War Diary: 4 Coldstream Guards

Month and year: August 1944

The 4 Coldstream Guards August 1944 war diary covers the units actions in Normandy in the area around the Vire, Tinchebray area.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1251

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Page 1 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
1 Aug	For exerts and coninuation of operations see Appendix of War	Appendix A
	Diary for July.
	Lt R.J.D.E. Buckland wounded in knee by shell splinter.

Page 2 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
2 Aug 44	Bn remained in area of pt 309. The battle having moved on	Appendix A.
	no further enemy shelling nor mortaring was experienced.
	The day was devoted to maintenance.
	The Brigadier visited the Bn at about 1400hrs and spoke to
	each sqn in turn congratulating them on their fine performance
	and saying pt 309 would in future be known as Coldstream Hill
	He also told the Bn that the Germans had nicknamed us
	"Churchills Butchers"

Page 3 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
3 Aug 44	The tanks moved during the afternoon from area of pt 309 to	Appendix A.
	bottom of hill about one mile NE of St Martin des Besaces
	During afternoon Lt Col Sir W de S Barttellet left the bn to
	take over command 6 Guards Tank Brigade
	Maj A.W.A. Smith look over command of bn and assumed rank of
	Lt-Col
	Maj A.C. Pilkington became second in command and Capt G.T. Morton
	took over command of H.Q. Sqn.

Page 4 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
4 Aug 44	The tasks moved to a new harbour area one mile SE of	Appendix A.
	St Pierre Tarentaine where it was joined by A Echelon.
	Harbour area in pleasant surroundings - small grass fields
	enclosed by high hedges

Page 5 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
5 Aug 44	The bn remained in yesterdays location.	Appendix A.
	The day was spent in maintenance.
	No 2 Sqn (Maj M.V.Milbank) came under command of 3(Tk)S.G
	who had been reduced to two sqns. This sqn supported 2 Gordons
	in an attack on the X rds at La Caverie, They reached their
	objective without much difficulty or opposite and stayed there
	until nightful when the sqn withdrew into a leager! No
	casualties were suffered inspite of being machine gunned and
	mortared fairly heavily throughout the day.

Page 6 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
6 Aug 44	The Bn carried out an attack with 46 Bde of 15(S) Div.	Appendix A.
	The object of to-days operation was for 15(S) Div and 6 Gds (Tk)
	Bde to advance South to Vassy in order to protect left flank
	of a further armoured advance by the formations on our right.
	The attack by the Bn and 6 Gds was to be carried out
	in four phases.
	Phase I - 9 Cameronians to advance to Bois du Monde and
	push on to pt 232 - 3/4 mile sw of Gournay.
	The start line was the Au Cornu - La Caverie road. The time
	across start line 0730 hrs.
	No 2 Sqn. who had been harbouring night 5/6 Aug in area of
	Le Hamel, were to come back under command of bn and support
	this phase.
	Phase II - 2 Glos H to take over from the one company of 9
	Cameronians which had been left in the Bois du Morde

Page 7 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
6 Aug 44	Phase III - On completion of Phase II 227 Bde were to move down	Appendix A.
	round La Caverie - Vassy. At the same time 7 Seaforths supported by
	No 1 Sqb (Maj T.O. Hambro) were to advance to Vassy in the form of
	an advance to contact. A detachment of 15 (S) Div Recce Regt was
	to precede the advance.
	Phase IV - 2 Glas H and 7 Seaforths to move down main road to
	La Rocque with 2 Glas H leading. A detachment of the Div Recce
	Regt to be in front. The order for this phase to begin to be
	given by Brigadier. No 3 Sqn (Maj J.E.H. Tollemache M.C) to support
	2 Glas H.
	Artillery - Div Arty Regt, one Med Regt and one AGRA to support
	attack. One Regt available to each Bn.
	Artillery Programme - from first to second objective at call of 9
	Cameronians; Place II Nil ; Phase III at call of 7 Seaforths; Phase IV
	at call of 2 Glas H

Page 8 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
6 Aug 44	At 0836 No 2 Sqn reported they were over the start line. They at	Appendix A.
	once found themselves in very thick country and the going therefore
	hard. The first objective was reached without meeting opposition
	(Recce patrols having been there throughout the night) By 0950
	two troops were across the river which turned out to be a
	fairly difficult obstacle owing to marshy state of banks and the
	bridge being partially demolished. As soon as the infantry
	appeared they came under heavy machine gun fire from four
	or five guns and were held up. Soon after heavy mortar fire
	began. Maj Milbank got in touch with the commanding officer of
	9 Cameronians and said he was prepared to assist in any
	way, consequently a sqn shoot was carried out on the suspected
	MG posts with the idea of making it possible for the infantry
	to get forward. However sustained and heavy mortar and shell
	fire made the impossible. A plan was made for a two company

