War Diary: 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

Month and year: August 1944

The 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment August 1944 war diary covers the units advance from area Parfouru l'Eclin to Foret de Bretonne near the River Seine.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1298

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Page 1 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
PARFOURU L'ECLIN	Aug. 1		Early patrols were sent fwd to stop enemy infiltration. "A" Coy moved to LA PERELLE fm area and took over from the Standing Patrol.
		0800	Bn HQ moved to area 754625.
		0930	"A" Coy were ordered into Bn res and concentrated in the area of Bn HQ. Disposition at this time was three Coys fwd on the LIVRY - ST GERMAIN D'ECTOT road, and one Coy in res.
			PW confirmed that the enemy were carrying out a general withdrawal in this sector.
		1830	Bn prepared to move fwd to occupy ANCTOVILLE and FOSSARD 7759. The Bn carriers with one Inf Pl formed adv gd. Axis of adv was track from wooded area 758623 (christened by the Brig. 56 Inf Bde THE GLOSTER WOOD) through LAUNEY and RUE DU MOUTIER 773606. Tpt followed the main ST GERMAIN D'ECTOT - ANCTOVILLE road owing to mines and booby trap. No opposition was met and ANCTOVILLE and FOSSARD were occupied by 2050 hrs.
ANCTOVILLE.		2110	Bn. HQ was est 778617, "A" Coy were in FOSSARD "B" Coy in ANCTOVILLE with "D" Coy on the right and "C" Coy on the left.
		2130	"A" Coy moved back from FOSSARD. Casualties - Other Ranks. 8 Other Ranks wounded in action. 2 Other Ranks Missing.
	2	1000	Daylight patrols were sent out to FOSSARD which was found clear. Bn Carriers also recced well fwd without coming in contact.
		1320	"C" Coy sent out a fighting patrol to area ST GERMAIN 7758 and contacted enemy at 775581.
		1645	Elements of 69 Inf Bde working with tanks of 7 Armd Div which had approached from the SOUTH were observed fighting on the AMAYE feature NW of VILLERS BOCAGE.
		2250	Slight enemy shelling Bn area.

Page 2 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	Aug. 3	0915	Bn was withdrawn to rest area BUCEELES822704.
	4		Strengh Increase - Officers. Lt. C. Walter. Lt. J.P.L. Bangs. Joined the Bn.
	6		2/Lt B.C. Coven-Coher and 2/Lt E.G. Smith. Joined the Bn.
	8		Bn. remained in rest area. 56 Bde now came under Comd 59 Div.
		1230	Bn. left rest area in TCVs.
		1500	Bn. arrived conc area 874553. Owing to the Precarious bridgehead over the river ORNE held by one Bde 59 Div. 2 GLOSTERS were ordered fwd to another conc area behind 197 Bde and were hold in readiness to support the enlargement of the bridgehead if needed.
		2210	Bn. arrived in conc area and dispositions were as follows:- Bn. HQ 918512. "A" Coy. 917511. "B" Coy. 918508. "C" Coy. 920510. "D" Coy. 920513.
			Night was quiet.
Area LE BAS bridgehead. 951520.	9		The bridgehead over the river ORNE was still very small and thin owing to a strong enemy counter attack. 56 Bde was ordered to push fwd and enlarge the bridgehead and reach line of high ground area COURMERON 9649. 2 GLOSTERS were advance Bn.
		1500	Bn moved from conc area by march route and were mortared and shelled on the approach and crossing of the LE BAS bridge. Despite this movement forward was continued.
		1639	"A" Coy battle group were held up 200 yds short of BRIEUX 9652 while the enemy were cleared out.
		1655	Bn HQ crossed over the ORNE. Churchill tks were also crossing, traffic

