War Diary: 7th Bn Royal Tank Regiment

Month and year: December 1944

The 7th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment December 1944 war diary covers the units actions in area around Mardyck and Loon-Plage

A map (Ardres Sheet 39 & 28, 1:50,000) for the grid references in this document can be found at online at University of Texas library

National Archive Reference: WO 171/868

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Page 1 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Field.	1		At first light A Sqn relieved B Sqn in Mardick area. Nothing to report during the day. Night quiet. Own patrolling in fwd areas continued.
	2		Arty OP's attached to this unit continued to fire on enemy movement observed during the day. Own arty harrassing fire according to C.R.A's
			gun programme. During the night about 16 enemy aircraft were over Dunkirk and many containers are believed to have been dropped.
	3		At first light B Sqn relieved C Sqn in Pont a'Roseaux sector. Normal day.
			Own arty harrassing fire continues. During the night the enemy fired hy. calibre shells which landed on the Loon Plage - Bourbourg Rd. No damage
			caused. Just after midnight a patrol from B Sqn made contact with an enemy patrol at 167823. A fire fight ensued which resulted in the enemy
			patrol withdrawing. One or two of the enemy were wounded. Our casualties were nil.
	4		The morning produced only own arty fire. Enemy's guns were quiet on whole
			sector. At 1500 hrs a patrol of F.F.I. from Mardick approached the enemy out post at Gde Predembour It was not until they were within 50 yds of
			the Fme that the enemy fired on them. They then made a dash into the place and succeeded in killing one German and capturing another.
			During the night enemy planes were again over Dunkirk. 1 Deserter gave himself up to B Sqn in the area of the factory at 174815.
	5	0730	Another deserter from the Dunkirk Garrison presented himself to B Sqn. Own arty fire increased during the day. Some enemy arty fired at our fwd areas.
			Continued/overleaf.

Page 2 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field.	5	During the night an enemy patrol in strength approached the fwd Sqn in the
		Mardick area, but were driven off by Tank gun fire and MG fire. Several OPs reported rockets being fired from the Dunkirk area, No
		explosion was heard from the source of firing. OPs were unable to establish size of these rockets.
	6	Some arty and mortar fire by enemy. Own arty harrassing fire continues.
		The German Rocket Projector (28/32cm Nebelwenfer 41) was fired against enemy posns in the Gde Synthe area by own tps. About 12 rounds were fired
		in all. The enemy were quick in retaliation and fired about 16 rounds of mortar. Although they fell in the vicinity of the Nebelwenfer no damage was
		done either to the weapon or the personnel firing it. Enemy aircraft continued to drop supplies to the Dunkirk garrison. Bofors
		guns were successful in shooting down one He.III in this area.
	7	Enemy shelling was spasmodic during the day, with fire from his 150mm and 88mm guns.
		At 1500 hrs RHQ Tanks fired at Gde Predembourg. Shooting was good. Enemy quickly replied with about 15 88mm HE shells without causing any damage or
		casualties. Own patrols were active during the night. Enemy patrols were confirmed to
		be in the Pont a'Roseaux sector where clashes with our own patrols took place.
		Continued/Overleaf.

Page 3 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Field.	8		More mines were laid in our fwd areas, with the majority in the North
			Clearing of mines in rear areas continues. Patrols in daylight found the bodies of two dead Germans in area of patrol skirmish the previous night in
			the Pont a'Roseaux sector. Night was quiet apart from enemy shelling on the Mardick sector.
	9		Clearance of minefields continued in rear areas. Detachment of French Marines arrived. Come under command. To be given the
			task of protecting coastal flank of Mardick sector. The day was spent by them organizing themselves. HQ buildings 147838.
		1710	Loone Plage area shelled by hy calibre guns (150 mm. Enemy guns were
			generally active throughout the day. Own C.B.Fire and harrassing fire increased. Own patrols were active during the night. Violent explosions
			heard from Dunkirk area.
	10		Fresh mines laid in Northern part of Mardick sector. Reorganizing of posns in view of arrival of French Marine detachment. Contemplated posn Shelter
			15458440 with outpost on dunes.
		1645	French Marine patrol at Shelter 154844 fired on by 2 Spandaus from 165848. 1 Marine killed. MG's fire stonked by own Arty. Own and enemy arty activity
			throughout the day.
			More violent explosions from Dunkirk during the night. Probably demolations.
	11	0700	Enemy interest was again centred around the Mardick sector. Enemy MGs and riflemen fired on our fwd troops from 158838. This was promptly answered by
			our tanks and an hour later French Marines supported by fire from a Troop of Tks cleaned up the area.
			Continued/overleaf.

