War Diary: 7th Green Howards

Month and year: July 1944

The 7th Green Howards July 1944 war diary covers the units actions around the Longraye / Orbois

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1303

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Page 1 of 36

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Field	1	0200	Patrol to village LONGRAYE 7866 to ensure
			Enemy not infiltrating into the buildings
		0430	Patrol returned. No Enemy in the village
			firing by Enemy Mortars from LA POTERIE
			and ONCHY Bombs appeared to be landing
			in the area to the left occupied by the
			6 Green Howards. M.G. fire from ONCHY area.
		0330	Patrol heard tracked vehicle to SOUTH
			travelling EAST-WEST.
		0800	Enemy mortar bombs landing in village of
			LONGRAYE. 7866
		1030	3" Mortars firing on ONCHY792658

		1315	Bde Comd visited the Bn.
		1350	C.O. visited 6 Green Howards.

Page 2 of 36

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Field	1	1450	Smoke Screen 600 yds wide moving to NORTH
			EAST approx 200 yds SOUTH of ONCHY.

		1930	B and C Coys changed positions.

			Night Patrols to LONGRAYE to ensure enemy
			not entering the buildings at night.

	2	0430	Patrol returned Nothing to report.
		1105	Enemy Aircraft straffing area of Bn HQ
		1430	Brig Comd. visited Bn HQ and D Coy.

Page 3 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
3	0440	Patrol returned
		Bn preparing for move to area North of
		LA TAILLE to relieve 6 Green Howards.
	1320	advance Parties moved off.
	1400	First Coy moved off.
		Sub units of Sup Coy and rifle Coys moving
		to new area as relief arrived

	2359	Comd in new area changed hands.
		Dispositions A Coy. 795673 B Coy 794666
		C Coy 792669 D Coy 796670 Bn HQ. 795674

Page 4 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
4	0030	Carrier towing 6 pr hit mine 794664
		Casualties 1 killed 2 injured.
	0115	20 Mortar Bombs landed in Bn area.

	1215	12 Mortar Bombs in Bn area.
	1220	14 " " " in Bn area.
	1222	}Spasmodic Mortaring casualties 1
	1235	}
	1240	4.2 Mortar officers at Bn HQ re ranging
	1320	9 Enemy aircraft straffing positions to
		Right of F.D.Ls
	1345	Brig Comd at Bn HQ.
	1425	20 Mortar Bombs landed in D Coy area
		casualties 1 killed 7 wounded.
	1610	R.A.O.P. report 4.2 Mortars firing short

Page 5 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
4	1820	M.E 109 E circling Bn area.
	1930	air burst over Bn area no damage.
	1935	One shell (105 or 88 mm) in Bn area.
	2000	2 shells (105) in Bn area.
	2035	1 shell in rear of Bn HQ.
	2045	1 shell
	2115	3 shells in near of Bn HQ.
	2225	14 Mortar shells in Bn area.
	2311	17 Mortar shells fell 500 yds W and 500 yds
		E of C Coy.

		Patrol to LA TAILLE area not able
		to make progress due to enemy movement
		and fire.

Page 6 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information




5	0600	2 Enemy (1 Pole and 1 German) surrendered
		to C Coy.

	1055	}6 Mortar Bombs landed in Bn area.
	1110	}
	1500	30 Mortar Bombs 'B' Coy area.

	2000	Patrols from D Coy probing fwd of
		coy posns. Spandar and Mortar fire from
		enemy. No enemy seen M.G. posns and
		snipers located.

Page 7 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
5	2130	2 Lt. G Louis and 25 O.R's set out on
		patrol to deal with enemy in LA TAILLE
		sector advanced 30 - 40yds and Enemy
		immediately countered by mortar and arty D.F.
		tasks on fwd posns creeping back to our rear
		posns. Spandar fired continually at fwd
		tps; Enemy M.G. teams crept fwd to within
		grenade range of D Coy who replied with
		S.A fire and grenades. Total expended
		4 boxes grenades 5000 rds 303.
		casualties in Bn 5 wounded.
		Estimated No of Energy shells in Bn area
		250
6	0130	Our arty fired conc on LA TAILLE and
		ONCHY

Page 8 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
		Lt Louis returned complete. Unable to
		establish O.P. party as intended.



