War Diary: 12th Devonshire Regiment

Month and year: July 1944

The 12th Bn Devonshire Regiment July 1944 war diary covers the units time in Normandy in the area between Ranville and Bavent

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1279

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Page 1 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	1		Patrol sent out night 30 Jun/1 Jul reported in War Diary for JUN
		1500	Op Order 'NUTS' prepared and distributed to all concerned	"A"
		2000	An enemy patrol, reported initially as 25 strong but subsequently est as 12, adv on Bn O.P. which had just previously been subjected
			to mortar fire. The Bn O.P Standing Patrol withdrew without loss
			and our Mortars bombed O.P. The enemy withdrew and O.P. was reoccupied.
		2205	6 Airldg Bde HQ reported that enemy main mob res now est within striking distance. Although likely that the enemy thrust line
			will not be on this Div front in the first instance the Bde front must be carefully watched day and night. All units were
			instructed to take steps to be particularly alert 3 hrs starting just before first light and 3 hrs before dark. Standing Orders
			regarding "Stand To" were adjusted and 50% of BN to "Stand To"
			from 2100 - 2330 and 0230 - 0530. This order was cancelled on
			4 JUL.
	2	0106	A raid (Op "Nuts") was made on ORCHARD 143744 by 12 Pl B Coy sp by Arty, Mortars and MMGs.
			From 0058 to 0105 150 Fd Regt fired 3 rds per min on the ORCHARD together with four mortars.
			From 0106 - 0120 Airldg Lt Regt and twelve mortars of 2 OX BUCKS fired on copses to the NORTH while one sec MMG fired along NORTH
			face of ORCHARD. Seven of 12 DEVON mortars fired on HEDGEROW 144735 and COPSE 146736.
			At 0106 hrs 12 Pl assaulted the ORCHARD from Barn 141742. One Sec (Cpl Collett) est a firm base in the SW Corner and engaged
Fr 40/16 NW 136736			by Bren two enemy MMGs in the NE corner. A second Sec (Sgt Higginson)

Page 2 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	2	0106	(cont'd) made for the centre of the COPSE through a suspected mortar posn (actually a small pond) to the centre of the EAST
			face of the ORCHARD where they drew MG fire from the NE and
			SE corners of the WOOD. Lt Lewis led the third Sec along the SOUTH face to SE corner
			with a view to obtaining an identification. Lt Lewis was accompanied by Pte Black who called upon the enemy in German to give themselves
			up. A booby trap was encountered within 70 yds of the start and set off without causing cas. Cpl Harris who was following Lt
			Lewis was jumping in and out of trenches shouting "Empty" when an MMG from the SE corner opened up and hit Cpl Harris who
			dropped and wounded Pte Black. Lt Lewis then went straight for the MMG, armed only with a Sten and silenced it. A Schmeisser
			beside the MMG opened up and hit Lt Lewis who was seen to fall and lie still. Pte Geard moving behind Lt Lewis was also hit
			but managed to silence the Schmeisser with a grenade. At the same time enemy mortars opened up on this Sec (and on their
			own tps as well). It was now 0118 hrs and the patrol withdrew to the firm base where it was established that Lt Lewis, Cpl
			Harris and Pte Geard were missing and Pte Black wounded. Sgt Higginson withdrew the patrol to the SL at 0130.
		0330	Pte Geard crawled back from ORCHARD to A Coy's posn and was taken to RAP.
			In addition to the above cas 3 O.Rs of Mortar Pl and 3 O.RS of A Coy were wounded by enemy counter bty & mortar fire.
			It was later learned from an enemy deserter (a Pole) that Lt Lewis and Cpl Harris had been killed and that enemy cas were
Fr 40/16 NW 136736			2 killed and 10 wounded

