Abbreviation

172754 2 i/c 52nd Light Infantry AA AAC A/C ACC ACP AD A/Div ADMS ADS A/L A/Landing Amb AP Armd Arty A/Tk Att / Attd Bde Bks BM Bn Bty CAE CCP CCS Cdn C in C Civ Cmdr CMP CO Comd Comp Coy CRASC DADMS DAQMG DDMS Dept Div DZ FAP Fd FDS Fm Form FSU FTU FW Gen GOC Gp Grp HAA HE Hosp i/c Incl Ind Inf Intell KSLI LAA LAD Lt MAC M/C MDS ME Med MG MO MR NO OC Offr Op OR OS Oxf & Bucks Pk Pln Pro PW QM RA RAChD RAMC RAP RASC RCAF RCAMC RCOSigs Rd RE Regt Rft RHU RM RMO RTU RUR RV SB Sect Sqn SS WE Wef X roads

Map Reference Second-in-Command 2nd Ox & Bucks Light Infantry Anti-Aircraft Army Air Corps Aircraft Army Catering Corps Ambulance Car Post ? Army Dental Airborne Division Assistant Director Medical Services Advanced Dressing Station Airlanding Airlanding Ambulance Anti-Personnel Armoured Artillery Anti-Tank Attached Brigade Barracks Brigade Major Battalion Battery Commander Airborne Establishment Casualty Collection Point Casualty Clearing Station Canadian Commander-in-Chief Civilian Commander Corps of Military Police Commanding Officer Command Composite Company Commander Royal Army Service Corps Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General Deputy Direct Medical Services Department Division / Divisional Drop Zone First Aid Post Field Field Dressing Station Farm Formation Field Surgical Unit Field Transfusion Unit Focke-Wulf General General Officer Commanding Group Group Heavy Anti-Aircraft Heinkel Hospital In-Command Including Independent Infantry Intelligence King's Shropshire Light Infantry Light Anti-Aircraft Light Aid Detachment Light Motor Ambulance Convoy Motorcycle Main Dressing Station Messerschmitt Medium Machine Gun Medical Officer Map Reference Nursing Orderly Officer Commanding Officer Operation Other Ranks Ordnance Survey Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Park Platoon Provost Prisoner of War Quartermaster Royal Artillery Royal Army Chaplain's Department Royal Army Medical Corps Regimental Aid Post Royal Army Service Corps Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Royal Corps of Signals Road Royal Engineers Regiment Reinforcement Reinforcement Holding Unit ? Royal Marines Regimental Medical Officer Returned to Unit Royal Ulster Rifles Rendezvous Stretcher Bearer Section Squadron Special Service War Establishment With Effect Crossroads

Month and year : June 1944

Commanding Officer : Lt.Col. D.H. Thompson. R.A.M.C.

5th June 1944

Place: Down Ampney

2100 - Brigade H.Q. & M.D.S. parties paraded in parachute order & moved off to DOWN AMPNEY airfield.

2240 - Emplaned in Dakota a/c of 46 Group R.A.F.  Detailed distribution of Unit personnel who left England on operation OVERLORD is attached.

2340 - Take off.

6th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0104 - M.D.S. party dropped over a wide area around VARAVILLE (184758).

0420 - Major A.D. YOUNG R.A.M.C. Lieut G.C.G. PHILO R.A.S.C. with 29 O.Rs. of the Unit came under protection 1 Canadian Parachute Bn. at the Canadian R.V. (168752).

0455 - This party moved off down the main VARAVILLE - HEROUVILLETTE road.  Capt. T.G. GRAY R.A.M.C. joined this group soon after the march commenced.  An enemy M.G. post was located on the main road WEST OF PETITVILLE (172745) & the whole party moved off the main road into the school at 158746.  A small Brigade H.Q. party under Capt. Woodgate joined the main group here.

0810 - Party arrived at the X roads (141729) at LE MESNIL & lay up in the school bounded by the W. & S. areas of the X road.

0850 - M.D.S. party moved into the farm at 137728 under protection B Coy. 1 Canadian Parachute Bn.  Major YOUNG saw the farmer (M. BARBEROT) & was immediately given accommodation for expected wounded.  Unit dug in on edge of wood.

1200 - M.D.S. set up in farm on instructions of Senior Officer in the Bde. present (LT. COL. A.S. PEARSON D.S.O. M.C. 8 Bn. The Parachute Regt.).  Number of casualties treated 5 officers & 47 O.Rs. (& 2 civilians).  Number of operations performed by Capt. GRAY 10.

2330 - Lieut. PHILO with Cpl. CUMMINGS, Dvr. HURRY & a captured German medical orderly went to BREVILLE (134745) & captured 63 German O.Rs. 5 wagons, 1 m/c & approximately 30 blankets.  In the late afternoon and evening the M.D.S., which was together with Bde. H.Q. & H.Q. 1 Canadian Parachute Bn. was constantly sniped but the Field Ambulance suffered no casualties.  Approximately two thirds of the Unit were still unaccounted for including the following officers:- Lt. Col. THOMPSON, Major J.S. DARLING, Lt.(QM) R.F. HARDER, Capt. D.H. NELSON, Lieut. R.M. MARQUIS, Capt. I.F.B. JOHNSTONE.  No news had been received of the 9th Bn. the Parachute Regt.  Capt. C. BREBNER R.C.A.M.C. R.M.O. 1 Canadian Para. Bn. was known to be wounded & prisoner of war & Capt. HOLTAN R.A.M.C. R.M.O. 8 Bn. the Parachute Regt. was missing.  There was therefore in the Bde, H.Q., 1 Canadian Para. Bn. & 8 Bn. the Para. Regt. only the following R.A.M.C. officers:- Major YOUNG, Capt. GRAY & Lieut. CUNNINGHAM.  The other attached Fd. Amb. officers were present Lieut G.C.G. PHILO R.A.S.C. Rev. A.L. BECKINGHAM R.A.Ch.D. & Capt. C.A. CHAUNDY A.D. Corps.

7th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0600 - Enemy within 300 yds. of M.D.S. on North, West, & East.  Spasmodic sniping & M.G. fire which continued throughout the day.

0940 - Lieut. PHILO contacted A.D.M.S. at 195 Airlanding Fd. Amb. in RANVILLE (113735).  The road between LE MESNIL & RANVILLE under occasional mortar fire and continuous sniping.

1030 - Major MacDonald R.A.M.C. 8 Fd. Amb. commenced clearing casualties in 4 amb cars from LE MESNIL to 8 Fd. Amb. in COLLEVILLE-SUR-ORNE (083786).

1200 - Capt. F. RUTTER R.A.M.C. 195 Airlanding Fd. Amb. & Capt. W.J. ATKINSON R.A.M.C. (ex Parker Force) reported for duty as G.D.O. & surgeon respectively.

1400 - Dvr. Thompson R.A.S.C. & Pte. Garrett & Jansch R.A.M.C. blown up on own minefield 300 yds E. of cross road at LE MESNIL whilst collecting casualties.  Lt. Col. W.M. Anderson O.C. 195 Airlanding Field Ambulance brought up some supplies from RANVILLE.  Pte. Cracknell went missing.  No reason could be found for his departure from the M.D.S.  Total casualties dealt with:- 5 officers, 47 O.Rs. & 7 O.R. P.W.  Number of operations performed - 19.

8th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0200 - 9 Bn. The Para. Regt. came under comd. Bde.  All no.3 section personnel attached to this Bn. reported missing by them.  Capt. H. WATTS R.A.M.C. the R.M.O. set up R.A.P. in CHATEAU in WOOD (137737).

0345 - Capt. I.F.B. JOHNSTONE R.A.M.C. & Lieut. R.M. MARQUIS R.A.M.C. together with 16 O.Rs. reported in to M.D.S. having come in with a party of approximately 150 all ranks under Capt. GRIFFIN 1 Canadian Para. Bn.  This party had been dropped well away from the D.Zs.  Full details are contained in the Unit report which is attached as Appendix 2.

0900 - 9 Para. Bn. & 1 Canadian Para. Bn. heavily attacked by infantry supported with mortars.  Attack driven off.  Enemy attacked three further times during the day & were repelled on each occasion.

1330 - Pte. Newcombe went missing when collecting casualties in ESCOVILLE (100712).

1700 - Sgt. Tilbury R.A.S.C. arrived with a seaborne party consisting of 21 O.Rs. R.A.S.C. 2 O.Rs. R.A.M.C. 5 jeeps & trailers, 2 ambulance cars (2 x [?]) & 4 lightweight m/cs.  He reported Dvr. McConnell as having been wounded on the beaches & evacuated.  Casualties treated 2 Officers & 53 O.Rs. 11 wounded P.W. & 1 civilian.  Number of operations performed 17.  Lieut D.J.C. CUNNINGHAM sent as R.M.O. to 8 Bn. The Parachute Regt.  Fd. Amb. personnel (incl. attached) within the Bde. now consisted of 10 Officers & 87 O.Rs.

Casualties up-to-date

Numbers, rank & names of casualties are attached as an appendix to this diary.

A.D.M.S. visited the M.D.S. in the morning.

9th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

1725 - Large form. of F.Ws. flew low over the area but did not attack.

1930 - Bde. ordered to 'stand to' as 2 enemy Bns. were attacking HEROUVILLETTE (120722) & RANVILLE (110736).  Attack lasted for approximately 2 hours during which time M.G. bullets were flying through between the M.D.S. buildings.  Attack repulsed.  Casualties: British 32 O.Rs.  Enemy 2 Offrs & 5 O.Rs. (these included the C.O. & 2 i/c of a Bn. of 757 Inf. Regt. & a Gestapo Sonderführer.  Operations performed: 11.

10th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0730 - 2 enemy Bns. put in an attack between the 9 Bn. The Para. Regt. & 1 Canadian Para. Bn.  Heavy M.G. & mortar fire.  All Fd. Amb. personnel except those on essential duty ordered to slit trenches.  Mortar bombs fell all round M.D.S. buildings.

1300 - Attack repulsed.

1800 - Cpl. Wade & 3 O.Rs. R.A.S.C. (seaborne) arrived with 1 water truck & 2 heavy M/Cs.  Dvr. Holland & 2 O.Rs. R.A.S.C. arrived with 1 x 3 ton lorry.  Casualties:- British: 4 officers & 29 O.Rs.  Enemy: 2 officers & 11 O.Rs.  Operations performed:- 11.

2230 - 5th. Bn. The Black Watch arrived at 9 Bn. The Para. Regts. position prior to attack on BRÉVILLE (134745).

11th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0400 - BRÉVILLE heavily shelled.

0430 - 5th. Bn. The Black Watch attacked BRÉVILLE unsuccessfully.  Casualties: British 6 Offrs & 118 O.Rs. (104 from Black Watch).  Enemy 1 Offr & 5 O.Rs.  Operations performed:- 7.

12th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

1500 - Black Watch area heavily shelled & mortared.  'C' Coy. 1 Canadian Para. Bn. went up to reinforce them.

2355 - Enemy a/c dropped A/P bombs in Bde. Area for a period of 2 hrs.  Casualties:- British 12 Officers & 168 O.Rs. (114 from Black Watch).  German 3 O.Rs.  Operations performed 6.  During today the main BRÉVILLE road in front of the Canadian positions became untenable due to the nearness of the enemy & hand carriage had to be resorted to for the first time from the combined R.A.P. of the 9 Bn. The Para. Regt. & 5 Black Watch (137737).

