WO 171/1250 - 1 Coldstream Guards - August 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: 1 Coldstream Guards
Month and Year: August 1944	(Erase heading not required).	Commanding Officer:

Place	Date	Summary	Reference
ST. JEAN-DES-ESARTIERS.	1	Battalion moved down to area ST.-JEAN-DES-ESARTIERS. Squadrons, moving with their respective Infantry Battalions and Battalion HQ with HQ 32nd GUARDS BRIGADE.
	2	Advance continued down main road leading to LE-BENY-BOCAGE. The BRIGADE halted about mid-day and moved forward during the afternoon.
	2	No. 1 Squadron with the 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS put in an attack at about 1800 hrs on ST. DENIS-MAISONCELLES. 2 Troops of tanks supported the leading Companies and although enemy tanks were seen, in the close country SOUTH of the objective, they were not engaged and the attack met with no opposition. No. 1 Squadron laagered just NORTH of their objective.
	2	No. 3 Squadron with the 1St Battalion WELSH GUARDS had arrived at about 1700 hrs, near ST. OUEN DE BESSAGES. They too took part in the advance to ST. DENIS, with 2 Troops supporting the forward Companies of the WELSH GUARDS and experienced no more opposition than had No. 1 Squadron. They were withdrawn into harbour at about 2200 hours.
	2	Battalion HQ was now split with the C.O. Adjutant and I.O. forward with 32' GUARDS BRIGADE HQ near ST. OUEN DE BESSACES and the Second-inCommand Recce Troop and No. 2 Squadron back, not far from AUBIGNY.
	2	During the afternoon No. 1 Squadron moved on with the 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS. The 32nd GUARDS BRIGADE was moving behind 5th GUARDS ARMOURED BRIGADE and late in the afternoon No. 1 Squadron received orders for an attack, on the high ground SOUTH EAST of CATHEOLLES. This attack was cancelled and later in the evening the 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS Group was ordered to push on to ST. CHARLES DE PERCY, and through COURTEIL to take MONTCHAMP. However, the leading Troops were held up soon after passing the village of ST. CHARLES DE PERCY and in spite of the fire support from a Troop of No. 1 Squadron they could only get 3/4 of a mile from the village. In the gathering darkness it seemed impossible to push on any further and the Squadron laagered between ST. CHARLES DE PERCY and CORTEIL. During the night a Troop went forward, but lost a tank by the side of the road.
ST. JEAN-DES-ESARTIERS.	2	During this time No. 3 Squadron had been ordered, during the afternoon, to clear ST. BERRE TARENTAINE in support of Prince of Wales Company. 2 Troops went up onto the high ground overlooking the village, to support them in their advance which was quickly successful and then came down the hill to join up with them again. The WELSH GUARDS Group then continued behind 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS and at 2200 hrs laagered at PEVILLON.
	2	A minor counter-attack was put in that night from the enemy, but finding his position untenable, the enemy withdrew in the night.
	3	At first light an enemy infantry attack was put in from the SOUTH on 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS HQ, this was beaten off and No. 1 Squadron had a good Browning shoot through the hedges surrounding the position.
	3	That afternoon 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS send out a Company and 2 Troops of
	3	tanks to Point 176 (Map Reference 700395, Sheet 6F/6). On the way up No. 3 Troop had 1 tank hit. To get to Point 176 they had to go up a narrow sunken lane between tall hedges and Major BATT was shot in the head by a sniper. Captain ST. CLAIR took over command and his 2 Troops were in contact with S.P. Anti-Tank guns and a Company of the KING'S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY around Point 176. There were enemy about this point; the same small groups of Tanks and Infantry that we were now constantly encountering. However neither side was strong enough to drive the other back, and No. 1 laagered for the night with the Anti-Tank guns and Infantry. The remaining 2 Troops were still back with HQ 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS.
	3	In the meantime No. 3 Squadron was still with the 1St Battalion WELSH GUARDS and they received orders. Some Panthers had been seen in the neighbourhood of ST. CHARLES DE PERCY and 2 Troops were sent down in that direction, but they found nothing. The remainder of the day, the situation was very confused.