Page 3 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	2	1100	6 Airborne Div Comd visited Bn H Q. The following Letter was received by the C.O. from the Comd
			6 Airborne Div :- I was most impressed by all I have heard of your raid
			last night. I think the young officer and N.C.O. and man who reached the German M.G. Post put up a splendid show which is a
			credit to themselves, to your Bn and to the Div. Will you let all those who took part know what I think
			and congratulate them from me.
		1500	B Coy sent recce patrol of 1 Officer (Lt Nuttall) & 2 O.Rs to
			observe enemy movement in area ORCHARD 145744 and to confirm infm about presence of enemy at HEDGEROW 143740. At 1535 Hrs
			one enemy unarmed seen moving N to S on HEDGEROW 146742. NW corner of ORCHARD appeared to be unoccupied. There appeared to
			be a camouflaged post at SE corner. The patrol contacted 3 snipers of A Coy who had moved along N of HEDGEROW 144740 and
			found it to be clear of the enemy.
		2300	A patrol of 1 sgt (Sgt Hands) and 6 O.Rs sent out to cover a det of Pioneer Pl erecting defs of Bn OP 143738. Two posns were
			taken up each about 100x from OP along N and E HEDGEROWS. No enemy patrols were seen or heard. En emy rifle fired from HEDGEROW
			144735 at 0235hrs and verey lights were sent up from ORCHARD 144743. The Patrol and the Pioneer Det withdrew at 0500hrs. its task
			Pioneer Det completed about 75% of its task
	3	0850	One enemy soldier who claimed to be a POLE deserted and gave
			himself up to A Coy. Preliminary interrogation was carried out at Bn HQ by Interrogator of 6 Airldg Bde. P.W. was then sent	App B
Fr 40/16 NW 136736			Bde HQ.

Page 4 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	3	2035	D Coy fwd pl were mortared by the enemy. About 6 bombs fell in
			pl area but no cas caused. Source of was unknown.
		2120	C Coy HQ was mortared by the enemy and 2 O.Rs were wounded.
		2345	A recce patrol of 1 Officer (Lt Reakes) and 2 O.Rs were sent out to ascertain if HEDGEROW connecting ORCHARD 145741 and HEDGEROW
			JUNC was occupied by the enemy. Also to recce with a view to laying an ambush area HEDGEROW JUNC 145738 & 146738 on another
			night. Patrol got within 8 yds of HEDGEROW which was occupied by the enemy. Individuals were pinpointed but no contact was
			made and patrol was apparantly not seen. Area found suitable for a raid but not an ambush.. Patrol returned at 0345hrs.
	4	0130	Enemy shelled D Coy area. 2 O.Rs wounded.
		0400	Our Arty opened up a barrage on enemy lines SQ 1474 for 4 mins.
			B Coy then started a "sham" attack by firing SAA and laying a
			smoke screen for 3 mins. This was followed by a 2 min barrage by Arty. Directly B Coy's "Attack" opened enemy replied with
			SAA and mortar fire.
			Remainder of day was quiet. Enemy sneaked raider dropped a.p bombs
			No cas.
	5	1150	An enemy deserter who claimed to be a POLE gave himself up to
			C Coy from approx 144737. He was identified as of 1 Coy 346 Fus Bn and sent to Bde HQ immediately.
		1405	A sniper patrol of 1 NCO and 1 OR was sent out. No opportunity to fire on enemy and returned at 1630hrs.
Fr 40/16 NW 136736		1530	Enemy movement was observed in area Fm Bldgs 147735. 53rd Lt Regt R.A. were informed and they shelled the area.

