During the Second World War British military Units were required to maintain a daily record of their actions and events in War Diaries. These war diaries contain dates, times, locations and a description of the days events and actions. They often reference appendices such as patrol reports, telegrams, sketches and a list of officers.
War diaries contain varying amounts of detail from unit to unit, often they will list the names of Officers who are wounded or killed and a count of the wounded and killed for “Other Ranks” and place names or grid references of daily positions and key events.
Below is an index of all the units that served in Normandy whose war diaries we have transcribed so far.
The 1st Battalion Royal Tank Regiment February 1944 war diary starts with the unit arriving in Scotland by sea and traveling to a camp at Didlington
The 1st Battalion Royal Tank Regiment February 1944 war diary details their time in Sugar Hill Camp, a march to Didlington Hall and collecting tanks from Birmingham
The 1st Battalion Royal Tank Regiment March 1944 war diary details the units time at Kirkcudbright Scotland, Titchwell and Boyton area
The 1st Battalion Royal Tank Regiment April 1944 war diary covers the unit training at Sugar Hill Camp and Quadrilateral Cover Camp
The 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment November 1944 war diary covers the units preparations for the invasion of Normandy, water proofing vehicles and moving to transit camps
The 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment June 1944 war diary covers their embarkation at Felixstowe and their disembarkation and advance through Normandy to Parfouru l\'Éclin
The 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment July 1944 war diary starts with the unit in area Ellon and their advance towards Mont Pincon
The 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment August 1944 war diary starts with the unit moving from the leaguer area at Ellon and advancing through Normandy to Louviers
The 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment September 1944 war diary starts with the unit in Hornoy (South West of Amiens) and covers their advance through Belgium to s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
The 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment October 1944 war diary covers the units time in the Tilburg / S'HERTOGENBOSCH area of the Netherlands
The 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment November 1944 war diary starts with the unit in Oosterhout, Netherlands and covers their move through Tilburg back towards Neerhoven, Belgium
The 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment December 1944 war diary starts with the unit in Neerhoven village, Belgium and their movements to HILLENSBURG, Germany. Much of the month was spent dismounted.
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards January 1944 War diary covers the units time training in Scotland
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards February 1944 War diary starts with the unit in Tian, Scotland and covers their move down to Newmarket, England.
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards April 1944 War diary covers the units training in the UK including the Exercise KELLYS EYE I
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards April 1944 War diary covers the units training in the UK including the Exercise SMASH which resulted in the death of 6 men from C and B Squadron
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards May 1944 War diary covers the unit during training exercises and preparations for Operation Overlord
The diary covers the 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards from their camps in the UK in Hursley, Toothill and Larkhill, the landing in Normandy and the fight 12 miles inland to Les Hauts Vents.
The diary covers the 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards fighting from Les Hauts Vents south westerly to Caumont.
The diary covers the 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards fighting around Caumont and Cahagnes to the cathedral town of Beauvais.
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards September 1944 War diary covers the units advance from Amiens through Belgium and into the Netherlands.
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards October 1944 War diary covers the units actions in the Netherlands around the Nijmegen / Bemmel area
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards November 1944 War diary starts with the unit in Winssen, Netherlands and covers their advance to Geilenkirchen, Germany
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards December 1944 War diary covers the units time in the area of Geilenkirchen, Germany.
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) January 1944 War Diary mentions the unit arriving in Clydebank on HMT Cameronia and their transport down to Freckenham Camp where the bn prepared to go on leave
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) February 1944 War Diary mentions HQ Sqn move from Freckenham Camp to Betts Covert and a visit to 22 Armd Bde by Lt. General Sir B.L. Montgomery at Didlington
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) March 1944 War Diary mentions the units time in Kirkcudbright, Boyton Ranges and a shooting competition
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) april 1944 War Diary mentions the units time in Betts Covert and the death of Cpl Whitehead who was killed by a smoke shell
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) May 1944 War Diary mentions the units departure to D-Day Marshalling Area Camp R5 and a trooper awarded 2 years hard labour for deserting
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) June 1944 War Diary covers their departure from FELIXSTOWE to Normandy and their fight inland to Jerusalem, Normandy
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) July 1944 War Diary starts with the unit moving to Ellon to form an open leaguer before crossing London bridge (over the Caen Canal) and fighting in the Grenthville/Bourguebus area
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) August 1944 War Diary starts with the unit at Caumont and follows their fighting through France to St Leger du Gewnetry
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) September 1944 War Diary starts with the unit in France and covers their advance through Belgium into the Netherlands
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) October 1944 War Diary covers the units time in the Netherlands
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) November 1944 War Diary covers the units time in the Netherlands move to Kinrooi, Belgium
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) December 1944 War Diary starts with the unit in Kinroy, Belgium and ends with the unit in Limbricht, Netherlands
The May 1944 War Diary for the 69th Infantry Brigade Workshop REME for covering their time in Camp C14 and Arborfield.
