War Diary: 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars

Month and year: June 1944

The 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars June 1944 War Diary covers the units arrival on the 9th June near Asnelles and their actions as they advance inland.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/843

All diaries for this unit:

Please use the contact us page to report any errors or inaccuracies.

Viewing map locations

Many of the location in this diary have been geocoded, these locations are highlighted Screenshot of highlighted location clicking on them will display them on a map. Many location also have historical maps and aerial photographs of the area available.

Found this useful?

If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.

« Return to war diaries

Page 1 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
Bognor Regis.	1.	Day spent in maintenance.
	2.	C.O. held a conference to discuss Admin Orders.
	3.	Orders received for the Regt less C Sqn and the Residues to	Staff Tables att.
		move on 4 Jun 44. The C.O. spoke to each Sqn and gave them the points brought out by Gen Montgomery in his final address	as Appx I.
		to Unit Commanders.
	4.	All vehicles were packed and stowed ready to move at 1430 hrs but at 1130 hrs orders postponing the move were received.
	5.	The Regt less C Sqn and Residues, with a detachment of the	Movement Order att.
A 17		Provost Coy, 7 Armd Div. attached, moved out at 1430 hrs. After a very slow journey the Regt reached A 17 Marshalling	att as Appx II.
Marshalling		Area at 2145 hrs. The tanks and B Vehs were parked by craft
Area		loads in roadside standings. 11 LCTs were allotted to the Regt on the scale of one per 9 tks or 12 B Vehs. Drivers
		remained by their vehs, crews were accommodated in a tented camp with excellent catering arrangements.
	6.	"D" Day The C.O. briefed all Officers and senior NCOs and	8H Op Intrs No.1.
		Tk Comds. Maj Huth MC, Comd C Sqn & Capt Firth 2i/c C Sqn attended. Maps were drawn and issued and orders were received	att as Appx III.
		to move on the morning of 7th.
	7.	The Regt stood to ready to move off but the move was postponed,
		possibly owing to the slow turn round of LCTs caused by bad weather conditions.

Page 2 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
A 17 M.A.	8.	At 0130 hrs the 1st craft load left the Marshalling Area
		followed at 5 minute intervals by the remaining parties. One Cromwell tk belonging to B Sqn could not be started and was
		left behind with its crew. On arrival at R.C.R.P. 4 at
		Gosport all vehicles were parked by the sides of various roads leading to the hards. Embarkation began at about	For details of
		1400 hrs and as each L.C.T. was loaded it moved out into the stream to await sailing orders.	allocation of shipping see
At Sea.	9.	At 0100 hrs the convoy moved out to sea. After an uneventful	Craft Load Tables att Appx IV.
		voyage the landing craft beached at about 1900 hrs at Map Ref 885867 GSGS 4250, 1:50,000 Sheet 7E/5 and all vehicles	as See 8H Op Instr No 1.
		moved off to concentrate in the RYES area 8483, GSGS 4250, 1:50,000 7E/5.	att as Appx III.
827804	10.	The day was spent in de-waterproofing and maintenance. B Sqn
		came under command 22 Armd Bde. The CO went to HQ 7 Armd Div
		and returned with 7 Armd Div Op Order NO. 2. The Regt was leaguered in an orchard and around the hedges of a hayfield.	Op Order att Appx V.
827804	11.	At 0515 hrs Regtl HQ and B Sqn moved up through BAYEUX to
		another orchard at 821727, B Sqn being still under comd 22 Armd Bde and carrying out recce on the rt flank. In the
		afternoon a considerable number of spent AP shots were landing in this area and RHQ & A Sqn moved to 817732 and spent the night
		there.

