Asten, Holland October 1944
Asten, a village to the east of Eindhoven in Holland, was the scene of an extraordinary achievement of arms experienced by the 25th Field Regiment Royal, Artillery.
On the 27th October 1944, units of the 7th US Armored Division (under command of VIII British Corps), were in defensive positions in the vicinity of Asten, when superior German forces counter-attacked from Meijel. Heavily outnumbered, they fought back but casualties were mounting.
On the 28th October, the 25th Field Regiment were sent to support the American troops, siting their 25 Pdr Field Guns around the hamlet of Heusden. During the next two days, the gunners fought off the German attacks, covering the withdrawal of the infantry. At one point, the enemy were so close that the attack was stopped when German forces were only 300 yards from the Regiment's Observation Post.
On the 29th October alone, the Regiment fired in excess of 10,000 rounds. At this point additional support arrived in the form of 131 Field Regiment.
This action is reputed as being "the most celebrated gunner action of 21st Army Group in the whole campaign". The Americans also praised 25th Field Regiment by saying that its fire had been responsible for stopping the German attack on the 28th October.
This page is dedicated to
Gunner Robert Grainger
25th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
who served the colours 1939 -1946.