6	0825	3 Mortar Bombs in Bn area.
	1035	spasmodic enemy mortaring total of 27 bombs
		Our 3" Mortar and 4.2" Mortar firing in
		retaliation with success.
	1530	A Coy changed posns with D Coy.
		B and C coys change over arranged for 7 July
		Final posns. Bn HQ. uncharged
		A Coy 796670 B Coy 794666
		C Coy 792669 D Coy. 795673

Page 9 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
6		Copy of Major Gullets article in the	app. J
		LONDON TIMES attached

7	1040 - 1045	5 shells - Bn area,
		Standing Patrols established at 795664, 796664 797664.
	1430	Fighting Patrol under Lieut Pickford from
		A Coy moved out in endeavour to reach
		track running EAST from LA TAILLE.
		Patrol established firm base at 797664 and then
		patrol comd and party moved EAST to hedge junc
		798665. Patrol Comd and N.C.O. wounded by
		M.G. fired at close range. Remainder of patrol
		returned.
	1810	1 NCO. and 3 (incl 2. Stretcher Bearers)

Page 10 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
7		set out to bring in wounded. This party
		were pinned down by MG five and the N.C.O
		wounded.
	1835	124 Fd arty fired smoke to assist withdrawal
		of patrol. Not successful enemy too near to
		own tps.
	1845	3" Mortars and arty firing smoke and H.E. to
		distract the enemy unsuccessful.
	1800	Brigade Comd visited Bn HQ and stayed
		during the efforts to extricate the patrol
		party.
		final result of patrol 2 men returned
		one in daylight the other during the hour
		of darkness.
	1500	Patrol from B Coy reached 795664 and

Page 11 of 36

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	7		located a German sentry 10 yds away. Grenades
			were thrown and Stens fired but the
			sentry was joined by an enemy section
			who fired automatic quickly but inldly
			a deep ditch and hedge prevented our patrol
			from observing and firing upon the energy.
			Patrol withdrew and enemy were engaged with
			2" Mortars. Enemy became quite active.
			Outpost then established by B Coy at
			796664
			B and C Coy changed positions.
			2 Men of 'C' Coy were wounded by
			premature 2" Mortar bomb.
			Final posns. A Coy 796670 B Coy 792669
			C Coy. 794666 A Coy 795673 Bn HQ unchanged

Page 12 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
8	0730	C Coy had small party firing 2" Mortar
		and L.M.G. at known enemy posns in the
		area of LA TAILLE. Results unknown.
8	0805	Shelling of A Coy 1 direct hit upon a
		weapon pit. casualties 1. Total shells 9.
	1100	C Coy again firing 2" Mortar and L.M.Gs at
		LA TAILLE.
		3" Mortars firing upon targets as detailed
		by Brigade H.Q.
	2030	Enemy sniper active on A Coy front
		1 man killed.

Page 13 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
9	1155	3" Mortars firing upon known enemy
	1815	positions as detailed by Brigade HQ.

	1830	Party of Energy know to be in strength
		moving from copse at 790653 due North
		to pt 789650. Engaged by arty and turned
		WEST along track at 787650 eventually
		hiding in small copse in this area. This
		party later proved to be part of the counter
		attack force directed against 56 Bde in the
		Bois du ST. GERMAINE area.

	1950	A & D Coy changed positions

Page 14 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
9	2000	arty and 3" Mortars fire plan put down.
	2005
	2010	1 man of C Cay wounded by enemy sniper
		for LA TAILLE sector.

	2020	Spasmodic mortaring of 'B' Coy by enemy.
		1 casualty.
		Bn HQ. unchanged A Coy 795673
		B Coy. 792669 C Coy 794666
		D Coy. 796670
10	0930	Brens firing at enemy outpost posn near
		LA TAILE results unknown.
	1030	C.O. of 6. D.L.I. visited Bn HQ and area
		re change over.
	1100	Recce party left for new area.

Page 15 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
10	1300	A Coy is reserve moved out to new area.
		to relieve 6 Green Howards
	1430	A Coy report in position.

	1530	C' Coy moved to new area.
	1800	6 D.L.1. commenced take-over.
	2100	Hand over complete command changed
		hands.
		Bn located in new area.
		Bn HQ. 779685 A Coy. 786665
		B Coy. 781670 C. Coy 778683 D Coy. 785684.

		Outpost established fwd of church in LONGRAYE

Page 16 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
11	0600	P.W. surrendered to outpost. He was a
		Dutchman who had worked for a munition
		factory at SAARBRUCKEN and had used a
		German uniform to get through into Our
		lines.

	1720	Bde Comd visited Bn.
		Bn had Bath and cinema allottments.

		Normal standing Patrol fwd of Church
		in LONGRAYE relieved at last light.

