Post by OLL on Feb 28, 2005 7:05:38 GMT -5
Personal Recollections of Major General Glyn Gilbert MC regarding Operation Charnwood. My Granddad was Glyn Gilbert's radio operator and followed him right through to Germany. Very emotional to read this for me as everytime Glyn writes of an event i know that my Granddad was not more than a couple of foot away!! Mindblowing!!
It was on the evening of 7/8/44 from the high ground at Blainville that we watched some 400 heavy bombers attack the German defences North of Caen, and although we believed it would make our attack on Herouville easier the realisation that the bombing was causing heavy casualties among the French caused us great sadness and regrets.
We then endeavoured to catch two or three hours sleep, and very early in the morning of the 8/7/44, about 3 am as I remember, we moved from Blainville to Chateau Beauregard which was to be our start line for the attach on Herouville.
At this stage I should explain that the main attack on Caen was taking place on our right, starting with the capture of Le Bisbey wood, and our role was to provide protection for the left flank of this attack which had the appearance of a relatively simple task. In the event it proved to be the hardest engagement of the day; Herouville was strongly held, we were under constant observation from the factory at Colombelles, and much of the artillery support had been allocated to support the main attack on Caen.
As I led ‘C’ company through the grounds of the Chateau we came under heavy mortar fire from Colombelles which killed my CSM, wounded my 2nd I/C and caused a number of other causalities. Not a good start.
In the meantime the attack had started led by ‘B’ company commanded by Major Leslie Colvin and his 2nd I/C Captain John Boys. After hard fighting ‘B’ company captured Herouville, and ‘C’ company was ordered to clear the village. This we were glad to do as we were still under heavy mortar fire and taking continuous casualties back at Chateau Beauregard.
Just as we reached the edge of the village a friendly aircraft bombed us and I lost about half of one platoon. I well remember the very large craters and being surprised we had not suffered more casualties. By then my company strength was reduced to 40. We then assumed a defensive position in an orchard on the southern edge of the village, and twice-German tanks and infantry counter attacked us. Fortunately we repelled both attacks and destroyed one tank, but with further losses including a very fine young Canadian officer, Lt John Richardson, who was killed in the afternoon. The remainder of the day was relatively quiet although the ever-present mortars at Colombelles harassed us. Late in the day we learnt that Caen had been liberated.
The next day we exploited forward along the line of the river and the operation was concluded.
It was on the evening of 7/8/44 from the high ground at Blainville that we watched some 400 heavy bombers attack the German defences North of Caen, and although we believed it would make our attack on Herouville easier the realisation that the bombing was causing heavy casualties among the French caused us great sadness and regrets.
We then endeavoured to catch two or three hours sleep, and very early in the morning of the 8/7/44, about 3 am as I remember, we moved from Blainville to Chateau Beauregard which was to be our start line for the attach on Herouville.
At this stage I should explain that the main attack on Caen was taking place on our right, starting with the capture of Le Bisbey wood, and our role was to provide protection for the left flank of this attack which had the appearance of a relatively simple task. In the event it proved to be the hardest engagement of the day; Herouville was strongly held, we were under constant observation from the factory at Colombelles, and much of the artillery support had been allocated to support the main attack on Caen.
As I led ‘C’ company through the grounds of the Chateau we came under heavy mortar fire from Colombelles which killed my CSM, wounded my 2nd I/C and caused a number of other causalities. Not a good start.
In the meantime the attack had started led by ‘B’ company commanded by Major Leslie Colvin and his 2nd I/C Captain John Boys. After hard fighting ‘B’ company captured Herouville, and ‘C’ company was ordered to clear the village. This we were glad to do as we were still under heavy mortar fire and taking continuous casualties back at Chateau Beauregard.
Just as we reached the edge of the village a friendly aircraft bombed us and I lost about half of one platoon. I well remember the very large craters and being surprised we had not suffered more casualties. By then my company strength was reduced to 40. We then assumed a defensive position in an orchard on the southern edge of the village, and twice-German tanks and infantry counter attacked us. Fortunately we repelled both attacks and destroyed one tank, but with further losses including a very fine young Canadian officer, Lt John Richardson, who was killed in the afternoon. The remainder of the day was relatively quiet although the ever-present mortars at Colombelles harassed us. Late in the day we learnt that Caen had been liberated.
The next day we exploited forward along the line of the river and the operation was concluded.
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