Official War Diaries – August 13th & 14th, 1944
War Diary
The Lake Superior Regt. (Motor)
Summary of Events
August 13, 1944
At his “O” Gp, Maj R. A. Keane announced that he was now in com of the regt and had been promoted to Lt-Col. He also announced some further changes. Capt. T. H. Murray was to be O.C. “B” Coy as a Maj, with Lt. R. Styffe as i/c, Capt. Cargo to go to Sp Coy as O. C. . Maj H.G.Dawson to comd “A” Coy; Capt. R.D.MacKenzie to be 0.C. H.Q. Goy; Lt. P. B. Smith to be 2 i/o “C” Coy and Lt R. E. Purves to be Adj to replace Capt. M. W.Babe who was S.0.S. for medical reasons. At 1600 hrs the C.O. went to Bde H. Q. to attend the Brigs final “O” Gp for op “SMASH”. The general plan was to push South in a quick dash to secure the high ground around FALAISE. The method was two armed regts up each with three sqns up. The I.0., Lt. D. A. Johnson returned from Bde H.Q. with maps and photographs for the operation. At 2030 hrs, the coy comds assembled for the C.Os orders. Tbe infm about enemy was that 12 SS Pz Div (Hitler Jugend) was probably split up into Battle Gps covering our whole front. It was also known that we would meet Flak units used in ground roles. Elements of 85 and 272 Inf Div were also likely to be encountered. The intention of the Bde Coml was to seize and firm up high ground around FALAISE. The Bde order of march was as follows: 21 CAR. right, 22 CAR 1eft; Bde HQ, 1 Sqn Flails 28 CAR and Lake Sup R (M) with u/c 96 A/Tk Bty. The A/A were to fire Green tracer on the flanks to aid in keeping direction. Each vehicle was to carry 6 days rations. “A” Ech was to remain in present area, As the Bn was to move off line abreast covering the whole front, the sc pls of “A” & “B” Coys were to protect the flanks. “C” Coy Sc PI was to keep contact with the Armd Regt ahead. The A/Tk pls were under normal comd but the MMG pls were to remain under the C.Os control. The C.0. insisted that every vehicle was to be made to look as much as possible like the rest. All white stars were to be covered over. The rem of the night was spent in getting maps set up an d marked. The C.0. went to see the Brig about a few details of the attack that were not quite clear. Tbe Bn was to be ready to move by 0900 hrs the next morning.
Victory in Europe followed
August 14, 1944
There was little activity during the night although a few shells did land in the concentration area causing a few casualties. At 0900 hrs the Bn was ready to move off and awaiting the word from Bde. All are in fine spirit in anticipation of getting another crack at Jerry and in particular the 12 SS. The Bn formed up in front of the woods at 103543. Three armd regts in line two deep – recce troops in front. Immediately behind the tanks the bn formed up. “A” Goy on the right, “C” Centre “B” 1eft in a single row with A/Tk pl & MMG platoons in line behind their respective coys. Scout pls were to act as flank protection, “A” Coy right, “B” left and “C” Coy to maintain contact with the tanks in front. Bn HQ, and RAP with “C” Coy in the centre. Bn 1s to travel immediately behind the tanks so as to gain some concealment in their dust. Bde moves off in “charge of the light Brigade” fashion. The object was to smash through the enemy with as much weight as possible then role our tail in behind us. AS the unit crossed the S.L. it came under heavy shell fire; this with the smoke from our guns and dust from the tanks made map reading and control almost impossible. The inevitable happened. The column became unduly dispersed but did keep moving in the general direction. BY 1300 hrs tanks, half-tracks and carriers were fighting for the lead. The RCCS vehicle (rear link) became a casualty necessitating the use of the spare set in the oomd vehicle. The Sigs Offr, Lt. N. Scott, transferred to the Comd Veh. Near the woods at 140490, the column was held up. The C.0. 1eft the vehicle to orient himself and on approaching the woods was fired on by 2 Germans in a slit trench. Coi. Keane went to ground and accounted for one of the Germans with his pistol. The other f1ed. At 1430 hrs the column reached the river line at Rouvres to find all bridges blown. Considerable delay subjected the column to heavy shellfire from across s the river. Major Styffe, of “C” Coy was seriously injured when his vehicle was hit by an 88. The C. O. decided to recce the river for a crossing – none could be found, A rubble crossing was hurriedly thrown across and the column moved on. Bn BQ, was among the leading troops a cross , “A” Coy orossed the river to find they had lost contact with the 21st and immediately headed off across country to join them – the scout platoon leading and sweeping the hedges as they advanced. Near the village of Sassy a Bn of the enemy were encountered. The scout pl and the MMG pl of Support Coy accounted for approx 250 prisoners and 1eft as many more in slit trench dead. “B” Coy crossed the river and Major T.H.Murray with the scout platoon immediately headed for spot 115. The company was to follow. Major Murray reached the objective taking a number of prisoners. The motor pl didn’t arrive on the objective until late in the evening. Control was lost in “C” Coy after Major Styffe was hit but Lt. G. Murray rallied parts of the coy and followed the column. Bn HQ, established with “A” Coy at 175465. During the evening the remainder of “C” coy joined “A” Coy in its area. It was learned 1ater that the Brigade Comd, Brig. E. L. Booth and the Bde, I.0. Capt. Mackenzie, had been killed when their tank was knocked out. Lt. COL Scott, 21 CAR, assumed oomd of the Bde. Communioations to Bde HQ bad broken down so not very much was known of the state the Bde was in. At 2300 hrs the C.O. made a trip back to Bde HQ. to find out the situation. It was rep to the C.O. that Major E.G.Styffe, C Coy Comd, had suffered severe wounds at ROUVEUS and was feared killed.