War Diary: 12th Devonshire Regiment

Month and year: August 1944

The 12th Bn Devonshire Regiment August 1944 war diary covers the units time in area around Le Hamel / Herouvillette and their advance to Honfleur

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1279

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Page 1 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	1		6 Airborne Div's front was extended and Bn area altered. Right
			bdy now excl rd (Herouvillette - Varaville) and left bdy extended to WOOD 138736.
			D Coy (left fwd coy) handed over Coy area to 45 R.M. COMANDO and relieved Coy 1 RUR in WOOD 138736. B Coy in res moved
			to area 135725. These moves were carried without incident.
		2100	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"
	2	0320	Enemy shelled Bn Area. No cas, Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"
		1130	" " D Coy Area. " " " " "
		1144	" mortared Bn area. " " " " " three times.
		-1155) 1330	" " " " " " " " "
		1610 - 1830	Snipers of rt fwd coy (C Coy) scored two hits and two "possibles"
		2300	A Standing Patrol of 1 NCO & 5 O.RS occupied HEDGE JUNC 143734 to prevent occupation of HEDGEROW 143735 by the enemy during the
			night. Patrol were relieved by snipers at 0500hrs. This posn now to be continually occupied by snipers during
			day and patrol at night.
	3	1400	B Coy relieved C Coy in right fwd posns. C Coy went back into Bn Res posns. Change over completed by 1600hrs.
		1840	Enemy shelled and mortared fwd coys. 3 O.Rs killed, 1 O.R. died of Wounds and 5 O.Rs wounded. Mortar Pl and Arty fired "REVENGE"
LE MENSIL X RDS Fr 40/16 NW		2200	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"

Page 2 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	3	2245	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"
	4	0045	Enemy aircraft passed over Bn Area, but no bombs were dropped.
		0245	Left fwd coy (D Coy) heard sounds of hy tpt driving eastwards from enemy lines. Otherwise a quiet night.
		1445	Enemy mortared right fwd coy (B Coy). No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE".
		1900) and 1945)	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"
		2359)
		2300	Normal Standing Patrol at HEDGEROW 143735. The patrol was
			mortared at 0001 and 0445 hrs in direct line from BUGLE CORNER. No cas. Patrol was relieved by snipers at 0535.
	5	0445	H.D tpt was heard E. of TRIANGLE WOOD. The area was engaged
			by our arty.
		1800	Enemy O.P. or sniper observed and heard in tree at BUGLE CORNER
			This was engaged by our snipers who missed. Arty immediately engaged target with 96 rds. Tree was demolished.
	6	0015)	Enemy m/c and HD tpt was heard in rear of TRIANGLE WOOD and
		& 0205)	engaged by our arty.
		1010) & 1040)	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired 'REVenge".
			6 Airlde Bde reorganised counter mortar fire so as to conc
			the fire of all available 3" mortars of the Bde on targets on Bde front, especially active hostile mortars. Fire orders to
MENSIL X RDS			come from Bde HQ under code word "STOVE PIPE" when more than one Bn's mortars reqd.