Page 9 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
6 Aug 44	attack supported by the sqn to start at 1330. Luckily this was	Appendix A.
	abandoned as the tanks were finding it extremely difficult to get
	to their start line owing to sunken roads.
	No further progress being possible by 9 Cameronians the Brigadier
	decided to push 7 Seaforths straight on to Lassy
	No 1 Sqn supported the 7 Seaforths in this attack. They followed 7
	Seaforths, who took track instead of main road. As soon as
	leading tp came over crest it was show at by an 8.8cm,
	Lt Dokozi (No2 Tp) tank was hit and later completely destroyed
	The attack was on a lined programme and should have
	been protected by a smoke screen. The arty however laid
	the smoke screen before the inf were ready, consequently
	when inf did advance down forward slope they were
	is full view of enemy who machine-gunned and mortared
	them severly. Two Tps were sent forward to sp the

Page 10 of 27

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	6 Aug 44		attack with Besa fire but the enemy mortar and MG
			fire was causing very heavy casualties among 7 Seaforth
			and as further progress was made. At 1800 hrs the inf
			were ordered back and later the sqn withdrew to top
			of the hill. Thinning??? out from 2000 hrs.
			No 3 Sqn moved to their forward rally start six??? way???
			cross tracks, one mile SE of Au Cornu at about 0900 hrs. Two
			troops were sent forward to look south, troop movements
			were but owing to fog it was not possible to see
			who they were. As morning went on mortaring and shelling
			increased and casualties amongst inf were heavy. At 1200 hrs
			o/c 2 GH asked Maj Tollermache (No 3 Sqn) to deal with a
			German attack coming up road from Lassy. Two Tps were
			used and they had a good shoot on to a farm which the
			enemy had reached; he was seen retiring at the double.

Page 11 of 27

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	6 Aug		At that moment 8.8cm guns opened up on tks which had
			to withdraw under cover of smoke. The guns were very
			well concealed and could not be located exactly. Three tks
			were knocked out but without casualties to crews. One of these
			was later recovered under fire by Sgt Tectifill??? who drove it
			back in 1st gear. The remainder of Lt Coates troops and Capt
			Gaseoigne were left forward in a watching role. Arty having
			failed to silence the 8.8cm Capt Gaseoigne and Lt Coates
			decided to stick with them in a 95mm tank as both
			their own had been knocked out. Unfortunately the 88's were
			further towards 1 mile south than was thought and the tank
			in which Capt Gaseoigne and Lt Coates was riding
			received a direct hit all blew up with the loss of the
			whole crew. The sqn remained in posn until 2100 hrs then
			it withdrew.

Page 12 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Aug 6	The Bn withdrew at 2100 hrs to harbour area between	Appendix A
	la Bruyere and el Hamel and remained at 1/2 hr notice
	to move.
	As may be seen the day's fighting was not successful and
	it was considered the strength and determination of
	the enemy had not been to appreciated.

Page 13 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
7 Aug 44	The Bn remained in its harbour area spending the day on maintenance	Appendix A.
	Owing to the loss of tanks it was decided to return Sqns to
	four troops.
	All sqns were at half an hours notice to move to support 46
	Bde in the event of a counter attack.
	At 2030 orders were received to move to a new harbour
	area, it having been decided to withdraw 46 Bde to the
	line of road Coudraies - la Caverie.
	The Bn, including all stragglers were in their new area by
	0130 hrs 8 Aug one mile West of Montcharivel.
	Capt Hunt rejoined Bn from FDS as 2 i/c No 3 Sqn.

Page 14 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
8 Aug 44	No further change.	Appendix A.
	No 2 Sqn were sent to a point a mile North of Montchamp
	to be in readiness to assist the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
	of 227 Bde in the event of a possible counter attack on pt
	208 where they were now dug in. No counter attack developed
	and at last light the sqn recalled to the Bn harbour
	area.