Page 3 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
817732	12.	During the morning the Tp Sgts tank of 5 Tp B Sqn was knocked
		out by a dug in 7.5 cm. Pak 40 at about 20 yds. Four of the
		crew are missing and one was rescued. At about 1300 hrs the remainder of the Regt less C Sqn came under comd 22 Armd Bde
		and the C.O. issued verbal orders. The Regt moved out, A Sqn leading and good progress was made as far as LIVRY 7361 where	See Appx VI.
		the Tp Ldrs tk of 2 Tp A Sqn was knocked out by an infantryman	G.S.G.S. 4250 6F/2
		with a "Raketen Panzerbuchse 43" the German equivalent of the "Bazooka" Two of the crew were killed and the remainder,
		Lt. D. Ramof included, were wounded. At this moment 4 CLY Regtl group arrived up behind A Sqn so the CO asked O.C. 4 CLY
		to put his motor coy into LIVRY to clear the village and to take over the lead when they had done so. The motor coy (1 RB)
		cleared the village but as it was then getting late, no further
		advance was made that evening. Meanwhile the Brigadier had ordered 8H to recce down the main CAUMONT - CAEN road as far
		as the X rds at 767637. At 764636 the two leading tanks of 3rd Tp A Sqn were knocked out. Lt. Talbot-Harvey and 6
		Other Ranks are missing. No further progress was made and the
		Regt leaguered in the area 733617 with the remainder of 22 Armd Bde.
	13.	A Sqn under comd 131 Bde. The Regt less A & C Sqns took part
		in the advance of 22 Armd Bde to VILLERS BOCAGE 8157. Bde Centre Line was :- X rds 7361 - BRIQUESSARD 7459 - Along main

Page 4 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	13.		road through AMAYE SUR SEULLES 7758 - VILLERS BOCAGE 8157. The
			Regt was ordered to cover the right flank parallel to the
			centre line. Regtl Centre Line was :- BRIQUESSARD, Rd and track june 741594, rd and track junc 737578, rd and track junc
			751567 and along the secondry road running East from there to VILLERS BOCAGE 8157. A Sqn under comd 131 Bde gave protection
			to the left flank by remaining in observation in the area 7563. On reaching 737578 it was found that the track there was
			almost non-existent and the centre line was altered to pass
			through CAHAGNES 7356. The leading Tp of B Sqn met a patrol of 11H who informed them that CAHAGNES was held by the enemy.
			RHQ returned to the Bde centre line and B Sqn continued the advance, they were fired on in CAHAGNES but got through
			without any casualties and moved along the Regts centre line
			as far as TRACY BOCAGE where they were ordered to take up a line of observation North of the village. During the afternoon
			they were attacked by infantry supported by a TIGER tk. B Sqn held their ground and beat off the attack, losing three tanks
			but suffering no fatal casualties. By the evening 22 Armd Bde had
			Grp formed a defensive box in the area North and South of the road through ST GERMAIN 7758. The enemy attacking
			from the North, South, East and West. The centre line to Division was cut and the Group was temporarily surrounded. The
			Regt Leaguered in the area 783579.

Page 5 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
783579	14.	B Sqn moved out at 0530 hrs. A Sqn remained under comd
		131 Bde. News was received that C Sqn had arrived in the Div Area. During the course of the day B Sqn knocked out
		two Mk VI TIGER Tks. The left flank of the Division was
		rather exposed, and an attack by 50 Div to straighten out the line made very little progress and the Divisional Comd
		decided to withdraw 22 Armd Bde behind a firm base formed by 131 Bde in the area BRIQUESSARD 7459 - le PONT MULOT 7563.
		At about 2100 hrs a heavy attack by inf supported by a few tanks developed in the South and East side of the perimeter.
		It was met by very heavy fire from Units within the perimeter
		including 5 RHA and by defensive fire put down by AGRA and US Arty from away back in the CAUMONT area. The attack was
		beaten off. During the attack B Sqn HQ were heavily mortared, Maj Dunne being wounded and Lt. de May killed. As a result
		of this attack, the withdrawal which had been timed to commence at 2315 hrs, was delayed by about 1 hour. However, when it
		did commence, it was not interfered with by the enemy and all
		units drove out without interference. Last to leave were B Sqn and one Coy 1/5 Queens, riding on the back of their
		tanks. They had held the rds and tracks leading into the East side of the village from the South, until the whole force
		were out of the village.