13th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0500 - Evacuation of last casualty from 9 Bn. The Para. Regt. & 5 Bn. The Black Watch.

0630 - 52nd. Light Infantry relieved 5 Bn. The Black Watch.

1200 - L/Cpl. Hills & 3 O.Rs. R.A.S.C. arrived with 1 x 3 ton lorry (seaborne).

1500 - Dvr. Walton & 2 O.Rs. R.A.S.C. arrived with 1 3 ton lorry (seaborne).

1935 - M.D.S. twice attacked by R.A.F. Typhoons with 20 m.m. cannon & rockets.  These circled round before attacking & disregarded the 2 x 20 ft square Geneva Crosses which were prominently displayed.  Only casualty was the farmers wife who was killed.  Casualties: British: 4 Offrs. & 50 O.Rs.  German: 2 O.Rs.  Operations performed: 7.

14th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0200 - Bombed by hostile a/c.  Nearest bomb fell 20 yds. away.  No casualties.  8 German medical orderlies (4 Unteroffizier & 4 Obergefreiters) who had been assisting in the M.D.S. sent back as P.Ws.  Casualties: British 1 offr & 16 O.Rs.  Civilian 1.  Operations performed:- 5.

15th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

Quiet day.  Casualties - British 1 offr & 11 O.Rs.  German 1 O.R.  Operations performed:- 4.

16th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0440 - M.D.S. heavily shelled & mortared for three quarters of an hour.  No casualties although buildings hit on several occasions.

1430 - Visited by C.A.E. Lieut. General F.A.M. BROWNING C.B. D.S.O. & G.O.C. 6 Airborne Division Major General R.N. GALE O.B.E.  Pte. Brown H. wounded and evacuated.  Casualties: British 6 Offrs. & 69 O.Rs.  German 1 O.R.  Operations performed : 3.

17th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

1400 - Completion of relief of 3 Para. Bde. (less 224 Para. Fd. Amb.) by 5 Para. Bde.  Casualties 25 O.Rs. British.  Operations performed : 8.

18th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

1835 - Visited by D.D.M.S. Airborne Forces Brigadier A.A. EAGGER C.B.E.  Casualties British: 4 Offrs. & 33 O.Rs.  German:- 2 O.Rs.  Operations performed:- 5.

19th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0900 - Capt. RUTTER sent to 1 Canadian Para. Bn. as R.M.O.

2220 - M.D.S. heavily shelled by 105 m.m. guns.  Three direct hits.  Cpl. Wade R.A.S.C. killed.  All transport less 1 amb. car & 2 German wagons put out of action.

2335 - Received orders from the Bde. Comdr. 5 Para. Bde. to vacate buildings & move further back.  Major YOUNG saw A.D.M.S. & O.C. 195 A/L Fd. Amb. & arranged to leave an A.C.P. at LE MESNIL & move the remainder of Unit & stores to an empty farm at 113733 S. of M.D.S. 195 A/L Fd. Amb.  Capt. JOHNSTONE & 19 O.Rs. remained at A.C.P. & remainder started moving out.

20th June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

0530 - Unit move completed.  Major Young attended an A.D.M.S. conference in the morning.

21st June 1944

Place: Le Mesnil (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 137728)

1000 - A.C.P. personnel withdrawn.  Duty taken over by 195 A/L Fd. Amb.

1200 - Commenced taking over from 225 (Para) Fd. Amb. in 3 Para. Bde. Rest area at ECARDE (114759).

22nd June 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Unit reorganised in view of own casualties & the fact that 2 Offrs. & 25 O.Rs. R.A.M.C. were required to make up Bn. R.A.M.C. deficiencies (this does not include Canadians).  Decided to make up Bns. with R.A.M.C. personnel & run an A.C.P. with remainder less 1 Surgical Team, Orderly Room & QM dept.  Capt. RUTTER returned to 195 A/L Fd. Amb.

23rd June 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1315 - Major YOUNG attended a Bde. Comdr. Conference & learned that the Bde. were returned to LE MESNIL (137728) to relieve 5 Para. Bde.  Major YOUNG then saw the A.D.M.S. & it was decided to adopt the A.C.P. plan & clear casualties to MDS 195 A/L Fd. Amb. in RANVILLE 113735.

24th June 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0700 - S/Sgt. Brown, 14 ORs RAMC, 5 ORs R.A.S.C. with 1 ambulance jeep reported to 9 Bn. the Para. Regt. for duty.

0800 - Lieut. MARQUIS, 8 O.Rs. R.A.M.C. 4 O.Rs. R.A.S.C. with 1 ambulance jeep & trailer reported to 1 Canadian Para. Bn. for duty (Lieut. MARQUIS as R.M.O.).

0900 - 8 O.Rs. R.A.M.C. & 4 O.Rs. R.A.S.C. reported to Lieut. CUNNINGHAM at 8 Bn. the Para. Regt. for duty.  3 O.Rs. reported to Bde. H.Q. for duty.

1000 - Capt. Atkinson with 4 O.Rs. R.A.M.C. & 3 O.Rs. RASC set up an A.C.P. 300 yds. W. of X rd at LE MESNIL (137728 - A.C.P. at 136726).

25th June 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Major Young visited A.C.P. & Bns.  Remainder of Unit at ECARDE digging in.

26th June 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1000 - Capt. JOHNSTONE & 7 O.Rs. replaced Capt. ATKINSON at A.C.P.  The latter's party was withdrawn to ECARDE.

27th June 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0930 - Mortaring in area ECARDE but no unit casualties.

28th June 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1000 - Capt. ATKINSON & 7 O.Rs. changed over with Capt. JOHNSTONE at A.C.P.

29th June 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Major YOUNG appointed Acting Lieutenant Colonel vice T/Lt. Col. D.H. THOMPSON w.e.f. 7 JUNE 1944.  Authy:- MS/21/960 dated 26 JUNE 1944.

30th June 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1000 - Capt. JOHNSTONE & 7 O.Rs. changed over with Capt. ATKINSON & 7 O.Rs. at A.C.P.

Month and year : July 1944

Commanding Officer : Lt.Col. A.D. Young D.S.O. R.A.M.C.

1st July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1000 - Capt. JOHNSTONE & 7 O.Rs. replaced Capt. ATKINSON & 7 O.Rs. for duty at the A.C.P. at LE MESNIL (136727).

2nd July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1400 - C.O. visited R.A.Ps. of 1 Canadian Parachute Bn. & 9 Bn. the Parachute Regt.  Heavy rain at intervals during the day.

3rd July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1000 - Capt. ATKINSON & 7 O.Rs. replaced Capt. JOHNSTONE & 7 O.Rs. for duty at the A.C.P. at LE MESNIL (136727).

2145 - A.D.M.S. & O.C. 225 (Parachute) Field Ambulance visited Unit to inform C.O. of medical arrangements within 5 Para. Bde. in event of offensive action.  Heavy rain all day.

4th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1030 - G.O.C. 6 Airborne Division (Major General R.N. GALE O.B.E. M.C.) inspected Fd. Amb. personnel at ECARDE.

1400 - Capt. ATKINSON & 7 O.Rs. relieved at car port by O.C. 225 (Para) Fd. Amb. & rejoined Unit at ECARDE.  3 Para. Bde. come out in reserve to ECARDE on relief by 5 Para. Bde.  Sections remained with Bns.

5th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Two ambulance cars loaned to 225 (Para) Fd. Amb. to assist in evacuation of 5 Para. Bde. casualties.

1430 - C.O. visited 16 C.C.S. at LA DELIVERANDE & 20 Gen. Hosp. at BAYEUX with A.D.M.S.

6th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Quiet day.  Thunder & lightning storm lasting for about 1 hour in the evening.  First incoming mail for 5 days received.

7th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0120 - A.A. opened up on two H.E. 190s dropping bombs on area.

0630 - Two F.Ws. flew low over area but did not attack.

1020 - Two M.Es. attacked area with cannon & M.G.  Pte. McLaughlin W. and Pte. Humberstone (both with 8 Bn. The Para. Regt.) R.A.M.C. were wounded & Pte. McLaughlin died shortly afterwards (1330) in M.D.S. 225 (Para) Fd. Amb.

1920 - Two officers (306343 Lieut. R.G. MAY & 313740 Lieut. J.J. MACPHERSON R.A.M.C.) & 32 O.Rs. R.A.M.C. attached to this Unit for duty from 34 R.H.U.

2155 - R.A.F. 400 bomber attack on CAEN.

2340 - Enemy a/c dropped bombs in area.

8th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Heavy artillery concentration in direction of CAEN continuous from shortly after midnight.  Unit reorganised in order to allow for 1 Officer & 19 O.Rs. R.A.M.C. to be with Bns. (this number to include Bn. R.A.M.C. personnel) & 3 O.Rs. at Bde. H.Q.

9th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1700 - Personnel changed over in Bns. in accordance with new reorganisation.  C.O. informed that the Unit had to open a Skin & V.D. Clinic for the Division.

10th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1200 - House occupied by 3 Para. Sqdn. R.E. (300 yds E. of present location) taken over & equipped as a V.D. & Skin Clinic with holding capacity of 10 beds.

11th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1200 - Skin & V.D. clinic opened.  No. of cases 3 : admitted 1.

12th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0540 - Mortaring in area for approximately one hour.  No Unit casualties.  Skin clinic: 14 cases of which 2 were admitted.

13th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Skin clinic: 6 cases of which 2 were admitted.

14th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Skin clinic: 5 cases of which 2 were admitted.

15th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

8 Bn. The Para. Regt. took over from 7 Bn. The Para. Regt. at LE MESNIL (137728).  The award of an immediate D.S.O. to Major (now Lieut. colonel) A.D. Young was announced.  Skin clinic: 6 cases all of which were admitted.

16th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1315 - C.O. Capt. Johnston & R.S.M. Green attended an investiture at Divisional H.Q. by the Commander-in-Chief General SIR BERNARD L. MONTGOMERY K.C.B. D.S.O.  Skin clinic: 8 cases of which 2 were admitted.

17th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0900 - C.O. attended an A.D.M.S. conference of C.O. & 2 i/cs. & was briefed on the forthcoming attack through 6 Airborne Division.  The Unit was ordered to open C.C.P. at each end of the pontoon bridges across the R. ORNE & the canal & to supervise the evacuation of casualties over these bridges.

1200 - C.O. made a recce of area with Lieut. PHILO R.A.S.C.

1230 - Lieuts BARKER & WILLIAMS R.A.S.C with 1 Sgt. 1 Cpl. 5 Dvrs. & 5 Ambulance cars from 1 Corps M.A.C. came under command.

1800 - Capt. ATKINSON 6 O.Rs. & 1 ambulance car set up an F.A.P. 200 yds. W. of pontoon bridge at OUISTREHAM (115791).  Lieut. MAY 6 O.Rs. R.A.M.C. Lieut. WILLIAMS R.A.S.C. & 1 ambulance car set up an F.A.P. across YORK pontoon bridges at 108767.  Capt. JOHNSTONE 6 O.Rs. & 1 ambulance car set up an F.A.P. in Unit lines 200 yds. E. of YORK pontoon bridges.  Capts. GRAY & CHAUNDY moved into skin clinic prepared to set up an operating theatre if required.  Remainder of Unit remained in Unit location.  33 F.D.S. with F.S.U. & F.T.U. under command came into position 300 yds. N. of skin clinic.  16 Light Fd. Amb. formed a C.C.P. immediately E. of YORK pontoon bridges.

