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and vehicles coming ashore sometimes disappeared into them drowned trucks stood or lay on their sides in the surf and dead bodies floated amidst the wreckage of the beach defences; just off the bench inland the grass had caught fire and was providing an effective smoke-screen.

When exits were finally opened in the early afternoon 8 Platoon made off to support 7 Green Howards in their planned role; fortunately this Battalion had not so far encountered the opposition anticipated. Information was received, however, that the 6 Green Howards' carriers had become involved with enemy anti-tank guns to the flank of the advance and the Platoon was therefore despatched to give them support, which they did successfully, engaging at the same time an enemy field battery. They rejoined 7 Green Howards on the road from Crepon to Creuilly, laagering for the night South of the latter village.

6 Platoon, which was due to land under Company control and after 8 Platoon, was better placed to get off the beach and succeeded in doing so about midday. Major Mellor accordingly sent them to support 7 Green Howards in the place of 8 Platoon. Later in the afternoon, on the arrival of 8 Platoon, 6 Platoon came under command of 5 East Yorks. The leading Platoon of "A" Company of this Battalion was pinned down South of St Gabrielle and 6 Platoon fired to assist in disengaging them. After this they were drawn back to join 7 Platoon in the attack on Brecy, finally consolidating in the Brecy area for the night

15 Heavy Mortar Platoon, attached to "B" Company, had the misfortune to lose their M.P.O's carrier which was drowned; the consequent disorganization of communications was disastrous and the Platoon was not able to come into action during the day; they moved behind. 7 Green Howards and laagered with them for the night. They suffered the further loss of the Platoons Sergeant's motor-cycle, which was run over by a tank! The success which could be reached through careful waterproofing was demonstrated by the "B" Company Jeep which waded ashore through four and half feet of water towing a trailer. The Company. three-tonner was unfortunately drowned in still deeper water and many stores and Company documents were lost. This mishap was to prove invaluable as an excuse for any subsequent administrative irregularities.

151 Brigade landed on the left sector and assembled in the area between Meuvaines and Ver-sur-mer. The Brigade plan was to advance with the 6 and 9 D.L.I. forward and 8 D.L.I. in reserve, pushing forward mobile columns from the two leading Battalions to hold the objectives until the arrival of the main bodies. The reserve Battalion was likewise to hold a mobile column at half an hours notice. The Platoons of "A" Company were under command of the Infantry Battalions and formed part of these columns and with them moved forward to the first objectives. Although the advance was made without meeting very stiff opposition - the main causes of hindrance being snipers and mortar fire - it was not accomplished without incident, Platoons coming into action from time to time as required. Casualties were suffered by 3 Platoon from Mortar fire and Lieutenant Godbold, commanding 12 Heavy Mortar Platoon, was shot in the arm while engaging a sniper with his pistol. Although the first objectives had been reached without undue difficulty the Brigade was ordered to consolidate here for the night on the high ground to the East of Vaux-sur-Seulles and Esquay-sur-Seulles. Bayeux was still untaken and it was considered inadvisable to advance further on the 151 Brigade front while this town held out.


(Archive transcripts © Copyright Normandy War Guide)

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Archive: 2nd Bn The Cheshire Regt

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