Brigade Headquarters, 3rd Parachute Brigade

141728

2IC

2/858

3/346 Eng Bn

52 LI

6-pr

Adjt

Adm

Adv

Airldg

Amb

Amn

Arty

ASSU

A.Tk

Att

Bde

BOWO

BRASCO

Bty

Cdn

Cdo

C in C

CMO

Comd

Conf

Coy

CRA

DAA & QMG

Def

Disposns

Div

Eng

Est

Evac

Excl

FDL

FOB
FOO

Fwd

GOC

Inf

Incl

Instr

Int

MDS

Med

NTR

Offr

Posn

RAC

RAP

RASC

Regt

Rep

RUR

Seaf

Sec

Sigs

Sigmn

Sitnor

SLO
SO

Sqn

Str

Tac

Tps

Tpt

Wef

X rds

X tracks

Map Reference

Second-in-Command

2 Kompanie, 858 Grenadier Regiment

3 Kompanie, 346 Engineer Battalion

52nd (2nd Ox & Bucks) Light Infantry

6-pounder

Adjutant

Administration

Advance

Airlanding

Ambulance

Ammunition

Artillery

Air Support Signal Unit

Anti-Tank

Attached

Brigade

Brigade Major

Battalion

Brigade Ordnance Warrant Officer

Brigade Royal Army Service Corps Officer

Battery

Black Watch

Counter-battery

Canadian

Commando

Chaplain to the Forces

Commander-in-Chief

Chief Medical Officer ?

Commanding Officer

Command / Commander

Conference

Company

Commander Royal Artillery

Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General

Defence

Dispositions

Division / Divisional

Drop Zone
Engineer

Established

Evacuated

Exercise

Exclude

Field

Forward Defended Locality

Forward Observation Bombardment

Forward Observation Officer

Focke-Wulf

Forward

General Staff Officer 1

General Officer Commanding

Group

Heavy Anti-Aircraft

Heavy

Infantry

Intelligence

Including

Instruction

Intelligence

Intelligence Officer

Liaison Officer

Main Dressing Station

Medium

Machine Gun

Medical Officer

Map Reference

Nothing to Report

Officer Commanding

Officer

Operation Order

Operation / Observation Post (if upper case)

Other Ranks

Platoon

Position

Prisoner of War

Quartermaster

Royal Artillery

Royal Armoured Corps

Regimental Aid Post

Royal Army Service Corps

Royal Corps

Road

Royal Engineers

Regiment

Representative

Royal Ulster Rifles

Rendezvous

Small Arms

Staff Captain

Seaforth

Section

Signals

Signalman

Situation Normal

[Senior?] Liaison Officer

Staff Officer

Self-Propelled

Squadron

Special Service

Strength

Tactical

Tank

Troop

Transport

Unexploded

With Effect

Crossroads

Crosstracks

0900 - Bde HQ opened area LE MESNIL X-rds area 141728 (Sheet 75/2 1/50,000). 1 CDN PARA BN in same area protecting HQ. Bde Comd wounded in early morning by bomb fragment. Maj W.A.C. COLLINGWOOD, BM; Maj A.A.K. POPE, DAA & QMG; Rev. J. McVEIGH, CF 4th Class; Capt W.E. CHURCH, MO, and Lt D.J. KIPPIN, SLO, missing. Capt J.T. WOODGATE assumes duties of DAA & QMG, and Capt A.T. WILKINSON duties of BM. Capt J.A. WILKES, Sigs Offr 1, and Lt S. GYTON, Provost, missing. Strength (Bde HQ) 9 Offrs 12 ORs; (Def Pl) 1 Offr 26 ORs. 9 PARA BN under comd 1 SS Bde.

0400 - Considerable number of PW taken from BREVILLE area together with approx 40 rifles of varying types, 1 MG 34 and amn.

1400 - Commandos withdraw from VARAVILLE forcing us to withdraw Cdn Coy under cover of darkness from ROBEHOMME.

1400 - Capt WILKINSON, IO, killed during counter-attack on enemy. SLO takes over IO.

