Divisional Commander Royal Engineers 23rd (Northumbrian) Division May 1940.
In view of the complexity of the War Diary for this crucial month in the Brigade's existence it is recommended that the Diaries for each of the Units concerned are read alongside each other, so as to form as accurate a picture as possible of what was a confusing few weeks. The entries are kept in date order and, where clarity would be helped, the reader is referred to parallel entries from other Units. It is suggested that the Diary for the 23rd Division is read first, followed by that for the Brigade HQ and then the Infantry Battalions and Engineer Companies. There is a considerable amount of material to cover, especially as Units were in many cases broken into small parties and served as part of temporary groupings, such as Petreforce. The author has tried to be as faithful as possible to the original documents.
From 28th April until 9th May the unit was carrying out normal duties and working on stores for the Companies.
10th May 1940.
There was an Air Raid in the area and, while bombs were dropped, none were in the vicinity of the unit's HQ.
(For the rest of the month - which was of course a crucial one in the short life of the Division - the War Diary of the Commander Royal Engineers was typed up on a series of plain pieces of paper, rather than on the official War Diary Forms).
15th May 1940
On this date the Divisional Royal Engineers were dispersed as follows:-
HQ was at MIRAUMONT N4278.
508th Field Park Company was at TINCQUES N2708.
507th Field Company (in support of 70 Brigade) were at NUNCQ H1304 and at BEAUVOIR M1296.
233rd Field Company (in support of 69 Brigade) were concentrated near ALBERT N3668.
At 09:00 hours the Commander Royal Engineers received orders to reconnoitre caves at BLERANCOURT N6912 for possible use as a new underground HQ for B.A.A.F. The 507th Field Company were ordered to carry out this task and their reconnaissance party met the Commander Royal Engineers at 16:30 hours.
16th May 1940
At 08:00 hours a message was received from the 507th Field Company's men at BLERANCOURT to the effect that they had been given verbal orders from Signals to evacuate their position as enemy tanks were approaching, and indicated that they were returning to the Engineer HQ pending receiving any orders from the Commander Royal Engineers. This message was acknowledged and, after a discussion with the Engineer-in-Charge at the BEF HQ at ARRAS the Commander Royal Engineers ordered them to return to MIRAUMONT. The reconnaissance party arrived at 14:00.
At 18:00 hours the Commander Royal Engineers was ordered to report to the Divisional Commander, together with another Officer with demolition experience, and was sent forward to meet the Chief Engineer Air Component at MONT-ST-ELOI H4207. On reaching there he was ordered to consider the demolition of six aerodromes (which of course the Division had had a major role in building).
17th May 1940
At 05:00 the Commander Royal Engineers returned to his HQ at MIRAUMONT and ordered the 233rd Field Company to prepare for the demolition of the aerodromes. 2/Lt BELL was given the task of advising the RAF on the destruction of fuel and small arms ammunition and all Engineer Companies were placed at one hour's notice of readiness to move.
At 07:00 the Commander Royal Engineers was given verbal orders by the Divisional Commander that the Division had been ordered to take up positions on the CANAL DU NORD between RUYAULCOURT N6377 and ARLEUX N7097. 70 Brigade was to be on the right, supported by 507th Field Company, Royal Engineers, and 69 Brigade on the left with 233rd Field Company, Royal Engineers. The boundary between the Brigades, inclusive to 69 Brigade, was set as the main ARRAS to CAMBRAI road at MARQUION N6889. All bridges were to be prepared for demolition forthwith (a key role for Engineer Companies in situations of this kind).
The Field Companies were immediately ordered to move to these positions and Commander Royal Engineers opened his HQ at CHERISY N5793 (a location which would have been very familiar to the DLI of World War One as the site of the only trench raid photographed from the air during that conflict - the images of which are with the Regimental Museum and which have been very successfully used in giving Sedgefield secondary school students an appreciation of trench warfare) at 14:00 hours.
A total of seventeen bridges were reported by the two Companies as requiring to be dealt with on this front - eight on the left and nine on the right.
2/Lt BELL reported back to HQ at 18:00 hours having completed successful demolitions for the RAF.
18th May 1940
At 05:00 hours 233rd Field Company C.O. reported that demolition preparation had been completed on 80% of his bridges. The C.O. of 507th Field Company reported at 16:30 hours that he expected his bridges would be ready for demolition by 21:00 hours. Shortly afterwards, at 17:00 hours the Commander Royal Engineers received verbal orders from the Divisional Commander to blow all the bridges except those on the main ARRAS - CAMBRAI road and the BAPAUME - CAMBRAI road bridges. The Commander Royal Engineers then visited both Engineer Companies with written orders to that effect.
