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War Diary: 5th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment

Month and year: June 1944

The 5th Royal Tank Regiment (5 RTR) June 1944 War Diary covers their departure from FELIXSTOWE to Normandy and their fight inland to Jerusalem, Normandy

National Archive Reference: WO 171/867

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Page 1 of 5
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
Camp R5 1 2100 Regt commenced marshalling on the main
FELIXSTOWE-IPSWICH road (Trimley Heath area)
prior to loading
Marshalling Area 2 0615 Regt moved to "The Hards" FELIXSTOWE to
commence loading operation on to their
respective LCTs
1030 Loading completed, flotilla moved to take
position in River Orwell.
1145 Crafts in position and at anchor
3 0900 Craft comds briefed their crews regarding
operations both immediate and future, i.e.
landing area, objective BAYEUX
4 No event, flotilla still at anchor awaiting
favourable weather reports.
River Orwell 5 0815 Flotilla moves up and puts out to sea. Regt
due to arrive in France at D-day second tide
after 50 Div have made the assault the
morning of D-day.
At sea 6 At sea. Sea choppy; few cases of slight
sickness
7 Regt landed on beaches at HABLE DE-HEURAT
One "Firefly" and a CS were lost by drowning.
Owing to weather conditions and shipping con-
gestion landing was not completed until 1500
hrs. Tanks still under the packet commanders
proceeded to the concentration area, most of
the de-waterproofing being done en route.
Here would be seen the effects of the success
ful advance of 50 Div and naval gun barrage.
The Regt concentrated in the area just south
of SOMMERVIEU and was organised as fast as
possible so as to meet expected enemy attack.
Sommervieu 8 "A" Sqn under comd of Major MACDONALD were
called upon to support 56 Bde in clearing
pocket of enemy resistance in the SULLY area
7683, who were situated in the chateau there.
Heavy sniping was first experienced here.
The country proved to be very close in this
area allowing Boche inf to get very close to the
tanks. On one occassion a tank under comd
of Lt. Garnett was boarded, prompt action by
the officer using a Sten gun and his operator
a revolver saved the situation. A lot of
trouble was caused by an enemy SP gun working
its way into A Sqn positions in SULLY village
and succeded in knocking out one "Firefly".
Even that at this stage it was becoming very clear
that fighting ranges would be extremely short
upwards of 50 yds.
Page 2 of 5
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
SOMMERVIEU 8 B Sqn under comd of Major THOMSON was sent
North out to support the Commandos in their advance
out of PORT-EN-BESSIN and to cons-
olidate positions. Here much sniping and
close range tactice were again encountered. B
Sqn returned to Regtl leaguer area at night. A
Sqn remain out in VAUX-SUR-AIN area for one
night. At this stage it is worth mentioning
that a very good shoot was done against the
chateau in SULLY, only marred by the fact that
during the withdrawal for the night under that cover
of smoke the only exit being a narrowbridge,
the Sherman belonging to the OP of the 5 RHA
hit the bridge and fell over the side killing
Capt NOBLE MC.
Losses: Personnel. Own: Killed-Cpl Davison,
Tpr Walker, Tpr Lones.
Wounded- Cpl Fisher, Lt. Wilde
Tanks: 1 Firefly, 1 CS Cromwell (by Mortar bomb)
Enemy: 4 x 88mm guns, 1 x 75mm gun, 1 x 20mmSP,
1 Opel car, 1 x 75mm SP damaged
9 A Sqn return a to Regtl leaguer. C Sqn leave to
take up a position at MORNIREL asclose support
to 50 Div in that area where they leaguered
that night. The remainder of the Regt carried
out maintenance during the day.
1730 CO attended conference at Bde, subject: Future Operations.
to 630 Bde moved the forward with the intention of cap-
turing the high ground between HOTTOT and
JUGUIGNY passing through the FDLs of 50 Div
south of BAYEUX the regt being on the right
flank. Owing to the close country the regt
moved one up with C Sqn (Major BURT) leading.
Progress was very slow. Lt HAYWOOD at FOLLIOT
found himself near a small enemy leagure where
he put out of action a Mark enemy IV before having to
withdraw, B Sqn were then ordered to try and
find a gap on the right flank. The village of
BERNIERES BOCAGE was ultimately nearly surrounded
but an SP thought to be a Panther
knocked out 2 Cromwells. Meanwhile 4 CLY had
reached BUCCELS on the CL abd forward
elements where reported in TILLY SUR SEULLS
though this was though doubtful. The Regt
then leaguered in the ELLON area for the night
Losses. Tanks, Own 2 Cromwells
Personnel killed: Lt D.I.Grahame-Parker
L/C Perry. Tprs Walker,
Harris, Langford, Tutheridge and
White, N.
Wounded Sgt Cook
Missing Tprs Cherley, Lynch, O'Callaghan.
Page 3 of 5
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
ELLON 11 0430 The Regt broke leaguer at first light and
