLD WAR

October 1944

(Liberation of Europe)

Beginning on the 12^th September 1944, the Battle of Aachen was fought by U.S. and German soldiers. The battle ended on the 21^st October 1944 when the Germans surrendered. The city, on German’s western border had been incorporated in the German Siegfried Line. Defended by 13,000 Soldiers the Germans were facing 100,000 U.S. First Army troops attacking the city from north and south. With the eventual German surrender on the 21^st October 1944 both sides had suffered heavy casualties. The Allied plans for the advance into the industrialised Ruhr Basin had been significantly disrupted by the tenacious German defence. Aachen was the first German city to be occupied by the Allies, and was one of the largest and toughest urban battles of the war.

(Germany)

Following German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel’s wounding in Normandy on the 17^th July 1944, he was taken to hospital suffering from face wounds and fractures to his skull. He made sufficient recovery whereby he was transferred to a rented house in Herrlingen, Germany on the 8^th August 1944. His doctors objected to the move but did accompany him on his move. With the assistance of his caring wife he quickly recovered his health. However, he was implicated in the 20 July Plot to assassinate Fuhrer Adolf Hitler. He was under constant observation from the Nazi SS and Hitler decided on an extrajudicial execution. Rommel was given the choice to take poison or appear before the “Peoples Tribunal” and branded a traitor and face the public outcry that might cause. He chose poison knowing his family wold be looked after by the State and a pension provided. On the 11^th October 1944 Rommel left the house in full dress and his Marshalls baton, climbed into a car followed by two Nazi generals. Having entered a forest Rommel bit into a cyanide capsule and died instantly. The same evening German radio stations broadcast that Rommel had died from the repercussions of the head wounds he received in Normandy. He was given the State Funeral befitting a national hero. On the 21^st October 1944 Rommel’s body was cremated and the urn containing his ashes was buried in the rural cemetery in Herrlingen.

Announcing on the 16^th October 1944 Hitler ordered the conscription of all males, aged 16 to 60 years, who were not already in some military unit. The German army did not have enough men to resist the Soviet Union onslaught. On the 18^th October 1944 Volkssturm (“people’s storm”) was established. The figure of six million men required for Volkssturm was never attainable.

(Eastern Front)

In Poland, the occupying Nazi Germans forced the Warsaw Uprising participants to capitulate on the 2^nd October 1944. All fighting stopped and finally the Warsaw Home Army surrendered on the 5^th October 1944. Beginning on the 1^st August 1944, the 63 day uprising was timed to coincide with the German retreat from Poland, due to the Soviet advance. 20,000 to 49,000 Polish resistance and Warsaw Home Army faced approximately 20,000 Germans. Both sides sustained heavy casualties. One of the reasons why the Warsaw Uprising failed was the lack of assistance from the Allies. It is questionable whether the Soviet Union was prepared to assist in the uprising. Their aim was to replace German occupation with Russian occupation and embrace Poland into the Soviet Empire.

On the 1^st October 1944 Hungarian delegates arrived in Moscow to discuss an armistice with the Soviet Union.In consequence the Red Army entered Hungary on the 5^thOctober 1944. On the 15^th October 1944, an enraged Hitler received word that Hungary’s Regent, Admiral Miklos Horthy was secretly negotiating an armistice with the Soviet Union. He immediately ordered the introduction of Operation Panzerfaust. Hungary had been a German ally since November 1940, and Hitler was fearful that with the surrender it would expose his southern flank. During March 1944, German troops occupied Hungary as Rumania had recently joined forces with the S.U. On the 15^th October 1944 Horthy was handed a statement announcing he was renouncing the armistice and abdicating. He signed the statement because he had been told his son’s life was at stake. Horthy and his son both survived the war. He later explained that he never resigned or abdicated, and stated – “A signature wrung from a man at machine gun point can have little legality”.

On the west coast of Estonia in the East Baltic Sea, the Red Army captured the Estonian Hiiumaa Island on the 3^rd October 1944. The Germans had occupied Estonia since 1941.

In Poland, Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp was the largest Jewish extermination facility built by the Nazis. Construction of the camp was completed by March 1942. Immediately upon completion the Nazis began deporting Jews to the camp. By June 1943, four gas chambers and Crematorium had been added, allowing for the murder and burning of 4,000 people per day. The grizzly tasks were conducted by approximately 1,000 segregated Jews, who were called Sonderkammandos (Special Work Force). These workers received better living and food conditions but routinely were killed and new prisoners brought in. Several resistance groups formed in the camp’s early days. An overall resistance was formed in preparation for the general revolt. The Sonderkammandos planned to blow up the crematoria with explosives brought in by women delivering food. On the 7^th October 1944 the revolt began when one crematorium was blown up. The revolt was suppressed and three German were killed as were 452 members of the Sonderkammandos. Following the revolt, Auschwitz did not return to its former operation.

