Difference between revisions of "War Diary - CRA - July 1941"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | '''3 July 1941''' | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | 3 July 1941 | + | |
366 Field Battery engaged in Field Firing. | 366 Field Battery engaged in Field Firing. | ||
| − | 5 July 1941 | + | '''5 July 1941''' |
507/143 Field Regiment engaged in Field Firing. | 507/143 Field Regiment engaged in Field Firing. | ||
| − | 6 July 1941 | + | '''6 July 1941''' |
HQ 143 Field Regiment and 386 Field Battery (less one Troop) moved to tented camp at GEITHALS. | HQ 143 Field Regiment and 386 Field Battery (less one Troop) moved to tented camp at GEITHALS. | ||
| − | 8 July 1941 | + | '''8 July 1941''' |
American Marine Brigade arrived. | American Marine Brigade arrived. | ||
| − | 9 July 1941 | + | '''9 July 1941''' |
143 Field Regiment Field Firing exercise with 70 Infantry Brigade took place. | 143 Field Regiment Field Firing exercise with 70 Infantry Brigade took place. | ||
| − | + | ''' | |
| − | 11 July 1941 – Reykjavik | + | 11 July 1941 – Reykjavik''' |
203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery under the command of Major J.F. Mathews, Royal Artillery, disembarked Iceland. Absorbed into 12 Heavy Anti-aircraft Regiment. | 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery under the command of Major J.F. Mathews, Royal Artillery, disembarked Iceland. Absorbed into 12 Heavy Anti-aircraft Regiment. | ||
| − | 13 July 1941 | + | '''13 July 1941''' |
Operation Order No 12 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | Operation Order No 12 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | ||
| − | 16 July 1941 | + | '''16 July 1941''' |
Details issued for Anti-aircraft Signal Exercise No.1. | Details issued for Anti-aircraft Signal Exercise No.1. | ||
| Line 36: | Line 33: | ||
Section 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery is ready for action at TREGANTLE CAMP, KALDADRNES. | Section 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery is ready for action at TREGANTLE CAMP, KALDADRNES. | ||
| − | 17 July 1941 | + | '''17 July 1941''' |
| − | 143 Field Regiment | + | 143 Field Regiment held a Field Firing exercise with 147 Infantry Brigade. |
| − | 18 July 1941 | + | '''18 July 1941''' |
Section 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery in action at BRIGHTON CAMP. | Section 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery in action at BRIGHTON CAMP. | ||
| − | 19 July 1941 – Reykjavik | + | '''19 July 1941 – Reykjavik''' |
Anti-aircraft Signal Exercise held under the direction of Commander, Royal Artillery. | Anti-aircraft Signal Exercise held under the direction of Commander, Royal Artillery. | ||
| − | 21 July 1941 | + | '''21 July 1941''' |
First day of 147 Infantry Brigade versus 70 Infantry Brigade exercise. 143 Field Regiment moved out of static positions. | First day of 147 Infantry Brigade versus 70 Infantry Brigade exercise. 143 Field Regiment moved out of static positions. | ||
| − | 23 July 1941 – Reykjavik | + | '''23 July 1941 – Reykjavik''' |
Addendum to Royal Artillery Training Instruction No 3 dated 6th June issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | Addendum to Royal Artillery Training Instruction No 3 dated 6th June issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | ||
| − | 24 July 1941 | + | '''24 July 1941''' |
18 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery disembarked ICELAND. (Battery Commander Major T H Cridland, Royal Artillery). Temporarily accommodated in Transit Camp. Absorbed in 12 Anti-aircraft Regiment. | 18 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery disembarked ICELAND. (Battery Commander Major T H Cridland, Royal Artillery). Temporarily accommodated in Transit Camp. Absorbed in 12 Anti-aircraft Regiment. | ||
| − | 25 July 1941 | + | '''25 July 1941''' |
Royal Artillery Operation Order No. 13 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | Royal Artillery Operation Order No. 13 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | ||
| Line 66: | Line 63: | ||
Major B Armitage proceeded on leave to the UK – Captain R N Marshall assumed duties of Brigade Major Royal Artillery. | Major B Armitage proceeded on leave to the UK – Captain R N Marshall assumed duties of Brigade Major Royal Artillery. | ||
| − | 26 July 1941 | + | '''26 July 1941''' |
Operation Order No. 14 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | Operation Order No. 14 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | ||
| − | 27 July 1941 | + | '''27 July 1941''' |
Operation Order No. 15 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | Operation Order No. 15 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary). | ||
| − | 28 July 1941 | + | '''28 July 1941''' |
