Arnhem – Gunners Oosterbeek Church

The 3^rd Air landing battery had been moved to the area of the church on 18^th September, at that stage this was outside the Divisional area so 40 Glider Pilots provided the local defence. The guns were in line of sight to the bridge.



Oosterbeek Church area of 3 A/L Battery

 

Battery position – view to the bridge

 

 

On the 19^th September 1944, as the defensive perimeter was being formed, the CRA ordered the guns of the 1^st and 2^nd Air landing batteries ^t to concentrate on the church and form a regimental position in the area. 

Gunner locations Oosterbeek Church

Oosterbeek Chuch



1^st Air landing Regimental HQ

 

The Gunners provided constant fire support to the division. As well as shoots conducted by the parties from the 1^st Forward Observation Unit, reports of concentrations were received from the Dutch Resistance. The gun positions themselves were subject to shelling, and occasional strafing by German fighters.

The war diary for 20^th September records “ 18:00 - Capt Walker fired several Mike Tgts "unobserved" as "Morale" shoots as the infantry liked to hear our shells”.

As XXX Corps progressed north their Artillery came into range.  On the 21^st September the war diary details the first contact by the Airborne Gunners with 64^th Medium Regiment RA “0900 - Touch made on arrival with 64 Medium Regt by A/L Bde. FOO put HQRA 19 set on this wave and maintained first class communications on it for rest of battle” The link from the Gunners was the only radio link in place between the 1^st Airborne Division and XXX Corps. At 10:35, 211 Battery 64^th Medium Regiment reported ready with 8 x 4.5 inch guns. By 13:00, 212 Battery was ready with 8 x 5.5 inch guns. The fires from XXX Corps continued over the next few days.

In Oosterbeek, the gun positions were subject to repeated attacks and shelling. The scars from the battle can still be seen on the walls of the church at Ooosterbeek.



Oosterbeek Church – Battle Damage



 

Ammunition for the 75mm started to get short so shooting was restricted, though some air supply arrived on 24^th September. However by the evening of the 25^th orders had been given for the Division to withdraw from Oosterbeek, with the guns from XXX Corps to conduct a fire plan to cover the withdrawal.

The final act for the Gunners was to bury their breach blocks, destroy their sights and radios.