From the 9^th to the 19^th October 1944 the forth Moscow Conference was conducted. Present were the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and delegates from the London based Polish government-in-exile and the communist Polish Committee of National Liberation. American delegates were in attendance as observers. There is unconfirmed evidence that Stalin agreed to enter the war against Japan. There is also no evidence the British agreed to return all former Soviet liberated citizens to the Soviet Union.

On the 10^th October 1944 Soviet troops had reached the German border of East Prussia. They continued their advance and on the 16^th October 1944 the Red Army was on the German territory of East Prussia.

German occupation of Greece began in April 1941. On the 14^th October 1944, with the Allies advancing the Germans evacuated Greece and Athens was liberated when the British arrived.

In Yugoslavia the Red Army and Yugoslav partisans liberated the capital city of Belgrade on the 20^th October 1944. The whole of Yugoslavia was liberated from the Axis powers by the Red Army and Yugoslav partisans on the 25^th October 1944.

(Pacific)

The five day Formosa Air Battle began on the 12^th October 1944 and ended on the 16^th October 1944. The battle was a series of aerial engagements by the U.S. Navy Carrier Task Force against the land based Japanese army and moored naval aircraft carriers. During the day, Japanese military installations and infrastructure on Formosa (Taiwan) were attacked by fighters from the U.S. aircraft carriers. At night the Japanese conducted air raids against U.S. ships. From over 1,500 aircraft the Japanese launched against the U.S. fleet, in the region of 300 to 550 were lost. These figures are only estimates. Formosa suffered heavy damage to military installations and infrastructure. U.S. casualties were 89 lost out of 1,000 aircraft, one cruiser severely damaged, one destroyer and two light cruisers slightly damaged. Despite Japanese propaganda that the Formosa Air Battle was a victory, they were forced to review their options. The false sense of victory resulted in the Japanese officers ordering an all-out pursuit of the U.S. fleet, which ended in another huge loss of aircraft. For the on-coming Battle of Leyte Gulf, organised kamikaze attacks were proposed.

In the Philippines the Battle of Leyte was an amphibious landing by American forces against the Imperial Japanese Army. On the 20^th October 1944 U.S. General Douglas MacArthur led the landing troops onto the beaches. In February 1942 when the Japanese were over-running the Philippines, MacArthur was ordered by U.S. President Roosevelt to relocate to Australia. Upon arriving at Australia, his comment was “I came through and I shall return”. With the successful landing MacArthur had honoured his statement that he would return. The Battle of Leyte ended on the 26^th December 1944 and was a U.S. victory.

The four day Battle of Leyte Gulf began on the 23^rd October 1944 and ended on the 26^th October 1944. The battle was the largest naval battle of the Second World War. The Americans had approximately 300 ships of all descriptions and the Japanese had 67 available ships. The Americans had about 1,500 carrier-based planes for combat with the Japanese total of 300 carrier and land based planes. Japanese organised kamikaze attacks were in operation for the first time. Kamikaze attacks were pilot suicide missions who flew their aircraft into the U.S. warships. The overall aim was to sink or destroy the warships. The Japanese committed their ships into three separate areas in an effort to lure the U.S. fleet away from the Battle of Leyte. On the 25^th October 1944, aircraft of the northern, central and southern forces of the Japanese fleet fought with U.S. aircraft on three separate air engagements. The result was the defeat of the Japanese navy whose casualties were 17 ships damaged, 11 destroyers sunk and the loss of all 300 plus aircraft. They also had 12,000 naval personnel killed or wounded. The U.S. had 3,000 naval personnel killed or wounded, ten ships damaged, two destroyers sunk and 255 aircraft lost. On the 26^th October 1944 the remaining Japanese fleet retreated to their bases in Japan and the result was the loss of the Philippines.

From June to August 1944, six airfields were under construction during the Mariana Islands campaign. The Japanese-held islands of Guan, Saipan and Tinian had been captured by the U.S. army. By the 23^rd October 1944 Tinian airfield was ready to receive Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers. Tinian Island, 1,500 miles (2,400 km) south of Tokyo, allowed the B-29s to attack the home islands of Japan and return without refuelling. With hundreds of B-29s based at the airfield, systematic bombing of Japan began.

————————————————————————

ORDERLY ROOM

Oct31

B/5583

2^nd Bn. THE BORDER REGT.

SOME NOTES ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE ORIGINAL 7^TH DIVISION.

ORDER OF BATTLE.

Divisional Commander – Major-General T. Capper.

20^th (Guards) Infantry Brigade – Brigadier-General Ruggles Brise.

1^st Grenadier Guards.

2^nd Scots Guards.

