1st Tyneside Scottish July 1944 - Revision history

70bgadmin at 08:57, 26 April 2018

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70bgadmin at 09:59, 26 June 2017

2017-06-26T09:59:16Z

@@ Line 289: / Line 289: @@
 The action at [[Rauray]] was the fourth in which the Battalion was engaged within a week.  As a result of the first three, the Battalion was under strength, and had already lost nine Officers.  We had received a few reinforcements, including four Officers, but these had hardly time to settle down.
-On Friday morning, 30th June 1944, we moved from our position in the line at TESSEL-[[Bretteville]] to a concentration area behind the 11th Durham Light Infantry just SOUTH of [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]].  For a few hours, rest and a wash were possible, but at 14:00 hours the first Orders Group was held in preparation for the take-over from the 10th Durham Light Infantry of their position at [[Rauray]].  The take-over began at 19:30 hours and, in the hours of daylight, the Battalion was able to begin moving, with the exception of B Company.  The forward exposed nature of this position made its relief, of necessity, an operation in the dark.  The artillery and mortar Defensive Fire tasks were arranged before dusk, and feeding was completed shortly after midnight.
+On Friday morning, 30th June 1944, we moved from our position in the line at [[Tessel]]-[[Bretteville]] to a concentration area behind the 11th Durham Light Infantry just SOUTH of [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]].  For a few hours, rest and a wash were possible, but at 14:00 hours the first Orders Group was held in preparation for the take-over from the 10th Durham Light Infantry of their position at [[Rauray]].  The take-over began at 19:30 hours and, in the hours of daylight, the Battalion was able to begin moving, with the exception of B Company.  The forward exposed nature of this position made its relief, of necessity, an operation in the dark.  The artillery and mortar Defensive Fire tasks were arranged before dusk, and feeding was completed shortly after midnight.
 B Company had been ordered to provide a small Reconnaissance Patrol of an Officer and three Other Ranks to go into BRETTEVILLETTE at 24:00 hours, returning at 03:00 hours.  The object of this Patrol was to investigate report of some of our wounded still left in the village as a result of Thursday’s action.  The Patrol returned late at about 04:15 hours with the information that no wounded had been found and that little enemy opposition had been encountered.  Lt. Allan, the commander, did say he had heard tank noises on the other side of the village.

@@ Line 175: / Line 175: @@
 :00 hours.  Operation MANGO cancelled.  This message came through at about the same time as a bombing raid took place in our area.
-Several enemy bombers came over and dropped flares over the [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]] – St PIERRE road.  Soon after, a number of bombs were dropped.  At least half a dozen landed in the Battalion area.  One very large bomb landed directly on the Signal Exchange and destroyed it completely.  Both the signallers on duty were killed.
+Several enemy bombers came over and dropped flares over the [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]] – [[St Pierre]] road.  Soon after, a number of bombs were dropped.  At least half a dozen landed in the Battalion area.  One very large bomb landed directly on the Signal Exchange and destroyed it completely.  Both the signallers on duty were killed.
 There were, in all, four killed and fourteen wounded.  Colonel De Winton was standing at the entrance to the Command Post when the bombs began to fall.  He dived quickly for the doorway, but in doing so, was either hit in the leg, or ripped it on the stones.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''1st July 1944 – at RAURAY'''
+'''1st July 1944 – at [[Rauray]]'''
 :50 hours. A small reconnaissance patrol, consisting of Mr Allan and 3 Other Ranks returned from BRETTEVILLETTE.  They reported none of our wounded still in the farm and little enemy interference.  Tank noises had been heard.
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ''(The weekly strength state returns were completed as at 1st July and were attached to the War Diary at Appendix A.  Unfortunately the copy of this Appendix currently available to the author is so faint as to be unreadable.  Efforts will be made to secure a better copy, so that the effects on the Battalion’s personnel strength of these vital actions can be displayed.  The same sadly applies to the other weekly strength returns so the same efforts will be applied in respect of those.)''
