1st Tyneside Scottish February 1942
2nd February 1942 LLANELLY.
Privilege leave for the Battalion was started.
6th February 1942
The following extract from Iceland ( C) Force Routine Orders 9/42 dated 20th January 1942 was published in Daily Routine Orders:-
“His Majesty the King has approved the issue of certificates to these Officers and Other Ranks whose gallantry and, exceptionally good service are considered by the G.o.C. worthy of official recognition. The G.o.C. has much pleasure in awarding certificates to the following and also warmly congratulates them –
T/Captain D.C. MacNicol, The Black Watch, attached 70th Infantry Brigade.
2756377 Sgt McKay W.
7th – 8th February 1942
An exercise in the defence of Fairwood Aerodrome was held by the Commander of SWANSEA Garrison. The details of the exercise were set out on Appendix 1 attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
8th February 1942
Major Griffiths of the Australian Army lectured to Officers, Warrant Officers and NCOs of the Battalion on the Campaign in SYRIA with special reference to mountain conditions.
9th February 1942
The Battalion provided Umpires for an exercise being held by 11th DLI in the PONTYPOOL area. For more information see Appendix 2 attached to the War Diary, which is described below.
9th, 10th, 16th, 17th February 1942
Company exercises were held by the second-in-command in the area of PONTARDAULAIS.
15th February 1942
One Officer per Company and one NCO per Platoon proceeded to GLANUSK Camp to attend a short Pack Course with 25th Mule Company, Royal Indian Army Service Corps at LLANGATTOCK Park and to act as an Advance party for the Battalion.
18th February 1942
A further Advance party proceeded to GLANUSK Camp. Details were provided on Appendix 3 attached to the War Diary – for further information see below.
20th February 1942
The Battalion left LLANELLY to relieve 1/5th Welch Regiment at GLANUSK Camp.
23rd February 1942
The Rear Party arrived at GLANUSK from LLANELLY. The Battalion embarked on three weeks’ special training with Pack Transport. Details are included on Appendices 4 and 4a, attached to the War Diary – for more information see below.
25th February 1942
The Brigade Commander visited the Battalion and watched the Pack training.
Appendices attached to the February 1942 War Diary for 1st Tyneside Scottish.
Appendix 1 – Exercise FAIRWOOD Aerodrome – issued 31st January 1942.
This one-page document described the arrangements for testing the defences of FAIRWOOD AERODROME and the Communications of the 15th Glamorgan Home Guard Battalion. The RAF were supported in defending the airfield by; D Company of the Tyneside Scottish, 36 Mobile Detachment, Royal Artillery and the 15th Glamorgan Home Guard Battalion (less those detachments acting as attackers).
The attacking force consisted of; the Mobile Column from 30th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, 4 Platoons of 12th Battalion Glamorgan Home Guard, 2 Platoons of 14th Battalion Glamorgan Home Guard, one Platoon of the 18th Battalion Glamorgan Home Guard and the Newton Platoon of the 15th Battalion Glamorgan Home Guard.
It was hoped to have RAF co-operation to provide “dive-bombing” and parachuting aircraft, and the assistance of Royal Marine Beach-Landing Parties.
A considerable number of Umpires were identified, including Major A. Walton, Captain J.R. Alexander and Captain A.L. Campbell of the Tyneside Scottish. The aim was to make the battle as realistic as possible using only those weapons which normally be available. The Blacker Bombards, though existing, did not have any ammunition, and therefore could not be allowed to influence the combat, though they would be set up in defensive positions. MacNaughton Tubes were only to be taken into account if their operators were present and had access to the fuses, though they were not to be exploded as part of the exercise – fuses being simulated for this purpose.
A single sheet formed a covering note for Appendix 2 indicating that D Company should hold themselves in readiness to participate in the exercise, should they be required.
Appendix 2 – Exercise FAIRWOOD Aerodrome – issued 31st January 1942.
This single sheet listed the Officers who were to act as Umpires in this exercise for 11th DLI – who were also providing the “enemy” troops.
The Officers concerned were:-
Major W.L. McGregor.
Major A. Walton.
Captain A.L. Campbell.
Captain J.R. Alexander.
Captain H.E. Parker.
Lieut A.S. Lawrie.
Lieut R. Dempster.
2/Lieut C.D. Elrick.
2/Lt G.C. Paton.
2/Lieut J.G. Allan.
The Signals Officer was also to arrange for six No 18 radio sets, with operators, to be available as neutral signals staff to assist the Umpires. More information about this exercise can be found in the 11th DLI War Diary for this month.
Appendix 3 – The Move to GLANUSK PARK – issued 17th February 1942.
The Battalion was to move to GLANUSK PARK, CRICKHOWELL on 20th February to begin their Pack Training with 25th Mule Company of the Royal Indian Army Service Corps. The Camp was occupied by 1/5th Welch Regiment and they were to be relieved by the Battalion.
The Advance Party – the focus of this Appendix, were to rendezvous at Battalion HQ at 09:30 on 18th February and move to CRICKHOWELL by transport. The Advance Party would be led by the Second-in-Command, accompanied by his Batman, the Intelligence Officer and his Batman, the RQMS and two Quartermaster staff, one member of B.O.R. staff and a Cook plus a member of the Other Ranks’ Mess staff. Each Rifle Company would send one NCO per Platoon, plus a Cook, and HQ Company would do the same. The Party would be accompanied by the first of the baggage convoys.
