70th Infantry Brigade War Diary November 1941.
At the beginning of the month, the Brigade HQ staff remained as previously.
1st November 1941
A combined manning exercise and counter-attack rehearsal was carried out.
This involved:-
(a)Manning of two Company areas (Aerodrome and HOWITZER HILL – overlooking the aerodrome) by 10th DLI.
(b)A practice rehearsal of the counter-attack to retake the aerodrome in the event of its occupation by the enemy. (See Appendix B to the South-West Sector Defence Scheme – Revised 1st November 1941).
Troops taking part in the counter-attack were:-
10th DLI, less two Companies
One Section of 2nd Kensingtons (M.G.)
143 Field Regiment less two Batteries
Four Infantry Medium Machine Guns from 11th DLI
A Company of the 2nd Tank Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps
Two Companies of 1st Tyneside Scottish were employed as enemy to represent parachute troops. They were allowed to overrun HOWITZER HILL and the aerodrome, soon after dawn; and the Code Word, automatically initiating the counter-attack, was issued at 09:10 hours. This Code Word is, in effect, a Warning Order stating which plan is to be carried out and the approximate time of arrival of the tanks at the rendezvous; on receipt of it, preliminary Infantry moves take place and supporting arms stand by.
Tanks are met at the rendezvous by an Infantry representative who gives out the latest tactical information, and then, with the least possible delay, the counter-attack is launched.
Freedom of movement in rehearsal is necessarily restricted owing to the need to avoid crop damage. However, the rehearsals are undoubtedly invaluable.
A main lesson learnt was the advisability of NOT waiting for the arrival of further Infantry before committing to any task, subsequent to the initial one.
2nd November 1941
Weather showery. Winter Time came into force, clocks being put back one hour.
3rd November 1941
Captain R.H. Jerrome, Brigade Intelligence Officer, left for the U.K. on compassionate leave, his duties being temporarily taken over by 2/Lt J.W. Barron, Brigade Transport Officer.
3rd – 6th November 1941
The G.O.C. held a cloth model exercise and T.E.W.T. on Mountain Warfare, attended by all Formation and Unit Commanders, heads of Services and Senior Staff Officers. The object of the exercise was to study, in general principles, the handling of the Division in Mountain Warfare under snow conditions, a role that has recently been allotted by the War Office.
10th – 15th November 1941
A Senior Officers’ Course was held at the Force Tactical School attended by unit Commanders and Brigade Majors. The course was designed to ensure that a uniform doctrine was being followed and to give the Officers the time for individual study by relieving them for a week from their normal duties. Instruction was given by the G.O.C., Brigade Commanders, G.S.O.1., A.A. & Q.M.G. and others.
19th November 1941
Force Exercise No 14 was held. This was a Signal Exercise for all Headquarters down to units and, as in the case of the previous Signal Exercise, was on an Infantry Division basis, as opposed to Iceland (C) Force. The object of the exercise was to practise the “ROFT” system of simultaneous reconnaissances and preliminary moves.
The exercise lasted from 10:00 hours 19th November to 14:20 hours on 20th November – the longest such exercise held and was fruitful of lessons in consequence.
25th November 1941
A slight fall of snow during the night 25th/26th November.
26th November 1941
The Brigade Commander held a cloth model exercise for C.Os. and Seconds –in-Command, together with representatives of supporting arms. The object of the exercise was to study the detailed tactics of an Infantry Battalion and supporting arms in Mountain Warfare. G.O.Cs. exercises had all dealt with the subject in very general terms and it was considered desirable to thrash out the detailed procedure as far as limited information permits.
Heavy rain and gale during the night 25th/26th November (it is possible this should have read 26th/27th November).
28th November 1941
(a)70th Infantry Brigade Operation Instruction No 15 was issued and a copy attached to the War Diary as Appendix A.
(This was a particularly important document as, although short, it set out the basics of the Organisation of a Mountain Division, and therefore it is produced here in more detail than might otherwise have been the case.
The document summarised the decisions reached at a War Office meeting to decide on the organisation and training of a Mountain Division.
It declared that:-
49 Mountain Division must be prepared, and will be trained, to operate in:-
(i)Mountainous country in arctic or snow conditions.
(ii)Non-mountainous country in arctic or snow conditions.
(iii)Mountainous country with or without snow conditions.
(iv)From a road into a roadless country. This condition may also apply to (i), (ii) and (iii) above.
The provisional Order of Battle of 49 Mountain Division was laid down as follows:-
(i)Modified Divisional Headquarters.
(ii)Modified Divisional Signals.
(iii)One Mountain Regiment of four 4-gun 3.7” Howitzer Batteries. Guns to be carried on pack or in draught on sledges.
(iv)Two Field Companies and One Field Park Company (Royal Engineers) on a reduced scale.
(v)Two or three Infantry Brigades each of three Battalions.
(vi)Two or three Machine-Gun Companies – one with each Infantry Brigade.
(vii)One 3” Mortar Company of three Platoons, each of six Mortars.
(viii)Two or three Field Ambulances.
(ix)Eight Pack Transport or Mule Companies.
(x)Ordnance, Provost and Postal personnel.
A Battery of Oerlikon Light Anti-Aircraft Guns may be included in each Infantry Brigade if they are found suitable by trial for pack transport.
As regards transport, units of the Mountain Division will be organised to operate on man-pack, sledge, pack animal, Motor Transport or any suitable combination of these means of transport.
Corps and Line of Communications units will be provided according to the Theatre of Operations.
The training to be carried out by the troops of 49 Mountain Division is laid down in Training Instruction No 22. Companies and similar Sub-Units will be trained to be self-supporting in snow conditions for periods of up to four days moving on snow shoes and skis, and carrying loads on man-pack or pulling them on sledges.
It is notified that consideration is also being given to the formation of a Divisional Reconnaissance Unit. If formed, it will be organised on the lines of an Infantry Brigade Group Reconnaissance Company in men and weapons, transport being skis and cars 5cwt Four Wheel Drive (The American “Blitz Buggy” – or “Jeep”). Experiments with these vehicles under snow conditions are being carried out in AKUREYRI.
(b)Force Exercise No 15 This was a combined Active and Passive Air Defence Exercise. From the point of view of an Infantry Brigade it represented a test of Camp Black-out, of signal and Light Aid Detachment repairs and of night-driving, all under black-out conditions. Unfortunately, owing to a Wellington bomber being overdue from patrol, it was not possible to turn off all power at the main, and thus test emergency lighting and impose a black-out on the civil population. This incident also prevented the firing of an Anti-Aircraft barrage. Unfortunately it was later learnt that the bomber had crashed into the mountains, all hands being lost.
GENERAL NOTE
Probably the most telling factor during the last month (and indeed for the past four months) has been the atrocious weather. It has rarely failed to rain, or hail, sleet or snow on any one of two consecutive days. In consequence all types of training have suffered. A Company Camp for Mountain Warfare training was established at HVITANES in HVALFJORD which is occupied by a Company from each Battalion in turn for a week. On at least two days of each week outdoor training has been impossible for drying facilities are nil. Mud in the Camp is knee deep. After much time and trouble, a 12-target classification rifle and Light Machine Gun range has been built; but bad weather makes it difficult to get even 50% value out of it during the limited hours of daylight (10:00 to 14:00 hours); another classification range was constructed near HAFNAFJORDUR and, when weather permitted, provided useful outdoor practice. Outdoor sport has become quite impossible and, for example, the Brigade football ground has only been fit for play on one afternoon between 1st August and 5th December. The roads again closely resemble “scenic railways”.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
