Mouen,
FRANCE

1

Bn consolidated around MOUEN. Patrols sent out. Wounded sniper captured. Intermittent enemy Mortar fire throughout the day.

2

Bn still in MOUEN Enemy counter-attack brought to a standstill. This was Rommels first counter attack of any size. Arty and A/C played large part in halt.

3

Div Comd visited Bn posns and O.P.. Another enemy sniper captured. (Hitler Jugend Div) Enemy mortar Fire throughout day and night.

4

3 Cdn Div attacked CARPICQUET. Mortar Pl with Mortar Pl 7 Som. L.I. do Operation STOKES (Bombard village of JUMEAUX) Corps Comd visited Bn area.
2/Lt. T. L. Tromans (should be L. A. Tromans), WS/Lt. L. A. Eberstadt, WS/Lt. R. S. Spicer TOS this unit from RHU.

5

WS/Lt. T. L. Revnell, Lt. J. E. D. Davis, Lt. Fiset TOS from RHU.
WS/Lt. F. T. Coulcher promoted A/Capt (Comd a/Tk. Pl.)
WS/Lt. H. E. R. Newman promoted A/Capt (2i/c B Coy)
T/Capt. H. R. Matthews promoted A/Maj.
WS/Lt. H. S. Morrison promoted A/Capt.

6

2/Lt. C. W. D. Laughton admitted hospital and S.O.S. this unit.
Preparations made for Operation BITCH which is hvy mortar fire on known enemy localities – JUMEAUX and BRETTEVILLE SUR ODON. A quiet day, less shelling.

7

00.15

Bde-d Mortar Pls fire 9 tons H.E. on JUMEAUX and BRETTEVILLE in 10 mins.

7

20.30

Bn HQ area heavily shelled until 21.40

MOUEN

8

03.30
to
03.40

Bde-d Mortar pls fire 360 rds each on targets JUMEAUX Operation Jupiter Minor.

10

Bn left MOUEN for Operation Jupiter after receiving orders at 0910 hrs – Attack by 43 Div to secure crossing river ODON and securing MALTOT. 214 Bde in reserve area CHATEAU DE FONTAINE.

10

23.30

Bn commenced taking over from 4 Wilts.

11

Bn in area CHATEAU DE FONTAINE.

CHATEAU DE FONTAINE

13

Enemy mortar and shell our posns during day and night.
Lt. R. S. Spicer killed in action.
Capt. M. J. Ratcliff accidentally wounded and admitted to hospital SOS this unit.
Lt. J. M. Bennett wounded in action.

14

Maj. P. F. R. Roose wounded in action.

14

10.00

Advance party left to Recce and prepare Coy Localities in rear area (Bas de Mouen).

14/15

17.00 to
03.00

Bn relieved by Dorsets.

BAS DE MOUEN

16

Liberty trips organised to BAYEUX.
Lt. Tinkler evacuated beyond R.A.P. suffering from physical exhaustion.

17

Area BAS DE MOUEN until 1630 hrs. Bn then commenced of 5 Wilts in area BARON. Completed by 2030 hrs.

BARON

18

Quiet day. Capt. D. Y. Watson TOS this unit from RHU.

BARON

20

2/Lt. K. W. Badderley TOS this unit.

BAS DE MOUEN

21

Operation PULLMAN postponed. Bn moved back to area BAS DE MOUEN.
Mortar Pl in Bde shoot. Operation PETER.

BARON

22

20.00

Bn moved to area BARON for operation PULLMAN. Op commenced 2355 hrs. Mortar Pls in Bde shoot in support of 129 Inf Bde. (EXPRESS).

23

Maj P. T. Weston missing after op PULLMAN also Lt. G. L. Revnell missing.
2/Lt. L. A. Thomas (error in war diary should be Tromans) wounded.
Lt. J. P. Allum TOS.

BAS DE MOUEN

23

16.00

Bn moved to area BAS DE MOUEN.

23

21.45

Mortar Pl moved to BARON for Bde shoot.

24

T/Capt. A. M. Ford T.O.S. from 32 RHU (O.C. HQ Coy)

24

16.30

Recce party left for area JERUSALEM.

JERUSALEM

24

18.00

Bn commenced move to area JERUSALEM for refit after 5 weeks continued fighting.

25

Lt. F. S. Trimnell TOS this unit from 32 RHU.
Lt. W. C. Bratt TOS this unit from 32 RHU.

26/27

Bn in area JERUSALEM.

27

T/Maj Martyn TOS and appointed 2i/c vice Maj. G. Taylor promotion to Lt. Col. (5 DCLI).
Lt. R. F. G. Rice TOS this unit.

JERUSALEM

28

Bn attended lecture by Div Comd at Bde HQ. George Formby ENSA show at ST. LEDGER attended by part Bn.
T/Capt. H. S. L. Morrison admitted CCS and SOS this unit.
Capt. J. K. G. Marshall TOS this unit.

29

43 Div transferred to 30 Corps.

29

13.00

Bn commenced move to LA PAUMERIE for operation BLUECOAT.
Capt. J. K. G. Marshall promoted A/Major.

LA PAUMERIE

30

08.00

Operation BLUECOAT due to commence but delayed owing to 130 Bde making little progress in attacking CAHAGNES.
T/Capt Miller TOS this unit.

31

08.00

Revised Op BLUECOAT due to commence but still delayed owing to 130 Bde. 129 Bde brought up to assist 130 Bde.

Officers as at 31 July 1944
Commanding officer Lt. Col. A. R. Harrison.
2i/c T/Maj Martyn.
Adjt. Capt. L. S. Durrant.
O.C. A Coy. A/Maj Marshall
O.C. B Coy. T/Maj A. A. Grubb.
O.C. C Coy. A/Maj Matthews.
O.C. D Coy. A/Maj M. M. Souper.
O.C. Sp. Coy. T/Capt Watkins.
O.C. HQ Coy. T/Capt. A. M. Ford.

Casualties July
Killed – 1 Officer and 31 O.Rs.
Wounded – 6 Officers and 133 O.Rs.
Missing – 2 Officers and 11 O.Rs.

Appendices. Field Returns 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd 29th.