2310 - Enemy a/c dropped anti personnel bombs in vicinity of skin clinic.  Capt GRAY was severely wounded in addition to 9 other local casualties.  C.O. took over at this site then handed over to Lieut. MACPHERSON.

2325 - Raid finished - remainder of night quiet.

18th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0540 - A force of 4,000 R.A.F. & U.S.A.A.F. bombers commenced bombing enemy positions SE of CAEN.  Elements of 11 Armoured Div. & Gds. Armoured Div. came through 6 Airborne Div. positions.  Intense allied artillery concentrations all day.

19th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1500 - C.O. visited F.A.Ps. at OUISTREHAM & W. of YORK pontoon bridges.

1800 - Orders received from A.D.M.S. to withdraw F.A.Ps.

1910 - Lieut. MAY & party rejoined Unit in present location.

20th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0015 - Enemy a/c overhead for 35 minutes.  Bombs dropped in area but no Unit casualties.

1030 - Capt. ATKINSON & F.A.P. party rejoined Unit from OUISTREHAM.

1600 - Thunder & lightning storm commenced.

1730 - C.O. attended a conference at Bde. H.Q.  Bde. to hold line S. of 5 Bde. position at LE MESNIL.  C.O. consulted A.D.M.S. when made a recce of area with a view to establishing a car port.  Decided to establish car port at A.D.S. 176 (Highland) Field Ambulance (Major Wallace R.A.M.C.) in château at road junction 133727.  Thunder and lightning storm with torrential rain from 1900 hrs onwards.

21st July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1000 - Bde. H.Q., 1st Canadian Para. Bn. & 9th. Bn. The Para. Regt. moved into the line in the LE MESNIL sector.  Bde H.Q. at 135717.  R.A.P. 1st Canadian Para. Bn. (Lieut. R.M. MARQUIS R.A.M.C.) at 137718.  R.A.P. 9th. Bn. The Para. Regt. (Capt. H.L. WATTS R.A.M.C.) at 138712.  Car Port with A.D.S. 176 (Highland) Field Ambulance at 133727.  8 Bn. The Para. Regt. (R.M.O. Lieut. D.J.C. CUNNINGHAM R.A.M.C.) moved out of the line to area ECARDE.  Torrential rain all day.

22nd July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1000 - C.O. attended Bde. Comdrs' Conference & later visited R.M.Os.  Whole area a sea of mud - all unit slit trenches several inches deep in water.

2250 - Enemy a/c bombed area of bridges - no unit casualties.

23rd July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1000 - Capt I.F.B. JOHNSTONE reported to Bde. H.Q. for duty as Bde. M.O.  Dry weather all day.

1400 - C.O. visited Lt. Col. T.R.B. OTWAY (O.C. 9th. Bn. The Para. Regt.) with A.D.M.S. decided to evacuate him with "post-concussional syndrome".

2310 - Enemy a/c bombed area ECARDE - no Unit casualties.

24th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0130, 0400 - Enemy a/c bombed area ECARDE - no Unit casualties.

1700 - C.O. visited Bde. M.O. & R.M.O. 1 Canadian Para. Bn.

2235 - Enemy a/c bombed area ECARDE - no Unit casualties.

25th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0550 - Shelling in area PEGASUS bridge.

1400 - C.O. attended Bde. Comds. Conference.

1530 - C.O. attended conference of Fd. Amb. Cmds. at A.D.M.S. office.  Both conferences dealt with relief of the Division in the near future.

2255 - Enemy a/c bombed area ECARDE - no Unit casualties.

26th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Quiet day.  Fine weather.  A considerable force of tanks passed through in the afternoon & evening, coming from W. to E.

27th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0135 - Heavy bombing of gun positions & tank concentrations in area of PEGASUS & YORK bridges by enemy aircraft.  No Unit casualties.

2010 - CAPT. E.D.M. ANDERSON R.A.M.C. (127397) reported for duty as Q.M. from 20 General Hospital BAYEUX.

2250 - Light bombing raid by enemy a/c along canal bank & bridges.  No Unit casualties.

28th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0915 - C.O. with A.D.M.S. & D.D.M.S. 1 Corps (Brigadier Q.V.M. WALLACE OBE MC) made a reconnaissance of area CAZELLE (Sheet 7F/1 M.R. 027765) at which C.O. received orders to move unit into rest in that area forthwith.

1310 - Orders to move cancelled by A.D.M.S.  Unit to be prepared to move.

1715 - C.O. visited Bde. H.Q.

2250 - Canal banks bombed by enemy a/c.  No Unit casualties.

29th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1510 - A.D.M.S. informed C.O. that Unit would definitely not move from present location.

2000 - C.O. visited Bde. H.Q. & discussed [provide?] of a Bde. Rest Centre with Bde. Cmdr. (Brigadier S.J.L. HILL D.S.O. M.C.)

2250 - Canal banks bombed by enemy a/c - no Unit casualties.

30th July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1030 - C.O. & Capt. ANDERSON made the following arrangements for the Bde. Rest Centre at HERMANVILLE SUR MER (Sheet 7F/1 M.R. 068791).

1830 - C.O. Capt. ANDERSON & Lieut. PHILO visited Bde. H.Q. & the Car Port.

31st July 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0825 - C.O. visited Bde. H.Q. & learned Bde. was moving & 1 Canadian Para. Bn. joining them in the line.

0900 - Capt. ATKINSON took over from Capt. H.P. WATTS (104523) as R.M.O. 9 Bn. the Para. Regt.

1000 - C.O. attended a conference of Fd. Amb. commanders at A.D.M.S. office.

1500 - C.O. & Capt. ANDERSON visited new Bde. H.Q. near ESCOVILLE at M.R. 133703.

Month and year : August 1944

Commanding Officer : Lt.Col. A.D. Young D.S.O. R.A.M.C.

1st August 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

Capt. ANDERSON, Lieut. PHILO & 9 O.Rs. moved into 3 Para. Bde Rest Centre at HERMANVILLE SUR MER (Sheet 7F/1 M.R. 068791) to prepare it for occupation.

2045 - C.O. visited Lieut. MARQUIS at R.A.P. 1st Canadian Para. Bn. (M.R. 135705).

2nd August 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1800 - Capt. ANDERSON & Lieut PHILO rejoined Unit.  C.O. visited C.R.A.S.C.

1845 - C.O. visited Bde Cmdr at Bde H.Q. (M.R. 133703) then visited Capt. ATKINSON at R.A.P. 9 Bn. The Para. Regt. (M.R. 145697).

2130 - Capt. H.P. WATTS reported to A.D.M.S. for duty as D.A.D.M.S.

2200 - C.O. & Capt. ANDERSON visited 3 Para. Bde. Rest Centre & saw first batch of 29 O.Rs. settled in.

3rd August 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0110 - Shelling in Unit area.  One shell landed in main field but there were no Unit casualties.

1115 - Captain F. MURRAY (91021) R.A.M.C. reported for duty with this Unit from 53 R.H.U.

1330 - C.O. & Capt. MURRAY had an interview with A.D.M.S.

2010 - Capt. ANDERSON & Capt. CHAUNDY moved into the Bde. Rest Centre.

4th August 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0130 - Enemy a/c dropped bombs in area of canal bank for a period of three quarters of an hour.  No Unit casualties.  Spasmodic shelling throughout the night.

1040 - C.O. inspected the sanitary arrangements at H.Q. 3 Para. Bde. in the company of the A.D.M.S. (Col. M. MacEwan D.S.O. O.B.E. D.F.C. T.D.).

5th August 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

1800 - C.O. did a recce with G.O.C. (Major-General R.N. GALE D.S.O. O.B.E. M.C.) & D.A.Q.M.G. of proposed Divisional Rest Camp at RIVA BELLA (105800).  C.O. received instructions that the Unit would be responsible for running this camp.

6th August 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0830 - C.O. attended an A/Q conference at Division re arrangements at Divisional Rest Camp.

7th August 1944

Place: Ecarde (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 114759)

0700 - C.O. & A.D.M.S. toured 3 Para. Bde. Area inspecting the sanitary arrangements in 1st Canadian Para. Bn. 8th Bn. the Para. Regt. & 9th Bn. the Para. Regt.

1400 - C.O. issued orders for unit to move to RIVA BELLA (105800).

1900 - Unit move completed.

8th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

1800 - C.O. attended at Fd. Amb. Cmdrs'. Conference at A.D.M.S. office.

2110 - Capt. A. YOUNG R.A.M.C. R.M.O. 7 Bn. the Para. Regt. temporarily attached to this Unit & moved into 3 Para. Bde. Rest Center at HERMANVILLE (068791).

9th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

0930 - Lieut. R.G. MAY temporarily attached to 195 Air Landing Fd. Amb.

1200 - Lieut. R.M. MARQUIS & 1 O.R. temporarily attached to 225 (Para) Fd. Amb.

1600 - G.O.C. inspected Rest Camp.

1800 - First arrivals at Divisional Rest Camp.  The Divisional Rest Camp is organised to accommodate 10 officers & 100 O.Rs. for 3 days at a time.  In addition to the Rest Camp there is a Divisional School which has short courses (3 days) for 10 officers & 20 N.C.Os at a time.  Both Rest Camp & School are run by this Unit but commanded by an outside Commandant (at present Lt.Col. Roberts Ox & Bucks), the Adjutant & Q.M. of both is Capt. ANDERSON.

10th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

0930 - C.O. visited 225 (Para) Fd. Amb. & R.M.O. 8 Bn. the Para. Regt.

2250 - A JU.88, shot down by our own A.A. crashed on the rest camp completely demolishing one house & damaging other two.  Casualties were 13 dead & 20 wounded.  These included Dvr. Ayers (killed) & Dvr. Garwood (wounded) of this Unit.

11th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

0950 - A.D.M.S. visited the Unit.

1400 - The dead from last night were buried in RANVILLE.  11 O.R. reinforcements from England.

12th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

1400 - C.O. visited A.D.M.S. & received instructions to prepare a school for regimental S.Bs in present area.

13th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

2345 - Enemy a/c attacked shipping lying off Rest Camp Area.  No bombs dropped in vicinity of Camp.

14th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

1840 - During an E.N.S.A. concert party at Div. Rest Camp 5 enemy shells landing in next field to the concert party caused no casualties.

15th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

1000 - Capt. R.M. MARQUIS reported for duty as R.M.O. of 9 Bn. Para Regt., replacing Capt. W.J. ATKINSON who reported for duty to 225 (Para) Field Ambulance.

1400 - Capt. F. MURRAY replaced Capt. D.J.C. CUNNINGHAM R.M.O. 8 Para. Bn. who was sick.  Capt. Cunningham came in to the Bde. Rest Center at HERMANVILLE (068791).

1900 - C.O. met Bde. Comdr. at HERMANVILLE & discussed future changes of personnel.

2350 - Enemy a/c bombed in area OUISTREHAM - no Unit casualties.

16th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

0730 - C.O. visited Bde. H.Q. & 8 Bn. & 9 Bn. the Para. Regt.

