An Englishman at War

by James Holland

  I spent most of the day with B Squadron in the Prummern area and was present when Hubert Beddington, who had recently joined the Regiment, suddenly saw a white flag being waved from a slit trench. Hubert jumped from his tank and advanced with revolver drawn to make a capture, and was somewhat taken aback when one German, almost seven feet tall, clambered with his hands up from the trench. Hubert, who is only five foot four, marched him back to his tank, but had to stand on it in order to search the German for arms, which presented a truly remarkable spectacle! Hubert, unfortunately, was wounded on the following day, together with Alderson, who had done so well with 333 Regiment.

  The 21st was yet another slogging day. A Squadron with 333 Regiment was given the job of attacking Wurm, and B Squadron, with 2nd Battalion 334, the village of Beek, not to be confused with the Nijmegen Beek, and C Squadron with the 3rd Battalion 335, the high ground north of Beek. No progress was made and we suffered heavy casualties. A German anti-tank gun from one pill-box knocked out three tank flame-throwers, which were supporting us, in three consecutive shots.

  The attack against Beek and Wurm continued throughout the 22nd and 23rd. It was decided not to attack Beek from Prummern, which had already proved so costly to the Americans and ourselves, but to launch the attack from a village called Apweiler, which lay due south of Beek. A composite squadron from B and C Squadrons, formed under Terry Leinster, went in, supporting the 405 Combat team, under a barrage and smokescreen. It reached the outskirts, but did not succeed in penetrating into the centre of the village. During this action Sergeant Butler from A Squadron was killed when an antitank shot from a German self-propelled gun brewed up his tank. He was one of my most reliable and experienced NCO tank commanders when I commanded A Squadron with Crusaders in the desert, and I felt his loss most keenly. A hunt servant before the war, he joined the Yeomanry and showed himself quite capable of speedily learning the art of gunnery during the time we were gunners in Tobruk, proving himself an outstanding tank commander when the Regiment became mechanized.

  Stanley’s citation for the US Silver Star.

  Terry Leinster.

  By the evening of the 23rd Terry Leinster’s composite squadron had dwindled to eight tanks, and since the action of the Siegfried Line had started 10 tanks from the Regiment had been completely brewed up, five damaged through enemy action and five badly bogged.

  The officers from the Royal Gloucester Hussars, who had recently joined the Regiment, saw action for the first time and deserved the highest praise for the way they fought, particularly Dick Coleman during the attack on Beek, when he led his troop with great determination through the smokescreen into the orchards on the outskirts of the village, which were strongly held by anti-tank guns. Also to John Hyde and John Scudamore, who showed equal dash and determination. The Americans told me that they had put some of our men in for American decorations, but none came through. So many outstanding things were done during this war, which so thoroughly deserved an award, but were never witnessed.

  I was most thankful to receive orders on the evening of 23 November that the Regiment was to be relieved by a battalion of American tanks and would be placed in Corps Reserve, to proceed to the pleasant Dutch village of Schinnen, six miles from the front. So ended six days of most unpleasant and costly battles, fought in continuous rain and mud, against a very determined enemy.

  During the six days of battle, B Squadron alone suffered 30 casualties. Twenty-five tanks were used in all, of which 16 (after being repaired) were eventually used again. For all four troop leaders, it was their first battle and a considerable baptism of fire. The violence, the cold and constant rain, the lack of regular hot meals and other discomforts ensured that both squadron and Regiment were both more than ready for a rest.

  The Regiment had already spent a few nights in Schinnen en route to the Siegfried Line, so the squadrons returned to their same billets. The local inhabitants gave us a most sincere and affectionate welcome, and turned out in full force when we arrived, and there was genuine distress and even tears among those of the inhabitants who had housed those who had been killed since our previous visit, which was most touching.

  Regimental Headquarters once again established itself at the local pub and the Baron and I each had a comfortable room and shared a bathroom. He confided to me that each bath cost three bars of chocolate, but it was well worth it.