Page 17 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
12	1030	First light Standing Patrol of 1 Sec
		relieved.
	1030	Enemy shells landing at 791664. C.O.
		visiting the standing Patrol.
		PIAT team practising offrs firing 6 pt.
	2016	A Coy moved to New Position 779668.
	1500	2" Mortars firing at ORCHARD south of
		Xrds. LONGRAYE.
	1615	3" Mortars firing on wood at 795658.


13		Study Patrol still being maintained
		3" Mortars firing targets 786658
		787654 and 786658 during the day.
	1400	2" Mortars fired on target 786658.

Page 18 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
13		Bn sand table tent and discussions
		all day Subject :- "Hedge to hedge fighting"
		all officer and sgts present plus support
		Coy platoons and all supporting arms
		Comds incl R.As and 8 armd Bde.
		Exercise lasted till 1800 hrs.
		Demonstration by 2 i/c of PIAT fired
		as Anti Personnel weapon.
	2100	A Coy were relieved by 61 Recce Regt.
		Bn preparing to move to new area and
		relive the 5 East Yorks.
	2200	1 pl. "C" Coy standing by to protect
		R.E. mine laying party.

Page 19 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
14	1130	Bn commenced to take over from the
		5 East Yorks. 1 Pl. A Coy were to relive
		the fwd pl of the 61 Recce Regt
		LONGRAYE.
	1430	Change over complete new positions
		Bn HQ. 772662 A Coy 774667
		B Coy 775665 C Coy 777663
		D Coy 777656.

	2030	D + x personnel arrived.

		Patrol Comd from 5 E.Y. talked to
		Pl Comds 9 w. cos on known routes and
		tracks and enemy dispositions

Page 20 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
15		Bn fairly quiet little enemy activity
	1400	Brigade Comd visited the Bn area.

		Night Patrols briefed to go to LA
		POTERIE. and one to the buildings
		to the S.E.

		Both patrols returned safe neither
		reached objective enemy movement and
		reactions restricted activities.
16	0030	Lt. Wroe. and 2 proceeded to 784660 and listened
		sentries believed to be at 785659.
	0500	Patrol returned complete

Page 21 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
16	0030	Lt Nicholson and 2 ORs. proceeded as for
		as 781655 heard enemy movements and
		digging. Single shots were fired upon the
		patrol at 778665.
	0500	Patrol returned complete
	1100	Bde report 20-30 Enemy tks
		road running EAST - WEST in front of
		Bn posns.
		Patrol for C Coy moved along road
		to LONGRAYE and returned without seeing
		any enemy or receiving any fire.
		61 Recce affirm tks still there.
	1500	Lt F.F. Lawson and recce patrol to track to
		WEST of LA POTERIE returned without

Page 22 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
16		seeing tks and reported track not good
		for tracked vehicles. No sign of track marks
		on the track.

	1615	Lt. Louis and Fighting Party moved fwd towards
		LA POTERIE' 785655. Engaged by enemy in
		LA POTERIE when about 80yds short.
		Patrol replied with STEN and S.AA and managed
		to put 2 out of 5 PIAT bombs through
		the roof of a enemy occupied building.
		Patrol returned complete.
	2000	24 the mortar bombs landed in
		area of fwd left Coys O.P.

		Pl. of A Coy under Lt. D.A.L. DAVIES

Page 23 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
16		moved to 783666 with fwd port at 764676.

		Fighting Patrol to EAST of LA POTERIE to
		783651 had no success did not meet enemy
		patrols but had not sufficient the to
		locate and deal with him. Patrol to discover
		enemy mines etc set at.

17	0500	Mines patrol returned. Br. or culvert at 778652
		not prepared for demolition. No mines located
		on the N - S. road.

	1330	2 shells landed fwd of B Coy failed
		to explode.

