WO 171/1369 - 2 Seaforth Highlanders - December 1944

Instructions regarding War Diaries and Intelligence Summaries are contained in F.S. Regs., Vol. 1. and the Staff Manual respectively Title pages will be prepared in manuscript.	WAR DIARY or INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY	Army Form C.2118
	WAR DIARY or INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY	Unit: 2nd Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
Month and Year: December 1944	(Erase heading not required).	Commanding Officer: Lt.Col. G.L.W. Andrews, DSO

Place	Date	Hour	Summary	Reference
ELST 7070 Sheet 5 1/100000	1	0005	A Coy report spandau fire from line of rly and North of river more intense than is usual.
	1		Sound of tracked veh or vehs heard moving in area 682768.
	1	0200	Change over between 6 DLI (50 Inf Div) and 2 Essex (49 Inf Div) complete.
	1	1300	RAF rocket firing Typhoons engage tgts in area 7274.
	1	1700	C Coy report loud explosions in area 7275.
	1		CO to conference at HQ 152 Inf Bde.
	1	2120	A Coy report that their fwd pl have heard SA fire which they consider to have come from some pt West of the embankment. It is possible the enemy have occupied OPs 10 or 12 or both.
	2	0707	D Coy report spandau fire intermittently into O.P. 13 on fixed lines from about 704754 during the night.
	2	1715	All Coys report loud explosion from area 7275.
	2	1500	Hvy conc of enemy shelling on Bn area begins.
	2	2200	- do - ends.
	2		152 Inf Bde enquire whether there is any sign of flooding in the Bn area. Investigation finds no change.
	3	0100	OC 2 Essex informs us that there is considerable flooding in his fwd Coy's posns and he has had to withdraw his fwd Coys to areas 692719 and 702723.
	3		Still NO sign of flooding in the Bn area.
	3	0245	A tk pl outpost 689737 inform Bn HQ that the water is rising in their area.
	3	0255	D Coy's outpost report flooding in their area.
	3		OC D Coy to investigate and report.
	3		HQ 152 Inf Bde informed, who report all available information they have received, indicates the dykes at ELDEN 7375 have been blown.
	3		A tk pl outpost now report their posn is now under water - ordered to withdraw.
	3	0310	OC D Coy reports he has ordered the withdrawal of his outpost and No. 18 pl to Coy HQ area because of the flooding. The main flow of water appears to be coming from the East.
	3		All intercomn with Coys fail except D Coy.
	3	0315	HQ 152 Inf Bde order vehs to move fwd to Coys to remove all stores.
	3		CO on recce finds rd 100 yds North of br and area of br itself (STAVASTE br 682737) flooded.
	3		CO orders vehs NOT to go fwd to Coys owing to possibility of br 682737 being washed away by the flood thereby preventing the return of the vehs from their Coys. HQ 152 Inf Bde informed.
	3		CO orders Coys to load all possible stores on to their jeeps and carriers which are fwd with them and to send them back to area of ELST as soon as possible.
	3	0350	Comd 152 Inf Bde orders 2 Seaforth to withdraw to area ELST. Order passed to D Coy who transmit it to A and C Coys by runner.
	3		Coys move out.
	3	0510	All Coys have passed through Tac Bn HQ.
	3		CO leaves Tac Bn HQ.
	3		Rd from DRIEL 6875 to 686724 under water.
	3	0600	All Coys complete in ELST except for D Coy's outpost which is missing.
	3	0700	Comd 152 Inf Bde visited Comd Post.
	3		So far, flooding has only affected 2 Seaforth area.
	3		Water continues to rise, the main flow being from East to West.
	3	0930	Bn recce parties ordered to standby for recce of new area.
	3	1030	CO given Bn's proposed new area BERLICUM 3745.
	3		Bn recce parties move off.
	3		All Bn tpt moves over NIJMEGAN br to join B Ech. Remainder of Bn moves off on ft to cross R WAAL in area SLIJK-EWIJK 6666 and R.V. area of B Ech, where TCVs will transport them to the new Bn area.
