The men worked quickly and the ropes and explosives were shared out equitably. With the kit bags filled I pointed north and west.
We moved quickly. I had no idea who might or might not have seen us land. I wanted to be away as speedily as we could. Lieutenant Rogers had done well. We were just a mile or so from where we would camp. The greenway was an ancient path. Those who were here before the Romans would have used it. Henry V and his men might have used it. It had overhanging trees and was well worn. We were able to move swiftly and unseen. We reached the first of the patches of water. I was not sure if they were fish farms or fishing holes but they were water. I stopped. "Find stones and put them in the kitbags. Throw the kitbags as far into the ponds as you can."
When I had seen the patches of water, back in England, I had seen the potential. Digging holes and burying parachutes was not only time consuming, it told the enemy you had landed. This way we were invisible. They might find the kitbags eventually but we would be long gone, or dead, by then. After the two bags had sunk I led the section forward. I was acutely aware that we were drawing close to the German Headquarters but we had to have a camp before dawn. I kept the water to my left. I knew the river was some two hundred yards to my right,
It was the noise from the German Headquarters which alerted me to its proximity. I held up my hand. Turning I made the signal to wait and, dropping my Bergen I moved along the green way. I saw that the river was now just thirty yards away. I knew where we were. German Headquarters was four hundred yards to my left. We needed to cross the River Béthune or as it became the River Arques. The woods were just to the north of the river. Making my way back to the section I picked up my Bergen and waved them north. When we reached the river I signalled for Groves to ford it. The river came up to his chest but it was not fast flowing. Once across we had the tricky job of negotiating the road which ran into Dieppe, the D1. As it was still dark of night and we were darkened it would not be a problem to cross it but I was glad when we all made it across. Groves and I led the way and we disappeared into the woods.
The aerial photographs had suggested that there was no one within a mile of the woods. We would discover that soon enough. We headed deeper within the wood. I was looking for somewhere with high trees and enough cover to hide us. We had not gone more than two hundred yards when I found it. The trees thinned out; someone had copsed them. I dropped my Bergen next to an elm and signalled for the others to do the same. They were all grateful to have the weight off their shoulders.
I pointed to Groves and Hewitt. They nodded and, taking out their Thompsons became sentries. I waved my right arm in a circle and the rest of the section took off to scout the vicinity. "Scouse, check that the radio works but do not transmit!"
"Right, sir."
"Crowe, take out the camouflage nets and make us disappear."
Out greatest danger lay in enemy aircraft. The nets would hide us. Part one had been successful. We had landed, found a camp site and done so unobserved. We had two days to find out as much as we could about the area without being seen. We had yet to do the hard part!
Forty minutes later and they had all returned. We now spoke in the hushed voices of those in church. "All clear sir."
Handing him my binoculars I said, "Sergeant Poulson, your team has the first watch. Wake me in three hours."
"Sir!"
I drank some water from my canteen. The nearby river meant we could be profligate with our water. Then I wrapped myself in my camouflage net and rolled under a young elm. The thin branches and leaves would disguise my outline even more. I slept. Sleep was as valuable as rations. A tired man made mistakes.
Polly woke me. He put his mouth to my ear, "All quiet. The Germans are up and about; eight hundred yards west of us." He gave me my glasses and moved to find the others in his team.
I nodded and rolled out of my net. I went to Shepherd and shook him awake and then did the same with Fletcher. While we were in France we would work in teams of three. There was a balance in each of them. When we moved we would do so in our teams so that if anything happened to us we had a chance of continuing with the job. Polly's team, now relieved, found their own beds. Before we ate or drank anything we secured our perimeter. I waved my hand in a circle and the two others disappeared.
