War Diary 756th Field Company, Royal Engineers, July 1944

1 – 6 July 1944 Audrieu.

Company employed improving two routes forward and two lateral roads in 146 Brigade Area.

1 – 2 July 1944 Night.

3 Minefields laid on 146 Brigade front. Each Platoon laid approximately 500 mines. 2 and 3 Platoons were most of the time under sweeping enemy machine gun fire. Infantry protection and carrying parties dispersed. 1 Platoon completed minefield by 03:30 hours and 2 and 3 Platoons tasks were nearly completed by the same hour but work ceased then as it was getting light and Platoons were still under fire.

2 – 3 July 1944 Night.

2 and 3 Platoons completed minefields laid on previous night. Laying commenced 23:30 hours and finished at 04:00 hours. No enemy interference apart from sporadic spandau fire.

6 – 12 July 1944

Company cleared and marked approximately 20 miles of tank track in the Divisional area. 1, and some days 2, bulldozers were placed under command for the task. 3 level crossings were made over the BAYEUX – CAEN railway.

13 July 1944

1 and 2 Platoons started work on two improvised timber bridges for tanks over River SEULLE at CHOUAIN map reference 841728. Bridges designed to take Class 70 loads over 24 foot spans. 4 bearers consisting of 30 foot tree trunks 20” mean diameter supported on capsills over four piles driven into each bank. The 6 cwt pile driver from 147 Brigade Company, RASC was used. As already reported earlier in this year this type of pile driver is of little value to Field Companies since it takes too long to set up and it is NOT at all easy to drive piles where they are most likely to be required. It is considered that a more useful and adaptable pile driver should be specially designed for use in the field, preferably mounted on tracks similar to a bulldozer and waterproofed for wading to a depth of 4 or 5 feet.

14 July 1944

Equipment for Class 40 Bailey Bridge for tanks over road at map reference 844728 ordered.

16 July 1944

Building commenced for Bailey Bridge over road as training project. Bridge design comprised one horizontal 50 foot double single span mounted on a 10 foot high crib of Bailey panels at one end and a 20 foot high crib at the other, a 60 foot double single span formed the ramp on the one side and an 80 foot double single at the other. Slope of ramps was 1 in 3. Bridge was built by any available spare men under the C.S.M. and 2 Coles cranes were available. Decking was covered with flexboards and on completion of bridge Churchill tank was driven over at speed.

17 July 1944

Three small Bailey bridges built across River SEULLES at map references 840727, 841727 and 842727. The first 50 foot double single, the second 40 foot double single and the third 30 foot single single construction. Over 500 tanks crossed bridges during the night.

18 and 19 July 1944

All minefields previously laid by the Company lifted and in addition five other fields laid by Infantry were removed.

22 July 1944

Improvised timber bridges over River SEULLES completed and tested with Churchill tank.

Field Return of Officer attached to War Diary. For details see below.

23 July 1944

Company moved at 05:50 hours with 147 Brigade Group from 30 Corps to 1 Corps area. 1 and 3 Platoons located at St Honorine map reference 095713 and HQ and 2 Platoon temporarily situated at Periere-sur-le-Dan map reference 049768.

24 July 1944

HQ Platoon and 2 Platoon moved to quarry East or River Orne map reference 095728. No. 1 Platoon under command 147 Brigade. Remaining Platoons digging in. All Platoon areas shelled during day and night.

25 and 26 July 1944

1 Platoon with bulldozer still under command 147 Brigade for delousing Battalion areas and digging-in HQs. 2 and 3 Platoons repairing roads in Brigade area. 3 Platoon took over water point at Demouville. Platoon areas shelled during day.

27 July 1944

2 Platoon moved to LE MARTQUET map reference 119731. All Platoons employed on roads in 147 Brigade area.

28 July 1944

2 and 3 Platoons working on roads near GIBERVILLE. 2 Sections 2 Platoon lifted 225 Tellermines 35 and 42 at COLOMBELLES. 1 Platoon had complete day off.

29 July 1944

1 and 3 Platoons maintaining roads. 1 Section 3 Platoon erecting shower baths and 2 Platoon had the day off. 3 ton lorry of 3 Platoon hit by enemy shell at Demouville.

30 July 1944

1 and 2 Platoons maintaining roads with 2 Sections 2 Platoon clearing minefield at COLOMBELLES. 3 Platoon had the day off.

31 July 1944

2 and 3 Platoons maintaining roads near GIBERVILLE. 1 Platoon maintaining vehicles and equipment.

Appendices attached to July 1944 War Diary of 756 Field Company, Royal Engineers.

Field Return of Officers dated 22nd July 1944

The first page shows a full complement of seven Officers against the War Establishment.

The seven Officers are identified on the second page and they include the recent additions of Lieutenants Higton and Harris, who have been added to the personnel list.

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