| 1 | AUG | 53 Bty locations BHQ 946685 | ||
| A tp 999669 | ||||
| C tp 953679 | ||||
| X tp 953679 | ||||
| A FSp base A Post 024649 | ||||
| B Post 957673 | ||||
| C Post 977674 | ||||
| D Post 011671 | ||||
| C SRg base M1 | ||||
| M2 | ||||
| M3 944662 AP "P" 931638 | ||||
| M4 957664 "Q" 987645 | ||||
| M5 976670 | ||||
| M6 992674 | ||||
| 4-Pen Recorder M1 398004.3 165283.4 | ||||
| M2 986652 | ||||
| M3 992652 | ||||
| M4 998652 | ||||
| Night 31 Jul/1 Aug - very quiet | ||||
| Flash - communications good - wireless and line to all Ops. Activity - | ||||
| little. Shellreps 3. Single Bgs 6. Visibility - poor. | ||||
| Sound - very little activity - in action on 6 and 2 - HBs located, 7 | ||||
| 4-Pen - HMs, 4 - two known to have been bombarded. | ||||
| Day 1 aug 44; | ||||
| Flash - very little activity- visibilty poor until 1600 hrs - line laid to | ||||
| "I" Post by 2000 hrs. | ||||
| Sound ; In action 6 and 2 - ploughing in of line between M2 and M6. | ||||
| 4-Pen: In action - 2 HMs located - several sound bgs | ||||
| Survey- coords of gun fixed for 72 Med 393134.6 166608.2 93.5m | ||||
| 1 | 54 Bty locations: BHQ 916682 | |||
| B tp 916682 | ||||
| D tp 891668 | ||||
| Y tp 898701 | ||||
| B Fsp base: D post 919639 B post 937660 C post 915647 | ||||
| A post 956673 | ||||
| D Srg base: M1 384885 M2 386340 M3 387991 M4 389700 | ||||
| 166487 166482 166518 166522 | ||||
| M5 391382 M6 393086 AP "U" 863 AP "V" 907 | ||||
| 166487 166568 652 638 | ||||
| Night 31 Jul/1 Aug - activity negligible | ||||
| Flash: in action - 2 single OPs and S/base | ||||
| activity | ||||
| Sound: In action 5 mics and 1 AP | ||||
| Day 1 Aug: | ||||
| Flash: A Post - deployed at CARPIQUET - otherwise NTR | ||||
| Sound: HBs - 2, communications good. | ||||
| 2 | 53 Bty - locations as for 1 Aug | |||
| Flash - Night 1/2 Aug: night fairly quiet - HBs 5 areas - 17 single bgs | ||||
| Sound: in action 6 and 2; locations obtained 16 HB; lines between mics | ||||
| 4, 5, 6 ploughed - in. | ||||
| 4-Pen: 2 HMs | ||||
| Day 2 Aug 44: | ||||
| Flash- period 0600 - 1730 hrs very quiet - visibility during most of the time | ||||
| 4 - 6000x - communications satisfactory - all OPs on line; locations obtained; | ||||
| 1 HB (NBW) - 6 single bgs - 1 shellrep | ||||
| Sound: - in action 6 and 2 - ploughing in of base completed; period 1200 - 1800 | ||||
| 2 | 4-Pen recorder - NTR - wireless mechanic checked instrument but pens still | |||
| give trouble. | ||||
| Survey - NTR | ||||
| BHq - communications with A tp intermittent - due to demolitions in CARPIQUET - | ||||
| breaking line | ||||
| 54 Bty - locations as for 1 Aug 44 | ||||
| night 1/2 Aug - fairly active except for short period 0100 - 200hrs | ||||
| flash - inaction - 3 post Long base and 1 S/base | ||||
| HBs - nil - A and D Posts withdrawn at first light | ||||
| sound - in action 6 and 2 | ||||
| HBs located - 6, mortars -2 | ||||
| large flashes reported by AP V at 0418 hrs with no report brg 170o | ||||
| communications - good - line to M1 reeled in (3/4 mile) by truck RB2 | ||||
| 4 Svy Regt RA | ||||
| Day 2 Aug 44 | ||||
| Guns in VACOGNES 9056 and ST HONORINE du FAY 9356 areas suspected active | ||||
| Flash - 3 shellreps and one I rep | ||||
| Sound - HBs 3 (one rough to flank) | ||||
| 53 Bty | ||||
| night - 2/3 Aug 44 | ||||
| A FSp tp - little activity during night - all posts on line - results | ||||
| shellreps - 1, single bgs - 54 | ||||
| Sound - reasonably quiet - front on our left S of CAEN lively - in | ||||
