War Diary: 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Regiment

Month and year: June 1944

The June 1944 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Anti Tank Regiment war diary starts with the regiment at Camp S.5. Brentwood and unloading at Asnelles-Sur-Mer on the 9th of June and then follows their advance inland to area Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy

National Archive Reference: WO 171/921

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Page 1 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Camp S.5. Brentwood	1	Weather turned dull, with rain for about 1 1/2 hrs. C.O. lectured to all officers of RHQ, 258 & 260 Btys on MAPLAY code (used for
		encoding MAP refs),at 1200 hrs for about 3/4 hrs. Orders issued for changing money to-morrow
	2	CO, OC 258 & OC 260 and A/Adjt left Camp S.5. to go to the T areas where they are marshalling. The C.Os. recce party which comprises
		the above named officers is moving with 257 Bty, in order to arrive
		overseas about 24 hrs in advance of their Bties etc. Changed
		Sterling; withdrawn from the troops, and drew £1 equivalent per
		head in the new currency for payment to troops. The money is not
		to be paid over to the men until tomorrow in order to keep the
		country which is to be invaded as secure as possible until the
		last moment. Orders issued for marshalling personnel which is
		to be carried out tomorrow.
	3	Exchange money paid out together with £1 per head pay at 0800
		hrs. Rate of exchange 200 Francs to £1 Sterling Francs are
		issued in denominations of 500, 100, 50 & 5.
		Personnel marshall as follows:-
		MT 23 (RHQ) in present area.
		MT 14)
		MT 26) 258 in S.7.
		MY 24 RHQ & 260 in S.7.
		MT 25 260 in S.7.
		Parties moved off starting at 1000 hrs and marched to Camp S.7.
		(Warley Barracks) about 2 miles away. At this stage, Battery
		identity ceases, until we concentrate in France, and unit parties
		are directly under command the senior officer from the unit on
		that ship.

Page 2 of 12

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Camp S.5. Brentwood	3 (Cont)		MT 23 personnel remaining in camp S.5. are u/c Adjt; warning order received that we move to embarkation point to-morrow at 1330 hrs.

Page 3 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Camp S.7. Brentwood		MT 23 personnel (consisting of Adjt, MO & Lt(QM) and 25 O.Rs.
		paraded at 1245 hrs with kit and at 1300 hrs were loaded into troop carrying vehicles. At 1330 hrs we moved off to the
		docks at TILBURY arriving at about 1430. A bag ration of a packet of biscuits and 2 bars of chocolate had been provided
		before leaving S.5. and this Was consumed on arrival at the docks where a mug of tea was ready for each man. After the
		usual hanging about, we boarded a ferry boat at about 1630 hrs and went out to MT 23, now standing in mid-stream. MT 23 is a
		"Liberty Ship" called "SS IGNATIUS DONELLY" crewed by Americans. Liberty Ships are built for cargo only, but in this case, two
		holds Tween decks have been left clear of vehicles in order to accommodate troops. The overcrowding is of course immense
		and everyone is most uncomfortable but in very good spirit. Cooking facilities are virtually nil, but by pooling cooks
		and cooking equipment from units on board, a cookhouse is set up on deck. OC Troops held a conference of Unit party Comman-
		ders, which the Adjt attended and certain points for inclusion in Ships standing orders were discussed and a decision reached.
		The men had a hot meal and a brew of tea during the evening. Rations on board are the "Compo" type, and it has been decided
		to make and individual issue of the tins of self-heating soup and cocoa, cigarettes and chocolate, while the remainder of the
		rations go to the cooks for preparation.
Tilbury.	5	Ships orders were explained to the men and other points of drill such as lifebelts, etc. were practised. At 11000 hrs a
		parade was held at emergency stations and the Adjt explained the method of launching rafts and the procedure for "Abandon	,

Page 4 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Tilbury	5 (Cont)	Ship". The various alarm signals were learned. At 1630 hrs
		we moved down river in company with a number of similar ships and dropped anchor again just inside the boom.
Standing off Tilbury.	6	Remained anchored all day. At 0800 hrs news was said to have
		come from the BBC that the Germans report a paratroop landing at the Seine Estuary. Later, the ships officers kindly loaned
		their Radio's loud speaker to be put on the deck so that the men could hear it. Shortly afterwards, official news of our
		landing between Le Havre and CHERBOURG was announced in a communique from HQ Allied Expeditionary Force. At 1400 hrs
		the Adjt obtained permission to brief the men and with the aid of maps and Air Photographs of the beach (the latter
		borrowed for the occassion) explained the plan, and gave the men so far as possible an idea of the immediate job on landing.
		Exhortations from Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery were read. Weather cold with a high wind, a slight rain for a short while
		in the evening.
	7	Weighed anchor at 0600 hrs and sailed about half an hour later, from 0800 approx to 1015 approx, the convoy (about 27 ships)
		moved only at a crawling pace, during which time we passed through the Straights of Dover. The French Coast was clearly
		visible until many Corvettes and Minesweepers and other small escort craft, together with 2 Albacore aircraft laid a smoke
		screen covering the convoy. 2 shells presumably from enemy coastal Bties landed in the sea in the convoy. Convoy proceeded
		all day at the same very slow pace. Plans were made at an OC Troops conference at 1800 hrs for unloading the ship.

