"Cambes had been a grim, desperate experience; Troarn would for ever be to us the symbol of our deepest tribulation..."

WIG WILSON

Bttn Padre, 1st KOSB

Tuesday, 18th July, 1944

*

08:15

1st KOSB War Diary

Bn left for assembly area near LE MESNIL (133727). After waiting there for a short time the move to FUP (forming up point/postition) was commenced.

Route -> HEROUVILLETTE and mostly cross country, almost due South to position West of TOUFREVILLE.

Enemy mortar fire was encountered on route.

"We moved off through the summer fields, hugging the thick hedgerows, to an assembly area near Escoville. For an hour or two we lay there in the orchards, listening to the distant rumble of the battle and every now and then receiving excellent news of the armoured advance and the 8th Brigade operation.

It now appeared that all the British armour had been secretly switched to our side of the River Orne and was moving up in tremendous force to break Rommel's grip on the Caen-Falaise sector".

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

IWM footage (above): 'Armoured infantry units assigned to 1st Corps assemble in the Orne bridgehead for Operation "Goodwood" as more reinforcements cross the Orne to join those formations taking part in 8th Corps' massive assault on the German lines south-east of Caen'.

"Moving through the ruins of Escoville the Borderers climbed a long slope and dug in amongst the cornflowers and poppies and waited. Casualties had begun to mount as a German OP in the woods to their left was bringing down effective fire and a steady stream of “moaning minnies” [*Nebelwerfer = 'Fog Thrower'].

IWM Image (above) - 'A British soldier examines an abandoned German 'Nebelwerfer' near Troarn, Normandy, 20 July 1944.

The CO Lt Col GD Renny was wounded twice but refused to go back, the Jocks were now suffering from thirst and the intense heat.

The message was received that 8th Bde had cleared the village of Sannerville, the CO ordered the advance towards Troarn, in the lead D Company moved across the fields into the village and pressed beyond.

The Germans now reacted viciously the lead Platoon of D Coy ran into accurate Mortar fire as it emerged from the eastern exits of Sannerville and as the rest of the BN moved into the village they came under fire from 88mm and snipers".

From KOSB.co.uk

"On the morning of July 18, the Battalion moved off via HEROUVILLETTE, TOUFFREVILLE to SANNERVILLE. This was the worst approach march the Battalion had ever experienced. It was a hot summer's day and having to follow the same route as an armoured Div and we were completely overlooked by the enemy. Enemy shells and mortaring was heavy and we experienced for the first time the enemy's multi-barrelled mortar (Nebelwerfer) - several casualties were suffered by the Battalion, including the CO, Lt. Col G.D. Renny. He was wounded in the face and arm but refused to be evacuated".

Notes from personal records of Major James Gray M.C. Captain and 2i/c of A Company

"You could hear the screech of the German 'moaning minnies' in the distance and you knew you had just seconds to get into your 'pit' [slit trench]. Even then you weren't safe. My best mate was killed when he ran back to his dug-out to fetch his hat. The shell landed right on top of him". Lance Corporal David Morrison, 1st KOSB

1st KOSB War Diary

Enemy mortar fire was encountered on route. The Commanding Officer was wounded but carried on in command, and other casualties occurred.

The advance to TROARN was commenced and after reaching SANNERVILLE "D" & "B" Companies pushed forward encountering enemy MGs, whilst enemy shelling continued.

After an attack by "B" Company the Bn occupied a position in orchard 150678. Consolidation was carried out.

"On the Monday (sic?) morning was the heavy bombing of Sannerville and areas close to Troarn, we moved forward through Escoville to Touffreville and on to Sannerville, the trouble was on our left, the hills and woods of Beauvent (?) [*Bois De Bavent] where the German guns were situated".

1st KOSB Veteran, Jeff Henderson

"During the morning and early afternoon the Brigade moved to a forming place about a mile and a half west of SANNERVILLE. The 1st Kings Own Scottish Borderers supported by the tanks of the East Riding Yeomanry advanced. Both tanks and infantry had considerable difficulty getting through the rubble of SANNERVILLE."

Christopher Dunphie The Pendulum of Battle 2004, p136

16:00

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary:

The Bde adv on TROARN began with LEFT 2 RUR and RIGHT 1 KOSB.

"Our next objective was a place which any 1st Battalion soldier will never forget. We were in an orchard with clumps of trees on three sides and a railway line between between us and the Germans. The first two companies moved out and were immediately caught in devastating machine gun fire. The third company also ran into accurate fire from mortars and machine guns and all companies suffered heavy casualties.