| action 6 and 2 - HBs located 9 - all lines now ploughed in | ||||
| 4-Pen - little activity - HM2 | ||||
| Day 3 Aug | ||||
| Flash - very quiet day - no movement reported on front - communications - | ||||
| line and wireless good | ||||
| Results - HBs nil, shellreps 3, single bgs 9 | ||||
| Sound - meteor conditions unfavourable. Slight activity - HB 3 | ||||
| 3 | 54 Bty. Night 2/3. Slight activity, mostly in VACOGNES area. Flash, long | |||
| base with A,B, C posts; D post on S/base (short base). Results: 5 Shellreps, 3 single bgs. | ||||
| Sound: enemy interference with radio from APs; desirable in future to use | ||||
| line if possible. Day 3 Aug: from the small amount of activity on the front | ||||
| the general picture can be drawn - unless it signifies the beginning of a with- | ||||
| drawal.Flash: except for one location - mortar firing from EVERECY at 1650 | ||||
| hrs - this sector has been quiet; no enemy movement seen. Sound: AA films | ||||
| have been plentiful at long range but only one plot. There has been no mortar - | ||||
| ing in the GRAINVILLE-MONDRAINVILLE area since 0430hrs this morning. Informa- | ||||
| tion from ground sources that NOYES stn point 123 and MISSY are in our hands, | ||||
| 4 | 53 Bty. Night 3/4 Aug: Flash: visibility 8 - 10,000 meters until 0130hrs | |||
| closing to 100m at 0300 hrs. Communications: good, line and wireless. HBs, | ||||
| 3 (2 areas, 1 B); 3 activive HB, 29 single bgs. Sound: met conditions not | ||||
| very favourable. Phantom AP lines working well; in action 6 and 2; HBs, 10. | ||||
| 4-Pen: base in action, several sound bgs; fault in the instrument at 1800hrs; | ||||
| fault remedied at RHQ and in action again 2300. Day 4 Aug: Flash: positions | ||||
| on hill 112 and FUGEROLLE- sur-ORNE recced during the afternoon. B Post ordered | ||||
| to pack up at 1700 hrs to move to 396110 161515 at 1800 hrs; C Post to area of | ||||
| FUGEROLLE- sur-ORNE. Sound: slight enemy artillery activity; meteor conditions | ||||
| unfavourable; in action, 6 and 2. 4-Pen: base closing down and reeling in; | ||||
| attached personnel returning to own units. 54 Bty: night 3/4 Aug: Flash: | ||||
| slight enemy activity, visibility very poor: HB nil, single bgs 7. Sound: | ||||
| very little doing; HBs 5, all south of 55 grid line; explosions heard give | ||||
| credance to the belief that a withdrawal by the enemy is being prepared. Day | ||||
| 4 Aug 44: enemy reported to have withdrawn to def posn EPINAY-SUR-ODON, line | ||||
| of R ODON. Flash: deploying on ridge Pt 213; C post remains at present posn;. | ||||
| probable intention - short base on ring contour pt 213 with C post as single OP | ||||
| - intermediate post not yet possble - communications, wireless for night 4/5 | ||||
| Aug 44. Sound: NTR. Intention: no change | ||||
| Putot-en-Bessin 5 | Observers from Z tp attached to Svy 53 Bty to assist in | |||
| 906712 | fixing fwd BPs | |||
| Longues | 5 | Z tp fixed and manned ranging base for calibration shoot with 112 LAA Regt RA | ||
| 785875 | 53 Bty. Night 4/5 Aug. Gnr Raven accidentally shot in leg at 2315 hrs. | |||
| removed to hospital. Flash: very quiet night. HB, 1; single bgs 100. | ||||
| Communications by line to A and D; radio to A,B, and D; by DR owing to wireless | ||||
| interference C post; C post withdrawn at 0500 hrs; A post stood down at | ||||
| 398165 163349 | 0600 hrs; I post closed down at 0500 hrs; C post coords 398165 163349. | |||
