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War Diary: 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Month and year: June 1944

The June 1944, war diary for the 8th Durham Light Infantry covers their embarkation at Southampton, landing in Normandy and fighting inland to area Buceels

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1289

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WO 171/1289 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
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War Diaries That Reference 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

The 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry are mentioned in 6 other war diaries from June 1944.

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Page 1 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
The first three days of the invasion the Bn met
little opposition, what opposition was met was
quickey pushed aside and the Bn continues
pushing inland. On the 9th JUNE the Bn was
under cmd 8 Armd Bde with the intention of
capturing the TESSEN BRETTVILLE feature. Owing to
strong enemy opposition with Tks and infantry we
reached ST. PIERRE and remained there for three days.
It was intended that this salient would be
broadend by 7 Armd Div moving on our right
towards TILLY-SUR-SEULLES, This did not
materalise owing to the enemy's strong A/Tk defenses.
The Bn relieved under cmd 151 Durham Inf Bde
Page 2 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
From then onwards though continually facing the enemy
we were not engages in any large scale
operations. Offensive patrolling by day and night
gave us considerable info about the enemy
Counter Bty and counter mortar work reached a
high standard.
Supporting arms: the first few days the Bn
was supported by 90 Fd Regt (S.P.) and
later by 286 Bty. 74 Fd Regt. and 107 A/TKTODO - Check these are units
Bty.
approx total of P.Ws taken and checks by this
Bn ammounted to 96 all ranks. Some P.Ws.
report hy cas. by our mortaringTranscription note: Writing not clear on this line
Page 3 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
CAMP.17 Toothill 3 1400 By 1400 hrs the Bn had moved in T.C.Vs. by serials
HANTS. from C.17. to SOUTHAMPTON Docks. as the troops
were embarking the P.M., General Smuts and
Mr Ernest Bevin M.P. walked along the ranks.
4 During the day the Bn was allowed
ashore for recreational training and feeding at
SOUTHAMPTON REST CAMP.
5 Routine as for previous day.
AT. SEA. 2030 Sailed out of SOUTHAMPTON Docks. as the L.C.Is
sailed past the lsle of WIGHT. maps of FRANCE
showing the invasion beaches were issued. down to
PLN SJTS. Hand books giving information of FRANCE
were issues to troops.
6 0800 Coast of FRANCE sighted.
1000 The LCIs containing the Bn approached the beaches
Page 4 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
ATSEA. 6 but orders were recieved stand off for a
short time.
1130 Bn HQ ship beached on KING. beach
Ref map FRANCE 1/12500 VER-SUR- MERE SheetNo 83. and moved along BLACK ROUTE (track 918868).
to A.A at 910855.
1210 'A' Coy beaches. and arrived in A.A. by 1305 hrs.
1330 C & D Coys reported into A.A.
C.O meets Brigade Cmdr at 911854
1335 M.T.O reports to Bn HQ.
1350 L.O. from Bn sent to Bde.
1355 Brigadier arrives at Be HQ.
1/25000 Sheet 37/18 SE CREULLY 1400 B. Coy left Bn to cross track MR.862823.
Capt Woodruff O.C. Carrier Pln reported to Bn HQ
with 6 carriers.
Page 5 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
" 6 1530 R.H.O. wounded and evacuated
1545 Bn prepare to move in rear of 6 & 9 / D.L.I.
1604 Bn moves off in the following order 'A' Coy 'C' Coy.
Bn HQ. as mobile Coln. consisting of A/TK Guns???
Carriers and 'D' Coy on bicycles.
1620 Outercept report that 6/DLI approaching CREPON.
" 1700 Bn passes through MEUVAINES
1730 Outercept report 9/DLI progressing well.
" 1810 A Coy passes first report line 865825
1835 B' Coy rejoining Bn and fell in behind Bn HQ as
'A' 'C' & B in HQ passes through.
1840 40 Enemy AFVs. reported at 875773 approaching
CRUELLY.
1853 Bn passess second report line at 840817.
1915 Bn halted in fwd A.A. area 836815.
Page 6 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
" 6 1945 Capt H.E.C.B. Catford OC A/Tk Pln reported to
Bn HQ.
1/25000 Sheet 37/18SW. 2000 Coys in posn and digging in. A Coy 831834
RYES. B Coy 835811 C Coy 840813 'D'. Coy 842804
" Bn HQ 835816.
2005 A Coy send 3 PW to Bn HQ.
C.O & I.O Go to Bde HQ.
