11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary February 1942
2nd February 1942 PONTYPOOL
The Battalion proceeded on its first Scheme with Animal Transport – a rehearsal for the Exercise on 3rd February.
3rd February 1942
The Second Scheme took place – on the same basis as that for 2nd February – there was a great improvement over the first day. The Scheme was described on Appendix A – a copy of which was filed with the War Diary – for details see below.
5th February 1942
The third Battalion Scheme was held in the ABERCARN Mountains – set out on Appendix B, a copy of which was attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
6th February 1942
The fourth Scheme took place at FEN-Y-CRAIG Camp – this was understood to have been described on Appendix C – which was not filed with the War Diary.
7th February 1942
A lecture was given on the Syria Campaign by Major Griffiths. The week ended with the Battalion looking very fit and well, and quite capable of using the Mule Company Transport.
9th February 1942
The fifth Scheme took place in the BLAENAVON District – and was described on Appendix D, attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
11th February 1942
The sixth Scheme to be undertaken was a Brigade Communication Scheme and was the subject of Appendix E, a copy of which was attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
12th February 1942
The seventh Scheme was a Picqueting Scheme – described on Appendix F, attached to the War Diary – for more details – see below.
13th February 1942
The eighth Scheme consisted of an attack on ABERTILLERY, using a route over the mountains. No description of the Scheme was attached to the War Diary.
14th February 1942
The Battalion returned to Pembroke Dock. The arrangements for the move were set out on Appendix G, filed with the War Diary, and are detailed below.
16th February 1942
The Battalion commenced Platoon Training for the following week.
The CO reported to CARMARTHEN to act as Senior Umpire at a Western Command Scheme. The Second-in-Command proceeded on a five day Driving and Maintenance Course held at the Craven Arms. Major Humphreys was in charge of the Battalion during their absences.
11th DLI Training Instruction No 1 1942 was issued and a copy filed with the War Diary as Appendix H – for further details see below.
17th February 1942
A Weapon Training Cadre commenced, with Lieut J.M. McNichol in charge.
18th February 1942
2/Lieuts Kirk and Murray arrived at the Battalion, having been posted from 30th Bn DLI with effect from 10th February.
20th February 1942
2/Lieut Alward was posted to the Battalion and arrived today.
24th February 1942
Standing Orders for Motor Transport movements were issued and set out in Appendix I attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
27th February 1942
Major Humphreys attended a lecture at CARDIFF on War Zone Courts.
Appendices attached to the 11th DLI February 1942 War Diary.
Appendix A – 11th DLI March Order No 1 – issued 31st January 1942.
The Battalion was to carry out a short march, in accordance with an attached Movement Table, to test the “Battalion in Mountain Warfare Formation” described in the CO’s first lecture on this subject, and to practice a long halt.
At the conclusion of the march the transport, under orders, was to return to billets, be unloaded and dismissed. The remainder of the Battalion was to rendezvous for a Piqueting demonstration by D Company.
Haversack rations were to be taken and men were to wear Field Service Marching Order, with leather jerkins. It was left to Companies to request their own transport, including chargers, and they were expected to conclude the Scheme by 15:30 hours. Timings and a rendezvous position were given for the B Echelon transport.
The Reconnaissance Platoon were to observe the behaviour of the Battalion via hill observation, rather than take part in the march. The Carrier Platoon were to carry out their normal role, but using 15cwt trucks rather than the Carriers themselves.
Appendix B – Special Idea – Thursday 5th February 1942.
This appendix described an exercise in which the Brigade had been ordered to destroy the enemy in the ABERCARN area, reprovision the town, replenish the area and then return to PONTYPOOL.
11th DLI were acting as the Brigade’s Advance Guard and were to move in accordance with the attached March Table. The route of advance started at CWN LUKEY 7119 and culminated at the NANTGARN VALLEY.
The Battalion’s Carrier Platoon was to be organised as a Machine Gun Company, without transport, and work in three Platoons of three Guns each.
