70th Infantry Brigade War Diary April 1942. - Revision history

70bgadmin at 19:29, 21 August 2012

2012-08-21T19:29:05Z

Show changes

70bgadmin at 19:17, 21 August 2012

2012-08-21T19:17:01Z

70bgadmin at 16:38, 21 August 2012

2012-08-21T16:38:34Z

Show changes

70bgadmin at 16:20, 21 August 2012

2012-08-21T16:20:12Z

70bgadmin at 16:14, 21 August 2012

2012-08-21T16:14:19Z

Show changes

70bgadmin: Created page with "To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - [mailto:70brigade@newmp.org.uk click here]."

2011-06-18T15:12:24Z

Created page with "To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - [mailto:70brigade@newmp.org.uk click here]."

New page

To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - [mailto:70brigade@newmp.org.uk click here].

@@ Line 157: / Line 157: @@
 In addition, 289 Field Park Company and 756 and 757 Field Companies, Royal Engineers were already in the area working on the Camp sites.  These units came under command on the arrival of Brigade HQ and were later joined by Regimental HQ and two Batteries of 1st Mountain Regiment, Royal Artillery, and a Mobile Veterinary Detachment of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
-Camps
+'''Camps'''
 Although each site was ready on an operational basis by 1st April the non-arrival of a vast quantity of Engineer Stores and the extremely wet weather conditions prevailing left much to be done.  By 10th April conditions had in all respects considerably improved and, with the exception of shower baths, Camps were, in the main, complete.
-Accommodation
+'''Accommodation'''
 With the exception of 289 Field Park Company in billets in PORTMADOC, the whole of the Brigade lived in tented Camps.  Demands on Ordnance North Wales District for tentage and accommodation stores were promptly dealt with.
-Supplies
+'''Supplies'''
 All supplies for personnel and animals were arranged to be drawn from the Central Supplies Deport at TRAWSFYNYDD and this system worked well from the beginning.  A difficulty arose when the RASC required, on 20th April, units to hold 3 to 4 weeks’ supply of animal feed.  This entailed a large amount of transport making a 40-mile round trip and it was suggested that a forage depot nearer the Camp sites would be preferable.
-N.A.A.F.I.
+'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy,_Army_and_Air_Force_Institutes N.A.A.F.I.]'''
 The opening of canteens on the Camp sites proved to be the greatest difficulty.  Just at the point where such amenities were urgently required, the lack of tentage, staff and the non-arrival of stores were a serious handicap.
-Petrol
+'''Petrol'''
-Supplies of petrol through requisitioned pumps at PORTMADOC, PENRHYNDEUDRAETH and MAENTWROG were placed under the control of various units.
+Supplies of petrol through requisitioned pumps at PORTMADOC, PENRHYNDEUDRAETH and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maentwrog MAENTWROG] were placed under the control of various units.
-Fuel
+'''Fuel'''
-Adequate stocks of coal and coke were run into PORTMADOC and collected by units using their own Motor transport.
+Adequate stocks of coal and coke were run into PORTMADOC and collected by units using their own Motor Transport.
-Motor Transport
+'''Motor Transport'''
-Other than a small quantity of vehicles held by units for essential purposes, the rest of the vehicles were brigaded on grassland at DOLYMOCH and the personnel were accommodated in a tented Camp there.  The wet conditions quickly made the site untenable and on 11th April the 289 Field Park Company moved into DOLYMOCH and the Brigade Transport, and personnel, took over the hard standings and billets at PORTMADOC, together with the Carriers.  This proved much more satisfactory.
+Other than a small quantity of vehicles held by units for essential purposes, the rest of the vehicles were brigaded on grassland at DOL-Y-MOCH and the personnel were accommodated in a tented Camp there.  The wet conditions quickly made the site untenable and on 11th April the 289 Field Park Company moved into DOL-Y-MOCH and the Brigade Transport, and personnel, took over the hard standings and billets at PORTMADOC, together with the Carriers.  This proved much more satisfactory.
-Medical
+'''Medical'''
 The Camp Reception Station was opened by 187 Field Ambulance on the first day of occupation.  More serious cases were sent to the Casualty Clearing Station at PORTMADOC.  The health of the Brigade overall was extremely good, despite the wet weather, and only two cases of pneumonia were notified in the first fortnight.
-Entertainments
+'''Entertainments'''
-Immediate contact was made with the Entertainment Officer and the Cinema Branch, North Wales District – the latter could not assist as the 35mm projection equipment could not be used in tented areas. (The second page of this summary was missing from the file).
+Immediate contact was made with the Entertainment Officer and the Cinema Branch, North Wales District – the latter could not assist as the 35mm projection equipment could not be used in tented areas. ''(The second page of this summary was missing from the file)''.
-Appendix B – HQ Administrative Instruction No 10
+'''Appendix B – HQ Administrative Instruction No 10'''
-Medical
+'''Medical'''
 Details set out of timings for Sick Parade and location of Reception Station and Dental Clinic.
-Water
+'''Water'''
-All units urged to take steps to avoid pollution of water supply.
+All units were urged to take steps to avoid pollution of water supply.
-Postal
+'''Postal'''
 Location of Army Post Office and delivery timings set out.
