Sword Beach to Bremen., A Veterans tale. Sapper

Hello Again. Let me break off from the battles for a brief period, and discuss other issues.
There are odd events, and happenings that occur in war, often without explanation.
There are also those men that served at the “Sharp End” and never received the recognition that they deserved. Let me explain; I can think of many officers that I served with who’s actions in battle, far exceeded the call of duty. Not only that, but they continued to give exceedingly brave service. Oddly enough, they never received any official recognition for their outstanding service and dedication to the cause.

To me that is a great shame. The men concerned did not look for recognition for what they did, they gave their best out of loyalty and ‘esprit de corps’. But it is still a shame that those who gave so much, would never be recognised. That immediately begs the question, WHY? The answer to this is quite simple, They, by their actions over a period of time, became the ones that their superiors turned to when a particularly unpleasant operation was in the offing. A certain group would be looked on as “reliable and trustworthy” Because in all the previous operation they had always succeeded, Therefore, it was “expected and assumed” that the same group would be available to carry out the most dangerous tasks. There you have it. It became a habit to call on the same faces over and over again.

That I find “uncomfortable” for there are officers that I know deserved official recognition, and got nothing, It was “Expected” and became a case of; familiarity breeds contempt, to a certain degree. That may not sit well with others views of my company. But it is mine.

One Corporal suffered more than most through this “Expectation” syndrome. He was always available, and he always took the same little group of men on all the “Dirty” operations, “The most dangerous ops”. I was one of that small group he called on to make up a team for whatever was coming. Sadly, when I was back in Hospital in England, I heard through the grape vine that he had been killed on the last day of the war. For once in my life I felt deep grief, and to still do to a degree! But I still remember this man, even though now, I cannot remember his name.

What is all this leading to? This young soldier was always in the thick of it, Not for me, the nice behind the lines job keeping the roads clear of mines. So I managed to get into damn near everything that was going on, The last job I volunteered for, was to take on extra duties as a D.R, over and above what I was already doing.

Just before I was wounded for the second time, my platoon officer took me to one side and informed me that I was to be awarded the “Commander in Chiefs award of Merit” commonly called “Monties Certificates” Not only that, but as Monty was our old Divisional commander, he would come and award it in person. Can you imagine what that meant to a nineteen year old who had never dreamed that something like that would come his way?

Shortly after I was wounded again, but this time very seriously. Waiting back in hospital in England for the award to arrive. It never did. Heart break? Certainly! Recently, I have tried to find out if it was still on file in the service history. I await with expectation, but fear that far too much time had passed under the bridge of life
Sapper Brian.

 

Excellent stuff sir, excellent!

 

Hi Thanks for your very kind words Carl Evans. It is always nice to hear from those that read these pages. I don't mind if they are critical about what I have to say. So Thanks Carl. interaction is important.

Two things that are bugging me at present. One that I did not get my "Award" I know I left it far to late. but now reaching into my late 70s it is important that I get hold of this award, for the British army gives very little in recognition of deeds in war time, Then again, I would like to let my family know about their granddad.

Secondly! There is always the danger when writing these pages of being seen as a doddery old man blathering on about living in the past.

The whole object of this war history is that the ordinary men that fought will be remembered. From all the Countries. Allied or otherwise.

The next episode covers the dash to Arnhem and the terrible battles in Holland. Not my favourite place to conduct a war.
Sapper Brian.

 

Les Fleurs de Normandie.
The Flowers of Normandy.

On Norman soil, they fought and died.
Now young men's graves in rows abound.
In Mother Earth's arms, now sanctified,
The fragrant flowers of our youth are found.

And yet, to rise again, as in a distant song.
Small voices that call, in dead of night.
Fleeting figures only in our dreams belong.
Alas, they fade, in dawn's bright light.

I see them yet, a sad, forgotten throng.
Shadowed, lost faces, marching on.
Over dusty roads, and high golden corn.
The call of long lost friends are borne.

We must not forget, the flowers of our days,
Lest they lay unquiet, in numbered graves.
For we lived, and loved, and life was sweet.
Still yet, for us, awaits our last retreat.

