Once this task was accomplished, the division was able to take a rest.
A break for 3rd brigade is planned in the Axel area. C.K.M. Squadron was stationed in Axel itself. Between 20 and 26 September we "lick our wounds" and rest.
The squadron is completed by 21 soldiers, four of whom are new, coming from France, men who have never served in the army. The rest came from Polish elements of the German army, captured near Cherbourg by the Americans. The squadron was fully staffed, we were even overstaffed.
The newly arrived soldiers are weak, scared and, worst of all, untrained. We fill in the gaps as best we can. There is a shortage of drivers and specialists.
On 26 September we set off again for the front, this time further north-east. We stopped at Vremde near Antwerp still in Belgium. North of Antwerp, the fight continues. Only half of the city was liberated by the Allied armies1.
Our objective: Ostman-Baarle.
Kazimierz Duda - War Chronicles - 20 to 29 September 1944 - Page 79
1 The port of Antwerp had become a priority for the supply of Allied troops who were stretching over hundreds of kilometres of frontline. But nothing was done during September to liberate the city, which the Germans were defending fiercely because of the strategic position of its port. Most of the allied military resources were used for Operation Market Garden which began on 17 September. It was not until 8 November that the Allies completely cleared the area at the cost of many casualties.
Translation from French version: Steven Duda
Original page 79
Speech of Colonel Harold Mitchell - September 29, 1944 (1/3)
Speech of Colonel Harold Mitchell - September 29, 1944 (2/3)
Speech of Colonel Harold Mitchell - September 29, 1944 (3/3)