National Archive Reference: WO 171/1288
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Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
1 Aug | The day opened with shelling on the Bn area and small arms fire was also | ||
heard to the left fwd posns. All the Bn 'stood to' from 0415 to 0805 hrs | |||
when the situation quietened down. The day apart from occassional | |||
shelling and bombing was uneventful and concluded with a full recce and | |||
fighting patrol programme, as it has ben very important to get | |||
identifications. No prisoners, however, have yet been captured. | |||
2 Aug | A day which activety was mainly patrolling and a snipers day. Our | ||
Standing Patrol shared now with 1 Tyneside Scottish sent in many reports | |||
of very local enemy movement approximately 1500 yds beyond our front. | |||
A fighting patrol was detailed with the task of bringing in a prisoner. | |||
The arty programme that was to laid on for the patrol could not be fired | |||
as all comns brake down. An enemy posn was located but enemy fire | |||
prevented the capture of a prisoner. Lt Townsend was wounded with | |||
concussion after a shell had followed hime into a house. | |||
3 Aug | No special activety today. Patrolling for identifications continues |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
3 Aug cont. | Enemy only shells and mortars posns ocasionally. | ||
4 Aug | Just after midnight the bn was bombed for the first time. Three | ||
250 lb bombs were dropped in the area of Bn HQ and many anti personnel | |||
bombs (2 kilo) fell in all Coys posns, Two cas resulted - Cpl Clowes and | |||
Pte Bingham a bomb dropping into their slit trench they both sustained | |||
leg and foot injuries. Shelling followed the babing and some 125 mm | |||
shells were fired by the enemy. Snipers were again active throughout the | |||
day acting as observers. | |||
2100 | At 2100 hrs CO was called to Bde for a conference where orders were | ||
riven concerning a raid which is to be carried out with a view to | |||
obtaining identifications. The raid will be carried out by 11 RSF but | |||
all Bns will help with the fie plan by the 32 mortar pls laying a smoke | |||
screen. Apart from these orders the day was very quiet and it was thought | |||
that "Jerry" might be 'pulling out' |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
5 Aug | 0415 | The Bde 3" mortars lay out smoke screen at 0415 hrs to test enemy | |
reactions 'jerry' however, did not respond. | |||
The reports on last nights patrols showed that both recce patols had | |||
penetrated into enemy lines and both brought back good information. | |||
The patrol led by Lt Ouellete were challenged at very close range by | |||
the enemy and withdrew after three sten guns had been emptied into the | |||
sentries. Owing to spandau fire it was impossible to linger about and | |||
get identifications, The remainder of the day was very quiet and there | |||
was only a very little shelling, and bombing. | |||
C Coy was placed under comd of 11 RSF as one coy RSF is resting prior | |||
to the raid which takes place on 7 Aug. B Coy went to the rest-trg area, | |||
A Coy returned and took over B Coys posns. | |||
0445 | Again the 3 Bns of the Bde fired down a smoke screen at about | ||
0445 hrs this morning - still no reactions by the enemy. The enemy | |||
then fired one or two sharp periods of shelling, but otherwise the day |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
5 Aug | cont | has been uneventful. | |
CSM Painter S. Staffs Regt joined the Bn today and was posted to A Coy | |||
as a replacement for CSM Wood who was recently wounded. | |||
6. Aug | Rather quiet day - patrols returned safely and had little to report. | ||
Few periods of shelling, | |||
7 Aug. | 0345 | At 0345 hrs today, 2 pls from 11 RSF carried out a raid on enemy posns | |
with a view to obtaining identifications this raid was ordered by 1 Corps. | |||
A Coy at the same time had a fighting patrol out with the same task to accomplish. | |||
2230 | Firstly at 2230 hrs a recce patrol went out to locate a | ||
party of enemy, later to beat up but they were unlucky in their hunt | |||
and did not find any in spite of going to known enemy locations. Even | |||
the firing of a bren and 2" mortar as decoy weapons did not draw his fire | |||
and make him disclose his posns. The full fighting patrol therefore | |||
set out at 0245 hrs in search of Boche along a route reported clear by | |||
snipers yesterday afternoon but after they had gone about a 1000 yds they |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
