11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary February 1943
1st February 1943 VELINDRE.
The re-organisation of the Battalion on the proposed new three-Company organisation was completed. D Company was disbanded. Captain D.M. Grant was transferred to the command of the Anti-Tank Platoon. Captain K.C. Johnstone was appointed to command Support Company.
2nd February 1943
Battalion Skeleton Exercise No 1 was held 2nd-3rd February. The description of the exercise is set out on Appendix A attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
The Anti-Tank Circus from 88 Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery visited the Battalion .
3rd February 1943
The Battalion received four War Dogs from the War Dogs Training School for use in Patrol and Liaison Duties.
4th February 1943
The Brigade Commander gave a lecture to all Officers and Anti-Tank Platoon Sergeants of the Brigade on Anti-Tank tactics.
7th February 1943
Lt H. Waggott reported to the Draft Assembly Centre for overseas service.
8th February 1943
A draft of 12 Other Ranks reported for duty from 70th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.
9th February 1943
A Divisional Signals Exercise “FANTOME” took place from 9th to 11th February. The details were set out on Appendix B attached to the War Diary – see below for further information.
10th February 1943
A draft of 18 Other Ranks reported for duty from the 70th Battalion of the Kings’ Regiment.
An ENSA Concert Party gave a show for the Battalion.
11th – 12th February 1943
The Anti-Tank Platoon carried out full-calibre firing at the Royal Artillery Practice Camp at SENNYBRIDGE with satisfactory results.
13th February 1943
Lt D.F. Stephenson and Pte Chilton took part in the Divisional Individual Boxing Championship at Bradbury Barracks, HEREFORD.
14th February 1943
The CO took part as an Umpire, and the Intelligence Officer and the Intelligence Section took part as “enemy”, in the Divisional Exercise “FILL-DYKE” – a Bridging Exercise.
A draft of 12 Other Ranks joined the Battalion from 70th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Battalion Training Instruction No 4 was issued and a copy attached to the War Diary as Appendix C – for details see below.
15th February 1943
Thirty men from each Company attended a Demonstration of Battle Practice by No 4 Commando at MYNDD PRESTELLY.
16th February 1943
Lieut J.B. Nicholson was posted back to the Battalion from 70th Brigade HQ and was appointed Carrier Officer.
17th February 1943
A draft of 36 Other Ranks were posted to the Battalion from 70th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.
17th – 18th February 1943
Range Practices were carried out by Companies on the PENALLY Ranges.
18th February 1943
Captain K.C. Johnstone was posted to the G.H.Q. School of Infantry as an Instructor on the Carrier Wing.
19th February 1943
Captain T.B. Walker proceeded on a Course at the Army School of Radio, PETERSHAM, with a view to transfer to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
20th February 1943
The rest of the month was spent in preparation for G.H.Q. Exercise “SPARTAN”. The Battalion formed part of II Corps, part of the “German” force.
Preliminary inspections of kit, Motor Transport etc took place ready for “SPARTAN”. Information was set out on Appendix D attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
21st February 1943
Organisation for “SPARTAN”. Information was set out on Appendix E attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
22nd February 1943
A Battalion Motor Transport Night Movement Exercise was carried out overnight on 22nd/23rd February – described on Appendix F attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
24th February 1943
Lieut D.F. Stephenson took part in the Western Command Boxing Championship at CHESTER and won the Officers’ Welterweight Class.
26th February 1943
The Advance Party for Exercise “SPARTAN”, under the command of Captain D.M. Grant left for the Concentration Area at HIGH WYCOMBE. Information was set out on Appendix G attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
27th – 28th February 1943
The Battalion moved by road to HIGH WYCOMBE for Exercise “SPARTAN”, bivouacking overnight 27th/28th February in the area of CODDINGTON, near LEDBURY.
The Battalion arrived at HIGH WYCOMBE on the evening of 28th February, all transport having completed the 200-mile journey without mishap and all preparations for “SPARTAN” having been completed. The March Table for this move is attached to the War Diary as Appendix H – for details see below.
Appendices attached to the February 1943 11th DLI War Diary.
Appendix A – Battalion Skeleton Exercise No 1 – issued 1st February 1943.
The exercise was planned to take place between 22:00 hours on 2nd February and 16:00 hours on 3rd February.
The objectives were:-
To practice the handling of the new Battalion in the Encounter Battle.
To perfect the communications within the Battalion.
To improve the standard of Motor Transport movement.
The troops taking part were:-
Battalion HQ – Clerks, Intelligence Section, Regimental Police, Medical Officer and Stretcher Bearers, Signals Platoon, RSM.
Support Company – Company HQ, Carrier Platoon, 4 detachments of the Mortar Platoon.
A, B and C Rifle Companies – Company Commanders, CQMS, Company Orderly and Company transport.
Admin. Platoon – Transport staff, Cooks, RQMS.
Troop Carrying Lorries – Two per Rifle Company for parking drill only.
Major C.D. Hamilton was to act as Director, supported by 10 Umpires.