1930 - Attack on HEROUVILLETTE and RANVILLE by two Bns repulsed. BDE HQ stood to.

0730 - 2-Bn attack on 9 Para Bn and 1 Cdn Para Bn posns. Enemy infiltrate between Cdns and 9 Bn with Inf Guns. and armour. Driven out by fire.

2230 - 5 BLACK WATCH arrive and move to 9 Para Bn posn prior to attack on BREVILLE. 9 Bn capture Chateau to give BW. start line. 5/7 GORDONS and 1 GORDONS proceed to 8 Para Bn area.

1500 - Hy bombardment heard from BLACK WATCH area. Kept up for 1½ hrs with strong mortar and SA fire. Message from BLACK WATCH said they had drawn in one coy but had left A.Tk gunners and PIATs at CHATEAU. LO from 9 Para Bn said that though situation was severe posn could and was being held. Bde Comd ordered up "C" Coy 1 Cdn Para Bn and he with Bde IO went up to put them in posn. FOO and FOB fired on wood near BREVILLE. Numbers of BLACK WATCH found in Bde HQ area.

1915 - Two tps Sherman tks 13/18 Hussars and 2 Secs 3 Para Sqn RE left Bde HQ for CHATEAU area. 4 Shermans K.O.

2145 - Attack on BREVILLE by 12 Para Bn, 1 Coy DEVONS and 1 Sqn 13/18 HUSSARS; this completely stabilised the front.

0200 - IO to 9 Bn with orders for relief of 9 Bn and BLACK WATCH. Collected guides from own tps.

1935 - British aircraft (Typhoons) shot up Bde HQ and MDS with 20mm cannon fire and rocket projectiles. 2 Cdn Offrs wounded and 1 French female civilian killed.

1230 - Seaborne tpt and party arrived (D plus 4 party). Day very quiet. Bde Comd confined to bed.

0430 - Hy mortaring and shelling of Bde posns. Direct hit on goose pen killing broody goose. Sgt LANE wounded in leg and evac. Attacks on all fwd Bn fronts though very undetermined. S.P. guns cause some damage to 8 Para Bn and 1 Cdn Para Bn.

1430 - Generals BROWNING and GALE arrive, talk of impending move to 5 Bde area. Div Comd orders 4 6-pr A.Tk guns to be loaned to us from 12 DEVONS.

1915 - Capt FIELDER (SC) Lt SMITH (Sigs Offr) and Acting IO proceed to 5 Bde HQ to recce take over. 5 Bde party arrives 3 Bde HQ.

1400 - Last party of Bde HQ leave LE MESNIL (Bde Comd and IO). Bde HQ strength 7 Offrs 15 ORs, Def Pl 1 Offr 25 ORs.

1200 - Brig. H.J.K. MONEY, 44 Bde, arrives to see Bde Comd. BM take him to 8 Para Bn.

1245 - Maj Gen MacMILLAN met at LE MARIQUET X-rds by LO to be taken to 8 Para Bn.

1345 - COs of Bns in 15 (Scottish) Div taken round area by LO 8 Para Bn and S.C. (Acting).

1000 - All quiet. Bde Comd recce's rest area. Previous plans changed - 153 Bde now to relieve us.

1000 - All prepared for move to new area. BM, SC, IO, Sigs Offr and Def Pl Comd visit area.

1300 - Lt Gen CROCKER, Comd 1 Corps, visits Bde HQ and leaves a CAMEMBERT cheese.

0835 - Dud shells lands by Bde HQ stores. Removed by excavation and sent to C.B. HQ.

1100 - 8 Para Bn ordered to stand by to move (not before 1300 hrs) to Div area owing to change in 152 disposns.

1000 - COs for patrol conference. Fairly consistent mortaring and shelling. RASC driver wounded at 8 Para Bn whilst with Bde RASC Offr.

2145 - Bde Comd and IO to 8 Para Bn, on Bde Comd's return from Div, to listen to 8 Bn fighting patrol.