2^nd Gordon Highlanders.

2^nd Border Regiment.

21^st Infantry Brigade – Brigadier-General H.E. Watts.

2^nd Royal Scots Fusiliers.

2^nd Wiltshire Regiment.

2^nd Bedfordshire Regiment.

2^nd Yorkshire Regiment.

22^nd Infantry Brigade – Brigadier-General S.T.B. Lawford.

1^st South Stafford Regiment.

2^nd Queen’s Regiment.

1^st Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

2^nd Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Divisional Artillery – Brigadier-General P.K. Jackson.

14^th Horse Artillery Brigade.

22^nd Field Artillery Brigade.

35^th Field Artillery Brigade.

Divisional Engineers.

54^th Field Company, R.E.

55^th Field Company, R.E.

7^th Divisional Signal Company.

Divisional Mounted Troops – Northumberland Hussars.

Divisional Cyclist Company.

21^st Field Ambulance

22^nd Field Ambulance.

23re Field Ambulance.

Oct. 5 & 6. On October 5^th and 6^th, 1914, the 7^th Division sailed from

SOUTHAMPTON, landed at ZEEBRUGE on the 6^th and 7^th October,

“ 7. and billeted round BRUGES.

“ 8. On the 8^th, the Division was moved Westward to cover the disembarkment of

“ 9. the 3^rd Cavalry Division at OSTEND, and on the 9^th it moved to GHENT.

“ 11. On October 11^th large enemy forces were reported to be closing in on GHENT

and, at 10 p.m. that night, the Division commenced its march to join up with the remainder of the Army in France.

“ 12^th. By daylight the 12^th it had reached the area BELLEM, AELTRE,

HANSBEKE, where a halt was made; but the proximity of the enemy necessitated an immediate resumption of the march to THIELT, which was reached at 10 p.m. that night.

“ 13^th. On the 13^th ROULERS was reached, and on the 14^th

”14^th YPRES, where a halt was made.

“ 16^th On the 16^th the Division moved forward to the line

“ 18^th. ZANDVOORDE – GHELUVELT – ZONNEBEKE; and on the 18^th, to the line

ZANDVOORDE – KRUISEIK – TERHAND.

Orders were received to attack MENIN the next day.

“ 19^th.The attack which was directed on KLEYTHOEK was made by the 22^nd

Infantry Brigade moving astride the MENIN – ROULERS Road. Before it had gone far, however, it was taken in flank by the enemy coming from COURTRAI direction, and the 22^nd Infantry Brigade was forced to withdraw to a general line ZANDVOORDE – KRUISEIK – ZONNEBEKE. This withdrawal was successfully carried out.

“20^th. On October 20^th, the 20^th Infantry Brigade was ordered to reconnoitre

GHELUWE, and by 12.30 p.m. had got within 800 yards of that place when strong hostile columns were reported advancing from BECELAERE and ZONNEBEKE. The 20^th Infantry Brigade was consequently withdrawn, not, however, before it had suffered some loss.

By 4 p.m. this day heavy fighting was in progress along the whole front held by the Division and it was from now onward that the enemy delivered his great series of attacks known as the 1^st Battle of YPRES.

The chief weight of these attacks was delivered against the 7^th Division. The enemy was able to enfilade our line both from the North and South; he had a great superiority in numbers and artillery, and was able to hurl fresh troops into the battle against our worn and tired battalions; but in spite of all their efforts the Germans could not destroy the fighting spirit and resistance of our troops.

“ 21^st. During the morning of October 21^st, the enemy strongly attacked the 2^nd

Cavalry Division at HOUTHEM. This attack exposed the right flank of the 7^th Division and two Companies of 2^nd Battalion Scots Guards were sent up to the threatened flank. Later on it became necessary to send part of the 3^rd Cavalry Division also to this flank. The enemy seized this opportunity to make a strong attack against our weakened left flank. He got to within 200 yards of our line which here was held by 22^nd Infantry Brigade, but was there held up by rifle fire. It was decided to withdraw the 22^nd Infantry Brigade, during the night, to a line running through POLYGON WOOD, North Westwards, and at the same time the 3^rd Cavalry Division took over a portion of the front of the 20^th Infantry Brigade.

Oct 22^nd. All morning of 22^nd October heavy artillery fire was directed against the

junction of the 21^st and 22^nd Infantry Brigades and this was followed, in the afternoon by strong hostile attacks. These attacks at first forced back the right of the 22^nd Infantry Brigade, but subsequently, after severe fighting, the situation was restored.

“ 23. On the 23^rd October, the enemy continued to bombard the left of our line, held

by the 21^st Infantry Brigade, and also the KRUISEIK SALIENT on our right of which was held by the 20^th Infantry Brigade. Later strong attacks developed against the 21^st Infantry Brigade. These attacks, however, were beaten off, after severe fighting.

