WAR DIARY of 61 Recce Regt RAC October 1944
– Lt Col P.H.A. Brownrigg
Date 27th Place DRIEL
‘There was considerable enemy activity during the early hours of this morning. Motorised and horse drawn transport was heard moving in the area 6776 and digging at 6876. In addition there was a certain amount of Machine Gun and Mortar harassing fire.
A company raid by 6 Durham Light Infantry* took place on area 7074 through the “B” Squadron troop established there. “B” Squadron neutralised enemy fire on the flanks of the attack with Light Machine Gun and Mortar fire. Few Germans were encountered and our own troops had no casualties. It is apparent that the enemy is holding the line very thinly and it is believed that all active patrolling is being carried out by SS troops held in reserve. Certainly the 47 Fortress Battalion has shown none of the aggressive qualities which are apparent in the patrols.
At 0940 hrs “C” Squadron reported 12-15 men moving at 706759 and the artillery engaged the area effectively.
During the day orders were received for our relief by elements of 101 US Airborne Division and much of the preliminary work in the hand over was done. The relief is due to take place tomorrow night and the Regiment, less “A” Squadron , is to concentrate in the WINSSEN** area.
“A” Squadron go under command of 501 RCT (Regimental Combat Team?) and are to hold a sector of the ZETTEN*** area with outposts forward on the river line and an Armoured car patrol daily to OPHEUSDEN****.’
*Anthony Rampling had met the Durham Light Infantry when he got lost after landing on the Normandy beaches: “They were tough – all they’d got was what they carried.”
**Winssen is a village on the south bank of the Waal, north-west of Nijmegen.
***Zetten is on ‘the Island’ west of Elst.
****Opheusden is west of Zetten on the south bank of the Neder Rijn/Lower Rhine.
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