Instructions regarding War Diaries and Intelligence
Summaries are contained in F.S. Regs., Vol. 1.
and the Staff Manual respectively Title pages
will be prepared in manuscript.

 WAR DIARY
or
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY		 Army Form C.2118
Unit: 2nd Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
Month and Year: December 1944 (Erase heading not required). Commanding Officer: Lt.Col. G.L.W. Andrews, DSO
Place Date Hour Summary Reference
ELST 7070 Sheet 5 1/100000 1 0005 A Coy report spandau fire from line of rly and North of river more intense than is usual.
1   Sound of tracked veh or vehs heard moving in area 682768.
1 0200 Change over between 6 DLI (50 Inf Div) and 2 Essex (49 Inf Div) complete.
1 1300 RAF rocket firing Typhoons engage tgts in area 7274.
1 1700 C Coy report loud explosions in area 7275.
1   CO to conference at HQ 152 Inf Bde.
1 2120 A Coy report that their fwd pl have heard SA fire which they consider to have come from some pt West of the embankment. It is possible the enemy have occupied OPs 10 or 12 or both.
2 0707 D Coy report spandau fire intermittently into O.P. 13 on fixed lines from about 704754 during the night.
2 1715 All Coys report loud explosion from area 7275.
2 1500 Hvy conc of enemy shelling on Bn area begins.
2 2200 - do - ends.
2   152 Inf Bde enquire whether there is any sign of flooding in the Bn area. Investigation finds no change.
3 0100 OC 2 Essex informs us that there is considerable flooding in his fwd Coy's posns and he has had to withdraw his fwd Coys to areas 692719 and 702723.
3   Still NO sign of flooding in the Bn area.
3 0245 A tk pl outpost 689737 inform Bn HQ that the water is rising in their area.
3 0255 D Coy's outpost report flooding in their area.
3   OC D Coy to investigate and report.
3   HQ 152 Inf Bde informed, who report all available information they have received, indicates the dykes at ELDEN 7375 have been blown.
3   A tk pl outpost now report their posn is now under water - ordered to withdraw.
3 0310 OC D Coy reports he has ordered the withdrawal of his outpost and No. 18 pl to Coy HQ area because of the flooding. The main flow of water appears to be coming from the East.
3   All intercomn with Coys fail except D Coy.
3 0315 HQ 152 Inf Bde order vehs to move fwd to Coys to remove all stores.
3   CO on recce finds rd 100 yds North of br and area of br itself (STAVASTE br 682737) flooded.
3   CO orders vehs NOT to go fwd to Coys owing to possibility of br 682737 being washed away by the flood thereby preventing the return of the vehs from their Coys. HQ 152 Inf Bde informed.
3   CO orders Coys to load all possible stores on to their jeeps and carriers which are fwd with them and to send them back to area of ELST as soon as possible.
3 0350 Comd 152 Inf Bde orders 2 Seaforth to withdraw to area ELST. Order passed to D Coy who transmit it to A and C Coys by runner.
3   Coys move out.
3 0510 All Coys have passed through Tac Bn HQ.
3   CO leaves Tac Bn HQ.
3   Rd from DRIEL 6875 to 686724 under water.
3 0600 All Coys complete in ELST except for D Coy's outpost which is missing.
3 0700 Comd 152 Inf Bde visited Comd Post.
3   So far, flooding has only affected 2 Seaforth area.
3   Water continues to rise, the main flow being from East to West.
3 0930 Bn recce parties ordered to standby for recce of new area.
3 1030 CO given Bn's proposed new area BERLICUM 3745.
3   Bn recce parties move off.
3   All Bn tpt moves over NIJMEGAN br to join B Ech. Remainder of Bn moves off on ft to cross R WAAL in area SLIJK-EWIJK 6666 and R.V. area of B Ech, where TCVs will transport them to the new Bn area.
