Am looking for any information on the Mezidon/Mt Vigny fighting around the 18th August 1944. Have the war diary and an awesome website ( 10th & 11th DLI) Any books around to get some better depth? Thank you in advance!
Glad you found Verrieres excellent website . I have spoken with him and he has bits and pieces still to add, he sent this if its useful in setting the scene? "John `Jack` Dobbs was a former member of the South Wales Borderers who went to Normandy as a reinforcement . Leaving 34th Reinforcement Holding Unit (Thury-Harcourt) An inexperienced (in battle) NCO he was posted to no 7 platoon, `C` Company 10th DLI two day`s or so before Mezidon /Mt Vigny . Although inexperienced he was well received by the `Durhams` who advised him to cover his NCO stripes because snipers were very busy in the area. When `Jack` asked how far away the Germans were away he was told to keep his voice down because they were close enough to hear him ! Dobbs officer was another ex South Wales Borderers ,Lieutenant (Capt) David Stanley Morgan, . During the Mezidon battle Dobbs section were ordered to attack a Chateau in a wooded area which was heavily defended . He was apprehensive before the action and Jeeps ferrying the wounded back down and the sight of a tank crew burnt to a crisp did nothing to steady his nerves. Despite this when the Germans opened up with small arms fire his training clicked in and his preoccupation for the safety of his men and his own survival put all of this to the back of his mind . The heavy fire resulted in many casualties and Lieut Morgan eventually tried to extricate his men two at a time ,Lieutenant Morgans batman (also called Morgan) was hit and the Lieutenant put him into the bottom of a slit trench to keep him safe from very heavy mortar fire unfortunately as Lieutenant Morgan emerged from the trench he was hit in the thigh . Jack Dobbs returned safely to the foot of the hill where the Durhams had consolidated. Lieutenant Morgan was believed captured (served 9th DLI) along with his batman but freed when the allies overan a German hospital somedays later . About 32 reinforcements had joined the 10th DLI very few survived their opening encounter Dobbs believed he may have been the only surviving NCO. Dobbs best friend `Spicer`was hit and died later (possibly GLYNDWR PHILLIP EVANS ) " Kyle
perfect for setting the scene. I listened to an interview of Mr Dobbs on the IWM sound archive which was very insightful (less detail than this) he seems to have been very unlucky in joining the 10th not long before this action! Also the fact that they were soon disbanded too.
Jim (Verrieres) believes Dodds re-collection of the Lieutenant`s transfer to 10 DLI with him may have been a memory error because 98270 Morgan ,although ex South Wales Borderers arrived on 2nd July 44 a month or so before Dobbs?(Dobbs and Morgan both joined 9th DLI and Capt Morgan was wounded with them again) Another piece same source:- The 10th DLI were on the move on the 18th August 1944 At 08:00 hours, they routemarched advancing as far as Mezidon-Canon, which they believed had recently been cleared of the enemy. After a short rest 10th DLI moved Eastwards until they were surprised by a strong force of Germans near the village of Le Mesnil Mauger . The Germans began mortaring the main road through the village .` A ` Company supported by `B` Company advanced into the village itself and engaged the enemy Meanwhile a fierce battle was developing for the high ground of Mount La Vigne to the North East of 10th DLI. Around 20:30hrs ` C` and `D` Companies moved forward putting in an attack supported by an artillery barrage. Under the cover of a smoke screen 10 DLI gained a foothold on the forward slope on the feature. After heavy fighting in which heavy casualties were inflicted upon the battalion ,the objective was seized. Throughout the action the Germans used mortars and artillery fire to good effect directed into a concentrated area it was this that was responsible for a good many of the battalions casualties. At this point `B` Company were ordered on to the feature in order to help repel any German counter attack In the early hours (04:30hrs) of 19th August 1944 the enemy brought up reinforcements and put in the expected counter-attack A fierce action took place, many more casualties were inflicted on both sides. Eventually the 10th battalion was forced to withdraw what remained of `B`, `C` and `D` Companies. The withdrawal was successfully but still the shelling and mortaring of the Battalion HQ area took place at frequent intervals throughout the night.The area was also targetted by the Luftwaffe who straffed and bombed the area in an attempt to force the Durham`s back from the feature. ` A `Company were completely cut off and had to fight their way back but at around 10:00hrs what remained of the battalion withdrew to positions about a mile to the rear, units of 146th Brigade were called up relieve troops of the DLI (70th Brigade) Jim also recommends speaking with JOHN DIXON who I believe is a member here. Kyle