  We soon discovered that our rest would not be so complete as anticipated: two troops had to be at four hours’ notice, one squadron at 12 hours’ notice, and the remainder of the Regiment at 24 hours’ notice, and furthermore I had to take command of a corps mobile force, known as Fox Force, consisting of the Sherwood Rangers, the 43rd Recce Regiment, 1 Squadron of Horse Guards, armoured cars, and one battery of A/T gunners.

  On the second night after our arrival at Schinnen the Regiment received an invitation from the Burgomaster to attend a concert in the village hall, given by the local brass band, which we accepted, and I invited the brigadier to dine and attend with us. The band had not played for five years, but they turned out in full uniform and gave us some stirring music. We all sat in the front row, only a few feet away from the players, who all demonstrated the greatest enthusiasm, each appearing quite determined to make more noise than his neighbour, and in consequence we were almost blown out of our seats. During the interval the Burgomaster made a speech in Dutch and I replied in English, and both speeches were interpreted by a Dutchman who spoke both languages fluently.

  After the concert was over and the brigadier had departed, Chris Sidgewick, our battery commander, insisted that we should celebrate and gave a variety of reasons, which appeared adequate, so we returned to the mess and drank. On his way home, in a hilarious mood, he visited A Squadron, which was listening to a piano duet rendered by the daughters of the house in which the officers were billeted, while the parents and the third daughter, with A Squadron officers, sat in dignified silence, attentively listening to the music. The place was suddenly disturbed by Chris bursting into the room, seizing the old mother around the waist and doing an old-fashioned waltz at double speed around the room. On completing two circles he released his most astonished partner, and left the room as quickly as he had entered it. The recital continued, but the next morning Chris denied all knowledge of the incident.

  The corps commander, General Horrocks, addressed the Regiment and congratulated us on our recent actions with the Americans. He told us again that he had selected us for this operation as he considered that we were the most experienced armoured regiment under his command. I suppose corps commanders must say nice things to troops just out of action, but I do feel that he was sincere in what he said.

  The following officers arrived to join the Regiment: Gaiger, Whalen and Smith from Brigade Headquarters, and Cameron from the 4/7th. The brigadier asked me whether I would take Cameron as he was not at all happy with the 4/7th, which I think was somewhat prejudiced owing to the fact that he had risen from the ranks. I found him somewhat awkward in manner, but very brave in battle.

  On the last day of November, with Stuart Hills, John Semken, Jack Holman and Sergeant Nelson, I attended an investiture held by Montgomery at Brunssum, at which he announced the great news that home leave would be permitted to all those who had been in the theatre of war for six months. This came as a most pleasant surprise, especially after the pessimism of our own brigadier. He also told us the details of the scheme called Python, which was to come into operation. This meant compulsory repatriation for all those who had been abroad continuously and who had had less than six months in England. This would have been serious for the Regiment as it involved approximately 100 men, all of whom had been with the Regiment for a long time and held key positions, if an alternative of a month’s leave had not been granted. I was glad when most of those who were eligible for the Python scheme chose the month’s leave. Should they have chosen repatriation they would have been posted to another unit in England with the possibility of being sent to another
theatre of war.

  On 1 December General Montgomery paid a visit to Brigade Headquarters for the purpose of meeting some of the older members of the brigade. The following from the Regiment were introduced to him: Sergeant Pick, my signal sergeant, Sergeants Jones and Lanes and Corporal McDonald. Before his arrival the brigadier expressed his displeasure at the very low standard of saluting and smartness, which he complained was very evident at the investiture. During his address the brigade major rushed in and announced Monty’s arrival 15 minutes before schedule. All the commanding officers had to make a very hurried exit through the kitchen, which caused the brigadier’s pep-talk to be somewhat less impressive.