Page 3 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	6	1050	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas.
		1200 - 1220.	Enemy observer Was seen looking through glasses at BUGLE
			CORNER. This was followed by spasmodic mortaring of left fwd coy area (D Coy).
		1210	Enemy shelled Bn Area. No cas. A bearing of enemy gun was obtained a SHELREP sent to 6 AIRLDG BDE HQ.
		1810 and 1835	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas.
		1950	Enemy sniped at right fwd pl (B Coy) in house 143732 from STICKEES CORNER. One rd fired. No cas.
		2030	Enemy shelled left fwd coy (D Coy). 1 Officer (Lt Grange) killed.
			Lt.Col G.R. Stevens attached to H.Q.21 ARMY GP. Major P.Gleadell (2i/c) assumed comd in his absence.
	7		At 1000,1100,1145 and 1217 hrs enemy gun fired on Bn Area. No cas.
			Bearings were obtained and SHELREP sent to 6 Airldg Bde HQ.
		1150	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas.
		1430	Recce GP recced posns of 2 OXF BUCKS, on Bde left sector, with whom BN was ordered to change posns on 8 AUG.
		1800	One enemy was sniped at and hit at BUGLE CORNER.
		2300	The Standing Patrol of 1 Officer and 6. O.Rs at HEDGEROW JUNC 143735 heard enemy movement at STICKEES CORNER from where verey
			lights were sent up. During this period mist came down at intervals when the enmy fired single rifle shots.
	8		BN changed posns with 2 OXF BUCKS on Bde left sector. Change over was completed by 1100hrs. Coy 1 BUCKS came under comd
			Bn. C Coy took over right fwd posns, A Coy centre, Coy 1 BUCKS left fwd posns, B Coy in res, and D Coy in Bn rest area. During
AMFREVILLE Fr 40/16 NW			the move 1 OR was killed and 2 O.Rs wounded by enemy shelling. BN HQ 131746. A Coy HQ 135746 B Coy 128745 C Coy 146744 D Coy
			126751 E Coy 128748 Sp Coy 134744 Coy 1 Bucks 129749

Page 4 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	8 (cont'd)		O.O. No 3 received from 6 AIRLDG BDE HQ. 12 DEVON O.O. No 3 prepared and sent to all concerned.	Appx A
		1300	Enemy shelled Bn Area. 1 Officer (Lt Tucker) killed and 1 OR wounded.
		1700 ) and 2015 )	Enemy shelled Bn Area. No cas
			B Coy put out a Standing Patrol area LONGUEMERE X RDS and C Coy at S.W. Corner JOHNNY'S ORCHARD (142745).
			During the night B Coy patrol reported LONGUEMERE FM on fire (area 12 PARA BN Standing Patrol) and occasional enemy MG fire
			from area COPSE 147755. C Coy Patrol reported that an enemy patrol approached within 30x of them but withdrew when engaged
			with grenades. Enemy movement was heard in LE BAS de BREVILLE.
	9		A very quiet day and night (9/10). 60 rfts (2 Officers & 58 ORS) arrived from Base.
		1914	Dust, indicating MT movement, seen on rd 150769 F.O.O. RA was informed who put down 8 shells on the area.
			Standing Patrol at LONGUEMERE X RDS completed wiring tasks.
	10		Owing to morning and evening mists fwd coys were ordered to double sentries during such mists.
		1230	B Coy Standing patrol reported an enemy tank or sp gun in FOX'S WOOD (148748). On further investigation this was thought
			to be 2 A tk guns. The posn was engaged by BN Mortars at 1320 hrs and by Arty at 1930 hrs.
		1310	Enemy shelled fwd of right pI of C Coy (Right fwd coy)
		1315	Enemy shelled A Coy Area. Coy Comd (Maj Rogers) and 1 OR wounded.
AMFREVILLE Fr 40/16 NW 131746		1613	A bearing was obtained on enemy. Arty (25 pdrs) fired 40 rds on posn.

