Abbreviation
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103745 13/18 H 2IC AA A/C Adv Airfd Airldg Amb Amn Appt Armd Arty ASH A/Tk Attchd Batty Bde Bldg Bn Br Bty BW C/a Cas Cdn CO Comd Conc Conf Coy Def DF Div DZ Eqpt Est Fd FDL Fm FW Fwd Gen GOC Gp Gren Hy Incl Ind Inf Infm Instrs Int IO IofW Junc KSLI LCT LMG LO Lt Mag ME MG MMG MO Mor MT OC Offr O Group Ops OR Ox & Bucks LI Pl Posn Prs Pty PW QM RA RAP RASC Rd RE Regt REME Res Rfts Rly RMO RV SA Sec Shellrep Sigs SP Sqn SS Stn Str Sup Tk Tps Tpt Trg Veh X Rds Yeo |
Map Reference 13th/18th Hussars Second-in-Command Anti-Aircraft Aircraft Adjutant Administration Advance / Advanced Airfield Airlanding Ambulance Ammunition Armoured Artillery Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Anti-Tank Attached Battery Brigade Building Battalion Bridge Battery Black Watch Counter-attack Casualties Canadian Commanding Officer Commander Concentration Conference Company Defensive Defensive Fire Division / Divisional Drop Zone Equipment Established Field Farm Focke-Wulf Forward General General Officer Commanding Group Grenadier Heavy Including Independent Infantry Information Instructions Intelligence Intelligence Officer Isle of Wight Junction King's Shropshire Light Infantry Landing Craft Tank Light Machine Gun Liaison officer Light Magnetic / Magazine Messerschmitt Machine Gun Medium Machine Gun Medical Officer Mortar Motor Transport Officer Commanding Officer Orders Group Operations Other Ranks Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Platoon Position Pounders Party Prisoner of War Quartermaster Royal Artillery Regimental Aid Post Royal Army Service Corps Road Royal Engineers Regiment Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Reserve Reinforcements Railway Regimental Medical Officer Rendezvous Small Arms Section Shell Report Signals Self-Propelled / Support (if lower case) Squadron Special Service Station Strength Supply Tank Troops Transport Training Vehicle Crossroads Yeomanry |
Month and year: June 1944
Commanding Officer : Lt. Col. R.G. Pine-Coffin
1st June 1944
Place: Tilshead
1000 - CO briefs Bn for operation OVERLORD cinema TILSHEAD.
1500 - Div Int Conference HARWELL - escape cards issued.
2nd June 1944
Place: Tilshead
Coy Briefing - 1800 hrs Conference at Bde HQ HARWELL.
3rd June 1944
Place: Tilshead
Coy Briefing - 1800 hrs Conference at Bde HQ HARWELL.
2100 - Co-ordinating conference with Major HOWARD "D" Coy 2 Ox & Bucks.
4th June 1944
Place: Tilshead
Visit to FAIRFORD Airfd to fit chutes and meet aircrew and return to TILSHEAD. 1800 hrs Conference at Bde HQ HARWELL.
5th June 1944
Place: Tilshead
Bn moves to rest camp in FAIRFORD PARK where short service was held by Rev PARRY - 1900 hrs bn moves to airfd - 2320 hrs Bn takes off.
6th June 1944
Place: Ranville
0100 - Bn completed drop but went into action with Coys at half normal strength due to some plane loads being dropped in wrong places and one load not dropping at all.
Place: Le Port and Benouville
0325 - Bn occupied objective and held it against various counter-attacks "A" and "B" Coys being heavily engaged. Cas - killed 3 Officers, Capt Parry (Padre), Lt Bowyer and Lt Hill, and 16 ORs. Wounded 4 Officers, Major TAYLOR, Capt WEBBER, Lt HUNTER & Lt TEMPLE & 38 ORs. Missing, 170 ORs did not R.V. after drop. Appx I.
1325 - Bn of Commandos passed through bn posns.
2200 - Stick from a/c which failed to drop arrived by glider - included Major TULLIS and Lt THEOBALD and R.M.O. Capt YOUNG.
2230 - Bn of Royal Warwicks arrived and put in an attack on BENOUVILLE.
7th June 1944
Place: Le Port & Benouville
0015 - Bn relieved by Royal Warwicks.
0045 - Bn arrived in Bde res and rest area at 105734. Odd ptys of men rejoined the bn at various times during the day.
Place: Le Hom
1330 - Bn moved out and took up a defensive posn in area 112735 (Div res).
8th June 1944
Place: Le Hom
Bn posns shelled and mortared at various times during the day, some times heavily.
2100 - Bn seaborne pty arrived.
9th June 1944
Place: Le Hom
1111 - Shell burst in area of Bn HQ. 3 ORs killed - 8 ORs wounded.
1340 - L/C Spendlove (missing at time of drop) reported fighting with SS Commandos.
1450 - Shell burst over "B" Coy area. 4 ORs wounded.
2140 - Enemy a/c bombed bn area.
2150 - Enemy a/c strafed "B" Coy area - 1 man wounded.
10th June 1944
Place: Le Hom
0500 - "B" Coy area shelled for 30 mins - 2 ORs killed, 1 OR wounded.
1025 - Pty of enemy at 119740 reported believed destroyed by bn mortar and MG fire.
Place: Le Mesnil
1535 to 1809 - Bn completed successful attack on enemy in woods between bn posn and LE MESNIL taking up final posn in LE MESNIL. Cas - wounded 1 officer Major NEAL, and 10 ORs. Estimated 30 enemy killed - 90 take prisoner. Appx II.
11th June 1944
Place: Le Mesnil
0630 - 2 prisoners captured.
1500 - "B" Coy area shelled and mortared.
1530 - Bn visited by BBC representatives.
2330 - Lt THOMAS (B Coy) shot and wounded by Coy sentry.
12th June 1944
Place: Le Mesnil
1502 - Shelling and fire from NORTH, Bn stands to for an hr and "A" Coy moves to 138726 to support 1 Canadian Bn.
2155 - Unknown missile lands in "B" Coy area. 6 ORs wounded.
13th June 1944
Place: Herouvillette
1030 - Bn moves to and takes up posn in HEROUVILLETTE.
1225 - A and C Coys rejoin Bn.
1245 - Slight shelling of "B" Coy area.
1530 - Slight shelling of "C" Coy area.
1940 - Bn area attacked by 4 or 5 Typhoon A/C and swept by cannon fire. No cas.
2335 to 2350 - Bombing around bn area.
14th June 1944
Place: Herouvillette
0415 to 0430 - Bombing around bn area.
2245 - Bombs (mortar) landed in "C" Coy area. One NCO killed 3 ORs wounded.
15th June 1944
Place: Herouvillette
1640 - Enemy shelling near "B" Coy area.
1650 - Two enemy maps found at 122722. One marked.
16th June 1944
Place: Herouvillette
0145 - 2 bombs fell 300 yds from Bn HQ.
0425 to 0850 - Bn area heavily shelled and mortared. 4 Tanks observed 600 yds SW of "C" Coy 0730 hrs. Cas 2 ORs killed and 4 ORs wounded. Bn mortars return fire of enemy in wood to E of "B" Coy area.
