Churchills saw widespread action in Normandy as well as subsequent operations in the Low Countries and into Germany such as the fighting in the Reichswald during Operation Veritable.
In this protracted battle against Anglo-Canadian forces on Germany's Western Front, German lines under the capable General Alfred Schlemm (of the Luftwaffe) had been reequipped.
Groesbeek and Kranenburg are situated on the banks of the Groesbeek, a small stream in the Groesbeek valley, a large valley between the Nijmeegse heuvelrug and Reichswald.