War Diary: 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Month and year: July 1944

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

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1292

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Page 1 of 11

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
1 Jul	Established for rest in Parc du Boislonde. In Early hours, our rest was
	disturbed by enemy shelling, possibly intended to quieten our mortars in the area.
	More shelling during day. News of a counter attack on 1 Tyne Scot in Tessel-
	Bretteville area necessitated the moving of the Battalion into defensive positions
	north of Fontenay-le-Pesnel. These were positions to give depth to the defence on
	the Tessel-Bretteville - Rauray front. When this was done a necessary admin.
	programme of baths and washing clothes was carried out as far as practicable. In
	the evening, Battalion HQ moved further forward so that they might avoid shelling
	in Parc du Boislonde and so obtain full advantage of rest period.	Field returns for the Offrs and O.R's. - Appx 1
2 Jul	quiet night. Admin. continued but interrupted by a pending move back to
	Rauray area. Shelling continued slightly. At 1600 hrs. Battalion left by march route
	and relieved 11 D.L.I. and 1 Tyne Scot at Rauray. "D" Coy occupied old "A" Coy
	positions and "B" and "C" Coys reoccupied their own previous positions. "A" Coy with
	tank support went forward through their own old position to establish themselves
	temporarily at Queudeville and then push patrols further forward. At outset, tanks

Page 2 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	2 Jul		brought enemy fire down and our Coy sustained some 6/8 casualties. Before advancing any
			distance, spandau fire from a wood on right of advance north of Brettevillette
			pinned "A" Coy down. Lt. Ellis with 9 pl. who were on right decided to silence the
			opposition and leaving one covering section, attacked into wood vigorously. Reports
			say that most of the Platoon were casualties before getting into the wood. Tanks and
			our arty meanwhile put down dense smoke screen and "A" Coy withdrew under its cover.
			Some of 9 Plattons covering section returned, but no others. Had they been able to
			return they would have done so as smoke was thick enough to cover thier withdrawl.
			Two-men, returning in the evening, verified death of Lt. Ellis and his serjeant.
	3 Jul		Rain. Intermittent shelling. At 1600 hrs Battalion was relieved by 6 R.W,Fus
			One stray enemy shell killed one man and wounded three "D" Coy whilst they were returning
			on relief to Bn. H.Q. Battalion then proceeded by transport to rest area Duoy-St
			Margerite.
	4/7 Jul		Battalion rested under good conditions -good weather in spasms Necessary admin.
			carried out and visits to ENSA shows in Bayeaux. During the past few days several

Page 3 of 11

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	reinforcements had joined the Battalion as follows:- S.W.B's 80, Royal Berks 31,
	K.SL.I's 40. At 2000hrs 7th Jul Bn. moved to area S.W. of Tilley to relieve 8 D.L.I.
	and one Coy of 9 D.L.I. Relief completed approx 0200hrs. 8 Jul.
8 Jul	A quiet night - no activity during morning. Slight mortaring area Bn.H.Q. and
	"A" Coy early evening causing one or two casualties.	Field return for Offrs and O.R's Appx 2
9 Jul	During the night reece patrols were sent out from "A", & "B", & C" Coys"
	(Lts Morson, McDougall, and Suffron. ) to ascertain if enemy occupied certain wooded
	areas. Patrols suffered no casualties and returned with information about enemy
	positions and movements. The day passed quietly.
10 Jul	At night two more recce patrols went out from "A" and "D" Coys (Lts. Ferrin
	and Johnston.) To investigate prescence of enemy in neighbouring areas, and the
	patrols were successful with no casualties. At midday, Bn.H.Q. was attacked by
	machine gun fire from four enemy fighters (believed Me 109F's. - no damage or
	casualties. During the morning two of our snipers went out on patrol from "D" Coy
	and a grenade was thrown at them, also a spandau fired one burst. One of the snipers

Page 4 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
			was wounded, but both returned safely. Two other snipers also went out from "A" Coy
			and observed and listened for movement and sounds of the enemy. During the day there
			was also some slight mortaring of Coy positions.
	11 Jul		At night two recce patrols went out, one by snipers and the by "C" Coy -
			(Capt. Bax and Sgt Welford.) Their objects were to enquire into presense of enemy in
			wood 835666 and in orchard 839665, and in particular to obtain information
			concerning house in S.W. corner of the wood. Both patrols returned safely with
			valuable information.
			50 Division began a three phase attack on to Hottot area approx 0700hrs. and
			our role in this attack was to come in on phase three and secure a line 200 yds south
			of main Juvigny - Hottot road. Accordingly at 0645 hrs. a forward Command Post was
			established which was manned from 0715 onwards. Reports were received that phase 1
			was successful and our "B" and "C" Coys moved to their F.U.P's. There was delay, and
			we heard that a Bn. of 50 Div. had bumped considerable opposition. It was not until
			1630. hrs that phases three commenced and our attacks went in. "C" Coy attack was

