War Diary: 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Month and year: June 1944

1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment June 1944 War Diary covers their landing at Queen Red and their advance to area CHATEAU de la LONDE.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1332

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Page 1 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
A5, Cowplain, Nr. Portsmouth.	June	1	Final briefing within Bn for operation OVERLORD. Exhaustive check by coys of arms, equipment kit.
	2		Final preparations. Coys disperse to marshalling camps.
Transit A1 - LSIs.	3		Battalion left marshalling camp, embussed for VICTORIA BARRACKS, PORTSMOUTH Mustered there before marching to quayside to embark in serial loads on
			small coasting vessels, plying between LSIs 70, 71 and 72 and quay. Embarkation on LSIs complete by 5 pm.
On board ship.	4		Day spent quietly aboard ship. Craft serials practiced in manning LCAs, taking up emergency stations. Weather uncertain, D Day expected to be postponed.
On board ship.	5		Operation postponed 24 hrs. Quiet day on board ship, PT and lectures in progress. No incidents.
	22.30		Assembly of craft weighed anchor and steamed out of harbour.
			No enemy interference during night, fleet pursuing steady course SW. before turning to reach lowering position at dawn, thus keeping out of
			range of coastal batteries as long as possible.

Page 2 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
LANDING BEACH QUEEN RED (App. A.)	6	0545	First wave (A & C Coys) lowered and left LSI.
		0720	First wave beached and although met by heavy MG fire and mortaring made	Casualties.
			satisfactory progress. Communications with A & C Coys established by wire-	KILLED.
			less on run-in, and progress report obtained by Bn HQ.	Ltcol RPH Burbury. T/Maj RH Harrison.
		0745	Second wave (Bn HQ, HQ Coy, B & D Coys) touched down, met by small arms	Lieut. RC Bell-Walker Liteut. C Relph.
			fire, mortar and 88 mm. Landing made almost on strongpoint COD, which was	Lieut. WGH Allen.
			still active, Bn HQ moved towards sand-dunes near 88 mm gun posn, and whilst endeavouring to directoperations, the CO, Ltcol RRH Burbury wa.s killed	and 13 ORS.
			Major Stope assuming command of the Bn. B Coy proceeded to deal with strong-point COD; their Coy Comd, Major RH Harrison, was killed immediately	WOUNDED.
			on landing. Lt RC Bell-Walker assumed command, but was killed during attack on pillbox. Opposition overcome, apart from isolated snipers, B	T/Maj JF Harward, Capt, AH Eggeling
			and D Coys advanced towards HERMANVILLE-sur-MER. Bn HQ followed along main axis, up main road. During the period on the beach, contact was lost	Lieut. NT Parry. Lieut, RW Pearce, MC
			with coys due to losses sustained by signallers, or wireless becoming detached, with their operators.	Lieut. FR Ashcroft. Lieut. G Wilson.
HERMANVILLE SUR-MER. (M.S. 40/18SW) 074802		0900	HERMANVILLE taken, and Bn HQ established area church, communications working with B, C and D Coys, who fulfilled their roles according to plan, and commenced to consolidate, A Coy out of contact, and not till late in day till they were extricated from street-fighting. Odd snipers still active around the village.	and 83 ORs MISSING 19 ORs

Page 3 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
HERMANVILLE	6	1800	Reinforcements contacted and brought up for allocation to Coys, Enemy jamming experienced on wireless. Considerable numbers of Allied Airborne troops in gliders brought in low over sea by their tug-planes and released SE, with supplies dropped by parachute.	119 Reinforcements (ORs) received from 103 RHU
		-	Local patrols carried out night D-day/D+1; quiet.
HERMANVILLE	7	0900	Naval bombardment of PLUMETOT (040793) and CRESSERONS. (040798)	Casualties.
Ref: M.S. 40/16 N.W.		1130	1 Pl B Coy and 1 Pl C Coy moved off to secure PLUMETOT and CRESSERONS.	KILLED :- 2 ORs.
		1300	Both places taken, opposition not very stiff. Remainder B and C Coys followed up, mounted on SP guns, for consolidation Two prisoners taken at	WOUNDED :- 2 ORs.
			PLUMETOT, identified as 328 Inf GREN Regt.	MISSING: 7 ORs.
		1445	B Coy established at LA DELIVERANDE (027812) 1 offr & 30 O.Rs captured, P.O.W.
		1700	Bde. HQ inform of expected counter attaok at BIEVILLE, and warn CO that Bn must be prepared to move at moment's notice.
		1720	Brigadier countermands these instrs - orders B Coy to clear LUC A MER (042825),in cooperation with RM Commando. This is achived successfully, and B Coy move to a posn near LION-sur-MER, containing enemy strong-point TROUT, which still holds out.	App. 'A'
		2330	C Coy withdrawn to old posn once more, (HERMANVILLE)

