War Diary - CRE - February 1941
1 February 1941 – Reykjavik
Icelandic Government raised the wages of labourers from Kr 2.06 to Kr 2.12 per hour.
2 February 1941
Heavy snowfall last night 1st/2nd . Progress report 294 Field Company, Royal Engineers (See Appendix A below).
3 February 1941
Weapon training with 1/5 West Yorkshires for HQ staff, batmen etc.
4 February 1941
Weapon training with 1/5 West Yorkshires for HQ staff, batmen etc.
5 February 1941
Weapon training with 1/5 West Yorkshires for HQ staff, batmen etc.
Intelligence Officer returns from recce of Road No. 2. Although the outward journey was done by car, owing to heavy snow the return from KIRKJUBAEJARKLAUSTUR to VIK had to be done by pony.
Detailed report to War Office, in general road passable to light motor transport in summer or during extreme frost. Minimum temperature during recce – 10 degrees F.
6 February 1941
Weapon training ends. Good report from Officer Commanding 1/5 West Yorks.
8 February 1941
Commander, Royal Engineers returns from compassionate leave in the UK.
9 February 1941 – Reykjavik
A large twin-engined bomber, probably a HEINKEL 111K appeared over Reykjavik from the direction of ALAFOSS. It maintained a general height of 4,600 to 5,000 feet. The civilian warning was sounded and the aircraft was engaged by anti-aircraft fire, some near bursts being observed.
11:20 hours KALDADARNES. A “Battle” took off from KALDADARNES which sighted the plane but was unable to overtake it.
A complete co-ordinated account is contained in ICELAND FORCE INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY No. 43.
11 February 1941 – Reykjavik
“A” runway at KALDADARNES is being constructed with a rock foundation covered with crushed lava stone and then rolled. Two strips are being laid each 25 yards wide, making the total width 50 yards. The completed runway will be 50 yards by 1,000 yards. Progress reports are given of the average lengths completed between the two strips:-
(a) In rock.
(b) With crushed stone
(c) And finally rolled.
Rock foundation 660 yards, crushed surface 100 yards, rolled 12 yards.
13 February 1941
Letter from Force giving priority to KALDADARNES – see Appendix B – details below.
14 February 1941
A third stone-crusher unloaded and taken to KALDADARNES. Jaws 12 by 6”. This is far too small and much labour is wasted breaking stone to feed crushers of this size.
15 February 1941
Roller at KALDADARNES – main steering shaft sheared.
16 February 1941 – Reykjavik
Force Signal Exercise in which this HQ has not taken part. Commander, Royal Engineers issues Operation Order No. 1 (see Appendix C below).
Commander, Royal Engineers visits KALDADARNES to inspect progress and returns with broken roller shaft which is immediately handed to Engineering and Maintenance Section.
12 by 7 Winget Stone Crusher – local purchase – being overhauled by Engineering and Maintenance Section from KALDADARNES.
18 February 1941
Progress of “A” runway at KALDADARNES –
Rock foundation 690 yards – Crushed 140 yards – Rolled 25 yards.
21 February 1941
Rock foundation – 724 yards – Crushed 206 yards – Rolled 70 yards.
22 February 1941
Fourth stonecrusher (Winget) taken to KALDADARNES.
24 February 1941
09:00 hours. Force Exercise to test Operation Orders and mobility of Mobile Column. Commander, Royal Engineers and Adjutant joined Chief Engineer at ARTUN on receipt of code word.
25 February 1941
Progress of “A” runway at KALDADARNES –
Rock foundation 742 yards – Crushed 240 yards – Rolled 105 yards.
Progress reports and work in hand by the Field Company and under contract – see Appendices D and E below.
26 February 1941
Distribution list of civilian labour being directly employed under supervision of 294 Field Company, Royal Engineers – see Appendix F below.
1 set Small Box Girder Bridge taken from Royal Engineer stores Reykjavik to 294 Field Company Royal Engineers at ALAFOSS.
'27 February 1941'Bold text
Intense cold coupled with driving wind has prevented all work both at KALDADARNES and by the Field Company. Motorcycling is dangerous owing to the strength of the wind and the driving grit from the gravel roads is unpleasant.
Commander, Royal Engineers to KORPULSTADIR bridge to site road blocks. Wind still blowing a gale force, one Icelandic boat reported (not confirmed) sunk outside mole, one Norwegian (British control) boat and one Portuguese boat aground in the harbour. No work by Field Company or by civilians at KALDADARNES.
Appendices attached to the February 1941 War Diary of the Commander, Royal Engineers, Iceland Force.
Appendix A – does not appear to have survived on the file.
Appendix B – Letter from Force HQ to Chief Engineer – dated 12 February 1941.
This brief note indicates that the G.O.C. had decided that the completion of the runway at KALDADARNES was to have first priority over all other projects in Iceland with regard to labour, transport and equipment.
Appendices C, D, E, F – none of these documents appear to have survived on the file at The National Archives.
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