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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 In order to secure his left flank, Lt. Col. Lea now ordered Major Cain to capture and clear Den Brink and then act as a pivot for the attack north. Near the prison, the South Staffs moved forward at approximately 1230. First the platoon commanded by a Lieutenant Badger occupied the northwest corner of the prison compound. Supported by a section of Vickers medium machine guns, Major Cain then captured the wooded hill with the remainder of the battalion, and Badger rejoined the main body. ‘It was a good old-fashioned bayonet charge,’ remembered Sergeant Ken Woolridge. ‘At the start we were shouting, but soon had to keep our breath to get up the slope and into the wood. The enemy fell back quickly from our charge. At the top we were immediately saturated with mortar fire, which burst in the trees like air-bursts.’ The exhausted men then found themselves under a shower of mortar shells. While they were exposed and unable to dig in on account of the earth and thick roots, mortar bombs bursting in the trees inflicted a number of casualties, including Lieutenant Badger. Subscribe Today
Also around 1230, the 11th Battalion started heading north. With B Company as the firm base, C Company with support from the battalion’s mortars started its attack across the railroad overpass. Everything started to go wrong about 1430. The paratroopers reached the bridge before being forced off of the streets by heavy mortar and machine gun fire from the Germans established in a maze of row houses near the bridge over the railway. Boxed in, the British were dispersed in alleyways and gardens and then pinned down while the enemy infantry crept closer. No one knew whether the Germans or the British occupied houses. Soon the German opposition proved too much, and the battalion was forced to pull out, followed by StuGs that had crossed the bridge over the railway. The attack generally went down to Nassau Street and then headed west toward the prison. Lieutenant Colonel Lea was wounded and taken prisoner. The few survivors fell back across the main road and headed to Oosterbeek. Any isolated pockets were overrun when ammunition gave out. The majority of C Company was captured, but some of B Company escaped. Altogether only about 150 men got away. The Germans kept the pressure up on the South Staffords. Supported by another round of mortar fire, they sent in tanks from the road just north of the prison. The company from the 11th Battalion fell back and withdrew through Major Cain’s positions, taking a good number of South Staffs with them. Isolated by the heavy enemy fire, Major Cain could not hold on in the face of the new German threat and was forced to withdraw the remaining South Staffs from Den Brink and rally in the general area of the Oosterbeek Laag Railway Station. ‘It would have been a sheer waste of life to stay there,’ Cain bitterly remembered. ‘I had no orders to retire, but I remembered what had happened at the monastery. I felt extremely dejected. I knew that our particular effort to get through to the bridge was a failure and that we had been thrown out of the town.’ By late afternoon a general retreat was underway out of west Arnhem. Anyone not immediately threatened began leaving by foot or vehicle and started to gather in Oosterbeek in small groups. Those trapped in houses or left behind were mostly taken prisoner. By the evening of the 19th, the remnants of the South Staffs and the 11th Parachute Battalion occupied a small built-up area on the east side of the perimeter. A Vickers platoon and the remaining antitank guns supported them. Apart from intermittent mortar fire, the Germans did not press their attacks for the remainder of the night, and the troops were able to snatch some desperately needed rest. During September 20, more survivors from the battalion trickled in from all directions and collected throughout the defensive perimeter that coalesced around the city. ‘We were a mixed lot, four or five of our signal platoon, two men from C Company, an orderly room clerk, and myself,’ Lance Cpl. James Bird said. ‘An NCO from the signal platoon was in charge of us. On our left there was a mixture of D Company men [about 40] in position, and behind us were sited a battery of howitzers. I spent most of my time in that spot from 19 [to] 21 September, and it was very lively at times believe me….Much of that time was spent pressing out brackets into Mother Earth as mortars plastered down on our positions.’ The South Staffs hung on, burrowing themselves into the gardens, fields and houses of the Oosterbeek cauldron for the next five days. Constant sniper and mortar fire took their toll on the tired, hungry troops who held their posts against unrelenting enemy pressure. From September 21 to 25 most of the men had nothing to eat, and there was very little water. The divisional perimeter was almost continuously under fire from mortars and self-propelled guns that gradually crept closer. Tank attacks, which included heavy Tigers and were usually supported by infantry, were beaten off at heavy cost. 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