I went to the western end of the woods. When I reached the eaves I lay down and took out my binoculars. The road was coming to life. The ferns, bracken and undergrowth hid me but I kept perfectly still as I scanned the German Headquarters. There were the ubiquitous Kubelwagens as well as two lorries. As we had been told there were just barriers guarding the building although I spied rolls of barbed wire close to the road. Two sandbagged machine gun emplacements were on either side of the only road in and out of the buildings. It looked like they had just taken over an existing building. I raised the glasses and spied the telephone wires which entered the building. I followed them and saw that they came to the road. There was a pole not forty yards from me and the line ran along the road. The telephone cut be cut easily. The railway line ran between the river and the camp. There were two lines.
I then scanned the buildings for signs of the aerial which would tell me where the transmitter was housed. It was not in the main building. There was an outbuilding close to the river. It looked to me likely to be the radio room. The headquarters company looked to be in tents which were around the barrack building we had spied on the aerial photographs. The tents were new and that should have alerted me but it did not. They had been reinforced. They were close to the large patches of water. I smiled. They would be a haven for midges and mosquitoes. I was betting that the soldiers would not be happy.
It looked satisfactory although there were German soldiers guarding the bridge which crossed the Béthune. I suspected the river might be a little deeper there. I counted six sentries. There was no barrier but, even as I watched, they stopped an old French van. It looked like the bread delivery van. They checked papers and opened the back. I had seen enough and I slid back into the woods on my belly. Once I had gone far enough I stood and went back to the camp. Fletcher and Shepherd waited for me.
I waved them to me. "Eat, then report."
I took my hard rations from my Bergen. I had already divided them into the meals we would need for the operation. They had nutritional value and that was all. We ate to survive. There was little to be enjoyed about the taste. I smiled when I saw Ken Shepherd's face. If he had been brought up on a farm then he would be used to good, wholesome food. I washed it down with water from my canteen. We have to remember to refill them from the river and use the water purification tablets.
Once they had finished I told them what I had seen. That was important. If anything happened to me then two others would know what I had seen. From the other two I discovered that the road which led to the bridge was just three hundred yards to the north and the woods extended to the south and east for at least a mile. Neither had seen signs of anyone although Fletcher, who had scouted the northern road had seen vehicles on the road.
I set them at their posts and I sat with my back against an elm on the western side of our camp where I could hear the noise of the traffic on the road. When I heard the sound of the aeroplane engine I moved back to my observation post on the edge of the woods. The sound came from beyond the Headquarters. I took out my glasses and scanned the skies. I saw a Fieseler Fi 156 Storch rise slowly into the sky. That must be the airfield. The aerial photographs had not identified any fighters there but it was obvious now that the Germans were using it. It did not head over in our direction but flew towards Dieppe. I moved back to the camp.
Lance Sergeant Gowland and his team took over after a further two hours and we managed another three hours sleep. When I awoke the whole team was awake. We prepared for our night time reconnaissance. I detailed Lance Sergeant Gowland's team to watch the camp. We would not need Bergens, nor Tommy guns. As soon as dusk fell I led the other five north to find the railway line. If we encountered an enemy we woul
d have to use silent methods to eliminate them. I had my silencer fitted to my Colt.
We went across the road in pairs. It was quiet and we would have heard the noise of any approaching vehicles. We moved north, through the woods for four hundred yards. I used Ken Shepherd's young ears and eyes to be the scout. He held up his hand and we dropped to our knees. I heard nothing at first and then, to our left I heard German. I could not seem them but I could tell, from the sound of their voices that they were moving in the opposite direction to us. Maddeningly I could not make out any words. When the voices receded Ken looked at me and I nodded. We reached the edge of the wood and I heard a train to our left. It told me where the line was. We had to negotiate the D1 once more. Once across we descended into the low lying ground which ran along the river and the ponds. It was hard going. I sank up to my knees at one point but when we heard a train, just two hundred yards away I took heart. We were close.
