Estimated casualties to British Forces on D Day were at least 2,500 to 3,000. In the first 24 hours D Day losses of those from 61st Reconnaissance Regiment who had landed were at more than 50%.
By 21st June 1944, 50th Division (the Division to which 61st Recce belonged) had suffered nearly 4,000 casualties, the highest of any Division in Normandy. Half of the troops were wounded (66% of the officers) and about 9% killed (over 16% of the officers). They were on the front-line east of Tilly-sur-Seules (having liberated the ruined town on the 19th) and were still here, facing the Panzer Lehr, on 30th June (from Frontline map in Library of Congress).
(Figures published by Roy Howard in ‘Beaten Paths are Safest’ from ‘The Sharp End of War’ by John Ellis and ‘Decision in Normandy’ by Carle D’Este.)
Eric Brewer’s diary reads:
June 21st: “Things still Quiet and wish they stayed like it. Our only casualty has been Docady* who was killed by a sneak raider machine gunning his lorry.
Have been talking to a Frenchman of the underground movement he showed us the 'Croix De Guerre', which he won in the last war. Most of these people round here are very quiet.” (Included by kind permission of Derek Brewer and his family.)
*Matthew Docherty was killed on 20th June 1944.
He also wrote home on the same day with these re-assuring but possibly duplicitous words:
“Have had it easy so far since I have been over here.
We are just about to get relieved by another squadron and hope to get a bath this afternoon in B? …. in answer to your questions if I needed anything, well, I could do with some toothpaste and I have everything else I need…..”
PS Don’t worry about me as I am not in the front line but a kind of a reserve squadron.
PSS I’m still trying to catch on this language but should know French by the time I get home so cheerio and look after yourself.”
(Extract from Eric Brewer’s letters copyright of Derek Brewer and reproduced here by kind permission of Derek and his family.)
21st July 1944 – US VII Corps reach the port of Cherbourg but it took a further eight days of fighting before the town fell, and by that time the Germans had destroyed most of the vital port facilities.
Recent Comments