	4	Orders came through for regrouping the Battalion under 3' Battalion IRISH GUARDS and placing it under Command of 5th GUARDS ARMOURED BRIGADE in exchange for the 2' Armoured Battalion IRISH GUARDS and 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS Group.. The plan however did not materialise.
	4	The forward Troops of No. 1 Squadron had gone forward from laager at first light, to take up their position around Point 176 again. Lt. MARTYN leading his Troop was shot through the turret by a Panther, which had come up during the night and the next tank was also hit. The position around Point 176 remained unaltered.
	4	The remainder of 3" Battalion IRISH GUARDS were ordered to take CORETIL and MAISONCELLES and MONTCHAMP. One Troop supported the Company into CORTEIL and met no opposition. No. 2 Troop under Lt. COLLIN went forward to MAISONCELLES with the SCOTS GUARDS Company of the 3th Battalion IRISH GUARDS and knocked out one Panther and one 7.5cm Assault Gun. There was some opposition in this village but the Company held on to part of it that night.
	4	To return to No. 3 Squadron — The 1St Battalion WELSH GUARDS under Command of 44th (HIGHLAND) BRIGADE from 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION were putting in an attack on a large wood above COURTACON, just over the River from CORTEIL, where the Germans had been giving some trouble. Lt. BODLEY went forward to give close support while the rest of the Squadron took up a position on the high ground overlooking the village. However, there were very few Germans in either the village or the wood, and Lt. RODNEY's Troop went forward to join Lt. BODLEY's with a C/A role. As the rest of the Squadron followed Lt. JARDINE had his 17 pdr tank hit twice by a Panther. It was a very long shot and luckily did not penetrate, but the Driver was concussed, so Lt. JARDINE put the Tank Commander in the Driver's seat and commanded the tank himself. He tried to get the Panther, but failed as it was about 3,000 yards away and moving.
	4	Other Panthers were seen by No. 3 Squadron also a very long way off, but unfortunately no artillery fire could be brought to bear on them. Apart from very heavy shelling nothing else happened to No. 3 Squadron until 1730 hrs when 2 Troops under Command Lts. RODNEY and SUTTON, supported No. 3 and 4 Companies in an advance on MONTCHAMP from the NORTH. At 1830 hrs Prince of Wales and No. 2 Company attacked this village themselves but were C/A/ immediately on arrival at their objective, by approximately one battalion of enemy infantry and 6 Panthers. No. 3 Squadron were rushed forward to their support and Lt. BODLEY took his Troop into the village behind Col. HEBER PERCY. At about 1915 hrs Col. HEBER PERCY was wounded and Lt. BODLEY, having no orders from him, advanced into the centre of the village. Confused tank fighting ensued and confused tank and infantry fighting went on in the village. Lt. BODLEY's Troop claimed at possible Panther and 7.5cm Assault Gun. Finally at about 2200 hrs the WELSH GUARDS had to withdraw to the area of LES FIEFFES, having suffered heavy casualties.
	4	Battalion HQ moved up at 1900 hrs to join the 3th Battalion IRISH GUARDS at CORTEIL.
	5	At about 0010 hrs German infantry and 4 x 7.5cm Assault Guns attacked the SCOTDS GUARDS Company at MAISONCELLES, Battalion HQ stood to, this attack was driven off with the loss of all the 7.5cm Assault Guns and considerable casualties to the enemy. There was also considerable firing from the direction of Point 176. In fact the latter place was evacuated that night by the enemy and the position was occupied by a Troop of No. 1 Squadron and a Platoon of the 3' Battalion IRISH GUARDS.
	5	The remainder of the Squadron came back to CORTEIL and joined up with Battalion HQ. No. 2 Squadron were ordered to send a Troop up to the Southern edge of MAISONCELLES to support Capt. HOPE's SCOTS GUARDS Company who were still there and they remained there, and also Maj. ANSTRUTHER-GRAY Officer commanding No. 2 Squadron, for that day and the following night. However there were no further incidents in that area.
	5	No. 3 Squadron who had harboured in the woods NORTH WEST of MONTCHAMP sent a Troop with a patrol of the WELSH GUARDS towards MONTCHAMP but the enemy had withdrawn from this area and the village was occupied that night by the 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION.