Page 3 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	Aug.		became dense and the Bn were held up while 197 Bde attacked the feature LA MOISSANNIERE 9650.
		1717	BRIEUX was cleared, Bn deployed as follows:- A Coy BRIEUX962518. "B" Coy 954518. "C" Coy 912520. "D" Coy 955521 Bn HQ 955521. The bridgehead posn became clearer and orders were received to continue the push with a night march to contact, as it was thought that the enemy had pulled back after the afternoon's fighting with 197 Bde.
		2245	"A" Coy moved along axis of adv followed by "D". "B" Coys, Bn HQ, "C" Coy. Tracked vehicles and "F" Tpt followed in rear. 2 ESSEX followed on same route.
	10	0045	"A" Coy passed S.L. 964512.
		0156	Rd in area LA MOISSANNIERE 9650 was found to be mined with telemines, and the Bn Pioneers worked well and hard to clear the area in order to enable the adv to continue.
		0230	"A" Coy reached COURMERON 9649, some ememy were encountered and cleared.
		0353	Bn HQ was est 966496, Coys were located as follows:- "A" Coy 968489. "B" Coy 973495 "C" Coy 967494 "D" Coy 976490. Bn objective was occupied and Churchill tks moved fwd into the area in support. Patrols were sent fwd of FDLs to line of river 495484.
COURMERON 9649.	10		Bn area was heavily shelled intermittantly during the morning. The Comdg Offr. Lt.Col. D.W. Biddle D.S.O. was injured by shrapnel, and the Bn 2 i/c Major J.K. Lance M.C. was sent for and took over Comd of the Bn. Major. B.F. Stephens took over duties of Bn 2 i/c. Bn remained in same posns throughout the day and patrolling was very active. The village of ESPINS 9848 was patrolled and found clear.	See appx "G"
			Casualties - Offrs. Lieut. G.D. Hooper. Died of Wounds. T/Lt.Col. D.W. Biddle D.S.O. Wounded in Action. A/Capt. S.C.S. Farmer Wounded in Action.
			Casualties - O.Rs. One killed, one missing, 13 wounded. P.W. taken - 1 Offr and 74 O.Rs

Page 4 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
COURMERON 9649.	Night 10/11 Aug.		One Pl. "A" Coy was sent fwd to occupy LE MONCEL 9847 by last light and one Pl. "B" Coy went out to occupy ESPINS 9848. "A" Coy Pl were able to occupy LE MONCEL. Enemy were heard in the village and were driven out by Bren fire. "B" Coy Pl encountered strong enemy patrols occupying ESPINS and were forced to return.
	11		"B" Coy sent out patrol again to occupy ESPINS. The enemy were still in occupation and despite all efforts the patrol was unable to reach the village. It was estimated that the enemy were one pl strong.
		0650	A recce patrol of one Sgt. and 10 O.Rs. was sent from "D" Coy to recce THURY HARCOURT 9446 to ascertain enemy strength and localities. Patrol located tellermines and booby traps along the road 945472 and were able to reach the outskirts of the town. Here they came under hy SPANDAU fire and were forced to withdraw. Valuable infm was obtained.
			The French civilians were very pleased to see British tps.
		0810 - 0830	"C" Coy area was heavily shelled and mortared.
		1130	The enemy counter attacked in the area LE MONCEL 9847 and ESPINS988483 and forced the Pl of "A" Coy to withdraw to bridge 975474. Here they met "B" Coy patrol who were still trying to occupy ESPINS and both patrols returned owing to strength of enemy. They were heavily mortared en route.
		1350	An attack to take LE MONCEL was arranged to enable the tks supporting 2 SWB to reach COURTS-GENETS 9746, one pl "A" Coy and one pl "B" COY were to take part supported by two sqns of Churchill tks. Orders were given but the attack did not materialize owing to changing situation on enemy front and the tks were able to reach the high feature without aid.
			Casualties - O.Rs. One O.R. Killed.
	Night 11/12		Active patrolling was carried out.
	12		Strength Increase - Officers. Capt. H.J. Lovett joined the Bn.

