Admiring the view

2^nd August

“As we had now advanced considerably, a new field of targets had come in sight, but which were out of range. I accordingly moved my mortars up to a position not far behind the crossroads. This junction of roads which we had just captured was a very vital one as it was the last remaining supply route from the west to Villers Bocage, where a fierce battle was raging.

 I lost my second in command here because he was required to take over the mortar section of another company who had been less fortunate and had lost three mortar sergeants.

There was a certain amount of sniping on the top of the hill from which there was an excellent view of enemy territory, and as I was returning from there two of our men were shot in the hedge gap through which I was about to pass.

The country was much more pleasant here, under more favourable circumstances one might have admired the view from the summit. The carrier, which we had had to leave behind, now caught up with us. One of the company’s half-tracks unaccountably caught fire close to the summit of the hill which we were afraid might incite the enemy to a little long-range artillery fire, but nothing came.”