WO 171/866 - 3 Royal Tank Regiment - July 1944

Instructions regarding War Diaries and Intelligence Summaries are contained in F.S. Regs., Vol. 1. and the Staff Manual respectively Title pages will be prepared in manuscript.	WAR DIARY or INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY	Army Form C.2118
	WAR DIARY or INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY	Unit: 3rd R. Tks.
Month and Year: July 1944	(Erase heading not required).	Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. DAH Silvertop, MC

Place	Date	Hour	Summary
923693	1	0430	Reveille and Stand To.
	1	1100	Visit by Brigadier and Bde Major. Walked round leaguer area and talked to men.
	1	1200	Visit by GOC. Informed us he would get a'quieter' area for us.
	1	1300	Orders received from Bde to move to area 9070, and occupy leaguer area vacated by 2 NY.
	1	1400	CO with 2 IC, Major W.H. Close and Lt Mackenzie, OC G Tp 119 A tk Bty attached recced area of 2 Bn Welsh Guards 500x EAST of CHEUX for battle positions.
	1	1400	Major P.F. Burr recced new leaguer area.
	1	1530	Major Burr returned and reported new leaguer area unsatisfactory.
	1	1600	Left for new area selected by CO.
	1	1630	Arrived in area 915714.
915714	2	0430	Reveille and Stand To. Maintenance and rest.
	2	0830	CO to Bde.
	2	0930	CO returns with orders for one sqn to move to area 916669 in preparation for advance of Bde SOUTH to exploit ground taken by inf in area 9562.
	2	1030	A Sqn and Recce Tp leace for new area.
	2	1400	Orders from Bde for remainder of unit to move to area 9562.
	2	1430	Arrived 919649. Odd shelling. A and B Sqns forward and in obsercation reaminder of day.
	2	1600	Unit placed at 30 mins notice. Dull and raining.
	2	2300	Sqn leaguers in area 919649. RHQ at 921652.
921652	3	0400	Stand to.
	3	0500	Sqns took up same posns as on 2 Jul.
	3	1000	Bde Comd visited unit. Gave orders for unit to be ready to support both Gds Inf Bde and 130 Inf Bde in CHEUX area.
	3	1030	CO off to recce area for sup of Gds and Inf Bdes.
	3	1300	CO returns from recce. Could not contact 130 Bde.
	3	1430	CO leaves with Sqn Comds to recce Inf sup posns in CHEUX area.
	3	1515	Unit leaves area 921652 under 2IC and proceeds to area 918668.
	3	1630	Orders received from Bde that if Comd 32 Gds Inf Bde was satisified unit could return to area 918713 and still carry out same role.
	3	1830	Arrived 918713. B and C Sqns at immediate notice to move. Remainder at30 mins. Role - support of 2 Bn Coldstream Gds in area 9368 in case of last light attack by enemy.
	3	2230	Unit at 30 mins notice to move - same role. Dull and raining.
	3	1700	Adjt attends conference at Bde - returns.
918713	4	0400	Stand to. Immediate notice to move in support of 2 Bn Coldstream Gds.
	4	0630	Unit at 30 mins notice.
	4	0930	Unit a 1.1/2 hrs notice.
	4	1800	Orders from Bde to send one sub unit to ST MAURIEU in support of 5 Bn Coldstream Gds. at 9468. Reminder of unit at 30 mins notice.
	4	1830	B Sqn left leaguer area for area 9468.
	4	2300	Unit at 1 hrs notice.
918713	5	0415	Stand to. Immediate notice to move in support of 2 Bn Coldstream Gds.
	5	1400	C Sqn relieved B Sqn in support role.
	5	1100	B Sqn knocked out one Mk IV tank. 961673.
	5	1900	Orders received to recall C Sqn at 1200 hrs 6 Jul.
918713	6	0430	Stand to.
	6	1300	C Sqn arrived back from support role. A Sqn at 30 mins notive from 1200 hrs Bde Comd visits area.
	6	1615	Bde Comd visits area.
	6	1815	Area shelled by about 16 105mm shells. Casualties - 2 wounded.
918713	7	0430	A Sqn stood too 30 mins notice.
	7	0915	Adjt to HQ 8 Corps for "G" conference - War diary and "A" conference - returned.
	7	1345	Warning Order from Bde. 29 Armd Bde will relieve 4 Armd Bde in area CHEUX.
