Outline of Instrs issued by GOC 4 Cdn Armd Div 071300B Aug 44 Op Totalize
INFM
1. Enemy
The 2 Cdn Corps front is held by 89 Inf Div and 272 Inf Div, reinforces by one bn from 711 Div, on the gen line FONTENAY-le-MARMION 0358 – ROCQUANCOURT 0578 – LA HOGUE 0960 0678 TILLY-LA-CAMPAGNE 0760 – LA HOGUE 0960. There are definite indications that 1 and 12 SS Pz Divs are moving WEST, some elements already having crossed the R ORNE.
2. Own Tps
Outline Order of Battle, 2 Cdn Corps:
(a) 4 Cdn Armd Div
(s) POLISH Armd Div
(c) 2 Cdn Div
(d) 3 Cdn Div
(e) 51 (H) Div
(f) 2 Cdn Armd Bde
(g) 33 Armd Bde
(h) 2 Cdn AGRA
(i) 9 AGRA
3. The task of 2 Cdn Corps is to break through enemy posns astride the CAEN–FALAISE rd.
4. Outline of Ops – 2 Cdn Corps
The op is divided into two phases:
(a) Phase I (i) Right – 2 Cdn Div with under comd 2 Cdn Armd Bde and
(ii) Left – 51 (H) Div with under comd 33 Armd Bde are to capture the gen. line CAILLOURT 0554 – GAUMESNIL 0756 – woods SOUTH of ST AIGNAN de CRAMESNIL area 0588 woods area 1058–1160. H-hr 072330B Aug 44.
(b) Phase II (i) Right – 4 Cdn Armd Div is to pass through 2 Cdn Div and capture the FONTAINE-le PIN feature (pt 180 0737 – pt 195 0846 – pt 206)
(ii) Left – POLISH Armd Div is to pass through 51 (H) Div and capture high ground NORTH of FALAISE (area pt 170 1442 – pt 159 1451).
5. Corps SL, report lines and bdys as already issued.
6. AIR
(a) Phase I – RAF Bomber Command is to drop hy bombs in the area indicated on the trace already issued.
(b) Phase II – RAF med bombers are to drop fragmentation bombs in areas indicated on trace already issued.
(c) 83 Gp RAF in sp First Cdn Army fighter-bombers and RP typhoons are available on call.
7. Additional Tsp Under Comd 2 Cdn Corps:
(a) 1 LOTHIANS (Flail Regt)
(b) 87 Sqn AVRE
8. Inter-Div Bdy – 4 Cdn Armd Div – POLISH Armd Div – Phase II
All incl 4 Cdn Armd Div – pt 112 084549 – church 07527 BRETTEVILLE LE RABET 1060 – WEST edge of woods 116483 – woods 117475 – excl br 127449.
TASK OF 4 Cdn Armd Div
9. To capture FONTAINE-le-PIN feature (pt 180 0747 pt 195 0846 – 206 0943)
METHOD
10. 4 Cdn Armd Div will adv two up.
(a) RIGHT – 10 Cdn Inf Bde with
(i) under comd
One sqn 1 LOTHIANS
Two btys 17 pr A Tk (towed)
One tp 17 pr Tk (SP)
(ii) in sp
15 Cdn Fd Regt
One sqn less one tp 87 Sqn AVRE
One tp 8 Cdn Fd Sqn
(b) LEFT – 4 Cdn Armd Bde with
(i) under comd
One sqn 1 LOTHIANS
One bty A Tk (SP)
(ii) in sp
23 Cdn Fd Regt (SP)
One bty 17 pr A Tk (SP)
One tp 8 Cdn Fd Sqn
11. The op will be carried out in two phases:
(a) Phase I – Move from conc area, VAUCELLES, to assembly area, NORTH of Corps SL on two routes as per instrs already issued.
(b) Phase II – Adv to capture FONTAINE-le-PIN feature – SL for this Phase to be bomb-line for Phase II.
12. Task – 4 Cdn Armd Bde—Phase II
(a) To adv SOUTH, by passing CINTREAUX 0853 and HAUTMESNIL 0852 to the East.
(b) Est a firm base in the area BRETTEVILLE LE RABET and
(c) Adv South to capture the FONTAINE-LE-PIN feature,
(d) A special force composed of the ALQ R embossed in White scout cars and half tracks, with supporting arms, will be under comd 4 Cdn Armd Bde for move in order to relieve elements 4 Cdn Armd Bde in BRETTVILLE LE RABET. This force will revert to comd 10 Cdn Inf Bde as soon as the firm base is consolidated in BRETTSVILLE LE RABET.
13. Task – 10 Cdn Inf Bde – Phase II
(a) To capture and hold in succession
(i) CINTHEAUX 0853
(ii) HAUTNESNIL incl Quarry 0853
A force of NOT more than one bn will be employed on this task.
(b) To firm up and hold with one bn BRETTEVILLE LE RABET and then firm up woods and houses between BRETTEVILLE LE RABET and woods.
14. Task – 18 Cdn Armd Regt
(a) To be prepared to provide one sqn to act as convoy escort for adm vehs moving fwd to the FONTAINE-LE-PIN feature from the assembly area.
(b) To be prepared to exploit SOUTH and EAST from the gen line MESLAY 0043 FONTAINE-le-PIN 0644 FALAISE 1455 ARGENTAN 2618
15. CL, report lines and bdys as already issued.
16. Timings.
(a) Phase I – Move to assembly area completed by 060600B
(b) To cross SL for phase II at approx 061400B
17. Arty.
Arty sp in the form of pre-arranged concs on-call will be provided by 4 Cdn Armd Div Fd Arty with under comd 19 Cdn Fd Regt (sp) and one med regt sp by one AGRA after phase I.
18. Engrs.
(a) Task during phase II to construct, if necessary, crossing of the rly between 068563 and 070580.
(b) After capture of CINTHEAUX and HAUTMESNIL open up CL on main rd CAEN–FALAISE, as far SOUTH as LANGANNERIE 0949.
19. Adm.
Issued Separately.
20. Inter-Com
(a) Axis of Adv, 4 Cdn Armd Div – Rd CAEN–FALAISE except between rd june 047645 – CINTHEAUX, when it will be the EAST track developed by 2 Cdn Div parallel to the rd CAEN–FALAISE.
(b) HQs locations
(i) Phase I – Area X rds 042665
(ii) Phase II – Axis of Adv.
(c) Code words as already issued.
(d) Sigs instrs issued separately.
21. Ack.
| F.E. Wigle Lieutenant Colonel GS 4 Cdn Armd Div |
Time 2359