| Sound: in action 6 and 2; survey party to stand by as from 051200B to assist | ||||
| in survey of possible sound base in 54 Bty. HBs. 1. Day 5 Aug: BHQ at new | ||||
| 937584 | location 919576; Flash: Tp HQ moved to new location 937584. Posts deployed | |||
| at C post 981610; D post 974582; A post 945574; sun shot observed at C and | ||||
| D; B post in reserve; casualties suffered in area 94/53 through S mine; Sgt | ||||
| Breckenbridge and Lieut F Coverdale RA injured. | ||||
| 913628 | RHQ moved to new location 913628 | |||
| 6 | Z tp calibration shoot with 112 LAA Regt RA | |||
| Putot-en-Bessin | Mikes V and Vl on SRg base fixed by Z tp: M V393177 158076.1 M VI 392079.7 | |||
| 156283.7 | ||||
| Bougy 909612 | Z tp to move to new location | |||
| 913628 | 53 Bty. Night 5/6 Aug: very quiet night; communications fair. FSp, single | |||
| bgs 7 (4 being mortar). SRg, in action 5 and 2; little enemy arty fire; | ||||
| HBs nil. Day 6 Aug: FSp, very quiet day, B and C posts deployed in new | ||||
| position; recce of new position for B post: communications , wireless: HBs | ||||
| nil. SRg: base reeled in, 54 Bty: night 5/6: very little activity | ||||
| during night; visibility 50x from 0330 hrs. sound in action 4 mics 1 AP; | ||||
| activity nil. Day 6 Aug: FSp A, B,C long base; D post deployed 1530 | ||||
| church tower OUFFIERES 932511 in an intelligence role; post to be withdrawn | ||||
| at dusk; very quiet day; 3 shellreps (mortars); communications R/T. Sound | ||||
| Rg; 5 mics and one AP; mics 1,2,4,5 on radio; mic 3 on wire. Surveyof mics | ||||
| 1,2 and 3 completed; HBs, nil | ||||
| 7 | 53 Bty. Night 6/7. Quiet. FSp A post 941 578, B post 933528, C post | |||
| 001 609. D post withdrawn at darkness; communications R/T. HBs, Nil. | ||||
| Single Bgs 45 (11 mortar, 20 NBW). SRg, NTR. Day 7: FSp : communications | ||||
| all posts at W/T. A post new position 393326 156985. Locations; shellreps 5 | ||||
| single bgs 47. SRg deploying a mic radio link base. HQ 903517. 54 Bty; | ||||
| night 6/7: FSp : HBs one, single bgs 15; areas active 9750 9751. SRg: much | ||||
| activity between 0001 - 0100 and 0200-0330 from area; 50 films only; 3 | ||||
| locations obtained. Day 7: FSp : two new posts deployed : Pt 232 (9050) and | ||||
| 932533 part of long base: HBs 1 ; sound Bg 5 NBW. SRg : six mics now wired | ||||
| and survey of added mic expected shortly. HBs located 6 average accuracy | ||||
| B. | ||||
| 907588 | RHQ moved to new location 907588. 53 Bty night 7/8 Aug. | |||
| 8 | FSp. Heavy interference on R/T. Visibility deteriorated during night. B | |||
| post withdrawn 2200 on information that own tps had withdrawn across the | ||||
| River Orne. Later post was redeployed in same position.. HBs 6, single bgs | ||||
| 57. SRg. Much radio interference. HBs, nil. Day 8 : FSp. Quite an | ||||
| active day. Communications difficult IO RA 53 Div. HBs 4 (2 area) ; | ||||
| mortar single bgs 27. SRg very little activity until 1730 hrs. HBs located | ||||
| nil. Survey of M1 completed; maintenance on lines. 54 Bty, night 7/8 Aug, | ||||
| FSp : visibility 1000x at one period ; HBs nil: a few flash and sound bgs. | ||||
| SRg: very little activity during the night; only 2 mortar bgs; HBs nil. | ||||
| Day 8 : FSp intelligence : a few int reports; HBs nil; wireless comn to all | ||||
| post. SRg: all mics wired; Aps on radio/1. HBs located 1. | ||||
| 9 | 53 Bty night 8/9 : FSp : communication by line to A,C,D: DR to B post. | |||