Page 5 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
COURMERON 9649.	12	0330	Orders were received from Bde to the effect that the Bn was to attack and capture THURY HARCOURT 9446 as it was thought to be evacuated by the enemy.
		0430	"A" and "D" Coy posns were taken over by 5 E Lancs and both Coys concentrated area Bn HQ. "C" Coy remained fwd Coy and would have come under Comd 5 E Lancs when the Bn moved. "D" Coy remained same area.
		0715	"O" Gp was held and all details of the attack were arranged. The plan of attack was to conc Bn in area WOODS 948482 and attack with two Coys. "B" Coy on the right, "A" Coy on the left, "C" and "D" Coys to remain in reserve. Owing to the task ahead "C" Coy did not come under Comd 5 E. Lancs. Start line of adv was Rd. 943477.
		1248	"B" Coy were ordered to move to conc area, followed by "D" and "A" Coys. Orders came from Bde that attack could not be delayed owing to fire plan arrangements.
		1345	BN HQ on move and was est 953487 at 1422 hrs.
		1430	"H" Hour. "A" and "B" Coys moved fwd from S.L. and advanced down the slope towards THURY HARCOURT. All went well and no opposition was met before the outskirts of the town. The arty fire plan was well executed and lifted as the troops advanced.
OUTSKIRTS THURY HARCOURT	12	1500	"B" Coy reached bridge 937469 without opposition.
		1505	"A" Coy reached rd june 942469. Here both Coys came under heavy fire. The enemy had re-occupied reverse slope of high feature 933465 (on the Western bank of the river ORNE) and were counter-attacking 2 ESSEX on the left. Fwd troops came under heavy mortar fire from these posns across the ORNE and pinned them down to general line of river 940469. Pl. patrols from "A" and "B" Coys were sent forward into the town and fighting became very close and confused. The enemy had strong points and MGs sighted in top storeys of houses and fwd troops were continuously sniped and mortared from all directions. "B" Coy reported strong opposition from area railway station and the Château.

Page 6 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
OUTSKIRTS THURY HARCOURT.	12	1725	"D" Coy was sent fwd with the intention of passing through "A" Coy to clear the town, but on reaching the rd "T" june 942462 they were pinned down by heavy fire and were ordered to firm base that area. Owing to other Div commitments with arty it was not possible to have all the necessary arty fire to support a further adv. Our Fd Regt was used to break up the counter attack on 2 ESSEX at a critical stage in our battle for THURY HARCOURT. The Churchills of 34 Tank Bde in support of us did magnificent work firing HE and MGs into known enemy posns, but owing to steep banks of river it was not possible to get tanks over to give really close support.
		1802	All three Coys were ordered to firm base on the general line of the river but owing to the strength of the enemy holding THURY HARCOURT and lack of R.A. support orders were issued to withdraw to the high ground NORTH of the town under cover of tank HE and RA smoke.
		1810	"A" Coy withdrew to start line, while "B" and "D" Coys covered the withdrawal.
		1930	"B" Coy withdrew from area of the rly stn and Chateau.
		1945	"D" Coy began withdrawal. Good work was done by the medical staff during the withdrawal and all wounded men were brought back. Major I.B. Wakefield was wounded earlier on in the battle but stayed to command the coy until the withdrawal was completed, and a tk managed to evacuate him successfully.
		2225	Bn. HQ moved and was est at 957491, by 2250 hrs.
		2330	The high ground NORTH of THURY HARCOURT was occupied and the Bn took up def posns as follows:- "D" Coy 953488. "C" Coy 955485. "B" Coy 959489. "A" Coy 959490.
			Casualties - Officers. A/Major I.B. Wakefield. ) T/Capt. R.D. French. ) Wounded in action. Lieut. C. Walters. )
			Casualties - O.Rs. 7 Killed. 38 wounded.

Page 7 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
OUTSKIRTS. THURY HARCOURT.	Aug 12/13		THURY HARCOURT was seen to be burning. Patrols were sent to the outskirts of the town to find out enemy intentions, and a standing patrol from "C" Coy was est at 958478. This patrol was forced to withdraw owing to enemy fire during the night, but was again in that posn by first light.	See appx "H"
	13		Patrolling into THURY HARCOURT continued during the day in order to maintain contact and discover enemy strong points. It became imperitive to occupy THURY HARCOURT in view of the plans of the Higher Command and the Bn were again allotted this task.
		2010	"A" Coy moved fwd and took up posn area FE DE ST SILLY fm 944478. Strength Increase. 44 O.Rs joined the Bn.
	Night 13/14 Aug.		Patrolling continued into THURY HARCOURT and no enemy were encountered.	See appx "I".
	14		Orders were received to occupy THURY HARCOURT with all speed. Form of attack was to conc Bn in area FE DE ST SILLY fm 944478, and strong fighting patrols penetrated into the town.
		1020	"D" Coy were on start line, reports from patrols had been received.
		1130	Line of river 941469 had been reached without enemy opposition, mines were encountered and quickly cleared by Pioneer Pl.
		1302	The NORTHERN half of the town was gained and "A" and "C" Coys passed through. The town was heavily mined which impeded progress.
		1530	Town finally cleared and occupied by the Bn without encountering any enemy.
		1720	Bn HQ established near the Chateau 938469 and all Coys prepared a defensive ring around the town. The Chateau had been burned to the ground by the enemy.
	Night 14/15 Aug.		"A" Coy were ordered fwd to area fm buildings 959454 as it was essential to clear and hold high ground SOUTH of THURY HARCOURT. Strength Increase.- T/Major. F.W.A. Butterworth, M.B.E. joined the Bn. Promotion and Appointments. - T/Major. F.W.A. Butterworth M.B.E. to be Acting Lieut-Colonel and appointed Offr Comdg. the Bn.

