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National Archive Reference: WO 171/867
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| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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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