Provision was made for a hot breakfast before departure, haversack lunch and a hot meal on return to Camp. Radios - No 38 sets - were allocated to each sub-unit.
The exercise narrative postulated an Expeditionary Force having landed at FISHGUARD and pushing inland to seize key objectives. The Battalion was acting as 70th Brigade’s Advance Guard and was given route details and orders to move at 22:00 hours and harbour in several identified concealment areas.
The attached March Table ordered that, in addition to the normal arrangements for routes, marking of vehicles, lights and flags, density and speed, the vehicles would reach the Dispersal Point at DINAS 4661 and then move to the concealment areas. These would have been prepared by the three Reconnaissance Parties – who would be leaving Camp an hour before the Convoy. Arrangements were also made for a member of the Intelligence Section to ride as a passenger in a 15cwt truck, following the convoy, and collecting the markers and signs.
The Jeeps in the convoy were to be employed in Traffic Control duties. The March Table – attached as an additional sheet – gave considerable detail of the various groups of vehicles and the duties they were carrying out.
Appendix B – Divisional Exercise “FANTOME” – issued 8th February 1943.
The exercise was designed to:-
Exercise Commanders and their Staffs in handling of units in the use of their signals systems in advance, attack and river crossing.
Test the organisation of communications.
The troops to take part were set out on the March Table – see below. They were due to report to ABERGAVENNY by 19:00 hours on 9th February.
The Signals Officer with the Signals truck was to report to the Brigade Staff Captain at a crossroads near LLANDILO at 10:00 hours to reconnoitre the Battalion Concentration Area – in order to do this he would have to leave Camp at 08:30 hours. (The journey is just under 50 miles).
The exercise was due to end on the line of the River WYE near WHITNEY at around 17:00 hours on 11th February.
Rations were to be taken to cover the duration of the exercise and Conferences were arranged after its conclusion to discuss the results.
The March Table set out the route, which was VELINDRE – Road Junction 872433 – LLANDILO – LLANDOVERY – BRECON – CRICKHOWELL – GILWERN 6635 – LLANFOIST 7334.
The Battalion and Brigade Start Points were given. The men and vehicles taking part were as follows:
CO, Adjutant, Batman and Signaller in the CO’s car.
Motorcycle Despatch Rider from the Intelligence Section.
Carrier personnel in the CO’s Carrier.
Signals Officer and personnel in the 15cwt Signals truck (travelling independently).
Intelligence Section in their 15cwt truck.
Two Clerks and the Adjutant’s batman in the 15cwt Office truck.
Two Regimental Police in their 15cwt truck.
Cooks and rations in a 15cwt truck with a petrol cooker.
M.T. fitter in a 30cwt truck, with 250 gallons of petrol – presumably in the Petrol trailer.
RSM in a Jeep.
Appendix C – Training Instruction No 4 – issued 14th February 1943.
This latest document in the series ran to three closely typed pages and covered a wide range of topics as follows:-
The introduction stressed that this was the Battalion’s final phase of training for War and that effort was required to “polish” the previous year’s achievements.
Alertness and morale – no sliding in standards, even in active service conditions, was to be contemplated and the importance of personal confidence and commitment was stressed. A lack of discipline would lead to casualties so attention was to continue to be given to; smartness in dress, shaving and personal cleanliness and alertness in giving and receiving Orders.
The offensive spirit – this must be maintained, including the use of infiltration techniques when main advances were stalled or when enemy attention was drawn elsewhere.
Maintenance of contact – by forward units to ensure that the enemy’s movements were automatically monitored without waiting for orders.
Identifications – forward units were to ensure that such intelligence continued to be sought to help build up the picture of enemy dispositions.
Anti-Aircraft protection – the key being offensive action.
Battle discipline – a term used to describe the attention during battle to the details taught during elementary training including:-
Every man knowing his “Alarm” position at each halt.
Road clearance when a halt was ordered.
The posting of air, ground and gas sentries, and properly prepared traffic control sentries during movements.
Attention to camouflage.
Use of ground, avoiding skylines.
Proper issue of Fire Orders by Section Commanders and a concentration on Fire Discipline.
Motor Transport maintenance.
Cleaning and maintenance of weapons and equipment.
Food and water discipline.
A good Battalion was judged on its attention to these points even at the end of an exhausting operation.
Night discipline – this covered Evening Stand-To, rest, the posting of sentries, dress (boots and equipment on, weapon immediately available – time to be taken during day halts to look after the feet and the comfort of boots), smoking - not after evening stand-to or before morning stand-to unless inside buildings.
Hygiene – personal cleanliness stressed including foot inspections and foot care, hygiene discipline – latrine siting, paper issue, water discipline and food storage all requiring attention. The importance to the Battalion of personal fitness and health was crucial – the “care and maintenance” of the individual man was everyone’s responsibility.
Prisoners – all men should fight to the last man and last round – only the severely wounded should find themselves being taken prisoner and should maintain silence on operational matters. Maps, notes etc. should not be taken into the front line.
