1st Tyneside Scottish January 1943
1st January 1943 DALTON.
The Battalion left DALTON for LLANELLY, Carmarthenshire, stopping overnight en route at WELLINGTON Staging Camp.
2nd January 1943 LLANELLY.
The Battalion arrived at LLANELLY at 18:00 hours.
11th January 1943
The C.- in – C. Home Forces was pleased to approve of the Certificates for Gallantry or Good Service awarded to Major W.L. McGregor and 4458752 Sergeant N. Dunning.
12th January 1943
The G.o.C., Major-General H.O. Curtis C.B., D.S.O., M.C. visited the Battalion with Brigadier P. Paulet King.
15th January 1943
The Battalion defeated 10th DLI in the Semi-Final of the Brigade Boxing Competition.
16th January 1943
The Battalion defeated 11th DLI in the Final of the Brigade Boxing Competition.
18th January 1943
A Pack Transport Cadre for Officers and NCOs commenced at ASHBURNAM Camp, PEMBREY.
25th January 1943
A rehearsal took place for a Picquetting Scheme using Pack Transport.
26th January 1943
Mule training was postponed.
28th January 1943
A talk was given by the Commanding Officer to Officers and NCOs on the new Establishment of an Infantry Battalion.
Training Instruction No 1 of 1943 was issued and a copy filed with the War Diary as Appendix 1 – for details see below.
Appendices attached to the 1st Tyneside Scottish War Diary for January 1943.
Appendix 1 – Training Instruction No 1 of 1943 – issued 28th January 1943.
Policy.
In view of the fact that the Battalion is to take part in a GHQ Exercise in the early Spring in its role as part of an ordinary Division, it had been decided to hold in abeyance the training for the Mountain Warfare role for the time being.
Organisation.
During the coming week, the Battalion was to be re-organised on the basis of three Rifle Companies, a Support Company (Carrier, Mortar, Anti-Tank and Pioneer Platoons), and an HQ Company (Signals and Administration).
The following matters required special attention:-
Control – using rapid and accurate passage of orders and complete wireless efficiency under all circumstances.
Physical fitness and endurance; marches on hard roads up to 26 miles, tactically based to avoid monotony, PT, walking and running.
Motor transport; tactical handling and vehicle concealment, improved road discipline, convoy practice without lights, maintenance and repairs “livened-up”.
Weapon training; Company, Company Group and Combat Team Field Firing, classification on all weapons to be completed, refresher and revision courses on all weapons, range availability.
Battle technique; applicable to the new organisation, Company and Battalion level, the Brigade Support Group.
Officers’ Training; tactical problems of three rather than four Rifle Companies, practice in verbal orders, co-operation with Artillery and supporting arms, using 18 set procedure for target indication.
Dates.
Were given for forthcoming exercises at Battalion, Brigade and Divisional level during February.
Support Company.
Allocating Mortar detachments to Companies for support purposes, and maintaining those relationships, was to continue if possible. Detachments were due to fire with their Companies on 9th – 11th February.
The Carrier Platoon were to reclassify with their guns before 17th February.
The Anti-Tank Platoon had been the subject of a separate instruction (not available) on the use of the Anti-Tank Circus and Range Firing. Gun drill and the use of the Bren attachment was to continue with a sledge on PEMBREY Beach. The need for smartness and precision in gun drill and shooting accuracy could not be underestimated.
Signals.
The Signals Officer was to arrange two schemes per week for the Platoon during the first half of February – concentrating on the improvement of 18 Set procedures, and the speed of message passing and alertness when listening.
Officer Training.
As planned, a discussion or cloth model would take place each Wednesday at 17:00 hours. No 18 Set procedure would be covered on 3rd February with “Selection of Artillery targets” on 10th February – with the co-operation of 185 Field Regiment.
General.
Company schemes were to take place, as far as possible, on Mondays and Fridays – those involving night work on Mondays. Education, cross-country runs and the Adjutant’s and RSM’s Parades would continue as usual.
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