Difference between revisions of "11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary January 1944"

Latest revision as of 16:47, 13 May 2018

3rd January 1944 Southwold.

D Company were engaged in Platoon Field Firing at Dunwich.

The Mortar and Anti-Tank Platoons were practising at Dunwich DINGLE.

4th January 1944

Exercise “IBEX”. The Brigade Commander’s briefing conference was held.

The purpose of Exercise “IBEX” was to enquire into the time necessary, and the equipment required, to brief an assault Battalion. After the Brigade Commander’s briefing, which was attended by the CO, 2 i/c, Adjutant and Company Commanders, there was a short Battalion Group Conference at which the CO explained the essential features of his plan.

5th January 1944

B Company moved to Southwold and C Company moved to the Camp at EASTERN BAVENTS.

D and HQ Companies were on the Ranges.

Exercise “IBEX” Operation Order No 1 was issued and a copy filed with the War Diary as Appendix A – for details see below.

6th January 1944

The CO carried out a billet inspection of HQ Company.

At 18:00 hours the CO gave a lecture on Assault Training.

7th January 1944

Preliminary reconnaissances took place for an Infantry – Tank Co-operation Exercise “FORRARD FAITHFUL” between A Company of 11th DLI and a Squadron of the East Riding Yeomanry. This was described on Appendix B attached to the War Diary – for details see below.

8th January 1944

A Battalion briefing was held for Exercise “IBEX”. Throughout the day, Companies in turn were briefed on the models by their Company and Platoon Commanders.

9th January 1944

Exercise “IBEX”. B Company, the left forward Company in the exercise, together with representatives of Battalion HQ, went out to the exercise area to walk the ground and to test the success of the briefing. It was agreed that the briefing had been good except for the slope of the shingle beach (which would have given the Tanks trouble) and the width of the second anti-tank ditch.

10th January 1944

C, D and S Companies carried out Field Firing Schemes at Dunwich.

A Company walked the ground for Exercise “IBEX”.

11th January 1944

B Company were carrying out Platoon Field Firing with one Troop of the Medium Artillery Regiment in support.

A full-rank NCO’s Cadre began under the 2 i/c and Major Low – lasting from 11th to 16th January.

12th January

A demonstration was given by the East Riding Yeomanry of the fire power of the Sherman Tanks.

A Company carried out a rehearsal for Exercise “FORRARD FAITHFUL” with the support of two detachments of Mortars, two Sections of Carriers and one Section of the Anti-Tank Platoon.

13th January 1944

C Company were at Dunwich carrying out a Platoon exercise in the GOOSE HILL area.

14th January 1944

Dry and Wet rehearsals were carried out for Exercise “FORRARD FAITHFUL” in the Dunwich area.

15th January 1944

The Battalion held an RSM’s Parade.

The day was a holiday for the A Company Group.

16th January 1944

A Company Group held a rehearsal for the Tank demonstrations, but this was interrupted by very thick fog.

17th January 1944

A Company’s exercise was now called Exercise “FORRARD”. Once more, rehearsals were postponed on the ground, due to fog, until the following morning.

Platoon Field Firing exercises were carried out by C and D Companies.

1 Corps Camouflage Officer was due to visit, but this was also delayed by fog. Due to the readjustment of “FORRARD” arrangements it was impossible to fit this in later in the programme.

A five-day General Duties Cadre began for young NCO’s and selected Privates under the instructions of the Weapon Training Officer and the RSM.

18th January 1944

Visibility was doubtful at first but the rehearsal for Exercise “FORRARD” was carried out, attended by spectators from 49th Division.

C Company were on Range practices while B Company were engaged in Platoon Field Firing.

19th January 1944

Exercise “FORRARD” was very successfully performed both morning and afternoon before spectators from 49th Division, including General Barker (Divisional Commander), and 21st Army Group.

A Company, the Mortar Platoon and the Anti-Tank Platoon were congratulated by the General Officer Commanding.

B Company was on Range practices while C Company was carrying out Platoon Field Firing.

20th January 1944

Owing to yesterday’s double demonstration, and distances which would have been involved without full maintenance having been carried out, the Anti-Tank Platoon’s allotment of the HORESEY Range was cancelled.

21st January 1944

A Platoon test Competition was held between picked Platoons from each Company. Marks were awarded for Turnout, March out, Discipline in the Platoon, Section Commanders’ tactical appreciation, plan, and the execution of plans by the Platoon. The result in order of merit was 9, 11, 13 and 12 Platoons.

22nd January 1944

A CO’s Ceremonial Parade was held with the Band on the Common, followed by an inspection of billets by the CO and 2 i/c.

24th – 29th January 1944

This was the Battalions “night week”. The routine was as follows:-

Reveille 11:30 hours.

