War Diary: 6th Green Howards

Month and year: August 1944

The 6th Green Howards August 1944 War Diary covers their advance from La Figettes to Beaurgenier.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1302

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Page 1 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANGE	Aug. 1	1100	Bn left the rest area at LA FIGETTES, Map Ref 7672 and moved by TCVs into the CAUMONT area, to relieve the 5 Bn The Dorset Regt (130 Bde)
		2300	Relief Complete with Bn HQ 719594 (LE REPAS) A Coy 741594 B Coy 741595 (area BRIQUESSARD) C Coy 726601 and D Coy 719594. The relief of the 5 Dorsets took place later than it should
			have done owing to 7 Armd Div gaining priority to use the main rds. Not until 1930 hrs was the Bn able to move beyond
			GRANVILLE.
	2	1800	As the reserve Bn, the Bn moved along the CAUMONT-BRIQUESSARD - AMAYE-SUR-SEULLLES rd, and occupied posns astride the rd in the
			area of LE MESNIL (7558) Move completed by 2030 hrs with Bn HQ 745593 A Coy 746587 B Coy 753587 , C Coy 748592 D Coy 749584.
	4	1630	Bn moved into the area AMAYE-SUR-SUELLES (7757) and occupied
			positions on the high ground vacated by 7 Green Howards. Bn HQ 766577 A Coy 771580 B Coy 768576 Coy 769577 and D Coy 767579.
	5	1715	Brig. F Knox, DSO and Capt Isaacs MC (Bde IO) lectured to all
			officers of the Bn at Bn HQ on the situation in Normandy and Brittany.
	6	1600	The Corps Comd, Lt Gen GB Horrocks, CB, DSOm MC. accompanied
			by the Brig visited the Bn and spoke to all officers and senior NCOs on the situation in Normandy and Brittany.
		1830	The CO held the first of several short Conferences on the loading of the Bn's vehicles.

Page 2 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FRANCA	Aug 7	1600	2i/c, OC Sp Coy accompanied by 2i/c's A,B,C,D and Spt Coys
			proceeded by VILLERS BOCAGE to area NORTH of ONDEFONTAINE to
			make recce of Bn assembly area prior to the move fwd.
		2100	C.O's Conference for all Coy Comdrs, IO, Adjt, SO, QM, RMO, 2i/c,
			and RSM. Details discussed for proposed move into Battle area.
	8	0930	Bn left the area of AMAYE-SUR-SEULLES (7757) and moved to an
			assembly area via VILLERS BOCAGE, JURQUES and ONDEFONTAINE, at 784777
	9	0740	Bn left assembly area in Troop Carrying lorries.
		0815	Bn de-bussed and assembled near POSTY 8447.
		1030	C.O's orders for attack.
		1230	Bn moved fwd for battle, A and B Coys riding on tanks.
		1430	A and B Coys got off tanks in area 853434
		1545	H hr - start line on track 851427 - 856427.
		1630	A and B Coys reached SAUCER - track 855419. C and D Coys
			ordered fwd to line SAUCER.

Page 3 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France	9	1700	A and B Coys fighting near village of CRAPOUVILLE855414
		1745	Resistance in CRAPOUVILLE overcome, A and B Coys moving forward
			together. 7 Green Howards, on left of Bn, had worked a similar line
		1830	A and B coys, after fighting on high ground SOUTH of CRAPOUVILLE
			fell back to positions covering the village.
		2000	C.O. confirmed that objective was now restricted.
		2130	Contact re -established with C and D Coys. Position formed.
	10	0100	One pl of D Coy went out on. recce patrol to BRIDGE 865407.
			Finding the bridge intact and not defended, they remained there
			until relieved by a pl of 5 E YORKS at 0430 hrs.
			Enemy MG's opened up at several points along the Bn front during
			the morning.
		2230	A Coy moved forward to SPUR 866403 and relieved B Coy 5 E YORKS
			there. D Coy followed and dug in the area SOUTH of ROUSSAVILLE
			on A Coys left, 870405

