War Diary - 5 Coy RASC (Armd Bde) - 1944

Discussion in 'RASC' started by Tom OBrien, Apr 1, 2020.

  1. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    From WO171/2346:

    1 May 1944
    13 x 6-ton Macks delivered from 323 Arty Coy RASC.
    Coy location FERRING 529209.

    2 May 1944
    6 x 6-ton Macks delivered from 323 Arty Coy RASC.
    Civic reception held for Brigade by Mayor of Worthing. 30 O.Rs from company attended.

    3 May 1944
    13 x 6-ton Macks delivered from 323 Arty Coy RASC.

    4 May 1944
    Normal routine. Instructions received to adopt overseas method of pay accounting.

    5 May 1944
    Normal routine.

    6 May 1944
    Two Bedford Workshops lorries collected from V.R.D.

    7 May 1944
    22 x 3-ton vehicles to Ordnance Depot Bicester to collect stores for Brigade.

    8 May 1944
    56 x 3-ton vehicles to collect P.O.L. from Horsham + deliver to units of brigade.

    9 May 1944
    Normal routine.

    10 May 1944
    20 x 3-ton vehicles to Bicester to collect stores for brigade.

    11 May 1944
    Operational waterproofing kits for 145 x 3-ton Austins received.

    12 May 1944
    Inspection of company documentation by officers from Records.

    13 May 1944
    11 x 3-ton vehicles to Bicester to collect stores for brigade.

    14 May 1944
    5 x 3-ton vehicles to Bicester to collect stores for brigade.

    15 May 1944
    16 x 3-ton vehicles to West Hallam, Derbyshire to collect stores for brigade.

    16 May 1944
    Preparations made to commence waterproofing of vehicles on 17[th].

    17 May 1944
    Waterproofing begins. 10 x 3-ton Austins completed to Stage A. Twenty x 3-ton vehicles engaged in offloading 90 railway trucks of tank tracks and delivery to the armoured regiments of the brigade.

    18 May 1944
    12 x 3-ton Austins waterproofed to Stage A. Offloading of tank tracks proceeds.

    19 May 1944
    7 x 3-ton Austins waterproofed to Stage A.
    21 x 3-ton vehicles to N. Wales and Wiltshire to collect 1st line ammunition. Offloading of tank tracks proceeds. Orders received to concentrate on 28 May.

    20 May 1944
    9 x 3-ton Austins waterproofed to Stage A. Offloading of tank tracks proceeds. Orders received to hand in 112 x 3-ton Austins and collect 112 x 4x4 Fords. Units of brigade collect 1st line P.O.L. from coy dump.

    21 May 1944
    1st line reserve rations (compo) collected by units brigade.

    22 May 1944
    F.S.U.K. rations drawn for consumption by brigade on 23[rd].
    4 officers and 130 ORs leave going by train at 1900 hours for V.R.D. Shrewsbury to collect 112 Fords.

    23 May 1944
    24 x 3-ton vehicles detached to units of brigade for domestic purposes.

    24 May 1944
    42 x 3-ton Fords arrive from Shrewsbury. These vehicles are not waterproofed + approx 50 are painted in desert colours.

    25 May 1944
    The brigade is inspected by General Sir B.L. Montgomery at 1100 hours. 9 officers and 300 ORs of the unit attend.

    26 May 1944
    Waterproofing of all 6-ton Macks completed.

    27 May 1944
    Waterproofing of 3-ton Fords commences.

    28 May 1944
    34 x 3-ton Austins returned to 72 V.R.D.
    Company placed on 6 hours notice w.e.f. from 0900 hours.

    29 May 1944
    34 x 3-ton Austins returned to 72 V.R.D. 18 x 3-ton Fords completed waterproofing to Stage A.


    30 May 1944
    37 x 3-ton Austins returned to 72 VRD. Additional help obtained from units of brigade to assist in waterproofing.

    31 May 1944
    17 x 3-ton Austins returned to 72 VRD. All required vehicles waterproofed to Stage A except 1 x 6-ton Mack, 1 x 15-cwt Ford and 53 x 3-ton Fords.
     
