Photo Journal

Photographic History of 2RUR's Journey as Part of the British 3rd Division From 6 June 1944 on Sword Beach to April 1945 in Bremen

2RUR Journey1 - Sword and Normandy

Montgomery addressing 2 RUR prior to D-Day - 18 May 1944 in Droxford (IWM).

"I know this Battalion very well indeed.  I have seen today a lot of men who have served with me before.  In 1938, I was Brigadier in command of this Brigade: I always say that this Brigade has had very good Brigadiers ! "
The General went on to say that in October 1938, he took command of 8th Division, which was then in Palestine dealing with the Arab rebellion.  "Your Battalion was in that Division, and that was my first meeting with the Ulster Rifles, and since then I have taken a very close interest in this Battalion which contains so many Irishmen, and quite a number of them from my part of Ireland, from Donegal and Derry way.  When we had finished with the Arab rebellion I took command of 3 Division and I was anxious that your Battalion should be in 3 Division, so home you went."

The General went on to recall an occasion in Belgium in 1940 when the Battalion was in Louvain and there was some doubt as to whether we or the Germans held the city.  He said that was impossible, for the Ulster Rifles were there.  " I sent my aide-de-camp, now your Major Sweeny, to Louvain to inquire, and he came back with the message " the Rifles are there." I have felt that wherever the Ulster Rifles are, there is no need to worry."

Montgomery Inspecting 2 RUR 18 May 1944 in Droxford (IWM).

1st Lt Willis Photo of 2 RUR Landing Craft LCI (L) 375 at sea

D-Day Sword Beach Landing Craft Bicycles (IWM).

Aerial photo of Sword. Lebisey is the circle in the far distance. Hermanville is on the far right (IWM)


British 3rd Division Order of landing on Sword Beach 6 June 1944


Sword Beach Map and Plan


Sword Beach Assault Plan


Sword Beach - German defences


Sword Beach - German 50mm at Colleville Sur Orne (IWM).


4 Commando landing on Sword Beach 6 June circa 8am (IWM).


Sword Beach Queen Red - Commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade landing from LCI(S) La Breche at 8.40am Brigadier Lord Lovat to right of column and bagpiper Bill Millin (IWM).

Troops wading ashore from an LCI(L) on Sword Queen beach area 6 June 1944 (IWM).
Company Serjeant Major Walsh of "A" Company, and Rifleman Ryan, M.M., of "B" Company did great work by getting a life line ashore from the Landing Crafts Infantry and holding them in such a manner that others were able to beach themselves with greater ease.

 -word Beach Landing craft laden with bicycles (IWM).


Support troops coming ashore at Sword Queen beach (IWM).

3rd Infantry Division on Queen Red Beach Sword circa 0845 hrs 6 June 1944 foreground are sappers of 84 Field Company Royal Engineers part of No5 Beach Group (IWM).

2 RUR on Sword Queen Red Beach (IWM).

3rd Division troops sheltering behind Universal Carriers on Sword Queen beach 6 June 1944 (IWM).

Troops on Sword Queen 6 June 1944 taking shelter behind universal carrier (IWM).

 Troops of 3rd Division on Sword Queen beach area 6 June 1944 On the left medics attend to wounded next to a disabled Churchill AVRE from 5th Assault Regiment Royal Engineers (IWM).

  Medics attending to wounded in the lea of a Churchill AVRE from 5th Assault Regiment Royal Engineers on Sword Queen beach area 6 June 1944 (IWM).

Troops crouch down on Sword Beach in preparation of advance (IWM).


Troops take cover while waiting to go forward on Sword Queen beach 6 June 1944 - Part of the German strongpoint Cod can can be seen in the background (IWM).

Red & White sectors Sword Beach - La Brèche on left - road leading inland to Hermanville in centre right - taken by Air Commodore Andrew Geddes mid morning on D-Day (IWM).


Sword Beach 6 June 1944 - Ouistreham to the left (IWM).


Sword Beach 6 June 1944 from 1000 ft above (IWM).


1st Lt Willis Photo from Landing Craft LCI (L) 375 - POWs being led off beach

German prisoners being marched along Sword Queen beach area 6 June 1944 (IWM).

