43 Recce was not fully up to strength until the end of July 1944. In the meantime, 43rd Division had taken part in operations near Caen and was ready to move forward at the beginning of August. Throughout 3 August 43 Recce lay up under constant fire from 88 mm guns, awaiting its first chance to intervene in the campaign. The opportunity came the following morning, but as soon as B squadron moved out up the steep hill with the infantry of 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (DCLI), a patrol of Hawker Typhoons, 'seeing the armoured cars and the infantry intermingled saw fit to intervene'. The half-tracks of the squadron's assault troop were narrowly missed in this 'friendly fire' incident. After passing the crest, two troops turned left along the road through the woods to Ondefontaine. The village proved to be still occupied by the enemy in strength, and a brisk action took place, the armoured cars and the DCLI carrier platoon being engaged by machine-guns, a Panzer IV and two Panther tanks. B Sqn's other troop had turned the other way and probed a long way forward, meeting C Sqn, which had passed through several villages until it caught up with the enemy late in the day at Montcharivel, where leading elements of 15th (Scottish) Division had also gained contact. A firefight and mortaring went on all night. 'Thus, boldly handled, the Reconnaissance Regiment in its first battle had gained information vital to the success of Major-General Thomas's plan,' the divisional historian wrote.