Saturday, February 20, 2021

Operation Archway - 2nd SAS - Len Arthur memories & SAS Operation Archway report - 20 March - 10 May 1945

 

Operation Archway - 2nd SAS - Len Arthur memories & SAS Operation Archway report - 20 March - 10 May 1945

Map of the operation and day by day progress 20 March - 10 May 1945 as detailed in the SAS operational report. 

Please open this map and consult it as you read this report as it includes all the points of reference mentioned in the text. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1fR1SrUzvm4prwjGKv_3rhlX4Puz6VGQp&usp=sharing

Len Arthur beside jeep most probably May 1945 

Written and collated by Len Arthur (Jnr) - sourced from Len Arthur’s recollections and a copy of the SAS Operation Archway report provided by the SAS Association archive department.

Archway was the next SAS operation that Len was involved in which started in March 1945. Their section of the SAS crossed the North Sea to Antwerp and then drove across Belgium and into Germany aiming for Wesel on the Rhine. Archway was the overall name given to the allied operation into Germany. Operation Plunder was the name given to the specific operation to secure a bridgehead across the Rhine around Wesel and Operation Varsity the name given to the allied paratroop drop. The First and Second SAS were involved in Archway and were known collectively as the ‘Frankforce’ following the name of the commander Lt Col B.M.F. Franks. Len was a member of the Second SAS squadron consisting of two troops each with three sections and each section having three jeeps - 18 jeeps in the squadron backed with transport jeeps and heavier vehicles. 

The initial purpose of the operation was to carry out short range reconnaissance with the airborne in the initial bridgehead over the Rhine then move to deeper penetration through enemy lines attacking communications and pass back information. These plans were soon revised when the break out from the bridgehead was achieved quicker than expected and the squadron soon moved from US command to supporting British armoured corps securing passage for the armoured advance and ‘achieve penetration to a considerable depth’. Although this turned out to be faster than expected it was not without considerable enemy engagement.

Frankforce of both squadrons arrived at Ostend on 20 March 1945 (P1 on map). The following day they drove to Bree in Belgium (P2 on map) and then on 22 March driving to an invasion concentration area West of Issum in Germany (P3 on map). They arrived at 23.30 for a short rest before setting out to cross the Rhine.

Under the command of the 18th US Corps Frankforce crossed the Rhine at Wesel on March 25th (P4 on map) as part of the allied airborne Operation Varsity which was in turn part of the overall Operation Plunder which had secured a bridgehead overnight on the eastern side of the river. The SAS and their jeeps crossed over the Rhine in amphibious tracked vehicles called Buffalos – see Len’s photos - and then marshalled in a wood just outside Wesel  for the night (P5 on map) before starting heading east ahead of the main army groups.  

It was probably their experience of the consequences of the artillery and bombing barrage which flattened Wesel and the surrounding area for days before the crossing that more recently prompted Len to say that if anyone had seen the consequences of such a barrage they would never advocate war as a solution. At various times he had mentioned cattle and horses laying on the ground bloated and ripped open. Propriety probably – as ever - stopped him mentioning the effect on people. I think some of the pictures taken of destruction, clearly from the jeep on the move might have been of Wesel.


On 26 March the 2nd SAS squadron was in action (P6 on the map) and had a ‘successful day’ with the 6th Airborne in a short range recce as the 6th’s unit had yet to cross the Rhine. The 6th were advancing eastwards from Hamminkelm and the squadron was required to protect the open flank to the north. Several Germans were killed and 42 PW taken. Three jeeps were slightly damaged but the personnel of the squadron suffered no casualties’.

Frankforce of 1st and 2nd SAS was divided into the two squadrons on 27 March. !st SAS took over the commitment with the 6th Airborne and 2nd was allocated to the 6th Indian Guards Armoured Brigade which was under the command of the 18th US Corps whose task it was to advance down the road from Wesel to Munster and seize crossings over the Dortmund Ems Canal. (P8 on the map).

As an example of the type of action they were taking part in this is an account of the 1st SAS action that day (P7 on the map) near Erle just North of Schermbeck.