Page 4 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
HERMANVILLE	8	0020	Night bombing; few casualties in D Coy HQ. B Coy moved to posn near LION-sur-MER [065814] but are out of wireless communication.	Casualties. KILLED:- 1 OR
		0750	Large numbers of enemy tanks reported at 0374	WOUNDED:- 4 ORs.
		0830	Plans organised and co-ordinated for attack by SP guns. Navy to bombard strong-point TROUT prior to attack.	MISSING: Nil.
		0930	Unconfirmed report that enemy inf and vehs in CRESSERONS. C Coy send
			patrols to investigate. CAEN still in enemy hands. 185 Inf Bde held up. 1 Coy E Yorks to Beville.
		1100	Bn orders be ready to move at moment's notice.
		1115	Large dump on beach hit by bomb starting conflagration,
		1200	Ordered to move to RUGGER. (Benouville)
			B Coy move to and successfully liquidate TROUT. 80 prisoners.	x App 'A'
		1230	Bn on the march.
BENOUVILLE 40/16 N.W. 094746		1330	CO's 'O' Gp. Coys disposed two on each side of bridges. Bridges bombed and shelled intermittently throughout the day. Liaison.effected with Airborne Div.
BENOUVILLE	9	1000	Bn once more ready to move, when relieved, to CAZELLE. (027766)
		1400	Bn relieved by 51 H.D., embussed for CAZELLE.

Page 5 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Le MESNIL WOOD	9	1800	All in posn at new location having reliceved the 1st KOSB with rest of 9 Bde move forward.	Casualties. WOUNDED:- 6 ORs,
M.S: 40/16NW 028755		1900	CAMBES attacked and captured by 9 Bde, Enemy still active in wood in front of Bn posn. Some mortar fire from enemy.
		2345	Bn-patrols start-during the night,
	10	0445	Stand to,	Casualties,
		0900	Enemy shelling wood spasmodically during morning	WOUNDED:- 9 ORs.
		1400	Patrols sent out, 1 Offr and 2 men, on recce to ascertain enemy strength at LE LANDEL. Their objective successfully achieved, infm obtained that LE LANDEL NOT held in daytime - only 4 Germans; the remaining coming forward at nightfall. Thirty French civilians evacuated.
		1600	D Coy move off as advance guard to occupy LE LANDEL
		2100	On successful completion, A, B and C Coys moved up to take up posns. No enemy activity beyond long range MMG fire.
LE-LANDEL M.S: 40/16 N.W. 037744	11	0300	All coys in consolidated posns at LE LANDEL with temporary Bn HQ.	Casualties.
		0900	CO's 'O' Gp based on Bde suggested policy of infiltration. B Coy to move forward to LA LONDE and if clear to penetrate to CHATEAU de la LONDE. A Coy to move through them.	KILLED:- 1 OR. WOUNDED:- 9 ORs.

Page 6 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Le LANDEL	11	1030	B Coy started to move but mortar fire on posns at LA LONDE and reports of SP guns with 3 tanks near wood at LA BIJUDE: Orders from Brigadier to remain awaiting for the order.
		1200	Heavy shelling on DF tasks by our arty.
		1515	Patrol of 1 offr and 2 men executed successfully by daylight recce to locate 2 MMGs which harass B Coy posns, also ascertain house near LA LONDE clear of enemy.
		1600	Shelling by air-burst shells; some casualties. LA BIJUDE crumped by 3
			Regts of Arty.
Le LANDEL	12		No enemy activity detected by patrols or listening watches during night.	Casualties.
		0500	Approx 20 air-burst shells in A Coy area. Several light casualties.	KILLED:- 4 ORS,
		1000	Four shells from med arty operating behind our posns full short and into D Coy area. Two casualties.	WOUNDED: 10 ORs.
		1030	Shelling of D Coy area by air-burst shells. From fragments found later it would appear that the enemy are using 15cm gun or guns.
		1430	76 Fd Regt Arty carry out bombardment of LA BIJUDE during afternoon, 2 minutes, Rate 3, every 65 minutes.
		1515	Tank shoot on LA BIJUDE.

