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| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thur 1 June | The snipers of the Bn took park in Phase 1 of their competition. Phase 1 consisted of fd craft and observation in the FRITTON WARREN area. | |||
| Fri 2 Jun | Phase 2 of the Snipers Competition took place in the built-up YARMOUTH street fighting area. Pl competitions began. In these each Pl in the Bn has to provide teams for association football, a cross country run, basket ball, drill, miniature range shooting and mines test. The winning pl is to receive a free day and the runners up a free afternoon. | |||
| Sat 3 Jun | GT YARMOUTH'S "Salut the Soldier" Week began and the Bn provided an Officer and 20 men to form part of the guard of honour for Field Marshall Lord Ironside, GCB CMG DSO. The Bn's advance party, consisting of Major BV Thomlinson, CSM Wootton and two ORs, left camp at 1800 hrs to0day. | |||
| Sun 4 Jun | Personnel from the PAI took part in an impressive all-Services Church Parade held in the ruins of St. Nicholas Church, in connection with "Salut the Soldiers" week. Bn warned to stand by and all ranks confined to camp from 1200 hrs. This order was later cancelled as events had been put back 24 hours. |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 5 Jun | All ranks confined to camp today and final packing and cleaning up was done. Veh party, under Capt TW Hibbert, left camp for their marshalling area, T 5 EAST HAM. | |||
| Tue 6 Jun | Marching personnel left SOUTHTOWN Station about 0900 hrs and heard of the Allied landings in NORMANDY before they left the station. The train arrived at SNARESBROOK at 1300 hrs and the tps marched and cycled up to the marshalling area T7, at WANSTEAD FLATS and settled in in the tented camp there. Excitement ran high and everyone was keenly interested in any scrap of information regarding the landings. The veh party, on its way down, was informed of the big event by a CMP en route and the news was soon confirmed by civilians who crowded the streets to cheer the column on its way. They arrived at 1155 hrs and in the afternoon all motor cycles were loaded on trucks and carriers and final stages of waterproofing were completed. A fine programme of music was provided for them at 1800 hrs by the band of HM Coldstream Guards, whilst at T7, Gereldo and his Orchestra regaled the marching party with a concert of dance music. | |||
| Wed 7 Jun | A quite day at T7 with all ranks settling in and cleaning up. 50% of the party were allowed out of camp from 1600 hrs to 2200 hrs. In T5, the first convoy of vehs, consisting of all 15 cwt trucks, Universal carriers and the majority of 4 ton lorries, left at 1445 hrs. Only the drivers of vehs went, the remainder of the party stayed behind. | |||
| Thu 8 Jun | An ENSA party put on a show for the tps in T7 and remaining 50% were allowed out of the camp during the same hours as yesterday. In T5, the remaining personnel left at 1500 hrs and at 1800 hrs the loading of vehs on to the ship was completed and the personnel embarked on SS EMPIRE NEWTON. | |||
| Fri 9 Jun | The CO briefed all Officers and WOs in T7 in the morning on the forthcoming operation. Throughout the day, coys briefed their own tps. The camp was "sealed" from 1200 hrs and the cycles of the Bn were loaded on to a train at London Bridge Station in the afternoon. During the night 8/9 June, the veh party left Victoria Docks and sailed down the R. Thames to SOUTHEND, anchoring there for the remainder of the day. | |||
| Sat 10 Jun | Marching party were due to leave T7 in tpt for London Bridge Station at 1100 hrs and proceed by train from there to NEWHAVEN, where they were to embark on 3 LCI(L). At 0300 hrs, however, the camp was awakened with orders to be prepared to leave at 0600 hrs for Waterloo Station and thenoe by train to SOUTHAMPTON. The men packed in the dark, drew rations, etc and were ready to move by the time stated, but the party did not not leave camp until 0800 hrs in TCLs. During the wait period, the OC gave a talk to all ranks on what he expected of them in the future. On the journey through the streets the civilians waved and wished God Speed to the tps and the party left Waterloo Station at 1000 hrs and reached SOUTHAMPTON at noon. Instead of finding LCI(L) waiting, as was originally intended, all three bns of the Bde boarded HMT CHESTER. A hot meal was served and boat drill was held during the evening whilst the ship was moving out to the SOLENT. The convoy we joined eventually sailed about midnight. | |||