Page 5 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	10	1740	A Cow strayed onto Minefield in ORCHARD 131747 near BN HQ and exploded a mine. No cas (except to cow)
		1905	Enemy mortared Right fwd coy (C Coy) No cas. 6 AIRLDG BDE HQ was informed.
		1923	Enemy mortared Standing Patrol at LONGUEMERE X RDS. GILBERTS COTTAGE (144749) was hit but no cas. Enemy mortar was thought
			to be in WOOD 147755). In the afternoon Patrol had got to within 50 x of this wood without seeing enemy.
			O.P at LONGUEMERE X RDS was evacuated at 2215. Pioneer Pl and Wiring Party on Pl def posn until 2400hrs.
	11	0030	A small enemy patrol approached left sec of BUCKS Coy fwd pl def posn. Sec reacted by throwing grenades and patrol withdrew.
		0100 - 0200.	Enemy patrol activity was heard in area JOHNNY'S ORCHARD
		1245	A Coy were shelled by a medium enemy gun (12 rds) The F.O.O. R.A. was informed. No cas
		1245 - 1335	Enemy mortared (5 cm) A Coy intermittently. No cas.
		1430	Two snipers (Coy 1 BUCKS) were sent out to operate in fd
			144746. They observed enemy OP in house at 147750. This OP was confirmed by 5 PARA BDE.
		1845	C Coy Standing Patrol (SW JOHNNY'S ORCHARD) reported that enemy laid 5 cm morter smoke 100x to patrol's front.
			During the day rfts of 2 Officers and 20 ORs arrived from Base. 6 AIRLDG BDE sent O.O.No 5. Some minor adjustments were made
			to 12 DEVON O.O No 2 and verbal orders were given by C.O to all
			concerned
		1430	BN received orders from 6 AIRLDG BDE HQ to relieve 12 PARA BN. BN not to take over actual posns of 12 PARA BN but to est one	Appx 'B' (Trace)
AMFREVILLE Fr 40/16 NW 131746			coy locality area LONGUEMERE FM 139752 and SOUTH of RD and to

Page 6 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	11	1430	(cont'd) move one pl Coy 1 BUCKS - area ORCHARD 134752. This meant an extension of the BN Front. Patrol bdy on left flank with 1
			BELGIAN GP incl rd junc 130755 - thence rd to rd and hedge junc 137752 - LONGUEMERE FM 139753 - NORTH Corner of Orchards 143753
			hedge and track junc 148752 - thence NE along track to GONNEVILLE 1676.
			This Order to come into effect on 13 AUG.
	Night 11/12		In order to be ready to comply with 6 AIRLDG BDE Order on 13 AUG
			1 Officer & 35 O.Rs (incl Wiring Party & Covering Party) sent to Area LONGUERE X RDS with the following tasks :-
			1) To est listening post at X Rds and at each NE and NW Edge of the ORCHARD which is immediately N of X RDS, and to
			give warning of any enemy approach.
			2) To complete wiring (75x) from GILBERTS COTTAGE towards X RDS.
			3) To commence digging two sec posns at each junc in hedge 143753 and hedge junc 144754.
			At 2300hrs about six Germans adv upon the det covering the wiring party immediately E of X RDS. These Germans had moved up from
			the direction of FOXS WOOD. There was a rapid interchange of fire at close quarters and the Germans eventually withdrew. It is
			believed one cas was inflicted on the enemy. The covering party remained "in situ" and the wiring task was completed by 0130hrs.
			The listening posts moving out to cover the digging parties NW
			of the X RDS came upon a party of about six Germans moving WEST at NW corner of ORCHARD at 2320 hrs. Listening Posts got back to
			Pl posns unobserved and warned digging party to lie low, until
AMFREVILLE Fr 40/16 NW			enemy patrol passed.

