Extract from 5/7th Gordons' War Diary
EXTRACT FROM 5/7TH GORDONS WAR DIARY
OP TOTALISE - AUGUST 1944
8 August. The battalion moved forward to the marshalling area on the CAEN-FALAISE road. This was an open field and there was a certain amount of shelling. Our bombers mistook their objective and bombed CAEN wounding our mortar sergeant who had gone back to look for a carrier. In the evening the Battalion moved through the 1st Gordons and found themselves in a wooded area MR 102585. "D" Coy were slightly troubled by a single spandau otherwise it was a very quite night Casulaties - 1 OR wounded.
9 August. "C" and "B" Coys moved into Poussy (MR 131565) where there was a certain amount of shelling. There was heavy shelling on BN.H.Q. area which had moved forward. The 5th Seaforths relieved us in the evening and the Battalion withdrew to a field just behind their previous location (MR 096587). This had been an unfortunate battle in which we achieved little and had a very unpleasant time. Capt.Sinclair, who had been Signal Officer since the early days of the desert was wounded and had to have his arm amputated. He was a great loss to the Battalion. Casualties - Capt. G.j. Sinclair and 1 O.R. wounded.
10 August. The Battalion rested moist of the day and was slightly shelled. Casualties 4 O.Rs killed, 11 O.Rs wounded.
11 August. The Battalion moved to Daumesnil and had a very noisy time as we were in the middle of the gunfire which included 25-pdrs Mediums and 7.2's, all of which were firing full blast. This inevitably meant that we had some counter battery shells landing in the area, but casualties were very light.
12 August. Brigadier H. Murray spoke to the Battalion before he left the Brigade to take over a division in Italy. He had been in the Brigade, Commanding 1st Gordons since Alamein and later leading the Brigade in Sicily. His exceptional qualities as a soldier and personal charm will be a great loss to the Battalion and Brigade as a whole. Casualties - 10.O.R. wounded.
13 August. Again another of sitting and being shelled. Orders received to move the following day.
14 August. The Battalion moved during first light to ST.SYLVAN with a view to attacking the wood to the S.E. In St. Sylvan the Battalion came under shell and mortar fire and suffered casualties.
The attack on the woods MR 157536 was very successful indeed and a large number of prisoners were taken. Our casualties were comparatively light in comparison but the difficulty in evacuating the wounded was considerable owing to M.G. and mortar fire. The stretcher bearers did magnificent work and worked ceaselessly all day. Pte Hutchinson did particularly good work. Some very fine officers and men were lost, but the morale of the Battalion was terrific and it was just such an action as this that was needed to give the Battalion the "punch" it required. Casualties - Major Glennie, Capt. Inglis, Lieut. Aston, Lieut.Taylor, Lieut. Birse, and Lieut. Scott wounded. 8 O.Rs. killed and 39 wounded.
Reinforcements - 12 O.Rs. from 32 R.H.U.
15 August. Bombs were dropped during the night but no casualties were sustained. The day was expected to bring enemy retaliation but nothing happened, we had a quite day.
16 August. The Battalion moved to Peroy MR248538 and settled down for a nights rest. This however proved to be wishful thinking, at 2200hrs we were ordered to move by transport to St Maclou MR 297547. The night was pitch black and the operation appeared to be as difficult as any that the Battalion has ever been ordered to carry out. However the whole operation went according to plan and "C" and "B" arrived exactly on their objective and completely took the enemy by surprise. The "F" Ech transport under Major Irvine was some 200 yards away from their appointed place, and found themselves surrounded by the enemy when dawn came. Major Irvine who was commanding them immediately took the initiative and organised his somewhat mixed body and in a short time the enemy were liquidated.
Meanwhile great things were happening on the hill. "C" and "B" were busy mopping up and trying to organise their positions. The I.O. was with them and found the enemy O.P. . He killed the operator and took up the telephone. He told the operator at the other end and (in bad German with a strong Edinburgh accent) to surrender and come in with their hands up. At first his remarks were received with Teutonic chuckles. Later however a voice of authority came over the wire. The demand was made again. This time silence followed by noises of considerable confusion. Then again silence. This was just one example of how completely the enemy had been taken off their guard. When daylight came there were no Germans to be seen, and the jocks could look around. Soon the civilians came out and within a very short time the "entente Cordial" was being sealed in cider, at the incredibly early hour of 6 a.m.
History Section Reference :
Subsequent Operations, Breakout
Museum Reference :
Gordon Highlanders - The Breakout
Documents - The Breakout