0910 to 1030 - A Coy move to and clear wood. Cas 1 Offr wounded (Lt McDONALD) 3 ORs wounded. 10 enemy killed, 11 POW taken (5 wounded) Armd Cars moved to support "B" Coy during "A" Coy attack.
1700 - CO attends Bde Comd's conference and receives orders for change over with 8 Para Bn. Coy Comds given orders on return. Appx III.
2030 - Adv Pty of 8 Bn arrived and own adv pty departs under 2IC.
17th June 1944
Place: Le Mesnil
0700 - Bn moves to area SE of LE MESNIL and takes up posn (Bn HQ at 140720). Appx IV.
1140 - Shells land in bn area.
1615 to 2000 - "B" Coy patrol out. Reports locality of 4 enemy mortars. Posn shelled by our arty for 3 mins. Enemy then reported gone but enemy seen in farm near mortar posn.
2210 - "C" Coy sniper killed 2 enemy snipers.
18th June 1944
Place: SE Le Mesnil
0300 to 0515 - Intermittent shelling round bn area.
0645 - "C" Coy area mortared.
0650 - SP gun firing from very close to Bn posns.
0755 - One OR killed and one OR wounded of "A" Coy by shell fire.
0830 - Two FW190 a/c flew over bn area.
1030 - Bn "O" Group called, attack to be made on farm, discovered by patrol.
1430 to 1440 - Own arty barrage down on enemy in farm.
1440 - "B" Coy commences attack.
1530 - Own main force split - counter-attack expected.
1540 - "B" Coy under heavy mortar fire.
1545 - "B" Coy makes way back.
1630 - End of battle. 6 PW taken, no of enemy killed estimated 30. Own cas, 3 Offrs wounded (Capt PARRISH, Lt FARR, Lt POOL), 2 ORs killed, 16 ORs wounded.
1655 - Salvoes of mortar bombs land in Bn area. Possibly 32.cm mortars.
2005 - CO's "O" Group.
2100 - A/Div Armd Recce in posn in bn area. Wiring pty sent out.
19th June 1944
Place: SE Le Mesnil
0518 to 0635 - Recce pty from "C" Coy goes to investigate farm and reports slight movement.
0930 - C Coy bring in wounded prisoner (9 Coy, 858 Gren Regt).
0915 [?] - C Coy patrols report having seen enemy, 6 men and one dog in wood and enemy in bldgs at 147724.
1620 - Patrols report in.
2000 - SOS arty crump brought down on farm area.
2132 - Small pty of enemy seen on track near "C" Coy.
0455 to 2400 [?] - Intermittent shelling and mortaring of bn area.
2220 - A Coy reports gun firing from area 148722 (wood and track junc).
20th June 1944
Place: SE Le Mesnil
0035 - Firing and 3 verey lights seen NE of bn area.
0430 - "C" Coy patrol reports in.
0600 - Area N of bn shelled (7.5. SP gun possibly)
0815 - Ind Para Coy joined bn strength (about 40).
1015 - 6 FW 190 flew W to E over bn area. Sec of enemy opened fire on left fwd pl "C" Coy. Fire returned.
1640 - Enemy patrol seen at 145723.
1700 - Fighting patrol from Ind Coy attacks enemy, preceded by heavy mortar fire, and supported by "C" Coy. Cas Capt DE LA TOUR of Ind Para Coy killed, Major BARLETT wounded, 4 ORs Ind Para Coy wounded.
1600 - Div Comd visits bn - 1615 War Correspondent visits bn.
1731 - Counter mortar fire from enemy lands in bn area. 2 ORs of "C" Coy killed.
1735 - 3 PW brought in.
1750 - Heavy shelling of bn area. Shelling and intermittent mortaring continued, till 2300 hrs.
21st June 1944
Place: SE Le Mesnil
0005 to 0300 - Recce patrols out.
0930 to 0936 - Mortar fire on bn area. 80º mag to sound of firing.
0940 - Enemy lays smoke between A and C Coys.
1230 to 1745 - Intermittent shelling of and near bn area. Major TULLIS wounded, 2 ORs killed, 6 ORs wounded.
1820 - Wiring pty from 12 Bn reports. Commences work at 1830.
1850 - Rocket shells land near bn area. 170° mag to sound of firing.
2130 - Bn informed by 7 Black Watch of mines laid close to area.
22nd June 1944
Place: SE Le Mesnil
0335 to 0415 - Bn area shelled.
0900 - A and B coys change over posns.
0930 - Ind Para Coy leaves bn for Div HQ.
1600 - "C" Coy of 12 Bn relieves own "C" Coy. Own "C" Coy to rest area at Bde HQ.
1930 - Four enemy, possibly recce patrol, seen moving round orchard 149717.
2120 - Shells land in bn area.
2210 - Bn area mortared.
2330 - B Coy reports enemy vehs heard moving in "Bobs" farm area. 4 ORs wounded during the day as a result of shelling.
23rd June 1944
Place: SE Le Mesnil
0225 - B Coy patrol returned and reported having seen small enemy sec.
1415 - C Coy patrol reports having seen 14 enemy with MG digging in. Mortar fire brought to bear on area.
1500 - Notification from Black Watch of further mines having been laid.
1630 - Notification of change of address from APO England to "BWEF".
1725 - Mortars engage target in front of "C" Coy. Intermittent shelling and mortaring of bn area during day.
24th June 1944
Place: SE Le Mesnil
0010 - Mortar Pl reports considerable movement of enemy from N to S. Vehs heard in enemy lines.
0245 - C Coy patrol reports in - 0400 C Coy patrol reports in.
1250 - Bn area mortared.
1403 - Bn area mortared from bearing 170° mag.
1420 - Div Comd visits bn.
1839 to 2359 - Bn area shelled & mortared heavily. Multi-barrelled mortars used at times.
2336 - C Coy reports firing on right of coy posns.
25th June 1944
Place: SE Le Mesnil
0001 to 0245 - Shelling of Bn area still continued but not so heavy.
0410 - Bn area heavily shelled from bearing of 75° grid.
0530 - B Coy patrol reports in.
1020 - Coy Comd of 8 Bn arrives.
1030 - CO holds bn "O" Group.
1345 - 8 Bn arrives to take over posns.
1430 - Change over completed.
1500 - Bn moves off.
Place: W of Ecarde 113757
1615 - Bn arrives in rest area.
1700 - Forces ENSA show for bn "Stars in Battle Dress" and at 1915.
26th June 1944
Place: W of Ecarde 113757
1135 - Four FW190 a/c fly over bn area.
28th June 1944
Place: W of Ecarde 113757
0930 to 1045 - CO, 2IC & Coy Comds pay visit to BREVILLE.
29th June 1944
Place: W of Ecarde 113757
1400 & 1900 - Parties from bn attend concert at LUC-sur-MER. Lt McDONALD died of wounds in 86 Base Gen Hospital.