Page 7 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Le LANDEL	12	1530	Recce patrol of 1 Offer and 2 men returned from 4 hours of patrolling. Observed small tracked veh with trailer which moved up and down then ran into a cornfield before exploding in a sheet of flame, Theory advanced that this was a 'BEETLE' remote-controlled tank, but more likely a light French model hit by our shell fire, Sniper's posn to our left front was located.
		1820	Posn mortared, about 18 HE fell; slight damage.
		1844	Counter-fire put in by SP guns and 3" Mortars.
		1930	Reported that MG post to our front knocled out by arty.
		1950	Intensive crump by our arty; pall of smoke at CHATEAU de la LONDE.
		2200	Sharp shelling of our posns by aneny, apprex 60 shells in 15 minutes. O casualties.
		2330	Several enemy bombers over the area, bombing targets to the coastal area. Patrols active during the night. Infm of enemy armour moving near LA BIJUDE. Enemy listening post tackled by patrol. Enemy still in occupation of CHATEAU de la LONDE. Patrols out during the night heard sounds of enemy armour moving near LA BIJUDE. Slight brush with outpost.	Casualties
Le LANDEL	13	1000	Enemy shelling spasmodically.	KILLED:- 1 OR
		1240	Enemy mortaring HE bombs on posns. Counter fire by our own mortars reported to have knocked out enemy mortar.	WOUNDED:- 19 ORs. KILLED:- Capt. P Welding.

Page 8 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Le LANDEL	13	1630	Approx 20 more HE mortar bombs fell in area,	Reinforcements.
		1820	Air-burst shells over area.	14 ORs from 104 CRC
		1840	One Tp of Staffs Yeomanry set off to recce forward area near CHATEAU de Ia LONDE. Armoured car which was leading 4 tanks was hit by A tk fire and set ablaze; Tanks retired;
		1930	Spitfire brought down by enemy AA fire,
		1945	Ammunition dump in LA BIJUDE set ablaze and exploding. Bn mortar opened up to add to the confusion.
		2000	More shell fire in area (approx 12).
		2130	Patrol (1 offr and 2 ORs) returned from recce near LA LONDE. Enemy listening post encountered,
		2312	One bomb dropped two hundred yards from Bn HQ. from enemy aircraft
Le LANDEL	14	0030	Patrol out 0230 hrs (1 Offr, 4 ORs). Brush with two enemy MGa. Pinpointed location of mortar.	Casualties,
		1210	Shelling of area (approx 15 shells).	KIILED:- 1 OR
		1300	Patrol of 1 Offr and 2 ORs set out on recce of area 033735, observed	WOUNDED:- 5 ORs.
			apparent A tk gun (similar to British and possibly a dummy) also an MG. Mortars opened fire from wood. Assault gun opened fire but not from this vicinity as previously surmised.

Page 9 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Le LANDEL	14	1315	Typhoons strafing with cannon fire road in LE BISEY.
		1445	Shelling of Bn area.	Reinforcements
		1900	Advance party arrive from E Yorks, consisting of CO, rep offrs and one	8 ORs from 104
			NCO per Pl.
		2230	Heavy bombing approx 1000 yds in front of area, large flash CHATEAU de la LONDE.
		2320	Two red Verey lights seen to come from area CHATEAU de la LONDE.
		2330	Patrol of 1 Offr and 14 ORs set out but was delayed by sharp enemy shelling of our posn. Pushed fwd but unable to reach objective previously outlined. Found three fires burning: (1) CHATEAU de la LONDE, (2) EPRON, (3) LA BIJUDE. Occasional bombing during the night of beach-head area.
LE LANDEL	15	0900	CO's 'O' Gp reference relief of unit by 2 E Yorks to be completed by 0100 hrs June 16.	Casualities.
			Quiet day with very little shelling by either side. Arrangement for hand-over to E Yorks completed,	KILLED:- Nil. WOUNDED:- Nil.
		1800	AII personnel standing by ready to move,
		1900	B Coy E Yorks arrive and enable B Coy to move out at 1940 hrs.