	5	The Battalion less No. 3 Squadron withdrew to a farm just EAST of ST. CHARLES DE PERCY. During all this time 'F2' Echelon under Command Lt. BADDELEY had remained with Battalion HQ. 'A' Echelon under Command Maj. FOX was now ordered up.
	5	Field Returns issued.	Appendix A
	5-9	Battalion remained in support of 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS and a Squadron was kept forward under Command of 3' Battalion IRISH GUARDS for close support, but no incidents occurred.
	6	No. 3 Squadron returned to the Battalion.
EAST of ST. CHARLES DE PERCY	7	During the night considerable artillery fire, by both sides, took place, but all shells passed overhead and none fell in the Battalion area.
	8	Brigade and Divisional Summaries issued.	Appendix B & Appendix C
LE BOSCQ, 6934, Sheet 6F/6.	9	Commanding Officer gave out orders at 0945 hrs.
	9	C.O's Orders issued.	Appendix E
	9	The Battalion moved to a harbour area — LE BUSCQ.
	9	No. 2 Squadron went with the 3th Battalion IRISH GUARDS and remained with them until the 11th July.
	9	Divisional Summary issued.	Appendix D
	10	Commanding Officer gave out orders.
	10	C.O's Orders issued.	Appendix F
SOUTH EAST of BURCY, 6934, Sheet 6F/6.	11	Battalion moved at first light (0500 hrs) to an area SOUTH EAST of BURCY. There was no air support in the Battalion Sector and only one Battery of 25 pdrs in support.
	11	On arrival the Commanding Officer went forward to 3' Battalion IRISH GUARDS and set up his HQ with them at SOURDEVALLE, 714341, Sheet 6F/6.
	11	The following is an account from No. 2 Squadron of the action of the day:-
	11	With the SOURDEVALLE — LE-BOULAY-HUBERT road as the Centre Line, on the right was No. 2 Company (Maj. EARDLEY-WILMOT) of 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS supported by No. 3 Troop (Lt. T.V. HERMON) and No. 4 Troop (Lt. P.N. PRATT) of No. 2 Squadron. These two Troops were comamanded by Capt. H. CHISENHALE-MARSH accompanied by S.S.M. P. ROBERTSON.
	11	On the left was No. 4 Company (Maj. D REID) 3' Battalion IRISH GUARDS supported by No. 1 Troop (Lt. P.A.M. SELL) and No. 2 Troop (Lt. The Hon. R. BOSCAWEN) commanded by Capt. The Hon. G.W.ff. DAWNEY.
	11	The Start Line was the crest of a hill, from which the ground dropped sharply to a stream at the bottom, with two small farms standing in orchards just short of the stream. The objective was a crossroads about 1/4 of a mile beyond the stream on the forward slope. The attack started at 0900 hrs.
	11	As soon as the leading troops, supported by the tanks, crossed the Start Line, intense Mortar fire, directed from the flank, came down on the whole of our front, and very shortly the Infantry were compelled to take cover behind the banks and hedges. This pause left the tanks very exposed and subjected them to Anti-tank fire from the same flank. On the left the continued heavy Mortar fire made further advance across the open impossible, the Infantry withdrew to the sunken road which was the Centre Line down which they attempted to continue the advance, supported by two tanks of No. 1 Troop, the third (Sgt. STEELE) already having become a casualty.
	11	On the right the advance got a little further to just short of the right hand orchard, but here there were 2 tank casualties to No. 4 Troop, one being the Troop Leader Lt. P.N. PRATT (Killed), increased Mortar and M.G. fire made a withdrawal on this side necessary.
	11	No. 3 Troop which tried to go round to the right, to support the Infantry, met this withdrawal. It became necessary for the tanks, who by then had lost a further tank casualty (Lt. HERMON), to take up a position in slightly dead ground, with what remained of the Infantry who had suffered severe casualties.
	11	Owing to heavy casualties already inflicted, which were particularly noticeable among the officers, and the failure of the supporting Troops to neutralise the heavy Mortar fire concentrated on our front, it was decided to withdraw all troops to behind the Start Line. This was carried out at about 1615 hrs.
