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Gunner Arthur Moore
November 1944 battle for Holland
97 Anti Tank Regiment
Royal Artillery
1st November 1944
46th Highland Infantry Brigade continue to advance south east and reached Hutter village Grid ref 6812. 159th Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA moves to Grid ref 666148. 161st Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA moves to Loon village west of Asten Grid ref 6615.
2nd November 1944
44th Lowland Infantry Brigade advance to Moostdijk Grid ref 6908. E troop hit minefiled and lose one 6 pdr gun and carrier.
5th November 1944
44th Lowland Infantry Brigade attack very stiff opposition owing to boggy country and make little headway
7th November 1944
Information received of possible reorganisation to include 12 self propelled guns on Valantine tank chassis.
8th November 1944
159th Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA to Deurne east of Helmond resting Grid ref 605148
14th November 1944
51st Highland Divisional attack to our right
18th November 1944
RHQ and 346th Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA move to Grid ref 601149. 159th Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA move to Grid ref 664148
20th November 1944
RHQ move to Deurne east of Helmond Grid ref 605148. 286th Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA move to Grid ref 754066.
21st November 1944
All formations move in mud and rain to area of Hilvareen village near Tilburg.
23rd November 1944
Mud and rain hold up speed of advance to Maas north of Venlo near the German boarder on the river Rhine
24th - 25th November 1944
Advance to Maas little opposition
26th November 1944
Advance continues
27th November 1944
161st Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA moves to
Because Venlo had both a road and a rail bridge over the River Meuse (Maas) the city was severely damaged during several bomb raids (13 October - 19 November 1944) on those bridges at the end of the war. The allied forces needed 13 attempts to destroy the bridges. These failed, the retreating German troops had to blow up the bridge themselves. About 300 people were killed due to those raids. The raids also cost Venlo a major part of its historical buildings. However, some medieval buildings, such as the city hall (the 'Stadhuis') and the 'Römer' house, survived the war.
29th November 1944
Orders received 97 ATK Regt RA to be disbanded and is to join 50th (N) Div
After Caen some British infantry units were nearly rebelling as they did not want to go ‘over the top’ again. They had suffered two thirds casualties. Lots of senior officers were sacked for not meeting objectives and ineffcency. Montgomery made massive reorganisations. Anti Aircraft units, Search light batteries and anti tank units were disbanded and stripped of manpower. He needed more infantry fast and not so many big guns. This is why regiments like the 97 ATK Regt RA were disbanded and gunners like Arthur became infantry.
10th December 1944
posted to 46th Regiment Holding Unit x4 list and taken off strength. Posted A battry Depot RA and struck off 21 Army Group
12th December 1944
Embarked from North West Europe for the UK
13th December 1944
Disembarked in the UK. Posted 'A' battery, Depot RA and signed on strength of 21 Army Group. Rank shown as Gunner.
11th January 1945
Absenting himself without leave from 2359 until reporting to the Sergeant at 11.40hrs 12th January 1945 (absent 11 hours 41 minutes) Fined one days pay.
15th (Scottish) infantry Division
They fought virtually continuously from Operation bluecoat on through Caumont, the Seine Crossing, the Gheel Bridgehead, Best, Tilburg, Meijel, Blerwick, Broekhuizen, the Maas and across the Rhine
6th March 1945
Transferred to Infantry the South Wales Boarders in rank of private. Army number 984130. CTBA to 2 Surrey draft RPAQO. Taken on the strength of the South Wales Boarders
7th March 1945
Embarked for north west Europe
14th April 1945
Transferred to the Northamptons
6th February 1946
Proceeding UK for Class 'A' release. Striked off strength BAOR. Embarked from North West Europe for the UK. On the same day Disembarked from over seas and posted to Y list (E) The following remarks were written on his release papers at No 3 Military Disembarkation Camp Unit Shorncliffe. Trade on enlistment Cabinet fitter. Military Conduct was very good. This man has served five years with the army and the last few months with this unit. His work and conduct whilst with this unit has been above reproach. Dated 29th January 1946 Mons Germany Major J Sewwall 4th battation the Northamptonshire Regiment. Permanent address 75 West Hill, Putney
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