War Diary: 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment

Month and year: June 1944

The 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiments June 1944 war diary covers the units landing in Normandy at Jig Green Beach east of Le Hamel and their fight inland

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1305

All diaries for this unit:

1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment - June 1944

Please use the contact us page to report any errors or inaccuracies.

Viewing map locations

Many of the location in this diary have been geocoded, these locations are highlighted Screenshot of highlighted location clicking on them will display them on a map. Many location also have historical maps and aerial photographs of the area available.

Found this useful?

If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.

« Return to war diaries

Page 1 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
BEAULIEU	1	Bn briefed for the pending operations.
SOUTHAMPTON	2	Bn embarked as per operational orders
"	3 - 5	Spent on the sea
LE HAMEL	6	Two assault coys and two reserve coys landed, as per operational
		orders, on the Jig Green Beach east of the village of LE HAMEL.
		The aerial bombardment did not seem to have been as effective
		as expected. Enemy machine-gun nests survived the aerial,
		naval and arty bombardment and made the fullest use of
		their underground, well-concealed and well-built positions.
		The narrowness of the beach and the presence of mines
		added to the difficulties of Bn's task. In spite of heavy
		casualties, however, the Bn drove the enemy from the beach and
		captured the villages of LE HAMEL and ASNELLES-SUR-MER, inflicting
		heavy casualties on the enemy
		Lt. Col. H.D. NELSON-SMITH M.C., O.C. Bn., became a casualty &

Page 2 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
LE HAMEL	6	was removed to the R.A.P.
		ARROMANCHES-LES-BAINS was then stormed. Enemy 88mm guns
		and Spandau teams, which put up a determined resistance, were
		ultimately wiped out. Bn reorganised and attacked TRACY-SUR-MER
		where enemy resistance was stubborn. The nature of the country,
		infested with woods orchards gave the enemy snipers good cover.
		Bn. HQ. was established at ST. COME DE FRESNE.
ST. COME DE FRESNE.	7	LT. CoL. C.H.R. HOWIE took over the command of the Bn. The enemy
		resistance at TRACY-SUR-MER was overcome and MANVIEUX was
		entered without opposition.
		After having cleared the LE HAMEL-ASNELLES SUR MER-ARROMANCHES
		LES BAINS-TRACY SUR MER-MANVIEUX perimeter, the Bn. moved to
		RUBERSY and arrived there at about 1830 has.
		A number of snipers were reported to be in the area of the
		village of BUHOT. A patrol of 4 Jeeps was sent to winkle them out. Two

Page 3 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
RUBERSY	7	carrier patrols under capt. HAMMOND were also sent out to mop
		up the area of BAZIRVILLE. One patrol did not make contact; the
		other shot up several enemy gunners and captured three prisoners.
"	8	Bn. reorganised the Coys which were placed in a tight box on
		arrival at RUBERSY were now spread out. Two Coys. were sent
		to assist the 2 DEVON.
BAYEUX	9	Bn moved forward to S.W. of BAYEUX and took over positions
		held by 2 ESSEX. Fighting and Recce patrols were sent out
		to harass the enemy and gauge the strength of the Hun's defences
		in the area. A few prisoners were taken.
ST. PAUL DU VERNAY	10	Bn launched a mopping up operation, moving by bounds, with the
		general line of 69 northings (SHEET 7F/1) as the ultimate objective.
		However, the wooded country + high-hedged orchards made cross-country
		movement difficult for our troops and tanks, while the nature of the
		country afforded the enemy spandau teams and snipers good concealment

Page 4 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
ST. PAUL DU VERNAY	10	The Bn reached its objective, however, and dug in in area of St. PAUL
		DU VERNAY Bn. HQ. being established at 749698. The 2 DEVON on our
		left were counter-attacked at 18.30 hrs and a comp Coy u/c Capt THOMAS
		was sent to help. The counter-attack was driven off + the comp. Coy returned
		under command the following day.
BERNIERES BOCAGE	11	Bn. left the area of St. PAUL DU VERNAY to mop up the enemy in the
		area east the 2 DEVON who were now established south of TRUNGY.
		Arriving at the start-line, N.W. of the village of BERNIERES BOCAGE, the
		Bn launched an attack on the enemy pocket resistance S.W. of the village
		where our supporting tanks were held up by a well-camouflaged 88mm gun
		firing point-blank at the sharp bend in the wood about 500 yds south
		of the village. The enemy spandau teams, securely placed behind
		the natural cover of high-hedges in the orchards and the woods
		commanded the road, the tracks and the fields. The enemy mortars,
		from the security of their natural concealment bombed the village,

Page 5 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
BERNIERES BOCAGE	11	the road, the tracks and the fields via which our mopping up coys
		had to advance. In spite of these natural advantages of the enemy
		our rifle coys gained ground and dug in in a defensive arc
		S.W. of the village.	APPX A
		Bn held on to its new positions in face of fierce enemy counter-attacks
		which were successfully repelled with considerable number of
		casualties to the enemy. Good use was made by the enemy of OPs established in trees
"	12	Bn. with sp arms tried to mop up enemy resistance and reach objective
		of Pt 110 at 778684 The Sp. arms, consisting flails and AVRES, moved
		too far forward of the infantry, got knocked out and provided little
		help to the Bn. The start-line fwd. of the village was dominated by
		ridges from the enemy side and a counter-attack was launched when
		the Bn was lined up on the road ready to mop up. The counter-attack
		was driven off and the Bn. regained its posn. SW. of BERNIERES
		BOCAGE.