Flowers of our youth, now long since past.
Our sweet autumn days are fading fast.
We, who are left, flowered in our prime.
Enjoyed golden moments, on borrowed time.

Remember our friends, who passed this way.
For all our tomorrow's, they gave their today's,
On Utah and Omaha, Juno, Sword and Gold.
Oh! Dear Lord! See that they grow not old.

Brian Guy. Sapper. 246 Field Company R. E. Assault Company. Sword! Third British Infantry Division.

Brian@raymondguy55.freeserve.co.uk

 

Hi Sapper, which award are you due that was not given to you? Please let me know and I can see if I can ask around and get one for you--its the least I can do. As long as it isnt the V.C or G.C. I can probably get one for you--but anyway--I can check around with people I know. PS, I forgot to mention--thank you for the nice compliment--I simply love reading your stories.

[ 03. November 2002, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]

 

Dear Sapper

I have been following these pages recently with much interest and enthusiasm, and wanted to personally commend you on the great knowledge you have brought to this forum.
There is nothing more rewarding than having thsi forum dedicated to WW2, being filled with first-hand stories of those that lived through it.
I hope to see this topic grow and grow even further...
Panzerknacker (Ryan)

 

Hi To all.
Thanks Carl for those kind words. And to Ryan! You are real gentlemen! As I said earlier, I have to be careful not to lapse into what may be seen as the ramblings of an old gentleman, moaning about the old days, and the youngsters not being as good as we were! In fact, I have great faith in the youth of today. having always had apprentice boys with me for all my years in Engineering. I think the youth of today are fitter, better educated and "Bigger" I have been to places of further education, and universities to give lectures and talks on the Normandy campaign, shortly I am to give another talk on the 15th of November.

Now about thess "certificates" I had better explain. General Montgomery had been in charge of the Third British Infantry Division when he was a Divisional Commander. Thus the name of “Montie’s Ironsides”. This infantry division was one of long standing with a great military reputation. Over the years and because of their deeds in battle they had earned the name of the “Iron Division” So= The name of Monties Ironsides. When he became commander of the invasion forces he often visited his old division. He put in charge of this Division a general with the reputation of being “The Finest fighting General in the British army”

He thought that the British army did not hand out enough awards for outstanding service; to that end he brought out what was known as “Montie’s Certificates” These were awarded for exceptional service. Being he was the old commander, he would also come and make the award in person. That was the award that I had been told that I would be getting. Now just try to imagine the feelings of pride this nineteen year old very patriotic service man experienced! I was going to get an award from Monty!

Sadly, as I was wounded, and severely, shortly after it never happened. But I always harboured the hope that one day they would recall this award and give it me. Albeit a bit late! That Carl, is what it is all about, I have written to the services that deal with this sort of thing, but it all looks to be in vain

The Return from Brussels.
That next morning a mad dash to catch up with the company, they had moved on to a small village preparing to go into action again, the name Thielt comes to mind, but I am not sure. The local folk invited us to the village hall where they had prepared an evenings entertainment, they had on offer Belgium beer, I am sorry to say that we found it absolutely awful, but we drank it anyway.

Music was provided and this band of "clod hopping young men" got to dance with the local village girls in our army boots, not very romantic! The girls did not seem to mind , they taught us this dance and at the end of the dance, you got to kiss the girl you were with. I thought it was great, the girls liked it, and I wished we could spend more time there. In no time we had moved up again, this was the period when the Airborne had landed at Arnhem, miles ahead. Operation "Market Garden" the drive to relieve the troops battling it out in Northern Holland, we had to press ahead as fast as possible to get them out.
.
The Escaut Canal.
Hell. Sheer Hell.
The Seven Bridges to Arnhem. The First!
The next night, after the return from Brussels, we had to make an assault crossing of the Escaut canal at Petit Brogel. Some of us turning up with white gaiters from our Brussels trip to force a crossing at night for, heavens sake! We had been made aware of the need to get to Arnhem. And in a hurry!

