1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment War Diary: July 1944

1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment July 1944 War Diary covers their fighting and advance to Escoville area

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1332

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WO 171/1332 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

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Page 1 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
LA LANDEL	1		Patrol out during night to recce enemy posns. as contact patrol.
			(Nothing to report).
	2	1030	Heavy barrage. Hy own Arty area N.W. CAEN.
		1130	- do -
			Smoke screen laid down by enemy approx 400yds in front of LEBISEY WOOD.
		1250	Sharp mortaring of location by enemy.
		1550	Shelling of Bn location by enemy.
		1830	More shelling by enemy from LA BIJUDE area.
		1900	Smoke laid down by enemy from LA BIJUDE to 400 yds N.E. of it.
		1935	Enemy again put down smoke screen.
		2020	Sharp mortaring by enemy
		2300	Short barrage put down by our own arty.
			Patrols out during night.
	3	1700	Report on carrier pigeon.
		1900	Barrage by our own arty.

Page 2 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
LA LANDEL.	3	2005	Sharp Mortaring of our posn by enemy.
		2020	Slight enemy shelling.
			Our own barrage starts again.
		2030	Further barrage by our own arty.
			Sharp shelling and mortaring of our posn by enemy. Shells believed to be
			88 mm. S.P.
		2040	More enemy shelling 3 or 4 airbursts,
			Patrols out during night covering R.E. laying mines.
	1	0105	4 shells fell round REs carrying party. 1 very light casualty.
		0500	Heavy barrage put down by own arty (in support of Canadians).
		0955	Enemy shelling of our location. (6. H.E.)
		1020	More shelling by the enemy. (18 H.E.)
		1130	Officer found abandoned German M.C. combination and two knocked out MKIV's at
			043747 X rds 043749 found unoccupied.

Page 3 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
LA LANDEL,	4	1830	4 Enemy shells fall in Bn Area (15cm).
		1900	Barrage commences for 15 minutes by our own Arty.
		2015	MGs commence firing direction LA BIJUDE.
		2100	MGs heard, direction LA BIJUDE.
		2345	Own heavy M.G fire, for 3 minutes.
	5	0525	Own mortars in action. (for 5 minutes).
		1925	Shelling of our posn by the enemy. (5 minutes).
		1940	More shelling by enemy. (2 casualties). (6 minutes)
		2108	Again sharply shelled by enemy 8 minutes.
	6	0130	D + 17 vehs arrived.
		0755	Shelling of Bn area.
		1200	Enemy S.P. gun observed although well camouflaged about 3000yds in front.
		1310	Sharp enemy shelling of posn by enemy.
		1645	Shelled again by enemy.
		2225	After our barrage two enemy tanks appeared one of which retired again the
			other left in view on track (approx 043724).

Page 4 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
LA LANDEL	7	0330	Heavy barrage put down by own Arty.
		0400	A,2. Ech shelled by three 88 mm from LEBISLEY WOOD.
		0635	4 M .E.109's fly over area straffing.
		0800	Positions normal throughout day.
		2150	Large force of HALIFAX Bombers fly overhead in direction of CAEN.
		2155	Bombing of CAEN commences.
		2320	Large fires seen in LEBISEY and CAEN.
			Sharp bout of enemy shelling 105 and 150 amn used - 30 rds.	"B" Coy. Offrs & 5 ORs( w).
		2330	Bde Comds enquires what impression the bombing made here. Replied Goods
			Adv party of NORFOLKS arrived.
	8	0030	Main body of NORFOLKS moves up.
		0105	2 enemy aircraft overhead engaged by our own A. A.
		0240	- Heavy barrage by our guns. Heavy enemy "stonk" WEST of this area.
		0245
		0330	Patrol reports from "D" Coy 4 German deserters reported to SUFFOLKS.

Page 5 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
8	0412	Enemy shelling - slight - forward of "C" Company.
	0420	Heavy barrage put down from our side.
	0500	Enemy mortar fire over whole area.
	0520	Enemy mortars to right of "C" Company posn.
	0522	"D" Company report enemy M.G. fire along road 035746.
	0523	"S" Company report large calibre shells near gap in wall.
	0525	Patrol report to Bde Tac. H.Q.
	0530	Communications to both O.P's out of order.
	0054	Slight enemy shelling in area of this H.Q.
	0603	O.P. reports our Inf. and tanks move forward under shell fire on left of
		"C" Company.
	0615	"D" Company reports friendly inf. moving on road on road CAMBES - LA-BIJUDE
		Enemy M.G. still firing from that vicinity.
	0640	GALMANCHE and LA-BIJUDE reported taken by troops on right. On left
		fighting going on in LEBISEY. Bulk of neighbours on 1st lateral. Some
		opposition coning from thick wood on left. Mopping up in houses on right.

