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    War Diary: 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Month and year: August 1944

    The 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment’s August 1944 war diary covers the unit continuing to unload supplies while based at Bernieres-sur-Mer, late moving to Hermanville with companies disposed at Ouistreham and Lion-sur-Mer

    National Archive Reference: WO 171/1264

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

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    WO 171/1264 5th Bn Royal Berkshire Regiment
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Page 1 of 5
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    Bernieres-sur-mer10800Off loading normal. No incidents to report during day.
    1800Tonnage: 3,569.
    2amSlight air activity directed at ships off coast.
    0800Off loading normal.
    1800Tonnage: 2,795 (No coasters in which accounts for low tonnage)
    3amSlight enemy air activity. E boat incidents reported at Coursuelles
    0800off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 2,498
    40020Enemy air activity over BMA. "B" Coy report stick of red parachute flares
    - 0045dropped. One landed in Biv. Area. Flare extinguished.
    "D" Coy report bomb in St Aubin area
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 2,366
    1905Warning message from FOBAA via PMLO: "Torpedo about 3ft 10 ins painted grey,
    three prongs on nose, may be floating in anchorage in or washed
    ashore. First sighted eastern end of Sword. Anyone sighting it please
    report at once." All Companies informed.
    5amSlight enemy air activity.
    0700DUKW control report miniature torpedo found on beach near 904.
    0800Off loading normal.
    1800Tonnage: 2,442.
    6amNo incidents to report during the night
    0800Off loading normal.
    1800Tonnage: 3,725
    7amNo incidents during the night.
    0800Off loading normal
    0930Col N.B. Brading, Commander 102 sub Area, inspected men of the Royal
    Berkshire Regiment. Two platoons of A,B, C, and D Companies left
    for Dorset and wilts Regiments. Pioneer Coys took over part of beaches.
    Page 2 of 5
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    __0__71800Tonnage: 4,026
    80800Off loading delayed by mist.
    1800Tonnage: 4,576
    9amSight enemy air activity. Units warned to watch for torpedoes or enemy
    naval personnel.
    0800Off loading normal
    0900Twin propelled torpedo found on rocks off Bernieres, Later inspected by
    Naval officer. Declared safe. Engine removed.
    1600Major General R.F.B. Naylor, C.B., C.B.E, D.S.O., M.C., Commander 11 L of
    C visited Beach Maintenance Area. Visited Transhipment Area with Beach
    Group Commander. He also visited Information Room and Mines Museum.
    NAAFI was also visited. This was first day of opening of NAAFI
    1800Tonnage: 4,792
    100010 Shelling reported in St Aubin Area. No Battalion personnel injured.
    0200No air activity reported.
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 4,659
    11amSlight enemy air activity during the night. Shelling during the early
    hours of the morning. Type of shelling) Air burst. Mostly over Courseuelles.
    No damage or casualties reported
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 5,952
    120800Off loading normal
    1050A/T mine exploded while Bulldozer was working 30 yards east of Adv HQ.
    Damage Bulldozer Track blown off. No Battalion personnel injured
    1800Tonnage: 5,970
    130800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 6,920.
    2200"C" Coy report landing craft approaching in direction cookhouse.
    Page 3 of 5
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    Bernieres132200Five rounds fired at cookhouse. Approx .303. No injuries. Reported to
    P.B.M. by Duty Officer
    2350Sub Area report Landing craft at mouth of the Seine.
    140015Shelling over area, and at Coursuelles. No 89 shells: 26, nineteen of which
    0548were air bursting. calibre of gun: 280 mm approx. Position of firing:
    Touville - Villers sur mer. "A" coy cookhouse hit. Officers Mess damaged.
    NO casualties.
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 5,184
    15amSlight enemy air activity, also shelling. Five shells reported. No
    damage
    0800Off loading normal
    1618Fire of LBV. Extinguished by Army Fire Service.
    1800Tonnage: 3,431
    16amSlight enemy air activity during the night
    0310Shelling. Sixteen reported over Coursuelles area. Slight damage "A" Coy
    area. Slight injuries to one officer and 2 O.R.S. 15 cwt truck damaged.
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 1,800.
    17am Slight enemy air activity.
    0800Off loading normal
    0945Commanding Officer inspects Battalion personnel leaving for forward area.
    HQ Coy, Signals. SP Coy personnel.
    1800Tonnage: 5,781
    18amSlight enemy air activity
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage 7,420
    19amNo incidents to report during night
    Page 4 of 5
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    Bernieres190800Off loading normal.
    17305346309 Pte Plank A. "S" Coy. Fatally injured by Mine explosion on cliff top
    near Mortar Range.
    1800Tonnage: 7,032.
    amNo enemy air activity during night.
    200800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 5,827
    21amSlight enemy air activity. Report from 102 Sub Area LCTS will not be
    unloading owing to bad weather.
    0530Reported LCT in Gooseberry lay bombed and beached owing to danger off sinking
    0800Weather bad. Off loading hampered. Heavy mist with rain and wind.
    1800Tonnage: 2,350
    220800Weather still bad.
    1800Tonnage: 2,675
    23amGun fire reported during night but no incidents reported
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 6,029.
    240800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 6,826
    250800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 6,336
    260700Beach Group ceased to exist. Tonnage since D Day 319,980. Daily average
    of 3,950.
    0930Draft of Battalion Personnel inspected by Commanding Officer.
    Only minimum cadre remained, plus personnel sick. Strength of Battalion:
    19 officers; 169 O.Rs.
    Preparation for move to new location.
    HermanvilleAll Companies were established in new location during the day with exception
    Page 5 of 5
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and Information
    Hermanville26of rear parties. Garrison duties to be undertaken, including the guarding
    of lock gates. Companies disposed as follows: Bn HQ (Garrison HQ),HQ
    and S Coys, Lion sur Mer area. "A " "B" "C" and "D" Coys Ouistreham area;
    Q.M., M.T.O. Ouistreham area.
    27Garrison Duties normal. No incidents to report during the day.
    28amNo incidents to report during the night.
    Garrison duties normal
    amNo incidents during the night.
    29- 31.Garrison duties normal. No incidents to report
    Enclosures:
    Field Return, Officers and ORS.
    No 30 ................ 5th August
    No 31 ................ 12th "
    No 32 ................. 19th "
    No 33 .................. 26th "
    Bn. orders No 15 ............ 29th "
    One Copy of Battalion War Diary ..... July 1944

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