Defense at Hauger and Medal Investiture held by General Montgomery

6th July 1944

Commitment of GRANDE FERME DU BUISSON was discontinued.

7th July 1944

Place: Hauger

1130 - Commando relieved 4 Commando in the HAUGER positions by 1130 hrs. Commitments taken over included a counter mortar O.P. and standing patrol forward of the F.D.Ls.

8th to 11th July 1944

Place: Hauger

No patrols were sent out.  Sniping activity took place forward of the standing patrol.

9th to 10th July 1944

Place: Hauger

Heavy weapons troop took part in a brigade harassing task, M.M.Gs and Mortars.  During 24 hrs. the mortars fired over 350 bombs.

9th to 31st July 1944

Place: Hauger

Commando continue to hold their HAUGER positions.  Normal patrols were carried out, chiefly by night.  It became the chief task of the commando to locate enemy F.D.Ls in its front with the ultimate object of gaining a prisoner for identification. 

By July 30 most machine gun positions in the enemy F.D.Ls had been located by night patrols at the cost of 2 casualties.  No prisoner grabbing raid has yet been attempted.

16th July 1944

Place: Hauger

Investiture was held by General Montgomery in 6th Airborne Div. area at which the following officers and O.Rs. were awarded the following decorations.

    Captain T.M.P. Stevens, R.M.

    Captain J.C.P. Cregan, RAMC Military Cross.

    OR/X 2244 Sgt. R.J. Wither                 

    7367051 L/Cpl. John Thwaytes, RAMC Military Medal.

At the investiture it was also announced that Lieut. Colonel T.M. Gray, R.M. (casualty) had been awarded the Military Cross.

General Montgomery presents decorations to troops who have distinguished themselves in the fighting in Normandy. In this film he is seen addressing troops attending the investiture ceremony and decorating two Royal Marine Commandos (from No 1 Special Service Brigade) with the Military [IWM]Medal.https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060008473

August 1944

Commanding Officer : Lt.Col. E.C.E. Palmer, R.M.

1st to 7th August 1944

Place: Hauger

Continue in defensive position at HAUGER.

7th August 1944

Place: Hauger

Move to TROARN area taking up position in centre of Brigade front in apex of British line directed at TROARN.  Move completed by 1400 hrs.  Sustained shelling and mortaring was kept up by the enemy for three days following the establishment of the Brigade at TROARN.  Brunt of casualties from X. Troop, Sgt. Murray and Lieut. P.D. Robinson, R.M. killed a.m. on 7th as X. Troop was getting into position.

Related RM 'Dits'

1. 41 CDO - Sword Beach - D Day

2. 41 CDO - Raid on Douvres Radar Station

3. Embarking 47 CDO at Southampton

4. D Day from an LCA

5. The Last Man Standing, the story of Dennis Donovan, 48 Royal Marine Commando Juno Beach D DAY Royal Marines 

6. Cpl George Tandy - Gold Beach - 'The Human Rudder'

7. 46 Cdo RM - D Day - Capture of Petit Enfer

8. 47 Cdo RM Advance to Port-en-Bessin

9. 47 Cdo RM - Battle of Port-en-Bessin 7-8 June 1944 - "It is doubtful whether, in their long, distinguished history, the marines have ever achieved anything finer 

10. 48 Royal Marine Commando - July 1944 - Sallenelles

11. Joseph Kelsey - 5th RM (Independent) Armoured Support Battery 

12. Royal Marines Armoured Support Group 

13. 30 AU in Normandy - 'You can't behave like Red Indians any more' 

14. 46 CDO RM - The Attack on Le Hamel and Rots - 12 SS Pz Div

15. Supporting the Rangers at Pointe Du Hoc 

16. 47 Cdo RM - Sallenelles - Orne

Read more/ references

41 CDO War Diary - Pegasus Archive