*1st KOSB did not complete their movement into the Vire/Vaudry area until Sunday the 6th of August, 1944. However, for context, we have looked at the initial foray into Vaudry from the perspective of allied units, and civilians.

Their movements across Normandy are charted on the interactive Google Map here

The build up...

Despite heavy British losses, Operation Goodwood had also led to very significant losses on the German side and largely fixed the enemy in place on the Eastern flank of the British advance.

It was Operation Bluecoat which would create the real breakthrough.

Bluecoat’s Main Effort was on the right (West) flank of the British held area and butted up to the US First Army.

ALLIED FORCES

The British attack was initially led by XXX (British) Corps, which had under its command:

43 (Wessex) Division

50th (Northumberland) Division

7th Armoured Division

On its Western flank was VIII (British) Corps, consisting of:

15th (Scottish) Infantry Division

1th Armoured Division

Guards Armoured Division

3 (British) Infantry Division consisted of:

8th Infantry Brigade

185th Infantry Brigade

9th Infantry Brigade

plus Headquarters troops, Engineers, Gunners

a heavy Machine Gun Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and the supporting arms

*3rd British Infantry were given the job of filling the gap between the Western edge of VIII Corps and the US 2nd Infantry Division.

              3rd August 1944

The first British Troops arrive at the Chateau

11:00

THEY ARE HERE! We saw the first tanks come down the road at 11am. Needless to say we rushed for the distribution of chocolate, cigarettes, candy etc. At the moment there are four tanks spitting grapeshot on all the bushes. There are still, here and there, a few Germans throwing grenades. 

It’s hard to imagine the joy we feel to see, for the first time in four years khaki uniforms and hear “How do you do” pronounced with a real English accent. 

These are the English and not the Americans. They have helmets reminiscent of German helmets and no longer their slightly ridiculous shaving dishes. 

Personal diary, Marie-Therese Gallet (age 19)

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary (location = Longraye)

14:00

Comd and BM visited Div and received orders for the move to FORET L’EVEQUE 6351 and were informed that no move of main bodies would be instituted before 0600 hrs 4 Aug.

18:15

Recce parties moved off and the bde was placed at 2 hrs’ notice to move.

On 3rd August we moved to the bocage country via Caumont to Vire area. On the 7th I was wounded and so ended my Normandy Travels. *(Possibly wounded by enemy shell fire in Pissot). Details here 1st KOSB Veteran, Jeff Henderson

               4th August 1944              

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary

08:00 

Bde moved out to new area and after an extremely “dusty” move re-opened in farm 637518. The intended location was reached at 11:00 hrs, but combination of circumstances, mainly hygienic, resulted in the bde moving to a newer and sweeter smelling area.

16:00

Armoured Brigade came under command 3 Brit Inf Div.

Bn localities 2 LINCOLNS 652521, 1 KOSB 645512, 2 RUR 638505. (St Martin Des Besaces, Longraye, Foret D'Eveque areas)

               5th August 1944              

05:00

"Around 5AM a noise and a shake more violent than the others [shells landing] makes us all jump. Doors and windows open, some are torn. Many of the windows fall, plaster tumbles and the cornices of cupboards fall. The roof was literally raised and then fell, there are cracks everywhere. We decide to go to the trenches [in the garden]. We remain in the trenches until 7pm and then, the battle having subsided, we go out one after the other and go home to eat and have a quick toilet. We then learn that the bridge over the road blew up……… for the moment we hear no more cannon, only an uninterrupted roll of tanks on the road. I think that today we will see the arrival of the English, definitively this time". 

Marie-Thérèse Gallet (age 19)

“Once Caen was cleared, the British were able to reach Saint-Martin-des-Besaces, north of Vaudry, where German troops were safely entrenched on the Perrier Ridge facing where we now live. This chateau sits right in the gap where Operation Bluecoat took place in July and August 1944.”

At that time, the chateau was owned by the Gallet family, part of the luxury perfumiers Roger & Gallet. The Gallets and their 11 children lived here from 1919, with as many as 30 people sheltering in the property at various points throughout World War Two.

Brigitte Gallet published a book about their wartime experiences, named La guerre 1939-1945 telle que nous l'avons vécue (The 1939-1945 war, as we experienced it).

Nick Shacklock, present owner of the Chateau De Pont de Vaudry, 2025

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary

Another quiet night, with no enemy activity at all. This quiet life proves beneficial to all in gen, after the hurly-burly of recent life in the TROARN area.

09:00

Brigade Command held a conference with offrs of *44 RTR, who were to operate with us in the next show.