Page 8 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	Aug. 15.		Bn were ordered (as reserve Bn) to occupy the area BAS BREUIL 9545.
		0850	Bn moved in TCVs.
		0955	Bn HQ was established 955455 with "C" and "D" Coys fwd. "A" and "B" Coys in rear. Remainder of day was quiet.
BAS BREUIL. 9545	Aug 16.		The day was spent resting and checking equipment, all ranks had a hot bath. Lectures were given on the NORMANDY campaign up to date.
	Aug 17.		Position along the front became confused owing to flanking units closing in on the enemy, who were now fighting strong rearguard actions.
		1200	Orders were given to adv and take over the area of PIERREPONT 0536 from 177 Bde, Bn was at one hour's notice to move.
		1345	Bn moved in TCVs and concentrated at 014373 by 1515 hrs. LES LOGES SAULCES was still occupied by some enemy, mainly snipers. Order were issued to move fwd with two Coys up and clear the area.
		1740	"A" and "B" Coys crossed start line and adv fwd.
		1900	"C" Coy cleared LES LOGES SAULCES and def posns were occupied by the Bn.
	17/18 Aug.		Patrolling fwd was carried out, some vehs were heard in front of Bn posns. P.W. taken - 2.
	Aug 18.		Strength Increase. T/Capt. J.L. Wood joined the Bn. The Bn's task was now to patrol fwd to line of river 075315 and "B" Coy were allotted the task of occupying pt 209, 0732
		0812	Two Pls. "B" Coy on objective. "A" Coy moved fwd and by 1038 hrs were est. at 074316.
		1200	Bn HQ was est. 069324 with three Coys fwd, "D" Coy on the right, "B" Coy centre, "A" Coy left. "C" Coy remained in reserve at LES LOGES SAULCES, 0632.
		1330	A patrol of "A" Coy contacted a small party of enemy at 076305.
		1520	Bn HQ area was shelled and mortared.

Page 9 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Aug 18.	1745	"A" Coy patrol went out to ascertain strength of enemy at 076305, patrol came under SPANDAU fire, and returned before reaching objective. P.W. taken - 5. Casualties - Other Ranks - one killed, one wounded. Strength Increase. 52 O.Rs joined the Bn.
Night 18/19 Aug.		Active patrolling was carried out to the line of the river.
Aug 19		56 Bde were ordered to leave 59 Inf Div and join 49 Inf Div.
	1200	Bn moved in TCVs to the area SOUTH EAST of CAEN occupied by 49 Div.
	2330	Bn arrived conc area near AIRAN 1850 and rested the night 19/20 Aug. P.W. taken - 4.
Aug. 20.		56 Bde were in reserve and Bn remained in rest area.
Aug. 21.		Bn moved into AIRAN and occupied empty houses owing to torrential rain. Strength Increase. - Lieut. A.C. Machin joined the Bn. Casualties - one O.R. wounded.
Aug. 22.		56 Bde were ordered to move fwd and conc area BONNEBOSQ 4395 with the intention of being passed through the fwd Bdes, when the bridgehead over the river area 5391 had been secured. Bridges were destroyed and operations were held up whilst REs brought up bridging equipment.
	1725	Bn left AIRAN in TCVs.
	2016	Bn HQ est 461974 with all Coys conc nearby.
Aug. 23.		Posn at the bridgehead QUILLY LE COMTE 5391 was still obscure and Bn was kept at varying degrees of readiness to move fwd to it. The enemy counter attacked the bridgehead during the day and before last light it became imperative to relieve and strengthen it.
	2000	Bn left conc area in TCVs along given axis of adv. The enemy shelled the road which was very congested owing to the amount of traffic.

