‘THE BATTLE FOR ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH’

Commissioned by 160th (Welsh) Brigade.

At 6.30am on the morning of 22nd October 1944, the 53rd (Welsh) Division, commanded by Major-General Robert ‘Bobby’ Ross, launched Operation ALAN. The Division’s mission was to capture the Dutch city of
‘s-Hertogenbosch, a key communications node for German operations in the region. Following hard fighting in the villages east of the city, the Division was halted on 24th October at the Zuid Willems Canal, where all bridge crossings had been destroyed by the German defenders. A single foot crossing at a lock gate was identified as being intact. Major John Dugdale, Officer Commanding A Company, 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was tasked with seizing the crossing before it too was destroyed. At 4.35pm, under cover of smoke and supported by Crocodile flame thrower tanks, he led A Company across the narrow lock gate under direct enemy fire.
This bold action unhinged the German defence and allowed the Division to seize the city centre in a swift assault. The operation is regarded as a near perfect urban assault and secured the northern flank of operations to clear the Scheldt estuary and reopen the vital port of Antwerp.
The Division lost 144 men killed in action and 146 Dutch civilians also lost their lives during the battle. The people of ‘s-Hertogenbosch continue to welcome their “liberators” and the 160th (Welsh) Brigade back to their city each year.

Generously supported by General Dynamics and the City of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.