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the left our transport, including all "S" Company vehicles was having a much more difficult time. Mines were encountered by the score and the few clear lanes were blocked by bogged or "drowned" lorries and tanks. The sea wall, low though it was, increased the problems but somehow all were overcome. According to plan, we formed up in boat-loads and moved off to the prearranged assembly area near RYES, some 2 1/2 miles inland. On the rising ground to our left we could see a long line of Shermans forming up and we gasped as we saw that they were parked almost head to tail. As we marched along we saw and heard German beach defences still holding out but our orders were to get inland and we pushed on. Past small batches of prisoners we went, through minefields already gapped. Numbers of dead and wounded from both sides littered the roads, some hurriedly but efficiently dressed by the SBs but others as yet untouched and we could not help them. The roads along which we marched were now being shelled by 75s at short range but casualties were few and soon we came to the assembly area, quickly deployed and dug in for the first this. The area was in a small wood not entirely clear and the odd sniper was still operating. A row of large poplars caused us same trouble until a Sherman come up and one by one picked off the two tops where the snipers were concealed. In the early afternoon we checked up and found that apart from a Signals 15 cwt., "A" Company's No. 1 15 cwt. and the Pioneer's Jeep which had been drowned, we were all present. The initial stage in the de-waterproofing of vehicles was carried out; Mae Wests discarded and we were ready for the first Job - the capture of BAYEUX, a large and important road and rail Cathedral City, some 6 miles from the coast and almost due South of ARROMANCHES

At 1600 hours the Commanding Officer gave the word and "A" Company led off on the road to BAYEUX. 9 Platoon were in the van mounted on the Carrier Platoon’s vehicles and they made all possible speed followed more sedately by 7 and 8 platoons and Company HQ mounted on airborne cycles. Only isolated and bewildered Boche were encountered and without exception these decided that discretion was really the better part and they also tuned South and ran. With the 2nd Bn. the South Wales Borderers and the 2nd Bn. The Gloucestershire Regt. progressing equally well on the flanks, the day continued to go astonishingly according to plan but darkness fell with the leading elements still 1 1/4 miles from the city. There we dug in and during the night patrols went out to look at the anti-tank ditch surrounding BAYEUX. In the gathering dusk, as we looked at the spires of the Cathedral, it seemed that the city was almost undefended and the returning patrols confirmed this. Even so it would have been a brave man who would have suggested that we should take BAYEUX almost without a shot being fired; and to save being sorry afterwards, a limited left flanking attack was laid on. At 1100 hours on 7 June, "A" Company went in supported by tanks of the Sherwood Rangers. Only a little sniping in the streets developed and the offenders were quickly liquidated. By 1300 hrs. the town was secure, the Companies deployed defensively and the inhabitants sufficiently recovered from the shock to commence looting the German QM's stores. Now we received our introduction to Calvados, that fiery spirit resulting from distilling cider and named after the department of France from which it originates. A tank threat on the right flank caused a redeployment of our 6-pounder anti-tank guns and PIATs but it was written off before reaching us and soon we were on the move Southward again. That night we reached a little feature South of Le LOUP HORS without incident and dug in on either side of the main road to the South. In' the late evening we had our first meal in FRANCE, small though it was, and a few marauding Dorniers made it advisable to keep close to one's slit trench.

So far we had bumped no real opposition and the next two days brought no material change It seemed to us that the Boche were badly disorganised and some of their units could have little idea of where the front actually was for a motor-cycle combination drove slap into our lines and after a sharp engagement two of the three passengers were taken prisoner and the third liquidated more decisively A German