Page 4 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	10	2330	A fighting patrol of A Coy went out and later established
			that the enemy was defending ST PIERRE LA VIELLE.
	11	0500	Junction point with 7 Som L.I. established at 851413
		0530	A further patrol of A Coy was sent out and confirmed that the
			enemy held PIERRE LA VIEILLE.
		0900	A heavy concentration of shelling and mortar fire was brought down
		1100	on A and D Coys ,D Coys especially suffering. They were also fired on
			by a tank and MG on their Ieft. During the afternoon and evening
			various warning orders were received for the Bn to move fwd
			in support of 231 Inf Bde.
	12	0001	Finally the Bn moved out to an area round 876397, vehicles
			moving via CARVILLE 869428 and marching personel by roads and
			tracks, through 868406 and 874404.
		0045	Marching tpts encountered heavy mortar fire, causing casualties
			including one killed near FARM 872405.

Page 5 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	12	0130	Marching Tps slightly disorganised by mortar fire and subsequent
			shelling of their route, reached their new area on time.
		0230	Vehicle arrived, their entry into Bn H.Q. co-incuding with an
			attack on the HQ area by mortar or field artillery.
		0815	The Bn moved fwd again to LES FORGES 876384, to form part of firm
			base for 151 Inf Bde attack eastwards. 10 PW gave themselves
			up to the Bn as it took over from the 1 Devons.
		0915	Enemy mortars, field and 88 cm guns began a series of concentrations
			on the Bn area. This continued almost without intermission until 1900 hrs.
		1330	9 DLI attacked Eastwards from the Bn area. They mistook our fwd
			troops for an objective and sprayed them with small arms and
			tank MG fire, fortunatly without casualties.
		1700	Bn ordered to move NORTH to picquet road NORTH of LES FORGES
			C Coy left at 1700 hrs and other Coys followed, D Coy with the CO
			Tac HQ leaving at 2030 hrs.

Page 6 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	12	1700	Cont. -- By 2100 hrs the Bn was in positions shown in Appx A.
			The road was frequently shelled by the enemy particularly
			round X-rds 276389, where A Coy were unable to dig in until after
			darkness had fallen. Maj Norton OC C Coy and three of his men were wounded
			by a sniper during this move.
			During the day the Bn RAP at 877387 did great work in coping
			with the stream of casualties from the Bn itself, 9 DLI and others
			using the road.
	13	0900	Several shells, fired by British Artillery shelling ST PIERRE
			LA VIEILLE, fell in Bn area
		1730	12 reinforcements (OR's) ex Kings (Liverpool Irish) arrived at Bn.H.Q.
		2130	Maj C.M.Hull, MC, 2i/c Bn, returned and resumed his duties vice
			Maj R. Lofthouse, MC, who resumed command of D Coy.
			News of the award of the Victoria Cross to CSM Hollis late D Coy
			received at Bn.H.Q. A telegram was sent to him by air

Page 7 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	14	0800	Bn left LES FORGES rd for rest area NORTH of MOUNT PINCON 8346.
			Here the Bn concentrated to check equipment and receive reinforcements.
		1900	Capt JMB ISAACS MC, Bde IO, Lectured to personel of the Bn on the excellent war situation.
	15		The Bn received a welcome allotment of bathing facilities.
		1900	A performance by the TT concert party was given in the Bn area
			for the Bde personel.
	17	2000	One Officer and 64 OR's arrived as rfts from Sth Staffs Regt
			ex 59 Div. By order of higher fmn they were all posted to C Coy,
			most of the existing , C Coy split up.
	18	0920	Bn moved from rest area to a concentration area SOUTH of ATHIS 9127
			The Bn formed the advance guard of 69 Inf Bde and moved via
			VASSY 7934 and LE PONT 8529. The Bde was following up 11 Armed
			Div and no contact was made with the enemy. The new area was occupied
			at 1230 hrs.