2020 C.O. & I.O. return from Bde HQ called for 'O' Groups.
and issues orders for defense of area held.
2230 Col. R.P. Lidwill Dso takes over comd of Bde during
the absence of Brig RH. Senior Dso. reported missing
Major A.H Dunn assumes Comd of Bn.
2245 7 P.W arrives from 'A' Coy.
night 6/7 2 Lt J. Hannah M.M. made contact with 56 Bde.
1/25,000 Sheet CRUELLY 37/18 SE Lt W.H.W. Gallows patrolles area PIERRE SOLLAINE where
it was reported there was still odd enemy. No enemy found
Page 7 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
1/25000 Sheet 37/18S.W. CREULY. 7 0430 Bn stands to.
0550 Bn. stands down.
0645. C.O & I.O. visit fwd Coys and issue orders for
move fwd.
" 0700 Coys move from area SOMERVIEU.
0720 6/DLI mobile colm reports to be active Railway
SOUTH of BAYEUX.
1/25,000 Sheet 37/16 NW BAYEUX 0805 Bn HQ was at 827766 A Coy 815768 B Coy 828774
C Coy 820763 D Coy 822777.
1100 Bn dig in.
" 1235 A Coy - captures 1 offr & 55 ORs area 815708.
1500 Capt. PG Hampson & Lt Gibson OC. Carriers
patroling area woods VAUX-SUR-SEULLES. - to clean
up snipers.
1615 Capt. Woodruff OC Carriers returnes from area CREPON.
Page 8 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
" 7 Where they had been hunting snipers. Some enemy
engaged and rounded up.
1630 Lt Col. R.P. Lidwill DSO. and Brig RH Senior SDO go
to A.D.S in A Coy area where Brig. had a wound
dessed which he recieved on D Day. when
captured by enemy area CREPON. Brig escapes
during diversion caused by Carriers.
1730 Be stands to as enemy TKs are reported moving
N.W. towards posns.
1835 Capt Hampson's patrol returned having nothing to report.
Tk alert over.
2120 Lt Col R.P. Lidwill visites Bn and give orders
for defense and patrols for that night.
2145 Patrol from B Coy patrol W. bank of R. SEULLE
" from 839768 to 838763.
Page 9 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
" 7 2305 1 Off & 1 SJT arrive at Bn HQ from D Coy.
8 0605 Joint post with 69 Bde establish at LA RIVIERE
1/25000 sheet 37/16 NE THAON 8474 Capt J. Karlliffer??? 2 I/C. 'D' Coy O.C. joint post.
0650 A/Brig??? visits Bn HQ.
- 1130 Bde report unidentified TKs area ELLON 8073.
1400 Bty Cmdr 52/Medium Bty reports to Bn HQ to give
support if needed.
" 1445 Lt Gibson contacts 69 Bde area St LEGER. 8675.
brings back locations to 151 Bde and returns to
Bn.
2027 I.O. Lt. P.M. Laws goes to Bde to find our patrol
activities for night 8/9.
2245 CO. 24 LANCERS visits Bn HQ. and conferences
with major AH Dunn on next days operations with
8 ARMD Bde.
Page 10 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
8 2315 Coy Cmdrs conference at Bn HQ in next days
operations.
9 0600 Bn breakfasted
0650 Bn moved out of posns to join 8 Armd Bde
area St. LEGER order of march B D & A Coys.
Bn HQ. S Coy. and C Coy.
0845 Bn now at 879751 where major A.H. Dunn recieves order
from Cmdr 8 Armd Bde.
Bn with 24 L. in spt would seize and hold
" TESSEL BRETTEVILLE feature 8666.
0930 Coln moved off 'C' Coy Carried by 'C' Squadron
'A' Coy by 'B' Sqdn. 'B' Coy on 'A' Sqdn. D Coy
followed up in rear on bicycles Bn HQ moves with 24 L
Regt HQ behind 'C' Sqdn.
1/50000 7F/1 CAEN 1030 Coln held up at rlwy crossing 857727 as there was
Page 11 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
" 9 no guides from Recce Regt to guide the 24 L.
to pt 103 MR 8570
1050 Brig 8/Armd Bde orders colm to push on to 103.
as enemy still held. AUDRIEU.
1115 Coln by passes AUDRIEU and halted at 854706.
Infantry dismount from Tks and form up in A.A.
