SECRET

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and three Other Ranks were sent to see if locality Hedgerow 144735 was occupied by enemy. By drawing fire, they substantiated within 30 minutes that there were MMG posts at 144736 and 114738. (b) 0845 hrs. Lt.F.E. OGDEN and 3 O.Rs of Reece Pl went to WOOD 144743 500 yds E.N.E. of 'C' Coy position to ascertain if it was occupied. The patrol reported at 1045 hrs that on arrival at WEST side of WOOD they were sniped at from EAST side.

As a result of (a) above 120 Mtr Bombs were put down accurately on this position at 1510 hrs by Lt.T.D.D. BOWMAN controlling the fire from the O.P. 143738.

For notes on employment of Mtrs and MMGs in def - See Appx "B"

22 JUN

A further Mtr shoot, as fired at 1510 hrs yesterday, was fired by LT BOWMAN.

23 JUN

A recce patrol (Lt. HARTLAND 'C' Coy and 3 O.Rs) proceeded to WOOD 500 yds E.N.E. 'C' Coy position to ascertain if it was occupied by the enemy. Patrol contacted enemy estimated strength one sec in S.W. Corner of WOOD. Patrol withdrew about 0300 hrs. At 0430 hrs 'B' Coy stranding patrol at O.P. 143738. (Sgt FAIRBROTHER and three men) were attacked by a patrol about 8 strong and driven out. One O.R. was reported missing. The O.P. was re-occupied about 0730 hrs without opposition and the missing O.R. found wounded. From 1830 hrs - 2000 hrs the enemy kept up fairly heavy Mtr and arty fire on Bn positions including ‘B' Coy's O.P. 143738. No enemy attack developed.

24 JUN.

Quiet day.

25 JUN

Very heavy enemy fire and our C.B. fire from 0001 - 0500 hrs. A raid (Capt L.A. SALT and six O.Rs 'D' Coy) planned to capture an identification at enemy post in area 144737 was cancelled at midnight owing to the state of alertness in which the enemy would no doubt have been.

NIGHT 25/26 JUN

A raid (Lt.E.C. STRAWBRIDGE and 6 O.Rs) was planned in place of the one cancelled the previous night. The raid was to be a silent one to capture a prisoner, with arty and Mtr support for covering the withdrawal. The patrol moved out from 'C’ Coy position to ‘B' Coy O.P. 143738 from which they crawled through the long grass in the field to the NORTH of the hedge. This all took about two hours. At 0300 hrs, after having confirmed the location of the post by hearing a sentry cough, the assault took place. Three O.Rs (Ptes.JONES, WYATT and HILLIER) covered the operation from a few yards away, Lt.STRAWBRIDGE and Sgt TREBELL each moved to respective flanks of the hedgerow and covered the dash forward by L/C OLIVER AND PTE OLIVER who had been detailed to secure a prisoner. The enemy reacted immediately with small arms fire (tracer) from rifles and M.Gs, and grenades. Sgt TREBELL accounted for three enemy, but when the time came to with- draw L/C and Pte OLIVER had not been able to secure a German. All enemy small arms fire appeared to be going high.