-:00 hours. Battalion HQ and the remaining two Companies of the 11th DLI moved into our position at RAURAY.
+:00 hours. Battalion HQ and the remaining two Companies of the 11th DLI moved into our position at [[Rauray]].
 Our Battalion HQ, Anti-Tank Platoon and Carrier Platoon moved back to A 2 Echelon at [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]].  B Company and the platoon of D Company that was on the ring contour 110, came out of their positions at midnight.
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 '''2nd July 1944'''
-:00 hours.  Preparation was made for withdrawing the Battalion to the area of Le HAUT D’ADRIEU.  In the morning, several war correspondents visited the Battalion and went up to the position at RAURAY.
+:00 hours.  Preparation was made for withdrawing the Battalion to the area of Le HAUT D’ADRIEU.  In the morning, several war correspondents visited the Battalion and went up to the position at [[Rauray]].
 :00 hours. The Battalion began to move back to Le HAUT D’ADRIEU.  By 18:00 hours the Battalion was withdrawn completely from the line and reorganisation of the Battalion and the making up of deficiencies of manpower began.
@@ Line 285: / Line 285: @@
 '''Appendix B
-The Battle at RAURAY'''
+The Battle at [[Rauray]]'''
-The action at RAURAY was the fourth in which the Battalion was engaged within a week.  As a result of the first three, the Battalion was under strength, and had already lost nine Officers.  We had received a few reinforcements, including four Officers, but these had hardly time to settle down.
+The action at [[Rauray]] was the fourth in which the Battalion was engaged within a week.  As a result of the first three, the Battalion was under strength, and had already lost nine Officers.  We had received a few reinforcements, including four Officers, but these had hardly time to settle down.
-On Friday morning, 30th June 1944, we moved from our position in the line at TESSEL-[[Bretteville]] to a concentration area behind the 11th Durham Light Infantry just SOUTH of [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]].  For a few hours, rest and a wash were possible, but at 14:00 hours the first Orders Group was held in preparation for the take-over from the 10th Durham Light Infantry of their position at RAURAY.  The take-over began at 19:30 hours and, in the hours of daylight, the Battalion was able to begin moving, with the exception of B Company.  The forward exposed nature of this position made its relief, of necessity, an operation in the dark.  The artillery and mortar Defensive Fire tasks were arranged before dusk, and feeding was completed shortly after midnight.
+On Friday morning, 30th June 1944, we moved from our position in the line at TESSEL-[[Bretteville]] to a concentration area behind the 11th Durham Light Infantry just SOUTH of [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]].  For a few hours, rest and a wash were possible, but at 14:00 hours the first Orders Group was held in preparation for the take-over from the 10th Durham Light Infantry of their position at [[Rauray]].  The take-over began at 19:30 hours and, in the hours of daylight, the Battalion was able to begin moving, with the exception of B Company.  The forward exposed nature of this position made its relief, of necessity, an operation in the dark.  The artillery and mortar Defensive Fire tasks were arranged before dusk, and feeding was completed shortly after midnight.
 B Company had been ordered to provide a small Reconnaissance Patrol of an Officer and three Other Ranks to go into BRETTEVILLETTE at 24:00 hours, returning at 03:00 hours.  The object of this Patrol was to investigate report of some of our wounded still left in the village as a result of Thursday’s action.  The Patrol returned late at about 04:15 hours with the information that no wounded had been found and that little enemy opposition had been encountered.  Lt. Allan, the commander, did say he had heard tank noises on the other side of the village.
@@ Line 315: / Line 315: @@
 By 10:00 hours the first phase of the battle seemed to be over.  The situation on the right looked promising.  On the left, A Company’s position was not clear.  B Company had withstood the first attack but was asking for more ammunition and tank support.  D Company had not been engaged, except for the occasional sniper, and a certain amount of mortar fire.  An Artillery Forward Observation Officer reported that fifteen enemy tanks had been knocked out, ten by our Anti-Tank Platoon (since then we have claimed nine).  At half past ten, a Platoon of D Company under Lt Murray started to make its way to B Company’s position to reinforce it.
