War Diary: 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

Month and year: August 1944

The 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment August 1944 War Diary covers the units time in Normandy and their advance towards the River Seine

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1334

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Page 1 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	1		The night 31 Jul/1 Aug was spent in the bivouac area at BIEVILLE.
			During the night enemy shelling of the town caused two slight casualties.
			Bde Comd visited C.O. during morning and stated that no move would take
			place before the evening and a percentage of men were able to visit the
			Div. Club. Later orders gave the time of move as not before 0800 hrs
			2 Aug and this was further extended to 1600 hrs 2 Aug. Lt. Bush
			returned to the Bn and Lt. R.G.Pinchin joined the Bn. One O.R. wounded.
	2		Early part of day spent 'cleaning up'.
		1600	Bn. moved complete in M.T. to concentration area at LANGRAVE (10, miles S
			of Bayeux). News received of good progress throughout Allied Front.
	2/3		A quiet night. C.O. attended conference at Bde during morning. Bn. now
			at four hours notice to move. At 1600 hrs C.O. was called to Bde and Bde
			O' Gp recced new concentration area West of ST. MARTIN DES BOCAGES (6750).
			Bn. now at 2 hours notice. 'A' Coy suffered 5 casualties from a booby
			trap in their Company Area.

Page 2 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	4		Bn moved complete (less 'B' Ech) in M.T. to new area and were established
			there by 1200 hrs.
	5		Day spent in new concentration area. Orders received that Bde would move
			next day to area MONTISHANGER (6635) to fill gap between 185 Bde and U.S.
			Forces. It was not known if this ground was occupied by the enemy.
	6	0900	Bn arrived at dispersal point and it was confirmed that the objective was
			now in Allied hands. Recce parties went forward and BN took up defensive
			posn and dug in. Some casualties were casued by shelling and the R.A.P.
			received a direct hit wounding both the M.O. and padre.
		1700	The Bn was ordered to gain position astride the river to enable the R.E. to
			build a bridge during the night. This was accomplished by B and D Coys
			against slight opposition but troublesome shelling by enemy who held good
			O.Ps commanding the river. Lt.Col. Wilson was wounded by shellfire and
			Maj. L.H.B. Colvin assumed command. At 2200 hrs remainder of Bn. consolidated
			South of the river. Casualtues :- Lt.Col. D.R.Wilson. Capt. A.W.Little(RAMC)

Page 3 of 11

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE		Capt. R. G. Strutt (R.A.Ch.D) Lt. E.W. Mudge. Lt. B.M.Mercer. 2 ORs killed
		and 12 wounded. Lt. A.Hempsall killed.
	6/7	Night and early morning very quiet, but after 1000 hrs enemy resumed harassing
		shellfire, Lt. Col. C.L.Firbank (Somerset Lt Inf) arrived to take command
		of the Bn and received orders to advance to the railway some 600 yards
		forward of Bn posns, and then to push forward to the high ground at ring
		contour 230 (654313). For this operation the following troops were in
		sp of 2 Lincolns :- One squadron 44 R.T.R. S.P.Tp 101 Bty A/Tk R.A.
		One pl 'A' Coy 2 Middlesex. One Sec 253 Fd Coy R.E. One Bty 33 Fd Rect
		with other Arty available at short call. Plan :- 1. 'A' Coy right and
		D' Coy left to capture line of rly 663327 and consolidate.
		Start Line - forward edge of woods held by Bn. Axis of advance are road
		from PONT DE VAUDRY (6633) tp YAUDRY (6531). 2. 'B' and 'C' Coys to pass
		through and capture YAUDRY and ring contour 230 (6531). 3. Bn. to move up and
		consolidate in area YAUDRY and ring contour 230.

Page 4 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
FRANCE			SP ARMS
			TANKS. One tp to advance with each leading Coy., remainder in reserve in
			Bn area supporting advance by fire.
			A/T R.A. to form firm A/Tk base at PONT DE VAUDRY and move up to
			consolidate on capture of final objective.
			2 MIDDLESEX. to support attack by observed shooting from high ground in
			rear of Bn posn.
			R.E. to clear mines from road, particularly at level crossing (663328)
			to enable the Bn transport to advance on to final objective.
			R.A. All likely targets in the area were given a code number to be
			called for by fwd coys as needed. Before the attack arty concentrations
			were fired on known and suspected enemy posns.

Page 5 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
FRANCE			NARRATIVE.
			A' and 'D' Coys crossed start line and 'A' Coy at once came under
			mortar fire. One mortar bomb fell on 'A' Coy HQ, killing one signaller,
			putting the 18 set out of action, and the Coy. Comd., Capt. Munton, was
			temporarily blinded by blast. Capt. Munton was obliged to go back to
			R.A.P. for attention but returned to his Coy later in the day. After
			this setback 'A' Coy continued to advance from hedgerow to hedgerow,
			supported by their tanks and reached their objective.
			D' Coy found LA LANDE unoccupied but came under heavy M.G. fire when
			they advanced from the orchard at LA LANDE.
			They reached their objective but suffered casualties from M.Gs on their
			left flank.