18:00

1800 Bde ‘O’ Gp called, details of op were discussed and the OO issued. *44 RTR were to be under comd for the show.

*44th Royal Tank Regiment

               6th August 1944              

After some very intensive fighting to the Eastern side of the front, the advance was approaching the D55 Estry – Vire road with 9 (Inf) Brigade on the Right flank. 

The Brigade consisted of 2nd Battalion the Lincolnshire Regiment on the right (West) flank, and the 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers on the left adjoining the most Westerly elements of 185 Brigade.

2 Royal Ulster Rifles were in Brigade Reserve around Montisenger and the Brigade was being supported by 44 Royal Tank Regiment and 33 Field Regiment RA.

The frontage of the two battalions was less than 2km, with the extreme right hand Company of 2 LINCOLN being around 100m to the right (West) of the junction between the D55a (Vaudry) road going South and the D55 Vire-Estry road. 2 LINCOLN were in periodic contact with 23rd (US) Infantry Regiment who were in the process of fighting through Vire. 

9 Infantry Brigade were given the initial task of cutting the Vire-Estry road (now the D55) and then climbing up from there to take and cut the Vire-Vassy road , which was a main supply route for the Germans. It was known that the land from the railway line was strongly held by the Germans and that the approach from the Vire–Estry road was very exposed to fire, which was controlled by numerous well sited Observation Posts. By the time that the Brigade forward elements arrived at Montisenger the Germans had already blown the bridge over the River Alliere at Pont de Vaudry making the route up the hill impassable to vehicles until a re-placement bridge had been constructed. 

08:15

1st KOSB War Diary

The 'O' Group moved to S.L. at 0815 and the attack with "C" Coy on left and "D" Coy on right commenced at 0845 hrs.

09:55

MONTISANGER was occupied without opposition. Patrols were sent out to the main road and river S of PISSOT. Two bridges (675340 - 666340) reported blown.

We spent the night, some in the trenches, others in individual holes right next to it, others, including me and the three little ones, in a large hole. This hole, dug by the Germans to put a truck in, is vast. We put a tarpaulin over it and brought straw mattresses and blankets. The day was spent in or near the trench. Around 11am we are shaken by two explosions and we learn shortly after that two shells fell near the house. The Wellingtonia and the Tulipier are hit, but the house received only fragments.

Mme Anne-Marie Gallet (Maman)

15:00

Both the Kings Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) on the left (East) and the 2nd Bn Lincolnshire Regiment (2 LINCOLN) had crossed the Vire – Estry road and had begun to infiltrate onto the South side of the River Alliere (200m from the front of the Chateau).

Until that point there had been little sign of German resistance, however the advancing troops had clearly been seen from the commanding heights to the South, and sporadic shelling and mortar fire began.

"On August 6 they successfully occupied Montisanger without opposition. However, later that day, two companies attempted another attack on positions south of a river near Pissot. They reached their first objective and pushed on but against heavy opposition, with many men killed, wounded or missing."

Geoff Hogg, 1st KOSB Veteran

An early casualty from this shelling was the Commanding Officer from 2 LINCOLN Lt Col Wilson. The Regimental Aid post was also hit wounding both the medical Officer and the Padre together with two Lieutenants. In addition Lt A Hempsall was killed, together with 2 ORs and an additional 12 ORs were wounded.

2 LINCOLN and 1KOSB were ordered to hold firm in this location overnight and not to advance or patrol beyond the Granville-Paris railway line 1Km past the house. The plan was that 253 Field Company Royal engineers would build a bridge over the Alliere during the night to allow (initially) the Batallion’s vehicle borne recce elements and later the Sherman Tanks of 44 Royal Tank Regiment (44 RTR) to cross.

2nd Lincolnshire Bttn War Diary 

The Bn was ordered to gain position astride the river to enable the R.E. to build a bridge during the night. This was accomplished by B and D Coys against slight opposition but troublesome shelling by enemy who held good observation posts commanding the river. Lt.Col. Wilson was wounded by shellfire and Maj. L.H.B. Colvin assumed command.

18:00

1st KOSB War Diary

An attack on positions S of the river (sqs 6734, 6735) was ordered at 1700 hrs to start at 1800 hrs. This attack was carried out with "C" Coy on the right and "A" Coy on the left. The two coys reached their first objective and pushed on but were pinned down by enemy MG fire from flanks when approaching the railway (sq 6737). These two coys made this adv against fairly heavy opposition, almost completely unsupported.