Page 6 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
8	0640	Several friendly aircraft ground straffing enemy positions.
	0703	Enemy heavy mortaring on road in front of "D" Company.
	0718	Troops and tanks moving left to right towards small copse, First
		objective reached and forward troops on "BETTY" ind. "PAUL" and "BILL"
		also reported taken.
	0745	Sit. reps. from Coy's. "A" - Shell fire in area.	No casualties.
		"B" - Out of contact.
		"C" - Friends on left move forward but cannot be
		seen due to ground.
		"D" - Heavy mortar fire on fwd area. All quiet on road
		CAMBES - LA-BIJUDE. Vehicles from friends
		already gone forward.
	0945	Heavy shell fire on SG wood.
	1140	GEN. SIT. REP. 1100. Elements CMK and LMV in ST.CONTEST. GALMANCHE cleared
		LA-BIJUDE and EPRON in our hands. Two units ZCA consolidated LEBISEY due east
		to CANAL-de-CAEN also our WFP moving down to general line.

Page 7 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
8	1220	"A" Company report itermittent shelling of area also tps on right.
	1225	Own tps move forward from LEBISEY through "MAUD" and "MABEL". Enemy inf.
		seen moving S on road LEBISEY - CAEN. Enemy tanks seen W of ST. CONTEST
		moving E. Small party of enemy inf working from AUBERGE to EPRON.
	1400	New draft - 35 strong joined Bn.
	2230	Contact patrols with E. Yorks.
		Mine Field patrol.
9	0520	Warning order for coy's to be ready to move from 0600 hrs onwards.
		No move developed.
	1300	S.P's fire on area beyond LEBISEY.
	1430	O.P.2. report smoke screen over area LA-BIJUDE, also on right flank.
	1500	O.P. report small vehicle moving east to west - wood of LEBISEY.
10		Position at LE-LANDEL eased by capture of CAEN. Bn. bathed by coy's.
		check of equpt and arms.
	1400	N.A. A.F.I. van arrived.

Page 8 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
11	0900	Bn. to remain in same area and not move. Period for rest and re-checking
		of equipt and arms.
12	0730	Party provided to assist R.E's in clearing mines - area CAMBES.
	0935	Our S.P. guns commence firing - direction COLLOMBELLES,
	0945	Cease fire.
	1405	4 M.E. 109's flying over area N.E. Engaged by A.A. and Spitfires.
	1835	O.P. report series of explosions coming from COLLOMBELLES - fire started.
13	1000	Own mortars laid down smoke screen in front of Bn, obscuring view.
	1540	Sappers blowing mines - area of LE-LANDEL farm.
		Bn doing section training throughout day also training of 2" Mortar team and
		L.M.G teams - 30 yds range.
14	1000 to 1200	Own mortars out on firing practice.
	1500	Air activity - 3 .109's over area. Spitfires in pursuit.
	1930	One M.E. 109 flying through own intense A.A. barrage chased by Spitfires.

Page 9 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
15	1230	"O" Group (Preparation for Exercise.
	1515	Troops pass starting point.
	1545	M.T. pass starting point.
	1603	"O" Group - "A" and "D" Coy's
	1645	Arrival "D" - "A" Coy deployed.
	1705	"D" Coy deployed.
	1740	"O" Group move after Carriers.
	1800	Bn H.Q. arrive "SMITH"
	1805	"D" Coy report two plns in position - rest moving up.
	1811	Mortars report guns in action.
	1815	Rear Bn. H.Q. arrive "SMITH"
	1818	First report of "A" Coy in position. Time of arrival 1815.
	1827	"D" Coy report Sector 1 fully occupied.
	1829	"C" Coy report first platoon moving into Sector 3.
	1837	Mortars in new position.
	1845	"B" Coy arrive "SMITH" on route section 4.

