WO 171/1322 - 6 KOSB - October 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: 6 KOSB
Month and Year: October 1944	(Erase heading not required).	Commanding Officer: Lt.Col. C.W.P. Richardson

Place	Date	Summary
BOSCHKANT 4031	1	The Bn remained in situ throughout the day and there was little of importance to report. Some shelling and mortaring of a desultory nature took place. At 1800 hrs the Bn was relieved by 5/7 Gordons of 51 (H) Inf Div, and on relief proceeded by TCV to a rest area in BOEKEL 571361. Weather wet
BOEKEL 571361	2	The entire day was devoted to rest, re-organisation and adm. Maj SPEIRS and Capt THOMAS joined the Bn and were posted to A and D Coys respectively. D Coy was obliged to change its location owing to the arrival of another fmn and moved to BERKHOER 582941. Weather fair but cold
BOEKEL 571361	3	The Div Comd addressed the Bn on parade and complimented the men on their success in recent ops. After his inspection and address, the Bn marched past the Div Comd. The remainder of the day was spent in trg. Cinema shows and an ENSA concert party performed and were attended by large numbers. Weather fair
BOEKEL 571361	4	Trg of various types continued throughout the day, incl assault boating and shooting. Lt BURNETT and Lt WOODS rejoined the Bn after having been evacuated some months owing to wounds. Weather fair
BOEKEL 571361	5	Further trg continued. In the afternoon the soccer team played 1KOSB at ST HUBERT 6744 and beat them 4-1. Considerable numbers of the offrs and ORs of both Bns were present and a regimental re-union was carried out. The Bde Massed Pipes and Drums played at an inter Bn football competition in the afternoon. The 15 (S) Div Concert Party (The Tam O'Shanters) gave a performance in GEMERT in the evening. Weather dull
BOEKEL 571361	6	Trg continued throughout the day. The CO attended an O Gp at Bde HQ at 1345 hrs and orders were received for the Bn to relieve S LANCS on the other side of R MAAS to-morrow. CO held an O Gp in the evening and arrangements were made for recce parties to leave early next day. The Sjts Mess held a "smoker" in the evening. The Div Comd addressed all offrs in HELMOND, after which the Div Massed Pipes and Drums beat retreat. Weather fine
BOEKEL 571361	7	Recce parties went off in the morning to carry out recce of new area and Bn made preparations to move off at about 1600 hrs. In the afternoon, however, infm was received that the operation so far as this Div was concerned had been cancelled. The Corps Comd visited Bde HQ in the late afternoon and saw COs and 2sIC of Inf Bns. Weather dull
BOEKEL 571361	8	Trg continued throughout the day. A demonstration of patrolling was organised by Capt GER CAREY, MC and was witnessed by the whole Bn. Other trg which was carried out included drill and Regtl History. A draft of 39 ORs arrived on posting from 49 Inf Div. Weather fair
BOEKEL 571361	9	Trg continued throughout the day, under Coy arrangements. A further draft of one offr and 16 ORs joined the Bn. Weather fair
BOEKEL 571361	10	Further trg continued throughout the day and included Drill, Weapon Trg and Firing. A night exercise was arranged but had to be cancelled owing to wet weather. The Army Comd visited Bde HQ during the day and met Maj SPEIRS who was representing the CO. In the evening the 2IC attended a conference at Bde HQ. HQ Coy had a "smoker" in the evening. Weather wet
BOEKEL 571361	11	Certain recces were carried out by 2IC in connection with future trg and ops. Coys carried out trg under Coy arrangements as heretofore. This included a march to GEMERT in order to experience crossing a water obstacle by means of a KAPOK br. In the evening a Coy Comds conference was held and future trg and ops discussed. Weather fair