	7	1400	CO recced area 44 R Tks with view to taking over 8 Jul.
	7	1830	2IC and Major P.F. Burr left for recce 44 R Tks posn. Sunny.
918713	8	0430	B Sqn stand to,
	8	0600	Remainder of unit stand to.
	8	0900	C.O. and C Sqn move to new area to relieve 44 R Tks; Task support 71 Inf Bde in area CHEUX - LE HAVT DV BOSQ in event of enemy attack and to act in counter attack role in support of 8 R.B. to relieve the situation if necessary in the 71 Inf Bde posn.
	8	0945	Remiander RHQ and A Sqn moved to new area.
	8	1030	B Sqn moved to new area, location RHQ 908681. C Sqn right - 908678.A Sqn left - 912679. B Sqn reserve 908682.Lt Maloney - L.O. at 71 Inft Bde HQ.
	8	1145	Take over from 44 R Tks completed.
	8	1215	Brigadier and B.M. visited unit. Gave C.O. orders regarding role of unit. 8 R.B. and C.O., 2IC, Sqn Comds and Sqn 2ICs of A & B Sqns.
	8	1400	Recce of route through CHEUX to area S.E. carried out by 2IC and Coy Comds
908681	9	0845	C.O. on recce with Major Watts and O.C. 1 East Lancs.
	9	1430	Rehearsal with Sec comds 8 R.B. and Tk Comds 3 R Tks held in CHEUX area.Rehearsal of tasks as laid down by Comd 29 Armd Bde for counter attack role with 8 RB in support of 71 Inf Bde.
	9	1715	CO to Bde for conference.
	9	0430	Half Sqn of each Sqn stand to.
	9	0600	Remainder reveille.Very noisy area. Surrounded by hy, med and fd gun posns.
908681	10	0430	Half Sqns stand to.
	10	0600	Remainder reveille.
	10	1415	CO and Adjt visited A Ech, A1 Ech and Bde.
908681	11	0430	Half Sqns stand to.
	11	0600	Remainder reveille. Maintenance and rest.
908681	12	0430	Half Sqns stand to.
	12	0600	Remainder reveille.
	12	1130	Visit by Bde Comd and B.M.
908681	13	0430	Half Sqns stand to.
	13	0600	Remainder reveille.
	13	1130	Enemy air activity. About 12 ME 109 flew over leaguer area. 1 shot down about 100 NE of leaguer area.
908681	14	0430	Half Sqns stand to.
	14	0600	Remainder reveille.
908681	15	0430	Half Sqns stand to.
	15	0600	Remainder reveille.
	15	1000	CO to Bde for conference.
	15	1200	CO on recce with Bde Comd in area N and NE of CAEN
	15	1800	Conference. CO, 2IC, Sqn Comds, Adjt, IO attend. General plan for 8 Corps attack SOUTH and SW of CAEN on 18 Jul. - Op "GOODWOOD"
	15	2100	Phone message from Bde Major. Unit will possibly move to new area at first light, send harbour party immediately to Bde HQ.
	15	2315	Phone message from Bde. Orders to move to area 9275 at 0630 hrs 16 Jul.
	15	2345	Orders issued for move 16 Jul by runner.
908681	16	0630	Unit left area.
945756	16	0800	Unit arrived area.
	16	1200	CO to HQ 11 Armd Div for conference - Op GOODWOOD. Role of 11 Armd Div Discussed.
	16	1400	Orders group. General plan for Op GOODWOOD issued. 8 Corps will break out of bridghead due SOUTH from area 1070 - 1370. Order of March - 11 Armd Div, Gds Armd Div, 7 Armd Div, 29 Armd Bde moving 1 up, 3 R Tks leading. Intention of 3 R Tks to adv behind barrage and sieze and secure area of Pt 72 0461 with recce out to NW and SW.
	16	1500	CO to HQ 8 Corps for conference and address by Corps Comd.
	16	1900	Orders Group. Further details Op GOODWOOD. 29 Armd Bde 00 No 3 received. A Sqn 22 DG (Flail Sqn) arrives under comd wef 1200 hrs 16 Jul. H Bty 13 RHA and G Coy 8 RB under comd 1200 hrs 16 Jul. 26 Assault Sqn RE under comd 1400 hrs 17 Jul. A Sqn 22 DG and 26 Assault Sqn RE come under comd 8 RB after unit has left barrage.
