76th (H) Field Regiment R.A.

1 January 1945: Sudden wild enemy fighter-bomber activity overhead. Several planes shot down and prisoners pass through us. One C.M. Tgt. One Retaliation Tgt.

2 January 1945: 0045 - Buzz-bomb passes over. Three large enemy patrols across the river Maas in centre of Div sector. Two accounted for. One still at large in area Wanssum-Oostrum.

3 January 1945: Evidence of wounds being inflicted on enemy last night. Visibility poor. NO shooting.

4 January 1945: C.M. Tgt.

5 January 1945: 0112 - Engaged three C.M. Tasks.

1501 - Upwards of 20 enemy inf and 2 horse-drawn vehs dispersed by "Mike" Tgt.

6 January 1945: 0635 - C.M. Tgts engaged. 

0745 - 'H' hour for inf mopping up. 80 rpg expended. Inf unsuccessful.

7 January 1945: 1200 - Air OP registration.

8 January 1945: 0830 - 'H' hour for renewed onslaught on Wanssum wood. Fire in spt. Attack  successful. 20 PW taken.

9 January 1945: One 'M' Tgt.

10 January 1945: Engaged parties of enemy and fire in retaliation. Very severe frost.

11 January 1945: Enemy using sledges and steam tram - engaged.

12 January 1945: C.B. and C.M. Tgts. H.F. Tasks.

13 January 1945: Enemy movement observed and discouraged.

14 January 1945: Snatches of song heard across the river Maas and stopped. Steam tram continues to run. Bty reliefs.

15 January 1945: No shooting.

16 January 1945: Support inf patrols. D.F. reorganised.

17 January 1945: Quiet day.

18 January 1945: Nothing to report.

19 January 1945: Nothing to report apart from gentle retaliation.

20 January 1945: 0415 - Enemy patrol approaching OP in Maashees engaged with 75 mm in OP Tank and dispersed. Regt on retaliation tgt later in the day.

21 January 1945: 1458 - G.O.C. (Maj-General L.G. Whistler, D.S.O.) arrives to inspect the Regt. Only tgts engaged during the day C.M. retaliation.

22 January 1945: 1645 - Propaganda Shells fired. C.M. retaliation.

23 January 1945: Collaborators taken and handed over to F.S.

1605 - Retaliation Tgts shot.

24 January 1945: 0950 - Fired on enemy working party, also in retaliation.

25 January 1945: Enemy patrol of 30 engaged. Own patrol reports enemy scattered.

26 January 1945: Spt E Yorks patrol across river Maas.

27 January 1945: Spt patrol over river Maas by 3 Recce Regt with small fire plan. German prisoners taken and casualties inflicted.

28 January 1945: C.B. and retaliation.

29 January 1945: Both sides patrolling on opposite sides of river Maas. No developements.

30 January 1945: Spt S Lancs patrol over Maas - prisoners taken. Quiet.

31 January 1945: Again quiet. Routine undisturbed.

2 February 1945: 0459 - Regt engaged Retaliatiosn Targets.

1711 - Regt engaged Retaliation Targets.

2000 - Successfully engaged enemy tracked vehicles. Regt laid on fire plan in sp 1 Suffolk's patrol across river Maas.

3 February 1945: 0315 - Fired on Fire Plan in sp 1 Suffolk's patrol which reported one enemy killed, two PW.

0750 - OP established.

1209 - Engaged enemy movement.

1830 - Regt laid on Fire Plan in sp 1 Suffolk's. No guns laid on Recce Regt SOS. Regt in sp 8 Br Inf Bde and 3 Recce Regt.

4 February 1945: 0750 - Regt stood easy on Fire Plan without engaging. Patrol was not successful.

1405 / 1440 - Regt engaged Retaliation Targets.

1410 - Engaged enemy movement.

1800 - Recce parties for move to rest area at 12 hours notice to move. 

5 February 1945: 0050 - Target 'Bovril' fired in sp S Lancs patrol.

0200 - Laid on Fire Plan 'Brovil' and 'Oxo' in sp S Lancs patrol.

1055 - Engaged retaliation Target.

1120 - Engaged hostile gun.

2100 - Fired one Bty on each of three DF Tgts, Scale 2, to counter enemy patrol in 3 Recce Regt area.

6 February 1945: 1135/1152/1347/1550 - Engaged Retaliation Targets.

1930 - Engaged DF 10 mins Rate 2 against party of enemy holding jetty on west bank of Maas.

8 February 1945: 0730 - Fired smoke Screen as part of deception plan OP Veritable.

1030/1435/1503 - Engaged Retaliation Targets.

Regt moved to Mol, over roads which, due to thaw, were submerged by water.

9 February 1945: Regtl move to Mol completed.

10 February 1945: Received notification of award of M.C. to Major J.B. Lindsay, R.A. (B.C. 303 Fd Bty). - London Gazette 1 Feb 45.

11 February 1945: 1030 - Regtl Church Parade.

13 February 1945: Regtl Officers' and Sgts' Dance.

17 February 1945: Course shooting on Lommel Arty Range.

18 February 1945: One gun per Tp calibrated on Lommel Arty Range against 21 Army Group Standard Gun.

22 February 1945: 1245 - Advance parties moved to Tilburg.

24 February 1945: 1130 - Regt arrived in Tilburg.

25 February 1945: 0400 - Regtl Recce Parties (Operational) moved to RV in Goch (Germany).

1240 - Regt left Tilburg to join OP Veritable.

2045 - Regt in action and laid on SOS in sp 8 Br Inf Bde.

2010/2300 - Engaged Retaliation Targets.