The Forgotten battle of the Sceldt and Woensdrecht on “Black Friday” The 13th!

[Recce]

This was a chapter of WWII that had, by and large, have been forgotten, with the exception of the Dutch Population who were liberated, and never forgot their heroic
honourable gallant, sacrifice of those brave souls and the Canadian soldiers who fought and survived to tell the tail, of their exploits to endeavour to persevere against
all odds. Against a better equipped, embedded and season army that had completely fortified all German occupied positions.

Montgomery and Eisenhower never gave “The Sceldt”, top priority until it was almost too late. Capturing and securing the port in Schedt and surrounding areas, would of
aloud the Allies the so badly needed supplies and men needed, being transported much quicker then having all the supplies transported in by trucks, from the artificial
port in Normandy. Since every port had been blow up, heavily mined and rendered useless by the retreating Germans. In these battles the Canadians suffered 75% heavy
casualties, during these port clearings and supplies and manpower were dwindling. The Allied commanders had estimated the Reserve was made in such a way that the
infantry would suffer looses and figured a 50% ratio. The Scheldt was one of the most important and bloody campaigns Canadian soldiers ever fought in WWII.
As high ranking Officers due to posturing, ignorance and arrogance made horrendous inexplicable decisions.

Paris was liberated On August 25th 1944, the celebrations had be gone in gay Paris, but not for the Canadians. US and British armies had advanced into German held
territory which attracted most of the news, & the press. The Canadians were assigned a less glamorous task, of attacking and liberating minor ports along the northern
coast of France. The Canadian Army was under the command of General Crerar. They encountered very serious German resistance, since the area that the Canadians
were attempting to liberate had been heavily defended and fortified. Remember this was the location Hitler assumed the Allied landings of D-Day were to have taken place.
On September 4th 1944, XXX Corps reached Antwerp, and with the assistance of the Belgian resistance the city was secured and the port facilities were captured intact.
Then the advance was halted at Antwerp. By not advancing past Antwerp and liberating Holland, rendered the port of Antwerp unusable. “The Scheldt Estuary” which
connects the North Sea with Antwerp, was 80km long in Dutch territory and the Germans held both sides of the estuary. This was a blunder made by “Monty”, and
Canadian soldiers would now have to pay the highest price for his incompetence. Due to his obsession with the idea of a thrust deep into Germany, that would carry
Montgomery all the way to Berlin and be glorified in the History books as being the conquer of Berlin. And beat the Russian and Patton to the grand prize.


At this same time Operation “Comet” had been revised by Allied command and was now to be called Operation Market-Garden or as many have know it as the movie “A Bridge to Far”.
British units in Antwerp were to be used for operation Market-Garden therefore Canadian units replaced them in Antwerp. On September 17th 1944, Market-Garden was launched,
but it ultimately met with failure and disaster, disappointments and the lost and sacrifice of so many Troops. By now the port had become the main priority for the Allies.
While Eisenhower saw this, but Montgomery still wanted a push obsessively into Germany. Around September 26th 1944, Eisenhower told “Monty” to forget about this thrust
into Germany, his first priority was to clear the harbour of Antwerp. Montgomery conceded after much grumbling and assigned the task to the First Canadian Army now under
command of Lt. Gen. Guy Simonds of 2nd Division, as General Crerar was evacuated to England. Since LT. Gen Simonds had become very alarmed on September 4th, by the
build-up of German strengths on both sides of the Scheldt Estuary. German soldiers who had escaped the Falaise pocket from "The 15th Army" which now had set up Shop
on one of the Scheldt estuary banks, which was now a completely Fortified Fort.

