RUR recce across the River Meuse.

Towards the end of January 1945, the 2nd Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles was in position facing the Germans across the Meuse River in Belgium. Because of the likelihood of an advance in their sector, it was important to know where the enemy's positions were located, whether the Germans had changed the layout of their defences and which units were facing the Rifles.

At the beginning of the year, the Battalion had re-formed the Battle Patrol which then trained for river operations. No effort was spared in preparing for the first recce, which was to be the houses at Hoeken. The nine-man patrol, led by Lt Hancock, crossed the river at 2000 hours on 31 January 1945 and its tasks included discovering whether Hoeken was occupied by night, and if so what was the strength and location of the German positions. The patrol returned at 0300 hours without loss or being detected. Although there was no opportunity to seize a prisoner, the patrol succeeded in collecting useful intelligence. Capturing a prisoner would have to wait for the next patrol to Hoeken.