10th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, War Diary September 1942

For a more complete picture of activity this War Diary should be read in conjunction with the 70th Infantry Brigade War Diary for the same month.

2nd September 1942

The “Shrapnel” Concert Party, comprised of soldiers, gave a show in the NAAFI.

3rd September 1942

National Day of Prayer. Each Battalion in the Brigade, preceded by their bands, marched to the KINGTON Parish Church for a Service. This was followed by a march past the G.O.C.

4th September 1942

Tank and infantry demonstrations took place near LLANDEGLEY, observed by all Officers and NCOs.

5th September 1942

There was a repeat performance of the “Shrapnel” Concert Party.

7th – 13th September 1942

Western Command exercise “WETSHOD” took place, in which the Battalion landed, simulating an invasion force, on PENDINE SANDS, and attacked SWANSEA via CARMARTHEN. The defending forces were Royal Marines, Belgian troops and Home Guards.

15th September 1942

Lieut. D.A. Ker, the Intelligence Officer, left for 49 Division HQ (appointment not mentioned), 2/Lt P. Hanbury of the Intelligence Corps left for a course at MATLOCK, Lieut. J.R. Fraser became Acting Intelligence Officer.

16th September 1942

Brigadier P.P. King carried out an administrative inspection of the Battalion’s Motor Transport.

17th September 1942

An experimental Motor Transport column was established as a means of testing a method of control using a lesser density of vehicles and faster speed. 1 NCO was injured when a truck in the convoy overturned. (The man concerned was not named in the War Diary).

19th – 20th September 1942

A “Tank Circus” was organised on Hereford Race Course, at which various types of British and German tanks were on view.

20th September 1942

A Skeleton Signals exercise was held at SENNYBRIDGE, named JUNIPER II, in order to test communications between forward Infantry units and the Royal Artillery Batteries supporting them.

23rd September 1942

A Brigade Movement Exercise was held in order to test closer distances between vehicles. (It will have been noted from the details of exercise orders set out in the Brigade War Diary that the standard vehicle density up to this point had been 15 vtm [vehicles to the mile]).

24th September 1942

The first of a series of Monthly Platoon Battle Drill competitions was held. Each Company put up a different drill with their demonstration Platoon as part of the exercise. The Battalion’s A Company gave a demonstration of the right and wrong ways of carrying out a night Reconnaissance Patrol, and took first place.

Other demonstrations included; the Platoon in the Attack, Taking up a Defensive Position, and Clearing a Wood.

25th September 1942

An Inter-Company 2” Mortar shoot was held at the BEACON HILL Firing Ranges.

A Battalion Cadre for NCOs began.

27th September 1942

The Battalion was beaten 5 – 1 at football by 1st Tyneside Scottish on the KINGTON PARK Ground.

30th September 1942

Training films were shown at the KINGTON Cinema.

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