Page 35

-7-
the Green Howards had had experience of the chief problems of war in the
bocage, namely the sniper and the mortar, both of which were provided with
innumerable hiding places, and concealed lines of retreat. There were two
kinds of sniper, the professional who hid well, shot well, and would not
surrender, and the soldier who had been bypassed, and was prepared to show
some resistance before surrendering to strong forces. The chief ambition
of the latter was to pick off a sitting General passing by in his jeep,
or even, as Major Hull feelingly says, a second in command passing to and
fro between the beachhead and the Battalion inland. Fortunately, such
shooting was inaccurate on the whole.
The day had been one of many heroic deeds, and it was also the first
day on which the 6th Battalion had seen its commanding officer in action.
No one who was there will forget the inspiring example set by Lt.-Col.
Hastings, and it is true to say that from that moment the Green Howards
would have followed him anywhere.