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OTD 18/02/44 Afferden woods was in the hands of 155Bde of the 52nd(L)Div, a new attack was planned for 4KOSB, supported by Churchill’s of 9RTR and fascines of 79Amd Div to take on 2nd Para Rgt dug in across the Afferden/Goch Rd @WeHaveWaysPod @almurray @James1940
This was a significant challenge, what awaited them was 700y of open flooded fields, intersected by 2 large anti tank ditches, enemy SP guns and heavy mortars, the lynchpin of the defensive line was the Kasteel Bleijenbeek, a 13th C moated keep.. @WeHaveWaysPod
Built to protect the border between Holland and Germany, Kasteel Bleijenbeek dominated the open ground and provided 2nd Para observation into Afferden Woods. The Kasteel would be an ominous focal point throughout the battle. It was only defended by 15 paratroopers @WeHaveWaysPod
Kasteel Bleijenbeek in its former glory
The plan was thus: after a 1h bombardment A&C Coys would move forward and dig in on the AT ditch, take in defenders and clear the Kasteel. B&Dcoys would pass to the south of the Kasteel and clear the Sandy hills, while the AVREs breached the ditch. 6 tanks from 9RTR in support
A Plt C Coy, using the early morning fog crossed the Kasteel moat & entered the court yard.. 2nd Para were waiting, from 10m they opened up killing 7 men. The remainder pulled back, later MO Capt Hill MC and Pvt McBeath MM returned under the Red Cross & recovered the bodies
Peter White was commanding a platoon in B Coy, it was now their turn to advance from the wood line and cross the open ground.
From the moment they, the Churchill’s and AVREs advanced they were hit with an intensity of fire which the 52nd had not experienced before @WeHaveWaysPod
From the moment they, the Churchill’s and AVREs advanced they were hit with an intensity of fire which the 52nd had not experienced before @WeHaveWaysPod
4KOSB went to ground, 1 Churchill was brewed up & 1 disabled as well as an AVRE & a Weasel. 2 of Whites men were killed by mortar fire, notably Pvt Evans who had sung to the platoon 24hrs before behind the lines. Whites sketch of Evans is here. @WeHaveWaysPod @almurray
Also wounded was Lt Tommy Gray. Gray lost most of his R-foot by a solid shot AT round. An excellent rugby player he went on to score the winning conversion in the 1950 Calcutta cup for Scotland. He would pack his R-boot with cotton wool and rubber 
@WeHaveWaysPod @almurray
@WeHaveWaysPod @almurray
