Difference between revisions of "70th Infantry Brigade War Diary June 1941."

Latest revision as of 09:09, 4 May 2018

Lt Col Marley continued to officiate as Brigade Commander until 8th June, when Brigadier Kirkup returned from leave.

The only change to Brigade Headquarters staff was that Lt Gilbey was transferred to the U.K. and was temporarily replaced as Camp Commandant by 2/Lt W.B. O’Hanlon of 1st Tyneside Scottish.

2nd June 1941

The weather was dull and overcast, turning to rain during the night 1st – 2nd June. This was typical of the weather experienced during the whole of the month, intermixed with bright, sunny days.

The Brigade Commander attended a conference at Force HQ on the relief of 10th DLI.

The rain, with which the day started, made an unfortunate start for a Company from 1st TS and a Company from 11th DLI both of whom set out that morning for one week’s marching. By mid-day, however, the weather had cleared and was fine for the rest of the day.

A Company 1st TS – in reserve at Reykjavik – moved to Pingvellir, a distance of 30 miles, and carried out a training programme, with schemes each day.

C Company 11th DLI had similar arrangements except that their route from Hafnafjordur was via KEFLAVIKROAD, GRINDAVIK, and KLEIFARVATN.

3rd June 1941

These marches were a feature of the training during the month. 1st TS and 11th DLI both sent out one Company in turn and exercises were carried out during the week. Tents were carried in transport for use at night. One of these Companies marched 35 miles on the last day and carried out two exercises on the way. 10th DLI were unable to do any of this training because of their move of location.

6th June 1941

An advance party from 10th DLI arrived in Reykjavik prior to moving into the camps of the 1st/5th West Yorkshire Regiment (South West Sector Reserve under the operational command of 70th Brigade). A programme of the relief arrangements was attached to the War Diary as Appendix A.

This document detailed the elements of the Battalion and the dates on which their moves between locations would take place, and the Camps to which they would move within the South West Sector.

At 16:30 hours Brigade HQ moved to GARDAR Camp, Hafnafjordur to practice the administrative details of the move. Details were attached to the War Diary as Appendix B and were comprehensive, down to the names of the individual members of HQ staff taking part in the exercise, and the arrangements to be made should an emergency arise while the exercise was in progress. The core of the exercise was to open a temporary HQ for the overnight 6th – 7th June and then re-open York Hose as Brigade HQ on the morning of 7th June. Officers and men were expected to take full G1098 kit with them. Arrangements for a skeleton Signals Office and equipment were also specified.

7th June 1941

At 08:45 hours Brigade HQ returned to MELROSE Camp, Reykjavik, after completing the practice move. Later the Brigade Commander attended an exercise at KALDARSEL for C Company, 11th DLI, who were returning from their week’s march.

8th June 1941

Brigadier Kirkup and Captain MacNichol returned from UK leave at 23:30 hours. Lt Col Marley resumed command of 10th DLI.

12th Battalion of the Worcester Regiment arrived in Reykjavik by sea from the U.K. and were selected to take over the North West Sub-Sector from 10th DLI who were in turn to relieve 1st/5th West Yorks in the South West Sector – who would then move to Brautarholt and Akranes.

11th June 1941

The first party of the Worcesters left Reykjavik for Borganes.

12th June 1941

The General Officer Commanding held a parade at 10:30 hours at REYJAVIK Stadium to celebrate the King’s Birthday. The Brigade was represented by a 65–man contingent each from 11th DLI and 1st TS.

13th June 1941

D Company of 10th DLI arrived in REYJAVIK from Borganes.

There was heavy rain for most of the day with a fresh wind.

14th June 1941

A very warm and sunny day – one of the few during the month.

16th June 1941

C Company of 10th DLI arrived at Reykjavik from Reykerskoli.

The Brigadier and the Brigade Major visited B Company 1st TS at Pingvellir, where it was carrying out a training march.

At 18:00 hours the C.O. of 10th DLI handed over command of the North West Sub-Sector to the C.O. of 12th Worcesters.

17th June 1941

The C.O. of 10th DLI assumed command of the South West Sector Reserve Battalion from Lt Col H.Mc.L. Morrison, the C.O. of 1st/5th West Yorks.

18th June 1941

70th Brigade Operation Instruction No. 12 was issued – a copy of which was attached to the War Diary as Appendix C.

This document dealt with the arrangements for the relief of the detachment of troops guarding the VESTMANNAEYAR Islands – currently from 1st/5th West Yorks – by a detachment from 10th DLI. Their role was confirmed as:-

(a)Giving early warning of any enemy activity in the area. (b)Denying the Islands to the enemy – no withdrawal. (c)Control of shipping, as set out in Appendix A to the Instruction.

In addition to the troops, there was a Coast Watching Post manned by three Royal Navy ratings, who were attached, for all purposes, to the military detachment.

The detachment came under the direct command of the Brigade Commander but continued to be administered by 10th DLI. The bulk of the document dealt with the handover of stores, accommodation and ammunition.

Unlike other control ports in Iceland there was not a clearance process by Naval staff of vessels – this continued to be the responsibility of the detachment commander and he was expected to make the necessary boarding and examinations of the ship, crew and cargo, and issue the appropriate certificates.

