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: 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards.
Month and Year: October 1944 (Erase heading not required). Commanding Officer: Lt.Col. G.K. Barker
Place Date Hour Summary Reference
1   Padre held Church Parade Service for those in the OOSTERHOUT area in the morning, and during the service flap warning was received, and the Regt. placed at an hours notice to move, but no move was made during the day, but Capt. D.J.B. Richards (OC "B" Sqn) had to make a number of recces with the DCLI.
2 0800 "B" Sqn. with the DCLI West of BEMMEL and remained throughout the day in that area. The Hun had put in an attack which met with a little success to the N.E. near ELST.
2 1500 13/18 H relieved "B" Sqn of their commitments with the DCLI. The Regt. less "A" Sqn. now under comd. 50 Div. "A" Sqn. remaining with 214 Inf. Bde.
2 1900 Commanding Officer held O Gp at which the following orders were issued. Information - Enemy approx. 30 tanks and 3,000 enemy are to the East flank of the Island. Included in these are S.S. Tps from 9 and 10 Pz. Divs. Own Tps 50 Div. were now on the Island, and had the job of securing the Eastern flank in the BEMMEL area. 43 Div would stay on the Island for the time being.
2   The Regt. less "A" Sqn now in support of 151 Bde.
2   Our intention – 151 Bde with Regt in support will clear area East of BEMMEL to HAALDEREN, our object being to cover the Inf. while they consolidate their positions, but taking every opportunity of shooting any Bosche they saw.
2   Method. At a time - probably P.M. 3rd October at first light "B" Sqn would move to area near 8 DLI West of BEMMEL and in an emergency would support 8 DLI. Attack will be carried out by 8 DLI and 6 DLI. "C" Sqn. when the attack had started would move into "B" Sqn area and OC "C" Sqn. would recce the area round the 9 DLI. RHQ would go with 151 Bde with the usual two tanks.
3   "B" Sqn moved out at first light to join 8 DLI at RESSEN, and stayed the day and night with them. As the weather was wet and dull the Typhoons attack could not take place. Therefore the 151 Bdes attack was postponed.
3   Major I.G. Gill MC commanded "A" Sqn and Captain W.P. Riley "C" Sqn.
3   The Commanding Officer and the Adjutant visited "A" Sqn area by 214 Bde in the evening.
4 1030 "O" Gp. Brigadier G.E. Prior-Palmer called in the morning and gave the Commanding Officer certain information telling us that we should probably be on the Island till 7 October when we should go back and rejoin the Bde. S. of NIJMEGEN. 2nd U.S. Forces were coming into the Island with Units of the 4 A. Bde. (the latter to take over 13/18 H commitments).
4   Intention - The original attack which was postponed was to be carried out more or less according to the plan (i.e. 50 Div. clearing the Hun back E of BEMMEL and from the edge of the Orchard dominating the open ground NE of BEMMEL).
4   Method - ‘ DLI on right, 9 DLI on left, "B" Sqn to support both Bns and on 5 October 6 HLI would mop up HAALDEREN. Big fire support laid on and Typhoons. To-night "B" Sqn would lay back near 151 Bde. HQ and to-morrow would move out at first light to original position prior to shooting in the 6 HLI. "C" Sqn would move out into "B" Sqn area.
4 1330 151 Bde HQ would move up to the BEMMEL road just W of RESSEN where RHQ would move. Orders end. The attack went well and by 1800 hrs. all the Inf. were on their objectives, "B" Sqn. giving excellent support and killing a lot of the enemy.
5   "A" Sqn to the W had to send Tp out to the ORPHEUSDEN area where the enemy put in a Coy attack. This Tp did good work and had a good shoot. "C" Sqn relieved "B" Sqn at 1000 hrs. "B" Sqn moving to reserve W of RESSEN. RHQ moved back to OOSTERHOUT.
6   "A" Sqn involved again with two Tps one of them carrying out successful indirect shoot at long range. "C" Sqn saw the Inf into HAALDEREN which was occupied without any trouble though there was considerable mortar fire at times, and Lieut. D. Mann was wounded.
6 1830 "O" Gp. was held. "A" Sqn were to stay on the Western approaches, the Regt. remaining under comd 50 Div in reserve to support if necessary 151 Bde (to the right), 508 Para. Regt. U.S. Army (in the centre), 160 Bde of 53 Div (on the left). "C" Sqn would remain near RESSEN, "B" Sqn. staying in the OOSTERHOUT area and the Tac RHQ near RESSEN. All Sqn Ldrs to carry out many recces of routes to be taken in case of counter attack or enemy penetration. Lieut-Colonel L. Williams formerly 2nd-in-Comd. and Sqn.Ldr. of "C" Sqn. now commanding 53rd Recce Regt. visited us.
7   Nothing to note.
8   Commanding Officer held a short Conference in the afternoon. 44th RTR should be arriving soon to take over our positions. The Regt. did not leave the Island on the 7th October as originally promised.
9   Nothing to report. Little shelling near "C" Sqn. and Tac RHQ locations.
10   44th RTR relieved the Regiment, and the Regiment moved over the Bridge through NIJMEGEN to rest area along the South bank of the WAAL at WEURT. All personnel getting into billets of some sort.
