7th Survey Regiment R.A. March 1945

HOLSBEEK 1     Location of RHQ 891615
HOLSBEEK       Location of 53 Bty 905620
MAASBREE       Location of 54 Bty 825079
HOLSBEEK       Location of 12 Corps S Rg Tp HQ 907621
        day 1
        53 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A. NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        F Sp : visibility prevented any observation from 1530 hrs to 1630 hrs,
        otherwise base fully manned; list of possible enemy OPs Completed and
        sent to CBO and 10 Svy Regt RA : enemy gun activity NIL
        S Rg : 2 periods of activity, 1045A to 1715A, 5 shelreps from guns
        reported as heavy, and 1650A to 1715A, producing 8 shelreps reported as
        several Fd; no locations obtained ; series of explosions reported 95o
        at 1650A
        Svy : O/A :NTR
        12 Corps S Rg Tp : O/A. NTR
  1/2     Night 1/2
        53 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A. NTR
        Svy )
  1/2     54 Bty
        F Sp ) Both bases out of action 012230A on orders from CCRA 8 Corps
        S Rg )
        Svy O/A NTR
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, O/A NTR
  2     Day 2
        53 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, O/A NTR
  2/3     Night 2/3
        53 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, O/A NTR
         
  3     Day 3
        53 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
HOLSBEEK       F Sp ) advanced parties sent to HOLSBEEK rest area
        S Rg )
        Svy O/A NTR
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, O/A NTR
         
  3/4     Night 3/4
        53 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, O/A NTR
         
         
  4     Day 4
        53 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
HOLSBEEK 4     54 Bty BHQ location 890615
        F Sp Main body moved to rest area HOLSBEEK HQ 890618
        S Rg Main body moved to rest area HOLSBEEK HQ 890620
        Svy O/A NTR
         
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, O/A NTR
  4/5     Night 4/5
        53 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, O/A NTR
  5     Day 5
        53 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, O/A NTR
  5/6     Night 5/6 53 Bty.
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
  5/6     54 Bty.
        FSp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps Srg Tp O/A NTR
  6     Day 6
        53 Bty
        FSp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty.
        FSp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps Srg Tp O/A NTR
  6/7     Night 6/7
        53 Bty
        FSp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty.
        FSp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        12 Corps Srg Tp O/A NTR
  7     Day 7
        53 Bty
        Fsp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        Fsp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps Srg Tp O/A NTR
  7/8     Night 7/8
        53 Bty
        Fsp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        Fsp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps Srg Tp O/A NTR
  8     Day 8
        53 Bty
        Fsp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        Fsp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
  8     12 Corps SRg Tp O/A NTR
         
  8/9     Night 8/9
        53 Bty
        FSp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        54 Bty
        FSp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps SRg Tp O/A NTR
         