There was no time to change into our dirty old denims that we used when in action. For me, one of those actions that I look back on with particular distaste. The canal had steep concrete sides and very difficult to climb, a flat concrete top for a short distance before the water, we had to ferry the infantry across in our canvas assault boats in the face of some very determined Enemy resistance. Then we had to build a light assault bridge across the top of the canvas boats. This was one of the uglier actions and one that scared the daylights out of me, the canvas boats had arrived and the crossing was to take place at 1 am at night.

The British had just entered Brussels. Far away, in Northern Holland, the 1st Airborne had landed at Arnhem to secure the last of the seven bridges, all these bridges in Holland had to be captured by air drops, or by land based assaults, this would enable the allies a clear run into the northern plains of Germany. A gamble, and perhaps, an early victory. "Operation Market Garden". this was "The Bridge Too Far", We now had to fight our way up through the entire length of Holland to join them.
The first of these seven watercourses that stood in our way was the Escaut Canal, at Petit Brogel, / Lille St Hubert, depending on which language you spoke, French or Flemish.

This was going to be a "bad one" A brief description of the Canal shows the difficulty of this assault crossing, if anyone wanted the perfect place to defend, then this must be it! The canal had steep smooth concrete sides, with a narrow flat area before the drop down into the water, we knew that the Germans had left behind brave and fanatical SS Panzer Grenadier troops, determined to stop us at any cost.

My old platoon officer. Lt Reginald Chevenix Trench, Bless him! Affectionately known as "Digger Trench" donned peasant clothing and wandered down right in front of the canal in full sight of the enemy, to have a look, and plan the best place for the assault crossing. There was a great urgency to get to the Airborne quickly, they could only hold out for a short time, to that end, it was decided to go for the assault crossing as soon as the canvas assault boats arrived, day or night.

Lt Cadwallader R. E. had set off in his scout car to reconnoiter the site on the 17th of September, while the Company moved into the town of Peer, to prepare for the crossing, news quickly came back that Lt Cadwallader had been killed by a direct hit with an anti tank shell, but his driver had managed to escape with the report of his death.

Lt M Edwards R. E. then roared off down the road, in his scout car, to try and reconnoiter the area, only to come under heavy machine gun fire from a house on the other side of the canal, he yelled out "turn right" and then crashed through hedge after hedge behind some houses, until he found a gap into which he turned, getting the houses between him and the Enemy. Lt Duncan had already tried to find Lt Cadwallader, but the Enemy held the area in strength.

The Company were drawn up on the roads and woods near the canal approaches, all ready for the assault. When the transport turned up with the boats, it was with a Canadian Service unit who had no previous experience of "action" and were "very" unhappy at the prospect of having to go to the site under fire, it was the brave actions of their sergeant that eventually gave them courage to get the boats offloaded in the middle of a pitched battle.
In the ensuing assault crossing, Lt Borrowman was shot and badly wounded, it took some time to get him back, meanwhile Sapper C.A Smith was captured and badly treated by the Enemy, but then was recaptured by us, with his former captors and on whom the tables were satisfactorily turned!
To be continued. Next "Dantes Inferno"
sapper Brian.

 

Hi Sapper, and quite welcome. I'll ask around and see if I cant get someone who knows more on your award. I cant say that we can get the govt to give you whats yours but, I might be able to buy one from somewhere--tho I know its not the same thing. If I can buy one--I would like to do so as a gift to you. I'll start asking today as soon as I log off from these forums and i'll let you know if I hear anything.

 

Hi Friends. Carl, Thanks for that, the award is something given by ones officers and Peers, it cannot be bought But thanks anyway. it really was a lovely thought.
To continue the recollection of the “Inferno”

For this would scare the pants off of any hero! We were all waiting in the ditches and taking cover where we could. Jerry knew we were there. It was a pitch black night, the enemy not only shelled and mortared us heavily before we started, but added to our discomfort by bombing us as we crouched in the ditch waiting for the order to "Go"

It was then that a good friend of mine broke down with what was called "shell shock", but has now become known as "Battle exhaustion" I sat in the ditch trying desperately to comfort him with my arms around his shoulders saying "come on (***) I will look after you" but it was no good, he had suffered a complete mental breakdown and sobbed and shook in an uncontrollable manner, even to day, I still have a vague feeling of guilt for leaving him there, but we had to get the infantry across, no matter what.