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  2. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    1 June 1944
    Waterproofing of vehicles to Stage ‘A’ carries on.

    2 June 1944
    Waterproofing practically completed.

    3 June 1944
    Waterproofing completed by 1200 hrs. All vehicles loaded with 2nd line loads by 1700 hours. Orders received through SE Command for first serial to move on 4th.

    4 June 1944
    First two serials D 3005 and D 3111 consisting of 5 officers, 223 ORs and 83 vehicles under the O.C. left location for a marshalling area at 0530 hrs.

    5 June 1944
    Billets vacated by personnel of coy cleaned and handed over. Vehicles of 2nd + 3rd serials marshalled separately and ready for movement.

    6 June 1944
    Next two parties assembled at coy location ready for departure.

    7 June 1944
    Orders received for second party to move to marshalling area tomorrow.

    8 June 1944
    Second party consisting of 23 vehicles and 45 all ranks under comd Capt G.T. [Cand??] leave 0830 hours for marshalling area near GOSPORT.

    9 June 1944
    First party embark at GOSPORT and sail at 1500 hours.

    10 June 1944
    First party disembark in France 1200 hours and proceed to BANVILLE 945830. 1 x 6-ton Mack drowned during disembarkation and evacuated.

    11 June 1944
    24 x 3-ton vehicles loaded with mixed loads and standing by to join brigade raiding column. Second party move from marshalling area to embarkation point.

    12 June 1944
    Second party embark at GOSPORT and sail at 2100 hours.

    13 June 1944
    Second party disembark at 1600 hours and join coy at BANVILLE. 1 x 15-cwt drowned during disembarkation.

    14 June 1944
    Coy move to AMBLIE 946806.

    15 June 1944
    Third party consisting of 11 x 3-ton and 1 x 15-cwt vehicles under Capt. R. Poole embark in an L.S.T. at TILBURY.

    16 June 1944
    Coy moves to REVIERS 965815.

    17 June 1944
    Third party disembarks.

    18 June 1944
    Third party joins coy at 0600 hours at REVIERS.
    Coy commences normal replenishment with P.O.L., Ammo, and supplies in coy leaguer area.

    19 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Two days supplies collected from 55 B.S.D.

    20 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Units of bde replenished with two days supplies.

    21 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Refill with two days supplies from 55 B.S.D. 25 x 3-ton vehicles collect 4800 rounds of 25 pdr + deliver to 4 R.H.A. lines.

    22 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged.
    Capt F.D. Palmer evacuated to hospital in U.K.

    23 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged. 6 x 3-ton vehicles from 1667 Arty Pln loaded with 25-pdr ammunition for 4 R.H.A. attached to coy.

    24 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged. 12 x 3-ton vehicles from 1575 Arty Pln attached as 2nd line for 4 R.H.A. O.C. visits D.D.S.T. 8 Corps.

    25 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Bde rationed for 7 days for Operation EPSOM. 31 vehicles with ammunition and 14 with P.O.L. standing by to form mobile point. O.C. to D.D.S.T. conference at 1145 hours. Brigade under command of 8 Corps at 1830 hours.

    26 June 1944
    45 vehicles – Capt T.H. Hill i/c – move to 9377 to form mobile P.O.L. and ammunition point to move with 4 R.H.A.
    Coy move at 2000 hours to CAMILLY 955762.
    Ammunition point move to BRETVILLE 9372.

    27 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged. 3 days compo rations issued to all units of Bde.

    28 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged.

    29 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Urgent call for 25-pdr ammunition for 4 R.H.A. from ammunition point at 2130 hours. Empty vehicles to B.A.D. to refill.

    30 June 1944
    Coy location unchanged. 2 days compo rations issued to all units of brigade.
     
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  3. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    1 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. All units of bde ‘stand to’ from 0400 hours until 0530 hours in anticipation of counter-attack.

    2 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Rear Party under Capt Formby arrives 1500 hours making company complete.
    Dumping programme of 160 R.P.G. for 4 R.H.A. completed 2300 hours.