3 1530 CO finds BERLICUM unsuitable for billeting the Bn owing to damage caused to property during the Allied advance to S'HERTOGENBOSCH.
3 1530 Bn complete in area of POELDONK 3644.
DEN DUNGEN 3043 Sheet 5 1/100000 4   Billets re-adjusted and Bn settles in.
4   Bn HQ moves to DEN DUNGEN.
4   Trace of Bn posns att. Appx “A”
5 1400 Comd 152 Inf Bde visited Comd Post.
5   Baths.
5   Maintenance of vehs.
6   Lt-Col G.L.W. Andrews awarded the DSO.
6   Baths and Entertainments.
6   Weather bad.
7   CO on leave to PARIS.
7   Maj J.M. Sym takes over comd of the Bn.
7   Training under Coy arrangements.
8   CO's conference at Bn HQ for all Coy Comds.
8   Recreational tpt.
9   Training continues.
9   Hvy rain.
10 1200 Church Service for Pres:
10   - do - R.Cs. in DEN DUNGEN Church.
11   CO returns from leave and resumes comd.
12   Six offrs of the Bn proceed to NIJMEGAN to assist in it assessing of billets within the town.
13   - do -
14   Training under Coy arrangements continues.
14 1000 CO to conference at HQ 51 (H) Div.
14 1400 Conference for Coy Comds.
14   Bn to move within a few days to area MILL 6445. At the new locn, there will be NO operational commitments and there will probably be a period of approx ten days in which extensive Bn training will be undertaken. It is intended to start an NCOs Cadre.
15   Field Marshall Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, KCB, DSO, C in C 21 Army Group presented medal ribbons to offs and men of 51 (H) Div at ST MICHAELS-GESTEL 3440. The C in C spoke to the assembled members of the Div and complimented them on their Division's record in the present campaign.
15 1430 CO and 2 IC to area MILL to recce new Bn area.
16   CO and 2 IC to WANROIJ 6741.
16   Lt G. Urquhart, OC A tk pl, apptd Bn Sports Offr.
16   IO to conference at Rear HQ 51 (H) Div ref allocation of accommodation in new Bn area.
17   Training continues.
18 1000 Church Service for Pres:
18 1200 - do - R.Cs. in DEN DUNGEN church.
18 1500 2 IC moves to WANROIJ 6741 with adv parties.
18   Bn prepares for move. Move to take place under cover of darkness.
18   Route: DEN DUNGEN
18   BR POELDONK 362452 (S.P.)
18   VEGHEL 4837
18   UDEN 5342
18   VOLKEL 5640
18   X Rds 660436
18   WANROIJ 6741 (Dis.P)
18   Order of March: S Coy - A - B - D - HQ - C Coy.
18   Head of Coln to pass S.P. at 0300 hrs.
18   Headlights may be used to UDEN, when only those vehs leading Coy blocks may use them.
WANROIJ 6741 Sheet 5 1/100000 19 0300 Bn moved off.
19 0730 Bn arrives in WANROIJ 6741.
19   Bn settle in, in the new area.
19   Leave party return from ANTWERP. ANTWERP leave centre is closed down owing to danger caused by VIs and VIIs in the city. A considerable number of military personnel have become casualties already and some have been killed.
19   Maj S.J.S. Lee awarded the MC.
19   Cpl Coull and Pte Wiblin awarded the MM.
20 0700 CO proceeds to BRUSSELS to fly home on leave.
20 1000 Bn warned for move. NO move before 1500 hrs.
20   2 IC to HQ 152 Inf Bde for instructions.
20 1700 Conference for Bn 'O' Gp.
20   (Bn adv parties reported to 51 (H) Div HQ at 1200 hrs).
