[Hanno Spoelstra]

From the Fort Garry Horse War Diaries, via project44.ca:

27 OCTOBER 1944
Cold, comfortless: The attack went in as planned. Fourth Troop under Lt Coulter supported D Goy attacking from the brick works area with 3rd Troop (Lt Burgoyne) supporting them by fire. But the “bird had flown”, as a result of Div pressure on the enemy’s flank. In the afternoon the sqn withdrew to a harbour in the brickworkers at 619222. (Sheet 15 SE BERGEN OP ZOOM) and there passed, the remainder of the day. Moved back to main rd at first light and picked up Lieut Leipsic and proceed to area East of Canal and just South of YERSEKE. Parked off main road and contacted S.S.R. again. Arranged to do a shoot to help them across the Canal but its was called off until after dark so we did not move. Lieut. Cryderman, Dowling and Sgt Kroeker came forward to-night so we once again have 14 tks in “A” Squadron. Nothing eventful happened.

28 OCTOBER 1944
A better day has dawned: At 1100 hrs some of the lads were helping a civilian clean up his wrecked home when news came that the Squadron must move at once to SOUTH BEVELAND. By 1145 the squadron was on the move and by 1300 hrs the lads were all established in the houses of the joyful burghers of OOSTDIJK (458223, YERSEKE sheet 155 w). The remainder of the ay passed quietly and that evening for the officers at least came one of the most heartwarming experiences of the war. At the home of FRAU PHILIPS BUYS they gathered along with some of the good FRAU’s pretty young friends and held a singsong. The Dutch girls knew the words of O CANADA better than the officers. “A” Sqn spent the entire day doing maintenance and were not called upon to do anything.

29 OCTOBER 1944
“A” Squadron still in the same location and the boys cleaning up. Major Jenner arrived with word that 39 O.R.’s were to get ready for leave. The Sqn Leader to accompany them. By rushing around we were able to get the baggage truck and the boys paid and safely away. The remainder of the Squadron took things easy.

30 OCTOBER 1944
Orders came today to cross the Canal and move to Sqn area West of GOES. A Squadron moved into a Dutch farm yard and took over the buildings for billets. A large farm and plenty of hay made things reasonably comfortable for us. Wet weather caused some discomfort but a liberal issue of Rum helped things considerably. The boil situation appears to be getting worse, several of the boys suffering from them lately.

31 OCTOBER 1944
The leave boys came back this morning thoroughly rested (?) after an enjoyable 48 hrs leave. Nothing interesting to note. Weather still bad.
E.M. Wilson, Lt. Col

1 NOVEMBER 1944
GOES
D3429
A day when the weather, like a sense of smell, was a “most mixed blessing”. This was to be the quietest month the Garries had had since D-Day. But on November the First, 1944, the grim thunder of Allied and enemy guns echoed over that thin neck of land connecting SOUTH BEVELAND with WALCHEREN, Germany’s last bastien in the SCHELDT Estuary. Most of our regiment were peacefully encamped at GOES. But at 0830 hrs., Major JOYCE contacted 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and shortly afterward called 1st Troop, and then the whole of “B” Squadron, forward to the dyke form 219284 to 219288. From this position the Squadron carried out an indirect shoot against enemy troops on WALCHEREN and supported the CALGARY HIGHLANDERS moving out from the end of the Causeway. By noon the Squadron was low on ammunition. They were pulled out for replenishment (including lunch) along the road at 233291, and later on were posted, except for the 17 pounders, below the dyke at 223298. From an OP at 225306 fire was directed onto targetrs along the opposing dyke and in the general area 1931, with apparent good effect. By last light, the tanks were low on ammo again. They withdrew to the same harbour as on the previous night, at 216293.

2 NOVEMBER 1944
A clear day. At 0900 hrs, “B” Sqn was ordered back to GOES. Its task with 2 Div completed, the regiment reverted to under comd of 2 CAB. SOUTH BEVELAND had been captured, and the WALCHEREN ISLAND operation commenced. Having come through a longer period of continuous operational duty than any other Canadian armoured unit, the Garries, to have a week of rest and refitting, were ordered to prepare for a move to BREDA. The Adjutant issued an SOS-vintage Movement Table, and the evening was characterized by the usual pre-trip conferences. Our headquarters arrangement had been an ideal one: all the command vehicles were under the one commodious roof: warmth and efficiency combined.

3 NOVEMBER 1944
BREDA
D9936
A gloomy day. Reveille at 0445 hrs, Breakfast at 0515 hrs, shove-off at 0630 hrs, with RHQ and “A’ Ech vehicles leading the long procession out of the valley unlovely isle of SOUTH BEVELAND. The column moved along well ahead of schedule, despite an infantile piling-up wheeled vehicles around WOENSDRECHT. BREDA, famous in song and story, was reached at 1200 hrs. But it was 1600 hrs before our men were able to move into their imposing billets and shake off the accumulated tension of the long battle behind.