1400 - C.O. accompanied A/Q on a recce for further Rest Camp accommodation in RIVA BELLA.

17th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

0320 - Area Div. Rest Camp shelled - no casualties.  Lt. Col. ROBERTS reported back to Ox. & Bucks leaving C.O. in command of Div. School & Rest Camp.

2130 - C.O. saw O.C. 225 Para Fd. Amb. & learned that 3 Para. Bde. had crossed R. DIVES at TROARN & were three miles beyond on the road to DOZULÉ.  Cpl. Bennet and Pte. Moore attd. to 9 Para. Bn. wounded.

18th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

2200 - C.O. and Capt. E.D.M. ANDERSON reported to A.D.M.S. & were informed that Unit had to function as a Fd. Amb. & would be reinforced by 15 O.Rs.  C.O. stated it would be impossible to run a M.D.S. with this number of personnel & function in mobile warfare.

2230 - Capt. D.J.C. CUNNINGHAM & 20 O.Rs. reported for duty to 225 (Para) Fd. Amb.

19th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

0900 - C.O. reported to A.D.M.S.  Orders received that Unit would function as a Fd. Amb.

1130 - Lieut. D.H. LEWIS R.A.M.C. (294089) & 1 Sgt. R.A.M.C. reported for duty from 34 R.H.U.

1430 - C.O. visited M.D.S. 195 Airlanding Fd. Amb. at LE PLEIN (133753) & discussed arrangements about transport of personnel & vehicles.

1520 - C.O. visited C.C.P. of 225 Para. Fd. Amb. between TROARN & DOZULÉ (at Map Reference 205702).  At this C.C.P. were Capt. CUNNINGHAM & 20 O.Rs. & Capt. JOHNSTON with the Bde. car port party complete.  Casualties were coming in rapidly & there was not sufficient transport to evacuate them.  C.O. reported this fact to A.D.M.S. & then took 5 amb. cases from 195 A/L Fd. Amb. up to the C.C.P.

20th August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

0900 - 14 O.Rs. reported for duty from 195 Airlanding Field Ambulance.  In the afternoon Capt. J.M.G. WILSON (89988) reported for duty, from 225 Para. Fd. Amb., as Second-in-Command.

1730 - Lieut. J.J. MACPHERSON transferred to 225 (Para) Fd. Amb. for temporary duty.

2300 - C.O. received orders from A.D.M.S. to recce area East of the R. TOUQUES in order to be able to 'leap frog' 225 (Para) Fd. Amb. at an early date.

21st August 1944

Place: Riva Bella (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Map Reference 105800)

0930 - C.O. chose a site at DOZULÉ (259729).

1000 - Unit, less small holding party (L/Sgt Buckmaster i/c) moved to rendez-vous at 137707, where C.O. arrived back from recce at 1315 hrs.

1415 - Advance Party of Unit moved off under Capt. Wilson.

1530 - Rear Party moved off under Capt. Chaundy A.D. Corps.

1840 - M.D.S. opened at DOZULÉ.  Total number of O.Rs. in the Unit 67.  These were deployed as an M.D.S. of 40 & three small sections of 9 O.Rs.  Unit responsible for evacuation of casualties from 3rd. & 5th. Para. Bdes. 1st & 4th. S.S. Bdes. & Airlanding Bde.

2030 - C.O. visited Airlanding Bde. positions north of DOZULÉ.  Contact also established with 3 Para Bde. 1 mile W. of ANNEBOULT.  Casualties to be evacuated back to LA DÉLIVERANDE.  C.O. considers he has neither the personnel nor equipment to carry out this task unless casualties are very light.  With no surgeons & the long journey back to LA DÉLIVERANDE he feels that a complete M.D.S. & 3 complete sections is essential.

Casualties treated up to midnight: British 33 German 3.

22nd August 1944

Place: Dozule (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 259729)

0800 - C.O. went forward & contacted R.M.Os of 3 Para. Bde. who were all moving up with their respective Bns.  The 3 Bns. ultimately came in to reserve (to 5 Para. Bde.) in area of cross rds. at LA HAIE TONDUE 460017.  13 Bn. Para. Regt. was 1½ miles E. of this cross roads & C.O. conducted this M.O. & arranged for evacuation of casualties.  Car Port established at 459015.

1120 - C.O. told by O.C. 225 (Para) Fd. Amb. that that Unit were going forwards as near to PONT L'EVEQUE (523040) as possible.

1150 - C.O. visited H.Q. 6 Airlanding Bde. at 334016 where he met O.C. 195 Airlanding Fd. Amb. who told him that that Fd. Amb. was going to open unit north of BRANVILLE (402037).  224 now the only Unit in position.

1540 - C.O. visited new location of 225 (Para) Fd. Amb. at ST. HYMER 508003.  As heavy casualties were expected from 5 Para. Bde. C.O. called up 4 ambulance cars from 224 but these proved unnecessary.  Evacuation still to LA DELIVERANDE (021805 Sheet 7F/1) so C.O. arranged to help 225 with additional ambulance cars if necessary.

1800 - On instructions A.D.M.S. 2 amb cars attached to each Bn. in 3 Para. Bde.

2030 - C.O. saw A.D.M.S. & was instructed to remain open & evacuate casualties from Royal Netherlands Bde. in area ANNEBOULT (422015).  Casualties treated up to midnight: British 37 Canadian 10 German 2 Civilian 5.  Capt. C.R.N. GRAY R.A.M.C. (135828) T.O.S. this Unit from 6 F.D.S.

23rd August 1944

Place: Dozule (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 259729)

0930 - C.O. visited A.D.M.S. & was instructed to pack up & be ready on wheels to move forward beyond PONT L'EVEQUE (523040).

1720 - Bde. M.O. informed C.O. of forthcoming Bde. parachute operation.  C.O. went to Division then to Bde. Commander for further information.  Half brigade operation projected.  C.O. agreed with Bde. Comdr to make each Bn. up to 1 officer & 20 O.Rs RAMC (& Regimental S.Bs in the case of the Canadians) & have 1 officer & 5 O.Rs R.A.M.C. at Bde. H.Q.  To do this 1 officer & 20 O.Rs had to go from this Unit to Res.  These reported to Bde. H.Q. at 2200 hrs.  Lieut. LEWIS replaced Capt. MARQUIS as R.M.O. 9 Bn. the Para. Regt. as the latter was sick & had to be evacuated.  Capt. GRAY to 1st. Canadian Para. Bn.

2200 - C.O. visited A.D.M.S. & confirmed arrangements for 3 Para. Bde. operation.  Major Wilson visited Bde. H.Q. & R.M.Os. concentrated: British 2 Canadian 2.

24th August 1944

Place: Dozule (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 259729)

0730 - Major WILSON went to Bde. H.Q. & was told that parachute operation was cancelled.

1200 - 20 O.Rs. reported back to Unit from Bde. H.Q.

1550 - C.O. received orders from A.D.M.S. to recce area 5310 (ST. GATIEN) & set up there by arrangement with Cmdr. 3 Para. Bde.  C.O. carried out this recce & agreed with Brigadier Hill not to move before morning owing to traffic difficulties over the one pontoon bridge.

2015 - The following officers were attached to the Unit for temporary duty: Capt. S.P.C. O'REAGAIN R.A.M.C. (254113), Lieut. R.L. RAY R.A.M.C. (301682) & Lieut. D.A. SARSFIELD R.A.M.C. (306026).

25th August 1944

Place: Dozule (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/2 Map Reference 259729)

0730 - C.O. proceeded to ST. GATIEN (5310) & found 3 Bde. had started to move forward.  He therefore came on to ST. ANDRÉ D'HEBERTOT (591062) & decided to set up in the chateau (belonging to M. ROBLOT) there.

0800 - Advanced Party under Lieut. PHILO left DOZULÉ to be followed by the main party [0900] under Major WILSON.

0945 - C.O. met B.M. 3 Para. Bde. & explained position to him.

1400 - M.D.S. open.

1550 - A.D.M.S. visited M.D.S. & informed C.O. that Unit was responsible for 3rd. & 5th. Para. Bdes. & 1st. & 4th S.S. Bdes. & Royal Netherlands Bde.

2000 - A.D.M.S. loaned the Unit a further 4 ambulances cars from 225 (Para) Fd. Amb.  Casualties treated up to midnight = 86.

26th August 1944

Place: St. André D'Hébertot (France 1/50,000 Sheet 8E/5 Map Reference 591062)

0900 - C.O. visited A.D.M.S. & requested a Surgical Team be attached to the Unit.

1400 - Major N.A. MILLER R.A.M.C. (287330) & 4 O.Rs. R.A.M.C. reported for duty as Surgical Team from 195 Airlanding Fd. Amb.

1930 - A.D.M.S. visited Unit.  Casualties treated up to midnight = 47.

27th August 1944

Place: St. André D'Hébertot (France 1/50,000 Sheet 8E/5 Map Reference 591062)

The award of an immediate M.C. to Capt. T.G. GRAY R.A.M.C. & Lieut. G.C.G. PHILO R.A.S.C. was announced.  Casualties treated up to midnight = 39.

28th August 1944

Place: St. André D'Hébertot (France 1/50,000 Sheet 8E/5 Map Reference 591062)

No further battle casualties now but Unit to treat sick of same four Bns.  Casualties treated up to midnight = 23.

29th August 1944

Place: St. André D'Hébertot (France 1/50,000 Sheet 8E/5 Map Reference 591062)

1200 - C.O. attended an A.D.M.S. conference & was informed that Unit would leave present location for U.K. on September 6th.

1800 - C.O. attended a further A.D.M.S. conference.  Unit to treat sick of whole Division.  Casualties treated up to midnight = 11.

30th August 1944

Place: St. André D'Hébertot (France 1/50,000 Sheet 8E/5 Map Reference 591062)

1300 - Bde. Cmdr. (Brig. S.J.L. HILL D.S.O. M.C.) visited the Unit.

1500 - C.O. held a conference of all R.M.Os.

1630 - C.O. visited O.C. 8 Bn. the Parachute Regiment.  13 O.Rs. returned to 195 A/L Fd. Amb.  Casualties treated up to midnight = 14.

31st August 1944

Place: St. André D'Hébertot (France 1/50,000 Sheet 8E/5 Map Reference 591062)

1000 - C.O. attended an A.D.M.S. conference.  Unit move to U.K. now to commence on September 4th, with Q.M. party proceeding in advance on September 1st.  Instructions received to close M.D.S.

1730 - 27 O.R. reinforcements returned to 225 (Para) Fd. Amb. en route for 101 Rft. Gp.

1800 - C.O. held a conference of all Bde. R.A.M.C. R.A.S.C. & Regimental S.Bs. to discuss future training & equipment.  Casualties treated up to midnight = 8.

Month and year : September 1944

Commanding Officer : Lt.Col. A.D. Young

1st September 1944

Place: St. André D'Hérbétot (France 1/50,000 Sheet 8E/5 Map Reference 591062)

0900 - Q.M. party, consisting of Capt. E.D.M. ANDERSON & Sgt. Ashman left Unit to proceed to U.K.

1100 - C.O. visited D.A.D.M.S.  All ambulance cars returned to 32 M.A.C.

2030 - A.D.M.S. (Col. M. MacEwan D.S.O. O.B.E. D.F.C. T.D.) visited the Unit.

2nd September 1944

Place: St. André D'Hérbétot (France 1/50,000 Sheet 8E/5 Map Reference 591062)

1530 - Approximately 70 children from the surrounding district were entertained to tea by the Unit.

3rd September 1944

Place: St. André D'Hérbétot (France 1/50,000 Sheet 8E/5 Map Reference 591062)

1000 - Rev. A.L. Beckingham conducted a C of E & O.D. Church Parade on this the National Day of Prayer.

1130 - C.O. held a conference of all officers and O.Rs down to Cpl.

4th September 1944

Place: Ryes (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 M.R. 856840)

0845 - 11 Officers & 50 O.Rs left by road for No.60 Transit Camp at Ryes, leaving the Transport Officer & 17 O.Rs. R.A.S.C. with 8 Jeeps & 9 trucks & follow on next day.

1645 - Main Party arrived at Transit Camp & was joined by 1 O.R. who had been discharged from hospital.

5th September 1944

Place: Ryes (France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 M.R. 856840)

1730 - Main Party embarked in H.M.S. "Invicta" lying off ARROMANCHES.

6th September 1944

Place: At Sea

1130 - Main Party sailed, in convoy, on H.M.S. "Invicta".

2000 - Party arrived at entrance of SOUTHAMPTON WATER & lay at anchor overnight.  Vehicle Party arrived at BULFORD.

7th September 1944

Place: Carter Bks. Bulford Wilts. (O.S. 1" to 1 mile Sheet 122 Map Reference 622648)

0915 - Main Party disembarked at SOUTHAMPTON, & proceeded by train to BULFORD & thence by transport to old quarters at CARTER BARRACKS where it was met by the Unit [?] Reinforcement Officer (CAPT. C.E. LACEY R.A.M.C.).  Capt. R.M. MARQUIS rejoined the Unit from hospital.  Rev. A.L. BECKINGHAM reported back to Divisional R.A.S.C.

8th September 1944

Place: Carter Bks. Bulford Wilts. (O.S. 1" to 1 mile Sheet 122 Map Reference 622648)

Day spent in re-equipping personnel at QM stores.

9th September 1944

Place: Carter Bks. Bulford Wilts. (O.S. 1" to 1 mile Sheet 122 Map Reference 622648)

Re-equipping & Barrack fatigues.

10th September 1944

Place: Carter Bks. Bulford Wilts. (O.S. 1" to 1 mile Sheet 122 Map Reference 622648)

L/Sgt. Williamson and Ptes. Marsden & Waters reported to Unit direct after being re-captured from the enemy & returning to the Unit from H.Q. 3 Para. Bde.

11th September 1944

Place: Carter Bks. Bulford Wilts. (O.S. 1" to 1 mile Sheet 122 Map Reference 622648)

Unit, less small HQ rear party, proceeded on 14 days leave.

1. Account of 224 Parachute Field Ambulance - Normandy 5/6/44 to 5/9/44

Reference Maps -

    England O.S. 1" to 1 mile Sheet 104

    France 1/50,000 Sheets 7F/2, 7F/1, 8E/5

Copy No: 3

5th October 1944

Distribution of Unit for Initial Operation

The role of 3 Para Bde inevitably meant considerable dispersion into Bn groups and the battle, as foreseen in England, was found initially to be fluid.  The unit therefore received instructions from the A.D.M.S. that it would only deploy on orders received from Comdr 3 Para Bde.

A total of 129 all ranks, the main party consisting of 60 all ranks, took off from airfields at Down Ampney, Blake Hill Farm and Broadwell at approximately 2340 hrs on the night of 5th June 1944, and were allotted within the Bde as follows:-

C.C.s Party (5 all ranks) with one stick of H.Q. 3 Para Bde.

M.D.S. Party (60 all ranks) with H.Q. 3 Para Bde.

No.1 Section (20 all ranks) with 1st Canadian Parachute Bn.

No.2 Section (20 all ranks) with 8th Bn Parachute Regt.

No.3 Section (20 all ranks) with 9th Bn Parachute Regt.

    For detail of personnel see Appendix 1.

Initial Drop

The journey to France was uneventful, but a certain amount of flak was encountered crossing the coast.  The moon was overcast and the weather generally was unfavourable.  This, among other things, resulted in very scattered dropping of all units in the Bde.  The drop took place at approximately 0100 hrs on 6th June 1944 - D-Day.

The C.O., Lieut-Colonel D.H. THOMPSON, and his party were not seen on the ground and were all reported missing.  One other rank of this party has been reported as P.O.W., one other rank who was wounded and taken P.O.W. was recaptured and is now back in the U.K.  It is almost certain that the C.O. and his batman are P.O.W., but it is feared that the remaining member of the party was killed.

The remainder of the unit resolved itself into six groups associated with the following officers and warrant officers:-

1st Group - Major A.D. YOUNG R.A.M.C.      )

2nd Group - Lieut. G.C.G. PHILO R.A.S.C.      )  M.D.S. Party

3rd Group - R.S.M. G.M. GREEN R.A.S.C.      )

4th Group - Lieut. R.M. MARQUIS R.A.M.C. Officer i/c No.2 Section.

5th Group - Capt. I.F.B. JOHNSTON R.A.M.C. Officer i/c No.3 Section.

6th Group - Capt. D.H. NELSON R.A.M.C. Officer i/c No.1 Section.

The following is a short account of each of these groups up until the establishment of the M.D.S.  At Appendix 2 is given a trace of the dispositions of the sticks with relation to the D.Z.s.

Major YOUNG'S (2 i/c) group. - No.1 stick on trace.

Major YOUNG, who is no.9 of his stick, was unable to find any other members of his stick immediately after landing.  He judged the position of VARAVILLE by the amount of M.G. fire, and decided to make a wide detour around it in order to reach the R.V. at 172754.  Half an hour later he joined up with one officer and ten ORs and accompanied them for about two miles.  During this time he collected ten ORs of the Field Ambulance, one of whom had a broken arm.

At approximately 0300 hrs he decided that the 9th Para Bn party (1 Offr and 10 ORs) were going in the wrong direction and, after consulting the 9th Bn officer he decided to split off from this party, taking with him the Field Ambulance personnel.  This party ultimately came to the 1 kilometre mile stone S.W. of VARAVILLE, where they had to lie up under cover for a period to avoid detection.  They then proceed NORTH to the D.Z., during which time a further 5 ORs of the Field Ambulance were collected.

On reaching the D.Z. several casualties were found and treated and the party proceeded to 1st Cdn Para Bn R.V. at 167752 where one officer (Lieut PHILO R.A.S.C.) and twelve other ranks of the Field Ambulance were found.

Lieut PHILO'S group - No.1 stick on the trace.

Lieut PHILO was in the same stick as Major YOUNG.  He landed in the field immediately SOUTH of the D.Z. (Separated from it by the main road) and after collecting several Other ORs of the stick made his way to the Bde R.V.  As nobody was there on his arrival he took his party on to the Canadian R.V. at 167752 where he was later joined by several more ORs making the total strength of his group 1 officer and 12 ORs.  He sent out small recce parties to try and contact the remainder of the unit and one of these parties met Major YOUNG'S party just after they had arrived on the D.Z.

This total party (strength 2 officers and 27 ORs) moved off with Canadian Bn H.Q. at approximately 0500 hrs.  Shortly after they had moved off they were joined by Capt T.G. GRAY who was alone.  At this stage the position at VARAVILLE was not known, but it was obvious that the drop had not gone according to plan.

After encountering minor enemy resistance en route the force reached LE MESNIL 1372 at 0850 hrs and the Field Ambulance party occupied a farm N.W. of the cross roads.

The unit commenced digging and shortly afterwards (approx 1100 hrs) Lieut D.J.C. CUNNINGHAM and the Rev. A.L. BECKINGHAM reported in.

At about noon Lieut-Col A.S. PEARSON D.S.O., M.C. commanding 8th Bn Parachute Regt., in the absence of Bde Comdr whose whereabouts were unknown, informed Major YOUNG that it would be advisable to open up.

R.S.M. GREEN'S group - No 2 Stick on trace.

R.S.M. Green dropped in swampy ground S.E. of VARAVILLE, and was able to collect immediately 5 o/rs of the Fd Amb.  He had no idea where he was, so decided to march in the direction of gunfire.  The party marched through swamps and ditches for three hours before getting near the fighting at 0415 hrs.  They there waited till daylight when the R.S.M. made a personnel recce and recognised VARAVILLE church.  He then approached the chateau where he found Capt. NELSON, Lieut. HARDER and 14 o/rs of the Fd Amb.  On his way back to collect his party he met Major DARLING (224 Fd Amb) who agreed to join the chateau party at once.

R.S.M. GREEN then collected his party and returned to the chateau.  Here he found that the A.D.S. opened by Capt. NELSON was abandoned.  He assumed that the whole of Capt. NELSON'S party had been captured.  Major DARLING could not be traced either, and he presumed that he had been captured too.  The wounded at the chateau numbered 16, and so leaving his R.A.M.C. party with them, R.S.M. GREEN proceeded to LE MESNIL where he reported at 2000 hrs.

Pte H.H. HARRIS R.A.M.C. landed with Capt. NELSON'S party, and assisted in opening the A.D.S. in the chateau at VARAVILLE.  Pte. HARRIS later went to try and collect a handcart.  He was away for 2½ hrs and on his return found the rest of his party gone - presumably captured.  He then collected as much medical equipment as possible, and began setting up a R.A.P. as laid down at the briefing, hoping someone would turn up.  Shortly afterwards R.S.M. GREEN arrived with his party.  Pte. HARRIS was one of the section dropped with 1 Cdn Para Bn.

Lieut. MARQUIS'S group - No 6 Stick on trace.

The primary tasks of 8 Bn Para Regt. was the destruction of the two bridges over the RIVER DIVES at BURES, and the bridge immediately EAST of TROARN.  The Bn subsequently to form part of the Div. bridgehead by occupying area crossroads 140707.

Lieut. MARQUIS commanded the Fd Amb Sect., and his stick was dropped very wide of the D.Z. at 235758.  Lieut. MARQUIS collected three of his section immediately and a further four within the next few hours.

It was obviously impossible for the section to join the Bn before the primary tasks were completed.  They therefore made for ROBEHOMME enroute for the Bns final position.

The party reached ROBEHOMME at 0400 hrs 7 JUNE and found Capt. JOHNSTON who had opened an A.D.S. at that place.  ROBEHOMME area was held by 150 men of 1 Cdn Para Bn. under Capt. GRIFFIN, and as BAVENT was in enemy hands it appeared that the force was cut off from the rest of the Div.

Capt. GRIFFIN decided to attempt to rejoin the Div during the night 7/8th JUNE, and the whole force moved at midnight.  There were two clashes with the enemy in the course of the move, but the force reached LE MESNIL at 0500 hrs 8 JUNE.

Capt. JOHNSON'S group - No 7 Stick on trace.

The primary task of 9 Bn Para Regt, was the destruction of the enemy coastal battery at MERVILLE.  Its secondary task being to seize and hold the LE PLEIN feature until relieved by 1 S.S. Bde on 7 JUNE.

Capt. JOHNSTON was in command of No 3 Section, and his stick were dropped very wide of the Bn D.Z. in flooded, marshy ground N.E. of ROBEHOMME and EAST of the RIVER DIVES.

