11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary February 1944
1st – 5th February 1944 THETFORD.
This week was spent in moving from Southwold to THETFORD and in settling down in the new location. Time was take up chiefly in cleaning billets, making paths and sign-posting the Camp.
7th February 1944
The Company inter-Platoon attack, digging and stand-to competitions were held.
C Company was engaged in Platoon river-crossing schemes.
The RSM’s General Duties Cadre for NCO’s began.
8th February 1944
A Battalion HQ Movement Exercise was held to practise the drill of reconnoitring and moving to a new area quickly both embussed and on foot.
9th February 1944
The Pioneer Platoon gave demonstrations to Companies of minefield breaching.
10th February 1944
B Company gave a demonstration of a night fighting patrol.
The Pioneer Platoon practised the use of Class 5 bridging equipment.
14th February 1944
Platoon training continued.
The third NCO’s General Duties Cadre began under the instruction of Lt J.C. Browne.
15th February 1944
The Brigade was visited by General Montgomery.
The Brigade Group was drawn up on three sides of a square in Shadwell Park at 08:20 hours. At 09:30 hours the Commander in Chief arrived together with other Senior Officers and an official photographer. After Commanding Officers had been introduced by the Brigade Commander the Commander in Chief walked through the ranks, stopping every few yards so that the troops could see him well. He then stood on the bonnet of a Jeep and spoke for about ten minutes to the troops who were clustering round him.
In the afternoon there was a show of training films.
16th February 1944
A Battalion HQ Signals Exercise was held.
Training films were run for C and D Companies.
19th February 1944
Battalion HQ left for Exercise “PONTOON”. This was the skeleton river crossing exercise beginning from a bridgehead position on the Norfolk coast near CROMER and advancing inland towards THETFORD. The exercise ended on Monday 21st February after the final consolidation was complete.
21st February 1944
The Pioneer Platoon left for WALBERSWICK where, in conjunction with the 757 Field Company Royal Engineers, they practised construction of the Bailey Bridge.
The Brigade Anti-Tank concentration began.
22nd February 1944
The Battalion’s Anti-Tank Platoon were shooting on the HORSEY Range.
Training films were shown to the Rifle Companies.
23rd February 1944
C Company held an inter-Section competition on the GARBOLDISHAM Range.
24th February 1944
The Officers held a Slidex Code Wireless Battle, based on the Exercise “PONTOON” river crossing.
25th February 1944
A Battalion skeleton exercise “FLEXIBLE” was held to practise rapid moves of the Battalion from one concentration area to another.
The Mines “Circus” visited the Battalion.
26th February 1944
The inter-Company Drill Competition was held. This consisted of foot drill, arms drill and a march past. The competition was won by S Company with C Company as runners-up.
28th February 1944
The Brigade Snipers’ Course began. The Battalion sent eight picked men and provided Lts Johnson and Bansall as Instructors.
The final General Duties Cadre for NCO’s began.
29th February 1944
D Company held an inter-Section firing competition at the GARBOLDISHAM Range – this was visited by the Divisional Commander.
B Company were carrying out a river crossing exercise set by the 2 i/c.
Appendices attached to the February 1944 11th DLI War Diary.
Field returns
The Return of Other Ranks for the week ending 19th February showed an establishment of 967 men with a current strength of 855 – leaving a shortfall of 112 men. Five men, all in hospital, were listed for requested return to the Battalion as soon as possible. The names database was checked to ensure that these were all included. Only two were, so the others were added to the list for further investigation at Durham County Record Office.
The Return of Officers for the week ending 19th February showed that the Battalion was carrying six Officers in excess of War Establishment. This was explained on the detailed listing as those six were listed, largely as First Reinforcements, as follows:-
Captain R.T. Cooper.
Lt Kellett.
Lt J.F. Sanderson.
2/Lt Thompson.
2/Lt Phillips.
In addition the Chaplain, Captain (Rev) R.W. Craig, who was attached to the Battalion, was treated as being over the War Establishment.
The Return also shows the return to the Battalion of Lieut I.G. Sopwith from his tour of duty at the Highland Fieldcraft Training Centre.
The listing also shows Captain Goldman of the RAMC, listed as the Medical Officer to the Battalion, being attached to 147 Field Regiment (Essex Yeomanry) pending posting. He is shown as having been taken on the Battalion strength as from 28th April 1943 but this is the first time that he has been identified in the War Diary. He was therefore added to the names database.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