  9     Day 9
PANNINGEN       RHQ. CO on recce, with Tac HQ moving to Area PANNINGEN 7704
7704       53 Bty
        FSp Recce party sent forward
        SRg
        Svy Recce party sent forward
        54 Bty
        Fsp Recce party forward
        SRg Recce party forward
        Svy Recce party forward
        12 Corps Srg Tp Recce party forward
  9/10     Night 9/10
        53 Bty
        Fsp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
  9/10     Night 9/10
        54 Bty
        FSp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps SRg Tp. O/A NTR
  10     Day 10
KASTENRAA       RHQ Tac. Now u/c 8 Corps. Holding Party moves to KASTENRAAR to recce
        billets for assembly area for regiment (KASTENRAAR 8122). Meanwhile at
        main HQ at HOLSBEEK the regiment takes necessary srcurity precautions
        removing formation signs from vehicles, clothing, etc. Also completed
        second observation ladder on half - track vehicle.
        53 Bty. Holding party KASTENRAAR. Recce area MARIENBAUM 0545. Main
        still at HOLSBEEK.
        SRg O/A NTR
        Svy See FSp
        54 Bty
        FSp ) Recce In area XANTEN 1041 BIRTEN 1338 SONNSBECK 0535 area.
        SRg ) Holding party at KASTENRAAR. Main Body still at HOLSBEEK
        Svy )
        12 Corps SRg Tp.
  10/11     Night 10/11
        53 Bty
        FSp )
        SRg ) O/A NTR
        Svy )
  10/11     night 10/11
        54 Bty
        F Sp )
        S Rg ) O/A. NTR
        Svy )
        12 Corps S Rg Tp : O/A NTR
  11     day 11
Kastenraa   1600A   RHQ main : moved up to Tac RHQ at KASTENRAA X rds est HQ
819227       53 Bty HQ
        F SP : main body moved up to area KASTENRAA 8122
        S Rg : tp moved to KASTENRAA
        Svy : tp moved to KASTENRAA
        54 Bty
        F Sp : moved to KASTENRAA
        S Rg : tp at KASTENRAA
        Svy : tp at KASTENRAA
        12 Corps S Rg Tp : at KASTENRAA
  11/12     night 11/12
        53 Bty
        F Sp
        S Rg
SONNSBECK       Svy : est RC at area SONNSBECK
        54 Bty
093421       F Sp : deploying area XANTEN : tp HQ 093421
109396       S Rg : deploying base roughly line of rly MARIENBAUM 0545 - XANTEN
        Tp HQ : 109396 ; in action on 4 - 1 at 111810A
  11/12     night 11/12
        54 Bty
        Svy : report centre being est 121200A
128351       12 Corps S Rg Tp, Nos 2 and 3 secs : 4 Pen deploying areas GINDERICH
        1739 and GIEST 1837 : tp HQ 128351
  12     day 12
LABBECK       RHQ : tac HQ in LABBECK mr 063393 ; main still ar KASTENBREE
        53 Bty HQ 028437
031421       F Sp : undertaking close obs by day ; HQ 031421
005419       S Rg : held in reserve ; recced hide at 005419
025425       Svy : closing section report centre at 121800A and opening as permanent
        report centre at 025425 : BPs fixed, 3
        54 Bty HQ : under comd 54 Bty, "B" Obs Tp 10 Svy Regt in action base E
        Post 189333 ( F Sp and closed obs ) : F Post 177358 ( F Sp and close obs ) ;
        G Post 172392 ( F Sp and close obs )
        F Sp : to be in action evening 12 Mar, base now manned by Cnd Obs Tp
        S Rg : tp in action on 4 left - hand mikes and 1 Ap ; will complete base
        by evening 12 Mar ; complete base will be M1 149356 M6 082425 ; AP "P"
        151382 : AP "Q" 112423
097381       Svy : svy report centre opened 121200A at 097381
130352       12 Corps S Rg Tp : tp HQ 130352 est at 121200A ; svy report centre same
        location ; svy of bases almost complete ; No 2 sec deployed HQ 167378,
        AP 171402 M1 180377 M4 150380
181353       No 3 section deployed HQ 181353 AP 198388 M1 182347 M4 179381
  12/13     night 12/13
        53 Bty
        F Sp : recce for close obs posns in area GINDERICH - VYNEN carried out ;
        VYNEN Ch (0846) to be completed during daylight : OP of 10 Svy
        GINDERICH Ch covers area centre 2042
        S Rg
        Svy : 8 BPs fixed during day and evening 12 Mar and list of BPs already
        est obtained from 2nd Cnd Svy Regt : 186 Fd Regt RA supplied with data
        and data completed for 6 Fd Regt RA ; comns est with F Sp, BHQ and RHQ
