War Diary: 253 Field Company R.E.

Month and year: June 1944

The 253 Field Company June 1944 War Diary covers the units landing in Normandy on DDay and their actions in Normandy including improving defences and clearing/creating minefields

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1606

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Page 1 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	1st		Unit split up into craft serials situated at various Concentration Camps.
			HQ at Camp J 2 Red nr. Brighton, Sussex.
	3rd		'D' Day personnel depart Concentration Camps for embarkation hards - HQ
			under comd Capt. E.J. HOADLEY - Officer i/c Craft - embark SHOREHAM 1400 hrs.
			Move direct to sea.
	4th		Arrive NEWHAVEN 0830 hrs. On board for remainder of day.
	5th		Notification of 'D' Day as 6th June. Maps issued and final preparations
			made. Cruising on Channel off coast for remainder of day and overnight.
	6th		'D' Day - H 0725 hrs. Unit land at various H + times during the day. HQ
			land at Red Beach near Hermansville 1215 hrs. 3 ton office truck strikes
			A/T mine near beach exits. Arrive RV with OC Unit before HERMANSVILLE 1430
			hrs.
			No.1 Platoon suffer casualties on landing at 0950 hrs - 5 ORs. wounded by
			mortor fire.
			Nos. 1 & 2 Pls. employed on route clearance with 1 Norfolks and 2 Warwicks
			respectively under comd 185 Inf. Bde.
			No.3 P1. land on Queen White Beach with 2 RUR at 1300 hrs mounted on
			bicycles. This Pl. held in reserve under comd 9 Br. Inf. Bde.
			Casualties - No.1 Pl. 5 ORs. No. 2 Pl. 1 OR.
			TOTAL - 6
	7th		After quiet night moved off to COLLEVILLE-SUR-ORNE 1230 hrs. Nos. 1 & 2 Pls
			continued route clearance in advance of 185 Inf. Bde. No.3 Pl. join HQ at
			this location 1800 hrs. Digging in - preparing for counter attack which did
			not materialize.

Page 2 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	7th (contd)		Casualties increased to 7 wounded.
			Quiet night except for air activity 7/8th.
	8th		No.s 1 & 2 Pls. complete route clearance as fas as BEUVILLE on two forward
			routes.
			1400 hrs Unit departs COLLEVILLE-SUR-ORNE arrives BEUVILLE 1500 hrs.
			No.3 Pl. under comd 9 Br. Inf. Bde. - located at CAZELLE.
			Employment to this date consisted of route clearance, but no mines or
			obstructions were encountered.
			All Unit operations dependant upon speed of advance of Infantry. To date
			Pl. wireless inter-communication working very satisfactorily.
			Casualties increased to 12 wounded.
			1 M/c. lost by bombing.
	9th		Nos. 1 & 2 Pls standing by for further advance and clearing laterals.
			14 ORs. (D + 5 personnel) join Unit 1100 hrs. No.3 Pl. and 1 sec No.1 Pl.
			provide assault demolition teams and Mine Clearance teams for 9 Br. Inf. Bde.
			attack at CAMBES. No.3 Pl. suffer casualties. Pl. Comdr. Lt. G.J. Beddie
			R.E. wounded - 2 Ors. killed and 4 wounded.
			Unit less No.3 Pl. improve defences of position at BEUVILLE.
			Total casualties to date - 2 ORs. killed - 1 Officer and 16 ORs. wounded.
	10th		Nothing of importance during day. Nos.1 & 2 Pls. work on improvement of
			roads behind BEUVILLE and defences of Unit position. Lt. N.R. Beesley takes
			over command of No.3 Pl. re-Organising at CAZELLE after previous days
			operation. Situation dependant on main tactical state.
	11th		Pls. resting at BEUVILLE No.3 Pl. improving defences of their position
			and resting. No change in general situation.

Page 3 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	11th (contd)		2/Lt. G.E. Worgan and 17 ORs. arrive at 2100 hrs on posting as re-inforcements.
			Minor training carried out.
	12th		No change in Unit situation.
			Pls. resting and improving local defences.
			2030 hrs. O.C. proceeds to Div. HQ. 2100 hrs. O Group at Coy HQ. 2150 hrs
			Lt. J.B. Bostock R.E. and No.2 Pl. move out on minelaying in forward area.
			No.1 Pl. under orders to stand by during night.
	13th		During night 12/13th No.3 Pl. laying A/P. minefields for 9 Br. Inf. Bde.
			No.2 Pl. with working party from 2 Lincolns laying A/T minefields. Work
			ceases at dawn and personnel withdrawn for rest. No.1 Pl. continue constructing
			of track routes and deviations. No.2 & 1 Pls. commence further minelaying
			activities at dusk, all in 9 Br. Inf. Bde. area with working parties from
			2 Lincolns.
			No.3 Pl. continue laying A/P minefields for 1 KOSB and 2 RUR.
	14th		Minelaying activities ceased at dawn.
			8 ORs. and 4 vehicles - remainder of 1st residue arrive. Unit strength
			now increased to 7 Officers and 222 ORs.
			Usual artillery duels during day. 1 OR. wounded by splinter during evening.
			Total casualties to date - 2 ORs. killed - 1 Officer and 17 ORs. wounded
	15th		Nos.1 & 2 Pls. complete laying of A/T minefield and No.3 Pl. completes
			A/P minefield at dawn.
			1 Section No.3 Pl. with Mech Equipment constructing sunken road nr CAMBES
			until dawn.
			1600 hrs. O Group at Coy HQ - 1900 hrs OC. proceeds to O Group at Div RE
			Only trouble today by stray shells.

