had moved up to La Lande, east of Vire and only from the enemy. 8th AGRA began with an 'Apple pie' (anti-Flak) programme before H-Hour, and then 61st (C&DY) and 146th (Pembroke & Cardiganshire) Med Rgts fired a CB programme before switching to opportunity targets identified by the FOOs with 3rd Division. As the advance continued slowly towards Tinchebray over the next week, 8th AGRA fired impromptu fireplans in support of 3rd Division, supported by the batteries of 165th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Rgt temporarily under command of 61st (C&DY) Med Rgt. On 16 August 3rd Division entered Flers and by the following day all the guns of 8th AGRA were out of range. On 21 August the whole AGRA concentrated at Montsecret for maintenance and training. Operation Guildford Once the breakout from the Normandy beachhead was achieved, VIII Corps was 'grounded' at Vire to provide transport and fuel to 21st Army Group's pursuit force. It played a minor flanking role in Operation Market Garden (the Battle of Arnhem), after which it closed up to the River Maas in the autumn. This drive, beginning with Operation Constellation, entailed clearing the Venlo 'Pocket', which took from October to the beginning of December, due to a surprise German counter-attack at Meijel. By 3 December 15 (S) Division (temporarily under XII Corps) was ready to take the Germans' last bridgehead west of the Maas, at Blerick, opposite Venlo. Operation Guildford was a textbook operation, employing 21st Army Group's superior resources in airpower, engineering and artillery to overcome the formidable minefields, anti-tank ditches and fortifications with low casualties. 8th AGRA was among the three AGRAs devoted to supporting this attack by a single infantry brigade (44th (Lowland) Bde). The operation was a complete success. Operation Plunder VIII Corps and 8th AGRA were not involved in the fighting in the Reichswald (Operation Veritable) in early 1945. At the conclusion of 'Veritable' on 11 March, 21st Army Group was in position to attempt an assault crossing of the Rhine (Operation Plunder). 8th AGRA was assigned to support XII Corps for this operation. 15th (Scottish) Division was selected for the assault, while the preparations were made behind a massive smokescreen, including parking the guns as close to the river as possible. The artillery was organised into ad hoc groups for this operation, 61st (C&DY) Med Rgt remaining under 8th AGRA HQ, which also had a US Field Artillery Group