Operation "Totalise"
Meanwhile "A" Coy were in touch with the Canadians on their rt. and "D" with 1 B.W. on their left, both having gained their objectives and the situation looked pretty heartening.
The expected counter attack developed at approx 0900 hrs on the 1 B.W. front. A number of Tiger tanks and about 200 infantry appeared but the mediums put down a terrific D.F. and tanks with inf on board were soon making off South. The Northhants Yeo. who were supporting 1 B.W. had a good morning knocking out 16 Tigers to a loss of 18 of their own tanks which they rightly considered a fair exchange. We had ample evidence that our 17 pounder will mince meat of the Tiger if hit on the side plates.
At 1200 hrs 600 American heavy bombers came over to support the move forward of the Armour who were to pass through at 1400 hrs. One stick landed in front of "D" Coy but caused no casualties. We later heard that two flights had mistaken their target to such a degree as to heavily bomb the Canadians near Cormelles causing very heavy casualties.
For the remainder of the day the Bn suffered pretty heavy shelling but at last light this ceased. The Canadian Armour was reported to have pushed well but the Polish Armd Div was not so successful and did not get on very far. We cursed them heartily at the time but on going over the ground later there was little doubt from the number of Shermans burnt out that they had had a pretty sticky time.
The Bn. remained in CRAMESNIL on the 9th August and on the following day received orders to move forward to attack some woods South of St. Sylvain which was the held by 153 Bde. This was a fairly prominent feature about 1,200 metres south east of the village and very densely wooded. Little information was available regarding the enemy and the plan was that 7 A.&.S.H. would attack and secure the left side of the wood, followed by 1 B.W who were to take the right hand side. Polish Armour was expected to pass through at approx. mid-day and push south. Zero hour was 0015 hrs and the Bn got on to its S.P without much difficulty, getting through St. Sylvain between the stonks and at the appointed time, moved off with "A" Coy rt, "D" Coy left, the Bn H.Q and "B" Coy in reserve. A Sqn of tanks was to join Coys at first light, also some S.P. guns. I should have mentioned previously that owing to the manpower situation it was found necessary for operation "Totalise" to reduce the Bn to three strong Coys and "C"Coy being weakest at the time, was temporarily split up between the other three.
Very shortly after crossing the S.L. pretty intense Spandau fire opened up from in front and on the flanks. Germans could be heard shouting encouragement to each other (or that's what we thought it was) and their 2" mortars were quite active. The forward Coys were beginning to get casualties, particularly "D" Coy, but pressed on and eventually got to their objective. 1 B.W had rather an easier passage on the rt and also took their objective. The advance was not a pleasant one for the fwd Coys and they showed great determination in a very difficult and unpleasant operation, with resistance heavier than expected. At first light prisoners started to come in and about 40 in all were captured that night. A bunch of sixteen were fired on by a Spandau which killed one and wounded three which we thought a typical German trick. O.C. "B" Coy with the help of two tanks soon dealt with this post. An unfortunate accident occurred at this juncture when one of the tanks opened up, the shell sticking a tree about a foot from the muzzle, exploding and killing Cpl. Laird of "B"Coy and another man.
The Bn objective that night was approx. the near half of the large square wood and at first light the forward Coys were to clear up to the forward edge and this was carried out successfully.
At about 1200 hrs on 11th Aug "A"Coy reported a counter-attack developing on their front which was accompanied by very heavy shelling and mortaring. About 200 inf. attacked on three separated occasions but each time they were pushed back. When the German inf saw that there was stiff resistance, they soon lost heart and one complete Pl with Officer surrendered to 1 B.W. A number of prisoners straggled in ones and twos throughout the action. Reports also came in of single Tiger tanks, but apart from firing occasional A.P. shots, they took little active part. Our supporting tanks knocked out one of these. "A"Coy, under Major Sloan had a very anxious day and put up a very good show, despite reduced numbers, the Coy strength by this time being one Officer and approx. 45 O.R.'s. The heavy mortaring in the dense wood was particularly trying to all three Coys. Meantime "B"Coy was ordered to send up one pl to support "A"Coy and shortly afterwards a Coy of 5 B.W. came under command and the whole of "B"Coy was pushed up to the woods behind "A"Coy. The rest of the day was uneventful except for the normal mortaring.
12th Aug. On the rt the Poles were carrying out a recce in force in front of 1 B.W and pushed down to (Bu sur Rousses) where they captured 200 prisoners. However a counter attack developed and the Poles came out quickly leaving their 200 prisoners behind.
History Section Reference :
Operation "Totalise", Breakout
Museum Reference :
Black Watch - Normandy
Documents - The Breakout