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War Diary: 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles

Month and year: August 1944

The 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles August 1944 War diary covers the units time in Normandy in the areas of Granville, Vaudry and La Chapelle-au-Moine

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1384

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Page 1 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
Bieville 1 The weather today was very warm. The Bn. spent a quiet day at Bieville.
in the morning hot showers were arranged for the Bn. and an ENSA Concert
in the evening.
" 2 The weather very good. The Bn. spent the morning preparing to move to a
new location. The advance party under 2 i/c left for new location of
GRANVILLE 763643 at 1315hrs. Remainder of Bn. left by transport at 1535hrs
arriving GRANVILLE at 1915hrs.
GRANVILLE 3 To-day was another warm day. The Bn. spent a quiet day at GRANVILLE
At 1730hrs a recce party of Bn. left for new location at 639504 near
ST MARTINS des BESACES.
Page 2 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
Granville 4 At 0700hrs the Bn. left GRANVILLE by transport, arriving at the new location
near ST MARTINS at 1000hrs. Here we suffered one casualty when A/A truck
ran over a mine and the explosion killed a member of "C" Company.
ST MARTINS 5 At 1715hrs a Recce party left for new location with a view to relieving
the 1st on. Royal Norfolk Regiment.
6 The remainder of the Bn. left at 0230hrs on the 6th and finally reached its
new position near LA BISTIERS 6637 at 0600hrs. in this position the role
of the Battalion was to prevent any hostile thrusts along the main road
running North Eastwards out of VIRE, It had the additional task of providing
a firm base for 1 Bn KOSB and 2 Bn LINCS which had to pass through to the
high ground in front. in order to assist these Battalions further this
Battalion sent forward patrols from A, B and C Companies to some woods on
the high ground at 658358, 660360, 666361. These were all reported clear
of enemy.
Page 3 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
LA BLANQUAIRE 6 Later in the day the Battalion moved to LA BLANQUAIRE. it was in position
by 1800hrs. Shelling began at 2000hrs and although the Bn was already dug
in 4 ORs were wounded.
LA BLANQUAIRE 7 The Battalion left LA BLANQUAIRE at 0615hrs in fine weather and moved some
two miles to MONTESANGER arriving at 0800hrs. This move was designed to
achieve closer concentration within the Brigade and to permit the Battalion
to be in a better position for a move forward. It served also to provide
a firm base for an abortive attack by 2 LINCS on strongly defended positions
to our front. In this role the Battalion was shelled intermittantly and
suffered a few casualties.
MONTESANGER 8 The Battalion had a quiet day in perfect weather. During the day it became
known that 9 Brigade were to launch an attack with two Battalions up with
Page 4 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
MONTESANGER 8 the object of securing high gound to the East of VIRE. 1st Bn KOSB were to
capture ring contour 230 and 2nd RUR had as their objective the village of
VAUDRY and the VIRE - VASSY Rd running E to W to the South of VAUDRY. The
day was there spent in detailed reconnaissance of the ground by the Commanding
Officer and Company Commanders and at the end of it the C.O. gave out orders
to Company and Platoon Commanders on the ground itself. Subsequently
further detailed recconaissance was made by Company and Platoon Commanders.
LA GALONNERIE At 2200hrs the Battalion moved to an Assembly Area at LA GALONNERIE and dug
in for a short night.
9 Battalion left LA GALONNERIE at 0530hrs and moved forward steadily towards
VAUDRY. It soon became clear that the enemy had withdrawn from this area
leaving behind as obstruction nothing except mines. These succeeded in
deaying the advance so that VAUDRY itself was not reported clear and the
road VIRE - VASSY reached until 0930hrs.
Page 5 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
"D" Company had led at the Beginning but on reaching a preliminary objective
"C" Company passed through to secure VAUDRY itself and finally "A" Company
moved forward of VAUDRY Church to sit astride the VIRE - VASSY Road. In fact
the village was effectively captured by O.C. "S" Company, Capt. GAFFIKIN and
OC. Anti-tank platoon, Capt. C. GREY who, on an enthusiastic recconnaissance
reached the village ahead of the forward troops.
On the objective, which the Battalion had reached without a casualty,
the Battalion dug in. Later in the day there was slight shelling of the
area but it was from a great distance and there were no casualties.
VAUDRY 10 During the early hours of the morning a patrol of "B" Company encountered
a patrol of "C" Company; there was a misunderstanding about identity and
shots were fired on both sides killing one and wounding another.
In the afternoon a Typhoon crashed behind the Battalion area. The
pilot baled out and landed close to our lines.
Page 6 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
VAUDRY 11 To-day an attack by 3 Division on TINCHEBRAY was launched with two Brigades
forward one in reserve. 2 RUR as part of the reserve Brigade held its
positions as a firm base for the advance of the other two Brigades. 2 RUR
stood by to move in support of either of these two Brigades but owing to the
character of the ground and enemy resistance we were not called upon.
