"Our task was to clear a large wood near Veulen and this involved a long night march in the most terrible conditions of weather and ground. The artificial moonlight was ineffective and the Battalion waded through ditches and bogs in bitter cold and rain. This was one of the most trying and uncomfortable experiences of the campaign, and it was some relief to find that the Germans had withdrawn, so that all objectives were easily secured. We reached the line of the Venraij — Venlo road with only one casualty — caused by a booby-trap in the trees which had been felled in order to impede our advance. On the following day we continued the forward movement, still encountering no serious resistance, and eventually found reasonably comfortable billets in the neighbourhood of Kastenraij, where we remained until the end of November. This afforded us the opportunity to celebrate St Andrew's Night and, though the party was held on the 27th and the only accomodation was a loft, the important matter was that it afforded the officers their first chance of meeting in a body for almost two months."

WIG Wilson's - A Short History of The First Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers in North-West Europe 3rd Division Royal Artillery HQ War Diary

23rd Nov 1944 Attack Made

3rd Divisional Artillery HQ reports "Op Peacock. 9th Infantry Brigade attacked to clear enemy from South West of railway as far as Oorloo in three phases.

Phase I. 1st KOSB to clear wood and orchard and 2nd Lincolns with one squadron 4th Coldstream Guards under comd to subdue factory.

Phase II. 2nd Royal Ulster Rifles with under comd one sqn 4th Coldstream Guards to advance to wood then school.

Phase III. Adv to Oorloo.

RA 3rd British Division (less 25 Field Regiment) supported attack with tasks at call (Not called for). Tac HQ RA established at Meerselo. Op successful, little opposition encountered except mines. Whole area West of River Maas cleared of enemy except the Kasteel at Geijsteren and three pockets East of Wanssum.