11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary December 1942
1st December 1942 DALTON-IN-FURNESS.
A visit of the Mobile Gas Chamber to the Battalion took place.
2nd December 1942
Lt Col Poett left for an attachment to 156th Infantry Brigade in Scotland as an Umpire in Exercise “GOLIATH” from 2nd – 17th December. On his arrival in Scotland he sent for Captain I.G. Sopwith and 2/Lt Troupe to join him as Umpires.
Major R.B. Humphreys assumed command of the battalion during the CO’s absence and the absence of Major C.D. Hamilton, who was attending the G.H.Q. School of Infantry for the 2 i/c’s Course from 2nd to 9th December.
3rd December 1942
Major C.A. Smallwood attended a Course at the School of Artillery, LARKHILL from 3rd to 9th December.
The Anti-Tank Circus from 88 Anti-Tank Regiment visited the Battalion and exercised the Anti-Tank Platoon.
5th – 7th December 1942
D Company HQ (Captain D.M. Grant), one composite Platoon from each Rifle Company and the Pioneer Platoon attended a Course at the Divisional Street Fighting School in BIRMINGHAM. On the 6th December the School was visited by the C-in-C Home Forces and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.
8th December 1942
A lecture was given to the Officers on “The Role of the Carrier Platoon” by Captain K.C. Johnstone.
9th December 1942
Lieut Col Snow, G.S.O.1. Of 49th Division visited the Camp.
An Officers’ TEWT on “The Battalion in the Attack (Encounter Battle)” was led by Major Humphreys.
An ENSA Concert Party gave a performance of “Rookery Nook” in the 10th DLI Dining Hall.
10th December 1942
A three-week Weapon Training and Section Leading Cadre began under Lieut R. Ellison.
Major C.D. Hamilton returned from his Course and assumed command of the Battalion in the continued absence of Lt Col Poett.
12th December 1942
The Battalion Rugby XV played against the Vickers Works XV and won 13 – 8.
A visit of the Mobile Cinema to the Camp took place.
13th December 1942
Major Hamilton and Captain Grant attended a Conference at Brigade HQ on the forthcoming Divisional TEWT and Cloth Model Exercise.
14th December 1942
A demonstration by a Composite Company (formed from A and B Companies) was given of the “Lane Method of Attack”.
40 Other Ranks of the Battalion were sent to the G.P.O. in Lancaster to assist in Postal Duties during the Christmas period 14th – 24th December.
Captain T.M. Lang and R.Q.M.S. Betts went to reconnoitre a new location in South Wales.
A discussion was led by Major C.D. Hamilton for all Officers on the subject of Army Training Memorandum 44.
15th December 1942
A lecture was given by Major C.D. Hamilton to all Officers and Senior NCO’s on “The Employment of Combat Teams in the Advance Guard”.
16th December 1942
Major Hamilton departed for HEREFORD for the Divisional TEWT and Cloth Model Exercise on Mountain Warfare from 17th – 18th December.
The Battalion Soccer XI won the semi-final round of the Brigade Group Knock-out Competition, defeating 178 Field Regiment 5 goals to 3.
17th December 1942
The Brigade Group Cross Country Race was held – involving teams of fifteen men per unit. The Battalion was third overall.
18th December 1942
A demonstration and practice took place by a Rifle Company, Carrier and Mortar Platoons, and the Anti-Tank Platoon of the “Employment of Combat Teams in the Advance Guard”.
A discussion was led by Major Smallwood for all Officers on “Methods of maintaining the interest of the trained soldier in Weapon Training”.
20th December 1942
The Bishop of GAMBIA preached at the Church Parade Service.
An Officer and a Warrant Officer from the Hythe Small Arms School Wing visited the Battalion to advise on Weapon Training problems.
21st December 1942
A Company were classifying on the Brigade Range.
C and D Companies were constructing defensive positions, including wiring.
22nd December 1942
C Company were classifying on the Brigade Range.
Orders were issued for the Inlying Picquet – set out on Appendix A attached to the War Diary – for further details see below.
Movement Order No 1 for the impending move to South Wales was issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix B – for details see below.
