9th Parachute Battalion War Diary: July 1944

The 9th Parachute Battalion July 1944 war diary covers the units actions in the area East of the River Orne around Le Mesnil, Ecarde.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1242

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WO 171/1242 9th Parachute Battalion

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The 9th Parachute Battalion are mentioned in 2 other war diaries from July 1944.

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Page 1 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
LE MESMIL	1		Normal mortaring and shelling snipers active but no kills. It was now
			becoming apparent that all ranks in the Bn were suffering from severe
			mental fatigue. This was inevitably caused by heavy duties falling
			upon the same men. Sections were now down to an average of three men.
			CO interviewed Sgts of all Coys to asertain the situation. Up till now
			the Bn had been out of the line for four days since D Day and the effect of
			continuous fighting on the men was now most pronounced. CO made representations
			to Bde Comdr who appreciated the situation sympathectically and informed
			the Divisional Commander. CO informed the latter that he would like the Bn
			relieved in 48 hrs. Patrol under CSM Beckwith was sent out but had to
			return at the request of the 1st Canadian Para Bn who were suffering Casualties
			during their construction of MG pits as our patrol was operating whilst
			digging was in progress.
		1200	Visit Bn of Lt.Gen. Browning and Major Gens Gale, Crawford and Domas.
			digging at point 501 continued in the heavy rain. Normal mortar & shell fire.

Page 2 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
LE MESMIL	3		Command Post Completed.
	4		Construction of new positions at 501 almost completed. Representatives
			of 13 Para Bn made recce of Bn area preparatory of taking over on the following day.
			Owing to our strength it was no longer possible to mauntain 3 rifle coys.
			A, B, and C Coys were therefore formed into two Coys known as No.1 Coy & No.2 Coy.
			No1 Coy (Major.G.E.Smith ) occupied point 501. Men now on their last legs.
LE MESMIL.	5	1000	Bn relieved by 13 para bn. Strength of the Bn was now 11 Offs (Padre & MO incl)
			and 177 ORs . 3 Para Bde moved back to the rest area at ECARDE in heavy rain.
			A majority of the men were able to reoccupy their original dugouts after
			much baling out.
ECARDE.	6		Day spent in cleaning up, reclothing and rest. CO decided to move Bn HQ
			and HQ Coy to another field where now dugouts were to be constructed.
			In the evening the Bn was reinforced by 2 Offs and 70 ORs from the OXF & BUCKS L.I.
			9 ORs from the BUCKS Regt. and 27 ORs from the South Lancs Regt. 1Off from the
			Essex Regt and 1 from the Monmouthshire Regt, total 4 Offs and 106 ORs .

Page 3 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
ECARDE.	6		With these additions it was possible to reorganise into 3 Coys. The strength
			of the Bn was now 16 Offs and 287 ORs.
ECARDE.	7		Rest and reorganisation continued. In the afternoon the Bde Comdr addressed
			all Offs of the Bde at Bde HQ.
ECARDE.	9		Bn Church Parade in the open; the 2nd since leaving the U.K.
" "	10-19		The period 10 to 19 July was spent in Individual Trainings
			NCO cadre courses and recreation. A number of men were sent to the 1 Corps
			rest camp for a period of 2 days in batches of ten. Many excursions were
			made to cinemas etc on the west side of the ORNE. All ranks derived a great
			bentfit from going into the interior of the bridgehead.
ECARDE.	16	1200	The C in C visited the Div and presented ribbons to Offs and ORs who were
			the recipients of awards. No awards were made on this occasion to
			3 Para Bde but the Bn was represented at the Parade by LT Col.OTWAY and
			RSM.ROSS.
ECARDE	17	1400	Div Comdr addressed all Offs of the Bde at Bde HQ.

Page 4 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
ECARDE.	17	1400	After giving an account of the activities of the Div up to this date he gave
			an account of the battles in other sectors of the bridgehead and outlined
			his policy for the future.
ECARDE	18	0600	Large numbers of heavy bombers from the U.K. passed over head on thier way
			to bomb CAEN; the prelude of the battle; The Bn turned out to watch the air
			battle which was a sight to gladden every body's heart. The procession of
			aircraft continued without stop for 4 hrs. During the day armoured formations
			having crossed the ORNE, passed through the camp in an endless stream.
			Cpt.Mills and Lt.Slade nearly met their doom when a Bull dozer almost removed the
			Officers Latrine in which they were ensconced.
ECARDE	19	1730	CO attended Bde conference and returned with the news that the Bn was to
			go up the line next morning. Coy Comdrs accompanied the CO on a recce of the
			new area at present occupied by 12 Devons. Recce carried out in drenching rain.
			Orders issued for move.

Page 5 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
ECARDE	20		Bn left ECARDE for to take over a sector immediately west of the "Triangle".
			Very heavy rain during which several attempts were made to dig in. Reported
			by 12 Devons that this was a very quiet piece of the front. No shells or
			bombs fell in the Bn area during the day.
TRIANGLE	21		Continued heavy rains during the night and most of the day. Work commenced
			on new Command post. This was to be a real luxury affair with two tables
			and chairs and ample space. RE asked for advice on construction. First
			bombs in Bn area which increased in number as the day passed.
		2300	German recce aircraft flew overhead. Considerable British flak.
TRIANGLE	22		Patrols from B Coy out during the day. A certain amount of enemy movement
			reported. Increased Mortar fire. Bde had now in support 150 Fd Regt
			RA, who did great work in retaliation. Evening "Stonk" to which the enemy
			replied but little.
TRIANGLE	23		Patrols and snipers active. Fairly quiet during the morning but renewed
			activity during the afternoon. Our own Mortars particularly active.