7 Aug | cont | came across a small 'S' mine field the patrol leader Lt Coleman and two | |
others were wounded ( L/Cpl Roe and Pte Smart ) three other men | |||
were killed although at first it was not certain and SBs went out to try | |||
and bring them back whilst doing so more S mines went off and Pte Platt | |||
was wounded and Pte Hewitt killed. Pte Seaman also an SB and att to D | |||
(standing patrol) who went with the party was also wounded in the foot. | |||
The Coy Comd of A Coy 10 DLI went down to this area later and | |||
whilst there tried to recover the bodies. Owing to an enemy patrol sited | |||
within 30 yds of two of the bodies, he could not do so all identifications | |||
were however, removed. | |||
RSF raid produced one unidentified dead German. Enemy reaction was | |||
considerable on RSF front. One Coy Comd and GSO 3 (Capt Crossland (DWR) | |||
of the Bde were killed at an OP by a direct hit. | |||
8 Aug | A quiet day - the weather continues to be very warm there was a very | ||
heavy mist this morning which did not lift until nearly 0800 hrs |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
8 Aug | cont | The GOS 49 Div visited the area this morning at 0630 hrs and gave | |
his congratulations and some cigarettes to one of D Coys sections as having the best section | |||
posns he had seen within the Div. | |||
Enemy shelling was remarkably increased today but Pte Clarke a SB with | |||
A Coy was the only casualty. Heavy attack by American heavies on enemy | |||
posns opposite Canadians. | |||
1330 | At 1330 hrs one flight of Flying Cortresses passed over Bn area flying | ||
North West and by mistake bombed a Canadian medium battery and amn dump | |||
very near CAEN. Many cas. | |||
9 Aug | Weather still warm and the day began again with shelling of our A and | ||
B Coys. Bde Comd called an O Gp at Bde HQ and CO came back with infm | |||
that we were to move fwd in a three phase attack on VIMONT. Orders were | |||
given within the Bn and it moved off at 2000 hrs on the first phase with | |||
Sqn of tanks in sp. On reaching ob jective there were many cas with | |||
AP mines. Major Mountain (OC C Coy.) Capt H. Gardner (2IC C. Coy) and |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
Capt. JP. Symonds (I.O) were among the wounded and Major CH.Hill (OC D Coy) | |||
was killed by a direct hit on his slit trench. C Coy also lost | |||
their CSM. Robinson who was killed by an AP mine. Coys est in their | |||
areas and sec posns were dug and improved during night. | |||
10. Aug | Bn is firmly est SE of CAGNY on completion of 1st phase. A day | ||
of patrolling and 100 per cent alertness with periods of shelling by the | |||
enemy. | |||
11 Aug | Patrols active during night to prevent any infiltration by the enemy. | ||
Bn HQ was under heavy shellfire during early hrs of morning. During | |||
the afternoon, the Bn area was shelled again 3 shells dropped in SP Coy | |||
area believed to be our own dropping short. Five cas were caused - | |||
Ptes Paul, and Mee were killed outright and L/Cpl Haynes, Ptes Tansey and | |||
Buss injured. | |||
12. Aug. | The weather is still consistenty warm and an early morning mist is | ||
rising during the period of 'Stand to'. At 0615 hrs two enemy deserters |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
13 Aug | Cont | walked to our lines surrendering to 'D' Coy. After interrogation they were | |
proved to be YUGO-SLAVS and gave quite a lot of useful infm concerning | |||
posns on our front. Bde HQ got quite a good German Order of Battle from | |||
these PW. | |||
13.Aug | Very little shelling and A Coys fwd posn was subjected to some mortaring. | ||
Two cas. A Coy patrol brushed an enemy patrol this morning killing 3 and | |||
recovering quite an amount of arms and egpt. Identifications were brought in | |||
and proved to be from members of the I/981 PGR. D Coy also contacted enemy | |||
patrol 80 yds out of their area, Arty engaged, thus clearing Jerry out at | |||
once. Booby trapping and minelaying in fwd pl posns was completed by A Coy. | |||
14 Aug. | Nothing of importance. A few more identifications were brought in from the | ||
dead Germens killed by A Coy yesterday. Night times brought a small air | |||
raid behind Bn HQ area. | |||
15 Aug. | The day started with enemy planes above Bn area but no bombs were dropped, | ||
Several reports came in concerning the evacuation of VIMONT by the enemy |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
