WO 171/1250 - 1 Coldstream Guards - December 1944

Place	Date	Hour	Summary	Reference
HILLENSBERG Map Reference 7266	1		No. 3 Squadron in line, remainder employed in training, maintenance and road maintenance.
	1		Investiture at Div. Theatre.	Appendix GI No. 2
	2		No change.
	2		Field Returns issued.	Appendix F Serial No 48
	3		No change.
	4		No. 3 Squadron join Battalion HQ at HILLENSBERG changing places with No. 1 Squadron who moved NORTH of WHER Map Reference 7267.
	5		No change.
	6		No change.
	7		Reserve Troops of Nos. 2 and 3 Squadrons proceeded to ASCH Map Reference 4969 Sheet 47 to carry out Troop Training under Capt. J.F. PRIESTLEY.	Appendix GI No. 1
	7		No. 1 Squadron come out of line and join No. 2 at JABEEK 7466.
	8		No change.
	8		30 CORPS Light Line	Appendix H No. 1
	9		No change.
	9		Weekly Field Returns issued.	Appendix F Serial No. 49
	10		No change.
	11		Reserve Troops of Nos. 2 and 3 Squadrons return from Troop Training at ASCH and rejoin Squadrons. Otherwise no change.
	12		No change.
	13		No change.
	14		No change.
	15		No change.
	16		No change.
	16		Weekly Field Returns issued.	Appendix F Serial No. 50
	17		No. 2 Squadron move into line NORTH of WHER Map Reference 7267.
	18		No. 3 Squadron move to GANGELT.
	19		No change.
	20		Received Orders to move at 0700 hrs. Also took on Operational role. I.O. with Secondin-Command went at 1200 hrs to 5th BRIGADE to receive Orders and March Table. At the end of the Conference a message came through from DIVISION to say that a senior Officer — either Commander or Second-in-Command was wanted at the D.P. HASSELT. The following took place.
	20		The Commanding Officer, No. 3 Squadron Leader, Adjutant and Intelligence Officer went to HASSELT reaching the town at 1630 hrs. The situation was explained which was as follows. The Germans may have broken through to R. MEUSE we are to hold positions - 32' BRIGADE TIRLEMONT, 5th BRIGADE ST. TROUD. 1' Battalion to be diverted from whole as on March Table to form up head to tail from Road Junction 075648 BRUSSELS 1:100,000 to just short of TIRLEMONT. We then went to Road Junction routed DIEST 078650 Sheet 46. Intelligence Officer was sent on to fetch Advance Party originally detailed to area at THILDONCK Map Reference 826625 (BRUSSELS 100,00).
	20		Advance Party consisted of Maj. DARRELL, Capts. WATKINS, COLLIN, SPARROW, the EARL of DENBIGH, and Quartermaster. This Party arrived at Road Junction by first light 0645 hrs on 21".
	20		Meanwhile Battalion moved from HILLENSBURG at 211.8 hrs. Route for this was tanks HILLENSBURG AMSTERRADE MAESTRICHT BRIDGE BILSEN HASSELT DIEST Road Junction 078650 Sheet 46. They arrived by 0730 hrs 21".
	20		Wheels left at 1558 hrs route: SITTARD BERG Br HASSELT DIEST Road Junction. They arrive at 0300 hrs 21'.
	20		Battalion was under Command of 5th BRIGADE for move.
	21		0730 hrs saw Battalion column head to tail at PIPINUSFORT 040546 (Sheet 8 BRUSSELS, 1:100,00 GSGS 4336) 55th FIELD REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY in front, 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS behind. There was an '0' Group for Commanding Officer AT 32' BRIGADE at 1100 hrs at Map Reference 028488 Sheet 57.
	21		The following orders were given — The COLDSTREAM GUARDS Group, 1" Battalion Cand 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS were to move as soon as possible into area of NEERHEYLISSEM and PHEYLISSEM Map Reference Sheet 57. The 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS to be forward with Support Troops under Command to guard road heading to HANNUT. The Column moved at 1245 hrs following the 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS. Battalion reached their destination and took up position at 1500 hrs. At 1730 hrs there was a Conference with the following Orders
	21		(a)At six hours notice
	21		(b)Draw Christmas dinner
	21		(c)Germans were held — unlikely to get across R. MEUSE — if they did our intention to attack frontally 53 from left 43 from right. WELSH GUARDS to fight delaying action. HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY held line of MEUSE from HUY to CHARLEROI. 43 RECCE from HUY to VISE. Orders to Squadron Leaders was given at 1900 hrs that night. Take up billets.
	22		Spent on maintenance.
	23		Spent on maintenance.
NEERHEYLISSEM	24		Spent on maintenance.
	24		At 1600 hrs message received: - Battalion to be at six hours notice and on the word "Alert" to be at one hours notice to move. This caused not a little consternation. The Intelligence Officer went to BRIGADE to discover how serious situation was. BRIGADE regarded the whole matter light-heartedly — Christmas festivities continued apace, and at 1800 hrs Officers went to drink with 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS. However at 2100 hrs the Order came through. The Battalion was to be ready to move at first light. There was an '0' Group at BRIGADE 2400 hrs. The Orders were as follows. Intention to occupy the area NAMUR for 3 days as soon as possible and take on defence of bridges — Order of March (see appendix). The situation was not considered serious — the intention to make reassurance doubly sure. The WELSH GUARDS Group were to take over the bridges at first light. The COLDSTREAM GUARDS Group to take over from them as soon as possible.
	24		On return to the Battalion the C.O. issued the following Orders. Reveille 0500 hrs. '0' Group
	24		0600 hrs The following Orders were issued. Order of March. No. 2, HQ Squadron, Nos. 1 and 3 Squadrons, F2 Echelon, B Echelon to remain. Head of Column at S.P. crossroads 052423 Sheet 57 at 0830 hrs.
DASSOULX 972169 Sheet 78	25		At 0830 hrs the Battalion passed the S.P. passing BRIGADE S.P. at 0910 hrs. The journey took 2 hours. The head of the Battalion arriving at Crossroads 988163 Sheet 78 at 1115 hrs. The Bridges at NAMIR were taken over by 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS and No. 2 Squadron. Two Troops were in support by 1330 hrs. The bridges were at 972113 and 964105 Sheet 78.
	25		March Table.	Appendix E No. 1
VEDRIN 971154 Sheet 78	26		Morning spent in maintenance. At 1300 hrs Battalion HQ move to 971154 Sheet 78. No. 1 and No. 3 Squadrons to area 9715.
NEERHEYLISSEM 064433 Sheet 57	27		At 1300 hrs. Battalion move back to original area in NEERHEYLISSEM — personnel taking up same billets.
	28		Christmas Day celebrations carried out, these having been interrupted by move on 25th. The Commanding Officer visited all Squadrons at dinner.
	29		Day spent in maintenance.
	30		Day spent in maintenance.
	31	1000	Parade Service for Nos. 1 & 3 Squadrons in No. 1 Squadron Cinema.
	31	1115	Parade Service for Nos. 2 & HQ Squadrons in Dairy in HQ Squadron Area.

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