1930 - Mortar from enemy posn wounded Pte Moxham, Offrs Mess Cook. Unexploded bomb (81mm) in DRs' line, removed after bearing (of 130º) being taken.

2000 - Mortar bomb wounded Capt FIELDER, Lt SMITH, Lt JONES (SC, Sigs Offr and Def Pl Comd), L/Cpl Little (Bde Comd's batman), Pte CARTER (BM's batman); 2 French civilians also wounded. BM, IO and SLO received superficial wounds when another bomb exploded whilst they were carrying casualties to RAP.

2115 - Conference to sort out Bde HQ personnel. LO to take over SC, SI PARKER - Def Pl Comd, Adjt Div Sigs coming to take over Sigs Offr temporarily.

1000 - Col DAVIES, WTSF, 2nd Army, arrives to discuss points re weapons. To be shown round Bns between 1600 and 1700 hrs tomorrow.

Str: Bde HQ 6 Offrs 16 ORs. Def Pl Nil Offrs and 23 ORs. Sigs Sec Nil Offrs 50 ORs.

1600 - Brig. R.G. Parker addressed all available officers of 1 Cdn Para Bn Residues and 1 Cdn Para Trg Coy on the actions so far fought by the 6 Airborne Div in Normandy.

1030 - Brig R.G. Parker addressed all available officers of Bde HQ Residues and 8th and 9th Para Bn Residues as above.

2030 - Bde Comd returns, Adolf Hitler Day cancelled. Fairly heavy mortaring and shelling all night.

0945 - Brig Poett visits Bde. BM to 5 Bde re details of move. Very quiet little shelling.

1630 - General Gale visits Bde HQ. Very pleased, with 300 yds stealing of ground.

1630 - Reinforcements arrive. 1 'I' man, one clerk, & Capt Tomlinson (att for temporary duty). Capt Kelland 8 Para Bn (att for temporary duty). Capt Hart, SO1 from Div & Lt Watts RC of Sigs takes over SO2. Sigmn arrives.

Bde Comds inspection. IO recces training area & visits Lincolns on COLOMBELLES Bridge. New BM Major R.W. GORDON takes over from Major W.A.C. COLLINGWOOD.

1400 - 8 Bn moved to LE MESNIL. 7 Bn returned. 8 Bn under comd 5 Bde. 7 Bn under comd. Capt Pearson, Airborne Forces Security Fund Officer visited Bde. Bde Comd to Div.

1300 - Lt Col Harris 2 RUR visited Bde and sent to Lt Col Pearson 8 Para Bn to obtain full information on Brickworks Touffreville & Troarn.

1745 - Conf for COs at Bde re new areas. Bde at 1 hrs notice to move to RANVILLE.

0830 - Hvy day bombers over area SOUTH of ESCOVILLE. Hvy traffic over bridges. Battle in progress.

0600 - Battle still proceeding well. Still at one hours notice to move. Provost Sec lent to Corps Cage to help marshall prisoners.

Bde moves to area below 5 Para Bde, excl X tracks 139720 to excl triangle 140707.

1730 - Conference of Bn Comds, CRA Reps from 152 and 5 Para Bdes regarding 3 Para Bde "Shoot" 29 Jul.

1730 - Bde Comd & Bn CO's and 2ICs see demonstration shoot of Panzer werfer. Note:- The Bde shoot referred to 281730 cancelled.

2015 - Visited by Bde Comd 154 Bde. (154 are taking over from 152 Bde on our right flank).

0945 - 9 Bn reports Snipers from fwd pl saw four enemy leaving slit trench at 146713. Patrol organised to investigate possibility of enemy having moved fwd during night.

1200 - 8 Bn report patrol went fwd to 147717 without making contact with the enemy.

1800 - 9 Bn report Patrol to 146713 and surrounding area found no signs of enemy and no trench.

2040 - Observer states 2 spitfires were over enemy area BOIS de BURES. Enemy HA fire seen to burst close, one spit turned and bomb was jettisoned on our posns. Leading plane was seen to land 3 miles NW of Bde HQ.