“Major Fraser’s 1st SAS Troop passed up through the forward troops and met a battalion of Canadian Paratroops who reported having attempted to take a wood. They had been driven back by heavy Spandau, Bazooka, and infantry fire, with the loss of eight men. The Canadians were preparing to re-engage the enemy with mortar and artillery fire before attacking again. Major Fraser decided to attempt to take the enemy unawares by attacking from some dead ground on the left flank. The troop approached unseen to within 30 yards of the enemy position which a well camouflaged machine-gun opened up at Major Fraser’s jeep which ran into a ditch. Major Fraser was wounded in the hand. The troop fanned out in front of the wood and Lieutenant Riley’s section destroyed the infantry gun together with its crew. Lieutenant Jenson’s section on the left engaged Bazooka and Spandau positions and silenced them one by one. Lieutenant McLellan engaged the enemy in a group of houses on the right flank and Sergeant White’s jeep was detailed to tow out Major Fraser’s jeep under covering fire. The troop then dismounted and, covered by the jeeps, cleared the wood and eliminated enemy sniper positions. 10 Germans were killed and 32 prisoners taken in this action.”

2nd SAS joined the 6th Indian Guards near Schenbeck (P8 on the map) on 29 March. The armour was confined to the main roads so the jeeps did useful work on the side roads covering the left flank during the advance through Dulman (P9 on the map) to Munster. A lesson that was learned from this period was the need for continued mobility and the avoidance of close country. To the West of Dulmen (P9 on the map) a jeep became bogged down during an engagement. Mortar fire was directed onto the enemy position. One jeep was already on fire and as the other was irretrievably stuck it also was brewed up. Sergeant Vickers, who was wounded, was brought back under cover of a smoke screen. Three jeeps approached three tanks only to realise that they were enemy when fire was opened. One jeep was crushed under a tank and two captured by the enemy as they had to be abandoned under heavy fire. Two men were missing but returned within four days. Another section penetrated 10 miles but withdrew under heavy fire with prisoners.

Still working the north flank of the armour 2nd SAS joined the 8th Corps after Munster was taken on 1 April (P11 on the map). Movement forward into Germany was beginning to go faster and the Frankforce HQ moved to Grevon 2nd April (P12 on the map), Eistrup near Osnabruck, 5 April (P13 on the map), then Melle on 6 April (P14 on the map), 8 April SW of Loccum (P15 on the map).  


Len mentioned this period in this way. Some days they moved quite fast across Germany, passing through small towns with a considerable amount of noise and ensuring their surrender. At the time he had mentioned using church spires, but I’m not clear who would have been doing this. At other times they were involved in clearing tank traps which one of the photos provides an example. Securing river crossings was another objective. Len mentions moving along the bank of a major river which may have been the Ems or the Weser and could see German troops moving from their positions as they appeared.

There was concern among the allies that the Germany army would resort to guerrilla warfare and sabotage as their retreat progressed. They were aware of the plan to train units known as ‘Werwolf’ which at the time was considered a real possibility. Consequently, the 2nd SAS Squadron was placed by the 8th Corps at the disposal of the Military Government and entered Nienburg 9 April with the leading troops and captured several political prisoners, including the Ortsgruppenführer (P16 on the map) [Nazi party poltiical officer] . By 11 April Frankforce HQ moved just south of Esperke (P17 on the map). 

This work for the Military Government now seemed to be the main work of the 2nd SAS. On the 12 April (Point 18 on the map) the report states:

“The 2nd SAS Squadron entered Celle at 05.00 hrs ahead of 15 (S) Div [15 (S) Div 15th Scottish Infantry] with the object of releasing PW and seizing leading party and SS officials. There was no opposition and five members of the KRIPO [KRIPO was the criminal investigation branch of the Nazi Reich criminal police] as well as certain prominent Nazis were detained pending the arrival of the Corps I.B. [Infantry Brigade] authorities.”

Len reported that one of the largest towns they were to enter and take the surrender was Celle to the North of Hanover. He said one of their objectives was to take control of the house and office of the leading Nazi for future investigations. This may have been related to the murders that had taken place a few weeks earlier in the area of concentration camp prisoners who had escaped from a bombed train and then been killed by local people. They found the house and the offices and were then were basically in control of the town for three days until the main army arrived.

