Now Squeaky clean. Let me start this bit of history, The first part, is my own recall, that will be followed later by accounts from Captain Edwards and others. For their account is probably better written than mine.

The Chateau de la Londe.
Murder, Sheer Bloody Murder.

On the night of June 22nd the South Lancashire regiment with two sections of 3 Platoon, 246 Field Company R.E. attacked the Chateau without a preparatory artillery barrage and “walked in” and took the Chateau. But something went very wrong after that, for some reason that has never been explained, the anti-tank guns were not brought up to support our troops. At about 4.30 am the next morning the Germans counter attacked with tanks and drove our infantry out, without anti-tank guns there was no defence against armour.

We later found out that the Germans had been called over the coals for the disgraceful loss of the Chateau and that they would have to “Fight to the death” to regain it. They then set about strengthening their defenses, ready for another attack. First they were reinforced by a company of tanks about 30 to 40 strong, plus 5 Company of 192 Panzer Grenadiers and a Platoon of Sappers backed up by the H.Q. Company of 22 Panzer Regiment, fighting as infantry, A force of considerable strength!

Our intelligence did not know about these enemy reinforcements, the weather had been very bad with thunderstorms that did not allow for good aerial reconnaissance, at the same time our patrols had not managed to get close enough to check on the enemy strength.

There then followed operation, “Mitten” the retaking of the Chateau, this operation was to help the Canadians who were preparing to make a “Pincer movement” round Caen. The attack opened with the Divisional artillery laying down a barrage that our troops had to follow up close behind!

On the evening of June the 27th,the South Lancashires led the 8th Brigade and attacked first, not knowing of the superior enemy strength, they were slaughtered, every avenue was covered with tremendous enemy fire power. They were beaten back, but managed to hold on to the wood at La Londe. The Suffolk and East Yorkshires Regiments, with 2 Platoon of 246 Field Company R.E. (mine) in support, were then thrown in to the battle, cold food was brought to them at about 1 to 2 am and they attacked at 4 am.

The barrage came down and what followed was a terrifying experience. An experience so bad, that those who were there will remember it to their graves. It is beyond my feeble attempt at description! The battle was confused and violent. To give an example, an officer of the Suffolk’s trying to consolidate his defence was harried by a Spandau, seeing two tanks in the half light, he asked one of them for fire support on to the Spandau position. A head appeared from the turret and these two looked at each other in silence. The gun began to swing round, the British officer ran for his life and just managed to reach a slit trench before the German tank fired at him. Lieutenant Woodward knocked out one with a PIAT, the other was knocked out by Private Crick, who was killed immediately by shell fire. The other accounts will follow later.
Comment?
Sapper