        54 Bty
093421       F Sp : HQ est at 093421 ; base lines completed and tp in action by
        121800A ; posts A 506025 545515 ( F Sp ) B 510007 544217 ( F Sp ) and
        ( close obs ) ; C 511270 541256 ( F Sp and close obs) D 512694 539811
        ( F Sp and close obs ) ; results during night - 2 HBs, 3 int reps, 4
        shelreps ; comns good
109396       S Rg ; Op HQ 109396 tp rear HQ 055406 ; base in action on 6 and 2 : svy
        completed : base M1 149356 M6 082425 ; AP "P" 151382 ; "Q" 112423 ;
        results - 7 HBs during night and 4 shelreps
        Svy : svy of S Rg base completed : 14 BPs provided in allotted area :
        smoke screen made difficulties in work
        12 Corps S Rg Tp : No 2 sec AP line laid and completed by 122330hrs;
        quiet night ; No 3 sec : jeep blown up by Riegal mine, 4 casualties -
        Gnr HARWOOD killed, Gnr JARVIE died of wounds 13 Mar, Bdr MELVILLE and
        Gnr COOPER serious injuries : jeep written off. Under comd 10 Svy
        counter mortar - base M1 182347 M4 178379 AP 197368 ; in action ;
        report line comn est with B tp 7 Svy Regt at 122100A.
  12/13     "B" Tp 10 Svy Regt : in action
  13     day 13
        53 Bty
        F Sp. D post deployed as single OP during day, withdrawn at 1700A at
        VYNEM church 0846. Recce for short base at MARIENBAUM church completed
        and REs contacted ref construction of tower. Results of D Post - 12
        Intelligence Reports
        S Rg. MARIENBAUM base recced M1 1034 4162 M6 0556 4580. Marked with
        banderole.
        Survey. Following regts on theatre grid : 59 Hy Regt RA, 67 Med Regt
        RA, 13 Med Regt RA, 79 Fd Regt RA, 186 Fd Regt RA, 80 Fd Regt RA, 6 Fd
        Regt RA. German Trig at 0835 found to be incorrect on trig list - true value 5
        508805.2 535125.1
        54 Bty
        F Sp. Lifting of smoke screen during afternoon gave OPs chance. 9
        Int Reps were produced of infantry activity which in most cases was
        taken on by local gunners. Considerable enemy gun activity after
        lifting of smoke screen and road XANTEN - MARIENBAUM came in for
        more attention particularly Y junction 105418 and X rds 088432. Alter-
        native line routes recced and will be laid morning 14 Mar.
        S Rg. Increase in gun activity during day produced 11 locations average
        accuracy B. Troop waggon lines moved to 113391. Increased visibility
        confirmed that AP"Q" Has covered approach but that AP "P" has last 200x
        under obsn. "STOP" notice erected. AP "Q" disturbed at 1450 hrs by sudden
        arrival of shot down "squirt" jet plane ( probably ME 262 ) 100 metre
        NW of AP location.
        Survey. Special areas survry completed . " George " Radar, 79 Fd Regt
        RA and 25 Fd Regt RA and 65 med Regt RA supplied with theatre data.
  13     12 Corps S Rg Tp. Survey of bases completed and both bases in action
        Slight activity during day, no mortar activity. Survey : 16 BPs and
        points fixed during day and survey in allotted area complete
        No 2 section 10 Svy Regt. "B" Tp 10 Svy Regt : good visibility
        produced 12 Int reps including 50 infantry at 1435 hrs area 193417. These
        were dealt with by local gunner. 2 Shelreps obtained.
LABBECK       RHQ Main RHQ joines Tac at LABBECK. Comns established to Btys and tps
        and sigs centre to CBO 8 Corps.
  13/14     night 13/14
        53 Bty
        F Sp. NTR
        S Rg. NTR
        Svy. NTR
        54 Bty
        F Sp. Visibility poor throughout night. Results - nil HBs. 15
        shelreps. Comns good.
        S Rg. 2 HBs, 17 shelreps, comns good.
        Svy. NTR
        12 Corps S Rg Tp. No 2 section. Extremely quiet night, two films only
        run. Results NIL. AP report that enemy have been reported digging
        in. No 3 section : several enemy guns active from 2014A to 2100a. No
        locations obtained but 8 sound bearings obtained. No HB or HM activity
        from 132100A onwards.
        "B" Tp 10 Svy Regt RA - NTR
