Extract from 5/7th Gordons' War Diary
During the day, the Signal Sergeant who had been the only man killed during the action was buried, and all the local population attended the funeral. A mass of flowers were put on his grave.
The rest of the day was quiet and for some unknown reason the Battalion was not shelled. Casualties 1 O.R. killed 4 O.Rs. wounded. Reinforcements 10 O.Rs from 32 RHU.
17 August. The Battalion stayed in the same area all day.
18 August. The Battalion were told that there would be no move that day, this was taken as a portent by the Battalion (now well trained in such matters) that we would move very shortly. Training won the day and we were ordered within half an hour to attack Granchamp MR 418919 that night. Casualties 1 O.R. killed and 7 O.Rs wounded. Reinforcements 1 Officer and 64 O.Rs. from South Staffs.
19 August. The attack on Grandchamp was perhaps the most unpleasant that the Battalion had in the campaign. The night was very dark and wet, but again the companies found their various objectives and again took many prisoners. During the advance the battalion was heavily bombed and there was a lot of shelling. Lt.Col.H.A.C. Blair-Imrie, MC was killed which was a great loss to the Battalion. He had only been in the Battalion a few days, but he had got to know all the companies and was proving himself to be a very fine Commanding Officer.
A young French Maquis boy, who had insisted on joining the Battalion at St.Maclou, and had eventually been given a battledress and balmoral, was killed at the same time as Lt.Col.H.A.C. Blair-Imrie, MC.
Casualties: killed Lt.Col.Blair-Imrie, MC and 5 O.Rs. Wounded - Capt. Jamieson, Lieut. Wisley and 12 O.Rs.
20 August. The enemy had given up any organised resistance by the morning, but there was still a considerable amount of shelling. "C" Coy and a troop of tanks did good work shooting up the hedges and flushing a number of Germans who were still in hiding.
A complete new company from the East Lancs regiment arrived and were placed under command of Captain Henderson. "B" Coy was disbanded. Thus the Battalion was made up to the strength of three Companies of 1 NCO and 5 men per section. The Battalion was bombed during the night.
21 August. No move. The forward company ("D") was attacked rather feebly during the night, but the matter was soon dealt with.
22 August. The Battalion now under command of Major M.H.M. Du Boulay M.C. was ordered to capture the bridges leading into Lisieux MR 530877. The entry into the town proved a simple matter, the order of march being the Brigadier, the Bde I.O., O.C. 5/7 Gordons and Lt. Col. Jolly ( commanding the attached tanks). This party was followed by a company of infantry then a squadron of tanks.
The immediate task was to make a bridgehead over the river in order that the Sappers could make two bridges as the old ones hand been blown up. The Battalion was quickly put across the river and took up its position. Soon, however, it was harassed by some German troops from an S.S. Battalion and then started a very hard battle. The enemy were the best that Hitler could produce. Owing to the very close fighting it was impossible to use supporting arms. However the Battalion stood its ground and the work on the bridges continued without interruption.
The Battalion was now very tired indeed but in spite of this many acts of individual heroism were performed. The Stretcher Bearers again did wonderful work, and no praise can be too high for what they did.
Pte. Redican of "C" Coy particularly distinguished himself by exposing himself to the enemy and firing his Bren gun in order to extricate his platoon from a very difficult position. He was wounded in both legs and still continued to fire.
During the night the firing died down and it was possible to withdraw "C" Coy in order to rest it.
Casualties :- Wounded - Lt.Angus, Lt. Dunn and 8 O.Rs. Killed - 2 O.Rs.
History Section Reference :
Subsequent Operations, Breakout
Museum Reference :
Gordon Highlanders - The Breakout
Documents - The Breakout