Page 4 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Field.	11		During the morning enemy arty concentrations fell in the Mardick sector.
			Additional A.P. Mines were laid by us from the dunes at 156846 South to 156842. Night quiet.
	12	0700	A. B Sqn relieved C Sqn in the Mardick sector.
		1600	Tanks of A & B Sqns carried out a direct shoot on outposts at Gde Predembourg and Fme Devez. 28/32cm rocket projectiles were also fired at Gde Predembourg
			from the Mardick area. The shoot was successful and direct hits were scored on M.G. nests just NORTH of Fme Devez.
			Enemy counter fire was poor, no doubt due to the C.B.fire plan laid on with F.O.O's of 2 Cdn Hy AA. At end of shoot enemy put down concentrations on
			Gde Predembourg. Enemy patrol activity during the night was increased and our patrols had minor clashes on both sectors.
			Continued/overleaf

Page 5 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field.	13	Day quiet. Own arty harrassing fire continues according to C.R.A's gun
		programme. Own patrols active during the night. French Marines contacted enemy patrol in Sq. 1484, and opened fire on them. An effort to cut them off
		on their return journey was unsuccessful.
	14	During day enemy arty quiet except for few 150mm Rds on Loone Plage at 2005 hrs. Considerable enemy noise and movement of H.D. vehicles was heard in
		the Gde Synthe area. This was soundly "stonked" by supporting arty. Nothing more was heard.
	15	At first light C Sqn relieved A Sqn in Pont a'Roseaux Sector. Tk gunners
		carried out firing practices on range constructed on dunes at 122838. At 1445 hrs a-small number of Mitchell bombers bombed the area of Fort
		Mardick. Enemy 150mm guns again fired on Loone Plage during the afternoon. No damage or casualties. On local patrol activity during the night.
	16	Uneventful day. Enemy shelling of Loon Plage in afternoon continues. Enemy patrols active during the night.
	17	Own arty harrassing fire continues. Cdn F.O.O's brought fire to bear on movement observed in enemy lines. Enemy 150mm guns again fired at Loon
		Plage during the afternoon. These guns are fired from the large Font- Ouvnage Quest and are in emplacements. Fire from own guns have no effect
		on them whatsoever. During the night a patrol of about 30 men were observed advancing from Gde
		Synthe area. This was effectively broken up by the F.O.O. of the Czech Fd Regt. Each fwd Sqn has a representative from the Czech Fd Regt who stays
		with the Sqn night and day.
		Continued/overleaf.

Page 6 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field.	17	Both are on a direct line to their guns. The Sqn Ldr can therefore ask
		for fire, and get the rounds bursting on the ground in a matter of minutes. Heavy explosions were heard coming from the Dunkirk area during the night.
	18	A Sqn relieved B Sqn in Mardick sector at first light.
		Own arty continued with predicted gun programme shoots. Visibility also enabled F.O.O' to bring down observed fire on enemy occupied posns.
		During the afternoon Czech Bde representatives fired the captured 28/32cm Nebelwerfer at Gde PREDBRIBOURG and occupied buildings in the vicinity. In all
		12 of these rockets were fired. A piece of ground in the Mardick area giving good cover was used as a firing posn, with line communication to one
		of our own observation posts, from where corrections were given. The maximum accurate range of the weapon is about 1800 yds. Quiet night.
	19	Own Arty fired gun programme predicted shoots. Fire by observation not possible owing to ground mist. Night uneventful.
	20	Thick mist over whole area. During the morning a small A Sqn patrol made its way towards Gde Predembourg. When almost in Gde Predembourg the mist
		suddenly cleared and revealed them to the occupants of Gde Predembourg who opened up with MG!S. The officer from A Sqn who was leading the patrol was
		wounded. The remainder of the patrol managed to get back to our own lines along with the officer. Own patrols were out during the night. No enemy
		patrols contacted.
	21	B Sqn relieved C Sqn in Pont a'Roseaux sector. Mist over whole sector. The Czech Fd Regt have sited in the Clipon Area 3 captured French 155mm
		guns. A third Coy of French from the 110 Bn have come under command of this Regt.
		Continued/overleaf.

