Beach was under slight mortar fire and grass was burning to the North of the Beach.

VER SUR MER was clear of enemy and VER SUR MER Bty at 917844 was out of action.

4/7 DG and 86 Fd Reft sp the bn in the adv.

Enemy were encountered at CREPON 900835 and at 903825 where the first cas were inflicted. (Nb. This is 5000x from the beaches, J.T.B.)

The mobile column helped by C Coy took br at 906805 CREULLY, and Br 889799.

Column met opposition at FRESNAY-LE-CROTTEUR, where four tks were hit. It was also hindered there by the naval shelling.

Bn moved on to COULOMBS. It was fired on from the area of the “Fortified Farm" 878752 (LE PARC) and withdrew North of COULOMBS in posn at 887773.

SOURCE WD Jun 44

6 GREEN HOWARDS - D Day

0737 A and D coys aslt between 910869 and 918868. Opposition not hy. Objectives as follows taken:- Strong point 914868 (I suggest this is a wrong map ref. 908868 is more appropriate). Gun posns 917863 Enemy posns 908863 Bn reorganised on Pt 52 904850 Enemy falling back but leaving snipers to cover the withdrawal.

1200 Phase 1 complete.

1300 Bn is ordered to bypass opposition where possible and to push on.

1500 Bn well south of CREPON 9083 and nearing VILLERS DE SEC

1700 Receive report of 100 tks and MET West of CAEN. Tks reported at RUCQUEVILLE. Bn continues to advance towards ST GABRIEL which was being heavily shelled by the enemy.

1800 Enemy armour reported to have reached BRECY. 86 Fd Regt report much enemy movement in ST GABRIEL.

(NB: The timings in this diary seem to go astray from this point onwards and I am following HQ 69 Inf Bde War Diary).

1800 hrs posn was:- 7 GH held up South of CREULLY 5 EY passing through 6 GH who were forming firm base at VILLERS-LE-SEC. (HQ 69 Inf Bde War Diary Jun 44)

1930 5 EY were held up by MG fire 300x SW of ST GABRIEL. 6 GH sp by 86 Fd Regt and B Coy 2 CHESHIRE attacked houses NW of Church at 2130 hrs. Attack was successful. (HQ 69 Inf Bde War Diary Jun 44)

Last light posns:- Bn held area West of ST GABRIEL.
Bn HQ - 878785
A Coy - 875784
B " - 875782
C " - 878783
D " - 874784

(See 81 Aslt Sqn RE 6 Jun)

110.