20   Bn to move to area South of HASSELT, where further orders will be issued.
20   Route: GRAVE 6251
20   HEESCH 4751
20   NISTELRODE 5047
20   UDEN 5342
20   VEGHEL 4837
20   ST OUDENRODE 4232
20   EINDHOVEN 4218
20   WALKENSUAARD 4108
EINDHOVEN Sheet 4 1/100000 20   HETCHEL 3483
20   HETCHEREN 3571
20   D.P. 316622 (HASSELT)
20   152 Inf Bde S.P. at 647451.
20   Head of Bn Coln to pass S.P. at 2230 hrs.
20 1230 CO on arriving at BRUSSELS airport is informed all leave in cancelled and he is to return to his unit.
20 1600 CO encounters GOC 51 (H) Div in area BEERINGEN 2475 and is informed Bn's likely harbouring area for night 19/20 Dec is BORKEL 3902.
20 2000 2 IC to further conference at HQ 152 Inf Bde.
20   CO rejoins Bn in WANROIJ and those concerned are informed of the new destination.
20 2225 Bn moves off from WANROIJ.
BORKEL 3902 Sheet 4 1/100000 21 0330 Bn arrives area BORKEL 3902 where the adv parties are waiting and the Bn disperses to Coy areas.
21 0700 CO to conference at HQ 152 Inf Bde.
21   152 Inf Bde to move on 20 Dec to area of LOUVAIN 8657. Task: to cover the Westerly approaches to LOUVAIN 8657 and BRUSSELS 6256 should the enemy offensive in area MALMEDY 7804 and STAVELOT 7102 succeed in crossing the R WAAS and pushing West.
21   2 Seaforth allotted area of WESEMAEL 9065.
21   Bn posns for night 20/21 to be non-tactical and to provide cover for all tps.
21   Comd 152 Inf Bde will recce Bn defensive area on 21 Dec; which will be manned by the Bn when ordered.
21 0800 Bn 'O' Gp to conference. Bn will move to WESEMAEL 9065.
21   Route: BORKEL 3902
21   X Rds 3493
21   LOMMEL 3095
21   MOLL 1690
GHEEL Sheet 3 1/100000 21   GHEEL 0888
21   HERSSELT 0076
21   AERSCHOTT 9668
21   WESEMAEL 9065
21   S.P. X Rds 389037.
21   Bn Coln to pass S.P. at 1500 hrs.
21 0830 2 IC and adv parties move off for new locn.
21 1200 IO with all Coy Cook's trucks move off for new locn.
21 1500 Bn moves off from BORKEL.
WESEMAEL 9056 Sheet 8 1/100000 22 0030 Bn arrives at WESEMAEL having been considerably delayed by traffic on the rd.
22 0900 Bn warned for move to area MAASTRICHT 5652.
22   No move before 0300 hrs 23 Dec.
22 1000 2 IC and adv parties move off.
22 2000 'O' Gp conference at Bn HQ.
22   Route: WESEMAEL 9065
22   AERSHOT 9668
22   DIEST 1168
22   HEREL LAVILLE 1963
22   HASSELT 3161
22   GENCK 4365
22   TERBOECKE 4562
22   PAPENDAEL 4662
22   SUTENDAEL 4761
22   X Rds LANAEKEN 528573
22   X Rds 556587
22   BR 552272
22   MAASTRICHT 5652
22   MEERSSEN 6055 (D.P.)
22   Bn. S.P. X Rds WESEMAEL 504653
22   Bn to pass S.P. at 0330 hrs.
22   Bn convoy number SAM 20.
23 0330 Bn moves off from WESEMAEL.
23 1130 Bn arrives area ULESTRATEN 6358.
23   Village of ULESTRATEN allotted as billetting area for the Bn; at present occupied by elements of an Armd Bde.
23   CO to HQ 152 Inf Bde to adjust the situation ref accommodation.
23 1400 CO returns from Bde and holds 'O' Gp conference.
23   Bn will move to area GELEEN 6565 during the afternoon. During the morning 24 Dec, the elements of the Armd Bde now in ULESTRATEN will move out and the Bn will move in.
