70th Infantry Brigade War Diary April 1941.
National Archives Document Reference WO 176/304
1st April 1941 ICELAND
The Brigadier left by sea for Borgarnes preparatory to an administrative inspection of the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The weather was still as fine and sunny as it had been for the previous two or three weeks.
A Section of the 11th DLI was despatched to UTSKALAR – about seven miles North West of KEFLAVIK to be engaged on the defence of the Emergency Landing Ground there and to give early warning of any enemy activity. The Section – of one NCO and ten men (including a cook) was stationed at a house near the runway. In normal circumstances the Section would be supplied with rations on a twice-weekly basis, as well as holding some 14 days supply.
The post would be in communication by Wireless Telegraphy (no.11 set) with Brigade HQ and also by landline with the civil telephone exchange at KEFLAVIK.
2nd – 7th April 1941
The Brigade Commander continued his inspection of the detachments of 10th DLI and returned to Brigade HQ on 7th April 1941. During the whole of this tour the weather was very fine but on occasions it was impossible to use W/D vehicles because of the large ruts left in the roads. The journey to Blonduos and Reykerskoli was made in an Icelandic taxi with a W/D 30 cwt luggage vehicle in support.
The weather was also fine in the South West Sector during this period with the exception of 3rd April when there was a fair amount of cloud and light snow.
8th - 9th April 1941
The weather was mainly fair with some showers.
10th April 1941
First leave party left to go on leave to UK at 06:00 hours – 1 Officer and 6 Other Ranks from Brigade HQ with 2 Officers and 45 Other Ranks from 10th DLI with 1 and 2 Officers and 40 Other Ranks from each of the other two Battalions respectively.
11th – 13th April 1941
The weather continued fine.
14th April 1941
Working parties were called for from the Brigade to assist the Royal Engineers in work on the new aerodrome under construction at VATNSMYRI near Reykjavik.
16th April 1941
Weather fine. An Anti-Aircraft practice shoot was held on the ALFTANES Peninsula near GARDAR – where C Company of 11th DLI was based. The Anti-Aircraft Platoons from 11th DLI, 1st Tyneside Scottish and Brigade HQ attended, together with one Bren Gun Team from each of the Rifle Companies of 11th DLI and 1 TS.
An aircraft towed a drogue target for use in the practice and it was intended, after the shoot, to take the drogue up to Akranes for the 10th DLI, and Brautarholt for 147th Infantry Brigade, to have an opportunity to practice.
The Anti-Aircraft practice shoot at ALFTANES was so effective that the target drogue was not able to be taken North for that further practice – having been shot to pieces in only two runs.
17th April 1941
Weather fine. An intelligence exercise was held in the vicinity of GEITHALS for the Intelligence Sections of all the Battalions in both 70th and 147th Brigades. Each Battalion Intelligence Section establishing an Observation Post and was in communication by landline with its headquarters. A skeleton “enemy force”, which included artillery, carried out a number of movements which were observed by the Observation Posts and from which deductions could be made. Much useful and practical experience under conditions similar to that of active service was gained.
20th April 1941
A field firing demonstration was given by 11th Bn DLI to the Force Tactical School and others. This was held at Kleifarvatn and consisted of three phases. The first phase showed the Carrier Platoon in action, the second showed a Company in the attack, supported by 3” Mortars and Machine Guns, and, in the final phase, the Rifle Company had the support of Machine Guns, Mortars and Artillery.
The weather at the commencement of the exercise was extremely unpleasant with a high wind and some rain. As the day progressed the rain stopped, but there was little abatement in the strength of the wind.
21st April 1941
The Brigade Commander started his administrative inspections of the 11th DLI and 1st Tyneside Scottish, which were continued during the week (this is referred to in more detail in the administrative summary).
23rd April 1941
A report was received from Force HQ that a Sunderland aircraft had crashed in the vicinity of KAGRADALSFJALL in the GRINDAVIK Peninsula.
11th DLI despatched three Officers, including the Medical Officer, twenty Other Ranks and three Orderlies equipped with hot tea, sandwiches, blankets and stretchers at 11:00 hours. A pilot and a Corporal Mechanic guided the party (which also included personnel from 187th Field Ambulance) from the nearest point on the road to start the cross-country journey of approximately 8 or 9 miles.
The scene of the accident was reached at 14:30 hours. More men were sent for and about 50 came from 11th DLI equipped with signal lamps and torches. They took with them hot tea and fish and chips in containers.
During the night another 30 men were sent and they arrived at 23:00 hours. The “carry” was completed by 07:30 hours on 24th April. The Medical Officer of the 11th DLI was first on the scene and attended the wounded continuously from 14:30 on 23rd April to 07:30 on 24th April.
(Research by George and Janet Brown resulted in the following information being traced, for which credit is acknowledged:-
The crashed aircraft was Sunderland I N9023 KG-G from 204 Squadron, which was on convoy escort based at Reykjavik. It took off at 20.15 on 23rd April. When on the return journey it crashed into a mountain in fog at 0545 hrs on the 24th, near Fragjadalsfjall, Iceland.
The second pilot and Cpl. Doddington walked to a local town for help. Ten airmen out of a crew of 13 were injured in the crash.
The crew were:
F/Lt. J.D.E. Hughes, D.F.C. Injured.
Sgt. D.W. Helm Injured.
Cpl. W. Doddington Injured.
