1st Tyneside Scottish August 1942
3rd August 1942 KINGTON.
A period of individual training commenced, in accordance with the weekly Training Programme – attached to the War Diary as Appendix 1 – for details see below.
4th August 1942
Brigadier P. Paulet King, commanding 70th Infantry Brigade Group, visited the Camp at 14:00 hours.
7th August 1942
At 14:00 hours 200 men from the Battalion attended a film show at KINGTON Cinema – the films included “Next of Kin”, “Shoot to Kill” and “Recce Patrol – Night”.
9th August 1942
The Battalion acted as “enemy” in an exercise against the Hereford Home Guard which began at 08:15 hours. The objective of the exercise was to test the defence scheme of MADLEY Aerodrome.
At 16:00 hours the Battalion Sports Meeting was held. The Challenge Cup was won by HQ Company.
10th August 1942
At 09:00 hours Lt Col Haig of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders interviewed candidates for the Scottish Parachute Battalion.
Individual training continued in accordance with the Training Programme – a copy of which was attached to the War Diary as Appendix 2 – for details see below.
12th August 1942
Major R.H.C. Drummond-Wolff assumed command of the Battalion in the absence of Lt Col Oxley on leave.
Divisional Exercise “MONTE CARLO”. The Battalion transport was inspected prior to the convoy run.
13th August 1942
Divisional Exercise “MONTE CARLO” convoy run and further inspection. The Battalion was placed 19th in the competition rankings.
15th August 1942
Major Drummond-Wolff inspected the Camp at 10:00 hours.
17th August 1942
At 08:30 hours individual training continued in accordance with the Training Programme – a copy of which was attached to the War Diary as Appendix 3 – for details see below.
22nd August 1942
Lt Col C.W. Oxley resumed command of the Battalion on his return from leave.
The Battalion “O” Group went on a reconnaissance for Exercise “HOTSPUR”.
23rd August 1942
Divisional Exercise “HOTSPUR” commenced – the object of the exercise being to practise taking up defensive positions (digging, wiring etc) and semi-protracted defence.
25th August 1942
Divisional Exercise “HOTSPUR” ended.
Anti-Tank Mines were laid by the Battalion for the first time.
At 17:15 hours a conference on Exercise “HOTSPUR” was held at Divisional HQ.
26th August 1942
The Officers attended a Field Firing demonstration by the Royal Artillery at SENNYBRIDGE.
27th August 1942
Divisional Field Firing Exercise “JUNIPER” commenced at SENNYBRIDGE. The Battalion “O” Group preceded the Battalion to make a reconnaissance – the Battalion itself being brought out later.
28th August 1942
General Sir James H. Marshall-Cornwall K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. visited the Battalion during the exercise.
29th August 1942
Divisional Exercise “JUNIPER” ended.
31st August 1942
Training continued in accordance with the Programme attached to the War Diary as Appendix 4 – for further details see below.
Appendices attached to the August 1942 War Diary for the 1st Tyneside Scottish.
Appendix 1 – Training Programme for week ending 8th August 1942 – issued 31st July 1942.
This edition of the Training Programme ran to a much more detailed four pages listing the activities being undertaken by each sub-unit within the Battalion. The subjects were varied and included; range work, digging, stalking, wiring, weapon training, map reading, distance judging, camouflage, boat drill, field engineering, assault course, concealment, medical inspection and first aid, PT, a Snipers’ Course, and specialist training for each of the HQ Company sub-units.
Appendix 2 – Training Programme for the week ending 15th August 1942 – issued 7th August 1942.
This Training Programme followed the same format as the previous week and included a significant amount of weapon training, together with; range work, digging revetting and wiring, fieldcraft, wood-clearing, concealment and camouflage, stalking, field engineering, assault course, lecture on night work, individual Battle Drill, first aid, floating equipment, night patrols as well as the usual inspections and Drill Parades. For the Medical Section (stretcher-bearers) time was also allocated for Drum and Pipe practice as they formed the Band when not in action.
Appendix 3 – Training Programme for the week ending 22nd August 1942 – issued 14th August 1942.
The topics were much the same as for previous weeks although the Carrier Platoon was practising Fog Driving and Battle formations while the Anti-Aircraft Platoon were learning the Motley Mounting and the 100 round magazine.
Appendix 4 – Training Programme for the week ending 5th September 1942 – issued 27th August 1942.
The timings included the various exercises in which the Battalion was involved and some time spent on; gas drill, the Platoon in hasty defence and Counter-Attack and the No 38 Wireless Set.
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