Haversack rations were to be taken and Companies were required to request their own transport and chargers. Rendezvous and timings were set out.
Appendix D – Special Idea for Monday 9th February 1942.
This Appendix gave the outline for a Scheme in which the Brigade was tasked with seizing BLAENAVON. Brigade HQ, accompanied by 10th and 11th DLI were to advance right of the PONTYPOOL - BLAENAVON road, 11th DLI leading, with 1st Tyneside Scottish advancing on the left of the road. The axis of advance was set out using map references from the cross-roads at 728234 to MYNYDDY CAEN-FAWR 7131.
11th DLI was to move in accordance with the March Table, passing the start point in the normal formation laid down for Mountain Warfare, and then deploying (on the double, unless the ground proved too steep) into the formation laid down as “advance formation” with:-
A Vanguard on the orders of the Officer Commanding the Vanguard.
The remainder of the Battalion on orders from Battalion HQ.
It was stressed that, as the advance unit of the Brigade, speed of decision and movement was essential – with a view to brushing aside minor opposition, or discovering the nature, strength and flanks of heavier opposition to enable the Brigadier to deploy reserves.
Dress was Field Service Marching Order, less respirator and gas cape, and with leather jerkin rolled and strapped at the rear. Arrangements were to be made at Company level for transport, including chargers.
The enemy were provided by the Carrier and Reconnaissance Platoons.
Appendix E – Brigade Exercise No 1 – 11th February 1942.
The Brigade Commander was to direct a daylight exercise for 11th DLI on 11th February. The objectives, lessons and opening narrative were set out on the copies of the Appendix given to Company Commanders only, and not included with the copy filed in the War Diary.
A rendezvous point and timing were given for the Battalion in the area of PENTRE PROD 7023, and for the B Echelon transport.
The Reconnaissance and Pioneer Platoons took the role of enemy – distinguished by wearing Field Service Caps – and an additional twelve men were detailed to supply extra strength of numbers.
Dress was to be Field Service Marching Order, less gas capes and respirators, with leather jerkins rolled.
Anti-Tank Rifles were not to be taken. The RSM was to detail a duty bugler to Battalion HQ to give signals at the orders of the Director. Horses were to be organised for the Director and Chief Umpire by the Transport Officer.
The Carrier Platoon were to act as a Machine Gun Platoon – with one Section located with the Vanguard. No Pioneer Platoon, or their mules, were to be included in the Column. Instructions were given about the deployment of the Anti-Aircraft Platoon and the placing of the mules of the Signals and Mortar Platoons between the various Sections of the Column.
Haversack rations were required and Companies were to make their requirements known for chargers and mule transport. Troops were expected to be back in Barracks by 19:00 hours. Umpires were to be provided by 1st Tyneside Scottish. A Conference on the outcome was timed for 15:00 hours on 12th February.
The attached table described the Column being organised in six groups – Vanguard, O Group, F1 Group, F2 Group, D Company – less one Platoon, A2 group and the single Platoon of D Company.
Appendix F – Special Idea – 12th February 1942.
This Appendix gave the background to a Scheme in which the Battalion would piquet the CRUMLIN Road. A start point and timings were given and the exercise was based on a scenario in which the Battalion was informed that the enemy had moved from EBBW VALE at first light to attack ABERTILLERY and MYNYDD LLAN HILLETH 6723 – and was ordered to occupy a ring contour at reference 678235.
Seconds-in-command would command the Battalion and the Companies. Company Commanders were to observe their Companies in action and act as Umpires as necessary. The Carrier Platoon would, on this occasion, use their Carriers. The enemy would be provided by A Company.
The exercise was expected to conclude at 15:00 hours and haversack rations would be taken, with the men in Field Service Marching Order, with rolled jerkins, and minus respirators and gas capes. The order of march and timings for each sub-unit passing the start point were given. A2 Transport Echelon would take part, but not B Echelon.
Appendix G – 11th DLI Movement Instruction No 2 – issued 13th February 1942.
