War Diary of F (Sphinx) Battery, Royal Horse Artillery 1944

The following text is from a Log Book and lists locations and events on a daily basis for the Battery for 1944

(Please mote it is all handwritten and difficult to read at times, plus some parts are very faded and difficult to understand.)

June 4th	Tilbury	Loading MT 17 “Mathew Y. Goldsboro”
5th	Thames Estuary	Anchored off Southend. So near and yet so far.
6th	Southend at Sea	D Day
7th	Circular Tour
8th	Anchored of M Beach	Near Luc – sur – Mer.
9th	Landed at Leon-sur-Mer	Landed a day late due to weather.
10th	Hermanville	First Gun position
11th	Hermanville	Still day – busy digging
12th	Hermanville	Same as yesterday
13th	Hermanville	Fired today – Marauder crashed in Rear Wags. A.P. bombs during night,
14th	Hermanville	Some firing – Slight night raid.
15th	Hermanville	As yesterday.
16th	Hermanville	Everyman to sleep in a slit trench.
17th	Hermanville	Sims & Munro evacuated,
18th	Hermanville	N.T.R.
19th	Hermanville	N.T.R.
20th	Hermanville	M.E. 108 Shoy down by A.A. Moved to 43 Bde
21st	Bâsle	Miles behind the guns. (2000x).
22nd	Bâsle	Preparations for large barrage,
23rd	Bâsle	Digging parties etc.
24th	Camilly	Night spent with tanks
25th	Bretteville	Brig Curry killed on road crossing 300x from C.P.
26th	Bretteville	Rather a busy time was had.
27th	Bretteville – Cheux (I)	by all
28th	Cheux	Rather a busy day. Tank alert. F Bty A.! sigs crashed,
29th	Cheux	21000 hrs moved back to Cheux I
30th	Cheux I	Tiger tank of G troop position.
July 1st	Cheux I	Was towed there by 44 R.T.R.
2nd	Cheux I	7.2” moved in close to us
3rd	Cheux I	Enemy guns fired continually. Shells
4th	Cheux I	Landed about 5000x to our right.
5th	Cheux I	Saw the Caen bombers go in.
6th	Cheux I	A large number of D.F.s + HFs
7th	Cheux I
8th	Mouen	A.D.S. in chateau nearby
9th	Mouen	Dead cows on gun position. Caen fell.
10th	Mouen	Lt Kershaw & 1 O.R. killed.
11th	Mouen	Shelling. 2 slightly wounded. 5 MEs Down
12th	Mouen	O.P. shelled. Mack wounded.
13th	Mouen	Shelling got accurate. Discretion is the better part of valour.
14th	Cheux	Shelling during day after a quiet night,
15th	Cheux	Shelling both ways.
16th	Cheux	Shelling as usual. Capt Greenfield now BC.
17th	Cheux	Heavy night raid. R.H.Q. ration truck in flames.
18th	Cheux	Quiet day.
19th	St Mauvieux	Three days of waiting for
20th	St Mauvieux	orders.
21st	St Mauvieux
22nd	Rots
23rd	Rots	Rest position. Baths, cinema,
24th	Rots	and Bayeux Parties. Monotony
25th	Rots	relieved by digging parties who
26th	Rots	dug positions which were not
27th	Rots
28th	Rots
29th	Cormeilles	With 4th Canadian Div (Armoured)
30th	Cormeilles
31st	Cormeilles – Rots
August 1st	Rots
2nd	Rots
3rd	Rots
4th	Rots
5th	Recute
6th	Aguanthe
7th	Chateau Môte	C.P. way down in a dungeon
8th	Beni Bocage	Not in action.
9th	Vire	N.T.R. Best position yet no
10th	Vire	Flies no dead cows.
11th	Vire