The Appendix B to the document spelled out the manpower, arms and equipment involved on the Islands as:

One Captain as Detachment Commander One Rifle Platoon with its Commander and a Warrant Officer Five men for cooking, water, cipher and sanitary duties One Batman Two signallers – all from 10th DLI

Two Royal Signals signallers One RAMC Sergeant One Field Security Sergeant Three Naval Ratings One Icelandic Interpreter.

The weapons comprised:-

Three Bren Guns Two Thompson Sub-Machine Guns One Anti-Tank Rifle One 2” Mortar – all with suitable ammunition, including that for .38 pistol, a reserve of 2” H.E. bombs and a box of Grenades.

Appendix C set out the list of Secret letters and documents to be handed to the relief detachment.

23rd June 1941

09:30 hours. The Brigade Commander held an administrative inspection of 10th DLI in the Camps they had taken over from 1st/5th West Yorks in LAUGARNES and CONCRETE Road areas.

14:30 hours. The Brigade Commander and the Brigade Major attended a G.O.C.’s conference on training to be carried out in the next two months. At this conference, the necessity for speed and surprise was emphasised in carrying out future exercises. Intensive training on a Battalion and Brigade basis was to be carried out during July and August, including an inter-Brigade exercise lasting three days, and two signal exercises each lasting two days. 70th Infantry Brigade was to have a Field Firing Exercise on 7th and 9th July in which artillery and Medium Machine Guns were also to take part.

The establishment of a protective Platoon for Brigade HQ was aslo authorised, the personnel forming the Platoon being struck off the strength of units. The formation of the Platoon, and its accommodation at Brigade HQ was therefore put in hand.

The relief of the 1st/5th West Yorks VESTMANNAEJAR detachment by 10th DLI was completed by sea.

24th June 1941

Major K.T. Roper – Brigade Major – left for leave in the U.K. Captain T.G. Wilkinson of 10th DLI assumed the temporary duties of Brigade Major in his absence.

Major B.G. Murray-Shireff of 11th DLI – Second-in-Command – assumed command of 11th DLI during the absence on leave of Lt Col R.F. Ware M.C.

25th June 1941

The Brigade Commander made a reconnaissance of an area North of SANDSKEID, accompanied by the C.O’s. of 1st TS, 10th DLI, 1st/9th Manchesters, 143rd Field Regiment Royal Artillery and the 294th Field Company Royal Engineers. These units were to take part in a Brigade exercise to be held on 9th July. The Carriers of 1st/5th West Yorks were also to be attached for the exercise, mostly to be used to simulate “Infantry” tanks.

26th June 1941

During the rest of the month further reconnaissances were made of the area North of SANDSKEID and preparations made for the Field Firing Exercise, which was the first of its kind to be attempted in ICELAND, in that co-operation with both tanks and Royal Engineers was to be demonstrated.

28th June 1941

The Brigade Commander attended an exercise, directed by the C.O. by 10th DLI at VATNSENDI. The object of the exercise was to practise the Battalion in the attack. The opportunities for training this Battalion had been limited since their arrival in ICELAND in September 1940, owing to its scattered dispositions and the necessity for preparing the defence of a large Sub-Sector previously unoccupied by any troops.

The administrative summary for the month was as attached as Appendix E as follows:-

MOVES

10th DLI had moved from their Camps in the Western Sector, during the period 18th to 21st June to the locations previously occupied by 1st/5th West Yorks.

ACCOMMODATION

Immediately following the occupation of the Camps, visits were made by the Garrison Engineer and the Staff Captain and all the necessary alterations to cookhouses, ablution and latrine accommodation were noted and are being put in hand as soon as possible. The living quarters were quite adequate and men were sleeping no more than 14 to a hut.

TRANSPORT

With the exception of damage to the springs on the 30cwt vehicles, caused by the work on the aerodrome, the condition of the Brigade’s vehicles was seen as mainly satisfactory. On the move of 10th DLI to the Reykjavik area, an interchange of transport was made with 1st/9th Manchesters, thus completing each unit in the Brigade with Canadian vehicles.

WORKING PARTIES

The Brigade provided Working Parties for the VATNSMYRI aerodrome for the fortnight 14th – 28th June at a strength of 10 Officers, 42 NCOs and 390 men, drawn equally from 1st TS, 11th DLI and 1st/9th Manchesters.

EQUIPMENT

10th DLI and 1st TS were able to draw Motley Mountings (anti-aircraft tripods for the Bren Gun) against outstanding indents during the month and, except for this equipment still being required for 11th DLI it can be considered that the Brigade is practically 100% equipped.

RATIONS

The Summer scale of rations had come into force on 1st June but the scale remained still ample. The principal item affected was a reduction in the amount of beef from 14oz to 10oz. Reserve rations were also consumed to bring the 14 days’ reserve now in hand to the Summer ration level.

BLANKETS

Blankets were issued to bring the scale per man up to four, plus one in unit stores. Sleeping bags were simultaneously withdrawn. Arrangements were made for old blankets to be washed and replaced.

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