War Diary: 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars

Month and year: September 1944

The 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars September 1944 War Diary covers the units advance from the River Somme, through Belgium into Netherlands.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/843

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WO 171/843 8 Kings Royal Irish Hussars

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War Diaries That Reference 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars

The 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars are mentioned in 1 other war diaries from September 1944.

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Page 1 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
640301	1	U/C 131 Bde. At first light the adv. to the R. SOMME	GSGS 4249 Sheets 9E & 9D.
		continued. O of M was A Sqn, Det RE, C Coy 1/7 Queens,
		RHQ, D Bty 3 RHA, C Sqn, B Sqn, A1 Ech. Excellent progress was made and by approx 1400 hrs the leading tp of A Sqn was	GSGS 4336 Sheets 14 & 10.
		within sight of the SOMME. The centre line had been changed slightly earlier and 8H objective was the br. at HANGEST	Appx I. 8H Op. Order No. 6.
		9469. A Sqn reported this blown and the leading tp. halted in the area 9069 in observation of the enemy on the NORTH
		bank. RHQ. halted in the area 876643 for the afternoon. In
		the evening the C.O. issued verbal orders for the crossing of the R. SOMME by the bridge in 0760, the move to take
		place that night. 8H moved out at approx 2300 hrs. Route : rd junc 873636 - MONTAGNE-FAYER 8762 - X rds MOLLIENS
		- 9058 - BRIQUEMESNIL 9457 - PERRIERES 0158 - rd junc 063593 -
		X rds 070601 - LONGPRE 0761 - X rds 083627 - X rds 061647, where the regt went into close leaguer for the night.
061647	2	At first light the C.O. issued verbal orders. 8H
		intention was to capture. ST POL 1611 and to secure the high ground to the NORTH. Method: The Regt would move,
		one Sqn up, along the centre line X rds 061647 - ST VAST
		0366 - VIGNACOURT 0371 - SANDAS 0981 - DOULLENS 1586 - FREVENT 1200 - ST POL. Order of March: C Sqn, Det RE, Tp
		258 Bty NY, Tac HQ, C Coy 1/7 Queens, D Bty 3 RHA, A Sqn, RHQ B Sqn.
		To Sheet No. 2/......

Page 2 of 10

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	2	(Cont)	Again excellent progress was made and in the early afternoon	GSGS 4336 Sheets 10 & 14.
			C Sqn were already in contact with the enemy immediately
			SOUTH of ST POL.The town was strongly held with an A/TK gun on the main rd. ST POL - FREVENT. Two C Sqn tanks
			attempting to force a passage were knocked out. A half- track of the M.O. which was sent along this rd. to pick up
			casualties from the ROYALS was brewed up. Nevertheless by
			last light our patrols had succeeded in cutting all but one of the enemy's lines of retreat. RHQ leaguered 153077.
153077	3		At approx 0400 hrs 8H was ordered to send strong patrols
			into ST POL. The task was carried out before first light by C Coy 1/7 Queens who reported that the town still
			stubbornly held. A plan of attack was drawn up by the C.O.
			but 131 Bde ordered its postponement and 8H were then warned to prepare to disengage and to stand by ready to bypass
			ST POL to the EAST. At approx 1200 hrs A. Sqn came under comd 22 Armd Bde who were to lead the adv. on the new
			centre line. Meanwhile 8H had been collecting a considerable
			bag both of prisoners and tpt. in the area of ST POL and WEST of FREVENT where B Sqn had carried out a number of
			successful skirmishies against an enemy struggling to withdraw through our centre line. Apart from one Tp Ldr
			of C Sqn severely wounded by shrapnel, our own casualties were light.
			To Sheet No. 3/......

Page 3 of 10

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	3	(Cont)	At approx 2000 hrs 8H moved out to join 131 Bde coln.	GSGS 4336 Sheet 10.
			which was already passing up the new axis. Route: rd junc 140058 - BUNEVILLE 1705 - TERNAS 2007
			orders were received to leaguer for the night. RHQ leaguered 349101. B Sqn Were called out to protect

			131 Bde HQ who were leaguered on the rd. SERVINS - HERSIN
			390178 and had received reports of enemy tk. movements from the local FFI. The night, however, was uneventful.
349101	4		No orders to move had been received at first light but the
			C.O. went to a conference at 131 Bde HQ and the regt stood to their vehicles. On his return the C.O. issued
			verbal orders for a continuation of the adv. to GHENT in which 8H was again to lead. The time of start was to be
			notified by 131 Bde, but though the regt stood by in
			readiness through out the morning the operation was eventually cancelled and 8H was ordered to hand over its
			immediate petrol supplies to 30 Corps on our right. A Sqn in the area HERSIN 3918 reverted to Regtl. comd.
349101	5		No orders to move had been received, SO the reat remained
			in the leaguer area to spend a day of maintenance and rest. Communications with 7 Armd Div became impossible
			soon and it was evident that 8H was dropping well behind the
			main adv.
			To Sheet No. 4/......

