War Diary: 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars

Month and year: August 1944

The 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars August 1944 War Diary covers the units advance crossing of the River Seine.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/843

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WO 171/843 8 Kings Royal Irish Hussars

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Page 1 of 10

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
772741	1		Under Comd. 22 Armd Bde.	Ref Maps GSGS 4249
		0830	Regt moved. Order of March : B Sqn, A Sqn, RHQ, C Sqn. Route : X rds 7772 - X rds 7863 - rd junc 7563 - CAUMONT	Sheets 7F & 6F,
			BY-PASS - CAHAGNES 7356 - X rds. ROBIN 7553 - JURQUES 7551 -
			MESNIL AZOUF - MONT PINCON 8345. Progress was very slow and by last light RHQ had just reached outskirts of CAHAGNES
			when the order to halt was received. Leaguered 728568. During the night enemy aircraft was active and casualties
			were caused in the A2 Ech.
751541	2		Still under comd 22 Armd Bde. B Sqn was given the role of left flank protection to the advance of 1 R Tks on AUNAY-
			SUR-ODON 8351. A & C Sqns were left in reserve. B Sqn
			moved at approx 0600 hrs advancing one to up. Good progress was made to rd junc 7754 but here the leading tk was knocked
			out by a well sited A/T gun and the route was abandoned in favour of the one to LA VALLEE790539 but just WEST of
			LA VALLEE the leading tank was knocked out and the tp ldr
			with his sole remaining tk withdrew. No further adv was made, 1, 2 and 4 tps remaining in observation S.E. of the rd junc
			7754. The whole Regt leaguered in area 751541.
751541	3		Under Comd 131 Bde. A Sqn under comd 1/7 Queens whose role was to clear the wood in area 7753. This operation was
			successfully completed by approx 1700 hrs. At 1712 hrs 1/6 Queens reported that they were being attacked and would
			need tank sp.
			To Sheet No. 2/......

Page 2 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
751541	3	C.O. 8H went fwd to HQ 1/6 Queens at 785519 after ordering	Ref Man GSGS 4249
		C Sqn to be in readiness. Although it seemed that infantry	Sheet 7F.
		rather than tks were required C Sqn HQ and two tps moved into posn and stayed until 1/6 Queens were withdrawn at last
		light. C Sqn took 10 P.W. from 3/276 FELD ERSATZ BN.
751541	4	Under coma 131 Bde. A and C Sqns were in firm bases with 1/5 and 1/7 Queens respectively. B Sqn remained in reserve.
		C Sqn in area 778525 could observe considerable enemy activity. Targets Were spotted for 3 RHA and a large MET
		coln withdrawing SOUTH was reported to AGRA who engaged it
		successfully. At 2230 hrs the C.O. returned from a confce at 131 Bde HQ and issued verbal orders for an advance to
		AUNAY-SUR-ODON 8351 to take place the following day. B Sqn was to give left flank protection to this adv., followed by
		the remainder of the Regt. Route : X. rds ROBIN 7553. - tank track 6935 - ST GEORGES d'AUNAY 7952 X rds 812547 -
		LONGVILLERS 8354.
751541	5	A thick mist delayed B Sqn who moved at 0730 hrs.
		Satisfactory progress was made to rly line 804547 where the rd was found to be mined. RHQ moved at 0900 hrs to
		X rds 7553 where orders to halt were received from Bde. After one hour the move continued to 787528 where the Regt
		less B Sqn halted again until 1900 hrs. Then a move was made to 807544 where B Sqn had halted and the Regt leaguered in
		that area.
		To Sheet No. 3/......