  On 3 December Colonel Phayre and I left for Brussels to visit 21st Army Group for a discussion about reinforcements. I saw Tim Redman, who used to command the Greys. On the following day I had lunch with Derrick Warwick, who had been doing staff work since he received a head wound in the desert. He told me that he hoped to rejoin the Regiment after his next medical board. The two days’ break in Brussels was most welcome. As usual Arthur Phayre found himself some female company, and insisted that I should dine with him and his ladyfriend. I was somewhat apprehensive about his girlfriend, whom he told me was a chance acquaintance, and I had certain qualms when she insisted on bringing a partner for me. This was nothing compared with the shock I received when they both appeared at dinner time: I almost bolted when I saw the ‘blonde number’ who was to be paired off with me. I spent a most uncomfortable evening and my dinner was completely spoiled, dreading that some of the brigade or regimental officers on leave in Brussels might dine at the same restaurant.

  On my return to the Regiment I found the Baron in a flat spin. He was trying to organize a demonstration tank shoot for the benefit of the 52 Lowland Division, which had not operated with ranks before, carry out Operation DUTCHMAN for the local defence of the area, necessitated by the dropping of German parachutists, and to plan Operation SHEARS, in which the Regiment was to take part in cooperation with 43rd Division for the capture of Heinsberg, and to push the Germans the other side of the Ruhr. Much to our delight, Operation SHEARS was eventually cancelled, owing to the bad weather, which had made the ground quite impassable for tanks.

  About the 18th of the month news arrived that the Germans had made a major breakthrough in the Ardennes and that they were driving towards Liège, and as a result the corps plan for an attack on the Reichwald, the extensive forest to the east of Nijmegen, was cancelled. This very offensive thrust, which caused certain panic, especially among the Americans, proved to be a final desperate attempt to split the British and American armies. Frenchie Houghton had gone to Paris to see some of his relations and returned to the Regiment with great speed, anticipating that we should be in action, but as it turned out the Ardennes offensive did not involve the Regiment.

  Christmas the Regiment spent in the village of Schinnen and we had a very pleasant time. The day started with Christmas service, at which we sang numerous carols, and received a most stirring address from Padre Skinner and at lunchtime each squadron had its Christmas dinner, consisting of fresh pork, tinned turkey, vegetables, plum pudding and a bottle of beer for the men. With the RSM I visited each squadron and wished them a happy Christmas. Corporal Sam Kirkman of C Squadron had somehow managed to dispose of six bottles of beer and came stumbling to meet me when I arrived at C Squadron. During static periods he always caused trouble, and was a grouser of great magnitude, but he ended as C Squadron signal sergeant; Jack Holman declared him as being one of the finest wireless operators in the Regiment and on whom he relied so much in battle.

  On Christmas afternoon the Regiment entertained the children of Schinnen with a party and a Christmas tree. Neville Fearn dressed up as Father Christmas, and George Culley, the OP from our Essex Yeomanry battery, as a clown and these two rode on a sleigh drawn by a Honey tank through the streets to the village school, followed by the delighted children, who all tried to scramble on the sleigh. It was a typical Christmas, as the ground was white with frost and snow. Every man had saved his sweet and chocolate rations to enable each child to have a present from the tree distributed by Arthur and George, who worked like Trojans throughout the afternoon.

  George Culley then entertained the children with a display of acrobatics at which he excelled. He was short in stature, very thin, and always wore a thick moustache of great length, of which he was extremely proud. He possessed a delightful sense of humour and a lovely nature. In battle he excelled as a gunner and observation officer.

  The officers’ Christmas dinner was held on Christmas night, and, for the first time since we left England, all the Regiment sat down together to a meal. Derrick Warwick came up from Brussels and spent Christmas with the Regiment. Every officer received a present from a small Christmas tree, and I was presented with a packet of army biscuits. So ended my sixth and last wartime Christmas: I had spent two in England, two in the desert, one in Palestine and one in Holland.

  What Stanley does not mention, with typical modesty, is that at this investiture, Montgomery presented him with an immediate Distinguished Service Order, awarded for his exceptional leadership during the battle for Gheel. ‘The enemy counter-attacked with great ferocity on numerous occasions and were successful in cutting off a part of the force in Gheel and the area immediately south of the village. During the night, enemy infantry infiltrated among the tanks and the situation became very confused. Lieutenant Colonel Christopherson remained completely undismayed in spite of extremely critical circumstances and, by his courageous example, was successful in restoring the situation. The bold and determined action of this officer was largely instrumental in the maintenance of this all-important bridgehead.’