30th June 1944
Place: W of Ecarde 113757
1400 - CO visits area of A Coy's battle at BENOUVILLE.
1600 - Col BARLOW visits bn.
1700 - Short Memorial service at RANVILLE - burial of Lts McDONALD & HILL and 5 ORs.
2045 - Sups dropped by air near bn area.
Month and year: July 1944
Commanding Officer : Lt. Col. R.G. Pine-Coffin
1st July 1944
Place: Area of brs over R ORNE and CANAL de CAEN 113757
1900 - CO dines with Matron of Maternity Hospital at BENOUVILLE - Pty from Bn to cinema at LUC-SUR-MER
2nd July 1944
Place: Area of brs over R ORNE and CANAL de CAEN 113757
1030 - Bn Church Service held in Bn rest area - Col Barlow lunch with bn. 1500 hrs CO visits 8 Bn area - 1830 hrs RC Church Service.
2030 - CO to conference at Bde HQ.
2130 - Bn "O" Gp Conference (subject - arrival of 100 rfts).
3rd July 1944
Place: Area of brs over R Orne and Canal de Caen 113757
0900 - CO addresses all offrs and NCOs re rfts and future policy. 3 Offrs (Lts Pape, Patterson & Howard) and 100 ORs arrive.
4th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0815 - Bn moved from rest area to relieve 8 Para Bn in BOIS DE BAVENT. Appx I.
1400 - 2 cas from enemy shelling. 1800 hrs Major Keene conference with OC 13 Para Bn.
2100 - CO to conference at Bde HQ.
5th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
1030 to 1500 - CO conference at Bde HQ.
1600 - Visit from COs of 2 ASH and 1 BW.
6th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0001 - Recce patrol from A Coy goes into BOIS DE BAVENT (Sjt Parsons).
1000 - CO attends patrol conference at Bde HQ.
0900 - Div Comd visits bn area - congratulates Sjt Parsons on good patrol.
1000 - Patrol goes out under Sjt Chidlaw to same area as night patrol previous night. CO attends patrol conference at Bde HQ.
1300 - CO attends Bde Comd's conference, i.e. Bn raid on enemy outpost.
1900 - Col Barlow visits bn. Representative of Air Div Recce attends CO's conference, i.e. use of Tetrarchs for Bn raid. Bde Comd visits bn with OC 12 Para Bn.
7th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0001 - Recce patrol goes out under Capt Mills (Capt Rogers and Sjt Parsons) returns 0335 hrs.
0830 - CO receives orders from Bde Comd to push fwd one or two hedgerows with fwd coys.
0900 - Orders issued to OC B and C to move and to be in posn by 1200 hrs.
1200 - All in posn by 1100 except right fwd pl of C Coy. One OR killed in B Coy. Right fwd pl of C Coy moved fwd at 1150 and was forced to withdraw from front edge of orchard by MG and mortar fire. Lt Atkinson and two ORs of C killed, and 2 wounded.
1800 - Patrol detailed from C Coy to recover bodies - only recovered Lt Atkinson. C Coy's right fwd pl relieved by pl of A Coy.
1900 - Arty conc put down on BOB'S FARM followed up at 1930 by recce patrol under Sjt Harper of B Coy.
1930 - Propaganda broadcast from brickworks towards BOB'S FARM. Observers report that the German version seemed to meet with no visible response but the Polish version caused one or two men to sit up and take notice. At 2245 the ASH on our right repeated the performance.
2130 - Pl of A Coy relieve C Coy pl on the right flank and pl of C Coy go into C Coy's vacated res posn.
2315 - A Coy section go fwd to orchard in front of C Coy's right fwd pl posn and two bodies of C Coy killed during move fwd were recovered. Patrol had nothing else to report.
8th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0830 - Bde Comd visits bn. CO attended patrol conference at Bde HQ 1000 hrs.
1115 - CO holds "O" Gp Conference - policy as previously laid down - offensive push posts fwd on all possible occasions. B to try to get PIAT into hedge overlooking BOB'S FARM. Sappers (under OC 591 Para Sqn) provide bulldozer for burial of cows and digging pits for jeeps. Also asked permission for sappers to accompany A Coy's standing patrol - this was arranged. During the whole day, as the previous day, Bn mortars kept up a steady fire on hedgerows in front of B and C Coys - not much retaliation except with 5cs mortars in the evening at 1915 hrs and with 8cm at 2320. At 1910 hrs a PIAT in B Coy area fired at BOB'S FARM.
1400 - Capt Woodman took a small party to RANVILLE burial ground for burial of Lt Atkinson and 3 ORs of C Coy. Lt Archdale received a new mortar to replace damaged one, and an indent submitted at 1900 hrs for two new ones.
2100 - CO submitted a report to bde about booby traps (2 hawkins and 36 gren) found in front of B Coy area. Bde IO pursued matter through 3 Bde HQ, 8 Para Bn and 3 Para Sqn RE and no light was thrown on it. Infm was received that during the night 8/9 6 Airldg Bde were going to put down arty concs their front followed by propaganda broadcast. Col Barlow visited bn 'B' Echelon during morning. Throughout the morning, but especially from 0400 hrs onwards, sounds of tremendous concs were heard in CAEN area following terrific air bombardment the previous evening. At 2100 hrs news was received that the day's attack had reached the high ground just NORTH of CAEN.
9th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
During the night there were two bouts of enemy mortar fire from direction through BOBS FARM - there were no cas. The standing patrol of A Coy fwd on the right flank had nothing to report. At 0845 hrs Bde Comd visited Bn area. 1000 hrs CO attended conference at Bde HQ. 0930-1000 hrs PIAT attack on BOB'S FARM with 30 bombs by B Coy covered by mortars on HELLFIRE. At 1120 hrs Div interrogator arrives with news of Battle of CAEN and at 1200 hrs representative of 2nd Seaforths on our right arrives. From 1230-1300 hrs PIATS engage BOB'S FARM.
1400 - CO attended Div Comds conference. 1530 hrs RC padre held Mass in Bn area. 1600 hrs CO had discussion with Bty comd from 53 Lt Regt followed by 'O' group conference in which CO gave outline plan of B Coy's raid for next day. At 1910 hrs B Coy opened fire on BOB'S FARM with PIAT, bringing answering mortar fire from area of HELLFIRE on to C Coy and Bn mortars replied. During the evening there was sporadic enemy mortar fire on Bn area and news was received that at 2200hrs 4 SS Bde would be carrying out Mortar & MG harassing tasks and at 0045 hrs the Airldg Bde would be putting over arty conc followed by propaganda broadcast.
10th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0030 - Gratifying news that our Gunners were engaging enemy gun posns reports by int section's shell reports of previous day.
1000 - CO attended conference at Bde HQ with OC B Coy (Maj Keene) to tie up plan for raid.
1345 - CO holds 'O' gp conference for B Coy's raid and OC B Coy gives his plan. Fire support is tied up with OC C Coy and OC MG Pl.
1600 - Bde LO arrives with news that additional arty support is available for party. 1610 hrs Sgt Fraser (591 Para Sqn RE) reports to OC B Coy for raid with Mor Sgt 13th Bn who gives fire support on BOB'S FARM.
