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

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 th DLI at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontypool PONTYPOOL] with 32 Mule Company R.I.A.S.C.
-th DLI remained at PEMBROKE DOCK with one Company at LLANELLY, where full use was made of the Range, and one Company at TREGLOG Camp, near LLANSAWEL (15 miles North East of CARMARTHEN).
+th DLI remained at [[Pembroke Dock]] with one Company at LLANELLY, where full use was made of the Range, and one Company at TREGLOG Camp, near LLANSAWEL (15 miles North East of CARMARTHEN).
-TREGLOG Camp was an excellent Camp, and the surrounding country was much more suitable for training than at PEMBROKE DOCK, where the facilities for Mountain Training were non-existent.  Both these Company detachments were changed from Company to Company in turn, so the Battalion as a whole could take advantage of the opportunities for range firing and Company training.
+TREGLOG Camp was an excellent Camp, and the surrounding country was much more suitable for training than at [[Pembroke Dock]], where the facilities for Mountain Training were non-existent.  Both these Company detachments were changed from Company to Company in turn, so the Battalion as a whole could take advantage of the opportunities for range firing and Company training.
 '''2nd March 1942'''
@@ Line 139: / Line 139: @@
 The C. in C. Home Forces visited 70th Infantry Brigade during Pack Training.  A programme of the visit was attached to the War Diary as Appendix C (see below for further details).
-The Brigade Commander left CRICKHOWELL for a two-day visit to 178 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery CRESSELLY, and 11th DLI at PEMBROKE DOCK.
+The Brigade Commander left CRICKHOWELL for a two-day visit to 178 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery CRESSELLY, and 11th DLI at [[Pembroke Dock]].
 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/36th_Infantry_Division_(United_Kingdom)#Artillery 178 Field Regiment Royal Artillery] was the newly formed Regiment for 49th Division, composed of 366, 516 and 122 Field Batteries.  The last-named Battery was still in Cornwall (the Regiment had been forming at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launceston,_Cornwall LAUNCESTON]), and was not likely to join the rest of the Regiment before the end of the month, owing to the delay in erecting huts at PICTON.  366 Field Battery, which had returned from Iceland with 70th Brigade, now returned to CRESSELLY from Cornwall.
@@ Line 175: / Line 175: @@
 rd – 10th DLI
-An inspection by the Colonel i/c Administration, South Wales District, took place of LLANION BARRACKS, PEMBROKE DOCK.
+An inspection by the Colonel i/c Administration, South Wales District, took place of LLANION BARRACKS, [[Pembroke Dock]].
 '''22nd March 1942'''

@@ Line 355: / Line 355: @@
 '''Appendix G – Administrative Instruction No 8 – 28th March 1942'''
-This Instruction was concerned with the physical move to North Wales (CRICKHOWELL to DOLFRIGG)  and was basically setting out what was known about the road and rail travel arrangements.
+This Instruction was concerned with the physical move to North Wales (CRICKHOWELL to DOLFRIOG)  and was basically setting out what was known about the road and rail travel arrangements.
 There were only enough Warflats to take the Carriers of two of the Battalions, so those of 1st TS were to travel by road – limited to 12 mph and 9 vehicles in the mile.
@@ Line 365: / Line 365: @@
 '''Appendix H – Brigade Administrative Instruction No 9 – 30th March 1942'''
-This was the detailed instruction sheet for the move of Brigade HQ itself from CRICKHOWELL to DOLFRIGG.  The rail party, under Captain Jerrome, was expected to leave from ABERGAVENNY at 21:55 hours on 31st March.  The road party was expected to be ready to move at 09:45 hours on 1st April.
+This was the detailed instruction sheet for the move of Brigade HQ itself from CRICKHOWELL to DOLFRIOG.  The rail party, under Captain Jerrome, was expected to leave from ABERGAVENNY at 21:55 hours on 31st March.  The road party was expected to be ready to move at 09:45 hours on 1st April.
 The attached appendix showed the make-up of the road party, listing not only each vehicle (with its make and service number), but the surname of the driver and each of the passengers, and the load being carried.

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 C.O.	Lt Col F.W. Sandars
 i/c	Major D.G. Murray-Shireff
 Adj	Captain T.B. Walker

@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 '''6th March 1942'''
-Lt Col W.M. Grylls (late [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Frontier_Force_Regiment 2/12 Frontier Force Rifles]) of the Western Command pool of Umpires (and the grandfather of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Scout_(The_Scout_Association) Chief Scout] and adventurer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Grylls Bear Grylls]) arrived at 70th Brigade HQ to assist in Mountain Warfare training.  He had been attached to 31st Independent Brigade Group when similar training was done last year in the same area.
