(f). FLAILS. To clear lanes through the minefields after the assult Inf had passed through, landing soon after asslt Inf.

3. RECORD OF EVENTS.

(a) Affects of Bombardment. The excellent bombardment programme during the run in went according to plan, and had the following effects:-

I. Very beneficial morale on asslt Tps.

II. Kept the heads of the defenders down until the leading Tps had got as far as the sand dunes.

The bombardment had very little effect on the defending enemy. A small percentage were dazed for some considerable time afterwards, a much smaller percentage were actually made casualties (I personally never came across any),is presumably being due to the excellent defences of the enemy. As already pointed out the main advantage was that no small arms fire was directed at asslt Tps while wading through the water.

(g) LANDING. I. The two asslt coys were landed slightly over 100x of their correct positions.

II. There was an enemy pill box at approx 877867 which was not dealt with and which cone to life as soon as leading Tps reached the sand dunes, firing very effective enfilade fire straight down the beach. This accounted for all Offrs and a large number of Tps of 'C' Coy - the RIGHT asslt Coy before it was destroyed.

III. 'A' Coy - the ‘LEFT Coy - landed with practically no casualties, other than a part of Coy H.Q, a mortar bomb, having taken shelter behind a knocked out D.D.Tk which was an obvious target.

(iv) 'A' Coy. As short a time as possible was spent in the sand dunes the mine field was crossed without incident, and the Coy was not interfered with until reaching the area of the Church and Large House, ASNELLES-SUR-MER 879859. We had been warned that there might be slight opposition here, as there were signs of slit trenches on the air photos. The opposition proved to be stronger than expected however, there was a complete system of positions and crawl trenches all around the grounds of the large house, and several casualties incl a Pl Commd, several were incurred before a Pl finally over ran the position. Throughout the period there were several Germans making themselves a nuisance by persistently sniping ., the Tps attempting to put in an attack on the main position from area houses on the LEFT.

(v) As soon as the position was captured the coy was called off to help 'C' Coy in their task of dealing with the village of LE Hamel. Here there had been very little progress due to the casualties on the beach.

(iv) When the two res Coys were landed 'B' Coy was kept in res 'D' Coy was sent round ASNELLES-SUR-MER to take the RADAR STATION on high ground to the EAST of ARROMMANCHE 8586. This was a very strongly defended position, and it took a