War Diary: 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards

Month and year: August 1944

The diary covers the 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards fighting around Caumont and Cahagnes to the cathedral town of Beauvais.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/838

The "References to Appendices" column for this document was empty so has been omitted.

All diaries for this unit:

Please use the contact us page to report any errors or inaccuracies.

Viewing map locations

Many of the location in this diary have been geocoded, these locations are highlighted Screenshot of highlighted location clicking on them will display them on a map. Many location also have historical maps and aerial photographs of the area available.

Found this useful?

If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.

« Return to war diaries

Page 1 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	1.		The Regt. moved out from area NE of CAUMONT very early, the Commanding Officer's and Sergt. Porter's tanks moving with 214 Bde HQ. 1 Worcs. led followed by 2nd S.L.I with "B" & "A" Sqns. respectively. objective was CAHAGNES and high ground beyond. RHQ moved in morning to CAHAGNES with Bde H.Q. where they were shelled. Sqns. saw their Inf. on despite some opposition. By mid-day "B" Sqn. were within 400 yds of their objective. "C" sqn. working with D.C.L.I. brewed up a Panther and took some prisoners, "A" and "C" Sqns. were released and returned to harbour in the evening "B" Sqn. remaining out until 2130 hrs. with their Inf. The Regt. harboured N. of CAHAGNES that night and remained in that area most of the next day. captain D.J. Collins who had been Technical Adjt. since November, 1943 was unfortunately killed by a shell in the evening when returning from recovering a "B" sqn. tank. He was a most energetic officer and a very able

Page 2 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	1 Cont		Technical Adjutant.
	2		Orders received for us to move with the 214 Bde thorough JURQUES on to DUVAL (7945) "B" Sqn. working with D.C.L.I. "C" Sqn. with the Worcs. and "A" Sqn. with the S.L.I. "B" & "C" Squadrons joined their Inf. in the evening "A" Sqn. not moving till following morning.
	3		Inf. were held up S. of JURQUES where the enemy were on a high feature which wes almost unapproachable for tanks except up the main road. However "B" Sqn. pushed on to JURQUES and helped the D.C.L.I. on to their objective from which they already had to come about 400 yds. "A" Sqn. supplying supporting fire from the left. Tigers were reported in the area and at mid-day a Typhoon attack was seen to go in on them. "A" sqn. being in a very good position acted very successfully as an O.P. for the Gunners who hit an enemy tank.

Page 3 of 19

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
3	contd.	1830 hrs. The Commanding officer held "0" Gp. though there were no actual orders available for us as yet, but quick move probable, the Inf. to do a detour on to their objective without tank support.
4.		No move. Every indication of enemy withdrawing, and the Inf. were trying to maintain contact by pushing on to their final objective SE of JURQUES.
5.		The Regt. married up again with the Inf. (214 Bde) and RHQ moved in the morning to area LE MESNIL AUZOF. In the meantime operations being carried on by 50 Div. with 13/18 H and SRY with the object capturing MT. PINCON feature.
	2200.	warning order issued for Operation BLACKWATER (dependant upon the capture of MT. PINCON and PLESSIS GRIMOULT. 53 Recce Regt. (commanded by Lt.Col.L.Williams) have obtained a crossing at THURY HARCOURT. Intention. 43 Div. will secure crossing at CONDE SUR NOIREAU, 8 Armd.Bde. less 13/18 H. leading on two

Page 4 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	5.contd.		routes with the Regiment on East route with under command 12 KRRC and Troop W.Dragoons (Flails).
	6.	30	Commanding officer and Adjutant attended conference at Brigade obtaining details of route and orders for Operation BLACKWATER. Marrying up with Tps. under Comd. (FOOs from 86 Fld.Regt. R.Es. and flails) completed by 0700 hrs. operation timed to start 1000 hrs. was postponed until 1830 hrs. when the Regiment moved out with "A" Sgn. and "A" Coy of the 12 KRRC leading. We were directed on to CONDE SUR NOIREAU via LA QUESNE and LA PLESSIS GRINOULT. 214 Inf.Bde. to follow on the routes used by 8 Armd.Bde. The advance proceeded about 4 miles and the whole column halted in a narrow defile and later the Regt. curled up in the best place it could find off the road for the night. During the night "A" Coy. had to send out a patrol to the X-rds which got badly mortared and the R.Es