1230 C.O goes to pt103 on recce.
1430 C.O. returns from recce and calls for 'O' Gp
1600 Plan for attack on Saint PIERRE discussed
after a preliminary barrage by 147 Fd Regt
'C' & 'D' Coys would attack SAINT PIERRE. 'C' Coy
right. D. Coy. Left. Limit of advance main
rd SAINT PIERRE - FONTENAE LE PESNEL.
24 L. in support would protect left thank.
Page 12 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
" 9 A & B Coys to be used should C & D Coys not
reach objective, otherwise to be used as a counter
attack force.
do 1620 Shelling of SAINT PIERRE commences.
1745 C & D Coys moved fwd
1815 C & D Coys having forced the enemy out of SAINT
do PIERRE C.O. ordered A & B Coys fwd to reorganise
defensive posns so as to be able to defend the
village.
do 1900 C.O. goes into SAINT PIERRE to make personal
contact with the Coys. On way into village he meets
Lt J. Hannah MM. who had been wounded who
reports that Major J. Leybourne MC was in the
do. area of the church 845686 and had been
wounded. Some fighting still going on in this area
Page 13 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do 9 2000 Troop of Tks from 24 L went to SAINT PIERRE to
help clean up a number of M.G posts.
2015 Major J. Leybourne M.C reports to C.O. that all
offrs in his Coy less his 2 I/C Capt J.N. Wheatley
were wounded or missing. He himself was
wounded in the arm.
do 2100 Coys in posn. A. Coy. 849686 B Coy. 852688
'C' Coy 845685 'D' 849687. Bn HQ 853689.
Coys subjected to fairly severe mortaring while
digging in.
10 0445 Stand to
0615 'B' Coy posn attacked by enemy on high ground
SOUTH of village Coys subjected to much
shelling and heavy mortaring as enemy determined
their posn.
Page 14 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
10 0640 Confused fighting around church in the village.
'C' Coy freed to give ground.
0710 A Coy report enemy infantry approaching their posns.
0715 Bde HQ asked to send TKs to support the infantry.
0724 TKs reported to be on way. A Coy forced to withdraw
from posns in village at 0745 as enemy was behind them
0800 'D' Coy report enemy TKs moving along FONTENAE LE
do PESNEL road towards ST. PIERRE.
Enemy now only 100x from B. Coy.
0830 TKs from 24th LANCERS move out to protect our left
flank
0845 all Coys less D Coy now formed around Bn HQ at
do. 851691
for the next 2 hours the Bn fought of the enemy in
this area - TKs which went into ST Pierre were shot at
Page 15 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
By the enemy & destroyed.
1100 Enemy attack repelled - ST PIERRE now shared by our
own & enemy forces.
1115 Positions in houses looking down the village occupped by
our TPs.
1130 as situation now more settled Major A.H Dunne reorganised
A. B & what was left of C around Bn H.Q. A Coy 849692
B Coy 853690 D Coy who had one Pln astride the
Rd FONTENAY LE PESNIL - ST PIERRE withdrew this
Pln & joined up with B who was left rear Coy .
1400 Reorganisation complete
1500 Recce Patrol to Bridge 843605 report it intact but
enemy in that area.
1600 Navy shell FONTENAY LE PESNIL
Page 16 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
" 10 1930 Major A.H DUNNE with Pln of A Coy & Tp of TKs in
support patrol the village of shoot up a number
of enemy.
2030 Lient Col. R.P. Lidwill DSO. returns from 151 Bde
& resumes Cmnd of Battalion
2037 Major A H Dunne & patrol returns to Bn H.Q. and fills
C.O. in the Picture
ST. PIERRE 1/50,000 Caen 7F/1 11 0445 Stand to
0500 Tks from the SHERWOOD RANGERS YEOMANRY now
in support.
0900 Patrol sent out to sit on Rd and track Junc 845685
1236 C.O attends conference at Bde HQ,
1335 Enemy shelling BN area with 150 mm guns.
1520 Brig B.B. Walton 151 Bde visits BN HQ.
do. 1620 Elements of 7 Armd Div attacked??? in TILLY-SUR- SUELLES.Transcription note: not clear attacked or reported?
Page 17 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do 11 Bn to contact if possible
do 1915 Enemy shell TILLY SUR SUELLES.
do 1955 3 Tigers Tks reported area Bde H.Q. 854703
2005 Enemy TKs fire at R.A.P.
do 2015 2 enemy tks 600x away at 865685
2030 Enemy Tks & Inf attack B Coy - Enemy TKs fire down
into the trenches occupied by our Safr??? & overrun B Coy
do More enemy inf observed 865685
2045 Adj. calls for arty to dispurse enemy infantry
2105 D Coy reports some of our guns firing mines
2115 CO returns from Bde HQ. where he had been on Conference
and send back all information to the Brig.