    3 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Time of ‘Stand-to’ altered to 0430 – 0500 daily.

    4 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged.

    5 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged.

    6 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Brigadier M. Carver – the new brigade commander visits coy with D.A.A. & Q.M.G. at 1130 hours.

    7 July 1944.
    Coy location unchanged. O.C. visits D.D.S.T. 8 Corps.

    8 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged.

    9 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Dumping programme of 400 R.P.G. for 4 R.H.A. commenced 0230 hrs + completed 1800 hours.

    10 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. All units of bde replenished with 3 days compo rations.

    11 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Ammo point moves to 932680 at 1000 hrs. Dumping programme of 170 R.P.G. for 4 R.H.A. completed by 1900 hours.

    12 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged.

    13 July 1944
    Coy move to 947763 at 1100 hours. Brigade under command 8 Corps w.e.f. 0200 hours. Bde replenished with 3 days compo rations.

    14 July 1944 947763
    Coy location unchanged. O.C. visits D.D.S.T. 8 Corps.

    15 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Dumping programme of 200 RPG for 4 R.H.A. completed 1800 hours.

    16 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Ammo point moves to 911683 at 1000 hours. Units of bde replenished with 3 days compo rations.

    17 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Bombing attack on Ammo Point 2300 hours.
    8 casualties + one x 3-ton vehicle destroyed.

    18 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. O.C. to Bde conference 1700 hours to discuss arrangements for operation CIDER.

    19 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Units of bde replenished with 3 days compo rations.

    20 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Balance of vehicles + personnel of 1667 Arty Pln RASC disembark + join coy.

    21 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Bde reverts to under command of 8 Corps.

    22 July 1944
    Coy moves 0530 hours to BRETTEVILLE 9471. Ammunition Point closes 1200 hours + vehicles return to coy.
    12 x 3-ton vehicles of 1575 Arty Pln RASC return to parent formation. Units of brigade supplies with 3 days compo rations.

    23 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged.

    24 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged.

    25 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Bde reverts to under command 12 Corps w.e.f. 1200 hours. Units of Bde supplies with 2 days compo and 1 day F.S. rations.

    26 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Dumping programme of 300 RPG for 25 pdr of 4 R.H.A. Fresh meat issued to Bde.

    27 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged.

    28 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Units of bde issued with one days F.S. rations.

    29 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Bde under command 2 Canadian Corps.

    30 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Warning order to prepare Ammo Point to move to area CAEN on 31st.

    31 July 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Dumping programme of 150 RPG at gun sites of 4 RHA commences 0800 hours.
     
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  4. PICARFOU

    PICARFOU PICARFOU



    Hello,
    Do you have August and September for this unit ?

    Best reagrds

    Franck
     
  5. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi Franck,

    Yes, here is August - Sep to follow:

    1 August 1944
    Coy location 940710. Coy on 4 hours notice to move w.e.f. 0700 hours.

    2 August 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Orders received to move location at 1100 hours 3 Aug. Lieut Q. Reeves posted to Coy.

    3 August 1944
    Coy moves to 746683 starting at 1100 hours. Bde reverts to under command 8 Corps w.e.f. 0800 hours.

    4 August 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Warning order to move Aug 5. Capt Wills posted to coy.

    5 August 1944
    Coy moves to 613476 leaving at 1430 hours and arriving at 2030 hours.

    6 August 1944
    Coy location 613476. Ammunition point comprising 18 x 3-ton loads of 25-odr for 4 RHA moves to 6738.

    7 August 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Dumping programme of 400 RPG for 4 RHA commences 2400 hours Aug 6 + finishes 1200 hours. Capt F.D. Palmer rejoins unit ex hospital in UK.

    [missing sheet from 7 – 16 Aug!!!]

    16 August 1944
    Coy location unchanged.

    17 August 1944
    Coy location unchanged. Ammunition Point moves to 0337. Bombing attack on Ammunition Point at 2130 hours results in 3 O.Rs killed, 6 ORs wounded + 5 3-ton Dodges destroyed – all of 1667 Arty Pln RASC.

