top of page

Thursday

8 June 1944

Start Location:

LE MESNIL WOODS

3

War Office map with kind permission of Normandy War Guide

End Location:

LE MESNIL WOODS

1stKOSBWarDiary

At 0715 hrs 2/RUR took over R. end of wood and the Bn moved over to L. end where further consolidation was carried out. Enemy continued sporadic mortar fire without further casualties to us.


Bttn passes through grids 017745, 017738 (village of Halt) and 015742 (Grounds of chateau). Takes cover in old German trenches and MT bays.

D-Day+

2

8 June 1944

3

IWM image of 1st KOSB training with flamethowers in Denmead, New Forest.

Alternative Information (from books, personal accounts)

"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.


KOSB badge on a poppy background

Died on this day =

0

KOSB Badge on a poppy background

Thursday

8 June 1944

7

Wounded on this day =

W/Lt. N.K. Mackenzie
293240
Possibly wounded by enemy mortar fire
Cpl R McLung
3189287
Possibly wounded by enemy mortar fire
Pte A J Penrose
3191346
Possibly wounded by enemy mortar fire
Pte J.P. Mill
3194193
Most likely wounded in Cambes area
Lt A.J.M. Brown
251848
Researching
Pte Joseph Bell
3194018
Researching
Pte Robert Lashley
3193996
Researching
bottom of page