-Baths
+'''Baths'''
 No 8 Mobile Bath Unit now had two Sections established with one of the DLI Battalions, to which their personnel would be attached for all purposes.  Details of bathing parties to be notified.
-Laundry
+'''Laundry'''
-No 22 Mobile Laundry located in CRICCIETH and schedule for collections set down.
+No 22 Mobile Laundry located in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criccieth CRICCIETH] and schedule for collections set down.
-Boot repairs
+'''Boot repairs'''
 Units without their own cobblers to arrange with Army Boot Controller, D.D.O.S., Western Command, CHESTER for civilian contractor to carry out any repair work.
-Clothing
+'''Clothing'''
-Nearest clothing depot was at CONWAY.
+Nearest clothing depot was at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conwy CONWAY].
-Appendix C – Location Statement
+'''Appendix C – Location Statement'''
 This was simply a list of unit locations and contact telephone numbers – the units being as follows:-
 Brigade HQ		DOLFRIOG
-st Tyneside Scottish	HAFOD-GAREGOG
+st Tyneside Scottish	[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafod_Garregog_National_Nature_Reserve HAFOD-GAREGOG]
 th DLI		COED CAE
-th DLI		CROESOR QUARRY
+th DLI		[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croesor_Quarry CROESOR QUARRY]
 Field Ambulance 	Youth Hostel, CAE DDAYDD
@@ Line 240: / Line 241: @@
 Mountain Bty	TRAWSFYNYDD Camp
-Mountain Bty	Hutted Camp, COED-Y-BRENTIN
+Mountain Bty	Hutted Camp, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coed-y-Brenin COED-Y-BRENIN]
 Mountain Bty	CROESOR QUARRY
-Field Coy RE	BLAENAU-FFESTINIOG
+Field Coy RE	[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaenau_Ffestiniog BLAENAU-FFESTINIOG]
 Field Coy RE	North of CAEDDAFYDD
@@ Line 250: / Line 251: @@
 Field Park Coy	DOL-Y-MOCH
-Brigade MT Park	PORTMADOC
+Brigade MT Park	        PORTMADOC
 Mule Coy		DOLFRIOG
-Mule Coy		NANTMOR VALLEY
+Mule Coy		[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nantmor NANTMOR VALLEY]
 Mule Coy		CROESOR QUARRY
-Pack Tpt Coy	NANTMOR
+Pack Tpt Coy	        NANTMOR
 Pack Transport Liaison Officer – Brigade HQ
-Appendix D – Brigade Operation Instruction No 2
+'''Appendix D – Brigade Operation Instruction No 2'''
-Command
+'''Command'''
 During training in North Wales, 70th Infantry Brigade and attached troops will come under command Western Command for operational purposes and training, and North Wales District for administration.
@@ Line 272: / Line 273: @@
 In respect of an emergency, and the receipt of Code Word “NEWTON” the Brigade (less the Mule Companies and 1 Mountain Regiment) will return to South Wales and come under command of South Wales District.
-Attached troops
+'''Attached troops'''
 Mountain Regiment RA and the Mule Companies R.I.A.S.C. come under command of the Brigade for all purposes during the training period, except that the Mule Companies are under command of HQ Indian Contingent for discipline.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-st April 1942
+'''1st April 1942'''
-The Brigade HQ Main Party which had left CRICKHOWELL overnight arrived at PORTMADOC Station at 05:30 hours and the new Camp at DOLFRIOG, PENRHYNDEUDRAETH at 06:45 hours.  Tents had been pitched by the Advance Party but Royal Engineer work had been held up.
+The Brigade HQ Main Party which had left [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crickhowell CRICKHOWELL] overnight arrived at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portmadoc PORTMADOC] Station at 05:30 hours and the new Camp at DOLFRIOG, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrhyndeudraeth PENRHYNDEUDRAETH] at 06:45 hours.  Tents had been pitched by the Advance Party but Royal Engineer work had been held up.
 The Motor Transport arrived in convoy at 21:30 hours.
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 By the end of the day both 187 Field Ambulance and 11th DLI were established in their Camps.  454 Mountain Battery were also in their new location.
-nd April 1942
+'''2nd April 1942'''
 The Brigade Commander visited HQ Western Command on his return from leave, and reached DOLFRIOG early in the afternoon.
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 By the end of the day 10th DLI were established in their Camp.
-rd April 1942
+'''3rd April 1942'''
 st Tyneside Scottish Main Party were established.  Further details of the move are set out in the Administrative Summary for the month, which is attached to the War Diary as Appendix A.
-th April 1942
+'''4th April 1942'''
 The Brigade Commander held two conferences – one for C.Os. of the Brigade units, and the other for all units under command during the April training period.
 th Brigade Administrative Instruction No 10 was issued and a copy attached to the War Diary as Appendix B.
 th Infantry Brigade was now concentrated in an area 4 miles by 2 ½ miles, for the first time in its history.  In addition, 187 Field Ambulance, three Mule Companies R.I.A.S.C., two Royal Engineer Field Companies, one Royal Engineer Field Park Company and one Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, were also concentrated in the area.
-Headquarters of 1 Mountain Regiment, Royal Artillery also moved to PORTMADOC and the two other Mountain Batteries to the TRAWSFYNYDD area.
+Headquarters of 1 Mountain Regiment, Royal Artillery also moved to PORTMADOC and the two other Mountain Batteries to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trawsfynydd TRAWSFYNYDD] area.
 The location statement for the Brigade was attached to the War Diary as Appendix C.