    18 August 1944
    Coy on half an hour’s notice to move. Big demands from Ammo Pt for 25-pdr for 4 RHA. 40 x 3-ton loads delivered by 2400 hours.

    19 August 1944
    Coy location unchanged. All tank ammunition moved to Rear Brigade to from additional ammo point. One platoon of 170 Coy RASC attached as second line for R.A.C. regiment under command 4 Armd Bde.

    20 August 1944
    Coy moves 1300 hours to 072417. Vehicles forming tank ammunition point return to coy. New leaguer area very dirty + many dead beasts are burned + buried.

    21 August 1944 072417
    Ammunition Point moves to 2257.

    22 August 1944 072417
    Coy moves to MERRI 2557 at 1600 hours arriving at 1800 hours.

    23 August 1944 2557
    Day of rest ordered by Bde Commander.

    24 August 1944 2557
    Coy ordered to move to area 5259 at 1950 hours.
    Advance party leaves at 0800 hours. Orders later cancelled because of congestion on roads.

    25 August 1944 2557
    Coy moves at 1415 hours – reaches 4455 at 2130 hours + beds down for night. 26 x 3-ton vehicles carrying POL attached to Armoured Regts and to Motor Bn for replenishment en route. 38,000 galls M.T. spirit in 12 Corps transport go ahead via VIMOUTIERS and form dump for Bde use at 527587.

    26 August 1944 5360
    Coy reach new location – 5360 – at 1230 hours. 26 x 3-ton vehicles loaded with POL sent to Rear Bde at 8362 together with 2 days rations for units of Bde.

    27 August 1944
    Coy ordered to move to 938638. Advance recce leaves at 1400 hours. Coy arrives at 2200 hours.

    28 August 1944 938638
    40 x 3-ton vehicles leave under Capt Hills to return to F.M.C. and bring forward P.O.L. All units of Bde draw two days rations. Recce party leave 1930 hours to find new location i LOUVIERS area.

    29 August 1944 125850
    Coy moves at 0630 hours to 125850.

    30 August 1944
    Coy moves at 1830 hours.

    31 August 1944 468964
    Coy arrives at 468964 0530 hours.

    Bde under command 7 Armd Div.
     
  6. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    1 September 1944 468964
    1200
    Coy moves to 558053. 40 x 3-ton loads of P.O.L. sent to 7 Armd Div. Supply Point at POIX.

    2 September 1944 558053
    0900
    Warning order to move.
    0700 Rations and ammunition vehicles leave for POIX to meet + replenish Bde echelon. Bde revert to u/c 12 Corps.
    1800 Coy moves to 8135.

    3 September 1944
    0930
    Coy moves to BOVELLES [9980]. Supply and P.O.L. vehicles sent to 0576 at 1500 hrs to replenish Bde. Bde allowed 5000 galls petrol only for refilling.

    4 September 1944 9980
    30 x 3-ton vehicles under Capt. T.H. Hill leave on detachment to 44 R.T.R. who are detached [?] to u/c 53 Div.
    1800 Coy moves to BERNEUIL 025806.
    2300 31 x 3-ton loads of P.O.L. leave for Bde HQ to form petrol point. Bde reverts to u/c 7 Armd Div.

    5 September 1944
    0900
    Coy moves to MONT ST ELOY 415068.

    6 September 1944
    0800
    Coy moves to N of RENAIX 0349 [025806]. 30 x 3-ton vehicles leave 0430 hours to deliver P.O.L. to 7 Armd Div Petrol Point near AUDENARDE 056558. They return at 1500 hours + return to LILLE to refill.

    7 September 1944 025806
    1500
    Petrol vehicles return full.

    8 September 1944 025806
    0800
    75 x 3-ton vehicles dump loads, go to AUDENARDE, collect P.O.W. + transport to COURTRAI.
    1000 Warning order to move tomorrow. Recce party leave for area NEDER BRAKE.
    1600 Vehicles having disposed of P.O.W. return to LILLE + collect P.O.L., returning full to coy at 2330 hours.

