Iceland Garrison October 1940 - December 1941
70th BRIGADE LOCATIONS IN ICELAND
In addition to setting out, in the material above, to cover the background as to why the Brigade was stationed in Iceland, the following paragraphs summarise the locations at which the various Units were stationed.
During that visit we were extremely fortunate to be introduced to several Icelanders who were more than happy to help with information or photographs - I do hope that I have adequately recognised their invaluable contributions.
Photographs
Where contemporaneous photographs exist of the locations, they have been uploaded. In addition, photographs which I, or our guide, took of those locations during our research visit to Iceland in September 2010 have also been included.
Magnus Hafsteinsson of the Icelandic Whaling Station at HVALFJORDUR, the author Fridthor Eydal and our guide, Stefan Valsson of Reykjavik Bike Tours went to considerable trouble to send me CDs of photographs they had taken, or collected. What I have tried to do is include their initials at the beginning of each photograph's description, so that they can be credited with taking or collecting that image.
In addition, I must thank the Yorkshire Post for giving me permission to use the booklet, produced by their staff on a visit to Iceland in 1941 which, while it naturally concentrates on the Yorkshire Units within Iceland Force, does include an image of 70th Brigade HQ staff, in which my late father is clearly identifiable.
Particular thanks are also due to the Chief Executive of the Iceland National Archive of Photography, who, at short notice, gave generously of her time and access to their database of images, and also to the ladies of the Borganes Library, and the staff of the Reykjavik Open-Air Museum and the Akranes Museum, who spent time assisting my researches, despite the establishments being closed for the season.
The National Park HQ at Pingvellir, despite hosting a film crew making a period film on the day, allowed free access to the military section of the site. Einar Saemundsen shared his enthusiasm for Icelandic archaeology and the history of the site - while I explained what a Tyneside Scottish sangar was - of which there are remains at the site, now protected to a degree. Photographs of that visit will be included.
Each location has been set up as a separate page and the relevant photographs will be found on those pages - both period and modern.
The Units and locations were as follows:-
70TH Infantry Brigade HQ.
ALAFOSS two miles WEST of BRUARLAND, ten miles WEST of REYKJAVIK (first HQ October 1940)
Brigade HQ Moved to MELROSE CAMP, REYKJAVIK at the time of the interchange. This Brigade HQ was situated on the REYKJAVIK – HAFNARFJORDUR Road, near HOWITZER HILL.
The role of the Brigade, after exchanging with 147th Infantry Brigade was summarised as:-
(a) Defence of the Ports of REYKJAVIK and HAFNAFJORDUR
(b) Defence of aerodromes at VATNSMYRI (REYKJAVIK) and UTSKALAR (KEFLAVIK)
(c) Guard against threats from HUNAFLOI, KALDARDANES, PINGVELLIR. Might involve sending troops to HVITAVELLIR, STADUR, SANDSKEID, KOTSTROND.
10th Durham Light Infantry
Battalion HQ from September 1940 – BORGANES (PERCY, DERWENT and ZETLAND Camps), covering the area from AKRANES (CLEVELAND Camp, B Company HQ ) to BLONDUOS (HURWORTH Camp). Includes HVITAVELLIR Bridge.
Detachment at BORDEYRI (extra huts built following fires).
Coast watching post at SKAGASTROND.
Detachment at REYKERSKOLI (20 extra huts built at MORPETH Camp February onwards 1941)
Detachment at ARNHOLT – huts improved January 1941.
Company locations at GARDAR and HVALEYRI – still no electricity in March 1941.
The Battalion was relieved by 12th Worcester Regt and moved to the SOUTH WEST Sector in June 1941 as part of the Brigade interchange. Took over defence of REYKJAVIK Aerodrome.
Located in CRAVEN, HOWITZER HILL, FOSSVOGUR, and SHERWOOD Camps, and at VATNSMYRI Aerodrome.
11th Durham Light Infantry
Battalion HQ – first at ALAFOSS, two miles west of BRUARLAND.
Battalion moved, after the interchange of roles, to defend HAFNAFJORDUR Sub-Sector, and provide garrisons for FORT CAMERON, FORT ROUILLE, FORT YORK (ALFSNES Peninsula Coast Watching Post), and high ground on LAGAFELL, GRAFARHOLT HILL, KELDNAHOLT HILL.
Based at SLINGSBY HILL, HVALEYRI RIDGE, GARDAR, MILNSBRIDGE, QUARRY and AMOTHERBY Camps.
1st Tyneside Scottish (The Black Watch) Royal Highland Regiment
First Battalion HQ – BALDURSHAGI – five miles SOUTH-WEST of REYKJAVIK, with a detachment at VATNSENDI Wireless Station.
Detachment at SELFOSS – man (Pte Hunter) killed here in an air attack 9/2/1941.
Coast defence BRAUTARHOLT.
After the interchange the Battalion moved to defend the REYKJAVIK Sub-Sector, based at SKIPTON, KEIGHLEY, BINGLEY and CRAVEN Camps and at the SKULAGATA Ice Factory (GARGAND Camp). Tented Camps set up in the summer – BALBO’s, and THORNHILL. MYRA Camp set up in the Harbour Area.
1/5th West Yorkshire Regiment
Coast defence in LAUGARNES Sub-Sector.
Small Garrison on VESTMANNAEYJR.
143rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
No details available yet on where they were located – believed to be ALAFOSS.
187th Field Ambulance, RAMC
First HQ at ALAFOSS, adjacent to 11th DLI.
To exchange locations with 160 Field Ambulance in REYKJAVIK at the time of the interchange.
Hospital Camp HELGAFELL.
Exercise Locations used by the Brigade in Iceland
Field firing exercises – KLEIFERVATN
Anti-aircraft range – ALFTANES
ULFARSFELL
HVALFJORDUR including landing at SAURBAER.
KALDARDANES
LYKLAFELL, north of SANDSKEID Landing Ground.
RED HOUSE HILL.
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More Information
Home Service and Winter Warfare Training 1942 - 1943
Pre-Invasion Training 1943 - 1944
Normandy 1944
