1st Tyneside Scottish May 1942
1st May 1942 PENRHYNDEUDRAETH.
The Battalion left Camp to carry out a Field Firing Exercise but was ordered, by the Brigade Commander, to extinguish a heath fire. The field firing was abandoned.
4th to 6th May 1942
The Battalion took part in the Brigade Scheme in the vicinity of HARLECH. General Marshall Cornwall, G.o.C-in-C. of Western Command visited the scheme. Information on this scheme is contained in Appendix 1 attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
8th May 1942
The Battalion paraded by Companies for an inspection by Lt Col Oxley and also for a period of drill. In the afternoon an inspection of G1098 equipment was held and the Camp was visited by Major-General Cox, G.o.C. North Wales District.
9th May 1942
The Battalion made a tactical march. In the evening a conference was held on the Brigade three-day scheme.
10th May 1942
A conference was held regarding the move to PEMBROKE.
11th May 1942
The Advance Party, consisting of Major McGregor, Captain Keith and 270 Other Ranks left for PEMBROKE. The arrangements are described on Appendix 2 attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
12th May 1942
A Gas demonstration was given to the Battalion by Captain Bell.
14th May 1942
At 19:00 hours the Battalion left Camp and marched to PORTMADOC where it entrained, leaving there at 21:30 hours.
15th May 1942
The Battalion arrived at PEMBROKE.
16th May 1942 PEMBROKE.
The Battalion HQ was visited by Brigadier P. Kirkup D.S.O., M.C., O.B.E., T.D.
17th May 1942
The Training Programme was issued and a copy filed with the War Diary as Appendix 3 – for further information, see below.
22nd May 1942
The Pioneer Platoon left for KINGTON under the command of Captain Keith to prepare the new Camp site.
23rd May 1942
The next Training Programme was issued and a copy filed with the War Diary as Appendix 4 – for details see below.
24th May 1942
The Battalion commenced firing Courses on the PENALLY Ranges. Information was set out on Appendix 5 attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
27th May 1942
Battalion Training Instruction No 8 was issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix 6 – for details see below.
28th May 1942
C and D Companies, with two Section of No 4 Platoon, took part in a Mobile Column Exercise.
29th May 1942
At 08:00 hours Major Drummond-Wolff assumed command of the Battalion in the absence of Lt Col Oxley on leave.
An Advance Party, consisting of D Company, under the command of Captain Brennan, left by road for KINGTON.
At 19:00 hours the Pipes and Drums beating of Retreat was watched by Major-General H.O. Curtis C.B., D.S.O., M.C. – Commander of 49th Division, and Brigadier P. Kirkup D.S.O., M.C., O.B.E., T.D., Commander of 70th Infantry Brigade Group.
Appendices attached to the 1st Tyneside Scottish May 1942 War Diary:-
Appendix 1 – 70th Brigade Exercise “DRUM” – issued 30th April 1942.
This document of two pages was the Warning Order for this Brigade Exercise.
The units of the Brigade Group, including 454 Mountain Battery, 757 Field Company, Royal Engineers and 187th Field Ambulance, together with 1 Pack Transport Company and a Mobile Veterinary Detachment were given map references at which they were to report, within the exercise concentration area. No previous reconnaissance of the area was allowed. The main group was titled OXCOL, while the “enemy” (10th DLI plus supporting units) was titled DAVCOL.
Each unit was to make arrangements for local protection once the concentration area was reached and to be prepared to send out patrols and picquets in order to protect the perimeter as a whole. The General and Special Ideas for the exercise were being issued separately.
The Battalion was asked to identify 38 Other Ranks as Mule loaders for the 2nd-line Pack Transport – largely from Carrier and Motor Transport personnel – who would be unable to carry out their usual roles because of the nature of the terrain.
Times were given for units to draw rations from the 2nd – line Transport at hourly intervals – in the case of the Tyneside Scottish this was set at 20:00 hours.
One Officer was to be given the role of Liaison Officer at RAF LLANBEDR and arrangements were made for signal communications by ground signs to co-operating aircraft.
For further information about this Brigade Exercise please see the Brigade War Diary.
Appendix 2 – Administrative Instruction No 6 of 1942 – issued 10th May 1942.
This two-page document built on instructions already issued and dealt with the administrative aspects of the impending move to PEMBROKE – probably on the night of 14th – 15th May.
The move was to be by rail and would be proceeded by an Advance Party, commanded by Major McGregor, assisted by Captain Keith and supported by 20 Other Ranks drawn from across the Battalion. These men came from each Company (3 from each Rifle Company and 8 from HQ Company) together with 4 drivers, 2 Batmen and a Despatch Rider. The Party left for PEMBROKE on 10th May.
Half of the Battalion’s vehicles formed a Road Party under Lieut A.P. Whitehead, each with a driver and a relief and travelling in accordance with Brigade’s designated route and timing. These vehicles would carry Company and Quartermaster baggage and reserve rations. After unloading at PEMBROKE they would be used for collecting accommodation stores and co-ordinated with the arrival of the rail parties to provide baggage-handling capacity. Instructions for moving the Main Body of the Battalion were to be issued later.
The Carriers were to be entrained at either TRAWSFYNYDD or PORTMADOC and detrained at PEMBROKE DOCK – they would be accompanied on the train by Lieut F.T. Bell and 30 Other Ranks.