Page 5 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	5	1800	D Coy changed over posns with C Coy. Change over completed by
			2200hrs.
		1845	Enemy fired mortar bombs in D Coy area. One bomb killed 1 O.R
			and wounded 4 O.RS
		2215	Mortar Pl (Capt Bowman) shot 12 H.Es on HEDGEROW 145736 - 144736
			and 36 HEs on enemy mortar posn at 146741.
	5/6		No patrols were sent out during the night. Some enemy shelling
			but no cas.
	6	1015	Comd 6 Airldg Bde visited Bn HQ
		1400	A sniper patrol of 1 NCO (L/c Neale) & 1 OR sent out to observe enemy movement and snipe at possible targets. No opportunity
			arose for sniping and patrol returned at 1645hrs.
		2330	A patrol of 1 NCO (Sgt Wade) and 10 O.Rs sent out to lay an ambush
			SW corner ORCHARD and to observe enemy movement. Very little movement was seen or heard and patrol was unable to lay ambush.
			Patrol returned at 0520hrs.
		2340	Another patrol of 1 NCO (Cpl Rice) and 6 O.Rs was sent out to
			lay an ambush at HEDGEROW JUNC 141739 and to observe enemy movemt. Very little movement heard or seen and patrol unable to lay ambush.
			Patrol returned at 0445 hrs. Enemy shelling during the night and enemy a/c dropped ap bombs.
			No cas
	7	1500	Bn was relieved by 2 BUCKS. Hand over was completed by 1630hrs.
			Bn moved into Bde reserve area at 132740.
Fr NW/40/16 132740		2130	Bn witnessed heavy air attack on CAEN by strong force of LANCASTERS

Page 6 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	7	2300	Slight enemy a/c activity over Bn area but no bombs dropped.
	8	0900	Bn again witnessed air attack on CAEN 3 "Marauders" were seen to bomb the town. Noise of battle in CAEN could be heard throughout
			the day.
			A trg programme was arranged for the period the Bn would be in
			Bde res.
	9		A quiet day. Padre conducted several services. News was received of the fall of CAEN.
	10		C.O accompanied by Maj Rogers and Cap't Binning (RAMC) visited
			2 DEVON on right of British-Canadian Sector for liason purposes.
		1700	Enemy laid a fairly heavy mortar conc on Bn area causing 2 cas
			(2 o.rs wounded) and destroying a jeep.
			In the afternoon during the C.Os absence orders were received
			for the BN to move into area RANVILLE 1173. 153 Bde of 51 HIGHLAND DIV was to carry out an op at dawn to capture Northern edge of
			COLLEMBELLES and blow factory chimeys at 080700 which gave the Germans observation over the whole of the bridgehead EAST
			of the River ORNE. A Bn of 154 Bde was to move from RANVILLE to "DEVON" HILL (1073) to be replaced on the 'firm base" by
			the BN. C Coy to come under comd 7 A&SH
			Bn (less Recce Pl, Pioneer Pl, one A tk Pl one MMG Pl ) were in posn by 2100 hrs.
Fr 40/16 NW RANVILLE	11	0900	Enemy shelled Bn area. 1 O.R. killed and 1 O.R wounded.

Page 7 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	11 (cont'd)		The op by 51 HIGHLAND DIV was not a success and the raiding forces withdrew.
		2100	C.Coy were relievd and returned to 6 Airldg Bde Res area.
	12	0200 - 0230	Enemy heavily shelled Bn Area and enemy a/c dropped a.p bombs. One a/c was brought down by 40mm Arty A.A. No casualties were suffered.
		0400 0430	Enemy again heavily shelled Bn Area but no cas.
		1300	5 BLACK WATCH relieved the Bn who returned to 6 Airldg Bde Res
			Remainder of the day was quiet. Enemy 346 Div opposite 6 Airborne Div front was reported to have
			been reinforced by 1,200 men (30% non-Germans)
	13		A quiet day. Trg and sport carried out by coys.
	14		Slight enemy air activity during the afternoon and evening, otherwise a quiet day. Trg and sport carried out by Coys.
	15		Recce party of 9 Inf Bde visited BN Area in preparation of that
			Bde moving into BN Area. (Inf Bde moved in during the night, BN received orders to avoid movement and pay special attention
			to camouflage. There was no further trg or sports.
	16		C in C 21st ARMY GROUP held an investiture at H.Q.6 AIRBORNE DIV.
			C.O. attended and C/Sgt Bond (B Coy) 8 Cpl Jeffery (A Coy) were awarded M.M. for bravery at LE BAS DE RANVILLE on 9 JUN.
Fr NW 40/16 132740			A quiet day.