Page 4 of 10

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
349101	5	(Cont)	The C.O. therefore decided to move fwd on the 6 Sep, subject	GSGS 4336 Sheets 10
			to Divisional approval and an Operation Instruction was issued (See Appx II) Permission was however refused by	& 7. Appx II 8H Op Instr
			division owing to the lack of rd. space. 8H was ordered	6 Sep 44.
			to remain in its present location to rest and refit and with no committments whatever.
349101	6		Maintenance and rest was considerably hindered by
			continuous rain. HQ leaguer area was sited on low ground which soon became boggy so a recce party was sent to find
			billets in the village of CAMBLIGNEUL 3610 and it was
			arranged that RHQ move there the following day.
349101	7		RHQ moved into billets area 362101. Maintenance and Rest
			in Div Reserve.
362101	8		Maintenance and rest in Div Reserve. Hot showers for the
			Regt were organised in the town of HERSIN 3717 near A2 and B Echelons. Leave parties now began to visit the
			neighbouring towns, war memorials and last war battle fields.
362101	9		Maintenance and rest in Div Reserve.
362101	10		Maintenance and rest in Div Reserve. Orders were received
			for the Regt to move to area 1m. EAST of OORDEGEM 325683
			in BELGIUM. on 11 Sep. 8H Movement Order 11 Sep 44 was issued (Appx III) The Rest to remain in Div Reserve.	Appx III 8H movement order.
			To Sheet No 5/-

Page 5 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
362101	11	The Regt moved at approx 0730 hrs and crossed the Belgian	GSGS 4336 Sheets -
		frontier at approx 1100 hrs. By 1600 hrs RHQ was in its leaguer area 300695, A,B and C Sqns leaguered close to RHQ.	10, 6, 7 & 3.
300695	12.	In Div Reserve. The day was spent in refitting and
		maintenance. In the afternoon 8H was ordered to move to a.
		new Div. concentration area EAST of MALINES (See Appx IV).
300695	13	8H moved at approx 1200 hrs. and reached its new location 751762 at approx 1600 hrs. The regt appeared likely to	Appx IV - 8H move- ment Order 13 Sep.
		remain in this rest area for several days and arrangements were therefore made to send leave parties to BRUSSELS and
		passes were granted to the town of MALINES.
751762	14	Leave parties were sent off in the morning and the remainder of the regt carried out maintenance. Orders were
		received from Division for RHQ and two Sqns to stand by in readiness to move to a fwd concentration area (See Appx V)
		In the evening the C.O. attended a conference at Div HQ and issued orders at 2100 hrs for a move on 15 Sep. 8H with
		tps under comd (See 8H Oo Order No. 7) were to relieve recce	Appx V - 8H Op Order
		elements of 15(S) Div and 53 Div by 1200 hrs 15 Sep. Method: Right A Sqn, Left B Sqn. Reserve at 30 mins notice C Sqn.	No. 7.
		Inter- Sqn bndry : NORTH - SOUTH rd BOUWEL - HERENTHOUT incl.
		B Sqn. I Coy 1 RB were to cover the wooded area right & left of the inter Sqn boundary.
		To Sheet No. 6/......

Page 6 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
751762	15	8H with under comd I Coy 1 RB and CC Bty 5 RHA moved out at	GSGS 4336 Sheet 3.
		0915 hrs. RHQ. Route : X rds 7776 - WAVRE NOTRE DAME 7878 - KONIGSHOYCKT 8182 - LIERRE where the C.O. ordered a halt owing
		to a report received of enemy in HERENTHOUT 9186. The Recce
		Tp was sent to investigate and to establish standing patrols in this area. They found that the enemy had withdrawn 2 hrs
		previously. Meanwhile I Coy 1 RB had found 15(S) Div recce elts. in difficulties in the area 930906 where they were
		trying to recover a ration lorry under enemy fire from across
		the canal. The lorry was found to be brewed up and the rations unsalvageable. On B Sqn sector there was little to report
		during the day apart from enemy digging across the canal. A Sqn reported considerable enemy activity in and SOUTH of
		HEERENTHALS 9690 where all brs across the canal were found to
		be blown. At 1915 hrs the C.O. attended a conference at 131 Bde and on his return issued fresh orders. As from 0800 hrs
		16 Sep. 8H was to come under comd 131 Bde and take over responsibility for a new sector. Right: the line of the
		canal LIERRE 7886 - canal junc 856923. Left : 71 Northings line to 710982. RHQ leaguered 884860.
884860	16	At approx 0800 hrs C Sqn moved to take over on the left of the
		new sector and B Sqn leap-frogged patrols from EAST to WEST
		to cover the right. A Sqn came into reserve. RHQ moved at 1230 hrs, the old sector having been handed over to 1 R. Tks.
		Route LIERRE - rd junc 740900 - chateau 745930. I Coy 1 RB remained under comd 8H in reserve with A Sqn.
		To Sheet 7/......

