1st Tyneside Scottish September 1942
1st September 1942 KINGTON.
Training was carried on in accordance with the weekly Training Programme – attached to the War Diary as Appendix 1 – for details see below.
3rd September 1942
Major W.L. McGregor assumed command of the Battalion on the departure of Lt Col C.W. Oxley to attend a Commanding Officers’ Course at the School of Infantry, BARNARD CASTLE.
4th September 1942
200 Officers NCOs and men attended a Divisional demonstration of an Infantry attack, supported by Tanks, in the LLANDEGLEY area (reference 5883 on O.S. Sheet 80). D Company and the Carrier Platoon (acting as “mocked-up” Tanks) took part in the demonstration. A summing-up was given by Major-General H.O. Curtis D.S.O., M.C.
5th September 1942
Major R.H.C. Drummond-Wolff assumed command of the Battalion on return from leave.
6th September 1942
Air Raid Warning RED was sounded at 16:30 hours and remained in force until 17:00 hours. No enemy activity was observed in the area.
7th September 1942
At 07:05 hours the Battalion embussed for Exercise “WETSHOD”.
At 16:00 hours the Battalion arrived in the concentration area at LLANTEG (reference 6232 on O.S. Sheet 99).
8th September 1942
The Battalion remained in the area of LLANTEG. The Normal training programme was carried out.
9th September 1942
Major K.K. Walmsley assumed command of the Battalion on Major Drummond-Wolff’s proceeding on a Senior Officers’ Course at DEVIZES.
At 02:30 hours Exercise “WETSHOD” began with the Mobile Column (consisting of A Company supported by a Section of No 4 Platoon - Carriers - and a Section of No 3 Platoon - Mortars) moving to CARMARTHEN to occupy the railway and road bridges in the town. These objectives being attained, the rest of the Battalion moved up and occupied the CARMARTHEN area.
10th September 1942
The Battalion remained in occupation of the CARMARTHEN area.
11th September 1942
The Battalion’s next objective was to seize the Central Police Station, SWANSEA and the buildings in the vicinity.
12th September 1942
Lt Col C.W. Oxley re-assumed command of the Battalion on his return from his Course.
The Battalion continued the advance on SWANSEA.
13th September 1942
The Battalion reached PONTARDULAIS at 10:30 hours where it was held up by the enemy.
13th September 1942
Exercise “WETSHOD” finished.
At 16:00 hours the CO attended a conference on the Exercise held by Lt. Gen. Schreiber G.o.C. of Western Command.
At 19:00 hours the Battalion left the Start Point at PONTARDULAIS.
By 23:30 hours the Battalion had returned to KINGTON.
19th September 1942
20 Officers and men attended a “Tank Circus” at HEREFORD. The Circus consisted of 4 German, 3 British and 1 Italian Tank.
20th September 1942
170 NCOs and men attended the Tank Circus at HEREFORD.
Battalion HQ, Company HQs and No 1 Platoon - Signals - participated in Exercise “JUNIPER II” (a Divisional Signals Exercise) on the SENNYBRIDGE Artillery Range. The Exercise aimed to practise co-operation between Infantry and Artillery and the use of the No 18 radio set link.
21st September 1942
4 Officers attended a lecture on the “Armoured Brigade in Burma” at CARDIFF.
Training continued according to the weekly Training Programme attached to the War Diary as Appendix 2 – for details see below.
At 13:00 hours there was an inspection of vehicles, by the REME detachment from 147th Brigade, prior to a Movement Exercise.
23rd September 1942
A Movement Exercise (with vehicles at 12 ½ mph speed and a density of 60 vehicles to the mile) took place, involving some 40 vehicles from the Battalion. The route followed was Camp – KINGTON – WILLERSLEY – HEREFORD – LEOMINSTER – MORTIMER’S CROSS – PRESTEIGN – WHITTON – NEW RADNOR – KINGTON – Camp. The convoys were photographed from the air and at the conclusion were re-inspected by the 147th Brigade’s REME detachment.
The route of the exercise ran for some 66 miles and is shown on the map below (courtesy of Google Maps).
26th September 1942
Colonel J.R. Hall, Honorary Colonel of the Battalion, visited the Camp.
27th September 1942
Colonel Hall attended the Non-Conformist Parade Service at KINGTON Baptist Church and took the salute at a March Past at the conclusion of the Parade.
28th September 1942
Training continued under the Programme attached to the War Diary as Appendix 3 – for details see below.
Appendices attached to the 1st Tyneside Scottish War Diary for September 1942.
Appendix 1 – Training Programme for the week ending 5th September 1942 – issued 27th August 1942.
During this period D Company and the Carrier Platoon were rehearsing, and then delivering, the Divisional Tank demonstration.
An Intelligence Exercise was held. Training time by the sub-units was spent on; concealment and camouflage, stalking, Battle Drill in the Attack, PT, Mess Tin cooking, Gas drill and discussion, Security lecture, weapon training, attacking road blocks on the line of march, lecture on Combined Operations, rifle and saluting drill, decontamination, Inter-Platoon competitions, fire orders, soldier’s pay, map reading and compass work, foot and arms drill, Section routine, wireless set instruction and the normal Drill Parades.
The specialist Platoons were carrying out cleaning and equipment maintenance. The Signallers were maintaining the lines to be used on Exercise “HOTSPUR” and providing instructors for Companies on the use of the radios.
Appendix 2 – Training Programme for the week ending 26th September – issued 19th September 1942.
Specialist training during this period included; the second week of the Intelligence Course, the 10th week of Signals classification training, the first week of Motor Transport training for potential drivers, the 60 Vehicles to the Mile Exercise and Carrier and Mortar maintenance.
Infantry training included the topics familiar from the previous programme with the inclusion also of; Battle Drill for wood clearing, Respirator training, using the grenade discharger cup, Army Bureau of Current Affairs talks, football, compass marches, revetting and hurdle making, map reading, fieldcraft, launching a speedy attack, action against aircraft, grenades, a lecture and demonstration on “Winning the Fire Fight” and dealing with unexpected opposition.
Appendix 3 – Training Programme for the week ended 3rd October 1942 – issued 25th September 1942.
The scope of the training subjects continued on a similar basis and in accordance with issued Training Instructions. Regular features included “Walk and Run” sessions, equipment and weapon inspections and administration.
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