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    War Diary: 3rd Bn Royal Tank Regiment

    Month and year: November 1944

    The 3rd Bn Royal Tank Regiment November 1944 war diary covers the units time in the Netherlands in the area around Deurne.

    National Archive Reference: WO 171/866

    The "References to Appendices" column for this document was empty so has been omitted.

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    Page 1 of 4
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    76123610545Reveille.
    0600A Sqn move to new area. Task counter attack force in event of GERMAN
    tank attack - 756234.
    Day quieter than usual. Still receiving enemy stonking.
    0830RC Service.
    76123620545Reveille.
    1730B Sqn move to take over from C Sqn - 766233.
    A fairly quiet day. Rocket and buzz bomb reports sent to higher formation.
    76123630545Reveille.
    Intermittent exchange of shelling throughout the day.
    76123640545Reveille.
    0700Received call over air from GERMAN station. Reported to Bde.
    140040 unsuitable personnel posted to CRC.
    76123650545Reveille.
    Minefields laid area 768236 EAST of B Sqn.
    1600Coldstream Guards take over from 8RB
    2200Raid on B Sqn area. 2 NCOs and 2 ORs of Coldstreams taken PW.
    76123660545Reveille.
    Intermittent enemy shelling and mortaring throughout day. Minefield laying
    continued. Trip flares not completed.
    761236705001 Coldstream wounded and taken PW in B Sqn area.
    0545Reveille.
    Usual intermittent shelling and mortaring.
    76123680545Reveille.
    Quiet morning.
    1325Very heavy enemy shelling and mortaring in VEULEN area.
    Remainder of day reasonably quiet.
    76123690545Reveille.
    A Sqn relieve B Sqn at SCHEI. Changeover completed by 1830 hrs.
    761236100545Reveille. Intermittent shelling and mortaring of fwd areas during day.
    Page 2 of 4
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    761236110545Reveille.
    Coldstreams relieved by 8RB. Changeover completed by 1330 hrs.
    1430B Sqn move to HELMOND.
    761236120615Reveille.
    0800C of E Service - Holy Communion.
    1100RC Service 23H area.
    761236130615Reveille.
    Quieter day than usual. Exchange of shelling continues.
    1 NCO to UK for special Gunnery Course.
    761236140615Reveille. Usual shelling.
    761236150615Reveille. Usual shelling throughout day.
    Capt C.G. Dear leaves to proceed on D&M Course in UK.
    761236160615Reveille. Fairly quiet day.
    761236170615Reveille.
    1415CO to Bde for conference. Subject - next operation.
    761236180615Reveille.
    0630Net.
    1700CO's conference. Preliminary orders re next operation. The Bde will attack
    and take high ground 7919. 3 R Tks will be relieved in this area by 3 Brit
    Inf Div. 29 Armd Bde will conc area DEURNE Order of march of 3 R Tks to
    new area RHQ, B, A, C to follow later in day. Wheel party will leave 0900.
    761236190615Reveille.
    0630Net.
    0800RHQ, A and B move to new Locations:- A: 661215 B: 662220
    6792191030CO to Bde conference on forthcoming operation known as "Nutcracker".
    1700C Sqn move from SCHEI to now area. 672222
    679219200730Reveille.
    1000Brigadier calls on CO: discusses next operation.
    180029 Armd Bde OO No. 25 received.
    Lt H.P. Brookshaw and 3 NCOs leave for Special Gunnery & D&M Courses in UK.
    Page 3 of 4
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    679219210730Reveille.
    1000CO to Bde.
    Heavy rainfall continues to make ground almost impassable.
    679219220730Reveille.
    1030CO's conference. Approach march to AMERIKA to be made by A Sqn carrying
    a coy of 3 MONS. Time: before first light tomorrow, 23 Nov.
    As soon as A move RHQ and B Sqn will be on three hours notice.
    1930Signal received cancelling move tomorrow, Move postponed indefinitely.
    679219230730Reveille.
    Weather remains bad.
    679219240730Reveille.
    679219250730Reveille.
    679219260730Reveille.
    0930C of E Service.
    Notification received of following awards,
    MAJOR W.H. Close, Bar to MC. Lt H.P. Brookshaw, Lt J.F. Langdon, Lt W.F. Yates
    MCs., Sgt Kite, 2nd Bar to MM, L/Sgt Woodward, Bar to MM, Sgt Cooper, MM.
    1100RC Service.
    679219270730Reveille.
    0930Tank Commanders' Course commenced under direction of Major N.H. Bourne, DSO.
    140050 to ENSA show, HELMOND.
    143080 to Cinema, HELMOND.
    170010 to Rembrandt Theatre, EINDHOVEN.
    2 NCOs to UK for Special Gunnery Courses.
    679219280730Reveille.
    0830Fatigue Party of 45 to DEURNE - AMERIKA road to help sappers clearing
    demolitions.
    1000Recce parites from Sqns to HELMOND to take over billets from 4 KSLI.
    679219290730Reveille.
    Page 4 of 4
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    679219291100Lt Gen Sir Richard O'Connor, KCB, DSO, MC., Corps Commander, gives farewell
    address to officers and ORs of 29 Armd Bde, in Cinema DEURNE.
    300730Reveille.
    6792191400B & C Sqns move to HELMOND. Move complete by 1600.
    Tank Commanders' Course postponed until Monday 4 Dec 44.

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