WO 171/1304 - Hallamshire Battalion - September 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: The Hallamshire Bn. The York & Lancaster Regiment
Month and Year: September 1944	(Erase heading not required).	Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. T. Hart Dyke

Place	Date	Hour	Summary	Reference
	12		Bn moved off in tpt, Route being: Road ROUTOT 6228 – GAINNEVILLE 5928 – HARFLEUR – Rd junc 550276 – Rd junc 503261. The Adv Cd comprised 'D' Coy in Kangaroos - The Carrier Pl - One Sqn 9 RTR - One sec mortars - one sec Pnrs. At approx 550276 all veh movement was held up by obstructions and craters and the Pnrs immediately commenced demolishing road block with explosives and a Bulldozer was sent for. Meanwhile 'D' Coy debussed and pushed fwd on foot with instructions to report on Br 539268 and to est brhead on other side if necessary. 'B' Coy also came fwd pushed along the route. The obstacles being demolished and craters sufficiently filled, the column commenced to move fwd. 'D' Coy then reported that Br 526268 demolished, and were instructed to investigate Br 526263, one pl 'B' Coy to take over Br 539268. The RA reported A Tk gun at 523265 and mortars were ordered to engage, but before they could do so, the tanks reported it had moved back. The Comd Post was at this time at rd junc 539271. It suddenly came under heavy concentrated fire from 2 cm A/A/ A tk guns on high ground 545280 which had previously been reported clear of enemy, and were pinned by fire. Mortars were ordered to engage, but had to cease fire owing to proximity of 4 Lincolns. The tanks, however, immediately commenced stonking posns which were now pinning both 'B' and 'A' Coys. The RSF who had cleared this ridge the previous evening again cleared it with the assistance of Carriers and white flags were soon observed on the posn. However, this was not before a number of cas had been sustained by 'B' Coy, the Carrier pl, and RA personnel with the C.O's Comd Post. The C.O. and Major Newton were also both slightly wounded by shell splinters, but were able to carry on. 'D' Coy by this time were beyond Br 518260 and pushing on. 'B' Coy was at Br 526264 and 'A' and 'C' Coys with the Comd Post advanced to Br 538267.

Source: Jeroen Koppes, TracesOfWar.com, transcribing: Hans Houterman.

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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