D-Day+

H hour was 2400 hrs and the two assault Bns made a successful crossing of the river. Some mortar and MG fire was directed on the crossing places, and the parties provided by the Bn received casualties.

Lieut JW Skelly and approx 7 ORs were wounded. 2 ORs were killed.

At approx 0430 hrs the Bn was ordered to start crossing the canal on 2 LINCOLN's (the rt bn) front where enemy opposition was strongest.

Coys crossed in the order A, C, B, D.

The first task of the two fwd Coys was to protect the right flank of 2 LINCOLNS who had suffered considerable casualties during the crossing. The Bn was fortunate in completing its crossing under cover of a heavy ground mist and suffered very few casualties.

The advance was continued at about 0700 hrs with right C Coy and left A Coy, the first objective being the rly line crossing the main rd running NORTH from the canal at 427960. The Plan was to establish a firm base on the rly line with A and C Coys, and then to adv with D Coy up to the village of ACHEL 4297. Opposition from MGs sited with good fields of fire over open ground was encountered and the two fwd Coys had some casualties.

Lieut BL Taylor (sp) of A Coy was killed. (*Lt Rex Taylor)

The advance to the rly line was slow and support from arty and mortars was called for on several occasions. B Coy provided a right flank guard to C Coy in their final attack and D Coy was pushed through between A and C with the HALT 426960 as objective.

By 1330 hrs fwd Coys were established on the rly line, and shortly after that time infm was received that an armoured thrust was expected from the NORTH. The Bn therefore remained on the rly line.

At 1600 hrs infm was received that the armd thrust would not now materialize and the Bn was ordered to push on to ACHEL. Further opposition from MGs from the right flank was encountered, and the mortar pl put down an effective smoke screen. Under cover of this D Coy entered the SOUTH of ACHEL and by nightfall the Bn was established with two Coys B and D in the SOUTHERN half of ACHEL, and A and C Coys with Bn HQ in the area of the HALT.

Patrols during the night found that the enemy had withdrawn.