This Appendix described the arrangements to be made for returning the Battalion to the LLANION BARRACKS at Pembroke Dock.
The move was to take place using two trains for the main body of the troops, with each man carrying his full kit and wearing his greatcoat – baggage vans were provided for equipment and stores – for which 30cwt trucks were to be provided to move stores to the station at PONTYPOOL ROAD. Those six trucks then formed a vehicle convoy.
Anti-Aircraft defence arrangements were to be organised for each train, and transport provided to meet the trains and unload baggage at Pembroke Dock on Sunday morning 15th February.
There were to be seven groups of trucks in the vehicle convoy and Officers or Senior NCO’s were in charge of each group. The convoy journey was timed to take eight hours, starting at 10:00 hours, travelling at 15mph and at 30 vehicles to the mile, with a halt near PORT TALBOT for a 45 minute lunch break.
Lt Bruce was to start 15 minutes before the convoy departed and mark the route.
A second, smaller, convoy was to depart at 14:30 hours under the command of Sgt Rutter and would doubtless remove the route markers laid by Lt Bruce, as the final vehicle was an HQ stores truck.
The second appendix set out the timings and arrangements for the two trains, including guarding the stores and luggage overnight.
Appendix H – 11th DLI Training Instruction No 1 1942
All Officers were required to read the Brigade Training Instruction No 1.
Mountain Warfare Training was to take precedence over all other forms of training, while at the same time the Battalion was expected to be efficient in functioning on a Motor Transport basis in flat or semi-mountainous country. The target date was the end of April for completing Mountain Warfare Training and this appendix was focused on that period.
The Battalion had practised Piqueting, Camping, advancing and attacking along hilltops while at PONTYPOOL. The CO was congratulatory about the good progress made in such a short time and the keenness, fitness and willingness to overcome minor difficulties which had been demonstrated, though much “polishing” was still to be done.
Over the forthcoming period concentration would be placed on Company and Platoon training, with at least one Battalion exercise each week, and two or three night exercises under Battalion arrangements. A high standard was expected at Platoon level. It was hoped to get each Company away to a hilly area for at least a week – access to which would be assisted by the allocation to the Battalion of a Section of a Troop Carrying Company for one day a week.
Company Commanders were expected to concentrate on the initiative and Fieldcraft of junior leaders to fit them for the inevitable isolated action which was an integral part of Mountain Warfare. This would include training in Piqueting, Consolidation, Patrolling and attacking single features. In addition, the initiative of suitable men was to be developed using 2- and 3-man patrol activity. Mountain fitness needed to be developed with downhill and uphill races included. Night operations would be practised at least one night a week – with each Company able to advance quickly across mountainous country for at least a mile without losing formation.
The change from Iceland required a different approach to the use of cover and ground. Inter-Platoon competitions were envisaged.
A Sergeants’ Course on Tactics was planned and the Battalion Exercises would include:
Moves by Motor Transport.
Operational role.
Night advances and assaults.
Particular attention would be given on all exercises to the dispersion of troops.
Arrangements were set out for qualifying those men who had not so far classified on the rifle. All Officers, Warrant Officers and NCO’s were to fire the Rifle Course, as were the drivers who transported the various parties to the Range at PENALLY.
Appendix I – Standing Orders for Motor Transport movements – issued 24th February 1942.
These Orders applied to any group of more than 10 vehicles.
They covered; speeds, distances between vehicles, density of traffic, halts, control procedures, command arrangements (an Officer or NCO for each five vehicles), provision of fitters, coloured flags for convoys, route-marking, breakdowns, lights, passengers, maps, discipline, embussing and de-bussing, air and ground protection.
An appendix to the Orders set out in detail the formation to be used when the Battalion was travelling in Motor Transport. This type of information is useful in appreciating the support required to move a Battalion and the range of vehicles and specialists employed.
The vehicle groups were; the Advance Guard, R Group, O group, F Group, A2 Group and B Echelon Group, and included an attached Royal Artillery component. The detailed description identified vehicle types and loads as well as protection and communication arrangements.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
