2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - September 1942
2 – 3 September 1942 Pencarrig Camp.
The Commanding Officer, 2nd in command and Quartermaster visited the new area where the Battalion will be moving into winter quarters.
4 September 1942
All Officers, Warrant Officers and Sergeants attended an Anti-Tank Demonstration, at Ring Contour 3880. Units from 49 Division provided both “enemy” and own troops.
A Battalion Signal Exercise “Heliograph” commenced today in the Rhyader area. Its object was to practice all Signal personnel in their role in attack and defence.
2nd Kensingtons Admin Instruction for Western Command Exercise “Wetshod” issued, and attached to the War Diary as Appendix A (for details see below).
6 September 1942
2 Kensingtons German Operation Instruction No 1 issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix B (for details see below).
2 Kensingtons German Admin Instruction No 2 issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix C (for details see below).
7 – 13 September 1942
Western Command Exercise “Wetshod” took place. This was a “Combined Operations” exercise.
49 Division acted as the enemy invading force. The opposing British forces consisted of the 101 Royal Marine Brigade and attached troops, a Belgian Force (consisting of one Infantry Battalion, one Field Artillery Battalion and one armoured car squadron) and Battalions of the Home Guard.
The exercise was the most extensive that the Battalion has yet participated in and extremely useful experience was gained in the problems which would face a small force landing in a hostile country and its subsequent supply. Each phase of the operation was conducted with as much realism as possible, from the beach landing on an imaginary coast line to the capture of enemy strongpoints in the advance to the final objective – the town of Swansea. Exceptionally fine weather was a feature of this exercise which concluded at 11:30 hours on 13/9/1942.
E Company 2 Kensingtons arrived at Pencarrig Camp from Iceland (C ) at 22:00 hours on 9/9/1942.
14 September 1942
A Company Commanders’ Conference was held this morning.
E Company proceeded on disembarkation leave.
Warning Order received for the Battalion to move with 49 Division to the East Coast and not to St Donats as originally planned.
15 September 1942
On 8th August E Company won the Reydarfjordur Sub-Sector Sports Meeting whilst in Iceland.
16 September 1942
2/Lieut S Pinks attached as an Instructor to the 49 Division Battle School.
19 September 1942
Company Commanders’ Training Conference held this morning.
Tank Circus at Hereford Race Course in the evening, a number of Axis and Allied tanks were studied.
49 Division Field Firing Exercise Juniper II took place – a repetition of the exercise held in August. Only skeleton forces took part. F and G Companies participating.
21 September 1942
The Commanding Officer and four Officers attended a lecture in Cardiff on “An Armoured Brigade in Burma” given by Major Georgecook Llewellyn Palmer.
22 September 1942
Battalion Sports Committee was formed, as under:-
Sports Officer – Lieut R J Cannon
Officer i/c Soccer – 2nd Lieut Helder
Officer i/c Rugger – Lieut R J Cannon
Officer i/c Boxing – Lieut W A Blakely
Officer i/c Cross Country Running – Lieut J Stanyer.
23 September 1942
First official information received from HQ 49 Division to the effect that this Battalion will be turned into an Infantry Divisional Support Battalion (1 Company Divisional Support Company, 3 Companies Infantry Brigade Support Companies).
A number of Battalion Cadres commenced today, embracing, Drill, Battle Training, Range Taking, Driving and Maintenance and Signalling.
The Battalion Cricket XI beat Builth Wells in the last match of the season.
25 September 1942
The Commanding Officer attended a training Conference at HQ 49th Division.
27 September 1942
3” Mortar cadres commenced today, in preparation for the new role to be adopted by the Battalion. The weapons to be employed will be the 4.2” Mortar and the 20mm gun.
28 September 1942
Courses – Officers – 2/Lieut S R Pinks obtained a “Distinguished” Certificate whilst attending 49 Div Battle School.
30 September 1942
A Company Commanders’ Conference was held today , to discuss the promotion of NCO’s. All vacancies were filled as a result.
Appendices attached to the September 1942 War Diary of 2nd Battalion Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment.
Appendix A – Exercise “Wetshod” Administrative Instructions.
This document, as found in the file, consisted of seven pages. The format followed that normally used in such documents, beginning with “Troops taking part”. This specified that 70 Brigade’s Ordnance Company was not taking part and that two Sections of 88 Pioneer Company would be attached to 70 Brigade’s RASC Company.
The supply of ammunition was to be simulated by the use of marked, empty fuel cans – including 1792 tins – representing 80 tons of ammunition – that would be carried on barges and used to re-supply the second line of stores. Crucial importance was laid on Company Commanders treating ammunition handling and re-supply seriously – thereby affecting their demands for quantities.
Fuel supply began with exercise vehicles all having full tanks and carrying the immediate backup of spare fuel in cans. Again, Commanders were to keep detailed records of consumption of fuel and lubricants.
Rations and water were covered as were their detailed re-supply arrangements – dates and locations for re-stocking were given.
Precautions about minefields were set out, as were recognition signals – ground to air.
Medical arrangements covered the handling of simulated as well as real casualties and, again, Commanders were exhorted to take a serious interest in the evacuation processes.
Readers who have studied the War Diary of 187th Field Ambulance will know of the concerns expressed about the optimistically low level of casualty designations handed out by Umpires on similar exercises – thus giving a false impression of the likely load on RAMC staff.
Arrangements for recovering damaged or broken down vehicles were also included, affected by the fact that there was no second-line repair facility at Divisional level.
Sanitary discipline was stressed – including the digging of field latrines. Rear parties were designated to remain in Camp to guard stores and installations – those men would also need to be fed during the exercise.
“Enemy” troops were to wear distinguishing marks on vehicles and use Field Service Caps. Slightly unusually, the instructions also covered replacement of clothing damaged in the exercise.
Fired ammunition shell cases were expected to be salvaged and returned to ammunition points. Empty fuel tins would be returned to the RASC channels. The allotment of ammunition for the exercise was detailed on Appendix A to the Instructions, together with the number of rounds of each type which a simulated container was to hold (e.g one petrol tin = 1500 tracer rounds). Appendix C to the Instructions specified the scale of rations to be used per man, per day.
The sixth page specified in detail the relevant hospitals and their contact numbers if real casualties occurred. The final seventh page contained some minor amendments to the earlier text.
Appendix B – Exercise “Wetshod” – German Operating Instruction No. 1 – issued 6/9/1942.
This document set out, in the usual fashion, the troops to be employed and the assaults they were to make, with specified locations and map references. Units were given unique tasks and ordered to reconstitute the Brigade Groups on completion of those tasks. Specific mention was made of 2nd Kensingtons.
The use of air support is set out, including a clear warning about not mistaking Mustang fighters for German ME 109’s. The Mustangs were specially marked with a foot-wide yellow strip on upper and lower wings to aid in recognition – troops being specifically urged not to fire on these aircraft with live rounds in mistake for ME 109’s.
Intercommunication and recognition arrangements were spelled out in detail.
Movement instructions indicated that 2nd Kensingtons would leave by motor transport for the concentration area at Coulby Lodge on 7/9/1942, the route and timings being specified.
The Appendix concluded with a trace sheet setting out the positions of the various forces at the beginning of the exercise.
Appendix C – Exercise “Wetshod” – German Instruction No 2 – dated 6/9/1942.
This was to be read in conjunction with the earlier instruction.
The document covered; Ammunition – including scales and types to be issued to each Company, supplies – specifically rations, water – both on the man and in cans and water carts, and dress to be worn – including provision for reserve clothing. A warning was included about the prompt reporting of any civilian damage during the exercise.
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