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4 Platoon had been left with 151 Brigade West of Conde-sur- Seulles. The enemy put in his first organised counter-attack against this position during the day, using tanks and Infantry. The Platoon assisted in repelling this attack and included in their bag an enemy volkswagon, containing an airforce Officer on leave from Paris, and two armoured cars carrying ammunition, which surrendered when engaged.

Main interest on June 9th centred round Point 103. Here the enemy was counter-attacking with vigour, using the 21 Panzer Division whose name we had known well in the desert. 3 and 5 Platoons helped repulse these attacks, even being called upon at times to fire at Tiger tanks; 3 Platoon suffered casualties. In the evening the position was made more secure by the arrival of 1 Dorsets and by the attack of 8 D.L.I. on St Pierre further to the South. The Platoons did a combined shoot in support of this attack, which was successful, but suffered some casualties from the heavy shelling with which the enemy greeted it. 3 Platoon then moved back from Point 103 to cover the left flank of the position. 4 Platoon spent a peaceful morning but had their share of action in the afternoon when two enemy tanks with Infantry attacked and threatened to overrun them. When the nearest Tank was only a hundred yards away, Sergeant Pickin who had withheld the fire of his Section, opened up, forcing the Tank to close down and slow up and making it an easy victim for the anti-tank gunners. The second tank withdrew and the Section then engaged and dispersed the enemy Infantry who had followed it up. For his display of coolness in this Sergeant Pickin subsequently received the Military Medal.

"B" and "C" Companies remained in the positions they already occupied during the day; but in the evening 9 Platoon went off with 13 Heavy Mortar Platoon to join 151 Brigade and came into a defensive position with the 6 D.L.I. North-West of Conde. 1O Platoon made a valuable capture during the day - an Auto-Union stuff car in first class condition, save only for the shot they themselves had put into it, which they took from a German War Correspondent and presented to their Company Commander. In the 69 Brigade area 7 Platoon earned the gratitude of the Infantry by acting as "beaters", driving through the cornfields in their carriers and "putting up" the German snipers from their hide-outs. Major Mellor, "investigating" a chateau at Duoy Ste Marguerite, discovered an enemy map on which were marked the entire up-to-date enemy dispositions on the front, and which revealed for the first time the presence of Panzer Lehr Division. This was handed over to Brigade who were suitably grateful.

During the night 9/10 June an enemy patrol approached 3 Platoon's position on Point 103. The patrol was in two parties, and as the first neared the position and was challenged, its members throw up their hands in surrender. Privates Oldham, Roylo and McCarthy, on seeing this, went forward to bring than in, when, without warning, the second party opened fire, inflicting wounds from which all three subsequently died. The Platoon's guns immediately opened up on the patrol, killing three and wounding others; the remainder then surrendered - a total of 2 Officers and twelve men.

On the following day the Divisional front remained static and although it was at first intended to push forward to the lateral road South of Tilly-sur-Seulles, in co-operation with the 7 Armoured Division, this plan was subsequently abandoned. The 8 D.L.I., faced with a heavy counter-attack at St Pierre, were forced to withdraw, but with the supporting fire of 3 Platoon the ground was regained. On the 69 Brigade front 7 Green Howards established themselves on the Audrieu level-crossing although the village itself remained in enemy hands. 11 Platoon was placed under command of "B" Company and sent to strengthen


(Archive transcripts © Copyright Normandy War Guide)

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Archive: 2nd Bn The Cheshire Regt

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