11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary September 1942
It is clear that there was considerable confusion in this particular month’s War Diary in relation to referencing Appendices that were filed with the War Diary and mentioned within it, with one exception, and the text in the War Diary itself. In the interests of clarity the relevant entries have been extended to refer to the confusion and the Appendices themselves have been written up as they were filed at The National Archives.
1st September 1942 KINGTON.
Major R.B. Humphreys assumed command of A Company.
Captain T. Cairns assumed command of HQ Company.
2nd September 1942
Individual training for all Companies. Signals and Mortar personnel were also undergoing training.
3rd September 1942
The Advance Party moved to the new station under Captain Cairns and Lieut G.J. Powell. The instructions for the move were set out on Appendix G attached to the War Diary – for further details see below. (The text of the War Diary mistakenly shows that the information was in Appendix A).
National Day of Prayer. The Battalion took part in the Brigade Church Parade at KINGTON Church at 10:00 hours. The salute at the march-past was taken by Major-General H.O. Curtis, Commander of 49th Division.
2/Lieut J.H. Cleminson reported for duty on being posted from 17th Battalion, DLI.
4th – 5th September 1942
Individual training continued.
6th September 1942
Preparations began for the Western Command Combined Operation Exercise “WETSHOD” with a move due at 05:45 hours on 7th September.
7th – 13th September 1942
Western Command Combined Operation Exercise “WETSHOD”. Details were given on Appendices E and F attached to the War Diary – for further information see below. (The text of the War Diary mistakenly refers to Appendix B only in respect of this exercise).
7th September 1942
Captain Cairns was recalled from the Advance Party and was attached to 49th Division as Camp Commandant. Lieut J.H.P. Hadden was despatched to take over the command of the Advance Party.
9th September 1942
The Advance Party returned to KINGTON by road and rail on cancellation of the Movement Orders.
13th September 1942
The Battalion returned from Exercise “WETSHOD” at approximately 02:00 hours.
14th September 1942
The Battalion held a series of inspections of; administration, weapon cleaning etc. following Exercise “WETSHOD”.
15th September 1942
Treated as a free day.
16th September 1942
Major C.D. Hamilton was appointed second in command of the Battalion vice Major R.G. Murray-Shireff with effect from 4th August 1942.
17th September 1942
A Cadre Course for Junior NCO’s and selected Privates began under the supervision of Major C.D. Hamilton, assisted by Lieuts T.B. Walker, J.M. McNichol and 2/Lieut K.J. Sayce.
Captain W.H. Waistell, Lieut G.M. Dunnell and 2/Lt J.H. Cleminson departed with 8 NCO’s on the 3rd Course at the 49 Division Battle School at PRESTEIGNE.
A Company’s 2” Mortar teams were practising firing High Explosive rounds.
18th September 1942
A lecture on “The Western Desert” was given at Cardiff, attended by Captains Waistell, D.M. Grant, Major C.D. Hamilton, Lieut G.M. Dunnell and 2/Lieuts Cleminson and Notman.
A visit took place by Brigadier Maude, Western Command Inspector of Army Education Corps.
19th – 20th September 1942
A “Tank Circus”, comprising captured enemy tanks and certain British types was held at the Racecourse, HEREFORD.
20th September 1942
49 Division Artillery Exercise “JUNIPER II” took place. Only Battalion HQ and skeleton Company HQs were involved. The exercise involved Artillery Field Firing and was described on Appendices C and D attached to the War Diary – for further details see below. (The War Diary text refers mistakenly only to Appendix C).
22nd September 1942
An Appendix B was attached to the War Diary referring to a Movement Exercise which did not feature in the text of the War Diary. For further details see below.
23rd September 1942
No 2 Platoon was sent to the Western Command Weapon Training School at ALTCAR for the Anti-Aircraft Platoon Course No 42.
24th September 1942
Captain D.M. Grant visited the HIGH ERCALL Aerodrome for a two-day attachment to the RAF.
The General Officer commanding Western Command, Lieut-General E.C.A. Schreiber C.B., D.S.O. visited the Brigade.
25th September 1942
The Commanding Officer attended a 49 Division Training Conference.
27th September 1942
The Commanding Officer held a TEWT on “The Battalion in the Attack”, details of which were set out on Appendix A to the War Diary – for further information see below. (The text of the War Diary mistakenly lists the relevant Appendix as D).
Lieut J.M. McNichol and 2/Lt M.C. Hebbert were attached to VALLEY Aerodrome for two days with the RAF.
Five NCO’s proceeded on a Cadre with 88 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery.