	3	1530	CO finds BERLICUM unsuitable for billeting the Bn owing to damage caused to property during the Allied advance to S'HERTOGENBOSCH.
	3	1530	Bn complete in area of POELDONK 3644.
DEN DUNGEN 3043 Sheet 5 1/100000	4		Billets re-adjusted and Bn settles in.
	4		Bn HQ moves to DEN DUNGEN.
	4		Trace of Bn posns att.	Appx “A”
	5	1400	Comd 152 Inf Bde visited Comd Post.
	5		Baths.
	5		Maintenance of vehs.
	6		Lt-Col G.L.W. Andrews awarded the DSO.
	6		Baths and Entertainments.
	6		Weather bad.
	7		CO on leave to PARIS.
	7		Maj J.M. Sym takes over comd of the Bn.
	7		Training under Coy arrangements.
	8		CO's conference at Bn HQ for all Coy Comds.
	8		Recreational tpt.
	9		Training continues.
	9		Hvy rain.
	10	1200	Church Service for Pres:
	10		- do - R.Cs. in DEN DUNGEN Church.
	11		CO returns from leave and resumes comd.
	12		Six offrs of the Bn proceed to NIJMEGAN to assist in it assessing of billets within the town.
	13		- do -
	14		Training under Coy arrangements continues.
	14	1000	CO to conference at HQ 51 (H) Div.
	14	1400	Conference for Coy Comds.
	14		Bn to move within a few days to area MILL 6445. At the new locn, there will be NO operational commitments and there will probably be a period of approx ten days in which extensive Bn training will be undertaken. It is intended to start an NCOs Cadre.
	15		Field Marshall Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, KCB, DSO, C in C 21 Army Group presented medal ribbons to offs and men of 51 (H) Div at ST MICHAELS-GESTEL 3440. The C in C spoke to the assembled members of the Div and complimented them on their Division's record in the present campaign. Montgomery, Bernard Law "Monty"
	15	1430	CO and 2 IC to area MILL to recce new Bn area.
	16		CO and 2 IC to WANROIJ 6741.
	16		Lt G. Urquhart, OC A tk pl, apptd Bn Sports Offr.
	16		IO to conference at Rear HQ 51 (H) Div ref allocation of accommodation in new Bn area.
	17		Training continues.
	18	1000	Church Service for Pres:
	18	1200	- do - R.Cs. in DEN DUNGEN church.
	18	1500	2 IC moves to WANROIJ 6741 with adv parties.
	18		Bn prepares for move. Move to take place under cover of darkness.
	18		Route: DEN DUNGEN
	18		BR POELDONK 362452 (S.P.)
	18		VEGHEL 4837
	18		UDEN 5342
	18		VOLKEL 5640
	18		X Rds 660436
	18		WANROIJ 6741 (Dis.P)
	18		Order of March: S Coy - A - B - D - HQ - C Coy.
	18		Head of Coln to pass S.P. at 0300 hrs.
	18		Headlights may be used to UDEN, when only those vehs leading Coy blocks may use them.
WANROIJ 6741 Sheet 5 1/100000	19	0300	Bn moved off.
	19	0730	Bn arrives in WANROIJ 6741.
	19		Bn settle in, in the new area.
	19		Leave party return from ANTWERP. ANTWERP leave centre is closed down owing to danger caused by VIs and VIIs in the city. A considerable number of military personnel have become casualties already and some have been killed.
	19		Maj S.J.S. Lee awarded the MC. Lee, Stanlake John Swinton
	19		Cpl Coull and Pte Wiblin awarded the MM.
	20	0700	CO proceeds to BRUSSELS to fly home on leave.
	20	1000	Bn warned for move. NO move before 1500 hrs.
	20		2 IC to HQ 152 Inf Bde for instructions.
	20	1700	Conference for Bn 'O' Gp.
	20		(Bn adv parties reported to 51 (H) Div HQ at 1200 hrs).