“ 24. On October 24^th, the enemy bombardment started early in the morning, and

attacks made with masses of men followed. Before 8 a.m. the enemy’s weight of numbers had enabled him to break through our lines on the left of the 21^st Infantry Brigade and enter POLYGON WOOD. This made the situation of the 20^th Infantry Brigade holding KRUISEIK Hill precarious and endangered the whole of our right being cut off. The only troops available for immediate action were the 2^nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, much weakened and tired, and the Northumberland Hussars. Both were sent up to save the situation which at one time was so serious that the whole of Divisional Headquarters were lined up to oppose the enemy. However, the counter-attack was a conspicuous success: by 10 a.m. the enemy’s advance had been checked, and he was even driven back some distance, but he could not be completely expelled from the WOOD.

The situation at POLYGON WOOD had just been restored when the enemy, at 2 p.m., attacked the junction of the 20^th and 21^st Infantry Brigades just East of GHELUVELT.

The 1^st Grenadier Guards bore the brunt of this attack and after desperate fighting checked the enemy advance.

While this fighting was taking place the 2^nd Division relieved the 22^nd Infantry Brigade who were brought into Divisional Reserve.

“ 25. During the 25^th of October the enemy renewed his violent attacks against the

junction of the 20^th and 21^st Infantry Brigades, but without success. Meanwhile the enemy succeeded in breaking through our line at KRUISEIK, and the Brigadier 20^th Infantry Brigade threw in his last reserves to recover the position. This enabled the situation to be restored and 200 of the enemy were captured. The 104^th Battery gave very valuable support to the Infantry this day.

The 20^th Infantry Brigade by this time was rapidly becoming exhausted. It had been exposed to incessant enfilade artillery fire for some days and had had to repulse innumerable attacks. To relieve the pressure on it, the 22^nd Infantry Brigade was ordered forward and during the night

“ 26. 26^th/27^th October took over most of the line held by the 20^th Infantry Brigade.

The line held running from the Cross roads East of GHELUVELT to ZANDVOORDE.

For the next two days no serious attack was made against our positions, and the opportunity was taken to reorganise the defence.

“ 27. On the evening of 27^th October, our line was held by the 21^st Infantry Brigade

on right, 20^th Infantry Brigade on left, 22^nd Infantry Brigade in reserve.

Oct. 29^th. On October 29^th, the enemy began a series of six days continuous

attacks, delivered on a scale which exceeded all his previous efforts.

These started in the early morning with an attack delivered at about 8 a.m. against our left and the 1^st Division on our left. Our line was broken and the flank of the 20^th Infantry Brigade exposed to a heavy enfilade fire which forced it back from the cross roads. An immediate counter-attack partially restored the situation but failed to recover the Cross roads. Severe fighting continued all day, and at nightfall our line ran from a point half way between GHELUVELT & the cross roads to a point 1,500 yards West of KRUISEIK.

At nightfall the line was held by portions of the 20^th Infantry Brigade on the left, by the 21^st Infantry Brigade on the right, with the 1^st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers between the 21^st Infantry Brigade and the Cavalry at ZANDVOORDE.

“ 30^th. On October 30^th, the enemy renewed his attacks with greater intensity than

ever, and succeeded in capturing ZANDVOORDE Ridge: the 30^th and 31^st of October were the most critical days of the whole of the 1^st Battle of YPRES.

At about 8.30 a.m. the Cavalry on the right, under heavy pressure, withdrew from ZANDVOORDE which the enemy at once occupied. This exposed the right of the 1^st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers who were enfiladed by rifle and machine gun fire. The Germans then brought up 12 Field Guns into ZANDVOORDE and opened a heavy fire on our positions from the rear at close range. The 105^th and 106^th Batteries at once sent up a section each which opened an accurate fire on these guns putting some out of action. This fine piece of work on the gunners part prevented the enemy making full use of the commanding position he had won on ZANDVOORDE Ridge.

The position of the 1^st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, however, was precarious. Two Battalions of the 20^th Infantry Brigade and some Cavalry were rushed up to their assistance, but it was not possible to relieve them, and the 1^st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers fighting to the last man were overwhelmed by the enemy losing their Commanding Officer, 10 Officers, and 350 men out of 450. Two Battalions were then sent forward to stop, at all costs, the enemy’s further advance and regain, if possible, the ZANDVOORDE Ridge. They succeeded in checking the enemy’s advance but could not recapture the Ridge.

Meanwhile on the left the enemy had delivered equally heavy attacks along the MENIN Road and had captured GHELUVELT. That evening our line ran a little to the West of the VELDHOEK – ZANDVOORDE Road and was held by the 21^st Infantry Brigade on the left, the 22^nd Infantry Brigade on the right, the 20^th Infantry Brigade in reserve.

