August
1944
August
1944
1st August
Still in the same position enjoying the warm weather. With nothing to disturb us it is giving everyone a chance to return to normal. No information coming through about how things are going.
2nd August
Movement reported in the wooded area to our immediate front, about 400 yards away. Ordered a 2 inch mortar to fire HE bomb to see what happened. Got three back in reply. Must have been a party of the enemy, isolated and remaining quite. Decided to let sleeping dogs lie, someone will pick them up as their fighting days are over.
3rd August
15th Scottish must be out of the race (at least 112 Brigade) as no information is coming through. The field kitchen is now in position (off 24 hour packs). The Division was promised to be part of the race to Paris. After this "do" I hope the promise will be kept.
4th August
Spent the day packing - ready to move at any time. I expect to be moving north, waiting details.
5th August
Embussed for the north in TCVs returning to our old positions outside Cheax. Rested and joined "O" group to discuss the next operation.
6th August
The Battalion took part in he attack on Estry. The German strong point still holding out against the allies attempt to encircle their troops in France. "D" Company brought t a stand still in a sunken road by heavy shell fire from the 88s, mortars and air bursts. Received instructions from Major Tindall to go to the rear and lead in a troop of Churchills to give us covering fire. Stood on the turret of the leading tank giving instructions to where support was needed. Joined 18 Platoon after many near misses. Reached our objective. "A" Company's CSM was killed by a hard shot from one of the 88s (was meant for one of the tanks). Dug-in for the expected counter attack.
7th August
Now well dug-in waiting for their counter attack. Getting plastered by their mortars. Our own 25 pounders are pounding away making it difficult for the enemy to assemble their forces. By night time things had quietened down.
8th August
Enemy now on the retreat. 44 and 46 Brigades have taken up the chase leaving our Brigade to relax and take stock.
9th August
Rested in the area until the 14th August, catching up on lost sleep, cleaning and checking equipment, plus the usual guard duties. Just glad to be alive. Loads of letters arriving, one from Brookes from a hospital in Broxburn. Have just heard that Big Mac has died of his wounds. Went to mass in the afternoon in the ruined church.
14th August
Rest period over. On the march reaching the outskirts of Caen at 1600. Now billeted in the village of Maltot where the Canadians took a battering on the road to Caen. The church is about the only building standing.
16th August
Now on four hours notice. So far no orders received by nightfall: still in the same area. Lance Corporal from one of the platoons deserted taking four other ranks with him (wont get very far). Flies becoming a problem owing to the number of dead animals waiting to be buried. A number of troops suffering from skin trouble.
17th August
Surprised to find we are still in the same position. I believe the shortage of transport is the main problem. Two of the deserters were picked-up today - received 5 days field punishment (normally would have been a court martial b the Battalion Commander). I think he must have allowed for the recent heavy pressure.
18th August
On the way by TCVs in the forenoon. After a drive of about twenty miles we are now billeted in the village of Fontaine Halibout, a nice clean area untouched by war.
19th August
Route march in the forenoon, field exercise in the afternoon. Owing to a wrong map reading, by myself, 18 Platoon failed to reach the area in time to take part in the operation. Company Commander was anything but pleased. Weather changed to heavy showers.
20th August
Went to mass in the local church at 0930. Cleaning equipment and arms inspection in the forenoon. Medical inspection and lecture by the MO in the afternoon. Rosary in the evening completed a nice peaceful day.
21st August
Junkers over the Brigade area in the early hours. The Argylls took the brunt of the bombing, seven killed, twenty wounded. Heavy rain washed us out of our slit trenches during the night. Davidson and Piper deserted after dark.
22nd August
Seven miles forced route march n the afternoon. Field exercise in the afternoon watched by the Brigadier and the Battalion CO. PRI and ENSA loud speakers relaying music making life bearable.
23rd August
Reveille at 0400. After breakfast the Company formed up, in a rain storm. Embussed and after a journey of about thirty kilometers arrived in the outskirts of Falaise where we encamped waiting further instructions.
24th August
Left the area, at first light, in TCVs. Scanned the country side for about eleven hours looking for pockets of resistance: found nothing. The enemy must have taken a terrific pounding trying to get through the Falaise Gap. The area is chocked with burnt-out transport, guns and armour of every description. Bodies of men and animals have still to be buried. Seemingly most of the German army on this side of the river has been trapped.
25th August
Left the area by transport arriving at Louviers, on the river Seine in the forenoon, to find that the enemy had evacuated the town the previous night. Selected defensive positions for the platoon in case of a counter attack. Dug my slit trench near the local school in the hope of getting something to eat. At last I have a replacement Platoon Officer. A Lt. Aitken, from the Canadian Army, arrived in the afternoon; his ambition has always been to be attached to a Highland Regiment. Gave him a hand to sew on his Gordon shoulder tabs and took him around the platoon positions. The school teacher's daughter took a photograph of the officer, his batman, one of the section Corporals and myself. A nice touch of civvy street. The Platoon is now at full fighting strength.
26th August
Left Louviers in the afternoon in perfect weather conditions to cross the river in collapsible boats with small outboard motors fitted. A peaceful Sunday. As we carried our boats down to the rivers edge I felt uneasy; something was bothering me. It seemed too peaceful to be natural. The Platoon Sergeant usually leads the first section, however, the Company Commander decided to go in the first boat with the Canadian to show him our way of handling a Platoon.
My instructions were to ensure that the men had the buckles of their equipment unfastened in case of trouble and to bring up the rear with the last section. Just as I was embarking with the Section machine gun, fire from the opposite side of the river, opened-up riddling the boats in mid-river. Pulled back the boat, disembarked the section and took up firing positions.
Sprayed the opposite bank with Bren gun and rifle fire with the hope of keeping the enemy's heads down or force them to retreat (there must be a section of die hards fighting a rear guard action). The second in command of the Company came to the river bank to find out what had happened and died with a bullet in his head. CSM and an officer from "A" Company were both wounded.
Asked for covering fire from another Platoon in an attempt to get my section across when orders came from the Battalion CO to hold my position and wait for further orders. Received instructions, after dark , to move down river. Crossed the river by a bridge which had recently been crossed by the HLI without incident. Now in charge of a Platoon of six men; that's war. Tagged on at the rear of the Company. Orders passed down to investigate a light on our left flank. It came from a small cottage. Kicked-in the door to find a couple of old, terrified French people.
27th August
Reached Muid, our first objective, at dawn. Very little opposition except for a few shots from snipers and occasional bursts of machine gun fire. Received a great welcome from the locals after they got over the shock of German then British troops passing through. Took our final objective, a hill top outside of the village without seeing the enemy.
28th August
Germans now beginning to surrender in fairly large numbers, cracking-up owing to the pounding they received recently. 44 Brigade passed through to continue the rout of the enemy. My Company and Platoon officers and all other ranks of the Platoon except for a Corporal died on the river. The Corporal was taken prisoner but released by the HLI the following day.
29th August
The Battalion CO visited our area in the forenoon. He stopped and asked if I had had leave since coming to France. He took my name and number when I told him I had been with the Company since I landed.
30th August
A truck arrived in the forenoon to take me to rest camp on the coast 100 miles away. Arrived after dark. Trenches ready made with a tent covering. Had something to eat and soon fell fast asleep, relaxed for the first time in what seemed ages.
31st August
Five letters from Nancy just made life worthwhile. This is the life; even a mess with a French girl to serve our meals. Sometimes she makes a mistake and answers us in German. An HLI Sergeant makes up for her mistakes by going down on hands and knees and makes love to her. It's a blessing she doesn't understand the language or she would not be smiling at him.