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a mile West of Le Mesnil. They were now 11 officers and 218 men strong.

Since D day they had learnt to like the close ranges and thick cover of the woods, where good infantry can hold its own against all comers; they had learnt the folly of opening fire at anything but point blank range by night or in close country; they had mastered most of the elementary rules of survival, and they knew that the battalion had done well. But they were tired, and the initial disaster of the scattered drop followed by heavy fighting had meant the loss of many good leaders and many friends. Morale was still very high and, although they may not have known it, the battalion had established an enduring tradition in these first six days of battle.