War Diary - CRE - January 1941
1 January 1941
Work in hand by 294 Field Company, Royal Engineers – see Appendix A below.
Work in hand under contract to State Engineer:-
(a) Bridge at Alafoss – 90% completed.
(b) Bridges at SALMON RIVER – 47% completed.
(c) Bridge at KORPULSTADIR – Reykgerdi Road – Alafoss Road.
No civilian labour today owing to weather.
2 January 1941
Civilian labour strike – all labourers reported for work but trade union officials persuaded all but men working on the Hafnafjordur and Kaldadarnes areas NOT to work. Order received from Force HQ that ALL working areas to be discussed and an estimate rendered of military labour required. Commander, Royal Engineers notified Chief Engineer that a separate agreement had recently been concluded at Kaldadarnes between Officer in command of civilian labour and union representatives by which they agreed to work at a special rate of Kr 1.78 per hour (rate in Reykjavik Kr 2.04) and that the men were content to continue at that figure.
Authority received to issue 5,000 D.A.F. ( ?) to 147 Infantry Brigade. Order confirmed by Chief Engineer after reference to HQ that all labour must be dismissed. A demand was made for eight Infantry Companies (i.e. 24 Platoons each of 25 working men) to replace all civilian labour except that employed on the ULFARSFELL road on which work had been suspended.
Subsequent to Force Conference message 8/2/AQ/7 received (See Appendix B below) allowing certain civilian labour to be employed. Lt Harvey – Officer in command Royal Engineers Kaldadarnes reported to this HQ and was handed copy of certificate to be signed by labourers. It stated that the Icelandic labourers, although previously willing to contract work at old rates were disgruntled at being discharged and had sent their foreman to Reykjavik to discuss the situation with their unions (ALPYOUSAMBANDISLAND).
Commander, Royal Engineers leaves for UK on S S CHITRAL on compassionate leave.
6 January 1941 – Reykjavik
Military labourers employed on roads as follows:- 812/AQ/7 dated 4/1/1941.
Alafoss 4 Platoons - 70th Infantry Brigade. 1 Platoon – Commander Royal Artillery
ARTUN and SALMON RIVER 2 Platoons – 147 Infantry Brigade
GUFANES – VIDEY Is 1 Platoon – 70th Infantry Brigade.
12th MT Company road 2 Platoons – AMPC
GARDAR 2 Platoons – 147 Infantry Brigade.
7 January 1941 – Reykjavik
Negotiations proceeding to re-employ workers at Kaldadarnes only.
9 January 1941
Civilian strike over but military labour to be retained on roads until January 18th.
10 January 1941
Snowploughs despatched on S S ZAANSTOOM as follows:-
(a) Akureyri – 3 ploughs and 1 spare tractor.
(b) Budareyri – 1 plough complete.
(c) Reykerskoli – 1 plough complete.
(d) Borganes – 1 plough complete.
11 January 1941
Trench digger taken to Kaldadarnes for use on aerodrome.
Bridge at Alafoss open to traffic.
18 January 1941
(i) Estimate of cost of Kaldadarnes:-
Spent to date – Kr 360,221.89. See Appendix C below – work on hand by 194 Field Company.
Estimate to complete “A” Runway –
Including bitumen landing – Kr 320,000.00
To construct apron for aircraft – Kr 128,000.00
(ii) Time
“A” Runway 60 days.
Apron 24 days.
22 January 1941
Road ULFARSFELL – REYKIR (Near Alafoss) given to civilian contract. It appears from careful investigation that not only is the work done more quickly and as efficiently in this way but the total cash cost is less than by the direct employment of civilians.
23 January 1941
Snowplough fitted with cab and sand boxes changed with existing plough at the SKI CLUB.
24 January 1941
Major Douglas (Acting Chief Engineer) went to Kaldadarnes to report progress.
25 January 1941
Work in hand by 294 Field Company – see Appendix D below.
27 January 1941
Intelligence Officer leaves for recce of Road ARTUN – KIRKJUBAFJARKLAUSTOR) with Lt Allen R.T.R. (Intelligence Officer – Force).
28 January 1941
Orders received from Force that no work will be done on Sundays unless classed as “operationally urgent” by Chief Engineer.
29 January 1941
Received from UK per S S RALLUS four 2 yard Muir Hill Dumpers, four Diesel 20hp Locos.
30 January 1941
Major Douglas and Squadron-Leader Brown and Flying Officer Kidman to KEFLAVIK. Two runways only to be built. These were sited.
Appendices attached to January 1941 War Diary for Iceland Force Commander, Royal Engineers.
Appendix A – extract from S12/AQ/7 dated 4/1/1941
It has been decided that civilian labour may continue to be employed at Kaldadarnes, and at places in the Western Sector, provided that each civilian, before commencing work, signs the certificate. Certificates should be forwarded immediately to Civilian Labour Officer, REYKJAVIK.
Certificate
We, the undersigned, not being members of Dagsbrun, the Bricklayers Union, or the Factory Workers Union, hereby agree to work for H.M. Forces in Iceland as may be required, on and after 1st January 1941, for such rates and under such conditions as were in force on 31st December 1940, until such time as a revised rate (if any) is agreed to by the Icelandic Government and accepted by H.M. Forces. Appendix B does not appear to have survived on the file.
Appendix C – Works Completion Report
This single sheet listed each job current at the time, its nature and location , the number of men employed (both Royal Engineers and other troops), and the extent to which the job was completed. An estimated date of completion was also given.
Appendix D does not appear to have survived on the file.
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