| Title | 211 Bty. 53 Airlanding Lt. Regt. R.A.: extracts from war diary, 1944 June | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | 11 Bty. 53 Airlanding Lt. Regt. R.A.: extracts from war diary, 1944 June | ||
| Source | UK_National_Archive | Reference | WO 223/25 |
| Date | Hour | Events |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2130 | Landed by glider with no casualties on Landing Zone "W" South of Ouistreham. Although originally ordered to join Parkerforce on LZ "N", battery was put under command of 6th Airlanding Brigade on entering Ranville. |
| 7 | 0130 | Battery went into action North of Ranville on Zero line 180° and fired at several battery targets. |
| 1500 | Moved to alternative position in Le Bas de Ranville, where mortar fire wounded Lt Yapp and destroyed one Jeep and trailer. On return to original positions one troop engaged enemy over open sights. | |
| 8 | 0650 | Battery was ordered onto a Zero line of 60° in support of 1 SS Brigade, mopping up Franceville Plage. Shelled Franceville and Breville until late at night. |
| 9 | Remained in support of 1 SS Brigade and fired heavy concentrations all day. | |
| 10 | 0730 | Harassing fire tasks in area Breville. |
| 0800 | "C" Troop heavily shelled. GPO, Lieut J. Blower killed. 2/Lt Barrass badly wounded and died later. 2 men wounded. Troop moved to alternative position. Battery supported 1 SS Brigade all day, firing continuously. 2000 rounds fired into Hanger alone. | |
| 11 | Harassing, fire tasks engaged. | |
| 12 | Harassing fire tasks on Sallerrelles and Breville. F.O.O. in Breville, Captain H.W. Ward, was killed. | |
| 14 | Remainder of Regiment arrive by sea and come into action. |
(Archive transcripts © Copyright Normandy War Guide)