Owing to the blowing of the bridge (675340) and the speed with which the attack had to be prepared, it was not possible to get any sp (armour) arms to them except one troop of tanks which got over later in the evening, and, by a very gallant attack, saved the situation on "C" Coy front.

One complete patrol of "A" Coy is missing from this operation and many offrs and ORs of both coys were killed and wounded.

Willard Stanton Caseley Born in Mass' USA but crossed to Canada and joined up. He was part of the CANLoan program. Before joining the 1st KOSB on 23rd July, Willard was with the coastal artillery for 2 years (regiment not known). Was killed in his first attack.

1st KOSB casualties for the 6th August were:

14 Killed in Action

34 Wounded

Evening arrives, a few isolated Germans pass by us. One, carrying a sub machine gun, stops next to our trench and then runs away. We then hear the sound of a machine gun directed at our tarpaulin. It is the English. The tarpaulin and mattresses are perforated and I get wool on my head. Little Martine screams as much as she can. Her cries were heard and the shooting stops. We see four English soldiers carrying grenades who look at us in bewilderment. We scream “French” and we show the baby. We cry “ go away, you will get us killed”. 

Mme Anne-Marie Gallet (Maman) 

               7th August 1944              

08:00

The initial plan was that 253 Fd Coy RE would lay a Valentine Tank Bridge over the Alliere to the West of the destroyed bridge (to allow the lighter vehicles to cross) and create a ford using repurposed ramps from a Horsa Glider.

No 1 Platoon (1 PL) were to begin to build a 60 foot Bailey Bridge to carry the heavy vehicles. However, as the bridging site was overlooked by well sited German Observation Posts (OPs), it proved impossible to start the work until 0800 on the morning of the 7th and the work was incredibly dangerous. Only three men at a time were allowed to work on the abutments of the bridge as the site was under continuous shell and mortar fire.

During the evening, the Recce vehicle of 1 Pl was hit by shellfire, wounding both the Platoon officer and Platoon Sergeant. 

A Lance Sergeant was killed as were 4 ORs, with an additional 7 ORs wounded. Work on the Bailey bridge stopped and did not re-start until 9th. 

A fatal mistake is made

10:00  

In contradiction of even the most basic of accepted infantry tactics, the Commander of 9 Infantry Brigade ordered 2 LINCOLN to advance alone to the railway line, which was around 600m away from the foremost Battalion position and then to push forward to the top of the hill. No orders were given to KOSB to advance on their left and they remained astride the Vire Estry road.

In support of 2 LINCOLN were a Squadron of 44 RTR and 101 Anti-Tank Battery RA, a heavy machine gun platoon of 2 Bn Middlesex Regt and one Battery 33 Field Regiment RA with self-propelled 105mm guns.

The advance began with C and D Companies of the Lincolns to the left (East) of the D55a (Vaudry) road and A and B companies to the right. A platoon of 253 Fd Coy RE were in support to provide mine clearance. 

Almost as soon as A Coy moved out they were mortared heavily, immediately killing a signaller, destroying the wireless set and temporarily blinding the platoon commander. They endured heavy machine gun fire from well dug in weapon pits in the hedgerows and on the South side of the railway line.

Two tanks from 44RTR moved in on the right flank to assist but were rapidly knocked out. The first by a Panzerfaust (German Bazooka equivalent) and the second by a mine.

After supporting fire by the artillery, 'A' company eventually reached the railway line, but by now all the Company officers had been injured. Two German machine guns, sited in the railway crossing keeper’s cottage took a particularly heavy toll. The remaining RTR tanks attempted to reach the railway crossing, but the two leading tanks were disabled by mines, which effectively blocked the (sunken) road about 100m short of the crossing.

The RE(Royal Engineers) Section attempting to clear the mines also suffered casualties. 

On the left of the advance, D company had initially made good progress to La Lande, however, they were unsupported on their left flank as a result of the fact that the KOSB had been ordered to remain astride the Vire-Estry road and they were rapidly outflanked by German troops, who were now firing at them both from ahead, behind and to the left. Two sections (20 men) of the foremost platoon had managed to cross the railway line and were effectively surrounded. 

At this point of the attack, it was decided that the attack was getting nowhere on either flank and could not continue without further heavy losses. Consequently the Companies on both of the sides of the Vaudry road were extricated back to the start point under a smokescreen laid by the artillery. Unfortunately, it did not prove possible to contact one of the Sections of D Company which had crossed the railway line and these were initially posted missing.

All 11 men were later found dead. Which was in addition to the other three ORs killed and two officers and 25 ORs wounded.