We went forward accompanied by three Sherman tanks belonging to an independent brigade. The first Sherman led the attack but it was hit and slewed around on fire. The second tank didn't even fire a shot before it too received a direct hit. As the smoke cleared the third Sherman fired a couple of shots, and a few rounds from its machine gun and the commander must have seen what kind of opposition faced him.

There was a battery of anti tank guns, backed up by self propelled heavy armour and we suspected that the mighty Tigers were not too far away. The Sherman withdrew quickly into the woods to seek some kind of cover. We had to make a run for it and managed despite the heavy fire to reach the edge of the woods, near the curving railway line.

We sorted ourselves out and took up a defensive position with the embankment between us and the advancing Germans. We were lucky they did not counter attack. We had lost two tanks and had over forty casualties. This all took place within the space of less than an hour.

The place was called TROARN and we wont ever forget it".

In at the deep end, page 45. Arthur V Looker, 1st KOSB veteran

17:05

2 RUR [2nd Bttn Royal Ulster Rifles], whose first objective was the brickworks WEST of TROARN, were on the fwd edge of SANNERVILLE, their progress being greatly impeded by craters produced by the morning's air bombardment.

As daylight began to fade the Rifle Companies edged their way forward through farmyards and along the railway line. Control was difficult the rubble and destruction was everywhere, the Jocks were fatigued, and the only consolation was that the Germans were confused as well with many prisoners being taken.

By last light the Borderers had pushed the Germans from the orchards and farms between Sannerville and Troarn but were held up by well sited machine guns along the sunken road and various strongpoints on the edge of town.

Casualties were mounting and could not be moved to the rear, rations, water and ammunition were running low, and nothing could get forward due to the terrain. The Borderers were ordered to dig in and attack again in the morning.

A difficult night ensued continual enemy fire, fatigue meant many men never dug in, the mosquitoes descended and the many wounded suffered in pain. The enemy brought in fresh troops and strengthened his position and sent out patrols against A Company inflicting casualties.

19:00

"With the KOSB on the right and the Ulster rifles on the left the eastward advance on TROARN began. The KOSB had trouble bridging the stream on the main BANNEVILLE-TROARN road and eventually at 7pm, crossed by a scissor bridge erected by the Ulsters. To attack LA CROIX DE PIERRE which they took at last light consolidating in the orchard".

Assault Division Norman Scarfe 1947 p76

"Despite many attempts to the Borderers had failed to cross the river Cours *(Cours de Janville). Brigadier Orr ordered them to break contact in the south move North and cross by the Ulster Rifles bridge and then drop down to resume their advance".

The Pendulum of Battle Christopher Dunphie 2004 p136

21:30

"The Borderers had taken LA CROIX DE PIERRE a small clutch of buildings about halfway between SANNERVILLE and TROARN".

The Pendulum of Battle Christopher Dunphie 2004 p136

"Lance Corporal David Peter was leading his section around the outside edges of what they had been told was a minefield when, three or four yards in front of him, there was an explosion which he thought was an enemy bomb. He was blown back into this supposed minefield and landed on his knees, fully conscious and with no pain. He noticed his left arm was shattered and pretty 'tattered and torn'.

  He checked on the rest of his section and asked if they could come to his assistance. "No' bloody likely!" came the reply.

  He took a deep breath and walked out unaided then was attended to by his comrades and a Battalion medic. He was given a shot of morphine and told to walk to the rear where there would be an aid station".

From Sandy Peter, David's son.

"The place was called TROARN and we wont ever forget it!"

Arthur Looker, 1st KOSB Veteran

19th July, 1944

*

07:00

First light saw the arrival of food and supplies, throughout the night, bulldozers had been out making the routes passable. The BN now prepared to attack with A&C Companies to lead and secure the junction while B Company would go through to secure the main part of the town, D Company would secure the bridges and eastern exits.

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary 

1 KOSB were close up to TROARN Station but encountering strong opposition and 2 RUR had reached main road running NORTH and SOUTH WEST of TROARN. The latter encountered an enemy strongpoint in the church in square 1569, a church which was to change hands continually for many days to come.

10:00

1 KOSB made a set piece attack at 1000 hrs along the road and railway axis, but met vigorous opposition and suffering 150 casualties, were unable to advance, being ordered to hold their position while 2 RUR attacked from the NORTH with 2 LINCOLNS attempting a diversionary attack from the SOUTH.

"19th July there was heavy fighting in an attempt to take Troarn - Lcpl H Hardman (nicknamed 'joe' because he looked like Stalin) was killed there when he tried to dash across the town square - two bren guns providing covering fire both jammed as he was in the middle of the square - he was cut down instantly".