12th	Vire
13th	Evrecy	Passed 282
14th	Thiery Harcourt	N.T.R.
15th	South of	Crashed into action on roadside for RCR
16th	Falaise	Numerous Mike tgts to help
17th		Clear the pocket up. Lots of PoW coming in
18th		Went back into Falaise.
19th	Falaise	Night march back. Falaise still burning.
20th	Môte	N.T.R.
21st	Tournai	3 days rest. Ran parties to
22nd	Tournai	Falaise pocket. Lieut Hill went to
23rd	Tournai	DD Bty as Tp Commander.
24th	Tr???n	Started the big move east.
25th	La Ferte-Fresnil	First night halt.
26th	Romilly	2 days in which it was
27th	Romilly	Decided that we should have S.P.S
28th	Thiery Harcourt	Back to Bayeux – first night halt.
29th	Bayeux
30th	Bayeux	) 7 days training & refitting
31st	Bayeux	) Bath parties, cinemas, and
September 1st	Bayeux	) Bayeux parties – complete
2nd	Bayeux	) Reorganisation. Lieut Wilson. A.C.P.P
3rd	Bayeux	) Lieut Robertson T.L.G. Lieut Lowe T.L.F
4th	Bayeux	) joined Battery.
5th	Left Bayeux	- crossed the Sienne the night in the middle of nowhere.
6th	Arras	Lieut Simpson drowned
7th	Borg. (St Ledger)	Passed through Lille,
8th	Bedermonde	Now definity in Belgium
9th	Beckstraat	N.T.R.
10th	Berverson Wals	N.T.R. filly more back to
11th	Beckstraat	N.T.R.
12th	St. Nicolas Schellebelle	The C.P.O. did an O.P. & shelled the front
13th	Heist-op-den-Berg	Rest position & Troop Training.
14th	Heist-op-den-Berg	Rest position with a
15th	Heist-op-den-Berg	portion of time devoted to B.C. B.Capt & C.P.O.
16th	Heist-op-den-Berg	individual Training crashed a Jeep
17th	Heist-op-den-Berg	B.C. rejoined Bty. Bty Capy evacuated, LT LOWE joined battery from DD. Lieut MCCulloch temporary C.P.O.
18th	Olglabeek	C.P. in the local boys school.
19th	Olglabeek	Slight enemy number activity. His was our
20th	Olglabeek	ideal position but rather too many ‘civies’
21st	Neeglabeek	Moved in support of friends
22nd	Neeglabeek	it. It was possible to
23rd	Neeglabeek	engage target from the
24th	Neeglabeek	gun position. Capt Bayler took over G. Tp. Capt Hill Bty Capt.
25th	Neeglabeek	Lieut Wells rejoined the Battery.
26th	Weert (I)	Holland.
27th	Weert	(I) Local team showed Regt how to
28th	Weert	play soccer. (2) Chiefly notable by
29th	Weert	much hammering & rattle of planks
30th	Weert	Reported by 2nd 60th K.R.R.C. causing
October 1st	Weert	numerous D.F.s to be fired resulting
2nd	Weert	in waste of ammo. Sounds probably from a gramaphone
3rd	Weert	Capt Banks returned as Bty Capt.
4th	Weert
5th	Weert	Lt Hill posted to R.H.Q. as R.S.O.
6th	Weert	Lots of scoff now on ‘H’ Truck
7th	Weert
8th	Weert	Relieved by U.S. 7 A.D.
9th	Badenburg	Chorping area. Troops were allowed in village because there wa F.A.
10th	Nijmegen (N)	A large number of U&V Targets.
11th	Nijmegen (N)	This place is known as the
12th	Nijmegen (N)	island.
13th	Nijmegen (SW)	Relieve a wheel unit Ersatz A Airborne.
14th	Nijmegen (SW)	Lieut Wilson left with Brussels leave party
