[4] As they would no longer be behind German lines, their role had changed as they would accompany the leading reconnaissance forces, in fast moving jeep columns.

Another operation was planned for the SAS to provide reconnaissance for Major General Christopher Vokes's Canadian 4th Armoured Division in its advance toward Oldenburg in north-western Germany.

Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Robert 'Paddy' B. Mayne, B and C Squadrons, 1st SAS with their jeep-mounted party departed from Tilbury on 6 April and reached Nijmegen in the Netherlands the following day.

Bond was killed along with his driver Trooper Lewis – several of his men were pinned under heavy fire outside the village from a series of farm buildings.

The leading patrols were thus held up, but after hearing the reports on the radio, Mayne arrived and took over a jeep, while another officer Lieutenant John Scott volunteered as rear gunner.

[8] Another trooper Billy Hull managed to find a way into one of the farm buildings opening up distracting fire which revealed the ambushers positions.

Mayne meanwhile drove flat out down the road, with Scott firing the Browning and Vickers machine gun from the jeep suppressing the attackers.

[12] On the outskirts the SAS were ambushed by mortar bombs – two Jeeps were destroyed, while an eight-man patrol that had decided to go forward on foot were captured after being surrounded.

When the SAS returned to the site the next day the damage they had inflicted was immense – the area was covered in German corpses as well as several burnt out half tracks.

Mayne's two units went north of the city – a trooper was killed by a mine and in that time the SAS were being extra vigilant given the inevitable German surrender which took place on 5 May.

[18] Casualties for Howard were moderate, out of 180 men, 35 were either killed, wounded, captured or missing, approximately twenty percent of the entire force.

[2] A citation, approved by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, commander of 21st Army Group, was issued recommending Mayne for the Victoria Cross.