War Diary: 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment

Month and year: September 1944

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

National Archive Reference: WO 171/865

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Page 1 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh.4. HAVRE AMIENS 1/250,000	1 Sept	0530	Reveille. At first light Regiment moved on from leaguer area to the X rds
		1200	at 7347, arriving there about midday. Here, orders were received to halt
			and to allow 53(W) Div to pass through. This process went on all afternoon
		2230	and evening, and at last light the tanks and A1 Echelon leaguered at the
			X rds 7347. During the night orders were received to continue the advance
			at first light next morning.
	2 Sept	0600	Reveille.
		0630	Regiment movied on through HORNOY 6245, MOLLIENS VIDAME 8958, across the
			R. SOMME at PICQUIGNY 9965, and on through VIGNACOURT 0472, LEGER LES DOMART
Sh 5 AMIENS MONS 1/250,000		1400	to the area of the X rds 0483, S of BERNAVILLE. Here the Unit halted for an
			hour. Orders were received that the Unit was to push on at all speed and
			by pass enemy resistance to the cross roads at CAUCHY 2525 (sh 2 LILLE GHENT
			1/250,000) This was to be reached by nightfall, 5 R Tks had met opposition
Sh 2 LILLE GHENT1/250,000		1500	S of ST. POL 1513 and the Unit was to by-pass the town. 1 RB was under command
		1530	At 1500 hrs the CO gave his orders and at 1530 the advance started.

Page 2 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh 2. LILLE GHENT 1250,000	2 Sept	0000	The objective was reached and a firm base was formed around it, with C Coy
			1 RB and CC Bty 5 RHA who were under command, Throughout this advance, many
			small parties of enemy infantry were encountered, who were brushed aside
			or by-passed, only to re-appear, as soon as the Regtl Gp had passed by, The
			night passed fairly quietly, but there was a certain amount of sniping and
			Spandau fire which the RB dealt with in the early morning.
	3 Sept	0530	Reveille. The Regtl Gp was ordered to push on through LILLERS and secure
			crossings over the AIRE and LYS Canals. Enemy were still in LILLERS, but the
			armour and guns with the RBs got through very quickl and by mid morning tps
		1100	were on to the line of the AIRE Canal. All bridges were found blown except
			one which was blown as soon as our tps were seen and a wooden one which was
			blown when a Dingo patrol was. 200x away. Recce patrols were put along the
			southern bank of the canal. In the meantime, two replenishment lorries
			returning to A2 Echelon, were brewed up by enemy mortar fire in PERNES, 2323,
			and it was found that an enemy pocket has established itself there during the
			night. A troop of B Sqn was sent to deal with this together with some of the RB.

Page 3 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh. 2. LILLE GHENT1/250,000	3 Sept	1100	Contd. There were still parties of enemy with MGs, "bazookas" and mortars in
			the area between LILLERS and the canal. and a Sqn of Tanks with C Coy 1 RB
			were detailed to clear these up during the afternoon. The remainder of 1 RB
			was some way to the South. cut off from the Regt by enemy pockets across the C.L.
		1600	At 1600 hrs Orders were received to withdraw through LILLERS and to move to
			secure canal crossings N of BETHUNE 3927. After a number of counter orders
			the plan was eventually put into operation, and 1 RB was moved up through
			LILLERS to take up a position covering the road to the East and then withdrew
			the whole group through the town and through 1 RB and to press on to secure
			crossings at HINGES 3931, LOCON, 4331 and ESTAIRE 4639.
		1700	The withdrawal was successfully completed by 1700 hrs and leading tanks had
			reached LOCON and were well on the way to ESTAIRE.
		0000	One Sqn had reached the bridge at ESTAIRE which was blown, and the rest of
			the Gp were established at LOCON with two Sqns deployed to engage enemy
			moving NE out or BETHUNE. C Coy 1 RE remained holding the bridge at HINGES
			where all was A1 Echelon,

Page 4 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh. 2. LILLE GHENT1/250,000	4 Sept	0530	Reveille.
			The Regtl Gp remained in position until the late afternoon. Considerable
			damage was inflicted on the enemy during the day, especially on transport
			moving NE out of BETHUNE.
		1600	The Gp was ordered to withdraw to an area S of BETHUNE since the rest of the
			Bde was well on the way to GHENT. 18. The only way to do this was to go
			across the HINGES bridges and then go S. The withdrawal was started, and
			ing. guns and two Sqns had already got to HINGES when the counter order
			came to return to LOCON and hold the bridge there during the night at all
			costs, The rearguard Sqn was counter marched and had just got back into
			position, when the next counter order was received that the LOCON bridge was
			to be evacuated and the HINGES bridge held at all costs.
		2230	By this time it was nearly last light, HINGES was held by 2 Sqns of tanks
	5 Sept	0400	and 1 RB until 0400 hrs when the whole was relieved by inf of 53 Div.
		0700	The Gp concentrated in reserve S. BETHUNE. By this time communications with
			22 Armd Bde were non existent owing to distance, and the Gp was under command

