War Diary: 1st Battalion The East Lancashire Regiment

Month and year: December 1944

The 1st Battalion The East Lancashire Regiment December 1944 War Diary covers the units actions in The Netherlands and Belgium.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1330

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Page 1 of 7

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
KESSEL	1		Patrols reporting in had no valuable information. Enemy movement was
			again shelled during the day.
	2		Nothing new to report.
	3		The bn in the early hours attempted to create a diversion because 15 (s) Div were attacking VENLO further North. The diversion took the form of H.F.
			tasks and movement of carriers, which provoked little enemy retaliation until 0610 hrs when H.Q. area was fairly heavily shelled by 88 mm. Bn was
			warned that the river would rise at 0945 hrs (this turned out to be the third false alarm, the dam further upstream not being blown by the RAF).
			Intermittent shell fire occurred throughout the day.
	4		Before daylight, two houses were seen to go up in flames on the opposite bank for no apparent reason. Lt. Lecky joined the bn. Enemy mov was
			again engaged by arty and mortars.
	5		Rocket shells were again used on the bn front. Enemy arty was qui active
		2315	and a number of shelreps passed to higher formation. At 2315 hrs a trip
			flare in "B" Coy area was set off and 12 to 14 men seen running off. Yet at 2330 hrs D Coy reported that it was a cat that had set off this flare.
	6		Patrols again heard noises from the opposite bank which sounded like
			revetting of field works.
	7	1130	Two enemy digging on the far bank were shot by a sniper section. At 1500 hrs 2 Gordons arrived in rear of the In preparatory to taking over the
			posn. A/TK guns had been moved out at dawn and rifle coys commended marching out at 1800 hrs. In spite of a considerable amount of noise by

Page 2 of 7

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
KESSEL	7	1800	the attached troops, there was no shell fire from the enemy and relief
			was completed by 1930 hrs. The bn now concentrated back in ROGGEL 7397
ROGGEL		2100	where a platoon had for some days been holding billets open for us.
	8		During the morning the bn got settled in and the Mobile Bath and the
			baber played an important part. A Cloth Model discussion on Co-operation between Inf and Tks, directed by Lt-Col. F.F.B Allen was held at Bde HQ.
			Copy of the programme of discussion is attached as Appendix "A". We learned that Lt-Gen. Sir Miles Christopher Dempsey, K.C.B., D.S.O., M.C., was going	Appendix "A"
			to visit the bn tomorrow. A programme was arranged for the visit and the bn was busy during the afternoon in preparation. (Copy of Programme for
			Visit is attached as Appendix "B"). A Central Mess was organised by the P.M.C., Capt. R.J. Hawkins, and opened for the first time for Dinner. This	Appendix "B"
			enabled officers to get to know each other, as many officers recently arrived had not previously had the opportunity, and it was a great success.
	9	1000	The Army Commander arrived at 1000 hrs and after inspection of HQ Coy went	App D 1.
			on to see C Coy in fighting order, and Sp ready for battle, followed by A, D, and B Coys in clean fatigue, After this he addressed all officers
			and N.C.Os. and complimented us by saying there was no better Bn in the 2nd Army, and that he was very proud of the good work done by the Bn and
			the Div since our arrival on the continent. The "Windmill Theatre" was opened for the first time and the Regimental Band of the Royal Welch
			Fusiliers gave a first class concert of light music.
	10		Morning spent in training. Church Service at the Windmill Theatre at 1400 hrs. Concert by 202 Fd. Amb at 1800 hrs. Capt. Hargreaves, It. Tattersall and
			65 Reinforcements arrived from 50 Div.