1st Lt Willis Photo of 2 RUR Landing Craft LCI (L) 375 on Sword Queen Beach

Troops from 3rd Division with bicycles move inland from Sword Queen beach 6 June 1944 (IWM).


The Battalion then quickly made its way from the beach to Lion-sur-Mer, a small village about half a mile inland.  This was the Assembly Area (IWM).


Ouistreham coffee shop opens for British troops (IWM).


Vehicles and infantry on bicycles of British 3rd Division in La Brèche d'Hermanville (IWM).

Troops of "A" Company, 2 RUR pause in La Brèche d'Hermanville during their move inland 6 June 1944 from Queen Red Beach. On the right are Rifleman McNaul from County Antrim and Rifleman Charles with his Bren Gun (subsequently awarded the Military Medal for his actions on 18th July outside Troarn (IWM).

Colourisation by www.photowizard-restoration.co.uk 

Vehicles of 3rd Division in La Brèche d'Hermanville as they move inland from Sword Beach on the
6th June 1944 (IWM)

German Positions 6 June 1944


Front Line positions 7-8 June 1944

Sword Queen Beach 7 June 1944 (IWM).

Sword Beach - Queen Red - British LCT landing craft grounded (IWM).


LC T750 Landing Craft on Queen Sector of Sword Beach (IWM).


Sword Beach Queen Red - picture of grounded LCT 750 (IWM).

Sword Beach - picture from LCT 750 of sunk ships forming Gooseberry off Hermanville (IWM).


Positions as at 7th-8th June 1944

First Attack on Cambes Wood - 7 June 1944

On the 7th June, the Rifles were ordered to capture Cambes, a small village thickly wooded, and approximately six miles inland from the coast.  The Battalion moved via Le Mesnil, with "D" Company.  commanded by Captain J. R. St. L. Aldworth as vanguard.
It was believed that Cambes was lightly held, but as the two woods surrounding it were themselves surrounded by walls some ten feet high, it was not possible to observe the enemy's actual dispositions.  "D" Company was therefore ordered to proceed forward and capture Cambes with the rest of the Battalion closely following in reserve.
About 1700 hours on the 7th June, "D" Company moved forward supported by one squadron of tanks (East Riding Yeomanry), while the rest of the Battalion halted at the side of the wood.  A short diversion was provided here as four enemy fighters suddenly appeared and machine-gunned the rear companies, causing no casualties.  On reaching the wood-the approach having been somewhat costly owing to enemy snipers on the forward edge of the wood, and accurate mortar fire dropping onto the approach-the Company split into half, two platoons under the Company Commander attacking the village through the left side of the wood, and the other platoon and Company Headquarters, commanded by the company's Second-in-Command, Captain J. Montgomery, attacking through the right edge of the wood.

Approach to Cambes Wood from Anisy - circa 1500 yards across a shallow slope with waist high corn offering no cover



Immediately the company broke into the wood, cross fire from machine guns opened up, resulting in many casualties.  The Company Commander was killed on the left, and one Platoon Commander on the right, Lieutenant H. Greene, was wounded and unable to carry on.  Captain Montgomery, deciding that the opposition was too heavy for his depleted company to overcome, ordered a withdrawal from the wood.

The attack had cost "D" Company its Commander and fourteen other ranks killed, one officer and eleven other ranks wounded and four other ranks missing, with two stretcher bearers from the Medical Section killed whilst tending the wounded.


Members of 18 Platoon, D Company Killed in Action at first attack on Cambes Wood - 7 June 1944
RFM Desmond Bradley
Cpl Kohler
RFM Williamson
RFM McAllister

Second Attack and Taking of Cambes Wood - 9 June 1944
At 1515 hours 9th June, A and B Companies crossed the start line followed by the Battalion O Group behind A Company. The men were well spaced out and advanced in good order, direction being steadied by the Commanding Officer from the left.

As the Companies reached the ridge some 1100 yards from the objective, whence they could be permanently observed by the enemy they came under a heavy barrage of mortar and shell fire accompanied by machine gun fire.

The Commanding Officer of the East Riding Yeomanry, who had fought with the Guards, observing the advance from the start line, said to himself "This is where they get to ground, and the attack is held up". To his astonishment however, the Battalion continued to advance in open order keeping perfect distance.

