23rd (Northumbrian) Division
War Diary
In respect of the War Diary for the Division, this was not one single document or file. Each Divisional Branch had its own War Diary and these need to be read in conjunction with each other. Unfortunately, due largely to the circumstances experienced by this second-line Division, which existed only between September 1939 and June 1940, many of the pages are missing or contain only very limited information.
What does exist has been recorded in this section of the history and includes a very considerable amount of material dealing with the time spent in France and Belgium with the British Expeditionary Force, culminating in the complexities of the retreat to Dunkirk.
AQ Branch
GS Branch
Darlington - 28th September 1939
Orders were received from Northern Command, prior to the opening of the new Divisional HQ at “Uplands”, Darlington, to the effect that 23rd Division would take over, from 50th Division, the responsibility for providing guards for vulnerable points in the Divisional area from 2nd October 1939. These guards were to be found from the National Defence Companies, supplemented as necessary by T.A. personnel.
23rd Division was also to take over from 50th Division responsibility for defence against seaborne attacks within the Command from 15th October 1939 and the following troops would be put at the disposal of the Division from that date :-
(A) Tyne Group – one Battalion Infantry and one Regiment of Field Artillery from 42nd Division.
(B) Tees Group - one Battalion Infantry and one Regiment of Field Artillery from 49th Division.
(C) Hull and East Riding Group – one Regiment of Yeomanry (dismounted) and one Regiment Royal Horse Artillery from 5th Cavalry Brigade, for operations North of the Humber. One Regiment of Yeomanry (dismounted) and one Regiment Royal Horse Artillery from 6th Cavalry Brigade, for operations South of the Humber.
In addition, the Infantry Training Centres within the Division’s area would be made available as Area Reserves.
Darlington - 29th September 1939
Orders received from Northern Command ( CRNC No 2/3363(A) of 27th September 1939) that, with effect from 00:01 hrs on 2nd October 1939, the 23rd Division would be regarded as being under separate command, under its commander. [From the declaration of War 23rd Division, as a new duplicate formation, had been under the administrative control of 50th Division, its parent body.]
In a letter from 50th Division, reference 175/TA/G, received by all units in 23rd Division (said in the War Diary to have been dated 28th October 1935, though this is almost certainly a manuscript error for 28th September 1939) it was made clear that 23rd Division would function as a separate entity from 2nd October and would then take over the manning of all vulnerable points. Furthermore, with effect from 15th October, the new Division would relieve 50th Division of all Civil Defence duties. [This was so as to release 50th Division from UK commitments, prior to its despatch overseas as part of the B.E.F.]
This letter also gave details of the troops placed at the disposal of 23rd Division for defence against sea or airborne attack. Details are set out above in the entry for 28th September.
Darlington - 16th November 1939
70 Bde reported to the Division that 57 Lt AA Brigade had relieved 11 DLI from guarding R.A.F. Usworth.
Darlington - 20th December 1939 - 1200 hours
The War Diary included a note that the 23rd Div Signals Section took over Civil Defence duties from A Coy of 10 DLI in Darlington and its vicinity. A Coy of 10 DLI then moved to South Shields on the 22nd of December 1939.
Divisional Commander Royal Artillery
Divisional Commander Royal Engineers
Divisional Supply Column
1940
AQ Branch
GS Branch
Darlington - January 1940
The Division noted that a cadre of 187th Field Ambulance, RAMC, reported to the 23rd Division and were stationed at Houghton-le-Skerne, near Darlington. [For more details see the 187th Field Ambulance War Diary.]
Darlington - 7th March 1940
The Divisional staff were warned verbally at 17:00hrs (presumably by either Northern Command or the War Office) about the impending move of the Division to France between 14th – 21st April 1940.
Darlington - 9th March 1940
Preparatory order received at 10:00 hours by the Division regarding the impending move overseas. The troops expected to be included were the Divisional HQ, both Infantry Brigades, the Divisional Engineer units, some Signals personnel and one Field Ambulance.
Darlington - 10th March 1940
Information received that the date of embarkation was estimated to be 15th April 1940.
Darlington 10th April 1940.
Divisional advance parties despatched to the port of embarkation.
Southampton - 11th April 1940
Divisional transport loaded on to the “SS City of Christchurch” for movement to France.
12th April 1940.
Darlington.
Lecture by Brig Aubrey on the German Army to officers and men of the units of the Division.
Southampton.
The Divisional Advance Party embarked at Southampton on the “SS Lady of Man” – and docked at Le Havre 13th April.
Darlington - 14th April 1940.
The main Divisional Road Parties set off for Southampton, and arrived at the docks on 21st April. The troops embarked on the “Ulster Prince” – docking at Le Havre on 22nd April.
Infantry Road Parties were then despatched to Southampton. On the journey there was some experience of seeing enemy aircraft overhead, and then being fired on in anger for the first time.
France - 23rd to 27th April 1940.
On arrival in France the Division were concentrated at BOLBEC then moved to MIRAUMONT.
Darlington - 1st May 1940.
The Division’s Rear Parties left Darlington to join their comrades in France.
France - 2nd May 1940.
Units of the Division started work on aerodrome construction – the core reason for the Division being posted to the B.E.F.
France - 10th May 1940.
German invasion of Belgium and France begins. Some Construction Company casualties from air-raids. None in the Infantry Battalions.
France - 12th May 1940.
Division asked to take over airfield protection in Line of Communication area N & S of ABBEVILLE. Warning order passed to 70 Brigade to select a Battalion for this duty. Extra RNF transport sent to 10 DLI – the Battalion selected for this role.
France - 13th May 1940.
Extra Field Ambulance (transport) truck also sent to 10 DLI.
France - 15th May 1940.
10 DLI arrived ABBEVILLE – Operational order sent out. All woods in vicinity of airfields to be combed, dawn and dusk – emergency operations message. Transport provided to get troops to airfields.
France - 16th May 1940.
Aerodrome defence to take priority over all other work.
France - 17th May 1940.
Bridge guards ordered over all CANAL DU NORD bridges. All units at immediate notice to move. Operational order issued ordering occupation of line CANAL DU NORD from RUYAULCOURT to ARLEUX. 70 Bde HQ at RIENCOURT.
France - 18th May 1940.
Div Cdr (Gen M G Herbert) visits 70 Bde HQ and carries out reconnaissance on right of the Brigade's sector – considers this an open flank BERTINCOURT – YTRES – NEUVILLE – RUYAULCOURT and thinks this is excellent tank country – completely unprotected. Visits HQ 1 TS and briefs Lt-Col Swinburne. Sees 10 DLI in reserve and goes back to Div HQ, reporting open right flank to GHQ.
Allotted artillery turns out to be short of sights and signal instruments. Some guns not working but repaired during day. Two batteries allotted to right sector to cover right rear of right Brigade and two to left sector.
Attacks on CRE demolition parties on right of 23 Div by tanks. Anti-Tank guns and ammo sent from GHQ. Troops had not been trained in their use. CANAL DU NORD positions bombed.
France 19th/20th May 1940
Maj Trenam DAQMG sent to give verbal orders to Brg Kirkup for withdrawal to position behind LA BASSEE Canal.
See copy of detail diary – 26 pages
Copy of Operational summary – 11 pages.
Copy of narrative and summary 1 Tyneside Scottish – 17 pages.
Copy of detail diary – 7 pages
Divisional Commander Royal Artillery
Divisional Commander Royal Engineers
Divisional Supply Column
