| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Lieut RM Judge was wounded, but Cpl Harper with superb bravery tackled the post single handed, a number of the enemy was killed and captured, the remainder swam across the dyke being shot up by Sten Guns en route. The Cpl then got his men to occupy the posn and himself carried out a recce under fire to find the Leicesters and a place to cross the ditch. This he achieved but was killed shortly after. 'C' Coy were unable to get across the ditch owing partly to its depth, and partly because of small arms fire from the far bank. 'B' Coy moved fwd along the North edge of the Woods supported by tks engaging the enemy posns to the North. In the meantime a Coy of 1 Leicesters had effected a crossing of the ditch farther to the South. 'C' Coy were ordered to cross behind them and carry out the original plan. Two Coys of 1 Leicesters were now inside the compound, and began clearing Eastwards and Southwards. The Polish Armd Div now moved up and began to adv in spite of the fact that the axis had not yet been cleared. Ignoring the warning that an A Tk gun covered the rd, one tk moved off down it and was knocked out. South of the main rd the Coy of 1 Leicesters and 7 DWR on their right could make little progress against the enemy line which ran Southwards in continuation of the ditch. The Polish Armd Div axis was moved Southwards and a Bn attacked with tks between 1 Leicesters and 7 DWR. 'C' Coy penetrated the compound but were unable to move NE. The Carrier pl was sent in to sp them and Wasps were also brought into use. When he knew that tracks could get into the compound, the C.O. decided to send 'A' Coy and a tp of tks in to clear the Northern half, 'B' Coy meanwhile protecting the left flank. At this stage the leading coy of 1 Leicesters were counter attacked and surrounded. Some 30 of the coy broke out and made their way back to 'C' Coy, who were about 100 yds inside the compound. Capt LG Sneath in comd of the Carrier pl, reported enemy in posn in the Northern part of the compound. Mortar fire was brought down on them and they began to move Westwards. Arty fire, observed by Capt LG Sneath was brought down on them and heavy cas inflicted. The survivors took refuge in the ditches running North and South through the compound. These were dealt with by tks moving East and West and shooting down the ditches with Besa. Very heavy cas estimated at about 100 were inflicted on the enemy. Measures were now taken to re-organise for the night. 1 Leicesters were withdrawn to hold the SW corner of the compound, whilst 'A', 'B' and 'C' Coys took up posns in the Northern edge of the Woods. O.O. at … |
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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