Page 15 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
9 Aug 44	Owing to the strength of the enemy position, the continuous	Appendix A.
	mortar and shell fire, the exhaustion and depletion of the 15 Div
	it was decided to stabalise the line on the main road North
	of Estry - pt 208 - La Caverie - Au Cornu.
	The task of the Bn was to provide a counter attack force
	for 227 and 46 Bdes in the event of a counter attack by
	the enemy.
	The Bde were disposed as follows. 46 Bde - 7 - Seaforths in
	area La Caverie cross roads, 2 Glas H south of Au Cornu,
	9 Cameronians about two miles NW of La Lamerie.
	227 Bde - Argyll and
	Sutherland Highlanders about pt 208, Gordons one mile
	East of Montchamp, Highland Light Infantry west Les Clos
	At a conference with Brigadier of 227 Bde who was using
	Gordons and HLI as his counter attack force, it was decided

Page 16 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
9 Aug 44	is have one sqn in immediate sp and another on the high	Appendix A.
	ground about pt 287, the remaining sqn to stay in its present
	location.
	At 2000 hrs No 1 Sqn moved to a posn North of road Coudraies -
	Montcharivel about 1/2 miles West of Coudraies
	the final dispositions of the second sqn was not decided upon
	so No 2 and 3 remained it their harbours.

Page 17 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
10 Aug 44	The final plan for a counter attack in the event of the enemy	Appendix A.
	re-taking Estry cross roads or penetrating the area occupied by
	46 Bde was made
	No 1 Sqn were to remain in their present position in immediate
	support of 46 Bde. No 3 were to take up a position along the
	high ground running East from Montchamp. No 2 Sqn were to go
	to immediate support of 227 Bde who were using 10 HLI and
	2 Gordons as their counter attack force.
	Late in the evening the commanding officer was called away
	to a conference with General Whitter commanding 3 Div. On
	his return it was learnt that the Bn was leaving 15 Div
	front and was going to relieve 4 Armd Bde (Shermans)
	who had been supporting 3 Div.
	The Be remained in support of 46 and 227 Bde for the night
	of but no counter attack developed.

Page 18 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
11 Aug 44	The Bn left its harbour area at 0800 hrs and proceeded by	Appendix A.
	road march to its new area. By 2000 hrs the taking over from
	4 Armd Bde was under way and the sqns were harboured in
	the following places - No 1 Sqn just off the Vire - Tinchebray
	road three miles SE of Vire, No 2 Sqn, 1/2 mile West of Yaudry
	on the Vire-Vassy road; No 3 Sqn, 1/4 mile North of Yaudry HQ and
	HQ Sqn on the reserve slope North of pt 232.
	Each Sqn had taken the place of an armd regt of 4 Armd Bde.
	No 1 Sqn came under command of 8 Bde; No 2 Sqn under command
	of 185 Bde; No 3 and 9 Bde remained in reserve with the sqn
	under the direct command of Div Commander.
	During the afternoon sqn commanders met their Brigadiers for orders
	and by midnight the taking over from 4 Armd Bde and the
	"merrying up" with the infantry Bdes was completed.
	The attack by 8 Corps in a SE direction started at 0900 hrs

Page 19 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
11 Aug 44	3 Div was to advance with 8 Bde right on centre line	Appendix A.
	road Vire - Tinchetray and 185 Bde left on centre line
	Roullours - pt 312 - Le Chene - Anfernel - La Masure - La Provotiere
	GA.D. on right of 3 Div was directed on Flers. American forces on
	right of 3 Div were also advancing in an Easterly direction.
	The attack had not progressed rapidly and the leading
	very the of 8 and 185 Bde had only reached their first objectives
	inspite of not very severe opposition.
	No 3 Troop (Lt C.C. Schofield) supported a two company attack by
	South Lancs on pt 247 which began at 2130. There was very little
	time for liason and the troop was not certain what was expected
	of them. No contact being made with infantry the troop withdrew
	to sqn laeger at night fall.

Page 20 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
12 Aug 44	The advance continued to-day with No 2 sqn supporting two	Appendix A.
	forward companies of 185 Bde and No 1 Sqn the leading bns of
	8 Bde No 3 Sqn made no move.
	The two objectives pt 272 and pt 312 were taken without
	meeting opposition.
	No 2 Sqn drove four tanks through a scattered minefield
	the last of which only was damaged by loss of a track and
	two boggies.
	A shell fell in No 3 Sqn area injuring one guardsman.
	Maj J.O. Hambro was wounded whilst at an O Group at 8 Bde
	HQ on the outskirts of Vire.
	Lt R.F. Norman and Lt M Page-Wood joined the Bn, the former
	to take over B Echelon.
	Capt C.C.C. Bridge took over command 1 No 1 Sqn, Capt C.G.
	Tennant became 2 i/c and Lt C.C. Scholfield Recce offr with rank of captain.

