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

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70bgadmin at 11:39, 6 August 2012

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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]."

2011-06-18T15:10:52Z

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

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

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 Force Exercise No 10, which was to have taken place in the SAUERBAER area, was cancelled due to the bad weather and the condition of the roads.  This was the seventeenth consecutive day of bad weather.
-South-West Operation Instruction No 14 was issued, and attached to the War Diary as Appendix A.  This document dealt with the interchange of 1st TS and 11th DLI Battalions – due to take place on 9th – 10th October.  11th DLI was due to move into the REYKJAVIK Sub-Sector and 1st TS to move into the [[Hafnafjordur]] Sub-Sector - the exact programme to be decided between the Battalion Commanders over the two day period.
+South-West Operation Instruction No 14 was issued, and attached to the War Diary as Appendix A.  This document dealt with the interchange of 1st TS and 11th DLI Battalions – due to take place on 9th – 10th October.  11th DLI was due to move into the [[Reykjavik]] Sub-Sector and 1st TS to move into the [[Hafnafjordur]] Sub-Sector - the exact programme to be decided between the Battalion Commanders over the two day period.
 Command was due to change formally on 12:00 hours 10th October, with completion of the relief reported to Brigade HQ.  Advance parties of 10% strength of both units were to be exchanged on 7th October.  Rear parties were to remain in place for 24 hours after completion of the move.
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 '''10th October 1941'''
-The G.O.Cs. conference on Force Exercise No 11 was held in the Fish Shed Theatre, REYKJAVIK at 17:00 hours.  Owing to the changes of location of Infantry, a revision was issued to the Force scheme for a counter-attack on REYKJAVIK AERODROME, and a copy was attached to the War Diary as Appendix B.
+The G.O.Cs. conference on Force Exercise No 11 was held in the Fish Shed Theatre, [[Reykjavik]] at 17:00 hours.  Owing to the changes of location of Infantry, a revision was issued to the Force scheme for a counter-attack on REYKJAVIK AERODROME, and a copy was attached to the War Diary as Appendix B.
 The original scheme had been issued from Brigade HQ on 11th August 1941 and it had now been revised to reflect the changes in location of 1st TS and 11th DLI.  Effectively what was revised was the Appendix B for the Scheme for defending the South-West of Iceland, which dealt specifically with the aerodrome – a revision to the main scheme itself was due to be issued before the end of October so this change was to ensure that existing plans were up-to-date, pending that major revision.
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 '''12th October 1941'''
-The Brigade Commander held a conference at HQ involving 25 Group Pioneer Corps and the C.Os. of units in REYKJAVIK town regarding the new defence scheme to be brought in on 1st November 1941.  The substance of the conference concerned the large number of dilapidated posts and their substitution by “Keeps”, or defended areas, and a reduction in the size of the three defended zones.
+The Brigade Commander held a conference at HQ involving 25 Group Pioneer Corps and the C.Os. of units in [[Reykjavik]] town regarding the new defence scheme to be brought in on 1st November 1941.  The substance of the conference concerned the large number of dilapidated posts and their substitution by “Keeps”, or defended areas, and a reduction in the size of the three defended zones.
 '''13th October 1941'''
@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 MIDDLE – Captain C.R. Dean 10th DLI
-REYKJAVIK – Captain J. Brewis 11th DLI
+[[Reykjavik]] – Captain J. Brewis 11th DLI
 '''15th October 1941'''
@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 '''16th October 1941'''
-A revised scheme for the defence of REYKJAVIK Town was issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix E.
+A revised scheme for the defence of [[Reykjavik]] Town was issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix E.
-This was a revision of the existing scheme and took into account the presence of other forces which had to be taken into account, in terms of their deployment and role in an emergency.  As mentioned earlier, the concept of “Keeps” and Vulnerable Points was introduced, though this did not change the overall approach of “no withdrawal” from main positions.  The additional forces were from supporting units, including the Base Stores Depot, the Force Postal Unit, the Field Bakery and Field Butchery, plus any other ancillary units quartered in REYKJAVIK.  Every soldier in the Iceland Force in this part of the island was expected to play a role in its defence.
+This was a revision of the existing scheme and took into account the presence of other forces which had to be taken into account, in terms of their deployment and role in an emergency.  As mentioned earlier, the concept of “Keeps” and Vulnerable Points was introduced, though this did not change the overall approach of “no withdrawal” from main positions.  The additional forces were from supporting units, including the Base Stores Depot, the Force Postal Unit, the Field Bakery and Field Butchery, plus any other ancillary units quartered in [[Reykjavik]].  Every soldier in the Iceland Force in this part of the island was expected to play a role in its defence.
 The town was now divided into three Zones and a Perimeter Defence Line.  The Town Plan depicting the boundaries was, unfortunately, not included within the War Diary file, and may have been considered too sensitive to retain.  Each Zone had one or more defensive Keeps with defensive posts and outposts.  Withdrawal from outposts was permissible in certain circumstances, but there was to be no withdrawal from the main positions – they and their posts were to be held at all costs.
@@ Line 106: / Line 106: @@
 '''18th October 1941'''
-The G.O.Cs. conference on Force Exercise No 12 was held at the Fish Theatre, Reykjavik.  The difficulties of transport and communication were particularly stressed.
+The G.O.Cs. conference on Force Exercise No 12 was held at the Fish Theatre, [[Reykjavik]].  The difficulties of transport and communication were particularly stressed.
 '''19th October 1941'''
-The [http://www.kensingtonbattalion3624.org.uk/regimental_history.htm 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment] just arrived from the U.K. took over from the 1st/9th Manchesters as the Machine-Gun Battalion at BYTOWN CAMP, Reykjavik.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Regiment 1st/9th Manchesters] returned to the U.K.
+The [http://www.kensingtonbattalion3624.org.uk/regimental_history.htm 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment] just arrived from the U.K. took over from the 1st/9th Manchesters as the Machine-Gun Battalion at BYTOWN CAMP, [[Reykjavik]].  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Regiment 1st/9th Manchesters] returned to the U.K.
 '''21st October 1941'''

