The SRY in NWE in August 1944

Hi all,

August 1944 - was quite a month for the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry (SRY).

Mont Pincon (Battle honour), Jurques (Battle honour), Noireau River crossing (Battle honour) Conde-sur-Noireau, Chambois, Seine 1944 (Battle honour), Aigle, Evreux, Vernon, Gisors, Beauvais, Amiens.
A "basic" outline of which can be found here: http://en.wikipedia....ssing_the_Seine

The actions were fierce, the time was brief and the distance traveled (haven't yet found a good word for it! ) so specific details of the SRY's movements (particularly down to the squadron level) in August 1944 may be quite hard to track. I don't think too many people had time to keep detailed notes...

But ideally I'd like to try to tease out some more more detail on what the specific SRY squadrons, troops and even individual tanks were up to during this most interesting month.

And tie it into this topic here: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/57196-sherwood-rangers-yeomanry-sry-in-north-west-europe/

All the best,

Rm.

 

SRY links for August 1944

Books:

An Englishman at War: The Wartime Diaries of Stanley Christopherson DSO MC ...
By Stanley Christopherson, James Holland - seems quite good for detail on August 1944 for the SRY (Rm) : Englishman at War

Audio

Morris, Robert Malcolm (IWM interview) - served with Sherwood Rangers in Normandy, 1944 (details in Reels 8 & 9)
Morris, Robert Malcolm (Oral history) (20468)

WW2talk threads:

For some more general links for the SRY see: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/57196-sherwood-rangers-yeomanry-sry-in-north-west-europe/?p=665517

Nottinghamshire yeomanry 1944-45 war diary: Nottinghamshire Yeomanry 1944-45-War Diary

The Sherwood Rangers at Vernon: The Sherwood Rangers at Vernon

 

SRY events in August 1944

See also: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/57196-sherwood-rangers-yeomanry-sry-in-north-west-europe/?p=665518

And: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8th_Armoured_Brigade_(United_Kingdom)#Race_for_the_Seine_and_beyond

Tuesday 1st August 1944:

http://www.westpoint.edu/history/SiteAssets/SitePages/World War II Europe/WWIIEurope64.gif

Sherwood Rangers August 1944 route ideas 1 by Ramiles posted Apr 21, 2015 at 5:54 PM

[sharedmedia=gallery:images:28213]

Cahagnes, Bois Du Homme,

Wednesday 2nd August 1944

The SRY advanced in moonlight with the 7th Hampshires riding on the backs of their tanks to capture the town of Jurques (and won a Battle Honour there), after which, overcoming determined German resistance the towns of La Bigne and Loisonniers were captured during the day.

Thursday 3rd August 1944

The SRY moved on from La Bigne, taking the road towards Ondefontaine, the route here was a narrow hedge lined one through the Bois de Buron, in which wood the Germans had concealed observation points and tanks, causing the SRY advance to slow, delaying the capture of Ondefontaine and preventing it that evening (i.e. see: Englishman at War )

Friday 4th August 1944

After a heavy allied artillery barrage "C" squadron SRY took the lead of the SRY and helped to capture the village of Ondefontaine.

Saturday 5th August 1944:

http://ww2talk.com/forums/index.php...attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=84906

Ondefontaine (i.e. see: Englishman at War ) & http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/408...osq-6-8-aug-1944/?hl=ondefontaine#entry491462

Sunday 6th August 1944:

Planning for Operation Blackwater (the drive south to Conde-sur-Noireau)

Monday 7th August 1944:

East of Ondefontaine - Mention of being withdrawn from battle for 4 days of rest and recuperation here:
Tank Action

Tuesday 8th August to Friday 11th August 1944:

Coulvain (5 miles to the rear for "rest")

Saturday 12th August 1944: Le Plessis Grimoult

Sherwood Rangers August 1944 route ideas 2 by Ramiles posted Apr 21, 2015 at 6:55 PM

[sharedmedia=gallery:images:28219]


Sunday 13th August 1944: Preparations for an attack on Proussay

Monday 14th August 1944: http://www.westpoint.edu/history/SiteAssets/SitePages/World War II Europe/WWIIEurope65.gif

14: Proussy, Les Haies to Point 201. "B" squadron SRY with 4 Hants advanced to Les Haies where they were opposed by what was referred to as a "small" enemy regiment with SP and anti-tank guns but managed to reach their objectives albeit with the loss of 2 tanks destroyed and 2 damaged. A number of enemy POW's were taken. (Lt. Cameron SRY (formerly 24th L) WIA, Trooper Baxter (formerly 24th L) KIA), Trooper Eley (formerly 24th L) KIA). "C" squadron SRY with 4 Dorsets took Pt. 201.