| Sun 11 Jun | The veh party set sail for FRANCE at 0600 hrs today, 11th June. The marching party was due to disembark at 0700 hrs but the coast of FRANCE was not sighted until about 0730 hrs. 7 DWER were first off the ship with A and B coys, the CO, Adjt, IO and others leaving first in one craft at 1035 hrs. The craft was unable to beach at JIG GREEN immediately owing to the enemy shelling the beach and laid off shore for 1 1/2 hours, eventually landing at 1345 hrs. The remainder of the Bn beached at once. We were met at the concentration area by the advance party and the Bn dug in in the area of FRESNAY LE CROTTEUR 8978. The first tpt of the veh party came ashore at 1800 hrs, the ship having dropped anchor at 0800 hrs. Unloading of vehs on to LCTs began at 1300 hrs. On the way over they had an air raid at 0335 hrs, when an enemy plane attacked the convoy and dropped four glider bombs. One hit the ship in front and the other 3 were near misses. The CO attended BDE 'O' Gp and held Bn 'O' Gp on his return at 2100 hrs, putting the Officers in the picture with regard to the situation, which is extremely favourable. The Bn had an undisturbed night. |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 12 Jun | Throughout the day tpt arrived by the boatloads and the Bn were busy improving slit trenches and generally cleaning up. The day was very warm. Noises of battle were heard from up front and two batches of prisoners who passed through seemed very young and weary. The CO attended 'O' Gp at Bde and on his return again put Officers "in the picture" about developments. The Prime Minister, the C.I.G.S. and Field Marshal Smuts landed this afternoon and were met by General Montgomery on the beach. | |||
| Tue 13 June | During the night 12/13 Jun, air raids seemed continuous but no bombs fell in the Bn area. The flak was tremendous and the sky was alight with red tracer and flares. Another quite day with hundreds and planes overhead. Bn ordered to be prepared to take over A tk defence of COULOMBES from 146 Inf Bde, who are relieving 69 InfBde of 59 Div tonight area AUDRIEU. CO did necessary recce and told Bde he would like to move whole Bn to COULOMBES. We did not move, however. Heavy air raids by RAF on enemy late evening afforded the Bn a grandstand view. We saw two of out planes brought down, one of which, a Thunderbolt fighter limped over out lines before crashing. First Bn news sheet was produced today. | |||
| Wed 14 Jun | 6 DWR placed under comd 146 InfBde at 1100 hrs and Bde warned us to be prepared to move at short notice. CO visited Bde 1430 hrs and ordered to do recce of ST CROIX GRANDE TONNE 8874 with a view to moving there tomorrow. 11 RSF also moved to area alongside us. 'O' Gp did recce in afternoon. Heavy air raids over beachead at night. | |||
| Thu 15 Jun | Reveille 0500 hrs and crossed SP at 0700 hrs. In posn centered on ST CROIX GRANDE TONNE by 0900 hrs with Bn Hq at 892745. Posn now is that 146 InfBde hold AUDRIEU with HALLAMS, Pt 103 with 4 LINCS and wood NORTH of BRONAY with 1/4 KOYLI. Enemy reported at BRONAY and CRISTOT and woods between. Said to be from Pz Lehr Div. 147 InfBde (less 6 DWR as stated, 11 RSF immediately on our left preparing to take over wood NORTH of BRONAY from 1/4 KOYLI. 11 RSF took over 1100 hrs. Information about enemy came in steadily all afternoon and by nightfall a comprehensive picture pf the enemy locations had been built up. Bde 'O' Gp at night resulted in 7 DWR having a counter attack role against either 11 RSF or 6 DWR positions. 1/4 KOYLI to attack one of the enemy's main bases at CRISTOT from WEST tomorrow with heavy support from arty and air. 11 RSF to stage "demonstration" to give enemy impression attack coming from NORTH through BRONAY. For this purpose our mortar pl goes under comd 11 RSF. | |||
