2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - May 1944

1 – 8 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

All Companies continuation of preparation for overseas and for 49 Division Exercise SHISHAH. This exercise was designed on plans for future operations and was chiefly concerned with movement to and through Divisional Assembly and Concentration Areas on arrival in a bridgehead.

1 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Orders sent to Companies for the preparation of packing lists for all vehicles in accordance with Paragraph 80 Section 5 of Combined Operations Pamphlet.

3 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Message from 49 Division regarding restrictions on mileages of vehicles in view of Exercise SHISHAH. All vehicles subject to mileage restrictions to have 100 miles of running left after exercise.

5 - 7 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

C.O. attends 49 Division Exercise BIFF (briefing for Operations on maps of actual area from which names were omitted).

6 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Message received from 49 Division – warning order to complete Stage A waterproofing by 30th May for all vehicles landing up to including D + 6.

7 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

C.O. attends G.O.C.s dinner party at HQ 49 Division.

8 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Instructions received from 49 Division that C.O. can explain to all Officers arrangements for the concentration of the Division but actual dates of landing must not be mentioned. No Officer who did not attend Exercise BIFF may be told anything about probable employment of the Division after concentration or the employment of other formations. This restriction to remain in force till after the assault has been announced by the BBC.

9 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Cipher message received from 49 Division that the code word for Para 2 of 49 Division Admin. Order 22 will be CORNELIUS. Orders sent to Companies that A and B vehicles of the main body will be taken off the road after duty 23rd May and a complete overhaul would be started on 24th May. This to be followed by a 406 inspection and Stage A of Operational waterproofing. Details given of the distribution of the very limited quantity of remaining transport.

12 – 17 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

49 Division Exercise SHISHAH (see Preparatory Admin. Order, Movement to Marshalling Areas, Divisional Exercise SHISHAH Supplementaries, Traces A, B, C, Routes to Marshalling Area, Boundaries, also dispersal route traces, Appreciation by Commander 49 Division on role of the Division after landing).

These documents were originally filed as Appendices A, B, C, D and attached to the War Diary but do not appear to have survived in the file.

13 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Warning Order received from 49 Division that, owing to a 75 mile limit on all Loyd Carriers after stage A of waterproofing, D Company will probably have to move to Staging Camp close to the marshalling area for this waterproofing.

15 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

49 Division Admin. Order 29 received (including instructions that AV Battledress (this version was impregnated to prevent contamination by mustard gas) will be worn from the day after return to home stations from Exercise SHISHAH.

16 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Message received from 49 Division – preparation of waterproofing on all vehicles landing up to and including D + 10 to start forthwith.

17 – 23 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Weighing of vehicles took place at GREAT YARMOUTH for the purpose of ensuring that weights as given for staff tables are not exceeded.

17 – 30 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Continual efforts made by C.O., Transport Officer, Quartermaster, also Quartermaster and Ordnance 49 Division, to obtain unit FAMTO (First Aid Motor Transport Office – to be confirmed). These efforts were continued right up until the day of departure from Rollesby, but without avail.

18 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Warning Order received from 49 Division regarding move of D Company to BURYCHURCH CAMP 98/438402 on 21 May. Preparatory Admin. Order Pt II issued to Companies.

19 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Instructions sent to Companies regarding waterproofing. Responsibilities to be as following:-

B Vehicles Battalion HQ, through following Officers:

Lt Lawrie – 28 B vehicles at The RECTORY, ROLLESBY.

Lt Mowbray – 28 B vehicles at CAISTER.

Lt Jennings – Loyd Carriers.

Company Commanders concerned – Carriers Universal.

20 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Instructions received from 49 Division and forwarded to Companies instructions regarding disposal of surplus personal baggage.

21 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Instructions received from 49 Division regarding issue of maps for OVERLORD. D Company moved to BURYCHURCH CAMP.

23 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Instructions received from 49 Division for C.O. to attend Exercise “BREAKER III” (C in C’s Conference) at LOWER HARE PARK 85/045784 12:00 hours 27 May 1944.

24 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Message received from 49 Division that CORNELIUS date and time will be 09:00 hours 28 May 1944.

26 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

49 Division Admin. Order 34 received giving details of disposal of 49 Division residues and Home Details.

49 Division Admin. Order 35 received regarding Pay. Instructions sent to Companies regarding Cornelius. All ranks to be confined to Barracks from midnight 27 May except when proceeding out on duty. Permanent passes withdrawn. Exit permits up to a maximum of three hours can be given to not more than 25% of Company strength at a time. These restrictions apply also to Officers.

Instructions sent to Companies regarding issue of maps for OVERLORD.

27 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

The Battalion was visited by the Colonel of the Middlesex Regiment, Colonel M Browne M.C. who in company with the C.O. saw all Companies and inspected preparations for future operations.

28 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Notification from 49 Division Postal Unit that mail for 2 Kensingtons will be diverted overseas to coincide with the arrival of A Company (D + 4).

Instructions sent to O.C. HQ Company and Transport Officer regarding the taking of two additional jeeps to the marshalling area with a view to taking them with the Main Body if possible. Instructions to Companies that vehicle adjustments between Companies for Advance Parties to be carried out forthwith including all personnel, excluding Company Commanders.

29 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Instructions from 49 Division regarding 49 Div Operational Order No. 21 of 27 May. (This order not to be opened). Copies to Companies were not issued to Companies until assault had been announced on the BBC. Operational Order consists of the following:-

Operational Order – 4 pages.

Intelligence Summary – 5 pages.

Appreciation – 2 pages, and traces and appendices.

Personal message to all ranks received from 49 Division. Not to be read to troops till 18:00 hours D Day.

49 Division Admin. Order 36 received.

30 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Preparatory Admin. Order Pt III issued to Companies.

31 May 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister.

Warning Order received from Movement Control NORCAMDIST placing Battalion HQ, HQ Company, B, C and D Companies on 6 hours’ notice. A Company report receipt of a similar warning order throughout 146 Brigade.

Monthly Summary.

This has been a month of almost uninterrupted admin. preparations for the invasion which is now obviously imminent. So far as is in human power the Unit and everyone in it is to go perfectly equipped. All ranks have been tremendously busy and the strain on Company Commanders and admin. staff has been immense.

The task is now completed and the Unit is ready for whatever is to come. Rest and relaxation is to be the rule from now until the move begins. There will be much catching up on lost sleep.

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