1st KOSB WAR DIARIES

"The Germans and their armour were never far away and there were patrols out regularly. We had shelling and casualties. The local chateau was the hospital then".

Anonymous, Remembering the past site

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary

Preparations were made for an advance to what had been planned as the Bde final objective - the area GALMANCHE - ST CONTEST - MALON, and at 1500 the Bde, still less 2 LINCOLNS, with 1 SUFFOLK under command and E RIDING YEO in support, after a preliminary RN and arty bombardment, attacked CAMBES. The attack was carried out by 2 RUR and very heavy mortar and MG fire was experienced both in the approaches to the village and in the village itself. By 1610 hrs the success signal went up, but some uncertainty as to the exact state of affairs existed because of a breakdown in communications.

It was later established that the Bde Comd's carrier had been hit and set on fire, and the 22 set with 2 RUR only got into CAMBES with great difficulty some little time after the capture of the place.

In this interim period plans had been made for 1 KOSB to advance into CAMBES and stabilise the situation. This plan was eventually carried out, and, enemy mortar activity becoming more subdued, the two Bns consolidated. 1 SUFFOLK remained with Bde HQ in CAZELLE.