Transcription of 2bn Ox and Bucks War Diary 1-9 June 1944

Keevil: 1st – General briefing commenced by Coys, and lasted from 0800-2100hrs, during which time the tps were given an introduction to the operation, the main details explained and details given. The amount of information available was such that tps could not be expected to absorb it all in one session. The tps appeared to be well pleased and were obviously gratified (sic) with the efforts the higher cmds (sic) and RAF had made in order to ensure that the operation was a success. Maj. Gen. R. Gale DSO visited the men on the airfd (sic) and gave them further details of the operation, stressing the great support they were getting from the RAF, Arty and sea-landing units. Brigadier the Hon. K.M. Kindersley MBE. MC. visited the camp during the afternoon and watched some of the briefing, he wished the tps the best of luck and an early finish to the war. Members of the RAF tug crews visited the offrs mess during the evening and all enjoyed a rather convivial evening.

Keevil: 2nd – Briefing continued, pl comds (sic) went into greater detail and the men had more time to absorb the information, with particular reference to their own pl and sec roles. Lt. Gen AFM Browning DSO, comd (sic) of Allied Airborne Forces visited the camp and gave the men an inspiring talk emphasising our great superiority in all tranches of war.

3rd – Briefing continued.

4th – Briefing was continued in very great detail.

6th – The Regt less Bridge Assault Party of Letter “D” Coy and 2 plns of “B” Coy, took off from Harwell and Keevil Airfields at 1840hrs and 1910hrs respectively. The trip was rather bumpy over land but all became very calm over the sea. At approx. 2055hrs we approached the French coast and could see a large fleet of ships standing off shore and occasional bursts of fire coming from their guns. It was very easy to pick out the River and Canal below and ahead of us and we knew there had been no mistake in navigation. All gliders except four landed on or somewhere near the L.Z. although in most cases crash landings occurred and many collisions took place. A certain amount of flack as gliders ran in added to the many difficulties of the Glider Pilots who in the majority of cases did magnificently. There was a certain amount of firing on the L.Z. and some snipers still seemed to be holding out in the area of the bridges at BENOUVILLE. After some delay, due to the fact that some gliders landed rather along (sic) way south and also some were very badly smashed which made unloading difficult, the Regt formed up in the area of Rcl June 098754 at Le Port.

2215hrs – The Regt began to move forward to cross the bridges to the pre-arranged concentration area at 108744. At this time four glider loads had failed to land, comprising BNHQ. No. 5, 1 Rifle Platoon ‘B’ Coy, ½ ‘B’ Coy HQ , 1 Mortar Pln glider. A few people had been hurt in crash landings including the Comd Offr who managed to carry on and the Loading Offr who had to be evacuated. Major Howard commanding the Bridge Assault Force reported to the Comd Offr and said that the route to the concentration area was clear. Despite the darkness of the night the Regt moved quickly into the concentration area and a temporary HQ was set up at 109744.

2300hrs – The Comd Offr met the Brigade Comd 6 Airldg  Bde on the bridge of BENOUVILLE and was taken forward to the area of the church at RANVILLE 116734. The Comd Offr received orders to move forward into the area of the 13 Parachute Bn at RANVILLE with intention of occupying HEROUVILLETTE 122724 as soon as possible and then to move on to occupy ESCOVILLE as was originally intended.

7th 0130hrs – Regt passed S.P. 110739 moving forward to the chateau in RANVILLE a temporary HQ was set up there. The remainder of the Regt moved into the area of the chateau grounds and took up a position of all round defence. Elements of the Bridge Assault Party joined us there including Capt B.C.E. Priday and the load from his glider, who having landed in the area of VARAVILLE Bridge, fought their way back to join the Regt.

0230hrs – 13 Para Bn had been in contact with the enemy up to dark and reported that he was occupying HEROUVILLETTE. On arrival at the chateau it was arranged that the Regt should take over the patrolling in front of 13 Para Bn and ‘C’ Coy was ordered to send out fighting patrols to discover whether the enemy were still in HEROUVILLETTE. These patrols reported that by 0430hrs that there was no sign of the enemy in the village though they had not entered it. ‘C’ Coy was therefore ordered to move forward and siege the Western portion of HEROUVILLETTE and send patrols to discover whether the enemy were holding the Eastern portion. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Coys were then to move forward and siege the Eastern portion. Meanwhile the remainder of the Regt were to move fwd to the area of the farm at 119728. This move was completed without opposition by 0830hrs.

0830hrs – The Comd Offr then decided to make a similar advance by bounds to seize and occupy ESCOVILLE the task allotted to the Regt in the original plan before leaving ENGLAND. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Coys patrols moved forward to the village which they reported clear except for a few snipers.