| Fri 16 Jun | Heavy firing from area 11 RSF caused "stand to" of the Bn in early hrs and little sleep was had. Firing turned out to be fore plan for extricating a KOYLI patrol still in BRONAY. 'O' Gp recce for counter attack role in morning. Before this enemy fighters attacked D Coy - no casualties. 11 RSF advanced and occupied BRONAY and woods SOUTH and 1/4 KOYLI attack on CRISTOT was successful. Bde 'O' Gp at night revealed Bde plan for tomorrow as follows: 6 DWR to capture LE PARC DE BOISLONDE 8768 with set piece attack at 1400 hrs if occupied (patrols from KOYLI at CRISCOT and 6 DWR themselves to find this out); 11 RSF to form firm base in their area 8871; 7 DWR to move tomorrow through 11 RSF and assemble in rear of KOYLI posn prior to a Div attack (two bnsfwd) on FONTENAY LE PESSEL. Bn 'O' Gp 2200 hrs and CO gave orders for this move and previous recce. Bn Int Summary No4 and Bn News sheet issued. Stand To from 2200 to 2300 hrs. |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Jun | 100% Stand to from 0430 to 0530 hrs. CO and IO recced route for today's move to assembly area behind KOYLI at CRISTOT. Bn left ST CROIX GRAND TONNE at 1150 hrs and arrived in assembly area 8771 about half an hr later. LE PARC DE BOISLONDE was occupied in some strength by enemy and 6 DWR were successful after some confused fighting. CO arrived back from Bde 'O' Gp at 1400 hrs with orders for impending attack on FONTENAY LE PESNEL, together with a Bn of 146 InfBde this evening. Bn left assembly area to assemble for attack on line of road CRISTOT - LE HAUTS VENTS, leaving majority of tpt. 'F' Echelon tpt could not get to area by same route as marching personnel owing to two knocked-out SHERMAN tanks on the road and a detour had to be made. Whilst doing this the CO linked up with the Hallamshire Bn of 146 InfBde who were formed up for the joint attack area 8670. Bde called for a representative to go for orders at this stage - 1800 hrs - and the IO was sent. Bn went ahead with original plan. IO returned 1930 hrs with orders to take over posns of 1/4 KOYLI at CRISTOT as operation was postponed for this evening. Bn did so and suffered its first taste of enemy mortaring, which resulted in our first casualties in action this was. No.5049825 Cpl. Hearson E was killed at 2200 hrs and during the night the Bn had 4 casualties. | |||
| Sun 18 Jun | CO proceeded to BdeHQ at 0600 hrs and rang up Bn at 0900 hrs with warning order to be prepared to attack Pt 102 with two coys as it dominated LE PARC DE BOISLONDE feature on which 6 DWR were sitting. The CO returned about noon with orders to attack Pt 102 with two coys at 1400 hrs. At 1300 hrs a counter attack by the enemy drove 6 DWR off LE PARC DE BOISLONDE feature with heavy casualties. The enemy mortared our area steadily from 1330 hrs onwards and the CO rang Bde asking for postponement of the attack. The request was granted. At 1430 hours the QM of 6 DWR arrived with about 100 men, some with arms and equipment and others without. These were hastily allotted to coys and some went into the attack with us. Our attack was in two waves, the first being A and B Coys, followed by C and D Coys, which meant in actual fact that a Bn attack was mounted in a very short time, the original plan being an attack on Pt 102 with A and B Coys. We crossed the SL - track leading SE from 879699 - at 1545 hrs supported by a Sqn of Sherwood Rangers and the DivArty plus two Medium Regts. Heavy casualties were sustained from enemy mortaring on the way to the objective, which was captured at 1700 hrs. 12 enemy, presumed to be from the 12 SS Pz Div "HITLER JUGEND" were accounted for. Our casualties were 1 Officer and 4 ORs killed, Four Officers and 61 ORs wounded, and 18 ORs missing. Capt FC Scholes, OC 'A' Coy, was killed in this our first action. The four officers wounded were Lts Rogers, Bennett, Duncan and Delaney. Lt Bennett sustained his injury from MG fire from enemy aircraft just before crossing the SL. The Bn re-organised in the area immediately NORTH of LE PARC DE BOISLONDE and dug in for the night. An enemy counter attack formed up cornfield 400 yds EAST of LE PARC was spotted by the CO on re-organisation recce and was broken up by the arty fire at once. The counter attack force consisted of infantry and two tanks. Spasmodic shelling and mortaring caused a few more casualties. | |||