Page 5 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	6 Cont		successfully bull-dozed a bomb crater under fire.
	7.		Change of plan. The Regt. is to return to 50 Div. less "C" Sqn who would remain under comd. 43 Div. RHQ established for the day at HQ 214 Inf. Bde. "A" & "B" Sqns. engaged in assisting the 12 KRRC in dealing with enemy on our right flank.
	8.		Night was quiet. The commanding officer visited in the morning. 12 KRRC were engaged by enemy coming up from the SOUTH and "C" Sqn. in the afternoon (with two Tps only) were engaged in supporting the Worcs. in clearing up operations along the road WEST of LE PLESSIS GRIMOULT and this operation proceeded satisfactorily. Later in the evening "A", "B" & RHQ less C.Os and Sergt.Porter's tanks moved to POSTY on Northern slopes of MT. PINCON PRIOR TO MARRYING UP WITH 69 Inf. Bde.
	9.		The remainder of RHG joined the Regt. at POSTY in the morning and the Inf.Bde. attack went in the morning Inf. being

Page 6 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	9 Contd.		carried on the backs of tanks. LE PLESSIS GRIMOULT was taken and RHQ moved down SOUTH of this town with HQ 69 Bde where for a time they were shelled and mortared, Sergt.Porter being concussed. "C" sqn. still with 43 Div. did very well, a large number of prisoners being taken. unfortunately Major T.M. Bell who had had command of the Squadron since August 1941 was killed by a shell when on a dismounted recce with the Inf.Coy. comd. The loss of Major T.M.Bell was a great blow. "A" & "B" sqns. harboured for the night to the rear of their Inf.Bns,
	10		The commanding officer issued orders in the afternoon. our attachment to the 69 Bde is finished and the Regt. now come under cound. of 213 Bde. with "A" sqn. with Devons, "B" with Dorsets and "C" with Hants. ("C" Sqn. having returned to the Regt. in the early morning). Intention was to advance SOUTH and capture ST.PIERRE LA VIELLE on the high ground to the SOUTH

Page 7 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	10 Cont		The Operation commenced at 0830 hrs. 11 August. The day was spent as far as possible resting and maintaining. Some shells landed in "C" Sqn. area in the evening killing Tpr.Walters of HQ and injuring 6 others of HQ and "C" Sqn.
	11.		Attack started as scheduled RHQ now being with 231 Bde. (the other side of the road from 69 Inf.Bde). By 0900 hrs. the Inf. were nearing their first objective which was ST.PIERRE LA VIELLE and by 1100 hrs. the village was entered by both the Devons and the Hants. "A" with the Devons knocked out an A/Tk. gun and took 18 prisoners of war. The ground on the right was difficult and "C" Sqn. could not get on but they were ordered to push through and did a flanker round the village, two tanks getting ditched. "C" Sqn. eventually moved EAST on to the road and went into the village by that way Pt.229 dominating feature to the WEST of the village

Page 8 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	11 Cont		was still occupied by the Bosche who had a S.P. gun there. "A" and "C" Sqns. harboured in the afternoon and the RSM had a hard time getting supplies to them in the dark and everyone was extremely tired after a hard day. "B" Sqn. did not come in
	12	600	"A" moved out again and joined the Devons on the left "B" Sqn. remaining with the Dorsets, "C" Sqn. not operating during the morning, but remaining in fire position on the right, The Inf. pushed on to the next feature fairly quickly, but "B" Sqn. were unable to get on it as whenever they came to the reverse slope they were fired on by S.P. from pt.229. "B" Sqn. had an extremely sticky day and had one tank brewed up when coming out in the evening,another one was knocked out and Lieut.M.A.Norman who had been regularly in command of his Troop since D-Day was wounded by his own phosphorous smoke grenade which went off in his tank. All three Sqns. came back to harbour in the

Page 9 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	12 Cont.		evening to Area SOUTH of LE PLESSIS GRIMOULT.
	13.		The Commanding officer held a Squadron Leaders' conference in the morning on the subject of re-inforcements, and the rest of the day until the evening was spent in maintenance. In the evening the Regt. withdrew to go back for a rest in the area of ROBIN (WEST of AUNAY SUR ODON) The rest of the Bde. also came back to this area. A warning order received for parade to-morrow for visit by Lt.Gen, B.G.HORROCKS C.B., D.S.O., M.C. commander 30 corps.
	14.		All available personnel were trasported over to 13/18 H in the afternoon when the Corps Commander Lt.Gen.B.G. HORROCKS spoke to al ranks about the course of the war and future operations. Many of us remembered him as G.O.C. 9 Armd. Div. when we were in that formation in 1941. Baths and ENSA entertainment were laid on for 13th, 14th and 15th August and 30 Corps Welfare