-An enemy tank was reported in RAURAY itself and some enemy infantry remained in sniping positions in our Battalion area.  Four Prisoners of War were brought in at 08:00 hours.  They belonged to No 1 Company of the Der Fuhrer Regiment of the 2nd Panzer SS Division.  These were pretty miserable specimens of Hitler’s picked troops.
+An enemy tank was reported in [[Rauray]] itself and some enemy infantry remained in sniping positions in our Battalion area.  Four Prisoners of War were brought in at 08:00 hours.  They belonged to No 1 Company of the Der Fuhrer Regiment of the 2nd Panzer SS Division.  These were pretty miserable specimens of Hitler’s picked troops.
 The second attack started at about 11:15 hours and this was well underway by 11:45.  Again, tanks and infantry.  From now on the whole attention of the enemy in our area was concentrated on B Company.  Captain Calderwood remained on the set all the time and gave the situation.  His quickness in reporting enabled the Defensive Fire to be brought down with great effect at the beginning of each attack.
@@ Line 349: / Line 349: @@
 '''55th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery.'''
-''C Troop of 217 Battery of this Regiment was in support of the infantry at Rauray and set out below is the account of that day written by the Troop Commander and included within that Regiment's War Diary.  It was thought appropriate to add it hear to complement the Battalion's own records.''
+''C Troop of 217 Battery of this Regiment was in support of the infantry at [[Rauray]] and set out below is the account of that day written by the Troop Commander and included within that Regiment's War Diary.  It was thought appropriate to add it hear to complement the Battalion's own records.''
-'''RAURAY – 1st JULY 1944'''
+'''[[Rauray]] – 1st JULY 1944'''
 '''Appendix D to the War Diary of the 55th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery – July 1944.'''
@@ Line 359: / Line 359: @@
 July 1944
-My Troop had gone into a position East of RAURAY and just West of Point 110 during the night to relieve “B” Troop.  The Troop spent the time up to stand-to digging.  At about 06:00 hours information was obtained that an attack was imminent from the South.  This was preceded by a very heavy mortar barrage, closely followed by their infantry, supported by tanks sitting behind, to shoot them in.  Fierce fighting developed between the enemy and our forward troops.  The Infantry Anti-Tank guns prevented the tanks from advancing on to our left flank and so they deployed rather hesitatingly to the right.  At about 06:30 hours the forward Company of the 1st Tyneside Scottish withdrew past our positions.
+My Troop had gone into a position East of [[Rauray]] and just West of Point 110 during the night to relieve “B” Troop.  The Troop spent the time up to stand-to digging.  At about 06:00 hours information was obtained that an attack was imminent from the South.  This was preceded by a very heavy mortar barrage, closely followed by their infantry, supported by tanks sitting behind, to shoot them in.  Fierce fighting developed between the enemy and our forward troops.  The Infantry Anti-Tank guns prevented the tanks from advancing on to our left flank and so they deployed rather hesitatingly to the right.  At about 06:30 hours the forward Company of the 1st Tyneside Scottish withdrew past our positions.
 Sgt W Hall was informed that tanks were creeping down behind him on the other side of a high bank behind which Sgts Hall and Haines guns were defiladed and subjected them to fire, putting Sgt Haines’s gun out of action.  Sgt Hall rallied both gun teams and during a period of mortaring man-handled his own gun a distance of 350 yards to a fresh position where he could get a limited arc of fire at a range of 450 yards.

@@ Line 123: / Line 123: @@
 Apart from this we merely followed the progress of the battle on our right for the rest of the day and carried out our Cover Fire-Plan when the 10th DLI attack went in at 16:30 hours.