Page 5 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
			supported by a troop of flame throwing tanks. At 1652 hrs word was received of "C" Coy
			success in Phase 1 and later we heard that "B" Coy had made their objective with only
			slight opposition. "B" Coy dug in and sent a patrol forward to 840663 which returned
			some 2 1/2 hrs later with information re enemy positions. "C" Coy reached their 2nd
			objective except for a small orchard and house on their right at 833666. This house
			was strongly held by enemy and the Coy had already received heavy cas. from enemy
			shelling, mortaring, and S.A.A.
			Throughout these attacks enemy mortaring and shelling ws considereable and
			most of our cas. (3 and 50) were sustained by C" Coy and originated from this cause"
			It seems probable that some of these cas. were indirectly caused by the action of the
			Flame throwing tanks. The flame caused a huge cloud of smoke which the enemy fired into
			with everything he could. "A" Coy sent a pl. to thicken up "C" Coy who had become rather
			thin upon the ground, and who, because 50 Div. had not reached their objective, had had to

Page 6 of 11

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	occupy an additional position to cover their right flank. About 1800 hrs as the
	result of a message intercepted by Bde. it was learnt that our forward Command post
	had been located by the enemy due we were told, to two attached Commanders discussing
	our location over the air in clear. The Sigs offr thought it was due to RDF. Anyway,
	whenever our set opened up Mortar fire resulted and a direct hit was sustained upon
	a nearby supporting tank and the C.O. decided to remove Command Post back to our
	original H.Q. In our two attacks "B" was supported by a squadron of SRY as was also
	"C" Coy who in addition had some "Crocodiles" in support. 12 PW'S were taken from
	2/986 Regt. and others killed. 231 Bde on our right reached line 814659-828664 after
	severe fighting since 0700hrs. The day ended with intermittent mortaring and shelling
	and our two forward Coys were holding firmly as follows "C" Coy area 836665 and "B"
	Coy area 843668.	See Affx 7
12 July	The position remained the same with periodical motaring on both sides. At approx
	0600 hrs an enemy patrol was ambushed in a small wood and two were killed. One Polish
	deserter came over from 976 Regt in the afternoon

Page 7 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	13 Jul		The front remained fairly quiet apart from occasional mortaring, Another
			Polish deserter gave himself up to "B" Coy at 0630 hrs. In the evening and during the
			night a change over took place between us and the 11 D.L.I. and we occupied positions
			in Le Pont Roc area. At 1500 hrs. the enemy threw grenades into "C" Coy area
			wounding one Platoon Commander.
	14 Jul		A quiet restful day. Companies settled in new positions and baths and cinema parties
			were organised.
	15 Jul		Similar conditions prevailed with some slight enemy shelling, but not in our own
			immediate area.
	16 Jul		Preparations were made for a seemimgly long stay in our present positions, with
			the start of daily P.T. parades, Piat firing, and route marches to be organised during
			the week. However later in the day word was received for us to stand to as from 0630
			17 Jul to be ready if necessary to support an intended attack by 11 D.L.I. and 1 T.S.
			The day was noteworthy for one of our very heavy arty barrages. The enemy
			retaliated periodically with shelling, and especially during the night, when some shells

Page 8 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	16 Jul (contd)		fell in Bn HQ Area.
			The arrival and distribution of ou first N.A.A.F.I. supplies was very welcome, incl one bottle of
			beer per man.
	17 Jul		We remained in LE PONT ROC Area, as the attack did not go through. Various adm parades were held.
			Late at night, enemy planes dropped bombs and propaganda leaflets in Bn area, but no damage or cas
			were reported.
	18 Jul		Nothing fresh to report, and conditions generally quiet. Owing to the enemy withdrawing on part of
			the front, 1 T.S. advanced without opposition and 11 D.L.I. after being held up by mines and booby traps
	19 Jul		At midday we left to relieve 4 Lincolns in area of VENDES, and the change over was completed by 1900
			There was a fair amount of enemy shelling during the night, which caused a few casualties in "S" and
			"B" Coy. At night we sent out a patrol to obtain information about the enemy on our front, which
			returned safely.
	20 Jul		We maintained a defensive role in the same posns. Apart from occasional shelling there was nothing
			to report on our front. During the day our snipers went right forward of "A" and "D" Coys and at night
			a fighting patrol left from "D" Coy area to see if enemy occupied certain buildings, and if so, to

