The main
attack referred to in Colonel Douglas’s account was carried out by the Canadian
2nd Infantry Division who attempted a crossing further along the
Canal in the area of Sint-Job-in-‘t-Goor. On 24th September Les
Fusiliers Mont-Royal and The South Saskatchewan Regiment were to cross on the
right and on the left respectively on the sector facing the village of
Lochtenberg. Having established a bridgehead, the plan was, once over the
Canal, to push on in a north westerly direction towards Camp de Brasschaet.
The
assault commenced at 0700 hours and the Fusiliers managed to cross over the
canal and make it to the cross-roads in Lochtenberg village before German
machine gun fire halted the advance. To their left the South Saskatchewan fared
less well as their attempts at a crossing were thwarted by effective sniper and
machine gun fire, Later the plan was modified such that they tried a crossing
further to the east in closer proximity to the Fusiliers. This second attempt
commenced at 1300 hours and within an hour the crossing had been achieved. In
the meantime however, the Fusiliers positions had been infiltrated by the
Germans and at 1700 hours their positions were overrun and a heavy toll in
terms of casualties was paid by the attackers. The bridgehead was too small to
defend effectively and the Fusiliers were driven back over the canal and
subsequently the South Saskatchewans withdrew to the south bank. The attempted
crossing had resulted in a high casualty tally, especially amongst the ranks of
the Fusiliers Mont-Royal.
Further
Canadian efforts to effect a crossing also failed, despite air and artillery
support. Subsequently the decision was taken to push the Canadian 2nd
Infantry Division across the bridgehead established by the 49th
Division at Rijkevorsal from 28th September. In doing so they also
extended the extent of the bridgehead in a westerly direction.
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