This battle could have been won easily, it would have been better to seal the ports off and isolate them instead, as they were all very well defended with German Troops
and fortified. LT.-Gen. Simonds being arrogantly incompetent and irresponsible for many needles high casualties in WWII Battles, one being the carnage for Verrières Ridge,
believed strongly this assignment was a waste of time and resources. He came up with a new plan to move the Canadians north along the coast towards the Dutch town
of Breskens, then head east towards Antwerp and clear out the Scheldt Estuary. Due to Allied indecisiveness and since General Crerar didn’t get along with Montgomery in
which a rift now existed between the two. It was the delay that gave Hitler, all the time he needed to turn the Scheldt into a fortress. At the end of September 1944, the
Canadian Army was ready for its advance into the Scheldt, and Lt. Gen. Simmons plan was approved undermining “Montys” Plane, by General Crerar, Utter sheer madness
by today’s military tactics. Without Montgomery knowing that his original orders where ignored and changed. The battle of the Scheldt would start on October 1st and be
the largest infantry battle under Canadian command in WWII. The British and Polish units would join the attack. For the Canadians, it was not an inviting prospect to attack
these positions with six under strength infantry battalions, a squadron of artillery regiments and tanks, that had to ration supplies towards the approaches to the port of Antwerp.
It clearly showed the unqualified reckless arrogant behaviour of Lt.-Gen. Guy Simonds while demanding the advance continue, “Get Cracking”. It’s to be noted; Monty and
Lt.-Gen Miles Christopher Dempsey Aka, “Lucky” or “Bimbo” where alarmed contacting Canadian high command concerning Simonds actions in past operations since D-Day,
as the needless high casualty rates, using daylight open field attacks were ill-conceived nor part of WWII tactical procedures. Bernd “Monty’ was not pleased when his Canadian
Division Commander fired Brigadier Howard Graham, commander of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade. “Monty” wrote to Corps Commander Oliver Leese: “This is a great pity.
Graham is an excellent fellow and much beloved in his brigade. I expect Simonds lost his temper. Simonds is a young and very inexperienced divisional general and has
much to learn about command. In my highest opinion of Simonds...[although he] tried to go off the rails once or twice when he first went into action with his Div. Simonds
must therefore be handled carefully and trained on. On October 3rd 1944, the RAF dropped more than 1,000 tons of HE bombs on the Westkapelle dike, breaching the
Walcheren island enclosure in three places. The sea rushed in and virtually flooded the island. Now the land battle was set to begin. The 2nd Canadian Division would attack
up the Beveland peninsula, and the 4th Armoured Division would be there protecting the flank. The terrain was quite difficult, with all that muck and mud. Troops had
difficulties moving cross-country, and were confined to the roads. The first attacks, codenamed Switchback, were designed to clear the south bank of the river
(The Breskens pocket). Canadian troops crossed the Leopold Canal as the German defenders were lined up facing the Leopold Canal. The Germans where caught of guard
by the attack from the rear by Nova Scotia Regiment, launched an amphibious assault from the sea and landed behind the German lines. While the Canadians succeeded
in the attack. The second part of the operation was code named “Vitality”. The Germans paratroopers offered solid resistance, and the Canadians gained little ground.

The Black Watch had already suffered heavy casualties. B.W. 1st Battalion suffered more casualties than any other Canadian infantry battalion in Northwest Europe according
to figures published in “The Long Left Flank” Written by Jeffrey Williams. Disaster seemed to follow the Regiment in almost every battle. During the Battle of Verrières Ridge
on July 25th 1944, they suffered a 97% casualties, In which 325 men left the start line, astonishingly only 15 made it back to friendly lines, the others being killed or wounded
and incredibly one company of 90 men was reduced to just four survivors. Being horrendously out numbered By well entrenched Waffen SS soldiers, machine gun Nests, SS tanks
and Nebelwerfer Rocket Artillery. While a further 40% casualties 10 days later in Operation Totalize. A month prior to the attack on Woensdrecht they had in the Battle for Spycker
in Operation they suffered 60 losses in 36hrs from September 12-14th. In October the Regiment expected to be fully manned and re-supplied, but that was not to be, as the
Regiment lay in shambles, but stood honourably proudly to what they had just accomplished and to the battle to come.



Part II Next Page

[Recce]

The Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, was about to meet it’s Waterloo, open field battle with no cover or obstacles to hide behind. The Brigade Commanders
Lt.-Gen. Simonds, Maj.-Gen. Foulkes and Brig.-Gen. W.J. Megill 5th Brigade knowing the Black Watch situation in hand, gave the order for the Black Watch, to attack and
take a small town called Woensdrecht which the Germans had fully fortified. This town was vital for communications. When October 12th came along the Black Watch where
undermanned, only rifles and Smoke Bombs, with no support to lay down an attack on the German positions on that Bloody Friday the 13th! This operation, code-named
“Angus”, called for 5th Brigade to employ one battalion to seize the railway embankment with the other two battalions passing through to seal off the route to Walcheren
Island. The first phase of the assault would have to be undertaken by The 1st Battalion Black Watch. The Maisonneuves were still more than 200 riflemen short and the
Calgaries had borne the brunt of the fighting at Hoogerheide. The German’s held the high ground, their positions had been reinforced and had their guns, rifles and machineguns
zeroed in, on the Black Watch. Like Lambs to the Slaughter house, not know the carnage that was about to unfold in front of their very eyes. As they were about to take
heavy casualties, and a Proud Regiment was about to be decimated. On October 13th 1944 on a raised railway embankment they laid, gazing in bewildered astonishment
and looking up the hill, across 1,200 yards of open farmed beet fields. The orders where given at 11.30 am to attack, a Barrage of all the Smoke Bombs they had were laid
out in front of the German positions, they could not see the Black Watch charging but knew the attack had begun. In plain daylight across flat open hill’d fields with no cover,
flooded land, driving rain, booby traps and land mines that made the advance very excruciatingly difficult. The Smoke Bombs cleared quickly and the Germans had a clear
view of the Black Watch attacking. As the battle waged and the battle field lay littered with fallen Red blood stained Hackles, the Battle Commander realising it was an
impossible attack, ordered the Black Watch to withdraw. When the German rifles, Guns had silence’d, the smoke and dust had settled they suffered 145 casualties,
including 56 dead, among them all four company commanders, Twenty-seven were taken prisoner, which devastated the Regiment.