BOEKEL 571361	12	CO and IO carried out a recce in new area in connection with future ops. 2IC and Coy Comds carried out recces in the forenoon in the area of BEEK 5327 as a prelude to a Bde exercise known as ANTIDOTE to be carried out in that area this evening. The exercise involved a crossing of a canal on a two Bn front, with a third Bn passing through. The first part of the exercise began about 1900 hrs and consisted of carrying parties going to an off loading pt at approx 534269 whence they took over assault boats from REs, carried them to FAAs at 535267 and 530264 and erected them. This op was covered by a party from the carrier pl, who maintained a gd on the boats until the following morning when the second part began. Weather fair
BOEKEL 571361	13	The Bn left BOEKEL in tpt at about 0200 hrs and proceeded to GEMERT, whence it proceeded by march route to an assembly area at 534269. Bn HQ was est at 535266. A B & C Coys carried boats fwd to canal and at 0530 hrs the attack commenced. The fwd coys gained their initial objectives and were followed by D Coy. 6RSF carried out a similar programme on the right. On completion of this stage of the op 8RS passed through and enlarged the br head. At this stage the exercise closed and tps returned to billets. An op conference was held by the CO in the afternoon at which further arrangements for future ops were made. Weather fair
BOEKEL 571361	14	Coys carried out trg under Coy arrangements. This included the practice of boat drill and other items of trg connected with assault crossings. Further conferences were held and preparations made for future ops. Weather wet
BOEKEL 571361	15	The Chaplain held Church Services in all Coys in the course of the morning. No other parades were held until after mid-day. Coys then did trg under Bn arrangements involving the use of assault boats and canal crossings. Coys marched back from this trg with the Pipe Band leading. Weather wet
BOEKEL 571361	16	Ordinary trg continued during the day. The CO attended several conferences during the day at Bde HQ on the subject of future ops. A lecture to all offrs was given by the CO at Bn HQ in the afternoon. All Coys carried out night exercises in the evening. Infm received that the ops already envisaged were now indefinitely postponed. Weather wet
BOEKEL 571361	17	Coys carried out a full day's trg, including drill, weapon trg and boating practice. Baths, cinemas and ENSA shows were also organised and attended by reps from all Coys. Weather fair
BOEKEL 571361	18	The trg programme for to-day included drill for all coys, aslt boating, ABCA, patrolling and religious instr. In the evening an offrs discussion was held on the subject of aslt crossings and numerous interesting pts were raised, examined and discussed. Weather wet
BOEKEL 571361	19	Coys carried out route marches, and practised offensive action against tks and use of cover and cam. A soccer match against 6RSF was held in the afternoon, which was won by the Bn team. 8RS came under comd of 7 Armd Div and moved into the line. Weather wet
BOEKEL 571361	20	A further full day's trg was carried out by all Coys. Mine laying and lifting and street and village fighting were both practised. Another offr discussion was held in the evening, the subject being "clearing of a pillbox". After the discussion, a Guest Night was held in the Offrs Mess which was attended by all offrs and an opportunity was afforded for recently joined offrs to get to know the others. Weather wet
BOEKEL 571361	21	A Bn parade was held in the forenoon. All Coys were fully represented and the Pipes and Drums led the march past at the conclusion of the parade. The Commanding Offr took the salute. The afternoon was devoted to recreation. Weather fair.
