2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary December 1941.

1 December 1941 Bytown Camp, Reykjavik

Final Conference on Force Passive Air Defence Exercise held at Helagoland Camp. Weather – wet and mild.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Company Route March, men getting fit and capable of long marches over rough ground.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperature: max 48.2F, min 38.12F.

2 December 1941

Time-table and syllabus of Battalion Winter Education Scheme (attached to the original War Diary as Appendix A but not traced in the file) was sent out to all Companies.

Weather – wet and windy.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 48.64F, min 37.4F.

3 December 1941

Sergeants’ Mess Debate. The motion “That the continuation of conscription after the War is NOT desirable” was heavily defeated. Light fall of snow.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Training marches by Company HQ and 14 Platoon to SULUR and 13 Platoon and 15 Platoon to GLERA Valley. Temperatures: max 53.6F, min 41.9F.

4 December 1941

Lecture by Captain Johnson (Sector Education Officer) on “Current Affairs”. Snow disappearing.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

American Recce Party arrived to look over area.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 44.6F, min 33.6F.

5 December 1941

Very cold. Snow falling.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Two static positions attacked by Infantry. Our mobile Platoon acted as Infantry Platoon. Exercise a success – positions could not be taken unawares.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 41F, min 32.9F.

6 December 1941

Falling parachute observed in the direction of Alafoss. This was reported to 70th Brigade who later rang up to explain that a Northrop aircraft had dropped a parachute flare by mistake. Extremely cold – snow – high wind.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

The Company is inspected today by Maj-Gen H.O. Curtis C.B., D.S.O., M.C., G.O.C. Iceland (C) ) Force. The Force Commander sees the Company at Machine-Gun training and later goes round the Camp. Temperatures: max 35.6F, min 26F.

7 December 1941

Thaw set in – no wind.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 32F, min 18.5F.

8 December 1941

Officers’ and NCO’s study week started at Bn HQ with a Cloth Model Exercise. The original Appendix B to the War Diary – dealing with this topic – was not found in the file. Warmer – no wind.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Further Route March with Forced March at end.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 35.24F, min 34.2F

9 December 1941

Lieut Green – Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada – lectured on maintenance of skis and snow shoes.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

G.O.C. arrived, ordered an Exercise. Road conditions very bad – trucks unable to negotiate ice. Guns carried 3 ½ miles into action. A fine effort. Company complimented by the G.O.C.

Major Wray takes over command of Sub-Sector in absence of Lt Col Walker 1/4th KOYLI.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 44.6F, min 29.12F.

10 December 1941

Snow still falling.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Skiing has started. Men keen.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 33.08F, min 23.54F.

11 December 1941

Lecture by DAQMG (B) Iceland (C ) Force – Major Campbell on “Dakar”. Cloth Model Exercise finished. High winds – sleet.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 32.9F, min 30.2F.

12 December 1941

Cold – high wind. Lectures and discussions on loading etc. 2nd Kensingtons Location List no. 2 issued. The original War Diary file held a copy of this as Appendix E, but it seems not to have survived.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

First Tactical Exercise. Acting as an enemy Infantry Force, 15 Platoon attempt to reach the Akureyri road from the Horga Valley via the KROSSASTADALAA and the STORIHNJUKUR range. 13 and 14 Platoons, acting as a defending force, carry full Platoon stores to take up defensive positions in the LITLIHUJUKUR area, about 2,300 feet. They reach their positions about 90 minutes after leaving Camp, despite heavy snow. Bad visibility prevents the Exercise being developed fully, but 15 Platoon reach the LITLIHUJUKUR area without being observed and march back to Camp, the Exercise taking five hours in all. Temperatures: max 32.9F, min 30.2F.

13 December 1941

Cold. High winds.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 36.6F, min 31.1F.

14 December 1941

Wind. Cold.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 41.0F, min 31.2F.

15 December 1941

Work completed on 30 yard range Mild.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 38.66F, min 35.6F.

16 December 1941

Fine. Clear.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Company Route March cross country – Forced March wearing Respirators.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Training marches to SULUR, covering 6 ½ - 7 hours marching in heavy snow and bad visibility. Temperatures: max 37.4F, min 31.1F.

17 December 1941

Commanding Officer attended Senior Officers’ TEWT at Vatnsendi.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Major R E N D’Abo returns from Reykjavik and re-assumes command of the Company. Temperatures: max 45.86F, min 44.6F.

18 December 1941

Lectures on snow shoes (continued). Lecture on Libyan Campaign – 2/Lt Innes. C.O. inspected 12 Platoon (G Company). Intelligence Officer visited F Company gun positions for re-mapping of area. Rain.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

A Conference of Company Officers takes place to discuss training programmes. Intensive weapon training to commence 22/12/1941. The Company Boxing Team takes part in a match against the Hallamshire battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. The result is a draw, each team winning five fights. Temperatures: max 49.1F, min 35.78F.

