War Diary: 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment

Month and year: May 1944

The 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment May 1944 including inspections by General Dwight Eisenhower, H.M. KING GEORGE VI, G.O.C., Gen RENNIE and Col. E.J. MONTGOMERY

The May 1944 war diary starts on the 20th the pages for the days before are missing from the original document.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1269

The "References to Appendices" column for this document was empty so has been omitted.

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WO 171/1269 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment

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Page 1 of 3

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
20	1500	Gen DWIGHT EISENHOWER, Supreme Comd of the Allied Forces, inspected dets of
		Units in PETWORTH III CAMP. Before he left, he gave a short talk on the
		forth coming invasion which created great confidence and enthusiasm.
21	1100	Conference of Coy Comds to discuss possible promotions, as a result of which
		30 men were appointed ULC, and 4 ULCs promoted to A/Cpls.
22	1530	Representatives of all units in 6 Beach Gp, including the whole Bn which was
		formed up 6 deep, were inspected by H.M. KING GEORGE VI, who was accompanied
		by the G.O.C., Gen RENNIE and Col. E.J. MONTGOMERY, MBE and the Gp Comd.
		The following Officers and W. Os were introduced to His Majesty:- Maj. CARSE,
		Capt. J.D.BICKNELL, Staff Captain, R.S.M. ROBEY, DCM and R.S.M. STEVENS, 245
		HQ Pro Coy., CMP. His Majesty also spoke to several others. His Majesty
		was very impressed with the smartness of the turnout considering the conditions
		in which the men were living, and the Sub-Area Comd added that he had never
		seen such a smart ceremonial parade since the beginning of the war.
23		The C.O. sent the following message to the Mayor when AYLESBURY passed its

Page 2 of 3

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
23 (cont'd)		target in 'SALUTE the SOLDIER' week in honour of this Bn, with the object of
		paying for its equipment and transport to BERLIN. "Heartiest Congratulations
		on passing your target. Will be able to travel Pullman now. Well done AYLESBURY!"
24		Normal trg.
25		Normal trg.
26	0001	All camps were sealed, and none allowed out except with a permit from U.S.O.
	0700	A memorial service in remembrance of the Battle of HAZEBROUKE 1940 was held
		in the Cinema.
	0900	Gp Comd, Staff and unit Comds attended briefing conference by Sub-Area Comd,
		which lasted all day. Naval & RAF Senior Officers spoke on the air and sea
		power to be used.
27	0900	Gp Comd briefed all officers in the Gp on Operation "OVERLORD".
	1530	Gp Comd briefed all officers of 5 Beach Gp who came under comd.
28	0800	Sub - Units commenced briefing, which lasted all day.
29	0800	Sub - Units continued briefing.

Page 3 of 3

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
30	0800	Sub - Units continued briefing.
	1730	A det of A/TK Pl left to proceed to 'J' Marshalling Area.
	2030	Gp Comd held conference of all Os.C. units in which all last minute
		discrepancies were fixed, and the movement of the Gp to Marshalling Areas
		was ordered.
31	0800	All papers and documents except those of operations necessity were destroyed.