War Diary: 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Regiment

Month and year: September 1944

The 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Anti Tank Regiment September 1944 war diary covers the units advance from France, through Belgium into Holland.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/921

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Page 1 of 7

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field	1	Tactical Battle Order:-
		Tac HQ with 131 Bde Main HQ Main HQ with 131 Bde Rear HQ
		257 and 259 Btys under comd 131 Bde 258 and 260 Btys under comd 22 Armd Bde.
		Continued movement of the operation started yesterday, culminating in the crossing of the SOMME during night 1/2 Sep. RHQ Main leagured for the night
		BETTEMBOS - 788500. TAC stay at MONTAGNE FAYEL 876615 until midnight, and then cross the SOMME during the night. Hundreds of prisoners are being taken
		and the French Resistance Movement in considerable numbers armed with British and captured weapons are doing magnificent work in clearing areas behind our
		adv. They are capturing large numbers of Germans and shooting quite a few others. Everywhere the FRENCH are overwhelmed with joy at their liberation
		and the troops are plied with flowers, apples and so on. FRENCH, BRITISH and AMERICAN flags decorate every village, which unlike those of NORMANDY
		have not been destroyed by the onslaught of war.
	2	At 0600 hrs a flying bomb roared over the area of RHQ Main. It is the first to be seen by many of us, and this op is designed to put an end to
		them. Since many of the Div come from the LONDON area, there can be no greater incentive to a speedy adv than to obliterate this menace which has
		destroyed or threatened to destroy their homes. Today, news is received that 5 Flying Bomb Launching sites have been over-run.
		They have all been in action against ENGLAND. RHQ Main moved to FIENVILLERS 0784, arriving there at about 1630 hrs, and at about
		1900 hrs moved to 132878 (near DOULLENS). TAC stay the night at 125000 just SOUTH of PREVENT, and fwd tps are past St POL.

Page 2 of 7

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field	3	Fifth anniversary of the outbreak of the present war. RHQ remained at last location until 1930 hrs.
		We have now covered 175 miles since 31 Aug and the day was spent in maintenance, etc. To date, no breakdowns or mechanical trouble have developed.
		At 1930 hrs moved to 332061 on the direct route, through AVESNES, Dispersed
		by the side of the rd at 332061 about 2230 hrs.
	4	RHQ Main moved at 1430 hrs to SAINS IN GOHELLE 411171. TAC HQ are at MAZINGARBE 445187. At this stage, 22 Armd Bde are to move on to GHENT in
		BELGIUM, while 191 Bde remains behind to hold a br hd over the LA BASSLE Canal. Tomorrow, after relief by 53 (Welsh) Div, 131 Bde will follow up
		on 22 Armd Bde route. News received that Maj RN BARCLAY RA (OC 260 Bty) is missing.
	5	RHQ moved at 1730 hrs in the Bde Gp Coln and travelled through the night
		arriving at 933464, at 0400 hrs. Leaguer here (where TAC is also in leaguer) until 0700 hrs, and then move on route AUDENARDEOOMBERGEN 2562 GHENT.
	6	Moved at 0700 hrs and reached HUNDELGEM 200619 at 1200 hrs. Leaguer there
		while TAC are at 259629. TAC move in the late evening to area OOSTERZEELE 239680.
		The role of 7 Armd Div for the next few days is to sit on the escape routes that the Germans will take in order to get out of the large pocket in which
		they are now enclosed. It is expected that we shall be here for three or four days.
		There is unfortunately no news of Maj RN BARCLAY (260 Bty) who was missing during a journey to one of his Troops with supplies. Examination of the route
		he took disclosed the vehs of his party smashed up and signs that they had fought a battle with small arms. There was no sign of killed or wounded, and it is
		hoped that they are PW and will escape.

Page 3 of 7

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field	7	Remained present area. Much rain and a very high wind. The Main HQ leaguer was strew with fallen apples and pears and even a few branches were
		blown off the trees. CO visited Main HQ and B Ech and LAD in the afternoon.
		15 (Scotish) Div started to move up in our Div area.
	8	Expect to move today to area GHENT, but late, receive orders "No move today" TAC HQ move in late evening to GHENT and leaguer in the square at 190790.
		The POST HOTEL provides a billet and an extraordinary war is fought from the lounge thereof, while machine guns are firing at the other end of the city.
		In that part of the city occupied by us, life is fairly normal, and the POST HOTEL is doing business as usual - incl meals.
	9	RHQ Main moved at 1015 hrs to the HORTICULTURAL College at 223770.
		Maj JJ BARCLAY MC RA (2 IC) received a note from his brother Maj RN BARCLAY who was reported Missing on 4 Sep. The note was addressed to Maj BARCLAY
		with the name of the Regt and a drawing in red pencil of a "Desert Rat". It
		had been left with a local farmer who had handed it in when the area was overrun by our forces. Maj BARCLAY states that he and some of his men with him
		are PW and that as yet, it is impossible to get away.
	10	Nothing of interest to report today. Veh and personal maint are the order of the day for RHQ. Locns remain unchanged.
	11	Adjt visited Div HQ and also the Fd Cashier, in order to draw Belgian money.
		Rate of exchange 176 5/8 Belg Fcs to £1 Stg. In the evening, 131 Bde was relieved by POLISH Tps and withdrew to temporary
		Leaguer Areas in the area at present occupied by Main HQ.

