Clarkeforce was launched at 16.00 on 20 October as part of a large offensive - Operation Pheasant which was designed to liberate much of North Brabant. The Churchills of 107 RAC's C Sqn carried D Company of the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, and the regiment was accompanied by a troop of Achilles self-propelled 17-pounders from 248 Battery, 62nd (6th London) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery,RA 1939–45 62 A/Tk Rgt and a troop of Churchill Crocodile flamethrowing tanks of the 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry. Fire support was provided by 191st (Hertfordshire and Essex Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Progress was not fast: the column was restricted to one tank's width, and the M3 Stuart ('Honey') light tanks of 107's Recce Troop were held up by the bad tank going, but the leading squadrons moved on in the approaching darkness to allow C Sqn and the infantry to clear Wuustwezel, taking some prisoners. 'The night was pitch dark, it was raining, and there was no moon', and the Recce Trp scouting ahead were held up by a roadblock of trees, which were cleared by the leading Churchills. After a short rest, the regiment moved on at 0800 the following morning towards Nieuwmoer. By now the Recce Troop had run out of fuel, and the advance was led by A Sqn of 49 (West Riding) Reconnaissance Regiment RAC. When they came across a bridge that had been blown, the tanks had to fan out to the flanks in search of alternative crossings, and with no cover they were engaged over the flat country by German Self-Propelled guns. The advance had to be covered by smoke. Once clearance of the village was well in hand, the Recce Trp came up and pushed on carelessly into a wood occupied by German troops and SP guns. Four Honeys were knocked out, bringing the regiment's casualties to eight tanks in the day.
