War Diary: 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Month and year: August 1944

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

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1292

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Page 1 of 6

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	1 Aug	A quiet day, with only slight enemy shelling and mortaring. Between
		0500 and 0600 hrs our Standing Patrol reported several enemy seen, and the body of a dead Boche was also found, who had belonged to a Recce Unit.
	2 Aug	Slight shelling up to 0200 hrs. Our patrols returning at 0500 hrs, re-
		ported enemy seen digging in a certain Wood, also a few further enemy positions located. Conditions remained quite by day, but at 2315 hrs
		two guns fired a 20 shell Stonk on the Bn Area. This was followed 20 mins later by several salvoes from Panzerwerfers, and there was one
	3 Aug	A fighting patrol during the night raided an enemy post. but had to leave
		one man behind and believed prisoner, Another wounded main was brought back safely. Two snipers went out during the morning but found no trace
		of the man left behind. There was periodical mortaring and shelling of our positions up to mid-day with a heavy and sharp attack on Bn HQ at
		1215 hrs. In the late evening "A" Coy reported two enemy having been seen in some houses near their positions, At night a party left from
		the Bn for the newly formed Rest Camp close to A2 Ech while others were selected to visit the Corps Rest Camp.
	4 Aug	Shortly after midnight an energy 'plane dropped four bombs in the Bn Area
		causing on casualty. At 0145 hrs "C" and "D" Coys reported heavy Spandau fire across their front, to which "D" Coy replied with L.M.G. fire from
		their Standing Patrol. There was only very slight enemy shelling during the 24 hrs. Between late afternoon and midnight an inter-coy change-over
		took place, "B" Coy relieving "A" Coy and "D" Coy relieving "C" Coy.
	5 Aug	Our Recce Patrols came back with nothing fresh to report. The day passed
		without incident apart from occasional shelling, and a Polish Deserter being
		brought in by "C" Coy Standing Patrol at 2100 hrs, from the 711 Div. 731 PGR Regt.

Page 2 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	6 Aug		After a fairly quite spell the enemy resumed his shelling of our Bn Area
			in the early hours and in the afternoon and evening it was frequently heavy, but 10 casualties wore reported,
	7 Aug		Periodical shelling of our positions. Our fighting patrols encountered
			no enemy on a near objective, but they were fired on by Spandau, and later enemy shell and mortar fire was brought down on them after verey light
			signals - believed to be enemy D.F. fire. At 0200 hrs "C" Coy reported that their right forward section had been attacked by 12 or more enemy.
			The section withdrew to area houses 137655, claiming to have killed two Boche after enemy had thrown grenades and opened up with Spandau from either
			flank. The enemy were reported still in possession of post at 0500 hrs but during the day Bn snipers sent out on patrol reported no movement or
			sounds. Accordingly "C" Coy prepared to retake the post at 2230 hrs and did so without opposition, the enemy having withdrawn. Just before mid
			night an enemy place came over Bn Area for a few mins and dropped two bombs.
	8 Aug		Further shelling and mortaring but no casualties reported. Our patrol
			reported enemy rifle and Spandau fire and heard digging. By day, both Bn and Coy snipers were out forward, contacting no enemy but finding signs of
			recent occupation in some houses. Late at night an enemy plane flew over out positions but no bombs were dropped.
	9 Aug		Intermittent shelling throughout the night. No damage or casualties
			Our patrols brought in no fresh information in the early morning, but in the afternoon patrols were sent out forward of "B" and "C" Coys to gain
			contact with the enemy. The "B" Coy patrol under Lt Christenson went deep into the Woods opposite their positions without locating the enemy,
			but encountered a number of mines. Unfortunately, before the patrol could withdraw, Pte Kemp stepped on a mine and was fatally injured whilst Lt
			Christenson received a wound in the arm.

Page 3 of 6

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
9 Aug	(Contd)	The "C" Coy patrol under Lt J.D. Johnston came under fire shortly after
		leaving the Coy Area and withdrew under cover of smoke, with two casualties, neither serious. The activity of the patrols caused considerable shelling
		and mortaring in the Bn area.
10 Aug		During the night patrol under Lt Seggie located 4 enemy Spandaus as well
		as reporting on a large area of the front being clear. Some shelling and mortaring of the Bn Area throughout the day but no damage or casualties,
		By day, sniper patrols went forward of our F.D.Is but they came under fire from the enemy before they had gone very far. Before returning
		however, several mines were lifted and brought back and may others rendered harmless. At 1230 hrs "C" Coy reported that they had fired at and believed
		killed an enemy sniper. Later a patrol went forward but failed to find the body.
11 Aug		Heavy shelling of Bn Area during the night but no casualties or damage reported. Night patrols gave locations of several Spandaus and a patrol
		sent out by "B" Coy by day captured 2 PW from 7 Coy, 857 GR, 346 Inf Div.
		Enemy opposition was 10 strong and we had one man wounded, who had, unfortunately to be left behind. At 1840 hrs "B" Coy reported a "silent" mortar
		bomb falling in their area, which gave no sound in flight. There was intermittent shelling and mortaring by day.
12 Aug		At 0330 hrs a Polish Deserter came over to our lines and gave himself up
		to our forward section of Carriers. He belonged to 7 Coy, 857 Regt. There was only slight shelling and mortaring during the night.
		At 0830 hrs a Coy change-over commenced, "C" Coy relieving "A" Coy and "D" Coy changing with "B" Coy. Our snipers were active by day and one
		patrol shot one Boche believed killed and collected some valuable German equipment. There was a notable decrease in enemy shelling and mortaring.

