11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary October 1942
1st October 1942 KINGTON.
The Battalion attended a showing of training Films at the Cinema in KINGTON.
3rd October 1942
Captain P.A. Johnson was attached to the RAF at WOODVALE Aerodrome for three days.
4th October 1942
A lecture on Signals Procedure was given to all Officers and Platoon Commanders.
5th October 1942
The Commanding Officer (Lt Col Poett) attended a Weapon Training Refresher Course at the Western Command Weapon Training School.
Captain Johnson returned from his RAF attachment.
Five Other Rank volunteers for the Glider Pilot Regiment were interviewed at BIRMINGHAM.
6th October 1942
A lecture on Motor Transport was given at ZETLAND Camp. Two Officers and 65 Other Ranks attended.
7th October 1942
A lecture on “Russia” was given by a Mr Bilson.
A lecture on “Evasion of Capture” was given in KINGTON Cinema at which 50 Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior NCO’s attended. (Other War Diaries have mentioned the “restricted” nature of lectures on this particular topic – hence the more senior nature of the audience).
10th October 1942
2/Lieut Wheatcroft (Intelligence Corps) concluded his attachment to the Battalion.
All Officers and Platoon Commanders attended a lecture by the Quartermaster on “Taking over Billets”.
11th October 1942
Major C.D. Hamilton attended the Street Fighting School in London, in preparation for starting such a School for the Division.
12th October 1942
Captain Sir P. Norton-Griffiths was attached to the Battalion for a two-month spell of Infantry Training.
Battalion Training Instruction No 2 was issued and a copy attached to the War Diary as Appendix A – for further details see below.
13th October 1942
Captain J. Brewis returned to the Battalion after a tour of duty as an Instructor at the Divisional Battle School at PRESTEIGNE.
15th October 1942
The G.o.C., Major-General H.O. Curtis, visited the Battalion.
2/Lieut Toupe joined the Battalion on posting from O.C.T.U.
A Demonstration Platoon from D Company under 2/Lieut Stephenson left for the Western Command Weapon Training School at ALTCAR.
16th October 1942
The Commanding Officer attended the G.H.Q. School of Infantry for one week.
17th October 1942
Major C.D. Hamilton returned from the London Street Fighting School.
20th October 1942
A visit was made by the Divisional Camouflage Officer to discuss camouflage training.
26th October 1942
The Commanding Officer attended a Divisional discussion on Artillery.
29th October 1942
Preparations were made for Exercise “SPREAD” – the move to Winter billets.
31st October 1942
The Advance Party – Major Humphreys and 50 men – left by Motor Transport for DALTON-IN-FURNESS.
The Administrative Instruction for the move was issued and a copy attached to the War Diary as Appendix B – for details see below.
The Movement Orders were also issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix C – for details see below.
Weather was very cold and wet during October but this was not allowed to interfere with training. Drying tents with braziers were organised and, despite unpleasant conditions, the Battalion kept amazingly fit.
Lieut Walker ran a Cadre in Weapon Training for junior NCO’s and selected Privates. This went on throughout October and results were of a very high standard.
The Anti-Aircraft Platoon under Sgt Hurst went on a Course to ALTCAR and was well reported on for its performance there.
Training of the Anti-Tank Platoon started under Lieut Dunnell. The men are enthusiastic and great progress has been made. (Although not specifically referred to in the War Diary, this may have been the time when the Battalion was first issued with its own Anti-Tank Guns – the 2pdr in the first instance – (to replace the Boys Anti-Tank Rifle) and thus form the Platoon to man them).
The Battalion Library and Information Tent has been extensively used and has been invaluable for both training and recreational purposes. (See below for references to Education in the Training Instruction).
Appendices attached to the 11th DLI October 1942 War Diary.
Appendix A – Battalion Training Instruction No 2.
This three-page document covered a range of topics. The introduction pointed out that recent collective training, and in particular Exercise “WETSHOD”, had highlighted deficiencies in both individual and Battle Training – and that correction of the shortfalls was a matter of urgency if high casualties were to be avoided when the Battalion went overseas.
Officers – it had become clear that the knowledge of other arms was below the required standard and every Officer was instructed to create a loose-leaf folder for himself in which to store notes from lectures and TEWTs etc. Questions would be asked during exercises on the organisation and employment of, for example, Army Tank Battalions, Field and Anti-Tank Artillery and Field Companies – Royal Engineers.
Officers were instructed to read immediately several key Training Publications – including; the Infantry Division in Attack, Advance and Defence and the crossing of water obstacles. Company Commanders were required to be able to certify that all these pamphlets had been read by mid-November 1942. Future pamphlet issues which were required reading would be so identified in Orders, and Officers were required to have read them within ten days of issue. Books on tactical developments had been acquired and were also expected to be studied.