-The 10th DLI gained their objective but 231 Brigade just failed to capture [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hottot-les-Bagues HOTTOT].  There was a certain amount of mortaring on our own positions but no casualties.
+The 10th DLI gained their objective but 231 Brigade just failed to capture [[Hottot-Les-Bagues]].  There was a certain amount of mortaring on our own positions but no casualties.
 From this time on two permanent Standing Patrols were established.  One was provided by C Company at road junction 846668 and the other at farm buildings 849668 held by snipers by day and a Section of A Company by night.

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 :00 hours. Battalion HQ and the remaining two Companies of the 11th DLI moved into our position at RAURAY.
-Our Battalion HQ, Anti-Tank Platoon and Carrier Platoon moved back to A 2 Echelon at FONTENAY.  B Company and the platoon of D Company that was on the ring contour 110, came out of their positions at midnight.
+Our Battalion HQ, Anti-Tank Platoon and Carrier Platoon moved back to A 2 Echelon at [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]].  B Company and the platoon of D Company that was on the ring contour 110, came out of their positions at midnight.
 '''2nd July 1944'''
@@ Line 175: / Line 175: @@
 :00 hours.  Operation MANGO cancelled.  This message came through at about the same time as a bombing raid took place in our area.
-Several enemy bombers came over and dropped flares over the FONTENAY – St PIERRE road.  Soon after, a number of bombs were dropped.  At least half a dozen landed in the Battalion area.  One very large bomb landed directly on the Signal Exchange and destroyed it completely.  Both the signallers on duty were killed.
+Several enemy bombers came over and dropped flares over the [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]] – St PIERRE road.  Soon after, a number of bombs were dropped.  At least half a dozen landed in the Battalion area.  One very large bomb landed directly on the Signal Exchange and destroyed it completely.  Both the signallers on duty were killed.
 There were, in all, four killed and fourteen wounded.  Colonel De Winton was standing at the entrance to the Command Post when the bombs began to fall.  He dived quickly for the doorway, but in doing so, was either hit in the leg, or ripped it on the stones.
@@ Line 289: / Line 289: @@
 The action at RAURAY was the fourth in which the Battalion was engaged within a week.  As a result of the first three, the Battalion was under strength, and had already lost nine Officers.  We had received a few reinforcements, including four Officers, but these had hardly time to settle down.
-On Friday morning, 30th June 1944, we moved from our position in the line at TESSEL-[[Bretteville]] to a concentration area behind the 11th Durham Light Infantry just SOUTH of FONTENAY.  For a few hours, rest and a wash were possible, but at 14:00 hours the first Orders Group was held in preparation for the take-over from the 10th Durham Light Infantry of their position at RAURAY.  The take-over began at 19:30 hours and, in the hours of daylight, the Battalion was able to begin moving, with the exception of B Company.  The forward exposed nature of this position made its relief, of necessity, an operation in the dark.  The artillery and mortar Defensive Fire tasks were arranged before dusk, and feeding was completed shortly after midnight.
+On Friday morning, 30th June 1944, we moved from our position in the line at TESSEL-[[Bretteville]] to a concentration area behind the 11th Durham Light Infantry just SOUTH of [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]].  For a few hours, rest and a wash were possible, but at 14:00 hours the first Orders Group was held in preparation for the take-over from the 10th Durham Light Infantry of their position at RAURAY.  The take-over began at 19:30 hours and, in the hours of daylight, the Battalion was able to begin moving, with the exception of B Company.  The forward exposed nature of this position made its relief, of necessity, an operation in the dark.  The artillery and mortar Defensive Fire tasks were arranged before dusk, and feeding was completed shortly after midnight.
 B Company had been ordered to provide a small Reconnaissance Patrol of an Officer and three Other Ranks to go into BRETTEVILLETTE at 24:00 hours, returning at 03:00 hours.  The object of this Patrol was to investigate report of some of our wounded still left in the village as a result of Thursday’s action.  The Patrol returned late at about 04:15 hours with the information that no wounded had been found and that little enemy opposition had been encountered.  Lt. Allan, the commander, did say he had heard tank noises on the other side of the village.

