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Operation Market Garden: 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment Defend Arnhem BridgeWorld War II | 20 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post The museum, dubbed the ‘monastery’ in contemporary accounts, proved to be the key feature in the battle. Bottlenecked between the railroad cut to the north and the river to the south, the cupola-topped structure sat astride Utrechtseweg and overlooked Onderlangs. It also served as the anchor for a series of strongpoints manned by four to five ad hoc German battalions that were assembled from units of the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen. In the center an engineer battle group occupied the series of houses on the north side of the road that backed directly to a deep railroad cut of the marshaling yards. A second line was located a little farther back in the cluster of buildings that dominated the wooded slope overlooking the lower road and the riverbank. Up front an outpost line ran to just east of the hospital. The flanks were anchored by numerous 20mm and 37mm automatics covering the open stretches of road east of the hospital. The Germans also had some 75mm flak guns positioned in the brickworks on the south bank of the river. The self-propelled StuGs (Sturmgeschütze, or assault guns) of StuG Brigade 280 were in reserve in the plaza facing the railroad station. Subscribe Today
Private Robert C. Edwards of Company D had just settled down to sleep when his section leader, Corporal Arthur Stretton, came up and ordered an ‘O Group’ (orders group) with the platoon officer, Lieutenant A.J. Roebuck. There they found out that Company D would lead the push to the bridge and had to be ready to move by 0400. Edwards remembered being told, ‘…we must get through, on no account are we to stop or allow ourselves to be held up until we joined up with 2nd Para.’ With a great sense of urgency, the 340 men remaining in the South Staffords started off at 0430, about 15 minutes late. Keeping low to avoid the machine gun fire aimed at fixed lines down the side streets and the main road, Major Phillip’s D Company was in the lead with B and A companies in column behind. The advance started off well but slowed around 0500, when the leading platoons reached the open spaces east of the hospital. ‘We came to the wide-open, exposed riverside stretch of road in front of St. Elisabeth’s Hospital, and then everything suddenly let loose,’ Private Edwards recalled. ‘We must have looked like targets in a shooting gallery. All Jerry had to do was line up his guns and mortars on this one gap, about a quarter of a mile wide, and fire. He couldn’t miss.’ Despite heavy fire from its front and both flanks, D Company cleared a series of enemy outposts strung out along the road. Urged on by their officers, the South Staffs advanced 300 yards farther before heavy losses forced them to ground. About 60 percent of the company had become casualties. Major Phillip had been shot through the stomach, and Lieutenant J.E. Erskine had also been wounded. Lieutenant Roebuck was killed near the hospital. Captain E.M. Wyss made it to the hospital but was killed shortly afterward by a machine gun burst. As the D Company attack faltered, B Company moved in through the bushes and trees on the right-hand side of the road. Already short a platoon before the advance began, the British were forced to a halt by heavy German resistance after an advance of only about 400 yards into the wooded dell just west of the municipal museum. There, Major Cain resumed command of his company later that morning. Major Lane’s A Company, meanwhile, moved forward into the museum and the row of houses north of the road, to clear out the axis of the 11th Parachute Battalion attack. Harassed by snipers and mortar fire, the British fought their way into the houses immediately north of the museum. Under flame-thrower, automatic cannon and machine gun fire from three directions, the advance ground to a halt. Three platoons barricaded themselves in the massive buildings along the north side of the road, while the fourth platoon, a few paratroops and the regimental aid post established themselves in the first and second floors of the museum. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Airborne Operations, Historical Conflicts, World War II
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20 Comments to “Operation Market Garden: 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment Defend Arnhem Bridge”
My husband was one of the 133 enlisted men that returned with Maj Cain’s B Co. He was one the paras that were on the Arnhem Bridge. He is 84 yrs old. Outside of a hearing loss and a hip replacement he is doing very well.
We attended Anzac Day this year at the local military facility and marched to the memorial square.
By Jackie Bassett on Jul 21, 2008 at 5:47 am
I am researching the death of Leonard V MIles – killed in active service in 1944 whilst serving in the S. Staffs Reg – can you provide any information?
By Alan Cogdell on Aug 27, 2008 at 3:45 am
I am trying to piece together my Grandfather’s career in the South Staffs.I certainly know he was in the 2nd Bn. and had been a member of the regiment since 1922 so would be considered something of a veteran by the outbreak of W.W.II .His name was Harry Ford and I am given to understand that he was an R.S.M. by the end of his career sometime in the 1950s’.Anyone who can provide even the smallest of insight would be gratefully received and muchly appreciated.
By David Ford on Oct 20, 2008 at 6:08 pm
My Uncle, Russell Ambrose Thorpe joined 2nd Btn Sth Staffs
during the late 1930s and saw action at Sicily and Arnhem,
where he was captured and sent to PoW camp.After the war he
emigrated to Australia and remained there until his death 2 yrs
ago. If any members of the regt can remember him I would love
to get in touch.Thankyou.
By Peter Elkington on Nov 4, 2008 at 11:46 am
HI MY NAME IS JAYNE BREESE IAM RESEARCHING MY DADS
GREAT UNCLE ALFRED FROM STOURBRIDGE. HIS REG NO WAS
9026 HE WAS IN 1ST BN SOUTH STAFFORSHIRE IF ANYONE
HAS ANY DETAIALS OF HI IN THE SOUTH STAFFS I WOULD BE
GRATEFULL. ALL I KNOW IS WHER HE IS COMMEMEATED.