“ 31^st. Between 10 and 11 a.m. on October 31^st, the enemy’s attacks were renewed

against the left of our line. During the fighting the left of the 21^st Infantry Brigade became exposed and the 20^th Infantry Brigade was brought up to restore the situation which was successfully accomplished.

The 22^nd Infantry Brigade also was heavily attacked, and it was only after a very heavy and fluctuating fight that it managed to beat off the enemy. By the evening of this day, however, all enemy attacks had been repulsed and our line re-established.

Oct31

SECOND WORLD WAR

October 1944

(Liberation of Europe)

(Germany)

(Eastern Front)

On the west coast of Estonia in the East Baltic Sea, the Red Army captured the Estonian Hiiumaa Island on the 3^rd October 1944. The Germans had occupied Estonia since 1941.

German occupation of Greece began in April 1941. On the 14^th October 1944, with the Allies advancing the Germans evacuated Greece and Athens was liberated when the British arrived.

(Pacific)

————————————————————————

Captain PC Benham Oct 44

Oct31

1 Oct (Sun)

Slept all morning – had lunch at 1.45 pm. After lunch finished Judith Paris, first class book and generally frigged around. New system operates w.e.f. tomorrow – yours truly does all the work so far as I can see. On duty 6 – 11 pm. Bought thermo – 55fr. Very cold all day still got a stinking cold – lights out at 12.30.

To – L From L (Lilliput)

2 Oct

On duty very solidly from 9 – 9 – earned my pay – cold at its worst I hope – went over to see Munton – Neil after lunch re case of drunkenness (Sgt Nichols who I’m defending) – Wrote War Diary & to A in V after dinner. Drink with Phantom lad before dinner. Sat by fire nattering in B Mess before going to bed – read ‘a prince of Summer’ –

To A From A

3 Oct

Another v hectic day – nothing to report of interest. Wrote V1 after dinner. Tim did sweet FA all day. LO from 21 Army Gp says if all goes according to plan war over before Xmas. Hope he’s right.

To A From L, B

4 Oct

Move to Turnhout tomorrow. Worked hard 9 – 1.30 then 2 – 2.30. Went to Antwerp with Miles Morris – via Rear (Paymaster shut) Lievre – Paymaster Antwerp where I cashed a cheque for £8-10-0 (1500f). Lent Miles 400f. Good tea (ice and 3 cakes – shop (only spent 75f on lipstick – then bath at Century, quick drink and back home at 8 ocl. Wrote A & G in V1 after dinner, prepared Court Martial and wrote 4 days of War Diary.

To A From Nil

G G (after X)

5 Oct (Thurs)

Left Sautheven at 10.20 with Clifford Simpson in his Jeep – and arrived to est Corps HQ at Turnhout 11 ocl – remainder on about 12.30 – haversack lunch – a really bloody awful barracks we are in – very modern – very large and dirty – built just before war and used by Boche – drawings in charcoal to glorify war everywhere – now used as prison for collaborators – youths guarding – one block girls – many nice respectable people – ** Mayor & family cleaning our lats all dressed in Sunday best – on duty 8.15 – 10 pm – long day – v weary – hope room – Charles W. Johnnie B I hope we leave this place very soon.

To Nil From Nil (late post parcel A)

6 Oct Fri

Rest – on tonight.

Antwerp – Lyall Martin – stamps ***. Spent whole morning writing up cases for Sgts Nicholls & Clark, don’t like look of either. After lunch went in to Antwerp with Lyall & Martin. Bath first then shampoo & hair cut after good tea at Century. Walked miles round shops, bought some stamps. Met Lyall for drink and then quite good dinner. Drove back and arrived just in time to go on duty.

To A From A (World Dig) ECS

7 Oct Sat Visits

C.M. 1000 hrs – rush –

One hell of a bloody rush today. On all night, relieved 8.30, wash shave breakfast and picked up witness in TURNHOUT and at Shilde 0955 hrs! Hectic cases evidence completely against. P.P, v efficient but bullying type. Both sergeants found guilty of being drunk – first case 10 – 2.30 (3/4 hr for lunch) – second case 2.30 – 6 ocl (½ hour for cup o’char. Arrived back feeling v tired at 7 ocl, wrote A and read after dinner and so to bed. Some day!

To A From – L

B A, B, G

8 Oct

9 – 10. On duty all day, absolutely FA happening, off about 10.30 pm and after short read went to beddibies.

To Nil A

9 Oct (Mon)

Visit 49 8 – 10. Offrs shop 9 ocl.

