| 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: 52 (L) Reconnaissance Regiment | ||
| Month and Year: August 1944 | (Erase heading not required). | Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. J.B.A. Hankey, OBE |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KINROSS | 3 | The C.O. summoned to a conference at Division & informed that the Div is to prepare for operations on the continent, possibly within a few days. It was indicated that the Regt might move by sea and join the air-portable portion of Division in a theatre of operations. The unit must be prepared to move to a conc area in Southern England in seven or eight days time. Staff tables prepared for 'sea convoy' and 'ship buildup' (see app 'I') Admin arrangements see Appx 'G' | ||
| 5 | The Regt warned to be at 24 hrs notice, to move. Loading trials completed. | |||
| 6 | Div HQ moved to CHESHAM (Bucks). Airborne portion of Div moves south. | |||
| 8 | C.O. leaves for CHESHAM. | |||
| 9 | Regt ordered to move to WEYBRIDGE (Surrey) area on 11 Aug 44. CO, given details of projected operation. This involves the landing of airborne force (incl 52 Div) south west of PARIS in RAMBOUILLET area. Sea borne forces under command 157 Bde (include this Regt) to land by sea and link up later. Regt to be ready to move to marshalling area by 15 Aug '44. Tank Sqn will not go with Regt. | |||
| 10-11 | Arrangement being made for taking over complete W.E. of new vehicles on arrival in coc area. | |||
| 11-12 | Regt move by rail and road from KINROSS to St George's Hill Camp, WEYBRIDGE. Immediately on arrival collection of new vehicles was begun. This was completed on 13 Aug and old veh handed in. | |||
| 13 | Regt ready to move to marshalling area. | |||
| 14 | Regt notified that proposed operation is postponed for three days. | |||
| 18 | Unit informed that proposed operation has been cancelled owing to speedy advance in France. We remain under 21 Army Group. | |||
| 28 | Warning order to prepare to move as from 2400 hrs night of 29/30 Aug. | |||
| 30 | Regt ordered to move to Marshalling area at 0445 hrs 31 Aug 44. | |||
| 31 | Regt moves to marshalling area at Wanstead Flats prior to embarkation. |
Disclaimer: This War Diary is based on its original, but typos might be corrected. For historical research, always check the originals.
