Title | 12 Bn. Devonshire Regt.: diary of events, 1944 June - Aug. | ||
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Description | |||
Source | UK_National_Archive | Reference | WO 223/27 |
SECRET
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One A tk Gun was temporarily immobilised owing to the loss of its Jeep, but was subsequently recovered under cover of darkness under the orders of Major DOBBIN (CO 'D' Coy). With the assistance of the battalion SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS and six tanks, the enemy was halted before he could make good the ORCHARD on the SOUTH of the Ring Contour.
During the night 13/14 JUNE the Bn was relieved by 2 SEAFORTH and moved under cover of darkness to a harbour area at cross roads LE MENSIL (F/7 144726 with a view to relieving 1 CANADIAN and 9 PARA Composite Bn in the area of BRICKWORKS, 1000 yards to the NORTH, the following morning. This relief was subsequently cancelled and the Bn remained in the harbour area. One platoon was supplied as a standing patrol, map ref 141734, as link between 2 OXF BUCKS and 3 PAPA Bde in the defence line facing EAST which the 6 AIRBORNE DIVISION had now joined.
Quiet day. Nothing to report. 'D' Coy rejoined Bn from BREVILLE
0330 hrs. What was probably a rocket plane flew over area flying due NORTH. 0430 hrs. A very heavy concentration of enemy mortar, artillery and rocket fire on the Bn position lasted 30 minutes in which Bn suffered casualties - 4 killed and 13 wounded. 0530 hrs. The enemy launched an attack against ESCOVILLE 1271 on our right, which was repelled by units of 51 HIGHLAND DIVISION who now held the SOUTHERN Sector of the bridgehead.
Quiet day. Intermittent shelling and Counter Battery. Lieuts J. PENGELLY and A.C.T. SANDERS evacuated.
Bn relieved in harbour area by 154 HIGHLAND Bde and moved into Bde reserve. Map ref 40/16 NW 132742, S.W. of BREVILLE.
Quiet day. Nothing to report.
Slight enemy shelling of Bn area. Bn relieved 2 OXF BUCKS in front line by mid-night. For defence positions see Trace Appendix "D" (ii) For notes on relief see Appendix "B" (v) Recce Platoon placed under command D Coy who were made responsible for supplying the Platoon at 141734.
Again very little observation could be obtained over our front owing to closeness of country and lack of view-point. An O.P. however with average observation over immediate front was occupied by one Serjeant and three other Ranks B Coy at Hedgerow junction 143738. Two recce patrols were sent out:- (a) 0915 hrs Lieut NUTTA (B Coy)
(Archive transcripts © Copyright Normandy War Guide)
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