Page 7 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
745930	17	Under Comd 131 Bde. During the day B Sqn. did some successful sniping across the canal. Heavy enemy mortar fire caused 2 casualties in C Sqn. Apart from this the Sqns had nothing to report. At 2100 hrs the C.O. returned from a conference at 131 Bde and gave out verbal orders. 8H under comd 131 Bde were to hand over their sector to 11 Hussars on 18 Sep and move to 131 Bde sector NORTH of the ALBERT CANAL in the triangle AART 0793 - HEERENTHALLS 9790 - HET PUNT 0486. On arrival there A Sqn would be in sp. 1/5 Queens, C Sqn in sp 1/7 Queens and B Sqn in reserve with RHQ. The Regt was to fall in behind 131 Bde coln. at S.P. PUTTE 8277 on the move to the new area.	GSGS 4386 Sheet 3.
745930	18	Under Comd 131 Bde. 8H moved out at 0720 hrs. Route : rd junc 739900 - LIERRE 7886 - KONINGSHOYCKT 8182 - X rds 8778 - BOISSCHOT 9276 - X rds 0481 - rd fork 0486 - rd junc 035870. RHQ and B Sqn moved to area VELVEKEN 0487, A Sqn to 019877, C Sqn to area BOEKEL 0189. There was little enemy activity, though the Germans occupied HEERENTHALS and had FDLs to the EAST of it, and, as 131 Bde had a holding role only, 8H was enabled to carry out a limited amount of maintenance. At last light C Sqn moved to 017893. RHQ leaguered 045880.
045880	19	Under comd 131 Bde. A quiet day. The regt carried out maintenance in so far as its role permitted.
45880	20	Under comd 131 Bde . Maintenance as on 19 Sep. At 1800 hrs 8H reverted to Comd 7 Armd Div in readiness for a new role on 21 Sep (See Appx). At 2000 hrs the C.O. issued verbal orders for the move and for the relief of 44 Bde 15(S) Div. Method : right sector B Sqn. with in sp 1 RB less two coys; left C Sqn. Inter- Sqn bndry., road DESSCHEL 1696. - MOLL 1690. A Sqn was to remain in reserve.	Appx VI 7. Armd Div Instr.
045880	21	At approx 0730 hrs 8H moved. Route : rd junc 035870 - rd fork 0486 - GHEEL 0788 - MOLL 1690. RHQ. remained at the school 167908. The take-over was uneventful and the Sqns had little to report. At midday an order was received from 7 Armd Div that 8H would extend its area of responsibility EASTWARD (See Appx)	Appx VII 7 Armd Div Instr.
		To Sheet No.8/......