19 December 1941

Intelligence Officer visited G Company. C.O. attended. Handing over to Americans, 10th Infantry Regiment, by 70th Brigade. Conference on Force Exercise 16. P.A.D. Scheme (16) held in night.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 47.3F, min 36.5F.

20 December 1941

Conference on approaching visit of G.O.C. Final Conference on Force P.A.D. Scheme Exercise No 16 at Halagoland Camp.

(Some of these entries seem duplicated).

2nd Kensingtons Operation Order No 30 issued. For details see below. Wet. Mild.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Company Exercise.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Lt S Jacobson leaves Company, being transferred to F Company. Temperatures: max 43.24F, min 31.1F.

21 December 1941

Fine. Cold. Light fall of snow.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Carol Service.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 33.8F, min 26.6F.

22 December 1941

Large fall of snow. Fine. Very cold.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Manning Exercise. Captain T A Barton arrives to take over duties of Company 2 i/c. 2/Lt S R Pinks goes to England on Mule Pack Course.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

2-day Combined Operations TEWT commences at Brigade HQ. Temperatures: max 37.2F, min 30.6F

23 December 1941

G.O.C. Iceland Force (Major General H O Curtis DSO MC) accompanied by Col Heard G S, Col Mason DA&QMG, Major Andrew DAAG inspected HQ and F Companies at Bytown Camp and G Company at Hafnafjordur. Weather – heavy snow.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 35F, min 29F.

24 December 1941

Special Order of the Day – consisting of letter from G.O.C. regarding the inspection. Carol Service held in the evening by Sergeants Choir. Fine. Cold.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 28F, min 19F.

25 December 1941

Sergeants entertained in Officers’ Mess. The C.O. inspected Christmas Dinners and addressed the men. A concert was held in the Mens’ Canteen in the evening. Very cold.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Christmas programme attached as Appendix A (for details see below). Normal training was carried out except for Christmas Day.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Brigadier N P Procter M.C. visits the Company. Temperatures: max 19.4F, min 14F.

26 December 1941

An Officers’ and NCOs’ TEWT was held near Vatnsendi Wireless Station. Recreational training – Skiing, Skating and a run for the men. Very cold.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 15.8F, min 9.5F.

27 December 1941

The Intelligence Officer began a reconnaissance with the Intelligence Officer of the 10th Infantry Regiment USA with a view towards liaison and mapping of positions. Fine. Clear. Warmer.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 44F, min 29F.

28 December 1941

Skiing lessons for the Sergeants continued. Light snow.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 44.6F, min 37.4F.

29 December 1941

Field Firing Exercise was directed by the C.O., HQ, F and G Companies taking part. Mild. Cloudy. Some rain.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Fire Control Cadre commences for Senior NCO’s. Brigadier N P Procter M.C. gives lecture to the Company on the Regimental Hisory of the Middlesex Regiment. Temperatures: max 47.66F, min 43.7F.

30 December 1941

Firing exercises began on the newly constructed Camp Range. Mild. Wet.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Fire Control Cadre commences for Junior NCO’s. Temperatures: max 50.9F, min 45.5F.

31 December 1941

A further Field Firing Exercise was abandoned due to poor visibility. Wet.

E Company, Reydisfjordur.

Company undertook longest Route March so far attempted across country from Reydisfjordur to Eskifjordur through mountains. Marched off 135 strong at 08:45 hours when just light: climbed to between 2500 feet and 3000 feet. Encountered deep snow and large ice patches – going very hard. Arrived Eskifjordur 16:40 hours. Total halts on route were one of 20 minutes, one of 10 minutes, 3 of 5 minutes. One or two minor casualties – nothing serious. Embarked on “NORDCAP” for Reydisfjordur. Distance covered across mountains 16 miles.

H Company Knightsbridge Camp.

Temperatures: max 55F, min 46F.

Owing to the mildness of the weather since our arrival in Iceland in mid-October, no experiments have yet been carried out under snow conditions. It is hoped that in the New Year we will be able to experiment with sledge loads and ski mountings for guns, provided conditions permit.

The men have carried out tactical marches and long carries over the mountains which have made them fit and individual training in all arms has been continued.

All personnel will be passed through their various T.O.E.T.’s (Tests of Elementary Training) during January, and all NCO’s will have to pass out in a Fire Control examination, which will be set at the conclusion of the Fire Control Course at the end of the month.

Appendices attached to the December 1941 War Diary of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment.

References are made in the body of the text of the War Diary to documents which were attached to the original. These do not seem to have survived to be included in the December 1941 file at The National Archives.

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