One of these soldiers was Private Arthur Papworth, buried in Vaudry churchyard. 

As a result of this failed attack and because the Brigade Commander had failed to provide support on either flank, and also because this was not the first time that the Brigade Commander had erred, he was sacked at 2200 that evening and replaced. 

From 9th Infantry Brigade War Diary for 7th August:

Patrols of both 2 Lincolns and 1 KOSB respectively reported contacting the enemy in some strength in area 674385, 657327 and 658326, the Lincolns patrol having met and killed one German NCO on their travels. A rather informative deserter from A tk Bn of 3 Para Div who are in the line facing us, reported that they had one coy 100 m South of rly 6632 and their 2 and 3 coys fighting as inf – this stresses the point that the enemy is finding manpower an increasingly difficult problem.

"On the following day, patrols were sent out and reported enemy still occupying the position of the previous day while a later patrol reported no enemy in a wood nearby. On this day, Geoff Hogg was out on a reconnaissance mission in a platoon with Lt. Alan McQueen Don. Lt. Don said to Geoff: "You will have to help me through this as I’ve had no infantry training." Geoff stayed very close to him after that. They came across a gap in the hedge and Lt Don was about to cross the gap but Geoff held him back saying there could be snipers about - but Lt Don said “I will just have a quick look." As soon as he did a sniper shot him through the head and he fell backwards on to Geoff. They carried his body to a shallow ditch and wanted to make a cross for him with a rifle - but being an officer he only had a sidearm which they left with him". Lt. Don has no known grave and was never found. He is remembered at Bayeux War Cemetery.

2 LINCOLN were relieved the next day (8th) by 2 Bn East Yorks and moved into Brigade Reserve. 44 RTR were also relieved by the County of London Yeomanry and KOSB were relieved by 1 Suffolk.

*This is the last day any casualties (KIA) were recorded for the 1st Bttn KOSB's time in Normandy.

               8th August 1944              

During the night of the 8th it became evident that there was a significant reduction in the aggression of the German troops defending the hill (it later became evident from heavy patrolling by 1 Suffolk and 2 Lincoln that very significant numbers of German troops had been withdrawn from the area. This was to the Mortain area to support Hitler’s personally planned and driven ‘Operation Luttich’ in which he had aimed to re-take Mortain and Avranches).

IWM Footage (above) The Germans retreat before the advance made by 8th British Corps and Vth US Corps in the Vire sector of the Normandy front, leaving behind them wrecked equipment and blown-up bridges. Dated 8th August 1944

2nd Bn. The Royal Ulster Rifles War Diary

The Battalion had a quiet day in perfect weather. During the day it became known that 9 Brigade were to launch an attack with two Battalions up with the object of securing high ground to the East of VIRE.

1st Bn KOSB were to capture ring contour 230 and 2nd RUR had as their objective the village of VAUDRY and the VIRE – VASSY rd running E to W to the South of VAUDRY.

The day was there spent in detailed reconnaissance of the ground by the Commanding Officer and Company Commanders and, at the end of it, the C.O. gave out orders to Company and Platoon Commanders on the ground itself.

Subsequently further detailed reconnaissance was made by Company and Platoon Commanders.

"Late on the night of the 8th August we moved through the quiet meadows and alongside the stream towards the concentration area for the next attack.

Once more a curious peace reigned over everything. The skies were rich with stars and the waters of the stream glimmered under the motionless trees".

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

               9th August 1944              

The construction of the 60’ Bailey Bridge recommenced on 9 August after a relatively quiet night. 

08:00

1 KOSB were on the South side of the railway line unopposed and the village of Vaudry had been occupied by 2 Royal Ulster Rifles without major incident, other than a slight hold-up caused by mines on the line of advance. 

"The dawn was dewy and fresh as we advanced again up the slopes towards the main road with the 2nd Bn The Royal Ulster Rifles on our left. To our surprise no opposition was encountered and, although mines caused some casualties, we quickly reached our objectives. The enemy's defences had given way, the Americans were holding Vire, and later in the morning we linked up with the famous Rainbow Division. The Germans had pulied out during the night and, though they had not retreated very far, we had no trouble in securing good positions astride the road, and in collecting a few prisoners".

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

Arthur Vincent Looker. Wounded Weds, 9th August, 1944. Arthur wrote a book about his time in 1st KOSB called, In at The Deep End.

               10th August 1944              

1st KOSB War Diary 

12:00

Towards midday splinters from two rounds fired by an enemy S.P. set fire to the farm building at Bn HQ. This blazed rapidly and was soon completely burnt out. Practically no kit or equipment was lost.