15 Aug | cont | Co orders a recce and fighting patrol to proceed North of village and | |
feel' for enemy locns. Lieut R Smith was killed during this op and 4 ORs | |||
missing, Bde OO issued 147 Bde to hold woods 1560,1 Leics to hold VIMONT with RSF SOUTH in | |||
woods. These two units will penetrate enemy locns fwd thus giving | |||
general idea of layout and strength. Bn stays in present area SE of CAGNY | |||
Heavy rain at night. | |||
16.Aug. | Day is bright and sunny after last night's downpour and continues to be | ||
very hot. Battle patrols are sent out and the arty gives covering fire. | |||
Patrols went to plan. | |||
17 Aug. | Bn receives orders to move CO calls his O Gp at 0400 hrs giving instrs to | ||
Coy Comds on move fwd to VIMONT. It is planned to strike SE VIMONT - MOULT | |||
Bn moved off at 0645 hrs and arrived just outside MOULT. It was decided to | |||
est a HQ in woods South of village - the enemy were nowhere to be seen and | |||
thought to have withdrawn on a very large scale. Adv 6 miles. | |||
18 Aug. | Bn spends a quiet night and no instrs are received from Bde HQ as was |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
expected during night. An O Gp. was called at Bde giving orders for | |||
147 Bde to take over from 70 Bde posns near MEZIDON 2956. The Bn task was | |||
to take over 10 DLI posn who had withdrawn from High ground slightly. | |||
19 Aug. | Bn did an embussed move at 0700 hrs and settles in wooded area mile WEST of | ||
LE MESNIL MAUGER 2956. Posns wer dug D Coy provided screen on fwd edge of | |||
wood carriers providing a protective screen between the Bn and left flank | |||
unit of HD who were on our right in the area of Les Bruyers. 4 Lincolns | |||
were fwd of our posns and were held by enemy rearguards. Our own screen | |||
patrols were subjected to occasional maortar and shellfire and suffered | |||
one cas. Bn posn was held for the remainder of the day without any other | |||
enemy opposition. Later in the day 4 Lincolns came back on our left to | |||
consolidate the posn. The Hallams meanwhile, were situated on the banks of | |||
the R.Dive at the front of St Pierre du Mont. | |||
20 Aug. | The plan for the day was that the Leicesters should capture MONT EILLE | ||
and the prominent hill feature some 3/4 mile West these were known by the code |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
David and Goliath respectively. The 49 Recce. Regt meanwhile were scouting | |||
ahead to ascertain if the numerous bridges on the R LA VIE Nor th of | |||
MONTEILLE had been blown. The plan for the bn was that we should pass through | |||
the Leicesters on the rd to CAMBRAMER. The Bn started its adv late afternoon | |||
but the Leicesters, having been unable to complete their task in suffectent | |||
time necessated our move into an area NW of ST - AUX - ANGLIES where we dug | |||
in once more. Meanwhile the Recce Regt had reported that all bridges had been | |||
blown and they were in contact with the enemy to the NE of MONT EILLE. | |||
During the night the CO attended an 'O' Gp at which plans were made for an | |||
attack on the high ground EAST of the BUTTE du PARC feature, which | |||
meawhile had been seized and held by the Hallams. Adv 3 miles. | |||
21 Aug | An early reveille an early move at 0430 hrs the Bn was on its way towards | ||
the start line. It was raining heavily and was very dark but without | |||
faultering we acheived out our forming up place on the river line SE of | |||
CREVECOEUR-EN-AUGE with ample time to spare. The well laid on arty |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
21 Aug | programne of timed concs started at H hour which was 0715 hrs. | ||
A and C Coys adv immediately from the start line taking full advantage of | |||
the arty fire which was covering them to their objettives. The gradient | |||
was steep and the country fairly close, but direction was maintained | |||
and the first objective reached at 0855 hrs. The entire adv was unopposed and | |||
immediately the Bde had ben informed of success we were ordered to exploit | |||
still further North to LES TROIS ROIS . This was accomplished still without | |||
opposition and the Coys consolidated and dug in. Civilian reports received | |||
stated that eneny Inf and A Tk guns had been seen on the outskirts of | |||
CABREMER The Carrier Pl were detailed to recce fwd with nil results | |||
Coys also sent out recce patrols immediately but no contact with enemy made. | |||
Carrier pl brought in a 12.2 cm gun, limber and truck found abandoned on | |||