| HBs 8 (area); single bgs 50. SRg : NTR in action 4 and 1. 53 Bty : day | ||||
| 918545 | 9 : FSp : new base in action : HQ 918545; A post 933569; B post 933528; C | |||
| post 902502; D post 972581 ; communications to A and D by line; line in | ||||
| progress to B and C posts. HBs. Nil. SRG : heavy radio interference (strength | ||||
| 5) strength of speech 2; CBO line completed ; HBs 4. 54 Bty night 8/9 ; fairly | ||||
| active periods 1800-1900 and midnight to 0100. FSp HBs 6 : single bgs 15 : | ||||
| R/T to all posts. SRg : one mic out of action : HBs, 5. Day 9 : mainly | ||||
| intelligence reports. One HB active. A post deploying in area. 54 Bty : | ||||
| 913507 | 913507 covering zone 90o - 170o ; communications good, R/T. SRg : little | |||
| activity; interference on radio considerable; 3 distant HBs located. | ||||
| 905588 | Observers from Z tp visited HB positions to report on accuracy of fire and | |||
| CB fire. | ||||
| La Caine | 10 | Z tp moved to new location. BP fixed by A tp for 3 AGRA. Coords 39585 | ||
| 902522 | 153000. Map resection and sun brg. 53 Bty : FSp, a quiet night; much | |||
| interference on wireless to the posts ; C post off the line until 0345 hrs; | ||||
| all posts now on line. HBs located 2 (area); single bgs 12 (2 mortar). | ||||
| 898545 | SRg in action 4 and 1 ; little enemy activity ; HBs 2. Day 10 53 Bty HQ | |||
| moved to 898545; in communication by W/T to A and C tps and regt; line | ||||
| laid to 53 Div and to X tp. FSp : C tp deployed 903495 ; B post in area | ||||
| 9450. A and D posts in reserve ; little enemy activity; HBs nil; single | ||||
| bgs 7 (4 mortar). SRg very quiet day; HBs 2. Recce of two mics carried | ||||
| 909549 | out. X tp moved to new location 909549. 54 Bty ; night 9/10. No sitrop | |||
| 923513 | received. Day 10 : 54 Bty moved to 923513 ; come under command (less D SRg | |||
| tp) 59 Div. FSp C post deployed 904496 with THURY HARCOURT appropriate | ||||
| 922519 | centre of zone; HBs nil but a few intelligence reports. B tp HQ now at | |||
| 922549. SRg : very quite day; 5 films taken no plots. AP comns | ||||
| 904524 | good. RHQ moved to new location 904524. | |||
| 11 | 53 Bty. FSp : little activity ; only two posts in action; HBs nil; single | |||
| bgs 28. SRg : in action on 3 and 1; maintenance of line communications | ||||
| very difficult owing to traffic on roads to and from FDLs. From bgs and | ||||
| general intersection of strings enemy guns appear to be in the FALAISE area. | ||||
| HB.s nil. Day 11 : FSp : 4 post base in action on wireless; little | ||||
| intelligence. Single bgs 48. Coords of posts A 912507 B 934518 C 903595 | ||||
| D 892492 HQ 923518. SRg : coords of base M1 889468 M2 895483 M5 922518 M6 | ||||
| 934529. Mics 3,4 and 5 on wire; M6 in process of being wired. Svy | ||||
| fixed points X92 PF 390091.3 150376.0 .231m X 93 393783.2 131404.3 131.1m | ||||
| Night 10/11. 54 Bty. FSp; very quiet night; 3 single bgs ; visibility | ||||
| poor. D post deployed in area 892493; moon parallelism done at 0255hrs. | ||||
| SRg : some films obtained of very distant guns but no results. Expecting to | ||||
| come out of action today. Day 11. Little enemy activity. FSp : 2 posts | ||||
| and adv HQ moved at 1230hrs with HQ 158 Bde to 879512 from where 2 single Ops | ||||
| were recced in Coy area CROISILLE 9548 and FORGE a CAMBRO 9748 looking S for | ||||
| int. Svy ; adv report arty established at LE MOISSONIERS 965500. Follow - | ||||
