- 3 -

Appendix 'B‘ Continued.

(l) (a) That all commanders and a % of troops saw the new ground by day.
(b) That the bulk of the take over took place at night.

(2) In outline the following procedure was adopted -
(a) Commanding Officers met and decided on timings. It was decided to take over Anti-tank guns in situ and other certain equipments to obviate unnecessary movement and noise.
(b) Recce parties of HQs, companies and platoons viewed the areas at 1500 hrs and were met by representatives of 2 OXF BUCKS.
(c) Battalion HQ moved in complete at 1600 hrs and majority Battalion HQ 2 OXF BUCKS vacated.
(d) Two men per section including guides were brought up by platoon representatives to get accustomed to area by day and to ensure rapid take over.
(e) Companies and ‘B' Echelon were moved up at 15 minute intervals from 2245 hrs and relieved companies 2 OXF BUCKS.

6. 21 JUNE

(a) Employment of Mortars in Defence.

Greatest effect was achieved when using Mortars centralised, providing two or three Batteries which could fire concentrated or take on two or three DF tasks simultaneously. More training in mobile fire controllers is necessary - extra 18 Set was supplied from Recce Pl sources.

By use of mortars in harassing fire from alternative positions the enemy was kept ignorant of actual battle positions.

Mortars have proved invaluable in every way.

(b) MMGs - Employment

In the close country in which the Bn found itself latterly, there was no field of fire for MMGs which had of necessity to be used in an LMG role.

A possible task which can be tried on occasions is long range harassing fire from alternative positions.

At LE BAS de RANVILLE good shoots existed for MMGs and their inclusion in the establishment of the Bn was greatly appreciated.

7. 25 JUNE

Patrols

(a) Ample opportunity presented itself for patrolling. Owing to the nearness of the enemy and the narrow limits of the Bn fronts, there was not sufficient room to manoeuvre a fighting patrol of 15

/ which