70th Infantry Brigade War Diary June 1944. - Revision history

70bgadmin at 21:29, 1 April 2020

2020-04-01T21:29:51Z

70bgadmin at 12:00, 22 February 2019

2019-02-22T12:00:50Z

70bgadmin at 11:58, 22 February 2019

2019-02-22T11:58:02Z

70bgadmin at 11:56, 22 February 2019

2019-02-22T11:56:34Z

70bgadmin at 09:18, 26 April 2018

2018-04-26T09:18:54Z

70bgadmin at 08:54, 26 April 2018

2018-04-26T08:54:16Z

70bgadmin at 08:47, 26 April 2018

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70bgadmin at 08:31, 26 April 2018

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70bgadmin at 15:23, 25 April 2018

2018-04-25T15:23:22Z

70bgadmin at 10:10, 25 April 2018

2018-04-25T10:10:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:29, 1 April 2020
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	1st Tyneside Scottish were relieved by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincolnshire_Regiment 4th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment] and then themselves relieved 10th DLI, who came out of the line to the [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]] area.		1st Tyneside Scottish were relieved by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincolnshire_Regiment 4th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment] and then themselves relieved 10th DLI, who came out of the line to the [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]] area.
		+
		+	The IWM Film Catalogue includes a short piece of cine film relevant to this operation, the description of which can be read [[https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060019481 here]] although the film itself is not available on-line.

	'''Appendices attached to the War Diary'''		'''Appendices attached to the War Diary'''

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:00, 22 February 2019
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	'''For a detailed description of the conduct and aims of Operation Martlet please see the account prepared by Christopher Chant and included on his Website here [https://codenames.info/operation/martlet/] by kind permission of Mr Chant in correspondence with the author. His agreement to putting the hyperlink in place is much appreciated.'''		'''For a detailed description of the conduct and aims of Operation Martlet please see the account prepared by Christopher Chant and included on his Website here [https://codenames.info/operation/martlet/] by kind permission of Mr Chant in correspondence with the author. His agreement to putting the hyperlink in place is much appreciated.'''

−	For full details, see below.	+	For full details of the Brigade's part in the Operation, please see below and also in the account of the fighting in early July.

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 ''
-For a detailed description of the conduct and aims of Operation Martlet please see the account prepared by Christopher Chant and included on his Website here [[https://codenames.info/operation/martlet/]] by kind permission of Mr Chant in correspondence with the author.  His agreement to putting the hyperlink in place is much appreciated.
+'''For a detailed description of the conduct and aims of Operation Martlet please see the account prepared by Christopher Chant and included on his Website here [https://codenames.info/operation/martlet/] by kind permission of Mr Chant in correspondence with the author.  His agreement to putting the hyperlink in place is much appreciated.'''
 For full details, see below.

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 	''This document was concerned with forecasting future operations and referred to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Martlet Operation MARTLET].  It was to be read alongside Operation Instruction No 1, mentioned above, and clarified the attacks by 146th and 147th Brigades which the 70th Brigade, as the then Reserve Brigade of 49th Division, was supporting.  The document, which was restricted to Commanding Officers and their Second-in-Commands only, set out the units which would be supporting the Battalions of the Brigade in carrying out their responsibilities, including 2nd Kensingtons (machine guns), 757th Field Company, Royal Engineers, 217th Battery (Anti-Tank) and 24th Lancers (tanks), and detailed routes and areas of responsibility.
 ''
 For full details, see below.

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 Apart from the movement of 51 Div to the South and South-East of CAEN, little forward movement will take place in this sector.  The Canadians may attack MESNIL PATRY.
-'''50 Div''' - pushed forward on the East of the RIver SEULLES forward of [[Audrieu]].  69 Brigade was relieved by 146 Brigade yesterday.  The DIV is now fairly well concentrated and still in contact with the enemy on the West side of the SEULLES.  Yesterday they captured LINGEVRES 8069 and their Battalions are disposed on the general line of the road TILLY - La BELLE EPINE 7769 - .  Two thrusts were made yesterday in the direction of [[Hottot-Les-Bagues]] 8266 and LE LION VERT 7964.  If little opposition is encountered today they hope to get onto that general line today.
+'''50 Div''' - pushed forward on the East of the RIver SEULLES forward of [[Audrieu]].  69 Brigade was relieved by 146 Brigade yesterday.  The DIV is now fairly well concentrated and still in contact with the enemy on the West side of the SEULLES.  Yesterday they captured LINGEVRES 8069 and their Battalions are disposed on the general line of the road [[Tilly-Sur-Seulles]] - La BELLE EPINE 7769 - .  Two thrusts were made yesterday in the direction of [[Hottot-Les-Bagues]] 8266 and LE LION VERT 7964.  If little opposition is encountered today they hope to get onto that general line today.
 '''7 Armoured Div.'''
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 The main enemy forces on our immediate front sappear still to be 901 and 902 Panzer LEHR Regiments.  Further back indications are that the VILLY BOCAGE and BOCAGE areas are held by units of 2 Panzer Division possible 2 Panzer Grenadier Regiment.  304 the other Panzer Grenadier Regiment has been identified just South East of CAUMONT.  2 Prisoners of War of 26 Panzer Grenadier Regiment of 12 SS Panzer Division which has been in action West of CAEN for some considerable time were taken this morning at BRONAY.
-In the clearing of [[Audrieu]] very little opposition was met.  [[Cristot]], MESNIL and TILLY all appear to be firmly held by the enemy, BRONAY fairly lightly.
+In the clearing of [[Audrieu]] very little opposition was met.  [[Cristot]], MESNIL and [[Tilly-Sur-Seulles]] all appear to be firmly held by the enemy, BRONAY fairly lightly.
 The close nature of the country, and the presence of many "double rowed" hedges is providing the enemy with excellent grounds for the use of ambushing and sniping tactics.  The enemy are fighting in a determined mannerand according to Prisoner of War statements one of the reasons for doing so is that they have been told that it they do not fight to the last man they will be shot on capture.