	20		Bn to move to area South of HASSELT, where further orders will be issued.
	20		Route: GRAVE 6251
	20		HEESCH 4751
	20		NISTELRODE 5047
	20		UDEN 5342
	20		VEGHEL 4837
	20		ST OUDENRODE 4232
	20		EINDHOVEN 4218
	20		WALKENSUAARD 4108
EINDHOVEN Sheet 4 1/100000	20		HETCHEL 3483
	20		HETCHEREN 3571
	20		D.P. 316622 (HASSELT)
	20		152 Inf Bde S.P. at 647451.
	20		Head of Bn Coln to pass S.P. at 2230 hrs.
	20	1230	CO on arriving at BRUSSELS airport is informed all leave in cancelled and he is to return to his unit.
	20	1600	CO encounters GOC 51 (H) Div in area BEERINGEN 2475 and is informed Bn's likely harbouring area for night 19/20 Dec is BORKEL 3902.
	20	2000	2 IC to further conference at HQ 152 Inf Bde.
	20		CO rejoins Bn in WANROIJ and those concerned are informed of the new destination.
	20	2225	Bn moves off from WANROIJ.
BORKEL 3902 Sheet 4 1/100000	21	0330	Bn arrives area BORKEL 3902 where the adv parties are waiting and the Bn disperses to Coy areas.
	21	0700	CO to conference at HQ 152 Inf Bde.
	21		152 Inf Bde to move on 20 Dec to area of LOUVAIN 8657. Task: to cover the Westerly approaches to LOUVAIN 8657 and BRUSSELS 6256 should the enemy offensive in area MALMEDY 7804 and STAVELOT 7102 succeed in crossing the R WAAS and pushing West.
	21		2 Seaforth allotted area of WESEMAEL 9065.
	21		Bn posns for night 20/21 to be non-tactical and to provide cover for all tps.
	21		Comd 152 Inf Bde will recce Bn defensive area on 21 Dec; which will be manned by the Bn when ordered.
	21	0800	Bn 'O' Gp to conference. Bn will move to WESEMAEL 9065.
	21		Route: BORKEL 3902
	21		X Rds 3493
	21		LOMMEL 3095
	21		MOLL 1690
GHEEL Sheet 3 1/100000	21		GHEEL 0888
	21		HERSSELT 0076
	21		AERSCHOTT 9668
	21		WESEMAEL 9065
	21		S.P. X Rds 389037.
	21		Bn Coln to pass S.P. at 1500 hrs.
	21	0830	2 IC and adv parties move off for new locn.
	21	1200	IO with all Coy Cook's trucks move off for new locn.
	21	1500	Bn moves off from BORKEL.
WESEMAEL 9056 Sheet 8 1/100000	22	0030	Bn arrives at WESEMAEL having been considerably delayed by traffic on the rd.
	22	0900	Bn warned for move to area MAASTRICHT 5652.
	22		No move before 0300 hrs 23 Dec.
	22	1000	2 IC and adv parties move off.
	22	2000	'O' Gp conference at Bn HQ.
	22		Route: WESEMAEL 9065
	22		AERSHOT 9668
	22		DIEST 1168
	22		HEREL LAVILLE 1963
	22		HASSELT 3161
	22		GENCK 4365
	22		TERBOECKE 4562
	22		PAPENDAEL 4662
	22		SUTENDAEL 4761
	22		X Rds LANAEKEN 528573
	22		X Rds 556587
	22		BR 552272
	22		MAASTRICHT 5652
	22		MEERSSEN 6055 (D.P.)
	22		Bn. S.P. X Rds WESEMAEL 504653
	22		Bn to pass S.P. at 0330 hrs.
	22		Bn convoy number SAM 20.
	23	0330	Bn moves off from WESEMAEL.
	23	1130	Bn arrives area ULESTRATEN 6358.
	23		Village of ULESTRATEN allotted as billetting area for the Bn; at present occupied by elements of an Armd Bde.
	23		CO to HQ 152 Inf Bde to adjust the situation ref accommodation.
	23	1400	CO returns from Bde and holds 'O' Gp conference.
	23		Bn will move to area GELEEN 6565 during the afternoon. During the morning 24 Dec, the elements of the Armd Bde now in ULESTRATEN will move out and the Bn will move in.
	23		2 IC and adv parties move to GELEEN to recce accommodation.
