At first light, about 0500, land was sighted and the convoy was now amid a mass of other shipping lying offshore. Moreover, we lay off the American sector, some miles to the West of ‘M’ & ‘O’ beaches which were at GRAYE-SUR-MER, and where we scheduled to land. Coasting East we were finally told to go in off MONT FLEURY LA RIVIERE, about 5 kilos West of our allotted beach. This caused some confusion, the tide being on the make but about half way up.
With the exception of one scout car and three 3-ton lorries all vehicles landed safely, the deepest wade being about 4ft 6ins. All LCTs did not beach on exactly the same part of the beach but eventually all assembled in the Assembly area at BANVILLE (9483) and de-waterproofing was completed.
Apart from one Firefly A Sqn was the only complete Sqn ashore and was detached from the Regiment for a special mission (see A Sqn Appendix).
In the evening B Sqn were ordered to report to OC 1st Gordon Highlanders who were at COLOMBIERS SUR SEULLES (9280) and then took up position in support if their two forward Coys in that area.
C Sqn were in support of the 5/7 Black Watch and took up defensive positions 935776. At nightfall they leaguered at LE FRESNE CAMILLY, 947778. At this stage we were supposed to have contacted the small advance party with Capt. Crowley MM, i/c but something had gone wrong.
Appendix – A Sqn
A Sqn, having landed with 18 tanks on the morning of Jun 7th, were ordered to support the 5th Black Watch in an attack on a pocket of resistance at DOUVRES. Also in support were a Sqn of AVRA (Churchill tanks armed with a block-busting petard), a battery of Fd Arty and in addition the RAF and Royal navy could be called upon. Liaison was made with the Canadians who were operating in this area.
It was necessary to obtain possession of a wood West of DOUVRES as this was the only point of observation on the town. Information obtained from a Canadian Brigadier showed the wood was held by the enemy, and he categorically stated that no Canadian troops were in the wood.
The attack started at 19:50 and was led by 2Tp of A Sqn. The wood proved to be empty of enemy despite the information received. Canadian troops were digging in among the trees. Shots were exchanged between the Black Watch and the North Shore Regiment and casualties were received on both sides. On reaching the exit from the wood, fire was opened from the radar station which consisted of 2 localities, one directly East about 400 yards and one SE 1000 yards. Two Canadian tanks moved towards the main radar station and were fired on and one tank set on fire. Sgt Barnshaw in one of the leading A Sqn tanks sustained injuries when his tank was hit by a small calibre AP shot. After some readjustment of positions 3Tp moved forward to the nearer locality and reached the wire perimeter. 2Tp and the AVRA worked forward to the main station and came under fire from larger calibre guns, probably 88mm. There was also some 50mm and possibly 75mm shooting but it was now 2130 and visibility was poor. Two AVRA advanced through the wire and immediately had their tracks blown off by mines. They discharged their petards at a gun emplacement and one was then hit by an 88mm or 75mm and blew up. The Germans then laid smoke across their own front and under cover of this we withdrew.
It was then decided to allow heavy bombers to attack the position and accordingly we evacuated the wood and leaguered some distance away.