2. 352 Inf Div had taken over the Western Sector of 716 Coastal Div (bdy at 882 Easting). The Aslt bns therefore met 3 bns and not 2, i.e. 3 bn, 726 Regt, 447 Eastern Bn of 716 Div and 1 bn 916 Regt of 326 Div. (30 Corps Int Summary: 412 8 Jun 00177)

B. The mobile column which was to have been formed on D day did not function because the landings were behind schedule,

(See ANGEXF Report para 49)

SOURCE WD Jun 44

1 HAMPS - D Day

See notes in Interview file
WDGNS 6 Jun
See XXX Corps Report 6-11 Jun
" " " 82 Aslt Sqn RE 6 Jun

Bn landed on JIG GREEN East of LE HAMEL at 0735 hrs (Source 80).

Source 57 states that one coy 1 HAMPS landed opposite the objective of A Coy 1 DORSETS at 886866.

The aerial bombardment was not as effective as expected, because enemy MG posns had survived the bombing and also the shell fire.

The landing was difficult because of enemy MG fire, the narrow beach, mines, the sea and obstacles. Eventually, however, the bn cleared the beaches, tho' this was not done by 0820 hrs when Bn HQ, C and D Coys of 2 DEVONS landed (2 Devons War Diary Jun 44)

Fighting continued thro'out the afternoon in LE HAMEL, ASNELLES, ARROMANCHES. (See 1 DORSET)

At 1425 231 Bde (231 Inf Bde (HQ) War Diary Jun 44) reports 1 HAMPS as being engaged in stiff fighting in LE HAMEL, and that the Sqn of SRY in sp was pinned by a tk fire from LE HAMEL.

At 1245 one coy was working round LE HAMEL to CABANE and by 1425 sp by SYR had captured 2x75 mm on the cliffs to the west of CABANE. (231 Inf Bde (HQ) War Diary Jun 44).

1900 1 HAMPS had captured RADAR STA to East of ARROMANCHES. (231 Inf Bde (HQ) War Diary Jun 44)

Considerable trouble was experienced from snipers, whom the close country favoured.

The CO Lt. Col. H.D. Nelson Smith MC was wounded early in the day.

By the end of the day, the bn had cleared the beaches and captured LE HAMEL, ASNELLES-SUR-MER and ARROMANCHES-LES- BAINS

An attempt was made to capture TRACY-SUR-MER but encountered stiff opposition.

Locations night 6/7 Jun.

Bn HQ - ST COME-DE-FRESNE.

Coys - spread along coast from LE HAMEL-ASNELLES- ARROMANCHES (231 Inf Bde (HQ) War Diary Jun 44)

106.


(Archive transcripts © Copyright Normandy War Guide)

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Archive: 50 Div: H.Q. War Diary, D-Day 1944 June

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