| Mon 19 Jun | "Stand To" 0430 hrs. Heavy rain the whole day caused slit trenches and "walks" within the area to become very muddy. Men stood up to the weather very well. Spasmodic shelling and mortaring at intervals during the day. Daylight patrols reported the PARC wood clear of enemy. Standing recce and fighting patrols were found by the Bn in the wood at night. | |||
| Tue 20 Jun | Standing patrols continued in wood throughout the day. News received from patrols that about 40 French civilians and 5 6 DWR soldiers were in Chateau in centre of PARC and had approached us with a note to get them out. This report was treated with suspicion at first but was later found to be correct and we sent back the soldiers and three civilians for interrogation and eventful evacuation by Civil Affairs. Various reports of enemy from patrols during the day. The CO went to Bde and returned with news of 11 DLI taking over from us in this posn and of the future Div attack on FONTENAY and the high ground beyond. Recce parties from 11 DLI arrived and recced their areas. |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOC 49 Div visited us in the evening, toured the forward posns and looked at the country beyond FONTENAY from Intelligence OP. Received first line reinforcements consisting of 2 Officers and 111 ORs. The Officers are Lt Wg Wood and Lt L Merrill. Lt Wood is one of our own first line reinforcement officers. Lt Merrill comes from 10 DWR. During 'Stand to' reports of enemy seen SOUTH of Pt 102, of enemy AFV movement and of smoke screen on left flank, caused 'Stand Down' to be delayed until 0210 hrs. | ||||
| Wed 21 Jun | Civilians in Chateau evacuated by Civil Affairs Officers. Brigadier Mahoney visited posns as a result of which the coy lay out was altered slightly. C Coy Standing Patrol at SOUTH of wood mortared out, the Officer IC, Lt Wood, received slight shrapnel wound in the arm. Recce parties from 11 DLI who are to relieve us so as to allow us to assemble for the forthcoming attack, visited their opposite numbers to view locations. | |||
| Thu 22 Jun | The quietest day since our arrival on the BOISLONDE feature and at long last the sun came out. Advantage taken to finally dry our kits. A heavy 'stonk' by four medium Regts in the afternoon on suspected enemy pl seen digging in on reverse slope area 885685. Other shoots by arty as reports of enemy movements seen from various OPs. Appx 570 Allied bombers flew across Bn front at 2130 hrs through very heavy enemy flak. BnOP at Pt 102 states they dropped bombs on a place bearing 163° magnetic - ? GRANVILLE SUR ODON. One was shot down in flames. The CO had 'O' Gp regarding the forthcoming big attack. | |||
| Fri 23 Jun | Relieved on PARC DE BOISLONDE feature by 11 DLI, starting 0800 hrs and finishing about mid day. Moved back to new area - orchard 880706 - and Bn, after digging in, rested and cleaned up. CO received orders for our attack on feature NORTH of RAURAY 8865 at Bde 'O' Gp in afternoon. Traces of enemy posns and arty support also received. | |||
| Sat 24 Jun | CO briefed all Coy Comds and Comds of supporting arms in afternoon for the forthcoming attack on FONTENAY LE PESNEL and RAURAY by 146 and 147 InfBdes. CO attended Bde 'O' Gp at 1400 hrs and later held his own 'O' Gp at BnHQ to tie up final details for tomorrows big push. No other important events took place. (See Appx 'A'). | (See Appx 'A') | ||