Confused fighting broke out in the neighbourhood, but by 0230 hrs Capt. JOHNSTON had succeeded in collecting 10 of his section in a wood.  He had in addition combatant personnel, but no officers.

Capt. JOHNSTON realised that there was no hope of reaching 9 Bn Para Regt before they had completed their primary task.  He therefore decided to make for LE PLEIN via RABEHOMME and BAVENT.  He moved at 0500 hrs with a force 25 strong.

On approaching ROBEHOMME he found Capt. GRIFFIN of 1 Cdn Para Bn with 150 men holding the area.  There was a number of casualties in the area, and Capt. JOHNSTON requisitioned a horse and cart to move them into RABEHOMME.

On arrival there he was informed by the French that the enemy were holding BAVENT.  The force was therefore cut off from the rest of the Div.

Capt. JOHNSTON therefore decided to open an A.D.S. in RABEHOMME and he handed over the fighting personnel of his party to the local command.

During the day the Cdn force put in an unsuccessful attack on BAVENT.

At 0400 hrs 7 JUNE Lieut. MARQUIS with 7 men of his section arrived, having been dropped in the DOZULE area.

The whole of the force moved at midnight 7/8th JUNE to try to break through to the LE MESNIL position.  Casualties were carried on the cart.  After 2 clashes with the enemy the force reached LE MESNIL safely at 0500 hrs 8 JUNE.

Capt. NELSON'S group - No.4 on the trace.

Capt. NELSON dropped in the swamp ground S.E. of VARAVILLE.  After meeting several members of his own and other sticks he proceeded to VARAVILLE where he had to set up an A.D.S.  He was attached to 1st Cdn Para Bn whose primary tasks were the destruction of the bridges at VARAVILLE and ROBEHOMME.  In the meantime most of the unit who were lost had made tracks for VARAVILLE and Major DARLING, Capt NELSON, Lieut (QM) HARDER were all there before first light, together with representatives from every stick in the unit.  Considerable fighting took place in VARAVILLE and Capt NELSON set up his A.D.S. in the chateau and also carried out his first task of clearing the D.Z. of casualties.  At about 0830 hrs the A.D.S. party were surprised by a German patrol which advanced upon them from the wood N.W. of the chateau and he and twenty ORs were taken prisoner.  Shortly afterwards both Major DARLING and Lieut (QM) HARDER were also captured.

Opening of the M.D.S. at Le Mesnil 137728

The M.D.S. opened about noon 6th June.  During the afternoon Capt CHAUNDY (A.D. Corps) and three ORs reported in.  Capt GRAY commenced operating at tea-time.  Contact was established with VARAVILLE where the R.S.M. was running the A.D.S.  In the early morning he visited the M.D.S. and was kept there.  From 2000 hrs onwards throughout the night several trips were made to the 9th Bns Battery and all casualties were cleared from here.

The same evening Lieut PHILO (R.A.S.C.) accompanied by Cpl CUMMINGS and Dvr HURRY went to BREVILLE (134965) and captured 63 German ORs, 5 trucks, 1 motor cycle and about 30 blankets.  The latter enabled patients to be kept warm during the night and the trucks were used to evacuate patients to the beaches the following morning.

Approximately two thirds of the unit were unaccounted for and there was no definite news of the 9th Para Bn.  As the 8th Para Bn were some distance away (area 1370) and had no medical officer, Major YOUNG detached Lieut CUNNINGHAM to them.  This left only Major YOUNG and Capt. Gray to run the M.D.S.

Casualties dealt with on D-Day were 5 officers and 47 ORs and 2 civilian casualties.  Number of surgical operations performed - 10.

June 7th.  Enemy was within 300 yards of the M.D.S. on the NORTH, WEST and EAST sides and there was spasmodic sniping and M.G. fire continued throughout the day.  The road between LE MESNIL and RANVILLE was under occasional mortar fire and continual sniping.  In the morning Lieut PHILO (RASC) contacted the A.D.M.S. at RANVILLE.  Also during the morning 16 wounded and all Field Ambulance personnel were cleared from VARAVILLE.  About noon evacuation of casualties to the beaches on the captured transport was commenced.  Capt. J.W. ATKINSON and Capt. F. RUTTER reported from 195 A/Landing Fd Amb for duty as graded surgeon and Section Officer respectively.

In the afternoon Dvr Thompson (RASC) and Ptes Jansch and Garrett (as well as Cpl Tottle RAMC of 8th Para Bn) were blown up on our own minefield EAST of LE MESNIL cross roads.  Pte Garrett later died of wounds.  Pte CRACKNELL did not return from a search for wounded on which he was accompanied by Pte NICHOLLS (RASC).

Casualties dealt with - 5 Offrs, 47 ORs, and 7 ORs P.O.W.

Operations performed - 19.

June 8th.  9th Para Bn came under command Bde at 0200 hrs.  Capt H.P. WATTS, the R.M.O., established his R.A.P. in the CHATEAU ST. COME (137737).

At 0345 hrs Capt JOHNSON, Lieut MARQUIS and 16 ORs reported in to the M.D.S.

Soon after first light 9th Para Bn and 1st Cdn Para Bn were heavily attacked by infantry supported with mortars.  This attack was driven off and three further enemy attacks during the day were repelled.

In the afternoon Pte NEWCOMB went missing whilst collecting casualties from ESCOVILLE (100712).

At 1700 hrs Sgt TILBURY (RASC) arrived with the seaborne party (for detail see Appendix 1A).  He reported that Dvr McCONNELL had been severely wounded on the beaches (he later died of wounds in France).

A.D.M.S. visited the M.D.S. in the morning.

Casualties treated - 2 Offrs and 53 ORs, 11 wounded P.O.W. and 1 civilian.

Operations performed - 17.

June 9th.  Bde was ordered to stand to at 1930 hrs as two enemy Bns were attacking HEROUVILLETTE and RANVILLE.  The attack lasted approximately two hrs and on several occasions M.G. bullets were flying through between the M.D.S. buildings.  The attack was repulsed.

Casualties treated - British 32 ORs, German 2 Offrs and 5 ORs.

Operations performed - 11.

June 10th.  At 0730 hrs 2 enemy Bns put in an attack between the 9th Para Bn and 1st Cdn Para Bn.  There was heavy M.G. fire and mortar bombs fell all round the M.D.S.  All personnel not on duty were ordered into slit trenches.  The conduct of Pte LEWIS W.H. and his devotion to duty were exemplary on this occasion.  The attack was repulsed by 1300 hrs.

In the evening the remainder of seaborne party arrived (See Appendix 1A).

Casualties treated - British 4 Offrs and 29 ORs, German 2 Offrs and 11 ORs.

Operations performed - 11.

June 11th.  At 0430 hrs 5th Bn Black Watch under Comd 3 Para Bde, put in an attack on BREVILLE (134745) which proved unsuccessful.

Casualties treated - British 6 Offrs and 118 ORs (104 Black Watch) German 1 Offr and 5 ORs.

Operations performed - 7.

June 12th.  In the afternoon the Black Watch positions were heavily shelled and mortared.  C Coy 1st Cdn Para Bn went up to ST. COME to reinforce them.

Shortly before midnight enemy aircraft dropped bombs in the Bde area for a period of two hours.

Casualties treated - British 12 Offrs and 168 ORs (114 Black Watch) German 3 ORs.

Operations performed - 6.

During the day the main road in front of the Canadian positions became untenable and hand carriage from the combined R.A.P.s of 9th Para Bn and 5th Black Watch had to be resorted to.  This was continued throughout the night under extremely difficult conditions.

June 13th.  By 0500 hrs all Black Watch casualties had been evacuated to the M.D.S.  The carrying out of this difficult task was mainly due to Cpl. CRANNA of whom I cannot speak too highly.

In the afternoon the last members of the seaborne party arrived.

At 1935 hrs the M.D.S. was twice attacked by R.A.F. Typhoons with 20 M.M. cannon and rockets.  They circled round before attacking and completely disregarded the two 20 ft. square Geneva Crosses which were prominently displayed.

Casualties treated - British 4 Offrs and 50 ORs, German 2 ORs.

Operations performed - 7.

June 14th.  At 0200 hrs area surrounding M.D.S. bombed by hostile aircraft.

8 German Medical Orderlies who had been working in the M.D.S. were sent back as P.O.Ws.

Casualties treated - British 1 Offr 16 ORs Civs 1.

Operations performed - 5.

June 15th.  A quiet day.

Casualties treated - British 1 Offr 11 ORs German 1 OR.

Operations performed - 4.

June 16th.  At 0440 hrs the M.D.S. was heavily shelled and mortared for three quarters of an hour.  There were no Unit casualties although the buildings were hit on several occasions.

In the afternoon the Unit was visited by the C.A.E. Lieut-General F.A.M. BROWNING C.B., D.S.O. and G.O.C. 6 Airborne Div. Major General R.N. GALE O.B.E., MC.

Pte. BROWN H. (with 8 Para Bn.) was wounded and evacuated.

Casualties treated - British 6 Offrs 69 ORs German 1 OR.

Operations performed - 3.

June 17th.  By 1400 hrs 5 Para Bde. (less 225 Para Fd Amb) had relieved 3 Para Bde.  (Less 224 Para Fd Amb).

Casualties treated - British 25 ORs.

Operations performed - 8.

June 18th.  In the evening the Unit was visited by D.D.M.S. Airborne Forces Brig. A.A. EAGGER C.B.E.

Casualties treated - British 4 Offrs 33 ORs German 2 ORs.

Operations performed - 5.

June 19th.  Capt. RUTTER went to 1 Cdn Para Bn in reserve area as R.M.O.

At 2220 hrs the M.D.S. was heavily shelled by 105 mm guns, receiving 3 direct hits.  Cpl WADE R.A.S.C. was killed.

All transport less 1 ambulance car and 2 German trucks were put out of action.

Shortly afterwards orders were received from Comdr 5 Para Bde to evacuate the buildings and move further back.  Major YOUNG went to Div H.Q. and informed A.D.M.S. of these orders.  Unit started moving to the farm at 113733, a car post (Capt JOHNSTON and 19 ORs) remaining at LE MESNIL.

June 20th.  Unit move completed by 0530 hrs.

June 21st.  Car post personnel withdrawn.  Unit moved to reserve area at ECARDE (114759).

Unit was reorganised in view of own casualties and the fact that 2 Officers and 25 ORs R.A.M.C. were required to make up Bn deficiencies.  It was decided to make up Bns to strength and run a car post with the remainder less 1 Surgical team, Orderly Room and Q.M. stores.

Capt. RUTTER returned to 195 A/L Fd Amb.

Period 23 JUNE 44 to 6 SEP 44.  This period was spent at ECARDE only personnel attached to Bns and in Bde H.Q. took an active part in the war.  The following are the main events during the period.

On JULY 7th 2 M.Es attacked the area with cannon and machine gun and Pte MCLAUGHLIN was killed and Pte HUMBERSTONE wounded.  The same day Lieut. R.G. MAY R.A.M.C., Lieut. J.J. MACPHERSON R.A.M.C., and 32 ORs R.A.M.C. (all non-parachutists) were attached to the Unit from 34 R.H.U.

On 11 June the Unit opened a divisional skin and V.D. clinic.

On JUNE 16th the C in C General SIR BERNARD L. MONTGOMERY K.C.B., D.S.O. visited the Div.