Page 6 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
BERNIERES BOCAGE	12	The Arty barrage missed an important ridge on the left from which
		considerable opposition came.
LA SENAUDIERE	13	At 1000 hrs the RAF bombarded LA SENAUDIERE, the Bn having to
		move back to the northern end of BERNIERES BOCAGE for safety purposes.
		Arty barrage covering 100 yds in three minutes was laid on. Spting arms
		consisted of a troop of Crocodiles and a troop of M10's of the N.H. The Bn
		moved off already deployed and opposition was met N. of LA SENAUDIERE,
		showing the enemy had occupied same ground which we had given up
		when the air attack began. The Crocodiles went ahead of the infantry
		into the village and although doing considerable damage all except
		one were knocked out and again provided no immediate assistance
		to the Bn. A composite force consisting of a sec. of carriers, a sec. of A/TK
		guns and a section of mortars under LT. JACKSON + SGT CURLEY moved
		round on the left, protecting our left flank, mopping up resistance on the
		ridge and capturing one prisoner. After fierce fighting and a counter attack

Page 7 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
LA SENAUDIERE	13	by a PANTHER at LA SENAUDIERE cross-roads, the Bn reorganised around
		the Crossroads.
"	14-18	Defence Routine. Recce patrols sent out to the area between LINGEVRES and
		LONGRAYE. On the 14th the Bn "I" Sec. started sending in shellreps
		taken on bearings of enemy fire. These proved very successful, the
		Bde being one of the first Bdes. in the Div. to do this. Bn. went in
		Divisional reserve for 48 hrs and the Bde arranged baths for personnel
		in BAYEUX
LINGEVRES	19	"I" sec., a sec. of Carriers, one sec. A/TK guns, mortar pl. + pioneer pl. left
		LA SENAUDIERE at 1030 for LINGEVRES. "I" Sec. laid the start-line for the
		Bn. about 600 yds south of the LINGEVRES-TILLY road and established
		mortar OP's. The sec. carriers + A/TK guns provided a firm base for
		the start line.
		The rest of Bn left LA SENAUDIERE at 1300 hrs and arrived at the
		start-line about 1400 hrs with a view to mopping up the area S.E. of

Page 8 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
LINGEVRES	19	LINGEVRES and taking up positions in HOTTOT. Enemy mortar + 88 mm
		guns shelled the area of the start-line mercilessly. The Bn advanced
		in spite of the enemy shelling and stiff resistance of the opposing PGR
		supported by tanks and dug in north of HOTTOT. Enemy lost three
		tanks
HOTTOT AREA	20-23	A policy of continuous punching the enemy at various points in his defences
		was put in force and maintained relentlessly. Aggressive fighting	APPX A
		patrols penetrated the enemy lines by day and by night and engaged
		the enemy with all arms at their disposal. Recce patrols procured valuable
		information about the strength and precise dispositions of the enemy. "I"sec
		mortar O.P.s proved to be of great value and were instrumental
		in the location and destruction of one enemy gun.
"	24-26	A patrol consisting of 1 officer, 2 N-CO.'s and 12 men, under LT. BLACKMORE,
		was sent out under protective fire to destroy enemy front edge of orchard
		813664 (Sheet 7F/1) and to continue to harass enemy on Bn front. Details in	APPX A

Page 9 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
HOTTOT AREA	27-28	(a) A patrol under 2 LT J.M. B. BENNET, consisting of 1 N.C.O and 5 ORS, left
		at 2330 has 27th June via hedge & road Junc. 813668 (Sheet7F/1) to ascertain
		whether
		(1) Field 812666 contained enemy tanks	APPX A
		(2) To deal with such tanks by P.I.A.T.
		The patrol returned via same route at 2400 hrs and reported no
		tanks in patrol area but a tank on fire, amn. exploding inside at 804665
		(b) Bn reorganised and relieved the fwd. posns. of 8DLI who reverted
		to 151 Bde.
"	29-30	A Patrol under LT RICKETTS, consisting of 1 officer and 1 man, ascertained the	APPX A
		presence and strength of the enemy at hedge junc.. 811668 (Sheet 7F/1)
		A recce patrol under 2 /LT W.R. DUGMORE reconnoitered the area of CHATEAU
		de CORDILLON at 808604 ( Sheet 7F/1) and brought back valuable
		information Details in	APPX A

Found this useful?

If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.

Layers

War Diary: 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment

Month and year: June 1944

Viewing map locations