Up early and on duty 8 ocl – marked maps til lunch-time after which went out with G1 to visit 49 Div, tea there then to 146 and 147 Bde – kept for 1 hr outside Div HQ while G1 had drink with his pals – poor show. Off at 10.15 wrote A, G & L til past midnight. Offrs shop round this morning bought

Shoes, pair, brown 186fr

3 pairs socks 54

3 handkerchiefs 15

Pair leather gloves 76

331fr

To A Nil

G, L

10 Oct

Rest Day – Duty 2200 – 0900 hrs. Miserably wet day – grey but fine when I left here – but got progressively worse towards Brussels and downpour there made golf out of the question. Cashed cheque for 500fr (£2-16-8). Coffee, news theatre til 3.15 – shopped, v expensive everywhere then tea and back via Antwerp where I had good bath at Century. At 8.20 arr back for dinner after which a terrific argument, usual stuff – Reg v TA was waged – G1 v Lyall, Ken H & myself – Cinity stoked it up by supplying cigs and Benedictine! On duty at 10 pm. No news.

To A From B Ian Colville

11 Oct 2¾ hrs sleep during night.

Cashed this month so far 11-6-8

In hand 431 francs 2-7-6

Spent so far £8-19-2

Quiet night – PCB prepared a real bull shitty sitrep as at 0800 hrs! After wash and shave and b’fast went out on ‘visits’ – left at 10.30 visited 4 Liaison HQ, Pol Armd Div, amazing photos of havoc round Turn and Chaubois – then on to 57 Div where I had lunch, back through Eindhoven, (saw gliders on way all parked neatly in rows) – to 154 Bde, to the Royals for tea & so back at 5.30. marked maps had glass of Benedictine then wrote A, dinner and so to bed v early.

To A From G, L

12 Oct Thurs

On duty 9 pm. Very slack day absolutely no business at all.

To – Nil From A

13 Oct Fri

On duty nearly all day – nothing to report – no mail.

To A From Nil

14 Oct Sat

Left Turnhout with Tim at 8.40 and arrived at 21 A Gp Brussels at 10.45 – met Tim’s brother and then to Waterloo G C – had 9 holes before lunch – beer and sandwiches. 18 holes, beer, and then back to 21 A Gp. At Club house met Madame Hamoir who was a Zuite and Camille Seyss now pro at W. only fly in ointment was frightful balls. Had drink and dinner with Gordon Conner then back at 8 pm arriving here 10.30 – a bit late for parade but couldn’t matter less. Very enjoyable day. V2? Oostmalle.

To A From A, L, DF Baccy, Mag, ECS

15 Oct

G birthday.

Quietish night though not much sleep. Took me time over shaving then went to Church at 11.30 a lot there after Corps Comds letter. After early lunch went over with Clifford Simmons to Second Army at Helmond, about 10 miles East of Eindhoven. Had tea there got back at 7.30 after bloody awful drive in wet and dark. Drink in B Mess with Tim and Eric Bayes. After early dinner wrote A, then to bed.

To L From Nil

16 Oct

On Ops all day – had off between 5.15 – 8.15 when I wrote to A and Collie. Nothing much to report except complete change of plan – we lose 7 Armd & 51 and go Westish.

To A From Nil

Ian Colville

17 Oct

Infm room & maps all day – on my feet most of them – felt bloody tired about 10.15 when I came off duty – otherwise nothing much to report. Tac goes out 19^th? Main moves, not yet settled but large Tac will go out

To Nil From L, B.

18 Oct

V Enjoyable quiet restful day. Pottered most morning – doing accounts, tidying up my boxes and most imp writing to A. Early lunch, after drink with Charles then to Antwerp. Arrived at 2.45 where we both had super baths – no V2s! – and listened to music in Century from 3.30 – 5. Shopping bought pipe 65f and Eau de Cologne, Worth’s Je reviens – 90f. Left at 6 pm back here at 7.15. Dinner, potter and then on duty at 2200 hrs.

To A (2) am – night. From Stamp dealer!

19 Oct Thurs

Not too hectic a night – wrote A in the early hours. After b’fast washed shaved & then went over to 4 Armd Bde just into Holland on the T – E road – went alone & sang there & back! Poured with rain – after latish lunch pottered til 3 ocl then slept til nearly 6! Pottered, early dinner then in bed before 9 ocl.

To Nil From A

20 Oct Fri

Lazy day – attack started – on my feet most of time & at 10.30 when I was relieved feet v tired – wrote A and so to bed. Attack went well – about 530 PW taken.

To A From G

21 Oct Sat

On ‘maps & infm room’ all day from 8 am – again bloody tired by time I came off at 10 pm, straight to bed & asleep in no time. Attack still going well – Monty visiting us tomorrow. We are likely to move on the 23^rd or 24^th – probably 24^th. Lovely day but not much good to me.

