| Title | Extracts from Second Army History, 1944 Apr | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Extracts from Second Army History, 1944 Apr. | ||
| Source | UK_National_Archive | Reference | WO 223/1 |
- 3 -
The progress of operations in those first few dramatic hours ashore is outlined by the following messages received at Main Head- quarters Second Army during the morning:-
| Time of origin | Time of receipt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0930 hrs | 231 Bde | MONT FLEURY battery captured 0950 hrs Lateral road 073811-096800 and beach clearance at 074812 - clear at 0845 hrs | ||
| 1035 hrs | 5 E YORKS | In LA RIVIERE | ||
| 1 HAMPS | Held up at LE HAMEL 0945 hrs | |||
| 1 DORSET | By-passed ASNELLES and on the way to ST COME 8685 | |||
| 2 DEVON | Also by-passed ASNELLES | |||
| 1055 hrs | 1 C SCOT R In area 957853 at 0915 hrs | |||
| R DE CHAUD | In area 993846 at 0915 hrs | |||
| 1038 hrs | 1058 hrs | 69 Inf Bde | In VER SUR MER 9185 and still meeting opposition in LA RIVIERE | |
| 1045 hrs | 1110 hrs | 3 Cdn Div | Line 936863 to sea at 025846 reached at 1020 hrs (except at 972842) | |
| 1050 hrs | 1140 hrs | 8 Brit Inf Bde | Locality 062780 captured 0955 hrs 185 Bde In process of landing | |
| 1130 hrs | 1202 hrs | 7 Cdn Bde | Captured BANVILLE 9483 and ST CROIX SUR MER 9283 8 Cdn Bde In area TAILLEVILLE 0082 | |
| 1140 hrs | 69 Bde | Reached Pt 44 9184 to Pt 52 9085 - high ground West of BUHOT 8585 | ||
| 231 Bde | 1 HAMPS still held up at LE HAMEL 1 DORSET followed by 2 DEVON approaching BUHOT |
|||
| 1223 hrs | 69 Bde | Adv towards CREPON. 2 DEVON in ASNELLES and moving towards RYES 8483 | ||
| 151 Bde | Ashore. | |||
| 1215 hrs | 1250 hrs | 231 Bde | 1 DORSET South of ARROMANCHES and troops beginning to enter LE HAMEL | |
| 1235 hrs | 1245 hrs | 56 Bde | Ashore complete | |
Meanwhile the guns of ships of the Royal Navy pounded in support of the operation. Provision had been made to land with 6 Airborne Division a number of observers from the Forward Observation and Bombardment Liaison Unit to control the shooting.
Similarly, observers from divisional and army artillery of 1 Corps were either landed from the air or passed through to the airborne bridge- head East of the R ORNE to observe for the field and medium guns with the LEFT division.
(Archive transcripts © Copyright Normandy War Guide)