1555 - Bde Comd arrives and goes fwd to C Coy area for battle.
1630 - Arty concs begin 1635 hrs B Coy had passed through A Coy 1640 hrs A Coy area and gully under very hy mortar fire and at 1700 hrs a report from A Coy indicates that B Coy is held up in gully although a part of Coy gets into fm. 1750 hrs B Coy had reported back in res coy posns with Coy Comd a cas and two men missing. Up till 1920 hrs bn area was under hy shelling and mortaring which was replied to by Bn and 13th Bn mortars on BOB'S FARM HELLFIRE and MUSTANG. Shelldrake repeated arty concs MIKE 15 & 17 at 18128 fired on DF SOS 5380 EAST 200 x own cas during action were 1 offr wounded (Maj Keene) 3 ORs killed and 20 wounded (one died of wounds). During rest of night there were a few shells on bn posn causing one fatal cas in C Coy and there was considerable SA fire and arty fire away to the Bn's right flank and further SW. Appx II.
11th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
Bde Comd arrives at 0845 hrs and spent two hours going round bn posns. Conference at Bde HQ at 1000 hrs was cancelled. Capt Went spent morning organising burial of 4 ORs killed.
1430 - Bde Maj visits bn area. At 1500 hrs burial service for 4 ORs (L/Cs Coulthard, Price Ptes Evans & Williams) was held at RANVILLE burial service.
2000 - Lt-Col Bruce Harvey OC 225 Fd Amb visits bn.
1145 - 4 deserters into bn area from 9 Coy 858 Gren Regt.
1110 - Two sections of bde del pl arrive in bn area and go to right fwd pl of C Coy.
2215 - Infm from 5 Bde that 8th Bn would relieve at 1445 hrs on 12th. During the day Capt N.S. Coppin went to take over comd of B Coy. During the night infm received that 152 Bde on our right were doing propaganda broadcast.
2250 - Small raiding party (enemy) on SEAFORTHS front on our right caused considerable SA fire and retaliatory mortar fire in BOIS de BAVENT.
12th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
In the early hours of the morning there was again a considerable amount of enemy shelling NOT confined to bn area and several Shellreps were sent in. There were no bn cas.
0655 - Excitement provided by 5 x ME 109 flying very low over area and one was seen to be shot down by AA away to the WEST.
0800 - Bde Comd arrives for what has proved throughout the campaign to be an almost daily visit to front line troops. These visits by the Bde Comd are tremendously appreciated by tps.
0830 - CO holds 'O' Gp conference giving details of relief by 8th Bn and 0900 hrs adv parties moved off under 2IC to rest area. At 0935 hrs RE party (591 Para Sqn) under comd bn reverted to own comd. Distressing news received that Maj Bliss of 12 Bn had died of wounds but heartening news that Maj Wood (591 Para Sqn RE) was well and that two men of the 13th Bn were found in CAEN. By 1520 hrs the take over was complete and by 1610 hrs the bn was in rest area.
Place: NW of Amfreville
Visit by Capt Pearson (Airborne Div Security Fund) and Lt-Col ? Wilson, AAG Airborne Forces.
13th July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
Parties to cinema and theatre LUC-SUR-MER and LIONS-SUR-MER 1500-1900 hrs. CO & 2IC visit HQ 2nd Army - several members of bn swam in River ORNE and on the whole a very restful day was spent by everybody. Bde Comd 5 Para Bde visited bn at about 0900 hrs.
14th July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
Parties from bn to cinema and theatre - otherwise nothing - 2 IC to 30 Corps HQ - CO and 2 IC visit 1 SS Bde.
15th July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
Visit by Bde Comd 5 Bde - News received of immediate awards to members of bn. Infm that bn must have bombproof slit-trenches by 0900 hrs 16th.
16th July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
C of E church service 1000 hrs - RCs visit BAYEUX Cathedral. 1315 hrs General Montgomery awards decorations to Airborne Div.
17th July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
Order in force that no traffic was allowed in Div area and no traffic allowed over brs. CO interviews all parachute volunteers from rfts. 2 IC reads out to all coys "Current Notes from Overseas No 44".
1745 - CO to 'O' Gp conference 3 Bde HQ (Bn under comd 3 Para Bde in Rest area)
1815 - CO holds bn 'O' gp conference - Bn at 1 hrs notice to move RANVILLE area from 0700 hrs 18 July.
1830 - Coy comds recce RANVILLE area.
1930 - CO & 2 IC to dinner with Bde Comd 1 SS Bde. OC HQ Coy Sigs Offr and IO with RSM recce RANVILLE area.
18th July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
0530 - Reveille.
0545 - Bombers pass over opening big offensive.
1115 - Enemy air attack area brs and RANVILLE - Bn at 1 hrs notice to move.
19th July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
Bn still at 1 hrs notice to move. Sgt Fay makes report of gun posns near URVILLE spoken of by French civilian - reported to 3 Bde. Comd 3 Bde visits bn.
20th July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
Bn at 2 hrs notice to move. 1700 hrs 5 Bde Comd visits bn. 1730 hrs CO to 3 Bde 'O' gp. 1820 hrs Bn 'O' gp meeting - Bn to move up to old posn in BOIS de BAVENT 1400 hrs 21 July. "Stars in Battledress" concert party cancelled 1630 hrs through rain.
21st July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
Very wet day - 1200 8th Bn representative arrives - 1330 Bn adv party leave 1400 Bn marches off. 1530 hrs Bn arrives in new area - 1710 Bde Comd visits bn.
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
Pte Talmash awaiting trial by FGCM absents himself. Pte Childs absents himself - one cas (Pte Besley) wounded from enemy shelling.
22nd July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0900 - Bde Comd visited bn. 0930 hrs FW 190 shot down in 1st Cdn Para's area.
1000 - CO attends conference at Bde HQ.
1400 - CO 1st Cdn Para Bn visits bn.
1430 - Sapper offr reports to CO for lifting of mines near our slit trenches.
1500 - I.O. 1 Cdn Para visits Bn. 1430 hrs Int Sgt 3 Para Bde visits bn.
1800 - Bde Maj 5 Para & Lt-Col Harvey OC 225 Fd Amb visit bn.
23rd July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
CO takes new FOO (150 Fd Regt) round coy posns.
1000 - 2 IC attends Bde conference. 1115 hrs CO's 'O' gp meeting.
1530 - CO 1 Cdn Para visits bn - in the evening an arty and mortar strafing arranged by 1st Cdn had the arty programme cancelled. During the night two enemy Ac strafed area west of bn posns and own A/c dropped leaflets intended for enemy lines.
24th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0815 - Bde Comd visits bn - CO attends conference Bde HQ 1000 hrs. There was slight enemy shelling of posns during day. Pte Hart C Coy wounded. More sandbags arrive for making firing posns. Mosquito sprays provided by Bde HQ. Leaflets dropped 23/24 and 24/25 intended for enemy consumption. CO refuses vacancies at Corps Rest Camp.