Page 10 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Le LANDEL	15	2010	D Coy relieved and move off, then a pause until nightfall, Move of
			Carriers, Mortars and A tk Pl executed in daylight. Some delay in relief of fwd coys C and A, but move complete by 0330 hrs.
			No shelling of posns during the operation, but a stick of bombs dropped by enemy aircraft across wood near LE MESNIL, held by SUFFOLKS.
			Energy appear to have moved up HAA mobile batteries in their fwd areas near CHATEAU de La LONDE, and harass our daylight fighter cover.
CAZELLE	16		Considerable enemy air activity during the night by the enemy over beach	Casualties.
			landing area, met by prodigious flak barrage from both ship and shore AA defences.	WOUNDED: - 2 ORs.
			First morning in CAZELLE with the Bn in reserve role, giving all personnel a much-needed opportunity of attending to personal requirements, adjustment of kit losses, washing and more rest. No activity on the front of our sector. No shelling in the immediate area.	Reinforcements. 31 ORs from E Lan R 42 ORs from RWF.
			Air activity at night when routine anti-parachute and contact patrols were maintained,
CAZELLE	17		Routine day; a few shells on the village during the morning, one landing near Bde HQ.	Casualties. NIL
			In the late afternoon about 30 shells fell over a wide area; no damage or casualties within the Bn, but some near misses on 'A' Echelon vehs. More reinforcements of offrs and men arriving to bring the Bn almost to full strength.
		2000	Radar station near DOUVRES reduced after holding out for 11 days. Arty preparation in which Navy assisted lasted from 1630-1700 hrs when six
			tanks supported by AVRE and flails went in. Prisoners total 5 offrs and 208 ORs.

Page 11 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	17	(cont)	Large formations of Allied bombers were observed over area, travelling SW, and one was shot down in flames. Nothing to report from routine patrols.
CAZELLE	18		Quiet day with no shelling by enemy and no activity reported from front. Allied fighters patrolling the area all day. Short heavy barrage put down by our arty on left flank.	Casualties:- Nil.
		2130	Large formation Allied supply planes observed returning from dropping supplies to airborne troops; heavily escorted by fighters, and entirely unmolested by Luftwaffe.	Reinforcements 13 ORS from 104 CRC
			Routine patrols as normal.
CAZELLE	19		Heavy rain throughout the day making conditions of living in slit trenches	Casualties;- Nil
			far from pleasant. Aircraft of both sides apparently grounded by weather - none over area.
			No shelling until late afternoon when own arty opened up, supported by naval bombardment.
			Routine patrols without incident.
CAZELLE	20		Great improvement in the weather - stiff breeze. Again quiet on all Divisional fronts, main fighting still on Canadian sector at TILLY and Villers-Bocage, whilst Americans continue to make good progress on the Cherbourg peninsula which they have now cut by combat patrols.	Casualties:- Nil
CAZELLE	21		Fairly heavy shelling of CAZELLE during the morning, one killed. Instrs received to relieve E Yorks at LE LANDEL, move to be completed by 1800 hrs.	Casualties, KILLED:- 1 ORs WOUNDED:- 2 ORS.

Page 12 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CAZELLE	21	0900	Advance parties leave,
		1800	264 mortar bombs fired into LA BIJUDE.
			Coys move.
		1830	Move completed.
		2300	Patrol out to destroy enemy OP, but not successful, under mortar and MG fire, compelled disperse.
LE LANDEL	22	2345	Strong patrol, one offr and pl established outpost posn at LA LONDE Attempts to move forward were met by heavy MG fire (5 guns). Two casualties.	Casualties. WOUNDED:- 23 ORs.
		1100	Wounded successfully evacuated from LA LONDE.
		1200	CO's 'O' Gp including reps of sp arms - Mx, Suffolk, 246 RE, 76 Fd Regt, 67 A tk. Attack on CHATEAU de la LONDE outlined,
		1400	Telephonic communication effected with outpost, Recce patrol detected no signs of enemy movement. All quiet.
		1800	Pinal 'O' Gp.
		2130	Sharp bout of shelling (about 45 HE). 1 killed, 7 wounded.
		2300	Further bout of shelling, harassing coys as they deployed for attack. 16 casualties.
		2330	C & B Coys moved off, frontal attack on LA LONDE, following through CHATEAU