Baxter: Casualty Details

Eley: Casualty Details


Tuesday 15th August 1944:

15: Conde-sur-Noireau (The bridge here had been blown by the retreating Germans).
16: Crossing Noireau; "C" squadron SRY moved across the Noireau at first light and moved up the steep, almost impassable terrain towards Berjou with DCLI (Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry) riding on the backs of the tanks. They methodically destroyed 10 German machine gun nests but in so doing lost 6 tanks damaged (3 of which however were able to be fixed in less than half a day). Following SRY troops also had several tanks damaged by infantry and mines, with at least one tank "brewed up" with the entire crew killed by mortars and small arms fire apparently whilst bailing out.

Sherwood Rangers August 1944 route ideas 3 by Ramiles posted Apr 21, 2015 at 6:48 PM

[sharedmedia=gallery:images:28218]


17: Berjou (See http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/23915-sherwood-rangers-yeomanry-in-normandyberjou-16-8-44/?hl=noireau#entry291641 ), Horine La Chardonne. In summary the cost of the last five days fighting to the SRY was reported to have been "25 casualties, 2 tanks destroyed and 5 damaged most of which will run again." The SRY "helped to take several hundreds of prisoners and the part played by C squadron in crossing the Noireau and dominating the high ridge to the south has been a triumph of determination and grit over almost impossible country."
18: Same area
19: Operation order "Kitten" (i.e. see: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=daO2AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA534&lpg=PA534&dq=Operation+Kitten+Normandy&source=bl&ots=gRo7CkoLrL&sig=ax_HsTManCZv5R-QnWfKq29u63M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1jk2VbHGKoqV7AailIG4Dg&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Operation%20Kitten%20Normandy&f=false )
20: Just north of Ste.Honorine la Chadonne
21: Same area

Tuesday 22nd August 1944: Gives a general "idea": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6th_Ai...ile:1st_Canadian_Army_advance_in_Normandy.jpg

22: Same area due to move orders cancelled
23: Courtelles, Habloville ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habloville ), Chambois (Nb. For miles on either side of Chambois the roads and fields were littered with dead soldiers, dead horses and smashed equipment; the scenes of chaos belied description, as also did the stench.)

Sherwood Rangers August 1944 route ideas 4 by Ramiles posted Apr 21, 2015 at 6:32 PM

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24-25: Almost 3 miles east of L’Aigle

Friday 25th August 1944: (Nb: German surrender of Paris: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_of_Paris#German_surrender_.2825_August.29 )

25: SRY almost 3 miles east of L’Aigle. Conference at Bde. HQ

Saturday 26th August 1944: http://www.westpoint.edu/history/SiteAssets/SitePages/World War II Europe/WWIIEurope66.gif

Sherwood Rangers August 1944 route ideas 5 by Ramiles posted Apr 21, 2015 at 6:32 PM

[sharedmedia=gallery:images:28217]

26: Maintenance then to the Seine at Vernon

27: Crossing the Seine (Nb. thread here: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/7978-seine-crossing-vernon-1944-2007/?hl=vernon )

28: Increasing the bridgehead over the Seine

29: On route to Amiens

30: SRY leaguered 5 miles north of Beauvais

31: St.Sauflieurs (??? P'haps St.Sauvear - just to the nw of Amiens ???), orders to cross the Somme and then push north.

And on into September: The SRY in NWE in September 1944

 

Berjou discussed at length:

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/23915-sherwood-rangers-yeomanry-in-normandyberjou-16-8-44/?hl=noireau#entry291641

 

Thanks idler,

re. Berjou, that's a great link. (I'll attach it as a forward to link to some of the comments in my posts above )

I guess some of those commenting on it back a while ago might be good contacts for further research - I think I have some info on what "B" squad SRY were up to at Berjou, so I might try to add something to it there,

All the best,

Rm.

 

There's a nice IWM picture from "Owen" of military traffic on a road near Jurques here on the 6th August 1944.

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/56431-military-traffic-on-the-continent-during-the-war/?p=657163

& originally at: THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944 (B 8745)

The SRY fought to help liberate Jurques on the 2nd August 1944 - and I don't know if they did - but the SRY may have passed this way!

It looks like you could make some speed on a road like this, but I guess the chances were that an enemy might pop up or out from behind any bush, ditch or tree, or be sitting waiting by the window of any house or foxhole/pillbox.