VAUDRY 12 Today the Battalion again stood by the move forward but again did not actually
move. Weather was fine and at 1145 there was a swift but severe burst of
enemy shelling which killed the M.T. Sergeant and wounded RSM Fleming and
two other ranks.
LANOE 13 Today the Battalion moved about a mile East along the VIRE - VASSY road to
LANOE where its intention was to block any possible enemy counter attack
along the road from VASSY direction. While in this position - which was
reached by 1130 hrs -
Page 7 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
"B" Company was detached to come under command 1st KOSB to strengthen a
position which had been taken up further foward. On the Brigade front the
day was quiet and the weather remained good.
LANOE 14 Bn still kept at short notice to move, but urgency gradually diminished
during the day and it became apparent that we were to stay at LANOE for
some time.
15 Today was quiet and weather was excellent. Hot showers were arranged for
the Battalion and in the evening a large party attended an ENSA. show at
the Div Club. At 0800hrs the Commanding Officer was at Brigade to receive
orders for the move for it had finally bean decided to pass 9 Brigade
through 8 Brigade to follow closely on the enemy withdrawal.
Page 8 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
LANOE 16 The Commanding Officer left LANOE at 0900hrs to meet the Brigadier for orders
at the new location. The rest of the Battalion left at 1100hrs and moved
by M.T. to new area at 747255 near TINCHEBRAY arriving at 1330hrs. The
enemy had however retreated swiftly and at 1530 the Battalion moved again
to area 8022 in the region of LANDISACQ.
LANDISACQ 17 The speed of the general advance on a contracting front was such that 3rd
Division today found that there was no longer room for it in the line. The
Battalion learnt that it was to stay in LANDISACQ for three days today and
embarked forthwith upon administration.
" 18 The Bn benefitted by a perfect day and parties went to the Divisional Club
and the Corps rest Camp.
Page 9 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
LANDISACQ 19 Today a systematic search of the Battalion area for enemy equipment and
men was carried out. NO Germans were discovered but some knocked out tanks,
guns and vehicles were reported.
LANDISACQ 20 Bn heard that it was to do training for at least a week in assault river
crossing and co-coperation with tanks. With this end in view the Bn at
0815 marched to area 8514 near CHAPELLE AU MOINE. The distance was about
8 miles and the Battalion was in position by 1210hrs.
In the evening a school of orphans under the guidance of Sisters of
Mercy delighted the Commanding officer and his Battalion with a short
concert in appreciation of their liberation. At the outset the choir of
about 50 children sang the British National Anthem and followed this with
the marseillaise. The Bn was then asked to render the British National
Anthem, which it did with great spirit; it followed this with an impressive
Page 10 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
CHAPPELE AU MOINE 20 selection of Irish ditties. The the children sang some French peasant and
patriotic songs, finishing superbly with LA LIBERTE FRANCAISE. It was
noteworthy that throughout the performance a little coloured girl proudly
held the French Flag on high. A lasting liason was established between
the Bn and these people.
" 21 Weather rather bad, showers throughout the day. The Bn spent the afternoon
river crossing in stormboats. Vehicles and guns also crossed on rafts and
transport was practised in driving across different types of bri ging.
" 22 Today tank training began with a squadran of 4th Grenadier Guards from the
6th Gds Tank Brigade. Another wet day.
" 23 Weather slightly improved. It was warm though still cloudy. The Battalion
had baths and training continued.
Page 11 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
CHAPPELE AU MOINE 23 2/Lt. COPPARD recently joined as a reinforcement officer, was wounded by
shrapnel from a PIAT bomb when firing at a PANTHER tank.
" 24 Weather still improving. Company and platoon training continued. Major
Hyde, "B" Company Commander, was wounded in the same circumstances as 2/Lt.
Coppard. Both these officers had to be evacuated. "I" Section left the
Battalion to search an area near FALAISE and report on destroyed enemy
equipment therein.
" 25 Weather very hot. "I" Section continued with their search. Training continued.
" 26 Still warm. "I" Section today visited Battleground between TRUN and
ARGENTAN and inspected enemy vehicles and equipment.
Page 12 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
CHAPPELE AU MOINE 26 During today the Commanding Officer carried out an inspection of "A", "B",
"C", "D", and "S" Companies.
27 Weather still good and Battalion held a sports day, inter-company football
and basketball competitions being organised. In the evening the "I" Section
rejoined the Battalion.
28 The Commanding Officer completed his inspection of the Battalion when at
0900hrs he saw "HQ" Company. Though fine to begin with the weather clouded
over later and rain began in the evening.
29 Rain continued and restricted training. Cinemas and concert parties in
30 FLERS were well attended.
Page 13 of 13
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
CHAPPELE AU MOINE 31 A Battalion scheme was held today in co-operation with the tanks of
supporting Sqn of Gren Guards. At 1800hrs C.O. held a conference to
discuss its success and draw lessons from it.

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