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 Force Exercise No 11, a Signal Exercise, commenced at 10:30 hours.  This was the first exercise for the Force planned on a Divisional basis, as opposed to an Operational Exercise as Iceland Force.
-Two Infantry Brigades together with supporting arms and troops took part.  The 49th Division were assumed to be training in the SANDSKEID area when it was called upon to repel enemy landings at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apavatn APAVATN], 20 miles North of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfoss_(town) SELFOSS], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oddi ODDI].
+Two Infantry Brigades together with supporting arms and troops took part.  The 49th Division were assumed to be training in the SANDSKEID area when it was called upon to repel enemy landings at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apavatn APAVATN], 20 miles North of [[Selfoss]], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oddi ODDI].
 The 70th Infantry Brigade was given the task of destroying the enemy landing at APAVATN.  The Brigade transport moved out of Camp at 05:00 hours and proceeded to the vicinity of ALVIDRA where Brigade HQ and Unit HQ areas had been allotted.  Only Division, Brigade and Battalion HQs took part.  The scheme finished by 20:00 hours and all transport was back in Camp by midnight.

@@ Line 114: / Line 114: @@
 '''21st October 1941'''
-There was a rehearsal of Field Firing to be given by 1st TS and 366 Field Battery Royal Artillery for American Officers at KLEIFERVATN.
+There was a rehearsal of Field Firing to be given by 1st TS and 366 Field Battery Royal Artillery for American Officers at [[Kleifervatn]].
 '''23rd October 1941'''
-The Field Firing Exercise was to have been held at KLEIFERVATN but, on the arrival of Major-General Curtis and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._Bonesteel_III Major-General Bonesteel], U.S. Army, commanding the American Forces in Iceland, it was decided to postpone the exercise.  Heavy rain and a high wind would have made the demonstration of little practical value.
+The Field Firing Exercise was to have been held at [[Kleifervatn]] but, on the arrival of Major-General Curtis and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._Bonesteel_III Major-General Bonesteel], U.S. Army, commanding the American Forces in Iceland, it was decided to postpone the exercise.  Heavy rain and a high wind would have made the demonstration of little practical value.
 Major-General Curtis C.B., D.S.O., M.C.  re-assumed command of Iceland (C) Force on his return from leave.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 Force Exercise No 10, which was to have taken place in the SAUERBAER area, was cancelled due to the bad weather and the condition of the roads.  This was the seventeenth consecutive day of bad weather.
-South-West Operation Instruction No 14 was issued, and attached to the War Diary as Appendix A.  This document dealt with the interchange of 1st TS and 11th DLI Battalions – due to take place on 9th – 10th October.  11th DLI was due to move into the REYKJAVIK Sub-Sector and 1st TS to move into the HAFNAFJORDUR Sub-Sector - the exact programme to be decided between the Battalion Commanders over the two day period.
+South-West Operation Instruction No 14 was issued, and attached to the War Diary as Appendix A.  This document dealt with the interchange of 1st TS and 11th DLI Battalions – due to take place on 9th – 10th October.  11th DLI was due to move into the REYKJAVIK Sub-Sector and 1st TS to move into the [[Hafnafjordur]] Sub-Sector - the exact programme to be decided between the Battalion Commanders over the two day period.
 Command was due to change formally on 12:00 hours 10th October, with completion of the relief reported to Brigade HQ.  Advance parties of 10% strength of both units were to be exchanged on 7th October.  Rear parties were to remain in place for 24 hours after completion of the move.
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 (see the War Diary for 20th September 1941), when the exercise concerned had to be cancelled, the same arrangements were put in place.  The Appendix reiterated that, with the addition of the identification of the Sub-Sector Commanders, under the South-West Commander – Major McCoy DLI – as follows:-
-HAFNAFJORDUR – Captain H.C. Chudleigh 1st TS
+[[Hafnafjordur]] – Captain H.C. Chudleigh 1st TS
 MIDDLE – Captain C.R. Dean 10th DLI
@@ Line 132: / Line 132: @@
 '''29th October 1941'''
-Force Exercise No 13 for Intelligence Sections was held in the RALDARSEL VALLEY area, near HAFNAFJORDUR.  All three Battalions of both 70th and 147th Infantry brigades took part – the exercise being on a competitive basis.
+Force Exercise No 13 for Intelligence Sections was held in the RALDARSEL VALLEY area, near [[Hafnafjordur]].  All three Battalions of both 70th and 147th Infantry brigades took part – the exercise being on a competitive basis.
 '''31st October 1941'''