25th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0845 - Bde Comd visits Bn 0845 hrs. No Bde conference.
1020 to 1730 - Bn area mortared at intervals by enemy.
1750 - CO attends conference at Bde.
1800 - One Pte wounded in the area.
2315 - Area SW of own posns bombed by enemy. Green and yellow flares sent up from enemy F.D.L's.
26th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0130 to 0330 - Enemy MG fire at intervals in front of C Coy posns.
1015 - Bde Comd visits Bn.
1350 to 1355 - Enemy mortar bombs at intervals fall right of Bn posns.
1415 to 1420 - Enemy shells at intervals fall right of Bn posns.
1615 - Lt-Col of RA visits CO.
27th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0130 to 0155 - Area S.W. of Bn posns bombed by enemy. Three heavy bombs landed in area of rear HQ. No casualties. Capt Young buried by debris but rescued through prompt action of his batman. White flares put up from enemy F.D.L's.
0715 - 'A' Coy report unexploded Anti-personnel mines in Coy area. These were destroyed by Sappers.
0830 - Bde Comd visits Bn.
1000 - CO attends Bde conference.
1730 - CO holds Bn 'O' gp.
2245 - Enemy aircraft overhead (one FW 190 recognised). Green flares sent up by enemy F.D.L's.
28th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0930 - Bde Comd visits Bn.
1555 - CO of 8th Para Bn visits CO.
1735 - CO of 13th Para Bn visits CO.
2250 - FW 190 A/c flying low over posns. About 6 bombs dropped SOUTH of area, some machine gunning. White flares from enemy F.D.L's.
29th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0915 - Bde Comd visits Bn.
1200 - CO holds Bn 'O' gp.
1415 to 2115 - Bn area shelled and mortared intermittently.
2245 - 2 or 3 enemy A/c (FW 190) flew over posns. Bombs dropped to the south. White and green flares from enemy F.D.L's.
30th July 1944
Place: SE of Le Mesnil
0515 - Enemy A/c FW 190 over Bn posns. Bombs believed dropped in south.
0815 - 13th Bn adv party arrives.
0930 - 13th Bn arrives.
0930 to 1015 - Posns handed over and Bn moves out.
1015 - Bde informed take over complete.
1017 - Bde Comd visits posns.
Place: NW of Amfreville
Bn in Rest Area near River ORNE.
31st July 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
Bn in rest area. CO attended conference Bde HQ 1130 and 1500 hrs. Parties attended cinema shows at LUC-SUR-MER 0930 and 1500 hrs. 1900 hrs CO held bn 'O' gp conference and at 2000 hrs a recce of the BAS de RANVILLE area was carried out.
Month and year: August 1944
Commanding Officer : Lt. Col. R.G. Pine-Coffin
1st August 1944
Place: NW of Amfreville
0930 - Pty attended cinema show at LUC-SUR-MER. Recce of new area carried out by Comd Comd's during morning.
1500 - Pty attended cinema show at DELIVRANDE.
1530 - Bn moved off to new area in LE BAS DE RANVILLE (Div Reserve)
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
1630 - Bde Comd visited bn. Also 0900 hrs.
1945 - Bn completely in posn.
2130 - CO held conference.
2nd August 1944
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
0830 - Ptys leave for beach and cinema under Capt Archdale.
1100 - Adjt & QM attend conference at Bde HQ.
1830 - CO held Bn "O" Group.
3rd August 1944
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
0830 - Ptys left for beach and cinema.
0845 - Pty left for rest camp.
0915 - CO attends conference at Bde HQ.
1030 - Bn held practice manning of battle posns - bde comd inspected coys.
4th August 1944
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
0030 to 0115 - Enemy a/c flew over area. Bombs dropped but none in Bn area. Green flares sent up from area of enemy FDLs.
0915 - CO conference to Bde HQ.
2030 - CO at conference at Bde HQ.
5th August 1944
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
0830 - Parties leave for ENSA show at DELIVRANDE.
6th August 1944
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
1000 - C of E services held. CO conference at Bde HQ.
1200 - CO held Bn O Group, also at 1730 and 2100.
2210 - Bde Comd visits CO.
7th August 1944
Place: Hauger
0630 - Bn moves off to new locations in HAUGER area.
1000 - Bn in posn.
1115 to 1215 - Bn area shelled and mortared. Five cas (one fatal).
1230 - Bde Comd visited Bn.
1400 - IO and Mortar Sjt attend CM conference Bde HQ.
1730 - CO held Bn O Group.
1830 - Coy Comds commended tour of bn area.
8th August 1944
Place: Hauger
0500 - A Coy patrol returned.
0825 - Sounds of tracked vehs heard on road to B Coy's front.
0830 to 0915 - Bn area shelled and mortared.
0845 - Bde Comd visited bn.
0900 - CHARLIE OP established.
1000 - CO attended conference at Bde HQ.
1700 - CO holds O Group to arrange changeover of Coys and Pls.
2210 - B Coy report enemy tracked veh heard in area of rd EAST of LONGUENARL FARM.
2310 - A Coy report white and green very lights sent up from left and right of front over enemy FDLs.
9th August 1944
Place: Hauger
0500 - One OR wounded by grenade thrown by own tps at returning patrol.
1100 - CO holds discussion with outpost pl comd (Lt Thomas) and briefs C Coy afternoon patrols.
1300 - Two C patrols go out.
1430 - Enemy MG fire from at least 800 yds distance (mag bearing 65º) on C Coy posns. One man wounded.
1900 - Patrols report in.
1915 - Bde Comd visits bn.
2305 - Own mortar fire by order of CMO at target 145770.
10th August 1944
Place: Hauger
0215 - C Coy patrol reports in. Two men missing.
0425 - Two missing men of patrol report in.
0830 - Bde Comd visits bn.
1515 - Patrol goes out.
1845 - CO holds O Group.
2230 - Fighting patrol under Lt Howard goes out.
2240 - A/C heard (? enemy) flying overhead NE/SW. One A/C dropped row of flares some distance NE of Bn posns. One a/c dropped red flare. A/C caught in searchlight beam intersections for about [entry ends].
11th August 1944
Place: Hauger
0305 - Enemy firing heard to left of outpost.
0330 - Four men of patrol (Sjt Padly and 3) reported in. Sjt and two of this party wounded. (One returned for duty) Lt Howard and four ORs missing. Patrol was machine gunned by enemy at close range from 146755. This patrol not dressed in airborne eqpt.
0535 - Six medical personnel reported in.
0540 - Two bren teams reported in.
0630 - Patrol went out under Sjt Owen C Coy 142755, to try to locate any of missing who might be wounded and trying to get back. This party was relieved at 0815 hrs by a sec of B Coy.
0815 - Sjt Norman of B Coy together with IO patrolled to try and locate missing personnel. Penetrated to 146753 and NORTH to 145754 and later observed from area of small hut 145755. Nothing was located and patrol returned at 1200 hrs. Relieving patrol under Sjt Green was mortared at 143754 and sustained two cas, one wounded and one slightly wounded. At 1000 hrs CO attended patrol conference at Bde HQ.
