Hello. I'm looking for a copy of the 4th Lincolnshire War Diary. Does any kind sole out there got a copy? Thanks
I've just checked and I only have 1st and 6th Battalion Lincs diaries. If no one can help and you want someone to copy them for you drop me a PM. I have the regimental history so I'm happy to look up specifics if its the odd day or two.
With reference to the 14th June 1944 - "B" Squadron of the 24th Lancers was on Point 103 - in support of 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment of the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division. (I think) Rm.
The 24th L - War Diary - Sunday 25th June 1944 - Tessel Wood 25/6/44 Finally, the long awaited attack was put in. The Regiment moved from its location at 0245 hours and took up a position on the Les Hauts Vents feature, with ‘B’ and ‘C’ Sqns held back and ‘A’ Sqn forward in the valley to support 4 Lincs. The Operation Order for this attack will be found attached to this war diary, but here is a description by a Troop Leader of ‘A’ Sqn of the opening phase of the battle. “ We left the harbour at 0230 hours to proceed to the FUP, which we reached at 0330 hours and were positioned forward and to the left of the Sqn where we hoped to see the infantry carry out the first phase of the attack, but all we could hear was the constant noise of the tremendous barrage our Artillery was putting down. At first periscope light we moved down the forward slope hoping to move straight down to the sunken road but luck was against us and we were enveloped in a fog so thick that the commanders could not see the end of their 75mm guns. We stayed in this position in a far from happy state of mind and all commanders armed themselves with small arms as a precaution against any small German patrols who might penetrate the position. After a period which seemed endless to the crews the rest of the Sqn came into view and we were able to move on.” After this provisional support by ‘A’ Sqn for the first phase of the attack during which another troop of this Sqn destroyed a German Mark III tank, the Regiment moved forward over the river running East to West through Bas de Fontenay, to support the second phase of the attack, i.e. the capturing of the northern edge of the Tessel Wood feature. This second phase of the attack again was preceded by a tremendous artillery barrage directly behind which the infantry moved supported by ‘B’ Sqn on the left and ‘C’ Sqn on the right. The enemy’s reactions was fierce and short and while the infantry were engaged in the unenviable task of clearing the northern half of Tessel Wood, supported by strong machine gun fire from the two Sqns mentioned, the Regiment positioned ready to resist the inevitable counter-attack with ‘C’ Sqn still on the left, that is the East of the Tessel Wood feature, ‘B’ Sqn observing to the West just North of the feature with ‘A’ Sqn sitting astride the Fontenay – Juvigny road facing East and West. Throughout the day the Regiment experienced very heavy and intense mortar fire on its positions and sustained casualties. ‘B’ Sqn on the right constantly engaged German Tanks seen moving 2000 – 3000 yards West of the position, while ‘C’ Sqn maintained its protective role on the left flank and engaged suitable targets in the area South and S.E of Fontenay. ‘A’ Sqn were responsible for the right rear of the position and also the road running East and West , previously described. One incident is worthy of record, in which Lieut. Hart of 4th Troop, ‘A’ Sqn observed three tanks in the village of Fontenay itself and succeeded in knocking one of them out. He describes the episode in his own words as follows:- Hervieu 25/6/44 “ My troop was sitting astride the Fontenay – Juvigny road facing East when the CO of the Hallams came up to me and said that a Panther in the village of Fontenay was holding up his advance. I accordingly dismounted and went with him into the village where I saw this tank hidden by a wall of a house thus obscuring my view and preventing me from obtaining a good fire position. I went back to my tank and driving it into the village, knocked down the wall which was hiding the Panther. At this moment however, two more Panthers appeared just south of the road. I knocked one of them out and the other withdrew. Unfortunately in the meantime the original Panther had also withdrawn to position behind some trees, and I was unable to get a good shoot, so I went back to my original position.” Just before last light, all objectives having been reached and the infantry firmly consolidating their positions in Tessel Wood, the Regiment less ‘C’ Sqn, withdrew to a position just North of the Fontenay Road. ‘C’ Sqn were given the task of protecting the right flank and remained on the Western edge of the wood overnight. The Regiment in their position North of the road were forced to move further back into some orchards on the forward slope overlooking Fontenay, owing to some heavy and well directed enemy mortar fire which was causing casualties. Darkness finds the Regiment therefore in leaguer, and 1/4 Bn, KOYLI, ‘C’ Sqn, 24L, Recce Troop 24L and 6 MICs holding Tessel Wood Feature. Just before darkness, OC ‘C’ Sqn went with one of his troops to cover an infantry patrol to the SE corner of the wood. The wood was found clear but the troop was attacked by three Panthers. A further troop was sent up and in the resultant battle one of the Panthers was destroyed for the loss of one of our tanks. The other Panthers withdrew after being repeatedly hit by our gun fire. Tessel Wood 25/6/44 At 2230 hours some Panthers stalked ‘C’ Sqns position from the East, coming very quickly up hedgerows. The Sqn deployed into suitable concealed positions and switched all engines off. By the time the Panthers were within range it was too dark to use the sights. Finally, one Panther was blown up by one of ‘C’ Sqns tanks at a distance of only 25 yards. The Sqn opened fire on what tanks they could see but the darkness prevented any accuracy and the remainder of the Panthers slipped away. For the remainder of the night, the Sqn remained in close leaguer and at first light it was discovered that snipers had worked their way into the hedgerows round the position. The first hour was spent in getting them out with our machine gun fire.
Re. 9d7m1944 The 24th Lancers - War Diary - has... 9/7/44 On July 9, a request was received from 4 Lincs to destroy a house at 871649 which was thought to be used by the enemy as a Mortar OP an Officers Mess and a replenishment centre. 4 Lincs did not wish a tank to fire from within their positions and it was therefore decided to engage the target by indirect fire. One tank from ‘A’ Sqn was positioned at 867696 at a range of 5,200 yards. The magnetic bearing was worked out from the map and the gun aligned by compass, a back bearing being taken down the barrel about 20 yards from the tank.The elevation was set by chrometer. A scout car with wireless moved to the orchard at 881656 and acted as OP. The target was hit with the thirteenth shot, the fuzes were then set to delay and a large number of rounds entered through the roof and burst inside. About 100 rounds were fired, of which some 50% burst in the trees around the target. The house was finally set on fire. The main difficulties were:- (a) The flat trajectory of 75mm HE Super even at 5000 yards, which caused any shot that went over the target to burst in the trees 150 yards beyond. (b) The impossibility of obtaining a good OP, the only possible place being well to the flank giving a view of only half the house, which was surrounded by trees. Despite these difficulties however, the Commander 146 Bde, expressed his complete satisfaction with the results of this one tank shoot.