2200 Bn H.Q. moved into Orchard
2230 D Coy moved from its fwd positions & take over
A Coy Positions "A" Coy having been used to
Page 18 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do assist what was left of "B" Coy who had been overrun
to hold our left flank.
2350 BN reorganised A Coy with elements is B Coy 853690 D Coy
do 850692 & elements of C. Coy around Bn HQ 851691
Major AH Dunne who had been wounded evacuated
Major T. Clapton D.C. B Coy reported missing.
12 0445 Stand to Major T. Clapton who was found bably wounded evacuated.
0600 Bn sorted out By Coys as follows A. B. D Coys.
do 0800 Lieut E Cousins patrolls fwd with a sec. to 850686
1030 3 stragglers report back to BN HQ
do 1200 Lient W.M. JALLAND relieves Lieut Cousins at 850686
1330 6 PWs captured identified as 901 GR130LEHR Div.
1540 Several enemy seen running 600x from our lines engaged by
small arms fire
1700 Brig 8th armd Bde arrives at BN H.Q. with COs,
Page 19 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do 12 " SRY and 24th LANCERS. and discusses more back from
ST PIERRE
1145 Conference for Coy Cmnds re move too 151 Durham
Inf. Bde.
1800 2 ORs who had been cut off by the Boche on the
10 Jun reported back to Bn HQ
2315 BN moved out of ST. PIERRE covered by TKs of 8th armd
Bde to PT 103 8570 where T.C.V waited to carry the
do Bn to CACHY. 8075.
13 0500 BN arrived area CACHY where a hot meal had
been prepared for all.
0700 C.O attends conference at 151 Bde H.Q.
0900 1 officer and 50 ORs reinforcements join Bn.
14 1000 C.O. goes to Bde HQ.
1230 Coy Cmndrs conference
Page 20 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do. " 1430 Bn receives 10 Officers & 140 OR reinforcements.
1500 Capt A. ST. George 2i/c "A" Coy takes over comd of
"C" Coy which was reformed.
2000 C.O. visits Bde.
TILLY SUR SEULLES 0920 'O' Group go fwd to LINGEVRES to ground occupied
37/16 sw. by the GLOSTER REGT.
1030 Bn marched form CACHY 8075. and arrived at A.A.
8171
1150 A & D Coys move fwd to take over fwd posns from
2 Glosters.
1335 BN H.Q. at 805688 A Coy 804683 B Coy 807688
do. C Coy 803690 D Coy 805693.
do. 1715 C. Coy contact Coy Hampshire Regt at 795687
1730 CO & IO return from visit to Coys
Page 21 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
15 1930 Brig B.B. Walton visits Bn.
2220 2 P. W of 902 G.R. Pz LEHR Dis
2330 Patrols from B & C go to PT113 7969 &
do wood 8067
16 0245 Patrol from C by report no enemy seen or
heard
0430 B Coy patrol reports enemy in area wood 8067
0845 D Coy Cmnds brings identification from dead GERMAN
who had been shot during the night by his sentry
0855 A Coy send in 1 PW
0850 Our mortars fine in support off 6 DLI who were
advancing on our left.
1056 6 DLI in position on our left & digging in
1125 20 enemy in area A Coy dispersed by our arty.
1420 CO. goes to Bde as Brig B.B. Walton had been wounded
Page 22 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do 16 2140 Lieut J. Hanson with a sec contacts HAMPSHIRE Regt
on our right
17 0515 Lient J. Hanson reports Back to BN HQ having made
contact during the night
0520 1 officer & 4 ORs from the CLY. 7 Armd Div bought
to BN HQ having been shot up by the Boche in their
Tk North as VILLIERS BOCAGE.
0725 A Coy sent out Patrol in front off this Coy
0925 B. e 296 Bty. Fld Regt reports to Bn HQ. - 296 Bty
Now in support.
1120 O group to report to Bde 1300 hrs.
1240 Major G.P. Chambers goes to Bde as CO.
1330 "O" group report to Bn HQ. and are informed about
future plan of the Bn. i.e. the captining of the
Page 23 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do area of the PARC de la MERE.
afternoon passed uneventfully
Night 17/15. Patrol from A. Coy made contact with 6 GREEN HOWARDS
on pt 113 7967.