Page 24 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
18	0001	Patrol of 1 Sgt and 6 to recce farm 783651
		to take a P.W. or make a identification
	0445	Patrol returned. Patrol reached 782654
		heard movement and voices close to the SOUTH.
		Gun movement caused enemy to lay doggo.
		Movement heard from farm at 783651.
		Half track vehicle heard. Mortar firing from
		area of 787655;
	0600	3 Polish P.Ws surrendered to D Coy.
	0730	2 P.Ws surrendered to D Coy.
	0830	Patrol Sgt Midgly and Pl. moved on EAST
		of NORTH - SOUTH road. to 782652. Met no
		opposition captured 3 P.Ws. found body of

Page 25 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
18		Capt D.G. Pules??? and 1 Private soldier
		unidentified. Established in this position for
		the day.
	1030	Patrol to LA POTERIE reported the farm
		buildings clear.
	1400	Patrol to LA POTERIE and then WEST
		to contact Pl. in posn. Returned to
		report all buildings clear teller mines in
		area of LA POTERIE on the tr 785658.
	1500	Patrol to ORCHARD south of LONGRAYE
		787660. reported area clear.
	1730	Standing Patrol from LONGRAYE moved first
		to establish in the ORCHARD met an enemy
		patrol shots were exchanged and we suffered
		1 casualty.

Page 26 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
18	1730	Patrol through LA POTERIE to buildings
		to SOUTH 788656 located crashed Br.
		fighter and when approaching nearer to ONCHY
		were fired on by M.G. from this area.
	1830	Patrol with volunteer P.W. (Polish) set
		out to lift mines 779652. Lifted several
		Mines and booby traps in wood at 779649.




19	0015	L. Lawson and 1 O.R. Recce Patrol to
		lateral road at 788644
	0430	Patrol returned had reached 785647 and
		bumped enemy patrol without a clash.

Page 27 of 36

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	19		Mobile column of 'B' Coy Carriers 1Tp
			of Tks and A/tk guns moved off under
			May. HR.D. Oldman N.C. 2 i/c Bn.
			axis of advance Xrds 776655 S.E
			to 784645 hindered only by fwd going on
			the road.
			A Coy meanwhile advanced cross country
			to LE LION VERT Xrds 796648 without
			opposition and there awaited the mobile column.
			The column turned EAST along the lateral
			road and reached LE LION VERT without
			opposition. The column then proceeded SOUTH
			along the N - S. road. Slight enemy opposition
			was encountered from the Chateau du Bus.
			arty and tk fire moved the enemy and

Page 28 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
19		INF and carriers then proceeded SOUTH
		to the area of ORBOIS Chateau 801638 meeting
		little or no opposition. The column was then
		halted to allow flanking tps to make up
		the necessary ground to keep the line
		solid.
		A Coy moved up astride the road
		at 795646 . Bn HQ (tac) was established
		at 795646. The enemy was now shelling
		the area of the X rds and slight casualties
		were suffered in Bn HQ.
	1800	The two Coys C & D and Bn HQ arrived
		in the area and a firm defence was established
		Meanwhile B Coy were meeting opposition
		from Enemy who were now infiltrating back

Page 29 of 36

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	19		into our lines. B. Coy were quite happy
			and replying to the enemy fire.
			The Bn firm defence was established
			as follows
			A Coy 795646. B Coy 794647.
			C Coy 793638. D Coy 798640 .
			Bn HQ. 796644.
			The enemy were mortaring and shelling
			the whole area frequently. The Xrds at
			LE LION VERT came under enemy fire.

Page 30 of 36

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	20		Bn positions unchanged.
			Continual shelling and mortaring of the
			whole of the Bn area .
			all posns were dug deeper and the
			whole defence stiffened
			Contact was made with the 6 DLI.
			on our left and the 6 Green Howards
			on the Right.
			Rain commenced early afternoon
			No direct contact with the enemy
			who were however firing MGs from the
			area of the Chateau ORBOIS.

Page 31 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
21	1115	Brigadier visited the Bn.
	1215	of recce patrol under Lt. G. R. Louis went out to find whether or not the
		buildings at La Potence 783656 were occupied by the enemy : the patrol
		withdrew after being fired on by an LMG and a small calibre mortar.
	1520	Orbois Chau. 8063 was visited by a patrol led by Sgt Potterton M.M. Two spandaus revealed their positions by firing on the patrol, which then withdrew. Casuellies during the day, one OR killed One reinforcement joined the Bn.
22	0200	The Bn area was heavily shelled & mortared.
	0500	Our standing patrol at 795636 reported spandaus firing along the track from the East, presumably from Les Landes, 7863, where spandaus had previously been reported. The patrol withdrew.
	1130	3" Mortars engaged targets at 801626 and 79056265. Bn area was shelled periodically during the day. Casuallies, two ORs killed
23	0905	Bn area mortared