In an incident which typifies the problems experienced by this Division, faced with a very fast-moving and integrated German attack, with little by way of effective communications, the order to blow the bridges was cancelled only half an hour later at 17:30 hours. The order came too late for the 233rd Field Company as, by then, all bridges on the left front, except the main road bridge, had been blown. It was possible to halt the demolitions, however, planned by the 507th Field Company, on the right front with 70 Brigade.
(It may be worth looking at this situation in the context of developing events. Was the position of 70 Brigade made more vulnerable because the demolitions had not already been carried out?).
At 23:00 hours the Commander, Royal Engineers was informed that the enemy had captured CAMBRAI and was advancing on the Canal position - as a result all bridges were to be blown forthwith - the two main road bridges at all costs.
At 23:50 hours the C.O. of 233rd Engineer Company, Major LINTON, was injured in a fall and evacuated to hospital.
19th May 1940
At 04:00 the Commander, Royal Engineers finally reached the main BAPAUME - CAMBRAI bridge - his journey having been delayed by refugees (a common story which would repeated many times across the Divisional area) and ordered its immediate demolition. Messages were also sent to complete the other bridge demolitions on the 70 Brigade front.
At 06:00 hours enemy tanks approached the position and opened fire on the demolition parties, although, despite their action, all bridges were blown without casualties. 2/Lt Laurance EDGAR completed one demolition while under fire for half an hour, with no support weapons available to deal with the enemy - resulting in an award of the Military Cross. (The citation for his award, listed in The London Gazette on 20th December 1940 can be found at the Public Record Office, Kew under file reference WO 373/16. The text of the citation is set out on the page covering the War Diary of 507th Field Company Royal Engineers ).
Corporal BEALLY was also decorated, with the M.M., for his gallantry during the demolition of the main ARRAS - CAMBRAI road bridge. On completion of the demolitions the Division was ordered into anti-tank localities and the HQ of Commander Royal Engineers opened at MONCHY N5597, while the Field Companies were ordered to assist the infantry units in preparing tank obstacles.
At 11:00 hours Commander Royal Engineers was informed that the Division would take up a position on the LA BASSEE Canal between ROBECQ H3435 and LA BASSEE H5125. A reconnaissance party left at 13:00 hours and 508th Field Company were ordered to proceed immediately to ESSARS H4228. A reconnaissance of the new position commenced at 17:00 hours. In the meantime the order cancelling the proposed move had been received by the Divisional Commander and the Division was then ordered to take up positions with 70th Brigade to the West of ARRAS and 69th Brigade on VIMY RIDGE round THELUS H4907 - the move being carried out overnight on 19th/20th May. Very heavy enemy air attacks were experienced. Commander Royal Engineer's HQ, less the reconnaissance party, opened at [[MONT ST ELOI[[ H4107 although communications - due to the lack of Signals personnel and Despatch Riders - were difficult.
20th May 1940
Commander Royal Engineers arrived at Divisional HQ at 09:00 and found that both the Field Companies were assisting in the defence of VIMY RIDGE. 507th Field Company had been ordered by Brigadier Kirkup of 70th Brigade to proceed to THELUS. The report that 70th Brigade was very heavily engaged with the enemy - and had suffered heavy losses from the combined air and tank attacks - was received at 11:00 hours.
At 13:00 Commander Royal Engineers was ordered to move 507th Field Company to a position North of MONT ST ELOI to assist in local defence - they were in position by 15:00 hours. An hour later the Company was ordered to march to ESSARS, dump its equipment from its transport and use the trucks to help to collect the survivors of 70th Brigade during the night of 20th/21st May. In addition, all the bridges on the LA BASSEE Canal position were ordered to be blocked. The move was achieved by 20:00 hours and by 21:00 hours the 508th Field Park Company had commenced work on the LA BASSEE Canal. The transport of 507th Field Company had rescued some 70 men of 70th Brigade.
21st May 1940
By 06:00 hours all the bridges on the LA BASSEE Canal had been blocked, as ordered. Commander Royal Engineers made contact with the General Officer commanding Polforce, who were covering the position. In another change of instructions an order was received from 23rd Division at 07:00 to the effect that "....move contemplated not taking place. Remain ESSARS tonight and inform this HQ of your HQ tomorrow. Your transport is being used tonight. New Divisional HQ is at GIVENCHY EN GOHALLE H4612...."
At 11:00 the Commander Royal Engineers attended a Polforce conference and submitted details of the road blocks set up.