Certainly there is no doubt that the Companies advanced through what appeared to be an impassable barrage with the same unconcern as that shown on a company field firing exercise.

Men were dropping all round, but still the advance continued.

A Company under Major W. D. Tighe-Wood were particularly unfortunate, losing all three of their Platoon Commanders, Lt R. S. Hall being killed, and the other two, Lt D. Walsh and Lt J. St. J. Cooper being wounded in such a way that they could not carry on. Further, one Platoon Serjeant was also knocked out. But Major Tighe-Wood, despite these difficulties, succeeded in establishing his Company upon the objective and inspired all ranks by his example of cool and determined leadership. Cpl O'Reilly finding himself the senior person left in his platoon, took command and did very good work during the difficult period of consolidation which followed.

Remains of the stone walls around Cambes Wood originally circa 10ft high


In the same Company, Rfn Miller finding his section leader-less, took over command and led his section with great initiative. L/Sjt McCann, A Company, was badly wounded in the face, but refused to drop out of the fight until his Platoons objective had been obtained.

B Company on the right, under the command of Major J. W. Hyde, came under heavy mortar and machine gun fire from the flank about 400 yards from the near edge of their first objective. With great presence of mind Sjt Kavanagh of 11 Platoon engaged the machine guns with his Bren groups and also directed the attention of a tank on to the trouble. Subsequent patrolling located several enemy dead in the target area.

The first objective was quickly taken, 10 Platoon passing with great speed through the village to the church, their final objective. One German, an SS sniper was wounded and taken prisoner.

A and B Companies reached their first objective by 1630 hours. In passing through A Company, C Company, who by this time had the Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers tanks under command, lost these to German 88 mm guns firing from La Bijude.

These tanks manned by Royal Engineers had done great work, their crews having shown a strong desire to get to grips with the enemy, carrying out tasks which strictly they were not intended to do.

However, C Company Commander, Major J. C. S. G. de Longueuil, could not communicate with them during the battle, and they fought until their tanks were knocked out underneath them.

When C Company with great vigour and dash, had fought their way through the wood to their final objective, they were unfortunate in losing one of their Platoon Commanders, Lt R. C. Diserens, who regardless of his own safety, was running about in the open under fire, putting his platoon into position. This very enthusiastic young officer was severely wounded and died later from the effects, a great loss to his Company and to the Battalion.

D Company, which it will be remembered was sadly depleted, went through B Company, and almost immediately, two of its remaining three officers were wounded, Captain J. Montgomery the acting Company Commander, though wounded twice in the leg, carried on throughout the battle, and Lt Lennox, after leading his Platoon with great determination was severely wounded and could not carry on.

Had D Company not secured its objective, it is possible that the enemy could have used this portion of the village and wood to make a very vigorous counter attack. In this battle D Company lost a further two killed, fifteen wounded, and one missing.

Immediately the leading companies had reached their first objectives, the Anti-Tank Platoon under command of Captain C. R. Gray was ordered to move forward to assist in consolidation.

All gun detachments moved forward in the face of an accurate 88 mm and mortar fire, and succeeded in being manhandled into position with the exception of one detachment. This was commanded by Cpl Boyd and received a direct hit from an 88 mm shell which besides knocking out the carrier, wounded Cpl Boyd and Rfn Heald and killed Rfn Bingham. Rfn Walton the remaining member of the crew escaped without injury. The gun itself was later recovered and manhandled into position.

Whilst consolidating against a probable counter attack, the enemy subjected the position to a vicious attack of mortar and shell fire which lasted for five hours, so that the digging in was carried out under the greatest difficulties. During the consolidation, Captain M. D. G. C. Ryan, Headquarter Company Commander, was severely burnt in the hands by the explosion of a Phosphorous Smoke Bomb, and evacuated, and Major Brooks, MC, the very popular commander of the RA Battery which had supported the Battalion since 1939, was killed.

At the end of the day, the Battalions total casualties were three Officers and forty one Other Ranks killed, seven Officers and one hundred and thirty one Other Ranks wounded and evacuated, three Officers and three Other Ranks wounded but not evacuated, one Officer and ten Other Ranks missing, making a total away from the Battalion of eleven Officers and one hundred and eighty two Other Ranks.