Page 9 of 11

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
20 Jul (contd)	obtain a prisoner, but nothing was seen or heard.
21 Jul	Very wet and muddy. During the day we were relieved by 5 E. Lancs, and went back to area of JERUSALEM
	The chande over was complete by evening.
22 Jul	A day of general adm - baths, washing of clothes, etc. Our second supply of bottled beer and N.A.A.F.
	goods arrived. The C.O. and I.O. made a recce of our future posns in the CAEN sector.
23 Jul	Some preparations made for our move tomorrow to the CAEN sector of the front. The remmants of our Bn
	band gave a short musical programme at each coy in the evening.
24 Jul	The Bn left at 0500 hrs in T.C.Ls for a conc area just EAST of DEMOUVILLE1167. We arrived at 0900 hrs
	and dug in. During the night our posns were bombed by enemy planes, and one or two vehs were slightly
	damaged.	See Appx 8.
25 Jul	At 0900 hrs the Bn commenced to move out of conc area by coys in order to relieve 2 Warwicks in posns
	N.W. of EMIEVILLE. The change over was complete by 1100 hrs. During the day we were subjected to
	heavy and concentrated shelling and mortaring which continued at night. Casualties, 1 killed and 10
	injured. Late at night, too, an enemy plane came over our area dropping flares. At midday, two of

Page 10 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	25 Jul (contd)		our snipers in "A" Coy area reported some enemy digging in along the edge of a wood, and observed an 88
			mm gun protruding at corner of wood. During the night, we sent out 3 patrols fom "A", "B" and "C" Coys
			to enquire into presence of enemy in certain areas and to maintain contact with "B" Coy, 1 SUFFOLKS, which
			suffered no casualties and gained their objects.
	26 Jul		Intermittent enemy shelling during the night. From 1015 - 1030, Bn HQ Area was heavily shelled and
			mortared, and again from 1325 - 1335, when "B" Coy carriers were also hit and set on fire, and 3
			casualties resulted. Between 1345 and 1530 hrs the shelling around Bn HQ was heavy
			and almost continous, with Nebelwefers active as well, but in the evening conditions quietened down
			considerably, Total Cas 15.
	27 Jul		The eneny shelling was resumed from 0115 to 0120, and was followed by an enemy plane bombing Bn HQ and
			Coy areas at 0130. Houses in front of "D" Coy were bit and a fighting patrol of ours suffered cas -
			1. Offr and 4 ORS. Our two patrols which were out during the night encountered no enemy.
			During the day there was intermitten shelling of our posns, heavy at times, but no damage or cas were
			reported.
			A patrol of 3 of our snipers was out from 0930 to 1630, and observed 3 enemy and dug-outs in area
			Race track 141663.

Page 11 of 11

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
28 Jul	In the early hours enemy aircraft were again active over the Bn area strafing and dropping some bombs,
	also periodical shelling continued. A fighting and recce patrol were out during the night, but had
	nothing to report. Enemy shelling was again frequent by day. A sniper patrol of 2 ORs was out from 0930
	to 2200 hrs and brought in some useful infm about enemy activity and the siting of enemy gun posns. At
	2300 hrs two or three enemy planes dropped H.E. bombs in Bn area,	Field Return for Offrs and OR's - Appx 5
29 Jul	Our fighting patrol returned at 0345 hrs without a prisoner or identification. Enemy shelling persisted
	at roughly hourly intervals during the night, and periodically by day. About 2300 hrs a few enemy
	aircraft came over our posns and three or four bombs were dropped, but none in the immediate vicinity
30 Jul	Our night patrols once more returned with negative reports. Approx 25 shells landed in Bn HQ area between
	midnight and 0500 hrs, and at 0530 another enemy plane flew over from the direction of the enemy lines,
	strafing and dropping one bomb. Enemy shelling and mortaring decreased considerably during the day. Two
	sniper patrols were out between 1000hrs and 1600 hrs to try to contact the enemy in front of our fwd coys
	and one patrol fired at 3 enemy, the leading man of which was seen to drop, probably killed or wounded.
31 Jul	There was renewed slight energy shelling during the night. One fighting patrol was sent out to try to
	obtain a prisoner and for identification, but was unsuccessful, and further sniper patrols by day failed
	to make contact but in the late evening our patience and vigilance were rewarded when 3 deserters (Poles)
	came over to "A" Coy, and were found to belong to the 980 Regt, 272 Div.

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War Diary: 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Month and year: July 1944

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