At 1 am we started the direct assault crossing, the enemy raked the concrete top of the canal with bursts of explosive "Bofors" type shells, coupled with heavy mortar, machine gun and shell fire, with a very annoying machine gunner, firing down the canal. We crossed, loaded with infantry in our canvas boats in the pitch blackness of that night, soon to be lit up by the raging flames of a house set on fire on the opposite side of the canal, this illuminated the scene, a scene reminiscent of "Dante's Inferno" with the dull red flash of exploding shells and mortars as the battle waged back and forth in the light of the towering flames from the house.

After the crossing, we made a light bridge over the top of the canvas boats, only for the Enemy to drop mortar bombs in them, as he sunk them, we replaced them, and at the same time we came under fire from a very determined sniper. Frightening? Man, if I could, I would have dug a hole in the ground with my finger nails! But the crossing had to be done, and, against a very determined and well prepared enemy, for he put up one hell of a fight against the background of that pitch black night, a night where the bloody battle raged to a background of leaping flames that made the scene, stark and terrifying.

The fighting during the night was very fierce and confused, with the flash of shell, mortar, and small arms fire, making a very frightening and fearsome spectacle. In the midst of all this mayhem, two of our infantry men were assisting a German prisoner with terrible injuries to his shoulder blades, as they help him back to an aid station he kept saying "Luftwafft Good". The infantry boys helped him along with his arms round their shoulders saying "that’s right old mate, that’s right" In the early hours we crossed. The infantry spread out and captured the entire far bank, moved on, captured, and rested at a little convent at dawn, then on to the little town of Weert. Sadly, leaving many of the company behind. Later that morning another company put a firm bridge across and the 11th Armoured Division drove across in strength.
At this point I must state that I was never ever frightened by these frontal assaults, no! no! Never! Never! just bloody petrified!
The Official version.
The Escaut canal.
The blown bridge had crossed from Lille St Hubert north into the little village of Broek.
The Sappers lost no time, 246 Field Company R.E. were responsible for building a class nine bridge. They had already lost Lieutenant Cadwallader, who had been killed with an anti-tank gun while reconnoitering the canal the previous afternoon.
Lieutenants. Boyse. Field. Duncan, and Borrowman had crossed with the Assaulting companies. Borrowman was seriously wounded, and Sapper Smith who had been with him was taken prisoner, to be recaptured in Broek by the Ulster rifles, together with the five Germans and “Upon whom the tables were satisfactorily turned”
Despite Enemy fire, construction of the bridge was begun at 1 am. It was open to traffic at 7am. Although still subject to sniping, also, some more boats had been sunk, and had to be replaced. Its span was 160 feet.
Source? Official records.
The cryptic official description of a night of terror. Doesn’t say much does it?
Next The town of Weert.
Sapper.

 

Sadly Sapper I think your luck is out regarding your 3rd Division Certificate.

These certificates started in the Napoleonic period in the British Army, and were used by several divisions in both world wars to give a man something for an act that could or would not merit a medal. And in WW2 the British Army was VERY mean in handing out 'gongs'.

The certificates were not an 'official' mentioned in despatches, so you wouldn't get an oakleaf for your WW2 War Medal when you got those from the War Office after WW2.

And if you didn't get your certificate in 1944/45, knowing the dear old British Army... "tough luck"

It's a sad contrast to the way the US Army treat their men...

 

Cheers carl.
Thanks for that.
sapper.

 

By Heck! That's what happens when you are distracted while on the net. I used the wrong name, sorry about that friends. And Sommercourt.
sapper

 

Hello Sapper, your quite welcome. I also have some other info for you.

With what you went through--would'nt you at least be eligable for the D.C.M (Distinguished Conduct Medal) or the M.M. (Military Medal)?