Page 10 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	14th. Contd.		Officer visited us to see that during our period of rest all possible welfare arrangements were made. The Regiment remained resting until 17th August when warning order issued for big advance SOUTH and then EAST once agáin with 69 Inf.Bde. Information was that 19th U.S.Corp on our right, ourselves and 30 Corps centre, 12 Corp on left. 8 Armd.Bde were under Comd. 50 Div. and were preceded by 11 Armd.Div. along our route. Our route was to be AUNAY-SUR-ODON- ATHIS - PUTANGES - ARGENTAN - GACE - LAIGLE - BRETEUIL. In the afternoon the Regiment moved to concentration area of the 69 Inf. Bde. at ROUCAMPS on MT. PINCON passing through the uttely uninhabitable town of AUNAY-SUR-ODON en route.
		2100	The commanding officer gave out orders. our move would be a "Peace" one, Recce parties preceding our advance. Little was

Page 11 of 19

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
17 Contd		known about the enemy who was going back pretty fast except that a very large number of them were trapped in the FALAISE pocket. We would be passing SOUTH of this pocket. 50 Div. were to pass through 43 Div in the FLERS area and then move two up EAST. "B" Sqn. were to be leading Sqn.
18.		Move from ROUCAMPS commenced 0800 hrs. 61 Recce leading followed by harbour parties, A/A Regt. and then ourselves with the rest of 69 Bde. following and a Troop of flails under our comd. right at the rear. Our harbour area was reached about mid-day, a pleasant ground near ROYFLEURE. In the evening orders issued for a short move of only 6 miles taking us to the SOUTH of ROYFLEURE.
19.		Move completed by 1000 hrs. Afternoon spent in recreation, Squadron Leaders conference held in the evening. No operation orders yet received for to-morrow.
20.	0700.	Orders received for quick move, but only for a distance of 10

Page 12 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	20. Cont		miles. The Regiment moved out at 1000 hrs. preceded again by recce patties, and we arrived at MENIL GONDOUIN at mid-day. In the evening orders from 69 Bde. to push on further. This move was completed in the dark, the Regiment harbouring at NAUX de BARDUAD (2612),whe re it was extremely wet and most people got clothes and bedding wet.
	21.		The Regiment remained in same location. orders issued in the evening, and once again Recce parties to go on ahead. We would continue our advance with 69 Inf.Bde. going via ARGENTAN - EXMES and GACE (which we might have to clear up).
	22.		Regiment moved out in the morning "A" Sqn. leading 69 Inf.Bde. RHQ set up at EXMES in the evening. Order were given out for further advance tommorrow.
	23.		The Regiment moved out at 0815 hrs. By 1015 hrs. "A" Sqn. were within 2 miles of Rugles. "A" Sqn. entered RUGLES in the

Page 13 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	23 Contd.		afternoon and had a great reception from the inhabitants who sai d the Bosche had pulled out only a few hours before in or on any form of transport he could get hold of. Bridge over a stream here had been partially damaged by the Hun and the local inhabitants set to with all hands to make it usable.
	24.		Orders for the day were that the Regiment will move to concentration area the other side of RUGLES preceded by harbour party and this move was completed fairly early, and we set up in an orchard East of RUGLES. No further move for us that day. The Brigadier called in the afternoon and spoke to Squadron Leaders and told us that 50 Div. with 8 Armd.Bde. less ourselves were being called upon to relieve another formation. We ourselves would be going to 214 Bde (43 Div.) making for VERNON to obtain a crossing over the SEINE there. Orders received for move to 214 Bde late at night.

Page 14 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	25.		The Adjutant went back some 30 miles and collected the orders for move from 214 Bde. The Regiment moved out at 1300 hrs. "C" Sqn. leading with their Inf.Bn. A long march - no enemy were met and every village turned out to greet us with cheers and flowers as we went by. The route was via BRETEUIL - DAMVILLE. The Regiment arrived in this harbour NE of BRETEUIL about 5 miles from VERNON
	26.		No move to-day. The Regiment teed up ready to cross the SEINE when the bridge was completed. The Inf. crossed in assault boats. The 130 Bde. had a footing across the SEINE by mid-day crossing over the old bridge at VERNON which had been blown. The Regiment was prepared to cross the river that evening on rafts tank by tank, two tanks crossing per hour. on the other side guides from the Inf.Bns. were to meet us and take us to their Bns. areas. First tank of "A" Sqn. crossed at 0700 hrs.