Page 3 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
807544	6	Under Comd 131 Bde. No orders to move were received and the	Ref Man GSGS 4249
		day was spent in maintenance and rest.	Sheet 7 F.
807544	7	Under Comd 131 Bde. No orders to move were received and the C.O. left for 131 Bde HQ to receive fresh orders On his
		return he issued verbal orders for a move to area 842494	7 Arms Div
		and in amplification of 7 Armd Div Op Instr. No. 2. The Regt moved in the early evening, route 807544 - X rds 812547	Appx I Op Instr No 2
		- AUNAY SUR ODON - 842494 where the Regt leaguered.
842494	8	RHQ, A and B Sqns were on the move at first light. B Sqn was under comd 131 Bde with a frontal recconaissance role on	Appx. 2. 7 armd Div.
		Route A (See Appx). 8H less B Sqn under comd 22 Armd Bde Gp, with A Sqn leading and C Sqn in reserve were to follow Route	Op. Instr. no. 3.
		B. By 1000 hrs the leading tns of A Sqn were NORTH of CAUVILLE 8742 where the adv was held up by enemy A/T fire	Appx 3. 22 and Bde
		and the Sqn remained in observation while arty fire was	Op Instr. no. 6.
		brought down. C Sqn had been given the task of guarding the X rds at VALLEE880471. RHQ meanwhile had collected 4 enemy
		deserters at 881460 who had unexpectedly emerged from the woods. B Sqn had been hold up in the area of LE PLESSIS
		BRIMOULT 8444 and no further advance was made that day.
		A Sqn with 1/5 Queens was given the task of firm-basing the area of the X rds 871458 for the night. RHQ withdrew to
		leaguer area 867474.
		To Sheet No. 4/......

Page 4 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
868474	9	Regt less B Sqn under Comd 22 Armd Bde. B Sqn under Comd	Ref Man GS 4249
		5 R Tks who were under comd 131. Bde. A Sqn in area X rds	Sheet 7 F.
		8745, C Sqn in reserve near RHQ. A Sqn had nothing to report at first light although their night leaguer had been in very
		close country with enemy infantry known to be in the nearby woods. A Sqn were given a holding role and tps were not
		pushed out very far, with the exception of a tp ordered to recce in the direction of LA LANDE 8644 to find out if the
		enemy was still holding the line he had held on the day
		previous. This tp was able to observe small enemy inf movements during the day and passed back valuable information
		during the day the gist of which was that the enemy had withdrawn most of his forces from his line of 8.10.44. At
		about 0900 hrs RHQ moved to 869465 and B Sqn reverted to comd.
869465	10	Under Comd 22 Armd Bde. A Sqn with patrols out on a line of
		observation running roughly along the line of the high ground from 760460 to 772456. B & C Sqns in reserve. One Scout
		car section of RHQ Recce To occupied the position previously
		held by a Tp of B Sqn at 846449. Shortly after first light a Tp of A Sqn and a Pl of "I" Coy 1 RB recced and occupied
		pt 281. 8744 capturing five prisoners with no loss to them- selves. Orders Were received to revert to Div Comd at 1200 hrs
		and at 1400 hrs the Regt moved to 860478 to rest and refit
		with no commitments at all.
		To Sheet No. 5/......

Page 5 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
860478	11	All Officers and NCOs paraded at 0930 hrs to attend a talk	Ref Map GSGS 4249
		by Lt. Gen Horrocks, Comd 30 Corps, at which he spoke of the achievements of the division of the progress of the war and	Sheet 7 F.
		his pleasure at having the division under his command.
		Maintenance was carried out from 0900 hrs to 1200 hrs the rest of the day being observed as a holiday. Arrangements
		were made for baths for the men, cinemas and ENSA shows, and changes of kit and equipment. The B and A2 Echs were
		brought up and the Regt was camped together again for the first time since leaving BOGNOR in June.
860478	12	Day spent in maintenance and recreation. Veh and tk crews
		were reorganised and the gaps caused by recent casualties were partially filled by inter Sqn transfers.
860478	13	In Div reserve. Maintenance and rest.
860478	14	In Div reserve. Maintenance and rest.
860478	15	In Div reserve. Maintenance and rest. In the afternoon the C.O. issued orders. 7 Armd Div was to move EAST of the ORNE
		to operate under comd of the CDN ARMY in the area of
		ST PIERRE SUR DIVES 8649. Route : X rds 880471 - HAMARS 8948 - X rds 9457 - AMAYE SUR ORNE 9657 - CLINCHAMP SUR ORNE 0057
		- LAIZE LA VILLE 0157 - ROBUANCOURT 0558 thence via a tk track to CINTHEAUX 0853 ST SYLVIAN concentration area 1056.
		Order of March : RHQ, A, B, C, A1 and B Echs.
		To Sheet No. 6.