  14     day 14
        53 Bty
        F Sp. OPs deployed. D Post at VYNEM ch ( 0846 ) and A Post at WARDT
        ch ( 1044 ). Results : Intreps, 4 : sound bearings, 8. Ground
        haze rendered visibility to between 1000x and 2000x for most part of day
  14     S Rg. NTR
        Svy. 6 BPs fixed. All Canadian BPs checked and found correct.
        54 Bty
        F Sp. Close obs impossible due to poor visibility preventing OPs
        from seeing any part of the river. Zone of obs of OPs increased as
        follows : A 35 - 145o , B 355 - 136o , C 10 - 110o , D 00 - 120o , Shel-
        reps produced - 6.
        S Rg. Enemy activity considerably less than preceeding 24 hours.
        Main activity AA but two HBs active at 1141 and 1258. Using
        experimental mike on base.
        Survry. 3 BPs fixed,
        12 Corps S Rg Tp . Little activity. Nil HBs. 8 BPs fixed. Data
        issued to 534 Hy Regt RA, 81 Fd Regt RA and Radar.
        No 2 section 10 Svy Regt. One HB location
  14/15     "B" Tp 10 Svy. NTR
        night 14/15
        53 Bty
        F SP, S Rg, Svy : NTR
        54 Bty
        F Sp : only 2 shelreps reporting during night
        S Rg : 18 HBs - all AA except 2 ; comns good.
        Svy : NTR
        12 Corps S Rg Tp. No 2 section : no locations obtained ; film
        complicated by aircraft and our arty activity ; AP line cut by shell
        fire at 2204 - restored by 0034 hrs . No 3 section ; no activity
        No 2 section / 10 svy Regt : no activity
        "B" Tp 10 Svy Regt RA : 5 shelreps
  15     day 15
        53 Bty
WARDT       F Sp. Close obs OPs manned at WARDT and VYNEM churches with "I" Posr
VYNEM       manning additional post at 0786 4890. REs completed erection of
        tower at 061443 and B post personnel are finishing off cabin construction.
        Good visibility during day resulted in 25 Intreps being produced. Also
        1 shelrep.
        S Rg : NTR
        Survey : 4 BPs fixed. Survey of MARIENBAUM base ( C Tp ) completed
        72 Med Regt supplied with data.
114380       54 Bty HQ est 114380. Efforts made to evict HQ from billets resisted
        vigorously.
        F Sp : improved visibility from 1400A gave D post a chance to see something of
        what goes on across the water. Total of 11 Intreps were produced - the
        majority covering infantry activity. C Post reported BISLICH church well
        and truly hit and at 1815 hrs it collapsed. Shelreps 3.
113358       S Rg. Quiet day with only 1 location. A number of films were run by
        Q on suspicion, but the gun or guns were inaudible. Tp main now at 113358.
        Survey : 2 further BPs produced in special area.
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, No 2 section. One location obtained. Little
        activity. New AP line laid on alternative route avoiding village.
        No 3 section. No enemy HB or HM activity during day. Lines to two
        mics o/a for one hour due to activities of bulldozer. In action by
        1520A. Svy : fixed 5 BPs and issued data to 77 Med Regt RA.
        No 2 section / 10 Svy Regt. No HM activity - little HB activity. Nil
        HBs, 3 shelreps.
        B Tp, 10 Svy Regt : 11 intreps, mainly covering infantry activity, were submitted
        and 7 shelreps.
  15/16     night 15/16
        53 Bty
        F Sp. S Rg, Svy : NTR
        54 Bty
        F Sp : 1 location ; visibility NIL from 0045 hrs.
        S Rg : 3 HBs and 5 activities reported
        Svy NTR
        12 Corps S Rg Tp, No 2 section : marked enemy arty activity 1830A to
        2000A and 2300A to 0130A resulted in 14 Locations being obtained during
        periods. Rest of night quiet. 1 Intrep, 1 shelrep.
        No 3 section : enemy active at frequent intervals during night. 3 guns
        and 2 mortars located, 7 shelreps. Base out of action for one hour,
        151600A to 151700A due to broken lines
        No 2 sections / 10 Svy Regt : NTR
        B Tp 10 Svy Regt : 5 int reps and 30 shelreps
  16     day 16
        F Sp, B Post tower completed at 061443. Three pos