Page 4 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	16th		During night 15/16th further work on minefields - disrupting pattern and
			wiring minefield - 3 Section No. 2 Pl. + 1 Section No.3 Pl. - i/c Lt. J.B. Bostock
			and No.1 Pl. + 2 Sections 3 Pl. - i/c Lt. T.A. McIntosh with 1 Section No.2 Pl.
			in reserve. The whole under comd OC Unit working on this task.
			1 Section No.3 Pl. proceeds with construction of sunken road.
			No.1 Pl. Jeep involved in collision during darkness - Capt E.J. Hoadley R.E.
			to hospital suffering from concussion.
			Usual procedure during day - Pls. resting after night work.
			Very little trouble today from enemy activity. Most trouble seems to be
			an SP battery in adjoining rear field which opens up at various awkward
			times such as Meal Times, O Groups or arguments.
			8 ORs. and 4 vehicles report to Unit during day. This constitutes part of
			D + 9 residue.
			Unit strength now 7 Officers and 229 ORs. with a potential increase to
			252 ORs. when final residue arrives.
	17th		During night 16/17th Nos.1 & 2 Pls. on further work on minefields - laying
			booby traps and anti-lifting devices. No.2 Pl. unable to complete their
			task owing to being under MMG fire.
			Booby traps constructed from Tellermines 35 buried upside down with ZZ 35
			igniters in base connected to British Mk. V mines on surface.
			No.3 Pl. continue with work on sunken road.
			Capt. E.J. HOADLEY R.E. rejoins Unit from hospital with a cut forehead,
			lust for work, and a paratroop steel helment.
			O Group at Coy HQ 1430 hrs.
			Unit now digging-in in preparation for a lengthy stay. Transport vehicles
			also being dug-in.
			Sunken road at CAMBES completed by No.3 Pl. at 1200 hrs.

Page 5 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
			Mid-Month Summary - The unit having been static at BEUVILLE opportunity
			has been afforded to sum up the situation from a personnel point of view.
			(a) The primary topic amongst the men seems to be the lack of mail from home.
			Despite the papers at home stating mail was brought over on 'D' Day only two
			deliveries have been received to date and these were all 8/10 days old.
			(b) Food - Quite good and plentiful although after 2 weeks of tinned food
			the regularity of this is becoming a little monotonous. Fresh food would
			be a welcome change.
			(c) Comforts - Plenty of Cigarettes, sweets and Chocolate - no complaints
			here.
			(d) Morale - The men of the Unit all seem to be in the best of spirits.
			A cloud hung over the men at the earlier stages of the operation when
			casualties were occurring amoungst their comrades. Time has healed this
			and long rest periods has quite brought them back to normal again.
			An issue of the AEC subtitled by Divisional HQ as "The Triangle" keeps the
			men imformed of happenings at home and abroad. This news sheet is eagerly
			sought after by allranks.
			Taken on the whole the Unit has quite got over its initial hectic introduction
			to the beach-head and is quite prepared for eventualties.
	18th		During night 17/18th Nos. 1 & 2 Pls. on checking of minefields. 3 ton
			vehicle of No.2.Pl. known to have landed at p.m. 14 June not yet having
			reported is assumed to have been lost. Driver and 2nd man posted as
			missing.
			Pls. rested during remainder of day.
			1 OR. No. 3 Pl. wounded during day.
			HQ vehicles have now been dug in up to canopy height.
			Total casualties to date. - 2.ORs. Killed - 1 Officers and 18 ORs. wounded
			2 ORs. missing - Total 23.