Page 4 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	13 Aug		Slight mortaring and shelling during the night. A standing patrol from
			"A" Coy brought in a fresh Spandau location. Increased enemy shelling was reported through the day by our forward positions, but very few shells
			fell in the Bn Area, In the afternoon "B" Coy sent out a Fighting Patrol of 1 Sjt and 5 ORs with a section as support group to attack an enemy post
			under cover of smoke. The post was wiped out, a Spandau destroyed and two PW taken. The remaining 4 Boche were killed by Sten and Bren gun fire.
			Our troops suffered no casualties, PW were from 7 Coy, 857 GR. Earlier 3 Boche were driven out of an outpost by some of our snipers and one was
			believed wounded.
	14 Aug		A Recce Patrol from "C" Coy at night was followed by a Boche Patrol and
			heavily shelled. There was some shelling and mortaring during the day. In the morning a sniper patrol saw 4 enemy, believed to be a working party
			and fired at them but could not observe results.
	15 Aug		A comparatively quite day with nothing to report if importance. Our usual patrols were out during the night and also sniper patrols by day, but they
			saw no signs of any enemy. Also there was only very slight mortaring and shelling. The last PW we had taken had stated that their units were
			preparing to pull out from the front and it now seemed as if their report was correct.
	16 Aug		A very quite night with no enemy mortaring or shelling and everything appeared to indicate that the enemy had withdrawn. At 1600 hrs the
			Bn moved out of the positions we had been occupying for three weeks and proceeded in transport to BRAY-LA-CAMPAGNE, where we dug in for the night.
	17 Aug		Bn left at 0900 hrs and marched some three or four miles to pick up transport
			and then continued as far as MAGNY-LA-CAMPAGNE. During the day several French civilians were brought in to Bn HQ as suspected enemy agents
			but they were allowed to proceed after questioning.

Page 5 of 6

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
17 Aug	(Contd)	Towards dusk, two enemy planes flew over, apparently on a recce, but nothing resulted during the night.
18 Aug		We were on the move again at 0800 hrs, leaving by march route and advanced
		as fas as MEZIDON, which had recently been cleared of the enemy. After a short rest we pushed on further Eastwards until we suddenly bumped into
		opposition near the village of LE-MESNIL-MAUGER when the enemy began mortaring the main road. "A" Coy shortly supported by "B" Coy advanced
		into the village and contacted the enemy, a battle developing for the high ground, MT LA VIGME to the North East. At 2030 hrs "G" and "D" Coys
		put in an attack supported by arty and smoke and we gained a foothold on the forward slopes finally securing the objective after heavy fighting.
		Throughout the action enemy mortar and shell fire was heavy and concentrated and we suffered a good many casualties. "B" Coy under Bn IC were
		ordered on to MT LA VIGNE to help hold it.
19 Aug		In the early hours the enemy brought up reinforcements and put in a string counter-attack at 0430 hrs. A fierce action took place, many casualties
		occurring on both sides. Eventually the Bn 2 IC was forced to withdraw the remnants of "B", "C" and "D" Coys which he did successfully against
		heavy odds. Shelling and mortaring of Bn HQ Area took place at intervals throughout the night, In addition, enemy aircraft were active and dropped
		bombs. We suffered heavy casualties and at one time "A" Coy were completely cut off and had to fight their way out. At 1000 hrs the Bn withdrew
		to positions about a mile in the rear while units of 146 Bde moved up to relieve 70 Bde. Later in the day the Bn moved in transport to a rest
		area near ARGENCES.
20 Aug		We remained in the rest area and made the most of the quite conditions
		in excellent weather.

Page 6 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	21 Aug		Continuous rain all day. In the Late afternoon the Bn moved in Bde Coln
			to another rest area near THURY HARCOURT and got settled in billlets in the village of LA METATRIE. During the day a search party went out over the
			area of our recent battle and buried several bodies.
	22 Aug		With an improvement in the weather, there was an opportunity to wash and dry
			clothes etc and a party also went to a ENSA Concert.
	23 Aug		The weather still kelp good and boating was much enjoyed in a nearby river.
	24 Aug		The Bn spent most of the day cleaning up. A band concert by the band of the East Lancs Regt was much enjoyed.
	25 Aug		Weather still very warm. More swimming parties, also ENSA and cinema shows.
			A bath and change of clothing was had by most of the Bn.
	26 Aug		Today the disbandment of the Bn commenced.
			2 Officers and 116 ORs were posted to 6 D.L.I. 2 Officers and 113 ORs were posted to 8 D.L.I.
			2 Officers and 121 ORs were posted to 5 Bn East Yorks Regt. 3 Officers and 118 ORs were posted to 9 D.L.I.

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War Diary: 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Month and year: August 1944

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