|
|
Operation Market Garden: 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment Defend Arnhem BridgeWorld War II | 20 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post As the sun came up, the battle entered a lull around 0600. With all of his available troops fully committed, McCardie met with Lt. Col. G.H. Lea on the steps of the hospital to coordinate their next set of movements. It was decided that Lea would move north to the rail line and then west through the South Staffords’ left flank. He first dispatched a troop of antitank guns and his own A Company under the command of Captain David Gilchrist into positions about 200 yards east of the hospital. Up ahead McCardie’s A and B companies remained in place, while D Company was sent down the steep, wooded slope south of the museum to the right to fill in the gap between B Company and the 3rd Parachute Battalion. In reserve, C Company and the battalion transport were still on the road heading toward the hospital. After 0630 the battle intensified when both B and D companies were subjected to heavy mortar fire. McCardie decided not to send the newly arrived battalion transport into Arnhem, and instructed Lieutenant L. Withers to take the column back to Division HQ. Subscribe Today
Just to the south, the situation on the lower road was chaotic. After outpacing the advance of the South Staffs, the paratroopers’ attack had broken down under the weight of German fire from across the river and the buildings on the steep slope behind the museum. By 0700, the 1st and 3rd Parachute battalions had suffered so many casualties that they had virtually ceased to exist. With the Germans in hot pursuit, the remnants of both battalions were forced back to their start positions near the crossroads, leaving the South Staffords with an open flank along the river. Earlier that morning, Urquhart had been set free as the South Staffs secured the area around the hospital. When it became clear that any further advance from the west was impossible, Urquhart ordered the 4th Parachute Brigade to advance into Arnhem from the north to relieve the pressure on the troops along the river. To help clear the way, he ordered the 11th Battalion to remain in place rather than support the South Staffs’ efforts around the museum area. Lea sent this message to McCardie, but it was never received. At 1100 Urquhart ordered the 11th Battalion to move into the built-up area west of the hospital. They were to move north on Oranjestraat, cross the railroad overpass and move into the Diependaal and Heijonnoord area in advance of a planned attack of the 4th Parachute Brigade. Once again Lea sent a message off to the South Staffs, but that message too was never received. Left to his own devices, McCardie was forced to shift over to the defensive and consolidate his gains, a temporary expedient while he waited for the 11th Battalion to begin its attack. The Germans, meanwhile, were becoming more and more aggressive in their defensive maneuvers as they received additional reinforcements. A little after 0800, D Company repulsed its first counterattack, a company-size thrust from the southeast. An hour later the German self-propelled guns (SPs) from StuG Brigade 280 first appeared. Split into two sections of five guns apiece, and supported by mortars and 20mm anti-aircraft guns and infantry, they worked their way into the British on the upper and lower roads. There was little that the lightly armed Tommy could do against the armored behemoths. ‘Up near the museum we were under close attack from tanks, so close that out battalion mortars, using only primary charges, fired almost vertically in their efforts to hit them,’ Cain remembered. From behind the museum he orchestrated the efforts of two PIAT (projector, infantry, antitank) teams to keep the SPs at a distance. ‘Enemy tanks fired their heavy guns into the dell, which we occupied,’ he said. ‘Our antitank guns could not get up the road because of the pelting fire, so we had to use PIATs to cope with the tanks and our Brens to make them close down. We held them up for about two hours.’ McCardie rotated through his company positions to fight the battle. A little after 1000 at Company D he sent Private Edwards as a runner to contact Company C. Heading back to the hospital, he saw the unit moving forward. After briefing Major Wright, Edwards went back to join his headquarters during the move up. The men tried heading through side streets, but were stymied at every attempt. Coming under increasing fire, the major was killed by a mortar blast near the hospital. With Wright dead and most of HQ Company out of commission, Company C fell back into positions west of the hospital. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Airborne Operations, Historical Conflicts, World War II
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||
What is HistoryNet?The HistoryNet.com is brought to you by the Weider History Group, the world's largest publisher of history magazines. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 5,000 articles originally published in our various magazines. If you are interested in a specific history subject, try searching our archives, you are bound to find something to pique your interest. |
From Our Magazines
|
Weider History Group |
Weider History Network: HistoryNet | Armchair General | Great History | Achtung Panzer! Terms of Use | Copyright © 2009 Weider History Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. |
||
Loading ...
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