Page 6 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	19th		No change in situation. Weather wet. Various types of equipment and
			vehicles arrive to replace losses.
			Recce for Water Point carried out by 2/Lt. Worgan.
			2330 hrs. Capt E.J. Hoadley proceeds to CAZELLE to supervise repairs to
			sunken road by 2 Sections No.3 Pl.
	20th		Lt. T.A. McIntosh proceeds with 2 Section No.1 Pl. to erect Water Point
			near CAZELLE. Work completed 1200 hrs
			1600 hrs HQ Pl. Area heavily mortored for a short period. 1 OR. of No.1 Pl.
			wounded by splinters, No.2 Pl. vehicle spattered with splinters while
			standing in HQ lines. Many narrow escapes at this period.
			Total casualties to date - 2 ORs. Killed 1 Officer and 19 ORs. wounded
			2 missing.
	21st		Unit employed on various jobs - clearing roads in BEUVILLE - painting
			and fixing village signs - gathering spare signs and pickets. Mtce party
			of No.1 Pl. on Water Point at CAZELLE. Day uneventful.
	22nd		No.3 Pl. change their location in CAZELLE. Day spent in preparing
			defensive positions in new location.
			No further work of note commenced - reconditioning continues. General
			overhaul throughout MT.
			1500 hrs. Daily afternoon shelling commences. No.2 Pl. m/c petrol tank
			explodes igniting camouflage and coverings of OC's truck M.9. Fires got
			under control, very little salvage. Both vehicle and m/c u/s. No
			casualties amongst personnel.
	23rd		Normal day - training instruction in the use of enemy mines and booby
			traps.

Page 7 of 8

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
23rd (contd)	"Heath Robinson" hot water showers erected and operating very successfully.
24th	1200 hrs. No.2 Pl. proceed to CAZELLE to take over from No.3 Pl. No.3 Pl.
	now located with HQ & No.1 Pl. at BEUVILLE. 2000hrs No.2 Pl. suffer
	by mortor fire. 1 OR. killed and 3 wounded. Pl. Sgt. wounded slightly.
	Water Point installations also damaged. BEUVILLE village heavily mortored
	and later shelled.
	Total casualties now increased to 3 ORs. killed - 1 Officer and 22 ORs. wounded
	2 ORs. Missing.
25th	During night 24/25th No. 2 Pl. and Bulldozer "dug-in" 9 Br. Inf. Bde. vehicles	-
	work completed 0300 hrs. 0230 hrs - "Stand to" owing to an enemy attack in
	the vicinity of Le LANDEL. Spasmodic shelling during morning. 1430 hrs
	O Group at Coy HQ. Pl. Comds briefed for forthcoming operations. Normal
	day. A wonderful sight was revealed by an OR. returned from duties on the
	beach. He put a piece of real bread on exhibition for a short while only.
	This was the first to be seen for nearly 3 weeks.
	No.2 pl. surpervising and recording extra work on minefield by 1 KOSB.
26th	Normal day. Nos.2 & 3 Pl. Jeeps arrive at Coy HQ at 1800 hrs - part of
	D + 11 Residue. Various small jobs in progress completed such as making gaps
	through minefields and altering wire round minefields.
27th	Mortor fire in vicinity of unit during night 26/27th. 1230 Company under
	short burst of mortor fire - 1 Sapper No.1 Pl. wounded.
	Water Point at CAZELLE handed over to 19 Fd Coy RE.
	Final preparations made by No.2 Pl. for operation in support of
	9 Br. Inf. Bde. 28th

Page 8 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	28th		Night 27/28th No.3 Pl. completed work on clearance of 3 A/P and 1 A/T
			minefield.
			Heavy shelling of vicinity during night.
			No.1 Pl. repaired wiring on A/TK. minefield.
			No.2 Pl. standing by under comd 9 Br. Inf. Bde.
			No.2 Pl. Sgt. wounded slightly on 24th admitted to hospital for treatment
			and struck of strength. No.1 Pl. L/Sgt. wounded slightly on 16th also struck
			of strength on admission to hospital for treatment. It was learned today
			that L/Sgt. Stout of No.2 Pl. - an old member of the unit in its pre-war T.A.
			days - has died the same day as the result of wounds received on 'D' Day.
			Total casualties now reads:- Officers - 1 wounded END ORs.-3 Killed - 1 died
			of wounds - 24 wounded - 2 missing.
	29th		Nothing of importance. No.2 Pl. still standing by under orders of 9 Br. Inf.
			Bde. 9 Br. Inf. Bde. attack cancelled due to presence of greater opposition
			than had been expected.
	30th		Two bursts of shelling in the Unit vicinity during night 29/30th.
			Preparation being made for the laying of minefields during night 30 June/
			1st July.
			Month of June closed quietly.
			HQ., Nos.1 & 2 Pls. located at BEUVILLE.
			No.2 Pl. at CAZELLE under comd 9 Br. Inf. Bde.
			Total casualties - All Ranks 31
			ENCLOSURES.
			AFW 3008 and AFW 3009 for weeks ending
			3rd., 10th., 17th., 24th June 44.
			Copy of War Diary for MAY 1944

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War Diary: 253 Field Company R.E.

Month and year: June 1944

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