Op Ducy - Battle of Rauray

On the afternoon 30th June 1944, the Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) held at O Group at 14:00. The Battalions mission was to defend the area around the village of RAURAY.

The main threat was counter attack by armour from the 2nd SS Das Reich and the 9th SS Panzer Divisions. The defence plan was based upon establishing effective anti armour killing zones for the guns from the anti-tank platoon, and basing the company positions around the gun emplacements.

The Battalion occupied a rise on the Rauray Spur. To its front was the Village of QUEUDEVILLE. Left front was a five cornered field, surrounded by the hedgerows of the bocage. To the north of the Battalion area was a farm, rear left, and the village of RAURAY, with the village of BRETTEVILLETTE to the right.



Rauray Battlefield panorama

Looking towards QUEUDVILLE - moving through 5 Cornered Field 

North to farm and RAURAY then towards BRETTEVILLETE

 

Looking South to QUEUDVILLE over the RAURAY SPUR

Five cornered field

Looking South - RAURAY left / farm right

Looking West to BRETTEVILLETTE

The most effective killing zones for the anti tank guns were to the front of A company, who were located in the five cornered field, and B Company who overlooked the Rauray Spur. Let of A Company was the Corps boundary and 6th KOSB.

The anti tank platoon were equipped with six 6 pounder guns firing sabot ammunition.

C Company were to the right of B Company, D Company rear, Battalion HQ in the famr buildings near Rauray. the 11th DLI were on the right flank, and to the rear 2nd Kensington's. In support were tanks from the 24th lancers and the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanary.




Rauray Battlefield

At 06:00 1st July 1944 the Germans attacked, infiltrating into the C Company position and forcing them back, isolating A and B Companies. The anti tank guns engaged the German tanks, destroying 3. At 11:00 C Squadron 24th Lancers counter attacked with D Company 1TS, D Company reinforcing B Company.

The Germans then launched a second attack, this time forcing A Company back, however, B Company reinforced by D Company continued to hold on the edge of the Rauray Spur. Two more attacks were held by the combined B and D Company, who brought down concentrated artillery fire, including naval gunfire support.

By 17:00, the Panzers were broken and the German attack had failed.

The anti tank gunners of 1TS had destroyed 10 tanks, the 24th Lancers 9, and artillery fire accounted for another 10 or 12.

1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) earned 1 Military Cross, 3 Military Medals, and awarded the Battle Honour DEFENCE OF RAURAY.

The Battalion sustained over 200 casualties, 25% of it's strength.

Piper on the Rauray Spur

Remembering the losses of 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish