War Diary: 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

Month and year: August 1944

The 2nd Gordons’ August 1944 diary shows their advance through Normandy, with action near St. Pierre Tarentaine and Le Plessis Grimoult. They saw combat and rest periods, suffering casualties early in the month before continuing their push east across the River Seine

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1300

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WO 171/1300 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

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Page 1 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	1	Bn well settled in new location; some local patrolling done in our area
		on left flank. This was the most weak flank. There was little to record
		except that two enemy tanks broke through A. & S.H. left flank and some
		of their A.P. shells fell in our area. There were no casualties. Warning
		was received late in evening for early morning move to new area. "O" Group
		was held at 2400 hrs.
	2	Bn moved to pt 244695478 (TORIGNI-SUR-VIRE SHEET 6F/4). Adv to contact,
		"A" Coy leading. Bn got settled in new posn at about 2350 hrs - 10 H.L.I.
		on the Bn right at Pt 238 and 2 A. & S.H. were in reserve, at La Mancellive.
		No enemy encountered in area. Main road to Pt 244 was subjected to spasmodic
		shelling by long range gun.
	3	Bn still in defense posn on 244. Shelled by long range gun but most of the
		shells fell short. No casualties.
	4	Still in posn on 244. Large store of German "Q" egpt found and several
		documents and indentifications got from it. Two bombs were dropped during

Page 2 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	4	during the afternoon in "D" Coy area by allied aircraft. One did not
		explode and was dealt with by the R.Es later in the day. Enemy aircraft
		over during the night. Warning order to move received at 0015 hrs 5 Aug.
	5	Moved off 0830 hrs in Adv to Contact in T.C.Vs to MONCHARIVEL 7442. "B" Coy
		was adv guard coy. Bn debussed at MONCHARIVEL and commenced advance on
		769405 with "B" Coy leading with 2 troops of tanks in support. Captured
		objective without opposition from the enemy. Bn dug in in area of the
		X-rds; were subjected to heavy shelling and mortar fire during evening
		and again after dark. Quiet night after 2400 hrs.
	6	Bn was ordered to move forward to capture ESTRY (VIRE 6F/6). Moved off at
		0845 hrs in advance to contact with "C" Coy leading with 2 troops tanks and
		S.P. guns in support. "B" Coy followed up with "A" & "D" and the remaining
		tank troops. "C" Coy soon contacted the enemy and succeeded in attacking
		and taking the X-rds. Further movement beyond these X-rds (746377 - was 200
		yds N. of ESTRY) was stopped by heavy M.G. fire and by dug in enemy troops.

Page 3 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	6	"B" Coy with 2 troops of tanks in support then was ordered in to help "C"
		Coy by going down track 756385 on the left flank and try to work round on
		that flank. Heavy casualties were sustained from M.G. fire and from the
		five of the dug in tanks. This attack failed. The enemy strength at this
		period was estimated to consist of strong M.G. posns, enemy in strength, and
		tanks in well sited and dug in posns. Another effort was made and "A" Coy
		was ordered forward but failed to help the situation. The tank support was
		badly cut up by accurate fire from German concealed tank guns and 11 of the
		supporting tanks of the squadron were out of action. The other tanks
		withdrew. C.O. tried once more to get control of left flank and put "D"
		Coy into assist two S.P. guns forward in an effort to deal with the enemy
		tanks. This did not succeed. While this was being done, the road on which
		we were moving was being constantly shelled and mortared and many casualties
		were accounted for. After this effort, the C.O. got in touch with the
		C.O. 10 H.L.I. and arranged for them to move through and try to take the

Page 4 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	6	objective as our numbers were badly depleted. This was done and 2 GORDONS
		followed up the H.L.I. attack. This attack however failed and the two Bns
		dug in in a "tight" box N.N.E. of X-rds 746377. During this operation one
		enemy tank was destroyed by one of the S.P. guns under command.
	7	Bn held posns all day and was subjected to the most severe shelling and
		mortaring experienced in any action the Bn has been in. Cas were very high
		in both 10 H.L.I. and 2 GORDONS Bns. R.A.P. got a direct hit and lost most
		of its S.Bs but it carried on as best as it could. Worderful work was done
		by the medical branch during all this action. Orders for withdrawal received
		by C.O. at 1800 hrs but action could not be taken till next day.
	8	Bn withdrew with 10 H.L.I. at 1000 hrs and moved to area L'OBTINIERE 7440
		(Sheet 34/14 S.E.)
		2 Bns of 44 Bde attacked ESTRY but failed to make strong points. Huns still
		hold the village.
	9	Bn located in area of L'OBTINIERE. The day spent re-organising and getting

