Operation Blackcock

Operation Blackcock was the code name for the clearing of the Roer Triangle formed by the towns of Roermond, Sittard and Heinsberg. It was conducted by the British Second Army in January 1945, between the 14th and the 26th. The objective was to drive the German 15th Army back across the Rivers Rur and Wurm and move the frontline further into Germany. The operation was carried out under the command of XII Corps by three divisions, the 7th Armoured Division (better known as the "Desert Rats"), the 52nd (Lowland) and the 43rd (Wessex) ("Wessex Wyverns") Infantry Divisions. The operation, named after the Scottish black male grouse, is relatively unknown despite the sometimes fierce battles that were fought for each and every village and hamlet within the "Roer Triangle".

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation Blackcock