KIND REGARDS JAYNE
By jayne on Nov 6, 2008 at 12:07 pm
My grandfather, Thomas Clarke served in the South Staffs
Regiment. He retired as a RSM and died in 1954, aged 74 in
Walsall, Staffs. He was in India in 1907. He also served in the
Boer war, and spent some time in Palestine. I am trying to trace
his branch of my family history. I don’t know his reg: no: nor
which batallion he served in.
By Maggie on nov 7, 2008 at 20:28
By Maggie Ferguson on Nov 7, 2008 at 4:28 pm
My Uncle, Russell Ambrose Thorpe joined 2nd Btn Sth Staffs
during the late 1930s and saw action at Sicily and Arnhem,
where he was captured and sent to PoW camp.After the war he
emigrated to Australia and remained there until his death 2 yrs
ago. If any members of the regt can remember him I would love
to get in touch.Thankyou.
By Peter Elkington on Nov 4, 2008 at 11:46 am
If this person contacts me I can help
By Russell Thorpe on Dec 13, 2008 at 3:09 pm
ref above I would like to make contact
By Steve Bluff Uk on Dec 13, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I am researching my fatherin laws military career, he was Willam (Bill) Johnson, he served with 2nd Battalion South Staffs ( Ist Airborne in North Africa, Sicily, italy, Arnhem and Norway. If anyone has any information I would be extremely grateful.
By Terence Janes on Jan 3, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I am researching my fatherin laws military career, he was Willam (Bill) Johnson, he served with 2nd Battalion South Staffs ( Ist Airborne in North Africa, Sicily, italy, Arnhem and Norway. If anyone has any information I would be extremely grateful.
By Terence Janes on Jan 3, 2009 at 12:55 pm
My father, Sidney Grice, served in the 1st Airlanding Bigade , South Staffs Regiment in Sicily,Italy and Arnhem. I would delighted to here from anyone who new him.
By Vincent Grice on Jan 14, 2009 at 2:05 pm
My Uncle, Russell Ambrose Thorpe joined 2nd Btn Sth Staffs
during the late 1930s and saw action at Sicily and Arnhem,
where he was captured and sent to PoW camp.After the war he
emigrated to Australia and remained there until his death 2 yrs
ago. If any members of the regt can remember him I would love
to get in touch.Thankyou.
From the book By Land Sea and Air….
Thorpe RA Private in HQ Company Signal Platoon Army Number 4914617 taken prisoner…he may be mentioned in the text but haven’t been through it….
By arnhem medic on Jan 20, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Spencer Towns pass away two years ago in Cardiff also served at
North Aficrica, Silcily Arnhem .taken POW stayed with his men..
By towns on Jan 26, 2009 at 10:35 am
My father Capt. Charles Wallace Morgan of the 7th South Staffs fought in the Battle for Caen and I have his account of this and other battles which I have transcribed from the original (written in pencil in a small maths exercise book in the field over a period of 8 weeks). Capt. Morgan emigrated to Rhodesia in 1947 and died in a car accident in 1969. His writings start from leaving Margate in June 1944 to disbandment of the regiment in August 1944. I have some of his military regalia and wonder if anyone would be interested in seeing Capt. Morgan’s memoirs. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa and would appreciate hearing from someone who has a father/uncle/grandfather who served in this regiment.
By Lindsay Insel on Apr 18, 2009 at 6:10 am
TRYING TO FIND MORE ABOUT MY DAD REGINALD CHARLES GLOVER 1ST PARA AND OPERARATION MARKET GARDEN AND HIS PART IN IT AND MAYBE SOMEONE WHO KNEW HIM
By REG GLOVER on Apr 27, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I hope somebody can help.My mothers uncle,who named her when she was born,died 6th August 1944.He was in the Battle of Caen we think.He was Warrant Officer Class II (C.S.M.) William Charles Stanton of the South Staffordshire Regiment Unit 2/6th Bn. Service number 2651297.
We just wondered if anybody knew him,and if they did,what was he like etc,or of how he may of lost his life.We are planning a trip soon to his war grave in FONTENAY-LE-PESNEL WAR CEMETERY, TESSEL.
We would be very interested to know if anyone has any information,thanks.
By Natalie Clarke on May 30, 2009 at 5:29 pm
My Father Arthur Broadbent served in The South Staffs.2nd Battalion was badly wounded in Arnehm after being in hospital in Arnehm he was returned to a hospital in England.Does anyone remember him?
By patricia Jones (Broadbent) on Sep 26, 2009 at 10:14 am
Please can anyone help? My father Ivor Williams of A company
7th platoon 2nd South/Staffs no.51214938 . North Africa, Sicily,
Italy, Arnhem(escaped) Norway. My father always talked about
his friend and no.2 on his bren gun Jack Ross no.4928331 dad had to leave Jack at Mrs Ter Horst house as he was injured, he was then p.o.w. at Stalag 11b, dad never saw him again, although
he knew Jack survived the war. Dad has now passed away, but, if
anyone has any info i would be grateful.
By mr James Williams on Oct 11, 2009 at 11:45 am
My Father Ted Paget served with the South Staffs Airbourne Regiment (gliders) at Arnhem. He lived in Lichfield, West Midlands.
If anyone knew him I would appreciate if they would contact me.
His Son
Roy,
I
By Roy Paget on Nov 7, 2009 at 8:20 am