D +25 Saturday 1.7.44
Stand to at reveille...but nothing happened. Major Holden spoke to us all at 2.30. Gave resume of present situation & our part in last day or two's fighting. We seem to have done good work... especially in repelling counter attack at Grainville. Reported that we smashed up 2 infantry battalions.
Grainville & Cheux now very important. Jerry anxious to recapture to break through our salient & eliminate bridgehead over river. So far, we have been largely instrumental in stopping him. Fighting has been bitter: Cameronians suffered fairly heavily. (9th Cameronians infantry)
A & B now officially "standing to" to help 7th if necessary. "C" standing down. We appear to be regarded officially as temporarily played out. Not surprised to hear this!
After lunch, troop officer informed me he was sending me back to B echelon for rest... Rather a shock to be so separated from the crew. But only for 2 days. Afterwards, I take his place whilst he rests. B ech. a few miles behind front... away from these darned guns & mortaring. Will at least get some sleep.
Later. Left F ech. about five... with all my kit. Felt a bit depressed about leaving those grand lads, but it wasn't good-bye. Will be with them again in a couple of days. Meanwhile, hope they keep out of trouble. Glasspool taking my place temporarily. He is in 15 troop... now non-existent. There were four of us. Lt Francis, & Tps Moran & Cruickshanks. Ferrers(?) had to bail out twice, & latter once. These lads who have bailed out on battle field have suffered terribly. Sniped & mortared ceaselessly from moment of leaving tanks. Had to crawl for hours on bellies through cornfields, mud etc. And they have seen some awful sights in their own vehicles.
Arrived B echelon about 7... at St. Gabriel-Brecy. Quiet & peaceful here. Village partly re- occupied. Many refugees here too. Given plenty of grub: fixed up rough bivvy & had good supper, including milk & sugar in tea! How different is life in this army! Bed about 11.0pm: raining heavily.
D +26 Sunday 2.7.44
Tea in bed at 10.0am! thanks to Bert Cousins. And then breakfast: fried sausage, sweet tea, butter & biscuits. Rain ceased: morning bright & fresh. Slept without trousers last night for first time since leaving England! Changed underclothing this morning. But still no chance of decent bath.
Letter from Jess this morning - dated 27th ult. She & Barry are well, thank goodness. Have done little writing myself for a few days. Cannot concentrate on letters: too busy dodging death etc. But will write her today.
Later. Wrote to Jess. Done little but eat & sleep all afternoon. Went into village after tea. Must have been a charming little place formerly: signs of many ancient buildings. Most of houses & cottages still habitable & damage nothing like as severe as at Cheux.
Lot of old people here... mostly refugees. Plenty of babies & young children too. The latter seem cheeky little devils: constantly begging ciggies... and they smoke them, even nippers of about eight. Presume their fathers are all in German hands.
Seem to be plenty of our aircraft here... probably defending beaches. We seem to have lacked air support at the front: perhaps due to weather. Ramshackle little cafe has opened up in the village: supposed to be serving some sort of French wine. Large crowd of our lads in the place: the three of us joined them & were served with a lukewarm drink - black coffee in appearance, but sweet water taste. Couldn't drink the stuff. Half tumblerful cost us 5fr!
Returned to camp to hear 9 o'clock news. Learned that Normandy front had been quiet: Jerry withdrawing from certain positions. This seems surprising: a large counter attack had been expected.
Sausage for supper & sweet tea. Bed about eleven. Am sleeping in tarpaulin shelter built as lean-to against 3 ton lorry. Not very weather-proof, but better than nothing.