Members of 2 RUR who died in attacks on Cambes Wood 7th and 9th June 1944
Capt J R St L Aldworth 07-Jun-44
7017126 Rfn Bradley A 07-Jun-44
7010230 Rfn Connolly J 07-Jun-44
3634396 Rfn Hartley P 07-Jun-44
7011474 L/C Kane T 07-Jun-44
7018769 Rfn Kane W 07-Jun-44
7016376 Cpl Kohler A 07-Jun-44
7014297 Cpl Millar H 07-Jun-44
7009594 Rfn McAllister G 07-Jun-44
7015463 McAllister R 07-Jun-44
7013785 L/S Rooney H 07-Jun-44
7021446 L/C Rowley 0 07-Jun-44
7019849 Rfn SewelI N 07-Jun-44
14203182 Rfn Smith H 07-Jun-44
7018176 Rfn Williamson J 07-Jun-44

7020577 Rfn Michaelides M 08-Jun-44

Lieut R C Diserens 09-Jun-44
Lient R S Hall 09-Jun-44
7016406 Rfn Bailey F 09-Jun-44
7016624 Rfn Ball J 09-Jun-44
7044554 Rfn Bingham S 09-Jun-44
7015952 Rfn Creasy B 09-Jun-44
7011740 Rfn Gordon J 09-Jun-44
7015482 Rfn Halfpenny J 09-Jun-44
7018479 Rfn Hursey J 09-Jun-44
14206465 Rfn Lillicrap J 09-Jun-44
14653604 Rfn Macarthy J 09-Jun-44
6985604 Rfn Martin H 09-Jun-44
7019794 Rfn Maynard C 09-Jun-44
7022576 L/C Merry K 09-Jun-44
7021305 Rfn Mullan R 09-Jun-44
6975889 Cpl O'Callaghan P 09-Jun-44
7020205 Rfn Patterson J 09-Jun-44
6979411 Rfn Patton R 09-Jun-44
7019311 Cpl Payne F 09-Jun-44
7011646 Rfn Rice W 09-Jun-44
7017531 Cpl Rogers L 09-Jun-44
7011203 Rfn Scott W 09-Jun-44
14216344 Rfn Shore R 09-Jun-44
7016349 Rfn Valentine H 09-Jun-44
5391622 Rfn Varnham C 09-Jun-44
14552116 Rfn Wilson D 09-Jun-44


First British troops in Caen pose with locals July 1944 (IWM).

Members of 2 RUR in Caen 9 July 1944 (IWM).

Lt Cyril Rand of 2 RUR in Caen 9 July 1944 (IWM).



British troops celebrating the capture of Caen July 1944 (IWM)


British troops celebrating the capture of Caen 10 July 1944 (IWM). Most likely troops of 1 Kings Own Scottish Borderers and 2 Royal Ulster Rifles who took the centre of Caen that day. (Note 2nd Battalion Rifleman far right).

Colourisation by www.photowizard-restoration.co.uk 

2 RUR Continuation of Journey2 - Belgium and Holland


Infantry carrying assault boats Meuse-Escaut Canal near Lille St Hubert 19 September 1944 (IWM).


Infantry carrying assault boats for crossing of Meuse-Escaut Canal near Lille St Hubert
19 September 1944 (IWM).



Middlesex Regiment Vickers machine guns fire in support of troops crossing the Maas-Schelde Canal


Montgomery crossing the Maas with troops in a Buffalo amphibious carrier during rehearsals for the Rhine crossing 17 March 1945 (IWM).





2RUR Continuation of Journey3 - Germany and ultimate victory



The Capture of Bremen April 1945


2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles clear a bombed street as they enter Bremen April 1945 (IWM).


2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles street fighting in Bremen April 1945 (IWM).

Members of 9th British Infantry Brigade Headquarters Defence Platoon May 1945 comprising troops from: 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles; 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers; 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire regiment.
 Brigadier W Kempter OBE of Kings Shropshire Light Infantry sat centre and Lieutenant M.P. Scanlon (Camp Commandant) of 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles sat on his right.
See 9th-british-infantry-brigade-in-ww2.blogspot.com for further details.

British 3rd Division Casualties 6 June 1944 to 30 April 1945