Page 10 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
		1855	"D" Coy report Coy H.Q. 048768.
		1900	"C" Coy report moving into sector 3.
		1913	"C" Coy report consolidating sector 3.
		1917	Fwd plns "B" Coy in posn sector 4.
		1923	"D" Coy ordered "move now" to new location.
		1932	"B" Coy now fully in posn sector 4.
		1954	"A" Coy ordered to "move now" to new posn.
		2008	2 Mortars sent to "A" and "D" Coy's.
		2017	"D" Coy moving into sector 5.
		2018	"A" Coy on move.
		2029	"C" Coy ordered to move new location.
		2032	"D" Coy occupied sector 5.
		2045	Bn. H.Q. move to "JONES"
		2053	Bn. H.Q. est. "JONES"
		2056	"A" Coy in position in sector 6.

Page 11 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
		2102	"C" Coy moving through.
		2105	Exercise ends.
		2150	"D" Coy return.
		2155	"B" and "A" Coy's return.
	16	0930	Advance party to assembly area at PLUMETOT.
			(Sheet 7.F. 1/100,000 - 043789.)
		0945	"O" Group Advance Party.
		1345	-do-
		1430	Advance Party move off to new area.
		1500	Marching personnel left LE-LANDEL assembly area.
		1645	M.T. left.
PLUMETOT.		1710	Arrival in assembly area.	Sheet 7/F. 1/100,000. 043489
		2200	Stand by ready to move.
		2355	Bn leaves assembly area for new location.
HEROUVILLETTE	17	0400	Bn arrives new area. (HEROUVILLETTE Sheet 7.F. 119720. 1,100,000.) and occupies posn.	Sheet 7/F 1100,000. 119720

Page 12 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
HEROUVILLETTE.	17	0600	Large formations of Sherman Tanks moved up and harboured in Bn area.
		1500	Sporadic shelling throughout day. C.O. & Coy Comds carry out recce of
			approaches to FUP. 51st Div to form firm base for our attack.
		1700	Coys issue orders with Pl comds fwd. on recce of approaches and F.U.P.
			Orders issued for attack of July 18th.
	18	0600	Bn left location for F.U.P. Operation "GOODWOOD" (Ref.1/25000 40/16 N.W.)	Ref Sheet. 1/25,000.
		0745	with 3 Armd Divs and 2 Inf Divs 51st & 3rd. Bn Role as follows:-	40/16 NW.
			Objective line of track TOFFEVILLE excl x rds 147696
			Start line 125717 - 135715.
			Fwd Coys Left "A" Coy. Right - "B" Coy.
			Res, "C" Coy. Special role. "D" Coy. moving WEST to WEST behind 2 E Yorks had task of seizing
			area ORCHARD 134695, with object of cutting off enemy driven back by fwd Coys.
		0745	Attack commences.
		0815	"A" Coy held up North of Sandpits 134703 by M.G. and Mortar Fire from SOUTH
			and SOUTH EAST. Owing to density of woods "B" Coy lost direction slightly and contact between fwd lost.

Page 13 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
HEROUVILLETTE.	18	1200	By 1200 hrs "B" Coy located the Bn
			CO. decided to advance via west across "B" Coy front to relieve
			pressure off "A" Coy and then to swing south and maintain momentum of attack.
		1400	"C" Coy attack launched- supported by 2 trps 13/18 Hussars
		1420	By 1420 "C" Coy cleared sand pits and diverted south on to "A" Coy's
			final objective. "B" Coy then resumed its advance with "A" Coy in reserve
			following "C" Coy and in touch with 5 carriers on left.
			Soon after Z hour "D" Coy succeeded in making a methodical advance down
			its axis, capturing 15 enemy and destroying a number of enemy posts
			and arrived on its final objective by 1100 hrs.
		1500	At 1500 hrs Bde Comander ordered final objective to be consolidated and
			Bn to be prepared thereafter to move forward and relieve 1 Suffolk in
			Touffreville.
		2000	Final clearing of wood not cleared until 2000 hrs.
			Bn then consolidated the gains and was ordered to remain in position during