Page 7 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
12th.	0700	D & A Coys changed positions.
	1600	Four shells area LONGUEMARE Cross roads.
	1750	Six shells area BREVILLE Cross roads.
	1800	Shells landed 200 yds S.E. of C Coy Standing Patrol. Bearing 150 deg. Mag.
	1905	Shells landed area 132746, incl two airbursts.
	1940	5 cm mortars fired on C & D Coy areas.
	1950	1 BUCKS Coy fired 30 mortar bombs (2") on enemy snipers Enemy replied with 5 cm mortar fire.
	2015	Bearing on enemy mg obtained from C Coy.
	2120	Sitrep from D Coy:- Enemy activity & Disposns normal. 1900 hrs one salvo shells landed in Coy area. Mild mortaring of rt fwd pl.
	2200	Fighting Patrol est area Orchard North LONGUEMARE X Rds. Str:- 2 Offs, 22 O.R.s. Digging task completed without incident except for enemy flares to immediate front. Patrol returned 0300 hrs.
		Normal standing patrols est areas LONGUEMARE X Rds & SW corner JOHNNIES ORCHERD. Nothing unusual to report except mild mortaring. Total cas for day:- One O.R. wounded
13th.	0215	Bn warned that enemy may attempt to pass agents through our lines dressed in BRIT or AMERICAN uniforms..
	0730	BUCKS Coy caught Alsatian dog, believed to be GERMAN, at LE PLEIN. Dog sent to Bde.
	1635	During morning 5 cm mortar bombs fell in C Coy area. Bn warned that resisters may pass through lines using pass word TOUSOUSE.
		A quiet day. One Coy, covered by fighting patrols occupied posns LONGUEMARE X Rds and FARM without interference. There was one enemy recce patrol in the area. Normal Standing Patrols had nothing to report. Total cas for day:- one O.R. wounded.

Page 8 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
14th	0200	BUCKS Coy reported considerable S.A. fire 300 yds N.E. of their posn, also Verey lights followed by intense arty.
	0250	Enemy patrol approx 15 strong reported to have passed to rt of BELGIANS posn on our left flank. BELGIANS engaged patrol.
	0445	Enemy patrol infiltrated in to LE PLEIN through BELGIAN posns.
	0600	Enemy recce patrol tampered with wire in front of C Coy standing patrol posn.
	1130	B Coy snipers confirmed posn of gun in FOX WOOD.
	1350	Mortars fired "Stovepipe" 8*	* O.O attached
	1700	B Coy sent patrol in to DEVON ORCHARD.
	1755	Mortars fired "Stovepipe" 5,11 & 13 on orders from Bde. One O.R. in fwd Pl B Coy was Wounded, possibly by bomb
		falling short.
		During morning B Coy sent recce patrol to FOX WOOD and confirmed posn of enemy gun.
	1900	Two B Coy snipers at DEVON ORCHARD found three enemy booby traps along hedgeruw between JONNNIES ORCHARD & DEVON ORCHARD
		and saw one enemy.
		Sitrep:- Coys report situation normal. Total cas for day:- One O.R. wounded.
15th	0015	Enemy a/c over Bn area. Three bombs fell in C Coy area.
	1530	Coy I BUCKS ceased to come under comd. Reported at embussing pt 125739.
		During day C & D Coys changed posns and B Coy were relieved by a Coy of the DUTCH Gp, which was under comd 6 Airldg Bde. Enemy
		opp Div on rt of Airborne Div reported to be pulling out. House believed to have been enemy O.P. set on fire by Arty.
	2145	Harassing fire put down by 4 mgs each firing ten belts. Also shoot by Mortar Pl. A patrol to FOX WOOD discovered one mine
		which they neutralized in SW corner of FOX WOOD. Patrol Comd (Lt. Nuttall) endeavoured to bring back mine but was forced to
		abandon it on being wounded by 5 cm mortar bomb. Total cas for day:- one officer wounded.