| ing charge of Div plan this survey section was withdrawn until further moves | ||||
| were more imminent. Points fixed on near slopes of spur CROISILLES. SRg | ||||
| obtained 4 HB locations. | ||||
| 902522 | BP put on theatre grid by traverse and intersection, Z tp, 395879.2 153009.1 | |||
| THURY HARCOURT area | Mikes I,II, V and VI on 54 Bty, SRg base fixed by Z tp | |||
| Night 11/12 Aug, 53 Bty. FSp : quiet night; visibility 300x ; all posts on | ||||
| 12 | wireless; Ops withdrawn at 0500hrs; HBs 1 NBW; single brgs 52 including | |||
| 12 to mortars. Srg : in action 5 and 1; survey of 5 mics complete: HBs 1. | ||||
| Survey: one section ordered to move to area 9651 before first light; R/L to | ||||
| be established with 83 Fd at 960518. Day 12 Aug : Bty HQ moved to 983520; | ||||
| 983520 | line communications good to RA 53 and A tp 53 Bty. Wireless comn to X and C | |||
| tps, also RHQ not on owing to interference; 34' ground aerial being used. | ||||
| FSp at same locations as Bty HQ. A post 963 480; C post 979496; D post | ||||
| deploying in area 99/49. SRg : in action on 5 mics wired ; 1 mic on radio | ||||
| also AP; radio worked satisfactorily. Very little enemy arty activity. | ||||
| Survey: BPs fixed ; sunshots taken at FREN 001489 and orchard 959481 | ||||
| Night 11/12. 54Bty: FSp: short base deployed at 964480 up until 2000, | ||||
| then withdrawn. SRg : HBs during the night 6; 6 mics in action. Day | ||||
| 12: 54 Bty: FSp : in action at A, C and D posts of original base; no HBs. | ||||
| FRESNEY a VIEUX now in our hands but EUPINS still occupied by enemy; small | ||||
| enemy pockets still in valleys SW and W of THURY HARCOURT. SRg in action | ||||
| on 4 mics; HBs 4 at long range. Survey : report centre opening at 967494 at | ||||
| 1930hrs in readiness for Div arty tomorrow- area TICMENIL 8549 LE MESNIL 9649 | ||||
| La CAINE | 12 | BP for 72 Med Regt RA fixed by Z tp | ||
| 13 | Nights 12/13 Aug. 53 Bty. FSp: little activity during the night; shellreps | |||
| 1; single bgs 19; SRg : in action 5 & 1; locations obtained 3 HBs. Comns | ||||
| good; all lines OK. Day 13: FSp; short base deployed at 963480; single OP: | ||||
| B 982494; D 996494. 53 Bty: SRg : extremely quiet day; no HBs. New "P" AP | ||||
| at 916476; old P Ap now known as "Q". Survey: div arty on theatre grid. Night | ||||
| 12/13: 54 Bty: FSp : 1 HB located and a few single brgs obtained; R/T to all | ||||
| posts; line to CBO net through, CBO not on air, visibility nil at 0315hrs. | ||||
| SRg : in action on 5 mics; one AP on radio; several bgs but no HBs. General | ||||
| gun area appears to be THURY HARCOURT 9344. Day 13 : FSp ; no activity | ||||
| of note; a little intelligence; fires still burning in THURY HARCOURT; | ||||
| single mobile OP est in COY area 913450 with instructions to move forward to area | ||||
| 930445 and to observe down the road if possible. SRg withdrawn at 0900; | ||||
| maintenance. 5 Hbs located between 0530 and 0611. | ||||
| 14 | Night 13/14. 53 Bty: SRg; very little activity night 13/14; 1 HB; in | |||
| action 6 and 2 - 5 mics on line. 1 R/L, 2 APs R/L. Day 14 ; FSp deployed; | ||||
| A post 0375 4740 ; D post 0169 4621 ; B and C posts in reserve at HQ 024478 | ||||
| SRg : in action on 5 mics wired and one mic radio/L ; P AP on R/L ; Q AP with | ||||
| drawn as being superfluous ; no comns with RHQ and CBO except by DR ; consid- | ||||
| erable activity has made film reading difficult or impossible ; HBs obtained | ||||