+Lt Col W.M. Grylls (late [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Frontier_Force_Regiment 2/12 Frontier Force Rifles]) of the Western Command pool of Umpires ''(and the grandfather of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Scout_(The_Scout_Association) Chief Scout] and adventurer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Grylls Bear Grylls])'' arrived at 70th Brigade HQ to assist in Mountain Warfare training.  He had been attached to 31st Independent Brigade Group when similar training was done last year in the same area.
 '''7th March 1942'''
@@ Line 133: / Line 133: @@
 '''9th March 1942'''
-The Brigade Commander directed a one-sided exercise with troops for 10th DLI in the area GWASTAD and COITY MOUNTAIN, North West of PONTYPOOL.  A copy of the papers relating to the exercise was attached to the War Diary as Appendix B (see below for further details).
+The Brigade Commander directed a one-sided exercise with troops for 10th DLI in the area [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cwmtillery GWASTAD] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coity_Mountain COITY MOUNTAIN], North West of PONTYPOOL.  A copy of the papers relating to the exercise was attached to the War Diary as Appendix B (see below for further details).
 '''11th March 1942'''
@@ Line 141: / Line 141: @@
 The Brigade Commander left CRICKHOWELL for a two-day visit to 178 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery CRESSELLY, and 11th DLI at PEMBROKE DOCK.
-Field Regiment Royal Artillery was the newly formed Regiment for 49th Division, composed of 366, 516 and 122 Field Batteries.  The last-named Battery was still in Cornwall (the Regiment had been forming at LAUNCESTON), and was not likely to join the rest of the Regiment before the end of the month, owing to the delay in erecting huts at PICTON.  366 Field Battery, which had returned from Iceland with 70th Brigade, now returned to CRESSELLY from Cornwall.
+[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/36th_Infantry_Division_(United_Kingdom)#Artillery 178 Field Regiment Royal Artillery] was the newly formed Regiment for 49th Division, composed of 366, 516 and 122 Field Batteries.  The last-named Battery was still in Cornwall (the Regiment had been forming at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launceston,_Cornwall LAUNCESTON]), and was not likely to join the rest of the Regiment before the end of the month, owing to the delay in erecting huts at PICTON.  366 Field Battery, which had returned from Iceland with 70th Brigade, now returned to CRESSELLY from Cornwall.
 Field Regiment was now under the command of 70th Infantry Brigade.  On the Brigade Commander’s visit, various points dealing with equipment and training were raised and were referred by the Brigade Commander to South Wales District.  There was a shortage of transport and guns, accentuated by an accident in Gloucestershire when the regimental convoy was on its way to CRESSELLY.  There was neither a Signal Section, nor a Light Aid Detachment, as part of the Regiment.
@@ Line 147: / Line 147: @@
 '''13th March 1942'''
-The Brigade Commander directed a one-sided exercise with troops for 1st TS in the same area as his T.E.W.T. of 3rd – 4th March, namely PARTRISHOW HILL 728432 and the area of high ground North of it.
+The Brigade Commander directed a one-sided exercise with troops for 1st TS in the same area as his T.E.W.T. of 3rd – 4th March, namely [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partrishow PARTRISHOW HILL] 728432 and the area of high ground North of it.
 Particulars of the exercise were attached to the War Diary as Appendix D (see below for further details).
@@ Line 155: / Line 155: @@
 th Infantry Brigade Training Instruction No 2 of 1942 was issued and a copy was attached to the War Diary as Appendix E (see below for further details).
-The Brigade Commander attended a four-day gas course at the Army Gas School, WINTERBOURNE GUNNER.
+The Brigade Commander attended a four-day gas course at the Army Gas School, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winterbourne_Gunner WINTERBOURNE GUNNER].
 '''17th March 1942'''
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 '''20th March 1942'''
-The Brigade Commander and Brigade Major visited CARMARTHEN to watch an inter-Platoon field firing competition (one Platoon per Battalion) held at PRESCELLY, PEMBROKESHIRE.  The District Commander was also present.
+The Brigade Commander and Brigade Major visited CARMARTHEN to watch an inter-Platoon field firing competition (one Platoon per Battalion) held at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preseli_Hills PRESCELLY], PEMBROKESHIRE.  The District Commander was also present.