The June 1944 War Diary for the 69th Infantry Brigade Workshop REME for covering their time in Arborfield and the advanced element arriving in Bayeux.
The July 1944 War Diary for the 69th Infantry Brigade Workshop REME covering the advance elements repair work and the rear parties arrival.
The August 1944 War Diary for the 69th Infantry Brigade Workshop REME covering their move deeper into France following the advance.
The September 1944 War Diary for the 69th Infantry Brigade Workshop REME covering the workshops advance into Holland.
The October 1944 War Diary for the 69th Infantry Brigade Workshop REME covering their continued work in Holland including the weekly summary of repair work jobs.
The November 1944 War Diary for the 69th Infantry Brigade Workshop REME covering their relocation from Holland into Belgium.
The December 1944 War Diary for the 69th Infantry Brigade Workshop REME covering their relocation from Belgium into France
The 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry June 1944 war diary covers the units embarkation at East India Docks, arrival in Normandy at Le Hamel and advance inland to Rauray
The 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry July 1944 war diary covers the battalions time in area west of Caen before being transported to Demouville in TCLs
The 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry August 1944 war diary starts with the units actions East of Caen and finishes with the disbandment of the battalion commencing
The June 1944 war diary for the 141st Royal Armoured Corps covering their embarkment at Southampton to their landing in Normandy and fighting inland to Fontenay Le Pernel.
The July 1944 war diary for A Squadron of the 141st Royal Armoured Corps covering their actions in Normandy. Mentions operations Epsome, Jupiter, Knife and the capture of several towns including Lebon-Repos.
The July 1944 war diary for B Squadron of the 141st Royal Armoured Corps covering their actions based in Normandy. Mentions operation Ottawa and Charnwood.
The July 1944 war diary for C Squadron of the 141st Royal Armoured Corps covering their actions based in Normandy. Mentions operations in Granville sector, Operation Maori II.
The June 1944 War Diary of the 147th Essex Yeomanry covers the unit from Southampton and their fighting in Normandy to Brettevillette.
The July 1944 War Diary of the 147th Essex Yeomanry covers the units fighting in Normandy engaging SP guns, enemy aircraft and infantry.
The August 1944 War Diary of the 147th Essex Yeomanry covers the unit from Cahagnes to Saint-Sauflieu.
The extensive June 1944 151 Durham Infantry Brigade HQ covering their departure from Southampton and their fighting inland through Normandy.
17 Field Company June 1944 War Diary covering their actions around Benouville including laying minefields and Bailey Bridges.
17 Field Company July 1944 War Diary covering their actions around Benouville including laying minefields and Bailey Bridges.
The 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment June 1944 covers the unit from their embarkation and disembarkation in 5 ft deep water and fighting around Ouistreham and Caen Canel.
The 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment July 1944 covers their time based in OUISTREHAM and Caen canal area.
The 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment August 1944 covers their time based in OUISTREHAM and movement to area Port en Bessin.
The 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment September 1944 War Diary. Receiving new drafts, entertainment (local cinema, NAAFI),escort duties and many officers and ORs attached away.
The 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment October 1944 war diary their move from Normandy to Brussels, finding their instruments at Wahagnies which they had left there in 1940 along with the graves of two missing officers.
The 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment November 1944 war diary covers their time at Saint Jean Barracks mainly in a state of readiness to keep the peace during marches by resistance groups.
The 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment December 1944 war diary covers their time at Saint Jean Barracks including Christmas celebrations, Jeeps stolen from transit car park and dealing with a gang.
Covers the waterproofing of vehicles for wading at Milsted and their arrival in Normandy on the 25th June before moving to concentration area further inland.
The July 1944 War Diary covers their movements and fighting from their harbour at SECQUEVILLE-EN-BESSIN inland to Gavrus near Esquay.
The 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment June 1944 War Diary covers the units activities their embarkation and their fighting inland to Lebisey.
1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment June 1944 War Diary covers their landing at Queen Red and their advance to area CHATEAU de la LONDE.
June 1944 War Diary for 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in the ROTHBURY area and training at KIRKCUDBRIGHT and CREETOWN AFV Ranges
July 1944 War Diary for 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in the ROTHBURY area and training at KIRKCUDBRIGHT and CREETOWN AFV Ranges and preparing for mobilisation
The June 1944 War Diary for 211 Field Park Company covers their arrival in France and work carried out including the construction of sledges to be towed by AVREs for automatic mine laying.