moved forward towards the TILLY-BALLEROY
main road in an attempt to cut the road and
so push on to original objectives. The
village of BERNIERS-BOCAGE was reported clear
by Recce, this infm proved to be incorrect
as enemy Inf were still in nearby woods.
Recces leading Tk was K.O. by an SP Gun
about a mile further on. Meanwhile One Coy
of the Essex Regt occupied the village.
The Regt then moved on across country "A"Sqn
under comd Major MACDONALD leading. The
large open space between FOLLIOT and LINGEVRES
was crossed by "A" Sqn. On reaching
the woods near LINGEVRES enemy tks opened up
and two CROMWELLS and a FIREFLY were KO'd.
"A"Sqn in co-operation with 1 Pl "I" Coy 1RB
was ordered to proceed South through the
woods to LINGEVRES. Good progress was made
up to about 300x when Rifle Secs who had
got too far ahead of Tk support were ambushed
and suffered a few casualties. At this
stage "A" Sqn halted, "B" Sqn took up a posn
on the right, "C" Sqn taking posns in high
ground in the rear. It was impossible to
get through the wood. Lt. HEYNES was on
the right flank of 'A' Sqn close to the wood
and was suddenly hit by a presumed Mk V Tk
which crept up along a sunken road unobserved
German Inf undoubtedly reported his posn to
the lk V. Two members of his crew were
killed, L/Cpl Day managed to escape
although his leg was shattered. He was later
picked up. The 'A' Tk of this Troop comd by
Sgt Hill was also hit by the same gun
almost immediately afterwards killing two
of his crew. That evening the Essex put
in an attack on the wood 8070. The
objective was taken and although attacked
by two Mk IV Flame Throwers they succeeded
in knocking one out with a PIAT gun and
their posn remained intact. That night
the Regt leaguered in the area FOLLIOT.
Losses: Own 1 Firefly 1 Cromwell
1 Honey
Killed Cpls Bridge, Tprs Holton,
Carter, Richardson, Haw,
Hornsbury, Musson, L/C Morriss
Wounded:- L/Cpl Hay, LCpl Day
Page 4 of 5
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
12 0430 Regt took up defensive positions on the high
ground until the afternoon when the Bde was
ordered to carry out a flanking move and to
capture the high ground South East of VILLERS-
BOCAGE. Excellent progress was made and the
Regt leaguered LA MOULOTIERE having met with no
enemy opposition.
FOLLIOT 13 0500 Advance resumed with 4CLY leading and elements
of 131 Bde were left behind to form a firm base
All went well until one Sqn 4CLY had passed
through VILLERS BOCAGE. Their RHQ was then
attacked by Mk V1 tks causing consideable
damage. It now became clear that the 2SS
Panzer Div was in the area and the 5RTR
immediately took up posns on the high ground East of
the village AMAY-SUR-SEULLS. Again the country
was very close and as the enemy attacked it was
clear that his inf were employed as eyes for
the tks; They advanced; drew our fire then
returned to point out our locations to the tk
comds who dealt with the targets.
Fighting of this nature carried on throughout
the day. The Regt leaguered for the night in
"squadron boxes". 4 CLY, 11 and 8 H, formed
a close Bde leaguer, 131 Bde forming an outer
perimeter. Losses; Own - 4 Tks. Enemy - 1 MkIV.
Losses . Own
Wounded: Lt HAYWOOD, Sgt FISHWICK,
Tpr LARNER
AMAY SUR SEULLS 14 The day was quiet regt being on the defensive
and strengthened their posns all around.
Towards evening a strong enemy attack was
launched and this was thrown back with considerable
losses to the enemy, official figures
unknown but estimated losses were 8 Tks destroyed
and approx 500 inf. RAF using rocket bombs
attacked VILLERS BOCAGE. At 2300 hrs the Bde
was ordered to withdraw to area La MOULOTIERE
as the left flank was far too exposed, destroying
all equipment which dropped out en route. This
was done under cover of a heavy bombing attack
on the enemy posns. After travelling all
night the Regt leaguered at LA MOULOTIERE at
0600 hrs on 15 being the last unit to leave
battle area
Losses: Own. Killed SSM RAMAGE.
Page 5 of 5
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
LA MOULOTIERE 15 1430 À Sqn took up posns at LA PAUMERIE
remainder of regt carried out maintenance.
16 1400 The Bde Comd addressed the men and thanked all
ranks for the fine show which was put up at
VILLERS BOCAGE this move being a tactical one
had fulfilled its puspose.
17 Lt. NEWTON of the Westminster Dragoons posted to
this unit
18 ) Sqns still supporting 131 Bde at LA PAUMERIE
19 )
20 )
21 ) No event
22 )
23 )
24 )
25 1000 CO ,Sqn leaders and 2 i/c attend the tk busting
demonstration near BALLEROY organised by the
US Army
26 Major BURT wounded by shell in C Sqn leaguer
Sgt Henry received head wounds, both evac to
3 CCS where Sgt Henry died the following day
27 No event
28 Major ADAMS rejoined unit and assulied comd of
C Sqn
29 No event
30 Tpr Holland HQ Sqn wounded and evac to 3CCS due
to enemy air attack on leaguer
Regt moved to Jerusalem area.

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