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    War Diary: 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Month and year: July 1944

    The 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment’s July 1944 war diary highlights their role in unloading supplies from ships stationed near Bernières, the battalion handled large volumes of cargo daily, while also dealing with air raids, mines, and the occasional enemy shelling

    National Archive Reference: WO 171/1264

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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 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Bernieres10800Off loading normal
    1530Commanding Officer Visits Army Commander.
    1800Tonnage: 4,485 tons.
    1930Explosion north of Red Beach. Demolition work by R.E.S.
    amSlight enemy air activity during night and early hours of the morning.
    2Carried out by single planes above clouds. No bombs in Beach Maintenance
    area, but reports that there were bombs at sea
    0800Off loading normal.
    1530Soldier found in Coaster. Stated to have escaped afer being taken prisoner
    by Germans. Interrogated by Intelligence Officer and handed to 102 Beach
    Sub Area.
    1800Tonnage: 4,126
    a.m.Slight enemy air activity directed at shipping off shore
    30430Work of unloading commenced on 26 LCMs.
    0800Off loading commenced.
    0835Mine exploded forward of gunsite on beach near Adv HQ. Three wounded
    TWO R.N. personnel, and one gunner. TWO detained in FDS. Type of Mine "S"
    but did not rise above the ground. This type and British MK 3 had previously
    been cleared around the gun position, but this not detected as of wooden
    type.
    1800Tonnage: 4,786.
    a.m.Slight enemy activity during night. No bombs dropped
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 3,223.
    2100LCT lying on beach since D Day refloated, and left area.
    amAircraft operating singly during night. No consistent line of approach.
    5Ju 88 shot down by fighter. No attack on BMA
    Off loading normal
    Coast railway operating for first time. Single track connecting Coursuelles
    Page 2 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Bernieres5St Aubin , Bernieres. Also connecting Bayeux and Caen via the coast. Used
    a.m.for carrying supplies. Passenger service introduced later.
    Concert Hall opened. All group arrangements for entertainments
    and allocation of seats made by Bn. Entertainments Officer
    1800Tonnage: 4,238 tons
    6Slight enemy air activity during night Ju 88 machine gunned down s/l
    beam. No further incidents reported
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 4,913.
    7Slight enemy air activity during night. weather: Thundery. several balloons
    struck by lightning. No bombs reported.
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 3,906.
    2030) 2130)Shelling from monitor at sea. Firing S.E.
    2135Heavy force of Lancasters and Halifaxes proceeding S.E. direction.
    Attacking objectives N.E. of Caen
    2213One Allied plane crashed into sea N.E. of Beach Area. Crew baled out
    before crash. Launch proceeded to rescue.
    Slight enemy air activity. No incidents.
    8Continual artillery barrage from Caen area during night. Naval guns also
    bombarding inshore targets.
    0800Off loading normal
    1145Adv HQ visited by American officers.
    1800Tonnage 4,085.
    Slight enemy air activity. No incidents reported
    90800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage 4,815.
    Slight enemy activity. No incidents reported
    Page 3 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    am.5351032 Pte Bailey R. "S" Coy. Received fatal injury by accident. Gun shot wounds
    Bernieres100800Weather rough. Low clouds hinders off loading
    1100DUKWs unable to proceed ro coasters.
    1800Tonnage: 1,745.
    11a. mContinuous Enemy air activity Smoke screen laid. Parachute mine dropped
    and blown inland. "C" Coy reports two mines dropped.
    0800Weather still bad
    1800Tonnage: 1,842
    12am.Much shipping in during night. Enemy air activity directed at shipping.
    Beaches machine gunned. No casualties reported
    0800Weather improves. Off loading continues normally
    1800Tonnage 4510.
    am.Slight enemy air activity at shipping. Bombs dropped at sea.
    130800Off loading normal.
    1800Tonnage: 4,230
    Slight enemy air activity. No incidents reported.
    140800Off loading normal
    1100National Day of France celebrations. Commanding Officer attends service
    at Bernieres Church. Wreath laid on Cenotaph. Visit to Canadian Cemetery
    for short service. Special Bulletin was issued giving brief history of
    France's National Day.
    1800Tonnage: 4,335.
    19291 Me Crashed. Parachute seen descending.
    15a.m.Four bombs reported over Beach Maintenance Area. No casualties reported.
    0800Off loading normal.
    1800Tonnage. 4,384.
    a.m.Slight energy air activity directed at shipping, and apparently laying of
    sea mines
    160800Off loading normal.
    Page 4 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Bernieres161800Tonnage: 3,536.
    Cinema opened at Concert Hall. Arrangements for seats for all sub units
    made by Entertainments.Officer.
    2205Bomber attack expected. Smoke screens laid. Little activity developed.
    170800Heavy low mist. Off loading commenced.
    0830Off loading ceased.
    1030Mist lifting and off loading commenced from small craft on beaches.