The June 1944 War Diary for 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment covers their embarking LCIs, Landing at Le Hamel and their fighting inland to Villers Bocage.
The July 1944 War Diary for 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment covers their advance deeper into Normandy from Les Orailles to Launay.
The 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiments June 1944 war diary covers their embarkation onto LST 2926 and a detailed account of their actions in Normandy.
The 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiments July 1944 war diary covers their actions in Normandy with fighting in the Hottot, Ellon, Juvigny area.
The 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiments August 1944 war diary covers the units actions from the La Senaudiere area of Normandy to Beauvais 75km North of Paris.
The June 1944 2nd Battalion Household Cavalry Regiment covers their time in the UK and their orders building up to their deployment to Normandy in July.
The July 1944 2nd Battalion Household Cavalry Regiment covers their deployment and actions in Normandy including the capture of Bull Bridge over the river Souleuvre.
The August 1944 2nd Battalion Household Cavalry Regiment covers their action in Normandy and advance to Villers Bretonneux.
The 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles June 1944 War diary covers their arrival at Lion-sur-Mer and their advance inland to Cambes area.
The 4th Bn County of London Yeomanry June 1944 war diary starts with their move to the docks at Felixstowe, the loading of LSTs and LCTs to their landing in Normandy and fighting inland towards area Villers Bocage
Covers the 53rd Reconnaissance Regiment in the UK being put on 6 hours notice to move and waterproofing vehicles at Mote Park.
Covers 53rd Reconnaissance Regiments arrival in Normandy, initially by B Squadron on the 1st July with the rest of the regiment following on the 24th.
Covers their action in France from EVRECY starting with their defensive position in EVRECY, taking prisoners and holding bridges.
The 53rd Reconnaissance Regiments September 1944 War Diary covers the units advance from France into Belgium and Netherlands.
The June 1944, war diary for the 6th Durham Light Infantry beings in England at Camp C.17 and follows the unit landing on the beaches of Normandy and fighting 13 miles inland to Juvigny
The July 1944, war diary for the 6th Durham Light Infantry follows the fighting from just south of Tilly sur Seulles to Sermentot
6th Durham Light Infantry war diary for August 1944 covering their advance from North of Bayeux to Amiens
6th Durham Light Infantry war diary for August 1944 covering their advance from Amiens through Belgium to VOLKEL, Netherlands.
The June 1944 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Anti Tank Regiment war diary starts with the regiment at Camp S.5. Brentwood and unloading at Asnelles-Sur-Mer on the 9th of June and then follows their advance inland to area Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy
The June 1944 War Diary for the 6th Airborne Recce Regiment covering from enplaning the at Tarrent Rushton & Brise Norton and their time round the Ranville area.
The July 1944 War Diary for the 6th Airborne Recce Regiment covering their actions in July around Le Mesnil, ending with them taking taking responsibility for defence of bridges.
The 6th Green Howards June 1944 War Diary covers their embarkation at Southampton ,landing to the West of Ver-sur-Mer and their fight inland.
The 6th Green Howards July 1944 War Diary covers their actions and patrolling in the Longraye and Hottot area.
The 6th Green Howards August 1944 War Diary covers their advance from La Figettes to Beaurgenier.
The June 1944, war diary for the 7th Battalion Duke of Wellington covers there time in England before departing Southampton for JIG Green beach to the east of Asnelles and follows them to fighting around Fontenay.
The July 1944 war diary starts with the Battalion in area south of Fontenay le Pesnil and covers their fighting around Fontenay, Noyers, Cagny and Conde de Seulles.
The August 1944 war diary starts with fighting patrols around the battalion area and covers their advance North to Pont-Audemer
The 7th Green Howards June 1944 war diary covers the units landing in Normandy at Ver-sur-Mer and their fighting inland to Longraye
The 7th Green Howards July 1944 war diary covers the units actions around the Longraye / Orbois
Follows the 7th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment from Fort Gomer, Gosport water proofing the vehicles to their landing in Normandy and fighting in areas Cheux, Cully, Grainville-sur-Mer and Colleville.
The July 1944, war diary for the 7th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment follows their progress from Grainville sur Odon to just west of Le Val Fluery. Providing detailed grid references and naming Officer casualties.
The August 1944, war diary for the 7th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment covering their actions from area Butte de Chene to Montigny about 3 Miles West of Falaise.
The June 1944, war diary for the 8th Durham Light Infantry covers their embarkation at Southampton, landing in Normandy and fighting inland to area Buceels
The No 3 Commando WW2 war diary for June 1944 covers their encampment at C18 in Southampton UK, their landing in Normandy and months fighting based at Chateau d'Amfreville.
The No 3 Commando war diary for July 1944 follows the units continued fighting while based in Chateau d'Amfreville.