On JULY 17th C.O. was informed by A.D.M.S. that 3 Armoured Divs were going to put in an attack through 6 Airborne Div.  This meant Armour crossing the RIVER ORNE by pontoon bridges and it was feared they would be heavily attacked by enemy aircraft.  The Unit therefore set up F.A.Ps at the following points:-

    M.R. 115791        Capt ATKINSON and 6 ORs

             108767        Lieut. MAY and 6 ORs

    Unit Lines              Capt. JOHNSTON and 6 ORs

    Skin Clinic             Capts GRAY and CHAUNDY and Surgical Team

33 F.D.S. with F.S.W. and F.T.U. under command moved in alongside Unit.  At 2310 hrs enemy aircraft dropped A.P. bombs in Unit area and Capt. GRAY was severely wounded and evacuated.

July 18th.  4,000 bomber raid on CAEN.  Elements of 7th and 11th Armd Divs. and Guards Armd Div. came through 6 Airborne Div Positions.

July 19th.  F.A.P.s withdrawn.

July 20th.  Severe thunder and lightning storm followed by torrential rain lasted until 23rd.

July 25th.  C.O. attended A.D.M.S. Conference and was informed of arrangements made for return of 6 A/Div to U.K. (later cancelled).

July 27th.  Capt E.D.M. ANDERSON reported for duty as Q.M. from 20th General Hospital.

July 28th.  C.O. made a reconnaissance with D.D.M.S. 1 Corps Brig D.D.M. WALLACE C.B.E., M.C. and A.D.M.S. of area CAZELLE after which C.O. received orders to move unit into that area forthwith. (orders cancelled within one hour).

July 31st.  Capt ATKINSON took over from Capt WATTS as R.M.O. 9th Bn Para Regt.

AUGUST 1st.  Capt ANDERSON opened 3 Para Bde Rest Centre at HERMANVILLE-SUR-MER (068791).

August 2nd.  Capt WATTS went to Div H.Q. as D.A.D.M.S.

August 5th.  C.O. did a recce with G.O.C. 6 A/Div of proposed Div Rest Camp at RIVABELLA (105800) and received instructions that the unit would be responsible for running this camp.

August 7th.  Unit moved to RIVABELLA.  It was a great relief to get away from slit trenches at ECARDE.  The unit position had been rather invidious during the six weeks stay there as half of it were periodically up in the line with the Bns while the other half had very little to do and morale was extremely low.  The ECARDE position was anything but a rest for the unit as the area was bombed at night more often than not and the loss of one surgeon and two ORs in a so-called rest area was exasperating.

August 10th.  A JU 88, which had been shot down, crashed on the Divisional Rest Camp.  Casualties were 13 dead and 20 wounded, these included Dvr Ayers (Killed) and Dvr Garwood (wounded and evacuated).  This new position was not much of a rest area either.  Four days after the bomber crashed an E.N.S.A. party had to be stopped because of shelling in the next field.

August 18th.  C.O. informed by A.D.M.S. that unit had to function as Field Ambulance and would be reinforced by 15 ORs from 195 A/L Field Amb.

August 19th.  Lieut D.H. LEWIS joined unit for temporary duty from 34 R.H.U.

August 20th.  Capt J.H.G. WILSON reported for duty as 2 i/c from 225 Para Fd Amb.  Lieut MACPHERSON transferred to 225 Para Fd Amb.  At 2300 hrs C.O. received orders from A.D.M.S. to prepare to "leap frog" 225 Para Fd Amb at M.R. 205702. (between TROARN and DOZULE).

August 21st.  C.O. made a reconnaissance and decided to open an M.D.S. at DOZULE (259729).  1840 hrs M.D.S. opened.

Total number of ORs in unit - 67.  These were deployed at an M.D.S. of 40 and three small sections of 9 ORs.  The unit responsible for evacuation of casualties from 3rd and 5th Para Bdes, 1st and 4th S.S. Bdes, and 6th A/L Bde.

Casualties treated - British 33 German 3.

August 22nd.  Capt C.R.W. GRAY joined unit from 6 F.D.S.

Casualties treated - British 37, Canadians 10 German 2 and civilians 5.

August 23rd.  Orders received to pack up and be prepared to move forward.  Elaborate plans made 3 Para Bde parachute operation which was cancelled within 24 hrs.

August 24th.  C.O. made a reconnaissance of area ST. GATIEN (5310) on instructions A.D.M.S.  The following officers were attached to the unit for temporary duty: Capt S.P.C. O'REAGAIN, Lieut R.L. RAY, and Lieut D.A. SARSFIELD.

August 25th.  C.O. proceeded to ST. GATIEN at 0730 hrs and found that 3 Para Bde had started to move forward.  He therefore went forward to ST. ANDRE D'HERBETOT (591062) and decided to set up in the chateau there.  M.D.S. opened up 1400 hrs.  Unit responsible for 3rd and 5th Para Bdes 1st and 4th S.S. Bdes and Royal Netherlands Bde.  Casualties treated - 86.

August 26th.  C.O. requested A.D.M.S. to attach a surgical team to the unit and Major N.A. MILLER and 4 ORs from 195 A/L Fd Amb reported for duty in the afternoon.

Casualties treated - 47.

August 27th.  Casualties treated - 39.

August 28th.  No further battle casualties now, but unit to treat sick of same 4 Bdes.

Casualties treated - 23.

August 29th.  C.O. attended an A.D.M.S. conference was informed that the unit would leave present location for U.K. on Sept 6th.

Casualties treated - 11.

August 30th.  13 ORs returned to 195 A/L Fd Amb.

Casualties treated - 14.

August 31st.  Unit move to U.K. now to commence on Sept 4th.  Instructions received from A.D.M.S. to close M.D.S.  27 OR reinforcements returned from 225 Para Fd Amb en route for 101 Rft Group.

Casualties treated - 8.

Sept 1st.  Advance party, Capt ANDERSON and Sgt ASHMAN, left unit to proceed to U.K.  All amb cars returned to 32 M.A.C.

Sept 2nd.  Approximately 70 children from the surrounding district were entertained to tea by the unit.

Sept 3rd.  Rev A.L. BECKINGHAM conducted a Thanksgiving Service on this, the National Day of Prayer.

Sept 4th.  11 Offrs and 50 ORs left by road for No.60 Transit Camp at RYES (856840), leaving Lieut PHILO and 17 ORs RASC with 8 jeeps and 9 trailers to follow on the next day.  On arrival at the Transit Camp the main party was joined by 1 OR who had been discharged from hospital.

Sept 5th.  Main party embarked on H.M.S. "Invicta" lying off ARROMANCHES.

A.P.O. England.

ADY/WRB/MW/JPA

2. Organisation

The only parachute brigade operation which had been done prior to operation "OVERLORD" was operation "FUSTIAN" (First Parachute Brigade, Sicily, July 1943).  On this Operation 16 Parachute Field Ambulance introduced the idea of a central M.D.S.  This was formed by a small section of the unit but it showed that the idea was worth following up.

It was therefore decided to deploy 224 Parachute Field Ambulance as follows:-

    C.O's Party                                            In Bde H.Q.

    Main M.D.S. Party (Incl No.4 Sec)        With Bde H.Q.

    One section with each Battalion in the Brigade

After consolidation on the ground, the section officer with each Bn was to report into the M.D.S. for duty as triage officer / anaesthetist / resuscitation officer.

It is felt that there is no real reason for the C.O's part in Bde H.Q. and that, on future ops it should be included in the M.D.S. party.  It is still considered essential for the section officers to join the M.D.S. after consolidation.

In the early days of a parachute operation Surgical Teams are most valuable but it is doubtful whether they should be employed so far forward after contact with the ground forces is established.  It is therefore suggested that under such circumstances surgical teams should be attached as F.S.Us. to 200 bedded General Hospitals.

The greatest difficulty met with by the unit in Normandy was the problem of post-operative nursing.  The standard attained, admittedly under adverse circumstances, left much to be desired.  It is therefore considered that No.4 Section of the unit should be specially trained in nursing duties and should cease to be considered as a reserve bearer section (the original intention).  This would train with the surgical teams and the section officer would become the unit resuscitation officer.  The first line reinforcement officer should understudy the second-in-command at the Base in order that he could undertake that appointment if called upon to do so.  This is not ideal but is the most logical thing in view of the commitments of the other officers on the W.E.  For the proposed organisation of a Parachute Field Ambulance for Training and Administrative purposes at the Base, see Appendix 7.

It is perhaps redundant to add that a Parachute Field Ambulance in an Infantry role should be deployed as a Light Field Ambulance.

The importance of complying with the Geneva Convention must be impressed upon formation commanders.

3. Personnel

Comments on the W.E. of a Parachute Field Ambulance follow directly upon the remarks made under the heading of Organisation.

It is felt essential that an additional officer should be added to the H.Q. of the unit.  This officer would take over the duties previously enumerated for the 1st Line Reinforcement Officer at the Base, with the added advantage that he should take over the duties of 2 i/c in the Field.  A normal Field Ambulance has two officers (Company Commanders) capable of commanding the unit in the event of the C.O. becoming a casualty.  This does not apply in a Parachute Field Ambulance although the risks taken by the C.O. are normally greater than those run by the C.O. of ground Medical Units.

It is suggested that No.4 Section does not conform in personnel to the other three (i.e. by trades), but should mainly consist of N.Os instead of S.Bs.  The Staff/Sergeant of this Section should double duty with the R.S.M. and the Corporal should be trained as a Clerk.

An additional Clerk at unit H.Q. would be very welcome both at Home and in Action.

It is not understood why the original establishment of six A.C.C. Cooks was reduced to five.  At the Base it is essential to have four cooks for the other ranks cook-house and one in the officers mess.  This means, on the present establishment, that the Sergeants Mess has to make a Cook out of one of the H.Q. Stretcher Bearers.

4. Equipment

The load tables used by this unit for Operation "OVERLORD" were apart from minor details, exactly the same as those produced by 16 Para Field Ambulance after Operation "FUSTIAN".  It is now considered that the loads involved in these tables are too heavy and that the total initial supplies carried down are far more than demand is likely to create (this with reservations on any report that may come from Arnhem).  This unit lost 75% of its equipment on the drop and yet was not handicapped in the slightest during the first fifty hours.

The following are remarks regarding specific items:-

Whole Blood

The use of this in the early stages of an operation is deemed essential by the Surgeon and it is considered that all means of taking it down on the drop, and preserving it after the drop should be investigated.

Anaesthetics

The present anaesthetics carried are far from ideal for use in abdominal cases and it is considered that the following additional equipment would be very valuable - Six McGills Tubes and two Iaryngescopes (to be carried on the drop) one Oxford vaporisor for ether and one for chloroform and six pounds of ether (to COME IN BY GLIDER).

Surgical Instruments

The addition of two plaster shears and one suction pump is considered necessary.

Thomas Splint

A folding Thomas Splint would be a great improvement upon the present one.  Such splints were used by 133 Para Field Ambulance in North Africa but the source of their supply is unknown.

Lighting Facilities

The long overdue appearance of Lighting Sets on G1098 has been rather marred by the neglect to produce a suitable overhead lamp (with reflectors) to be run off a set.  The present Memlite is far from being ideal.