Known as “Black Friday” by the Canadian Infantry and The Black Watch-Royal Highland Regiment of Canada.


On October 16th 1944, it was the turn of the Royal Hamilton Light infantry, under Lt Col Denis Whitaker, to attempt to capture Woensdrecht. The Canadians on this day
were supported by a squadron of tanks and artillery, and attacked at night around 3am, the attack succeeded which ended at around 12noon. The victory was short lived,
the Germans had reserves consisting of a “The 6th Paratroop Regiment” off first class formation of about 1500 fanatical an eager young paratroopers under the command
of Lt Colonel Von Der Heydte who were excellent troops. Early the next morning, they commenced counter attacking, the Hamilton Regiment from Ontario known as the
“Rileys”. German troops managed to overrun one of the defending companies and the “Rileys” they ended up suffering the same amount off casualties as the Black Watch
3 days earlier. The Hamilton’s could not penetrate the German defences to the North of Woensdrecht. It would take five more days of heavy fighting before the battle for
Woensdrecht was over. The battlefield was a display of sheer madness and carnage, the Canadians had suffered dearly and heavily. The battle of the “Scheldt Estuary”
lasted till November 8th and caused 12,000 Allied casualties killed, wounded or missing. 6,367 of them were Canadians.

The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, received two battle honours one for “The Scheldt” & for “Woensdrecht”. Personally one must of heroically merited
being nominated or Received a Victoria Cross. For their exploits against all odds, for above and beyond the call of duty for “Black Friday” the 13th!

WAR DIARY O.R.
1st. Bn. Black Watch (RHR) of Canada
Oct 1st-8th, 1944.

8th. Oct., Sun.
Weather - misty, clearing in afternoon. In the early morning mist the Bn. moved up to the attack. As the start line had not been secured it was necessary to hold an O group to alter the plans. This meeting was held in the open, in the mist, under mortar fire, beside the windmill at MR 631192, with the vehicles parked along the side of the road. Contrary to previous assurances the Bn. had to go in under the prevailing conditions, and as a more cautious advance was called for it was decided C, followed by A. Coy. would take the left, or west side of the road and D followed by B the other, with the objective the crossing of the highway with DOOL STRAAT at MR 625206. B.H.Q. was established in a large school house in HOOGERHEIDE. At 1030 hrs. the attack commenced, supported by tanks, artillery and heavy mortars. D Coy., at 1123 hrs. reported "OSHAWA2 plus 500". The significance of this message was that far from our start line having been secured the rifle companies were being forced to fight every inch of the way up to it. Very stiff opposit-(ion) was encountered at this point and D Coy. were forced to withdraw back to their start line having suffered heavy casualties. No. 17 Platoon, under the command of Lt. LEWIS had been successful in crossing DOOL STRAAT and had established themselves in three houses in the street when they received the order to pull back. The withdrawal was well executed and this platoon took up their new position without having incurred any casualties. Maj. POPHAM, O.C. of D Coy. reported to B.H.Q. that the enemy was well dug in, in well sited positions, and supported by artillery, mortar, heavy m.g., and scores of snipers. Our tanks gave much of their attention to the edge of the woods beyond DOOL STRAAT where the enemy appeared to be in some strength. At 1335 hrs. C. Coy. reported H.Q. and 88mm. at MR 622210. Early in the evening an O Group was held. About this time the enemy, in small groups, succeeded in infiltrating through our positions in various places. Part of the Scout platoon were on a patrol to D. company, and were with them when the enemy threw in a counter attack. Unable to get back they stayed with the company throughout the fight. Part of the counter attack came down WOUW BAAN towards the position occupied by our Carriers. The Carriers made no move, and held their fire until the enemy was 50 to 60 yards away, and then they opened up with everything they had, killing over fifty. This counter attack was general throughout the sector. Very heavy fighting ensued and it was over two hours before the enemy decided that he had had enough. We lost no ground, and accounted for many Germans in the engagement. A general stand to was ordered.

9th. Oct., Mon.
Weather - cloudy - fine in afternoon. During the night mortaring and shelling continued on a heavy scale. Twenty four prisoners were brought in. In the dark two of the enemy crept into C Coys territory and tried to sneak into a slit trench, 40 yards from B.H.Q.. Our boys were very much on the alert, the stand down just having been given, and a burst from a bren put paid to their account. When it became light it was seen that these two were members of the Luftwaffe, the first two we have ever contacted. It is apparent that there has been heavy reinforcement of this area, and that the enemy is determined to make a stand. The troops we are now meeting are very definitely the cream of the crop. The belong to the paratroop bns., with a sprinkling of glider troops and Luftwaffe personel. They range in age from 20 to 26 years, are fine physical specimens, keen to fight and with excellent morale. All day long there was heavy fire from artillery and mortar on our positions, and his snipers are very busy. At 1600 hrs. the Germans opened an artillery barrage which lasted for two hours, then came in on a counter attack. Once again this attack was general on the sector, and more heavy on the positions held by the CALGARY HIGHLANDERS. For a while things were again very sticky, but once again this attack was repulsed without the loss of any ground. There has been very close co-operation today between the artillery and our forward companies, and our guns have been firing continually upon targets directed by the companies. At 1900 hrs. an O Group "Green" was called at Brigade H.Q.. An enemy tank was reported edging in between two of our companies. Our artillery were unable to engage it owing to its proximity to our own lines, and it continued to roll forward, down the street, where our C Coy. was located. As it came close to one of the houses one of our men edged a PIAT over the window sill of an upstairs window, and with one bomb put it out of commission. One of our own tanks then put the finishing touches to the job.