Page 13 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	22		de la LONDE to line beyond. C Coy pinned down by MG fire in enfilade; causing some disorganisation in darkness,
Le LANDEL	23	0300	B Coy progressed well, pushing forward, with light casualties, to their objective, established two platoons. Third one lost touch, but moved up later.	Casualties. KILLED.
		0445	Most of C Coy retired, A Coy moved forward to support B Coy, consolidating in their rear, One coy SUFFOLK moved up to reinforce LE LANDEL. Quiet period. B Coy took 3 prisoners including FOO who relinquished marked maps of arty plan intact; and supplied userul infm,	2 ORs. WOUNDED Capt. CHM Greener. and 33 ORs.
		0500	Weak counter attack by enemy repulsed.
		0600	Heavy mortaring of A and B Coys. Smoke screen put down on flanks by enemy, and sharp counter-attack put in. SP guns were not far enough forward,	MISSING
			Enemy tanks (approx 6) supported by inf broke into B Coy posns, causing heavy casualties. Remainder of Coy withdrew through A Coy to LE LANDEL.	Lieut, F Jackson,
		0630	Heavy shelling of LE LANDEL (approx 80 HE). Some casualties.	Lieut. D. Gatenby.
		0700	A Coy holding corner of LA LONDE. SP guns ordered to move forward in	and 71 ORs.
			support. Counter fire brought down,
		0830	C and D Coys and remainder of B Coy consolidating old areas LE LANDEL.
		0930	Tp of tks (E Riding Yeomanry) and tp SP guns establish in sp A Coy.
		1745	Heavy shelling of LE LANDEL (40 rds) with 15cm guns.

Page 14 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Le LANDEL	24	1826	Enemy mortaring area CHATEAU de la LONDE 8.1cm. Shelling continued steadily until midnight.
Le LANDEL	25	0045	Fighting patrol moved out, with task of assaulting enemy MG post. Fire gp moved into posn, but whilst assault gp pushing fwd, three enemy tanks	Castalties.
			were heard moving near MG post. Fire gps opened up with LMGs and 2" mortar. Tanks replied and Lieut KH Norman, patrol leader, was wounded,	KILLIED: 3 ORs.
			but led patrol back to base, Enemy activity stirred up by this action, and MG fire from whole of sector, with mortaring of main posns.	WOUNDED: 4ORs.
		2345	Pl in outpost posn of LA LONDE withdrawn, leaving only listening post. Latter reported continuous sound or enemy vehs and possibly tanks.	MISSING:- 2 ORs.
LE LANDEL	26	0130	Reported from Bde that a possible German counter-attack might materialise. Bn at stand-to posns.	Casualties.
		0410	Sharp DF put down on LA LONDE by 76 Fd Arty, incl phosphorus smoke, which	KILLED:- 1 OR
			started fires. 2 Mx carried out MMG shoot on CHATEAU de la LONDE.	WOUNDED:- 7 ORs.
		0600	All quiet, shelling lessened,	Reinforcements.
		0700	Very heavy barrage by own tps on right flank, preparatory to big attack by 60 Div and 8 Armd Corps.	22 ORs from W Yorks.
		1000	Bde Comd's conference at Bde HQ for operation MITTEN, 8 Br I.B. attack	19 ORs from S. Staffs.
			with the intention of capturing CHATEAU de la LONDE, LA BIJUDE, EPRON (see trace).	Appendices B&C.