Page 8 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	17		All mortars (under comd Capt Bowman) moved into Area CARREFOUR de la ELEINE 1072 under comd 152 Bde (HD) for an op to commence
			18 JUL.
	18		A general offensive started from the bridgehead held by 6 AIRBORNE DIV and 51 HIGHLAND DIV.
			Bn mortars fired 1,800 rds on targets in the area of BOIS DE BAVANT in sp of 5 SEAFORTHS on the left of the gen attack. 2
			O.Rs were wounded by counter mortar fire.
		1600	BN came under comd 5 PARA BDE and moved up to relieve 2 SEAFORTH
			in areas 148710, 144710, & 140717. 'B' Ech and MMG Pls did not accompany BN. BN was now the right fwd bn of 6 AIRBORNE DIV.
		2300	About 20 enemy a/c bombed 6 AIRBORNE DIV area. One jeep in 'B' Ech area was hit by a.p. bomb. Enemy immediately to the BN
			front reacted by putting up "Golden Rain" to denote their FDLs and opened with tracers at irregular intervals. One a/c was
			seen in flames.
	1900	1800	B Coy fired 2" mortars and S.A.A on enemy front to induce enemy to reply so that positions could be located. Only 2 M.Gs and
			occasional rifle fire replied. Listening Posts pin pointed one MG
	20	0830	Comd of 5 PARA BDE visited the BN
		0900	" " 6 AIRLDG BDE " " "
		0845	A wounded German deserter crawled into C Coy lines and was brought into RAP. He was identified as from 1 Coy 858 Gren Regt and evacuated
			to MDS. 5 PARA BDE HQ was informed.
Fr 40/16 NW138775		1200	Two Standing Patrols were put out. One at HEDGE JUNC 142711 (DF Task 3)

Page 9 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	20	1200	(cont'd) manned by day by one officer or sgt & six O.Rs Recce Pl
			and by night by one officer & nine O.Rs D Coy. The other at HEDGEROW 142717 (DF Task 1) to be manned by day by 1 Officer or sgt & six
			O.Rs of D Coy. Tasks for both patrols to report any permanent enemy posns. Patrols to withdraw when making reports of enemy firing
			to enable Bn mortars to engage targets.
		2300	3 5cm mortar bombs fell in D Coy area and wounded 3 ORs.
			From 1600hrs very heavy rain fell waterlogging tracks and slit trenches.
	21	1000 - 1200	The BN was relieved by 1 CDN PARA BN and 9 PARA BN. The BN
			reverted under comd 6 Airldg Bde and relieved 1 RUR in area LE MENSIL X RDS. 1 RUR went into Bde Res. BN now bounded by
			13 PARA BN on right flank and 2 OXF BUCKS on left flank. Mortars held in 3 btys of four in area X RDS 134727.
			Occasional enemy mortar fire during the day casualties (2 O.Rs wounded.
			A draft of 1 sgt and 17 O.Rs (BORDER REGT),volunteers, arrived from 54 (BEACH GP) DIV and were posted to D Coy.
	22	0930	Comd 6 AIRLDG BDE visited Bn HQ.
			A counter mortar plan was devised to reply to any enemy mortar fire immediately by crumping a pre-selected target with one bty
			of mortars and arty (Code word : REVENGE) Subsequently when bearings become available fire to be switched to located mortar posn.
		1430	Bn mortars ranged on WOOD 148735 with 40 rds HE.
		1650	Enemy fired a few mortar bombs in area of left fwd Coy (c Coy)
LE MENSIL XRDS.			Counter mortar fire on enemy within 6 mins.