[Recce]

On closer inspection it was ascertained that it was not an enemy tank but a s.p. gun, of the Ferdinand type. Maj. Gen. FOULKES, G.O.C. was in attendance at the Bde. O Gp.. It was his intention to attack, but upon the Brigadier's explaining the amount of opposition concentrated on this front the G.O.C. changed the O Gp. to "Red". Upon his return to the B.H.Q. Col. RITCHIE held a meeting of the company Commanders and explained the situation to them. On his way back to tell his Carrier Platoon after the meeting, Capt. J.E.ORR, one of the most courageous officers this unit has ever known, was killed by a sniper's bullet, no more than thirty yards from B.H.Q.. This afternoon an artillery Air Observer spotted a very heavy counter attack forming just SOUTH of BERGEN-OP-ZOOM. The Typhoons were called upon and their immediate action reduced the strength of this force considerably. Casualties have been very heavy throughout the Brigade, and the Brigadier decided that the best course of action for the time being would be to form a firmer base in the town.

Same and PEEBERG area; MR 621166, Sheet 23 NE, 1:25000
10th Oct., Tues.
Weather - Misty and rain. The heavy mortaring and shelling to which we have been subjected since coming here continues without respite. Commencing at noon the Bn. was relieved in their positions by the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and the change over was finally completed by 1500 hrs.. As it is anticipated that we shall be returning to this same building tomorrow the Scout platoon was left to hold it, and keep it clear of snipers. They barricaded off half of the building and with the aid of the Pioneer platoon booby-trapped the hall ways, stair ways, windows and doors. Some of the traps laid were of the schoolboy variety calculated solely to give warning. At 1830 hrs. Col. RITCHIE held an O group and gave out the plans for the attack in the morning. Zero hour will be at 0805 hrs.. The 5th. Bde. will attack and take the left part of the original plan. Other officers were present at the O group, and none could explain the absence of Maj. SLATER of B Coy. He had last been seen leaving his Coy. H.Q. prior to the withdrawal. Lt. DAVEY will be acting O.C. of B Coy. for the time being. At 2300 hrs. a message was received from Bde. cancelling tomorrow's attack.
The Bn. will stand by for mopping up. Casualties at HOOGERHEIDE totalled 81 as follows.

Killed Wounded Missing
Off. OR. Off. OR. Off. OR.
A Coy. 0 1 0 3 0 0
B " 1 3 0 20 1 0
C " 1 2 0 9 0 0
D " 0 0 0 13 0 15
Sup. " 1 3 0 8 0 0

11th Oct., Wed.
Weather - clear and cold. The men had their first full night's sleep in four nights and felt, and looked much better for it. The constant wakefulness had sapped quite a bit of their strength, in addition to the strenuous fighting they had been doing. A much welcomed bath parade was held to MERXEM. "B" Ech. has been living in its present location for about three days, occupying all rooms in a house but one, in which the caretaker was living. Today the white Brigade drove up and arrested the caretaker, giving us to understand that he was a collaborator. Shortly afterwards the owner of the house, paying a visit to the premises, was apprised of the incident and declared that he had never authorised any caretaker for his home. Apparently the "caretake" went on the assumption that boldness pays. It almost did! It would seem the Canadian Army is the safest place to hide out. A search was carried out today, by the Scouts and the Carriers, of the area in which Maj. SLATER was lost, but no trace of him was found. Rumour has it that an officer was killed by a mortar bomb in that sector, but there is a possibility that the Major is wounded and has been taken prisoner. Since the 6th. of this month we have received 104 OR for replacements.

12th. Oct., Thur.
Weather - fine and clear. Reorganisation and re-equiping was completed today. At 1430 hrs. the L.A.D. held an inspection of all small arms in the Bn. A Bde. O Group was held at 1630 hrs. and the Bn. O Gp. at 1930 hrs.. It is the intention of the Brigadier to seal off the isthmus of South Beveland from the mainland, and to enlarge present gains.




List of the dead of the Black Watch for the Battle of “The Scheldt” From Oct 1- Nov 8.