I had'nt known that soldiers would only get certificates in the British Army (Learn something new every day) instead of a reward of a medal.

 

Hi Friends.
Thanks for all your encouragement. But to get a MM or a DCm in the British army, one has to give an arm and a leg! and I was never that brave!
I will admit to be being a keen and patriotic young soldier. BUT! and its a very big BUT!like all of us, I was always willing to get into my foxhole and take cover when the 'crap' was flying about. My mate TED that just died, reckoned he had the championship for foxhole digging, Poor old TED dug seven holes in one day.

Next week when I give a lecture at a museum, instead of there being three of us there will only be two, BUT, I intend to have three chairs there anyway. One for my departed friend BLESS HIM!
I shall miss his friendly presence.But I will keep a seat for him.
Sapper

 

As Sapper suggests, these medals didn't 'come up with the rations'. In the British Army in WW2 a soldier had to be recommended by an officer to get any award; even a 'mention'. This involved filling in a recommendation, which was then passed further and further up the chain of command. In 21st Army Group, Monty himself often signed the final sheet, sanctioning the award. These are now preserved in the archives of the Public Records Office in London, and make fascinating reading. One of these days I will post a few on this site - will make a nice contrast to Iron Crosses...

The only medals British soldiers in WW2 got for service were the campaign medals, but even then the British government tried to cheat the veterans. For the first time soldiers had to claim their medals, rather than have them issued automatically, as had been done before. In addition, for the first and only time in British military history, the medals were issued UN-NAMED. In many peoples eyes this devalued them, as anybody could put a group together and claim medals that were not theirs.

My own father still feels bitter about this even today.

 

Thank you for all your kind words. I had better explain further about Monties Certificates. Monty felt that the British army did not reward its men for outstanding service ! So he brought in his own award. Commonly called Monties certificates. It was his, and his alone, not an official award that was listed. It was Monties personal award to those his officers thought worthy of recognition.
Hope that clarifies things?

Weert.
Does that little boy remember me?
That awful night of September the 18th-19th when we crossed the Escaut canal had now passed, sadly, as I said earlier, more of our friends were left behind. We now advanced along the North side of the canal heading for the town of Weert. We occupied this Dutch town by the afternoon of September 22nd, luckily, with not as much opposition as we expected. A small town with the canal running through the centre with a railway line that was raised up from the surrounding countryside.

We harboured in Weert, then repaired the canal bridge, then added another across the canal on the 23rd/24th of September. Here the line between us, and the Enemy, was virtually non existent, it appeared that we were the only troops in the town, and there was a very real danger that if he made a determined thrust we could not have held it. First of all the ominous signs, was that we lost our water wagon, same as in Normandy, he took the wrong turning and was never seen again, then the odd man disappeared at night by the railway line, we think, taken by German patrols.

The Dutch people gave us a marvelous welcome, but it seemed to me that they were not absolutely sure the liberation was here for good! Apart from military bridging it was fairly quiet. At this time we had been issued with our version of the Dutch Guilder, I went in to a local shop and bought something, the Lady asked me, was the money good? "Yes of course" (Invasion money was looked on with deep suspicion by the local population!) Ah! Though! she was not too sure, because she gave me the change for a two and half Guilder note in one cent pieces, I went outside and there was a little boy sitting against the wall, I took off his Dutch cap and poured 240 one cent pieces into it, at that time it was worth a weeks wages. Now, I have a feeling that the little boy will remember the soldier who gave him quite a lot of money.

The very real danger of the enemy counter attack had now become serious, I was given the task of preparing explosive charges to blow the front of the buildings and to prepare the bridges for explosive demolition. The Dutch people watched this intently, it did nothing for their peace of mind, had the Enemy advanced we would have blown the bridge and the buildings for a road block. Luckily, in the end, it was not necessary. Having been the first troops to capture this small Dutch town, we now departed leaving the town to settle back into its own routine.

Operation Market Garden.
Hurry! Hurry!