1900 - Bde Comd visited bn. During the night, bn was not to any patrolling but 12 Bn were sending out standing patrols to 143754, 144755, 145756, Capt Archdale joined C Coy from A. During the day rfts arrived from England (13 ORs under Major Taylor J.N., M.C). A large proportion of these were specialists and were absorbed into HQ Coy. They were all residues.
12th August 1944
Place: Hauger
During night 11/12, MG had been heard to left and right of our outposts, but there were no incidents on our front.
0900 - Adv recce of Belgian Gp arrived in bn for preliminary take over.
1000 - 2 IC attends conference at Bde HQ. 12 Bn reported that the enemy during the 11th had moved an MG fwd to 145755 which remained in posn night of 11/12. Infm also received that our arty was going to "stonk" area 148750 during the day, suspected an OP there. Adv parties moved off during the day under 2IC to recce area LE BAS DE RANVILLE. Order for handover issued by CO and during the afternoon, adv parties of Belgian NCOs came to bn and went to their opposite Nos. The Bde Comd visited bn during evening.
2100 - CO requested 13 Bn to patrol wood left of our outpost posn as this constituted a definite gap where the enemy could approach. 13 Bn agreed to sweep this wood immediately and to leave a patrol for the night.
13th August 1944
Place: Hauger
During morning, handover to 1 Belgian Ind Coy took place and bn moved to new area BAS DE RANVILLE.
1700 - CO held offrs conference after attending Div Comds conference at 1100 hrs. The jist of all these conferences was a "gingering up" in the Div to stamp out slackness, and the Div Comd's letter was reproduced to Coys. Details of Bde Comd's inspection on 15th given to Coys by CO. A rearrangement of offrs was ordered. Major Rogers reverted to Capt as 2IC A Coy, Capt Mills, Theobald, and Archdale all reverted to Lieuts, - Mills remained as IO. Theobald relinquished appt of Sigs Offr and went to B Coy. Archdale remained in C Coy. RC Mass held in Ranville Church.
1000 - CO attended conference at Bde HQ.
1430 - CO held a conference with Coy Comds re trg in this area.
14th August 1944
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
1000 - Day spent in cleaning up and adm check in preparation for Bde Comd's inspection on 15th. CO attended the usual daily conf at Bde HQ.
2100 - QM attended conf at Bde HQ. Bde Major arrived and explained that it was suspected that an attack might be made on the lockgates at OUISTREHAM. The CO went off to recce with Div Comd at 2115 and A Coy were given a warning order to move. The whole bn was at one hr's notice to move by MT.
2200 - CO gave out his orders - A Coy left by MT 2230 take up a def posn on the lockgate.
2215 - Bde Comd visited the bn.
15th August 1944
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
0930 - Bde Comd's general inspection of the bn at 0930. A Coy still in posn near lock gates. Instrs were issued for Inter-Coy football match (result of sports meeting held on 14 Aug). From evening standto B Coy were at 10 mins notice to move to sp A Coy.
16th August 1944
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
0915 - A Coy relieved by a Coy of 12 Bn - arrive back with Bn 1015. 2IC issued instrs re use of trg area. HQ Coy went to LUC-SUR-MER for bathing and cinema.
1800 - Int Conf held at Div.
17th August 1944
Place: Le Bas de Ranville
0830 - News received by IO that enemy was withdrawing on Div front and that Div was following up. Bde at 1 hr's notice.
1100 - CO to Bde HQ for conference. News received at 3 Bde had reached TROARN and BURES and crossed river.
1620 - After recce by IO, bn to area rd triangle 140703 by tpt. Warning order received from LO Bn to move off at 0430 18th.
18th August 1944
Place: Troarn
0755 - Bn marches off, reaches TROARN and crossed river. In posn from 205701.
1840 - Warning order received at 1840 for Bde attack and Bn moved off at 2330.
19th August 1944
Road shelled whilst moving up to the start line (2 ORs killed 2 wounded).
0120 - CO informed plan changed. Bn advances across rly and contacts enemy at 0550. Advance continues to PUTOT-EN-AUGE and completed. Enemy cas - 14 killed, 50 PWs.
0945 - 13 Para Bn pass through posns. Intermittent shelling during night.
20th August 1944
Patrol sent out. C Coy moves to search BONNEMONT. Village cleared with very little opposition. One PW sent in. C Coy stays in adv posns.
21st August 1944
Place: Bonnemont
Bn moves to Chateau 248721 and joins C Coy. Orders issued for move at 0215 hrs 22nd.
22nd August 1944
Bn moves by tpt to 418013 and then by march via "TAUNTON" 468017 to occupy high ground in area 5000 (PONT L'EVEQUE).
1500 - Bn moved to posns nearer river and relieved 12 Bn who retired for a rest. Intermittent shelling during night.
23rd August 1944
0830 - C Coy moved into PONT L'EVEQUE by jeeps until under fire and then on foot. Cleared town as far as rly stn then ordered to withdraw. 1 NCO killed several ORs wounded.
24th August 1944
C Coy patrols report town clear. Bn moved to join C Coy and then whole bn continued by march route preceded by B Coy cycle patrol which contacted enemy at ST BENOIT Xrds 583068. Rest of the bn reached blown br 575056. A and B Coys continued over rly and took high ground either side of road. Bn HQ moved up to 579059 and bn est firm base in area.
25th August 1944
Bn ordered to take up defensive posn and Coys moved fwd to Xrds and village.
2130 - Warning order issued for move following morning.
26th August 1944
Place: Pont Audemer
0445 - Bn moved off by march route to PONT AUDEMER preceded by Armd Recce to catch up with enemy. Town reached at 1130 and reported clear by Recce but brs blown. Bn took up posn in town A and B Coys on river edge.
1230 - Enemy mortar bombs fell on town.
1600 - Bn came under comd of 56 Inf Bde (49 Div).
2130 - Orders issued for move next morning to rest area.
27th August 1944
0645 - Enemy projector fired at towns, several fires started. Bn moved off in tpt to rest areas in two parties at 1015 and 1215.
28th August 1944
Place: South of Honfleur
Bn HQ area 5412, A and B Coys pay recreational visit to TROUVILLE by tpt (start 1215).
29th August 1944
Place: South of Honfleur
0930 - HQ and C Coy visit to TROUVILLE by tpt. Orders issued for bn's return to UK.
30th August 1944
Place: South of Honfleur
1400 - A and B Coys pay visit to TROUVILLE by tpt. Remainder of bn had hot baths and change of laundry under Div arrangements.
31st August 1944
Place: South of Honfleur
2230 - Patrol 8 briefed by IO for recce following morning at 0600, or large wood west of BEUZEVILLE, in search of enemy harbouring there.
Month and year: September 1944
Commanding Officer : Lt. Col. R.G. Pine-Coffin
1st September 1944
Place: South of Honfleur
0600 - Patrol and IO went out on recce of wood WEST of BEUZEVILLE and returned at 1000 hrs. All infm was false as no trace was found of any enemy in wood or of any recent occupation. Bn adv pty to UK moved off at 1100 hrs.
