War Diary: 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

Month and year: July 1944

The July 1944 war diary of the 1st Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers records continued fighting north and east of Caen, including patrols and raids around Galmanche and later the battalion’s advance into the city during Operation Charnwood. After a short rest period, the battalion took part in Operation Goodwood, advancing through heavily bombed country towards Troarn and encountering strong German machine-gun and mortar positions. The month was marked by persistent shelling, patrol activity, air attacks, and heavy casualties, before the battalion was finally withdrawn to the Bieville area at the end of July.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1318

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War Diaries That Reference 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

The 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers are mentioned in 4 other war diaries from July 1944.

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Page 1 of 9

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
1	Enemy shelling at periodic intervals and spasmodic fire from
	MGs 42. Own artillery was active throughout the day. At night a patrol under Sgt. Grant was sent to area of GALMANCHE.
2	In the early morning enemy MG fire continued in spasmodic
	bursts and shelling at intermittent intervals. In the evening about 20 shells fell in and around Bn area causing a
	few casualties. Sgt. Grant's patrol returned with a detailed log of the enemy's activity at GALMANCHE and pinpoints of
	several mortar and MG posts.
3	Just before dawn a short but fierce shelling by enemy
	occurred round "B" Coy area. Our own artillery continued its activity throughout the day. A patrol from "B" Coy went
	into the GALMANCHE area at night. Officers from a Bn of S. Staffs visited Bn area.

4	Enemy shelled Bn area in the afternoon, followed by spasmodic mortar fire in "B" Coy area causing one casualty. The rain
	continued in showers and after several days had made ground conditions bad. "C" Coy sent out raid to GALMANCHE. Party	APPX. "A"
	was successful and overran an enemy platoon or section posn. Lieut. Raines the officer commanding this party was killed.
	The party was rallied and brought back very ably by Cpl. Cameron. No prisoners taken as enemy ran away but several
	enemy casualties claimed. Party B ran into what was at first thought to be minefield, and withdrew. Later it was thought

Page 2 of 9

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
4	(continued)
		that this was some form of warning device as the explosion on trip wires caused no casualties but MGs all along the
		GALMANCHE defences opened up.
5		Enemy shelling again at intervals, many unexploded shells reported. Preparations for move. Patrol sent out at night
		encountered enemy and Capt. JT Skinner, MM, was wounded.
6		Allied aircraft were seen over CAEN area. Advance party moved out in morning to area of BENOUVILLE. Bn HQ area was subjected	APPX "B"
		to severe shelling but no casualties occurred. Patrol was sent out under Lieut. Robertson, and succeeded in killing enemy	APPX 'C'
		machine gunner, identified as PGR from 12 SS Div. Bn commenced moving out to new area towards midnight.

7		Bn arrived at BENOUVILLE. Four enemy fighters flew over and	APPX 'D'
		set fire to an oil dump. Advance party moved off to area LE HOMME (0575) to take over from 2 KSLI, this started late in
		the evening. A large force of Allied heavy bombers raided CAEN and the dust and smoke covered the area for several miles.
8		Take over completed in morning. Later the Bn moved forward
		to rear of LEBISEY and later to high ground forward of village (037710) with rear Bn HQ remaining behind. Patrols reported
		few enemy forward, but roads blocked with debris.

Page 3 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	9		The attack on CAEN. The plan. The Canadians were to attack
			from the West. The RUR's in the centre from the North and 1 KOSB from the East. The Bn moved off at about 0930 hrs over
			ring contour "60", which was under shell fire, to FUP on the Eastern outskirts of CAEN. The ghostlike houses slowly came
			to life as civilians began to realize we were entering the town. They came rushing out with glasses and bottles of
			wine. As the Bn was forming up on the start line and trying to re-establish wireless contact with companies and Bde, four
			Boche were seen to withdraw towards the centre of the town. Soon afterwards out HQ was mortared leaving 1 killed and 1
			wounded. The Bn then proceeded to clear the town. Little opposition was met. Progress was slowed down by snipers and
			an occasional MG. Much assistance and information was offered by eager civilians. Debris and cratered streets also made
			progress extremely difficult. We eventually reached the RV in the Old Town and established contact with the RUR and pushed
			forward patrols to the river. Patrols met quite heavy fire from across the river and a number of casualties were sustained,

	10		An OP was established overlooking the river. "C" & "D" Coys
			patrolled forward to the river ORNE and met heavy fire from South bank. Later in the day "B" Coy occupied the Barracks,
			which had been previously an enemy HQ of some size. Slight enemy shelling during the day.

Page 4 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	11		The Bn left CAEN for rest area with the pipers playing. The advance party left early in the morning for an area round
			PLUMETOT, the main body moving out later by Companies after handing over to a Canadian Unit.

	12		Rest period commenced. General cleaning up and check of kit. A platoon football game was played and several parties were
			organised to visit pictures, swimming etc. Pipe band played Retreat in the evening,

	13		More entertainments were available and in the evening the Bn received the first bread ration since landing. The Div
			Commander paid a short visit later in the evening. Church Service held near Bn HQ. in open air, conducted by Capt. WIG
			Wilson.
	14		In the afternoon 2 ME's flew over the area, both were hit by our A/A and one was seen to crash in flames. The Pipe band
			played at LUC SUR MER in the Bastille Day Celebrations.

	15		The Commanding Officer held a Bn parade. The advance party
			left just after midday for area near BREVILLE (1374). The remainder of Bn prepared for themmove, and the move commenced
			just before midnight.