The report continues “At 09.00 hrs, No 1 Troop crossed the river Aller by the main bridge which had been partially destroyed and was only practicable for jeeps.”

Len mentioned this crossing and was in the lead jeep. He explained, it was a girder bridge which had been blown, but a piece of the walkway remained. Len’s jeep, driven by Jo Rushbrook edged across this walkway, only to find that unfortunately the walkway had in fact been blown apart. However, Jo thought it would be possible to get across and jump the gap at full speed, so they did! Len said they were greatly rewarded at the other side as after securing the access to the bridge they discovered a wine cellar which was put to good use. They used some tape to say it was under Allied control, loaded up the jeep and shared the spoils around when the Royal Engineers turned up to put a temporary and more stable crossing in place. Len said that there was a Sergeant who stood on the end of the bridge as it was eased across the river to ensure that it was lowered into the chalked pre-set marks using hand signals. He had had quite a bit of the brandy and the hand signals were somewhat erratic leading the bridge to waver around but he somehow managed to lower it into the right spot!

Len mentioned that once across the bridge they had to secure access and this appears to be referred to in the report.

“The German gas school on the East bank of the river was taken over and a recce was carried out along the road Boye - Winsen. There was a short engagement with SS troops north of Celle during the evening” Some securing! (Point19 on the map)

For the 13th April the report states “The 2nd SAS Squadron rested in Celle during the day” (Point 20 on the map). Interesting Len mentioned how they made use of this rest period. In the garage of the house of one of their Nazi political prisoners a Porsche sports car was stored. As Len said, this was too good an opportunity to miss so they used some of the brandy from the wine cellar to fire the engine up and after securing some petrol, drove it around until they had to hand over control to the IB. One of the infantry officers took an interest in the Porsche and a financially beneficial deal was struck!

The report continues in relation to the evening of the 13 April “At night enemy tanks and half-trucks which had been cut off were reported in the area of south of Altencelle”. This was about three miles to the south east of Celle town centre. Celle was close to the operational dividing lines between the British and American forces and the report goes on to mention that “The Americans had contacted them to the south the night before but the 8th Corps [British] were unaware of this”. Close shaves remained constantly in the background, despite the fun with the Porche.

On the 14 April the search continued for German AFS [artillery units?] which had been reported the previous day (Points 23 and 24 on the map) before moving north. The report states “The villages of Bocklescamp and Flarkenhorst were reported clear but in the river eight-tracks and an American armoured car were found abandoned. The latter, which had a 37mm gun, was taken into use and provided much needed extra hitting power”. Almost as good as finding the Porsch, you can imagine the scene.

Between the 14/19 April the 2nd SAS worked with the 15th (S) Div Recce unit “covering the advance area from Uelzen to just short of the Elbe at Neetze” (Points 21 and 22 on the map). The report continues “The Squadron was almost ideally employed over this period, and of very definite assistance to the slower moving Recce Unit which, on the other hand, provided the heavier fire power and armour when the jeeps encountered more than they could engage”.

On the 15 April the Force HQ moved to Schanhorst (Point 25 on the map). The Force of course was the combined Frank force of the 1st and 2nd SAS. They were carefully moving forward fanning out across the area from the HQ. This pattern of reconnaissance can be seen from the work of the 2nd SAS on the 15 and 16 April (Points 26 - 29 on the map). It was north-east of Bargefeld (Point 29 on the map) that “... a troop on recce came under fire from enemy LMGs sited near Gerdau (Point 30 on the map). Fire was returned, but as Gerdau was held by a considerable force of enemy with 88mm guns the troop withdrew to Bahnsen (Point 26 on the map) where the whole squadron and Force HQ spent the night.”

It was also on 15 April that during one of these types of reconnaissance that a troop from 1st SAS found the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp (Point 31 on the map) working with the Inns of Court Regiment. A reference to this event does not appear in the Operational report possibly as a result of focusing very specifically on military issues. It does not take much imagination to realise how difficult it must have been to continue with that focus when confronted with the consequences of genocide.  Len said that at one stage in this period in Germany they were near a concentration camp and could see through their field glasses what was going on but had to press on with their work. This may have been on the early reconnaissance (Point 19 on the map). 