15th	Nijmegen (SW)	for 48 hours
16th	Nijmegen (SW)
17th	Nijmegen (SW)	Flash Party spent night at Eindhoven
18th	Poppel (South of)
19th	Poppel (South of)	Noth much to report A few
20th	Poppel (South of)	fire flares D.F.s & H.F.s
21st	Poppel (South of)	Life is not too bad. Very
22nd	Poppel (South of)	Comfortable quarters A
23rd	Poppel (South of)	few rounds back enemy on the
24th	Poppel (South of)	left flank.
25th	Poppel (South of)	Guns in action at E ????? ?? ???? zero line 360° E ????? ?? ????
26th	Poppel (South of)	A considerable amount of H.F. targets
27th	Poppel (South of)	Moved to E 413633 525471 Z on 270° F 413455 525846 at ???????
28th	5 miles W of Tilburg	Moved to E 449272 532872 Zero 230° F 449864 522920 C.F. in ?????????????????????????
29th	Weert	Arrived 1800 hrs guns at E 603957 Z on 90° F 609959
30th	Weert (E)	Moved to E 450474 495300 220° F 456864 492522 C.F. in
31st	Weert (E)	Also fired HFs ????? Bty
November 1st	SLAPERSHOF	E 462207 490242 Z line 110° F 462292 481933
2nd	SLAPERSHOF
3rd	SLAPERSHOF	125 DFs
4th	Weert	Located East if Battery at E 460755 495697 F 460825 495924
5th	SLAPERSHOF	N.T.R. Baths & Lecture Parties
6th	SLAPERSHOF	N.T.R. Brigade cinema in ??? ???????
7th	SLAPERSHOF	N.T.R. Weet Corps cinema in
8th	SLAPERSHOF	N.T.R. ?????? Theatre
9th	SLAPERSHOF	Snowed in the morning for the first time
10th	SLAPERSHOF	Sgt Major Lambert [?] evacuated to ????????????
11th	South of Slapershof	E 460809 492580 ??? F 460542 492960 ??? Zero line 70° B.H.Q.
12th	South of Slapershof	Meat in Cook House missing
13th	South of Slapershof	Details of fire plan received
14th	South of Slapershof	Fire Plan Commenced.
15th	BERHAM (BAEKEN)
16th	BERHAM (BAEKEN)	Flash Party away holding
17th	BERHAM (BAEKEN)	Positions Lieut Edwards killed.
18th	BERHAM (BAEKEN)	Lieut Robertson G.P.P F Troop.
19th	ROGHEL NORTH EGEHELHOEK	Moved at 1415 to E 476833 503934 F 473539 504262 70°
20th	EGEHELHOEK	Flash Recce in afternoon but returned
21	ROGHEL NORTH
22	VOSBERG
23	VOSBERG
24	VOSBERG
25	VOSBERG
26	???????????
27	???????????
28	???????????
29	???????????	Lieut ??? went to O.P.
30	HUNSEL
December 1	HUNSEL	Rest
2	Hunsel	Rest
3	Hunsel	Rest
4	Hunsel	Action
5	Hunsel	Action
6	Hunsel	Rest
7	Hunsel	Rest
8	Hunsel	Action
9	Hunsel	Action
10	Hunsel	Rest
11	Hunsel	Rest
12	Hunsel	6 Hours
13	Hunsel	6 Hours
14	Hunsel	6 Hours ???????? ????????????
15	Hunsel	6 Hours ??????????? ??????????
16	Hunsel	Rest
17	Hunsel	Rest
18	Hunsel	6 Hours
19	Hunsel	6 Hours
20	Hunsel	Action
21	Hunsel	Xmas Party for Children. A great success
22	Hunsel	F Troop beat DD Bty at football 10-0.
23	Hunsel	Recce Alt positions
24	Hunsel	E 464308 789515 289 F 465074 489750 289
Dec 25th	Hunsel	Tues Day. Had a Battery Dinner in two batches because we were in action. Jolly good show,
Dec 26th	Hunsel	N.T.R.
27th	Hunsel
28th	Hunsel
29th	Hunsel
30th	Hunsel
31st	Hunsel	F Troop had a party.

