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Operation VERITABLE and the Fighting in the Battle of the Rhineland Commenced Just 8 Days After the Germans Pulled Back Over the Maas

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Operation VERITABLE and the Fighting in the Battle of the Rhineland Commenced Just 8 Days After the Germans Pulled Back Over the Maas Operation VERITABLE and the fighting in the Battle of the Rhineland commenced just 8 days after the Germans pulled back over the Maas. That was the last phrase of our background story in Newsletter edition nr. 2019-12. In edition 2018-04 we told some information about the Battle of the Scheldt. The German resistance ended on November 8, 1944. Only on November 28, 1944, 85 days after the liberation of Antwerp, the Canadian supply ship Fort Cataraqui entered the port of Antwerp as the first ship in a convoy. Between the end of 1944 and the beginning of February 1945, next to the battle in the Ardennes on the south front and the battle for the Kapelsche Veer, there was a relatively static situation, at least on Dutch territory. A fairly well- known term in that period was: "the Nijmegen Salient". Nijmegen Salient The Nijmegen Salient was a large area of land controlled by the Allies in the Second World War during the North-West Europe campaign. The area was defended by the First Canadian Army from Nov 1944 to early Feb 1945, after which the Rhineland campaign began. The salient had been created in Sep 1944 during Operation MARKET- GARDEN. While the British XXX Corps was unable to meet its objective of linking up with British paratroopers in Arnhem, the US 82nd Airborne Division had nonetheless managed to capture an undamaged bridge at Nijmegen over the Waal River. British XXX Corps had passed through, and at the start of November were defending the area; after the Battle of the Scheldt, the First Canadian Army took over part of the line in this area. General G.G. Simonds, in command of II Canadian Corps, issued a directive shortly before the Canadians moved into the Salient: ‘’The Nijmegen bridgehead is the most important pieceof soil along the front of 21st Army Group. Here we hold the only bridge across the main course of the Rhine. If the Germans accept a decision west of the Rhine, the eastern face of the Nijmegen bridgehead between the Meuse and the Rhine forms a base through which an attack can be launched against the northern flank of the German battle line. If the Germans withdraw to the east bank of the Rhine, the Nijmegen bridgehead forms a base from which an assault across the Neder Rijn turns the main course of the Rhine itself. Military bridging of the lower course of the Rhine is a doubtful possibility under winter conditions. Therefore, the Nijmegen bridge is of the greatest importance to us and must be protected against all forms of attack”. Units of the Army alternated between the front line and reserve positions, and many infantry and armoured regiments had to "absorb" large numbers of reinforcements. Patrols into enemy territory were also a part of the routine in the Nijmegen Salient. The front line came to settle by this time on the Maas River, a strong water obstacle separating the Allies from the Germans. Concentration could change planning future operations. Two possible alternatives existed for 21st Army Group (consisting of the First Canadian Army and Second British Army). A forward thrust over the Neder Rijn (Arnhem was a September a bridge too far) the river upon which Nijmegen is located, and which was in fact a tributary of the Rhine River), or a right-hand turn and offensive into the Rhineland. Deliberate German flooding on 2nd Patrol Queen’s Own Rifles December 1944 prevented any further advance across the Neder Rijn. A bridgehead north of the Waal, however, permitted for the attack into the Rhineland - that area that still lay west of the Rhine. The Germans recognized the importance of the bridge at Nijmegen, as it saved the Allies an extra river crossing; certainly a tough fight. The Germans deployed frogmen who, on 29 September 1944, succeeded in damaging the bridge somewhat. Later they launched mines upstream hoping that lucky hits would destroy bridge pillars, but also without result. Anti-torpedo nets, constructed in the river by units of the Canadian Forestry Corps prevented such actions. The Germans also used the Bibers (mini-submarines) in their attempts to destroy the bridge over the Waal. In the night of Damaged bridge 13th to 14th January 1945 a flotilla of Bibers was deployed. A total of 17 submarines were reported to have been taken in operation, eight of which achieved their goal. Seven ran aground and two were destroyed prematurely. 