Hi PB.
I am still thinking about publishing.
Cheers.
Swordman

Good man :D

The Rhine proper.
With all the preparations of the Rhine crossing handed over to the Third Div Sappers there was only 9 days left to prepare. All of the tasks extremely important.

Company was moved to Calcar into some bomb and shell damaged houses. 3 platoon filled two big Craters on the Calcar -Neder Mormter Road.

L/Sgt Halls, L/Sgt Richards, OC, Lt Boyse, Lt Sparks and Lt Fotheringham all carries out night recces on the banks of the Rhine covered by infantry patrols.
March 14th 60 Bailey was delaunched moved three feet to one side and converet6ed to 60 foot daul carriageway DD-DS bridge.

A great deal of preparation was required. There were deep craters everywhere. In addition to the repair and improvement on all the roads. Cross Country tracks had to be prepared fopr the Buffaloes in which the assault was to be carried out.. These tracks led right up to the river and involved the breaching of the floodbanks at the last moment. They had to be marked and lit at the last moment also.

Trials were carried out on breaching flood banks on the Maas near Mook. And after many trials, came to the conclusion that three rows of General Wade charges buried in the homeside of the banks was most satisfactory.
These three charges were so spaced that the tracks of the Buffaloes would pass in between ground that had not so badly disturbed by the directional effects of the General Wades.
Although it was found possible to complete the gap with an armoured bulldozer in 12 minutes it was decided to allow 30 minutes in case of accidents.

By 23rd of March, All road had been prepared. Bridges increased to class 70 capacity, all routs doubled to take two way traffic. All corners eased to take the immense number of bridging lorries. The craters in front of the flood banks were not completed because 253 and 246 Fd cos after heroic attempts by night and day had been unable to work, (Enemy action)

The area now was simply full of men and equipment and guns of incredible size. The smoke screen was intended to conceal it all from the enemy. However the assaulting div suffered so much for the Toxic effects that on the 23 March smoke was called off.

This meant the Sappers had to finish digging their charges on the flood bank in broad daylight in full view of the enemy. It was very dangerous work and was continuously interrupted by the enemy.

At 1700 hrs the artillery concentration started, gradually working up to a crescendo at H hour At 2100 hrs.
All this from RE records of Third Div sappers.
Swordman

More from the “Way Forward�

Previous to the opening barrage, mortar fire was considerable when the enemy saw movement. Wireless sets were dug in at each site and overhead cover for the slit trenches.
Coy Tac HQ was set up in a cellar in Neder Mormter.
At 1700 hrs as the barrage started all firing parties went to the ground. Enemy harassing fire generally fell a few hundred yards behind the bank,
At 2000 hrs All the charges were successfully blown and then Armoured D7s got down to work,

The right hand gap was opened at 2030 hrs, The centre gap dozer broke down right in the middle of the gap, after just starting to work. However the Dozer from the right hand gap moved over on competition of its task and completed a one way gap in the bank at 2056 hrs. Just as the leading buffalo reached the bank.
The Armoured D7 then moved to the left hand gap - the out exit for the Buffalo ferry service and completed the gap there. Just as the leading Buffaloes reappeared .

The Buffaloes commander reported they were having the utmost difficulty getting out the water on the near bank due to the steepness and the stone facing.
Lt Conway took the D7 down to the waters edge, but after about ten minutes work the machine shed a track right at the waters edge.
Lt Conway was ordered to bring up L/Sgt Levio’s section and completed the job with explosives and by hand.

Despite considerable shell and small arms fire this was eventually done by about 0230 hrs and this exit stood up till the morning. 2 platoon stood by all day. 3 platoon with a D8 dozer completed al the ditch filling sign boarding and taping to get the Buffaloes from the Calcar Xanten road up to the cuts in the river banks.
Maint of Buffalo track by 2 platoon using two HD 7s and a D8 18 prisoners of war were used to strip off the stone facings and bridge Maint was continued. A very good effort.

But bit had not all been plain sailing. IT was a very anxious half hour at the crossing control. Repports came in from each Company on the flood bank that the demolitions were successful and a huge sigh of relief when accompanied the report that the first Buffaloes were entering the water.
However things had not been so perfect on the bank itself. On the left the officer that was have to carried out the demolition was wounded and was very nearly evacuated with the handle of the exploder in his pocket. (Cpl Ford, my old Cpl, Quick thinking saved the day he dashed after the officer and got the exploder)

Cpl Ford was in the water and finished up with Double Pneumonia, It was he that while sick took the trouble to send me a complete set of company shoulder insignia with the words. “We don’t want you to look like a rookie Brian� What a Gentleman! To think of others while sick. I never found Cpl Ginger Ford again after the War and I really did try. I wanted to say Thanks Ginger mate. Never found him……..Cpl Ginger Ford, platoon Gentleman

I am going to fire up the outrage bus because I missed this thread completely until today, unforgivable.

What a fantastic and very humbling read

Swordman, if you want your own website so we can record your stories and photos then just say the word. Would be happy to do it for a fellow sapper

I too am embarrassed to say I have only found this thread and have spent hours catching up. Sir, you have a quality and a dignity that is sadly lacking in today's generations and I have been humbled to read your story so far. I hope to have the privilege of reading more of your accounts and would as others strongly advise you to get it published, not only to let the world know of your deeds but to also maybe add a little well deserved comfort to your own life.


Regards. Cairngorm.

To be honest. I feel deeply honoured that those that read this acount find it interesting....Genuinely...
I have never thought about a site before.
Thanks very much for your kindness.
Swordman

While all this was going on, this young Sapper was in Hospital having penicillin jabs every 6 hours. Night and day. And waiting so impatiently for my award of a Monty’s Certificate that Lt Boyse RE had told me I was going to be presented with………Still waiting. All the while the angels that looked after me, were bringing me long knitting needles so that I could have a scratch down inside my whole body plaster…..

Ecstasy!.. By the way. The dozer that went down to finish the job on the flood banks and shed a track on the waters edge, immediately came under fire, and a target for 88mm 40mm and 20mms. While the job was finished by hand.
The outcome? Well, it all went well, and spoke volumes for the Third Div Field Companies expertise. It earned a “Very good effort� accolade

Oddly enough I have spoken about this before The RE seldom speak, or write, about the enemy actions. It seems to be beneath their dignity? Its always a record of the “Engineering part of Combat�
To get back to “The Way Forward� 253 Fld Coy RE went across the Rhine with the leading Buffaloes, But was unable to improve things much without equipment.

The Coy crossed the Rhine by London bridge and harboured in a field North East of Rees at 1500 hrs. The whole div crossed with a view to following up Guards armored Div in their advance towards Bremen.
When dawn broke the following day, 51H div were firmly established on the far bank. But Rees The key to the whole plan was very much still in enemy hands
Work by GHQ troops RE on the bank was almost impossible and they were suffering very heavy casualties.

There were rumours that our old friends 24 Para regt Hubner were holding the town, in any case it did not seem likely that it would fall that day. Or indeed the next. The whole bridging programme was consequently held up.
Later on that morning the most inspiring sight of the 6th Airborne Division. First the Para Brgd, then all the Gliders, There was a considerable amount of Flak and some pretty grim scenes as aircraft burst or broke up in the air.

Our part of the Rhine crossing was over and the Company had a very well deserved rest.
Swordman.

This article is withdrawn. Not in the best interests of the Royal Engineers.
Swordman

Remember Remember. For the day is almost upon us once more. For all the Sappers, and service folk that gave their lives in all the wars. And for those that still bear the wounds, both mental and physical ......Rest easy friends. For it was you, and your sacrifices that made this Country great.
Swordman