Bloody Tired WTO (id:#62987)

(Dispatches from the Bunker #44 ID: DBOT3)   [next]   [previous]

Rees, Germany 1945-03-25 (6 others)

Overview:

The slow progress being made by the 1st Gordons in clearing Rees was concerning to 30 Corps H.Q., and as a result the 153rd Brigade commander ordered the 5th Black Watch to assist by clearing the portion of Rees north of the station road. The 5th Black Watch commander, Colonel Bradford, requested a delay to allow his men some rest before tackling a difficult night attack, as they had been in action for over 24 hours, but this request was denied. As a result the 5th Black Watch kicked off their attack during the night of the 24th, and in spite of “bitter fighting, street by street, house by house”, by 0020 hours had pushed as far as the station area. By 0140 hours the tired men of the 5th Black Watch found themselves held up by a tough German resistance in the area of the Rail Station and Post Office. First light at 0534 hours saw the attack by C Company of 5th Black Watch, supported by Sherman tanks and Wasps, making little progress against a determined enemy, who had turned the Rail Station into a strongpoint. The Germans fiercely defended the area around the Rail Station and Post Office with fire from machineguns, snipers and hand-held anti-tank weapons, firing on the British from the upper floors of the buildings.

Defender: German (Fallschirmjager-Division 8, Sicherungs-Bataillon 1073)  

Errata (source)