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Sunday

9 July 1944

Start Location:

LEBISEY

34

War Office map with kind permission of Normandy War Guide

End Location:

CAEN

1stKOSBWarDiary

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.

D-Day+

33

9 July 1944

34

Caen - 9th July - By Sergeant Christie No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit - This photograph 4700-29 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums (collection no. B 6727)Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8420398

Alternative Information (from books, personal accounts)

The attack on Caen was code-named Operation Charnwood. you can find a detailed account of the operation here


"Then daylight came and the order to advance into Caen, a route which took us past the Abbey Aux Dames to the fish market near the quay (where Don Mould and other KOSBS were photographed) and where the real battle started up along the quay to the rue Gilbert and along to the church of St John where 18 Platoon suffered badly. I have retraced the route many times".

1st KOSB Veteran, Jeff Henderson


"Caen was 80% destroyed by bombing. 1st KOSB led advances over mountainous rubble including cavernous hollows from 15" Naval guns. The enemy rearguards were active."

Major Alistair Renny, CO of D Company - from Monty's Ironsides. P70.

KOSB badge on a poppy background

Died on this day =

7

KOSB Badge on a poppy background

Sunday

9 July 1944

Private
NORMAN
CLARK
14000067
Sunday, 09 July 1944
19
BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
Private
ERNEST
CRAMPTON
3189417
Sunday, 09 July 1944
30
LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES
Private
ROBERT DOCHERTY
CRAWFORD
3193884
Sunday, 09 July 1944
28
BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
Private
JAMES
DAVIDSON
14668876
Sunday, 09 July 1944
18
LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES
Private
JOHN COPELAND
FALCONER
3194031
Sunday, 09 July 1944
28
HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY
Private
JAMES
HARVEY
14283197
Sunday, 09 July 1944
20
LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES
Private
JOHN
McGINNESS
3192794
Sunday, 09 July 1944
27
BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY

14

Wounded on this day =

Pte. R Davies
4279231
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte J. Scott
3186161
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte J. C. Falconer
3194031
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen. Died of his wounds.
Pte. J.C. Brown
1547555
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte P. Phillips
2764234
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte. J.A. Rankin
3186650
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte William Green
14000041
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte A.A. Wright
3194987
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte. J Buchanan
14405402
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte William. Chisholm
3195524
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
L/Cpl J.H. Webb
2933439
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte David Henderson
14000095
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
L/Cpl H. F. Booth
3193403
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
Pte. J. Dempsey
3186208
Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen
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