The following text is from a Communications Log Book and represent the information available for the Battery for 1944.

Date Time of Origin	Form	Message
10 1200	RHQ	Br Troops no change Enemy position was clear. 192 Grenadier hold the Brigade 0273
		Hermanville0670. 20 Tanks reported to the Brigade 1000 hrs.
		25 SS. 12 SS Div probably GALMANCHE 0073 R ISEL 9673
		Other points – Good progress by Americans & other British formations from 1/14 miles around Bayeux & West. Confirmed identification 1&3 Coros of 25 SS Panzer Grenadier.
10 0800	RHQ	CAMBES consolidated forward battalions 153 Inf Bde now complete in our sector with 5 Black Watch 0876 1 Gordons 0974 5/7 Gordons 0676.
		Patrols report enemy not very active during night. MGs & possibly tanks LE LANDEL 0373 uncertain strength.
		About 200 Tks seen on Troam / Benouville road.
11 June 44	--------	Parties sent to new position to Sig at 1100 hrs.
		Parties recalled at 15.00 hrs. Project postponed.
		21.00 hrs one O.P. sent to 4 Armoured Bed,
		Local O.P. sent out 1800 hrs returned 23.30 hrs.
		Nothing important to record other than counter attack expected
		Capt Hutchinson i/c Battery while Major R R Seel & Capt Granfield away with 4 Armd Bde.
	RHQ	Last light Sitrep 20.30 hrs
		51 Div. 5/7 Gordons tool Touffreville 1368 with no casualties
		5 Camerons fighting heavily at Sannerville 1368 which is very strongly held by 500 German infantry
		5 Black Watch are engaged, in heavy fighting a Breville 1374.
		21 Pz. Recce are “swarming on general line Troam – Benouville and are being lightly engaged by 5/7 Gordons (2) 2 Div 2030.
		No infantry contact and little change reported since 1100 hrs. Tanks and infantry seem forming up at La Bijude 0273. This place was heavily shelled at 1440 and no attack by enemy has yet been made.
		(Nothing said in Sitrep of La R Capt Russell has been told it is in our hands).
		(3) 3 Canadian Div
		7 Canadian Bde attacked with tanks and reached Le Mesnil Patry 9070 but were counter-attacked and driven back to railway,
		8 Canadian Bde captured Baison 9675 after heavy fighting.
		(4) Americans,
		1 American Army hold general line 3708 – 3209 - T5085 – 5373 - 5972 - 6468 - 74674
12 June 44	F.O.P	11.02 hrs. Friend report enemy occupy LA BIJUDE 0273
		possibly wood in 0374. Also Le Bisey NW of 0572 with mortar LMB A/TK gun. Also Herouville 06710, South LINCS hold woods 0374. WARWICKs hold approx. line 052738 round wood 064735. Norfolks at 070230. A.Tk ditch along valley 049729 to 060732 to about 068714 Ind position previously reported at 035724 are actually in area 035738 no movement her since 0800 hrs.
		Guns have engaged Le Bisey during last 30 mins caused brew up 049741. Tanks reported this morning in same area otherwise NMS.

12/6/44	RHQ	Ref yesterday’s last light SITREP showing American ???????? some more information received this morning 12 June
		Yanks 7 Corps hold line appox 3708 – 3209 – 2903 – 2993 – 3393 – 3886 - -4488 & isolated pockets area LE FORT & BREBANDS 4587
		5 U.S. Corps ISIGNY 5684 to 5373 – 5972 – 5408 -7070 approx.
		30 Corps 7070 – 7771 – 8368 – 8872.
		1 Corps & 6 Airborne Div as in latest sitrep
12/6/44	F.O.P	SitRep 2050 hrs,
		Havey arty fire at 18.35 hrs on line of woods between 032738 & 036735 which caused two brews. Since then periodical burst what looked like tank fire on same area,
		2025 stonk & bomber on area La Bijude fires still burning. Area Le Bisey las been fairly quite. Visibility good.
12/6/44	C Bty O.P.	At 324736 enemy strong point with deep tunnels. We hold 060730 & 058738 to 980738.
12/6/44	RHQ	Sit Rep Enemy elements of 176 Inf Div area Sallinelles 1376 – woods 1375 1474 – Rd Junc 1473 – Church 1570 – Station 1567 – Sannerville 1368 – Brette de la Hogue 1269 - Escoville 1271 – St. Homrine – 05?? Columbeles 0770 Enemy tanks motorize infantry area Touerville 1069. 192 Panzer Grenadier in strongpoints Le Bussey 0541 0472.
		Enemy La Bijude 0273. St Contest 0072 Buron 9972. Situation Galmanche 0073 obscure. Enemy hold right bank river Mue from Rosel to Ville Neuve, Situation further west uncertain.
		Bulk of 12^th SS Pz Div concentrated around Carpiquet. Main enemy activity heavy mortar & arty fire on area 0470 0371 & area Villons-Les Bussons 0075. Cambes 0171.
		Enemy still holding out in Radar Station 005800.
		Divn Troops held Biarde 1175 – Amfriville Breville 374 – X rds 141278 – Rd Junc 040703.
		Brickwords 4468 – Touffreville 1368 – Hermanville 1272 – Le Maruet 1172 – Ranville 1073 – Longueval 0872 – Breville 0673 – Le Handel 0374 Cambes 0173 – Le Busson 9974 – Viewu Buron 9774 – left bank of river MUE from Lasst? 9574 SW.
		Situation fluid in all forward areas. 4^th AGRA change Regt locations. 51^st Heavy Regt RHQ 017799. 1 Battery 027801. 2 Battery 023801 4 Battery 015792. 6 Battery 998782. Survey Corps Grid. CB Arty Liedes R.
		Capt J. Hoyle joined the Battery vis Capt RA Banks

		Noisy night by ALL.
13^th June	RHQ	Sit Rep. 0650 hrs 0 There appears to be a fair amount of enemy on the outskirts of Mendip. Much traffic on my rearlink & Mendip 8 & Mendip 30 have been refired. It is very probably that an air OP has been shot down West of Mendip.