@@ Line 110: / Line 110: @@
 '''19th October 1941'''
-The 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment just arrived from the U.K. took over from the 1st/9th Manchesters as the Machine-Gun Battalion at BYTOWN CAMP, Reykjavik.  The 1st/9th Manchesters returned to the U.K.
+The [http://www.kensingtonbattalion3624.org.uk/regimental_history.htm 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment] just arrived from the U.K. took over from the 1st/9th Manchesters as the Machine-Gun Battalion at BYTOWN CAMP, Reykjavik.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Regiment 1st/9th Manchesters] returned to the U.K.
 '''21st October 1941'''
@@ Line 118: / Line 118: @@
 '''23rd October 1941'''
-The Field Firing Exercise was to have been held at KLEIFERVATN but, on the arrival of Major-General Curtis and Major-General Bonesteel, U.S. Army, commanding the American Forces in Iceland, it was decided to postpone the exercise.  Heavy rain and a high wind would have made the demonstration of little practical value.
+The Field Firing Exercise was to have been held at KLEIFERVATN but, on the arrival of Major-General Curtis and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._Bonesteel_III Major-General Bonesteel], U.S. Army, commanding the American Forces in Iceland, it was decided to postpone the exercise.  Heavy rain and a high wind would have made the demonstration of little practical value.
 Major-General Curtis C.B., D.S.O., M.C.  re-assumed command of Iceland (C) Force on his return from leave.
@@ Line 128: / Line 128: @@
 '''28th October 1941'''
-The Field Firing Exercise, postponed from 23rd October was held, and watched by Major-general Curtis, Major-General Bonesteel and one Officer of the U.S. Army.
+The Field Firing Exercise, postponed from 23rd October was held, and watched by Major-General Curtis, Major-General Bonesteel and one Officer of the U.S. Army.
 '''29th October 1941'''

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Command was due to change formally on 12:00 hours 10th October, with completion of the relief reported to Brigade HQ.  Advance parties of 10% strength of both units were to be exchanged on 7th October.  Rear parties were to remain in place for 24 hours after completion of the move.
-−
 A list was set out of the buildings, stores, vehicles and equipment to be handed over between the Battalions.
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 Force Exercise No 11, a Signal Exercise, commenced at 10:30 hours.  This was the first exercise for the Force planned on a Divisional basis, as opposed to an Operational Exercise as Iceland Force.
-Two Infantry Brigades together with supporting arms and troops took part.  The 49th Division were assumed to be training in the SANDSKEID area when it was called upon to repel enemy landings at APAVATN, 20 miles North of SELFOSS, and ODDI.
+Two Infantry Brigades together with supporting arms and troops took part.  The 49th Division were assumed to be training in the SANDSKEID area when it was called upon to repel enemy landings at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apavatn APAVATN], 20 miles North of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfoss_(town) SELFOSS], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oddi ODDI].
 The 70th Infantry Brigade was given the task of destroying the enemy landing at APAVATN.  The Brigade transport moved out of Camp at 05:00 hours and proceeded to the vicinity of ALVIDRA where Brigade HQ and Unit HQ areas had been allotted.  Only Division, Brigade and Battalion HQs took part.  The scheme finished by 20:00 hours and all transport was back in Camp by midnight.
@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 '''15th October 1941'''
-Instructions were issued for Force Exercise No 12.  This exercise imagined that two opposing forces were resident in Iceland – OLFUSA in the SOUTH and JOKULLAND in the NORTH.
+Instructions were issued for Force Exercise No 12.  This exercise imagined that two opposing forces were resident in Iceland – [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96lfus%C3%A1 OLFUSA] in the SOUTH and JOKULLAND in the NORTH.
 The OLFUSA force consisted of 70th Infantry Brigade, plus 366 Field Battery, Royal Artillery, 187 Field Ambulance, a Section of 294 Field Company Royal Engineers and a Section of the Divisional Provost Company.  The JOKULLAND force was based on 147th Infantry Brigade, with similar support.
-The orders for the OLFUSA force were to secure GRAFINSTRETT and, after its capture, to advance and take HEIDA BARR on the edge of PINGVELLIRVATN.
+The orders for the OLFUSA force were to secure GRAFINSTRETT and, after its capture, to advance and take HEIDA BARR on the edge of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%9Eingvallavatn PINGVELLIRVATN].
 The Operation Order for the exercise was attached to the War Diary as Appendix D.