11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary August 1942
1st August 1942 – KINGTON
Individual training took place for all Companies.
3rd August 1942
A Battle Course began for C and D Companies, run by Captain J. Brewis and Lieut I.G. Sopwith. The remainder of the Battalion “bad shots” were on the 30 yard range.
A demonstration was given by the Intelligence Section on “Handling of Enemy Prisoners”.
4th August 1942
B Company fired their reclassification shoot on the open range.
A lecture was given to all Officers by the Signals Officer – 2/Lieut G.B. Murray - on “New Radio Telephone Procedure”.
5th August 1942
Classification shoots again took place on the open range. A lecture was given to all Officers and NCO’s by the Commanding Officer on “Defence”.
6th August 1942
Training of Demonstration Platoons took place in various subjects; Clearing a Wood, Night patrolling, etc.
A and B Companies practised Night Patrols.
7th August 1942
2/Lieut Wheatcroft of the Intelligence Corps arrived at the Battalion for a Field Force attachment of not more than two months duration.
8th August 1942
An Administrative Inspection by the Commanding Officer took place.
10th August 1942
Lt Col J.H.N. Poett served as a member of the O.C.T.U. Selection Board at HEREFORD.
Platoon Field Firing Schemes took place under the direction of Captain C.A. Smallwood.
12th – 13th August 1942
49 Division Exercise “MONTE CARLO” (Motor Transport Maintenance and Performance Trial) was held. The first day was taken up with maintenance and turn-out inspections, while the second day involved a 60 mile driving course including four observed sections and time-checks followed by further inspections.
13th August 1942
A Company were on the 300 yard range. B Company had a lecture by the Intelligence Officer, Lieut J.M. McNichol on “The German Army”. All available Officers were instructed on the Care and Maintenance of Motor Transport.
14th August 1942
A Company were again on the 300 yard range while B Company practised wiring drill.
A lecture was given to all Officers and NCO’s on the “Organisation of an Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery” by 2/Lieut Miller of 88 Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery. Lieut C. Rodham went on a Course on Driving and Maintenance at KESWICK.
The Battalion Battle Course for C and D Companies concluded.
15th August 1942
An administrative inspection was held by the Commanding Officer.
16th August 1942
The Brigade Sports were held. The Battalion won every track event, both team and individual, except the three miles, but failed in Field Events. The Battalion Band played selections during the afternoon.
17th August 1942
Captain H. Waggott, Lieut J.A. Bruce, 2/Lieut R. Notman, RSM G.A. Poole and 13 NCOs proceeded on the 2nd Course at the 49 Division Battle School at PRESTEIGNE.
All Companies carried out Battle Drills and Wiring Drill.
18th August 1942
Lieut G.M. Dunnell proceeded to the Small Arms School at NETHERAVON for a Course on the 2pdr Anti-Tank gun.
A and C Companies carried out a route march while B and D Companies were on the 300 yard range.
20th August 1942
One Company was on the 300 yard range while A and C Companies worked on Night Operations.
21st August 1942
An Inquest was held on the fatal traffic accident which occurred on 24th July 1942.
Lieut J.B. Nicholson was posted to 70th Brigade HQ as Liaison Officer.
22nd August 1942
Vehicle, equipment and administrative inspections were carried out by the Commanding Officer.
22nd – 24th August 1942
49 Division Exercise “HOTSPUR” was held – a description of which is on Appendix A attached to the War Diary – for further details see below.
23rd – 25th August 1942
Major C.D. Hamilton represented the Battalion Commander at an 178 Field Regiment Artillery Exercise.
26th August 1942
Major C.D. Hamilton, Captain C.A. Smallwood and Captain W.H. Waistell took part in 49 Division Royal Artillery Exercise “HELEN”. Lieut J.M McNichol, 2/Lt Wheatcroft and 5 NCO’s from the Battalion attended as spectators.
27th – 29th August 1942
Lieut T.H. Rowell attended the GHQ Battle School at Barnard Castle regarding Mortar firing.
49 Division Exercise “JUNIPER” was held – a description of which was contained on Appendix B attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
30th August 1942
The morning was devoted to administration and weapon cleaning .
31st August 1942
A free day.
The weather throughout the month has been very patchy and showery. On both the long Exercises “HOTSPUR” and “JUNIPER” however, the elements were kind to us and it was actually uncomfortably hot on the latter exercise. It made up amply for this by producing a cloud burst almost perfectly synchronised with the return of the Battalion to Camp.
Throughout the month we have had Home Guard Officers and NCOs attached to the Battalion for periods of seven days and they have taken a full part in both individual and collective training.
Appendices attached to the August 1942 11th DLI War Diary.
Appendix A – 49 Division Exercise “HOTSPUR” – General instructions.