23rd December 1942
A demonstration was given by A and B Companies of the Encounter Attack.
24th December 1942
The weekly Cross Country Run for all Ranks took place.
25th – 31st December 1942
Christmas break. A good Christmas dinner was provided for the Battalion and Mobile Cinema shows were organised on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
In addition, soccer matches were played in aid of Charity on Christmas Day. A combined XI of 10th and 11th DLI and 1st Tyneside Scottish versus a North Western League XI and, on Boxing Day, a combined XI of 10th and 11th DLI against a 1st Tyneside Scottish XI.
27th December 1942
The Battalion was defeated by 10th DLI in the final of the Brigade Knock-out Soccer Competition.
28th December 1942
Movement Order No 2 in respect of the move to South Wales was issued and a copy attached to the War Diary as Appendix C – for further details see below.
An Advance Party of two Officers and 60 Other Ranks under the command of Captain T.M. Lang left by road for the new location.
27th – 30th December 1942
The Battalion Christmas Revue “Jingle Jankers”, produced by Lieut R. Ellison was put on at St Margaret’s Hall, DALTON. This was an exceelent show with a cast composed almost entirely of men of the Battalion and was very well attended on all four nights.
The District Commander, Major-General Campbell, the Brigade Commander and Brigade Major were amongst those who attended performances. The proceeds of the show raised over £80 for the DLI Prisoners of War Fund.
30th December 1942
Movement Instruction No 3, including the March Table, for the move to South Wales was issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix D – for further details see below.
31st December 1942
Preparations were made for the move to the new location at VELINDRE, Carmarthenshire.
Appendices attached to the December 1942 11th DLI War Diary.
Appendix A – Instructions for the Inlying Picquet – issued 22nd December 1942.
This single-page document followed the issue of a Brigade Operation Instruction that it was necessary to have a Combat Group detailed for immediate action in case of invasion.
The Combat Group would consist of one Rifle Company (in unit transport) supported by one Section of Carriers and two detachments of Mortars.
The Company designated as the core of the Combat Group would be detailed in Battalion Orders and would be at two hours’ notice to move for the 24 hours from 09:00 to 09:00 hours each day. The Officer commanding HQ Company would be responsible for rostering the relevant sub-units from the Carrier and Mortar Platoons.
The Combat Group would only turn out following Orders from; HQ of the Lancashire and Border District, HQ of the Kendal Sub-Area, HQ of the Barrow Garrison, Brigade HQ or the Battalion CO.
In addition the Combat Group would detail, from amongst its men, one Platoon (with two 30cwt trucks), one Section of Carriers and one detachment of Mortars to be on immediate call at all times. This force would act as an Inlying Picquet and would be confined to Camp for its tour of duty – if at all possible the force would be made up from the Duty Company providing the Fire Picquet and Fire Cordon in accordance with Battalion Standing Orders.
In the event of the Inlying Picquet being called out the Duty Officer would inform:-
The Company Office of the Company providing the Picquet.
HQ Company Office (who would then inform Carriers, Mortars and Motor Transport by runner).
The Officer commanding the Combat Group Company.
The Inlying Picquet Platoon Commander.
The Adjutant.
The Inlying Picquet may go out on training but would be confined to Camp at all other times.
Dress would be full Battle Order with greatcoats and all Platoon weapons taken in 30cwt trucks. Reserve ammunition and all essential stores would already be in Company stores ready for immediate loading on to the Platoon truck.
The Transport Officer, Carrier Officer and Mortar Officer would ensure buckets of water were held ready near the relevant vehicles to fill radiators at short notice.
Appendix B – Movement Order No 1 – issued 22nd December 1942.
This was the first of the documents describing the arrangements for the move to VELINDRE, South Wales on or about 1st January 1943.
The Advance Party would move by road on 28th December.
The Main Body would move by road using troop carrying vehicles and unit transport on 1st January, with Carriers and baggage travelling by rail.
The Rear Party would leave about 3rd January 1943 after completing the hand-over of the existing quarters.
The Advance Party would stage the night 28/29th December en route – location to be notified later. The Party consisted of:-
Captain T.M. Lang assisted by Lieut (QM) G.J. Powell.
