70th Infantry Brigade War Diary September 1943.

1st September 1943

The Brigade Major returned from 9 days’ privilege leave.

2nd September 1943

The Intelligence Officer and an Advance Party proceeded to DUNALTON HOUSE, TROON in preparation for Exercise EUCLID.

3rd – 12th September 1943

49th Division Exercise EUCLID took place – a planning exercise carried out in all details – with 49 Division being assigned the role of assaulting the French Coast between CALAIS and GRAVELINES, 70th Infantry Brigade being the Reserve Brigade.

The staff present on Exercise EUCLID were; the Brigade Commander, Brigade Major, Staff Captain, Intelligence Officer, Signals Officer, the Officer commanding the Field Company Royal Engineers, two clerks, one Intelligence NCO, the M.D.O., Assistant M.D.O. and three M.C. clerks.

Euclid exercised the whole of the staffs in all details which will have to be gone through in the actual planning of the Combined Operations role of the Assault Division. The final Brigade Order was ready for distribution on the night of 10/11th September 1943.

10th September 1943

A demonstration was held on TROON beaches of flotation equipment for Carriers and Motorcycles.

13th – 22nd September 1943

The Brigade Commander proceeded on leave. EUCLID papers were made available for perusal by all C.Os., 2 i/cs and Adjutants in the Brigade Group.

All Battalions carried on individual training, in particular drills for Landing Craft. The 11th DLI moved from scattered billets in HAMILTON to the AUCHINREATH CAMP. All Battalions were made up above War Establishment both in Officers and Other Ranks.

The present C.Os. and Adjutants were as follows:-

1st Tyneside Scottish – Lt Col A.J.H. Cassels, Captain J.R. Alexander.

10th DLI – Lt Col F.W. Sandars, Captain R.H. Jerrome.

11th DLI – 2 i/c Major C.D. Hamilton, Captain D.K. Stephenson.

23rd – 25th September 1943

70th Brigade Exercise CONTACT 70 took place, which entailed the exercising of all troops in the Brigade Group on the general plan of the 49 Division Skeleton Exercise CONTACT II. The Brigade Group moved into concentration area IRVINE – KILMAURS. A Skeleton Administrative Area was made to operate.

During the night of 23/24th September the Brigade Group carried out a night move with a diversion to the EAST KILBRIDE area. Early on the 24th September, the Brigade Group passed through the forward Brigades and advanced up the main EDINBURGH road towards HARTHILL. Two Battalions were debussed and had to fight their way on to the final objective – SUMMERHOUSE 3898 and Point 656 3897. During the night of 24/25th September the high ground overlooking FALKIRK was prepared for defence, wired, mined and all guns and positions actually dug.

23rd – 25th September

A Skeleton Brigade HQ was found for the 49 Division Skeleton Exercise QUEBEC.

28th September 1943

A conference took place of all Officers taking part in Exercise CONTACT 70, down to and including Platoon Commanders.

29th – 30th September 1943

Preparation was made for 1 Corps Exercise BRIDGEHEAD involving all troops of the Division passing through the beaches and establishing a rapid bridgehead.

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