Approx	10.30	Mendip 5 refired by Bty,

C Bty OP		1 Bde R.U.R. & KOSB in Cambes. 185 Bde the Warwicks in Beauville K.S.L.I. in Bieville pushing strong patrols forward into woods 045730 to 055732. Norfolks in Beauregard. 27^th A Bde. Baville and the crest east. S. Staffs Yeomanry in that area. Yanks in the west from 035780 - 070705

0605 hrs		Sit Rep 51^st HD. A Mendip captured but concentration from enemy art being put down on the place. Also a certain amount of sniping & mortar fire, mopping up going on on left flank.

0630	B. O.P.	Yanks at OP of 27 A. Bde have joined our OP. 2 Regts of 27 A Bde sit between 033780 – 070765.
1130	F. O.P.	Fires still burning area sounth of Le Bisey. Concentration observed 0915 hrs to 1020 hrs on sq 0769 0770 0870 0871 also some fire in wood 0473. 3 fires were caused behind ridhe 0870 and 0971. White Very light observed from area CHARDONNERETTE 0971. NMS.

	RHQ	7 A D now at VILLERS BOCAGE 8157 & are trying to point NE towards CAEN. R.A.F. had best day of war yesterday as regards staffing.
		4 Armd Bde at one hours notice to move to perform SMOCK.
		D.F. tasks for tonight – Gruchy 980723 & Buron 993725 – 5 rds Q.F. Millt??? B, lay on Grunchy MOT fired.
	DD	2 88 mms reported at 994732, engaged by friends. 2 more 88s located in northern half square 0073.
		Fairly quite night – little bombing.
Wed June 14th
F OP	0710 hrs	11 tanks probably MK 3s including 2 SPs moving south from area 040732 & 041721. Visibility good, otherwise NTR.

F OP	1040 hrs	Sit Rep – Warwicks now hold 047730 to 060731. Patrol at 044730 & 059728 in woods. They suspect rochet guns in area 039728 but cannot confirm.
RHQ	0335	4^th Armd Brih HQ is at 967813.
F OP	1400	RAF scored direct hit on rocket bomb factory sq 0769.
DD OP	1430	Enemy strength at Galmanche. Friends report movement at night of a few vehicles some tracked entering Galmanceg by road SW and SE. 88s in this area. Own infantry have an OP. and will send out fighting patrols.
RHQ	2030	General Sitrep 1800 hrs
		3^rd Canadiam Div hold line TEOT-EN-BASSIN 9072 to Norrey-en-Bassin 9270 to Laville Leuve 9570.
		7^th Canadian Inf Bde to Rots 9751 to Rosel 9673 to Vieux Caisl 9773 to Les Basisslas 0074.
		9^th Canadian Inf Bde. 3^rd British Inf Bde hold Cambes R.U.R. – KOSB) 0172 to Le Landel. Sout Lancs 0374 to Bieville Warwicks 0573 to Beau Regard
		I coy Norfolks 0672.
		51^st Div Longueval 5 Camersons 0871 to Escouville. 1 Sqd Derby Yeomany to 1271 to woods in square 1370. 1^st Gordons to 144 E to Le Meneil cross roads 5/5 Gordons 5 Black Watch.

		Sitrep (Cont’d)
		3 Para Bde 1472 to Brevelle, Ox & Bucks 1374 to Haugal (4 SS Brigade) 1375
		30 Corps and America fronts no appreciable changes 7th Armoured Div last reported Villers Bocage Area 8175.

16^th JUNE
RHQ	0930	Late last night ST. HONORINE 0970 was reported clear of enemy. HEROUVILLE 0672 was also believed to empty. Otherwise position unchanged last might. In ESCOVILLE sector this morning the enemy attacked with tanks and infy captured ESCOVILLE and advanced north towards HEROUVILLETTE
		The were apparently held and ESCOVILLE is now reported clear of enemy. The Highland Div is contemplating small counterblow and CRA is in the area now.