During the night two spies were caught signalling to enemy aircraft - one being shot and wounded by 2/Lt DAVISON, Royal Engineers - and were taken to HQ for interrogation by Commander Royal Engineers. The latest move to 23rd Division was to be to SECLIN H6828 and orders were given for the two Field Companies to march there, where the Commander Royal Engineers opened his HQ at 20:00 hours.
22nd May 1940
Concentration at SECLIN was completed by 05:00. Later, at 13:00 hours, orders were received that the Division was to take up a position on the canal between GRAVELINES H0781 and ST OMER H1453, while all bridges were to be reconnoitred for demolition. Parties were sent to four locations - BOLLEZEELE, BOURBOURG, HOLQUE and ST MOMELIN - while information was received that the Divisional move would be by transport overnight 22nd/23rd May.
23rd May 1940
The bridge reconnaissances were completed by 06:00. The advanced Divisional HQ was informed at 08:00 that the move of the main body had not been able to be completed because of enemy attacks and a breakthrough near ST OMER - the party being turned back by order of GHQ. 507th Field Company lost 110 men in this move and were only caught up with later in England. The reconnaissance parties were heavily shelled and at 11:00 hours were ordered to return to SECLIN, while Commander Royal Engineers proceeded independently to Polforce HQ with the Divisional G2 and the Brigade Major Royal Artillery to report the situation.
24th May 1940
The Divisional Commander instructed at 09:00 that the move to the ST OMER area would take place after all and told the Commander Royal Engineers (Lt Col KENNEDY) to take as many of the Divisional Royal Engineers as possible for work on the Canal Line.
The column departed, about 350 strong, at 14:00 hours routed via LILLE, YPRES and POPERINGHE to BERGUES H2877. No casualties were incurred on the march, despite heavy enemy air attacks. When the Commander Royal Engineers reached the destination he informed the Divisional Commander that the Brigadier commanding 69th Brigade, together with 186th Field Ambulance, had left, but that he had made contact with Brigadier USHER who had advised him not to make his HQ at COHTEZEELE as planned and he had therefore located his HQ at LES MOERES H4782, pending the arrival of the Divisional HQ.
Lt Col KENNEDY advised the Divisional Commander to get in touch with Brigadier USHER as soon as feasible as he could explain the current situation as he had fuller information. He also advised Division that the route they had taken was clear except for the bombing and indicated that he was awaiting orders, unless he could help USHERFORCE with demolition work.
In the meantime 2/Lt BELL and Sgt ALLINSON with one Section of 233rd Field Company had fought a rearguard action at GRAVELINES, for which both were subsequently decorated. 2/Lt Jeoffrey Wardle BELL's citation for his Military Cross, Gazetted on 20th December 1940, mentioned that on 18th May, at ARLEUX he had completed the demolition of two bridges while under machine-gun fire and dive-bombing attacks. On 25th May at GRAVELINES he had shown conspicuous courage, coolness and gallantry under heavy fire while opposing attempts by enemy tanks and infantry to cross the Canal. Throughout the whole operation this officer's cheerfulness, courage and coolness were an inspiration to his Section. The recommendation for the award was signed by Lt Col KENNEDY and the details are set out in Public Record Office file WO 373/16..
25th May 1940
At 11:30 hours Lt LAMBIE arrived with a message from the Divisional Commander which thanked Lt Col KENNEDY for his note of the previous day (described above) and instructed him to do all he could to support Brigadier USHER’s efforts, but to ensure that he kept Division informed of any further moves of HQ. No transport had at that time been made available to move the Divisional HQ.
In the light of this message Lt Col KENNEDY reported at 12:30 to Brigadier USHER at BERGUES H2877 and was asked to demolish seven bridges in the locality – on which work started at 16:00 hours.
On 25th and 26th May the remaining 200 Royal Engineers personnel carried out three demolitions near SECLIN with great success.
26th May 1940
By 09:00 hours the seven bridges at BERGUES were reported complete (presumably demolition carried out) and the number was later increased to nineteen. 2/Lt George Nelson Kenneth MILLER 507th Field Company, Royal Engineers was awarded the M.C. for his work on these tasks. His citation, Gazetted on 20th December 1940 on page 7197 of The London Gazette, explained that between 28th and 31st May 1940 at BERGUES he had carried out fourteen demolitions. He had also taken part in patrol work and in the defence of the CASSEL Gate. Throughout all these operations his qualities of courage, cheerfulness and cool and clear thinking were of tremendous value and an inspiration to his Section. The details of the citation, recommended again by Lt Col KENNEDY, are to be found in the Public Record Office File WO 373/16.
