For the rest of the winter both battalions had long periods of holding very extended sections of the front, with the duty of pre-tending that they were in greater strength than, in fact, they were. Intensive patrolling and harassing achieved this; many gallant patrols were carried out with great success and earned high praise from the Higher Command for "the keenness, energy and offensive spirit of all ranks " in continuous operations in which they " had always borne the main burden" (Order by the Commander, 4th Armoured Brigade).

The Reichswald Forest

In February and March, 1945, both battalions took part in the battle of the Reichswald Forest which was to clear the country right up to the Rhine.

These operations saw extremely fierce fighting. Rain and mud added to the difficulties. The 2nd Battalion fought without rest from 27th February until 3rd March, day and night, in a series of gallant attacks against German paratroops holding the Schleiffen Line. Near Udem they were transported for the first time in Kangaroos (Sherman tanks with the turrets removed for troop carrying). On 3rd March they were relieved by one of our affiliated regiments, the Regina Rifles of Canada, and were moved back to Bourg Leopold to reorganize for the Rhine crossing. Casualties had been heavy in officers and other ranks, but the attacks had been entirely successful.

The 12th Battalion also had severe fighting around Goch with companies under the command of their armoured regiments. They also suffered heavy casualties in a series of successful battles.

Crossing the Rhine and the End of the Campaign

On 23rd March, 1945, 40,000 airborne troops were landed across the Rhine between Rees and Wesel and the last stage of the campaign began. Both the 2nd and 12th Battalions were concentrated with their respective formations just behind the river. Little more than twenty-four hours before H Hour the officers of the two battalions were playing an Eton football match. On 24th March the 2nd Battalion crossed the Rhine with motor platoons riding on the Greys' tanks, carriers and other vehicles crossing on other ferries. The 12th Battalion crossed three days later. The assault had been successful, but opposition increased as the advance continued. For much of the time the battalions were with an armoured regiment of their brigade, advancing on a single road with one platoon /troop leading. When opposition was met a company/squadron, or perhaps more, was deployed, and the enemy was attacked and frequently outflanked. Surprisingly, the Germans fought with remarkable determination. At other times the battalions were in their familiar role of guarding a flank of a division.