To Nil From L

22 Oct Sun

Day off in morning went to Church at 10 ocl then to office at 11 to meet Monty who never came in – saw him. Wrote L before lunch afterwards went in to Antwerp with Charles good cheap pm.

Arrived A 2.45

Finished bath 3.35

Tea & music offrs club til 5 ocl.

Walk & cinema (Chavivani) til 7 ocl.

Drink & ice with Miki til 7.45.

Dinner at X – v good til 8.30.

Arrived back – 10 to 10. On duty for night at 10 ocl!!

To L From Nil

23 Oct Mon

Not a bad night but very little sleep from 3.30 – 6.15. After b’fast got myself tied up to visit 12 Corps but plan had to be cancelled as John R was called out – on duty 1.15 – 4 ocl when I went into town & bought some stamps (109fr) at the Poste. After tea wrote A & packed parcel up – drink with John Hardy before dinner then took letters & parcel to office heard news – well done the RUSKIS – & so very early to bed.

To A (R.L. + Hampers) From – Ken Davis

A (Parcel)

24 Oct

Moved today at 10 ocl from Turnhout to Camp de Brasschact rather in the heart of the V2 country – hectic day – came off duty feeling very weary at 10.15 straight to bed and to sleep – sharing room with Charles Woodford

To Nil From A, L, B.

25 Oct

Up at 7.30 – very busy all day with not a quiet moment. Monty came down and visited the Ops Room but not the information room of which I was in charge! Several thumps quite close today – ? V2s. I think they were. Late news that 4 Br Armd Bde are near TILBERG excellent show – War news our area good all day.

To A From DF Baccy, Argosy ECS.

26 Oct

Wrote most of morning – light in my room now fixed up makes no end of difference. At 1.15 C and I went into Antwerp & were in there by 2 ocl – bath, ice, listened to music in Century then tea in Excelsior – short walk then Ginger Rogers in Tom Dick & Harry. Glass of beer dinner and so back in time to go on duty at 10 ocl.

To Mrs TKD. From Nil

Peter Rawson

27 Oct (Friday)

Battle has gone extremely well today – on all sectors of 1 & 12 Corps fronts. Frightful night – slept 3.45 to 6 ocl then rush, rush, rush til 9.25 when I came off. After wash and shave went to see Doc about this awful can’t-stop-ping-racket – pills (he gave me) – then out on visits – went to 4 Cdn Armd Div (lunch there) then to 49 Div back in time for tea.

To – From

28 Oct

On duty all day 9 – 10 pm. Very busy but all went well. Phoned Charles in great form – meeting him on Monday in Antwerp. Saw Doc – my ‘urine’ ok but loss of spec gravity – pills to cure. Marvellous post incl SUPER leather waistcoat from A. GBH. Battle went well today good show.

To A From A L, G, Parcel A super

Tattler} L

******}

29 Oct Sun

On duty just after 8 am – had cup of char before going to Church, with Alistair Gold ex 339 Bty. Nothing much to report today but good progress made by Poles who captured and cleared BREDA

To L From Nil

30 Oct

Excellent day. Wrote first part of letter to A in am then in to Antwerp at 10.15. Charles out when I called so went to C, good bath, ice & lunch with Geoff Lambe at Excelsior. After lunch met Charles W as arranged and went to see Charles C in great form also ‘old Wright’ – he came back to C where the 3 of us had chat & tea. Charles W & I then had tea & then to ‘Lover Girl’ – Rita Heyworth – v good. Met Tim & Cinity at E – dinner, drink & so home arriving just in time for a night in the office.

To A From L

J. James B

J James

31 Oct

Only 1 ½ hrs sleep during night usual morning flap but for once had all the answers. Tac out today. Wrote 2 days of war diary in am. Slept v solidly from 2.15 – 7.15 then dinner and wrote A afterwards before turning in at 11.15 after short read. Nothing very much on the Ops line.

To A From – Nil

THE V-2 ROCKET

Oct31

3 October 1944, Tuesday, (23.05 hours) – Battery 2/485, Den Haag, Ockenburch, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wanstead (Leytonstone). Eight people killed, five properties demolished.

7 October 1944, Saturday, (08.58 hours) – Battery 2/485, Den Haag, Bloemendaal, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Pitsea, Essex. Fell in orchard. Forty-nine injured including six with serious injuries.

8 October 1944, Sunday, (07.56 hours) – Battery 2/485, Den Haag, Bloemendaal, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Linford, Essex. Fell in ploughed field.

9 October 1944, Monday, (05.50 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wanstead. Fell near AA gun site.

9 October 1944, Monday, (09.43 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Havingore Island, Essex. Fell on marshland. No damage.