| Sun 25 Jun | Heavy barrage put down on Div front by 8 FdRegts, 5 Medium Regts and 3 4.2 in Mortar Coys, commencing at 0300 hrs. Zero hr for Phase I, the attack by two bns of 146 InfBde and 11 RSF on to FONTENAY was set for 0430 hrs. Owing to the mist and smoke put down by our arty, the situation became confused on 11 RSF front. Coys were out of touch with BnHQ. At 0733 hrs the CO (11RSF) reported that he was beginning to make shape of things, the trouble being that the men had not known where they were. At 0947 hrs visibility become quite good and fighting was reported to be going on in FONTENAY. 146 InfBde captured their objective at 1140 hrs. The Brigadier sent for out CO at 1245 hrs and gave orders for a probable attack by 7 DWR on FONTENAY. Leading coys moved forward to assembly area at 1500 hrs and the CO met the Brigadier again at 1630 hrs. Bn arrives at FUP(876706) at 1700 hrs. CO retuned from his conference with the Brigadier and held Bn 'O' Gp at 2000 hours. Orders were given for a Bn attack on FONTENAY and zero was to be 2100 hrs. The plan of operations was of interest. The Bn had under comd:- Sec 160 FdAmb In spTp 49 Div Recce Regt C Sqn Sherwood Rangers. RAC Tp A.V.R.E. Two Pls MMG, 2 Kens. Two Fd and one MedRegt |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A, B, D Coys with a tp Sherwood Rangers and in turn Tp Avre in sp were given sectors to clear in turn after the 30 mins artyconc on the whole sector was lifted. (See sketch). C Coy and if necessary, Sqn Sherwood Rangers were to exploit ST NICHOLAS Fm. MMGs protected East flank throughout the daylight by fire from area Pt 102. In general the operation went as planned B & D Coys took their objectives in the gathering dusk, in noisy and confused fighting. Houses were burning snipers were legion and the confusion the 'blitzed' village at night produced all the difficulties of re-organisation and control. A Coy passed through when D 'peeled off'. It was now dark. C Sqn Sherwood Rangers against all principles 'nosed' A Coy to the East end of the village and gave them magnificent sp in total darkness until released after midnight to laager at BnHQ. A Coy was short of their objective which was a nest of spandous. It was not possible to push C Coy on, and the Bn stayed "put", but not resting, since digging had to be done. Touch had now been gained with remnants 11 RSF and with Hallams. | ||||
| 26 Jun | At 0300 hrs a patrol from "D" Coy reported tanks and inf at ST NICHOLAS Fm. Our A Tk guns were already up in spite of intense difficulties of finding their way, danger of mines roads and obstructions. A plan was made with H hr at 0600 hrs for C & D to get ST NICHOLAS Fm, sp by Sherwood Rangers Sqn and two Fd and 1 Med Regt. Most unfortunately at 0545 hrs we were informed that no artysp was available due to requirements on breakthrough of 15 (S) Div through CHEUX. This was a serious blow as the attack had to be called off and done much later under much more unfavourable conditions. A Coy was therefore, put into its objective and killed and captures 20-25 Boche of 12 SS Pz Div 'HITLER JUGEND'. This got us south and behind the mysterious 102 reverse slope posn we had pondered about ever since 17 June. At 0930 hrs C & D attacked with one FdRegt and Sqn Tk and were met immediately by some 4 or 5 PANTHERS and Mk IV in the corn. C Coy suffered fairly heavily in open grass fields, but managed to hold on and engage a MK IV successfully with PIAT. Our Shermans could not manoeuvre out from the village and so both C & D were recalled behind the start line. Mortaring, shelling and general enemy activity increased from then on. 8 ArmdBde tried to force its way through on our right, but wer halted by lone Panthers and 88s. At 1530 hrs the Sherwood Rangers (whole Regt) sp by us and three Fd and One MedRegt re-attacked ST NICHOLAS Fm, B Right A left and C & D as form base. Very stiff battle. Tremendous fire fight for 30 mins between tanks, then opposition gave and SR and we went in. Great difficulty in getting vehicles, anti-tk guns, MGs up through village bottlenecks due to intense mortaring. Posn won by 1900 hrs. Re-organised and 11 DLI passed through with 24 Lancers at about 2100 hrs. Objective RAURAY. |
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