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

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@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 th Brigade Operation Instruction No 10 was issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix B.
-This particular document was focussed on the impact of the arrival of six [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_machine_gun Medium Machine Guns] for use by the 1st Tyneside Scottish in the REYKJAVIK Sub-Sector which, as a result, amended the deployment of the weapons of 1st/9th Manchesters – the supporting Machine Gun Battalion - from BULLER Camp to TOWER HILL and the taking over of the BULLER Camp positions, and three of the Nissen Huts, by 1st Tyneside Scottish.  The changes also had implications for the construction of concrete pill-boxes and that was also covered in the Order.  The 12th Reserve Motor Transport Company was also moving out of BULLER Camp and that had implication for 1st TS deployment.
+This particular document was focussed on the impact of the arrival of six [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_machine_gun Medium Machine Guns] for use by the 1st Tyneside Scottish in the [[Reykjavik]] Sub-Sector which, as a result, amended the deployment of the weapons of 1st/9th Manchesters – the supporting Machine Gun Battalion - from BULLER Camp to TOWER HILL and the taking over of the BULLER Camp positions, and three of the Nissen Huts, by 1st Tyneside Scottish.  The changes also had implications for the construction of concrete pill-boxes and that was also covered in the Order.  The 12th Reserve Motor Transport Company was also moving out of BULLER Camp and that had implication for 1st TS deployment.
 Responsibility for two of the positions was being assumed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._330_Squadron_RNoAF 330 (Norwegian) Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm] ''(another example of the inter-service working that was a common feature of Icelandic operations – see note below).''
@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 '''19th May 1941'''
-A water shortage in REYKJAVIK had begun to be noticed owing to a prolonged spell of fine dry weather, but drizzling rain appeared on this day and continued intermittently for the next three days.  The Brigade Commander attended a conference at Force HQ on the relief of 10th DLI to take place early in June.
+A water shortage in [[Reykjavik]] had begun to be noticed owing to a prolonged spell of fine dry weather, but drizzling rain appeared on this day and continued intermittently for the next three days.  The Brigade Commander attended a conference at Force HQ on the relief of 10th DLI to take place early in June.
 '''20th May 1941'''
@@ Line 96: / Line 96: @@
 :00 hours.  A message was received from Force HQ that enemy warships were at sea near Iceland and that extreme vigilance was to be maintained.
-At around this time my father and some of his comrades watched the Battle Cruiser [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.M.S_Hood H.M.S. Hood] leave Reykjavik harbour in the hunt for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Bismarck Bismarck].
+At around this time my father and some of his comrades watched the Battle Cruiser [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.M.S_Hood H.M.S. Hood] leave [[Reykjavik]] harbour in the hunt for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Bismarck Bismarck].
 '''24th May 1941'''
@@ Line 124: / Line 124: @@
 The Brigade Commander went to [[Borganes]] with the Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General (Movements) to discuss the relief of 10th DLI.
-By the end of the month British aerial activity in the REYKJAVIK area became more pronounced as the Norwegian Fleet Air Arm became equipped with machines and the first runway on the VATNSMYRI aerodrome neared completion.  Sunderland and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalina_flying_boat Catalina] Flying Boats, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_N-3PB Northrop Float Planes], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Beaufort Beauforts] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Battle Fairey Battles] were all in evidence.
+By the end of the month British aerial activity in the [[Reykjavik]] area became more pronounced as the Norwegian Fleet Air Arm became equipped with machines and the first runway on the VATNSMYRI aerodrome neared completion.  Sunderland and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalina_flying_boat Catalina] Flying Boats, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_N-3PB Northrop Float Planes], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Beaufort Beauforts] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Battle Fairey Battles] were all in evidence.
 '''Appendix E''' to the War Diary covered the administrative matters for the month as follows:-

@@ Line 136: / Line 136: @@
 '''TRANSPORT'''
-During the weeks in which the Brigade supplied the Working Parties, 16 15cwt trucks were supplied by both 11th DLI and 1st TS.  In addition, 12 30cwt lorries were handed over during the week 11th – 17th May 1941 by No 12 Reserve Motor Transport Company to each of those Battalions.  These were immediately made available, with drivers, for the daily supply of cement to KALDADARNES aerodrome.
+During the weeks in which the Brigade supplied the Working Parties, 16 15cwt trucks were supplied by both 11th DLI and 1st TS.  In addition, 12 30cwt lorries were handed over during the week 11th – 17th May 1941 by No 12 Reserve Motor Transport Company to each of those Battalions.  These were immediately made available, with drivers, for the daily supply of cement to [[Kaldadarnes]] aerodrome.
