Service number:

62603

Nationality:

British

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6 February 1944 WO 171/1397 - 2 East Yorkshire Regiment
Postings. Mjr G.W.H. Field posted to the unit from HQ 3 Br Inf Div.

6 June 1944 WO 171/1397 - 2 East Yorkshire Regiment
Reserve Coys and Bn H.Q. touched down. Some difficulty experienced in negotiating the underwater obstacles in the increasing swell but on the whole beaching was extremely good. Cross fire and sniping was fairly considerable and accurate enemy Mortar and shell fire was causing some casualties. The difficulty of evacuating casualties was increased by the rapidly rising tide, fire, and the fact that the M.O. was hit on disembarking. The clearance of the beach perimeter was going on and C Coy were despatched to the O.P. posn SOLE. D Coy lost their Coy Comd when a mortar bomb burst among the Coy H.Q. and some difficulty was experienced in collecting them. The move across the open marshy ground towards SOLE was slowed by the nature of the terrain and was under observation and mortar fire throughout. Nothing had been seen of F.O.B. and party since landing but Arty fire was readily available from 76 Fd Regt on call. SOLE proved to be more strongly held than originally anticipated but the posn was secured by C Coy. A Coy by this time having cleared the beach had assisted in the consolidation. B Coy rejoined the Bn and the attack on the gun posn of DAIMLER prepared. Bn O. Gp held just North of SOLE came under considerable mortar fire and the R Gp in moving to a posn from which to make a suitable recce was caught by a salvo in a sunken lane. Lt Col C.F. Hutchinson was hit in the arm and in the absence of Major G.W. Field who was collecting the track vehicles on the beach the comd passed temporarily to Maj S.R. Sheath. The attack on DAIMLER was put in by A & C Coys supported by 76 Fd Regt and B Sqn 13/18 H and was quickly secured for little loss. Some 70 P.Ws of the Arty Coastal Bn surrendered and considerable enemy weapons captured of 4 × 7.5 cm several 40 mm AA Guns and numerous small arms. By this time the mortars, AA guns and some carriers had come ashore but had suffered some casulaties from shell and mortar fire on the first lateral. The Bn moved on to ST AUBIN D'ARQUENAY which was not held and in ruins. Here, it took up defensive posn until relieved by the 1 K.O.S.B. and withdrew to a posn West of HERMANVILLE where it dug in, in a cornField. In the hrs of darkness some enemy aircraft attacked the beaches but were met with considerable AA fire.

23 June 1944 WO 171/1397 - 2 East Yorkshire Regiment
Maj G.W. Field who had comd the Bn since 6 June handed over to Maj N.J. Dickson who was appointed 2 i/c.

• - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41348/supplement/2083/data.pdf
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37867/supplement/546/data.pdf