Page 5 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	9	reinforcements and new eqpt.
	10	Bn still in area of L'OBTINIERE. C.O. decided to form three coys "A", "C"
		and "D" - "B" Coy incorporated in the other three till re inforcements
		arrive. Great shortage of offrs and N.C.Os made this action necessary.
	11	Still in area L'OBTINIERE. Busy day with organisation.
	12	Morning spent working with P.W. - Poles deserted from ESTRY area. Inter-
		rogation at Bde HQ gleaned a lot of excellent information. Recce party went
		out from L'OBTINIERE and recced new area in St PIERRE TARENTAINE 7045 (Sheet
		6F/4). The Bn arrived later in the evening and settled in quickly in its
		new location.
	13	Spent quiet day in ST PIERRE TARENTAINE and day passed without incident.
	14	Casualty report on action from 5 Aug to 8 Aug 44. Offrs 1 Killed; 7
		wounded; Nil Missing. O.Rs 21 killed; 146 wounded and 22 Missing (16
		known to be wounded, not yet traced). Recce party left for new area at 0600
		hrs today. 15 (s) Div rejoining 12 Corps in CAEN area. Bn moved by road

Page 6 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	14	from area of 7045 embussed. Moved through CAUMONT, HOTOT, and CARPIQUET
		to conc area north of MALTOT (Sheet 7F/1 CAEN). Reached new area in and
		around the grounds of LE CHATEAU 995626 at 1800 hrs. Found this a filthy
		place where a very savage battle must have raged. Lots of enemy eqpt
		littered around and several enemy dead still unburied in the area. Bn settled
		in to new location. 227 Bde HQ is quite near.
	15	Restful day. Settling in new area quite well. General Barber (new G.O.C.
		15 (s) Div) visited Bn at 1030 hrs. ENSA show held for troops in after-
		noon and evening. News of new landings in S. of FRANCE received. Little
		to report on Bn activities during day. Pipes and Drums played during
		evening.
	16	Bn still in location at Le Chateau. At 4 hrs notice to move to a new
		location. Visit made by A.D.O.S. in afternoon to Bn. Mobile bath unit
		available for unit all day.
	17	Spent another day of waiting to move to new area. Little fresh to report.

Page 7 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	17	Weather still very good, Warm with little breeze. News of fall of ORLEANS
		and CHATRES announced. Recce party under 2 i/c left to recce new area. Bn
		due to leave for new location not before 1200 hrs 18 Aug.
	18	Bn left area of LE CHATEAU at 1315 hrs. Arrived in new conc location about
		1500 hrs. Bn located in area FONTAINE-HALBOUT (Sheet 7/F3 AUNAY-SUR-ODON).
		Settled in by evening. Trg conference held at Bn HQ, plans made for trg
		while in conc area.
	19	Weather broke early today. Rain and sultry weather cleared up by. late after-
		noon. Day spent trg from sec to coy level. Signal, A.TK and pioneer cadres
		in progress. Warning for new operation received at 1830 hrs. Bde 'O' GP
		held at Bde HQ. Operation planned; adv to contact to area of VIMOUTIER
		and then to hold the crossings of the River VIE and TOUQUES.
	20	Bn 'O' Gp held at 1000 hrs. Bn at six hours notice to move. This was
		cancelled at 1830 hrs - no move in the next 48 hrs. Church service held
		in field near Bn HQ.