Page 5 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
	7 (Cont.)	At present it is not known what craft will be used to take
		vehicles and personnel to the shore. The order was given that during the evening the ship should remain as quiet as possible.
		It is presumed to be because of the listening apparatus on the escort ships.
On board ship.	8	Breakfast this morning is at 0600 hrs and the ship is made
		ready to unload by 0700 hrs i.e. personnel bring all their kit on deck, and hatches etc. are cleared. At 0815 we dropped
		anchor off the landing beach amid a mass of shipping of all kinds - Battleships, Naval craft of every sort and size. Our
		landing beach is area ASNELLES-SUR-MER 7786: Apparently unloading operations were delayed yesterday by bad weather,
		and in consequence therefore we are held up today. Many landing craft can be seen stranded high and dry on the sands
		and it is thought (from a ships wireless intercept) that they were ordered not to discharge vehicles until they were dry.
		During the day we moved about occassionally on directions from a navy launch to form up in the order required. While the tide
		was low we were resting on the sea-bed for some 2 hours. No unloading took place from MT23 all day.
Asnelles-Sur-Mer.	9	At about 0900 hrs an LCT came alongside to commence the unload-
		ing and was followed by others. Unloading proceeded very slowly and not until about 1130 was the first LCT able to move off to
		the shore with 6 vehicles on board. The sea is fairly calm though the small craft are about a little. Weather dull
		and windy. About 1200 hrs the LCT (and others) moved away to the shore to unload. In several cases vehicles were unloaded

Page 6 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Asnelles-Sur-Mer.	9 (Cont)	in water too deep for them and were soon drowned and completely
		submerged by the rising tide.When this happened the vehicles in question were of ten smashed by landing craft steering over
		them. Once ashore, drivers followed the Div Axis to concentration areas, the RA concentration area being the area RYES,
		8483; SOMMERVIEU, 8381; MAGNY, 8182. See Regt O.C. No1 attached
Sommervieu.	10	By about 1500 hrs nearly all RHQ vehs from MT ships 23 and 24 had assembled and a skeleton TAC HQ had moved to TAC 131 Bde.
		At 1930 hrs orders were received that 131 Bde would start to move forward to the Battle at first light the following morning,
		and RHC Main + B Ech moved at 2100 hrs to the respective Echelons of 131 Bde HQ located in the POULIGNY AREA - 807827.
		As the battle moves forward numbers of enemy snipers remain undetected behind our lines, and brings the need for very
		careful stand to both at last and first light to importance. As it does not get dark until 2315 and starts to get light at
		0430 the night is very short, and sleep thus limited. In addition enemy aircraft are active at these times, as our own
		fighter cover have to return to ENGLAND or come from there in daylight.
Pouligny.	11	At 0700 RHQ Main moved with 131 Bde Main to area BLARY 805760.
		Tac are already there. Respective Bty War Diaries show the localities of Bties and their progress in the battle.
		News received today that 260 Bty (17 Pdrs mounted on M.IO S.P. equipments) had destroyed a German Mk.lV tank. Still a number
		of guns have not arrived, but gradually Bties are building up to their full strength. Heavy fighting is proceeding North of
		TILLY SUR SEULLES840683.

Page 7 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Blary.	12	The Battle in the TILLY area is becoming static, and we are
		uable to advance owing to the very bad country and cross fire from easily concealed enemy positions
		259 Bty (Due to land on D Plus 3) started to link up with us.
739671	13	Moved at 0400 hrs to proceed down a new Centre Line, as the plan for the advance to VILLERS BOCAGE 8157 has been changed.
		The new Centre Line is Track junction 751759ST PAUL DU VERNAY
		7470, X Roads 727634, BRIQUESSARD742594, - VILLERS BOCAGE.
		It was reported later in the day, that the Brigade group had entered VILLERS but had moved out to the NORTH of the town as
		the fighting inside was too stiff. Between the present Centre Line through TILLY, numerous enemy are located in woods etc.
		and in fact the BRIQUESSARD - VILLERS road is cut, and the Centre Line threatened in other places. RHQ is located at
		739671 and it is reported that some 500 enemy are in the woods NE, E and SE of this location, (Who are armed with small arms
		weapons and possibly an odd tank or so) during the night the Adjt is placed in command of area defence for 131 Bde MAIN HQ
		and attached HQs. There are however, only about 35 ORs who can be taken for defence from the whole HQ: while still keeping W/T
		sets etc manned. These men, with 4 Bren Guns, and the remainder carrying rifles and Stens are put out as perimeter defence, around
		the camp area. Nothing however, is seen of the reported enemy and the bulk of the guard is withdrawn at stand down in the
		morning.