 The conditions of the competition included an inspection of the Platoon before and after a ten mile march, followed by a single attack exercise involving fire and movement.  All Platoon weapons (except the Anti-Tank Rifle) were in action.  Platoons finished in the following order:-
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 An exercise for the Brigade HQ took place between 09:30 and 12:45 hours, attended by the G.O.C. South Wales District.  Brigade HQ was practised in moving and setting up a new HQ on a Pack Transport basis.  Various points were brought up for improvement on those lines.  Particulars were attached to the War Diary as Appendix F (see below for further details).
-In the afternoon, the Brigade Commander and Staff Captain left for North Wales to visit the new Camp sites.  The Brigade Commander spent a day there and then went on leave, while the Staff Captain remained at PENRHYNDEUDRAETH (near PORTMADOC) to receive unit Advance Parties and arrange for the arrival of the Main Parties.
+In the afternoon, the Brigade Commander and Staff Captain left for North Wales to visit the new Camp sites.  The Brigade Commander spent a day there and then went on leave, while the Staff Captain remained at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrhyndeudraeth PENRHYNDEUDRAETH] (near PORTMADOC) to receive unit Advance Parties and arrange for the arrival of the Main Parties.
 '''23rd March 1942'''
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 '''27th March 1942'''
-The Brigade Major attended a conference at CHESTER of the War Office, Western Command, District and Railway representatives to arrange the move of the Brigade, Mule Companies and 454 Mountain Battery to North Wales.
+The Brigade Major attended a conference at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester CHESTER] of the War Office, Western Command, District and Railway representatives to arrange the move of the Brigade, Mule Companies and 454 Mountain Battery to North Wales.
 The conference was a large one considering that only one Brigade and attached troops were involved, but it was the first time that troops had been moved to North West Wales by rail.  An added complication was the moving of the mules.
@@ Line 221: / Line 221: @@
 Major Jordan 2nd Monmouthshires
-Major Wedderburn 4th Scots Guards
+Major Wedderburn [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Scots_Guards_(1914%E2%80%931945) 4th Scots Guards]
 Major Milburne 1st Scots Guards
-Major Davie 1st Duke of Wellington’s Regiment
+Major Davie 1st [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_Wellington%E2%80%99s_regiment Duke of Wellington’s Regiment]
 /Lt Jacobsen 1st Duke of Wellington’s Regiment
-Lt Donovan 4th Royal Sussex Regiment
+Lt Donovan 4th [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Sussex_Regiment Royal Sussex Regiment]
-/Lt Wilson 11th York and Lancaster Regiment
+/Lt Wilson 11th [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_and_Lancaster_Regiment York and Lancaster Regiment]
 These Officers are specialists in Mountain Warfare (not necessarily in the North West Frontier of India) and their attachment followed the Brigade Commander’s request to D.M.T. Branch, War Office, for experienced Officers in this type of warfare.
-The move of the main parties to North Wales began with the HQ of 70th Infantry Brigade which left by rail from ABERGAVENNY at 21:55 hours.  The actual change of HQ would not take place until 10:00 hours next day.  The weather had at last turned to rain and if it was to continue, the prospect of moving under canvas in a rather waterlogged part of the country was not inviting.
+The move of the main parties to North Wales began with the HQ of 70th Infantry Brigade which left by rail from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abergavenny ABERGAVENNY] at 21:55 hours.  The actual change of HQ would not take place until 10:00 hours next day.  The weather had at last turned to rain and if it was to continue, the prospect of moving under canvas in a rather waterlogged part of the country was not inviting.
 '''Appendix A – Mountain Warfare T.E.W.T 3rd March 1942'''

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 Fourthly, the amount of “paper” that descended from higher authorities involved working sometimes until the early hours of the morning, and made one wish that the need for economy in paper would be realised by the Army.
-Liaison with Iceland was necessary in view of the approaching return of HQ 49 Division and 147th Infantry Brigade, and the Brigade Commander, who had borne the brunt of the preliminary work of getting mountain training started in the UK, reported to Major-General H.O. Curtis C.B., D.S.O., M.C. by cable and letter from time to time.
+Liaison with Iceland was necessary in view of the approaching return of HQ 49 Division and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/147th_Infantry_Brigade_(United_Kingdom) 147th Infantry Brigade], and the Brigade Commander, who had borne the brunt of the preliminary work of getting mountain training started in the UK, reported to Major-General H.O. Curtis C.B., D.S.O., M.C. by cable and letter from time to time.
 Weather continued fine for the first few days and did not interfere with Pack Training which was proceeding as follows:-
-Brigade HQ at CRICKHOWELL with 25 Mule Company R.I.A.S.C.
