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In the Landings of the 6th June 1944 was that of the follow through after the initial assault on the beaches. Therefore, it did not land as a complete Division but as Brigades. At this time I was a Corporal No 1 in 12 Platoon `C' company attached to 5/7 GORDON HIGHLANDERS 153 BRIGADE. We landed at 5pm 6 June on Juno Beach (3rd Canadian Division Area).

The first night we took up defensive position at BENOVILLE coming under heavy German artillery fire. Moving at first light to RANVILLE under 6th AIRBORNE Division, then later digging on the banks of the Caen Canal. As this was a ‘2’ line defence we were not in contact with the enemy, again heavy mortar, artillery fire and the Luftwaffe who kept showing up with anti-personnel bombs (nicknamed by us as butterfly bombs because they made no noise coming down) these were carried in large metal containers and on one occasion the German pilot even dropped this on us!
On the night 10-11th June we crossed the Caen Canal and the river Orne by way of Pegasus Bridge and were positioned at map reference 694 147 at the side of the junction of the road from Breville with that Escoville-Troan. There was much confused fighting with German infantry who held the Butte la Hogue! The brickworks changed hands several times but ended up in enemy hands (at this time).
On the afternoon of the 11th we had orders to pull out after dark (about l0pm) with 5/7 Gordons to cover a gap in our lines through which ran the road Cuverville Escoville at ref 705 137 as indications were of an attack by 21 Panzer Division and 346 Infantry Division. We reached our positions and by the time we had dug the gun pits it was 3am, 12 June. We had no idea of the ground in front of us or exactly where the Germans were.
With daylight only about 1—½ hours away we thought that was when we would sort the situations out. I span a coin with my No 2, "Ginger Richardson", (an ex R.N.F. man). I won, and had just laid out in the gun pit when a terrific barrage opened up. In my half awake state I first thought they were our guns.
When the shells and mortars started landing on our positions I soon changed my mind! Just before dawn we heard the sound of tracked vehicles approaching from the village of Cuverville. Tanks I thought! They came along the road about 300yds to our right, went to a crossroads behind us, turned around and started going back. By now our own 25 pounds were firing on fixed line. It was just getting light. A direct hit on one the these vehicles which we could see were half-track personnel carriers. They had, unknown to us, been full of Panzer Grenadiers who were now creeping through a waist-high cornfield in front of us. Their target to destroy I-17 pounds and 2-6 pounds anti-tank guns alongside us. I am sure these Germans did not know we had moved in. (We had not given our positions away by firing at something we could not see)

Without any prior indication the Panzer Grenadiers jumped out of the corn a few yards in front of us straight into the direct fire of four Vickers machine guns at point blank range. They came screaming and shouting at us throwing grenades and firing schmeisers. As the guns were only about 2 feet above ground this all passed over our heads!

A French farmer had put a wire fence to keep the cows from his corn and these Germans ran into it. The few seconds it took them to get through allowed me to loosen the clamp and my gun in a sweeping arc (together with the other three Vickers as we had got the order "gun control" which means each gun selects its own target)
I fired 2 belts non stop (500 rounds) along the wire and into the corn. We had only just stopped our attackers, some of them were lying a few yards in front. The 3" mortars of the Gordons were blasting the cornfield which was now burning causing the enemy to get out or be burnt alive. I fired another 4 belts (1000 rounds) to help them on their way!
Next four enemy MK4 tanks and an armoured car started advancing down the road towards us. A 6 pdv A/tank to our left had been knocked out but the 17 pdv A/T gun 10 yds to my right was still operational. At a range of about 600yds it opened fire and missed! I thought "that a good start" and by now my stomach began to feel as if it was made of lead! As the enemy had got our range and had opened fire with Nebelwerfers scoring a direct hit on one Vickers and killing three men. The seventeen pdv gun crew now put on a splendid show firing five rounds and knocking out three of the tanks and the armoured car. The remaining tank started to reverse up the road.
I saw it stop and the Commander got out apparently to speak to some infantry sheltering along the road as he climbed back on to get back in, all three guns opened fire and shot him off! I had lost track of time but the enemy started to switch his efforts to our right held by 1st Gordons and our 11 platoon who I could hear firing away. I know as long as I could hear their Vickers firing the enemy had not got behind us. By now my gun was out of action with shrapnel hitting the water jacket. Ginger and I were not hit!
An officer of the Gordons approached me and asked if any enemy dead were close? I pointed out five who were lying within 30 yds of my gun. He said he would get one of his men to get the I.D. of which Division was attacking us. I thought it would be a chance to get a watch or lager or something so I said I would go! Telling Ginger to keep an eye on me (my Vickers had now been replaced) I went through the hedge towards the cornfield. I got to the first enemy who was a Panzer Grenadier Officer lying on his side with his arms stretched out and his luger four feet in front of him where he had dropped it. I thought "I will have that to start with" and bent to pick it up.
This ‘dead’ Officer threw himself forward to get it first. We both missed it, he then pulled his entrenching tool from his equipment and had every intention of slicing my head. My own pistol (38 Webley) was in its holster buttoned up and with the safety catch on. I knew I had no time to get it out. I managed to get my arms round him holding his arms to his side. I am only 5'7" however they say fear gives stretch and I was certainly desperate at that moment. Behind me my platoon had come to life but were unable to fire as we were locked together. I was getting plenty advice what to do shouted at me. I knew
I could not hold him much longer! I shouted back "When I shout ‘Now’ I am going to let go and drop to the ground" This I did.
Cpl Ned Bull who was ready was able to shoot the German Officer who fell dead to the ground. This incident lasted less than 30 seconds. It was the longest 30 seconds of my life. When I get back through the hedge the Gordon Officer was laughing his head off! He said he thought we were having the last waltz together!
I did not get the I.D., nor a watch nor even the luger, someone else had picked it up. We spent another 5 days in these positions with these enemy dead lying just in front. I was glad to move out.

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