Page 15 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Le LANDEL	26	1800	CO's 'O' GP, with reps of sp arms, 67 A tk, 76 Fd, 77 Assaut RE, RAC (including use of crocodiles - Churchill tanks; towing flame throwers on trailers) 246 Fd Coy RE. Recce patrols active at night reporting much movement by track vehs, and noise of construction work in progress.
LE LANDEL	27		Slight shelling during the morning.
		1200	CO's final 'O' GP, extensive fire support programme laid on, utilizing 5 Fd Regts, 2 Mx MMGs, 3" mortars of 3 bns and those of 9 and 185 Bdes.
		1515	C and D Coys start to form up, but heavy mortaring begun by enemy.
		1530	Concentrated arty fire on LA LONDE, but mortaring on own posns still fierce, CO's advance OP mortared, communications by wireless and telephone cut. One bomb wrecked trench, CO's slit trench. Ltcol STONE slightly wounded in left leg, but carried on from main CP.
			C and D Coys move across open cornfield towards LA LONDE, under mortar and MG fire, D Coy reached wood LA LONDE, well controlled by Capt. DJD
			Sussex: C Coy pinned down on left flank, Major EF Johnson wounded.
			Heavy casualties in both companies.
		1610	D Coy moved up to fwd edge of LA LONDE, came under fire from well placed enemy MGs, deeply entrenched, Unable to move fwd due to enfilade fire
			from left flank.
		1625	67 A tk moved fwd with 16 A tk guns SP. to occupy LA LONDE, leaving two coys in def LE LANDEL. One Coy E Yorks in posn for proposed attack in posn at rear of Bn.

Page 16 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
LE LANDEL.	27	1807	3 Prisoners (1 Offr & 2 ORs) taken, identified as 192 PZ Gren Regt.
		1825	Three more prisoners. Heavy mortaring, shelling of LE LANDEL.
		1902	Enemy tanks move up on right from LA BIJUDE, A Tk guns deploy.
			"D" Coy made progress on right, to line "THRUST" halfway to objective CRANE,
			but sustained heavy Casualties from mortar and MG fire and LE LANDEL heavily
			shelled at intervals.
		1915	Two Rocket Firing Typhoons engaged tanks at LA BIJUDE.
		2200	Four Companies, heavily depleted, withdrawn to LE LANDEL to re form. Lt. Col.
			STONE evacuated to A.D.S.
			Major SHEPHERD assumed command Battalion
		2300	Orders received to move two coys to LA LONDE, two Coys to remain at LE LANDEL,
			where one Coy E Yorks in support.

Page 17 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Le LANDEL	28	0245	Recce patrol of one offr and two ORS moved into LA LONDE.
		0300	Major WALLER (posted as 2IC Bn) arrived and assumed comd of the Bn
		0315	O' GP, reorganisation arranged. Shelling still continuing,
		0415	Concentrated fire on LA LONDE as 2 E Yorks and 1 Suffolk commence new attack. Enemy mortars and MG again exact toll of assulting coys, but objective reached by 0825 hrs. Probably 30 enemy tanks operating - Staffs Yeo in action against them, Enemy tks attacked own tps with MG and 75mm guns. 2 E Yorks counter-attacked by tanks, but two Bns firmly established by 1200 hrs. LE LANDEL harassed by shelling and mortar fire all morning.
		1630	Major WALLER, Acting CO, continues with regrouping of Bn. Heavy losses in eqpt sustained; Contact patrols operating at night; nothing to report.
LCLANDEL	29		Quiet day, very little shelling: Reinforcements (100-men) arrived and distributed to coys.	Reinforcements. 26 ORS from 32 RMU
			Afternoon devoted to preparing new posns; salvaging eqpt; burial of dead, Suffolks take over def CHATEAU de la LONDE. i S Lan R to defend LE LANDEL. 2 E Yorks pulled back to posn near CAZELLE	73 ORs from W. Yorks,
		1845	New CO, Ltcol BOLSTER, arriving, also Major WATSON, posted to D Coy. Major shepherd assumed comd C Coy. Contact patrols by night, listening post report sound of tank movement LA BIJUDE.
Le LANDEL	30		Movement of one of two enemy tanks observed on front.

Page 18 of 18

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Le Landel	30		Sporadic shelling throughout day by enemy. Coys dig in fresh positions, re-organisation continued. Minefield laying by REs immediately in rear of Bn position.
			Routine patrols during night.

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War Diary: 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Month and year: June 1944

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