+Brigade HQ at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crickhowell CRICKHOWELL] with 25 Mule Company R.I.A.S.C.
-st Tyneside Scottish at GLANUSK PARK, CRICKHOWELL with 25 Mule Company R.I.A.S.C.
+st Tyneside Scottish at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glanusk_Park GLANUSK PARK], CRICKHOWELL with 25 Mule Company R.I.A.S.C.
-th DLI at PONTYPOOL with 32 Mule Company R.I.A.S.C.
+th DLI at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontypool PONTYPOOL] with 32 Mule Company R.I.A.S.C.
 th DLI remained at PEMBROKE DOCK with one Company at LLANELLY, where full use was made of the Range, and one Company at TREGLOG Camp, near LLANSAWEL (15 miles North East of CARMARTHEN).
@@ Line 91: / Line 91: @@
 '''4th March 1942'''
-A letter was received from Western Command stating that 25, 29, and 32 Mule Companies R.I.A.S.C. would proceed with 70th Infantry Brigade to North Wales on 1st April.
+A letter was received from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Command_(United_Kingdom) Western Command] stating that 25, 29, and 32 Mule Companies R.I.A.S.C. would proceed with 70th Infantry Brigade to North Wales on 1st April.
 After that, a further Brigade of 49 Mountain Division was due in South Wales and would train with 3, 7 and 42 Mule Companies R.I.A.S.C.
@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 Major-General R.C. Money G.O.C. South Wales District carried out an administrative inspection of 10th DLI at PONTYPOOL.
-The Staff Captain visited the area North of PORTMADOC, Merionethshire with Major Braithwaite of 454 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, which would be in camp with units of the Brigade. Col Stephenson, Colonel i/c Admin. North Wales District, and representatives of Royal Engineers Quartering and Hygiene attended.
+The Staff Captain visited the area North of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portmadoc PORTMADOC], Merionethshire with Major Braithwaite of 454 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, which would be in camp with units of the Brigade. Col Stephenson, Colonel i/c Admin. North Wales District, and representatives of Royal Engineers Quartering and Hygiene attended.
 Sites of the new Camps were visited and locations agreed.
@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 '''6th March 1942'''
-Lt Col W.M. Grylls (late 2/12 Frontier Force Rifles) of the Western Command pool of Umpires (and the grandfather of the Chief Scout and adventurer Bear Grylls) arrived at 70th Brigade HQ to assist in Mountain Warfare training.  He had been attached to 31st Independent Brigade Group when similar training was done last year in the same area.
+Lt Col W.M. Grylls (late [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Frontier_Force_Regiment 2/12 Frontier Force Rifles]) of the Western Command pool of Umpires (and the grandfather of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Scout_(The_Scout_Association) Chief Scout] and adventurer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Grylls Bear Grylls]) arrived at 70th Brigade HQ to assist in Mountain Warfare training.  He had been attached to 31st Independent Brigade Group when similar training was done last year in the same area.
 '''7th March 1942'''

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 Units were commanded as follows:-
-st Tyneside Scottish
+'''1st Tyneside Scottish'''
-	                C.O.	Lt Col C.W. Oxley
-i/c	Major R.H.C. Drummond-Wolff
+C.O.	Lt Col C.W. Oxley
-			Adj.	Captain H.B. Boyne
+i/c	Major R.H.C. Drummond-Wolff
-th DLI
+Adj.	Captain H.B. Boyne
-                        C.O.	Lt Col E.F. Davies M.C.
-i/c	Major K.T. Roper
+'''10th DLI'''
-			Adj	Captain G.B. Peartree
+C.O.	Lt Col E.F. Davies M.C.
-th DLI
+i/c	Major K.T. Roper
-                        C.O.	Lt Col F.W. Sandars
-i/c	Major D.G. Murray-Shireff
+Adj	Captain G.B. Peartree
-			Adj	Captain T.B. Walker
+'''11th DLI'''
-th Field Ambulance
+C.O.	Lt Col F.W. Sandars
-                        C.O.	Lt Col J.P. MacNamara
-i/c	Major W.L. Brown
+i/c	Major D.G. Murray-Shireff
 March was, if anything, an even busier month than February.  There were various reasons for this.  Firstly, the projected move of the Brigade group to Camp sites in North Wales that had never been used before necessitated various reconnaissances and conferences, and constantly “worrying” higher authority and in particular, the Services, to ensure that the Camps would be ready in time.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:51, 13 August 2012
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	1st Tyneside Scottish		1st Tyneside Scottish
−
	C.O. Lt Col C.W. Oxley		C.O. Lt Col C.W. Oxley