INCIDENTS WITH THE SEVENTH BATTALION SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY In France And Germany From June 1944 To 1945

Raised on 24 August 1939 as a 2nd Line duplicate of the 5th Battalion, the 7th Battalion initially served with the 5th and 6th in 135th Brigade, 45th Division before transferring on 11 September 1942 to 214th Infantry Brigade, alongside the 5th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and the 9th Somerset Light Infantry (later replaced by the 1st Worcestershire Regiment).Following the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944 (D-Day), both the 4th and 7th Battalions fought throughout the North-West Europe Campaign. They distinguished themselves in the brutal fighting around Caen, particularly during Operation Epsom and the struggle for Hill 112 (Operation Jupiter). The cost was severe: the 4th Battalion alone suffered 556 casualties from a strength of 845, forcing a steady flow of reinforcements as the fighting devolved into trench conditions reminiscent of the First World War.The battalions continued their advance across Europe, taking part in the ambitious but ill-fated Operation Market Garden, contributing during the Battle of the Bulge, and ultimately helping spearhead Operation Plunder, the Allied crossing of the Rhine that opened the way into the heart of German.Originally published in Hamburg Germany shortly after cessation of hostilities, it is categorised as rare in it's original printing.945 printing.