RHQ	1723	The attack this morning against HD consisted of two columns which endeavoured to isolate 153 Bde by flanking simultaneously down the road running S.W. through LE MESNIL 1472 to HEROUVILLETTE & on forwards through ESCOVILLE.
		The enemy success in taking ESCOVILLE but were later forces to to withdraw. 6 tanks were knocked out by the Artillery fire also a few armoured cars.
		There are also quite a large number of dead Huns scatted around the countryside.
		Our troops are bow in the same position as they were yesterday

17^th JUNE
RHQ	2020	The enemy RADAR station in square 0082 was attacked this afternoon by marine commandos supported by Sherman and Churchill Tanks and a small amount of artillery. The attack was successful and the position is now in our hands. Three officers and 250 OR’s were captured.
	0925
		It now appears that battle group Gretel took part in yesterday mornings attack om 51 Div. No change of fronts reported on 2 British & 3 Canadian fronts. 49 Div captured CRISTOE 8770 and PRONEY 8872. The firing last night by 68th Mediums and 51st Heavy was on the southerly approaches to CAEN.

18 JUNE
		Vert quite morning & afternoon

RHQ	2000	There has been little activity throughout the day. 11 enemy tanks well dispersed & stationary were reported in square 1158. Later 5 MK IVS were seen in the same area. It was thought that the might be dug in. ESCOVILLE was subjected to fairly heavy mortaring.
		An indication of the close country was provided when and OP from 128 Field Regt got within 500^X of an enemy OP that digging in.
		The fact that one man was digging and two watching seems to indicate that Trade Unionism is still alive in German. Our own Troops no change.

CO	2100	CO has seen General Roberts of 11th Armoured Division today. General Roberts who saw the C in C today quoted MONTY is saying ‘Its all wrapped up’.
		The Bosch can fight on this side of the Seine or the other side.
		MONTY added whatever the German does he (Montgomery) would not care to be a German General.
		Footnote.
		The CO saw Brigadier Fowler today & he says that marriage is just the job.

		A quite night.

	19 JUNE
	0550	) C.M. Tasks fired
	0700	)
		Weather very bad N.T.R.


	20 JUNE
R.H.Q.	0800	Amm restricted to 30 r.p.g.

RHQ	1030	Enemy locations
		711 Inf opposite Airborne	275 Inf West of ST. JEAN
		21 Panzer Caen 17 Panzer S.W. of CARATAN
		12 SS South of KARPIQUET	265 Infantry E of LA HAYE DU PIUTS
		Panzer Lehr “ “ TILLSUR SEULES	91 Inf BRIQUIBRA
		2nd Panzer East of CAUMONT	243 Inf S of VALOGNAS
		2nd Paratroop South of CAUMONT	709 Inf N of VALOGNAS
		352 Infantry South of RAOXVILLE	319 “ N of MOMEBOURG
		353 Infantry ST. LO.

		20th June (Contd)
		Corps Boundary. Exclusive of LA RIVIER. Inclusive of CRAVILLEY and CULLY. Exclusive of BRONAY, inclusive of LE MESNIL PATRY
1600 hrs		ME109 shot down over battery area by attached L.A.A. – pilot baled out.

1800 hrs		Moved to area 9876.
		21st JUNE
RHQ	0600	No change in enemy or own troops disposition on 1 Corp front. On 30 Corps front own troops captured HOTTOT 8265. 4 AGRA completed re-grouping by 210001. 150 Fld under command 6 Airborne Div 65 Meds u/c 51 HD 4 RHA 191 Fd 68 Meds u/c 4 AGRA. 51 Heavy Regt no change.

4 AGRA	as at 2000	No change on 1 Corps Front. 51 HEAVY O.P. in OUISTREHAM LIGHTHOUSE shelled. Lighthouse damaged no casualties.

		23rd June
	as at 0900	152 Bde captured St. Honorine 0970 during night and are now consolidating on their objective. No enemy counter attack has developed so far. 3rd Div put in local attack during the night which captured buildings 033740 but failed to capture chateau in wood 033737. Otherwise no change.

RHQ	as at 1400 B	US forces. Attacks were made yesterday on high ground W & SW of TOURAVILLE 1823. These attacks made litter or no progress and were discontinued last night.
		Attacks on the same objectives resumed this morning at 0600 hrs and so far slow progress has been made.

