294th Field Company Royal Engineers - War Diary - October 1943
2 October 1943
Company proceeded on Exercise “BRIDGEHEAD” 49 Division Exercise to practise an assault landing from H + 3 to H + 18 hours.
5 October 1943
Company returned from BRIDGEHEAD.
8 October 1943
Company moved to CASTLE CAMP, INVERARAY for Combined Training Centre Training with 146 Infantry Brigade. Appendix A – copies of training programmes attached to War Diary. For details see below.
29 October 1943
Company returned to DOUNE.
31 October 1943
2 Platoon to 49 Division ASSAULT SCHOOL with A and B Companies KOYLI. One week’s training course in a two Infantry Company attack on a German reinforced Platoon coastal position. German defences built in concrete.
Appendices attached to October 1943 War Diary of 294th Field Company, Royal Engineers.
The very detailed training programmes give an indication of the range of tasks faced by a Field Company in the assault.
The first page describes the “Additional Training” to be carried out at Inveraray. This included the development of a Demonstration Team on Wednesday 13th October for a trial of Infantry/Royal Engineer Battle Drill, requiring a Corporal and Lance Corporal from each of the three Platoons. The trial would be supervised by the Brigade Commander.
On the same day, Instructors would practice for Royal Engineer Battle Drill. These were CSM Moore, Sappers Holmes, Baker, Doherty and Dick and Lance Sergeants Cooper and Wells. Dubh Loch would be used and the work involved the use of live ammunition.
Cutter rowing would lead to the creation of 1st and 2nd Teams by the Company.
The final additional item was Wading – which involved all Motor Transport NCOs and all Drivers.
The second and ninth pages covered the programme for 13th to 29th October for 3 Platoon attached to the HALLAMS – Reserve Battalion of the Brigade.
During the first week the Platoon covered Battle Drills and the theory of combined operations as well as training with landing craft.
This training also included; all four Sections of the Platoon taking part in Exercise ARDNO 5 in week 2, with the Infantry, acting as roadmakers for that Exercise supporting 2 Platoon and 1 /4 KOYLI, taking part in a night exercise, recognition and destruction of Armoured Fighting Vehicles, carrying out an assault landing with live ammunition, and improvised bridging. At the end of the two weeks a boat race was held on an inter-unit basis and a conference was organised by the Brigade.
The third, fourth and fifth pages dealt with the programme of 1 Platoon from 13th to 29th October, supporting 4 LINCOLNS (Assault Battalion). This covered; training in combined operations, learning about German Mines, practising Battle Drills, using scrambling nets, training with craft, improvised bridging and mine detection drills. A minefield exercise was included, involving the preparation of charges. They also took part in the assault landing with live rounds.
The sixth, seventh and eighth pages covered 2 Platoon’s programme in support of 1 /4 KOYLI – the left assault Battalion. This was essentially the same training as that undergone by 1 Platoon, with the sessions staggered.
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