1944 - 1949
The definitive research resource for the 1st KOSB from 1944-1949
1st KOSB WOUNDED IN NORMANDY
Pte P. Phillips
WOUNDED - NORMANDY 1944
2764234
COMPANY -
Unknown
Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No).
The Black Watch
Date Wounded:
Sunday, 09 July 1944
Location (from War Diary)
CAEN
Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.)
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
HIS STORY
Patrick 'Paddy' Phillips wounds are mentioned in the IWM interview with 1st KOSB veteran, William Snell.
"I remember Paddy Phillips jumping and running, and this officer what was with him. Paddy got hit in the back with a bullet. We went into a cellar, there was about four of us, and we holed up there all night, and things quietened down.
‘Just before daylight we made our way back to Company HQ. And Paddy, he didn’t know he’d been hit. He said that he felt sick, and they found a bullet hole in his back. The bullet had lodged in his stomach."
*Quote supplied by author, Geraint Jones in his book, Voices of Victory
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WAR DIARY
Sunday, 09 July 1944
1st KOSB WAR DIARY - DATE OF WOUNDS
The attack on CAEN.
The plan:
The Canadians were to attack from the West.
The RUR's in the centre from the North.
1 KOSB from the EAST.
The Bn moved off at about 0930 hrs over ring contour "60", which was under shell fire, to FUP on the Eastern outskirts of CAEN. The ghostlike houses slowly came to life as civilians began to realize we were entering the town. They came rushing out with glasses and bottles of wine.
As the Bn was forming up on the start line and trying to re-establish wireless contact with companies and Bde, four Boche were seen to withdraw towards the centre of the town. Soon afterwards our HQ was mortared leaving 1 killed and 1 wounded.
The Bn then proceeded to clear the town. Little opposition was met. Progress was slowed down by snipers and an occasional MG.
Much assistance and information was offered by eager civilians. Debris and cratered streets also made progress extremely difficult.
We eventually reached the RV in the Old Town and established contact with the RUR and pushed forward patrols to the river. Patrols met quite heavy fire from across the river and a number of casualties were sustained.