	16	1500	H Bty joins Regt Gp.
	16	2130	G Coy Joins Regt Gp.
945756	17	0100	Unit leave area. Line ahead.
	17	0415	RHQ reaches new area 059758. Leaguer in wood. Heavily camouflaged.
	17	0630	Complete Regt Gp arrives in new area.
59758	17	1500	26 Assault Sqn RE joins Regt Gp.
	17	1600	Orders Gp. Fuller details Op GOODWOOD. Orders for march to conc area 1173 issued. Ready to move 2400 hrs. A Sqn 22 DG joining Regt Gp 0545 hrs 18 Jul. in conc area.
	17	1900	Orders Gp. Orders given. Ready to move 2400 hrs.
59758	18	0100	Moved to conc area.
	18	0230	Arrived in conc area 122746.
	18	0430	Reveille.
	18	0500	Orders Gp. A Sqn 22 DG joined Regt Gp.
	18	0530	Message from Bde by LO. H Hour - 0745 hrs.
	18	0610	Regt Gp moved out of conc area to forming up area by 2 routes.
	18	0700	Forming up area reached - 103703 - 120703 - 120700 - 103700.
	18	0745	H hr. Unit advances due SOUTH behind 25 pr barrage. Owing to speed of barrage and nature of country tks commenced falling behind line of barrage.
	18	0800	LE MESNIL FREMENTEL reported clear.
	18	0805	Reached MATILDA. Experienced difficulty in crossing rly line due to unexpected depth of cutting. Resulted in temporary loss of barrage.
	18	0810	Barrage lifted. Opposition slight. Small number of inf in plattoon posns.
	18	0830	GREENTHEVILL byepassed on WEST side.
	18	0930	Crossed rly line at 074624.
	18	1000	Reached 070623. Engaged enemy a tk guns and tks ib area HUBERT FOLIE - 072618.
	18	1400	Posn at 070623 covered by enemy A tk guns and tks. Withdrawn to 072628.
	18	1500	2 NY took up posn on the right in area 070628.
	18	1700	Further shelling and A tk fire. Withdrew to 075637.
	18	2100	Fired on by 4 Tiger tks from area 083634. Engaged them with assistance from 2 Northants Yeo.
	18	2200	Fired on by approx 3 Tiger and Panther tks from ridge in area 063635 - 067628.
	18	2215	6 Sherman tks of unit knocked out.
	18	2230	Withdrew to area 076638 and leaguered. 12 tks in leaguer.
76638	19	0430	Broke leaguer and took up posn of observation in area 076638 facing from NW to SW.
	19	0800	Moved to 084658. Period of reorganisation. 2 Sqns formed. A Sqn under Major W.H. Close, M.C., B Sqn under Major J.A. Watts. C Sqn personnel and tks divided between other two sqns. Intermittent shelling.
	19	1445	Received orders from Bde to advance and take HUBERT FOLIE. Bn to move up to area 085640. Route via 065650. 2 NY to attack BRAS at 1600 hrs. Immediately operations to have full artillery support.
	19	1600	2 NY move forwards towards BRAS.
	19	1620	Evident 2 NY not able to enter village. Impossible for 3 R Tks to advance HUBERT FOLIE till BRAS occupied by 2 NY. CO suggests and Bde aggree for 3 R Tks to take BRAS.
	19	1625	Unit moves forward towards BRAS.
	19	1640	Edge of BRAS reached. Some a tk and Bazooka fire. Odd snipers.
	19	1650	Fwd tps enter village. Progress slow because of rubble etc in streets. Some tks had to break walls by firing 75mm. Prisoners surrending in twos and threes. Some bazooka teams still in town.
	19	1710	Fwd tps through village to SW side.
	19	1715	Motor Coy 8 RB arrives and commences to mop up outskirts of village and collect prisoners.
	19	1730	Intermittent shelling. Tks withdrawn from village and remained in observation NORTH of village. Motor Coy 8 RB take over village pending arrival of Inf Bn from 159 Inf Bde.
	19	1800	CO to Bde to see if it is possible to withdraw unit for at least 24 hrs to reorganise.
	19	2000	Orders received on wireless for CO to move unit to 083656.
	19	2100	Arrived 083656. CO received orders for unit to move back to A Ech area for reorganisiation.
	19	2115	Commenced move to A Ech area.
	19	2300	Leaguered 105670.