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 By this means it was intended that the individual corporate spirit of each group should be retained and that Officers and Men who knew each other should continue to work together.
-'''3rd July 1944 at DUCY St MARGUERITE.'''
+'''3rd July 1944 at [[Ducy-St-Marguerite]].'''
-:00 hours. As the Brigade was taken out of the line altogether on this date, the Battalion moved back and arrived at our old spot at DUCY St MARGUERITE.  The weather continues to be poor but wigwams and shelters were improvised so that all the men should sleep and rest under cover.  We were to remain here for a few days to rest and make up our deficiencies.
+:00 hours. As the Brigade was taken out of the line altogether on this date, the Battalion moved back and arrived at our old spot at [[Ducy-St-Marguerite]].  The weather continues to be poor but wigwams and shelters were improvised so that all the men should sleep and rest under cover.  We were to remain here for a few days to rest and make up our deficiencies.
 :00 hours.  A message of congratulations from the Divisional Commander to the Colonel and the Battalion arrived.  A copy was attached to the War Diary as Appendix F.
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 A message from the Corps to the Divisional Commander was passed on to the units of the Brigade – a copy being attached to the War Diary at Appendix G.
-:00 hours.  A small party was held in “Le Moulin” – our HQ at DUCY.  The Divisional Commander attended this, together with various Officers from 70th Brigade and also from 8th Armoured Brigade.  The object of the party was a mild celebration of the victory!
+:00 hours.  A small party was held in “Le Moulin” – our HQ at [[Ducy-St-Marguerite]].  The Divisional Commander attended this, together with various Officers from 70th Brigade and also from 8th Armoured Brigade.  The object of the party was a mild celebration of the victory!
 '''6th July 1944'''

@@ Line 239: / Line 239: @@
 :30 hours.  At Division, the Brigade Reconnaissance Group heard that the move was to be postponed for another 24 hours.  Commanding Officers were given permission to reconnoitre the Battalion Assembly Areas, but no further.
-Colonel Nicol and the Intelligence Officer spent the rest of the day reconnoitring this area at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9mouville DEMOUVILLE] – reference 1067, a small village SOUTH EAST of CAEN.  The roads were in a very bad state as a result of the rain of two days before and hopelessly congested by the vehicles of 11th Armoured Division, which was moving out of the line.  The day was not wasted, as the reconnaissance party enjoyed a visit to the 5th Battalion, Black Watch, at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranville RANVILLE]!
+Colonel Nicol and the Intelligence Officer spent the rest of the day reconnoitring this area at [[Demouville]] – reference 1067, a small village SOUTH EAST of CAEN.  The roads were in a very bad state as a result of the rain of two days before and hopelessly congested by the vehicles of 11th Armoured Division, which was moving out of the line.  The day was not wasted, as the reconnaissance party enjoyed a visit to the 5th Battalion, Black Watch, at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranville RANVILLE]!
 '''
 rd July 1944  FOLLIOT'''
-:00 hours.  The Advance Party moved to DEMOUVILLE to lay out the Assembly Area.  The Colonel also revisited the new area, this time making a reconnaissance of the new tactical position.
+:00 hours.  The Advance Party moved to [[Demouville]] to lay out the Assembly Area.  The Colonel also revisited the new area, this time making a reconnaissance of the new tactical position.
 :15 hours.  A Battalion Orders Group was held to receive orders about the move.
@@ Line 255: / Line 255: @@
 The rest of the day was spent in reconnaissance by sub-unit commanders of the new Battalion area.
