War Diary: 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

Month and year: November 1944

The 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment November 1944 War Diary covers the units time in the Netherlands in the area around Saint Anthonis

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1334

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Page 1 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
HOLLAND	1		This month opened very quietly, Snipers operating in front of our
			forward positions.
	2		To-day we received instructions for laying two minefields forward of 'D'
			Coy's positions.
		1500	The R.E. Officer made his reconnaissance and protected by a covering party
			from 'A' Coy, both field were completed without incident by 2215 hrs.
	3		The forward Coys were subjected to light shelling, 'D' Coy losing 1 OR
			killed and 1 OR wounded.
	4		Recce party under Maj. L.H.B. Colvin MC visited 1st Bn Suffolk Regiment
			preparatory to change-over. Battalion completed the relief by 2000 hrs
			it being necessary for 'D' Coy., under the command of Maj. P.H.W. Clarke,
			to be relieved after dark. 'A' Coy commanded by Maj. S.J.Larkin came under
			the command of the 2nd Bn Royal Ulster Rifles and took up position with
			Coy HQ at 791323. During the afternoon, 'A' Coy was visited by the
			Brigadier and the Commanding Officer. A few shells landed in the area

Page 2 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
HOLLAND	4		during this visit but no casualties were sustained.
	5		The day was spent improving billets. Very uneventful apart from one
			casualty caused by a booby trap.
	6		A' Coy returned to the Battalion area having been relieved by The Royal
			Ulster Rifles.
	7		A platoon of 'C' Coy was detached to act as local protection to the A/Tank
			guns at 784335; 2/Lt. Orwin rejoined the Battalion having been granted an
			emergency commission.
	8		A platoon of 'A' Coy was sent to VIERLINGSBECK in support of 'C' Sqn Recce,
			with the object of ambushing a German 'Bazooka' party. No enemy patrols
			approached our position so the ambush did not materialise.
			To-day Lt. Piper rejoined the Battalion having been granted an immediate
			commission.
		1400	Recce party consisting of company representatives under Maj. L.H.B.Colvin MC
			visited 2 Bn. The Royal Ulster Rifles.

Page 3 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
HOLLAND	9		The Bn relieved Royal Ulster Rifles and established companies at
			A' Coy 791323 'B' Coy 794317 'C' Coy 792323 'D' Coy 793316 and Bn. HQ
			at 784322. During the day 'C' Coy had one casualty caused by a mortar
			bomb.
	10		Spent in improving positions by means of communication trenches etc.
	11		Light shelling and mortar fire otherwise fairly quiet.
	12		During the night (0400 hrs) a standing patrol at 794329 was attacked by a
			strong enemy fighting patrol, both sides suffering casualties.
	13	0630	Standing patrol of 'D' Coy whilst moving into position was fired on by
			Spandau and sustained three casualties; Recce party under Maj. L. H.B.Colvin MC
			went to St. Anthonis.
	14		The Battalion was relieved by 1 K.O.S.B. and moved to the area of
			St. Anthonis with Bn. HQ at 726379. To-day, Field Marshall Sir Bernard
			Montgomery K.C.B. D.S.O. Commander-in-Chief 21st Army Group visited the
			area to present decorations to Officers and men of the 9th British Infantry

Page 4 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
HOLLAND	14		Brigade. Members of the Battalion who received awards were,
			Maj. L.H.B. Colvin MC. and Lcpl. Dyson MM,
			During our stay in St. Anthonis the Battalion was at 3 hours notice to
			operate in a counter attack role as detailed in 2 Lincolns O.O. No. 8.
	15)		During this period the Battalion enjoyed a well-earned rest. Advantage
	16)		was taken of this period and we checked and cleaned weapons, stores and
	17)		equipment.
	18)
	19	1030	Recce parties under Maj. L.H.B.Colvin MC moved to concentration area at
			749251 and the battalion arrived during the afternoon.
		1730	The Battalion moved forward to relieve 3 Monmouths. The relief was carried
			out quietly, efficiently and without incident.
	20		Fairly heavy shelling and mortaring throughout the day. Standing patrols
			were maintained by 'B' and 'D' Coys.
	21		Light enemy mortar activity throughout the day increasing during the night.
	22		Orders were received to continue our advance towards the MAAS.

Page 5 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
HOLLAND	22		Troops were briefed and all preparations made for the following morning.
	23	0800	To-day we started an 'advance to contact' operation and reached our objective
			without opposition from the enemy. We advanced from VEULEN to SCHOON
			searching on the way the 'Factory' at 777227 and a demolished radio location
			station at 780226. The Battalion concentrated with companies at 'A' Coy
			793235 '3' Coy 787233 'D' Coy 794232 with 'C' Coy forward at 802242.
			Bn. HQ at 789234
	24		A force comprised of 'C' Coy 2 Det mortars, sec. carriers, under command
			of Maj. L.H. B. Colvin MC pushed forward to the MOLENBECK at 856243 and
			remained there until 1600 hrs when they were relieved by the Royal Ulster
			Rifles.
	25		Under instructions from Brigade we made a recce of all roads leading to the
			MOLENBECK to see if they would take heavy convoys, but the majority of the
			roads proved very unsuitable as they were little better than cart tracks.
	26		Church services conducted by the Padre were held in the Battalion area.

Page 6 of 6

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
HOLLAND	27	General clean-up. Kit inspections etc. Batt. Recce party under
		Lt. Col. C.I. Firbank visited the 2nd Bn. East Yorkshire Regt in the area
		of SMAKT, MAASHEES.
	28	Coy recce parties visited the area and contacted their opposite numbers
		in the East Yorkshire Batt.
	29	Orders were received postponing move for a minimum of 24. hours.
	30	Spent in getting thoroughly acquainted with our future area.

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War Diary: 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

Month and year: November 1944

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