| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | [en route via] Vierstraat to Pollinchove, Belgium |
| Entry | 0030: Bn arr VIERSTRAAT via LA POLKA, have followed the wrong road after all. Brigade MT waiting. Bn embussed on Bn MT, vehicles having been completely jettisoned of all stores other than weapons and equipment 0100: Bn dep VIERSTRAAT, following 2 Cameronians, who continually halted on account of drivers falling asleep, and who took the wrong route to POPERINGHE. Various other carriers all making for POPERINGHE : slow progress 0530: Bn passes through POPERINGHE, which is partially demolished by enemy bombing. Enemy recce plane over town. Slow progress beyond POPERINGHE. Tps of 3 and 4 Divs getting into posn, NORTH of POPERINGHE. 0730: Bn arrives POLLINCHOVE. 7 Gds Brigade, Art and other tps in billets, including remainder 13 Inf Bde. Bn goes into Billets. Discovered all baggage, cookers, todays fresh rations, signals and previous stores scuttled. Coys reorganised into A, B & D Coys. C att to B, 3 Pl to 'D' Coy. Signals as runners. 8 carriers left fully armed and equipped. Strength Bn 403 O.Rs 1100: Meal issued to tps. Coy Comdrs recce aerial Bombing attack 1400: Brig Whittaker Cmdr 7 Gds Bde, arrs, sees Lt-Col Moore 1500: Brig Dempsey arrives with instructions for Lt-Col Moore 1600: Bridges over FURNES canal blown 1620: Conference all Coy Comdrs for orders 1700: Coys take up posns along the canal, covering three bridges as follows - A right, B centre, D left, each on one bridge. Bn HQs moves to farm a mile in the rear (NW) of POLLINCHOVE, and HQ Coy follows in a farm nearbye [sic]. POLLONCHOVE shelled, causing 2 killed of 2 Wilts and more killed of 2 Innisks, who were out in the open. Art Bttys near Bn HQs area open fire. Rear area bombed by dive bombers, searching for art posns 1945: Lt-Col Moore deps for Bde HQs. All papers, documents and manuals of Bn Ord Room, sorted out in case all vehicles are abandoned 2130: Lt-Col Moore returns from Bde conference, with complete orders for the withdrawal tomorrow through the perimeter (Line of Dunkirk Canal) 2302: Orders issued to coys and Major Walker, comdr rear party 1200: [as diary] Adv Party of Water trucks and Cooks deps for MOERES under Capt Peers Reference to Appendices: Appendix J |
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