 '''ACCOMMODATION'''

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 '''5th May 1941'''
-th Bn DLI and the attached troops forming the HAFNAFJORDUR Sub-Sector took part in a manning exercise from 03:30 hours under the direction of the Brigade Commander.  The Reserve Company 1st TS also took part acting as “enemy”.  The particulars were set out on Appendix A as follows:-
+th Bn DLI and the attached troops forming the [[Hafnafjordur]] Sub-Sector took part in a manning exercise from 03:30 hours under the direction of the Brigade Commander.  The Reserve Company 1st TS also took part acting as “enemy”.  The particulars were set out on Appendix A as follows:-
 The objects of the manning exercise were to –
@@ Line 132: / Line 132: @@
 Work on the aerodrome continued – digging, rock crushing, driving etc.  From 16th – 31st May 11th DLI and 1st TS provided Working Parties consisting of a daily strength of 8 Officers, 46 NCOs and 500 men at REYKJAVIK AERODROME.
-In addition, those units, and 1st/9th Manchesters, were given the collective task of moving 500 15cwt truck loads of sand to the aerodrome from HAFNAFJORDUR each week.
+In addition, those units, and 1st/9th Manchesters, were given the collective task of moving 500 15cwt truck loads of sand to the aerodrome from [[Hafnafjordur]] each week.
 '''TRANSPORT'''

@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 '''27th May 1941'''
-A message was received by 10th DLI that an aircraft had crashed in the interior of the island, within the Western Sector.  A party of one Officer and 8 Other Ranks left from [[Blonduos]] by truck to search for the aircraft but were recalled by wireless a few hours later.  A party left BORGANES by truck, travelled East for 50 miles and then travelled by pony to the West side of EIRKSJOKULL.  Two days later news was received that the remains of the aircraft, a Fairey Battle, had been found by another search party some seventy miles away with all four occupants killed.  The 10th DLI search party stayed out for a few more days to continue training in most unpromising country.  One lava bed alone was found to be eighty miles wide.
+A message was received by 10th DLI that an aircraft had crashed in the interior of the island, within the Western Sector.  A party of one Officer and 8 Other Ranks left from [[Blonduos]] by truck to search for the aircraft but were recalled by wireless a few hours later.  A party left [[Borganes]] by truck, travelled East for 50 miles and then travelled by pony to the West side of EIRKSJOKULL.  Two days later news was received that the remains of the aircraft, a Fairey Battle, had been found by another search party some seventy miles away with all four occupants killed.  The 10th DLI search party stayed out for a few more days to continue training in most unpromising country.  One lava bed alone was found to be eighty miles wide.
 (More information on this tragedy is to be found elsewhere on the Website)
@@ Line 122: / Line 122: @@
 '''30th May 1941'''
-The Brigade Commander went to BORGANES with the Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General (Movements) to discuss the relief of 10th DLI.
+The Brigade Commander went to [[Borganes]] with the Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General (Movements) to discuss the relief of 10th DLI.
 By the end of the month British aerial activity in the REYKJAVIK area became more pronounced as the Norwegian Fleet Air Arm became equipped with machines and the first runway on the VATNSMYRI aerodrome neared completion.  Sunderland and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalina_flying_boat Catalina] Flying Boats, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_N-3PB Northrop Float Planes], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Beaufort Beauforts] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Battle Fairey Battles] were all in evidence.

@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 '''27th May 1941'''
-A message was received by 10th DLI that an aircraft had crashed in the interior of the island, within the Western Sector.  A party of one Officer and 8 Other Ranks left from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bl%C3%B6ndu%C3%B3s BLONDUOS] by truck to search for the aircraft but were recalled by wireless a few hours later.  A party left BORGANES by truck, travelled East for 50 miles and then travelled by pony to the West side of EIRKSJOKULL.  Two days later news was received that the remains of the aircraft, a Fairey Battle, had been found by another search party some seventy miles away with all four occupants killed.  The 10th DLI search party stayed out for a few more days to continue training in most unpromising country.  One lava bed alone was found to be eighty miles wide.
+A message was received by 10th DLI that an aircraft had crashed in the interior of the island, within the Western Sector.  A party of one Officer and 8 Other Ranks left from [[Blonduos]] by truck to search for the aircraft but were recalled by wireless a few hours later.  A party left BORGANES by truck, travelled East for 50 miles and then travelled by pony to the West side of EIRKSJOKULL.  Two days later news was received that the remains of the aircraft, a Fairey Battle, had been found by another search party some seventy miles away with all four occupants killed.  The 10th DLI search party stayed out for a few more days to continue training in most unpromising country.  One lava bed alone was found to be eighty miles wide.