Page 9 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
16	0130	Shouting and enemy automatic fire heard in area BREVILLE X Rds. Patrol sent to investigate and adjacent sub units
		stood-to. At 0325 hrs one DUTCH O.R. was brought in in a frightened condition and is believed to have been the cause
		of the shouting.
	0325	Enemy movement observed near D Coy O.P.
	0535	Bde informed Bn that BELGIANS had reported enemy in area of their southern front.
	0600	All fwd Coys reported situation normal.
	1800	Patrol - recce and sniping - returned. No enemy seen.
	2300	Preparations started for Op PADDLE.	O.O. fwdd as appendix A
		Cas for day Nil.
17	0100	F.O.O.s & L.O.S reported for Op PADDLE.
	0150	Recce patrol reached hedge junc 144752 and reported presence of enemy who withdrew. Patrol ordered to recce same
		area again later.
	0240	Another patrol sent out to 148753 and came under S.A. and Lmg fire.
	0245	Bde ordered continuous patrolling in order to watch for enemy withdrawal.
	0430	R.U.R. on rt reported BUGLE AND STICKIES CORNERS unoccupied.
	0515	Our patrol reached triangular wood. (1475)
	0530	Bde informed us that enemy in front of our right hand neighbours were withdrawing and we were ordered to keep careful watch and we
		would be informed when to followup.
	0700	Order from Bde:- Op PADDLE to commence and continue to bound 'ELM' - See trace.
	0705	Comd 6 Airborne Div went forward to LONGUEMARE X Rds.
	0720	Mine clearing party arrived from Bde to clear rd BREVILLE - LONGUEMARE X Rds.
	0740	Recce Pl moved to LONGUEMARE X Rds.
	0755	R.U.R. reported at LE PLEIN and debussed.
	0815	Bn reached bound 'HAMMER'.
	0835	Bde informed us that PW stated that they had been ordered to withdraw at 2200 hrs 16th
	0900	B Coy moving fwd.
	0925	Pioneer Pl cleared minefd on rd north from LONGUEMARE X Rds. B Coy moved fwd towards bound 'ELM' meeting light opposition
		(3cm mortar fire)

Page 10 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	Aug 17	0945	Fwd elements B Coy advanced to 150762 where they came under slight S.A and 5 cm enemy mortar fire. Coy Comd (Major BARROW) was
			slightly wounded but carried on.
		0950	ADS est house 132755. CCP est 143752 under supervision of Padre. RAP remained with Bn H.Q.
		1030	1 RUR took over four Bn A tk guns.
		1050	B Coy reported enemy (str about one pl) both sides rd at 153764.
		1115	2 Secs of B Coy attacked with mortar and arty sp but failed to dislodge enemy, and suffered cas of one OR killed and one OR
			wounded. Enemy cas believed same.
		1120	One tp armd Cs of 1 BELGIAN GP came under comd Bn. Assisstance of one tp armd Cs of DUTCH GP could not be given owing to epidemic
			of dysentry on the GP.
		1135	B Coy still held up by enemy 500 yds SOUTH of 'ELM'. Mortars and arty were called for but enemy remained in posn.
		1230	Tp BELGIAN armd Cs reported to Rear Bn H.Q. and was sent fwd to Adv Bn. H.Q. at Triangular Wood NORTH of LONGUEMARE X Rds.
		1250	2 OXF BUCKS reached 'ELM'. Reported turning NORTH.
			B Coy still held up and it was decided to make a Pl attack with sp of three armd Cs, mortars and arty at 1330 hrs.
		1330	B Coy attacked with one pl line of rd and one pl on rt, sp by one armd C from rd and one from rt flank. By 1400 enemy had been
			cleared and B Coy consolidated at 'ELM'. Meanwhile 2 OXF BUCKS were advancing beyond ELM and Bde ordered
			Bn to consolidate area wood 153765 and not adv further. Bn to be responsible for protection of route gained so far for the adv of
			1 RUR to 'MAUL'. B & C Coys were responsible for guarding route. D Coy consolidated area LONGUEMARE X Rds and A Coy in area
Amfreville Fr 40/16 N.W.			BREVILLE - AMFREVILLE.