Transport

At one stage in Normandy the unit lost most of its transport for almost a day due to damage caused by shelling.  The damage to vehicles in nearly every case was punctured tyres and radiators.  Is it worth while considering run flat tyres and some protection for radiators?

Re-Supply

It is difficult to pass any remarks upon this side of the operation, apart from the fact that the unit did not receive one single item in the re-supply programme.  It is felt, however, that the large amounts planned for Operation "OVERLORD" were excessive.

5. Training

There is little to add to the methods of training employed during the past year but emphasis should be made on the following points:-

1. Section Officers should be thoroughly acquainted with blood transfusion and anaesthetics and should be able, if possible, to cope with all but major surgery.  Potential 2 i/c's. should be selected at as early a date as possible and trained - course of administration followed by two months with a 2 i/c and one month with a C.O.

2. The regimental side of the training of N.C.Os. should not be overlooked or overshadowed by their specialist qualification.  The maintenance of discipline and the strict compliance with orders must always hold first place.

3. The standard of nursing must be raised very considerably.  It is felt that this can only be achieved by attaching personnel to a hospital for a minimum period of six weeks, during which time the training and teaching should be carried out by nursing sisters.

4. The practice in finding D.Zs. in the dark cannot be too strongly stressed.  This is partly linked up with the present standard of briefing which always assumes that everybody will land right on the D.Z.

5. Language classes, although the attendances always dwindle, proved their worth in Normandy.

Appendix 1

Nominal Roll of Personnel of 224 Parachute Field Ambulance who took off for Operation "OVERLORD" on 5th JUNE 1944, shown by Aircraft

Aircraft No 275 Stick No.1 (3 Bde H.Q. Grp.)

Aircraft No 276 Stick No.2 (3 Bde H.Q. Grp.)

Aircraft No 281 & 299 Section 1.  Section was allocated to each a/c (with 1 Canadian Para Bn.)

Aircraft No 254 Section No. 2 (with 8th Bn Para Regt.)

Aircraft No 330 Section No. 3 (with 9th Bn Para Regt.)

Airfields of Departure:-

Glider Personnel (R.A.S.C.)

Appendix 1a

Nominal Roll of Personnel who went to France by Sea

Appendix 3

Casualties Treated During the Period 6th to 19th June 1944

Appendix 3A

Casualties Treated During the Period 20th to 31st August 1944

Appendix 4

Record of Surgical Operations Performed by Surgeons of 224 (Para) Field Amb. During the Period 6th June 44 to 19 June 44 of Operation "OVERLORD"

DETAILS OF OPERATIONS:-

TOTAL DEATHS (Operated Cases)        17

ANALYSIS OF DEATHS:-

9 were abdominal wounds

3 were due to haemorrhage from wound of large vessels

2 were due to penetrating wounds of brain

1 was due to inflation of vomit (facio-maxillaary wound with concussion)

1 was case of paraplegia - penetrating wound of backno apparent intra abdominal wound but fretra peritoneal haemorrhage.

1 was case of compound fracture of femur in good condition died suddenly on the operating table before the operation started - ? reflex shock ? overdose pentothal.

ABDOMINAL WOUNDS

Lesions found at operation - Laceration of Liver, perforating wounds of stomach, jejunum, ileum, decendind colon, rectum.  Complete section of small intestine, perforation of bladder and mosentary of small intestine.

Operations performed  Suture of liver, packing of liver lacerations.  Suture of perforated viscera, exteriorisation of damaged bowel, colostomy.

NO resections of short-circuit operations performed.

Analysis of deaths

The 6 immediate deaths occurred within 4 hrs of operation.  All were desperate cases with very severe injuries viz:

2 abdomino thoracic wounds.

2 with very severe injuries - multiple viscera damaged.

2 with violent intra abdominal haemorrhage.

The three late deaths occurred in the 1st 4 days.

One was due to ileus (refused to retain Ryles tube)

Two had other severe wounds - one had a penetrating wound of eye, one had a penetrating wound of chest with haemorrhage.

Anaesthetics

Abdominal cases were originally done under pentothal.  This was not satisfactory - relaxation was insufficient and thorough examination of the abdomen could not always be carried out.  Latterly abdominal cases were done with Pentothal induction followed by ether.  This was much more satisfactory - no post-operative (chests occurred, and post operative vomiting was negligible.

Penicillin

Prophylactic dose (90,000 units) given to 20 cases (operated) where gasgangrene was established or probable.  It was always given along with a prophylactic dose of anti-gasgangrene serum, and with a full course of sulphathiaziole.  Penicillin was also given to several cases of penetrating wounds in the early stages of the battle when operation or evacuation was delayed.  No conclusion could be drawn regarding the efficiency of penicillin in the treatment or prevention of gasgangrene as patients were not kept long enough.

Treatment of shock

Plasma was available from the commencement, blood only from D plus 8 onwards.  The lack of blood was felt very much in the early days.  Blood was taken from R.A.M.C. orderlies and one German Medical Orderly (voluntarily) in three desperate cases, with life-saving results.  This source was however very limited.  Early cases were resuscitated with plasma only, with the result that they were not fully resuscitated when they went to the theatre.  Once blood was available we were able to save patients more severely injured than some who died in the early stages.

Gasgangrene

Very little gasgangrene was seen (6 established cases).  Of these one was severe, involving practically the whole of the quadriceps muscles of the thigh and also the psas iliacus.  Gasgangrene was treated by excission of the affected muscles, penicillin, sulphanilimide locally, sulphathiazole by mouth and anti-gasgangrene serum.

Time-Lag before operation

In the first two days, owing to beginning with one surgical team only, and to the difficulty of evacuation, operation cases tended to pile up.  However, apart from the occasional casualty who had been difficult to find and bring in, very few cases reached the operating theatre more than 24 hrs after injury.  After the first 2 days the average time-lag was about 10 hrs.  From about D plus 4 onwards patients arrived much earlier after wounding.  Cases received within 1 hrs of wounding were not uncommon.  Several cases were received were primary suture could probably have been done with safety.  In view of the advisability of early evacuation this was never done.

Amputations

5 amputations only were performed.  Of these 3 were cases of trimming of traumatic amputations.  The other 2 were amputations in the lower third of the leg with destruction to the blood supply of the foot.  There was one other case with a leg wound just as severe and with a foot apparently deprived of blood supply.  This patient had other more severe injuries and when these had been dealt with - both surgeons working on different parts of his body - he would not have stood further amputation.  The foot was therefore left in situ and 24 hrs later it was recovering circulation.  The patient was evacuated at this point so further progress is not known.

(Signed) T.G. GRAY Capt., R.A.M.C.

Appendix 5

Nominal Roll of Casualties Sustained by 224 Parachute Field Ambulance During Operation "OVERLORD"

OFFICERS, R.A.M.C.

OTHER RANKS.

+ Denotes subsequently liberated and now in U.K.

Appendix 5a

R.A.M.C. Officer Casualties Within 3rd Parachute Brigade

224 (Parachute) Field Ambulance

76447 Lieut.-Colonel D.H. Thompson R.A.M.C. - Missing 6 JUN 44   ? P.O.W.

282479 Major J.S. Darling R.A.M.C.                  - Missing 6 JUN 44 since reported P.O.W.

248063 Capt. D.H. Nelson R.A.M.C.                 - Missing 6 JUN 44 since recaptured and repatriated to U.K.

274680 Capt. T.G. Gray R.A.M.C.                     - Wounded and evacuated 17 JUL 44

231123 Lieut (Q.M.) R.F. Harder R.A.M.C.       - Missing 6 JUN 44 since reported P.O.W.

Attd. 1st Canadian Parachute Bn.

Capt. C. Brebner R.C.A.M.C.                             - Wounded & missing 6 JUN 44 taken P.O.W. and since repatriated to U.K.

Attd. 8 Bn Parachute Regt.

Capt. R.E. Holten R.A.M.C.                                - Missing 6 JUN 44 reported killed as P.O.W.

Attd. H.Q. 3 Parachute Bde.

Capt. W.E. Church R.A.M.C.                              - Missing 6 JUN 44 since reported P.O.W.

Appendix 5b

Casualties to R.A.M.C. Other Ranks of Battalions of 3 Parachute Brigade and Casualties to R.A.M.C. Other Ranks Reinforcements

8 PARACHUTE BATTALION

Killed

14340968 Pte. Doherty W.H.

14591117 Pte. Cooper F.

14528074 Pte. Luke R.

Missing

7344882 Cpl. Longman T.

7349595 Sgt. Wilson K.

7344953 Pte. Thorpe W.

P.O.W. subsequently released and Returned to Unit

7369095 Cpl. Kirby W.

Wounded & Evacuated to U.K.

7363477 Pte. Cox - died of wounds

7363007 Cpl. Halliday K.

Injured and Evacuated to U.K.

3244652 Pte. Phelvin K.

Sick and Evacuated to U.K.

14577693 Cpl. Long G.

9 PARACHUTE BATTALION

Wounded and Evacuated to U.K.

7265395 Cpl. Tottle D.

3372162 Pte. Anderson J.

Missing

7363453 Pte. Yorke G.

7365440 Pte. Townend W.

97004035 Pte. Markwick D.

5182314 Cpl. Mellalieu

7381528 Sgt. Spencer

7348426 Pte. Jepp P.

7366360 Pte. Stansell

7373873 Pte. Darnell

7516711 Pte. Perry

6151436 Pte. Burlington

14644341 Pte. Mockeridge

4388299 Pte. Newton

5436088 Pte. Denney

14216898 Pte. Marlow

7367493 Cpl. Ferguson

R.A.M.C. Other Rank Reinforcements

Killed

7344644 Pte. Ferry H.J.

Wounded

7363838 Pte. Hood J.

7345969 Cpl. Bennett F.

14628645 Pte. Byrne E.

Appendix 6

Recommendations for Awards

1. Immediate Awards

Military Cross

        + Lieut G.C.G. Philo RASC (179980)

        + Capt T.G. Gray RAMC (274680) (since wounded)

Military Medal

        T/71537 Dvr. Thompson I. RASC (since wounded)

        97006362 Pte. Bramwell J.C. RAMC

        97003249 Pte. Lewis W.H. RAMC

        7379383 Pte. McLaughlin W.J. RAMC (since deceased)

        14644202 Pte. McKee B. RAMC (recommended by O.C. 9 Bn Para Regt).

2. Periodical Awards

Distinguished Conduct Medal

        7261957 RSM Green G.M. RAMC

Military Medal

        7381430 Cpl. Cranna W.L. RAMC

M.B.E.

        Capt (Rev) A.L. Beckingham RAChD (274824)

B.E.M.

        T/44201 Cpl. Cummings J. RASC

Mentioned in Despatches - in order of priority

        T/158246 Dvr. Smith E.T. RASC

        @ T/14310775 Dvr. Broad E.G. RASC (Attd from 716 A/Div Lt Comp Coy R.A.S.C.)

        Capt. I.F.B. Johnston RAMC (248761)

        97003539 L/Sgt. Buckmaster C. RAMC (England)

        97003539 Pte. Mowat J.H. RAMC

        14352895 Cpl. Millott J. RAMC

        7381294 L/Cpl. McClymont J. RAMC

        T/170061 L/Cpl. Young W.A. RASC

+ awarded an immediate M.C.

@ later deleted from my list and recommended for the M.M. by C.R.A.S.C., 6 Airborne Division.