“On the 17 April, 2nd SAS made contact with the 11th Armoured Division at Eimke. Gardau and Gressisuestedt (Point 30 on the map) were reported clear and Barnsen (Point 33 on the map) was cleared during the afternoon with a group of 15(S) Division Infantry on Churchill tanks. A large number of the enemy were captured. Two jeeps were bogged down near the village and were pulled out by L.A.D. Shermans.”

On the 18 April the 2nd SAS were switched to the north-east of Uelzen (Point 34 on the map). “Many PW were taken and a few enemy killed. Lieut Laws was wounded while making a recce on a captured motor-cycle.” Another example of if it can be used - get it going.

On the 19 April Force HQ moved to Bruchterf (Point 35 on the map). The 2nd SAS with 15 (S) Recce led the advance from Bevensen (Point 36 on the Map) to the Elbe on two axes to Breetz (Point 37 on the map) and Neetz (Point 22 on the map). Contact was made with the 11th Armoured Division at Neetze and a recce was made eastward to Bleckede (Point 39 on the map) were it was found that the Germans were maintaining a bridgehead, so the SAS returned with 15 (S) recce to Neetze for the night. It was noted in the operational report that the country around Breetz was very difficult owing to the density of the woods. On the same day to the west 1st SAS entered Luneberg (Point 40 on the map) to seize AA leaders. The troop was kept busy for three days searching houses and cellars and had considerable success.

The operation report records that there then followed a period of rest until the crossing of the Elbe. Frank Force HQ remained at Bruchterf (35) and Major Hibbert’s 2nd SAS Squadron from operation Keystone (moving through Netherlands) joined Frankforce and settled at Eddlestorf (Point 41 on the map) while Major Power’s Squadron rested just up the road at Bohndorf (Point 38 on the map). As there was no further mention of the German bridgehead at Bleckede it appears that retreated and evacuated to the eatestern side of the Elbe.

It was 10 days later that sufficient troops and equipment had been moved into place to make crossing the Elbe a success - it was known as Operation Enterprise. There might also have been some final political and military negotiations taking place about where the Russion zone would end in the West as the Elbe was the agreed line in general but not necessarily the Northern ports near the mouth of the river. The decision to cross the Elbe on 29 April appears to have had a number of factors involved.

Major Hibbert’s 2nd SAS Squadron crossed the Elbe on 29 April at 15.00 hours. It is not clear from the report where the crossing actually took place but from later references it was near Schnakenbeck (Point 43 on the map). The report states that after the crossing Capt Mackie’s troop which had reverted to its original squadron under Major Hibbert, was detailed to report if the area to Gueltzow was clear (Point 42 on the map).  It also appears from this section that 2nd SAS had reorganised the command structure so it is now not clear where Len’s troop was now placed so reference will be made to all SAS actions. On crossing the troop came under enemy shell fire at Schnakenbeck which was being directed at the bridgehead but no casualties were incurred. Other troops were sent to Juluisberg (Point 43 on the map) and Krukow (Point 44 on the map). Both these sections entered Guelzow (42) simultaneously without opposition.

A troop which was sent toward Wangleau (Point 46 on the map) encountered a light flak gun just outside Guelzow but the crew ran away when the jeep opened fire. Immediately to right there were three 105mm guns which were brought under mortar and Vickers fire; the enemy retreated and the guns were destroyed. The report continues with a more tragic report saying that Captn Morris’s troop was held up short of Leutow by SS troops (Point 47 on the map) and in the resulting engagement Capt Morris was killed. It seems that this may have been an encounter toward the end of the war that Len described as it is the closest to his account in terms of the content of the operation report and the geography of the area. Approaching a bridge they – a stick of three or four jeeps, were fired upon by an artillery piece placed on a hill overlooking the river. They took cover and one of the jeeps went up a wooded track leading to where the firing had come from to make a challenge. The jeep took a direct hit and all the SAS in the jeep were killed. The others then returned the fire using their mortars and soon started to get an accurate range. Fire was not returned and when they reached the position the crew had either been killed or had moved off. When they were in the position they could see that they must have trained the gun on the only gap in the trees where the track and the jeep could be seen.

