1 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n E Company move to area 6278 under command of 36th<\/sup> Infantry Brigade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1200<\/strong> Battalion warned to be prepared to move tonight to 10th<\/sup> Battalion Rifle Brigade area. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1330<\/strong> Commanding Officers\u2019 conference. Gives orders as follows. Battalion will take over the following positions from 10th<\/sup> Battalion Rifle Brigade, H Company 683\/5808 and area to north, E Company 612083 G Company 625089, Battalion HQ 615082, F Company take over from 6th<\/sup> Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at 323\/636088 in support of C Battery 152 Field Regiment (Ayrshire Yeomanry).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1410<\/strong> Commanding Officer and Company Commanders move off to recce new area. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2100<\/strong> Battalion HQ established 612080, E Company 612080 F Company 632082, G Company 621085, H Company point 683\/5808.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2100<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Lux\u2019 to White Gable Farm but had nothing to report<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Silvo\u201d to farm 617112, but had nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0200<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Sunlight\u2019 along path running North and South 5910 but nothing to report<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900 <\/strong>Patrol \u2018Rags\u2019 to Hir Traifa 640138 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Standing patrol from dusk to dawn 649088 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1700<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Bones\u2019 to area point 720 569094, but nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0645 <\/strong>Mortar and tracer fire and red and white flares observed from battalion HQ approximate to area of 1st<\/sup> Battalion Parachute Regiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0940 <\/strong>Area 6607 dive bombed by Jus 87.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1820<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Lyles\u2019 to farm 617112 (report that it had been occupied by 50\/60 Germans three day previously).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1830<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Tate\u2019 to ambush enemy using Cross tracks 591140 (nil result).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1840<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Drake\u2019 to farm 641123, but had nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1400 <\/strong>Patrol \u2018Fisher\u2019 to huts 617118 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0900 <\/strong>Patrol \u2018Nelson\u2019 to farm 617112 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2000 <\/strong>Patrol \u2018Stockings\u2019 to farm 617112 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900 <\/strong>Patrol \u2018Socks\u2019 to farms 641123, 633105 \u2013 nil result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sixteen Stukas dive-bombed area from 635048 \u2013 Hill 279. One bomb fell near farm 637083.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1020<\/strong> RAF report possible concentration of enemy tanks in area 673140.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1730<\/strong> Twelve Hurribombers escorted by 8 Spitfires bombed area 6814\/6914.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2100<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Oak\u2019 to wadi and high ground 595127.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2000<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Beech\u2019 to farm 633105 \u2013 nil result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0725<\/strong> Exchange of shelling by our artillery and Germany artillery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1800<\/strong> Twelve JU 87s dive-bombed Guards Brigade and 2nd<\/sup> Lothian & Border Horse Regiment including 7099.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1930<\/strong> Heavy machine gun fire heard south east of battalion HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1500<\/strong> Fighting Patrol \u2018Eagle\u2019 to tk. June 574114 and grid line 13 Tank Junction 593130 \u2013 nil result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2359 <\/strong>Recce Patrol \u2018Robin\u2019 to farm 645102 had nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1930<\/strong> Fighting Patrol \u2018Rook\u2019 to farm 617112 Roman Ruins 617129 and 617118.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1915 <\/strong>Standing Patrol at Stop Farm 646102. Reached at 2030 hrs. German sentry contacted patrol and gave alarm. Shots were exchanged and patrol dispersed. One man missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0900 <\/strong>Captain TWH Wilson and French interpreter to recce Stop Farm. Body discovered of missing man at 634094. German articles found indicating lying up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1600<\/strong> All patrols night 11\/12 February cancelled. Only patrol to Stop Farm to bring back body of man killed on previous night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1600 <\/strong>Corps Commander visited battalion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pm<\/strong> Stop Patrol bring back body of man killed the previous night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Irish Brigade note: details of those who died with the 2nd<\/sup> Battalion of the London Irish Rifles show that Rifleman James McIntyre died on 9 February and was the only member of the battalion to lose his life in this period. ) <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 11 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1400<\/strong> Brigade to form a counter attack group by taking one company from each battalion. Under commander Major DCJ Manners 2nd<\/sup> Battalion London Irish Rifles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1845<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Sybil\u2019 to farms 642123 \u2013 633105 but had nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Jane\u2019 to 617112, but nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1645 <\/strong>Messerschmitts bomb areas of G and F Companies. No damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1845<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Ham\u2019 to farm 633105 and Wog Huts 638116, nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1845<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Beef\u2019 to farm 617112. French farmer said that 4 Germans had driven up to his farm at 1000 hours 12th<\/sup> February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0930 <\/strong>Commanding Officer\u2019s conference. Move tonight CHQ E Company and 1 platoon same area. 1 platoon E Company to 16 Platoon area. 1 platoon to H Company\u2019s area, Company HQ H Company to wadi 6307 (part of counter attack force under 2-in-C). G and F Companies same position. 2 anti-tank guns in battalion HQ area. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2000<\/strong> Battalion HQ at farm 638078 BHQ transport and carriers in Olive grove 624077. H Company in position in wadi 634014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900 <\/strong>Fighting patrol \u2018Salt\u2019 to farm 617112 but nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 14 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1845 <\/strong>Fighting patrol \u2018Barley\u2019 to farm 617112 but nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900<\/strong> Fighting patrol \u2018Hops\u2019 to farms 616102\/642123\/633105, they had nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900 <\/strong>Patrol \u2018Rose\u2019 to track 618128 via wadi 614127 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1845<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Daisy\u2019 to lie up in ambush area 209 (wadi and track) \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 16 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1930 <\/strong>Fighting patrol \u2018Red\u2019 to farm 633105\/618102 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n pm <\/strong>38th<\/sup> (Irish) Infantry Brigade now part of \u2018Y\u2019 Division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 17 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1600<\/strong> Ambush Patrol \u2018H\u2019 \u2018DE\u2019 to 632128 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1600 <\/strong>Ambush Patrol \u2018Tan\u2019 to 583118 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 18 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900<\/strong> Recce Patrol \u2018Steel\u2019 to huts 607107 and farm 617112 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2100<\/strong> Recce Patrol \u2018Brass\u2019 to farms 633105\/642123\/646113\/646102 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 19 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1800<\/strong> Patrol \u2018London\u2019 to ambush enemy 564091\/564105 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 20 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0700 <\/strong>Schmeisser pistol fired at a NCO of E Company platoon 593096.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 21 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0200<\/strong> Patrol \u2018Tin\u2019 to recce area farms 646113\/642123 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0230 <\/strong>Recce Patrol \u2018Gold\u2019 to 628124 \u2013 point 231 662 128 \u2013 farm 617112 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 22 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1030<\/strong> Battalion HQ warned to move into wadi with HQ company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1425 <\/strong>Dive-bombing attacks by six Junkers 87 on area 6308. Bombing prefaced by mortar bomb ranging. One man wounded by mortar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1500<\/strong> One sergeant and one rifleman from Carrier Platoon kidnapped while drawing water at 633093. Rubber shoes used by enemy found nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1640<\/strong> Area wadi 6307 dive-bombed by 12 JU 87s. Area ranged by mortars. No casualties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900 <\/strong>Battalion HQ moved to Olive Grove 623076. H Company take over gully 6408 from 1st<\/sup> Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and mountain standing patrol 647090. Observation Post at 592093 (Intelligence).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 23 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900<\/strong> Recce Patrol \u2018Plum\u2019 to 650107 \u2013 point 217 659107 \u2013 Stop Farm \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900<\/strong> Recce Patrol \u2018Apple\u2019 to farm 617112 \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 24 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0140<\/strong> Fighting Patrol Silver to farm 654129. Contacted enemy and put a(n) machine gun out of action. Our own casualties were 2 wounded and 2 missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0140<\/strong> Fighting patrol \u2018Gold\u2019 to Stop Farm \u2013 nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 25 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1530 <\/strong>Twelve JU 87s dive bombed areas 645085 and 655072 and 620090 also bombs on wadi 640111\/633\/103. No casualties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 26 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0645 <\/strong>One of our carriers carrying rations run into the enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0650<\/strong> E Company HQ attacked from wadi north-east of their positions. Very heavy mortar bombing on G Company and towards Battalion HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0655<\/strong> F Company and H Company out of touch by line but immediately come up on wireless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0700<\/strong> G Company being mortared. Machine guns firing on them from 623090.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0715<\/strong> Enemy attack on Castle Hill 623090. Successful and they now occupy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0740 <\/strong>G Company now out of touch by line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0755<\/strong> F and G Companies and C Battery of 152 Field Regiment (AY) through by wireless. E Company by line and wireless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0800<\/strong> E Company ask permission to withdraw to small hill behind their headquarters as they wish to make greater use of 3 inch mortars. Permission granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0825 <\/strong>E Company hill still occupied by the enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0842<\/strong> F Company report enemy still advancing on their left. They are in danger of being surrounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0845<\/strong> G Company report enemy around rear. One hundred enemy seen moving to 5909. Enemy still heavily mortaring G Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0850<\/strong> Enemy on north side of Steep Hill. F Company and F Company HQ. Still holding on but need more help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0920<\/strong> F Company heavily mortared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0930 <\/strong>F Company report enemy MMG out of action. Heavy mortaring on Stuka Farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0950<\/strong> H Company report enemy approaching their positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1035 <\/strong>Stuka Farm attacked from behind forward positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1100 <\/strong>13 Platoon on Booby Trap Hill, 14 Platoon in old position. 15 Platoon have suffered heavy casualties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1130<\/strong> F Company HQ and 11 Platoon at Stuka Farm. Ammunition running low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1200 <\/strong>G Company report two sections of Para troops in gully north side of Rear Hill. Artillery shell 70-100 Germans west side of wadi 600088.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1230 <\/strong>Support group move to 597063 to protect gunners rear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1430<\/strong> Party from Battalion HQ comprising officer commanding HQ company (Major DW Conroy) the Adjutant (Captain TC Osborn), CSM Girvin, Colour Sergeant Dann, Sergeant Gardiner (Provost Sergeant) Sergeant Bridgen (Cook Sergeant) Sergeant Chubb (Bugle Major) Corporal Limb, Lance Corporal Chance, Lance Corporal Prout and a few riflemen attack and occupy Rear Hill, taking 14 prisoners of Herman Goering Jaeger Regiment. Heavy casualties inflicted. Casualties \u2013 Major Conroy wounded, Captain Osborn wounded, Colour Sergeant Dann wounded, Sergeant Gardiner killed, Bugle Major Chubb wounded, Sergeant Bridgen wounded, Rifleman Hale wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1530<\/strong> Enemy platoon proceeding towards H Company Farm WEST. G Company pinned down by machine gun fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2000<\/strong> Belgium deserter arrived at Battalion HQ and states 150 enemy on Castle Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other casualties sustained were, Major CAF Gibbs wounded, Captain VJA Lillie-Costello MC wounded, Captain CJ Reidy wounded. Lieutenant Fergusson killed. Lieutenant Wilcocks wounded. 20 other ranks killed, 48 other ranks wounded and 25 other ranks missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 27 February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0700<\/strong> Battalion HQ established Olive Grove 603064 and Forward Battalion HQ at 608065. 9 Platoon moved from position to 591095 with 7 prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0900<\/strong> Pioneers and A\/A platoons take up positions on Hill 601069.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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