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 .  Phase A - Code word BARRACUDA - capture of LA CAUDE RUE 8667 - FONTENAT LE PESNEL by 2 Battalions 146 Brigade and 1 Battalion 147 Brigade supported by barrage.  Zero 250415B if light morning or 250430B if dark.
-.  Phase B. - Code word WALRUS - attack by Battalion 146 Brigade on North edge [[St Pierre]] WOOD 8666 supported by barrage.  1 Tyneside Scottish moves area LES HAUTS VENTS 8669.
+.  Phase B. - Code word WALRUS - attack by Battalion 146 Brigade on North edge [[Tessel]] WOOD 8666 supported by barrage.  1 Tyneside Scottish moves area LES HAUTS VENTS 8669.
-.  Phase c. - Code word ALBACORE - occupation of area SOUTH of [[St Pierre]] WOOD by Battalion 146 Brigade and spur 886661 and [[Rauray]] by 147 Brigade.
+.  Phase c. - Code word ALBACORE - occupation of area SOUTH of [[Tessel]] WOOD by Battalion 146 Brigade and spur 886661 and [[Rauray]] by 147 Brigade.
 .  Phase C will be completed by 252359B.

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 '''28th June 1944'''
-'''[[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]].'''  Brigade HQ moved to the [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]] area at reference 870681.  10th DLI captured the feature at reference 891649.  1st Tyneside Scottish were on BRETTEVILLETTE but withdrew to TESSEL [[Bretteville]].
+'''[[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]].'''  Brigade HQ moved to the [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]] area at reference 870681.  10th DLI captured the feature at reference 891649.  1st Tyneside Scottish were on BRETTEVILLETTE but withdrew to [[St Pierre]] [[Bretteville]].
 '''29th June 1944'''
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 .  Phase A - Code word BARRACUDA - capture of LA CAUDE RUE 8667 - FONTENAT LE PESNEL by 2 Battalions 146 Brigade and 1 Battalion 147 Brigade supported by barrage.  Zero 250415B if light morning or 250430B if dark.
-.  Phase B. - Code word WALRUS - attack by Battalion 146 Brigade on North edge TESSEL WOOD 8666 supported by barrage.  1 Tyneside Scottish moves area LES HAUTS VENTS 8669.
+.  Phase B. - Code word WALRUS - attack by Battalion 146 Brigade on North edge [[St Pierre]] WOOD 8666 supported by barrage.  1 Tyneside Scottish moves area LES HAUTS VENTS 8669.
-.  Phase c. - Code word ALBACORE - occupation of area SOUTH of TESSEL WOOD by Battalion 146 Brigade and spur 886661 and [[Rauray]] by 147 Brigade.
+.  Phase c. - Code word ALBACORE - occupation of area SOUTH of [[St Pierre]] WOOD by Battalion 146 Brigade and spur 886661 and [[Rauray]] by 147 Brigade.
 .  Phase C will be completed by 252359B.

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 (a) To secure [[Cristot]].
-(b) Strong patrols to ST PIERRE and occupy if possible.
+(b) Strong patrols to [[St Pierre]] and occupy if possible.
 (c) Strong patrols to high ground North of [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]] 8768.
@@ Line 331: / Line 331: @@
 INTENTION
-. 70 Infantry Brigade Group will form a firm base in the area ST PIERRE 8568 - Pt 103 8570 - LES HAUTS VENTS 8669 - [[Cristot]] 8770.
+. 70 Infantry Brigade Group will form a firm base in the area [[St Pierre]] 8568 - Pt 103 8570 - LES HAUTS VENTS 8669 - [[Cristot]] 8770.
 . 10 DLI

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 '''26th June 1944'''
-th DLI moved from ST. NICHOLAS FARM and captured the cross-roads at reference 886660 and patrolled RAURAY.  1st Tyneside Scottish moved to the area of ST. NICHOLAS FARM.
+th DLI moved from ST. NICHOLAS FARM and captured the cross-roads at reference 886660 and patrolled [[Rauray]].  1st Tyneside Scottish moved to the area of ST. NICHOLAS FARM.
 '''27th June 1944'''
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 st Tyneside Scottish came under the command of 8th Armoured Brigade.
-th DLI captured RAURAY.
+th DLI captured [[Rauray]].
 th DLI moved to the [[Fontenay-Le-Pesnel]] area.
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 '''PART 1 - OPERATION MARTLET'''
-.  49 Division is attacking to capture the line VENDES 8665 - RAURAY 8865 on Sunday, 25 June.
+.  49 Division is attacking to capture the line VENDES 8665 - [[Rauray]] 8865 on Sunday, 25 June.
 .  Right ... 146 Brigade.  Left ... 147 Brigade.  Reserve ... 70 Brigade.
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 .  Phase B. - Code word WALRUS - attack by Battalion 146 Brigade on North edge TESSEL WOOD 8666 supported by barrage.  1 Tyneside Scottish moves area LES HAUTS VENTS 8669.
-.  Phase c. - Code word ALBACORE - occupation of area SOUTH of TESSEL WOOD by Battalion 146 Brigade and spur 886661 and RAURAY by 147 Brigade.
+.  Phase c. - Code word ALBACORE - occupation of area SOUTH of TESSEL WOOD by Battalion 146 Brigade and spur 886661 and [[Rauray]] by 147 Brigade.
 .  Phase C will be completed by 252359B.