9 October 1944, Monday, (13.45 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on marshland at Hydemarsh Farm, near Fambridge, Essex. Rocket disintegrated at high altitude. One house in nearby Southminster slightly damaged by falling fragment.

10 October 1944, Tuesday, (07.20 hours) – Battery 444, Rijsterbos, Middenleane, V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea near Frinton (airburst).

10 October 1944, Tuesday, (10.20 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in field at Navestock, Essex. One serious casualty.

10 October 1944, Tuesday, (15.57 hours) – Battery 444, Rijsterbos, Middenleane, V-2 rocket fired exploded 1200 metres high above the harbour of Harwich.

10 October 1944, Tuesday, (17.50 hours) – Battery 444, Rijsterbos, Middenleane, V-2 rocket fired, impacted at Woods End, minor injuries to two persons.

11 October 1944, Wednesday, (00.43 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in ploughed field at Rawreth, Essex. Three slight casualties.

11 October 1944, Wednesday, (05.10 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in potato field at North Ockendon, Essex. Slight damage to property.

11 October 1944, Wednesday, (06.40 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted in mud flats near pier at Southend, Essex. Rocket disintegrated before impact. Slight damage to property.

12 October 1944, Thursday, (+/- 00.06 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Walthamstow. Twenty one people injured.

12 October 1944, Thursday, (+/- 02.46 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Thames Estuary, near Clacton. Rocket disintegrated before impact.

12 October 1944, Thursday, (+/- 10.50 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rawreth, Essex. Slight damage to property.

In the early morning of Friday October 13, an order was given from Reichsfuhrer SS Himmler that with the exception of Battery 2/485 (which was to continue targeting London) all other batteries were now to target Antwerp. This arrangement was to continue until October 20, when Battery 444 would fire their last rocket at Antwerp before being relocated to the Den Haag area for launching against London.

13 October 1944, Friday, (06.40 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Great Burstead, Essex (airburst).

13 October 1944, Friday, (07.15 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on a farm at Barling, Essex. Slight damage to farmhouses.

14 October 1944, Saturday, (23.44 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barking. Fell on marshland.

15 October 1944, Sunday, (05.00 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rettendon, Essex. Slight damage to 4 houses. Two people slightly injured.

17 October 1944, Tuesday, (15.44 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Little Baddow, Essex. One Property seriously damaged by blast, another by fire. Two people injured.

21-22 October 1944, elements of Battery 444 were moving from Rijs to Den Haag on these days. Battery 3/485 opened fire against Antwerp on Oct. 21 from sites in Burgsteinfurt. Already operating in Burgsteinfurt since Oct. 10 was Battery SS 500.

During the previous three weeks in Den Haag / Wassenaar, usually one or two rockets were launched on a day. But now with the Battery 444 troops from Gaasterland, no less then 6 rockets were launched per day. The new launch Site was the Rijswijkse Bos, several metres away from a monument to peace made in 1697.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, (00.22 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Langdon Hills, Essex. 17 Houses damaged. Three Persons injured.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, (20.35 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Bulphan, Essex. Farm damaged.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, (20.40 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on mud flats at Duck Island, near Grays, Essex.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, (22.20 hours) – Battery 2/485, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on mud flats at Canvey Island, Essex.

24 October 1944, Tuesday, there were 6 rockets fired from Sites at Wassenaar and Rijswijk. On October 26, a new launch record was achieved by Battery 444 – a total of nine (9) rockets were fired this day from Wassenaar and Rijswijk, of which three within 45 minutes.

25 October 1944, Wednesday, (+/- 12.35 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wickford, Essex. Fell in open field. Pumping station of nearby sewage works damaged. Two Persons injured.

27, October 1944, Friday, (11.15 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Leyton. Direct hit on house. Six Dead, thirty seriously injured and six Properties demolished.

27 October 1944, Friday, (12.00 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on forest land in Chingford. Hotel and historic hunting lodge damaged. Two persons suffered slight injuries. The crater from this incident still exists.

27 October 1944, Friday, (18.55 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted on open ground in Wanstead. No damage, but One person killed, another seriously injured.

29 October 1944, Sunday, (+/- 23.52 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Shenfield, Essex. Fell in field. No damage. No launch record exists. However, impact is confirmed and Battery 444 was the only unit firing at London on this day.

30 October 1944, Monday, (05.10 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barking. Direct hit on Beckton Gas Works, which was partially put out of action. Two persons seriously injured.

30 October 1944, Monday, (12.26 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham. Serious damage to buildings at Victoria Dock.

30 October 1944, Monday, (12.27 hours) – Battery 444, V-2 rocket fired, impacted West Ham. Five Properties demolished. Combined casualties for both West Ham incidents: Eleven dead, Ten seriously injured.

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Captain PC Benham Oct 44

THE V-2 ROCKET