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front and dug an anti-tank ditch behind the marsh. Few guns appeared to bear on our front, although there was one coastal battery about one mile inland which was to be taken by 7th Green Howards There were a number of beach obstacles, including floating mines, element C and mines on stakes, to be negotiated by the Navy. The Bn's front was about 900 yards long and the depth of our‘ initial attack was rather under 2000 yards, although arrangements had to be made to attack a position believed to be a rocket site about 3000 yards inland.

In the. first phase A company were to attack the strong-point on the right D company the coastal battery, B company (reserve) was to clear the M.G. positions 600 yards inland, and C company (reserve) was to occupy a point on high ground 2000 yards inland Squadron 4/7 Dragoon Guards and platoon 2nd Cheshires were to support them in this. Teams of A.V.R.E. and "flails" were to clear the mines. Details of the very considerable support by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are no doubt available in the C.R.A.'s War Diary. In the second phase, C company were to capture the rocket site supported by tanks and the Bn was to advance to the area of VILLIERE le SEC with a flank guard of carriers to the West. The final phase for D Day was an advance by the brigade to a position near ST. LEGER between the Route Nationale and the railway from BAYEUX to CAEN.

There was a long period of administrative preparation and marshalling during which the Bn was moved about in uncomfortable camps, poisoned by bad ham, persecuted by Movement Control, and finally split up into craft loads Despite the constant irritations of this time and the continual clash of personalities and The System, it must be admitted that the Bn was finally embarked in the right craft and in the right order and nothing essential was left behind. At this time the whole of the Bn landing on D Day were "briefed" on models company commands and upwards using real maps, below them maps with bogus names on them. Camps were "sealed" so that no contact could be had with the outer world. But, as our main camp was in a wood of thick undergrowth and was bisected by a main road in use by civilians, anyone who wanted to could get out.

The Colonel of the Regiment, General Sir Harold Franklyn, KCB, DSO, MC., spoke to the Bn on parade, while in the marshalling area, and wished us luck in the invasion.

It was noticeable that morale improved as more details of the plan were unfolded and after the final briefing was as high as it could be high enough to survive the last backhander of Movement Control, who handed us two anti-seasick pills with one hand and two bags vomit with the other.

The Bn embarked with all the equipment it required The only shortage, which threatened us, was of chrystals for 46 sets; but even of these we had just enough. The long periods of preparation were a strain to many, more during the marshalling exercises even than on the actual embarkation. No one had a harder or more complicated job at this time than the adjutant, and to him and his long, hours, is due a very great deal of the Bn's success in this operation.

The embarkation and the five days on board ship passed without incident. The Bombardment Liaison officers of the destroyers supporting the landing were contacted at the last moment, after a wet and uncomfortable trip in the ship's lifeboat. The S.N.O.Ts, A.M.L.Os., and Masters of the L.S.Is. were more than helpful to us.