Sgt. W. Cook 534591 Died from injuries http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/2271672/COOK,%20WILFRED
AC1 AJT Copping 932621 Died from injuries http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/2271673/COPPING,%20ALFRED%20JAMES%20THOMAS
Sgt. H.W. Taylor 755791 was killed. http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/2271806/TAYLOR,%20HERBERT%20WILLIAM
(The rest of the men on board were presumably were passengers or servicemen being ferried).
Sgt. Taylor and both Sgt. Cook and AC1 Copping, who died of their injuries on the 26th , rest in FOSSVOGUR CEMEYERY, Reykjavik.
Source: Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses of the Second World War. Volume 1 Aircraft and Crew Losses 1939-1941; Ross McNeil; 2003; Midland Publishing; ISBN 1 85780 128 8).
24th April 1941
A Brigade exercise for 1st Tyneside Scottish was held, starting at 03:30 hours. This entailed the manning of defences by Companies occupied in static defence and a counter attack by the Reserve Company.
27th – 28th April 1941
1st/9th Manchester Regiment (Machine-Gun Battalion) took over from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Machine-Gun Battalion) of the Canadian Forces.
There were some changes to Brigade HQ staff and those in post were as follows:-
Brigade Major – Major K.T. Roper
Staff Captain – Captain J.H. Trail
Intelligence Officer – Lt. R.H. Jerrome
Transport Officer – Captain D.C. MacNichol.
Camp Commandant – Lt. Q.H. Gilbey
Signals Officers – Captain D.M. Bowen and 2/Lt. D.M. Bale
Supplies Officer – Captain F.J. May.
Mechanical Engineering Officer – Lt. G. Lester
2/Lt. A.F. Munford assumed the duties of Brigade Intelligence Officer in the absence of Lt. Jerrome on leave and Lt. Gilbey acted as Transport Officer while Captain MacNichol was in the U.K. on a Course.
Unit Commanding Officers were :-
10th DLI – Lt Col C.D. Marley D.S.C., M.B.E., T.D.
11th DLI – Lt Col R.F. Ware M.C.
1st TS – Lt Col C.W. Oxley
Weather Supplement
The weather during April was very warm and many Icelanders thought the Spring the warmest and mildest spell for a number of years. The impassibility of any ground away from the road (which was spoken of as normal Spring conditions) during and subsequent to the thaw has not been observed. The ground away from the roads has in certain places been soft and occasionally impassable, but it is considered that, either the conditions were exaggerated, or that the thaw has taken place this year more gradually than usual.
April 1st – Temp 32 F – Weather fine with cloudy periods, occasional wintry showers.
April 7th – Temp 46 F – Weather generally fine or fair.
April 14th – Temp 36 F – Weather cloudy with continuous rain or snow.
April 21st – Temp 46 F – Weather fair or cloudy with occasional showers.
April 28th – Temp 48 F – Weather fair or cloudy with occasional showers.
Administrative Summary
WORKING PARTIES
The provision of Working Parties from 1st T.S. and 11th DLI for two weekly periods at REYKJAVIK aerodrome, now Reykjavik Airport, seriously interfered with training. The Working Parties were engaged in driving vehicles and plant, tending crushers and digging.
The demands for manpower at the aerodrome were as follows:-
During the week 13th – 19th April –
1st TS – 300 men, Sundays 140.
11th DLI – 105 men, Sundays 50.
And for the week 26th April – 3rd May –
1st TS – 270 men, Sundays 170.
11th DLI – 270 men, Sundays 160.
These numbers were in addition to 50 men per Battalion required to replace civilian labour on 1st May (Labour Day). The men worked in shifts from 06:00 to 13:30 hours and 13:30 to 22:00 hours.
TRANSPORT
A call was also made on 1st TS and 11th DLI from 13th April onwards each to supply 11 15cwt vehicles one week and 16 15cwt vehicles the next week.
VISIT OF MAJOR-GENERAL WILLANS
The Brigade Commander and Captain Trail attended a conference at Force HQ on Tuesday morning, 15th April, presided over by Maj-Gen Willans, Director of Welfare and Education. That afternoon Maj-Gen Willans inspected the accommodation of 1st TS Headquarters Company and B Company at Skipton Camp.
BRIGADE COMMANDER’s INSPECTION
The Brigadier, accompanied by Captain Trail, made administrative inspections during April as follows:-
1st Tyneside Scottish
Tuesday 22nd April – A and C Companies at Craven Camp.
Friday 25th April – D Company at Gargand Camp and HQ & B Companies at Skipton Camp.
11th DLI
Wednesday 23rd April – QM Stores, Motor Transport and Carrier Platoon at Amotherby Camp.
Thursday 24th April – A Company at Slingsby Camp and C Company at Gardar Camp.
Saturday 26th April – B Company at Hvaleyri Camp.
SUPPLIES
Additional reserve supplies were drawn on Force instructions – all units now hold 28 days reserve rations, fuel and petrol.
ACCOMMODATION
D Company 1st TS evacuated the Ice Factory and Fiskhollin and, on April 13th, occupied Gargand Camp, previously used to accommodate 19th Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers.
Brigade Recreation Huts were used during the greater part of April to accommodate Royal Air Force, Royal Engineer and Royal Artillery personnel arriving from the U.K.
ORIGINAL IMAGES
During the month several photographs were taken at Brigade HQ and these are set out here with appropriate titles - if readers recognise any of the men shown would they please get in touch? See below for the e-mail link.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