Page 11 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	17	1750	1 RUR had moved up through Bn, so B & C Coys were ordered to return to posns occupied before Op PADDLE commenced.
		1830	Bn was restored to original posns and now in Bde reserve. By dusk enemy had withdrawn over River DIVES with exception of
			elements in CABOURG, and it was considered unnecessary for Bn to 'stand-to'.
	18		Bn rested. Nothing to report.
	19		Bn spent another quiet day. Six ORs were wounded by a mine whilst
			making a tour of the recently evacuated enemy posns. Two of these ORs died of their wounds.
	20	1400	Bn was put at half hour's notice to move. O Gp assembled.
		1700	Bn embussed hurriedly at LE PLEIN, with orders to proceed to TROARN and from there to march to conc area at 198692.
		1930	Bn reached conc area without incident.
		2215	Bde order rcd for Bn to stand by for immediate move.
			O Gp was called and Bn Comd proceeded to Div H.Q. at 2330 hrs to receive orders.
	21	0200	Bn moved fwd by march route, together with 2 OXF BUCKS, to conc
			area 253756. Tpt to follow one hour later under comd Major DOBBIN. 1 SS Bde were in occupation high ground 240750, but it was
			uncertain whether enemy had been cleared from whole route of Bn adv.
		0630	Conc area reached after difficult march without incident. Bn H.Q. est 253756.
253756			C.O. decided that Bn should adv along axis of rd to BRANVILLE and

Page 12 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	21		(Cont'D) and arranged with Comd OXF BUCKS that they were to pass through this Bn if any serious opposition was encountered. The
			Bn adv was to be made in bounds with adv guard of one Coy.
		1000	C Coy crossed start line 'HAMMER'.
		1209	C Coy were halted at rd junc 275773 where they consolidated. D Coy moved through C Coy and reached area X Rds 295873 where they
			came under enemy mortar and MG fire from area track june 304782. Enemy harrassing fire started landing area rd junc 279773.
			By 2000 hrs A & D Coys were est area 295783. A Coy had suffered cas in close fighting. B Coy est at 275773. C Coy in reserve and Bn H.Q.
			at 273767.
	22	0300	C Coy left reserve area in 15 cwt trucks to proceed around rt flank in order to recce with a view to an attack at first light or to
			occupy the village should the enemy have withdrawn.
		0530	C Coy reached BRANVILLE and found that the enemy had just pulled out.
			A few GERMAN stragglers were taken prisoner and six BRIT parchutists who had been hidden by the FRENCH civs since D Day were liberated.
		0800	Bde comd ordered that BRANVILLE should be occupied by two Coys. B Coy was sent fwd to join C Coy in the village.
			1 RUR passed through the Bn to continue the adv and Bn rested.
	23	0800	Bn ordered to be at 30 mins notice to move with R Gps at 15 mins notice.
		1045	Bn rcd warning order from Bde to move to conc area at 4406 at 1130 hrs.
		1130	Bn moved and reached new area 438058 at 1300 hrs without incident. Bn under two hours notice to move with effect from midnight.
438058		1715	C.O.s recce party ordered to area LA POTTERIE 4607 to carry out recce with a view to crossing River TOUQUES in that area during night.

Page 13 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	23		cont'd). once 1 RUR had est a bridgehead across the river.
		2000	Recce Party returned.
		2015	Proposed operation cancelled.
		2030	Message received from Bde that there were some 50 enemy in a house at MEZERAY 3081 and that these were to be rounded up by
			the Bn.
			25 men from A Coy and Recce Pl under comd Maj Carey sent out to deal with enemy. C.O also accompanied party.
	24	0030	Party returned after finding report of enemy unconfirmed as no
			contact was made.
		1030	Patrols of 1 RUR and 2 OXF BUCKS had crossed the R.TOUQUES during the night and found the enemy withdrawing again so the BN was
			ordered to conc in the Area TOUQUES 468117
		1100	BN moved to TOUQUES crossing river by Footbridge 468078.
		1300	BN arrived TOUQUES without incident. Bde Comd expressed wish that Bn should be first in HONFLEUR before 1 BELGIAN GP.
		1645	Mob Col consisting of Recce Pl on bicycles, 19 Pl (Lt Reakes) on commandeered vehs all under comd Maj Warren sent out to
			seize HONFLEUR as soon as possible
		1730	Mob Col entered HONFLEUR without opposition, but enemy known to be in Eastern outskirts of HONFLEUR.
		1740	Two recce patrols (Cpl Lines & 3 O.RS : Cpl Pinder & 3 O.Rs) hrs after
			to gain contact with enemy. Patrols returned at 1900 hrs after contacting enemy area HONFLEUR STA and high ground at 573175.
			3 O.RS of the patrols were wounded.
		1745	Remainder of BN left TOUQUES for HONFLEUR via ST PHILIVEIT and E QUMANVILLE.
HONFLEUR		2200	Remainder of BN arrived HONFLEUR without opposition.

