Early in the morning of June 24th 1944 a cargo ship fitted for war, the Derrycunihy (sometimes referred to as the Derry Cunihy), was carrying 600 men of the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment (HQ, A and C Squadrons) and heading in to land at Sword Beach. The ship’s movement triggered an acoustic mine, splitting it in two, and an ammunition truck on board also exploded igniting the spilled oil on the water. More than 180 men died, including Alex Johnston, Dick’s best friend from his time in 43rd Recce. Another 150 were injured.
The 43rd Recce were held at Pouligny (between Arromanches and Bayeux) to reform and re-equip during July. According to Roy Howard “the 61st took their place until they could be made back up to strength” (‘Beaten Paths are Safest’ by Roy Howard, Brewin Books 2004) although Doherty only mentions the 161st (Green Howards) Regiment as the replacement for 43rd Recce’s ‘A’ Squadron from the end of July (‘Only the Enemy in Front Every other beggar behind…’ The Recce Corps at War 1940-1946’ and ‘The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II’ by Richard Doherty). Eric Postles remembers that in mid-July “We were joined in 30 Corps by 43 Division and remained with them until Holland.”
(See also Major Desmond Scarr’s story Disaster at Sea.)‘
On shore, in Normandy, Eric Brewer of 61st Recce seems to have made an important find on patrol:
June 24th - “What an army! You don’t know whether you are coming or going. They decided that we should stay here, so we went on General Patrol, found this position and the artillery put up a barrage, followed by mortars. Then the Air Force strafed it with rockets and bombs. Later heard that there were about 500 Gerrys killed in the woods where the barrage was the heaviest: that is according to the news…” (From Eric Brewer’s Diary by kind permission of Derek Brewer and his family)
Recent Comments