He went to France as GSO 2 RA I Corps, then after returning to UK he went to West Africa as a GSO 1 before returning to the UK to command a regiment, but was soon promoted to become Commander, Royal Artillery in the 3rd Infantry Division. In 1943 he became CCRA XII Corps preparing for the invasion of Europe. In early 1944 he was appointed CCRA of XXX Corps, an assault corps on employed in the Normandy landings. He would often lead his artillery from the front, acting as a spotter and ordering fire from the plane, tank or armoured car from which he was commanding. During the Ardennes offensive he became temporary GOC of 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division but returned to CCRA to help plan the Operation Veritable offensive into the Reichswald with thirteen divisions and over 1000 guns under overall command.