#Arnhem76
Day 7.
Saturday 23rd September 1944.
The fighting in Oosterbeek continues but the defensive perimeter is now shrinking. The 7/KOSB still hold the line to the north but have fallen back. The purple line indicates the northern flank on 23rd September.

This annotated map shows the Company positions of Lt Col Robert Payton-Reid’s 7/Kings Own Scottish Borderers and their proximity to Divisional HQ at the Hartenstein Hotel. The northern sector of the Perimeter was also held by the 156 Parachute Bn. and 1st Airborne Recce Squadron.

On the corner of Bothaweg facing north along Steijnweg was the 6 pounder anti-tank gun of Sgt George Barton. This is a 6 pounder in action in Oosterbeek but it is NOT Barton’s. This one was in action with 1/Borders on the western flank of the Perimeter near Van Lennepweg.

This is Sergeant George Barton from the Anti-Tank Platoon, Support Company 7/KOSB & the following are his words:
“I had orders to take the gun with what was left of B Coy to the junction of Bothaweg and Steijnweg. We brought the anti-tank gun and sited it in front of the shop...

...facing northwards up Steijnweg. Next morning the enemy brought in tanks, two of which we knocked at the corner of Steijnweg and Cronjeweg where the road curves to the right. However, later another tank fired at us and knocked a tree onto our gun and put it out of action...

...I could never understand why that Saturday the Germans did not press on their attack with other tanks as we of course were defenceless at that time. However, on Sunday morning the position was overrun and I was taken Prisoner”

This was the shop at No.40 Steijnweg in 1944 where George Barton's 6 pounder anti-tank gun was set and as it is now as someone's home.

This is the exact spot, looking north, where George Barton’s 6 pounder anti-tank gun was situated. In the distance you can clearly see the bend in the road George mentioned where his gun knocked out the two tanks.

George Barton was released from captivity from a POW Camp in 1945 and in later years was a frequent attender at the Commemorations around Arnhem every September. He passed away in March 2019 at the age of 99.