 (More information on this tragedy is to be found elsewhere on the Website)

@@ Line 140: / Line 140: @@
 '''ACCOMMODATION'''
-Brigade HQ, 1st TS and 11th DLI were responsible for ten days for the accommodation, clothing and rationing of 9 Officers and 85 Ratings of the Royal Navy from the torpedoed H.M.S. Salopian.  In addition, similar services were provided for some 60 merchant seamen for a period of two days.
+Brigade HQ, 1st TS and 11th DLI were responsible for ten days for the accommodation, clothing and rationing of 9 Officers and 85 Ratings of the Royal Navy from the torpedoed [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3330.html H.M.S. Salopian].  In addition, similar services were provided for some 60 merchant seamen for a period of two days.
 '''HEALTH'''

@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 During the next fortnight the continuance of fine weather and the allotment of ammunition for training allowed field training to take place on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bren_light_machine_gun Light Machine Gun] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifle,_Anti-Tank,_.55_in,_Boys Anti-Tank Rifle] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mills_bomb Grenade] throwing to be practised by Brigade HQ and other units as work on the aerodrome permitted.
-th May 1941
+'''13th May 1941'''
 South-West Sector Operation Instruction No 11 was issued and attached as Appendix C.
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 Details were set out of emergency signals and code words, as well as the means and routes for communicating messages to higher formations.
-th May 1941
+'''16th May 1941'''
-An exercise was held for the Reserve troops of 1st TS – One Company, plus the Carrier and Mortar Platoons – supported by E Troop of 388th Field Battery and one Platoon of 1st/9th Manchesters (MMGs).  These troops carried out a possible operational role as part of the exercise – namely a counter-attack on HOWITZER HILL.  The scheme was carried out successfully, despite the rain.
+An exercise was held for the Reserve troops of 1st TS – One Company, plus the Carrier and Mortar Platoons – supported by E Troop of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_East_Kent_Yeomanry#143rd_.28Kent_yeomanry.29_Field_Regiment 388th Field Battery] and one Platoon of 1st/9th Manchesters (MMGs).  These troops carried out a possible operational role as part of the exercise – namely a counter-attack on HOWITZER HILL.  The scheme was carried out successfully, despite the rain.
-th May 1941
+'''18th May 1941'''
 The Brigade Commander made a visit to KEFLAVIK to inspect the post manned by 11th DLI at the Emergency Landing Ground at UTSKALAR.
@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 The first of a series of fortnightly courses for Platoon Commanders commenced at the Force Tactical School.  Twelve vacancies were allotted to the Brigade.
-th May 1941
+'''19th May 1941'''
 A water shortage in REYKJAVIK had begun to be noticed owing to a prolonged spell of fine dry weather, but drizzling rain appeared on this day and continued intermittently for the next three days.  The Brigade Commander attended a conference at Force HQ on the relief of 10th DLI to take place early in June.
-th May 1941
+'''20th May 1941'''
-The Brigade Major left by sea for VESTMANNAEYJAR with the Force Camouflage Officer for a Tactical and Administrative inspection of the detachment based there.
+The Brigade Major left by sea for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestmannaeyjar VESTMANNAEYJAR] with the Force Camouflage Officer for a Tactical and Administrative inspection of the detachment based there.
 His report was attached to the Diary as Appendix D and explained that, because of the timing of sailings, it was only possible to spend 10:00 to 18:00 hours on the island – meaning only a cursory inspection could take place.
@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 Three posts had been constructed to cover the harbour areas and the isthmus to the North of the harbour.  The detachment commander had been advised to move one of the posts so as to bring the manning Section closer to the rest of the Platoon – the recommendation had been agreed and work was beginning on the new post.
-No Government transport was available to the detachment who had to hire vehicles locally so arrangements were made to send a 15cwt truck.
+No Government transport was available to the detachment, who had to hire vehicles locally, so arrangements were made to send a 15cwt truck.
-nd May 1941
+'''22nd May 1941'''
 A Guard of Honour, to be found from 1st Tyneside Scottish, for the visit of the Vice Admiral Commanding Orkney and Shetlands had to be cancelled, due to his non-arrival – his visit was subsequently held on 27th May.