		SITREP (Contd)
		30 Corps no change
		3rd Canadian Div report enemy outpost on their front.
		No change locations
		3rd Brit Inf Div 8 Inf Bde occupied CHATEAU DE LA LONDE 033736 with 2 companies this morning but were later driven out by strong counter attack supported by tanks. 185 Ind Bde report enemy patrols more active.
		51st Hign Div. 152 Inf Bde attacked and captured St. HONORINE de CHARDONNERETTE 0970 during night. From first light enemy inf and about 35 tanks were seen forming up for counter attack. Tanks were engaged by Med Arty. Last report (time 1125 hrs) was that 14 tanks were seen burning 1070 and that Inf Counter attack had not developed. 30 tanks were withdrawing South (1169) behind smoke screen being heavily engaged by out Med Arty. Further reports from 51st Div show 13/18 Hussars knocked out 8 MKIV’s 0987174. 1 MKIV surrended.
		Air support most helpful. Only 2 tiger tanks seen today.
		6th Air Div. 6 Air Landing Bde report enemy post including mortars in woods 1474. Intermittent shelling throughout the night from NE direction.
		4th Armd Bde. No change.
	23 JUNE 1944	. H.M. THE KING’S MESSAGE.
		The following message from the KING has been received by the Supreme Commander & will be published to all troops.
		‘Today I have visited the beaches of Normandy which will forever be famous. All that I saw in my journey & on the soil of France has moved me deeply. I have come home feeling an intense admiration for all those who planned and augmented this vast – project, & for the gallant & successful execution of it all in the varied phases by everyone of those engaged in this great battle.

		Saturday 24th June 1944

RHQ	0900	SITREP 4th AGRA 2100 hrs.

		Enemy driven out of St. Honorine by 5th Camerons this evening. Enemy counter attacked with tanks supported by heaving shelling & mortar fire developed about 1100 hours.
		Enemy tanks held on outskirts of village and 13 tanks reported destroyed. Enemy shelling easer after toffee 4 had been fired on Hostile Batteries located by air OP and actually firing in support of counter attack. Camerons now consolidating position,
		51st Heavy also engaged Hostile Battery which was reported firing in beaches. 51st Heavy to posting 0418.
		61 Medium lost one O.P. in the attack on St. HONORINE.

		Sunday 25th June 1944
	2200	Moved to position CAMILLY to support 4 Armd Bde.

		Monday 26th June 1944
	0730	Barrage fired in support of 15(S) Div attack.
		15(S) Div attack successfully.

	1230	Moved forward to BRETTEVILL position.

26^th	1745	Six tanks reported in woods 908685. 2 Coy 26SS PGR identified in area 882685.
		US Forces confirmed fighting on outskirts of Cherbourg. 50 (N) Dib reached posn 500 yds north of HOTTOT-rd at 836666 – MONTILLY. 49 Div are in wood 8666 and are in part of FONTENAY LE PESNEL 8567 but have failed to clear two strong points in that village against which air attack has gone in.

Sitrep from C.O.		We hold line from CHEUX to ST MAUVIEU inclusive. N.Hants Yeomanry engaged by guns from 920670/ N.Hants Yeo patrol went to railway south of Grainville 6064 and returned. Enemy South of railway
		227 Brigade. Brigade now going to attack Grainville supported by 29 Armd Bgde FF right 23 H left axis road. 4th A/B will protect right flank of 15 Scottish Div. from attacks from direction RAURY 8865.
		44 RTR moving now to area 90566. Grays to bridge 900679, CLY to area 915683. HW & support Coy KRR to 9170.
		Brigade Tact HQ moves to 605685. 4 RHA will support 4 A/B from present positions. Gun pits will be dug.

RHQ	0800	Sitrep
		US Forces have occupied Cherbourg. 30 Corps 7^th Armd & 50 Div NTR. 11^th Armd Dib made contact with enemy during yesterday. 2 N Yeomanry claim one enemy arm’d car, 2 88mm Guns and 8 light flak guns K.O. Own losses three tanks, 29^th Armd Bde reported 227 Bde advances to line East & West through COLEVILLE. RAU RAY now reported clear of enemy. Location Bde HQ 922723. 23H9166 3 R. Tks 9168 2 FF Yeo 9066 8 RB 9067.
		159 Inf Bde no change. 4th Arm’d bde areas south of Le MESNIL PATRY, ST MAURIER. CHEUX. Bde H 945762.
		Intentions for today. At 0500 hrs HLI attacked too Grainville-sur-Odon with support 31 Tank Bde thereafter 227 Bde attacked in both centre line to Fortaine with in support 29 Armd Bde. All aruille with help 227 Bde for first concentration thereafter 13^th RHA in support of 20 Rmd Bde and 4^th RHA in support 29^th Armd Bde and 4 Armd Bde if necessary. 2nd N Yeo in reserve.

