2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - April 1944
2 – 5 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Thetford Area.
Battalion HQ, C and D Companies take part in 49 Division Exercise SEEK. C Company being on the enemy side under command 70 Infantry Brigade, with 12 Platoon, D Company.
4 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
A and B vehicles of B Company inspected by War Office Civilian Inspectors who are seeing all vehicles in the Battalion.
The Battalion completes its mobilisation.
6 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
Two Platoons A Company carried out Company exercise.
6-7 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
B Company at light scales take part in 147 Infantry Brigade Exercise SKIP. Platoons had special attack and consolidation roles with 11 RSF, Lt Archer acted as 4.2” Mortar representative.
7 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
5 Platoon, A Company carried out Field Firing Exercise.
8 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
C Company consolidation exercise. A and B vehicles of D Company inspected by War Office Civilian inspectors.
Battalion Rugby XV lost 10 – 0 to 49 Recce Regiment in 3rd round of Divisional Rugby Competition.
9 – 10 April 1944 Bn HQ, Caister.
6, 7, 8 Platoons fired at HORSEY.
9 April 1944 Bn HQ, Caister.
A Fortress bomber makes a forced landing a few hundred yards from Dodds Camp on returning from Poland. One member of crew injured – remainder stay the night at Dodds Camp.
11 – 16 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
The Battalion, less B Company, takes part in Divisional Exercise BUMP at Light Scales. A first-class Exercise from which great benefit was derived. A Battalion night attack supported by fire of 3 Platoon’s MMGs and 3 Platoon’s 4.2” Mortars of D Company. The Exercise took place mainly on the Dunwich Training Area much of which was well known to us from 1940.
14 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
Instructions received from 49 Division re. Concentration of 49 Division residues at Yarmouth.
18 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
Unit censorship of mail imposed.
19 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
All Officers of A Company and O.C. 15 Platoon D Company attend a sandtable discussion on Exercise PLOP held by Commander 146 Infantry Brigade.
Honorary Secretary Old Comrades Association visits the Battalion to discuss custody of Battalion finds with C.O.
20 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
C.O. inspects B Company on Exercise LOAD at Light Scales.
21 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister
C.O. inspects Battalion HQ and HQ Company on Exercise LOAD at Light Scales.
B Company held musketry classification at FRITTON Range using new rifles.
49 Division Admin. Order 22 received.
21 – 22 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
B Company stay night bivouaced at Dunwich prior to field firing.
A number of vehicles from all Companies and Battalion HQ take part in Divisional Waterproofing Competition Exercise WASH. Results were unsatisfactory.
23 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
B Company field firing at Dunwich.
24 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
Exercise LOAD, A Company inspection by C.O.
25 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
AIA inspection of all arms in the Battalion.
Lecture by Divisional Signals Officer to all Officers and Driver/Operators in the Battalion on wireless security.
26 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
C Company, Exercise LOAD – inspection by the C.O.
27 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.
C.O., 2 i/c, Company Commanders and 2 i/cs and 201 Other Ranks attend a parade at Yarmouth for inspection by His Majesty The King who was accompanied by the G.O.C. 49 Infantry Division.
28 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Corton.
C Company TEWT on “withdrawal” for all senior NCOs.
C.O. attends Divisional Cloth Model Exercise “BIFF” to 30th April.
B Company classification at PAKEFIELD Range.
Preparatory Admin. Order Part 1 issued to Companies.
29 April 1944 – Bn HQ, Corton.
17 Carriers of C Company successfully waded at GORLESTON, going through the Dip four times.
Monthly Summary – Bn HQ.
This has been a month of preparation the tempo of which is increasing as time goes by. As many drivers as possible in the Battalion have done waterproofing and wading courses at the No 3 Special Driving School, Yarmouth. The results at first were poor and the Battalion did not do well on Divisional Exercise WASH. Since then, a great deal of further practice has been obtained and a considerable improvement is noticeable. Detailed attention has been given to the matter of Light Scales and a loading exercise has been carried out by all Companies. The 2 i/c of the Mortar Company has been given the job of running the Divisional Counter-Mortar Office in Operations and demonstrations have been given to Officers and Other Ranks of all Divisional units in the new method of plotting enemy mortar positions by data obtained from mortar bomb craters. Several vehicles have been ingeniously fitted for their appropriate tasks by unit Pioneers. All ranks of the Battalion have taken steps to get rid of surplus belongings and make their kits ready for Operations. The majority of the Other Ranks rendered surplus by the new War Establishment have left except NCOs. The Holding Company has closed down.
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