OPERATION EPSOM - SCENES ON THE EVE OF BATTLE (PART 2) [Allocated Title]

The 9th Battalion the Cameronians, which will lead 46th Brigade's push towards the Odon River by assaulting the village of Le Haut du Bosq, prepares for its baptism of fire in a leaguer near Le Mesnil-Patry.

'O' groups are held within the Battalion; 'D' Company commander, Major Law, briefs his platoon commanders and senior NCOs and the Company's No 12 Platoon leader confers with his NCOs on their role on the morrow. Men serving in the Battalion are seen cleaning and re-assembling Lee-Enfield rifles, Bren light machine guns and Sten guns and having a brief bite to eat at the same time. One soldier writes an eve-of-battle letter home. A platoon commander (?) and one of his NCOs pore over a map showing their objective. Men serving in the Cameronians' support company are seen making last-minute adjustments and checks on their 6- pounder anti-tank guns and Loyd tractors and cleaning the working parts and barrel of a 3-inch mortar. Lieutenant-Colonel Villiers, the Battalion's commanding officer, and his second-in-command, Major Walker, are seen together, reading magazines before turning in.

35mm