Page 10 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	2330	Bn debussed on WESTERN bank of river at 523918 and conc. Enemy were still holding NOROLLES 5493 and 2 GLOSTERS were ordered to infiltrate over the river during darkness in order to est a bridgehead further NORTH at BREUIL-EN-AUGE 5396 and firm base in order to allow 2 ESSEX to pass through.
		Strength Increase. T/Major A.J.A. Arengo Jones joined the Bn. and assumed appointment of Bn. 2 i/c.
		Lt. W.E. Nicholas (CDN Corps) joined the Bn.
		Strength Increase. 78 Other Ranks joined the Bn.
24 Aug.	0300	All Coys had crossed the river and were conc area 539929.
	0630	Bn. HQ est 539929.
	0655	Bn. formed up along rd running NORTHWARDS and by 0740 hrs had moved fwd through the posns occupied by the HALLAMS, no enemy were encountered en route.
	0900	Bn. were in posns as follows :- Bn HQ. 544972. "A" Coy. 550974. "B" Coy. 544968. "C" Coy. 549969. "D" Coy.545976.
		Here some hard earned rest was taken during the morning.
	1405	Orders were received from Bde to prepare to move and take up left flank protection to 2 ESSEX who were by now at the outskirts of CORMEILLES 6598.
	1530	Bn. moved fwd and by 1700 hrs were in posns around Pt 157. 6298.
	1920	Bn. area was shelled intermittently for approx. 1 hour.
Night 24/25 Aug.		Night was quiet. Orders were received to adv at first light with ultimate objective line of river RISLE. PW taken 5.

Page 11 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
25 Aug.	0930	Leading elements "D" Coy adv Gps passed the SP WEST of CORMEILLES.
	1015	"D" Coy came under fire on rd at 702012, Recce confirmed that EPAIGNES 7001 was held. Enemy were also in posns area LES PAPEGUAY 6801 and "D" Coy were allotted the task of mopping up this area. "A" Coy prepared to take over Adv Gd Coy on resumption of adv.
	1125	"D" Coy moved on left; numerous enemy strongpoints were encountered and systematically engaged and mopped up.
	1205	Civilians reported CORMEILLES heavily mined.
	1245	In order to gain centre line on rd EAST of CORMEILLES, "A" Coy moved to outflank the village on the rd to the SOUTH.
	1315	Bn. HQ est 679999.
	1325	"D" Coy continued mopping up operations with in sp 1 Tp 9 R. Tks.
	1345	Bn. HQ moved to 681001, "C" and "B" Coys were held in mobile reserve. Bn. area was shelled by the enemy. "D" Coy continued fighting and mopping up during the afternoon. "A" Coy on the right met little opposition and were able to reach the centre line rd.
	1700	A Bn attack to clear EPAIGNES was planned. "D" Coy remained on the left, "B" Coy were to pass through the centre and "A" Coy to move in a NORTHERLY direction and enter town from SE.
	1940	Tks in Sp of the Bn. were in EPAIGNES and reported that some of the enemy were waving white flags. The Commanding Officer ordered all Coys to push fwd as quickly as possible and converge on EPAIGNES. "C" Coy were ordered to move fwd on the rd running NE into EPAIGNES.
	2230	EPAIGNES finally cleared and the Bn prepared to occupy def posns around the village. Civilians and Maquis est that EPAIGNES area was held by strong rearguard of enemy consisting of possibly two weak Coys. This turned out to be the case but when the village was finally cleared there was no street fighting. The enemy had good OPs in surrounding area and held on to them even when our tps were amongst them, which explains the accuracy of their Arty and Mortar fire. P.W. taken 5. Est enemy killed 48. Own Cas: 12 killed. 41 wounded.

Page 12 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
EPAIGNES.	26 Aug.	0230	Position had cleared up and Bn was disposed as follows:- Bn. HQ 704012. "A" Coy. 708006. "B" Coy. 706013. "C" Coy. 703009. "D" Coy. 703013.
			Local patrolling was carried out but no further enemy positions were located.
			The town was burning in some parts and it was thought that the enemy set fire to the Church before finally withdrawing. They had used the church as an OP and wanted to prevent us from doing the same thing.
		0730	49 Recce Regt. passed through onto a new CL to clear the way for an Adv on a two Bn. front (2 ESSEX right - 2 SWB left) onto PONT AUDEMER.
		1052	The Bn. was warned by Bde. to prepare to move fwd.
		1345	Bn. moved in TCVs.
		1435	Bn. was in cone area. Bn. HQ 717053. "A" Coy.721056. "B" Coy.717064. "C" Coy.718055. "D" Coy.716061.
			Bn. rested remainder of day in this area. PW taken 4.

