294th Field Company Royal Engineers - War Diary - July 1944
1 July 1944 Ducy-St-Marguerite.
In the morning the Company was employed on improvement of routes in forward areas. The baths have not been taken over again as an RASC Company in the next field is operating them. The water point at LE PONT ROC is still in operation and filling about fifty water carts per day. Orders were received at 14:00 hours to lay a defensive minefield from 875655 to 885654 on the night of ½ July. The Company rested in the afternoon for the night’s task. The plan was changed at 19:00 hours with the result that proper daylight reconnaissance could not be carried out. The minefield was not completed by first light. Report to Commandant Royal Engineers 49 Infantry Division on why the minefield was not completed is attached as Appendix I. For details see below.
2 July 1944
Company rested during morning. At 14:00 hours Commandant Royal Engineers gave orders that the minefield from 876654 to 885653 would be completed. Confirmation of orders is attached as Appendix II. These orders were acted upon and the minefield was completed at 03:04 hours. For details see below.
3 July 1944
Company rested.
4 July 1944
Three Platoon started new road from 852691 to 853684, while 1 Platoon started widening of road from 851668 to 851686. A detachment from 1 Platoon was engaged on improving approaches at water point. 2 Platoon started construction of command post for HQ 146 Infantry Brigade. Plan of command post is attached at Appendix III. (This document did not survive to be included in the original file – possibly for reasons of security).
5 July 1944
Company continued with work as yesterday. The command post was completed in the afternoon, having taken 36 hours to complete.
6 July 1944
Company continued working on roads (as July 4), 2 Platoon assisting 3 Platoon.
7 July 1944
Company continued work on roads. 2 Platoon started work on widening and draining road from 871695 to 878694. At 07:23 hours a petrol-driven road roller was received to work for the next two days on 3 Platoon’s road. On orders from Commandant Royal Engineers, the baths were taken over again, from 460 Company, RASC.
8 July 1944
Work continued on roads. More road equipment (an auto-patrol) was received to work on 3 Platoon’s road. It is to be kept for two days. The water point at LE PONT ROC is still getting through about 100 water carts per day. Six hundred men were bathed. In order to conserve picks and shovels, the Company has taken on the commitment of re-shafting them, when broken, for the Brigade.
9 July 1944
3 Platoon maintained its clothing and equipment in the morning and in the afternoon rested, while the other Platoons carried on with the roads.
10 July 1944
1 Platoon constructing road from 852690 to 853685. 3 Platoon roadmaking on WIZARD BY-PASS from 855695 to 860683. 2 Platoon engaged one Section on improvement of the Brigade Command Post which was completed on 4 July 44; one Section engaged on mine clearance at MR 880680. 11 Tellermines 35 were found, two unfused, in a straight line from telegraph post at edge of road to electricity pylon, there were also traces of S mines which had been previously exploded; the other two Sections were engaged on collecting wood for the baths. In the evening a party of 40 men went to the AKS Cinema in BAYEUX, the first allocation the Company has had.
11 July 1944
1 Platoon maintained its clothing and equipment in the morning and in the afternoon, rested.
2 Platoon had two Sections engaged on new road from Cristot to Audrieu with bulldozer assistance. The other two Sections were engaged on making some amenities for the 146 Brigade Rest Camp at 844738.
3 Platoon had three Sections engaged on the road as before and one Section on opening up a mine at 846685. This is an old mine which is alleged to contain GERMAN equipment, stores, etc. The adit had been blown in by the enemy as he retreated.
The water point filled 150 water carts, approximately 26,250 gallons.
12 July 1944
1 Platoon took over the construction of the Cristot – Audrieu road from 2 Platoon, employing one Section on the task. Another Section was engaged on the EYNON BY-PASS (the road mentioned as being constructed by 1 Platoon on 10 July). One Section took over construction of amenities for the 146 Brigade Rest Camp from 2 Platoon. The remaining Section is detached at the water point for its operation. The water point filled 98 vehicles, approximately 24,500 gallons in 12 hours.