their route. Meanwhile, the Leics and RSF were recoe area of high ground | |||
to East of our posn to the area of LA POSTE. Still no contact with enemy. | |||
Further orders to move at 1730 hrs on our original axis were received. |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
21 Aug | RSF with tks were leading the adv. They met with light enemy opposition | ||
this held the adv for a while and due to fading light, Bde ordered a | |||
halt for the night, The Bn est itself in area of large farmhouse called | |||
LE MANOIR where we are greeted very cordialy and treated most hospitably | |||
by the farmer and his wife and a number of evacues in residence. Everyone | |||
settled in under cover of barns and outbiuldings for the night. Adv 11 | |||
miles.mi | |||
22 Aug | Very quiet day in which the Bn rested preparing itself for the further | ||
pursuit of the enemy. | |||
23 Aug | After a fairly quiet night of which the early part was disturbed by | ||
possibilities of an immediate move, the BN was embussed in TCVs and made | |||
an uneventful move to ST GRATIEN on the WEST bank of the R TOUQUES Here | |||
we est as res Bn at 1000 hrs. At 1515 hrs a wireless message to the effect | |||
that the Leicesters were being counter attacked, was intercepted and 15 | |||
mins later a similar message from RSF was intercepted. The Bn 'stood-to' |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
23 Aug | as both these bns were est the other side of river and bridges were blown | ||
and it was impossible to get vehs with res amn over to them. The Leics | |||
asked us to lay on a carrying party for the purpose of getting amn up to them | |||
but this was later cancelled on Bde instructions. B Coy were ordered | |||
to stand by for counter attack role but this was unnecessary as by 1645 hrs | |||
the enemy had withdrawn having been beaten off. At 1830 hrs a Bde order was | |||
received that a Coy of ours should be moved across the river to strengthen | |||
a gap between Leics and RSF. This role was fulfilled by C Coy which | |||
made a successful crossing and suffered no opposition during the night | |||
During this time 49. Recce Regt was still casting ahead encountering opposition some half mile SW of NOROLLES. During the night at | |||
2217 hrs orders were received for remainder of Bn to move across river and | |||
get on to high ground beyond 11 RSF at DAUBICHONS. This was cancelled | |||
later no move before 0630 hrs. following day was to be expected. The RE | |||
during hrs of darkness commenced building Bailey brs across the two streams in the valley |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
24 Aug | Orders received in the early morning that Bn would adv, | ||
taking the lead with the leading coy mounted on a of tks | |||
(9 RTR) the remainder being embussed in TCVs. The move was | |||
held up until 0910 hrs due to the fact that the R.Es had not | |||
completed the bridge to schedule. With the Recce Regt | |||
scouting well ahead our adv as leading Bn was carried out | |||
without opposition, minor diversions having to be made as the | |||
results of roads being cratered. As the Recce Regt neared | |||
CORMIELLES minor opposition was met. Bridges over the | |||
LA CALONNE river were blown. Immediately plans were made for | |||
crossing the river at LA VALLETTE 3 miles SOUTH of CORMEILLES. | |||
Bn debussed WEST of pt 154 and were moved fwd, B Coy leading. | |||
The move was being covered by the sqn of tks who found that | |||
the damaged bridge was mined with Tellar and AP. B Coy under | |||
Capt Illingworth made a successful wet cressing followed by |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
24 Aug | D Coy who found a foot bridge further up stream. These two | ||
were est by 1755 hrs with very minor opposition encountered. | |||
A and C coys then crossed with the object of establishing | |||
posns on the high land. C Coy reached their posn unopposed | |||
but A Coy opposition from an enemy Spandua and Mortar. After | |||
2 or 3 attempts during whach the coy suffered 6b cas they | |||
finally est their posn having been supported in by fire from | |||
tks and arty. The CO est a fwd Bn HQ on high ground WEST | |||
of the river with a rear Bn HQ in a Chateau some quarter of a | |||
mile to the rear. A Coy posn was strengthened by sec of carrier | |||
pl dismounted and latert one coy of Leicesters crossed and came under | |||
comd of OC A Coy. Adv 12 miles. | |||
25 Aug | At 0130 hrs D and C cays reported that an enemy veh was | ||
moving inte their area, D Coy wounded and captured 3 with german | |||