Page 8 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	20 - 21	During night, several enemy planes flew over our area and dropped several
		A.P. bombs. There were no casualties in our area. Several casualties were
		experienced by the A. & S.H. Just after the raid, a French civilian was
		picked up in a house near our Sp Coy HQ. He was seen to be showing a light.
		The Frenchman was taken to Bde and interrogated and held for the F.S.P.
	21	Weather was extremely poor today. Rain fell all day till late evening. A
		cinema show was given to the Bn in a barn near HQ in the afternoon and
		evening.
	22	Weather back to normal again. This has been a Warm sunny day. Trg was
		carried out by coys and specialist pls. E.N.S.A. show held in A. & S.H.
		camp - some of the Bn attended in afternoon and evening. Lt.-Col Sinclair
		promoted to Brigadier to command 153 Bde (51 (H) Div). Maj Henderson
		took over command of Bn till arrival of new C.O. Bn received warning order
		to move to area of NERS to 3421 to conc prior to divisional move.
	23	Bn moved to NERS - 3241 at 0600 hrs. Arrived NERS 0920 hrs. Coys well

Page 9 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	23	settled into new areas. Weather unsettled with showers of rain.
	24	Bn left NERS and moved by road to area of BOURDON 4056 7F/6. No enemy
		encountered and lots of damaged eqpt seen on road. The general intention
		was for the Bn to move to BERNAY but the roads were so congested with
		Canadian and French tpt that Bde had to conc for night in BOURDON area.
		Bn settled in by 2200 hrs. Bde 'O' Gp for further move at 2200 hrs.
	25	Bn left by tpt - adv to contact to area of EMANVILLE 0373 (8F/4 BERNAY).
		First elements left at 0600 hrs and unit moved without incident into new
		def posn. Unit was established by 1845 and guns were in posn by 1900 hrs.
		U.S. tps also in this area but moved to other location on our arrival.
		Bde 'O' Gp at 2345 hrs.
	26	Left EMANVILLE at 0430 hrs and moved to occupy the town of LOUVIERS 2289
		(9F/1 LOUVIERS). This town was occupied without opposition from the enemy.
		H.L.I. took over E half of the town and 2 GORDONS the W half. This town
		had been bombed on night of 25 - 26 Aug. Some damage done to Tech School

Page 10 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	26	and rds to the town, otherwise the town was untouched. Bn took up defensive
		posn watching all rds and bridges. No enemy seen in area.
	27	Bn moved at 0900 hrs from town and went on to high ground in area of WOOD
		263886 (Sheet 9F/1 LOUVIERS) overlooking river, prior to a crossing being
		made in evening. At 1830 hrs a beginning was made and the bn less all
		tpt, began to form up for the attack across the River SEINE. The assault
		boats were brought down and put in posn near the intended crossing place
		272885 just south of the railway bridge and the crossing began. Opposition
		was encountered from the opposite bank and after four boat loads had been
		destroyed by direct M.G. fire, and it was found impossible at the moment
		to cross at that point, the Bn was pulled back and moved down stream to
		area of ST PIERRE DUE VAUVRAY. A fresh crossing was made at 266905 behind
		the H.L.I. This crossing was successful and the Bn continued to move on to clear
		the village of LE MESNIL ANDE 2789 and then on the MUIDS. This was cleared
		and occupied during the night of 27 - 28. Several prisoners were taken,

Page 11 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	27	most of which were S.S. tps left behind in small bands with small arms
		only, to hold up our advance. It was very noticeable how much confusion
		now prevails in the enemy's little remaining organisation on this front.
	28	During the day the advance up the N. bank from MUIDS began and by night
		the Bn had reached area of Pt 144 3692. This point produced some
		opposition but was speedily cleared up. The Bn was then ordered to send
		one coy "C" Coy, to clear FRETTEVILLE 3492 but the opposition here was found to be
		more than could be dealt with by a coy. On orders from Bde, the coy returned to the
		Bn which was concentrating in the area of Pt 144. During the night the
		Bn was subjected to slight mortar fire and cas were sustained. This was the
		first heavy weapon used by the enemy in this operation.
	29	At 0930 hrs the tracks and vehs of the Bn joined the marching tps and
		concentrated behind the defensive posns on Pt 144. The Bn remained here all
		day and held a defensive locality. The enemy gave no trouble in and it
		seemed as if they were withdrawing all along our divisional front. The

Page 12 of 12