War Diary: 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment

Month and year: July 1944

The 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment July 1944 War diary covers the units advance from area Baron to Cahagnes including actions at Hill 112 and Operation Jupiter.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1395

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WO 171/1395 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment

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Page 1 of 4

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
BARON	1		Bn is occupying a def posn in BARON area with BnHQ at 943633 and Coys occupying posns on the high ground fwd of BARON
	1	0001	BnHQ mortared and Lt. Col N.C.E.Kenrick wounded and evacuated. Senior Coy Comd ,Maj F.S. Rimmington took over temporary coma of Bn.
		0045	BnHQ and all Coy areas heavily mortared and shelled. This was followed by
		0300	indications of enemy attack; several rocket flares were seen and some vehs in Bn area were hit and set on fire. Attack did not materialise on 5 Wilts but went in against 7 KSLI Bn on right. It was stopped by hy conc of arty fire which went on continuously from 0300-0500 hrs.
		0515	'B' Coy reported enemy tk, Mk unknown, engaged and driven off
		0600	Nearly all casualties had been evacuated - total Two Offrs wounded, seventeen ORs killed, fifty ORs wounded, four ORs missing.
		0700	Major J.D.C.Pearson, Bn 2 IC arrived from 'B' Ech and assumed command of Bn.
			Remainder of day quiet except for occasional enemy shelling.
BARON	2	1700	Carrier Patrol consisting of two secs under comd Capt A.C.Snell and Capt J.F.Milne investigated Hill 112 and found it occupied by enemy. Fire was drawn from MG posn which was silenced by our arty. Only cas to patrol was Capt A.C. Snell slightly wounded.
	3		Lt.G.M.Baker took out fighting patrol to locate and destroy any enemy who might have creapt up near them. Route 950634-952632-953633-954630-956630 - thence direct back. Result - area thoroughly searched, no enemy seen, no fire drawn. Bodies of PzGren found but with no papers
	3		Bde est Refugee collecting pt at 935645.
	3	2330	Local protection standing patrols out.

Page 2 of 4

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
4		Fairly quiet day except for enemy harassing fire. Carrier burnt out, Lc Mills R.A and Pte Harris J.wounded. 'B' Coy report sniper activity on Coy front and sent out patrol to deal with it. No kill but snipers cleared off.
5	0200	Lt. E.L.George took out a recce patrol which moved through corn towards Hill 112. He reported that soft vehs were heard moving and also that was possibly a tank.
	0415	Man from recce patrol of 4 SomLI reported to 'B' Coy. He reported sounds of manhandling of tank or gun in Copse 960619. Sentries there appeared very jittery, challenged in a loud voice and opened fire when approached.
5		Lt.Sollitt wounded and evacuated to ADS 129 Fd Amb also Pte Chivers G.R. and Pte Toon,D
	2359	Capt Robichaud took out a fighting patrol reporting back at 060115B. No prisoners were taken and no cas sustained. Enemy tank movement reported along road across our front, digging in area 952629, MG posn at The Calvary 9562.
6	0425	'B' Coy listening post report tank movement. At this stage reconnaissance for the forthcoming operation JUPITER was starting. Lt. T.B.Wood was laying mines and booby traps in front of Bn area among woods that run through it.
		In connection with JUPITER each Bn dump was increased with 2500 rds HE and 180 rds smoke 32" Mortar. Capt E.R.B.Field went out at 062330B with fighting patrol from 'C' Coy to get identifications He reported back at 070230B. His objective was 953619. He reached 952624 and found approx 12 enemy digging in. A sentry challenged them in a loud voice and scurried away. At this stage owing to unforseen circumstances beyond Capt Field's control, the patrol had to return empty handed. The remainder of the day was quiet. Lt. B.Bevan RAMC moved RAP to the greater safety of a near-by building. The day was spent in preparing to wire the Bn area.
		Bn started to wire its powns. This was completed generally by 080230B

Page 3 of 4

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
8		Bn received members of 8 Corps staff who came up for battle innoculation.
8/9		'A' and 'B' Coys each provided two protective patrols covering the front.
9		In preparation for JUPITER BnHQ and RAP moved to La Rue St Martin 947635.
10		Operation JUPITER started. 'D' and 'B' Coys gained objectives and dug in. 'C' Coy moved fwd but when 150 yards from Rd Croix des Filandriers-le Bon Repos came under heavy MG fire supported by dug-in TIGER tanks. This pinned the Coy on fwd slope and they were unable to move fwd or retire. Heavy cas were sustained. Later about 1700 hrs Coy was withdrawn under cover of Bde diversionary action to posn held by 'A' Coy. Cas were - wounded Officers 5 ORs 68, Killed ORs 26, Missing ORs 21. Congratulations from Brigadier.
11		RE stores brought up. Bn deepens and strengthens posns.
12		Major Tanner new 2 IC joined Bn.
13		Quiet day with little enemy shelling.
14		TYPHOONS attack MG posns on front.
15		Beer issued at one bottle per head.
15	2145	15 Div move through on their attack.
16		Quiet day with occasional mortaring. RSM wounded.
17		Recce for new posn. Bn relieved by 1 worc Regt, area BAS DE MOUEN.
17	2230	Area bombed and M. gunned. Several cas sustained.
18		Interior economy. Make and mend.
19		Bn moved to new location East of VERSON in preparation for attack on MALTOT, area 9865.
20		'A' Coy moved fwd to posn to observe MALTOT
21		Preparation for attack recce of SL and approach.
22	1830	Attack on MALTOT
	2230	Coys gain objectives and consolidate.
23	0630	BnHQ move and est at 991629.
24		Coys held in slit trenches under observation from dug-in TIGER tanks. Major Tanner wounded
25		Bn relieved by Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers 158 Inf Bde and moved to rear assembly area between VERSON and BAS DE MOUEN.
26		Bn moves by march route to rest area near Cancagny. QM issues replacements of BD etc.
27		Major Metcalf joined Bn as 2 IC.

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