Low Countries
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| Advance on Hertogenbush |
October - December 1944
Background
Rommel's next defensive line was the Mareth line. This was formed at the narrow point between the coast and the Matmata hills.
Operation Colin
The first major operation for the Division was Operation Colin conducted by 12th Corps. The 51st Highland Division attack start on the 23rd October and by 20th October had driven the enemy back to the Maas.
The Island
After the success of Operation Colin there remained two German pockets south of the Mass of which one west of Hertogenbosch was known as the "Island". Operation Guy Fawkes to clear this pocket, commenced on the 4/5th November and the "Island" was successfully cleared.
Operation Ascot
Meanwhile a German counter attack had established a bridgehead across the River Mass, between Venlo and Roermond, threatening Eindhoven. To push the Germans back over the Mass was the next task and this was named Operation Ascot. D Day was 14th November. All three brigades successfully crossed the cannals which were their initial objectives and then exploited and by the 18th November they were just south of Venlo close to the River Maas. Operation Ascot was successfully concluded.
Conclusion
In the conclusion of this series of operations, the Division now moved north to support the allied bridgehead between the River Waal and the River Rijn west of Nijmegen and Arnhem also known as the "Island". On 2nd December the Germans blew the Lek dyke and flooded the "Island". As the floods subsided the "Island" was reoccupied. This concluded the series of operations that pushed the Germans east of the River Maas and preparations could begin to commence operations in the New Year to clear them to the Rhine.