0700 hours
Enemy reported forming up to counter-attack in the area Sout of LA POIRIER 1063.
Artillery fire was put down and no further trouble occurred.
1000 hours
Tanks reported in WOODS at 128645.
One of our own tanks was knocked out from here and the forward Platoons of No. 2 Company are shot at at intervals from here so that all movement by day is difficult.
We have brought down Artillery fire by the enemy are very persistent and this is almost certainly an enemy locality with Anti-Tank guns, and not roving tanks as reported.
1100 hours
Enemy movement in LA HOGUE 0960.
Artillery fire brought down with good effect.
1200 hours
No. 3 Company are periodically fired on from the houses outside FRENOUVILLE 1162 and a pair of Battalion snipers have been sent to them to reply.
1300 hours
No. 4 Company move one Platoon into the WOOD at 106637 to act as a Standing Patrol.
1400 hours
3rd [corrected from original which states 1st] Battalion IRISH GUARDS are moving back from the area North of FRENOUVILLE and will form a Battalion position around No. 2 Company area.
No. 2 Company will then move into reserve in the area now occupied by the 1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS 105646.
1500 hours
1st Battalion WELSH GUARDS make a successful attack on LE POIRIER, which was reported to be held by only 8 enemy and an Anti-Tank gun.
1600 hours
Commanding Officer to Brigade H.Q.
The Battalion is to attack FRENOUVILLE 1162 at first light tomorrow.
The attack is to be supported by:-
2 Field and 2 Medium Regiment Artillery
1 Squadron AVREs
1 Troop tanks 1st Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS
2 Battery M10s 21st Anti-Tank
Platoon M.M.G.s
2000 hours
After a Recce with Company Commanders and the ‘O’ Group, the Commanding Officer gave out orders in the WOOD at 107637.
Enemy: All that is known is that we have been fired on during the day from FRENOUVILLE and the WOODS to the North.
It is not known how strongly the position is held.
Own troops: The 1st Battalion WELSH GAURDS hold LE POIRIER to our Left and a Troop of tanks from 1st Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS will shoot in the attack from the WOOD at 108130.
Intention: 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS will attack and capture FRENOUVILLE.
Method: Start Line Front edge of WOOD 107637.
Inter Company boundary line of hedge 107637 to CHURCH at 116630.
Right: No. 1 Company will capture and clear village to Road running South East from the CHURCH and the RAILWAY LINE.
Left: No. 2 Company will capture and clear the BUILDINGS on the road into FRENOUVILLE at 115133 and up to and inclusive the CROSSROADS at 120634.
On the success signal No. 3 Company goes forward through No. 1 Company and exploits forward to the ORCHARDS at 116622.
No. 4 Company goes through No. 2 Company clear the front edge of FRENOUVILLE and consolidates astride the railway at 117627.
The 2 Field Regiments will fire concentration on the objectives in FRENOUVILLE from H to H plus 14.
The Medium Regiments on the forward objectives from H to H plus 10.
4.2 Mortars fire on the CROSSROADS and ORCHARD at 120633.
3” Mortars fire on the WOODS to the North.
M.M.G.s and Carrier Platoon will shoot in the attack from the Right flank.
1 Battery S.P. M.10s to follow attack along Right flank and 1 Battery S.P. to come into position to the North East on arrival.
2 Troops of 17-pounders and Battalion 6-pounders will take over on consolidation.
2 Troops AVRE’s will move to 115632 to be available on call when leading Companies have captured objectives.
Adm - Breakfasts 0400 hours.
Inter Comm. Rear Battalion H.Q. will be in the WOOD on the Start Line and then a Command Post will advance to No. 1 Company will advance to No. 1 Company area.
2200 hours
Battalion positions taken over by 1st Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS, and Battalion concentrated in area of No. 2 Company 104646.
During the operation 72 Prisoners of War have passed through our hands, mostly from 16 G.A.F. Division and 21 Panzer Division with a few from 1 SS Division.
In the Battalion area 12 Nebelwerfers, 6 Anti-Tank guns, 3 SP guns, and a number of burnt out vehicles were found abandoned.
