Bevrijding Dieteren WWII

Thanks to John son of Fred Bagley:
Fred Bagley enlisted the army in 1939 along with his one year older brother Tom both served from 1939-1945 the 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry. Unfortunately Tom was taken POW during his action in France 1940 and was taken to POW Camp in Stalag Poland until the liberation in 1945.
Trooper Fred Bagley was serving 1st Bn. Lothians and Border Yeomanry and acting with flailtanks in advance of operation Blackcock starting in the area Gebroek and Baakhoven just south of Dieteren.

No 1 troop, B Sqn was commanded by Lt Peter Basil Carter and consisted of five flail tanks and they were named after characters or places in the novels of Sir Walter Scott. Those names were COWGATE, CANNONGATE, ST GILES, TOLBOOTH and HOLYROOD. Fred was WO/Loader of flailtank TOLBOOTH.

Fred Bagley in 1939 when he enlisted the army. Thanks to: John Bagley

In the war diary of his battalion we read:
The Attack on Bakenhoven on Night 12/13 Jan 45;
part played by 1Tp B Sqn.
Ref Maps: 1:50,000 Sittard (N) .

The tp of four flail tks, together with one SHQ tk, moved to Holtum 6674 during the afternoon of 12 Jan 45. The crew comds went forward to recce the ground from the OP at Gebroek 6675. The plan of attack was laid down as follows:-

Four single lanes would be driven parallel to each other from the SL: the track running NW - SE through ‘R’ of Gebroek to the wood surrounding Bakenhoven. The left hand lane would run along narrow track running at right angles to the SL. Each flail tk would be followed by a half pl of inf, who would pass them on reaching the wood. Distance between lanes approx 50yds. Inf about 80yds behind flails. H-Hr 0500hrs 13 Jan 45. Arty fire on wood from H to H+6 ‘laddering’ back in four 3min steps. Bofors to fire over left hand lane as aid to direction. Artificial moonlight to be provided.

Immediately after sundown the tks moved up to Gebroek. One flail tk skidded on the ice and became ditched. The ARV was unable to recover it and it was decided that the two left lanes would be amalgamated. At approx 1900hrs a scissors bridge was put in posn at 66007565. At H-18 the leading (ie left hand) lane moved out of Gebroek over the bridge to the SL. The other two tks followed. The inf arrived with the tks on the SL.

At H-Hr the Crabs moved forward flailing and hit the objective at about H+20. The inf went in. There was little apparent opposition, other than comparatively light mortaring. Sgt Rawlinson's tk went into the village but found great difficulty manoeuvring amongst the buildings. He did some road clearing, but lost a lot of chains and had great difficulty in getting out when rejoining me to return to Gebroek before dawn. He eventually rejoined me on the edge of the wood at about H+130. The third tk had, by this time, finished the task of making intercommunication lanes between the original lanes.

All three tks returned to the bridge. One crossed safely but the bridge collapsed under the weight of the second; this tk was abandoned. The third was stranded on the other side of the water. As dawn was approaching, I ordered it to return at once to the two pls in Bakenhoven and remain under cover there until a new bridge could be put down, probably on the following night.

Observations:-

(i) The Bofors was not as good as usual, in that at first it was firing very low and seemed to wander slightly, but despite this it was definitely indispensable. The accuracy with which each lane went to its allotted point was due almost entirely to the Bofors.

(ii) Artificial Moonlight. Ineffective owing to mist. In any case unnecessary.

(iii) Mines blown up. Many AP; no A Tk.

(iv) Silhouette of Tks. It was possible to see black outline of tks clearly at least 200yds distance. If tks are painted, I think a dull white would blend better than pure white.

14 Jan 45
(sgd) P B Carter
Lt, OC 1Tp B Sqn

Fred Bagley next to ‘his’ flailtank “Tolbooth”. Thanks to: John Bagley

And also this report is of interest.
The Adventures of Tk ‘Canongate II’, on being Isolated with D Coy Queens Regt at Bakenhoven on 13 and 14 Jan 45.

Report by Cpl G Imrie 7889582, 1Tp B Sqn.

Bakenhoven had fallen to the inf coy without opposition before daylight on 13 Jan 45. The flail tp, on completion of their duties, rallied and returned in the direction of Gebroek in order to re-cross the scissors bridge before daylight. Whilst the second tk of the three was crossing, the bridge collapsed and “Canongate II’ was left with no alternative means of crossing.

Lest the coming daylight should expose the tk in an open posn, the bn CO in charge of the operation instructed us to report back to Bakenhoven and join the garrison there until a further bridge could be erected.

At first light, and under cover of a heavy mist, we were occupied in towing two carriers, which had broken down with mechanical faults on the flail path, back to the stream whence they could be towed over a wooden bridge to safety in Gebroek.

When we finally settled in Bakenhoven the inf coy were completing occupation and removing numerous booby traps. After reporting to the garrison comd the tk was arranged in the village to cover the road leading in from the West. During the day the atmosphere was kept lively with occasional mortar fire and sniper shots from enemy believed located in the orchard running North of the village to the canal.