Man management – all the above points were a part of emphasising the importance of this factor – proper rest, decent food, and the maintenance of morale by smartness and alertness. Company Commanders should be actively supported by their Officers and the CSM to ensure that they remained fresh and alert – including arrangements for proper rest and sleep.
Conclusion – stressed the importance of realism in training.
Appendix D – Preliminary notes on Exercise “SPARTAN” – issued 20th February 1943.
This three page document set out the detailed arrangements for the preliminary inspection of the Battalion – who of course were tasked as “ENEMY FORCES” for the purpose of this major Exercise.
All Ranks were to be dressed and equipped as for the Exercise and all vehicles appropriately loaded and packed. In the detailed vehicle listing it was mentioned – for the first time in the War Diary documentation – that the Anti-Tank Platoon were using Portees – which clearly indicated that they were armed with 2pdr Anti-Tank Guns. However – note the information on the next Appendix below.
Timings were given for the various sub-unit inspections – and who was to carry them out. The particular points to which attention was to be addressed were; the presence of Forage Caps (the distinguishing headdress of “enemy” troops in exercises), gaiters, both pairs of boots and spare socks. In the case of the vehicle inspections the loading was to be checked, as was the presence of camouflage netting – particularly for Carriers, Mortars and Anti-Tank vehicles – and the turnout of the drivers.
The next sheet of this Appendix described the allocation of loads as between the various 15cwt trucks in the differing parts of the convoy, including kit, ammunition and tools. A loading trial for the ammunition supply was to be carried out on the Sunday, so the figures given on this sheet for the quantities and types, and the vehicles in which the ammunition would be transported were initially experimental. No live ammunition was being carried on the man during this exercise.
The Pioneer Platoon were tasked with carrying all rope held in stores to ensure that water crossings could be managed as quickly as possible.
Companies were expected to plan to be independent of their Cooks’ trucks for the exercise as they would be subject to a variety of uses during the period of the exercise.
Appendix E – Exercise “SPARTAN” – further preliminary information – issued 21st February 1943.
This was issued as a further Appendix with variations to the vehicle complement of the Battalion. A deficiency in Motorcycles was anticipated and also Pick-up trucks would have to be used as a substitute for some Jeeps. The Cooks expected to travel in their own lorry would have to be distributed amongst Rifle Company Cooks’ vehicles.
In several detailed sheets allocating men to particular vehicles the Anti-Tank Platoon was now described as using 6pdr Anti-Tank Guns, towed by Loyd Carriers, rather than the Portees (implying 2pdr guns) listed in the Appendix above on the previous day. This will require clarification in due course.
Appendix F – Motor Transport Exercise – Night Movement – issued 21st February 1943.
This exercise, due to take place from 21:00 hours on 21st February to 10:00 hours 23rd February, was intended to:-
Practice night driving.
Practice Group Leaders in night map-reading.
Improve the system of re-grouping vehicles at night.
The exercise was to be directed by Lieut C. Rodham, supported by a group of nine Umpires – the Officer members of which would take up their designated duties on arrival at the concealment areas.
Lieut W.L. Carr would act as the Start Point Officer. All unit vehicles, including Portees and Motorcycles, were to take part, with all Drivers and Despatch Riders participating together with the CSM’s and CQMS’s of each of the five Companies.
Appendix G – Orders for the Advance Party for Exercise “SPARTAN”.
This Appendix listed the constituent members of the Advance Party – lead by Captain D.M. Grant and including men from each Company and Specialist Platoon – sixteen in total.
The Party were to take with them all their kit for the forthcoming exercise and were to leave Camp at 06:00 hours on 26th February and arrive at HASLEMERE Camp no later than 17:00 hours – Captain Grant to report to Brigade Staff Captain on arrival.
The Party would be allocated a 15cwt and a 30cwt truck and there would be two other vehicles accompanying them – one 30cwt for petrol and a 15cwt to carry dummy mines from the Concentration Area. The RSM was to make a supply of signs available for use once the Concentration area had been reached. Captain Grant was to be advised separately of the route.
Arrangements were made for rations.
Appendix H – March Table for Exercise “SPARTAN”.
This two-page Appendix set out the detailed arrangements for the convoy en route to the exercise. The details of speed, vehicle density, route marking, embussing arrangements, flags, signals and signage were all set out.
The route was from the Battalion Start Point at Road junction 873433 – Brigade Start Point – LLANDOVERY – BRECON – CLYRON – WHITNEY – WLLERSLEY – HEREFORD – Dispersal point - Road Junction P 1161. Then Start Point Road Junction P 1858 – TEWKESBURY – ASHCHURCH – STOW ON THE WOLD – CHIPPING NORTON – STANTON ST JOHN – OAKLEY – LONG CRENDON – CUDDINGTON – DINTON – STONE. The first stretch was 76 miles and the second 80 miles. This only covered the first day's travelling - presumably the March Table for day 2 of the exercise would be issued on arrival at the halt.'
There were seven groups of vehicles with 29 separate serials included – several of them single vehicles – and for the first time in a March Table we see the presence of the Padre’s vehicle in the first group – a two-stroke car.
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