I spied the line coming from the north east. It crossed the River Arques. We would have to do the same. There was no road near to the railway line and I took a chance. We needed to cross the river anyway and rather than getting wet we would risk the bridge. My hopes were dashed when we found the small river, L'Eaulne which ran into the Arques. Fortunately we could ford it and the water only came to our thighs. I waved everyone to the ground when we reached the bridge. It was barely six feet above the water. I crawled up and put my ear to the rail. I heard and felt nothing. There was no train approaching. I looked down the line. There was no sign of German soldiers and I waved my men to join me.
We ran across the bridge and followed the railway line. I felt quite exposed as we made our way along it but I knew it was an illusion. We were invisible. There was no one to see us. When I heard a car to our left I threw myself to the ground. There was a road ahead. When it had passed I moved slowly and saw the other railway line. We had found the junction. Having had Albert explain about such junctions I had a better idea of how they worked. I found the first point. We kept moving down the line and I looked ahead. There was a second junction fifty yards away. We would have to use two charges! When we examined the second one we found that it was larger. We spent just ten minutes exploring the site and then I waved my hands for us to move back. Our return was easier as we knew which places to avoid.
We crept into the camp. When Lance Sergeant Gowland's Colt appeared before me I smiled and nodded. They had done their job well. I gathered them around me and spoke quietly. "We have three targets now."
George Lowe said, "Three?"
"There are two junctions. One is smaller and will need a smaller charge but we crossed a bridge. If we could blow that then it would take longer for them to repair it."
He nodded, "We will have to use all the explosives then."
Polly shook his head, "Were you intending to take some home with you?"
George smiled, "Fair point but I just meant we have no spare left for the Headquarters."
"That doesn't matter. The priority is the railway line. We improvise with grenades for the Headquarters. Tomorrow we make up the charges. That is your job George and you Ken. There will be three. Harry, your team will go tomorrow night and lay the charges. I will take the other two to the Headquarters. We will rendezvous on the north side of the bridge. I will give you the timings tomorrow when I have worked them out. Now get some sleep."
I took the first watch. This new problem was in my mind and I would get no sleep. Ken sidled over to me, "Sir, I thought you wanted me with the explosives?"
"I did but the fact that we have no explosives left for the Headquarters means I need to use two teams for that. Just make sure that the charges are well made and you will have done your job."
He nodded and went off to his patrol. The attack by the Canadians was scheduled for four o'clock in the morning. We could not set off our charges before then. My two teams needed to have isolated the headquarters by four o'clock at the latest. I hoped to do what we had to and be away without anyone being the wiser. That meant killing the sentries, cutting the telephone lines and disabling the radio. A tall order but if we were to stand any chance of escaping that was what we would have to do. By the time I woke Sergeant Poulson I had my plan in my head.
By five o'clock in the afternoon all of the charges had been organised and were in the three Bergens of the demolition team. That meant the ropes to descend the cliffs were in our Bergens. It was not satisfactory. If we didn't make the rendezvous then the others would have to work out another way to get down the cliffs. Harry made light of it, "We'll work something out, sir but you and the lads will be there. It just means we will have empty bags!"
"Only use the Thompsons as a last resort. Once Jerry hears them he will be roused and after us. That is not just bad for us but the poor lads who will be coming ashore. We leave at midnight. We will rendezvous at the north side of the bridge by five at the latest."
"The charges will have gone off by then, sir."
"I know. George, you will wait half a mile to the north of the bridge. There is a small village off to the side, close to the road. We will meet you there. If we aren't there by five thirty set off the charges make your own way to the cliffs."
"You have the radio, sir."
"I know George. You will have to use your torches to signal. Scouse what is the call sign?"
"Scotty Road, sir."
"And the response?"
"New Brighton Ferry."
I shook my head, as a code it was unbreakable. Only two Liverpudlians would have worked them out. "Okay? Now get some rest and make sure you fill up you canteens when we cross the river."