Page 5 of 9

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
16	The Bn arrived in new area about 0100 hrs. Remainder of the day spent settling in and digging additional trenches. A few
	enemy aircraft flew over and were engaged by our A/A.
17	Preparations for operation GOODWOOD. Several enemy aircraft	APPX 'E'
	flew over, but no attack by them in our area.
18	Bn left for assembly area near LE MESNIL (133727). After
	waiting there for a short time the move to FUP was commenced. Route - HEROUVILLETTE and mostly cross country, almost due
	South to position West of TOUFREVILLE. Enemy mortar fire was encountered on route, The Commanding Officer was wounded but
	carried on in command, and other casualties occurred. The advance to TROARN was commenced and after reaching SANNERVILLE
	"D" & "B" Companies pushed forward encountering enemy MGs, whilst enemy shelling continued. After an attack by "B" Company
	the Bn occupied a position in orchard 150678. Consolidation was carried out. The advance and attack were carried out in
	very hot weather over dusty roads and through villages rendered almost impassable by heavy bombing by the RAF. By darkness it
	was evident that the enemy snipers had been pushed in and that the Bn was up against & strong def position.

Page 6 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	19		The attack on enemy positions forward of TROARN was continued. "C" Coy were to take Station at 158677 and "A" Coy the X roads
			161676. Both attacks were met with heavy cross fire from MG's and though supported by tanks had to withdraw with heavy
			casualties. Bn resumed former positions and later in day heavy shelling and mortaring caused casualties. The Commanding
			Officer having been previously wounded, left under orders from Brigadier and Major TG Coverdale took over command, of the
			Bn. Casualties in the Bn during these two days fighting were 12 Officers and 140 other Ranks.

	20		Enemy continued shelling and mortaring during the day. Heavy rain and thunder continued from afternoon onwards making
			conditions very difficult for everyone. Contact was made with 2 Lincolns after their move to our Right flank.

	21		Heavy rain continued but the men withstood the mud and wet
			with good spirits. Intermittent shelling continued with occasional mortar fire.
	22		Enemy shelling and mortaring throughout the day at irregular
			intervals, with a heavier concentration in evening. Own artillery was active in early morning and just before dusk.
			Patrols sent out to locate forward enemy MG posts and to cover RE mine laying party.

Page 7 of 9

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
23	Own artillery active at first light. About ten shells fell to
	rear of Bn HQ area from SE direction. Two enemy stretcher bearers approached "A" Company forward positions and asked to
	bury their dead. After finding it was genuine our stretcher bearers and party went out, One platoon of "D" Company moved
	forward towards 2 RUR to take up position North of railway line. Enemy shelling continued at intervals. Four deserters from 346	APPX "F"
	Fus Bn came in through "D" Company lines.
24	Movements of enemy tracked vehicles were heard in morning by forward Company. Enemy shelling and mortaring continued at
	intervals with a heavy concentration in the afternoon. Recce patrols went out in daylight and at night. PW brought in by "C"
	Company. One shell falling near Bn HQ caused 4 casualties. Reinforcements arrived at night. Most sent to "B" AND "C"
	Companies.
25	Another two PW brought in by "C" Company. Both identified as II/192 PGR. Enemy shelling and occasional mortar fire continued
	at intervals. Enemy aircraft were over at night and yellow verey lights were sent up from area of enemy forward positions.
	Some reinforcements for "S" Company arrived. Recce patrol sent out and established that enemy were active to our left front.
	Enemy were thought to be digging and wiring, possibly laying mines.

Page 8 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	26		Recce patrol returned with report of a possible enemy listening post at 156679. Enemy shelling and mortaring was
			more severe than usual, especially between midday and tea time. Lt.Col. JFM MacDonald arrived to take over command of the Bn.

	27		In the early hours of the morning enemy aircraft flew above area and dropped flares and bombs in and around the Bn area.
			Later, towards first light an exchange of small arms fire took place. Lieut. Robertson took over the duties of Intelligence
			Officer. Enemy aircraft again over in the evening after dark, together with slight shelling to rear of area. "D" & "B"
			Companies sent out patrols.
	28		Practically no enemy shelling by day. At about 1700 hrs OPs
			reported two parties of enemy approaching, one to left flank, strength about 5 men, and one to right flank, strength about 3
			men. Party on left was engaged by LMG fire and ran away. The enemy then opened up with 5cm mortar and LMG fire on our left
			forward positions, especially that over the road. A vigorous reply was made to this fire first by our own small arms and 2"
			mortars and later by one battery of artillery. Several enemy casualties were observed and 3 dead bodies seen. A patrol was
			sent out at night to obtain identifications from these. It could not reach the bodies owing to enemy opposition but
			retrieved a Spandau which had been left by the enemy in his flight.

Page 9 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	29		Enemy shelling at intervals during the day. Bn snipers were
			sent forward to "B" Company area to observe and pick off enemy in forward positions. Enemy aircraft came over just before
			dark and dropped a few bombs around Bn area.
	30		Preparations were made for the Bn to move back to CAZELLE area
			for a rest, the present positions to be taken over by KSLI. This was later cancelled. An OP was established in "D" Company
			area to report on enemy shelling and mortar fire. Enemy shelling occurred late in the afternoon, but at night no
			aircraft came over.
	31		The Bn moved to area of BIEVILLE with the Div., going into Army reserve. Companies marched, and the vehicle party
			leaving in the afternoon arrived about half an hour after the marching troops. During the night some enemy shelling
			occurred round the area.

Units Referencing the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

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Units Referenced in this war diary

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