28th – 29th September 1942
Six of the Battalion’s Mortar Carriers took part in an 146th Brigade exercise.
28th September 1942
Captain C.A. Smallwood went to the Craven Arms to attend the Western Command Company Commander’s Course on Driving and Maintenance.
29th September 1942
Lieut J.A. Bruce proceeded to the Small Arms School, NETHERAVON for a course on the 2pdr Anti-Tank Gun.
30th September 1942
The Battalion’s 3” Mortars were firing on the BEACON HILL Field Firing Range.
In the 70th Brigade 7-a-side Rugby tournament the Battalion’s A team lost to 187 Field Ambulance, the B team beat 1st Tyneside Scottish and then lost to 178 Field Regiment.
Throughout the month the weather was changeable and could never be relied on not to pour with rain. Fortunately, however, with the exception of the first night it remained fine throughout Exercise “WETSHOD”.
Appendices attached to the September 1942 11th DLI War Diary.
Appendix A – Commanding Officer’s TEWT – issued 26th September 1942.
This Appendix on the TEWT on “The Battalion in the Attack” ran to three pages – the first setting out the timing for the day and the make-up of the three Syndicates. These were led, respectively, by Lt Col Poett, Major Hamilton and Major Humphreys and included a mixture of Officers and senior NCO’s. (The opportunity was taken to check and update the Battalion names database as the participants were identified by both name and Regimental number).
The second page set out the opening situation for the study, based on an invasion of Europe and the pursuit of the enemy – the intention being to cut off an enemy withdrawal, including a number of tanks, before they can join up with their reserves. The Brigade route of advance has 11th DLI on the right moving from WHITNEY 7268 – MICHAELCHURCH 7072 – HUNTINGDON 7075 – GLADSTRAY 6876.
A detailed Order of March for the Battalion was given. The first narrative indicated that the Advance Guard had come under heavy long-range fire from HENGOED 6973 and PENTREDRAEN 6873 – the Syndicates were asked to identify where the Main Body of the Battalion would be at that stage, and how the Advance Guard would be disposed – for which only five minutes was allowed - and then what plan would be drawn up – for which only fifteen minutes were allowed.
The next page sets out the second narrative, based on Orders from the Battalion Commander that the apparently strong position at HENGOED would have to be attacked by the Battalion as a whole – prior to which the Advance Guard would have to take the line of the river in front of them, and then dislodge the enemy from their position on GREAT GWERN. Utmost speed was urged with the advance being exploited as far as possible towards HENGOED.
Verbal Orders were to be set out for the attack on GREAT GWERN, for which 25 minutes was allowed.
The third narrative indicated the success of the advance to GREAT GWERN but the impossibility of exploiting the success beyond that – some additional enemy positions having been identified at Farm buildings 702741.
Thirty minutes were allowed for the third problem - Syndicates to develop a plan for an attack with full support on HENGOED.
The fourth problem would be discussed on the Group reaching HENGOED Farm. This consisted of a wide-ranging series of questions on:-
The formation of B Company’s Platoons and Sections during the attack (B was part of the Main Body), weapons to be carried and time expected to be taken.
The disposal of the F Group transport during the attack.
The use of the Intelligence Section, Pioneer Platoon and Anti-Aircraft Platoon during the attack.
Getting the Anti-Tank guns forward to the Objective.
Control of the Artillery support during the attack.
Ammunition replenishment during the attack.
Arrangements for evacuating the wounded during the attack.
What would be the impact on the Advance Guard plan to take the river line if the crossing places had been contaminated by gas?
The exercise was due to finish at 16:00 hours.
Appendix B – Movement Exercise – 22nd September 1942.
This is a single sheet Appendix issued on 20th September setting out the detailed arrangements for an exercise involving the Battalion’s transport intended to reinforce the instructions on such matters as; vehicle speed, spacing between vehicles and groups, markings, identification, road discipline, cleaning, loading, maintenance and protection – especially from air attack.
It is clear from the text of the instructions that there was some doubt as to whether the exercise would actually take place – particularly as to the availability of aircraft (presumably to simulate attacks on the convoy) would be uncertain. As the exercise appeared not to be mentioned within the War Diary it appears that it did not go ahead.
Appendix C – 49 Division Exercise “JUNIPER II” – Opening situation.
This was basically an Artillery exercise and was postulated on an Airborne German Division having carried out an assault aimed at capturing one of the Bristol Channel Ports – an initiative which had failed. The attacking force had withdrawn North from SWANSEA and had concentrated on the high moors North of LLANTRYWD WELLS to either be re-embarked or await further invasion efforts.