1000hrs – At 1000hrs ‘A’ and ‘B’ Coys were ordered to move up and occupy the posns already allotted to them and they were followed by ‘D’ Coy and Regtl H.Q. ‘C’ Coy was to remain at HEROUVILLETTE as a firm base until the remainder of the Regt were established in ESCOVILLE. At 1030hrs the leading Coys reached ESCOVILLE and started to dig in.

1100hrs – Regtl H.Q. attempted to establish itself in CHATEAU 124714 as arranged but came under accurate fire from an enemy SP gun firing from a hull-down from about 250yds South of the CHATEAU. Attempts were made to dislodge this enemy gun with 6pdr guns and PIAT parties but these proved unsuccessful. The SP gun appeared to be well protected by snipers. Meanwhile ‘D’ Coy moved round into its allotted posn.

1200hrs – Coys were in posn but experiencing difficulty owing to fire from armoured cars and other SP guns and snipers who appeared to be a reverse slope posn just South of the village and which were continually moving about. We were visited about this time by the BDE Comd. Bn HQ had still failed to get into the CHATEAU and HQ had been set up in a line of trees about 100yrds North of the CHATEAU itself. Shortly after this the enemy started accurate mortar fire in area of Regtl HQ and some casualties were suffered. Owing to very accurate fire from enemy armoured vehicles ‘A’ and ‘D’ Coys had been unable to get well forward into good posns of observation and in particular (sic) at the A/Tk guns were unable to get into their allotted posns or even into posns from which could engage the enemy SP guns.

1400hrs – Mortar fire and gun fire continued to be experienced by all Coys and an appreciable number of casualties were incurred. The enemy were very well concealed and although 3” mortars were brought to bear on any SP guns that showed themselves fired was rather ineffective due to lack of observation.

1500hrs – The enemy began to become more bold and succeeded in shooting up the right forward Coy rather badly. At about this time fire from mortars and SP guns became intensified and enemy infantry began to infiltrate forward supported by tanks and one or two armoured cars. Owing to the fact that the Regt had never managed to get into an organised co-ordinated defensive posn and there was considerable danger of becoming outflanked in a posn not suitable for defence in view of the fact that ST. HONORINE had not been captured the Comd Offr asked for permission from BDE to withdraw to a posn on the higher ground in the village of HEROUVILLETTE. This permission was granted.

1600hrs – The Regt withdrew to HEROUVILLETTE with ‘C’ Coy acting as rearguard (sic) protection. A portion of ‘D’ Coy the left forward Coy and ‘A’ Coy the right forward Coy who were heavily engaged at the time (sic) became cut off and had a spirited battle with enemy AFVs. The Vickers MGs with ‘A’ Coy did some very good work before they withdrew. ‘B’ Coy reformed about 400yds North of ESCOVILLE and were sent in as a counter attack to extricate the fwd Coys. This was successfully accomplished with some casualties.

1700hrs – The Regt took up a def posn in the area of HEROUVILLETTE and commenced to dig in. Recce Patrols were sent fwd to discover the enemy’s further intentions. The remainder of the day and night was spent digging in. During the day the Regt had suffered about 60 casualties. The Comd Offr who had been injured on landing and was unable to get about on foot was evacuated by Med Authy (sic) at about 2100hrs and Comd of the Regt was taken over by Major M. Darell Brown. 2 i/comd (sic)

8th – HEROUVILLETTE. A quiet day preparing defences and some shelling in the area of ‘A’ Coy.

9th – HEROUVILLETTE. Owing to the fact that Recce patrols reported ESCOVILLE to be clear of the enemy the Comd Offr decided to send ‘C’ Coy fwd to occupy the village. The Coy moved out at about 1245hrs and reached the area of the CHATEAU at approx 1330hrs without opposition. At 1345hrs ‘C’ Coy came under fire from enemy armoured cars which came forward from the South of ESCOVILLE as soon as ‘C’ Coy started to move into the village. ‘C’ Coy fought back in a spirited manner until about 1630hrs when the enemy appeared to be being reinforced and ‘C’ Coy therefore withdrew to their defensive positions on the South side of HEROUVILLETTE. At about 1730hrs it was observed that the enemy were moving up to ESCOVILLE in some strength and tanks had been reported. At 1900hrs heavy fire was opened on the area of the village by SP guns, artillery and mortars. The enemy attacked with tanks armoured cars and a certain number of infantry. M.E. 109s appeared overhead and carried out a short straffing (sic) attack. Early in the attack one 6pdr crew were knocked out by mortar fire which left a gap in the A/Tk defence. The Comdg Offr (sic) quickly organised a PIAT party and this gap was soon covered. D.F artillery fire was called for and came down very quickly and accurately. The enemy then withdrew leaving 2 Mk IV tanks burning about 100yds from our leading Coys and at least 3 more retired on fire. We later recovered an armoured car from the area of ESCOVILLE and found another one which we were unfortunately unable to bring back. During this very short engagement the Regt suffered a total of about 40 casualties. Recce Patrols were sent forward to ESCOVILLE during the night but nothing was reported.