Some other IWN "Jurques" related info the "Jurques" tag found:
Search Our Collections | Imperial War Museums

i.e.

Audio: Hingston, Frederick Bouverie (Oral history) (27192)
Hingston, Frederick Bouverie (IWM interview)
British officer commanded B Coy, 5th Bn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in North West Europe, 1944

Audio: Morris, Robert Malcolm (Oral history) (20468)
Morris, Robert Malcolm (IWM interview)
British bandboy served with 7th Hussars in Egypt, 1939-1942; trooper served with 7th Hussars, 7th Armoured Bde in Burma, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt, 1942-1944; served with Sherwood Rangers in Normandy, 1944

Film (description only available at the mo.): THE 43RD (WESSEX) DIVISION ADVANCES TOWARDS THE MONT PINCON MASSIF [Allocated Title] (A70 109-6)
THE 43RD (WESSEX) DIVISION ADVANCES TOWARDS THE MONT PINCON MASSIF [Allocated Title]
After driving out its 21st Panzer Division defenders, 43rd Division's 130th Brigade takes possession of the village of Jurques.

Seven prisoners from the 21st Panzer Division (?) are led through the deserted and derelict streets of Jurques. A universal carrier rumbles through the village along the main road which continues in a straight line down into the valley below and then ascends the ridge overlooking Jurques a half mile beyond; from this view of the countryside some idea can be gained of the advantages enjoyed by an enemy equipped with excellent high- velocity anti-tank guns and moreover usually in possession of the higher ground. A discarded German steel helmet lies among the debris in the burning interior of a house. A Bren gunner serving with the 7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment keeps watch over a rubble-strewn thoroughfare in Jurques. A universal carrier makes a return journey up the main road through the village. A British infantryman (either dead or feigning death for the cameraman) lies before an abandoned Somua half-track APC which belonged to Assault Gun Battalion No. 200.

All the best,

Rm.

Ps. "Intriguing" detail ("somewhat") there at the end of the film description - "A British infantryman (either dead or feigning death for the cameraman) lies before an abandoned Somua half-track APC which belonged to Assault Gun Battalion No. 200."

I thought the camera never lies

 

First SRY Letter from Ben 1d8m1944 by Ramiles posted Jan 5, 2016 at 12:22 PM

7880500 Sgt.B.Symes
Sherwood Rangers
265 FDS.
B.L.A.
August 1st 1944

Dearest Phyl and Rob,
There is a nice big address for you. I’m not allowed to explain even yet why the change. As you probably known Regiments go in threes, The Sherwoods are sister Reg. to the 24th. I have all my boys with me, so it’s just a change of name at the moment. The application for a commission in the R.A.S.C. has probably gone into the waste paper basket by now, although I had a very good write up from the Sqn, “I can’t see them allowing first class tank commanders to beetle off” says the intelligence officer…

http://www.slang-dictionary.org/London-Slang/Beetle_off

(Says means "Leave quickly")

 

Looking at some IWM links for the SRY in August 1944...

Found this: The Armoured Campaign in Normandy

Which suggests that this IWM picture:
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944 (B 8588)
Sherman DD tanks move along a narrow lane towards Ondefontaine, 4 August 1944.

Might perhaps be an SRY DD tank....

There is also some discussion here on the same picture:
Pressed Steel Car M4A1s

"The British received 80 of the US converted M4A1 DDs, all of which were allocated to the 8th Armoured Brigade for the Invasion. Photos indicate that some of them were the large hatch models. Above shows an example in action with the Sherwood Rangers, the junior Regiment of the 8th AB. The unit was photographed on August 4, 1944 advancing towards Ondefontaine, France on a farm lane in the hedgerow country typical of Normandy. The "SCR 528" stenciled on the turret stands for "Signal Corps Radio Model 528," the standard tank radio used by the US at the time. For some reason, the British did not overpaint this along with the USA Registration Number when they applied the circle tactical marking indicative of C Squadron. Perhaps they used the SCR 528 in lieu of the British #19 on the DDs received from the US? Because the M4A1 DDs transferred to the British in the UK were not originally intended for Lend Lease, they did not have British WD Numbers assigned beforehand. A May 24, 1944 Roster of the Nottinghamshire Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry lists the USA Numbers of some of their DDs, and several are in the large hatch range, such as USA 3070473, 3070488 and 3070492. Photo courtesy of the Imperial War Museum"

 

The Sherman Minutia caption (at the end of the previous post) is correct: IWM B8588 definitely shows a Sherman II DD (large hatch version) of 'C' Sqn NOTTS YEO (SRY). There seems to be a '2' inside the circle on the turret which would further indicate that the tank was part of 2 Tp.

THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944. © IWM (B 8588)IWM Non Commercial Licence

The only other unit equipped with Sherman II DD on D Day was 4/7 DG which used a different turret marking system.

Michel

 

Thanks Michel (post above)

This ties in a bit with this: Sherman DD help.

 

Don't forget the excellent Stuart Hills' "By Tank into Normandy"

 

Another Excellent book on the SRY in NWE is Tank Action by Capt, then Lt David Render of A Sqn. it is an excellent diary of the campaigns and discusses a lot of personalities and the development of tactics plus the various actions fought by A Sqn.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1474603262/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 by

 

Albowie - thanks for the tip, I ordered a copy of the book.

 

You might also want to keep an eye on Karl's page at:
The Sherwood Rangers in NW Europe 1944/45 | Facebook

 

I also did a bit of browsing through:

Tank Action

With one or two mentions of the 24th Lancers in there:
Tank Action

 

Another book to browse, with a chapter for this period, is "Hard Fighting" - Hard Fighting

Johnathan Hunt - Pen and Sword, 30 Apr 2016 - 352 pages.

"This account, following on from Unicorns - The History of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry 1794- 1899, covers the Regiment's war service between 1900 and 1945. During the Boer War the SRY formed part of the first volunteer unit to see active service overseas fighting the Boer Commandos as cavalry. For its role in the ill-fated 1915 Gallipoli campaign, the Regiment was awarded the King s Colour and then fought Allenby s victorious campaign against the Turks. During the Second World War the Regiment initially saw service in Palestine, at the siege of Tobruk and the fall of Crete. After acting as Special Forces in Ethiopia, they were converted to armour and fought through from Alamein to Tripoli before returning to North-west Europe for D-Day and the advance to Germany. In so doing they won thirty Battle Honours and 159 awards including eighty-three for gallantry. General Sir Brian Horrocks later wrote no armoured regiment can show a finer record of hard fighting. Hence the title of this invaluable regimental history."

With Chapter 33: Hard Fighting

Covering the "Battle for Normandy - June-August 1944"

 

This letter again from early August 1944: There's a ref inside it that says "Tuesday Aug.8th"

780500 Sgt. B.Symes
B Sqd Sherwood Rangers
B.L.A.

Dearest Phyl and Rob,

The N.A.A.F.I. vans arrived so I’ve managed to get a pad. Envelopes are cheap too, so you can cancel the request for them.

This crowd is very good. They were in the Middle East so they are more tolerant than is normal. They also organise well, there is a concert this evening , George Formby, usually about six are allowed to go, but everyone can go from here, except the usual guard of course. I’m not going because it’s hot, I’ve had a wash down and washed my clothes and to see George Formby I would have to put on my clean clothes (I’m wearing Khaki shorts only) ride in the back of a lorry about 10 miles, and it’s the last straw to ride anywhere now…

…there is so much stuff on the roads and such awful dust, it really is terrible. The boys go to the baths sometimes and they’re dirtier when they get back, so we find a stream now.

I’ve just been listening to the 6.O.C. news. The Yanks are still rolling on, they must have masses of troops to back them up. It’s very queer going into some villages when the Boche goes out, sometimes they haven’t been battered, not a soul in the place, chicken, cows, ducks and of course a few cats. One wouldn’t be surprised to see a farmer or his family, but they’ve gone off to some other village, in two or three days they’ll all be back there farming as usual.

Not all of them leave their homes, I’ve seen plenty of children in the front line, we give them chocolate and Bon Bons as they call sweets, they are quite unconcerned about it all. Others aren’t so lucky, the Boche have left some ugly sights behind.

One chap gave himself up, he was a Pole, by what he said he’d been very hard at work trying to get in our lines without being shot at. It so happened that they had to change the escort for him which meant him walking around the corner of a building, someone must have been telling him some tales, he was terrified to turn that corner, however they pushed him around it and when he came back two minutes later the look on his face was quite amusing, they told him to put his hands down while he stood there, he just couldn't understand our chaps, they were fooling with some hats, bowler, straw and ladies, he must have thought us a queer crowd.

I am feeling quite O.K. apart from my shoulders, the sun caught 'im and the skin is peeling a trifle.

I did get a letter, readdressed, the other day, funny I should write that, they have just called me to get the troops mail.