Page 6 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
860478	16	Under Comd 131 Bde. 8H start was delayed by other units.	Ref Man GSGS 4249
		At approx 0900 hrs RHQ moved into posn in the coln. Going	Sheets 7F & 8F.
		was slow during the morning but speeded up in the afternoon. By 1800 hrs the Regt arrived at the leaguer area (099562)
		Late in the evening the C.O. attended a conference at 131 Bde and arrangements were made for verbal orders to be given out
		at first light on 17 Aug.
099562	17	At first light the C.O. issued his orders to amplify orders of comd 131 Bde (See Appx) C Sqn came under comd 1/6 Queens,	Appx .4 orders by
		B Sqn under comd 1/7 Queens forthwith for the operation	comd 131 Inf. Bde.
		against LISIEUX. A Sqn came under comd 1/5 Queens (in reserve) for the move. HQ 8H under comd 131 Bde was to move with the
		main body. (For S.P. and routes see Appx) RHQ moved shortly before midday and by approx 1330 hrs received orders to pull	Appx.4.
		off the rd at 204527. At approx 1600 hrs RHQ moved to the area
		248508 where they eventually leaguered. B & C Sqns meanwhile had met stiff opposition EAST of St PIERRE SUR DIVES and C Sqn
		had one tk knocked out by a bazooka. The advance was held up and Bde decided to advance on LIVAROT 4772 the following day
		(See Appx
248508	18	Under comd 131 Bde. Under the amended plan 1/6 Queens Gp was to take the NORTHERN route : BOISSEY326491 -
		LA SAMINIERE439720 - LIVAROT and 1/7 Queens Gp the SOUTHERN route : MITTOIS306481 - QUEVRUE324473 - rd june 408723 - LA SAMINIERE - LIVAROT.
		To Sheet No.7/......

Page 7 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
248508	18	In the morning HQ moved to 285493. On NORTH route C Sqn	Ref Map GSGS 4249
		made progress though they were hindered by many unreliable civilian reports. In the area of LA SAMINIERE they met A/T	Sheets 7F & 8F.
		guns which knocked out the leading tank of 5 Tp. 3 Tp
		took the lead but also had its leading tank knocked out. The A/T gun concerned was accounted for by the Tp Ldr, but
		his own tank was knocked out by another gun and he himself killed. B Sqn had also been having a difficult task in the
		area of MONTVIETTE 4273 which was strongly held. The country here was definitely unsuited to tanks and the Queens
		infantry led, closely supported by B Sqn. Throughout the
		afternoon casualties and damage were caused to. our troops by the attacks of our own fighter aircraft, and the Intelligence
285493	19	Officer was badly wounded. RHQ leaguered at 285493. Under comd 131 Bde. A Sqn relieved C Sqn under comd 1/6
		Queens and C Sqn came into reserve. Progress remained slight
		until a tp from A Sqn with one Coy 1/6 Queens crossed LA VIE R. unopposed NORTH of LIVAROT - at 464744, and
		formed a bridgehead astride main rd LIVAROT - LISIEUX at 465745. Patrols sent into LIVAROT at approx 1800 hrs report-
		ed the town clear. HQ remained in the leaguer area 285493
285493	20	and the forward Sqns withdrew slightly for the night.
		Under Comd 131 Bde. At 0900 hrs RHQ moved to the area BOISSEY333493. Orders were received that 8H would revert
		To Sheet No. 8/......

Page 8 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
285493	20	to Div reserve at 2215 hrs, less A Sqn which would come	Ref Maps GSGS 4249
		u/c 22 Armd Bde (see Appx) During the day A and B Sqns assisted 131 Bde in mopping up operations. RHQ leaguered	Sheets 7F and 8F. Appx 5. 7 Armd Div Op
		at BOISSEY.	Orders No.12.
333493	21	Maintenance and rest in Div reserve. Reinforcements arrived from the NORTHANTS YEOMANRY. A Sqn was patrolling the
		main rd LIVAROT pass LISIEUX (5387) 8H less A Sqn ordered to move to area 467765 on 22 Aug there to remain in Div Reserve
		(See Appx)
333493	22	8H less A Sqn moved at approx 1300 hrs. Route : BOISSEY - LA SAMINIERE 4372 LIVAROT 4672 - 467765 where the Regt	appx. 6. 7 and Div. op. order no.13.
		leaguered still in Div Reserve.	7 and Die op. appe.7. order 26.14.
467765	23	In Div Reserve. Maintenance and rest. A Sqn reverted to Regtl Comd.
467765	24	In Div Reserve. 8H ordered to move on afternoon of 24 Aug
		to a new conc area at 654863. The Regt moved at approx 1630 hrs. Route : 467765 - X rds 494792 - FERVAQUES 5476 -
		X rds 592742 - rd junc 608782 - GLOS 5785 - X rds 800871 -
		654863 where the Regt leaguered.
		To Sheet No. 9/......