Report on Anti-aircraft Signal Exercise held on 19th July 1941 attached to War Diary as Appendix 7 (No copy survived in the War Diary file at The National Archives). | Report on Anti-aircraft Signal Exercise held on 19th July 1941 attached to War Diary as Appendix 7 (No copy survived in the War Diary file at The National Archives). | ||
| Line 80: | Line 77: | ||
Royal Artillery Operation Instruction No. 5 issued and attached to War Diary as Appendix 8 (for details see below). | Royal Artillery Operation Instruction No. 5 issued and attached to War Diary as Appendix 8 (for details see below). | ||
| − | 30 July 1941 | + | '''30 July 1941''' |
Section 18 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery moved to TREGANTLE CAMP, KALDADARNES. | Section 18 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery moved to TREGANTLE CAMP, KALDADARNES. | ||
| Line 86: | Line 83: | ||
Section 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery moved to BRIGHTON CAMP. | Section 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery moved to BRIGHTON CAMP. | ||
| − | Appendices attached to the July 1941 War Diary of the Iceland Force Commander, Royal Artillery. | + | '''Appendices attached to the July 1941 War Diary of the Iceland Force Commander, Royal Artillery.''' |
| − | Royal Artillery Operation Instruction No. 5 dated 28th July 1941. | + | '''Royal Artillery Operation Instruction No. 5 dated 28th July 1941.''' |
This two-page document was concerned with the engagement of hostile reconnaissance aircraft. | This two-page document was concerned with the engagement of hostile reconnaissance aircraft. | ||
| Line 94: | Line 91: | ||
Recent experience had shown that the first targets of airborne attacks had been the anti-aircraft gun positions, discovered in previous enemy reconnaissance flights. | Recent experience had shown that the first targets of airborne attacks had been the anti-aircraft gun positions, discovered in previous enemy reconnaissance flights. | ||
| − | So that newly occupied gun positions were not disclosed before a main attack developed detachments were urged to give particular attention to concealment and that only those guns which had previously engaged enemy aircraft would in future engage single enemy reconnaissance aircraft. | + | So that newly occupied gun positions were not disclosed before a main attack developed, detachments were urged to give particular attention to concealment and that '''only those guns which had previously engaged enemy aircraft''' would in future engage single enemy reconnaissance aircraft. |
The gun sites were identified in Reykjavik as follows:- | The gun sites were identified in Reykjavik as follows:- | ||
| Line 102: | Line 99: | ||
Light Anti-aircraft – CORBETT CAMP. | Light Anti-aircraft – CORBETT CAMP. | ||
| − | Kaldadarnes sites were as follows:- | + | Kaldadarnes gun sites were as follows:- |
Heavy Anti-aircraft – AUDSHOLT. | Heavy Anti-aircraft – AUDSHOLT. | ||
| Line 108: | Line 105: | ||
Light Anti-aircraft – AERODROME (two Bofors). | Light Anti-aircraft – AERODROME (two Bofors). | ||
| − | All Anti-aircraft units would take post on the receipt of air raid message | + | All Anti-aircraft units would take post on the receipt of air raid message “Yellow” but guns other than those detailed above would not engage a single aircraft unless it was at such a height as to suggest a good prospect of its destruction. This decision was the responsibility of the Section Commander or the nearest Troop Commander in the case of the Light guns. |
| − | If the aircraft is identified as a single enemy Detachments other than those above would minimise their movements so as not to draw attention to themselves, or disclose their positions. | + | If the aircraft is identified as a single enemy, Detachments other than those above would minimise their movements so as not to draw attention to themselves, or disclose their positions. |
New gun positions were to be dug as low as possible, consistent with the operation of the gun and supporting instruments, as a means of concealment. | New gun positions were to be dug as low as possible, consistent with the operation of the gun and supporting instruments, as a means of concealment. | ||
| − | In new camps huts would be laid out and painted to make them as inconspicuous as possible. Some could, it was suggested, be painted to resemble farm houses or villages. In such cases G.S.O. (Camouflage) should be consulted before work commenced. | + | In new camps, huts would be laid out and painted to make them as inconspicuous as possible. Some could, it was suggested, be painted to resemble farm houses or villages. In such cases G.S.O. (Camouflage) should be consulted before work commenced. |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - [mailto:70brigade@newmp.org.uk click here]. | To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - [mailto:70brigade@newmp.org.uk click here]. | ||
Revision as of 13:25, 11 December 2015
3 July 1941
366 Field Battery engaged in Field Firing.
5 July 1941
507/143 Field Regiment engaged in Field Firing.