	11	The following were the tank casualties in the Squadron:-
	11	No. 1 Troop —1 Tank (Lt. P.A.M. GELL — Wounded).
	11	No. 3 Troop —1 Tank (Lt. T.V. HERMON — Wounded).
	11	No. 4 Troop — 2 Tanks (Lt. P.N. PRATT — Killed).
	11	During the action No. 2 Squadron claimed 2 Panther tanks shot by No. 3 Troop's 17 pdr (Sgt. SHIPLEY) and 2 Anti-tank guns.
	12	At 1800 hrs orders were received that the advance on this Sector would not take place, that 8 CORPS, consisting of 11th ARMOURED DIVISION — GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION AND 3RD BRITISH DIVISION would take up a defensive position on their present line, to include that held by 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION, who were to leave the Corps.
	12	"Desperate" enemy attacks were to be considered a possibility and as the Corps would be thinly disposed on the ground, the utmost secrecy, including W/T silence, concerning the move, was to be observed. The 'Cold' Group would move to and take over an area at LE BUSQ and LE GRAND BONFAIT, now held by a Battalion of the KING'S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY and a Battalion of the ROYAL TANK REGIMENT.
	12	Field Returns issued.	Appendix G
LE GRAND BONFAIT.	13	Battalion left BURCY at 0915 hrs and lay up in a park area at LE GRAND BONFAIT and at approximately 1600 hrs, when a Battalion of the ROYAL TANK REGIMENT moved out, the Battalion moved into and harboured in their area.
	14	Nothing-happened,
	15	The Battalion was visited by the Corps Commander, Lt-Gen. Sir Richard O'CONNOR, who remained to tea at Battalion HQ. He was accompanied by the G.O.C. Major-General ADAIR and Brigadier N.M. GWATKING, and members of their Staffs. The Corps Commander was introduced to Squadron Leaders and the Officers of Battalion H.Q.
	15	Part I Orders issued.	Appendix H
	17	In accordance with Div. Op. Orders, the Battalion was concentrated under Command of 5th BRIGADE.
	17	No. 3 Squadron who had been just behind the 3' Battalion IRISH GUARDS in a C/A role, returned to the Battalion. The 3' Battalion IRISH GUARDS reverted to Command of 32nd BRIGADE.
	17	`A' and 'B' Echelons joined 'F' Echelon.
	18	Battalion rested in the area GRAND BONFAIT. (7337 Sheet 3a +8, 1"250,000 France).
	19	Battalion rested in the area GRAND BONFAIT. (7337 Sheet 3a +8, 1"250,000 France). No change.
	20	Battalion rested in the area GRAND BONFAIT. (7337 Sheet 3a +8, 1"250,000 France). No change.
	21	Battalion rested in the area GRAND BONFAIT. (7337 Sheet 3a +8, 1"250,000 France). No change.
	22	Major General Commanding BRIGADE OF GUARDS visited the Battalion
	23	No change.
	24	Battalion moved short distance to a new area of LA BEZOQUE. (8525 Sheet 3a +8. 1:250,000 France).
	25	No change.
	26	No change.
	27	Battalion was given a Warning Order to lead on transporters.
VERNEUIL.	28	Near MONT DE CERIS Tanks left in the morning to load on to transports for journey to the SEINE. Wheels, Honey Tanks and A.R.Vs left on their own driving all night. Battalion H.Q. under Major R.F.S. GOOCH MC left independently and harboured at the ECOLE DES ROCHES near VERNEUIL (0038, 1:250000, Sheet 7).
	28	Major R.F.S. GOOCH MC and Lt. O.K. HEYWOOD succeeded Lt. Col. R. MYDDELTON and Capt. O.P. DAWNEY as Commanding Officer and Adjutant respectively.
	29	Wheel Party and Tanks arrive at VERNEUIL. Tanks left about 1230 for VERNON.
	30	All three parties crossed the SEINE by bridges held at VERNON 4473 in early morning.
	31	Battalion concentrated in the bridgehead in the early hours of the morning at 495753 (1:50,000 9F/4).
	31	The C.O. gave out orders.	Appendix K
	31	Advance resumed. SOMME reached in the evening. Halted just short of River until GRENADIER GUARDS Group got the crossing Brs. intact.
	31	Battalion harboured at CORBID 2569 (1:250,000 Sheet 5). No opposition encountered. Very fast drive.

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