War diary page for 11–14 July 1944, recording repeated firing from Le Mesnil Patry against hostile batteries, mortars, AGRA concentrations, defensive fire tasks, and harassing fire.
Still positioned near Le Mesnil-Patry, the 13th Medium Regiment spent the mid-part of July 1944 engaged in continuous artillery warfare. Following the severe strain of the previous days, this log records the mechanics’ rush to repair broken guns while keeping up an unrelenting barrage against German positions day and night.
💡 Breakdown & Key Events
Non-Stop “Harassing Fire” (11th July):
The regiment fired nearly 1,580 rounds continuously across a 22-hour period (02:00 to 23:59). Harassing fire tasks were designed to keep German troops awake, disrupt their sleep, and target enemy supply roads under cover of darkness.
Getting the Guns Back Online (12th July):
After 8 of the 16 guns broke down on July 10th due to overheated recoil systems and worn breeches, the maintenance crews worked around the clock. By 06:00 on July 12th, 13 guns were back in action, allowing the regiment to step up its firing output once again.
Targeting German Mortars (13th July):
German Nebelwerfer (multi-barrel rocket launcher) and heavy mortar positions were a constant threat to frontline Allied infantry. At 14:12 and through the evening, the regiment turned its heavy 5.5-inch guns specifically toward hunting down these “Hostile Mortar” locations.
Over 2,980 Heavy Shells in Four Days (11th–14th July):
Between July 11th and 14th, the regiment expended nearly 3,000 high-explosive shells. Combined with the previous day’s tally, the gun crews manually lifted and loaded well over 130 tonnes of ammunition in under a week.
🔧 Repairing Artillery in the Dark
With 8 guns knocked out by thermal wear on July 10th, the pressure on the technical crews and fitters was immense. Getting 5 of those 6-tonne monsters back in action by 6:00 AM on July 12th required replacing hydraulic seals and servicing heavy steel breech assemblies right in the field, often working in pitch darkness or under camouflage netting to avoid drawing enemy counter-battery fire.
📝 Transcript
Le MESNIL PATRY | 11 July | 0200 - 2359 :
“Regt was engaged in firing Harassing Fire tasks, Hostile Batteries and AGRA Concentrations, Amn expenditure approx 1580 rds.”
Le MESNIL PATRY | 12 July | 0200 - 0530 :
“Engaged on Hostile Batteries and AGRA Concentrations.”
0600 : “13 guns now IN ACTION.”
1704 - 2350 : “Engaged on Hostile Batteries and AGRA Concentrations. Amn expenditure approx 608 rds.”
Le MESNIL PATRY | 13 July | 0100 - 0420 :
“Engaged on Defensive Fire Tasks and Hostile Batteries.”
1055 : “Engaged on Hostile Battery.”
1412 : “Engaged on Hostile Mortar.”
1600 - 2355 : “Engaged on Hostile Batteries, Hostile Mortars, Agra Concentrations, Defensive Fire & Harassing Fire. Amn expenditure approx 800 rds.”
Le MESNIL PATRY | 14 July | 0500 - 1715 :
“Engaged on Harassing Fire and Hostile Battery Tasks.”