Page 8 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	19	0930	The Bn moved a further short distance to LA CALNEILLE 9523,
			arriving without incident at 1015 hrs.
		1500	Five PW's, Russian "volunteers" were brought into Bn, HQ by men of the
			local resistance movement, and were sent up to Bde, HQ. one of
			the PW's, identified from his papers as a vet, later returned to examine a wounded
			horse in Bn HQ area.
	20	1000	Bn moved by MT to an area WAST of PUTANGES 1021.
		2110	Bn made further MT move through PUTANGES to VAUX LE BARDOULT 1621
			which was reached at 0030 hrs, 21 Aug.
	21	0130	The new area was occupied without incident, in heavy rain.
		1400	Coys changed areas to secure hard standings for vehicles, as fields were
			becoming very wet.
		1500	16 reinforcements (OR's),ex 6 DWR, arrived and were posted to B Coy.

Page 9 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	22	0800	The Bn moved on in MT through ARGENTAN 2618 and EXMES 4545
			to a conc area 4845 where orders were given for a quick resumption
			of the advance. The Bn moved in at 1230 hrs.
		1315	The Bn moved on with B Coy as Vanguard riding on taks. After
			passing GACE, forward troops passed through 159 Inf Bde near
			LA TRINITE des LAITIERS 6048 and henceforward the Bn formed the van of the
			"Liberating Army" except for armoured cars and recce units.
		1530	B Coy reached ST EVROULT ND DU BOIS 6647, where the enemy had
			cratered the road at 671471. The route was passable with
			difficulty. B and D Coys, leaving, moved over on foot and occupied
			a covering position while essantial vehicles and tanks got
			round the craters. Several French civilians were injured by
			mines and booby traps but the Bn suffered no casualties.
			The enemy had left in the morning, in the direction of LAFERTE FRESNEL

Page 10 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	22	1530	Cont - All main roads NORTH and SOUTH of the village were
			picquetted with carriers and A TK guns, remaining Coys de-bussed
			short of the obstacle and the Bn moved on towards LAIGLE 7843
			after a delay of about 30 minutes.
		1700	Leading troops reached cross roads 702472 and was ordered to halt
			and dig in for the night in this area, some four miles short of
			LAIGLA. The Bn had advanced 40 miles in a day, the last ten miles
			as leading troops. No enemy were encountered.
		1815	A Carrier patrol under Lt Scholes reached the approaches of
			LAIGLE, was shot at by an enemy anti-tank gun and return with
			useful information. One carrier was hit and burnt out another
			Became bogged while trying to return cross country and had to the left.
		2000	The Bn Completed occupation OI its position WEST OF LAIGLE.

Page 11 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	23	0700	The Bn continued to act as advance guard to 69 Inf Bde, with
			A Sqn 4/7 DG and other supporting arms under Command. B Coy
			still led. The route led NORTH of LAIGLE by X-rds 791467 through
			RUGLES 8548 and AMBANAY 8650.
		1000	Recce and vanguard held up by Tellermines, then by road-block
			of felled trees. These obstacles were NOT defended and imposed
			only a shortdelay. A detour was eventually found by the CO,
			who was the first in the Bn to enter RUGLES.
		1230	Leading troops entered RUGLAS amid tremendous enthusiagm.
			The inhabitants brought out wine and spirits, besides the bouquets
			and ribbons which had been showered on us all along the route.
			The Crowd impaired movement to some extent. All were dressed in
			uniform, if any, or best clothes. The main bridge in RUGLES was intact
		1400	The vanguard was in position NORTH of AMBENAY 8650 and the remained
			of the Bn moved up to complete the position.