Page 32 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	1350	Brigadier visited Bn
	1400	A patrol went out to recce area of wood 7963. They were fired on from 796636, and
		returned through 795637 and tried another route further East. The wood was
		entered, and movements observed there. Lt Nicholson brought his patrol back
		by the same route, and on entering the Bn area it was fired on a
		gain from the farm immediately West of Orbois Chau 8063
	1750	Carrier was blown up by a teller mine 100yds from Bde H.Q. One of the occupants killed
		Bn area was again shelled spasmodically throughout the day.
24	1220	A German patrol, 9 or 10 strong, entered farm at 795637 , and fired on, and
		were fired on by our O.P. at 794637. The OP. was pinned down
		C' Coy, at that time night fwd Coy, opened fire and scored direct hits on
		the form with PIAT bombs. The enemy however, succeeded in getting
		away, along the track to Les Landes. Investigation later revealed
		a pool of blood near the buildings.
	1230	Enemy dropped one smoke bomb in C. Coy area.
	1340	We broadcast to the enemy to encourage desertion, from a position at 803637

Page 33 of 36

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
			This had no result whatsoever.
		1330	A Pl of D.Coy moved down to Orbois Chau 8063: a Pl of B Coy moved to 804638:
			a Carrier sec. moved to 716637 - 798638. Under comd O.C. D. Coy, the above fired
			with brens and mortars, on 806637, 803633, 805637, 799634 . 124 Fld Rgt and our
			3" mortars also fired on these and other targets in Orbois area
		1500	A' & 'D' Coys changed over posns ie A Coy to 798642. D Coy to 798646.
		2000	4 or 5 of the enemy appeared at Orbois Chau walking in the open unnarmed. for an
			hour or more, A.Coy gave them every chance to come into our lines,
			thinking this was a result of the mornings broadcast in German.
			There was no result, so suspecting a trap, A Coy opened fire;
			snipers killed two enemy.
		2100	Enemy at Orbois Chau. increased in number to 10-12
			movements in this area continued during the night.
			Enemy mortar fire experienced during the day.
			Cas. one killed

Page 34 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
25	0500	Two enemy captured at farm 795637
	0900	Enemy still in area Orbois Chau. One probably killed, one wounded, by our snipers.
	1140	Snipers report on return having seen one man standing in doorway of
		cottage 803637. Two rounds were find; man was killed.
	1645	Bn area was shelled, two casualties resulted.
		A fighting patrol, led by Lt Skerratt went out towards cottage 803637 (not marked
		on maps 25000.34/16.S.W) . They were spotted by the enemy, when at 803641. They crept
		round the next hedge to the East, made a detour, and then saw a German
		officer a N.C.O. on the other side of their hedge. These were both killed by Sten
		fire. Two spandau teams in the same field were fired on with Stens & Brens,
		and were all killed or severely wounded; the latter shoot was at 10-15 yds range.
		Patrol returned having suffered no casualties.
	1700	A recce patrol went to area E. of Orbois Chau and reported enemy movement,
		knocking in of stakes, and a running engine.
		Some enemy shelling during day,
		Casualties four wounded.

Page 35 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
26		Some mortaring of Bn area in morning and afternoon
		Casualties four wounded
		Thirteen reinforcements joined Bn
27	0530	Bn area shelled
	0900	CO's conference, information given about move to rest area, les Fiettees 7073, and
		coming relief by 2.Dorsets.
	1030	Sgt hawg??? takes out patrol to wood 795633
	1130	adv. party leaves for new Bn. location
		Patrol under Sgt having having reached edge of wood, was fired on by
		a spandau and 2 other automatic weapons from line of track between
		them and our FDLs. Patrol was pinned down fire from fwd
		Coys. enabled half of patrol to reenter our lines via the farm at 795637
		remainder of patrol (4),thought to be wounded were unable to return,
		and now missing.
	1930	Dorsets A/T guns of carriers arrived
		Bn prepared to move

Page 36 of 36

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	2030	B.H.Q. moves to location of Dorset B.H.Q.
	2100	Rifle Coys prepare to move off
	2245	Comd. handed over to Dorsets.
28	0100	Rifle Coys settled is rest area, having marched up the main Bayeux rd
		from le Lion Vert.
		Baths & E.N.S.A. arranged for troops.
29		Training during the morning
	1400	Whole Bn moves to see show by George Formby at 782735
30		Church Pde. in the morning; Bn rests the remainder of the day,
		apart from those attending films.
31		Rest Period routine.
	0900	Coys Pde.
		PT. & Drill during the morning.
	1300	Pde for film show.
	1700	Pde for film show.

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War Diary: 7th Green Howards

Month and year: July 1944

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