top of page
Search

Defense at Hauger and Medal Investiture held by General Montgomery

6th July 1944

Commitment of GRANDE FERME DU BUISSON was discontinued.

 

7th July 1944

Place: Hauger

 

1130 - Commando relieved 4 Commando in the HAUGER positions by 1130 hrs. Commitments taken over included a counter mortar O.P. and standing patrol forward of the F.D.Ls.

 

8th to 11th July 1944

Place: Hauger

 

No patrols were sent out.  Sniping activity took place forward of the standing patrol.

 


9th to 10th July 1944

Place: Hauger

 

Heavy weapons troop took part in a brigade harassing task, M.M.Gs and Mortars.  During 24 hrs. the mortars fired over 350 bombs.

 

9th to 31st July 1944

Place: Hauger

 

Commando continue to hold their HAUGER positions.  Normal patrols were carried out, chiefly by night.  It became the chief task of the commando to locate enemy F.D.Ls in its front with the ultimate object of gaining a prisoner for identification. 


By July 30 most machine gun positions in the enemy F.D.Ls had been located by night patrols at the cost of 2 casualties.  No prisoner grabbing raid has yet been attempted.

 

16th July 1944

Place: Hauger

 

Investiture was held by General Montgomery in 6th Airborne Div. area at which the following officers and O.Rs. were awarded the following decorations.

    Captain J.C.P. Cregan, RAMC Military Cross.

    OR/X 2244 Sgt. R.J. Wither                 

    7367051 L/Cpl. John Thwaytes, RAMC Military Medal.


Lieutenant Terence Morton Patrick Stevens

Unit : No.41 (Royal Marine) Commando

Awards : Military Cross

Lieutenant Gray was awarded the Military Cross for actions that took place before the 4th Special Service Brigade was attached to the 6th Airborne Division.

This officer assumed command of A Troop at Lion-sur-Mer on 6th June, when his Troop Commander was wounded. He and a small party were cut off by enemy armoured fighting vehicles during the same morning. Lieutenant Stevens personally attacked them and succeeded in destroying one with a grenade. The enemy fled leaving another armoured fighting vehicle intact. Several days later Lieutenant Stevens led a strong fighting patrol which blew a gap in the minefield surrounding an enemy Radar Station at Douvres-la-Deliverande. He led the patrol inside and gained information which proved of great value in the subsequent attack. Throughout this period of some days this officer's initiative, personal bravery and offensive spirit have contributed largely to the success gained by the troop and the unit as a whole.

"Paddy" Stevens was subsequently promoted to Captain.


Sergeant Russell John Wither

Unit : Signals Platoon, Commando Headquarters, No.41 (Royal Marine) Commando

Service No. : CH/X 2244

Awards : Military Medal

Sergeant Wither was awarded the Military Medal for actions that took place before the 4th Special Service Brigade was attached to the 6th Airborne Division.

Lion sur Mer, 6th-7th June 1944.

This NCO assumed the duties of Signal Officer on the beach where his officer was wounded. Throughout the two days action he has displayed great determination and efficiency in maintaining communications. Often under fire he visited his outstations repeatedly and on one occasion successfully laid a line in spite of being sniped at. His personal example resulted in a high standard of communications.


At the investiture it was also announced that Lieut. Colonel T.M. Gray, R.M. (casualty) had been awarded the Military Cross.

 

General Montgomery presents decorations to troops who have distinguished themselves in the fighting in Normandy. In this film he is seen addressing troops attending the investiture ceremony and decorating two Royal Marine Commandos (from No 1 Special Service Brigade) with the Military [IWM]Medal.https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060008473
General Montgomery presents decorations to troops who have distinguished themselves in the fighting in Normandy. In this film he is seen addressing troops attending the investiture ceremony and decorating two Royal Marine Commandos (from No 1 Special Service Brigade) with the Military [IWM]Medal.https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060008473

 

August 1944

Commanding Officer : Lt.Col. E.C.E. Palmer, R.M.

 

1st to 7th August 1944

Place: Hauger

 

Continue in defensive position at HAUGER.

 

7th August 1944

Place: Hauger

 

Move to TROARN area taking up position in centre of Brigade front in apex of British line directed at TROARN.  Move completed by 1400 hrs.  Sustained shelling and mortaring was kept up by the enemy for three days following the establishment of the Brigade at TROARN.  Brunt of casualties from X. Troop, Sgt. Murray and Lieut. P.D. Robinson, R.M. killed a.m. on 7th as X. Troop was getting into position.


Related RM 'Dits'

  1. 41 CDO - Sword Beach - D Day

  2. 41 CDO - Raid on Douvres Radar Station

  3. Embarking 47 CDO at Southampton

  4. D Day from an LCA

  5. The Last Man Standing, the story of Dennis Donovan, 48 Royal Marine Commando Juno Beach D DAY Royal Marines 

  6. Cpl George Tandy - Gold Beach - 'The Human Rudder'

  7. 46 Cdo RM - D Day - Capture of Petit Enfer

  8. 47 Cdo RM Advance to Port-en-Bessin

  9. 47 Cdo RM - Battle of Port-en-Bessin 7-8 June 1944 - "It is doubtful whether, in their long, distinguished history, the marines have ever achieved anything finer 

  10. 48 Royal Marine Commando - July 1944 - Sallenelles

  11. Joseph Kelsey - 5th RM (Independent) Armoured Support Battery 

  12. Royal Marines Armoured Support Group 

  13. 30 AU in Normandy - 'You can't behave like Red Indians any more' 

  14. 46 CDO RM - The Attack on Le Hamel and Rots - 12 SS Pz Div

  15. Supporting the Rangers at Pointe Du Hoc 

  16. 47 Cdo RM - Sallenelles - Orne


Read more/ references






Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating
bottom of page