From 1730-1830hrs, during the last light, stand-to was ordered and the trenches were manned. On stand-down being announced a skeleton force remained in the trenches and others were withdrawn.

At approx 1845hrs the counter-attack opened, heralded by intense mortar and small arms fire, and appeared to develop from the previously mentioned orchard. The alarm was sounded and the inf dashed through heavy fire to reach the trenches. On the opening I was in a house occupied by a pl HQ and I dashed for the tk, which was then a few yards from the door. On entering the turret my right arm was grazed with shrapnel from a mortar shell bursting close to the tk.

The crew, already anticipating what had happened, were on the tk and in a few seconds both Browning guns were answering back. A round of our HE whistled into the wood and it was noted that some of the enemy MGs had ceased firing; either they had changed posns or suffered from our fire.

We were informed later that the front pl of D Coy had been over-run and that the enemy had taken up posns in and around a house about 100yds to our front. For fully an hour we continued to exchange MG fire with this force. Our own inf had suffered severe casualties and it was when all seemed lost that the OC Coy rallied the remnants and, with the carrier pl who were now on foot, prepared to attack the German posn. With a Cromwell OP tk also in the village, both with our engines revving at their loudest, we pounded the posn with HE and MG fire for 4mins. The inf completed the rout by yelling into a bayonet attack, putting the enemy to flight and capturing a few prisoners.

Silence reigned for fully half an hour, until about eight extra big shells burst near the tk and were later believed to have been sent over by an SP gun which had moved into the area. Before midnight we were back to normal and the wounded were evacuated from the trenches to receive treatment from stretcher bearers at Coy HQ. D Coy, having badly suffered, were relieved by another coy from the same bn at 0300hrs.

Except for occasional mortar fire, the remainder of the night was spent in comparative peace, but the tk remained fully manned until daylight. Four dead Germans, seen in the daylight at 20yds from our tk, marked the limits of their advance.

The following evening we joined 2Tp, participating in all their operations and returning with them to the sqn location on the night of 17 Jan 45.

(sgd) G Imrie
Cpl

Cpl George Imrie received the Military Medal for this action!

Fred Bagley and some of his comrades next to a flailtank. Thanks to: John Bagley

Misschien zijn er nog mensen die informatie hebben over die tijd zoals verhalen of foto's. Neem dan contact op met de webmaster info@deetere.nl wellicht kan het bijdragen aan de geschiedschrijving van onze streek en mogelijk ook van belang voor familieleden van onze bevrijders!

