WO 171/1384 - 2 Royal Ulster 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: 2nd Bn The Royal Ulster Rifles
Month and Year: July 1944	(Erase heading not required).	Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. I.C. Harris

Place	Date	Hour	Summary	Reference
CAEN (France)	9		Before the march into CAEN was begun, two patrols were sent out. The first, consisting of a platoon of “A“ Coy under Lieut R. Wise and a troop of tans, moved down to CALIX on the Eastern outskirts. The second, a platoon of “A” Company under Lieut B.R. Burges with another troop of tanks, went to ST JULIEN on the North West outskirts. Both patrols felt their way forward into CAEN and both suffered casualties from such snipers and infantry that still remained in the town. Both Platoon Commanders were wounded and within their commands were three Killed and four Wounded. Both patrols rejoined the Bn within the next 24 hours. At 1030 hrs the 2nd Bn began the move forward which was to make them the first British troops to enter CAEN. “B” Company led the way, clearing houses systematically and climbing over and through the ruins as best they could. Little resistance was encountered and the Bn reached the Boulevardes in the centre of the town without incident. At this point we were met by numerous Frenchmen of the Underground Movement who established an immediate liaison and led our troops down towards the ORNE. The civilians came out of their houses, cheered, sang and offered presents of food and wine. Their delight and sense of release was beyond question, which was very satisfactory for ourselves who doubted whether the extensive RAF bombing would make such a reception possible.

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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