Page 8 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
045880	21	(Cont) This the C.O. felt unable to do with the tps then under comd. It was therefore arranged that the remainder of 1/6 Queens bn. come under comd 8H and take over responsibility for the new sector. The Coy 6 Queens already under comd relieved 5 DG in that area by last light.	GSGS 4336 Sheet 3 & 4.
167908	22	There was little enemy activity during the day apart from digging and mortaring. 6 Queens Bn came under comd 8H on the regt's right flank. RHQ. remained in leaguer area 167908. A Tp of C Sqn in the afternoon came across four American airmen who had baled out of their machine and evacuated them.
167908	23	Reports were received that the enemy was thinning out and possibly withdrawing NORTH of the JUNCTION CANAL and our patrols were more active. 8H tps were unable to cross the canal as all bridges were blown but a 1 RB patrol crossed by a footbridge and reported RETHY 1599 clear. The French and Belgian LOs att to 8H also crossed and returned with a GAF deserter. He had left his unit two days previously and was unable to supply any useful information. 8H came under comd 131 Bde and orders were received & for a move to the area of EINDHOVEN on 24 Sep.	Appces. VIII IX. 7 Armd. Dit Instr. & 8H Mov Order
167908	24	8H reverted to comd 7 Armd Div and moved at first light as per Mov Order. RHQ leaguered at 379140. No maintenance was possible owing to rain. At approx 1700 hrs the C.O. attended a conference at 131 Bde. At 2300 hrs he issued verbal orders. Information the enemy had cut the 30 Corps centre-line with inf and tanks at approx 4534. 8H was under comd 131 Bde, with under comd of 8H 5 Queens bn and one coy 7 Queens Bn. Intention : 8H Gp would simultaneously clear 30 Corps centre-line between ST OEDENRODE 4232 and canal 473369, and attack and capture SCHINDEL 4137. Method. : A Sqn, with under comd one Coy 7 Queens bn, would clear 30 Corps Centre line to canal br. 473369. C. Sqn with in sp 5 Queens Bn would adv on SCHINDEL. Route : main rd ST OEDENRODE 4232 - SCHINDEL 4137. B Sqn would give left flank protection to adv of C Sqn by sending patrols up rd. rd junc 426328 - OLLAND 3834.	GSGS 4336 Sheet 4 & 5.

Page 9 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
379140	25.	At 0700 hrs 8H moved. The Order of March was A Sqn, C Sqn, RHQ, B Sqn. Before A Sqn reached ST. OEDENRODE 131 Bde reported that this Sqn's role was to be carried out by 5 DG. A Sqn therefore reverted to 8H reserve and moved to 426328 with RHQ. With inf assistance C Sqn cleared the woods 4234 and 4334 while the leading tp on the main rd to SCHINDEL reached 419354. It became evident that the enemy was holding the line of the rly EAST of SCHINDEL in some strength with FDLs on the dyke 425367 - 410362 and C Sqn was therefore not ordered to continue the advance. Meanwhile B Sqn had been successfully protecting the left flank of C Sqn with 3 tps echeloned back from the leading tp of C to the rd at 461329, and had been subjected to considerable mortar fire and shelling. At last light 5 Queens bn. firm based the area NORTH and N.W. of the woods cleared during the day, and the Sqns withdrew their patrols for the night. During this operation 8H had captured an enemy ambulance, knocked out three enemy transports and also two 8mm A Tk guns - whose destruction was confirmed by P.W. taken on Sep 26th.
426328	26	At first light patrols from B and C Sqns again went fwd and harrassed the enemy FDLs, overrunning several posns. Fifteen prisoners were taken from 1035 GR of 59 Div. This Div had returned from CALAIS and had once before crossed our path NORTH of St. POL. Again there was heavy mortar and shellfire on our fwd Sqns and several casualties caused. Night dispositions were as for 25 Sep.
426328	27	B and C Sqns sent out patrols at first light. 8H role was still a holding one and there was little to report during the day. At approx 1100 hrs 8H less B and C Sqns were ordered to move to a new area SOUTH of VEGHEL, C Sqn to remain in its location until relieved by 158 Bde of 53 (W) Div. B Sqn was to come under comd 158 Bde on its arrival and to act as a mob reserve. At 1530 hrs RHQ less Tac HQ moved to 463357. Tac HQ and A Sqn followed at last light. During the night the enemy counterattacked on our right flank but B and C Sqns reported all quiet. An L.O. from 131 Bde arrived with orders for A Sqn to carry out an operation NW of VEGHEL but this was almost immediately cancelled and A Sqn remained in reserve.
		To Sheet No 10/......

Page 10 of 10

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
463357	28	8H less B Sqn was still under comd 131 Bde, C Sqn was relieved and moved to RHQ. area. There was sporadic shelling in the area of B Sqn HQ during the day, otherwise nothing to report, The regt was ordered to move, less B Sqn, to the area of 7 Armd Div HQ at 1500 hrs. This order was however cancelled but 8H less two Sqns came under comd. 158 Bde and A Sqn under comd 131 Bde.
463357	29	At 1200 hrs the whole reat came under comd 15(S) Div who had taken over the sector. 8H was now a mob reserve with a counter attack role. (See 8H Op Order att at Appx X)	Appx X 8 H.O.O No.8
463357	30	Under comd 15/S) Div. As far as committments allowed the regt carried out maintenance. In the afternoon hot showers were arranged at a nearby farm.

Units Referencing the 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars

The following units mention the 8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars in their war diaries from September 1944:

8th Battalion Kings Royal Irish Hussars, September 1944 War Diary

Units Referenced in this war diary

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