2nd September 1944
Place: South of Honfleur
0815 - Bn proceeded by march route to Bde assembly area and from there at 1030 by tpt via PONT L'EVEQUE, DOZULE, TROARN, PEGASUS BR, DOUVRES to area FERIERS where they debussed. Journey continued by tpt at 1800 to transit camp area ARROMANCHE. Bn had hot meal and spent night in camp.
3rd September 1944
0615 - Bn MT pty left Rest area at 0615 hrs.
1615 - Bn moved off by march route to embarkation point ARROMANCHE and was conveyed by troopship "EMPIRE JAVELIN" by LCT. Ship spent night in anchorage.
4th September 1944
0700 - Ship took up posn in convoy which set sail at 0800. Heavy swell encountered during channel crossing, convoy arrived and anchored off COWS IofW.
5th September 1944
Place: Southampton
0945 - Ship moved into SOUTHAMPTON harbour anchored for an hour then moved into quayside. RASC band on quayside to welcome ship. 1220 Bn commenced disembarkation. Hot meal had in shed and train boarded. Train left at 1345 and arrived BULFORD siding 1515. Bn marched to barracks.
6th September 1944
Place: Bulford
0900 - Check of all bn's kit and stores commenced. One OR of Bn proceeded to London to make recording for broadcasts.
7th September 1944
Place: Bulford
0900 - REME visited Bn to inspect instruments and weapons.
8th September 1944
Place: Bulford
Bn proceeded on 10 days' leave. Subsequently extended to 14 days.
12th September 1944
Place: Bulford
Bn received orders to mobilize.
21st to 22nd September 1944
Place: Bulford
Bn returned from leave.
Action Fought at RANVILLE and BENOUVILLE brs on night 5/6 June and day 6 June 1944.
The role of the battalion was to seize and hold the bridges over the R. ORNE and the CANAL DE CAEN at 103745 and 098748 and to establish a bridgehead on the West bank of the CANAL until relieved by seaborne tps. The bridges were to be captured intact if possible. In addition a batty posn at 105765 (thought to be abandoned) was to be neutralised and occupied.
The bn was to drop at 0050 hours (D Day) on DZ "N" (118749-113737) and RV on the NORTH end of WOOD 112745. A pathfinder force, which included a small detachment from the battalion (Lt Rogers and 4 ORs), dropped 30 mins before the bn.
In order to try and secure the bridges intact a Coup de Main force landed as close to the bridges as possible at 0020 hours (D Day). This force consisted of a company and two pls of the OXF & BUCKS LI (with certain attchd tps), under MAJOR HOWARD (OXF & BUCKS LI) and was carried in six gliders. Lieut MacDonald travelled with this force for liaison duties between Howard and myself.
The Coup de Main operation was successful and as a result of this success it was not necessary for the bn to cross the water obstacles by dinghies as had been expected.
These dinghies were carried in kit bags, together with the necessary ropes for making the ferries, either on the legs of men or attached to bicycle chutes and thrown out by the number ones of certain sticks. 30 dinghies and 12 Recce boats together with a large number of ropes (falls) were carried in all.
The dropping was not too accurate and, although the bulk of the battalion was dropped on the DZ, there were many who were put down several miles wide. Speed in forming up was an essential part of the bn plan; this was difficult for the following reasons:-
(1) The sticks were very scattered (the large number of kit bags undoubtedly slowed up the exits and resulted in some sticks being unduly long) and the aircraft seemed to come in from all angles, which confused those who were using the line of flight to get their bearings.
(2) The enemy had manned positions on the DZ itself and there was a good bit of MG fire across the DZ which resulted on some casualties.
(3) The heavy kit bags containing the boating material slowed the men up a lot. The normal drill of coming in to the RV at the double was quite impossible.
Despite these difficulties however the men came in pretty well and by 0130 hrs I had about 50% of the riflemen and bren gunners in. There were no mortars, MMGs or wireless sets in though. I could hear Howard's success signal and knew that he had captured the bridges and that they were crossable so at 0130 hrs I set off with my initial attack force (A. B. C coys and the Adv Bn HQ. The plan was for Rear Bn HQ to follow up in its own best time, so I left the 2 i/c (Steele-Baume) to collect in all he could and follow us up, choosing his own time for starting.
As the bridges were intact I took my force over them with all speed and ordered them into their prearranged bridge head positions in BENOUVILLE (see OO for details). I had arranged in ENGLAND with Howard to do this if he should be fighting on the West of the CANAL when I arrived, my positions were outside the area he was likely to be in with his small force, and by working round into them I could not only assist him but would also save time. It was 0140 hours when I crossed the CANAL bridge with this force.
The occupation of the bridge head positions called for some hasty decisions and reorganisation as no complete platoon (or even section) existed as such. It was only possible to gauge the positions of the companies by the sound of small arms fire as there was no wireless.
When I judged that the positions had been occupied at about 0210 hours I ordered Howard (who came under my command at this stage) to withdraw his men over the CANAL bridge and made him responsible for the RIVER bridge and the area between the two bridges.
Steele-Baume and Rear Bn HQ which still included no mortars, MMGs or wireless, joined me on the West of the canal at 0220 hours.
From then on it is not really possible to give a clear story of the fighting which was very confused and fierce and almost continuous. The loss of the wireless was particularly handicapping.
B Coy were much troubled by snipers in LE PORT and were also heavily attacked in their position on the wooded escarpment at 096750. Soon after daylight the lack of mortars and MMGs became uncomfortably apparent and a modification of the original dispositions was called for. The situation generally, at first light, was as follows:-
(1) A Coy were fighting in their area but runners failed to reach them, no runners came back from them and there was no wireless. The company appeared to be surrounded because B company were on occasions attacked from the South i.e. their (B Coy's) left.
(2) The RAP (in A Coy area) had been overrun and the MO (Wagstaffe of 225 Para Fd Amb) was missing, the Padre (Parry) had been killed at the RAP. This was found out by the IO (Mills), who had gone to try to contact A Coy. The Bn MO (Young) was also missing after the drop. He arrived by glider the next day together with his stick, which had not been dropped. This stick also included OC HQ Coy (Tullis).
(3) B Coy were finding it difficult to retain their hold on the wooded escarpment and had only been able to dominate the southern half of LE PORT.
(4) C Coy was almost completely split up into battle outposts. I had altered the original orders to these outposts about the withdrawal as I could not communicate with them by wireless and did not consider runners reliable enough for such an important message. I ordered them to withdraw on their own initiative but only if under heavy pressure. None of them did so withdraw.
(5) The rifle companies were at about 50% strength (less casualties which they were suffering at the time); a few personnel of the mortar and MMG pls were available but armed only with pistols. These I retained at my HQ to augment the counter attack force which consisted of C Coy (less two pls and commander (Missing)).