The Black Watch (RHC) List of 82 Killed in Action

Joseph Gerald Godfrey---------Benjamin Lucie---------------Robert Earl Baker
Pte Oct 1, 44--------------------Pte Oct1, 44-------------------Cpl October 2, 44

Gani Fiezo----------------------Stewart Holmes----------------Kenneth Abbot Giviens
Cpl Oct 2, 44------------------- L Cpl Oct 2, 44-----------------Pte. Oct 3, 44

Leo John Melanson------------Herbert Stevens----------------Leo Stanford Best
Pte Oct 3, 44--------------------Pte Oct 4, 44--------------------Sgt Oct 8, 44

Percival Douglas Lee----------William Ronald Mccolm------Kenneth Charles Simms
Sgt October 8, 44----------------L Cpl Oct 8, 44-----------------Lieut. Oct 8, 44

Sydney Roland Lea-------------John Ethelbert Orr--------------Ivan Pollock
Pte Oct 9, 44---------------------Capt Oct 9, 44-------------------Pte. Oct 9, 44

Joseph Peter Staniulis----------William Warren Carmody------Richard Hillier
Cpl. Oct 9, 44--------------------Pte. Oct 10, 44-------------------Pte Oct 10, 44

James Joseph Durant----------Gordon Francis Pynn----------- George Sharples
Pte. Oct 10, 44------------------Pte. Oct 10, 44-------------------Cpl Oct 10, 44

William Stone------------------Clarence Leroy Thompson-------Alexander James O'brien
Pte. Oct 10, 44------------------Pte Oct 11, 44---------------------Pte. Oct 10, 1944

Herbert Frederic Hillier---------Douglas Wade-------------------John Mark Ambrose
Cpl. Oct 11, 1944-----------------Cpl. Oct 12, 1944----------------Pte. Oct 13, 1944

Lawrence Herbert Annis----------Ralph Herbert Best--------------Aaron George Bittorf
Pte. Oct 13, 1944-------------------Pte. Oct 13, 1944-----------------L Cpl Oct 13, 1944

Keith Sheridan Bardwell----------John Thomas Bartelotte--------Milton Patrick Bervaldi
Cpl Oct 13, 1944--------------------Pte. Oct 13, 1944-----------------L Cpl Oct 13, 1944

Douglas Horatio Chapman---------Donald Whitman Cook---------- Robert Cooper
Maj. Oct 13, 44-----------------------Pte. Oct 13, 44-------------------- Pte. Oct 13, 44

Ross Copeland--------------------Willard Desjardins----------------- Edward Ralph Dominas
Pte. Oct13, 44-------------------- Pte.Oct 13, 44----------------------- Pte. Oct 13, 44

Clifford Thomas Donahue--------Thomas Edgar---------------------Gorman Victor Ferris
L Cpl. Oct 13, 44------------------- Pte. Oct 13, 44-------------------- Pte. Oct 13, 44

Joseph George Frank-------------- Robert Victor Rushton----------William Segriff
Cpl. Oct 13, 44----------------------L Cpl. Oct 13, 44-----------------Pte. Oct 13, 44

Roger Sinden---------------------- Richard St Onge-------------------John Tataren
Pte. Oct 13, 44----------------------Pte. Oct 13, 44-------------------- Pte. Oct 13, 44

Joseph Waldorf-------------------- Frank Murray Webb-------------Kenneth Archibald Whyte
Pte. Oct 13, 44--------------------- Pte.Oct 13, 44---------------------Cpl. Oct 13, 44

Alexander Erwin Wright----------Eric Richter-----------------------Maurice Burkett
Pte. Oct 13, 44--------------------- Sgt. Oct 13, 44-------------------- Pte. Oct 14, 44

Gordon Wilson Lachlan Grant---- John Patrick Murphy------------James Noon
Lieut. Oct 14, 1944-------------------Pte. Oct 14, 44-------------------Pte. Oct 14, 44

Patrick Joseph Mcgrath------------ Harry Alfred Aikens------------Robert Gordon Slater
Pte, Oct 15, 44---------------------- Pte. Oct 18, 44--------------------Maj. Oct 19, 44

Thomas Collier---------------------Joseph Watkin Evans------------Kenneth George Needham
Pte. Oct 23, 44----------------------Pte. Oct 23, 44---------------------Pte. Oct 23, 44

Charles Byron Warriner-----------Clarke Buell Molsberry---------Norman George Wynes
Cpl. Oct 23, 44----------------------Pte. Oct 26, 44------------------- L Cpl. Oct 29, 44

Mike Fedina------------------------Garfield Eugene Frost------------Roy Bernard Kerkham
Pte. Oct 31, 44----------------------Pte. Oct 31, 1944------------------Pte. Oct 31, 1944

Denis Joseph Landry-------Joseph Julius Augustus Lawrence------James Murdock
Pte. Oct 31, 44----------------Sgt. Oct 31, 44----------------------------Pte. Oct 31, 44

Wallace Herbert Preston----------Anthony Raymond----------------Jacob Schmidt
Pte. Oct 31, 44---------------------- Pte. Oct 31, 44--------------------Pte. Oct 31, 44