Page 3 of 7

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
ROGGEL	11		Morning spent in training and General Administration. The Bde Comd visited
			us during the afternoon. At 1700 hrs another discussion on Co-operation between Inf and Tks on a bn level was held in the Mess and was attended by
			all officers.
	12	1700	In the afternoon the details of the take over from 7 RWF were arranged and given out at 1700 hrs to Coy Comds.
	13	1100	Coy Comds started their recces at 1100 hrs in the new area around NEER and
NEER			Coys moved up between 1300 and 1400 hrs. C Coy moved independently being furthest away followed by B, D, A, HQ, and Sp Coys and handover was complete
		1535	at 1535 hrs. Two PW were taken by 7 RWF West of the main road in NEER. They had crossed in a rubber boat which was due to return on a light signal
			on any of the next three nights. It was decided to have a PW back and employ him to lead out a patrol to the crossing place. The patrol, which
		230	left at 0230 hrs, led by Lt. Harper and assisted by Sgt. Alben, were sure that he had taken them to the right spot, although no answers were given
			from the other side, to our light signals, and the patrol returned without incident.
	14		Spasmodic shelling in the bn area during the day but no damage caused.
		1515	Typhoons attacked targets South of us across the river at 1515 hrs. "Windup" targets were engaged at 1517 area Bijkel 8097. "Windup" entails
			every available gun firing on a pre-determined area for one minute. Patrols were again sent out to the area where the 2 PW were taken with no
			positive result.
	15	930	Discussion at Bde HQ at 0930 hrs for Coy Comds on River Crossings laid on by 7 R.W.F. 2 PW were brought in by the "Naquis" They were believed to

Page 4 of 7

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
NEER	15		have crossed Night 13/14 Dec in area BUGGENUM or HANSSUM but would not
			talk and were sent back to the DIV Cage forthwith. Six enrory were seet at 807978 and were engaged by our Mortars and Arty. Patrols to Burnt House
			D Coy, Lt. Tuffnell and B Coy Lt. Phillips. Lights were flashed but again no reaction from the other side.
	16		During the night a Warning Order was received, and Advance Parties went
		0930	to Recce new area at 0930 hrs. An "O" GP was held at 1000 hrs at Bde HQ and the incoming unit's Advance Party arrived at 1530 hrs and commenced
			take over. The move to the new area was to MERXPLAS 0100 (1/100,000 Sheet 3 Belgium) OPs had nothing to report all day There was slight
			shelling in the area
	17		Approx 12 enemy aircraft flew over the front but no bombs were dropped They were believed to be Me 262s 6 Cameronians of 15 (S) Div took over
		1330	out posns at 1330 hrs The bn embussed in TCVs and moved off to new
		1600	area at 1600 hrs The bn arrived at MERXPLAS at 0100 hrs
MERXPLAS	18	0800	Reveille 0800 hrs The day was devoted to administration and cleaning of
			stores. A considerable number of flying bombs passed over in the direction of Antwerp
	19		The day was devoted to training parades, drill, and firing weapons
	20		Warning Order was received at 0900 hrs "Stand by and be prepared to move
			by 1200 hrs " no location being given "G" Recce party under comd of 2IC
		1200	left at 1200 hrs for Bde but did not leave there until 2000 hrs arriving
			at OTTENBURG 7943 (Louvain Sheet 56) at 0530 hrs on the 21st Bn embussed in TCVs at 1600 hrs but did not actually move until 2100 hrs for the new area