18 0530 Lt. Col R.P. Lidwill D.S.O. arrives at Bn HQ. and
informs Major G.P. Chambers that the Bn is to take
the PARC de la MERE area.
0540 Coy Cmnds report to Bn HQ and were given their
orders for the attack. B. Coy to take track june 815677
C'. Coy to pass through and occupy area???
tracks 815674. 'B'. Coy were then to move up on C. Coys
right while A & D Coys remains in reserve.
0730 B Coy leave Bn area for PARC de la MERE
0830 B Coy having met no opposition pushes on to
do sunken track at 813671 and surprises some every
Page 24 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do at 812668. and engages them.
0915 Every withdrew into area CHATEAU de CORDILLON
while B. Coy was subjected to heavy mortar fire
'B'. Coy also reported enemy firing on their right
flank so 'C' Coy moved along stream to stream
do and track junc 808673 and occupies position
around the bldgs of the PARC de la MERE facing
WEST.
1015 Enemy. A.F.Vs reported moving in front of 'B'. Coy.
1020 B. Coy informed about C. Coys movements.
1203 C. Coy in position.
1305 A.F.Vs in front of B. Coy now identified as half tracks.
our mortars engages enemy.
1330 Enemy again heavily mortaring 'B'. Coy area causing
a number of casualties.
Page 25 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do 18 1200 A & D Coys. move up left side of wood and occupies
posns A.Coy 815670 D. Coy 816675. Bn HQ. moves
to area 816677.
Meanwhile 6/DLI who were operating an our left
do reaches area 832676.
Coys having reached objective dug in all the time
under extremely heavy and accurate mortar fine
2100 Adj Capt JG. Walker killed Lt L. Barton Sig off.
and Lt Gibbson wounded when mortar
bomb bust in tree???
19 morning passed with only occasional shelling which
was returned by our arty and mortars.
1300 231 Bde attack though our posn. Devons on right
and HAMPS on left
Our posns were again subjected to heavy mortaring a shelling
Page 26 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do 19 and OC. 'C' Coy. Capt. A. St George and his 2 i/c
Lt. H. Welch were both killed
Owing to the very wet weather and poor visibility
and the very strong enemy fire 231 Bde were unable
to make HOTTOT and remained in front of the Bn.
20 0605 Cmndr 231 Bde visits Bn HQ as Bn was now
under command 231 Bde.
Quite day except for occasional shelling
21 0614 B. Coy report enemt Tk movement to the SOUTH.
1050 4 offs arrive at Bn HQ as reinforcements.
1100 Brigdr 231 Bde visits Bn Hq and talks with C.O.
1142 Brigdr Dw. Gnder??? D.S.O visits Bn HQTranscription note: Initials and name unclear
1150 Div Cmnd visits Bn HQ.
1700 C.O and I.O. return fan Bde Hq
Page 27 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do. 23 Quite day. Bn recieve reinforcemants of 87 ORs.
24 1200 Co orders that 4 men per Coy be allowed
24 hrs visit at B. Ech. Bath to be provided
1800 Bdr 231 Bde visits Bn.
2115 Major W. Woodruff arrives at Bn HQ as 2 i/c
of Bn
25 Quite day
26 1820 1 Off & 2 ORs of 53 Div spent night at Bn
27 1515 Warning order Bn would move back to under
comd 151 Bde. All Coys warned
Capt R.I. English??? M.C. to be A/Major
LT.J. Collingwood to be A/Capt.
28 0315 A & B Coys relieved by 1 HAMPS move to
area behind Bn HQ area LES LANDES.
0715 Bdr vists Bn
Page 28 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do 28 0740 C.O. & I.O recce new posns area VERRIERS.
0920 Bn moves from 815674 to 828695.
move completed by 1010 hrs
A Coy 821685 B Coy 830697. C Coy 825686
do D Coy 829684 Bn HQ 828695.
2030 Cmdr 151 Bde visits Bn and gives the CO. verbal
order for counter attack role should 6/DLI
or 1 HAMPS be counter attacked.
28 Day spent resting & cleaning up.
Capt J.I.H Mein joins Bn and take over Comd
B. Coy.
1740 2 offrs arrive as reinforcements and are posted to
C &b HQ Coys respectively.
1920 Bdr visits Bn.
do 30 0400 Bn supplies patrol pln strong to lie up area 842667
Page 29 of 29
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
do. 30 1430 Lt W.H. Gallows and 8 ORs go to B Ech. The 8 ORs
to be instructed by H Gallows on Sniping

Units Referencing the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

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Units Referenced in this war diary

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