17:00

Two patrols were sent out each platoon strength, under artillery and mortar covering fire. The first reported the orchard at LE FAY 657307 clear of enemy. The second patrol came under heavy mortar fire on route to ROULLOURS and did not enter the village. This patrol had one casualty.

               11th August 1944              

09:00

An attack towards TINCHEBRAY by 3 Br Inf Div with Gds Armd Div on the left and the 2nd US Div on the right started at 0900 hrs. 9 Inf Bde was in reserve and the Bn remained in its area at 4 hrs notice to move.

IWM footage (above) Soldiers from the 2nd US Infantry Division and 3rd British Division's 9th Brigade (1st KOSB) share slit trenches and gun positions in the 'bocage' near Le Pont du Vaudry - 10th August 1944

               12th August 1944              

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary

1 KOSB reported that the German truck they shot up at 645314 three days ago, had in it a number of grenades.

"Mother enjoined us to move away when the soldiers were soaping naked in the river without worrying about the ‘civilians’. I do not know what Mother would have said if the had known that her daughter (me) had been invited to fire the cannon in Ken’s Battery in the garden. Fred, his mate, a funny Scotstman was in charge of signals, and the gun was firing according to the orders received by telephone. Who would have thought that the gun was fired by pulling a string and that the string was in my hand. When I heard the word ‘FIRE’ I pulled hard, whilst praying to heaven, given the direction in which the gun was pointed, that the shells do not fall on La Ritiere". 

Marie-Therese Gallet 

2nd Royal Ulster Rifles report:

"The only contact made with the enemy in this position was a strange one. Soon after we reached our final positions in Vaudry a patrol from "D" Company comprising Sjt Lynch, Cpl McDaid and six men on reconnaissance, saw moving Southwards from the Vire-Vassy road, a group of men whom they thought were Americans.

They called out a friendly greeting only to see the group spin round astonished, and disappear rapidly behind a hedge. The next thing they knew was that a shot from a Bazooka landed close by them, where upon they in turn took cover and returned the fire vigorously. They saw no more of these men who cleared out with the utmost speed and who can only have been a detached remnant of a Boche Platoon". From The Taking of Vaudry by Paul Scanlon

               13th August 1944              

06:30

1st KOSB War Diary

The Bn was ordered to take over the village and the high ground at VIESSOIX, which protected the left flank of the Bde, from two Coys of 1 Grenadier Guards who had had a hard fight to take it two days before.

The advance party for the move to VIESSOIX left at 0630 hrs and the remainder of the Bn followed an hour later. Bn HQ was established at 698317.

Slight enemy shelling after midday but otherwise a quiet day.

IWM Footage (above) A four-man FOP detachment from the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 3rd Recce. Regiment scan 'no-mans-land' for a Tiger tank alleged to be in the vicinity of Veissoix in 3rd Division's sector of 8th Corps' front. Dated 13th August 1944.

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary for 13th August:

1 KOSB at VIESSOIX with HQ South of church in village; and 2 RUR at Pt 237 6531 on main rd VIRE – ESTRY, with Bde HQ at 649315.

Div instructed that bde be prepared to move at short notice, reason being the enemy seems to be making a gen withdrawal and a pursuit on the lines of Operation "Wallop" is envisaged.

Highlight of the day was the discovery of 13 dead Germans in 2 Lincolns area - one of whom was a woman attired as a German paratroop NCO. Div were immediately informed of this interesting discovery.

The day brought very little event apart from the usual routine contact patrols with flanking fmns, i.e., US forces on the right and 2 HCR on left.

Operation Bluecoat paved the way for Allied troops to force the retreating enemy into what has come to be known as the 'Falaise Pocket'. The Germans suffered substantial losses, but even so, a large number escaped through France and into Belgium and Holland.

1st KOSB, their part played in the attack on the area of Vire, move onto Tinchebray and then Flers where they rest and recuperate, spend their time training and taking on reinforcements from other units.

CREDITS and THANKS

2nd Lincolns action, researched and written by Nick Shacklock, Ex Royal Engineers and Vice Chairman of the RBL Normandy Branch and current owner of the Chateau Du Pont De Vaudry. Special thanks of course to Nick, Geoff Hogg (and family), The Overloon War Chronicles, Jenny Anderson, Paul Scanlon (2ndRUR) and Normandy War Guide - who has a fantastic WW2 map of Vire area here > https://www.normandywarguide.com/archives/map-6f6