jeep intact, C Coy wounded and captured a L/sgt who stated |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
25 Aug | that our occupation of the area was unknown to the enemy and | ||
at 0915 hrs two members of the MARQUIS brought in 6 Russian | |||
deserters to Bn HQ, these were sent to Bde. Orders were given | |||
to the Bn to move at zero hr for the move being 2 hrs 40 mins | |||
after the Bailey bridge being opened. The job took the R.Es | |||
longer than had been anticipated and as a result the Bn did not | |||
move until midday. The RSF were doing adv gd to the Bde and | |||
once through LIEREY encountered minor opposition. The Bn | |||
deployed in the area of small village 1/4 of a mile NORTH of | |||
MORCAIN VILLE PRES LIEUREY retaining the tpt for any further adv. | |||
Acting as civilian information passed from Bde, A Coy moved to | |||
the ridge of high land in the area of LES HAUTES VENTS. Once | |||
est there a recce patrol was sent fwd to LA POTTERIE MATHIEU | |||
Moving down the WEST side of the main rd, due to the shortage | |||
of time allowed for this the patrol was unable to to complete |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
25 Aug | its task, but was able to get near to the village to observe | ||
it through binoculars and detect no sign of enemy occupation. | |||
The Bn remained in the locatity for remainder of the day. In | |||
the late evening orders were received from Bde to carry out an | |||
embussed move to area of TERRIER some 4 miles NORTH of ST GEORGE | |||
DU VIEVRE. This move was accomplished without anyundue event | |||
although enemy planes were dropping flares and making bombing | |||
attacks in the area. The CO spent the remainder of the night | |||
in planning and issuing of orders for the seizing and holding | |||
26 Aug | of the high ground between CAMPIENY and LE VIEVIDLE. Adv 11 miles | ||
Bn 'O' Gp was held at 0900 hrs and H hr was decided for 1100 | |||
hrs. Start line a convenient track running due EAST and | |||
WEST immediatle y SOUTH of BIGARDS. B and D Coys were the leading | |||
coys sp by two tps of 9 RTR with a and C Coys respectivly |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
26 Aug | Summary of Events and Information | ||
laid on but not used, and once again we achieved our objective | |||
without any opposition and immediately re-organised and sent | |||
out patrols to exploit. No contact was made. Patrols had | |||
nothing to report with the exception of very important infm | |||
brought back by the Carrier pl patrol under Sgt Charlesworth | |||
who had reached the village of LE REULLES to find it occupied | |||
by a pl of Germans with two inf guns and MGs and the main bridge | |||
blown. At 1700 hrs Bn received orders to attack that night | |||
Leicesters right, DWR left, RSF res. All recces were started | |||
but at 2030 hrs attack was cancelled as 11 Hussars of 9 Armd | |||
Div reported intact br at APPEVILLE on out right and it was decided | |||
to cross Bde there. However, the power station manager of | |||
REIULLES came in under a white flag and asked for our arty fire | |||
which was being put down in the village to be stopped and that |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
26 Aug | Summary of Events and Information | ||
with him to verffy it and found this was the case, also bringing | |||
back the infm that the girders of the blown br afforded quite | |||
a reasonable crossing for men on foot. CO informed Bde of this | |||
who were in perfect agreement of this ideas of seizing LE REULLIES | |||
during the night hrs, as this would materially assist the | |||
movement of other tps along the EAST bank of the river RISLE | |||
once they had crossed the br at APPEVILLE. This move started | |||
27 Aug | early next morning, | ||
Bn moved into LE REULUES which the enamy had evacuated and the | |||
rest of the day was spent in preparation for move to | |||
28 Aug | rest area at BOURDON 753127. | ||
Bn moved to rest area which was found to be a very comfortable | |||
place Bn HQ and A Coy were accommadated in a large Chateau | |||
willst the rest of the coys bivuaced in what must have been |
Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
---|---|---|---|
29 Aug | Summary of Events and Information | ||
Quiet day with baths and enter tainments taking priorty a very | |||
good ENSA show was given at PONT AUDEMER a small village | |||
30 Aug | some 2 miles away. | ||
31 Aug | Quite a lot of rain but little else to reprt. | ||
Still raining. Bn spent the day resting with a litle trg in the morning, |