Breakfast 12:30 hours.

Daylight reconnaissances etc 14:00 to 16:30 hours.

Tea 16:30 hours.

Break.

Dinner 19:30 hours.

Night schemes 20:30 – 03:00 hours.

Hot drink and lights out 03:00 hours.

The week was devoted to four main subjects: minefields, patrols, night driving and the practising of Company, and eventually Battalion, night attacks.

On the night of 28th/29th there was a full dress Battalion night attack scheme with artillery support.

The scheme was directed by the CO and the 2 i/c commanded the Battalion. The scheme was designed to show, as simply as possible, the various stages of a night attack as follows:-

Concentration in the assembly area.

Move forward to the Forming Up Point through a breach in the minefields.

Assault.

Consolidation and the bringing up, through the minefield, of the Carriers, Anti-Tank Guns and Motor Transport.

The scheme ended about 10:00 hours with breakfast in the field and the Battalion returned to Camp in Motor Transport.

30th/31st January 1944

Preparations were made for the move to THETFORD. This was to be entirely by transport and at very short notice.

Appendices attached to the January 1944 11th DLI War Diary.

Appendix A – Operation Order No 1 – issued 4th January 1944.

This was the basic Order for Exercise “IBEX”, but the paperwork was not identified directly as such, and was accompanied in the original format by an Intelligence Summary and Aerial photographs and traces – none of the latter photographs or maps were included in the copy filed with the War Diary – perhaps for security reasons.

The basic Orders were for 1 Corps (consisting of 3rd British and 49th Divisions) to assault through the beaches on D-Day between WALBERSWICK and ALDEBURGH – 3rd British on the right and 49th on the left.

49 Division would have, under command, 6 and 7 Commandos in support, with 146th Infantry Brigade on the right, 70th Infantry Brigade on the left and 147th Infantry Brigade in reserve. 1 Para Brigade would assault between THE SLUICE 9383 and ALDEBURGH. 49 Division would assault through 3rd British Division on the second tide on D-Day (hence the term "follow-up Division").

70th Infantry Brigade would assault with 11th DLI on the right, 10th DLI on the left and 1st Tyneside Scottish in reserve and would:-

Seize the high ground area from GREAT WOOD 8877 to PORTOBELLA COVERT 8877.

Consolidate on the high ground 8778 East of FRISTON and protect the left flank of 147th Brigade.

The attack would be carried out in three phases:-

Phase 1 - Capture the line of the railway including CRAG PIT Farm by 11th DLI landing on EASY GREEN and EASY AMBER beaches and 10th DLI landing on FOX GREEN beach. During this phase 1st Tyneside Scottish would land on FOX GREEN or EASY AMBER beaches and assemble behind the first objective.

Phase 2 – 1st Tyneside Scottish to seize the high ground GREAT WOOD to PORTOBELLA COVERT – the axis of advance being varied depending on the beach used for landing. During this phase 10th DLI were to remain in the reserve area of CRAG PIT Farm – MARSH COVERT while 11th DLI cleared Thorpeness.

Phase 3 – Advance to, and consolidate the high ground East of FRISTON with 11th DLI on the right, 10th DLI on the left and 1st Tyneside Scottish taking up the rear.

The Commandos were to land at H minus 5 hours approximately and would:-

Destroy the Coastal Batteries at ALDEBURGH by H minus 2 hours.

Clear ALDEBURGH and seize the road junction 910749.

Come under command of 70th Brigade for protection of the left flank to the South, including the road between SNAPE and ALDEBURGH.

1 Para Brigade would drop at H minus four hours and were tasked to:-

Seize LEISTON Airfield 8882.

Demolish the bridges over the River ALDE to delay the advance of 6th Panzer Division.

Destroy enemy gun positions.

The Royal Navy Bombardment Squadron would be on call to the Commandos to neutralise the Coastal Defence Batteries at ALDEBURGH prior to H hour, and would provide two Monitors and six Destroyers on call for fire support after H hour plus 30 minutes.

The RAF were tasked to carry out attacks on the defences up to H hour plus 30 minutes and subsequently to delay 6th Panzer Division.

The detailed Orders were then set out for the Battalion with their routes, targets, objectives and the troops they had in support. (In fact, the copy of the Operation Order filed with the War Diary states that these are the detailed instructions for 10th DLI – it is assumed that this is a misprint, as the details match the outline set out above for 11th DLI.)

The troops in support of the Battalion were:-

Under command - 617 Squadron of 42 Assault Regiment, Royal Engineers.

Under command - 2 Platoons of 757 Field Company, Royal Engineers.

Under command - A Bearer Section of 187 Field Ambulance.

In support – 185 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.