Page 14 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
			darkness 18/19 July, Position was then - fwd D.B.C. A reserve behind C
			Bn. H.Q. at 125704
SANNERVILLE	19	0150	Bn Ordered to relieve 1 Suffolk, Sannerville, by first light. Relief
	-		of 1 Suffolk commenced 0500 hrs - completed 0700 hrs.
			Casualties 18/19 July.
			Officers, Killed:- Major. H.B. Shepherd. Wounded:- Ma jorBisgood,
			Lt. Ray, Lt. Hawkins, Lt. Markey, Lt. Black, Lt. Walsh.
			O.R's. Killed:- 3
			Wounded:- 25
			Missing:- 6
			Bn moved forward to SANNERVILLE and dug in around village area. Complete
			havoc wrought by bombs on previous day. (SANNERVILLE Map Sheet 7 F.,
			1"100,000 - 134931.
			"C" Company placed under comand of 2 E. Yorks.
			Expected enemy counter attack from S.E. Bn stood to Sporadic mortaring

Page 15 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
		and shelling increasing in intensity throughout day.
	1500	Enemy laying smoke across to S. E
		Fire observed on ground to S. E.
	2100	Officer went forward of objective on recce and contacted Lines. in orchard
		Large fire direction of Troarn.
20	1100	Comand post hit.
		Lincs. moved forward in orchard.
		"A" Coy established connecting link between 1.S.Lan.R and 2 Lincs. in rear
		of orchard.
		Sporadic M.M.G. fire and occasional sniping fire sweeping wood.
		Heavy arty fire on Bn. area.
		New draft of reinforcements arrived.
		Very heavy rain. Posn a morass.
21		Position static. Lincs. still forward in the wood under heavy mortar fire
		and sniping. Bn area still shelled regularly.
		Ordered to take over from 2 Lincs on 22nd.

Page 16 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
22	0700-1300.	Relief of Lincolns. in orchard.
	0915	C.O. shot by sniper. Wounded neck and shoulder.
	1130	Relief completed.
	1215	Pigeon going NORTH
	1815	Sharp M.M.G fire on E Yorks front.
	1930-1950.	Enemy mortar and arty fire on locality. (Casualties 8)
	1955	Pigeon going south.
	2030-2050.	Enemy mortar fire. M.14 hit and partially gutted by fire.
	2107	Pigeon going SOUTH
	2119	Pigeon going SOUTH.
		Pigeon going NORTH.
		(Ref. Map sheet 7 F. 1/100,000 - orchard 144926)
23	0400	Our patrols report enemy holding wood immediately SOUTH of posn. 4 L.M.G's
		Intermittent mortar and arty fire all day. Own arty exchanges.
24		Nothing fresh to report.

Page 17 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
		Occasional shelling and mortaring during day. Arty exchanges.
		Several Niehelwerfer shoots on position from TROARN.
25		Very occasional shelling during day.
	1530	Enemy Minenwerfer located approx. area Petit Fort (1466) Engaged by arty
		Other locations. (1) Small calibre mortar in orchard approx 143667.
		engaged by our arty.
		(2) 3" Mortar area orchard 157668 - engaged by 3" Mortar.
		(3) Twin guns - area LE-HOMME (sq 1466) Firing across Bn position from
		left to right.
		(4) Single gun area east of TROARN.
	1707	Heavy bout of shelling on Bn area - 3 casualties. Otherwise quiet day.
		Night of 25/26. Patrol under 2Lt. Coatsworth found corner of orchard
		152673 and hedgerow 151673 unoccupied,
		2 dumps of Mortar bombs (8 -- 10) at 151673.
26	0600	Stonk on area X roads 145675. 4 "S" Coy casualties.

Page 18 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
		1000	guns shelling BANNERVILLE (Suff) from area LE-HAMME 1466.
		1120	Sharp bout of shelling from CHAV-ST-PIERRE 1464 (S.P's)
			Engaged by 76 Fd. Regt.
		1325	Niebelwerfer on area BANNERVILLE # 1 Gun (Medium)
			76 Fd. Regt engaged target area ST PIERRE.
		1433	Niebelwerfer on Bn area from east of TROARN.
		1445	Repeat above.
		1520-1530	Shelling on right of posn - 14 guns - 88 m.m.
		1535	Repeat above.
		1550	Repeat above.
		1715	Shelling on left.
		2020	3" Mortar (3) "A" Coy's area. Located Mortars - area orchard. 76 Fd. Regt
			and Med. Regt engaged.
			New C.O. T/Lt-Col. Orgill, Manchester Regt joined Bn from 1st Corps.