Page 12 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	23	0500	The first of several patrols was sent NORTH from AMBENAY.
			A troop of tanks and three Carriers produced three sheepish prisoners
			apparently Mongolians. This was the only contact made with
			enemy troops during this phase of the pursuit. Many reports
			of enemy were received from civilians and followed up, without
			result. Patrols combed the areas far NORTH and NE as LA NEUVE LYRE 8857
			and QUERNANVILLA 9555.
	24	1030	Bn HQ moved a short distance to take advantage of buildings,
			as some shelter from the heavy rain was desirable.
		1715	CO called to Bde HQ for orders. Thse were for a short move
			SOUTH of RUGLES, after which the Div was to advance on the right of
			43 Inf Div and take over the MANTES bridgehead over the SEINE
			from US forces.
		2200	The above orders were cancelled by phone and the Bn remained
			at AMBENAY.

Page 13 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	25		The Bn spent a quiet day at AMBERNAY. Fine weather facilitated
			drying and general cleaning up.
		1715	A Carrier patrol made a wide sweep of the Bn sector as far as
			931567 without contacting enemy, though some reports were received
			of his withdrawal on the morning of 25 Aug.
	26	0700	The Bn was prepared to move, but owing to numerous traffic
			difficulties no movement was possible before 0910 hrs. Further
			confusion was met onthe way. The route was through US XIX Corp
			area and they had allotted the road to British troops for a
			limited time. However, by 1500 hrs the bulk of the Bn had moved
			through CONCHES 0060 EVREUX 1060 and PACY sur EURE 3667 to an
			area between PACY and BONNIERES 5067. Part of Support Coy
			arrived at 1830 hrs and the rest of this Coy was compelled to
			harbour on the road. The weather was glorious, and in spite of
			interruptions the town of the beautiful EURE countryside, peopled

Page 14 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	26	0700	cont - by friendly and generous allies, was much enjoyed.
	27	1900	The remainder of the Bn, consisting of most of Sp Coy and the RAP
	.		reached the Bn area. A very heavy thunderstorm during the
			night soaked the Bn.
	28		The day was spent on PT, route marches and rest.
	29	1430	Capt Gunn and 29 OR's ex 6 DWR, and 9 OR's ex KINGS (Liverpool Irish)
			arrived as reinforcements.
		2300	The Bn moved off in MT. The night was fairly clear after a
			day of unbroken rain.
	30	0150	The head of the Bn column reached the position bridge (SAUL)
			at VERNON. Movement was slow.
		0300	After further delays owing to traffic ahead the Bn began moving
			out of its concentration area about a mile EAST of VERNONNET,
			in 4672. The last vehicle arrived at about 0530 hrs. Tracks
			and fields were very muddy.

Page 15 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	30	0300	cont- Searchlights were used to Create "artificial moonlight"
			which was of great assistance.
		1530	The Bn moved on again, having received orders at rather sharp
			notice, this route was through MONTAGNY 6883 to BEAUGRENIER 6885.
			Here the Bn occupied the village and put out posts on the roads
			leading into it, though one tank had already passed through.
		1900	Acting on a civilian report, the 2i/c and IO visited NUCOURT
			715797 where there was said to be a depot for assembling
			and storage of flying bombs (V1). The village was deserted.
			On the site were large tunnels with railway lines entering,
			overhead protection being of reinforced concrete up to 12th thick
			No actual missiles were seen but the apperance of the site
			confirmed the report. Civilians reported that the bombs when
			assembled were lauched from L'ISLE ADAM near PONTOISE

Page 16 of 16

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
France.	31	0700	The Bn left BEAUGRENIER and moved still in MT, through
			CHAUMONT-en-VEXIN 7490 to VILLOTRAN 8598, and harboured in and
			roung the chateau there at 1400 hrs.

			The month began with the Bn Closely following-up forward units
			in the CAUMONT fighting. From 9 to 13 Aug it was engaged in the drive
			from AVNAY towards CONDE-SUR-NOIREAN in which the enemy lost
			heavily and was pushed steadily northwards. After a short rest
			the Bn took up the lorried pursuit role and were leading
			Allied troops from 22 to 24 Aug except for recce elements.
			Between 18 and 31 Aug nearly 200 miles were covered in MT moves.

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War Diary: 6th Green Howards

Month and year: August 1944

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