Weapon Training – the regular 09:00 hours Parade was seen as insufficiently lively and the use of this time in enhancing ability in handling and maintaining weapons was stressed – academic knowledge of weapon taxonomy and explosives types was seen to have a lower priority than practical familiarity. The Parade was to be divided into two twenty minute periods covering: all Battalion weapons, Bayonet fighting, anti-Gas training and Grenades. Occasionally, Tests of Elementary Training would be held.
Special attention was required to be given to Small Arms Training Volume 1 Pamphlet 1 regarding exercising the trained soldier and developing the desire to excel with his weapons.
Bayonet fighting skill was seen as an essential attribute of the fighting soldier and required at least three 20 minute periods each week.
Training classes were limited to a maximum of ten men with NCO’s that were good at such training – if necessary by passing Sections through a particular instructor. Weapon Training Programmes were to be drawn up at least two weeks in advance and clearly linked to the training pamphlets – encouraging sound preparation and the availability of relevant aids and equipment.
Re-classifications were to be carried out as per Instruction No 1. Scores were to be entered in each man’s Paybook – AB64 – and Company Commanders were reminded that grouping practice formed a key part of range work. Men were not to proceed to more advanced handling of weapons until that stage had been satisfactorily completed.
Anti-Gas Training – Lt McNichol was currently on a Chemical Warfare Course and, on his return to the Battalion, would establish an Anti-Gas “Circus” which would visit each Company’s 09:00 Parade and assist in Anti-Gas Training. Four periods of training were involved and this was to be completed by all Companies before 1st December 1942.
Aircraft recognition – this was to be regularly included in Education periods and when any aircraft was seen a Section Commander would ask one man to identify it.
Physical Training – in addition to early morning PT Parades all men would be put through a PT Test – using the “Purposeful PT” manual – by the end of November and a return compiled of men who had passed the text by that date and any outstanding difficulties. All men were to be taught at least one unarmed combat throw and a certificate returned to that effect by mid-November 1942. Every Thursday afternoon there would either be a Cross Country Run of 2 ½ miles or a Cross Country Trek of six miles – in boots. No exemptions!
Organised games – each Company was to allot one afternoon per week to ensure that each man had the opportunity to take part in organised games. This was not aimed at inter-Company competition, which would occur separately.
Education – this was given considerable attention at the three broad topic areas of:-
The Man as a Soldier (Major Humphreys and Lt Sopwith).
The Man as a Civilian (Captain Lang and Lt Walker).
The Man as an Individual (Captain Grant, Lt Bruce and Lt Carr)
were each allotted time within the 14:00 to 15:00 Parade on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, in addition to the Army Bureau of Current Affairs discussions which were to be held by Platoons. All Officers were to be familiar with the ABCA booklets.
Evening lectures and a “Brains Trust” were to be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 18:15 to 19:15 hours - to be organised by Lieut Rodham and 2/Lt D.F. Stephenson, including the selection of lecturers.
As soon as possible after the arrival in Winter Billets Captain Grant was to organise a Hobbies Room, assisted by Lieut Bruce and 2/Lt Carr and Captain Johnstone was to instigate a drama class.
Drill – a high standard was expected and guard mounting was seen as an excellent opportunity to reinforce the expectations of smartness. RSM’s or Adjutant’s Parades would be held each Saturday at 07:45 hours.
Cleaning – one half hour each afternoon was to be set aside for repair and cleaning of equipment.
HQ Company – further instructions were to be issued regarding the training of this sub-unit.
Appendix B – Administrative Instruction No 1 – issued 31st October 1942.
This Appendix dealt with the detailed arrangements for moving location with several groups of men travelling by a variety of means but with the usual requirements for handing over stores and accommodation and tentage. Separate information was to be given as regards the March Table, routes and timings.
The Battalion’s Bren Carriers were to travel on two separate trains and the main body of the men were to travel in troop carrying lorries. Arrangements were made for several days’ rations to be taken and for the men to be paid subsistence allowances to cover the journey.
Appendix C – Exercise “SPREAD” – issued 31st October 1942.
This was the remaining document concerning the arrangements for the move to DALTON-IN-FURNESS and set out the timings of the move. In view of the distance and the normal road discipline, the convoy was to overnight en route at PRESTON. Baggage, stores and reserve ammunition were to travel by train – the baggage being under the charge of Lt McNichol. The G1098 scale of ammunition would be taken in the troop carrying lorries with all Bren Guns having four full magazines each, for anti-aircraft protection.
The convoy would be under the command of Major C.A. Smallwood and its composition was set out on the sheet. The total convoy contained 19 15cwt trucks, 8 30cwt trucks, 9 3-ton lorries and 6 Pick-up trucks.
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