| 4 ; Svy : fixed points fwd on theatre grid. Night 13/4 : 54 Bty. FSp. | ||||
| very little activity. 1 possible area location 33000 ; visibility down to | ||||
| 200 at 0100hrs. Base deployed A 391260.6 C 390448 D 389240 | ||||
| 150701.8 149559 149285 | ||||
| SRg out of action maintenance. Day 14 : FSp : single OP at 921443 | ||||
| withdrawn at 1600hrs. As there was no activity. S/base deployed CROISILLES | ||||
| - FORGE - a - CAMBRO for NBWs. Svy : task for La MOTTE completed ; recce for | ||||
| survey of COMBRAY - DONNAY area in progress. RHQ moved to new location | ||||
| 002498 | 002498. | |||
| 15 | Night 14/15 : 53 Bty : FSp : A post single OP; B post S/ base; D post as | |||
| an intermediate stn. C post in reserve. 5 HBs located with many single | ||||
| bgs. SRg in action on 4 and 1. No activity during night. Lines to M2 | ||||
| 012448 | and 5 dis. Day 15. 53 Bty HQ now at 012448. Comn to RHQ, A and X tps | |||
| also CBO and RA 53 Div. FSp : B post deployed on short base. Recce for | ||||
| A post in area of Pt 240 025393 completed. Single Brgs 18. Tp HQ now | ||||
| 028426 | at 028426. Survey ; HQ at 020439 pts fixed 6 and sun brgs available at | |||
| numerous points… (W/Sgt Jackson P wounded by S mine; died later in hospital | ||||
| (14 FA) ( Regt No 979702 | ||||
| 14373885 Gnr Cornish W admitted to 14 FA with exhaustion. | ||||
| 54 Bty, night 14/15; FSp nothing to report. One short base deployed at | ||||
| 972490 | Tp HQ at 972490. SRg : out of action for maintenance. Day 15 : Bty out | |||
| of action rest and maintenance. | ||||
| Foret de | Z tp moved to new location at BOIS-HALBOUT 014465 | |||
| 014465 | 107 HAA fixed by Z tp also BP for 59 Med and 67 Med | |||
| Bois Halbout | provided | |||
| 013428 | 16 | 1400 | Z tp moved to new location at 013428 | |
| 045405 | 1600 | Z tp moved to new location at 045405. Fixed BPs for 131 Fd Regt, 190 Fd | ||
| Regt, 67 Med Regt, 59 Hy Regt, 59 Med Regt and 72 Med Regt. | ||||
| 53 Bty; FSp : very quiet night 15/16. One short base in action, single | ||||
| bgs obtained but doubtful as to whether they are our own guns, due to | ||||
| battle being so fluid. SRg : rest for maintenance. Day 16. 53 Bty | ||||
| 051405 | HQ moved to LE MESNIL 051405; communication by R/T to RHQ, CBO, A, C, X | |||
| 065383 | tps ; line to RA 53 Div. FSp, new HQ location. Shortbase deployed at | |||
| 059352. B, C and D posts in reserve at tp HQ. SRg at rest and maintenance | ||||
| 038428 | 038428. Survey. Tp HQ at 100370, pts fixed at many pts in fwd | |||
| 100370 | areas also sun brgs available. Night 15/16 : 54 Bty : NTR, all troops | |||
| except svy out of action; further move expected today. Day 16 : FSp : | ||||
| one post deployed at 1200hrs on PIERREFITTE EN CINGLAIS church 0037 to | ||||
| cover zone OUILLY - LE HAUT D'OUILLY reported this area successfully | ||||
| attacked and in our hands by 1400hrs. Post withdrawn at 1430 hrs. | ||||
| 037428 | RHQ also SRg tp C and D moved to new location 037428. Night 16/17 Aug, | |||
| 53 Bty, FSp : short base deployed 071 340 M HBs located 4 (3A, 1B) | ||||
| 069 343 S | ||||
| 073385 | Heavy interference on radio. Survey : report centre moved back to 073385 | |||
| Day 17 : FSp : S/base in action, also single Op at 089372. Survey : many | ||||
| points fixed X 123 - X 134, all sun bg. Night 16/17 : 54 Bty, NTR. Day | ||||
| 17 | 17, FSp : Tac HQ att to 177 Bde at Le HAUT d'OUILLY 015343 with C post | |||