105670	20	0430	Broke leaguer.
	20	0800	Commenced move to new area for reorgonisation.
	20	0900	Arrived area 102689. Open leaguer.
	20	0930	A1 Ech arrived in leaguer. Remainder of day - maintenance, reorganisation and rest.
102689	21		Maintenance, reorganisation and rest all day. C Sqn reformed uner Capt J.D. Dunlop. Intermittent shelling. Heavy rain all day.
102689	22	0415	Orders received from Bde to move to area CUSSY 995708. Tracks 0700, wheels 0900.
	22	0630	Tracks under comd CO left area.
	22	0830	Wheels under comd Capt A.M. Dixon left area. Progress very slow. Area very muddy. ARVs and Stuarts required to tow out most B Vehs.
	22	1100	Trakcs arrived CUSSY, RHQ 994706.
	22	1300	Tracks arrived. Unit leaguered in CUSSY village which was in ruins. Tks parked in amongst wrecked houses. Camouflage most important. A Ech joined unit. Period of reorganisation commences.
994706	23	0700	Reveille.
	23	1130	Memorial Service in RHQ area.Rest of day - reorganisation.Capt J.C. Balharrie relinquished Adjt. Capt T.L. Kinton assumed appointment ot Adjt. Major J.C. Balharrie, M.C., assumed comd of B Sqn.
994706	24	0630	Reveille.
	24	0830	First parade.
	24	1030	Visit by CRA 11 Armd Div and CREME 11 Armd Div. Points about recent ops discussed.
	24	1130	Conference - Sqn Comds - Promotions, decorations, reinforcements.
	24	1430	CO to Bde to discuss points from recent operations.
	24	2215	CO to Bde for demonstration.
994706	25	0630	Reveille.
	25	0830	First Parade.
	25	1000	Sqn Comde conference to discuss promotions.
	25	1230	CO to Bde.Reorganisation proceeds. Parties sent to baths, cinema, and Corps Rest Camp.
994706	26	0630	Reveille.
	26	0830	First Parade.
	26	0930	CO visits 24th Lancers and HQ 30 Corps.
	26	1400	CO talks to new draft from RGH.
	26	1420	CO accompanied by Adjt visits sqns.Party of 50 spent afternoon and evening at Corps Rest Camp.
	26	1930	Major N.H. Bourne, DSO, arrives to take over as 2IC Bn.
994706	27	0630	Reveille.
	27	0830	First Parade.Rest and reorganisation continues. Parties to "Stars in Battledress" show at AUTHIE.
994706	28	0630	Reveille.
	28	0830	First Parade.
	28	1400	CO visits 270 Fwd Del Sqn.
	28	1500	CO visits Bde for conference.
	28	1520	Warning order that we may move.
	28	2000	Harbour Party leaves under Lt T.M.E. Maloney.
994706	28	2100	CO to Bde after Sqn Comds conference.
	28	2215	Adjt to Bde for orders for move from CUSSY.
	29	0150	RHQ and tracks move off from CUSSY.
	29	0650	A and A1 Echs move off.
	29	0900	Tracks arrive area 685652.
	29	1300	Wheels arrive.
	29	1430	Major N.H. Bourne to Bde to give lecture on fightinh in close country to Bde crew comds.
	29	1030	CO attended RAC conference at Army.
	29	1930	CO to Bde for orders.
	29	2045	Full Orders Gp.
685652	30	0500	Reveille.
	30	0530	Wireless net.
	30	1330	Ordered to move. Movement slow owing to narrow, twisting rds and congestion of traffic.
	30	2050	Arrived area 677555 and harboured for the night.
677555	31	0015	CO to ST JEAN DES ESSERTIERS (619554) to meet 2IC Bde (Col R.P. De Winton) for orders.
	31	0100	Orders Group. CO gives orders for day.
	31	0430	Reveille.
	31	0500	Move off. C Sqn under comd 8 RB move to area 678509 - held up on rly embankment. B Sqn move down to area ST MARTIN DES BESCARES 6650. A Sqn in reserve.
	31	1315	RHQ and A Sqn move to area 677515.
	31	1400	B and C Sqns recalled to area 677515.
	31	1500	CO to Bde for orders.

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Source: 11th Armoured Division.

Disclaimer: This War Diary is based on its original, but typos might be corrected. Locations are calculated, so might not be in the correct place. For historical research, always check the originals.

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