-rd May 1941
+'''23rd May 1941'''
 :15 hours.  A demonstration of the Platoon in the Attack was given by 1st Tyneside Scottish at the Force Tactical School – the event being attended by the General Officer Commanding.
@@ Line 96: / Line 96: @@
 :00 hours.  A message was received from Force HQ that enemy warships were at sea near Iceland and that extreme vigilance was to be maintained.
-At around this time my father and some of his comrades watched the Battle Cruiser H.M.S. Hood leave Reykjavik harbour in the hunt for the Bismarck.
+At around this time my father and some of his comrades watched the Battle Cruiser [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.M.S_Hood H.M.S. Hood] leave Reykjavik harbour in the hunt for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Bismarck Bismarck].
-th May 1941
+'''24th May 1941'''
-News was heard on the radio that H.M.S. Hood had been sunk, North of Iceland, and that the German Cruiser Bismarck had been hit.
+News was heard on the radio that H.M.S. Hood had been sunk, North of Iceland, and that the German Battleship Bismarck had been hit.
-th May 1941
+'''25th May 1941'''
 The wind which had sprung up overnight became almost gale force.
-th May 1941
+'''26th May 1941'''
 Weather fine and dry for the remainder of the week.
-th May 1941
+'''27th May 1941'''
-A message was received by 10th DLI that an aircraft had crashed in the interior of the island, within the Western Sector.  A party of one Officer and 8 Other Ranks left from BLONDUOS by truck to search for the aircraft but were recalled by wireless a few hours later.  A party left BORGANES by truck, travelled East for 50 miles and then travelled by pony to the West side of EIRKSJOKULL.  Two days later news was received that the remains of the aircraft, a Fairey Battle, had been found by another search party some seventy miles away with all four occupants killed.  The 10th DLI search party stayed out for a few more days to continue training in most unpromising country.  One lava bed alone was found to be eighty miles wide.
+A message was received by 10th DLI that an aircraft had crashed in the interior of the island, within the Western Sector.  A party of one Officer and 8 Other Ranks left from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bl%C3%B6ndu%C3%B3s BLONDUOS] by truck to search for the aircraft but were recalled by wireless a few hours later.  A party left BORGANES by truck, travelled East for 50 miles and then travelled by pony to the West side of EIRKSJOKULL.  Two days later news was received that the remains of the aircraft, a Fairey Battle, had been found by another search party some seventy miles away with all four occupants killed.  The 10th DLI search party stayed out for a few more days to continue training in most unpromising country.  One lava bed alone was found to be eighty miles wide.
 (More information on this tragedy is to be found elsewhere on the Website)
-th May 1941
+'''28th May 1941'''
 A message stating “return to normal vigilance” was received from Force HQ.
-th May 1941
+'''30th May 1941'''
 The Brigade Commander went to BORGANES with the Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General (Movements) to discuss the relief of 10th DLI.
-By the end of the month British aerial activity in the REYKJAVIK area became more pronounced as the Norwegian Fleet Air Arm became equipped with machines and the first runway on the VATNSMYRI aerodrome neared completion.  Sunderland and Catalina Flying Boats, Northrop Float Planes, Beauforts and Fairey Battles were all in evidence.
+By the end of the month British aerial activity in the REYKJAVIK area became more pronounced as the Norwegian Fleet Air Arm became equipped with machines and the first runway on the VATNSMYRI aerodrome neared completion.  Sunderland and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalina_flying_boat Catalina] Flying Boats, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_N-3PB Northrop Float Planes], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Beaufort Beauforts] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Battle Fairey Battles] were all in evidence.
 Appendix E to the War Diary covered the administrative matters for the month as follows:-

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 '''National Archives Document Reference WO 176/304'''
-st May 1941
+'''1st May 1941'''
-The Officers of Brigade HQ and of the units in the Brigade were the same as previously except that Major K.K. Walmsley, Second-in-Command, deputised for Lt Col C.W. Oxley, 1st TS, until the latter’s return from leave.  During the course of the month leave parties proceeded according to plan, although the first party was away for five weeks owing to various delays, including some caused by air-raid damage at the port of embarkation in the U.K.
+The Officers of Brigade HQ and of the units in the Brigade were the same as previously, except that Major K.K. Walmsley, Second-in-Command, deputised for Lt Col C.W. Oxley, 1st TS, until the latter’s return from leave.  During the course of the month leave parties proceeded according to plan, although the first party was away for five weeks owing to various delays, including some caused by air-raid damage at the port of embarkation in the U.K.
