WAR DIARY of 61 Recce Regt RAC November 1944
– Lt Col P.H.A. Brownrigg
Date 21st Place ELST
‘The quiet today was broken by a NEBELWERFER firing on ELST. The Divisional Artillery engaged with good effect.
The Divisional Commander again visited the unit to bid us farewell, on taking command of 7 Armoured Division.’
On 22nd November 1944 Brigadier Sir A.B.G. Stanier (Bart) of the 231st Infantry Brigade, took over from Major-General Lyne as Acting Commander of 50th Division until Major-General D.A.H. Graham returned on the 27th November.
WAR DIARY of 61 Recce Regt RAC November 1944
– Lt Col P.H.A. Brownrigg
Date 22nd Place ELST
‘The CO left for BRUSSELS this morning to try and avert the disaster threatening the Regiment.’
Colonel Brownrigg decided to try to have the disbandment of his regiment cancelled and drove to XXX Corps HQ where General Horrocks listened to his appeal over lunch and quizzed him on the situation on the ‘Island’.
Col. Brownrigg recalled:
‘The General then told his ADC to get Monty on the telephone. Word came back that Monty was having lunch – was it urgent? “Yes” said Horrocks.
A few moments later I heard Horrocks start “I have Brownrigg with me.” Not surprisingly this didn’t ring a bell with Monty, but Horrocks explained and told him that 61 Recce was to be broken up and “they would be worth a brigade to me.” Monty apparently said he’d see what could be done, “but you – Horrocks – won’t get them.’
(From ‘Only the Enemy in Front Every other beggar behind…’ The Recce Corps at War 1940-1946’ by Richard Doherty, Tom Donovan Publishing Ltd 1994)
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