    1330Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 3,377
    2125Spitfire crashed into sea NNW of Advance HQ. Pilot landed by parachute.
    Rescued by boat manned by local fisherman and soldier.
    18Slight enemy air activity. No bombs reported. off loading normal.
    0545Heavy formation of Allied Bombers proceeding north east. Later reported
    targets sout east of Caen, and west of Troarn. Allied attacked later
    launched in these areas
    0625A/C crashed in flames NNW of Advance HQ
    0710A/C crashed NNE of Advance HQ
    0800Off loading normal.
    1030Commanding Officer attends ceremony at Civilian Cemetery of 15 civilians
    killed during the first two days of the invasion. wreath laid.
    Letter from Army Commander announcing that Beach Companies of Beach Group
    to come under Comand HQ L of C.Appx "A"
    1800Tonnage: 3,937.
    19Slight enemy air activity. No bombs reported.
    0800Off loading normal.
    1800Tonnage: 3,693.
    2115Rocket landed in minefield 200 yards west of "B" Coy HQ. Consisted of
    parachute and two cannisters. TWO more reported to have landed at sea.
    Slight enemy air activity.
    Page 5 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Bernieres200800Off loading normal. Weather broke in the afternoon. Torrential rain,
    continuing dull, low clouds with rising wind.
    1800Tonnage: 4,426.
    210800Weather prevented off loading.
    1000Volunteers left for new location. To Commandos 3 from "B" Coy, 1 from "C"
    Coy; To Airborne Div. 15 from "D" Coy; 3 from "C" Coy; To Paratroop
    Bn: 1 from "C" Coy, 2 from "D" Coy
    1530DUKWS begin to operate to coasters.
    1800Tonnage: 718.
    22Slight enemy activity during night. No incidents reported.
    0800Off loading normal, but weather still cloudy with rain.
    1800Tonnage 3,187.
    1805Robot plane reported over area. Came in from sea flying north to south.
    Later reported to have fallen south of Caen. Did not explode.
    23amSlight enemy air activity during night.
    0800Off loading normal.
    1800Tomage: 6,367. A record for the Beach Group. previous highest was 5,509.
    1820Advance HQ visited by Major General Naylor, Comdg 11 L. of C.
    Also visited LBVs off loading.
    243 Pro Coy take over from 244 Pro Coy.
    Prime Minister had been in Normandy for past two days.
    24a.m.Slight enemy air activity. No incidents reported
    0800Off loading normal
    1500Football: Royal Berkshire Regt 5 Royal Engineers 3.
    Special Order of the Day issued by Beach Group Commander    		Appx "B"
    1800Tonnage: 4,561.
    1915Explosion in Salvaged Anmunition Dump. Did not affect current ammunition.
    Occurred while mines were being unloaded from truck.
    Page 6 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Bernieres25amEnemy air activity during night. One composite plane, believed to be
    Junkers 88 or Junkers 188 with fighter on its back, believed shot down.
    0800Off loading normal.
    1800Tonnage: 4,780
    26amSlight enemy air activity during night. Considerable number of Allied
    planes flying over.
    0800Off loading normal (5350596 Ple Alexander W; 5350854 Pte Sawyer A "B" Coy
    ( Injured by exploding mine) Admitted to hospital
    1800Tonnage: 4,538.
    a.m.Fires observed at sea. Few aircraft heard at night
    270800Of loading normal.
    1400Maiwand Day celebrated by football match against Royal Marines resulted
    in win 8-0 for the Battalion.
    1800Tonnage 4,949
    28amSlight enemy air activity.
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 4,414,
    29am.Slight enemy air activity during night. No bombs reported.
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 5,185
    2000 toTwenty five shells over Beach Area, mainly over Courseulles. Air bursting type.
    Seven shell burst on impact. Nose cap marked 35 kilo. Time from
    300600flash to hearing shell burst was approx 1 min 40 secs. Guns thoughts to be
    situated east in area of Ouistraham, Work not interferred with.
    5346478 Pte Gastand A "A" Coy wounded with shrapnel. one jeep and one 15
    cwt damaged.
    0800Off loading normal
    1800Tonnage: 5,073.
    31am.Planes heard during night, but no incidents reported.
    Page 7 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Bernieres310800Off loading normal. Letter from Colonel of the RegimentAppx "C"
    1800Tonnage: 4,150.
    a.m.Slight activity during time, but no incidents.
    Appendices "A" Letter from Army Commander
    "B" Special Order of the Day
    "C" Letter from Colonel of the Regiment.
    Also Battalion Orders.
    Field Return of officers and other ranks for month.
    Page 8 of 8
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    BernieresObservations for July
    Weather during the month was unsettled, heavy seas and winds hampering
    off loading at times. Up to 31 July Beach Companies of the Battalion
    discharged 201,317 tons of supplies from the beaches. On 23 July a record
    was created by off loading 6,367 tons in one day, The daily average since
    "D" to 27 July was 3,509 tons.
    A cinema and concert hall has been opened, and recreational facilties,
    football, cricket, swimming, etc have been arranged for the SUB Units
    of the Beach Group by the Battalion.
    An information room was opened where the situation on all the battle
    fronts marked hourly. Regularly news bullotins were pinned up,
    and a daily news sheet produced and circulated to all sub units.

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