11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary August 1943

2nd – 6th August 1943 HAMILTON.

The Officers’ syndicate studied Exercise “TODT”. The problem was the layout of a typical German Company defence locality defending a beach.

During this week, attention was concentrated on the improvement of billets. As a break in the work of cleaning, daily swimming parades were held at HAMILTON Baths by all Companies. There were also short daily drill parades and weapon training practices.

6th August 1943

CO’s administrative inspection.

7th August 1943

RSM’s Drill Parade.

9th August 1943

A Company on the AIRDRIE Range.

B Company set out on a ten-day scheme which was to include four days of field firing. The remainder of the Battalion was busy with individual training.

10th August 1943

A Company was out on a route march and Combined Operations training.

C and D Companies were on the Ranges at DECHMONT and PLAINS.

11th August 1943

A Company did a Combined Operations training scheme including field firing.

D Company continued with Range Classification.

C Company did the ten miles in two hours PE Test.

12th August 1943

C Company were on a field firing scheme.

D Company completed their Bren Gun Classification. The results of the shooting were disappointingly bad.

13th August 1943

S Company were on the AIRDRIE Range.

14th August 1943

Officers’ Day at Brigade HQ. This day was spent in the preliminary study of the problems of Combined Operations. There were lectures on different types of craft, supporting arms, beach group, signals layout and problems of administration. The solution to Exercise “TODT” was discussed with the aid of a Cloth Model.

16th August 1943

Individual training.

17th August 1943

A Company went out to the exercise area to dig the “TODT” defences for Exercise “BEACHCOMBER” which was to take place later in the week.

C Company practised the technique of assault landing on a Company scale, working on a basis of five Landing Craft Assault per forward Company.

D Company was on the Range.

18th and 19th August 1943

The Battalion was preparing for Exercise “BEACHCOMBER”. Although the brunt of Exercise “BEACHCOMBER” fell on the 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish, most of the energies of the Battalion were consumed in preparations, as apart from digging the defences and completing the wiring, we were responsible for providing the majority of the attached personnel, such as artillery reconnaissance parties etc. , and for making the 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish up to Assault Scales.

20th August 1943

Exercise “BEACHCOMBER”. Those of the Battalion who were not employed in the exercise marched out to spectate. Great interest was aroused by the appearance of Generals Anderson and Paget.

The exercise was in two phases. The first phase showed the Battalion, with its transport, deployed in the various craft allotted. The second phase showed the actual assault on the prepared defences, with two troops of Sherman Tanks in support.

21st August 1943

Battalion administration.

22nd August 1943

Church Parade.

23rd August 1943

Individual training.

D Company learning Battle Drill.

24th August 1943

A Company – Platoon field firing.

B and C Companies on the Ranges at AIRDRIE and CAMBUSLANG.

D Company – night patrols.

25th August 1943

A Company Group – field firing.

B Company on the AIRDRIE Range.

26th – 28th August 1943

Individual training, administration and Combined Operations lectures and discussions.

30th August 1943

A Company were on the Range with the Light Machine Gun.

B Company swimming at MOTHERWELL Baths.

D Company begin a five-day scheme.

31st August 1943

A Company began a march out to the Training Area for a two-day scheme.

B Company were on the Assault Course and carrying out individual training.

C Company on the DECHMONT Range.

D Company field firing at MEARNS LAW.

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