James Hamilton--------------------Walter James Harris--------------Mervin Leroy Harrison
L Cpl. Nov 1, 44------------------ Pte. Nov 1, 44---------------------Pte. Nov 1, 44

William Fraser Kinsley-----------James Alfred Smithson----------- Robert Edward Ward

Pte. Nov 1, 44---------------------- Pte. Nov 1, 44--------------------- Pte. Nov 2, 44

Gerald Macintosh Johnston
Pte. Nov 5, 44


Picture Below is Major William Ewing saluting at the funeral of 55 members of 'A' Company,
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada. The Black Watch landed in Normandy
soon after D-Day and fought in around 30 battles in Europe.Lieut. Ken Bell / Canada. Dept. of
National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-136755

Second Picture; Dutch people attending the burial of fifty-five members of the Canadian A Company
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)of Canada




Lest We Forget. Spañiard over and out,,……………

[Bill A]

Interesting summary Recce. Please note this overview has been moved to the "Other Militaria" area, as a better fit. The historical record of the Canadian Black Watch is well worth noting, and while the Forum's categories are for badge discussions, the history can be posted under the "Other Militaria" for now. Perhaps, if there is enough member interest a category for historical discussion could be added under each national section.

[Recce]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Interesting summary Recce. Please note this overview has been moved to the "Other Militaria" area, as a better fit. The historical record of the Canadian Black Watch is well worth noting, and while the Forum's categories are for badge discussions, the history can be posted under the "Other Militaria" for now. Perhaps, if there is enough member interest a category for historical discussion could be added under each national section.

Not a Problem Mr Bill you can move my Threads around any time you like, I'll Put others in this Same Category "Other Militaria" . I sent you A @ last night with pictures,
as you can see I changed it and added allot more information since I forgot I had archive it on an other file. Plus fixed some Spelling mistakes I just notice.
I was tired and took over 6hrs to rewrite.

Thank you for taking the time in reading it Mr Bill hope you enjoyed it.

Please note to all will be fixing the names on the list and few minor changes
as I have found other info.

Thank you all, who took the time in reading this.

[Michael Reintjes]

Here are some shots of a Carrier found by a good friend of mine who has a beautiful Museum in Hoogerheide.I believe it was Sgt Eric Richter of the Black Watch who was KIA in this carrier which was hit by AT fire from elements of 6FJR during the fight, if I remember the facts correctly.I made these shots in May of '05.Hopefully my friend will contribute more to the thread about this battle.

[Recce]

Originally Posted by Michael Reintjes

Here are some shots of a Carrier found by a good friend of mine who has a beautiful Museum in Hoogerheide.I believe it was Sgt Eric Richter of the Black Watch who was KIA in this carrier which was hit by AT fire from elements of 6FJR during the fight, if I remember the facts correctly.I made these shots in May of '05.Hopefully my friend will contribute more to the thread about this battle.

First thank you for that picture.I have a list of 503 KIA for The Black Watch in WWII their names ranks and dates the passed on.
I also have the complete casualty statistic list from .

CDN Black Watch WW II

1st Batt The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada
Casualty Record
Serial Type of Cas. Offrs. Ors.
1. Killed 19 347
2. Died of Wounds 9 64
3. Wounded 73 1045
4. Missing 3 8
5. POW 0 0
6. POW - Wounded 0 0
7. Died 1 2
8. Died of Wounds - POW 1 3
9. Died while POW 0 6
10. Presumed Killed 1 6
11. Repated POW 0 1
12. Killed While Trying to Escape 0 0
13. Suicide 0 2
14. Homicide 0 0
15. Executed 0 0
16. Presumed Dead 0 0
17. Died on War Service 0 0
18. Wounded B.C. Injury 2 18
19. Died of Wounds B.C. Injury 0 1
20. Wounded B.C. Accident 0 0
21. Died of Wounds B.C. Accident 0 0
22. Killed B.C. Accident 0 0
23. Presumed Died of Wounds 0 0
24. Released POW 6 193
25. Released POW Wounded 1 29
26. Presumed Died While POW 0 0
117 1735

Please note that this is a separate document found at the National Archives in Ottawa


I believe it was Sgt Eric Richter of the Black Watch who was KIA.
His not on the Name List of the 503 KIA. But I'll check again.

If you check on many web Sites or books you'll see that my account of that day has more information then all others. Or more complete.

You can Cut and paste My thread and show it to your friend.

I have the names for the 13 and 15 since few died of there wounds 1 or two days later. and if you count the names I have on my list
for those days I'm Missing a few. all archives state 56 KIA for the exception of one that stated 66 KIA.

Any info would be great and if he was KIA for Black Friday. I need the date full name and confirmation I will add him to that list.

Please not that I had to cross reference allot of statistics due to incorrect information. DND Records are not precise if you do the math
they have a total of 481 around I have names and dates for 503.

Thank you for your time. And a Happy New Year.