BOEKEL 571361	22	Church Services were held in all Coy areas. The remainder of the day was devoted to interior economy. A soccer match was played in the evening against 194 Fd Amb, which resulted in a draw. Weather fair
BOEKEL 571361	23	The CO attended an O Gp at HQ 227 (H) Inf Bde at 1000 hrs. Coys carried out a route march in the forenoon and other forms of trg in the afternoon. On his return the CO stated that the Bn was going under comd 227 (H) Inf Bde and would move to-morrow to the gen area SW of ST OEDENRODE. Orders were accordingly issued and preparations made for the move. Weather fair
STEENWEG 380269	24	The CO held an O Gp at 1000 hrs and plans were made for an attack on the woods NW of BEST, to be carried out by 6RSF, 6KOSB and 2A&SH, all under comd 227 (H) Inf Bde. Before the O Gp was finished, however, infm was received that the enemy was making a gen withdrawal in that area, and orders were received to conc in area STEENWEG 3727. This was accordingly done and Bn HQ est at 380269. The CO attended an O Gp at Bde HQ in the evening and on his return gave orders for an adv commencing first light to-morrow, along the NORTH bank of the WILHELMINA Canal, the objective being the br at BIESTE 2027. Weather fair
206276	25	The Bn set off at 0700 hrs with D Coy acting as vangd. No opposition was met at any time during the advance, but progress was slow on account of enemy def posns which had been constructed across the track at many places. At about 1600 hrs the Bn was finally in posn covering the br site. Bn HQ was est at 206276. The REs then began to construct a Class 40 br. Weather fair
VOOR 192255	26	Orders were received for the Bde to cross the canal as soon as Cl 40 br was constructed and conc in area BIESTE 2026 – HILVARENBEEK 1924. The br was constructed by 1230 hrs and harbour parties went fwd to recce posns. These encountered several mines and obstructions and the crossing was delayed for some hrs until these were cleared. A jeep belonging to B Coy was blown up during this op, wounding Capt JM LOUNTAIN and killing 2 ORs. About 1800 hrs, however, the Bn was able to cross, and moved to a conc area in the vicinity of VOORT with Bn HQ est at 192255. The CO attended an O Gp at Bde HQ at 2100 hrs and received orders for an attack on TILBURG by 6RSF on right and 6KOSB left, sp by 1 Tk Gren Gds, to take place to-morrow. Weather fair
TILBURG 1832	27	The CO held an O Gp at 0700 hrs and gave orders for the attack on TILBURG, with A and B Coy leading. The attack was to go in immediately after the attack by 6RSF reached line of stream from 184314 to 175311. RSF attack went in at 1100 hrs, met only minor opposition, and objectives were secured by 1200 hrs. The KOSB attack went in at 1205 hrs sp by arty and tks. Only very minor opposition was encountered and by evening the Bn was est in the centre of the town with Bn HQ located at 162322. Weather dull with rain later
TILBURG 1832	28	No move took place during the day, and tps devoted themselves to rest. In the evening the Pipes and Drums played in the square beside the station much to the pleasure of the civ population. Warning order received during the day to be prepared to move before first light. Weather fair
VREKWIJK 656174	29	Orders were received that owing to a potential threat to the EAST flank the Bn was to move to an area SOUTH of DEURNE 6419. This was done by TCVs, leaving TILBURG at about 0330 hrs, and arriving at Dis P at about 0730. CO attended an O Gp immediately on arrival as a result of which Bn moved to and took up posn at 655182 with Coys on a line running EAST and WEST through 656175. Almost immediately, however, orders were received to move further fwd. This was done and new posns occupied. Later in the day, the Bn came under comd 46 (H) Inf Bde. Weather fair
VREKWIJK 656174	30	The Bn remained under comd 46 (H) Inf Bde and did not move at all during the day. In the forenoon 9 Cam and 7 Seaforth passed through and occupied posns to the front leaving 6 KOSB in res. 44 Bde adv towards LIESEL 6614 from the WEST and by nightfall 6RSF were fighting in the northernmost part of the village. A Bde O Gp was held in the evening and plans made for a two Bn attack on the line LOONSCHE BAAN 680148 to take place to-morrow by 9 Cams and 7 Seaforth, 6KOSB to be in res and to be prepared to pass through and capture SLOT. The CO held an O Gp on his return and gave orders for the carrying out of each phase of the op. Weather cold and dry with rain at night
SLOT 674139	31	At 0830 9 Cams and 7 Seaforth commenced an attack with a view to securing gen area LOONSCHE BANN 6714 and LIESEL respectively. Both units reached their objectives by approx 1300 hrs and at 1445 hrs 6 KOSB were launched on an attack on SLOT. In Phase I of this op, D Coy right and C Coy left captured 675137 and 678139 respectively. Opposition was fairly hy but was overcome with many PW. 2 Mk IV tks were knocked out by D Coy. On completion of Phase I A and B Coys passed through and took 679134 and 681136 respectively, again after some opposition. The Bn consolidated in this posn for the night. Weather dry but very misty

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Source: The War Diaries of the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division June 1944 - May 1945.

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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