a tumultuous welcome from the French and Belgians. There was a sharp and successful encounter at Oudenarde in Belgium, and the advance continued to Termonde, Hamme and St. Nicholas. On one day the Brigade made an advance of eighty-five miles.

The 12th Battalion advanced to Beauvais, crossed the Somme and had a stiff encounter at Doullens. The advance continued without respite through Arras, Vimy and Lille, into Belgium, then Brussels, Louvain and Aerschot against slight opposition. Enormous numbers of prisoners were taken by both battalions all the way.

During this advance, unparalleled for its speed, opposition was bypassed and left for the troops following up or often sharply attacked and overcome. The very high standard of maintenance of the Regiment proved its worth and remarkably few vehicles broke down.

The Arnhem Operation

On 17th September three airborne divisions were dropped in a large area from Arnhem to Eindhoven. The plan was for the Second Army to link up with the nearest airborne troops at Eindhoven and to advance and cross the Rhine by the bridges which the 1st British Airborne Division had captured at Arnhem. The 12th Battalion, with a squadron of tanks, was to lead the 43rd Division, which was advancing with the Guards Armoured Division.

After protecting Eindhoven from the east the Battalion moved to Nijmegen and prepared for an attack on Arnhem bridge. However, the 1st Airborne Division could not hold out any longer and after heavy losses were withdrawn before the attack could take place. The Battalion took part in severe fighting in that area until 1st October, when they were relieved and went into reserve.

Winter in Holland, 1944-45

The winter was spent in opening up the port of Antwerp and clearing up to the River Maas. This involved several long and bitter operations, with limited objectives but heavy fighting. Every yard was fiercely contested by the Germans. In October the British XII Corps attacked north up to the Maas Estuary on a very wide front. The 2nd Battalion took part in some fierce fighting west of Tilburg. In November the 2nd Battalion were under the 49th Infantry Division (Major-General E. H. Barker,' D.S.O., M.C.) in an operation clearing up to the Maas east of Eindhoven. In January the 12th Battalion took part in the 7th Armoured Division attack east of the Maas to clear the Heinsburg—Roermond—Sittard triangle, with the 2nd Battalion supporting this attack from the flank.