The withdrawal is covered by a strong rearguard and the force is moving from SWANSEA – SENNYBRIDGE – CYNALA – LLANTRYWD WELLS.
49 Division, less 146 Brigade Group, is in Camp at 30 minutes’ notice to move, with the Divisional Artillery at SENNYBRIDGE where they have been conducting an exercise.
The enemy force was understood to be near PONTADARWE heading North at 24:00 hours on 17th September and the Division was ordered to intercept it at SENNYBRIDGE through which it was expected to try and move. The Divisional Commander ordered the two Brigades to concentrate at BRECON where, from intelligence gleaned from the Royal Artillery at SENNYBRIDGE, it was learned that the force had bypassed the town and were making their way North to TRECASTLE, tired and disordered, last having been seen moving over the spur of GAREG BWYD 3053.
The Division was ordered in pursuit and, having collected their Artillery at SENNYBRIDGE, to catch up with the enemy and bring them to bay, attacking immediately.
As a result of these movements, at 08:00 on 20th September 70th Brigade – with 178 Field Regiment and one Company of 2nd Kensingtons in support – had moved forward from SENNYBRIDGE. The Advance Guard had captured WORM HILL but had sustained severe losses and could not make further progress.
The Advance Guard “O” Group has assembled to receive orders for an attack on TURF RIDGE, while the Main Body of the Brigade was on the road between SENNYBRIDGE and LLYWEL, with 143rd Field Regiment in support.
The exercise was due to begin with the issue of orders to the Advance Guard.
Appendix D – Exercise “JUNIPER II” – General instructions – issued 17th September 1942.
The aim of the exercise – due to take place on 20th September – was to make the application of Artillery fire on unforeseen targets quicker and more flexible as a result of closer co-operation between Artillery and Infantry and to practice the use of the No 18 Radio Set between forward Infantry and forward Artillery observers.
Those taking part were as follows:-
Battalion HQ – CO, 2 i/c, Adjutant, Intelligence Section, Signals Sergeant, two No 18 Radio Sets, RSM, runner, Police, two Despatch Riders, Anti-Aircraft Section.
From each Company HQ – Company Commander, Signallers with No 18 Set, CSM, runner.
Haversack rations were to be taken.
The sequence of the exercise would resemble the earlier “JUNIPER” exercise.
The only targets were already on the Artillery ranges and this was a live firing exercise so safety precautions, vehicle safe routes and so on were given particular attention in the instructions. All communications would be by wireless and no cable was to be laid.
Appendix E – Exercise “WETSHOD” – General instructions – issued 6th September 1942.
This set of instructions was to be read in conjunction with the Western Command instructions for this major exercise which had already been issued – although these are not filed within the 11th DLI War Diary.
The Battalion was tasked with acting as enemy for the exercise and would be transported to the Concentration Area by Troop-Carrying Transport (buses) provided by No 55 Troop Carrying Company RASC.
As gas was likely to feature within the exercise, respirators were to be worn at the “alert” with gas capes rolled and ready for instant deployment.
A repair party to deal with any damage caused by the exercise was to be designated – most likely from the Pioneer Platoon – and would be treated as neutral troops.
A warning was included that anyone contravening the instructions on Restriction of Purchases would be placed under close arrest. These instructions were apparently issued on 4th September but were not filed with the War Diary so we cannot be certain as to what this refers.
For air recognition purposes troops would carry celanese triangles and would be familiar with their use (this has echoes of arrangements made for advancing troops during World War One when tinplate triangles were sewn onto packs to demonstrate the positions troops had reached to reconnaissance aircraft).
Particular attention was drawn to sanitation arrangements and those for water supply – where water carts were to be the main source.
Blank ammunition was to be issued with the usual scale of live ammunition being held sealed ready for genuine emergencies.
Appendix F – Exercise “WETSHOD” – March Table.
This two-page document set out the details of the vehicles to be utilised and their order.
Traffic control, routes and timings were described as were the arrangements for guides and Anti-Aircraft protection. Overall there were ten groups of vehicles, culminating in those forming B Echelon.
Appendix G – Move of Advance Party to new location – issued 3rd September 1942.
These instructions covered the arrangements for the transport of a small Advance Party from KINGTON to NORTHWICH, by a combination of road (one three-tonner and one 30cwt with Lance-Sergeant Perkins and seven Pioneers) and rail – Cpl Nicholson and six pioneers accompanied by one Cook, one Signaller, L/Cpl Nelson (sanitary duties) and two men from each Rifle Company.
Arrangements were made for rations and pay, and personnel were to take full kit, equipment and bedding.
As indicated above, the move was cancelled and the men withdrawn to KINGTON.
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