Page 6 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
	15.	The Regt less C Sqn leaguered in the area 735665 and the day
		was spent in much needed maintenance for the tanks and rest
		for all ranks. C Sqn came under comd 131 Bde and moved to the BRIQUESSARD area 7459 and put out a screen of observation
		around the position held by 1/6 Queens. 5 Coy of 304 Pz G.R. of 2 Pz Div were opposite to them in this area and put in
		several attacks. C Sqn were involved in close and confused fighting but all attacks were beaten off. Lt. H.R.D. Pegler
		was killed during the night.
735665	16.	The Regt remainded in reserve and good use was made of the time
		to repair vehicles damaged during the battle and to recover two tanks of A Sqn. C Sqn remained at BRIQUESSARD under comd
		131 Bde and although some casualties were suffered all attacks were beaten off.
	17.	The Regt less C Sqn remained in reserve. C Sqn were attacked
		almost continuously during the night of 16/17 and by the morning of the 17th were very tired having been in their tanks for
		three days and two nights. During the morning a Mk VI TIGER
		tank was spotted by the SSM and a 17 Pdr A Tk gun from the Norfolk Yeo was brought into Sqn HQ area and the tank was
		knocked out. The Regt was credited with a half share in it. During the day, the Div Comd ordered 131 Bde to withdraw
		1/6 Queens from the BRIQUESSARD box back to the area of

Page 7 of 9

Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	BRIQUESSARD wood, some 1500 yds North. The withdrawal was
	timed to commence at 2315 hrs. At about 2230 hrs, heavy shelling commenced which continued up till the time of the get
	out and was directed, principaly on the exit to the village.
	At the same infantry made another their attacks on the western side of the box. Some confusion prevailed but
	the withdrawal was effected without undue loss. C Sqn got out without any casualties, bringing two 17 pdrs on tow with them,
	which would otherwise have fallen into enemy hands. During the 3 days and 2 nights in BRIQUESSARD C Sqn lost 5 tanks, 1
	Offr (Lt Pegler) and 7 O.Rs. killed or missing. On the other
	hand they supported 1/6 Queens to such good effect that largely due to them the position was held and a large number of enemy
	killed. C Sqn returned that night to the area of RHQ reverting to comd and leaguering at 735665.
18.	The Regt still in reserve, day spent in maintenance and
	reorganising.
19.	Orders were received for the Regt to move back to the area of Main Div HQ at LA BUTTE with the role of protection of that
	area in the event of an enemy thrust from S.R. Accordingly,
	C.O. ordered Sqns to recce battle posn's in the area S.E. of ST PAUL DE VERNAY 7468 and 7569 and to be prepared to hold them	CO's verbal orders att at Appx VII.
	if the enemy attacked in that area. RHQ moved to 744696, A Sqn 744695, B Sqn 744693 and C Sqn 742701.

Page 8 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
744696	20	Day spent in recceing Battle Positions.
744696	21	Regt still in Div reserve and no sign of the enemy attack.
		As a result of experience in the first engagements 100 Sten guns were indented for and received this day. They
		were issued to Tks and Scout Cars.
744696	22	The G.O.C. 7 Armd Div paid the Regt an informal visit. O.C. "A" Sqn, Maj Threlfall, attended TEWT held by 33 Armd Bde.
744696	23	C.O. attended a conference at Div HQ. In the afternoon he
		lectured to all Sqns on the progress of the operations and
		possible roles in the future. Classes were held for instruction on the P.I.A.T. as further supplies of this weapon had
		reached the Regt.
	24.	Day spent in maintenance. Some 105 mm. shells fell in the area causing one fatal and several minor casualties to B Sqn.
	25	Orders received to relieve 4 CLY in their present role of
		observation in forward posns from 749641 to 755652. C.O.
		and O.C. A & B Sqns recced area. A Sqn moved to 743646 at 2000 hrs to be in posn to take over from CLY Sqn and send out
		patrols at first light tomorrow.
747661	26	Regt came under comd 22 Armd Bde w.e.f. 0800 hrs. At 0630 hrs RHQ moved to area 747661, B Sqn to 743660 C Sqn to 748680.
		B & C Sqns remained in Regtl Reserve.

Page 9 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
747661	27	"A" Sqn reported slight enemy movements on their front.
747661	28	Slight enemy movement on "A" Sqn front. Brig Pepper, 56 Bde,
		visited Regt.
747661	29	Under comd 56 Inf Bde. G.O.C. 7 Armd Div and Brig Pepper both visited Regt. B Sqn relieved A Sqn. N.T.R.
747661	30	Still under comd 56 Bde. N.T.R. from RHQ, A and C Sqns.
		B Sqn patrols reported very little enemy activity during the day.

Found this useful?

If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.

Layers

War Diary: 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars

Month and year: June 1944

Viewing map locations