THE COVENANTER
Aid Post was crowded with casualties, some their Company Commander, Major Storm,
with terrible wounds which they did not for an ‘immediate’ Military Cross, which I
long survive, throughout the action. This am glad to say he received. Re-established
problem of evacuation and supply stayed on ‘Derby Left’ they continued to be
with us. The ferry and mud-flats were under subjected to heavy artillery and mortar fire,
fire from enemy guns the whole time, and but the fire was now unobserved by the
since porterage by manpower was enemy, and consequently comparatively
unavoidable, there were many casualties inaccurate, and they were no longer
here as well as on the front, including some menaced in their new position by the
among German prisoners awaiting constant threat of small-arms and 88
transport to the east bank. At 12.00 hours millimetre gun fire in enfilade. It was not
some elements of B Company penetrated until after darkness had fallen on the 3rd
into some farm buildings to their front, but November that the supply situation began
had to be withdrawn under a protective to improve, aided by the fact that our
smoke screen, laid down by the Company’s weight of artillery support and the evening
own 2 inch mortars. D Company, activities of some rocket-firing Typhoon
meanwhile, were suffering heavy casualties. aircraft had done a good deal towards
The Company Commander, Major quietening the enemy guns. I have
Sixsmith, was killed, the Company Sergeant comparatively clear memories of that night,
Major was wounded together with most of spent in a slit trench dug into the sea-dyke,
the other senior NCOs and control became with my Headquarters, and the breaking of
extremely difficult. At 13.00 hours D first light- with a cup of hot tea
Company began an orderly withdrawal and administered by my intrepid batman,
attempted to organise on the eastern side of which tasted like nectar. Throughout the
the first objective. As you can imagine, campaign, from start to finish of my time in
Major Sixsmith was a sad loss. He was killed it, from Belgium and Holland into
while out in front of his Company position Germany, I recall vividly that the greatest
helping personally to carry his wounded personal problem, by far, to be overcome
men into safety. He had done the same was lack of sleep. Orders for actions in
thing at the end of several attacks made by daylight had to be planned and given in the
the Battalion during our advance through middle of the night. Attacks at night also, of
Beveland. He was an extremely gallant course, precluded rest. No doubt during
Officer and, being a regular soldier, one of periods of ‘rest’ in reserve, time was found
my best Company Commanders. I was from many essential administrative duties
pleased and interested to hear from you on to sleep like a log! But I cannot recall such
his burial arrangements, and I have no respite. From VE and VJ Day onwards I have
doubt that his grave at Bergen op Zoom has thanked God, sincerely, for the opportunity
been visited by his elder brother, a to sleep. With the lives of 1000 or so
distinguished officer who is amongst my splendid ‘Jocks’ in your hands, you just
friends, and by his widow, with whom my cannot do it! At dawn on the 4th November
wife and I have always kept in touch since I gave orders to A Company (under Major
the war, and his son, now of course in McKellar) still in position on ‘Leger Right’,
middle age and doing well to attack ‘York Right’, the code-name given
B Company had also found its position to the farm and buildings at Grieneburgh.
untenable, especially in view of the fact that At first the fighting was rather confused, but
their wireless communications had broken after a short time the Company was on its
down completely. This being so it was objective, and by 16.30 hours was
necessary to make personal contact with consolidating its position. Simultaneously I
them, and I managed to crawl forward to ordered C Company under Major Petrie to
their front positions on the left flank. They swing left across the front in a flank attack
were under a crippling enfilade fire, directly on to ‘Leger Left’. They went in at 14.30
from their left, chiefly from 88 millimetre hours, behind heavy artillery
guns, and having seen the situation I concentrations. About 30 prisoners were
ordered them, too, to withdraw to their taken without much fighting, but a good
original positions on ‘Derby Left’. They deal of mortar fire was directed on to the
suffered many casualties; but their stubborn position from enemy mortars in the rear,
protection of the left flank during a critical and the Company was subjected to sporadic
period had enabled a firm consolidation in mortar and shell fire from the time they
their rear, and I subsequently recommended consolidated until dusk fell about three
25
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