70th Infantry Brigade War Diary December 1943.
2nd December 1943
70th Infantry Brigade Administrative Instruction No 1 was issued and a copy is attached to the War Diary as Appendix A.
3rd – 4th December 1943
The second 50% batch of Bulk Leave personnel returned to their unit locations. The Brigade Major returned from 10 days’ privilege leave.
6th – 6th December 1943.
49 Division Exercise “DISCOVER” took place in which 70th Brigade worked in conjunction with 49 Recce Regiment during the rapid advance to gain contact with the enemy. The Brigade Group assembled in the IPSWICH area, bivouacking the night – 49 Recce Regiment passed through the Brigade Group at dawn and gained touch with elements of the 1st Belgian Group.
The Group was detailed to advance on parallel axes with the objective of LOWESTOFT. The advance continued until dusk when the main strength of the Belgian position was met astride the river line HALESWIRTH – BLYTHBRO’. Active patrolling with disappointing results continued throughout the whole of the night. At dawn on 8th December a Battalion attack was launched on HALESWIRTH and the Recce Regiment again passed through to obtain the crossings over the succeeding river lines.
Details are attached to the War Diary as Appendices B and C.
9th December 1943
49 Division held a Photographic Interpretation Course on 6th – 11th December at AYR for all Intelligence Officers in the Division who had not already attended the identical Course at MATLOCK.
10th December 1943
It was decided that all Intelligence Officers should attend a Document Course in LONDON.
11th December 1943
A 49 Division Intelligence Officers’ Conference was held at AYR Racecourse to co-ordinate training and possible roles to be played by the Intelligence Sections in future operations.
12th December 1943
The Divisional Commander spent four days with 70th Brigade and inspected all aspects of training.
13th December 1943
Two Courses in Mine Recognition and Clearing were run by 757 Field Company Royal Engineers attended by a cadre of 40 Officers and NCOs from the Brigade Group.
14th December 1943
A 14-day Young Officers’ Course was run by Major C.D. Hamilton, 11th DLI, for all Officers recently posted to the Brigade. The Instructors were; Major P. Dickinson 10th DLI, Major R.B. Humphreys 11th DLI and Major W.L. McGregor, 1st Tyneside Scottish.
40 Officers from the Battalions and the supporting arms attended.
16th December 1943
The Brigade Commander visited the Young Officers’ School TEWT on Defence.
17th December 1943
Lieut G.W. Troupe, 11th DLI, was posted to Brigade HQ as Liaison Officer vice Lieut L Troupe who had been posted to 49 Division as OC Defence and Employment Platoon.
18th December 1943
Thirty M 14 semi-tracked vehicles were issued to the Brigade Group for experimental purposes.
19th December 1943
The Brigade Commander, Brigade Major, and the C.Os of 1st Tyneside Scottish and 11th DLI attended the Divisional Commander’s Conference on Exercise IBEX - an exercise to be carried out by 70th Brigade Group to ascertain the equipment, time, accommodation and essential administrative details to be carried out when briefing all personnel down to the private soldier prior to a Combined Operation.
20th December 1943
The lack of air photographs of the area ALDEBURGH – Thorpeness – Sizewell necessitated the R Group for Exercise IBEX walking the ground. The only personnel to be “in the know” prior to 4th January were the Brigade Commander, Brigade Major, Staff Captain, Intelligence Officer, CO A Battalion, CO Royal Artillery, Commander Royal Artillery, OC Assault Regiment, Royal Engineers, Commander Royal Engineers and MLO.
21st December 1943
The Brigade Commander’s outline plan was issued – a copy being attached to the War Diary as Appendices D and F and the second day of reconnaissance was completed and the outline plan made concrete.
25th December 1943
All available personnel attended Church Parade. At 11:00 hours the Officers vs Sergeants Hockey Match was played. A first-class Christmas Dinner was served by the Officers and Sergeants to all Other Ranks in Brigade HQ at 14:00 hours.
26th December 1943
The Brigade Commander left for a five-day Course on RAF Co-operation at OLD SARUM.
27th December 1943
Lt Col Cassels, CO 1st Tyneside Scottish, was posted to 12 Corps as Brigadier, General Staff.
30th December 1943
70th Infantry Brigade Operational Order No 1 “IBEX” was issued and a copy is attached to the War Diary as Appendix F.
Appendix A – Exercise “DISCOVER” – Brigade Administrative Instruction No 1.
This document described the arrangements for supplies, including rations and fuel.
Appendix B – Exercise “DISCOVER” – Brigade Confirmatory Order No 1
This document was a detailed message form giving routing and timing details for the troops of each unit taking part in the exercise.
Appendix C – Exercise “DISCOVER” – Brigade Operational Order No 2.
This document described the detailed background to the exercise, patrolling requirements and the actions to be taken by each unit.
Appendix D – Exercise “IBEX” – 70th Brigade Outline Plan.
This paper described an Assault Exercise to be undertaken by the Brigade – passing through the other two Brigades of the Division – with the relevant map references and the intentions and objectives which lay at the core of the exercise. Three phases were involved with attacks down two parallel axes. Support weapons now included 20mm guns, Medium Machine Guns, 4.2” Mortars and Tank Squadrons. Engineer support including Bridging and Assault Squadrons.
A Fire Plan was included, linked to the activities of the Forward Observation Officers and the availability of Naval Fire Support. Landing tables covering units, equipment and vehicles were also provided.
A page was included of the “enemy” Order of Battle for the Exercise which included unit identities and locations. Assumptions were made about manpower strengths and weapon scales as well as Artillery support. The organisation of the enemy forces was spelled out, based on Intelligence reports. The topography of the area being assaulted was described in some detail. The beach defences were also described in detail, including the map references of pillboxes and other obstacles. Water supplies and the availability of materials such as timber and gravel were also covered in the briefing.
Appendix F – Exercise “IBEX” Operational Instruction No 1
This document set out the objectives in detail for the Division and included refinements and revisions of the material set out in Appendix D. Commandos and Paratroops were featured in the Plan – the Commandos to come under the command of 70th Brigade once their immediate tasks were completed.
Detailed medical and first aid arrangements were covered, including evacuation of shipboard casualties and the setting-up of onshore facilities at the close of Phase III. No provision was made for replacement vehicles or guns to be provided before D+7.
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