    9 September 1944 025806
    Supply vehicles collect two days rations from LILLE.
    1800 12 x P.O.L. vehicles replenish 3 CLY near OUDENARDE.

    10 September 1944 025806
    1000
    Order to move to area ASSCHE on 11[th].

    11 September 1944
    0830
    Coy moving 0830 hours to ASSCHE 523631.
    Replenishment with two days rations at 4354.
    P.O.L. replenishment in last leaguer area.

    12 September 1944
    Day of maintenance.

    13 September 1944
    Bde passes from u/c 7th Armoured Div to 12 Corps.
    15 x 6-ton vehicles – Lieut Reeves i/c – loaned to 12 Corps for third line detail.

    14 September 1944
    0900
    Coy moves to 734693 MALINES. Units of bde draw two days rations and P.O.L. from leaguer area.

    15 September 1944 734693
    Day passes to BRUSSELS. 72 men of company went in. Rations + P.O.L. refilled at No.6 Army Roadhead.

    16 September 1944 734693
    15 x 6-ton vehicles released from 12 Corps third line detail return to last location, collect loads + return.
    1400 28 x 3-ton vehicles loaded with Ammo, Sups + P.O.L. as 2nd line for battle groups consisting of 3 C.L.Y, one company of 2/60 K.R.R.C. + 1 batt of 4 R.H.A. stand by for orders to move.

    17 September 1944 734693
    0515
    28 x 3-ton vehicles under Capt. Hill join 44 R.T.R. who come u/c 53 Div.
    0800 22 x 3-ton vehicles under Capt. Annesley join 3 C.L.Y. who come u/c 15 (S) Div.
    1100 Preliminary order to move on 20th. Recce party to 4078.

    18 September 1944 734693
    Bde come under command 8 Corps.
    1900 Order to move to area 3575 a.m. on 19th.

    19 September 1944
    0530
    Coy moves to K 345740 arriving at 1100 hours.

    20 September 1944 345740
    0900
    38 x 3-ton vehicles detached for 8 Corps third line detail.
    1800 2nd line vehicles of 3 C.L.Y. under Capt Annesley returns at 1800 hours.
    2300 Warning order for similar 3rd line detail as above to move at 0800 hours on 21[st].

    21 September 1944 345740
    0830
    35 x 3-ton vehicles under Capt Annesley commence 8 Corps 3rd line detail.

    22 September 1944 345740
    Normal routine.

    23 September 1944 345740
    1200
    1st party on 8 Corps third line detail return with P.O.L. from 6 Army Roadhead + commence return journey.

    24 September 1944 345740
    1300
    2nd party on 8 Corps third line detail returns.

    25 September 1944 345740
    30,000 galls P.O.L. collected from 140 Petrol Depot + delivered to 55 F.M.C. for 8 Corps.

    26 September 1944
    1700
    Coy moves to HAMONT K 500952.

    27 September 1944 K500952
    20,000 galls P.O.L. collected from 140 Petrol Depot + delivered to 56 F.M.C. for 8 Corps.

    28 September 1944 K500952
    15,000 galls P.O.L. collected from 140 Petrol Depot + delivered to 56 F.M.C. for 8 Corps.

    29 September 1944 K500952
    All vehicles other than those required for Bde replenishment convey rations, P.O.L. and amn for 8 Corps F.M.C.

    30 September 1944 K500952
    56 x 3-ton vehicles engaged on 8 Corps details.
     
  7. PICARFOU

    PICARFOU PICARFOU

    Hello Tom, thanks for the war diaries.
    I am looking for any documents or information concerning the 4th Armoured Brigade that fought at Airaines on September 1, 1944.
    Private Hubert Buss who belonged to the 779 Corps Car Coy, RASC died that same day.
    Is there a relationship between 779 CCC and the 5th COY? Or is it two different units?
    Do you have the wd of 779 CCC?
    Thank you for your answer.

    Cordially

    Franck
     
  8. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi Franck,

    Two separate units I would expect. Sorry I don't have any information about 779 Corps Car Coy RASC.

    Regards

    Tom
     

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