Page 10 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	23	0001	Two Recce Patrols sent out. Each of 1 NCO 7 & 1 OR. Task of one patrol to report any enemy at HEDGE JUNC 146728 and between track
			and HEDGE JUNC 147728. Voices were heard and flash light was seen 50 x South of first pt but no enemy were located at second pt.
			The task of the other patrol was to report if any enemy SW of TRIANGLE WOOD and any enemy listening patrols WEST of the area
			in vicinity of main road. No enemy was located. Both patrols returned at 0330hrs.
		0800	Enemy mortared Bn area (A & C Coys). 1 OR was slightly wounded. Mortar Pl fired REVENGE.
		1220	Enemy mortared Bn Area (A Coy). No cas. Mortar pl fired REVENGE.
		1900	Two unarmed enemy were seen doubling at 500x range S of main rd
			at TRIANGLE WOOD. Coy snipers opened fire and one enemy was seen to fall but hit was unconfirmed.
	24	0001	A Recce Patrol of 1 NCO & 1 OR was sent out to report if there
			was an enemy post at SW of TRIANGLE WOOD. Patrol found no enemy post at extreme SW edge of TRIANGLE WOOD but a posn with
			an MG NE of that pt. Patrol returned at 0400hrs
		0130	A/c dropped a number of leaflets on our fwd tps
		0810	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired REVENGE.
		1216	Enemy movement seen at 147738. C Coy fired 3 rds of 2" mortar on this pt.
		1330	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired REVENGE.
		1515	An O.R of left fwd coy was wounded by rifle shot whilst in a posn facing North. No enemy sniper was seen.
LE MENSIL X RDS		1520	Enemy mortared left fwd coy (C Coy). No cas. Mortar Pl fired REVENGE.

Page 11 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	24	2240	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE".
		2244	Enemy, continued mortaring Bn Area and Mortar Pl rptd "REVENGE"
		2315	Right fwd Coy (D Coy) reported that two semi-tracked vehicles passed up the road towards the enemy. The vehicle ran into a
			minefield and exploded two mines. The vehicle was found to contain 12 men of 33 Fd Regt R.A 3 of whom were injured. The
			injured men received treatment by the Bn M.O. and the remainder were escorted back to their own area.
		2330	Enemy a/c were active over Bn Area but nobombs were dropped
		2335	A Recce Patrol of 1 NCO and 2 O.Rs was sent out to ascertain
			if there was an enemy listening post on the rd between TRIANGLE WOOD & BLDGS 144731 and if so to ambush it. The patrol located
			no post but heavy mortar & arty fire precluded accurate listening. Patrol saw enemy a/c drop bombs on their own lines 1,000x NE
			of TRIANGLE WOOD.
	25	1125	Bn Area mortared by enemy. 2 O.Rs were wounded. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"
		1245	Enemy again mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"
		1430	D Coy sniper in right fwd pl sniped two of the enemy. Both believed to be "kills".
		1700	B Coy took over right fwd posns from D Coy. A Coy took over left fwd posns from C Coy.
		2100	Enemy mortared B Coy posns. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"
		2103	" " A " " " " " " "
		2010	En-emy mortar target engaged by Mortar Pl.
LE MENSIL X RDS		2205	Enemy mortared B Coy & Bn Hq. Mortar Pl and Arty fired "REVENGE"

Page 12 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	26	1135	Enemy mortared B & C Coy areas. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"	twice.
		1615	" " B Coy area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE" twice.
		1830- 2010	Increased enemy movement was observed. The enemy was more alert but sniper of right fwd coy fired one shot and claimed a possible
			hit.
		2330	A Recce Patrol of 1 NCO & 1 OR was sent out to ascertain if the enemy used HEDGEROW STICKEES CORNER to TRAINGLE WOOD as a track
			by night and if so whether a simple ambush could be arranged. Patrol reported that HEDGEROW was not used as a track between
			posts during night but area was suitable for ail ambush. Patrol returned at 0300hrs.
	27	0130 - 0200	Enemy a/c bombed BN Area with a.p. bombs. No cas but some damaged to equiptment.
		0330	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE".
		0345	Enemy continued to mortar Bn Area and Mortar Pl rptd "REVENGE"
		1100 - 1300	Sniper posn of left fwd Coy (A Coy) - HOUSE 143732 - was engaged
			by an enemy long range gun (probably sp gun) on three occasions with about 8 rds each time from a range of 100 deg (mag). 3 O.RS
			were wounded (2 slightly)
		2100	Enemy long range gun again fired on left fwd Coy (A Coy) this
			time from a range of 107 deg. No cas.
	28		During the morning enemy sent over several very small objects (smaller than a 36 grenade) into the FDLS of left fwd coy (A Coy)
LE MENSIL X RDS			The effect was to fragment on impact with ground and make a noise similar to a trg thunder flash. No damage or cas.