0245 - Issued following Instr:- To 1 Cdn Para Bn (1) LO to report here as soon as possible (2) Bn ready to move at 1 hrs notice from 0800 hrs onwards (3) In the light on (2) suggest breakfast at 0630 hrs.

1200 - A tk & Carrier pls from 1 Bucks under comd. Bde Comd visits Bns. Op instr attached as per Appx 'I'.

1200 - Locations of Bns (1) 8 Para Bn 131701 (2) 9 Para Bn 144697 (3) 1 Cdn Para Bn 136707.

1600 - 2 German deserters from 2/858. Specialist reinforcements arrive today incl QMs and MG Offr.

1730 - Bde Comd's Conf with COs re patrols. Capt Kippin resumes duties of IO, Lt Fitzgerald becomes Bde S.L.O.

1200 - 1 Bucks Carrier & A tk pl revert to comd 1 Bucks. A tk guns replaced by 4 A tk Bty. One carrier lost by mortaring during move.

1400 - G2 (Int) brings two Maquis to be briefed for journey thro' enemy lines to PONT L'EVEQUE.

2200 - G.O.C. arrives. Patrols from all Bns out to probe enemy & to see if he is with-drawing.

1600 - Maquis men pass through lines. 8 Bn push in strong rearguard at St RICHER.

2215 - Attack commences. Lt Fitzgerald killed, shell kills 2 & wounds 7 in Bde HQ.

2200 - Bde Conf of HQ Offrs. Bde Comd visits 8 & 9 Bns. GOC congratulates Bns on exploits.

1200 - Bns ordered to cross River TOUQUES and march to St GATIEN. 1 Cdn Para Bn to cross by ferry and 8 & 9 Bns on foot bridge. Bde Comd ferried over. Remainder of Comd Post arrived via PONT L'EVEQUE.

0800 - IO meets G.O.C. at Cross Roads and receives orders to seize and hold BEUZEVILLE to prevent enemy withdrawing through town. Little opposition expected.

1000 - 8 Bn bypassing BEUZEVILLE to South. Opposition stiff. 8 Bn fighting steadily forward.

1300 - 9 Bn ordered to high ground NW of BEUZEVILLE to patrol vigorously with the object of discovering a crossing of River.

2300 - Comd Post est with 9 Bn. Orders received that 1 SS Bde will arrive to pass through at 0100 hrs. 9 Bn and Cdns will push on to LA ROCHE & MON MAUGER, respectively.

Units cleaning and issuing clothing. Bde HQ at 603078. Bde HQ strengths - HQ 9 and 22, Def Pl 27 ORs, Sigs 2 and 44.

1930 - BM and IO to 8 Bn for dinner. Visit of Brig HERBERT DSO (S.D. 21 Army Gp).

0800 - Recipients of decorations despatched to Tac HQ 21 Army Gp to receive ribbons from General MONTGOMERY. N.T.R.

Advance Party for U.K. of Captain H.E. Smyth and CQMS Dixon leave for ARROMANCHES.

Main Party spend second night in transit camp. Road Party of Jeeps and Trailers leave under Captain Cooper (BRASCO).

0830 - Arrival of Main Party at SOUTHAMPTON Disembark, and rail move to BULFORD.

1. 3 Para Bde, having successfully held the bridgehead over the ORNE since "D" day has at last been given the opportunity of pursuing the German. At 2300 hrs on the 16th August the GOC 6 Airborne Division visited this HQ and gave the necessary authority for 3 Para Bde to advance if and when it was certain that the enemy were withdrawing.

2. The operation commenced at 0300 hrs. 9 Para Bn gained their objective - the hedgerow running North through the Shrine, and immediately 8 Para Bn were pushed through. Shortly after 6 oclock, Col Pearson reported that he was on the SPUR which was the second objective, and by 0630 hrs the leading troops of this Battalion were in BURES itself. No enemy were encountered during this advance, and no booby trapping was encountered in this sector.

3. While this advance was going on, 1 Cdn Para Bn took over a larger section of the Brigade front, and at approximately 0700 hrs was ordered to sweep through the BOIS DE BAVENT. This Battalion suffered ten casualties from booby traps during this advance.