The Battalion Rear Party would be commanded by Captain A.L.C. Campbell and would consist of 30 Other Ranks from C Company who would remain at TYNEDALE Camp until Tuesday 19th May. They would be responsible for striking tents and removing all accommodation stores to PORTMADOC Station for despatch to OVERTON – a move requiring the remainder of the Battalion’s vehicles. The Party would then travel by road to PEMBROKE on 19th May.
The Battalion Quartermaster would also be responsible for the move of the Mobile Bath Unit from TYNEDALE Camp to ZETLAND Camp on Thursday 14th May. He also had to arrange the return of all Pack Transport equipment to 29 Mule Company, while Lt Paton was in charge of returning all chargers and saddlery to the detachment of 29 Mule Company on Wednesday 13th May. Arrangements were made for the rations, petrol and coal and coke supplies to be handed over – with future supplies being the responsibility of the Stores Depot at PEMBROKE DOCK.
Appendix 3 – Training Programme 18th – 23rd May 1942 – issued 17th May 1942.
This was the routine weekly programme covering activities over the relevant week, including; a tactical reconnaissance march, PT instruction, Small Arms Training, Drill, Grenade and 2” Mortar training, football matches, minor tactics practice, and billet inspections.
The Signals Officer was to begin classification for all Company signallers in the Battalion. Aircraft recognition training was in the hands of Sergeants Harvey and Glenday. Drivers were to carry out a tactical drive each afternoon and the Weapon Training Officer – Lt A.K.A. Ogg - was to supervise all the weapon training to be carried out during the week.
Appendix 4 – Training Programme 24th – 30th May 1942 – issued 23rd May 1942.
Much of the week was taken up with improving shooting standards – starting with zeroing rifles and then firing the Range Courses for Rifle, and 2” Mortar. Tactical reconnaissance marches were again included, as was a ten-mile march. Small exercises included wood-clearing, including dealing with gas, and a Mobile Column Exercise. A point-to-point exercise for Section Commanders was included on the Thursday while inter-Platoon football matches were a regular feature and drill practice also took place.
Appendix 5 – Range Allotments PENALLY – issued 18th May 1942.
This single-page document set out the detailed arrangements for zeroing weapons and firing the relevant Range Courses. This allotted individual Companies the appropriate Range and the timings of their sessions, as well as the arrangements for butt parties. Men had to attain at least a 2nd Class Standard or would be required to repeat the shoot later in the week. Coaches – not below full Corporal – would be identified as early as possible to assist the weaker shots to improve. The requirements were set out in the Small Arms Training Pamphlet Volume 1 No 18 Range Courses (War).
Provision was to be made for “boiling out” rifles on the range as necessary.
Appendix 6 – Training Instruction No 6 of 1942.
Only the first page of this Instruction appeared to have been filed with the War Diary. It specified that the Brigade was to be concentrated in the area of HUNTINGTON for a period of some twelve weeks – spending 8th June to 4th July on Battalion training, 6th July to 4th August on Brigade training and 10th August to 31st August on Divisional training.
It was noted that a Western Command Exercise was scheduled for mid-July and that there would be at least one “Brigade Day” per fortnight during the spell of Battalion training, following which the Brigade would operate as a whole.
The Brigade Group, in addition to the HQ and the three Infantry Battalions, consisted of a Company of 2nd Kensingtons (Machine Gun Battalion), one Battery of 178th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 757 Field Company, Royal Engineers and 187th Field Ambulance, plus co-operation aircraft as allotted.
Training was to focus on the normal Divisional role, with the specialist Mountain Warfare component being the subject of training later in the year. The aim of the collective training period was to ensure that the Battalion was functioning as efficiently as possible – particular attention being paid to the co-operation of all arms within the unit and later co-operation with other arms, such as air, artillery and engineers.
Attention was also directed to embussing and debussing drills and the associated movement and traffic control arrangements.
The Divisional Commander had specified that two exercises per week would be carried out and that conferences to discuss the results would be held at Battalion, Company and Platoon levels, to ensure the lessons learned percolated down to every man in the ranks. Major-General Curtis deprecated the “hysterical” approach to training and wished to have developed an “ice-cold determination to kill the enemy” amongst the troops – exercises were to be planned in accordance with that directive.
Appendix 7 – Administrative Instruction No 9 of 1942 – issued 27th May 1942.
This single-paged document was concerned with the arrangements for the move of the Battalion, as part of the Brigade, to KINGTON, Herefordshire.
The expected date of the move was the night of 5th – 6th June and details in respect of the Main Body were due to be issued later. This document was focussed on the Advance Party, which would consist of D Company under the command of Captain Brennan, and which would leave by road on Friday 29th May at 08:00 hours. On arrival Captain Brennan would also assume command of the detachment (5 Platoon - the Pioneers - under Captain Keith) already on site.
The 1st Echelon of the transport – roughly half the available vehicles, each with a driver and one relief – would be allocated to support Captain Brennan’s Party. They were to be held as available for baggage etc duties once at the new area and were not to be brigaded with the rest of the transport. They would meet the Main Body at KINGTON Station to assist with detraining and baggage handling, once those movements were finally determined.
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