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Tuesday

27 février 1945

Lieu de départ :

GOCH

267

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Emplacement final :

GOCH

Jour J+

266

27 février 1945

9 Bde was ordered to attack and secure the line of the WEEZE-UDEM RD between 965403 and the bridge at 974409.


The operation was carried out in 2 phases and coincided with the similar operations of 8 Bde on our left flank.


Phase I 2 Lincolns cleared and captured wood at 960418, with a dawn attack and were on their final objective by 0830 hrs.


Phase II on the right 1 KOSB and on the left 2 RUR were to clear and capture woods at final objective and if possible secure bridge and buildings at 973398.


The Bn cleared the woods and was astride the road at 1345 hrs having advanced directly behind the barrage and captured 4 Officers and 180 ORs. The Bn was supported by 2 Tps of Churchill tanks of the Scots Guards.


An attack on the buildings and bridge at 973398 failed owing to an SP gun which knocked out two tanks, and heavy MG fire from the objective.


During the whole day there was intermittent heavy mortar harassing fire at various points.


The Bn suffered few casualties considering the opposition.


The PW belonged to II and III Bn 7 Para Regt for the most part.


The 8 Bde on our right had been held up by enemy in the woods at 959403 so our right flank was open. The enemy did not counter attack and we spent a quiet night.


Dispositions were as follows :- HQ at 966404, "A" Coy 968402, "B" Coy 965404, "C" Coy 967405, "D" Coy 972402.

267

Details of Major Frank Holden's actions on 27th Feb 1945 that led to him being awarded the Military Cross.

Informations alternatives (tirées de livres, de témoignages personnels)

Major Frank Holden was wounded on the 7th April, 1945. He has a page here


Operation Heather


At 05.30 hours we started to move to our assembly area. A Company were unlucky to have three casualties from shell fire as they got up out of their slits.


Apart from that the Battalion assembled without further incident.


At 07.30 hours we saw the Lincolns advancing. The barrage started to time and it made a most heartening and impressive noise.


We did not wait long before we moved up to cross the stream we saw the first prisoners coming back and about sixty of them formed up in threes and marching quite smartly to the rear, only looking pretty dazed.


An extract from 1st KOSB's report on the action for this day. The full text can be found in the Borderers Chronicle for June 1945, Pages 59 onwards.

KOSB badge on a poppy background

KIA ce jour-là

6

Tuesday

27 février 1945

KOSB Badge on a poppy background
Private
WILLIAM
LOBLEY
3604726
27/02/1945
31
MOOK WAR CEMETERY
Private
WILLIAM BAILLIE SMITH
McFADYEN
14671389
27/02/1945
19
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
Private
ROY
SEARLE
14702355
27/02/1945
19
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
Lance Corporal
WILLIAM LIDDLE
SHANKS
3191352
27/02/1945
26
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
Private
DANIEL
STEELE
14649742
27/02/1945
19
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
Private
HERBERT
THOMAS
14429040
27/02/1945
19
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

16

Blessé ce jour-là

Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte J P Mill
3194193
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte D Johnson
14681685
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Cpl W. Jones
3970055
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte F Walker
14763278
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
L/Cpl T Holme
3596978
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte R M Dunning
14214545
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte F J F Stocker
14665519
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte R. Smith
14686639
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte D Marshall
3184516
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte E. Hawkins
14658511
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte H C Bushell
1655851
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte V R Hills
14496609
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte T. Wood
4343842
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte H. Thomas
14429440
Researching
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Sgt T Pearson
3599123
Wounded in left arm. Remained on duty.
Tuesday, February 27, 1945
Pte J B Weir
3193927
Researching
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