Page 13 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	28	1100	Left fwd coy fired PIAT from House 144730 EAST along sunken lane at assumed enomy sec posn.
		1345 - 1410	Enemy mortared Bn Area. 2 O.Rs slightly wounded. Mortar Pl fired "REVINGE" three times.
			Right fwd coy 2" mortars fired as a bty on enemy sec posn in sunken lane.
		1455	Enemy mortared Bn Area. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"
		2000	" " " " 2 O.Rs wounded. Mortal Pl fired "REVENGE"
		2015	Sniper of right fwd pl hit one enemy. 'Kill" unconfirmed.
		2330	Enemy a/c passed over Bn Area but no bombs dropped.
	29	0015 - 0100	A few bursts of enemy MG fire from HEDGEROW JUNC 145730, otherwise a quiet night.
		1220 -1225	Enemy shelled Bn Area with SP gun. 5 rds were fired. SHELREP sent to 6 Airldg Bde HQ
			At first light it was seen that the enemy had attempted to block the view in GAP 144731 with branches. At 1400hrs Coy fired several
			rounds from PIAT at alow angle 300x range into the area of the GAP. The cover was blown away and the foliage of the hedgerow
			considerably thinned out giving a better view of the enemy. At 2100 hrs a 2" mortar bty shoot was made on the GAP & HEDGEROW
			JUNC 145730 (where an enemy observer was seen).
		1500	Enemy mortared the BN Area. 5 O.Rs wounded. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE"
		1535	Enemy shelled right fwd coy (B Coy). 2 O.Rs were slightly wounded
LE MENSIL X RDS		1720	Enemy shelled BN Area. 1 Officer & 3 O.Rs were slightly wounded. Mortar Pl and Arty fired "REVENGE"

Page 14 of 14

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	29	1850 - 1852	Enemy shelled fwd coys. No cas. Mortar Pl & Arty fired "REVENGE"
		1920	Enemy shelled C Coy Pl at X Rds. No cas.
	30	0001 - 0200	Mortar Pl fired a harassing shoot of about 30 bombs.
		0320 - 0600	Enemy mortars laid harassing fire from due E (from left fwd coy) on X Rds.
			Slight enemy air activity during the night but no bombs dropped on the Bn Area.
		1345	A tk gun destroyed by enemy mortar fire.
		1700	D Coy relieved B Coy in right fwd posns and C Coy relieved A Coy in left fwd posns.
		1815	Enemy mortared left fwd coy. No cas. Mortar Pl fired "REVENGE'.
		2300	- - do - - do & Arty fired "REVENGE"
	31	0320 - 0600	Enemy laid harassing fire on X Rds.
		2215 & 2225	Mortar PI engaged all "REVENGE" Targets.
		2330	Standing Patrol of l NCO & 3 OR's was sent out at HEDGE JUNC 144731 to ambush any enemy recce patrol in S end of ORCHARD 145737. No
			enemy patrol came into ORCHARD though patrol was fired upon from N of HEDGE JUNC. Patrol returned at 0030.
			Strngth Returns of officers & O.Rs (dated 1 8 15 22 29 JUL) rendered
LE MENSIL X RDS			to 2nd Ech	App D, E,F, G,H.

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War Diary: 12th Devonshire Regiment

Month and year: July 1944

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