Quote from R Moffet, D Coy 1st KOSB.

"I could see that on my right, D Company were being absolutely destroyed. L/Cpl Hardman was hit in the back. I whipped out my field bandage but it wasn't any good. He died 20 minutes later".

Sgt Fred Hartle, D Company.

10:30

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary

The gunners put down a 15 minute mission on the sunken road after which the companies moved forward under cover of the railway embankment.

The attack failed.

"It was clear that the enemy had appreciated our intentions on Troarn, as he made vigorous attempts to delay our advance before nightfall with careful artillery and mortar action.

"D" Company was particularly unlucky; its Headquarters was hit several times. Furthermore the Germans made clever use of their knowledge of the country: they booby-trapped a farm-house in which many men of a "B" Company platoon were wounded, and from the vantage point of a signal-box they inflicted several casualties on "C" Company. This signal-box, and a sunken road on the outskirts of Troarn, were basic and formidable elements in their defensive preparations and were decisive in the whole action about Troarn."

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

IWM Image (above) - 'Troops digging in a crater on the railway line near Troarn to make a platoon HQ. (Suffolk Regt.)

11:00

"1st KOSB, supported by tanks of the East Riding Yeomanry launched an attack on TROARN railway station and the main cross roads 200 yards south east of it. They met heavy opposition, but, after a considerable battle managed to capture the station. However the Germans held a number of well-sited positions with interlocking arcs of machine gun fire, and all attempts by the Borderers to push on the crossroads were strongly resisted. Brigadier Orr ordered the 1st KOSB to hold the ground they had captured. Having been subjected to continuous artillery fire throughout most of the day which had cost them 150 casualties, had been forced to evacuate the station and pull back some 300 yards west".

The Borderers in Battle, Hugh Gunning, P109

1st KOSB War Diary

"C" Coy were to take Station at 158677 and "A" Coy the X roads 161676. Both attacks were met with heavy cross fire from MG's and though supported by tanks had to withdraw with heavy casualties.

IWM footage (above). "3RD DIVISION'S 8TH BRIGADE CONSOLIDATED ITS HOLD ON VILLAGES ASTRIDE THE CAEN-TROARN RAILWAY"

"The wounded were crowded in a shallow fold in the ground which served as an aid post, and a shell which landed nearby wounded the medical officer* (Capt Peter Smith) and members of his first aid team. Padre Wilson took charge and with the stretcher bearers did gallant work under heavy fire.

Troarn Is remembered by the 1st KOSB as a place of great tribulation and discomfort".

The Borderers in Battle. Hugh Gunning P109

Jack Ogle was wounded and was told to go to the rear to get medical treatment. But, seeing the burnt out vehicles and continuous shelling of the road to the rear, he opted to return to his slit trench. His best friend Peter Cole was killed next to him.

Jack's Grandson, Martin Ogle.

Private Norman Bowie was critically wounded between Sannerville and Troarn. He had suffered horrendous injuries from gunfire to his head, arm, and shoulder. He was presumed dead and was left, as the battle moved on. He only survived because a Canadian [CANLoan] officer found him and realised he was still alive.

"With the help of a local historian and some detailed map coordinates we stood in the place where he was wounded between Sannerville and Troarn".

Rob Bowie 2024

The Bttn regrouped back in Sannerville where they would remain for another 9 days, enduring constant shelling and attacks by German patrols.

Finally, on the 31st of July, 1944, they moved to Bievelle to go into Army Reserve and celebrated Minden Day - the most important day in the KOSB calendar.

"The battle for Troarn and other areas around Caen was known as ‘Goodwood’, those who took part were the 3rd Div, 11th Armoured, the Guards Armoured, 7th Armoured. The battle lasted 3 days with the loss of over 650 tanks and 7,000 casualties.

After being harassed by mosquitos and German ‘Moaning Minnies’ we moved out on foot again to Bieville Beauville for regrouping and being given our Minden Roses 31st July to 1st August".

1st KOSB Veteran, Jeff Henderson

THE COST

July 19th 1944, saw the heaviest losses for 1st KOSB with 39 Killed in Action and 90 wounded in a single day.

Total casualty figures for the attack on Troarn were:

41 KIA and 101 Wounded.

Many of the casualties from the action on the 19th of July were buried in Ranville Cemetery and Banneville Cemetery

Special thanks to Rob Bowie, Sandy Peter, Rodger Moffet, Fallen Heroes of Normandy archive, Normandy War Guide, Rob Houston, and Martin Ogle for their information, and assistance, with preparing this page.

More about Norman Bowie (and the 'Norman D. Mouse' appeal to raise funds) on the Normandy Trust website.