Page 5 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh. 2. LILLE GHENT1/250,000	5 Sept	0700	Contd. 12 Corps who were the only HQ nearby. The leaguer area was at 391162,
			Remainder of the day spent on maintenance.
	6 Sept	0700	Reveille, Heavy rain until afternoon.
		1500	Unit moved to SAINS EN GOHELLE 3817 where billets were available for all
			troops.
	7 Sept	0700	Reveille. Maintenance and Recreation. Orders were receive from 12 Corps
			HQ that no move was permitted owing to the petrol situation and therefore
			that the Unit not join the rest of the Bde which was around GHENT.
	8 Sept	0700	Reveille. Normal Routine.
	9 "	0700	Reveille. Normal Routine.
	10 "	0700	Reveille. In the evening, orders came from 7 Armd Div to move next morning to
			join the rest of the Bde.
	11 "	0530	Reveille.
Sh 43 WETTEREN 50,000		0630	Regt moved through LENS 5315, CARVIN 6121, PECQ 8941, AUDENARD 0958 to
			HALTBUNDER 349677 arriving at 1800 hrs. The CO & Adjt at once made contact
			with 22 Armd Bde HQ which was at LEDE 3669.

Page 6 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh. 43 WETTEREN	12 Sept	0600	Reveille. Unit remained at the same area, Day spent on maintenance.
Sh 3. ANTWERP 1/100,000	13 Sept	0600	Reveille.
		1100	Unit moved through TERMONDE 4576, BOOM 6482, RUMPST 6880 to WAVRE ST CATHERING
		1600	arriving at 1600 hrs. The Regt in the area 735798.
	14 Sept	0600	Reveille. The weather was inclement and it was decided to move into
			billets in WAVRE ST CATHERINE 7379. This took place during the morning.
			There was a dance for British troops in the village during the evening.
	15 Sept	0700	Reveille, Normal Routine, Orders were received that the Regiment was to
			take over the defence of the ALBERT CANAL next day,
	16 Sept	0600	Reveille.
		0700	Unit moved out through DUFFEL 7482, LIERRE 7886, KESSEL 8286, RHQ went
			to 883863. A Sqn took over defence of the ALBERT CANAL excl the
			bridge at 839932 to track at 895913, with their HQ at 866896. B Sqn was
			responsible for the sector from the bridge 967895 to tr at 016872 with their
			HQ in WOUT 9786. The gap was covered by infantry of the Division.
			C Sqn was in reserve at 892858.

Page 7 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh. 3. ANTWERP 1/100,000	16 Sept. Contd	1400	During the afternoon, patrols of Recce Tp., probed up the road N from
			HERENTHOUT 9186 to the canal and encountered parties of enemy infantry with
			machine guns, who tried during the course of the evening to make their way
			S o. the canal. These were efectively stopped and beaten up. The Regt
			remained in these positions all night.
	17 Sept	0600	Reveille, Sub units remained in positions on the canal. The enemy tried
			during the morning to get back S of the canal again N of HERENTHOUT, but a
			troop of tanks were set to deal with them which it did effectively. The rest
			of the day passed quietly.
	18 Sept	0600	Reveille,
		0700	RHQ moved out to MORKHOVEN and established itself in billets at 965852.
			During the morning the Sqns and Recce Tp pulled out and billeted themselves
			around RHQ, The Regt was now in reserve,
	19 Sept	0600	Reveille. Normal Routine.
	20 Sept	0600	Reveille, Normal Routine.

Page 8 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh 3. ANTWERP 1/100,000	21 Sept	0600	Reveille,
		0730	Regt moved from MORKHOVEN to OSTERLOO 0782 and billetted in a convent.
			Normal Routine. RHQ was at 069824.
Sh 4. MAESEYCK 1/100,000	22 Sept	0530	Reveille.
		0600	Regt moved from OSTERLOO to MOLL 1690, arriving at 1100 hrs. The troops
			were satisfactorily billetted and entertainments arranged for them in the
			town. RHQ was at 172907.
	23 Sept	0700	Reveille. Normal Routine.
		1900	Orders were received to move at first light next morning to the area
			EINDHOVEN.
	24 Sept	0500	Reveille.
		0545	Regt moved to VELDHOVEN 3714 and leaguered around RHQ which was at
			365135, arriving at 1100 hrs.
Sh 5. S'HERTOGEN BOSCH 1/100,000		1700	Regt moved again through EINDHOVEN to 418215; it was last light by the time
			the Unit had leaguered, and raining very heavily.

