"We surmised that a big offensive was about to commence, but it was not until the Commanding Officer's Order Group on the evening of the 17th July that the general plan was revealed to us. There was to be a great armoured break-through east of the River Orne, in which the Division's role was to clear the Germans out of the Touffreville-Sannerville-Banneville area; to take Troarn and the bridges over the River Dives; and in general to secure the eastern flank of the break-through.

The initial attack carried out by 8th Brigade, was to be preceded by a massive aerial bombardment; once the villages were cleared, our Brigade was to press on, with ourselves in the lead, directed on to Troarn, and the 2nd Bn The Royal Ulster Rifles were to follow, with the task of capturing an important road junction north of the town. We were told that this was to be the decisive liquidation of Rommel's French armies.

The plan of attack was eagerly discussed in detail and we listened to a very full description of the defences of Troarn from an officer of the 6th Airborne Division, who had been in the town on D-Day. After putting the men into the picture we went back to our trenches to get a little sleep with the knowledge that in the morning we were to be involved in a really great battle."

WIG Wilson, A Short History of the 1st Bttn KOSB in North West Europe

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