Otterloo Holland, early morning 17th April 1945. At last writing we had expressed concern for our drivers and driver mechanics that were in the wagon lines near the Otterloo cemetery. At the moment we knew we had lost Ken Nicolson who died in the command post house. Tom Coll was wounded there but escaped to the rear and at the moment all the gun crews were miraculously safe with just Kahgee creased across the throat by a sniper.
Darcy Spencer and I turned to the rear to walk hurriedly to the wagon lines. On arriving at the wagon lines we found no one. A few of the vehicles had been burnt but no trace of any of Bdr Wells and all the drivers. It looked like a pretty good battle had raged around the vehicles, with spent cartridge casings, flat tires, scattered kit, and a dead German in a nearby ditch. Darcy and I were feeling pretty low. Where were our comrades? Just then along came Gunners Clarence, Cawkwell, and Agnew. Both were showing the signs of a terrible night. Agnew was wearing only a pair of socks and a civilian top coat. Cawkwell had been slightly wounded but not evacuated. Cawkwell and Agnew informed us that they had been checking the aid posts and could not find what happened to most of the drivers. Agnew with tears in his eyes said we could not find Jockie McMillan.
Now we knew that most of the drivers had survived. Darcy and I continued on checking aid posts and found that seven of our drivers had been taken to hospitals. We then checked other causality clearing stations and found out that we were at the moment missing just one and he was Jockie McMillan. Darcy Spencer and I then went into Tac Headquarters where our Major Crown was located. We reported to him and he immediately gave us each a large shot of rum saying now tell me how Fox troop came through the night. I answered that at the moment we had one killed and about fourteen wounded and we were missing Jockie McMillan.
Major Crown said did you kill any of the Germans? I said we took about ten prisoners and wounded and killed about ten more. Major Crown's face changed in expression. Sgt major did you Leave wounded Germans on the gun position? I said yes sir. "You should have killed them," he replied. I drew myself up and said sir that would have been murder as we did not know who was going to win last night and shooting prisoners was not in my book. He softened his attitude and Darcy and I left to look for Jockie at the next aid post. Here seated on a bench was a small figure with a great swath of bandage across his nose. We had found Jockie all to our great relief. Now here is what I did on seeing him. I walked over to him and hit him a great whallop on his shoulder and said is that the only place you could get hit? Jockie 's face broke into a great smile and extended his hand which I took and his words were I'm glad to see you Gordie andI replied I'm glad to see you Jockie. Get well and get back soon. Jockie related how he was wounded. He was on his tummy behind a gun tractor tire and he glanced out at a large German advancing towards him with a submachine gun. Jockie said I drew back my head but the German fired through the tire taking the tip off his nose.
All drivers accounted for we started back to Fox troop to report to Lt Alex Ross. On the way we came upon a large group of the Irish Regiment and standing up in, I guess, a large armoured car was our divisional commander Major General Hoffmeister. He was speaking to the Irish group probably a company. The general said what a terrific fight that the Irish had put up last night and how well all personnel had performed. So I thank you all for a job well done. Up spoke an Irish major and his views were expressed to a man. It was not us Sir who broke the German attack it was those darn artillery men who did not know enough to run but stayed and broke the attack. General Hoffmeister then said who can lead me to the gunners and Darcy Spencer and I said we can. We are from the 17th. Climb on the armoured car and show me where was his reply!
