11 September 1944
Monday, September 11, was not only the day of the German counterattack on Joe’s Bridge but also the day the first British troops set foot on Dutch soil. Thanks to a daring reconnaissance, the men of the Guards Armoured Division became the first British soldiers to enter the Netherlands.
As the plans for Market Garden began to solidify, it became clear to the Guards Armoured Division that the road from Hasselt to Valkenswaard was crucial for the upcoming advance. The first obstacle they encountered was the bridge over the Dommel just before Valkenswaard.
In May 1940, the original bridge had been blown up to thwart the German invasion. During the course of the war, the bridge was replaced with a wooden structure. However, the British military leadership was unsure whether this bridge was strong enough to support British tanks. Consequently, Major-General Adair of the Guards Armoured Division ordered a reconnaissance to gather information about the road and the bridge.
The mission was eventually assigned to Lieutenant Buchanan-Jardine. He was tasked with conducting a close reconnaissance of the bridge, which meant operating behind enemy lines. Recognizing the importance of speed, the lieutenant decided to use two Daimler Dingo reconnaissance vehicles. The men set off from the forward positions, maneuvering in a zigzag pattern to make themselves a harder target for any potential German defenders. Along the way, the scouts encountered several Germans, but they were so taken by surprise that they had no time to react.
The reconnaissance proceeded smoothly, and soon the British came across the first local civilians. One of them, Sjef Theeuws, spoke good English and provided valuable information about the Germans in the area. This information was relayed to the lieutenant via radio. Sjef then joined one of the reconnaissance vehicles and continued to guide them along the route. Further along, they encountered a large group of civilians, including the parish priest of Borkel, Goyarts. The priest, an amateur photographer, took the only known photos of this reconnaissance mission.
After taking the photos, the British continued their journey towards the bridge and soon arrived at Café “Rustoord” (now known as Suyckerbuyk). Here, they were met by a large group of local civilians. To avoid drawing too much attention, the lieutenant decided to have a drink with the locals in the café, while the other reconnaissance vehicle proceeded towards the bridge.
The second vehicle encountered a German car and decided to follow it at high speed to minimize the risk of being spotted. The German vehicle turned into the woods just before reaching the bridge, giving the British scouts a clear view of the bridge. They observed a German tank stationed on the bridge. Realizing that their vehicle stood no chance against the German tank, the British scouts quickly reversed and returned to the café.
Back at the café, the lieutenant received the report. The presence of the German tank indicated that the bridge was indeed suitable for use, providing valuable information for the upcoming operation. The café was now crowded with civilians, who also reported that the Germans were searching for the British scouts. The British decided to leave quickly, driving at full speed back along the road. The Germans, no longer caught off guard, fired at the British vehicles during their retreat.
Upon returning to safety, the British checked their vehicles. Despite the heavy fire, the vehicles were intact, except for some equipment that had been strapped to the outside, such as blankets and cooking gear, which had been damaged.
The group of civilians who had encountered the patrol and then continued towards Lommel met a worse fate. They were stopped by Germans at the old customs office. After warning shots, the people dropped their bicycles and fled into the woods and ditches. Four men were captured, taken to a farm, interrogated, and searched. The Germans found orange items and wanted to shoot them, but one German soldier pleaded for their lives. The commanding officer agreed and allowed them to leave towards the Achterste Brug.
Just when the men thought they were safe, they were shot at from behind. Jan Maas and Chris Tegenbosch were killed, and Christ Aerts and Toon Rijkers were wounded. They pretended to be dead until the Germans left. The graves of Maas and Tegenbosch were not discovered until September 21, confirming their fate.
Pictures:
- Lieutenant Buchanan-Jardine (standing with a mustache) and his driver Buckley pose with the civilians. To the right of the lieutenant is Jan Maas (with a hat).
- Lieutenant Buchanan-Jardine (standing with a mustache) and his driver Buckley pose with the civilians. To the right of the lieutenant is Jan Maas (wearing a hat).
- Corporal of Horse Brooks (with a mustache) with his driver Bateman.