[Michael Reintjes]

here is his info http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/s...sualty=2642225

[Recce]

Originally Posted by Michael Reintjes

here is his info http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/s...sualty=2642225

Bless your Hart Sir! I just saw. Like I stated I have some Missing from that list for Black Friday. Will be Adding Sgt Eric Richter.
since they're still some missing from the List. If you notice or know of others. Your help would be greatly appreciated Sir.

Thank you for your Time and God Bless You. For bringing to my attention a lost name off my Regimental Ancestor.

Now thanks to you 504 and counting I will get all their names.

Will have to check that Link you provided more Closely. P.S to all I added more Info at the end and Beginning of the Thread.

Lest We Forget!

[Michael Reintjes]

Some Photos of this museum are available here on Facebook under Gerard Van Pul photos.....beautiful museum and lots of Black Watch stuff....
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...gid=2246528180

[Recce]

F.M.Mitchell Lt. Col.
Orderly Room
13th Oct 1944
1st B. The Black Watch
(RHR) of Canada C.A.S.F.
The Diary for both days 13-14.

MR Square 5918, Sheet 23 NE, 1:25000
13th Oct., Fri.

Weather - fine and clear. Operation ANGUS. At 0615 the Bn. went into the attack supported by artillery and heavy mortar, passing through the ROYAL REGIMENT of CANADA who were occupying the dykes in front of Angus 1, and about 1200 yds. short of cutting off the causeway completely. At 0655 hrs. C Coy. reported their position - 250 yds past the start line and encountering heavy s.a. fire. As they were slightly behind schedule Col. RITCHIE called for mortar fire to help them along. At 0705 hrs. they were held up again by m.g. fire and the opposition stiffened, the enemy using mortars and several air bursts as well as the customary s.a. fire. B Coy. under the command of Maj. D.H.CHAPMAN was now being heavily mortared and at 0730 hrs. asked C Coy. for assistance. Five minutes later word came in that the O.Cs. of C and B Coys., Capt. N.G.BUCH and Maj. Chapman respectively had been wounded. The fire on our positions was very heavy and our artillery gave wonderful support to the coys., firing on all targets indicated. Owing to the nature of the country it was extremely difficult to indicate a target with any degree of precision. Casualties had by now started to come back, all jeeps answering the call as ambulance jeeps. B coy. reported snipers on the left of C Coy. at 0750 hrs.. Artillery and heavy mortar are laying smoke to screen further attempts to advance. Tac. H.Q. was established at MR 599189. By 0815 hrs. the battle was progressing slowly in the face of very heavy opposition but five minutes later the forward companies reported that they were again pinned down by mortar fire. The enemy fired a number of air bursts over the positions of our heavy mortars, making life most unpleasant for the mortar crews.

Commanders of A and D Coys. came in to see Col RITCHIE at 0850 hrs.. Heavy casualties had been sustained by B and C Coys. and they were now back at their start line. The Brigadier called, and upon being advised of the situation was soon on his way to call for air support. At 0945 hrs. the C.O. and their Brigadier went forward to A Coy's. position for personal observation. Upon their return a new plan was formulated, incorporating the use of tanks and flame throwers. At 1100 hrs. the enemy was reported to be crawling up to the position occupied by C Coy., at ANGUS 1. The forward platoon of C. Coy. withdrew under heavy enemy m.g. fire, covering fire being given by d Coy. and heavy m.gs.. At 1145 hrs. the request of the Brigadier for air support was answered by 12 Spitfires which engaged the brickworks at MR 619222 (Sheet 15 SE). Capt. SHARE, the M.O., reported at noon that 25 casualties had been evacuated, but that there were still many more lying up in front whom it was impossible to reach. It is very hard to give an estimate of casualties with any exactness, as some of the men are being evacuated by the ROYAL REGIMENT of CANADA and the 18th. FIELD AMBULANCE. There was little change in the companies' positions for the next five hours approximately, heavy fire continuing for this period. Fighter aircraft again engaged Angus 3 at 1430 and again at 1500 hrs.. The I.O., observing from the top of a barn near Tac. H.Q. saw some of the enemy walking around on the top of the railway embankment, and also observed some of our men as prisoners, and the enemy evacuating our wounded as well as their own. He was able to count 16 of our men as prisoners. At 1440 hrs. a German stretcher bearer crossed our lines to bargain for a truce while they picked up their wounded and we did likewise. Col. RITCHIE wirelessed to higher authority for approval of this temporary cessation of hostilities, but the approval was not forthcoming. Since the German stretcher bearer had no authority from his commander to make this request he became our prisoner. Several times today our own stretcher bearers have been fired upon. At 1500 hrs. an O group was held. It was the C.O's intention that we should capture and consolidate Angus 1. A Coy. on the right of the roadway, D on the left, tanks in support and the remainder of C Coy. (25 men) to give covering fire and direct support to D Coy.. Flame throwers would be used from left to right along the embankment, the m.m.gs. to repeat the morning's plan. B Coy. has now 41 men left, including Coy. H.Q.. A/Tk. guns will go forward with C Coy.. 17 pounders and A/Tk. to fire on enemy O.Ps..