In support – B Squadron – East Riding Yeomanry. They were tasked to; land at H hour and support the advance of the Armoured Vehicles Royal Engineers on to the lateral road, neutralise the Machine Gun post at SLUICE COTTAGE until occupied by our Infantry, neutralise the enemy Platoon position at MARSH COVERT and on the high ground around CRAG PIT Farm, and support the advance of B or D Companies on to MARSH COVERT if this takes place.

The Armoured Vehicles Royal Engineers were to land at H plus 5 minutes, create two gaps across each Company front, include two Bridging Tanks for crossing the anti-tank ditches at 919762 and 917761 and sufficient fascines to enable the Tanks to cross the ditches at 917762.

The Assault Company Groups were to land at H plus 20 minutes – A on the right and B on the left and proceed to seize the lateral road and neutralise the enemy positions at HAVEN HOUSE and SLUICE COTTAGES respectively.

In Phase 1(b) the reserve Companies, C on the right and D on the left, would land at H plus 50 minutes and capture the line of the railway from 913775 to CRAG PIT Farm. D Company would destroy enemy positions at MARSH COVERT if these had not already been taken by B Company. The armour would continue in support, especially in reducing pillboxes in the area of MARSH COVERT.

Phase 2 was a consolidation phase and the armoured troops would move to other tasks. Tasks were allocated to the Battalion's Carriers, Mortars, Anti-Tank Platoon and the Pioneer Platoon.

The Artillery support from 86 and 185 Field Regiments was set out, including targets and timing for their shoots.

Support was also available from an LCT R across the Brigade front and from LCG and LCG (Concrete) for targets of opportunity as the attack developed. This was in addition to the Naval gunfire support mentioned earlier.

In Phase 3 the Brigade Support Group would be available and the Battalion was allocated; a Platoon of Medium Machine Guns, a Troop of 6pdrs from 217 Anti-Tank Battery and retained the support of 187 Field Ambulance’s Bearer Section and the Platoon from 757 Field Regiment Royal Engineers.

In this Phase, defensive positions were to be taken up, and these were specified and referenced. The March Route was laid out and the Order of March detailed, including the supporting troops. D Company was tasked as the Immediate Action Group.

Each sub-unit had defensive and, in some cases, counter-attack roles and the positions they were to hold initially were specified. Fire tasks were allocated to Mortars, Machine Guns and Artillery, and they were also tasked to support any counter-attacks that had to be undertaken as the situation developed. The Carrier Platoon in particular was providing a screen and was positioned to give warning of an enemy approach.

Administration covered the usual orders on; dress (haversacks to be in Company transport, waterbottles and mess tins slung), ammunition (assault scales), tools (shortened picks and shovels to be carried on the man – two of each per Section – those carrying not to carry entrenching tools as well), petrol, supplies (24 hour rations on the man plus a tommy-cooker, water sterilising outfit and emergency ration – plus two days’ rations and water held in the transport), anti-gas (full equipment to be carried), medical (each vehicle to carry two stretchers and four blankets).

The Regimental Aid Post would move to the lateral road area on landing (the inter-Company boundary) and then move to the bend in the track 915762 and then the North West corner of JAYS COVERT. Any casualties on craft would be evacuated by the Navy unless they needed to be landed for urgent treatment. The Field Dressing Station would be at NORTHFIELD COVERT 911753.

All drivers would have a card denoting their assembly area on landing.

Prisoners of War would be escorted – preferably by walking wounded – to Battalion HQ. A Stragglers Post would be established at the track junction 908759.

First reinforcements were NOT to be included in the Battalion for the purpose of the Exercise.

Communications arrangements were, of necessity, more complex because of the involvement of Naval forces but code words and timings of transmissions were covered, as were the locations of Brigade and Battalion Headquarters, and the action to be taken should any of the communications be compromised.

H hour was set for 08:30 hours on 10th January.

The Intelligence Summary was filed with the Operational Order and set out, in detail, the topography of the area. Traces of roads and railway tracks were provided (but not included with this copy of the document). Means of recognising the relevant beaches and subsequent objectives were included, as were the physical characteristics of the various objectives. Much attention was given to the nature of the land surface, with warnings of flooded areas and suitability for wheeled and tracked vehicles. The nature of the beach was described including its shingled nature and degrees of slope.

The scale and nature of the beach defences were described in detail – minefields, concrete blocks, scaffolding, wire, pillboxes, Machine Gun Posts, anti-tank ditches and roadblocks. Map references for the flooded areas were given.

The second part of the Summary dealt with intelligence about Enemy Forces, their scale, manpower, organisation, armament, and the defensive areas for which they were responsible. The defending Division was seen as of modest quality, but there was understood to be the 6th Panzer Division some 35 miles away which was expected to be deployed to counter the British invasion.

