70th Infantry Brigade War Diary August 1943.

1st August 1943

The Brigade Major attended a conference at Divisional HQ regarding the training arrangements in the new location.

4th August 1943

The Rear Parties of the 70th Brigade Group arrived at HAMILTON.

5th August 1943

187 Field Ambulance moved from BOTHWELL to CHAPPLETON.

6th August 1943

The Brigade Commander returned from the Course at NETHERAVON on handling Support Groups.

7th August 1943

The Brigade Commander and the Brigade Major attended a Training Conference at Divisional HQ.

8th – 12th August 1943

49 Division Signals Exercise “CONTACT II” took place.

Phase 1 of the Exercise was to try out Assault Scales (details of which were attached to the War Diary). Brigade HQ and skeleton Battalion HQs moved into an area North East of GIRVAN on 8th August where transport moved into a harbour area, leaving Brigade HQ on Assault Scales in the Concentration Area.

Attacks carried out on 8th and 9th August were successful whereupon the Brigade was concentrated, and made up to Normal Scales at HOLLYBUSH HOUSE for Phase 2.

On 10th August the Brigade was in reserve and did not move until 23:45 hours. A night move of approximately 40 miles to the North of DOUGLAS CASTLE was accomplished successfully. On 11th August the Brigade took over from 147 Brigade and made good progress, little opposition being met. On the night of 11th to the morning of the 12th a defensive position was taken up in the area of SLAMANNAN, and the Exercise ended with the Brigade having reached its objectives.

14th August 1943

All Officers in the Brigade attended a lecture and Cloth Model run by the Brigade Commander and Brigade Major on Combined Operations at Brigade HQ.

16th – 17th August 1943

The Battalions were preparing for Exercise “BEACHCOMBER”. This was to be carried out by 1st TS plus details from 10th DLI, 11th DLI, 187 Field Ambulance, 144 RAC and Brigade HQ so that all personnel taking part in a Battalion Assault Landing were represented.

20th August 1943

Exercise “BEACHCOMBER” was attended by the C.-in-C. 21st Army Group, G.O.C. 2nd Army and the G.O.C. of 49 Division.

The Exercise gave the opportunity for the study of an Assault Landing by an Infantry Battalion with Support Arms. Landing craft were marked out on the ground and troops and vehicles were marshalled in their craft loads. The leading Infantry landed under cover of smoke and fire from Tanks and an assault was carried out against the enemy defended locality and exploited to the first Divisional objective.

21st – 25th August 1943

The Brigade Commander, Brigade Major, Staff Captain and Signals Officer attended Exercise “PINWE”, a 49 Division Exercise to study the problems affecting a landing on the Continent.

24th – 25th August 1943

Brigade HQ Motor transport Exercise “DUCK”, including waterproofing, took place in the LOCH LOMOND area. A waterproofed Bedford 15 cwt truck, fully loaded, made a dozen trips through an eighty-yard stretch of water 4’ 6” deep. Six Motorcycles were put through 1’ 6” to 2’ depth, but four were drowned. Cross country movements, including vehicle recovery and towing were also practised.

26th August 1943

A lecture was given by Lieutenant Instone of M.I.9. on “Evasion to Escaping”, attended by representatives of all units in the Brigade. Further members of the Brigade were instructed in the use of M.I.9. Code.

27th – 28th August 1943

The Brigade Commander, Staff Captain, Intelligence Officer, Transport Officer and Signals Officer attended a lecture on Planning and Combined Operations at Division, attended by 1 Corps. Representatives from all units also inspected the various types of Landing Craft.

29th August 1943

The Signals Officer, Captain P.L. Waddell, Royal Signals, exchanged postings with Captain N. Melrose, Signals Officer of 146 Brigade.

31st August 1943

Further practice in taking vehicles through water was obtained at LOCH LOMOND. 15 cwt trucks, a Jeep and a Carrier were successfully immersed. After many failures a B.S.A. 500 cc Motorcycle was successfully waterproofed and the engine run for about five minutes in a tank of water.

Attached to the War Diary was a Note of the Assault Scales applicable to the loading of vehicles and marching personnel.

Each vehicle was allotted a serial number and the list of vehicles, types, personnel and loads is as follows:-

1. Brigade Commander’s Car. Brigadier, Intelligence Officer, Driver, Batman, OWL (Operator, Wireless/Line), 22 Radio Set.

2. Carrier. Driver, Sanitary Orderly, OWL.

3. White Scout Car. Brigade Major, Intelligence Sergeant, 2 OWLs, No 19 Radio Set.

4. 15 cwt GS 4x4. Intelligence Corporal, 2 Clerks, Driver, Office Equipment, A.G. Reserve, Compo Rations, 1st Line Ammunition, Tools.

5. 15 cwt GS 4x4. Clerk, Fitter, Driver, No 19 Radio Set, Tents (telegraph).

6. 15 cwt Division Rear Link “A”. Driver/Mechanic, 2 OWLs, Office Orderly.

7. 15 cwt Division Rear Link “B”. Driver/Mechanic, 2 OWLs, Office Orderly.

8. 15 cwt Signal Office. Sergeant, 2 OWLs, Cipher Clerk, Driver/Mechanic.

9. 15 cwt Lateral Link. Driver/Mechanic, 2 OWLs, Office Orderly.

10. 15 cwt Spare. Driver/Mechanic, 2 OWLs.

11. 15 cwt Line. Driver/Mechanic, 3 L.M.

12. 15 cwt Charging. Driver/Mechanic, 1 Electrical Orderly.

13. Jeep. 1 Intelligence Orderly, Driver/Mechanic, load unclear.

14. 15 cwt GS. Driver, Storeman.

15. Jeep. Staff Captain, Clerk A/Q, Driver.

16. 15 cwt Water Truck. Driver, Driver’s Mate.

17. 6 Motorcycles. 1 Sergeant, 5 Despatch Riders.

18. 3 Motorcycles. 3 Liaison Officers.

Marching Personnel

Brigade Defence Platoon – 1 Officer and 22 Other Ranks.

Brigade Signal Section – 18 Other Ranks.

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