4. The Brigade had now reached the line of the River DIVES and was confronted with a difficult obstacle as all the bridges had been thoroughly demolished. In a remarkable short space of time 8 Para Bn had found a route passable to infantry, had forced a crossing of the DIVES and during the morning reported enemy position at ST RICHER 1969. It was one thing for the infantry to get across, but was quite a difficult problem to get any vehicles across. It was early apparent that considerable work would be necessary before even jeeps would be able to get up to the forward troops. 9 Para Bn followed 8 Para Bn across the river and 1st Cdn Para Bn came into a concentration area to the West of BURES.

5. At 1700 hrs, after a truly magnificent days work, 3 Para Sqn RE reported that a passable route only for jeeps had been completed over the DIVES. Shortly after this, 1 Cdn Para Bn also crossed the river and the problem of administration now became acute. By various means, mortars, machine guns, ammunition and food were ferried forward and casualties were evacuated over the DIVES only with difficulty. By night-fall on the 17th August, the Brigade was firmly established with 8 Para Bn in the area of GOUSTRANVILLE 2271, 1 Cdn Para Bn in area 2172 with 9 Para Bn in reserve in area 2171. Brigade HQ was established in ST RICHER.

6. Reports from 8 Para Bn on the evening of the 17th August left hope that the main bridge at 237720 had not been blown. Unfortunately, at about 0500 hrs on the 18th August, the bridge was demolished.

7. Before continuing with the operation, it was essential to appreciate the nature of the ground. The country round DOZULE entirely dominated the positions of 3 Para Bde and any movement in daylight was bound to be hazardous. As a result it was decided to postpone any further move forward until dusk on the evening 18th August. The plan was as follows. - At 2145 hrs the 1 Cdn Para Bn was to seize the river and ascertain which of the four bridges were passable to infantry or vehicles. There were, on the front, 4 bridges which were labelled A, B, C and D running from North to South. 9 Para Bn working on the information which would be sent back by 1 Cdn Para Bn were then to cross the river and seize line of the railway.

8. Zero Hour was 2145 hrs and by 2200 hrs 1 Cdn Para Bn reported that they had seized bridge 'A' which was passable to infantry. Commander 3 Para Bde waited for further information regarding bridges B, C and D before committing 9 Para Bn. By 2245 hrs, as no further information had come in, 9 Para Bn was ordered to cross the river via bridge 'A' and seize the line of the railway. Before dealing with this attack, it should be mentioned that by 2350 hrs all the bridges on the line of the river were in our hands and 'D' bridge was fit for light traffic, the Cdn Bn having successfully liquidated two enemy coys in well fortified posns.

9. 9 Para Bn then started to cross the river via bridge 'A'. This was an extremely difficult operation as it meant walking through over four feet of water. The first company required 45 minutes to cross the river. The Commander of 9 Para Bn received many instructions ordering him to hurry, but the full difficulties of the operation were not appreciated till later. By 0245 hrs 9 Para Bn reported that the railway line was in their hands and also the station, the remainder of one enemy Bn having been outflanked and put in the bag. Casualties during this stage of the battle were remarkable small, but 9 Para Bn were extremely wet and uncomfortable.

10. 8 Para Bn, during this operation remained in reserve in the area of GOUSTRANVILLE.

11. By dawn on the 19th August, the line of the railway and river were firmly in our hands but as soon as the Germans were able to get observation, heavy mortaring and shelling began from the high ground which dominates both these positions, and the 9 Para Bn began to suffer fairly heavy casualties. To some extent it was possible to reduce the enemy fire with our own artillery, but it would be obviously necessary to seize and hold the high ground to the East before the mortar and artillery fire can fully be stopped.

12. The operation continues. 5 Para Bde has gone through followed by the 4 S.S. Bde and the 1 S.S. Bde.

13. As a result of the action of the Brigade, enemy rear-guards were successfully driven on along 'Island' feature to where obstacles were crossed with a loss to the enemy of 1 Bn of 744 Regt. In addition, many prisoners were taken.