2 Platoon maintained its clothing and equipment in the morning and in the afternoon, rested.
3 Platoon engaged as yesterday.
13 July 1944
1 Platoon employed as yesterday. Water point filled 92 vehicles.
2 Platoon employed on same tasks as 11 July, except that only one Section was engaged on completing a bridge in the 146 Brigade Rest Camp, the spare Section improving the 146 Brigade Command Post.
3 Platoon engaged as yesterday.
14 July 1944
1 Platoon engaged as yesterday. Water point filled 112 vehicles (approx.. 28,000 gallons).
2 Platoon had two Sections engaged on new road from Cristot to Audrieu, one Section on improving entrance to 146 Brigade HQ at MR871695 – 878694, and the remaining Section on collecting timber from shelled and demolished houses for making into road signs.
3 Platoon had one Section working on Cristot – Audrieu road, one Section still excavating the mine, one Section demonstrating mine lifting to 757 Field Company, Royal Engineers, at Company location, and the remaining Section rested in camp.
Commandant Royal Engineers has ordered the Company to start a Mines School. A collection has been made of GERMAN mines and booby traps for exhibition and demonstration in a room over the adjoining farm. A booby trapped and marked minefield has been laid out in front of CHATEAU Ducy-St-Marguerite. “Students” are exercised on this minefield. It is the Commandant Royal Engineer’s intention that all Companies of the Divisional Royal Engineers should go through the School.
15 July 1944
The whole of 1 Platoon spent the day at the Mines School.
2 Platoon had one Section engaged on demolishing a broken bridge at LA CAUDE RUE MR 867675, one Section on clearing and dredging the river near the bridge, one Section working on the mine with 3 Platoon, and one Section on the road Cristot – Audrieu.
3 Platoon had a demonstration Section at the Mines School, one Section excavating the mine with 2 Platoon, one Section working on the road Cristot- Audrieu, one Section on sundry works in camp. The water point filled 104 vehicles – and 623 men were bathed.
16 July 1944
The whole of 1 Platoon on assault bridging training at VOUCELLES.
2 Platoon had two Sections preparing bank seats for Bailey Bridge at LA CAUDE RUE 867675, and the other two Sections working on the Cristot-Audrieu road.
3 Platoon had one Section standing by at HQ HALLAMS for attack on VENDES – the Section was not used. The other three Sections stood by in camp and attended the Mines School while waiting.
The water point filled 110 water carts, 27,500 gallons. 523 men were bathed.
17 July 1944
1 Platoon maintained its clothing and equipment in the morning and rested in the afternoon.
2 Platoon built 30 foot Class 40 Double Span Bailey bridge at LA CAUDE RUE 867675.
3 Platoon trained in assault bridging at VOUCELLES.
The water point filled 150 water carts. 528 men were bathed.
The Residues started arriving in the early hours of the morning and filtered in during the rest of the morning.
18 July 1944
1 Platoon had two Sections standing by to support LINCOLNS in their attack on VENDES – the Sections were not used. One Section was engaged at the water point, the other was engaged on camp duties.
2 Platoon in support of KOYLI during attack on VENDES – two Sections in support of leading Companies blowing gaps in hedges for anti-tank guns and two Sections in reserve clearing mines. During the night mortar fire caused four casualties including the Platoon Sergeant – Sgt APPLEBY. (As CWGC records do not show Sgt Appleby as having been killed it is assumed he was wounded, as, apparently, were the other men from the Platoon).
3 Platoon maintained its equipment during the morning. In the afternoon lifted our own minefields from MR 885653 to MR 881654 to MR 876654.
19 July 1944
Company engaged on lifting minefields on Divisional front. Appendix IV attached to the War Diary. This document was not included in the file.
The water point filled 105 water carts, 26,250 gallons. 473 men were bathed.
1 Platoon less two Sections in support of LINCOLNS on advance on VENDES, clearing tracks and de-booby trapping houses. Schu mines were found. The other two Sections lifted mines on Divisional front with main body of Company.
20 July 1944
Company, less 3 Platoon which rested, engaged on maintenance of routes.