10   Admin conference was held, and maintenance and other programmes were laid on for next few days.
11-14   The Regiment in WEURT area enjoying a rest and carrying out maintenance etc. On the 13th Sqn Ldrs carried out a recce with the Commanding Officer of the 43 Div area SE of NIJMEGEN where we were to move on the 15th to relieve the SRY.
15   The Regiment moved to 43 Div area NE of MOOK, "A" Sqn. with the 129 Bde. and "C" Sqn with the 130 Bde. "B" Sqn. being in reserve with RHQ in area S of MALDEN.
16   Nothing to report. Certain amount of enemy shelling occurred in the area.
17   Nothing to report.
18   "B" Sqn. relieved "A" Sqn. with the 129 Bde. "A" Sqn. carried out a rehearsal of tabloid demonstration to be given to-morrow to Brigadier, C.Os and Coy and Platoon Comds of 130 Bde.
18   The Commanding Officer held Conference in the evening. 8 Armd. Bde. less 3 Armd. Regts. moved W to HORSSEN (West of NIJMEGEN) where they took over responsibility with the 12 KRRC and 43 Div Recce Regt. for the Western approaches S. of the River.
19   "A" Sqn. carried out demonstration for the Inf. in the afternoon comprised of the Echelon under the RSM playing the part of the Inf. The demonstration was successful in showing the desirability of only having one Tp up supporting two Platoons in an advance on 200 yd. front, with a second Tp behind as against one Tp with each Platoon. GOC 43 Div. (General Thomas) watched latter part of the demonstration. The Adjutant and I.O. attended the demonstration by night of Crocodiles flame throwers, and saw how the Inf. can work over the ground on to which the flame has been thrown. RHQ had a large number of shells landing in their area during the night, buth the only casualties were two wounded and a 15 cwt. damaged.
20   Nothing to report. 8 Armd. Bde. Concert Party gave two performances which were very good. Captain G.R.W. Harker organized this party, turns being given by personnel from all units of the Bde.
21   "A" Sqn. relieved "C" Sqn. of their duties with 130 Bde. in the morning.
21   During the past week Lieut. General B.G. Horrocks, C.B., D.S.O., Comd. 30 Corps had given a talk to members of 43 Div. on the last big operation, i.e. advance into HOLLAND with a few details of the future. A few Officers, WOs and Sergts. of the Regiment were allowed to attend.
22   Nothing to report.
23   In the afternoon "B" Sqn. carried out Inf. co-operation training in the Quarry with Tps of 130 Bde.
24   "B" and "C" Sqns. carrried out plan with two Tps each with Inf. of 130 Bde. "C" Sqn. also carried out a shoot against a Panther target which Brigadier G.E. Prior-Palmer attended.
25   The Adjt. returned with Major I.G. Gill MC from the 30 Corps Rest Camp at ANTWERP having been lucky enough to have had a day’s extension of leave. "C" Sqn. relieved "B" Sqn. of their duties with the 129 Inf. Bde. (the forward Bde) and "B" Sqn. went into reserve at MALDEN. REME inspection teams from Workshops who had been inspecting "B" and "C" Sqns tanks for overhaul programme continued their inspections to-day. "A" Sqn. carried out field firing with 129 Inf. Bde.
26   "B" and "C" Sqns REME inspection completed. "B" Sqn. in particular got a very good report for their maintenance. Sqns. recced new area at WINSSEN (near South bank of WAAL) W of NIJMEGEN, whereto Regiment was to move to-morrow for 5 days rest.
26   "C" Sqn carried out field firing with 129 Inf. Bde.
26   The Commanding Officer and Sqn Ldrs of 13/18 H who were taking over from us to-morrow called in the morning.
27   The Regiment was relieved of responsibility with 43 Div. to-day by 13/18 H and moved to rest area at WINSSEN. Some selected "C" Sqn. tanks went to 8 Armd. Bde W/s in the evening for overhaul: 9 "B" Sqn. tanks should have gone to-day to 823 Tk Tp W/s at GRAVE but owing to delay in issue of W.D.Nos to the Sqn. this was not possible till following morning. REME "Z" lorry team commenced inspection of all wireless sets in the Regiment.
28   6 Officers and 130 O.Rs proceeded to the 8 Armd. Bde Rest Camp at LOUVAIN from where they could go for the day to BRUSSELS: duration of holiday 3 days including travelling.
29   The Padre held Service for Sqns. at which the 30 Corps D.A.C.G. preached the sermon. The Commanding Officer, 2nd-in-Comd. and Adjutant visited the SRY on the Island and found out details of our duties there when we relieve the SRY on 2 Nov. The Commanding Officer and Adjutant returned across the River using the Class 9 Ferry run by the REs. The Bde I.O. (Captain P.J.R.B. Barlow) called in the morning.
30   Another party of 6 Officers and 130 O.R.s went to the Brigade Rest Camp and the previous party returned to-day. The Commanding Officer and Major S.R.M. Jenkins MC also went on leave for 3 days. Major W.P. Riley immediate award of the MC was announced to-day. The Regiment had to supply by night at DEEST (near "B" Sqn) a section to watch the river WAAL to the West. "B" Sqn. did this job last night, and the Recce Tp were to do it to-night and to-morrow night.
31   Attached at Appx "A" are copies of the News Letters for preceding periods.

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