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Missing: Lieut R.N. Morgan and 67 other ranks. Approximately 20 of the missing personnel rejoined the Battalion in the course of the next few days.

If the attack on Ste Honorine was unsuccessful it can at least be said that the spirit of the Battalion was completely unperturbed by the encountering on its first day stronger enemy opposition than was anticipated. A price had been paid, but there was no doubt that considerable casualties had been inflicted on the enemy. It was with a determined spirit of preparing for a fresh attack that the Battalion fell back on Longueval and made the village in a short time a veritable fortress into which no penetration was to be tolerated.

Civilians coming into Longueval reported that the Germans in Ste Honorine and Colombelles strongly resented the activities of the British troops based on Longueval. This indeed was a tonic to our patrols and snipers.

By about 1500 hours on the 7th June the bulk of the Battalion was concentrated in Longueval and the Commanding Officer decided to hold a tight defensive locality in the immediate area of the village itself. Digging and preparation of positions in houses and orchards behind then started immediately and before dusk the Battalion was in a good reverse slope position. The few stragglers from "A", "B" and "C" Companies had by now rejoined their companies, and it was decided to bring up the rest of the Battalion transport from Ranville, together with a mortar platoon and part of an anti—tank platoon which had retired from Hill 30. The Intelligence Officer (Lieut R.W. MacD. Crockett) was sent to contact these elements and guide them to the new position. When this convoy was about to leave Ranville, enemy infantry, supported by tanks and SP guns put in an attack on that place from the direction of Ste Honorine and the road to Longueval was cut.

It was not until considerably later in the evening that this party was able to join the Battalion, using the towpath along the bank of the River Orne. For the remainder of the Battalion's stay in Longueval this was the only road which could be used and, although shells and mortar bombs frequently landed on it, particularly during the early stages, it remained open throughout.

For the remainder of the 7th, and during the night of the 7th/8th June, Longuevel was under continuous mortar and shell fire, which caused numerous casualties. In addition, small parties of the enemy frequently infiltrated into the woods and orchards above the position. The Battalion mortars and 3rd Div Artillery did much to discourage them from putting in an attack. The speed with which FOOs from 3rd Div brought down artillery support was very noticeable.

On the 8th June digging in an improving positions continued with occasional shelling and mortaring particularly in the area of Battalion HQ. During the afternoon an unfortunate misapprehension on the part of some gunners West of the River Orne resulted in a sharp artillery attack on the North-West corner of the Battalion area resulting in five deaths and nine wounded. Capt R. Rigby swam the river and canal in an endeavour to get in touch with the nearest unit and stop the firing, but narrowly escaped capture by an enemy DR. For the remainder of the stay in Longueval he was equipped with clothing from a house which had been the HQ of a branch of the Todt Organisation. Later in the evening a body of enemy, estimated at one platoon, was seen in the area behind Battalion HQ apparently preparing for an attack. These were engaged with small arms fire by RSM G. Griffiths and the Adjutant (Capt R.E.H. Sheridan) from the attic and by Battalion HQ clerks, Defence and Intelligence Sections. The enemy moved off the left flank, where fire from "B" Company forced them to withdraw without