The best way to write to Spud now would be to write to his home address as he’s moving about a bit.

Sorry to hear Rob was flat out, he just overtaxes his strength, the chump.

Williams, my driver, and I have been wondering about the day and date, I think its Wed, I’ll see if anyone knows. I’m told it’s Tuesday Aug.8th, the chap said he knew because yesterday was bank holiday the 7th.

I heard on the news that Hammond was out for a duck. Well, well. I wonder how many people were happy and contented watching that nonsense.

You wrote the other day that Mrs ____ husband had found himself a woman in Italy. I wonder what on earth possessed him to fool about like that. From what she said I understood he wasn’t that sort of guy, you never can tell.

The boys are having their local newspapers sent on lately as the news-reporters are sending accounts over for the local press with names and addresses of the blokes involved. Quite honestly, the accounts are quite inaccurate, not even basically true, a chap from Liverpool just brought one effort for us to read and there isn’t a word of truth in it, he says so. There was one the other day, just the same, all a lot of nonsense. The usual army line is to get accurate details and give them a write up, they call it “Glamorising a trifle”, and everyone likes that.

I hope to have time to write a few more letters in the next few days, haven’t been able to get them going lately.

So will shut up and go look around this little dump to see what it’s like.

Cheerio my darling, hope you are 100% O.K. Also that young man Rob.

All my love to you dear from your loving husband Ben XXX.


The War Diary for the SRY has:

"7th August 1944

1 Tp of B Sqn was sent out to sp 130 Bde to clear up an area East of ONDEFONTAINE. They knocked out an enemy S.P. Gun. In whole the Regs was very short of sleep and we were very relieved to learn that we were to have 4 days rest. The rest of the Regt had a fairly quiet day.

8th August 1944

The Regt moved back to COULVAIN (7654) about 5 miles to the rear. Here in very pleasant surroundings we are to (have) 3/4 days rest.

9th - 10th - 11th August 1944

Everyone enjoyed this period of rest and maintenance. Cinemas, an E.N.S.A. Show and mobile baths were arranged for us.

Lt Gen Horrocks whom we know so well, the new 30 Corps Commander came over to talk to Officers and N.C.O’s regarding the general picture of the war in France."

There's a few refs. in the SRY War Diary to Poles, at around this time, (circa July-August 1944) giving themselves up. i.e.

"On 231 Bde front a certain number of Poles have been giving themselves up. They said that many others would do the same but were awaiting instructions."

& "The Inf had a trying time, but more than 50 prisoners including several Poles were taken and many Germans were killed and seriously wounded."

 

This:
Frederick Jne

1)
Is it film A70 77-14 or A70 78-2. The online data make mention of the scenes on the grabs.

2)
Is it an IWM purchase? The logo is the same as the online films and was it online (it is not online now) until the revamp when I know for certain some of the films were deleted. That is some of the recent 'new' films they uploaded have since been removed. Up and then gone withing a few weeks.
Film A70 59-1 was put online and then removed not long after-good job I 'stripped' it before it was gone!

 

IWM has production date(s) - 1944-07-11 - on the A70 77-14 (currently not showing online)

The SRY wardairy has:

10th July 1944 - The Regt moved forward to a lying up area in area FOLLIOT preparatory to taking part in MAORI II. "A" Sqn will be with the Devons and B with the Hamps both of 231 Bde (5- Div) and C Sqn is on the left with 10 D.L.I. (70 Bde, 49 Div) in what is to be at first a reserve role. The objective for MAORI II is to attack HOTTOT and exploit the ground 2 or 3 hundred yds South of the TILLY Road which runs through the village.

11th July 1944 - A + B Sqns completed the first 2 of the four Phases of the attack with sp of an Arty barrage, but found the very enclosed country favoured the Germans defensive methods. The Inf had a trying time, but more than 50 prisoners including several Poles were taken and many Germans were killed and seriously wounded. We "brewed up" 4 Mk IV Specials and probably K.O'd another at very short range.

So close were the two "sides" that an attack by the R.A.F. with Tank busting TYPHOONS troubled us more than it did the enemy, though we suffered no causalities from this, several tanks were hit by small cannon shells. C Sqn advanced with 10 D.L.I. and reached the road on the left. A Sqn had had a very tiring day, but acceeded to the special request of the much depleted Inf. and left two troops in their forward positions throughout the night.


PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASSAULT ON HOTTOT (PART 4) [Allocated Title] | Imperial War Museums

DESCRIPTION
Object description
An 8th Armoured Brigade unit prepares for Operation "Maori II", 231st Brigade's assault on Hottot in which a mortar detachment is seen in action.
Full description
I. The cameraman surveys a Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry (SRY) tank harbour in an orchard outside Tilly-sur-Seulles. A tank commander from the SRY's 'B' or 'C' squadron clambers into his ex-DD Sherman tank, dons his headphones and speaks down his wireless microphone to net into his squadron's radio frequency (?). The driver and his assistant board the Sherman. Filming through the commander's hatch and the loader's hatch in the turret, the cameraman observes a 75mm round being placed 'up the spout'. Three members of the crew clean the 75mm gun barrel with a ram rod.
Full description
II. A No 83 Group RAF Typhoon fighter-bomber attacks Hottot with rockets. A 3-inch mortar team from the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment's mortar platoon goes into action; the Sergeant in charge of the mortar section shouts firing orders. During a pause in the bombardment, a new supply of mortar bombs is stacked in the firing pit for ready use, while more are unpacked have propellant charges fixed to their fins and their fuzes set for firing.
Physical description
35mm

OBJECT DETAILS
Category
film
Related period
Second World War (content)
Creator
Directorate of Public Relations, War Office(Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit(Production company)
Parkinson (Sergeant) (Production individual)
Production date
1944-07-11
Place made
GB
Dimensions
whole: Footage: 88 ft; Running time: 2 mins

Catalogue number
A70 77-14

And...

PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASSAULT ON HOTTOT (PART 3) [Allocated Title] | Imperial War Museums

Object description
Elements of the 8th Armoured Brigade move up to join 231st Brigade for its assault on Hottot.
Full description
A Sherman ARV from the REME recovery section in the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry (SRY) HQ squadron motors along a tank track marked by white tape to join other AFVs heading along the Caen-St Lo road outside Tilly-sur- Seulles. Two heavily-camouflaged Shermans from the SRY's 'C' squadron (?) follow in their wake.
Physical description
35mm

OBJECT DETAILS
Category
film
Related period
Second World War (content)
Creator
Directorate of Public Relations, War Office(Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit(Production company)
Leatherbarrow, Richard (Production individual)
Production date
1944-07-11
Place made
GB
Dimensions
whole: Footage: 45 ft; Running time: 1 min

Catalogue number
A70 78-2

This one: PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASSAULT ON HOTTOT (PART 1) [Allocated Title] | Imperial War Museums

is currently view-able (as at 16d2m2018)

DESCRIPTION
Object description
The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry (SRY) move up to join 231st Brigade for Operation 'Maori II'.
Full description
Detachments from SRY's REME recovery section and LAD in the form of a Sherman armoured recovery vehicle and an M5 half-track motor along a tank track and on to the Caen-St Lo road outside Tilly-sur-Seulles with the regiment's HQ squadron. Three heavily-camouflaged Shermans follow in their wake.
Physical description
35mm

OBJECT DETAILS
Category
film
Related period
Second World War (content)
Creator
Directorate of Public Relations, War Office(Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit(Production company)
Carpenter, L (Production individual)
Production date
1944-07-11
Place made
GB
Dimensions
whole: Footage: 52 ft; Running time: 1 min

Catalogue number
A70 77-11

 

Then there is this... SCENES ON 43RD (WESSEX) DIVISION'S SECTOR OF 30TH CORPS' FRONT [Allocated Title] | Imperial War Museums

Produced: 1944-08-16 (But not currently 16d2m2018) view-able online.) - with related objects etc. on the IWM site containing some other view-able film around then.

See also: It seems - perhaps - that there is a page missing?

DESCRIPTION
Full description
A Universal carrier from the 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry passes 'soft-skinned' transport belonging to 214th Brigade on a road near Berjou in 43rd (Wessex) Division's bridge-head over the Noireau river three miles east of Condé-sur-Noireau. An infantryman from the 5th DCLI, securely sheltered from the effects of mortar and artillery fire in his slit-trench, cleans his Bren light machine-gun during a lull in the fighting. A Crusader AA tank from the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and a jeep move up to the front-line; a Sherman tank and a despatch rider head in the same direction.
Physical description
35mm

OBJECT DETAILS
Category
film
Related period
Second World War (content)
Creator
Directorate of Public Relations, War Office(Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit(Production company)
Carpenter, L (Production individual)
Production date
1944-08-16
Place made
GB
Dimensions
whole: Footage: 77 ft; Running time: 1 min

Catalogue number
A70 126-3