Page 6 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
			Three tanks were put out of action by mines and the R. E. Section endeavouring
			to clear the road up to the railway came under direct M.G.fire. and suffered
			casualties. One tank was lost by enemy A/TK fire from the right flank of
			A' Coy. The two forward Coys now came under increasingly heavy mortar
			and M.G. fire and two sections of 'D' Coy who had succeeded in advancing
			over the railway line were cut off by fire from enemy MGs., who had
			infiltrated on their left flank. At this period the enemy had perfect
			observation of all our movements from the high ground in front of us.
			These Coys were suffering considerable casualties and it became apparent
			that the final objective could not be achieved without heavy loss, partic-
			ularly as both flanks were very exposed. On receiving this information
			the Bde Cond ordered a withdrawal to the original Bn posn. The withdrawal
			of the fwd Coys was now difficult owing to their exposed position - every
			movement bringing heavy enemy M.G. fire. Smoke was called for from the
			gunners and under this screen the Coys withdrew with the exception of the

Page 7 of 11

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
FRANCE		two forward sections of 'D' Coy, who were now completely cut off.
		A' and 'D' Coys returned to their original positions in the Bn area.
		CASUALTIES Lt. D.J.Webb wounded. 3 O.Rs killed. 25 wounded. 11 missing.	Appendix 'A'
	7/8	Enemy harassing fire slackened during the night and the Bn continued
		to hold the position throughout the day.
	8	During the evening the Bn was relieved by E. Yorks and came into Bde.
		reserve. 2 O.Rs killed ; 7 wounded.
	9	Bn advanced in Bde reserve to the high ground East of VIRE which was
		occupied without opposition, the enemy having withdrawn during the
		previous night. Consolidation was completed with the Bn in Bde
		reserve astride the main VIRE - VASSY road. 4 O.Rs wounded.

Page 8 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	10		Patrols were sent out during the day. A Pl from 'C' Coy under Lt. Queskey
			successfully drove the enemy from the wood at 652305. One prisoner was taken.
			A patrol from 'B' Coy found the orchard at 657302 strongly held and after
			harassing the enemy received orders to withdraw. Lt.Bush was wounded during
			this patrol. This orchard was later found to be unoccupied, the enemy having
			withdrawn after the action with Lt.Bush's patrol. 3 O.Rs wounded.
	11		Bn remained in posn while 8 and 185 Bdes advanced in the general direction
			of TINCHEBRAY. One O.R. wounded.
	12		Bn remained in reserve. At 1900 hrs C.O. received orders to take over post
			from 1st Grenadiers (Gds Armd Div). Bde Recce Gp carried out recce of new
			area.
	13	0700	Bn moved to new area S of BURCY and took up def posns. Very quiet except
			for occasional shelling. One O.R. wounded.
	13/14		Quiet night.
	14		Bn at 4 hours notice to move. 50 personnel were able to see ENSA party
			(George Formby Maj. S. J. Larkin and Capt P. H. W. Clarke rejoined the Bn.

Page 9 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE	15		Bn remained in area. Very quiet day. Some personnel to Div. Club.
			During afternoon orders received for probable move to conc area West of
			TINCHEBRAY. Role of Bde uncertain but possibly to capture high ground
			E. of TINCHEBRAY.
	16	1100	Bn. moved in M.T. to conc area. Information received that high ground
			was unoccupied by enemy.
		1700	Bn. moved again in M.T. to area LANDISACQ and took up def posn. Recce
			reported FLERS clear of enemy who had apparently withdrawn NE,
	16/17		Very quiet night - no shelling.
	17		Patrols were sent out to surrounding villages to collect equipment and
			round up enemy stragglers. Two prisoners were taken. Local French were
			very pleased to see Allied tps and our patrols received an enthusiastic
			welcome.
	18		Bn. remained in LANDESACQ. It was reported that some Germans had been cut
			off in BOIS DE MESSEI (8713) and that Bn. would have to clear the wood but

Page 10 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCE			this was later reported clear.
	19		Bn remained in area but warning order received that Bde would move to new
			area (5 miles S of FLERS) next day. Recce parties sent.
	20	0800	Bn moved by march route, arrived in new area by 1200 hrs.
	21		Day spent practising river crossings in new type storm boats. Vehs crossing
			on Close Support (Class9) raft.
	24.25 26		Further training periods in Storm boats and Class 9 rafts.
	24		Lecture by Maj Crosswaite Comd 3 Sqn 4 Gren Gds on Tank and Infantry
			co-operation at 1030 hrs at Bn.HQ. Demonstration of Pl. of 'C' Coy and
			tp working in close contact at 1400 hrs.
	25-28		Continuation of training - particularly co-operation with tanks (4 Gren Guards)
	29-30		Training with tanks was planned for these two days, but almost continuous
			rain prevented the exercises.
	31		Advance parties went forward to area NE of LES ANDELYS on North Bank of
			RIVER SEINE. Probable date of move for Bn given as 2/3 Sept.

Page 11 of 11

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
FRANCE			During period 20-31 August Bn was concentrated and not in contact with the
			enemy who were withdrawing to River SEINE and beyond. Training was carried
			out with tanks and assault river crossings carried out. From 24-27 Aug
			Bn 'I' Section were in the FALAISE area cataloguing destroyed enemy
			equipment. Reinforcements were received bringing the unit to full
			strength in men but Bn remained below strength in Subaltern Offrs.
			The majority of reinforcements were personnel from 59 Div which was
			disbanded, and some Lincolnshire men wounded early in the campaign
			rejoined.

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War Diary: 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

Month and year: August 1944

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