Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 021, folder 18: Stanley Elton Hollis

CLUB ROUTE IN EUROPE compiled -by-

Ronald Gill and John Groves

Chapter One. Page 15 A few weeks before D Day a sample of beach texture in the invasion area was obtained by a particularly daring reconnaissance, and it was found that some of the beaches had strips of soft blue clay, which might cause serious bogging of vehicles. A geologically similar beach was found in Norfolk, and the 79th Armoured Division was given the task of finding an answer to this last-minute problem. The answer was found, and a number of tanks were fitted with coir carpets, or “ Bobbins”, which could be laid over the soft patches. Chapter One.P ages 17-22 Flail tanks of the 79th Armoured Division, with their revolving chains, went in to clear lanes through the minefields for the following infantry and tanks, while special armoured vehicles dealt with the under-water obstacles, and DD tanks, in support of the infantry, prepared to follow up. The rough sea made the launching of these very procarious, and many did not reach the shore. A squadron of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry was to provide covering fire for the infantry of the 50th Division. The original intention was to launch them some 7, 000 yards out, but the heavy seas made it necessary to get closer to the shore. The enemy were becoming more active with their

-2 - shelling and some of the craft were hit. Lieutenant Stuart Hills M.C. was commanding a troop of tanks in C Squadron. The ramp of his landing craft had just been let down when a shell landed on the side of it, and another close by, wounding Sergeant Sidsway. Lieutenant Hills decided to launch immediately, but as soon as they entered the water it was apparent that something was wrong. Water poured into his own tank everywhere, and it was evident that the first shell had holed one of the bottom plates. It was hopeless to try and save it, and the crew scrambled into their rubber dinghy. A few seconds later the tank "Bardincollis", disappeared under the waved. Things were going badly for this troop, as not far away two other tanks were going down. Naval craft picked up Lieutenant Hills and his crew, and treated them to a welcome breakfasr of whiskey and Mars Bars. They could not be put ashore as this craft was too busy bombarding the beaches with a six pounder and twin Oewelikons. The next day they borrowed a dinghy, and made a rather belated invasion of the continent in this. In some cases, however, the launching of these DD tanks was more successful. The tanks of the 13th/18th Hussars were launched from 5,000 yards out, and most of them reached the beaches safely to support, the 3rd British Division on our left flank. The sight of tanks swimming shore from deep water considerably startled the Germans. The 1st Battalion, the Dorsetshire Regiment, the left assault Battalion of 231 Brigade, landed a little to the Bast of Le Hamel at half-past seven. There was a considerable amount of shelling and mortaring, but it was not until they advanced inland that really stiff fighting began. The other assault

- 3 - Battalion, the 1st Hampshires, met with opposition in Le Hamel itself, and from the beach defences West of it. Le Hamel was still holding out in the afternoon, and then AVREs (Assault Vehicles Royal Engineers), mounting petards, were put in to support the Hampshires in the street fighting. The well-known landmark, the sanatorium, had been turned into a strong point by the enemy, and received attention from one AVRE under the command of Sergeant Scaife, who fired two petard "dust-bins" at it. The infantry then assaulted, and took 20 prisoners. The most important objective from the Dorsets' point of view was the hill about a mile inland, laiown as Point 54, which dominated the beaches and contained a battery position and strong points. C and D companies, under the command of Major R.M. Nicholl and Major W.N. Hayes respectively, assaulted with great dash and determination and overcame the first of these defenses, suffering considerable casualties. Te advance was frequently held up by heavy and accurate fire, but both the company commanders showed great determination and courage by continually reorganising their men, and pressing the attack. Both of these officers were later awarded the Military Cross. A Company, under the command of Major A .A.E. Jones completed the capture of the chief strong point, killing many Germans and taking a large number of prisioners. By that evening the Battalion had reached all its objectives although casualties had been very heavy and many of the best junior leaders, officers and other ranks, had been killed or wounded. The attack was supported by a squadron of the Sherwood Rangers. The 2nd Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment, third battalion of the

-4 - Brigade, passed through to capture the village of Ryes. At the entrance to the town two large craters were found, which completely blocked the road. Men of 295 Field Company, Royal Engineers, used their tanks as bulldozers, and crashed a diversion round them, thus enabling the attack to proceed. The good people of Ryes were very anxious to know if this was merely a raid, or the real thing at last. On being assured that it was indeed the real thing, their delight knew no bounds, and bottles which has long been stored for this occasion quickly made their appearance. 69 Brigade, with the 6th and 7th Battalions, the Green Howards, and the 5th East Yorks made the landing to the West of La Riviere. Tanks flailed oaths for the infantry, and a large crater on the road to Vers was quickly bridged. After assaulting across the beaches, the company commander of D Company noticed that two pillboxes had been bypassed bu the leading platoons, and in company with C.S.M. S.E. Hollis, he decided to yards of one of them, when a machine gun opened fire from it. The C.S.M., completely disregarding his own safety, rushed straight at the pillbox, firing his Sten gun as he went. He leaped on to the top of it, recharging his Sten, and threw a grenade in through the door. He then fired his Sten into it, killing two Germans, and the remainder surrendered. He captured several Germans from a nearby trench, and by his gallant action he undoubtedly saved his company being fired on from the rear and enabled them to clear the beach. The sea wall was giving protection to German infantryman who were engaging our men with machine guns and grenades, Captain D.A. King R.E.

- 5 - charged the wall with his AVRE, crashed over it and routed the enemy. Tanks of the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards followed up swiftly from landing craft to support the assault. On of them, making its way along the beach to the exit, was held up by a broken-down Jeep. As no time could be wasted the tank drove straight on, crushing the Jeep, much to the annoyance of its owner. The tanks soon made contact with the Green Howards, and began to push inland, meeting a few Boche infantry in a brisk encounter which gave them the opportunity of warming up their machine guns. In Crepon men of the 6th Green Howards encountered a field gun with its crew armed with Spandaus, and were held up. C.S.M. Hollis, previously mentioned, was put in charge of a support group to cover the attack on the gun, but the attack could not make headway. Seeing this, the SergeantMajor pushed forward to engage the enemy with a PIAT from a house only 50 yards from them. He was grazed by a sniper, and the field gun then fired into the house at point blank range. To avoid the falling masonry, he moved to another position, and shortly afterwards the gun was destroyed/ Discovering that two of his men were still in the demolished house, he went forward with a Bren gun, and, although he was under constant fire, he engaged the enemy until the two men got clear. For his unparalleled gallantry throughout this day C.S.M. Hollis was awarded the Voctoria Cross. The advance was held up at Creully, where the Germans flooded the area, and the only road forward was well covered with fire. Typhoons were called in, and the enemy was forced to retire. Snipers were troublesome, but were finally dealt with, and the advance went on against stiffening opposition.