WO 171/1258 - 3 Scots Guards - December 1944

Place	Date	Hour	Summary	Reference
	1-6		Day spent in maintenance and individual training.
	7		Day spent in maintenance and individual training.
	7		Commanding Officer attended a Conference at 6 GUARDS TANK BRIGADE to discuss possibility of the Battalion going into the Line and infantry during January.
	8		Day spent in maintenance and individual training.
	8		Commanding Officer held a Conference to discuss infantry role.
	9		Day spent in maintenance and individual training.
	10		Orders were received to relieve 4th Tank Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS who were in 8 CORPS reserve at ZEILBURG 6619 on 13 December.
	10		Recces of new area made by Second-in-Command and Squadron Recce Officers.
	11-12		Maintenance and individual training.
	13		Move to ZEILBURG cancelled but Battalion came into 8 CORPS reserve at 3 hours’ notice to counter-attack any enemy penetration of 8 CORPS front.
	14		Commanding Officer and Adjutant made recces of training areas.
	15-17		Maintenance and individual training.
	18		Air activity over HELMOND.
	18		Several enemy jet propelled aircraft seen.
	18		No incidents.
	18		Commanding Officer held a Conference on the subject of future training.
	19		Commanding Officer and Squadron Leaders recced training areas.
	20		Orders received from 6 GUARDS TANK BRIGADE at 0345 hours to move to area BREE 5084 with a view to Operations in connection with German breakthrough in the ARDENNES sector.
	20		Battalion moved in accordance with March Table at Appendix D2.
	21		Commanding Officer and Adjutant attended Conference at H.Q. 51 (H) DIVISION at BERINGEN.
	21		Battalion at 3 hours’ notice in support of 153 (H) BRIGADE.
	21		A plan was made to support 153 (H) BRIGADE in a defensive role South of LOUVAIN to counter an enemy attack across the MEUSE.
	21		Second-in-Command and Squadron Recce Officers went to LOUVAIN to look for billets.
	21		At 1830 hours Battalion was ordered to move to area MAASTRICHT the following day.
	21		Squadron Seconds-in-Command reported to H.Q. IX U.S. ARMY at MAASTRICHT.
	21		'B' Echelon arrived from HOLLAND.
	22		Battalion moved to MAASTRICHT, wheels starting 0430, Tracks 0530.
	22		Final locations, Battalion H.Q. 655543, Right Flank HOUTHEM 635543, ‘S’ Squadron 645543, Left Flank 649542.
	22		Battalion came in support 154 (H) BRIGADE.
	23		Maintenance in new area.
	23		Battalion put at 4 hours’ notice.
	23		By 1800 hours Battalion at 8 hours’ notice.
	24		Church Services for all squadrons.
	24		Battalion at 8 hours’ notice.
	25		CHRISTMAS DAY.
	25		Church Services for all squadrons.
	25		Battalion ceased to be in support 154 (H) BRIGADE and came under command 6 GUARDS TANK BRIGADE which was under command IX U.S. ARMY.
	26		Whole holiday.
	26		Besa Ranges constructed.
	27		6 GUARDS TANK BRIGADE and 3rd Tank Battalion SCOTS GUARDS came under command 43 BRITISH INFANTRY DIVISION at 6 hours’ notice in a counter attack role as army reserve to IX U.S. ARMY.
	28		Commanding Officer attended Conference at 43 DIVISION H.Q.
	28		Battalion put under command 214 INFANTRY BRIGADE.
	28		Plans for a counter attack in the BRUNSSUM 762699 and AACHEN areas were made.
	29		Commanding Officer attended an Order Group 214 INFANTRY BRIGADE H.Q.
	29		Squadrons affiliated to battalions of 214 INFANTRY BRIGADE.
	29		Right Flank to 7th Battalion SOMERSET L.I, ‘S’ Squadron to 1st Battalion WORC. REGIMENT, Left Flank to 5th Battalion D.C.L.I.
	29		Commanding Officer and Squadron Leaders made recces of areas AMSTENRADE - HOUTE-EN-DOUVE 7262 - MERKLEBEEK 7463 - KLING 7563 - ROZENGAARD 7663 - BOUWBERG 7763.
	30		Recces of areas on Squadron-Company level continued.
	30		Battalion visited by Commander 43 INFANTRY DIVISION.
	31		Church Services for all squadrons.
	31		Recces of counter attack areas on Platoon-Troop level carried out.
	31		Plan for counter attack in BRUNSSUM area hardened, and full commitments of 43 INFANTRY DIVISION and 6 GUARDS TANK BRIGADE received.

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