Seven of A-Squadron’s tanks got inland on the first dash through Gap Yellow at about 09:15 two more would follow later. Meeting up with the leading infantry in Graye-sur-Mer the available tanks were divided to support the various companies of the Royal Winnipeg Riffles and the Canadian Scottish Regiment as they moved up the centre and right flank of the Canadian advance. #1 troop Commanded by Lieutenant Max Lees joined with C-Company of the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Lieutenant “Red” Goff and Sergeant Kenyon accompanied D Company of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, while Major Brooks and Sergeant Lumley supported C-Company of the Winnipegs. Captain Jake Powell and Lieutenant Bert Mills caught up with them a little later.
Major W.D. "Dud" Brooks DSO Officer Commanding A Squadron
By 09:30 C-Squadron Commanded by Major A. D'Arcy Marks also began moving inland and a short time later joined with A- Squadron and the infantry just beyond Graye-sur-Mer. Both Squadrons immediately went into action as several well sited machine guns had halted the infantry advance into Banville in the centre while just to the West an enemy counter attack was forming up in St Croix that threatened the beachhead. However, the timely arrival of the Hussars' support allowed the Infantry to win the day. The Commanding officer of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles later described the actions of these two squadrons in a letter to the Brigade commander. “When asked for assistance the Squadron commanders brought everything they had to bear on the task. They used their firepower with complete disregard for their own safety, unhesitatingly crossing suspected minefields and in the face of known anti-tank fire making possible the continued advance.” These actions set the pattern for the rest of the day. No enemy tanks were encountered that day and the tanks of the Hussars were constantly moving back and forth behind and on the flanks of the infantry taking out enemy machine guns and eliminating enemy strong points that threatened the steady advance of their infantry brothers.
Major A. D'Arcy Marks Officer Commanding C Squadron
By early evening the 7th Infantry Brigade supported by the 1st Hussars was firmly entrenched astride its intermediate objective approximately 12 kilometres inland. Although short of their final objective for the day by about 9 kilometres, elements of the 1st Hussars had penetrated further inland and come closer to their final objective than any other unit in the invasion force. After helping the Winnipeg Rifles through Creully on the extreme right flank, one troop of 'C' Squadron commanded by Lt. W.F. McCormick missed a rendezvous with the Canadian Scottish Regiment and pushed on towards the objective. They made it all the way to the north edge of Bretteville-l'Orgueilleuse without encountering any opposition. However, finding themselves isolated some 8-9 kilometres forward of the rest of the 7th Brigade without infantry or anti-tank support and anticipating a strong enemy counter attack they were forced to withdraw. Arriving back in the harbour after dark, Lieutenant McCormick faced several humorous accusations that he had planned a “Dash to Paris”.
Lieut. W. McCormick kneeling, Tpr. L.D. Magee Tpr. W.W. Millar,
Tpr. E. Morneau, Tpr. Harold Hunter