The Landing Table for the Battalion was attached as Appendix B to the Operational Order and set out in detail the context of each of the 10 serials – totalling 755 men.

The communications diagram was attached as Appendix C.

Appendix B – Exercise “FORRARD” – issued 10th January 1944.

The purpose of this exercise – which it was hoped would be termed “FORRARD FAITHFUL” in view of the DLI involvement - was to demonstrate the support given to Infantry by the Sherman Tanks as opposed to “I” Tanks co-operation.

The troops taking part – in addition to A Company of 11th DLI – were as follows:-

Under command –

Two Sections of Carriers.

Four detachments of 3” Mortars.

Two Sections of Anti-Tank Guns.

“B” Troop of 217 Battery 55 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery.

One Platoon of 4.2” Mortars of the Brigade Support Group (Kensington Regiment).

In support –

One Squadron of the East Riding Yeomanry.

109 Battery of 79 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (The Scottish Horse).

Details of rehearsals and timings were set out and it was expected that firm timings for the demonstrations would be issued by either 70th Infantry Brigade or 33 Army Tank Brigade.

The ammunition allotment for the exercise was set out with an instruction that red Verey lights were only to be used in case of genuine danger and to halt firing.

Dress was denims with full Battle Order and full assault equipment, less Bangalores and ladders. All Section Commanders and wireless operators were to carry Sten Guns. Haversacks were to be carried by Bren Gun numbers to dump empty magazines.

Safety arrangements were set out – Lieut A Robertson was to be Chief Safety Officer.

A good haversack ration was to be taken and hot tea would be issued tactically on the ground during the exercise.

Appendix A to the Orders set out the “General” and “Special” ideas associated with the Exercise.

The General Idea was that for the purpose of the Exercise all the land North of the River BLYTHE represented Sea – land to the South represented the North coast of France. The line of the coast between WALBERSWICK 9592 Southwards represented the boundary between 3rd British and 49th Divisions.

49th Division had landed on the coast on 18th December 1944 and had reached the second objective line alongside 3rd British Division. 70th Infantry Brigade had landed and was assembling.

The Special Idea – at 10:00 hours the mobile troops and Advance Guard (10th DLI) of 70th Brigade had reached the CUTTENS HILL area 9187 with their forward troops just South of the road between WESTLETON and Dunwich.

An enemy covering force was located on the line of a track from COVERTS to WALBURN Farm 906862. A stronger enemy position was reported South of the road at 9085.

The Brigade Commander had ordered 11th DLI, with its supporting arms, to push through 10th DLI, overrun the enemy covering position, and take the defensive position overlooking MINSMERE LEVEL to cover the left flank of 70th Brigade.

The general plan was a two phase frontal attack with A and B Companies as the assault groups on to the first objective – the line of the road 9185 – followed by consolidating 400 yards South of the road and then for C and D Companies to pass through and assault the final objective. Support tasks were allocated to the Carriers, Mortars – both 3” and 4.2”, Tanks and Anti-Tank Guns with a combination of smoke and high explosive as spelled out in the Fire Plan.

Field Returns of Officers and Other Ranks

These forms were completed on a weekly basis and set out the strength of the Battalion, with; any surpluses or shortfalls of manpower identified, Officers listed by name and appointment, men attached to the Battalion (normally specialist troops), and any men who were away from the Battalion and whose return was specifically requested (usually men on sick leave).

The Other Ranks return for 15th January 1944 showed that the War Establishment of the Battalion (excluding first reinforcements) was 808 men, made up of one WO Class I (the RSM), eight WO Class II, six CQMS’s or Colour Sergeants, thirty-seven Sergeants, seventy-two Corporals and six hundred and eighty-four men. Against this, there were 793 men in post, one of whom – a CQMS, was surplus to establishment, leaving a shortfall of one WO Class II, three Corporals and twelve men.

The attached personnel were 3967031 Sergeant Instructor D.H. Lewis of the Army Physical Training Corps and 4461147 Pte P Fletcher of 1st Tyneside Scottish.

The Home Details, excluded from the above figures, consisted of three Sergeants, one Corporal and one hundred and fourteen Privates.

The details of the Officers listed on the 15th January return who were not already on the names database have been extracted and will be uploaded to the Website in due course.

The 22nd January return of Other Ranks has included the Home Details men in the totals – thereby raising the War Establishment total to 967 and the strength to 911 – leaving a shortfall of 56 men.

The Officers’ Return for the week ending 29th January 1944 shows that two more Officers had joined the Battalion that week – both transferees – one from the RAC and the other from the Royal Artillery. Their details have also been added to the names database.

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