TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!
Instructions regarding War Diaries and Intelligence Summaries are contained in F.S. Regs., Vol. 1. and the Staff Manual respectively Title pages will be prepared in manuscript.

WAR DIARY
or
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Army Form C.2118
Unit: 53rd Reconnaissance Regiment
Month and Year: September 1944 (Erase heading not required). Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. L. Williams
Place Date Hour Summary Reference
4   […] reached the bridge at BLANGY H0517 to find it blown and held by a considerable number of enemy on the other side. A Sqn remained overlooking the opposite bank of the river until 1600 hrs and obtained several good shoots and fought several successful troop actions. Small pockets of enemy were encountered on the East side of the river and a large number of casualties were inflicted on the enemy. The progress of B Sqn directed on HESDIN G9613 was considerably slower owing to isolated guns, road blocks and small pockets of infantry which the enemy had left behind apparently with no other purpose than to delay our advance. In order to keep the Corps Axis secure it was of vital importance to know whether the communication centre of HESDIN was held by the enemy in any strength. At 1400 hrs the Commanding Officer ordered C Sqn to move along A Sqn’s route in order to come down on to HESDIN from the North-East. This move was successful and immediately before last light C Sqn succeeded in reaching the outskirts of HESDIN and reported only small pockets of enemy there. A number of casualties were inflicted on the enemy. Squadrons were withdrawn an hour before last light and the Regt advancing through ST. POL went into harbour in the area BAILLEUL N2410. Casualty - Tpr Bright S - killed.

Source: Hans Houterman.

Disclaimer: This War Diary is based on its original, but typos might be corrected. Locations are calculated, so might not be in the correct place. For historical research, always check the originals.