Page 8 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
739671	14	Replacement arrived for the 15 cwt W/T Rear Link truck which
		was drowned on landing. Warning order that the Brigade is moving over to a new Centre Line FOULOGNES 7065 - X Roads 727634 -
		LA PAUMERIE 731617 - VILLERS BOCAGE, and the move to the new Centre Line will take place at 1st Light tomorrow. Troops in
		the VILLERS area are being withdrawn and 131 Bde are to form a firm base with the Armour behind them. The Adjt did a recce
		for Bde HQ of the area to which Bde HQ is to move.
717644	15	RHQ, MAIN moved at 0600 hrs to area 710653. TAC Bde moved to area 717644. Later MAIN moved to the area of TAC and the two
		sub-sections of RHQ joined up. The Brigade has formed a firm base from the area TORTEVAL 7563 to BRIQUESSARD 7459, with the
		Armd Bde behind it. C.O. spent the day Co-ordinating A/TK layout. The infantry are very thin on the ground and there are considerable
		gaps in the defence. Mobile reserves of Tanks, the Armd Bde Motor Bn and 260 Bty are available. In the evening enemy counter
		attacks developed on a comparatively small scale, presumably to probe the defence line for weak spots. In certain places odd
		numbers of 20 or less enemy infantry infiltrated behind our lines. In this very wooded country, with hedges everywhere,
		it is not difficult for them. All attacks were repulsed with considerable losses to the enemy.
	16	Counter attacks all day along the Southern and Centre sectors
		of the Bde front. 257 Bty killed a Mk Vl (TIGER) tank at 150x range Bties are under Comd Bns. as follows:-
		257 1/6 Queens 258 1/5 Queens. 259 1/7 Queens. 260 22 Armd Bde, mobile reserve in support of firm base.

Page 9 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
717644	16 (Cont)	257 & 258 Bties did a good deal of damage to enemy infantry by small alms fire, killing numbers of them.
	17	Enemy are still probing the line, and are being beaten satisfactorily all the time. 257 Bty again killed a tank, beleived
		to be a TIGER. At 1400 hrs it was reported that Major L.G. Ditchfield, OC
		257 Bty had been killed, a short time before the report. Maj J.J. Barclay (2 i/c) attended a conference at 131 Bde HQ
		and afterwards went out on a recce of new positions. The Bde Comd's intention is to reform the firm base on a new line some
		800-1000 yards behind the present line and has been given 1 RB to be included. This will thicken the infantry considerably.
		About 1830 hrs 257 Bty reported on the air that they and 1/6 Queens were being overrun by infantry. CO ordered 8 M.10's
		(with 17 pdrs) from 260 Bty to proceed to the area to assist in restoring the line. RHQ TAC & MAIN moved together at 2030
		hrs to STE HONORINE DE DUCY726655 to more appropriate billets. A line was run out to Bde HQ who remained in their same
		location 257 have difficulty with the enemy all night in the process of withdrawing their guns. 1 Off & 19 O.RS. joined the
		Regt from 1st reinforcements. The officer, Lt. ORFORD was not formerly in the Regt but the 19 O.Rs. are personnel sent as 1st
		reinforcements in the U.K.
STE. HONORINE DE DUCY.	18	Padre held a Communion Service for RHQ at 0600 hrs. 257 Bty are now known to have lost 4 guns during last night and about
		17 O.R.S. MAJ H CRANFIELD RA is posted to the Regt to command 257 Bty and Capt LOG SWAIN who rejoined this Regt on 15 June is