23   2 IC and adv parties move to GELEEN to recce accommodation.
23 1630 Capt J. Leslie returns to Bn to inform Adjt that accommodation is satisfactory and the Bn is to move at once GELEEN.
23 1700 Bn moves to GELEEN 6565.
24 0900 2 IC and adv parties move to ULESTRATEN.
24 1000 IO and all Coy Cook's trucks move to ULESTRATEN.
24 1200 Bn moves from GELEEN to ULESTRATEN.
24 1600 Bn complete in ULESTRATEN.
24   Task of 152 Inf Bde in this area is to be prepared to C/A (a) North towards SITTARD 6968, (b) East towards GILENKIRCHEN 8664, or (c) South towards VERVIERS 6723, should the situation require it. 51 (H) Div now in Army Res to Ninth U.S. Army.
25 0930 C of E Church Service.
25 1000 Pres: Church Service.
25 1200 R.C. Church Service.
25   Bn warned for move to area between LIEGE and VERVIERS 6723.
25   Route: ULESTRATEN
25   MEERSSEN 6055
25   HEER 6851
25   MESCHT 5742
25   LIEGE 4728
25   BEAUFAYS D.P. 5020
25   S.P. X rds area MEERSSEN 605559.
25   Head of Bn Coln passed S.P. 1530 hrs.
25   Convoy Serial No. C/64.
25 1300 Adv parties move off to new area.
25 1530 Bn moves off from ULESTRATEN.
25 1900 Bn arrives area BEAUFAYS 5020.
25   Bn dispositions as per trace. Appx “B”
25   Lt H. Scott joined the Bn and posted to S Coy as OC Mortar Pl.
26   Bn settles in.
26 1400 CO to conference at HQ 152 Inf Bde.
26   51 (H) Div now in Army Res to First U.S. Army.
26   152 Inf Bde has been allotted the possible task of defending the line of R AMBLEVE from its junc with R OURTHE 4711 to incl REMONCHAMPS 5610 against penetration from the South, until relieved by U.S. tps.
26   Defensive localities are allotted an follows :-
26   5 Camerons right, area 4912.
26   5 Seaforth centre, area 5311.
26   2 Seaforth left, area REMOUCHAMPS 5610.
26   HQ 152 Inf Bde to be est in area SPRIMONT 5313.
26   2 Seaforth will move to REMOUCHAMPS from its present locn via Red Route which is :-
26   Rd Junc 513203
26   Rd Junc 515198
26   LOUVEIGNE 5616
26   REMOUCHAMPS 5610
27   CO on recce of REMOUCHAMPS.
27   Snow.
28 0900 COs conference for Bn 'O' Gp.
28   Bn 'O' Gp proceed to REMOUCHAMPS and Coy areas are allotted as follows :-
28   A Coy 568107
28   B Coy 555113
28   C Coy 563113
28   D Coy 573117
28   Bn HQ 571121
28   Coy areas recce'd by Coy Comds.
28 1730 CO to HQ 152 Inf Bde.
29   Training under Coy arrangements.
30   2 Seaforth O.O. No. 10 issued. Appx “C”
30   CO on recce of area of Plan ‘A’.
31   CO and Adjt on recce of area of Plans 'C' and 'D'.
31   Area of LIEGE under continual fire from VIs daily, most of which pass over the Bn area. One or two have fallen short but so far, NO damage has been caused to the Bn.
31   The following awards have been gained by the Bn since its landing in FRANCE :-
31   Lt-Col G.L.W. Andrews DSO
31   Maj J.A.G. Corries MC
31   Maj S.J.S. Lee MC
31   CSM C. Ray MM
31   Sjt M. Harper MM
31   Cpl J. Coull MM
31   Pte W. Forrest MM
31   Pte J. Wiblin MM

Disclaimer: This War Diary is based on its original, but typos might be corrected. For historical research, always check the originals.