The exercise was on the subject of "Defence" and was timed to take place between 22nd and 25th August 1942. The participating troops were to reach the exercise area by march route, and not use troop carrying transport. The “enemy” in the exercise were 9th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
The relevant sections and paragraphs of the Army’s Training Memoranda and pamphlets were listed for reference. As regards digging – the creation of defences would only be indicative where the land was valuable agricultural land – using pegged-out lines to show the design of trenches, for example, with the real digging taking place in a close-by suitable area to the same design. Digging would be carried out in shifts to ensure that intensive use was made of the issued tools. Certain designated units would use their personal entrenching tools only to create their defences. Company Commanders were to ensure that all defence stores, including tools, were taken out on the exercise. That responsibility in respect of Battalion HQ would be carried out by the RSM and Provost Sergeant.
Minelaying would be on a more modest scale than originally hoped, due to the overall shortage of practice mines – though 300 were hoped to be available to the whole Division. This would affect the calculations of time required to carry out the mine-laying tasks.
Arrangements were made for casualties deemed to have occurred during the exercise to be evacuated to the Main Dressing Station – held for two hours, and then returned to their units as first-line reinforcements.
Genuine casualties would be evacuated, using specially identified ambulance cars, to the nearby Emergency Hospital.
The Transport Officer would ensure that all vehicles carried relevant flags and that regular maintenance was carried out.
The Intelligence Officer and Signals Officer would each be responsible for issuing Map Codes and Code Signs respectively each day under secure cover.
Sanitation discipline was to be given particular attention, given the length of the exercise, and the relevant duty men would, as their first priority, construct latrines at assembly and camp areas, as well as at halts as necessary.
Arrangements were made for rations and blankets.
Lt J.H.P. Hadden was to remain in Camp as Duty Officer and be responsible for the discipline of any men remaining in Camp.
The General Idea of the exercise was set out – indicating that WALES was representing the foothills of the Eastern CAUCASUS with the CASPIAN SEA represented by the St GEORGE’S and BRISTOL CHANNELS. The Division was part of an Army having come to the aid of Russian forces in halting the Germans, who were making a last desperate attempt to breach the mountain barrier and reach the oilfields.
The main line of Allied resistance was identified as NEWPORT – ABERGAVENNY – HEREFORD. The British forces were assembling in a mass of manoeuvre behind the left flank of the Allied position designed to flank any German attempt to thrust through the Allied left from HEREFORD towards BRECON or BUILTH WELLS.
The Lines of Communication included all roads running inland from the coast west of a line from CHESTER – OSWESTRY – MONTGOMERY – KNIGHTON to as far west as ABERYSTWYTH with an assembly area lying to the North of a line MONTGOMERY – NEWTOWN – ABERDOVEY.
Assembly had been delayed due to the hilly nature of the country and the restricted tortuous mountain roads. The leading Corps had therefore been ordered to occupy the high ground BUILTH WELLS – KNIGHTON so as to cover the assembly and concentration of the rest of the Army.
The three Divisions were ordered to deploy with 49 Division in the centre and detailed locations and map references were given for the positions to be occupied – many of them ring contours. The Corps Commander anticipated three days freedom from enemy interference, allowing time for the construction of field defences.
The Special Idea for the 49 Division gave the references at which Brigade “O” Groups were to be held on 22nd August.
Battalion “O” Groups were to be available at LLADEGLEY VILLAGE reference 5984 from 17:00 hours that day – the necessary Officers being ready to move from 16:30 hours.
Platoons were deemed to be available in the assembly area by 09:30 hours on 23rd August, at which time they would be available for Company “O” Group locations, having been transported there by vehicle if necessary.
Cossack mobile troops were deemed to be in position on the River WYE, protecting the reconnaissance parties.
The Brigade Group was to be in position in the assembly area by 11:30 on 23rd August, preparing to move forward at 13:00 hours – PENYBONT was not to be passed until after 13:15 hours. The Brigade was to reconnoitre the best route for marching troops – including across country – before the start of the exercise.
The special instructions for the Battalion gave the location and map reference for the Guide Party to rendezvous with the Brigade Staff Captain at 16:00 hours on 22nd August for the purpose of detailed reconnaissance and allotment of the assembly area.
Cooks were to accompany the A Echelon until the mid-day meal had been served when they would withdraw to the B Echelon position – which was expected to remain static throughout the exercise at FRAN 760 5487, having moved from TYNEDALE Camp under the command of the Brigade Transport Officer from 10:15 hours on 23rd August.
The attached March Table, giving the allotment of transport, routes and timings, confirmed that no troop-carrying vehicles were to be used. Given the nature of the country to be traversed this is not surprising.
Appendix B – Exercise “JUNIPER”.
The only document related to this exercise to have been filed within the War Diary was the March Table, which, in addition to the normal route and timing information, indicated that troop-carrying was to be carried out using four buses per Rifle Company, supplied by 55 Troop Carrying Company RASC.
The men of the Battalion were expected to travel in these vehicles for three hours between the Battalion Start Point, via the Brigade Start Point, to the Dispersal Point.
The route was from map reference 894 7171 – BRILLEY – CLYRO – GLASBURY – BRECON – SENNYBRIDGE – CRAY.
Embussing would take place at the Camp Exit under the command of Lieut Hadden. Overall, including the Company buses, there were seven groups of vehicles included in the March Table.
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