Page 14 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	24	2200	(cont'd) Bn HQ est in College at 568184. A Coy est HOTEL BRAS D'OR B Coy EQUEMANVILLE C Coy area THEATRE D Coy Area HOTEL ANGLETERRE.
			A quiet night.
	25	0300	B Coy with orders to cut off the enemy's withdrawal by getting astride rd at LA RIVEIRE - ST SAUVEUR - 5816 proceeded by march
			route to that area from EQUEMANVILLE.
		0630	B Coy arrived new area and est astride rd at STSAVEUR without
			opposition
		0600	Recce Pl moved fwd with orders to push fwd to br at FIQFLEUR 6116 and if clear to pursue enemy who had left HONFLEUR.
		0830	Recce Pl reported that they were under M.G., 5 and 8.1 cm Mortar fire from the high ground at approx 620615.
		1115	Recce pl and A Coy in contact with enemy along line of river
			at 615166. Both under considerable Mortar and MG fire. C Coy moved round to right flank in att empt to cross river
			via ABLON and the crossing at 621142.
		1145	C Coy held up by enemy mortar and MG fire from 623167 and 624144
		1300	C Coy reached 623145. Cas 3 O.Rs killed 3 O.Rs wounded. 3 PWS taken.
		1500	A Coy attacked on left flank supported by Bn Mortars and 2 tps 25 pdr. Coy held up at river by heavy enemy mortar & M G fire.
			B Coy moved fwd and took over area astride rd 610167 and D Coy sent to high ground East of ABLON 6114 to cover C Coy out who
			had been ordered to withdraw to Western side of Valley.
		2300	A Coy withdrew behind B Coy. D Coy took over from D Coy.
			Bn HQ moved up from HONFLEUR to ST SAUVEUR. Total cas for the day : 1 Officer (Lt Horwood) killed. 3 ORS
ST SAUVEUR			killed. 5 ORs wounded. 6 PWs captured.

Page 15 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	26	0630	Recce Pl (Lt Wild) passed through B Coy at FIQUEFLEUR with orders
			to confirm the presence of the enemy or not in his posns of 25 Aug and if he had withdrawn to continue adv. with all speed to BERVILLE
			-sur-MER.
		0900	Recce Pl reported that enemy had again withdrawn.
			BN moved with all speed to BERVILLE. 1 BELGIAN GP passed through Bn but BERVILLE had already been reached by 1RUR
		1300	BN reached CONTEVILLE 6816 where it was ordered to est itself.
		1430	All Coys est in new areas. Rest and maintenance ordered.
		1730	Warning Order received that BN with the rest of 6 AIRLDG BDE to move into 1 CORPS Res Posns on 28 Aug.
	27		A quiet day in CONTEVILLE. Maintenance of weapons and vehs carried
			out. Padre conducted Church Services.
	28	1000	BN left CONTEVILLE and moved into 1 Corps Res ta FIQUEFLEUR 6116.
	29/30		BN rested and recreational tpt was made available to take tps into
			HONFLEUR.
	31		Light P.T and Route Marches. BN received orders to prepare for return to U.K.
			Strength Returns of Officers and O.Rs rendered to 2nd Ech 21 ARMY Gp
FIQUEFLEUR.			on 5th,12th,19th and 26th	Appx C, D, E,F.

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War Diary: 12th Devonshire Regiment

Month and year: August 1944

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