70th Infantry Brigade War Diary April 1941. - Revision history

70bgadmin at 09:05, 4 May 2018

2018-05-04T09:05:53Z

70bgadmin at 10:23, 3 May 2018

2018-05-03T10:23:27Z

70bgadmin at 16:14, 2 May 2018

2018-05-02T16:14:26Z

70bgadmin at 14:45, 30 April 2018

2018-04-30T14:45:10Z

70bgadmin at 18:04, 29 April 2018

2018-04-29T18:04:14Z

70bgadmin at 09:04, 29 April 2018

2018-04-29T09:04:33Z

70bgadmin at 13:41, 27 April 2018

2018-04-27T13:41:54Z

70bgadmin at 19:53, 18 June 2014

2014-06-18T19:53:42Z

70bgadmin at 08:15, 26 April 2013

2013-04-26T08:15:08Z

70bgadmin at 08:12, 26 April 2013

2013-04-26T08:12:59Z

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 '''14th April 1941'''
-Working parties were called for from the Brigade to assist the Royal Engineers in work on the new aerodrome under construction at [http://www.vatnsmyri.is/envm.asp VATNSMYRI] near REYKJAVIK.
+Working parties were called for from the Brigade to assist the Royal Engineers in work on the new aerodrome under construction at [http://www.vatnsmyri.is/envm.asp VATNSMYRI] near [[Reykjavik]].
 '''16th April 1941'''
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 (Research by George and Janet Brown resulted in the following information being traced, for which credit is acknowledged:-
-The crashed aircraft was Sunderland I N9023 KG-G from 204 Squadron, which was on convoy escort based at Reykjavik. It took off at 20.15 on 23rd April.  When on the return journey it crashed into a mountain in fog at 0545 hrs on the 24th, near Fragjadalsfjall, Iceland.
+The crashed aircraft was Sunderland I N9023 KG-G from 204 Squadron, which was on convoy escort based at [[Reykjavik]]. It took off at 20.15 on 23rd April.  When on the return journey it crashed into a mountain in fog at 0545 hrs on the 24th, near Fragjadalsfjall, Iceland.
 The second pilot and Cpl. Doddington walked to a local town for help. Ten airmen out of a crew of 13 were injured in the crash.
@@ Line 85: / Line 85: @@
 (The rest of the men on board were presumably were passengers or servicemen being ferried).
-Sgt. Taylor and both Sgt. Cook and AC1 Copping, who died of their injuries on the 26th , rest in Fossvogur Cemetery, Reykjavik.
+Sgt. Taylor and both Sgt. Cook and AC1 Copping, who died of their injuries on the 26th , rest in [[FOSSVOGUR CEMEYERY]], [[Reykjavik]].
 Source: Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses of the Second World War. Volume 1 Aircraft and Crew Losses 1939-1941; Ross McNeil; 2003; Midland Publishing; ISBN 1 85780 128 8).
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 '''WORKING PARTIES'''
-The provision of Working Parties from 1st T.S. and 11th DLI for two weekly periods at REYKJAVIK aerodrome seriously interfered with training.  The Working Parties were engaged in driving vehicles and plant, tending crushers and digging.
+The provision of Working Parties from 1st T.S. and 11th DLI for two weekly periods at REYKJAVIK aerodrome, now [[Reykjavik Airport]], seriously interfered with training.  The Working Parties were engaged in driving vehicles and plant, tending crushers and digging.
 The demands for manpower at the aerodrome were as follows:-

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 '''2nd – 7th April 1941'''
-The Brigade Commander continued his inspection of the detachments of 10th DLI and returned to Brigade HQ on 7th April 1941.  During the whole of this tour the weather was very fine but on occasions it was impossible to use W/D vehicles because of the large ruts left in the roads.  The journey to [[Blonduos]] and REYKERSKOLI was made in an Icelandic taxi with a W/D 30 cwt luggage vehicle in support.
+The Brigade Commander continued his inspection of the detachments of 10th DLI and returned to Brigade HQ on 7th April 1941.  During the whole of this tour the weather was very fine but on occasions it was impossible to use W/D vehicles because of the large ruts left in the roads.  The journey to [[Blonduos]] and [[Reykerskoli]] was made in an Icelandic taxi with a W/D 30 cwt luggage vehicle in support.
 The weather was also fine in the South West Sector during this period with the exception of 3rd April when there was a fair amount of cloud and light snow.

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 '''20th April 1941'''
-A field firing demonstration was given by 11th Bn DLI to the Force Tactical School and others.  This was held at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleifarvatn KLEIFERVATN] and consisted of three phases.  The first phase showed the Carrier Platoon in action, the second showed a Company  in the attack, supported by 3” Mortars and Machine Guns, and, in the final phase, the Rifle Company had the support of Machine Guns, Mortars and Artillery.
+A field firing demonstration was given by 11th Bn DLI to the Force Tactical School and others.  This was held at [[Kleifarvatn]] and consisted of three phases.  The first phase showed the Carrier Platoon in action, the second showed a Company  in the attack, supported by 3” Mortars and Machine Guns, and, in the final phase, the Rifle Company had the support of Machine Guns, Mortars and Artillery.
 The weather at the commencement of the exercise was extremely unpleasant with a high wind and some rain.  As the day progressed the rain stopped, but there was little abatement in the strength of the wind.