Page 4 of 7

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field	12	2 IC went to area MECHELIN (or MALINES) to recce a conc area for the Regt. At 1415 hrs RHQ complete, 257 and part 259 moved to this area via TERMONDE
		WELLEBROECK, MALINES to 811724. RHQ billet in the BOIS FLEURI Hotel. 258 and 260 do not move until am tomorrow.
	13	Baths, cinema, visits to BRUSSELS, etc are arranged at a CO's Conference
		at HQRA at 0900 hrs. BC's Conference at 1400 hrs. Maintenance of personnel and vehs goes apace. It is thought we may be here for 7 - 1.0 days.
	14	Same form as yesterday. At 1730 hrs, the Div Comd talked to COs and Adjts
		on the battle past and future, and a likely forecast of conditions we are likely to meet in GERMANY, where everyone is probably going to be hostile.
	15	At 1400 hrs 2 IC talked to RHQ personnel on the conditions likely to be met
		in GERMANY.
		At 1800 hrs there was a drink party for offrs of the Regt at RHQ. A few civilian friends who have offered hospitality to the Regt also came along after dinner; a dance was held in 259 Bty billet.
	16	Regt put on 2 hrs notice to move, in the evening. CRA's Inspection expected
		to take place on Monday, if we are still in the area.
	17	A day of FGCsM was held at 258 Bty HQ. Legal Staff Offrs conducted the cases
		a DJA was present. A number of offrs (incl 2 IC, OsC 257 & 260 and the Adjt) attended as members under instruction. Two cases have been disposed of and the
		court continues tomorrow.
	18	Nothing to report today. Regt has reverted to 6 hrs notice to move and leave parties to BRUSSELS and MALINES continue.

Page 5 of 7

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field	19	CRA inspected the Regt during the afternoon and was generally pleased with what he saw.
	20	Warning Order received that the Regt probably required to move tomorrow.
		Later, orders were received that the Regt would move to area WESTERLOO 0280 at 1000 hrs in the morning.
	21	2 IC and rep from each Bty RV at WESTERLOO 0900 hrs and recce new
		conc area. At 1000 hrs Regt moves on route KEERBERGEN - PUTTE - WESTERLOO arriving at about 1200 hrs. RHQ leaguer at 044811.
	22	Regt ordered to move at 1400 hrs to conform to the remainder of the Div which is in the MEERHOUT area. RHQ leaguer in new area at 107852.
		One Tp of 260 Bty carried out a shoot at 076922 at first visibility this morning, with the object of removing the upper part of a granary which
		gives the only observation over a certain sector of the front. The object was duly achieved with 9 AP and 99 HE rounds 17 pr.
	23	A TEWT was carried out by offrs and Sgts of RHQ to pool ideas on local
		defence against German civilians when we move into Germany. CO and Adjt visited BRUSSELS in the afternoon.
		Orders for an early move tomorrow, received by 2200 hrs.
	24	Regt moved at 0700 hrs in a Div move to area RIETHOVEN 3603. Order of March, 260, RHQ, 257, 259, 258. Route MEERHOUT 1484 - MOLL 1690 - LOMMEL 3095
		- LUYKSGESTEL 3101 - WESTERHOVEN 3706. RHQ leaguer in a farm at 388098, arriving there at 1030 hrs.
		The CRA visited RHQ in the afternoon with a probable forecast of ops which he stated would very likely mean a re-grouping very early tomorrow morning.

Page 6 of 7

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field	24	Weather today wet, and continual heavy rain fell all night. It is difficult (particularly in HOLLAND) to find standings fo the tpt hard
		enough to prevent it bogging down in wet weather. CO attended an Order Group at 131 Bde HQ at 2100 hrs. On his return
		BCs of 258 and 260 Btys ordered to report to 1/7 and 1/5 Queens respectively to tie up routes and timings for a first light move. Later in the night,
		258 were placed under comd 131 Bde HQ and 260 under comd 8 H. The task of the Div (which is really only 131 Bde and 8 H, as two of the Armd Regts are
		under comd other Divs at present) is to clear and keep clear the Centre Line used for maint of the Airborne Tps who have been dropped further NORTH
		and of 30 Corps who are now with them. The op starts at first light in the morning. Regt less 258 and 260 Btys remains present area.
	25	Weather again wet and there is a great deal of mud. It is also turning
		pretty cold. Regt less 258 and 260 still remain present area. Orders
		received that we may move tomorrow.
	26	No move today. Weather again wet. News received that the CL has been cleared and 2000 vehs allowed to proceed.
	27	RHQ, 257 and 259 Btys move at 0930 hrs via EINDHOVEN to area SOUTH OF
		ST OEDENARD. RHQ lauguer at 428315. Contrary to normal procedure, and due mainly to congestion of space, the
		Regt less 258 and 260 is under comd CRA and NOT 131 Bde. 258 and 260 Btys are under comd 131 Bde. RHQ, TAC and MAIN are therefore leagured together in their own area.
		257 and 259 are in leaguer areas and are NOT committed. Weather again very wet and cold. Maj JH BOAG MC RA (formerly 2 IC in NORTH AFRICA is
		reposted to the Regt and assumes comd 260 Bty,

Page 7 of 7

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field	28	IOOs from Corps HQ visited the Regt this morning to discuss the subject of de-coppering amn for the 3" guns. We have for some time been asking for
		such rounds but are told that they are not available.
	29	RHQ, 257 and 259 moved at 1315 hrs to area 5039. RHQ leaguer at 502398. CO called to CRA' orders at 2130 hrs. This resulted in 258 Bty being relieved
		by a Bty of 53 Div.
	30	Remained in present area. Weather still wet on and off, and cold.

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War Diary: 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Regiment

Month and year: September 1944

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