The pressure for us to keep going was very important, the Airborne had been on their own at Arnhem for some time and were desperate for help, but, sometimes the companies just had to stop to refuel and re-ammo, and make up our numbers with fresh young faces. All the time heading North on the Eastern side of the country (Our responsibility was to prevent the enemy from cutting in half the drive for Arnhem) we harboured for a while in a monastery while we refueled etc.

The white brothers, at Euvelwegen, near Gemmert. We arrived on, "about" the 25th of September we had to stop to get the company into some sort of shape, while we were there, the officers got some food together and brought in some drink. The company enjoyed a social evening with the Trainee Monks? And Nuns that ran the place, everybody did a turn and bit of entertainment. All the Nuns had a party piece of their own, my company, with its Welsh background, had some excellent singers. After a very nice evening the Brothers invited us to a football match.

Now I know this sounds ridiculous, but it did happen, not only that, but the Brothers in their thick long white habits, tied with a thick white rope round their waist, ran the legs off of us and gave us a beating. Unfortunately they insisted that we should have a real bed to sleep in that night, and that they would give up their beds for us.

Inside of a large building were lines of open topped cubicles, all laid out in a row, inside of each cubicle was just a bed! No doors, and with a small amount of bedding, very sparse indeed. The company so used to sleeping in holes in the ground, and in the open air, found the beds hard and very uncomfortable, many of us had very little sleep at all, but we could not refuse their kind offer or hospitality. Quickly we moved on again, always heading North towards Arnhem.

Sapper. Hi friends I hope that I am not boring the pants off of you? If you are looking for more action, don’t hold your breath, for the worst is yet to come.

 

Keep it up Sapper - always interesting to read.

When I was in Holland the other week, I went to Venray. There seemed to be quite a few 3rd Div men in the CWGC cemetery there, and a lot of REs. Weren't you in that battle? One account calls the fighting in that area 'a second Caen'.

 

HI Sommecourt.
Oh dear yes! I was at Overloon and Venraij, there we endured terrible hardships and lost many good men, The fact that you have been back to Venraij just fills me with memories and a hell of a lot of real sadness, Sorry about that, but as I sit at this blasted computer the mere mention of that place chokes me. To such a degree that I have to get a grip on myself, and my emotions. It was, for me, the worst experience of my time in Europe, and one of the places that arouses the most memories.
Memories that always leave me choked. you would think after all these years that this silly old man would be able to forget what happend there, But no, I still dream about Overloon and Venraij. You may be interested to know that at Overloon is the national war museum, it was origninally dedicated solely to the Third British Infantry Division. For we freed them from the nazi rule, after the Americans tried and failed to free this area, they then departd to the South never to be seen again! only later did it become the war museum, but that was many years ago and some may have forgotten that fact. I will be arriving at the battle of Overloon and Venaij for as usual Eighth Brigade kicked off the operation "Aintree"

The Dutch people offered me a free holiday at their expense. To stay in a hotel, of with Dutch folk. When I thanked them and explained that I was badly disabled and that it would be very difficult, they wrote back saying "No matter, we will have a full time Nurse waiting for you when you arrive" sadly, I did not go, for it would have probably been to much to deal with. But that area is where my war finished, and where all my ambitions and hopes would vanish in one split second.

The name alone chokes me, for there, I had a glance through the portals of hell. That really has upset my apple cart for today!
Overloon and Venraij are to come shortly.
Sapper

 

Brian :

Maybe a stupid question but where is Overloon and Venriaj located in Holland ?

thank you

E

 

Erich - roughly east/north-east of Eindhoven, and south-east of Nijmegen, very close to the German border. The Reichwald Forest is just beyond here.

Sapper - Brian - sorry the mention of Venray brought back so many bad memories for you. Having read some of the unit histories for this period, I can see why you look back on it with such horror. To me its a tradgedy that so few people have ever heard of the battles there.

Keep on with the memoirs; in the long run, you might find sharing all this stuff with us helps you. When I began interviewing WW1 veterans 20 years ago, many of them thanked me for speaking to them - at last, having talked about what they had seen, they were almost free of the weight of their experiences.