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 Weather fine.  An Anti-Aircraft practice shoot was held on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lftanes ALFTANES Peninsula] near GARDAR – where C Company of 11th DLI was based.  The Anti-Aircraft Platoons from 11th DLI, 1st Tyneside Scottish and Brigade HQ attended, together with one Bren Gun Team from each of the Rifle Companies of 11th DLI and 1 TS.
-An aircraft towed a drogue target for use in the practice and it was intended, after the shoot, to take the drogue up to [[Akranes]] for the 10th DLI, and BRAUTARHOLT for 147th Infantry Brigade, to have an opportunity to practice.
+An aircraft towed a drogue target for use in the practice and it was intended, after the shoot, to take the drogue up to [[Akranes]] for the 10th DLI, and [[Brautarholt]] for 147th Infantry Brigade, to have an opportunity to practice.
 The Anti-Aircraft practice shoot at ALFTANES was so effective that the target drogue was not able to be taken North for that further practice – having been shot to pieces in only two runs.

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 '''1st April 1941  ICELAND'''
-The Brigadier left by sea for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borgarnes BORGANES] preparatory to an administrative inspection of the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.  The weather was still as fine and sunny as it had been for the previous two or three weeks.
+The Brigadier left by sea for [[Borgarnes]] preparatory to an administrative inspection of the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.  The weather was still as fine and sunny as it had been for the previous two or three weeks.
 A Section of the 11th DLI was despatched to [http://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/plofin_utskalar.htm UTSKALAR] – about seven miles North West of KEFLAVIK to be engaged on the defence of the Emergency Landing Ground there and to give early warning of any enemy activity.  The Section – of one NCO and ten men (including a cook) was stationed at a house near the runway.  In normal circumstances the Section would be supplied with rations on a twice-weekly basis, as well as holding some 14 days supply.

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 ''During the month several photographs were taken at Brigade HQ and these are set out here with appropriate titles - if readers recognise any of the men shown would they please get in touch?  See below for the e-mail link.''
-[[File:Brig_Kirkup_with_Staff_Car_April_1941.jpg|200px|thumb|centre|Brigadier Philip Kirkup alongside his Staff Car]]
+[[File:Brig_Kirkup_with_Staff_Car_April_1941.jpg|800px|thumb|centre|Brigadier Philip Kirkup alongside his Staff Car]]
-[[File:Dad_with_Staff_Car_April_1941.jpg|200px|thumb|centre|L/Cpl R.B. Dixon with the Staff Car]]
+[[File:Dad_with_Staff_Car_April_1941.jpg|800px|thumb|centre|L/Cpl R.B. Dixon with the Staff Car]]
-[[File:Brigade_HQ_Transport_Section_April_1941.jpg|200px|thumb|centre|Brigade HQ Transport Section]]
+[[File:Brigade_HQ_Transport_Section_April_1941.jpg|800px|thumb|centre|Brigade HQ Transport Section]]
 To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - [mailto:70brigade@newmp.org.uk click here].

@@ Line 198: / Line 198: @@
 Brigade Recreation Huts were used during the greater part of April to accommodate Royal Air Force, Royal Engineer and Royal Artillery personnel arriving from the U.K.
-During the month several photographs were taken at Brigade HQ and these are set out here with appropriate titles - if readers recognise any of the men shown would they please get in touch?  See below for the e-mail link.
+'''ORIGINAL IMAGES'''
 [[File:Brig_Kirkup_with_Staff_Car_April_1941.jpg|200px|thumb|centre|Brigadier Philip Kirkup alongside his Staff Car]]

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 During the week 13th – 19th April –
 st TS – 300 men, Sundays 140.
 th DLI – 105 men, Sundays 50.
 And for the week 26th April – 3rd May –
 st TS – 270 men, Sundays 170.
 th DLI – 270 men, Sundays 160.
 These numbers were in addition to 50 men per Battalion required to replace civilian labour on 1st May (Labour Day).  The men worked in shifts from 06:00 to 13:30 hours and 13:30 to 22:00 hours.
@@ Line 176: / Line 176: @@
 st Tyneside Scottish
-   Tuesday 22nd April – A and C Companies at Craven Camp.
+Tuesday 22nd April – A and C Companies at Craven Camp.
-   Friday 25th April – D Company at Gargand Camp and HQ & B Companies at Skipton Camp.
+Friday 25th April – D Company at Gargand Camp and HQ & B Companies at Skipton Camp.
 th DLI
-   Wednesday 23rd April – QM Stores, Motor Transport and Carrier Platoon at Amotherby Camp.
+Wednesday 23rd April – QM Stores, Motor Transport and Carrier Platoon at Amotherby Camp.
-   Thursday 24th April – A Company at Slingsby Camp and C Company at Gardar Camp.
+Thursday 24th April – A Company at Slingsby Camp and C Company at Gardar Camp.
-   Saturday 26th April – B Company at Hvaleyri Camp.
+Saturday 26th April – B Company at Hvaleyri Camp.
 '''SUPPLIES'''
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 Brigade Recreation Huts were used during the greater part of April to accommodate Royal Air Force, Royal Engineer and Royal Artillery personnel arriving from the U.K.
 To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - [mailto:70brigade@newmp.org.uk click here].