		Unspecified number of tanks moving N East NOYERS in square 3762.
		B.B.C. News Cherbourg 7-8 morning 4^th German Infy Div captured. 1 Lieut General and Admiral commanding Cherbourg fortress. Russians advance on 300 mile front at one point 15 miles.
		TILLER & CAEN had had no news except foul weather.

27th		Moved to BRETTEVILLE position 11.00 hrs.
		Little firing from this position
		Moved to position 2000^x N CHEUX at 21.30 hrs.

28th		Fired several V & U Tgts.
		Moved to CHEUX position 1000 hrs – Much Activity all day,

29^th	Thurs	Sit Rep. Enemy mortars and Inf. Result 1 mortar 944582 destroyed.
	B5	Piccadilly now occupied by friends (?????? Pheasants)

	B1	Friends report they have seen Hun tanks & transport move out from GAVRUS thro BOUGY to EURECY
		during the night the Nebelwerfer engaged yesterday evening was pulled back. Some of our own friends say still some opposition in GAVRUS.

		At approx., 1500 hrs a rumour from that St, ???????? to the effect that Panthers & Infantry had broken through. This proved to be an exaggeration & after concentrated artillery fire from this battery, infantry forming put in a counter attack at 21.45 hrs.
Last light SITREP	BC	The party was very sticky to start with but is more or less settled now. Performance from guns was good towards the end but was somewhat slow to start with. OP parties are all OJ although somewhat split up i.e. not travelling in vehicles they started in. Map marked up including the code-list was lost.

2000	C.O.	Ordered to move back to previous position where we finally got into action at 0300 hrs.

30th	2 i/c	AT 0600 hrs ordered to move to a different position – approx. 300^x distant.
		In action in new position 0630 hrs.
		Rest of day – little information – situation confused.
		B.Cs conference at 2200 hrs.

		Several M, V & U Tgts engaged during day.
		Disposition of enemy:-
		21 Pzr Div – CAEN
		12 SS.
		10 Pzr Div ESOUAY
		9 “ “ NOYERS
		2 SS “ VILLERS BOCAGE & NOYERS
		LEHR “ N of NOYERS
		2 Pzr “ NW of VILLERS BOCAGE
		+ 2 other of which no information

		Night of 30 June / 1st June was overworked for the number of tasks fired – a period of 40 mins was the longest pause between shoots between 00.30 & 04.00 hrs

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9 June 44	X with B.C. arrived 19.00 hrs
	LAST LIGHT SITREP to R.H.Q.
	All quiet at BIEVILLE 0574. RUR captured CAMBES 0773 at 15.20 hours & going well approaching BITJUIE 0270. F section still in leaguer at 02.00 hrs RUR are cooperating in 9 Inf Bde attack.
	9 CAN BDE got into BURON 9972 & AUTHIE 9871 this afternoon but were forced to withdraw to VILLON LES BUISSONS & it is believed that they are cooperating in 9.I.B. attack whose object is ST. CONTEST.
	German Battle Group in square 1170 1270 attacked ESCOVILLE 1271 in the evening with tanks. F section in action area covering 0276 changed. 7 ARMD DIV landing on 30 Corps front today.
	2 BDS 51 Div landed. One BDE, 5 BLACKWATCH ST AUBIN 0876, 5/7 GORDONS PERIER 0475, 1 GORDON along ORNE NORTH of BENOUVILLE

10 June 44	INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY from 1 Corps ??????? 02.10
	ENEMY BURON 9972 – LABRUDE 0273 – LEBISEY 0375 - ?????
	Ground N of CAEN. Probably 125 Panzer Grenadiers Regt LEBISEY & 192 Panzer Grenadiers Regt ST. CONTEST 0072
	12 SS PANZER DIV W of CAEN from ???? towards CAR??? E of R.ORNE 8570858 Grenadier (346 DIV) near VARAVILLE ???? 21 Panzer Div using French equipment.
	12 SS & 21 Panzr Divs N of CAEN ???? PERIER SUR LE DAN
	15.00 hrs Capt Hutchison, Lt Webb & 2 guns of G Troop arrived.

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