2nd Battalion Royal ulster rifles
and
famous irish regiments
The aim of our group is to promote and teach others about the courage and bravery of the men who served, fought and died in all Irish Regiments during World War 2.
2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles. October 1944:
The Battalion arrived at Petit Brogel on the south side of the Escaut Canal in the afternoon of September 17th 1944. It was here on the following night that the Brigade ( 2nd Lincolns on the right and 2nd RUR on the left, with 1st KOSB in reserve ) made an assault river crossing.
After the action at Lille St Hubert, the Class 40 Bridge, built by the Divisional Engineers, permitted the passage of the 11th Armoured Division, and the Battalion's Divisional role was to follow up the armour, taking over important points as these were overcome, and also ensuring the protection of their lines of communication. During the march to Marheeze, the rifles crossed the frontier between Belgium and Holland and received a riotus reception in the villages and towns of both countries. At Deurne, some 20 miles north of Marheeze, across the Helmond Canal, the Battalion moved up to the village of Cuyk, five miles from the German frontier where 3rd British Infantry Division ( of which the rifles were part ) was to deal with a pocket of the enemy resistance which remained west of the Meuse and was based in Overloon, Venray and Venlo. On October 12th the Battalion moved some 10 miles south of Cuyk to St. Anthonis. At 0900 hrs next morning, ' A ' Company moved forward to its objective, a wood close to the Overloon-Oploo road.' D ' Company followed ' A ' Company and had no sooner passed through them than snipers were encountered hidden in more dense parts of the wood. This slowed the progress of the operation and it was some time before ' D ' Company reported their objective secure, which was a position half way through the wood. They were then ordered to continue forward to the final objective, while ' C ' Company was to take over the ground that ' D ' Company had covered.
Shortly after 1400 hrs ' B ' Company moved forward to take over the right hand corner of the wood. On reaching a clearing in the wood the leading platoon was shot at by small arms fire which ceased in its intensity as the Germans continued to retreat. The next day, October 14th, was something of a respite, for the Lincolns passed through to attack another wood, ' Wood Y '. Enemy mortars and shelling continued and caused some casualties. On October 16th, 9th Brigade received orders to relieve a unit of 11th Armoured Division with the role of preventing a counter-attack towards Overloon, while the 3rd Division's attack continued in Venray. This relief meant a four-mile march along tracks, which had been ploughed up bt carriers and tanks and then waterlogged by rain.
After the action at Lille St Hubert, the Class 40 Bridge, built by the Divisional Engineers, permitted the passage of the 11th Armoured Division, and the Battalion's Divisional role was to follow up the armour, taking over important points as these were overcome, and also ensuring the protection of their lines of communication. During the march to Marheeze, the rifles crossed the frontier between Belgium and Holland and received a riotus reception in the villages and towns of both countries. At Deurne, some 20 miles north of Marheeze, across the Helmond Canal, the Battalion moved up to the village of Cuyk, five miles from the German frontier where 3rd British Infantry Division ( of which the rifles were part ) was to deal with a pocket of the enemy resistance which remained west of the Meuse and was based in Overloon, Venray and Venlo. On October 12th the Battalion moved some 10 miles south of Cuyk to St. Anthonis. At 0900 hrs next morning, ' A ' Company moved forward to its objective, a wood close to the Overloon-Oploo road.' D ' Company followed ' A ' Company and had no sooner passed through them than snipers were encountered hidden in more dense parts of the wood. This slowed the progress of the operation and it was some time before ' D ' Company reported their objective secure, which was a position half way through the wood. They were then ordered to continue forward to the final objective, while ' C ' Company was to take over the ground that ' D ' Company had covered.
Shortly after 1400 hrs ' B ' Company moved forward to take over the right hand corner of the wood. On reaching a clearing in the wood the leading platoon was shot at by small arms fire which ceased in its intensity as the Germans continued to retreat. The next day, October 14th, was something of a respite, for the Lincolns passed through to attack another wood, ' Wood Y '. Enemy mortars and shelling continued and caused some casualties. On October 16th, 9th Brigade received orders to relieve a unit of 11th Armoured Division with the role of preventing a counter-attack towards Overloon, while the 3rd Division's attack continued in Venray. This relief meant a four-mile march along tracks, which had been ploughed up bt carriers and tanks and then waterlogged by rain.
We were not aware that a German machine-gun position was covering the river.
Pat took this one of me..
Andrew, France 1944
2nd Battalion, October 1944
Local information shows that the German position is
lightly held, but dominates a key position on the canal.
lightly held, but dominates a key position on the canal.
Entering Petit Brogel, two local villagers
assist a sergeant of the battalion with valuable info
assist a sergeant of the battalion with valuable info
The patrol sets off with guide to view the position.
The country side is covered with dykes and ditches.
The country side is covered with dykes and ditches.
A short respite from the bitter fighting, comes
as a welcome change for the patrol.
as a welcome change for the patrol.
Sweet reminders of home, and a short time to relax and make friends with the local children.
An enemy ambush is still a threat, the Bren- gunner keeps a watchful eye on the hedge-line.
Having made a crossing of the canal, observation of the enemy position is continued. HQ are contacted.
A local resistance member, points out to the 'recce' patrol an enemy position which is lightly held.