Page 10 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Ste Honorine De Ducy	18	posted to 257. Adjt visited Corps reinforecement unit in the evening and drew 20 O.R. reinforcements.
	19	Wet weather all day to-day and cold. The front is very static and most of the Division is making up a little sleep. The Adjt
		gave RHQ their (usually) daily talk on the battle situation at 2000 hrs and at 2100 hrs all the men listened to the news from
		the BBC which concluded with a despatch from a War Correspondent describing the 7th Armoured Division's experiences in NORMANDY.
	20	Weather still wet. Adjt visited 257 Bty to take a Summary of Evidence in two cases for which Court-Martials are required.
	21	Adjt again visited 257 Bty to take an addition to a Summary of Evidence taken yesterday. Weather dull and wind cold. A few
		shells in RHQ vicinity during the night.
	22	Weather dull in morning again, but brightened up considerably later on. At about 1700 hrs a number of shells fell in the RHQ
		and MAIN HQ 131 BDE area. No casualties but a few tyres punctured, petrol cans broken and minor things of that sort.
	23	No change in the situation. B.Cs. conference at 1500 hrs to
		discuss promotion of NCO's to fill existing vacancies. The conference was held at RHQ and lasted 2 hours. Weather quite
		sunny and warm.
	24	No change to report in the situation. Weather hot with no wind. Capt Fitxgerald and Lt. KE Flatt left the Regt.

Page 11 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Ste Honorine Du Ducy.	25	Lt. P.H. Stewart inter-posted from RHQ to 257 Bty. F.G.C.M. held at RHQ for trial of Gnr Callaghan (257 Bty) Prosecution conducted
		by Adjt, while Lt. HA Arnold defended the accused. Very fine weather again. At about 2200 hrs shells arrived in the RHQ billet
		area. It is thought probable that an enemy SP 88 mm is firing at the Steeple of the Church about 100x from our house. One shell
		hit the roof of the Church, while most of the remainder crashed into the ground about 20x from our house. One OR recently posted
		to RHQ was wounded in the thigh and buttock.
718659	26	Moved (as the present position seems destined to be shelled accurately) at 0645 hre and leagured temporarily at 720647, while
		CO2 recced a more suitable area, Moved again on the result of this recce to a house at 718659. CO visited all guns of 2 batteries
		during morning. Wet all day to-day, Rum issue ordered in the evening by the usual Div signal for i - "Splice the Mainbrace"
	27	Adjt visited 257 Bty to take further evidence in a Court Martial case. In the afternoon, he visited B Echelon for the same reason
		and them went to the re-inforcement camp at 823750 to obtain reinforcements. CO is informed of an operation due to start shortly
		and lays on the A/Tk part but the operation is subsequently cancelled, and new orders issued that the CO is to co-ordinate
		the A/Tk defence of a firm base consisting of the present firm base, extended to the left as far as LES ORAILLES 7666. News of
		8 Corps advance West of CAEN is good.
	28	CO & CO2 recceing the new A/Tk defence during morning. Staff Capt RA visited RHQ during morning. Bties locations as from

Page 12 of 12

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
718659	28 (Cont)	tomorrow are as follows, 258 and 260 having moved. RHQ 719659 257 HQ 745624 258 RHQ 727613
		259 Hq 748632 260 HQ 740655.
	29	Orders received that we are to send a Major and 2 layers to test our new equipment in the UK. The equipment is a VALENTINE tank
		mounting a 17 pdr. Major Jackson and a layer from each of 258 & 260 Bties will be sent.
		Lt. V.R. MINNEY joined RHQ as A/Adjt in place of Lt PH STEWART who went to 257 Bty on June 25.
		A 17 pdr from 259 is ordered to report to Div HQ to-morrow morning for a water test under the CRE. The details of the test
		are not yet known, but the gun is to be semi-waterproofed with Grease G.S.
	30	Weather still very dull and wet. 259 supplied a 17 pdr to carry out a trial for crossing a river. The gun was supported in the
		water by infantry boats tied to it, and towed across by a DUKW. Unfortunately, towards the end, due to an accident the propellor
		shaft of the DUKW broke, but the trial was sufficiently carried out by then. The gun has to be waterproofed to cross a river in
		this way. At about 2000 hrs between 300 & 400 RAF Lancasters and Hallifax's bombed VILLER S, THURY HARCOURT, and CONDE SUR NOIREAU
		with the object of interfering with communications of 9 & 10 Pz Divs which have just appeared on the front. The planes flew over the
		front and provided a magnificient sight for the army. Very few were shot down (about 3) due to the fact that AGRA and our Div Arty were
		shooting hard on all known enemy AA-positions. FLAK was very meagre. At about 2030 hrs. A Party of American Officers from 2 US Armd Div
		arrived at RHQ with the information that they were releiving us. News to this effect was received from Div shortly afterwards and
		the Div is going to move to a concentration area North and North West of TILLY-SUR-SEULLES in the area of JERUSALEM x roads 8272.

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War Diary: 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Regiment

Month and year: June 1944

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