I watched as Scouse helped Ken to organise his bag. There had been a time when our radio operator had been the baby of the section. He was helping Ken. All the training in the world couldn't totally prepare you for an operation behind enemy lines. I went through my own routine. I used my webbing to secure my Mills bombs. I slipped my knuckle duster into one trouser pocket and my sap into the other. I slid my dagger in and out of its scabbard to make sure it would be there when I needed it. I secured my Thompson to my Bergen and I was almost ready. The last task was what Gordy, my old corporal had called, 'Al Jolson' time. I blacked up my face and hands. We needed to be invisible.
At midnight we departed. We moved together until we reached the edge of the woods. Then I led my sections down to the river. Before we crossed the road I had Crowe shinny up the telephone pole and cut the wires. We would need to do it on the other side of the camp too but part of our job was completed at any rate. There were two sentries on the bridge and we would need to eliminate them. Our observations had told us that they were changed at eleven and then at three. Poulson and Hewitt crept quietly along the bank towards the Germans. I had my silenced Colt ready as we moved behind them. Our rubber soled shoes meant we were silent. Crowe also had a silencer on his Colt and he had a bead on the far sentry.
The two Germans had obliged us by standing together and looking north towards Dieppe. I knew that at this moment the flotilla of ships would be negotiating the German minefield which lay just off shore. An explosion now would mean that all attempts at secrecy were gone. The silence was reassuring. Poulson and Hewitt were now shadows. It was bizarre watching shadows end the lives of two Germans. One moment the sentries were standing by the bridge and the next moment they had gone. We quickly ascended the bank and crossed the bridge. As I passed the sentries I took two grenades from their belts. Fletcher took the other two. The Headquarters was silent.
Sergeant Poulson and his section covered our backs as we covered the open ground to the radio room. Fletcher and Shepherd watched as I put my ear to the door. I could hear little. I holstered my Colt and took out my sap. I slowly opened the door. Thankfully it had been recently oiled and it did so without a sound. I saw the radio operator. He had his back to me and headphones on. I heard the muted sound of music. In two strides I was behind him and had rendered him unconscious with a blow to the back of the head. My sap was a very efficient
weapon. While we did this Crowe climbed up the next telephone pole and cut that one too.
I went to the door and waved my men in. Sergeant Poulson and his section took over the duties of sentries. I pointed to the radio operator and the two of them began to tie him up. I went to the radio and turned it around. Taking my wire cutters I cut every wire and then removed every valve I could. I put them in my battle dress. The sentry was secured. I pointed outside and they carried him there. I broke the cap on the grenade and carefully positioned it between the door and the jam. When the door was opened the grenade would go off and ensure that the radio could not be used.
I went to the river and threw the valves into its water. They were swept towards the sea. The radio operator was tied to a stanchion on the bridge. I led the section towards the vehicle park. Taking our daggers we punctured every tyre. I held up the grenade and nodded to Fletcher. He scurried off to use them as booby traps. I used mine on the Kubelwagen which was closest to the back door of the building. I looked at my watch. It was one thirty. We were on schedule.
It was a risk but I took my section along the side of the Headquarters building. I saw that there were four sentries at the two machine guns which guarded that entrance. They were watching the road. I took out my Colt. Crowe and Poulson also had silenced pistols. We moved towards the four men. It was eerie moving silently towards them as they chatted with each other. We got to within eight feet before one of them turned. I hissed, "Hands up and you will not be hurt!" This was the moment when a false move by one of the Germans would have resulted in a fire fight with but one outcome, their death. I think it was the three Thompsons aimed at them which made three of them comply but as one moved a hand to his rifle I fired a round into the sandbag. The 'phut' sound it made seemed more sinister somehow. Their hands flew into the air. While Shepherd and I covered them the rest took off their helmets and tied them up. I nodded and each of them was sapped on the back of the head. While they were taken to the bridge to be secured with the radio operator Fletcher and I began to take the ammunition from the machine guns. We would take it back for our boat. We took the two machine guns and lowered them in the river.
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