At 1700 hrs. the attack recommenced, opened by hy. m.g. fire and artillery. At Z plus 10 the tanks started firing also, and the flame throwers were ready for the assault. Shortly after the start word came in that two wireless sets had been knocked out by direct mortar hits. Upon the Flames completing their task and returning to the start line they reported that their work had had considerable effect on the enemy. They had lost one carrier, bogged down in the mud. They had had two misfires. Again the enemy resistance stiffened, and by 1820 hrs. the situation was very sticky. At 1830 D Coy. were in their position and at 1940 hrs. a walking-wounded from A. Coy. reported that they were now on Angus 1. This almost had disastrous effects, as the A/Tk. guns were then sent up, on the strength of this information, and found that the Coy. was not nearly at its objective. Lt. DAVEY, who had taken over at HOOGERHEIDE when Maj. SLATER was found to be missing, had, after Maj. CHAPMAN was evacuated, again taken command of B Coy.. In D Coys. advance, Lt. LEWIS had dome a marvellous piece of work getting his platoon into their objective under the stiffest possible opposition, and the rest of the company pancacked on the objective. In this advance Maj. POPHAM was seriously wounded, but it was only with difficulty that Lt. LEWIS persuaded him to go to the rear for medical attention. He was evacuated through the ROYAL REGIMENT of CANADA, but not before he had dictated to them a report of the situation to be forwarded to Col. RITCHIE. Lt. LEWIS took over command of the company. In view of the gravity of the situation the I.O. went down to Brigade H.Q. to make a report. Just before he departed, Maj. EWING of A. Coy. came in to H.Q. He had been wounded, and was nigh exhausted but insisted on making a report. His information was that A Coy. had not been successful in reaching their objective, that casualties had been extremely heavy, and that few of the Company would come out alive.

PEEBERG area
MR 621166, Sheet 23 NE
14th Oct., Sat.
Weather - clear and bright - windy. In the early hours of the morning offensive activity on both sides quietened down. For our part, we were intent upon holding our positions and evacuating the casualties, all jeeps and carriers in the Bn. being mobilised to get the wounded out. Many acts of heroism were performed in the dark which will never come to light. No words can pay sufficient tribute to those of our men who went out in the dark searching through flooded fields to ensure that all possible had been taken out to proper medical attention. The I.O., on his way back to Bde. in a jeep, overturned in the mud, and Maj. EWING, with him, righted it pratically single-handed.

At 0100 hrs. Brigadier W.J. Megill ordered that the Bn. should withdraw. The weary and nearly exhausted men rode back in carriers and jeeps to the positions they had left barely twenty four hours earlier, though to them it had seemed days. Typical of their condition was one man lying on top a pile of acoutrements on a carrier, sound asleep with the earphones from his disconnected set, awry, upon his head. The jeeps and carriers were going all night long onthe hazardous trip over the muddy road along the top of the dyke, and at first light Lt. MacLAREN i/c the evacuation of B and C Coys. was able to state that all the wounded had been evacuated. The carriers of the Anti-Tank did a wonderful night's work. The records show that in this grom episode the BLACK WATCH has lost a total of 183 all ranks, the companies having suffered as follows:


--------Killed Wounded Missing

--------Off. OR. Off. OR. Off. OR.
A Coy.- 0-- 1-- 1-- 37-- 0-- 31
B "-----0-- 0-- 2-- 28-- 0-- 7
C ------0-- 1-- 0-- 7-- 2-- 33
D ------0-- 1-- 0-- 12-- 1-- 7
Sup. " 0-- 0-- 0-- 2-- 0-- 1
B.H.Q. " 0-- 0-- 0-- 5-- 0-- 5
Total 0-- 3-- 3-- 191-- 3-- 84

The men were given a hot meal immediately upon their return to their company positions and they slept the sleep of the utterly exhausted. It was thought best to have them forego lunch and sleep right through until 1600 hrs. when supper was served. The K. of C. showed a movie tonight. That originally was entitled "We die at Dawn" but this was hurriedly changed and the film substituted therefor was in much lighter vein.


Remember Many died after being Transported out, The Orderly Room only found out few days later of the real carnage that had been inflected on them.

[Recce]

Originally Posted by Michael Reintjes

Some Photos of this museum are available here on Facebook under Gerard Van Pul photos.....beautiful museum and lots of Black Watch stuff....
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...gid=2246528180

Sir I went to the Link as you suggested and I get His Michael Reintjes Facebook account.

I'm a little disoriented ICCI! I did check his page and did not fined that museum.

[Michael Reintjes]

Here are some the photos that Gerard posted on my site......

[Michael Reintjes]

[Michael Reintjes]

Here I am in '05 standing in an area where elements of 6FJR attacked positions held by the Toronto Scottish at Hoogerheide.Suprisingly some German positions still exist on Private property.Here I am after about 20 minutes on the battlefiels with a partial mortar round ,some K98 shells and a camo painted 38 dated German mess tin lid that I found on my walk.