On 30 April Frank Force HQ crossed the Elbe with Major Power’s Squadron and moved first to Juliusberg (45) and then to Kollow (Point 48 on the map). Major Druce’s troop took over from Capt Mackie and continued to recce to Schwarzenbeck (Point 49 on the map) while Capt Mackie’s troop recced Hamwarde (Point 50 on the map) and Worth (Point 51 on the map). As a sign of how fluid the situation was, 2nd SAS was experiencing some rearguard resistance whilst within hours possible surrender situations could develop such as what happened later in the day. In Schwarzenbeck (49) two German officers were captured and one of them said he had come to negotiate the surrender of an SS battalion. Major Barkworth I.O. 2nd SAS, returned with the German officer to the SS Bn HQ at Wangelau (Point 52 on the map) where the battalion was in a state of indecision. The battalion commander would not consider surrendering and after some discussion, Major Barkworth visited the German Div HQ at Poetrau (Point 53 on the map) but was unable to obtain a clear order for the surrender of the SS Bn. However following Major Barkworth’s return to the SAS positions, Wangelau (52) was attacked by a Marine Commando unit backed by some artillery and the SS Commander surrendered with 8 officers and 56 other ranks. This was the same day as Hitler had committed suicide so knowledge of the collapse of the Nazi leadership was probably beginning to seep down to the troops.

With a bridgehead on the Eastern bank of the Elbe secured and crossings in place on 1 May 11th Armoured Division crossed the Elbe (43) on the night 30 April/1 May and moved North. 2nd SAS continued to cover the flank and move closer to Hamburg with Capt McGregor and Lieut Robertson’s troops recced the area West of Schwarzenbeck (49) on the fringes of the Sachsenwald (Point 54 on the map). Then on the 2 May the recce continued West to Bargteheide (Point 55 on the map).

On 3 May Frank Force HQ moved to Luttjensee (Point 56 on the map) and then on to Gross Handsdorf (Point 57 on the map) Major Poat’s 1st SAS Squadron reached Lubeck and moved on to Kiel with 30th Assault Unit (Point 59 on the map).

Although the German forces capitulated on 4 May it was not until 7 May that Admiral Doenitz agreed to an unconditional surrender at Rheims in France and the final document was signed in Berlin on 8 May. Despite this, anger remained, and Len and his colleagues were involved in taking prisoners and disarming German troops in the area around Hamburg. On one occasion they were doing this in an orderly way through the sergeants with the German troops lined up being watched from the jeeps with guns at the ready. From one side a machine gun fired and everyone hit the ground and Len’s jeep swung their Vickers gun around and fired a warning burst in the direction of the fire. Two young boys of the Hitler youth appeared and surrendered. The German officers expected them to be executed on the spot, but Len’s crew told the boys to take their trousers down and indicated to the German sergeant to use a cane instead.

The operation report ends with one simple sentence ‘Frankforce embarked for the U.K. on the 10 May’.

On the ground with the 2nd SAS there was still a considerable amount going on behind this one sentence. After the surrender the SAS were given instructions to return to Wivenhoe. From what Len has said about this journey back to Antwerp they seemed to have enjoyed the drive. Len experienced one last incident when the jeep hit a rock embedded in the ground and as he was stretched out asleep on the kit in the back he was shot into the air and over a hedge. As you can imagine the others went looking for him wondering where he had gone and as luck would again have it he was fine except for some bruises and appeared over the hedge asking if they were looking for him! The jeep was out of action with the steering rods being bent. They managed to get to a local French garage but the Germans had taken all his tools. However, Len saw a fixed vice and they managed to straighten the rods using this.

Arriving back in Antwerp they had acquired along route some bales of silk. They thought they would have some time to trade before they had to leave but were told that they were to go early the following morning. This meant a quick tour around Antwerp in the early hours to find a merchant, it appears they were successful. Len managed to return with a number of bits and pieces. It appears that if one of the SAS were wounded and had to be moved back, they would place acquired items under him in the stretcher for return at a later date. It appears in this way Len acquired two decorated shotguns, a camera and a Nazi dagger. Eric, my cousin remembers the shotguns, I’ve still got the camera and Mum sold the dagger sometime in the 60s.

 

 

 

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Allied_invasion_of_Germany

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2018/12/20/the-1st-commando-brigades-invasion-of-germany/