  Before Christmas, Stephen Mitchell was posted home, which was entirely deserved after such a long time away on active service. It was, however, a personal blow to Stanley: he and Stephen had been best friends throughout the war, and among the endless new faces in the Regiment, Stephen was not only a link to what had gone before, but also his confidant and someone with whom he could share the burdens of command, which were many. ‘The only shoulder he could now weep on,’ says John Semken, ‘was either the doctor’s or the padre’s.’

  21

  Approach to the Rhine

  Germany: moving out for attack.

  THE OPENING DAYS of 1945 found the Allies recovering from the last major German offensive of the war. In what became known as the Battle of the Bulge, the Americans at first gave way, then held, and finally clawed back the ground they had lost. It had been a setback for the Allies.

  On 2 January the Regiment relieved the 13/18th, which was supporting the 52nd Lowland Division in the line. A Squadron took up a position in a village called Gangelt with a troop under David Render in the hamlet of Hastenrath, and another troop under Cameron in Vintelen. C Squadron was situated in Starl occupying good fire positions. Regimental Headquarters went to Schinveld, with B Squadron in reserve. All these villages were within a few miles of each other; although at that time we did not expect much opposition from the Germans on our immediate front, our infantry was very thin on the ground.

  Vintelen had been attacked on the night of 28 December 1944, and the forward infantry platoon captured; the two attacking German companies had bypassed the village and entered from the south, much to the alarm of the A Squadron tanks, which had been positioned in the centre of the village. I understand that Trooper Lait, a driver of one of the tanks, had been the first to discover the presence of the Germans. While sitting in the driver’s seat he heard somebody clambering onto the tank and then, to his great astonishment, heard a guttural voice say, ‘Ich denke das ist ein Tschermann.’ Both Lait and his co-driver held their breath, anticipating the arrival of a hand-grenade, but apparently the Germans must have thought the tank was deserted. Sergeant Lanes, the tank commander, who had walked across to another tank around the corner, suddenly appeared and opened fire on the Germans who leaped from the tank and retreated. The
Germans attacked the tanks, which had formed a close circle, with hand-grenades and bazookas, but they held them off until the arrival of the infantry from the north end of the village and together they wiped out the two German companies. Cameron was wounded in the head and both Sergeant Lanes and Corporal Redferne did extraordinarily well, according to the infantry OP, who was present during this action. The hamlet of Kievelberg was counter-attacked by David Render and a company of infantry and recaptured, with 30 POWs.

  The Germans attacked Tripsrath, employing the same tactics and advancing from the south, having circled the village under cover of dark, which they were able to do owing to our lack of infantry. At one time they held the southern part of the village and we held the north end. Thanks to David Phethean, who commanded a C Squadron troop, the situation was restored. The divisional commander, Hakewill-Smith, told me that he was delighted with the way in which the Regiment had supported his division and asked me to pass on his appreciation to all concerned.

  On Old Year’s Night, all the Regiment was in the line, but each squadron managed to drink the old year out and the new year in. When I visited A Squadron, I found Neville Fearn and George Culley sitting in a cellar drinking champagne, which they had discovered in the house, from large and ornate German beer mugs, one of which they presented to me.

  The weather at this time was intensely cold, owing to the continual snow and frost.

  On 1 January the Regiment was relieved by the 4/7th and we moved back to Schimmert and were placed on four hours’ notice to operate in the event of a counter-attack. Frenchie Houghton found a regimental headquarters in a convent, which proved comfortable but not quite as pleasant as Schinnen. We remained in this location until 18 January, preparing for the next operation, which was called BLACKCOCK, in which we were to support the 156th Infantry Brigade of the 52nd Mountain Division. During this time John Bethell-Fox, who had been wounded three times since he joined, returned to the Regiment with Denis Elmore and Lieutenant Howard, all of whom had been wounded on D-Day.