I decided to hold the enemy on the line of the road running North-South from LE PORT to BENOUVILLE. The plan was:- B Coy was to infest the Southern half of LE PORT and the small wood on the North side of the rd junc at 097748 and to prevent any breakthrough to the bridge from the North. I held my counter attack force in the area of my HQ from which it could cover the small wood at 097748 by fire and was well placed to launch a c/a. The gallant fight being put up by A Coy, I hoped would prevent any large scale attack developing from the South. If it did so develop however the country was fairly open to the South of the bridge itself and I placed one pl of B Coy (Thomas) in this position and felt confident that he could at least delay any attack from that direction for sufficient time for me to be able to take any necessary action. In a real emergency I would have brought a portion of Howard's force back to the West side of the bridge.
This plan worked well and during the course of the day's fighting the enemy launched eight separate attacks in addition to nagging constantly with small parties and occasionally armoured cars. My weak spot was the flank immediately North of my HQ i.e. an approach down the bank of the Canal or round the SW of LE PORT. This was covered only by Bn HQ personnel and was continually threatened by small infiltrating parties of enemy and snipers. Excellent work was done by the mortar officer (Archdale) who led numerous small patrols to break up parties attempting to come in this way during the course of the day's fighting.
I estimate that the organised attacks were delivered by about a company each time. The enemy showed little initiative and repeated the same attack time after time, fortunately the dispositions suited the approach he chose. He usually attacked from the North West or West. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy (many more would have been inflicted if I could have used mortars and MMGs) and all attacks were beaten off. No further closing in on the bridge end was therefore necessary. The snipers in LE PORT were a constant source of trouble and excellent work was done by 5 pl (Poole) in dealing with them. At one time a PIAT (Cpl Killeen) was used most successfully against snipers in the tower of the church in LE PORT. The snipers too showed little initiative and twelve bodies were later found in the church tower.
At 1200 hrs on D Day the piper of 1 SS Bde could be heard in ST AUBIN 0876. This was a pre-arranged recognition signal but I did not give the answering bugle call as this would have meant that the way was clear for the SS Bde to come through. Until the whole of LE PORT had been cleared this was not the case. However the leading element of the Bde (No.6 Commando) succeeded where the Germans had failed and found my weak spot. At 1330 hrs the first Commando troops entered my HQ area from the North having worked round the SW of LE PORT.
The SS Bde assisted in the clearing of clearing of LE PORT and the piper led the first part of them over the bridge at about 1400 hrs. Snipers returned to the Northern half of LE PORT after the SS Bde had passed through and they were never completely cleared from there.
Relief by 8th Inf. Bde was expected not before H plus 5 hours i.e. 1225 hrs and all ears were strained for the pre-arranged bugle recognition call ("Defaulters") which was to be sounded from St AUBIN by the leading unit (E. YORKS) which was to relieve the battalion in its bridgehead position.
Further attacks were launched on the battalion position during the afternoon. At one period, as a novelty, two gun boats came up the CANAL. Fire was held until they reached the bridge when one of them was put out of action by a PIAT fired by Howard's force from the bridge area. The second one turned round and made off quickly while the first one opened fire with its gun (which was remote controlled) and shot up my HQ area. There were several lucky escapes and only one slight casualty. The crew of the boat were taken prisoner.
The same boats, or similar ones, had been shooting up the battle outpost at the battery position 105765 (Lieut Parrish). This outpost found that the position was, as thought, abandoned and so they occupied it themselves and remained there all day without incident other than the trouble with the gun boat. This trouble cost the outpost one killed and one wounded.
About 1900 hrs the 2 i/c A Coy (Webber) appeared at my HQ and gave me the first real report of his company. The coy comd (Taylor) was a stretcher case, Webber (himself wounded, but capable of movement) was commanding, the other officers were all casualties (one dead, one missing after the drop and one wounded but carrying on) and the coy was, as suspected, surrounded and hard pressed but nevertheless intact and fighting back hard. A counter attack was clearly necessary to enable them to collect in their wounded and regroup. I detailed the platoon of C Coy who formed my c/a force (Lieut MacDonald) for the job and replaced them temporarily with a platoon drawn from Howard. Webber led this platoon to A Coy area which involved working their way through the attacking Germans. The platoon was however not strong enough (it was only about 17 strong) to launch an attack that had sufficient effect on the attackers and in the end re-inforced A coy and was itself surrounded. Its presence brought a little relief to the company however. A Coy had then been fighting for 17 hours, unassisted, against superior numbers of infantry supported by tanks and SP guns. A Coy destroyed one Mk IV Tk and one SP gun with gammon bombs. The company was in good heart but tired and further weakened by casualties.
The position at this stage was not very comforting because, although I felt confident of holding off attacks for some considerable time to come, there seemed no prospect of relief for the battalion and I could not be certain how things would go during the night, especially if the enemy made a really determined attack with a large force.
The GOC (6 Airborne Div) sent a special LO to GOC (3rd Inf Div) to explain the situation and to urge for relief for the battalion. GOC 3rd Inf Div immediately visited the area himself and ordered up the 2 R.Warwicks to take over. I understood that the 3rd Inf Div had been under the impression the bridges had been recaptured by the Germans and that a large scale attack by them (3 Div) would be necessary to get them back. This attack was to be put in the following morning.
The E.Yorks had had heavy casualties on the beaches and were unable to reach St Aubin, much less relieve the battalion in BENOUVILLE.
The Warwicks came up very quickly (arrived 2115 hrs) but the take-over involved an attack to relieve A Coy and evacuate their casualties.
The battalion finally passed back over the bridge (CANAL) at 0100 hrs on D plus 1 day after handing over its positions to 2 R.War.R.
The bridgehead had been held by the battalion then for 21½ hours.
Casualties are difficult to estimate as the exact strength of the unit was not know at the time of move off from the RV and the fact that casualties were evacuated in two different directions i.e. either over the bridges by 225 Para Fd Amb or back to the beaches by seaborne Fd Amb; they were however estimated at the time as follows:-
|
Killed Wounded |
18 (including 3 offrs i.e. Parry, Bowyer, Hill) 36 |
FIELD 29th June 44
[Signed R.G. Pine-Coffin.]
Lieut.Col. Commanding 7 (L.I.) Bn The Paratp Regt.
Wood Clearing Action Fought with Tank Support at LE MARIQUET
On 10th June 1944 the battalion was in position at LE HOME 113737 i.e. at the SW corner of the DZ it had landed on four days earlier.
Except for occasional shelling life was quiet. The seaborne personnel of the bn joined the airborne part in the position.
At about 0930 hrs on the 10th the MMG and mortar pls in the area of rd and track junc 112729 reported parties of enemy on the DZ in the area 124735. These were at long range but considerable damage was done to them by mortar and MMG fire and the snipers (including myself, who claim one at 1,750 yds) had a real field day.
It later transpired that these enemy had broken onto the DZ from BREVILLE 1374 and, after abortive attempts to cross the DZ itself, had made for the wood at LE MARIQUET 1273. Here their presence was particularly undesirable as they lay between the 5th and 3rd Para Bdes, which had not actually made contact at this stage. The flank bns of each Bde i.e. 13th at RANVILLE 1173 and Canadians at X rds 1372 would have been in danger of overreaching themselves if they had extended their positions to include these woods.