Received orders to move to CAEN area – these were postponed during the evening.
21 July 1944
Company standing by to move. Bathed 578 men.
22 July 1944
Company standing by to move. Very heavy rain all day stopped all work.
Water point filled 70 vehicles (15,500 gallons).
23 July 1944
Company standing by to move.
3 Platoon cleared new Divisional HQ area(095715) of mines and booby traps. Tellermines 43 and butterfly bombs were found also booby traps consisting of stick grenades with trip wires attached.
24 July 1944
Company standing by to move. Orders received to move at 25th July 06:58 hours.
25 July 1944
Company moved to area CAZELLE, map ref 038744, arriving at 09:30 hours. The rest of the day spent in digging in. Water point handed over.
26 July 1944 CAZELLE.
1 Platoon engaged on digging in Brigade at 091690.
2 Platoon had one Section blacking out, preparing seating and amenities in a barn at read Divisional HQ, which is to be converted into a cinema, the Polar Bear Plaza, the other three Sections improved routes from 099725 to 114735 and from 089707 to 101713.
3 Platoon improving routes on road from 099725 to 089708 with one Section delousing in area 084700. Ramp mines were found and lifted without casualties.
27 July 1944
Brigade HQs area being slightly uncomfortable, 1 Platoon dug them in at new location MR 096717.
2 Platoon – one Section continued work on Divisional Cinema, one Section proves supposed minefield in area 0972, NO mines were found. Remaining Sections maintained routes from 084701 to 089707.
3 Platoon maintained roads as yesterday.
28 July 1944
1 Platoon proving area North of COLOMBELLES MR085710 – NO mines found. One Section completed digging in of Brigade HQ.
2 Platoon – one Section engaged on Polar Bear Cinema, one Section marking and maintaining tank track 0971, remaining Sections as yesterday.
3 Platoon – same as yesterday.
29 July 1944
1 Platoon maintaining and improving route from 099712 to 089707.
2 Platoon – one Section still working on Polar Bear Cinema, remaining Sections maintaining and improving route from 084701 to 089707.
3 Platoon – same as yesterday.
30 July 1944
Sunday, and the whole Company maintained its clothing and equipment and in the afternoon rested.
31 July 1944
1 Platoon – carried on with same work as on 29th.
2 Platoon – maintained and improved route from 084701 to 080694.
3 Platoon – same road, same work. One NCO and four men were employed with Recce Officer preparing Divisional Club and Rest Centre at the hotel at LUC-SUR-MER. A small minefield was encountered in the hotel grounds and four Picric Pot mines were lifted with the able assistance of the hotel proprietor who had watched the Hun laying them. Those he had not seen laid were uncovered as fast as the Hun laid them by the scratching of his chickens. Necessary repair work was carried out on the hotel and the building next door. The enemy mines and booby traps belonging to the Mines School along with three NCOs were loaned to 49 Recce Regiment for instruction in mines and booby traps.
At 18:30 hours the Company saw its first doodle bug travelling rapidly in the direction of the enemy lines – said enemy put up a considerable barrage at it but the result could not be observed.
Appendices attached to the July 1944 War Diary for 294th Field Company.
Appendix 1 - Report on failure to complete minefield on the night of 1 – 2 July.
This was a detailed note by the Company Commander to Commandant Royal Engineers accounting for the fact that orders to lay this minefield had not been fully complied with. The fault lay with the change of plan, the lack of opportunity for daylight reconnaissance and the time taken to get the mines and equipment to the site being longer than anticipated. The Company Commander accepted responsibility – though the lack of direct communication with the relevant NCOs was a factor in the failure.
Appendix 2 – Laying of minefield night 2 – 3 July.
These orders were issued by CRE at 14:00 hours on 2 July.
Tasks were given to all three Field Companies to complete the minefield areas. They were to be laid so as to be covered by small arms and anti-tank gun fire. Locations were to be checked against the map with compass bearings and the supply of mines was already largely in position.
The order was signed by the Adjutant of 49 Divisional Engineers, Captain R S Winnington-Ingram.
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