-'''25th July 1944 DEMOUVILLE'''
+'''25th July 1944 [[Demouville]]'''
-The Battalion moved into the new position SOUTH EAST of DEMOUVILLE in the role of reserve Battalion of a forward Brigade.  The Brigade relieved a Brigade of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_Mechanised_Division_(United_Kingdom) 3rd British Infantry Division].  As the Brigade we took over from had not had a Battalion in our position we were able to move in much more quickly than usual, but had all the digging to do from the start.
+The Battalion moved into the new position SOUTH EAST of [[Demouville]] in the role of reserve Battalion of a forward Brigade.  The Brigade relieved a Brigade of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_Mechanised_Division_(United_Kingdom) 3rd British Infantry Division].  As the Brigade we took over from had not had a Battalion in our position we were able to move in much more quickly than usual, but had all the digging to do from the start.
 Battalion HQ had already begun to be dug by the Pioneer Platoon the day before.  Now the Command Post, Signals Exchange, Intelligence Office etc were inter-linked by an elaborate scheme of trenches.  The position had something of the look of a last-war trench system, complete with strong overhead cover on the dugouts.
@@ Line 263: / Line 263: @@
 In the evening, the enemy began shelling and mortaring.  This was much more severe than we had so far experienced and in addition, for the first time, long range guns – probably 10.5 cm – were used.  The Carrier Platoon had unfortunate casualties, including one Sergeant killed, and two Sergeants wounded.  Two other men were also wounded.
-'''26th July 1944 DEMOUVILLE'''
+'''26th July 1944 [[Demouville]]'''
 As reserve Battalion we had no contact with the enemy and therefore our position for the next few days was quiet, apart from the enemy mortar and shell-fire which was at times very active indeed.  We began to have nightly visits by enemy bombers – usually just after dusk.  Owing to the great care taken in the building of slit trenches with over head cover our casualties were not heavy and the few we had were mainly due to men being caught walking about outside their trenches.  The Brigade Commander therefore ordered the minimum of movement by day , and breakfasts were served at 04:30 hours daily, before stand-to.
@@ Line 271: / Line 271: @@
 When enemy bombers flew over, the enemy put up green and white flares to show their Forward Defence Lines.
-'''27th July 1944 DEMOUVILLE'''
+'''27th July 1944 [[Demouville]]'''
 Bombs dropped seemed to be small anti-personnel type bombs.  A number landed in the Battalion area.  One landed on the very edge of a slit trench but was stopped by the cover.  The two occupants of the trench were only wounded – one very slightly.
-'''28th – 31st July 1944 DEMOUVILLE'''
+'''28th – 31st July 1944 [[Demouville]]'''
 During the remaining days of the month, activity of enemy aircraft continued much as before, but there was no more bombing of the Battalion area.  Mortaring and shelling continued.  The enemy regularly began mortaring during the early hours of the morning, rising to a maximum at about 04:00 hours.  The mornings in daylight and early afternoon were invariably quiet.

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 :00 hours. The Battalion began to move back to Le HAUT D’ADRIEU.  By 18:00 hours the Battalion was withdrawn completely from the line and reorganisation of the Battalion and the making up of deficiencies of manpower began.
-Our reinforcements were already waiting for us at AUDRIEU.  They consisted of South Wales Borderers and Herefordshire men.  Their numbers were 200 and 100 respectively.
+Our reinforcements were already waiting for us at [[Audrieu]].  They consisted of South Wales Borderers and Herefordshire men.  Their numbers were 200 and 100 respectively.
 It was decided to have two Companies made up with the remainder of the old Tyneside Scottish rifle Companies and then a South Wales Borderer Company and a Herefordshire Company.

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:59, 26 June 2017
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	In personnel we lost two Officers killed, five wounded and two missing. Thirty-one Other Ranks were killed, seventy-nine wounded and thirteen are missing.		In personnel we lost two Officers killed, five wounded and two missing. Thirty-one Other Ranks were killed, seventy-nine wounded and thirteen are missing.
		+
		+	'''55th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery.'''