In memory of those who fought for our freedom Herinnering aan onze bevrijders Trooper F W (Fred) Bagley:
Legeronderdeel: Nummer: Geboren: Overleden:	1st Bn. Lothians and Border Yeomanry ? 1920 ?
Thanks to John son of Fred Bagley: Fred Bagley enlisted the army in 1939 along with his one year older brother Tom both served from 1939-1945 the 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry. Unfortunately Tom was taken POW during his action in France 1940 and was taken to POW Camp in Stalag Poland until the liberation in 1945. Trooper Fred Bagley was serving 1st Bn. Lothians and Border Yeomanry and acting with flailtanks in advance of operation Blackcock starting in the area Gebroek and Baakhoven just south of Dieteren. No 1 troop, B Sqn was commanded by Lt Peter Basil Carter and consisted of five flail tanks and they were named after characters or places in the novels of Sir Walter Scott. Those names were COWGATE, CANNONGATE, ST GILES, TOLBOOTH and HOLYROOD. Fred was WO/Loader of flailtank TOLBOOTH. Fred Bagley in 1939 when he enlisted the army. Thanks to: John Bagley In the war diary of his battalion we read: The Attack on Bakenhoven on Night 12/13 Jan 45; part played by 1Tp B Sqn. Ref Maps: 1:50,000 Sittard (N) . The tp of four flail tks, together with one SHQ tk, moved to Holtum 6674 during the afternoon of 12 Jan 45. The crew comds went forward to recce the ground from the OP at Gebroek 6675. The plan of attack was laid down as follows:- Four single lanes would be driven parallel to each other from the SL: the track running NW - SE through ‘R’ of Gebroek to the wood surrounding Bakenhoven. The left hand lane would run along narrow track running at right angles to the SL. Each flail tk would be followed by a half pl of inf, who would pass them on reaching the wood. Distance between lanes approx 50yds. Inf about 80yds behind flails. H-Hr 0500hrs 13 Jan 45. Arty fire on wood from H to H+6 ‘laddering’ back in four 3min steps. Bofors to fire over left hand lane as aid to direction. Artificial moonlight to be provided. Immediately after sundown the tks moved up to Gebroek. One flail tk skidded on the ice and became ditched. The ARV was unable to recover it and it was decided that the two left lanes would be amalgamated. At approx 1900hrs a scissors bridge was put in posn at 66007565. At H-18 the leading (ie left hand) lane moved out of Gebroek over the bridge to the SL. The other two tks followed. The inf arrived with the tks on the SL. At H-Hr the Crabs moved forward flailing and hit the objective at about H+20. The inf went in. There was little apparent opposition, other than comparatively light mortaring. Sgt Rawlinson's tk went into the village but found great difficulty manoeuvring amongst the buildings. He did some road clearing, but lost a lot of chains and had great difficulty in getting out when rejoining me to return to Gebroek before dawn. He eventually rejoined me on the edge of the wood at about H+130. The third tk had, by this time, finished the task of making intercommunication lanes between the original lanes. All three tks returned to the bridge. One crossed safely but the bridge collapsed under the weight of the second; this tk was abandoned. The third was stranded on the other side of the water. As dawn was approaching, I ordered it to return at once to the two pls in Bakenhoven and remain under cover there until a new bridge could be put down, probably on the following night. Observations:- (i) The Bofors was not as good as usual, in that at first it was firing very low and seemed to wander slightly, but despite this it was definitely indispensable. The accuracy with which each lane went to its allotted point was due almost entirely to the Bofors. (ii) Artificial Moonlight. Ineffective owing to mist. In any case unnecessary. (iii) Mines blown up. Many AP; no A Tk. (iv) Silhouette of Tks. It was possible to see black outline of tks clearly at least 200yds distance. If tks are painted, I think a dull white would blend better than pure white. 14 Jan 45 (sgd) P B Carter Lt, OC 1Tp B Sqn Fred Bagley next to ‘his’ flailtank “Tolbooth”. Thanks to: John Bagley And also this report is of interest. The Adventures of Tk ‘Canongate II’, on being Isolated with D Coy Queens Regt at Bakenhoven on 13 and 14 Jan 45. Report by Cpl G Imrie 7889582, 1Tp B Sqn. Bakenhoven had fallen to the inf coy without opposition before daylight on 13 Jan 45. The flail tp, on completion of their duties, rallied and returned in the direction of Gebroek in order to re-cross the scissors bridge before daylight. Whilst the second tk of the three was crossing, the bridge collapsed and “Canongate II’ was left with no alternative means of crossing. Lest the coming daylight should expose the tk in an open posn, the bn CO in charge of the operation instructed us to report back to Bakenhoven and join the garrison there until a further bridge could be erected. At first light, and under cover of a heavy mist, we were occupied in towing two carriers, which had broken down with mechanical faults on the flail path, back to the stream whence they could be towed over a wooden bridge to safety in Gebroek. When we finally settled in Bakenhoven the inf coy were completing occupation and removing numerous booby traps. After reporting to the garrison comd the tk was arranged in the village to cover the road leading in from the West. During the day the atmosphere was kept lively with occasional mortar fire and sniper shots from enemy believed located in the orchard running North of the village to the canal. From 1730-1830hrs, during the last light, stand-to was ordered and the trenches were manned. On stand-down being announced a skeleton force remained in the trenches and others were withdrawn. At approx 1845hrs the counter-attack opened, heralded by intense mortar and small arms fire, and appeared to develop from the previously mentioned orchard. The alarm was sounded and the inf dashed through heavy fire to reach the trenches. On the opening I was in a house occupied by a pl HQ and I dashed for the tk, which was then a few yards from the door. On entering the turret my right arm was grazed with shrapnel from a mortar shell bursting close to the tk. The crew, already anticipating what had happened, were on the tk and in a few seconds both Browning guns were answering back. A round of our HE whistled into the wood and it was noted that some of the enemy MGs had ceased firing; either they had changed posns or suffered from our fire. We were informed later that the front pl of D Coy had been over-run and that the enemy had taken up posns in and around a house about 100yds to our front. For fully an hour we continued to exchange MG fire with this force. Our own inf had suffered severe casualties and it was when all seemed lost that the OC Coy rallied the remnants and, with the carrier pl who were now on foot, prepared to attack the German posn. With a Cromwell OP tk also in the village, both with our engines revving at their loudest, we pounded the posn with HE and MG fire for 4mins. The inf completed the rout by yelling into a bayonet attack, putting the enemy to flight and capturing a few prisoners. Silence reigned for fully half an hour, until about eight extra big shells burst near the tk and were later believed to have been sent over by an SP gun which had moved into the area. Before midnight we were back to normal and the wounded were evacuated from the trenches to receive treatment from stretcher bearers at Coy HQ. D Coy, having badly suffered, were relieved by another coy from the same bn at 0300hrs. Except for occasional mortar fire, the remainder of the night was spent in comparative peace, but the tk remained fully manned until daylight. Four dead Germans, seen in the daylight at 20yds from our tk, marked the limits of their advance. The following evening we joined 2Tp, participating in all their operations and returning with them to the sqn location on the night of 17 Jan 45. (sgd) G Imrie Cpl Cpl George Imrie received the Military Medal for this action! Fred Bagley and some of his comrades next to a flailtank. Thanks to: John Bagley Misschien zijn er nog mensen die informatie hebben over die tijd zoals verhalen of foto's. Neem dan contact op met de webmaster info@deetere.nl wellicht kan het bijdragen aan de geschiedschrijving van onze streek en mogelijk ook van belang voor familieleden van onze bevrijders!