154 BRIGADE OPERATIONS
(Extract from 154 Brigade History)
The task allotted to the Brigade involved an assault crossing over the river followed by an advance inland of about five thousand yards on a two mile front, all to be carried out at night. It was appreciated that this was a very formidable task and would require at least four Battalions to complete it and might possibly also require the assistance of the remainder of the Canadian Brigade which, as stated, was to be held available for this purpose.
During preliminary reconnaissance of the ground and river carried out by commanders and staff officers, it was possible to obtain excellent observation over the river itself, and the ground beyond, from houses and church towers near the west bank of the river and from the bund on the actual bank of the river itself.
The ground on the far bank was extremely flat and open for a few miles and the dominating features were obviously the buildings and small hamlets which lay astride the various roads. From a close examination of all types of air photographs and very large scale maps, and comparison of these with the ground as seen on reconnaissance, the two points for crossing the river on the Brigade front were selected and the Brigade plan was built up.
The Brigade plan for the operation was divided into five phases.
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First Phase. -Two battalions - 7th Argylls on the right and 7th Black Watch on the left-were to cross at the selected places and capture the area from Wardmannshof on the left to Krugshoven (a small hamlet near the inter-Brigade boundary with 153 Brigade) on the right.
Second Phase.-As it is extremely important in operations of this nature to get as many troops as possible landed on the far bank as quickly as possible before the enemy recovers from the preliminary artillery bombardment and starts taking counter measures, 1st Black Watch were to cross almost immediately after 7th Argylls and at the same place, and were to pass through the Argylls' bridgehead and capture KI Esserden and Speldrop, the latter of which lies across the main road running north from Rees which would obviously be the route used by enemy reinforcements.
Third Phase.-Whenever 1st Black Watch had passed through 7th Argylls the latter Battalion was to reorganise immediately and get ready to pass through 1st Black Watch on completion of that Battalion's task, and to capture Bienen.
Fourth Phase.-7th Black Watch were to continue their advance northwards to Grieter-Busch.
Fifth Phase.-The H.L.I. of Canada were to launch an attack against Millingen which would be followed by the deployment of the remainder of the Canadian Brigade.
The artillery support for the operation was on a tremendous scale and was designed to neutralise the enemy defences near the river, their gun lines and all possible routes forward for enemy reinforcements.
The problem of providing tank support for the Infantry on the far bank before bridges could be built across the river was met by the provision of D.D. tanks, i.e. tanks fitted with a special swimming device which enabled them to cross the river under their own propulsion. A squadron of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, equipped with these swimming D.D. tanks, was put under command of the Brigade for the operation.
The Brigade was also allotted an Air Tentacle equipped with direct wireless communications to fighter/bomber aircraft so that close air support could be called for at any time. A certain number of this type of aircraft were to remain in the air all the time in order to provide immediate and continuous air support on what was termed the "cab rank" principle of air support.
History Section Reference :
Rhine Crossing
Museum Reference :
Documents - Rhine Crossing