On arrival at CRICKHOWELL the men would come under the command of the Officers already there – namely Lieuts Lawrie, Dempster, J.D. Allen, Evans and Shorter.
The Battalion’s Carriers would be moved by rail. The Main Body of the Battalion would travel by rail on 20th February and arrangements were made for a hot meal to be available as soon as possible after arrival. The Camp consisted of a Mansion House and a series of Nissen Huts.
The Advance Party would represent the Battalion at the marching-in inspection at 09:30 hours on 20th February, while Rear Parties would remain at the DRILL HALL, PEMBREY HOUSE and PENCLAWDD and deal with the marching-out inspection at 10:00 hours on 20th February.
On the move, the men would carry personal weapons together with the personal scale of ammunition and each Platoon would have one Light Machine Gun with a box of filled magazines, in case of emergencies.
Personnel returning from leave on 20th or 21st February would be collected by the Officer commanding the Rear Party and transported to the new location.
Appendix 4 – Training Instruction No 1 of 1942 – issued 23rd February 1942.
Pack Training at CRICKHOWELL was due to commence on 23rd February, and would last for three weeks. A detailed programme was attached as Appendix A to this document.
The first week was devoted to learning to tack, tie and load all types of the loads required by the Battalion and ensuring that all ranks had a sound knowledge of their duties and responsibilities with Pack Transport, before, during and after a march. The second and third weeks would be devoted to Battalion exercises using Pack Transport.
Dress, equipment and the conduct of marches and schemes would be as laid down in ICELAND. The developed "special ration” for 70th Brigade would not be carried on exercises, but the Brigade Commander insisted that it be available for use on operations, should the need arise. It consisted of a packet of chocolate and three packets of biscuits held inside the Mess-tin, with a tin each of Meat and Vegetable Stew and Bully Beef held in the Haversack in addition to the emergency ration.
Some Officers and NCOs had already had Pack Training and they were to be responsible for training their Companies and assisting with demonstration squads provided by the Mule Companies and English-speaking NCOs. ALL men were to be given individual instruction during the first week and Company Commanders were to ensure that no man was overlooked.
The War Establishments were given particular attention. A Mule Company consisted of 140 animals, considered sufficient to carry the baggage of a Battalion, regardless of changes in the make-up of sub-units. More animals would NOT be made available.
Within the Rifle Companies, each Section consisted of an NCO and seven men – the remaining two men per Section marched with the Battle replacements, which provided the escort of B Echelon.
Appendices were attached specifying the loads to be carried and the numbers of men required to accompany the Battalion once it left the roadhead.
The War Establishment of a Battalion using Pack Transport – referenced W.E.II/1931/F/2 – showed 32 Officers and 505 Other Ranks – a reduction of some two Officers and 224 Other Ranks. Appendix E to the document spelled out the detailed structure of the Battalion –
Battalion HQ – 5 Officers and 28 men (including Medical Section and Provost) plus four grooms.
Rifle Companies – 20 Officers and 392 men plus 9 Grooms.
HQ Company -
No 1 Platoon (Signals Officer and 21 men – 12 men were based with Companies and included in their strengths).
No 2 Platoon – Anti-Aircraft (15 men).
No 3 Platoon – Mortars (1 Officer and 27 men).
No 5 Platoon – Pioneers (1 Officer and 15 men).
No 6 Platoon – Admin (1 Quartermaster and 13 men).
Battle Replacements – 1 Officer and 72 men.
Annexure 4 gave the various loads for a Battalion’s Medical Section’s two Mules – totalling just under 200 pounds each. The Pioneer Platoon’s two Mules also carried around 180 pounds each – largely consisting of tools.
Appendix H to the document set out the information on diet and rations – the aims being to; double the carbohydrate intake, while maintaining or slightly increasing the fat and protein content, maintain the adequate bulk of food and to ensure palatability. Biscuits, chocolate (half a pound each day) and dates featured as additions, together with extra cheese and possibly dried fruit.
Appendix I to the document set out the ammunition scales to be carried, with information on how the loads were to be dispersed amongst the Mules.
The allocation of weapons to a Battalion in this role was summarised on an attached Appendix as 43 Pistols, 490 Rifles, 4 Anti-Aircraft Light Machine Guns, 36 Infantry Light Machine Guns, and 42 Thompson Sub-Machine Guns.
The loads carried by Mules across the Battalion’s Sub-Units were set out in considerable detail leading to the overall deployment of 138 Mules. Detailed information on the carriage of Signals Equipment, Orderly Room stores and Pioneer tools was also included.
Appendix 4 (a) – Pack Training – issued 18th February 1942.
This single document confirmed that the period for training the Brigade in Mountain Warfare had been extended to 1st May 1942. Individual training at GLANUSK PARK would continue until 31st March, having started on 20th February. Collective training would take place between 1st and 24th April, together with 1st Mountain regiment, Royal Artillery and three Mule Companies.
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