Page 21 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
13 Aug 44	During the day a further limited advance was planned on	Appendix A.
	8 and 185 Bdes fronts.
	8 Bde objectives were pt 247 and high ground NE of it with
	a limit of exploitation to pt 251 and cross roads at Rufandiere.
	185 objectives were track junction at la Montrie with
	exploitation to Creuley.
	The attack was timed to begin at 2000 hrs after whole Div
	Artillery had fired a barrage, later Div Artillery was at call of
	the Bdes onto selected targets
	No 2 Sqn supported the warcs of 185 Bde. Owing to heavy shell
	and mortar fire the Warcs suffered heavy casualties and were
	unable to get on. No 6 Troop (Lt Meinertzhagen) and No 8 Troop R.C.
	Carr-Gomm did valuable work in bringing in wounded on their
	tanks. Then two troops remained with the infantry all night.
	On 8 Bde front No 1 Sqn was supporting the Suffolks and

Page 22 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
13 Aug 44	No 3 Sqn the East Yorks, the former on the right and the latter on	Appendix A.
	the left.
	The start line was crossed at 2000 hrs. By 2115 No 3 Sqn and
	East Yorks were or their objectives having met little opposition.
	At 2155 No 1 and South Lancs (who had relieved Suffolks) were on
	their objective. The tks remained on obj until 2215 when they
	withdrew to forward rally 1000 in rear. Some shelling was
	experienced but no casualties.
	No 1 Sqn did successful attack and inflicted hvy
	casualties on enemy with Besa fire, They came back to forward
	rally at night fall.

Page 23 of 27

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	14 Aug 44		No further move took place except that No 2 Sqn rejoined the
			Bn having been relieved from 185 Bde by arrival of 3 Scots Guards
			They harboured 1/4 mile South of l'Aubesniere near the main road
			Vire-Tinchebray.

Page 24 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
15 Aug 44	Contact having been lost with the enemy and liason with the	Appendix A
	Americans on and right being almost entirely unsuccessful plans were
	made and countermanded with great rapidity. Eventually No 3 Sqn
	supported East Yorks is an advance to Anfernel; whilst this was in
	progress fresh orders arrived for the whole Bde to move to area
	North West Tinchebray and secure the high ground between pt
	247 and pt 203. The Inf??? of the Bde were enbussed and moved down
	main road followed by the Bn. The Bn harboured just North of
	la Provotiere of the banks of River Vautige.
	Lt R.C. Carr. Gomm was wounded in the face by a shell splinter
	during the march.
	During the night 8 Bde pushed on to East of Tinchebray - Conde road.
	No 3 encountered some mines during their operation and had
	some shelling from East of Tinchebray. An attack by Typhoons was
	prevented by use of yellow smoke.

Page 25 of 27

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
16 Aug	44	The situation was still ver hazy. Div Recce Regt had failed to	Appendix A
		find any enemy West of Flers and had pushed 1 mile to North and
		East of it.
		Exact location and lines of advance of U.S forces could not be
		obtained with any accuracy.
		The Brigadier decided to move the Bde across the main road
		Tinchebray - Conde and during the afternoon the Bn moved to a
		new area 1/2 mile North of La Riviere off main road
		Vire - Tinchebray
		Lt Palliser rejoined the Bn from hospital.

Page 26 of 27

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
17 Aug 44	The Bn remained in its new area without any change.	Appendix A.
	The advance SE of 12 Corps on our left and the Americans
	progress East on our right have squeezed 8 Corps out of the
	line and it now appears the whole of 8 Corps will be placed
	in reserve for the time being.
	A report came in that 300 enemy were still in the large wood
	Bois de Messei four miles South of Flers. No 2 Sqn was to help
	the Lincolns of 9 Bde to get them out in the morning if the
	Div Recce Regt and loud speakers had failed to persuade them
	of the hopelessness of their position.
	Lts Anson, Bell and Milne joined the Bn.
	The AA Troop was disbanded the personnel (including Lt O.M. Litchfield)
	going to F.O.S to train as Churchill crews.

Page 27 of 27

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	18 Aug 44		B Echelon joined the Be in its harbour area.
	19 Aug 44		The Bn carried out maintenance on it, tanks and vehicles.
	20 Aug 44		Church parade at 1000 hrs.
	21 Aug 44		Maintenance
	22 Aug 44		The whole Bn moved to a new harbour area one mile South
			of Flers just off the main Flers - Domfront main road.
	23 Aug 44		The Bn carried out practice in river crossing by bridging
			task and pontoon in anticipation of future operations.
	24 Aug 44		Normal routine. The Major-General visited the Bn in the morning.
	25-26 Aug 44		Maintenance
	27 Aug 44		Church parade 1000hrs. Bn reports in afternoon.
	28-31 Aug		Inf - task : cooperation training with 3 Div.
	29 Aug		The Corps Commander (Maj: Gen O'Connor) visited the Bn in the morning.

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War Diary: 4 Coldstream Guards

Month and year: August 1944

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