| forward at 017339. B post with 56 Bde at 049355 with D post forward at | ||||
| 057330. Svy : one section decentralised to regts. Night 17/18, 52 Bty: | ||||
| fluid situation and rapid leapfrogging of regts. Night 17/18, 53 Bty : | ||||
| FSp, short base being withdrawn 1030 hrs - quiet night HB3, HB single | ||||
| bgs 11. | ||||
| LE MESNIL | Z tp and SRg tp supplied personnel for 107 HAA Regt Svy party and fixed | |||
| BPs for this regt | ||||
| 18 | 0900 | Z tp moved to new location 099372. BPs fixed for 67 Med Regt by Z tp. | ||
| Night 17/18, 54 Bty, FSp S/base at 037330. HBs located 3, single bgs 12. | ||||
| Day 18 : S/bases deployed in areas 105325 and pt 255 1529, instr obs on | ||||
| shooting area and 59 Div front : D post on 56 Bde front at 209 0732. Svy: | ||||
| Div arty on Div brg - carried forward to pt 215 0532 in anticipation of | ||||
| 082353 | fwd gun areas 0629 and 0728. RHQ moved to new location 082353. Night | |||
| 19 | 18/19, 53 Bty : FSp, one post in action at 116321, very little activity | |||
| two single brgs reported. A, B and C posts at HQ location. Day 19 : | ||||
| FSp : single OP at 417690 130255 : short base 178302 ; HB located 1 , area | ||||
| accuracy, much intelligence. Survey ; points fixed including BEECH for FSp | ||||
| Night 18/19, 54 Bty : FSp ; slight activity during the night, no HBs | ||||
| located but 20 single bgs obtained. Short bases are 160 288 068 344 ; single | ||||
| OP 116 321. Visibilty down to 1500x at all parts. Comns (W/T) - fair, | ||||
| Day 19, 54 Bty : FSp. Little seen of enemy through out the day, majority | ||||
| of Int concerened fixes and white flags ; zone of observation 59 Div front | ||||
| to objective. Survey - NTR. Survey pairs with regts not required as | ||||
| 117336 | guns did not move. FSp concentrating at 117336 | |||
| 021349 | Survey (less 1 section) at 021349. Bty HQ will concentrate at present | |||
| location. | ||||
| 099372 | Z tp deployed 5 BPs fixed on theatre grid. | |||
| 20 | Night 19/20, 53 Bty : FSp, posts withdrawn, NTR. Svy Tp Hq moved to new | |||
| location. Day 20. Bty expecting to move at 211000B to area 21286. Svy : | ||||
| fixed a number of points. Night 19/20 54 Bty, FSp and Svy, concentrated in | ||||
| present HQ areas. Day 20 : Bty concentrated also survey at 090398 ; FSp | ||||
| concentrated at 103420. Under command 15 (S) Div and at 6 hrs notice to | ||||
| move. | ||||
| 21 | Night 20/21 : 53 Bty, NTR. Probable move today 1000hrs. Day 21 : moved | |||
| 208280 | to new location 208280, FSp and Svy at old locations. Night 20/21, 54 Bty NTR. | |||
| Day 21 : NTR. | ||||
| 079352 | Z tp moved to new location 079352. | |||
| 22 | 53 Bty : NTR. Possibility if conditions wil permit that survey will be required | |||
| 211292 | by 133 Fd in area 2430. FSp moved to new location. | |||
| 207282 | Svy moved to new location. 54 Bty, NTR, expected move morning 23 Aug to area | |||
| E of FALAISE | ||||
| 23 | 53 Bty : NTR. | |||
| 251333 | 54 Bty moved to LA BOURDONNIERE 251333 at 2030 hrs. | |||
| 24 | Night 23/24 and day 24, 53 Bty, NTR, 54 bty deployed on SUN, MOON and STAR | |||
| 257329 | routes. BHQ remains at present location, probable move 1200hrs on SUN route | |||
| to area LE SAP 5859 via TRUN 3029, VIMOUTIERS 4964. Day 24, 54 Bty : FSp | ||||
| 406563 | and Svy tps with 131 Fd Regt RA on Sun route, location BOURDON 406563. Bty | |||
| HQ no Move. Reported that bty frequency 4290 conflicts with RA 15(S) Div freq | ||||