		+
		+	''C Troop of 217 Battery of this Regiment was in support of the infantry at Rauray and set out below is the account of that day written by the Troop Commander and included within that Regiment's War Diary. It was thought appropriate to add it hear to complement the Battalion's own records.''
		+
		+	'''RAURAY – 1st JULY 1944'''
		+
		+	'''Appendix D to the War Diary of the 55th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery – July 1944.'''
		+
		+	The following is a story told by “C” Troop Commander of an action involving his Troop in recent operations.
		+
		+	1 July 1944
		+
		+	My Troop had gone into a position East of RAURAY and just West of Point 110 during the night to relieve “B” Troop. The Troop spent the time up to stand-to digging. At about 06:00 hours information was obtained that an attack was imminent from the South. This was preceded by a very heavy mortar barrage, closely followed by their infantry, supported by tanks sitting behind, to shoot them in. Fierce fighting developed between the enemy and our forward troops. The Infantry Anti-Tank guns prevented the tanks from advancing on to our left flank and so they deployed rather hesitatingly to the right. At about 06:30 hours the forward Company of the 1st Tyneside Scottish withdrew past our positions.
		+
		+	Sgt W Hall was informed that tanks were creeping down behind him on the other side of a high bank behind which Sgts Hall and Haines guns were defiladed and subjected them to fire, putting Sgt Haines’s gun out of action. Sgt Hall rallied both gun teams and during a period of mortaring man-handled his own gun a distance of 350 yards to a fresh position where he could get a limited arc of fire at a range of 450 yards.
		+
		+	No sooner was he in position than a Tiger showed up hull down in front, creeping from behind a tank which was already burning. Bombardier L Sparrow laid and fired two rounds. The second one causing the tank to brew up. Both rounds were through the turret.
		+
		+	A few minutes pause and then another Tiger repeated the tactics of our first, creeping from behind both burning tanks. One round this time was sufficient to cause brewing up and my own impression is that the shot entered just above the track.
		+
		+	Except for mortaring and machine-gun fire things were quiet for a time. Then a Mark IV moved across the front from some trees on the right and fired at the gun, killing one infantryman and wounding several. Sgt Hall, who had observed the enemy from the Forward Observation Officer’s position, came down to his gun and engaged. After a few rounds the tank withdrew and soon after was observed by me in flames.
		+
		+	Later there was a concentrated effort by about four tanks in our gun area, but the team had been warned by the Forward Observation Officer and were ready. The remaining infantry, seeing the tanks, then retired, leaving only myself and the gun team on the field. Sgt Hall engaged the targets as they appeared and was fired back on, and during a quiet spell I went to the Forward Observation Officer’s post and observed two new tanks in our area; one was blazing furiously and the other was smoking. She was out of view of our gun but was still there at the end of the day.
		+
		+	I don’t know what happened to the remaining tanks, but later one fired and destroyed a British tank on our right. During this phase a machine-gun was being particularly awkward on our right and Gunner Savage, after a careful study, decided he knew where this enemy lay. He crawled from his slit trench to one on the flank, and raked the position with Bren fire. No more fire came from that enemy position. The time was now about 11:00 hours.
		+
		+	At about midday it was reported that tanks were moving across the front from our right to left out of sight of Sgt Hall’s gun. The only gun on the left sector was Sgt Sturgeon’s – the infantry guns all being out of action. At length, Sgt Sturgeon got a panther under observation about 900 yards away, head on. At 700 yards our guns loosed off – the round entering the gun mantlet. It stopped and began to back away, still head on, and 4 more rounds were fired without effect. At last it turned slightly, and the layer, Gunner Moss, had a narrow view of the side. One round through this and the tank brewed up. The rest of the day was confined to infantry fighting, tanks being stopped from coming close by the co-operation of the Forward Observation Officer.


	To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - [mailto:70brigade@newmp.org.uk click here].		To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - [mailto:70brigade@newmp.org.uk click here].