Page 9 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
654863	25	Maintenance and Rest. Orders were received in the evening	Ref Maps GSGS 4249
		that 8H would move to area East of PONT-AUTHOU 8896 on 26 Aug	Sheets 8F & 8E.
654863	26	At 0815 hrs the Regt moved. Route : L'HOTELLERIE 6686 - X rds 7086 - ST AUBIN 7189 - GIVERVILLE 7891 where they
		halted for one hour. The advance then continued to
		ST GEORGES DU VIEVRE 8096 - PONT AUTHOU 8895 - 915963. At 1500 hrs 8H came u/c 131 Bde and the C.O. attended a Bde
		confce. At approx 1600 hrs B and C Sqns sent patrols to the area of BOSQ RENOULT 9300 to take over there from 22
		Armd Bde. Their orders were to cover the switch of the divisional cetre line, and to lead to the enemy believe that
		the advance on ROUTOT was continuing by this route. At last
		light RHQ and the Sqns drew back to firm base PONT ATHOU with 131 Bde. RHQ leaguered 895960.
895960	27	8H was given the role of doing right flank protection to the
		adv of 22 Armd. Bde on ROUTOT and were directed on the area of Pt. 138 972093. The Regt. moved with 2 Sqns up, right C Sqn,
		left B Sqn, A Sqn reserve. During the morning C Sqn made
		good progress to the line of NORTHINGS 05, then halted waiting for B Sqn who had been held up by a rd block and mines
		in the BOSQ RENOULT 9300. After 1300 hrs both Sqns made good progress until B Sqn was again hold up in the area of
		ST HILAIRE CHAU 9507 by inf and A/T guns whose posns were not discovered until 2 tks had been knocked out & 9 casualties caused.
		To Sheet No.10/......

Page 10 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
895960	27	C Sqn meanwhile cut the main rd BOURG ACHAT - ROUTOT.	Ref Maps. GSGS 4249
		One tank was knocked out here by A/T fire from the EAST but the crow escaped. 51 Highland Div then passed through C Sqn	Sheets 8F, 8E, 9F, 9E.
		to secure the area and both Sqns were withdrawn to the
		area of HQ leaguer at 964034.
964034	28	8H was given no task and the morning and early afternoon were spent in rest and maintenance. At 1800 hrs the regt moved
		to a new Div conc area at LIEUREY747953 and leaguered at approx 2000 hrs.
747953	29	In Div Reserve. The morning's maintenance was prevented by
		rain and at midday the C.O. issued a warning order for a move to a fresh area S.W. of LOUVIERS. At 1735 hrs the regt
		moved out. Route : LIEUREY - GIVERVILLE 7891 - rd junc 791864 - FORTAINE 8884 - X rds 9980 - X rds 0279 - rd junc
		067771 - 094783 where the Regt leaguered at 2100 hrs.
094783	30	Again no maintenance was possible owing to rain. Offrs from
		the NORTHANTS YEOMANRY now joined the Regt. In the afternoon the C.O. went to a Div confce. and the reat stood by ready
		to move the morning of 31 Aug.
094783	31	At 0030 hrs 8H OO No. 6 was issued (See Appx) The Regt moved out before first light & RHQ crossed the start line at 0745	Appx 8 8H OO No. 6.
		hrs. The crossing of the R. SEINE was delayed by br repairs and movement on the congested rds was slow. In the late
		afternoon & evening however good progress was made and the Regt leaguered in area 640301.	Appx. 9. A.Fs.W. 3008. Appx 10 A.Fs. 3009.

Units Referenced in this war diary

The following units are mention in this war diary and have their own August 1944 war diary

5th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment, August 1944 War Diary