| 4310 owing to proximity of sets. Regt svy party from 117 HAA under instr Z | ||||
| 079352 | tp | |||
| 25 | 53 Bty. No change. Expecting move of BC and skeleton HQ later tonight or | |||
| early morning, remainder BHQ and residue of FSp and Svy tps to remain at this | ||||
| location with probable move 261300B. OC FSp with HQ truck, near link and one | ||||
| OP with 133 Fd Regt at 241301 moving with 160 Bde. Acorn of FSp tp and one | ||||
| OP with 81 Fd att to 71 Bde. Svy tp less two 3 ton trucks with 133 Fd at | ||||
| 241301 | 241301 | |||
| 54 Bty. This HQ moves on route SUN at 0630B, | ||||
| 897693 | 26 | 53 Bty, NTR. 54 Bty FSp and Svy tp HQs with 131 Fd now at 897693 B Ech | ||
| 853716 | with 59 Med at 853716. A OP with 131 Fd. B OP with 181 at 873693. D OP | |||
| with 190 Fd Regt 893747, expected to move today. Bty HQ with HQ RA 53 Div | ||||
| 881753 | at L'ORAILLE 881753, no move expected before 1100hrs. Intention, to advance | |||
| to thr river SEINE, take over from US Army and cross river. Comns : R/T out | ||||
| of range greater part of yesterday: ne frequency 7777 not yet tested. | ||||
| 955645 | 27 | 53 Bty: FSp and Svy tps in concentration area 955645 SEBECOURT. One svy | ||
| section to area 297843 28 Aug to continue work of Y svy tp 54 Bty. RHQ and | ||||
| 986714 | Two SRg tps moved to new location LES AUTHIEUX 986714 via Sun route. | |||
| 079352 | 0600 | Z tp moved to new location 814710 | ||
| 895712 | 1500 | Z tp moved to new location 895712 | ||
| Metreville | 28 | 0900 | Z tp moved to new location 277818. Section of Z tp fixed BPs for 3 AGRA; | |
| Ailly area 2782 | All BPs issued by 1400hrs. RHQ plus two SRg tps moved to | |||
| Metreville | METREVILLE. 54 Bty : BHQ at 254897: FSp will be withdrawn last light; | |||
| 276817 | int supplied during the day but battle front moving out of their zone. Svy : | |||
| 254897 | arty deployment becoming fluid : possibility of decentralising tps 29 Aug | |||
| 1 enemy machine gunner destroyed by OC B tp | ||||
| 29 | 53 Bty; one section of survey tp crossing the River SEINE with 81 Fd by means | |||
| of bridge at 3188 to concentrate over 2988 ; survey to provide in area E30 - | ||||
| 34, N88-90, move to be completed by 1200hrs. | ||||
| 1230 | Message received by radio BC at 1200hrs that svy section was held up | |||
| owing to trafic block - a 6 hrs delay expected - section going into harbour | ||||
| at 306860. | ||||
| 1700 | BC and svy section crossed river SEINE; remainder of Bty in present location | |||
| awaiting order to move when it will move with rear 133 Fd Regt RA | ||||
| Metreville | Z tp deployed in TOSNY area 3788 to fix BPs for 69 and 72 Med Regts ; BPs | |||
| 277828 | issued 1900hrs. | |||
| 30 | 53 bty : advance proceeding well up Bottle route; forward units practically | |||
| in GOURNAY, Progress on SUN and MOON routes slower: general area LYONS LA | ||||
| 483983 | FORET reached. Bty HQ at 483983. Rt sec svy 588106. FSp Hq and 1 OP at | |||
| 545064 | 545064 1815hrs moving to 578111 later. Left Sec Svy 4488025 at 1645hrs. | |||
| moving to area 4606 on MOON route. FSp OP at 429007 at 1700hrs ; probable move to | ||||
| area 4606 on MOON route. Intention : to remain at present location for the night | ||||
| 30/31 Aug. There is a general rounding-up of all snipers and suspects in the | ||||
| area. Two stray Poles (?) of dubious character were handed in to the Div cage | ||||
| by this Bty. 54 Bty, less BHQ and FSp come under command 7 armed Div |