Thetford Battle Report

By Staff Sgt Wright

Hurtgen Forest

Friday 27th

Arriving at approximately 5-30pm 18 members of first second and third squad began assembling at the RV point, by 7pm all members were present. After kitting up we registered our presence, drew our weapons from John Oxslade and collected pyrotechniques from the event organisers.

At approximately 8pm we followed a detachment of infantry into the field which resulted in a navigational error bringing us back to the original RV point. The infantry continued to deploy whilst we held back to talk to the organisers about where we should be. Finally at about 10pm one of the organisers took us 10 minutes out into the field and then gave us a compass reading to follow. Not having a map the 28th relied on the compass reading and headed out to the point. Corporal Berry and I were required to return to the CP for a battle briefing and therefore had to leave the main contingency of the 28th breaking contact with them. The 28th continued into the field and tried to obtain radio contact in order to deploy to the right area which failed as the radios were not working.

At the briefing Cpl Berry and I were given orders to support the Rangers in battle the following morning at 6-30am. Not knowing where the rest of the 28th now were the Rangers took us to their RV point. Upon reaching the general area where the Rangers were, Cpl Berry and I departed along the main road from the rest of the Rangers under the guidance of an S/Sgt from the 8th infantry who took us out into the field and along to the one of the Rangers camps. Here we were offered shelter till the morning. The time was about 12pm.

At approximately 1am Sgt Grover of the 28th found the Rangers camp where Cpl Berry and I were. Having informed us that the rest of the 28th were with another detachment of Rangers across the lake I decided it best to check on my men. Cpl Berry was tired and decided to stay put with the Rangers until the next day, having already set up his shelter.

Sgt Grover led me to the 28th camp where by I proceeded to check the men were bedded down, secure and well. Upon entering the camp we were challenged by two of the 28th who upon recognising us, proceeded to allow us access. A smile came to my face as I could hear radio playing my favourite tunes, I knew that Cpl Costin was present as he took that radio everywhere he went.

A watchful eye!

The 28th had set up observation positions on two sides of the camp and the Rangers on the other two sides of the camp. I tried to sleep but could not do so due to the wind sweeping across the lake and into the woods, it was a bitter, there was about 2 hours to sun rise, I got a meal and a hot drink and thought about the battle plan for the following morning.