Page 13 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Aug. 27		Bn remained in rest area while remainder of 56 Bde forced crossings over river at PONT AUDEMER.	See Appx "A" (marked map) and Appx B.
		Appointments - Officers. Major A.J.A. Arengo Jones appointed Bn. 2nd In Command. Major J.K. Lance M.C. re-assumed command of A Coy.
Aug 28.		The situation of the Eastern bank of the river at PONT AUDEMER had eased owing to a crossing by 146 Bde SOUTH. Bn was ordered to proceed to 56 Bde Conc area.	See Appx "A" (marked map).
	0955	Bn had crossed the river and were in conc area. Reports were received that the enemy were conc and holding FORET DE BRETONNE while attempting crossing over the SEINE.	- do -
		Orders were received to clear FORET DE BRETONNE, plans were revised twice and finally decided. The form was 56 Bde on the right, 147 Bde left. 2 Glosters were on the left in 56 Bde area, Essex on right, 2 SWB in res.
	1445,	Bn. left conc area.	- do -
	1635	Bn. arrived new conc area.	- do -
Aug. 28.		Some P.W. were taken, they stated that the forest and rds leading through were heavily mined.
	1845	Patrols were sent out to the edge of the wood and to LA HAYE DE ROUTOT which was found to be clear.
Night. 28/29.		Extensive patrolling was carried out which drew enemy Mortar and SPANDAU fire.
29		Bn. plan of attack was A Coy to move up rd 914125 with B Coy on the left, C and D Coys remaining in res.

Page 14 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Aug 29	0820	A and B Coys on the move. A Coy came under hy enemy SPANDAU and mortar fire from area rd and track junc 914136 and so flanked to the left with the intention of outflanking the enemy strong point. B Coy located several SPANDAU posns on fwd slopes of forest area 907137 and came under heavy fire. It was imperative for B Coy to reach the Spur 907136 in order to give flanking fire to A Coy, who were pinned down by SPANDAU fire.
	1120	C Coy were ordered to push fwd and get in posn on left of A Coy as it was decided to clear the area of the rd and track junc 915136 with two Coys, with B Coy assaulting the SPANDAU posns on the left.
	1150	D Coy were in posn 904123. Remainder of morning and afternoon fwd Coys harrassed and assaulted the enemy posts, until finally all were eliminated or had withdrawn.
	1740	By this time A Coy had reached 913135. B Coy reported no enemy resistance and were ordered to proceed forward to 905137. C Coy were at 908135 and from there sent patrols to the main road. D Coy were held in readiness to pass through and clear rd and track junc with the view of advancing on the right through the forest while the remainder of the Bn. advanced along the main road.
	1845	D Coy pressed forward despite numerous mines encountered en route and by 1915 hrs had reached 914148.
	1942	C Coy moved up to main rd, followed by B and A Coys with Bn in rear. No opposition was encountered, although D Coy heard the enemy withdrawing in disorder inside the wood.
	2155	Good progress through the wood was made and by this time Bn dispositions were as follows:- Bn. HQ 913173. A Coy. 910170. B Coy. 913167. C Coy. 913174. D Coy. 916173.
		Cas. 2 O.Rs. killed. 6 O.Rs. wounded.

Page 15 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Aug 29/30.		Local patrols were sent out but no further enemy localities were encountered. Orders were received to continue the advance at first light and reach the northern edge of the forest.
30	0700	D Coy continued on the route on the right, clearing the wood and C Coy advanced on the main road axis followed by B Coy A Coy Bn. HQ.
	0925	Bn. arrived conc area 953206.
		Summary. The enemy withdrew in great disorder once the Bn crushed the core of resistance in the area 9012, 9113. Recce patrols were sent through the thick forest and large quantities of enemy equipment were located.	See Appx "C"
		Bn rested in conc area.
		Cas. One O.R. wounded.
31		Bn rested in conc area. Strength Increase. 31 O.RS. joined the Bn.

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War Diary: 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

Month and year: August 1944

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