27th May 1940
Lt Col KENNEDY reported to the Divisional Commander at 01:00 hours, at LA PANNE H0189 for further instructions. He also reported to General ADAM and was instructed to:-
1. Hold the bridges South of LES MOERES until relieved. 2. To ensure that the French did not demolish the road bridge near TETEGHAN H2982. 3. To ascertain if preparations were in hand for demolishing bridges between BERGUES and DUNKIRK and, if not, to arrange for that preparation to be done. 4. T contact POLFORCE and ascertain the situation regarding the bridges between ROUTHEM and FURNES. 5. To inform everyone concerned about the position of explosives at LES MOERES. (It is not clear whether this referred to stocks of explosives, or the use to which they had been put).
Lt Col KENNEDY reached his HQ at 06:00 and began to put these orders into effect.
28th May 1940
The advanced elements of 1 Division HQ arrived at LES MOERES at 08:00 hours and Lt Col KENNEDY briefed them on the bridge situation and was then given personal orders to stop the demolition of the bridge at TETEGHAN H2982. Work on the bridges between ROUTHEM and FURNES was 50% completed by 16:00 hours. Contact was also made with Royal Marine units working on the BERGUES to DUNKIRK line. Very heavy air attacks and shelling were experienced. By this time all roads were well blocked by abandoned transport, which made movement almost impossible. Lt Col KENNEDY spent the night of 28th/29th May with the Agent de Liaison at TETEGHAN.
Major CAMERON was ordered to march all spare men to the coast under the command of Brigadier KIRKUP, 70th Brigade.
29th May 1940
Lt Col KENNEDY made contact with the HQ of 2 Division near BERGUES who agreed to take over the bridges on their front and also guard the demolition at TETEGHAN. He then visited the bridges near HOUTHEM and discovered that these had been taken over by 234 Field Company, Royal ENgineers, and that his bridge parties had been sent onwards to the coast, under 1 Division arrangements.
The HQ of 1 Division was reported to be at BRAY DUNES H3588 and, as all of 23rd Division elements appeared to Lt Col KENNEDY to have been relieved, he made his way there and arrived at 15:00 hours. The Engineer rear party assisted their colleagues of 1 Division Royal Engineers with F.B.E. (Folding Boat Equipment (bridge)) for the embarkation of the wounded.
At 21:00 hours it was reported that Major CAMERON with 300 men of the Divisional Royal Engineers was about two miles West of BRAY DUNES, on the shore, and had received orders to embark this party. Lt Col KENNEDY and his party then joined the main body at 22:00 hours.
30th May 1940
At 01:00 hours a Naval Officer reported the arrival of launches from the ships standing off the beach. Captain OSBORNE and 200 of the men were embarked. At 05:00 Naval Authorities gave orders for the remaining men to proceed to BRAY DUNES where they embarked on a planned basis as part of Corps troops. This was done in a series of small parties consistently throughout the day while rowers were also supplied for the Folding Boat Equipment. In addition the men constructed a landing pier using abandoned lorries and Folding Boat Equipment.
Gallantry Awards made to the men of this unit:-
The citation for Lt Col KENNEDY’s Distinguished Service Order – which was gazetted on 11th July 1940 – is listed under the awards earned within 23rd (Northumbrian) Division - Royal Engineers, held within The National Archives file reference WO 373/15 Piece number 7949 and reads as follows:-
“During the whole of the operations 17 – 31 May 1940 this officer’s work was outstanding. It was due to his energy and initiative that the 17 bridges over the Canal du Nord was prepared in a very short time for demolition and blown on the morning of 19th May. Subsequently he prepared for demolition some 16 bridges in the BERGUES-GRAVELINES area, carrying out his reconnaissance and superintending the work of preparation at times in close proximity of the enemy. His disregard of his own safety, his initiative and enthusiasm inspired all ranks under his command and those others with whom he came into contact. The result of his actions must have done much to delay the enemy on more than one occasion”.
The citation was submitted by the Divisional Commander, Major-General Herbert.
The citation for Driver Edward BOYLE’s Military Medal was gazetted on 11th July 1940 and can be found in The National Archives file reference WO 373/15 Piece 7924. 2075494 Driver Boyle was a Despatch Rider within Commander Royal Engineer’s Headquarters, 23rd (N) Division.
The citation reads as follows:-
As this unit was not mobilised this man was the only DR available for CRE HQ. Between 14/5/40 and 30/5/40 he was constantly at work day and night and throughout showed great courage and cheerfulness under all forms of fire. In particular at MONCHY on 19/5/40 he proceeded to ACHIET through country reported to be in enemy hands and guided one Officer and 30 men with 8 lorries of explosives and RE stores to MONT ST ELOI. During this journey he was under constant air bombardment and shell fire.
The recommendation was put forward by Lt Col Kennedy, Commander Royal Engineers, 23rd (N) Division.
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