Page 6 of 9

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
TRIANGLE.	23	Interchange of Coy posns, A Coy now in rear position, B Coy forward,C Coy
		intermediate positions.
" "	24	C R E visited Bn area accompanied by Lieut. Shand. Whilst inspecting two
		derelict enemy tanks it appears that Lt Shand stood on a necklace of 75
		grenades and was killed - CRE seriously wounded. Considerable mortar
		activity to which our guns replied with zest. CO visited a General Hospital in
		BAYEUX. Likely to leave the Bn tomorrow.
" "	25	Lt.Col.OTWAY evacuated. A Coy patrols out both day and night, prisoners
		taken during the evening. Normal activity by both sides. Visit by Div Comdr.
	26	Coys change over. Enemy patrol bumped into C Coy FDLs exchange of fire in which
		a number of the enemy were hit at very close range. One seriously wounded
		captured. Remainder fled. Patrols and snipers out but nothing to report.
		Fairly heavy mortar and artillery fire. A few casualties suffered.
	27	Normal activity but night more active than usual. Enemy aircraft came
		overhead at about midnight and dropped five bombs in B Coy area.

Page 7 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
TRIANCLE	27		One scored a direct hit in a dugout and killed both occupants. These were
			the first bombs we had had. Medical Officer (Capt.Watts ) left the Bn for a
			period at the Bde rest house which had recently been established at HERMANVILLE.
			MO relieved by Capt. Atkinson, 224 Para Fd Amb.
	28		Grand Stonk laid on by Bde Comd.Fd and Medium Arty to put down heavy
			concentrations. Stonk later cancelled by 1 Corps. Much disappointment.
			During the day a Polish deserter came in with a severe arm wound. He
			proved a very useful prisoner and gave us much information. During the	See Appendix "A".
			evening a captured Panzerwurffer was borrowed from 3 Div to amuse us and to
			annoy the enemy. A number of rockets were fired in quick succession after
			which the party broke up.
	29		Bde Cendr visited a neighbouring Bde to recce a new area which the Bde was
			to take over. Bde "O"Group during the evening. Enemy activity on a reduced
			scale as a result of our own retaliation. Patrols out but nothing to report.
BOIS DE BAVENT	30	0900	CO contacted OC 1 BW with a view to carrying out a recce of the new area.

Page 8 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
BOIS DE BAVENT	30	0900	Bn to take over from sub units of three different Bns of 51 Div. A very
			hot day. Two mortars bombs landed very close to the Command post, the roof
			of which had just been removed by 1 BW. Day extremely quiet. Nothing known
			about the enemy in this sector.
		1300	Bn moved in. A & B Coys forward, C Coy in reserve. Positions already dug so
			little work apart from maintenance, required. Bn in high spirits. Work
			commenced immediately on the construction of a bigger and better Comd Post.
	31		Bde Comd recce'd Bn area with CO. At A Coy's forward position one 5cm mortor
			bomb fell very close; evident that party was being observed. Bde Come was
			surprised as it was thought that enemy was further in the woods. Visited
			A Coys rear pl, followed all the way by mortar fire. Bde Comdr CO and OC A coy
			took refuge in a narrow slit trench around which five mortar bombs fell in
			quick succession. Direct hit scored on trench five yds away in which a Cnd
			soldier was killed. Bde Comd very annoyed, returned to his HQ and ordered a
			STORK on the forward edge of BOIS DE BAVENT. Very considerable mortar activity during the day.

Page 9 of 9

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Field	4	2300- 0600	1st Rft Night Exercise - Pl in Attack. South Staffs cease to be attached for rations and accommodation.
"	6		109081 T/Capt TEA ROBINSON joined Bn from Theatre of Operations
"	7		79893 Lt AG BARLOW posted to Bn from No 1 AFHU. 9 ORs joined from Theatre
"			of operations. 6 Posted from No 1 AFHU. 6 ORs joined from Theatre of Operations
"	5		T/Capt ROBINSON TEA (109081) visited 3" Mortar Wing S.A.S. Netheravon. 4 ORs posted from No 1 AFHU. 4 ORs posted to Airborne Forces Depot.
"	17		262163 Lieut C.J.JONES proceeded to Chester on MMG Course.
"	18		3 ORs joined from Theatre of Operations.
"	19		5 ORs joined from Theatre of Operations.
"	21		4 ORs joined from Theatre of Operations.
"	22		153843 T/Capt C.P.GREENWAY joined Bn from Theatre of Operations
"	26		75399 Lt M.N.Glen, 274729 Lt D.A.Harpley, 320043 2/Lt .Graham and 31 ORS posted from No 1 AFHU. 6 ORs posted from Theatre of Operations.
"	29		8 ORs joined from Theatre of Operations.
			Miscellaneous Appces
			AFs W3008 - Residues, Serials No 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
			AFs W3009 - Residues, Serials No 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Units Referencing the 9th Parachute Battalion

The following units mention the 9th Parachute Battalion in their war diaries from July 1944:

Units Referenced in this war diary

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

12th Devonshire Regiment, July 1944 War Diary