Cook Sergeant and three Cooks.
Cpl J.M. Brown of the QM staff.
Pioneer Sergeant and ten Pioneers.
One Other Rank from the Intelligence Section.
One NCO and four MT drivers plus two RASC drivers of Troop Carrying Lorries.
One NCO and two Privates from each of 1, 3, 4 and the Anti-Tank Platoons.
Two Officers’ Mess staff – including one Cook.
Two Sanitary men.
Two Batmen.
This gave an overall total for the Advance Party of two Officers and 62 men. The transport required would be one 8cwt Pick-up, two Troop Carrying Lorries and 3 30cwt trucks for kit, rations, stores and pioneer materials.
The Main Body would use all remaining unit transport plus 13 Troop Carrying Lorries and 8 3-tonners for load carrying.
The Rear Party would use one 8cwt Pick-up and 2 30cwt lorries and would be responsible for cleaning up the Camp Area and handing over accommodation and stores and would be under the command of Major Humphreys, assisted by; R.Q.M.S. Betts, one NCO from each of B and C Companies, three Other Ranks per Rifle Company – to include one Cook, 10 men from HQ Company who were due back from leave on 1st January 1943 and three Drivers.
Arrangements were made for rations and feeding en route for all Parties.
The cleanliness and completeness of all accommodation was seen as of key importance and reports of any premises left untidy or uncleaned were to be made, with special attention given to Officers’ and Sergeants’ Messes and Quarters. The normal instructions about removing no furniture, or leaving secret documents, were included. The change in unit location was to be notified under secret cover.
Baggage arrangements were made for tentage, reserve ammunition etc. The transport table allocated vehicles to sub-units as appropriate.
Appendix C – Movement Instruction No 3 – issued 28th December 1942.
This second document on the move summarised the key facts about the journey and the various groups involved. Communications were to be provided by No 11 radio sets while on the move. Lieut T.H. Rowell was in command of the Rail Party. Captain Waggott and Lieut Rowell would supervise loading the 20 tons of baggage at DALTON on 29th December at 09:50 hours, assisted by 20 Other ranks from the Carrier and Mortar Platoons. Arrival at NEWCASTLE EMLYN was anticipated to be at 00:03 hours on 2nd January 1943.
Entraining the 20 Carriers would take place at ULVERSTON at 11:00 hours on 31st December 1942, supervised by Lieut Rowell. Guards for the train would be arranged until departure on 1st January 1943.
Guides would be arranged by Captain Lang to meet the Main Body and unloading of baggage would not commence until the main body had arrived and transport could be made available to move the kit and stores. The train taking the Carriers would also carry the Rugby, PT and Soccer goal posts to the new location, as well as the obstacles constructed for the Assault Course. The aim was, presumably, to return the ANTYCROSS Camp as near as possible to its condition before the Battalion had taken it over – bearing in mind that this was Ministry of Housing accommodation, not War Office.
More detailed information was given about the expected timetable. In giving instructions about the location of stores items within transport there is reference as to where Anti-Tank Rifles were to be carried – so these were still on issue to the Battalion, despite the apparent arrival of Anti-Tank Guns.
Appendix D – Move of Main Body 1st January 1943 – issued 30th December 1942.
This final document in the sequence dealing with the move has additional information specifically about the movement of the Main Body of the Battalion. As this was a 70th Brigade relocation exercise the movements of the various units had to be co-ordinated.
This included, for example, the drawing of 1500 gallons of fuel by the Brigade RASC Company, ready to replenish vehicles at the overnight staging area – to be organised between Battalion and Brigade Transport Officers. The Brigade Transport Officer was responsible for the Column formation and would supervise the departure of 10th DLI vehicles before allowing 11th DLI vehicles to leave the Brigade Start Point.
The March Table was issued as an Appendix to this instruction with route and halt details.
After a Reveille at 04:00 on 1st January the troops would embus at 06:00 hours with full kit, including greatcoat, steel helmet, FSMO and personal weapon. There were a total of seven vehicle groups within the Battalion Main Body Column – departing at two minute intervals between groups and observing the standing order requirements on speed and spacing.
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