Page 7 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Field.	21		They have been given the task of (a) intercepting enemy patrols along the
			beaches and (b) to give protection to the 155mm guns. The guns are situated at 122838. French Coy HQ at 122837, with strongpoint at 122844
			from which standing patrols to the beach are maintained. Orders to French Coy attached at Appendix "D".	appx 'D'
			Own patrols were active during the night and skirmishes took place in both Mardick and Pont a'Roseaux sectors.
			The newly established French posn at 122844 also made contact with an enemy patrol of three men who quickly retired after a few bursts from the Bren
			gun.
	22		Visibility was Nil and prevented attached F.O.O's from doing any observed shoots. Gun programme shoots continue. Enemy arty fire Nil.
		2310	Own patrol moving in area 175816 saw 10 Germans enter house, Fire from
			Czech Fd Arty was put down, which was extremely accurate. No further enemy movement was observed until 0455 hrs when the French Marines engaged an
			enemy patrol in area 149839. After an exchange of small arms fire the enemy patrol withdrew. An effort to trap them proved unsuccessful.
	23		Visibility still poor. Only fwd enemy posns could be engaged by F.O.O's An A/P Mine barrier was laid at 149841 for protection of French Marines.
			Day and night was quiet and uneventful.
	24		An abnormal amount of movement during the night was heard in the Gde Synthe area. This was fired on by Czech Fd Arty.
	25		Apart from daily gun programme the whole front was quiet. All ranks in high spirits, and enjoyed a Christmas fare of Chicken,
			Christmas pudding, and mince pies.
			Continued/overleaf.

Page 8 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field.	25	Beer, cigarettes and cigars also added to their enjoyment. Night quiet.
	26	Temperature several degrees below freezing point. All floods covered with
		ice. During the afternoon the 28/32cm Nebelwerfer rockets were fired at Gde Predembourg from the Mardick area, Gen......................... of the
		Czechoslovak Army and a Czechoslovak Press men witnessed the shoot. Own patrols were active during the night.
		The night was otherwise quiet except for a lone enemy aircraft which machine gunned posns at Mardick.
	27	B Sqn was relieved by A Sqn in the Pont a'Roseaux sector.
		No enemy activity on this sector. Own activity reduced to programe shoots by Czech Fd Regt and 2 Cdn AA Regt. Night quiet.
	28	Own harrassing fire only. No enemy activity.
	29	Own Arty activity increased. Fine weather and visibility enabled attached F.O.O's to carry out observed shoots, on known enemy posns. Enemy arty fire Nil.
	30	Rain and Fog reduced visibility to less than 500 yds. Supporting arty only able to fire programme shoots. Enemy activity Nil, Own patrols active during the night.
	31	Tanks carried out a successful shoot on Gde Synthe, and Gde Predembourg The enemy was quick to retaliate with 88mm HE.
		Continued/overleaf.

Page 9 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
Field.	31	This is the first time he has fired in this sector for several days. Own
		harrassing fire continue a throughout the day. At night enemy patrols were active in the Pont a'Roseaux sector. Own
		patrols contacted the enemy in buildings at 17808202. A machine gun duel took place. Own patrol eventually withdrew and buildings were
		stonked by Arty.

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War Diary: 7th Bn Royal Tank Regiment

Month and year: December 1944

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