6 July 1941
HQ 143 Field Regiment and 386 Field Battery (less one Troop) moved to tented camp at GEITHALS.
8 July 1941
American Marine Brigade arrived.
9 July 1941
143 Field Regiment Field Firing exercise with 70 Infantry Brigade took place. 11 July 1941 – Reykjavik
203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery under the command of Major J.F. Mathews, Royal Artillery, disembarked Iceland. Absorbed into 12 Heavy Anti-aircraft Regiment.
13 July 1941
Operation Order No 12 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary).
16 July 1941
Details issued for Anti-aircraft Signal Exercise No.1.
Section 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery is ready for action at TREGANTLE CAMP, KALDADRNES.
17 July 1941
143 Field Regiment held a Field Firing exercise with 147 Infantry Brigade.
18 July 1941
Section 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery in action at BRIGHTON CAMP.
19 July 1941 – Reykjavik
Anti-aircraft Signal Exercise held under the direction of Commander, Royal Artillery.
21 July 1941
First day of 147 Infantry Brigade versus 70 Infantry Brigade exercise. 143 Field Regiment moved out of static positions.
23 July 1941 – Reykjavik
Addendum to Royal Artillery Training Instruction No 3 dated 6th June issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary).
24 July 1941
18 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery disembarked ICELAND. (Battery Commander Major T H Cridland, Royal Artillery). Temporarily accommodated in Transit Camp. Absorbed in 12 Anti-aircraft Regiment.
25 July 1941
Royal Artillery Operation Order No. 13 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary).
Major B Armitage proceeded on leave to the UK – Captain R N Marshall assumed duties of Brigade Major Royal Artillery.
26 July 1941
Operation Order No. 14 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary).
27 July 1941
Operation Order No. 15 issued. (No copy filed with the War Diary).
28 July 1941
Report on Anti-aircraft Signal Exercise held on 19th July 1941 attached to War Diary as Appendix 7 (No copy survived in the War Diary file at The National Archives).
Royal Artillery Operation Instruction No. 5 issued and attached to War Diary as Appendix 8 (for details see below).
30 July 1941
Section 18 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery moved to TREGANTLE CAMP, KALDADARNES.
Section 203 Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery moved to BRIGHTON CAMP.
Appendices attached to the July 1941 War Diary of the Iceland Force Commander, Royal Artillery.
Royal Artillery Operation Instruction No. 5 dated 28th July 1941.
This two-page document was concerned with the engagement of hostile reconnaissance aircraft.
Recent experience had shown that the first targets of airborne attacks had been the anti-aircraft gun positions, discovered in previous enemy reconnaissance flights.
So that newly occupied gun positions were not disclosed before a main attack developed, detachments were urged to give particular attention to concealment and that only those guns which had previously engaged enemy aircraft would in future engage single enemy reconnaissance aircraft.
The gun sites were identified in Reykjavik as follows:-
Heavy Anti-aircraft – GROTTA, PIMPLE HILL, SKELETON HILL, GARDAR.
Light Anti-aircraft – CORBETT CAMP.
Kaldadarnes gun sites were as follows:-
Heavy Anti-aircraft – AUDSHOLT.
Light Anti-aircraft – AERODROME (two Bofors).
All Anti-aircraft units would take post on the receipt of air raid message “Yellow” but guns other than those detailed above would not engage a single aircraft unless it was at such a height as to suggest a good prospect of its destruction. This decision was the responsibility of the Section Commander or the nearest Troop Commander in the case of the Light guns.
If the aircraft is identified as a single enemy, Detachments other than those above would minimise their movements so as not to draw attention to themselves, or disclose their positions.
New gun positions were to be dug as low as possible, consistent with the operation of the gun and supporting instruments, as a means of concealment.
In new camps, huts would be laid out and painted to make them as inconspicuous as possible. Some could, it was suggested, be painted to resemble farm houses or villages. In such cases G.S.O. (Camouflage) should be consulted before work commenced.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
