2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - February 1944
2nd Battalion Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment War Diary February 1944 1 February 1944 - Bn HQ.
As from today, Group Commanders cease to hold the powers of detachment commanders.
Captain Hunt leaves for Netheravon where he is to attend a 4.2” Mortar Course.
2 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
Two Platoons of D Company field firing in the Dunwick area. The distance from Caister to the Dunwick Ranges was found to be quite a long drive and since this is the first time that the Lloyd Carriers have been out in convoy the drive proved to be valuable training. The G.O.C. came down later in the day and watched the last Platoon firing.
3 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
A further two Platoons of D Company went down to Dunwick and spent two whole days in the area.
Major Winter of HQ A/A Command has arrived for a four-day visit from the 49 Recce Regiment. He is spending a few days with every unit in the Division prior to going to the Staff College at Camberley.
Range Takers cadre started at A Company.
4 – 5 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
MG Platoons of A Company firing in the Dunwick area.
The Commanding Officer, who had attended the three day concentration, visited D Company and a discussion was held with all ranks on the many points which had arisen during the concentration.
Particular emphasis was laid on the camouflage of mortar positions and the importance of digging-in immediately the occupation is complete.
It is now laid down that on all training exercises the drill will be – occupy – prepare to fire – conceal – dig.
6 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
A Company attended a lecture on Field Security by an NCO from 49 Field Security Section.
7 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
The Commanding Officer inspects A Company.
D Company – two Platoons moved to Benacre where they were accommodated by 50 RASC (Eighth Army) over a period of three days when a further Mortar Concentration was carried out in the Dunwick area.
8 - 9 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
Two Mortar Platoons field firing. The other two Platoons arrived from Corton(?).
10 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
Mortar Company shoot. Sixteen mortars firing on the same target. This is the first time that we have had four Platoons concentrated in one area and the fire effect, which was produced within forty minutes of the receipt of the order by Platoon Commanders was extremely satisfactory. (Ranging had to be carried out by each Platoon within this time).
There is no doubt that Mortars used in this way will have a most devastating effect on enemy Forming-Up Points etc for the weight of fire is considerably heavier than that of two Field Batteries, Royal Artillery.
The three days concentration was again visited by the Commanding Officer who was much impressed by the tremendous strides the Company had made since the last concentration earlier in the month.
The selection and concealment of mortar positions was of a high order and great keenness was shown by all ranks.
D Company, which has been formed by selected personnel from the six Mortar Platoons of the old Groups now seems to have reached a high standard of field training.
13 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
Captain Beech – late second in command of A Group Mortar Company leaves the Battalion to join AMGCT in Italy.
15 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
The Commanding Officer inspected all Companies at their locations prior to an inspection of the whole Battalion by General B L Montgomery – C in C 21st Army Group.
16 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
General B L Montgomery is spending the whole day with the Division and the Battalion paraded in the morning for his inspection and address. The Division was inspected on three different parades during the day.
Steady rain all day.
On return to billets, A Company attended training films.
17 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
War Establishment received (II/24C/1). The official War Establishment is found to be remarkably similar to the one submitted by the Commanding Officer, on which the Battalion temporarily re-organised.
Conference of all Company Commanders for the confirmation of final instructions issued for the adjustment of NCOs and tradesmen etc.
Nos. 1 and 4 Platoons D Company joined 146 Infantry Brigade in the Thetford Battle Area for a two day exercise on Infantry co-operating with Tanks. The two Mortar Platoons represented the 185 Field regiment, Royal Artillery and an effective smoke screen was produced while supporting the Hallams in the first phase of an attack.
The weather is much colder and the two Mortar Platoons bivouacked during the night 17/18th when there was a light fall of snow.
One Platoon of B Company carried out a night shoot at Horsey.
Major Cannon and Captain Attrill took part in the Divisional Bridging Exercise “Pontoon” as Umpires.
19 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
A letter addressed to all Support Battalions has been received today which says that all Support Battalions are to consider themselves as not mobilised for the time being but that re-organisation and re-mobilisation is to be carried out as soon as possible.
A draft of 38 men from 101 Regimental Holding Unit arrived and are accommodated at Caister prior to being posted to the Holding Company.
The Battalion football team lost 3 – nil to the 6th Battalion DWR in the first round of the Divisional Sports Competition.
20 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
One Platoon of A Company field firing. Cold bright day.
21 – 22 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
Royal Engineer Circus dealing with enemy mines and booby traps, attended by fifteen men from each Company at Corton.
The Battalion Rugby XV drew six points all with the 7th Battalion DWR in the first round of the Divisional Rugby Competition. A re-play has been arranged early in March.
Snow and sleet during the morning.
23 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
Captain Braybrook returned from leave to take up the duties of Battalion Signals Officer. He has recently been in hospital suffering from concussion and slight injuries following a traffic accident when B Group were moving down from Scotland.
Lt Spencer-Cooper attended an interview at Divisional HQ with the view of becoming a Staff Learner under DAAG. He assumes duties on the 26th of February.
No 1 Platoon of D Company fired on Martham Mortar Range.
No 3 Platoon of B Company night firing at Dunwick.
Captain Hulbert and Lt Mowbray attended a one-day wireless course at Divisional Signals.
Frosty night.
24 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
Nominal roll of personnel rendered surplus by the new War Establishment submitted to 21 Army Group as requested. Total numbers surplus:-
Officers 24
Other ranks 247 (including 31 attached personnel).
One Platoon of A Company night firing on the Dingle field firing ranges.
One Platoon of B Company firing Part III at Horsey.
25 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
No 3 Platoon D Company fired on the Martham Mortar Range.
26 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
One Platoon of B Company firing Part III at Horsey. A wet day.
27 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
The Commanding Officer went to Division and discussed with the G.O.C> the tactical handling of the M G Battalion in its new form, with particular reference to the siting of Battalion HQ. It was decided that Battalion HQ and HQ Company be split in two. The Ops half being sited in the Support Area of Divisional HQ. The Admin. portion, under the C.O. HQ Company, and reserve Companies will be harboured in a Battalion area in the Divisional troops area. Thus all Companies, on coming out of action, will rejoin the Admin. Group when repairs can be carried out and deficiencies replenished.
28 February 1944 – Bn HQ.
The Commanding Officer visited B Company to inspect Platoon training. This is being severely hampered by leave which although originally allotted on a Platoon basis is now affecting all Platoons as a result of the re-organisation and transfers of men between Platoons.
The Commanding Officer telephoned to GHQ 2nd Echelon to find out whether the publication of orders to effect the re-organisation could be put through but no decision could be given.
29 Fenruary 1944 – Bn HQ.
The Commanding Officer visited D Company, firing on the Martham Range.
One Platoon of B Company night firing at Horsey.
Monthly Summary – Bn HQ
The re-organisation has taken first place in everyone’s thoughts during this month. Transfers of men have now been completed and sub-unit training is again in full swing. Transfers of stores and transport have been carried out up to a certain point in anticipation of what the new Companies are likely to require when the new AFC 1098 is published.
The QM has commenced the withdrawal of surplus stores from Groups and has expanded into a bigger and better store at Martham House. This has provided more accommodation at Rollesby Hall which is required for the larger HQ Company.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