Page 15 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	26 Contd		27th. on the raft, the first British tank to cross the SEINE. Crossings were continued through the day until the class 40 Bridge was completed by about 1500 hrs. RHQ then moved over by the bridge. The Commanding Officer remained at 214 Bde. in VERNON itself until the following morning It was learned 8 Armd. Bde. who were to have gone across some 40 miles to the SOUTH were coming up across our bridge. Bridgehead on the EAST bank of the SEINE was farly small and the Regiment harboured in close proximity to the BOSCHE. This evening the Regiment came under comd. 130 Bde.
	28,		"c" Sqn. on the left with 5th Dorsets, ":"B" Sqn. on the right with D. C.L.I., "A" sqn. in the centre with 4th Dorsets commenced an attack at 0900 hrs. to extend SEINE Bridgehead in direction of TILLY. Ground was very close to start off with and fairly ste ep. However the attack progressed. By

Page 16 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	28 Contd		mid day they were on better ground; "C" Sqn. got on well until being held up by S.P. on the main road. Lieutenant O.L.Holmes "C" Sqn. was unfortunately killed when doing dismounted recce. He was a very valuable officer and Troop Leader. By 1700 hrs. the Inf. were on their objective, and "A" Sqn, pushing on quickly captured another village actually beyond the original objective. Information received that 8 Armd. Bde. would operate to-morrow as an Armoured Bde, and we would be rejoining them. In the late evening the Regiment left 130 Bde. and moved SOUTH to 8 Armd.Bde. area preparatory to big move to-morrow. The commanding officer held a conference in the late evening for Operation Supercharge No.2. Orders were briefly as follows:- Information:- Enemy 49th German Inf.Div. are on the NORTH. of us 18th G.A.F. Div. to the SOUTH. Our own Troops; on our

Page 17 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	28 Contd		extreme right U.S.A.Forces heading for RHEIMS, 11 Armd.Div. are on our left and the Inns of Court would be moving ahead on our routes. Intention: To force a crossing over the SOMME at AMIENS. Method: Bde. will move two up, 13/18 H.Gg. on the right, S.R.Y. on the left; ourselves less one Squadron moving in the main body. This operation was really to break out of the VERNON Bridgehead and once through the enemy crust drive on in pursuit to the SOMMET
	29.		Heavy rain fell in the morning, and as 13/18 H. met some opposition in the area of GASNEY, the Regiment was not allowed on the road until late in the afternoon when we moved slowly through GASNEY to harbour area EAST of DONJUE. 13/18 H. reached DONZIE having quite a battle en route, shooting up quite a lot of transport and getting a crossing over the river at

Page 18 of 19

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
29 Contd		DONJUE. O Gp. held at 2345 hrs. Intention for tomorrow - push on to GISHORS and bey-ond towards BEAUVAIS, "C" Squadron to lead with a company of the 60th under Comd. and a Troop of Flails.
30		moved out from Harbour 0630 hrs. and continued the advance. "C" Sqn. entered GISORS. Bridge was intact as we came into the town where there were still Enemy snipers. The Hun blew up a train which was in the station. After GISORS we pushed on to LA LONDALE, and by 1340 hrs. rad covered 34 miles.
	1400.	After plain motoring from GISORS "C" Sqn. were held up 5 miles w. of BEAUVAIS by a burning panther tank and they destroyed a Staff car which was coming up to the panther with supplies, On the outskirts of BEAUVAIS an A/Tk gun was met and "C" Sqn. knocked it out and by 1630 hrs. were in BEAUVAIS after shooting up the BOSCHE in the streets and brewing up a King Tiger in the centre of the town.

Page 19 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	30. Contd		In the engagement at BEAUVAIS Major JAMES Coy. Comd. of the 12 K.R.R.C. was killed. Meanwhile 13/18 H. were coming up in the direction of BEAUVAIS on the route to the right of ours and met some opposition, and some of the german transport retiring before the 13/18 H. Were shot up by "A" Squadron who took up position SOUTH of the town covering the roads. The Regiment had a triumphal passage through this cathedral town of BEAUVAIS and harboured some 3 miles to the EAST all night in Bde laager.
	31.		Remained in harbour area 1700 hrs. when RECCE parties were sent off followed by the Regiment who moved in Bde. column to another harbour area SOUTH of AMIENS.

Found this useful?

If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.

Layers

War Diary: 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards

Month and year: August 1944

Viewing map locations