 Leave parties, courses in the U.K. and at the Force Tactical School all contributed to a shortage of Officers which made itself felt in the units.  The weather was surprisingly good throughout the whole of the month with the exception of four days.  The temperature rose from an average of 45 degrees to 55 degrees and over, by the end of the month, and the days were generally cloudless and sunny.  This allowed a maximum of outdoor work and, in particular, the work on the aerodrome proceeded very quickly.
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 The rapid increase in the hours of daylight had by now reached its maximum and by the middle of May there was no darkness at all.  Those posts normally manned during “the hours of darkness” continued to be manned for a certain time each night in addition to those manned permanently.
-th April 1941
+'''5th May 1941'''
 th Bn DLI and the attached troops forming the HAFNAFJORDUR Sub-Sector took part in a manning exercise from 03:30 hours under the direction of the Brigade Commander.  The Reserve Company 1st TS also took part acting as “enemy”.  The particulars were set out on Appendix A as follows:-
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 No live ammunition was to be issued, although anti-tank mines would be laid but not fused.  Refugee control posts were to be set up, but not to interfere with traffic.  No martial Law Proclamations were to be posted and all messages were to be preceded with a phrase denoting the exercise.  Umpires would be given copies of any messages passed.
-The instructions to 1st Tyneside Scottish, as the “skeleton enemy” charged them with advancing to, and capturing SLINGSBY HILL, against the opposition to be mounted by the defending troops.  The detachment was expected to simulate a landing in KOPAVOGUR and advance to the high ground from there.
+The instructions to 1st Tyneside Scottish, as the “skeleton enemy” charged them with advancing to, and capturing SLINGSBY HILL, against the opposition to be mounted by the defending troops.  The detachment was expected to simulate a landing in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B3pavogur KOPAVOGUR] and advance to the high ground from there.
 The instructions were intended to be handed to the Tyneside Scottish at 03:30 hours that morning – it would appear that they were expected to mount the attack without previous warning.
-th April 1941
+'''10th May 1941'''
 Brigadier Kirkup D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C., T.D. left for the U.K. on leave.  Lt Col C.D. Marley D.S.O., M.B.E., T.D. officiated as Brigade Commander during his absence.  Major F. Hall – Second-in-Command – officiated as Battalion Commander of 10th DLI during this period.
-th April 1941
+'''11th May 1941'''
 th Brigade Operation Instruction No 10 was issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix B.
-This particular document was focussed on the impact of the arrival of six Medium Machine Guns for use by the 1st Tyneside Scottish in the REYKJAVIK Sub-Sector which, as a result, amended the deployment of the weapons of 1st/9th Manchesters – the supporting Machine Gun Battalion - from BULLER Camp to TOWER HILL and the taking over of the BULLER Camp positions, and three of the Nissen Huts, by 1st Tyneside Scottish.  The changes also had implications for the construction of concrete pill-boxes and that was also covered in the Order.  The 12th Reserve Motor Transport Company was also moving out of BULLER Camp and that had implication for 1st TS deployment.
+This particular document was focussed on the impact of the arrival of six [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_machine_gun Medium Machine Guns] for use by the 1st Tyneside Scottish in the REYKJAVIK Sub-Sector which, as a result, amended the deployment of the weapons of 1st/9th Manchesters – the supporting Machine Gun Battalion - from BULLER Camp to TOWER HILL and the taking over of the BULLER Camp positions, and three of the Nissen Huts, by 1st Tyneside Scottish.  The changes also had implications for the construction of concrete pill-boxes and that was also covered in the Order.  The 12th Reserve Motor Transport Company was also moving out of BULLER Camp and that had implication for 1st TS deployment.
-Responsibility for two of the positions was being assumed by 330 (Norwegian) Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm (another example of the inter-service working that was a common feature of Icelandic operations – see note below).
+Responsibility for two of the positions was being assumed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._330_Squadron_RNoAF 330 (Norwegian) Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm] ''(another example of the inter-service working that was a common feature of Icelandic operations – see note below).''
-During the next fortnight the continuance of fine weather and the allotment of ammunition for training allowed field training to take place on the Light Machine Gun and the Anti-Tank Rifle and Grenade throwing to be practised by Brigade HQ and other units as work on the aerodrome permitted.
+During the next fortnight the continuance of fine weather and the allotment of ammunition for training allowed field training to take place on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bren_light_machine_gun Light Machine Gun] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifle,_Anti-Tank,_.55_in,_Boys Anti-Tank Rifle] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mills_bomb Grenade] throwing to be practised by Brigade HQ and other units as work on the aerodrome permitted.
 th May 1941