Page 19 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
27	0145	Aircraft dropped bombs in field on right.
	0200	Our patrols returned (1) Lt. Fryer and 4 men ) "B" Coy.
		(2) Sgt Lewis and 4 men)
		(1) Brought prisoner from slit trench 148669 and reported enemy in that area.
		(2) Reported orchard clear.
		Large number of enemy flares during night and M.G fire from "C" Coy's front.
	0755	Five shells on area from east of TROARN (3 duds)
	0800	East Yorks reps arrive.
	0903	5 shells from previous gun - 2 casualties "S" Coy and 1 casualty E. Yorks.
		All wounded.
	1445	Relief by E. Yorks began.
		Bn. moved to ESCOVILLE.
	1730	Relief completed.
	2050	Air activity commenced and continued spasmodically throughout the night.
		Green verey lights put up by the enemy and replied to by own tps.

Page 20 of 22

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
ESCOVILLE,	28		ESCOVILLE. 1297. Map sheet 7.F. 1/100,000.)
			Very quiet day. Baths and reorganisation. Nothing of interest to report.
		2348	Enemy aircraft overhead, Some bombs dropped, but none in immediate In area,
			Less aircraft activity generally throughout night.
	29	0830	Bn. "O" Grp. Orders for relief of E. Yorks.
		1030	Advance Party reps moved off.
		1045	Draft of 35 O.R's and Lt.Leigh-Norgan arrived as reinforcements
		1100	Lt. Buckridge 3" Mortar Pln.Cmr rejoined unit after compassionate leave.
		1600	Bn relief of E. Yorks commenced with 3" Mortar personnel.
		1740	Bn H.Q. moved.
		2014	Relief completed.
		2210	Small arms fire from high ground to "A" Coy's front.
		2248	Enemy aircraft over again - white verey lights from direction of TROARN.
			One stick of bombs. dropped in rear of E.Yorks posn, also 12 to 15 shells.
			and Mortar bombs dropped in forward edge of "A" Coy's area.
			Casualties - Lt. Coatsworth "B" Coy wounded. "B" Coy carrier hit and burned out. 3 O.R's "A" Coy wounded, 1 killed.

Page 21 of 22

Place	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
ORCHARD 144626	0010 - 0040	Noise of heavy transport to west.
	0200	Lincs. contacted "S" Coy, "C" Coy contact patrol to K.O.S.B.
	0215	Enemy a/c flak. Heavy return of own arty.
	0300	Recce Regt contact patrol reported.
		Lt. Pilchar and patrol returned.
	0515	Recce Regt patrol contacted.
	0525-0540	Enemy aircraft dropped bombs area TOUFFREVILLE- straffing "B" Coy area.
	1030	Visit from Brigadier.
	1045	C.O. checked up on section positions and coy counter attack rolls throughout
		Bn.
	1430	C.O. and I.O. liased with K.O.S.B. on left flank.
	1445	Niebelwerfer on BANNERVILLE
	1500	3" Mortar stonk on 1 K.O.S.B. west flank.
	1555	Niebelwerfer in rear of K.O.S.B. posn (165677)
	1600	Niebelwerfer sporadic shoot over Bn area.

Page 22 of 22

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	16?? - ???0	Heavy arty reply from own guns.
	1710	New draft of complete pln from 5th Kings. New officer (Lt Rennie)
	2115	Established "I" section O.P. for shell reps.
	2135	"A" Coy report intermittent MG and Sniper fire.
31	0015	2 i/c to Bde at 0100 hrs.
	0300	2 i/c returned with warning order for Bn to move to BEAUVILLE.
		3rd. Div. to act as 21st Army Group reserve.
	0600	C.O's "O" Grp and warning orders. Bn to be releived by 1st Hallamshires.
	0955	Hallamshires reps arrive.
	1330	Relief commenced. Order of relief - B. A. D. C.
	1400	Vehicle Park stonked by 88 mm whilst waiting to move.
	1526	Vehicle col, moved.
	1815	Bn in position - area BEAUVILLE (0600 Map Sheet 7.F.1/100,000.)
		Temporary consolidation area. at 6 hrs notice to move.

Units Referenced in this war diary

The following units are mention in this war diary and have their own July 1944 war diary