Page 5 of 7

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
MERXPLAS	20	2100	Route: MERXPLAS - X-rds 998072 - 992652 - LIERRE - MALINES - LOUVAIN -
			OTTENBURG
OTTENBURG	21	1200	Bn arrived in at 1200 hrs on the 21st, and took up defensive posn on the
		1400	line of the River Dyle, Bn HQ being at 799439. 1400 hrs an 'I' Recce
			Patrol went out to ensure that there was no other crossings on the R DYLE in addition to those shown on the map and to ensure that the REs were
			preparing them for demolition "D" Coy had platoons on the vital bridges in the bn area
	22		The morning was spent in organising defensive layout. The Bde Comd
			visited the bn in the afternoon. Int OP was established at 817445. All bridges on the bn front now prepared for demolition. Comd Post was
			moved at 1600 hrs into the Cloister House. News was received from Bde that 168 PW had escaped from a train between BOURG LEOPOLD and BRUSSELS
			and all coys were informed.
	23		Continuation of improving posns. Visibility very good and great air
		2200	activity observed. 2200 hrs 'O' Gp. Orders were issued for move
			the following day to area of TONBEEK 7644 and FERME DES TEMPLIERS 7743.
TONBEEK	24		Coys moved independently to new area and were all in their locations by	App J. 3.
		1200	1200 hrs Coy areas as follows: "A" Coy 792435, "B" Coy 773433, "C" Coy
			770430, "D" Coy 768436, Bn HQ moved into the old Bde HQ at 767440.
	25		There was no "Stand to" and breakfast was 0900 hrs. Coy Comds conf was held at 0930 hrs to co-ordinate the bn layout. Church Service was held
			at Bn HQ at 1130 hrs. Christmas Dinners were organised by coys in a mill and it was possible for coys to have Christmas Dinner as a whole and the

Page 6 of 7

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
TONBEEK	25	1300	Bde Comd visited each one. Dinners were in all ways up to previous
			Christmas Day standards in England. All Officers had their Christmas
		2000	Dinner in the FERME DES TEMPLIERS at 2000 hrs. A concert was arranged,
			but unfortunately the lights broke down and it had to be postponed till the 26th
	26	1245	The day was spent in improving posns and General adm. At 1245 hrs the
			Barn which was filled with straw next to the Officers Mess in FERME DES TEMPLIERS, appeared to be on fire with somke coming from the roof through-
			out its length. The WAVRE Fire Bde and the Army Fire Service were called in and a party from "C" Coy started taking out the Straw. There were no
			flames and the position where the straw was smouldering was located after
		1345	about half an hour and successfully extinguished at 1345 hrs. Court of
			Inquiry was held but the cause of the outbreak was not discovered. The concert by a Bn Concert Party was held in the village hall at 1800 hrs
	27		Day spent in training. Regimental Band of the Royal Welch Fusiliers gave
		1800	a concert of light music at 1800 hrs.
	28		Training during the day. Bde Comd visited the bn at 1015 hrs. A warning order for Bde 'O' Gp was received at 1700 hrs, was later cancelled, and
			was finally held at 2200 hrs Bn 'O' Gp was held at 2400 hrs and orders given for move to CELLES area.
CELLES	29	0800	Advance party under the CO left at 0800 hrs. Main body left at 1000 hrs
			and arrived in new area at 1645 hrs. The route was WAVRE - GENAPPE - CHARLEROI - PHILLIPVILLE - DINANT - CELLES. The roads were icy and there
			was a considerable amount of fog about. Bn took up def posn on the line of the R LESSE in the area CHATEAU ROYAL D'ARDENNE where Bn HQ was located

Page 7 of 7

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CELLES	29	1900	Bde 'O' GP was held at 1900 hrs and we were to move early the next day to
			the area CHATEAU ROYAL DE CIERGNON 1277. Lt Tattersall had a Standing Patrol of Carriers on the river at 054805.	App. J. 4.
CHATEAU ROYAL DE CIERGNON	30	0800	Adv Parties went at 0800 hrs and coys moved down by march route at 0900 hrs Bn had under comd 195 A/Tk Bty 17 prs and one Pl MMGs of "C" Coy 1 Manch
			Coys started digging in in posns as follows. "A" Coy 129769, "B" Coy 130780, "C" Coy 135770, "D" Coy 135780, Bn HQ in the Chateau. Bn Co-ord
			Conf was hold at 1430 hrs and Bde Co-ord Conf at 1900 hrs. Posns were taken over from 4 Cavalry Group, 2 US Div. Clockwise inter coy patrols
			were carried out during the night.
	31		Coys continued to dig in under very difficult conditions imposed by the frost and rocky nature of the soil. 'O' Gp 2200 hrs, when orders were
			issued for Advance Parties taking over from 84 US Div.

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War Diary: 1st Battalion The East Lancashire Regiment

Month and year: December 1944

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