Only the Enemy in Front WTO (id:#59029)

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Eyne, Belgium 1944-09-03 (3 others)

Overview:

After the encirclement and destruction of the German forces in the Falaise pocket, the Allies were able to push on rapidly with their advance into Europe. The British XXX Corps was tasked with an armoured dash across Belgium and on into Holland. In order to prevent the Germans from cutting the Corps' route behind the lead elements, the 61st Regiment of the Reconnaisance Corps moved into a holding position on the flank along the Escaut Canal from Ghent to the south of Oudenarde. Just north of Oudenarde a party from B Squadron was holding the bridge at Eyne when a German attack materialized from out of the mist. As the Germans approached the bridge the anti-tank gun, directed by Sergeant Atkinson, waited until all of the enemy vehicles converged and then opened fire, "brewing up" four of them. Changing to HE the anti-tank gun then engaged the advancing infantry while the rest of the detachment opened fire with everything it had. At 1300 hrs, a German officer approached under a Red Cross flag to collect the wounded. About 60 German dead and wounded were counted. The British were unharmed. The Germans were harangued by the British company commander to surrender but stubbornly refused: battle was subsequently rejoined.

Defender: British (B Squadron, 61st Reconnaissance Regiment with Armoured Car Section)  

Errata (source)