	23	1630	Capt J. Leslie returns to Bn to inform Adjt that accommodation is satisfactory and the Bn is to move at once GELEEN.
	23	1700	Bn moves to GELEEN 6565.
	24	0900	2 IC and adv parties move to ULESTRATEN.
	24	1000	IO and all Coy Cook's trucks move to ULESTRATEN.
	24	1200	Bn moves from GELEEN to ULESTRATEN.
	24	1600	Bn complete in ULESTRATEN.
	24		Task of 152 Inf Bde in this area is to be prepared to C/A (a) North towards SITTARD 6968, (b) East towards GILENKIRCHEN 8664, or (c) South towards VERVIERS 6723, should the situation require it. 51 (H) Div now in Army Res to Ninth U.S. Army.
	25	0930	C of E Church Service.
	25	1000	Pres: Church Service.
	25	1200	R.C. Church Service.
	25		Bn warned for move to area between LIEGE and VERVIERS 6723.
	25		Route: ULESTRATEN
	25		MEERSSEN 6055
	25		HEER 6851
	25		MESCHT 5742
	25		LIEGE 4728
	25		BEAUFAYS D.P. 5020
	25		S.P. X rds area MEERSSEN 605559.
	25		Head of Bn Coln passed S.P. 1530 hrs.
	25		Convoy Serial No. C/64.
	25	1300	Adv parties move off to new area.
	25	1530	Bn moves off from ULESTRATEN.
	25	1900	Bn arrives area BEAUFAYS 5020.
	25		Bn dispositions as per trace.	Appx “B”
	25		Lt H. Scott joined the Bn and posted to S Coy as OC Mortar Pl.
	26		Bn settles in.
	26	1400	CO to conference at HQ 152 Inf Bde.
	26		51 (H) Div now in Army Res to First U.S. Army.
	26		152 Inf Bde has been allotted the possible task of defending the line of R AMBLEVE from its junc with R OURTHE 4711 to incl REMONCHAMPS 5610 against penetration from the South, until relieved by U.S. tps.
	26		Defensive localities are allotted an follows :-
	26		5 Camerons right, area 4912.
	26		5 Seaforth centre, area 5311.
	26		2 Seaforth left, area REMOUCHAMPS 5610.
	26		HQ 152 Inf Bde to be est in area SPRIMONT 5313.
	26		2 Seaforth will move to REMOUCHAMPS from its present locn via Red Route which is :-
	26		Rd Junc 513203
	26		Rd Junc 515198
	26		LOUVEIGNE 5616
	26		REMOUCHAMPS 5610
	27		CO on recce of REMOUCHAMPS.
	27		Snow.
	28	0900	COs conference for Bn 'O' Gp.
	28		Bn 'O' Gp proceed to REMOUCHAMPS and Coy areas are allotted as follows :-
	28		A Coy 568107
	28		B Coy 555113
	28		C Coy 563113
	28		D Coy 573117
	28		Bn HQ 571121
	28		Coy areas recce'd by Coy Comds.
	28	1730	CO to HQ 152 Inf Bde.
	29		Training under Coy arrangements.
	30		2 Seaforth O.O. No. 10 issued.	Appx “C”
	30		CO on recce of area of Plan ‘A’.
	31		CO and Adjt on recce of area of Plans 'C' and 'D'.
	31		Area of LIEGE under continual fire from VIs daily, most of which pass over the Bn area. One or two have fallen short but so far, NO damage has been caused to the Bn.
	31		The following awards have been gained by the Bn since its landing in FRANCE :-
	31		Lt-Col G.L.W. Andrews DSO
	31		Maj J.A.G. Corries MC
	31		Maj S.J.S. Lee MC Lee, Stanlake John Swinton
	31		CSM C. Ray MM
	31		Sjt M. Harper MM
	31		Cpl J. Coull MM
	31		Pte W. Forrest MM
	31		Pte J. Wiblin MM

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Source: Jeroen Koppes, TracesOfWar.com, transcribing: Hans Houterman.

Disclaimer: This War Diary is based on its original, but typos might be corrected. Locations are calculated, so might not be in the correct place. For historical research, always check the originals.

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