SCENE ON 43RD (WESSEX) DIVISION'S SECTOR OF 30TH CORPS' FRONT AFTER THE CAPTURE OF MONT PINCON [Allocated Title]

Medium artillery supports 43rd (Wessex) Division in its efforts to clear the Mont Pincon sector of its remaining German defenders while 129th Brigade's three battalions vacate the summit before going into reserve.

Gunners serving with a medium artillery regiment attached to the 5th AGRA are given mugs of cider and milk by French farm workers in between spells of firing on a hot summer's day. Several 5.5 inch rounds are fired before the gun team drags the gun onto a new target bearing. For each round, a ninety-pounder shell is rammed into the breech followed by its bagged propellant charge (which means a lot of work for hot and thirsty gunners). In position alongside the gun are at least four other 5.5 inch pieces from the same battery. On Mont Pincon, infantrymen from the 4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry take a rest during 129th Brigade's withdrawal into reserve. Sherman tanks from the 13/18th Hussars and a 59th Anti-Tank Regiment RA Morris Quad tractor with a 17-pounder gun in tow roll by.

35mm