WAR DIARY of 61 Recce Regt RAC October 1944
– Lt Col P.H.A. Brownrigg
Date 9th Place HERVELD area
‘ “B” & “C” Squadrons positions were reviewed and improved during the day. “C” Squadron’s outpost on the Island SOUTH of HIEN 5769 reported movement on a number of barges which are moored in the creek SOUTH of DODEWAARD (west of Herveld on the Waal). Intermittent shelling of the whole area throughout the day increased to heavy concentrations SOUTH of 17 Troop’s positions on the railway at 1800 hours. This was followed by an attempted penetration of the American Forward Defence Lines further WEST at 1820 hours. Two SP juns and a few infantry were employed by the enemy, though it is difficult to see just what he hoped to achieve by this abortive mission. Though some American outposts were withdrawn the whole situation was stabilised by 1900 hours.
15 Troop of “C” Squadron have confirmed the number of barges in the DODEWAARD as being 15. The night was quiet.’
WAR DIARY of 61 Recce Regt RAC October 1944
– Lt Col P.H.A. Brownrigg
Date 10th Place HERVELD area
‘At 900 hrs “C” Squadron sent out a Recce patrol on foot to investigate the barges at 555693. The patrol – consisting of 2 NCOs – had not returned by 1000 hrs so the to commander – 2/Lt J. ARNOTT – and 1 OR (Other Rank) set off to investigate. The OP covering them heard the sound of shots and subsequently saw a figure being pulled along the ground by some Germans. It is feared that all have been made PW (Prisoners of War). On the rest of the front the day has been generally quiet with a noticeable decrease in enemy shelling.’
61st Recce Roll of Honour includes the following who died on this day:
Corporal Roy George Whitehouse (age 23) formerly of the North Staffordshire Regiment who is mentioned on the Groesbeek Memorial (south-east of Nijmegen).
Trooper John William Gridley (age 20) of Ilford Essex, formerly of the 61st Training Unit who is laid to rest in the Assisi War Cemetery, south-west of Perugia in Italy.(?)
who is laid to rest in the Mierlo War Cemetery, east of Eindhoven. (See 61st Recce Roll of Honour, courtesy of Recce Mitch.)
We will remember them.
WAR DIARY of 61 Recce Regt RAC October 1944
– Lt Col P.H.A. Brownrigg
Date 11th Place HERVELD
'Today has been generally quiet with only intermittent shelling of the Forward Defence Lines. “A” Squadron relieved “C” Squadron during the day without incident.
Some news of the missing personnel has been received from an American Outpost in the HIEN area (west of Herveld near Dodewaard). The first patrol was apparently surprise by a party of Germans and taken prisoner. The second was ambushed and both members wounded. The Officer was subsequently seen limping away with his captors and 2 SBs (subordinates?) carrying a stretcher.'
61st Recce Roll of Honour includes the following who died on this day:
Trooper Maurice Raine (age 19) of West Hartlepool, County Durham
who is laid to rest in the Utrecht (Soestbergen) General Cemetery (Utrecht is south of Amsterdam). PoW.
(See 61st Recce Roll of Honour, courtesy of Recce Mitch.)
We will remember them.
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