16 of the 17 crew members returned to their base unscathed. An area between Waal and Rhine formed a wet border between German and Allied territory. In the night of 2nd to 3rd December 1944, the Germans had blown up the Rijndijk near Elden. Many people in that area had already been evacuated, but now the latter were forced to leave the area. Only about 1000 men were left behind to look after cattle and other matters with the intention of eventually securing this. This is how the so-called "Men's Island" was created. The inundation also had Biber wreck found at Gendt in 2009 (photo RTV Gelderland) a domino effect, because on December 6, 1944 the Linie dyke between Ochten and Kesteren collapsed due to the high-water level in the area. That was not the intention of the Germans who now experienced the problems of inundation. The inhabitants of the area were hit hard: Lienden, Maurik and Ingen were flooded. Later the Germans also flooded the Ooijpolder. Everything to disturb the advance/outbreak of the Allies to the East. The Allies had prepared "Operation Noah" so that they could withdraw their troops quickly if necessary. However, this plan has not been implemented. A fairly static situation at the front does not mean that no activities were attempted. The patrol schedules, both Reconnaissance patrol in the Ooypolder reconnaissance and combat patrols, were fierce. This led to a conflict in the 4th Canadian Armored Division. Lieutenant Colonel Dave Stewart, commander of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Regiment, was relieved of his post by the newly appointed Division Commander, Major General Christopher Vokes, because he questioned the usefulness of the patrols. In three months "Keeping watch on the Maas" the Canadians lost 683 men. Patrols were the order of the day and not only during the day. At night, soldiers regularly crossed the river in boats. On the one hand to demonstrate a moral dominance over the enemy, and on the other to gather information about the German activities. Taking prisoners of war was important for that. For that purpose, a company of The Lake Superior Regiment (Motor), during the day on January 17, 1945, undertook a raid. The goal was Hoenzadriel, on the north bank of the Maas, opposite 's-Hertogenbosch (Operation Schultz). Given the importance and from the point of view that it was a raid in daylight, they received support from artillery and mortars. The possible prisoners of war could possibly be linked to certain regiments and the strength of the German troops. The success of this operation was limited. It is true that three Germans were taken prisoner, but they belonged to ‘’Bataljon Koch”, an independent unit, and certain conclusions about the composition of troops and strength could not be drawn from it. The patrol itself returned with four slightly wounded people across the river. In addition to the physical efforts and psychological effects of months of warfare, the Allies also suffered from winter conditions. In December 1944 it started to freeze solidly. Operation Veritable was originally planned for January 1945. The Allies wanted to take advantage of the hard-frozen land to relocate their heavy equipment. Because of the Ardennes offensive (Battle of the Bulge) the start of the operation was postponed to February 8, 1945. Because the thaw started with a lot of rain, the Allied units also received the elements as an opponent. Despite water, ice and snow, patrolling had to continue to find out what the enemy might have on its mind. It was important to look for the opponent, to keep spying on him and to keep him busy where possible. In their foxholes the soldiers had military equipment, such as a weapon and ammunition, but also ration cans; finds in the area, years after the war: bags of instant coffee, toothbrushes and personal documents. But they often also had an improvised heater or something else for a bit of warmth. Rain in the foxhole meant wet shoes, in the mud up to the ankles. The heat of the body kept the mud soft. The transport of supplies suffered most from the enemy shelling. The supplied food was more or less passed on from foxhole to foxhole, often with mud and water in it. The cold caused dead fingers; trench feet were common. The gun grease came on hands and clothing and in the food. The constant vigilance, mortar shelling, the fear of snipers and the limited opportunities for comradely communication caused battle exhaustion. Temporary out of the front line and a moment back in the "safety" of the reserve line-up was therefore extremely welcome. In January 1945 a memorable event was celebrated in Nijmegen. The Canadian Blue Diamond Hamburger tent was opened for Canadian soldiers who were stationed in and around Nijmegen. Remarkably, even in this time, the soldier's humor was not lost. In Tilburg, where the headquarter of the Canadian troops was housed there was even a wedding. Getting acquainted with a nice partner was probably not for the men on the front line, but more for those who were active in the support units.
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