Page 9 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Sh 5. S'HERTOGEN BOSCH 1/100,000	25 Sept	0600	Reveille. Unit remained in position awaiting orders all day.	Millson
	26 Sept	0600	Reveille,
		0800	Regt moved up the Div C.L. to 436306, SE of ST ORDEN RODE, Here the vahicles
		1100	were parked just off the road. B. Sqn under command of 131 Bde was sent to
			probe the rd towards OLLAND 3833. They reached the area 406327 and there
			encountered a number of enemy infantry armed with MGs and "Bazookas". Going
			was very bad on both sides of the road, and when a troop went forward on it,
			it's leading tank promptly "bazooka'd". The Sqn therefore remained
		1800	in observation until 1800 hrs when thay leaguered for the night at 417326.
			Infantry of 131 Bde took over the forward positions.
		1400	Meanwhile the rest of the Regt leaguered around RHQ which was at 403307 and remained there for the rest of the day.
	27 Sept	0530	Reveille,
		0700	Regt moved again up the C.L. to VEGHEL 4837 and leaguered at 487376.
		0900	A Sqn was ordered to advance towards DINTHER 4341 under command 131 Bde.

Page 10 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh 5. S'HERTOGEN BOSCH 1/100,000	27 Sept	0900	Contd. This was done with little opposition, and the forward troops passed through
			DINTHER to rd junc 429418 and thence S to the canal bridge at 425410.
		1300	Here A Sqn took position in observation, and artillery fire was directed on to
			numerous enemy in the woods S of the canal.
		1400	RHQ and C Sqn moved up the road towards DINTHER, but as it was found that no
			further offensive operations were required by Comd 131 Bde, they moved back again,
			RHQ going to 485379. The Regt and A Sqn remained in their respective positions
			for the rest of the day,
	28 Sept	0530	Reveille.
		0630	Regt minus A Sqn was ordered to move up the C.L. through UDEN 5342 to
			NISTEIRODE 4947. The move started, but then the ordors were countermanded
			and the Unit had to return to its positions in VEGHEL. This was
			an awkward proceeding as the C.L. was jammed with traffic going both ways.
		1000	Unit back in leaguer areas at VEGHEL and remained there for the rest of day.
			A Sqn remained as before and had a quiet day.

Page 11 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh 5. S'HERTOGEN BOSCH 1/100,000	29 Sept	0530	Reveille,
		0600	Regiment moved up through DINTHER, through LOOSEROEK 450460 to 473447 where
			the CO gave his orders, Tha Regtl task was to cut the road DINTHER - S'HERTOGENBOSCH.
		0730	C Sqn was to contact troops of 5 R Tks which had reached 400451 and then
			push S to cut the road at 392440. B Sqn was to protect the right flank of
			the Regt by moving to the area CORSO 388473.
		0830	Sqns moved out to perform these tasks. C Sqn reached the stream and track
			crossing 394444 and there found enemy infantry with "bazookas" Also there was
			88 mm AP fire and mortaring coming from S of the canal. One C Sqn tank was
			brewed and one hit by a "bazooka" C Sqn therefore remained in their positions
			for the rest of the day. B Sqn reached the area CORSO successifully and there
			took up positions of observations shooting up many enemy infantry and directing
			fire from CC Bty 5 RHA.
		0930	RHQ & Recce Tp went to 416444 where they remained for the rest of the day.
		1100	A Sqn with the Bn of 131 Bde now tried to push W along the DINTHER - S'HERTOGENBOSCH.
			road to link up with C Sqn. Going was difficult owing to intense enemy arty fire.

Page 12 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sh 5. S'HERTOGEN BOSCH 1/100,000	29 Sept Contd.	1100	from S of the canal, but they succeeded in getting visual contact during the
			afternoon. Their fwd troops were at 403430.
		1900	At last light, B & C Sqns pulled out and leaguered around RHQ at 416444.
			Inf of 1/6 Queens took over the fwd positions for the night. A Sqn remained
			in position at HEESWIJK 4241.
	30 Sept	0500	Reveille.
		0600	At first light Sqns moved out into their positions of the previous
			day. They remained there all day, shooting up enemy infantry and directing
			Arty fire. A number of casualities were sustained from enemy mortaring, which
			was very accurate.
		1600	In the afternoon orders were received that the Unit was to pull out with the
			exception of A Sqn, at last light.
		1700	RHQ and Recce Tp moved to 445446, and B & C Sqns leaguered close by at last light.
		1800	131 Bde took over the fwd positions. A Sqn remained as for the previous night.

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War Diary: 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment

Month and year: September 1944

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