70th Infantry Brigade War Diary October 1943.
1st October 1943
Preparations were in hand for 1 Corps Exercise “QUEBEC”.
2nd October 1943
The Brigade Group moved into the concentration area, just in the rear of the beaches at TROON with assault scales only. Cooks’ lorries accompanied units as neutral vehicles.
3rd October 1943
The Brigade Group was sorted into Landing Craft loads and assembled on the beaches – personnel and vehicles spent the night of 3/4th October on this basis.
4th October 1943
At 08:45 hours, personnel and vehicles were released by Craft loads (on a 49 Division Exercise EUCLID basis), passed along the beaches through the beach exits and were held in the assembly area for 15 minutes for de-waterproofing. During the Exercise, the value of Cyclist Companies became apparent, also the congestion which is prone to occur if only one road is available for the Reserve Brigade to pass through and consolidate the Divisional bridgehead. By 12:00 hours, defences were co-ordinated and contact made with the actual enemy (3rd Division). Vigorous patrolling was carried out during the night and the Enemy Order of Battle was obtained.
5th October 1943
An enemy Infantry and Tank attack was launched shortly after dawn and a portion of the 70th Infantry Brigade position was over-run. The position was re-established by a counter-attack by an Infantry and Tank attack from the 49 Division Reserves.
8th October 1943
Advance Parties for all units, together with a cadre of 100 Officers and NCOs left for ROTHESAY, Isle of Bute. The Officers and NCOs of the cadre were sent in order to form a nucleus of immediately available instructors for Main Bodies on their arrival.
9th October 1943
The allocation of accommodation was as follows:-
ROTHESAY
Brigade HQ
1st Tyneside Scottish
10th DLI
11th DLI
757 Field Company, Royal Engineers
“C” Support group, 2nd Kensingtons.
CASTLE TOWARD
185 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
217 Anti-Tank Battery
187 Field Ambulance
218 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
10th October 1943
10th DLI and 1st Tyneside Scottish arrived at ROTHESAY – transport went via road to WEMYSS BAY and troops embarked on an L.C.T. (Landing Craft Tanks) – completed a two-hour sea crossing and landed on beaches just North of ROTHESAY.
11th October 1943
11th DLI and the Brigade HQ Main Bodies moved via ARDROSSAN to ROTHESAY, arriving at approximately 11:30 hours. Accommodation for Other Ranks in ROTHESAY was in private billets in requisitioned houses, while all Officers were billeted in an hotel.
12th October 1943
Units settled internal accommodation problems. The Officers and NCOs cadre were put over the Assault Courses three times during the morning and practised the drill for a Company Assault from five Landing-Craft mock-ups. A naval bombardment lecture was given during the afternoon.
13th October 1943
The cadre embarked in an L.C.A.(Landing Craft Assault), did a short run, and were landed on the Company Assault Course. They re-embarked and did two further landings on adjacent beaches.
A demonstration of a Company Assault Group by a company of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers was given – spectators watched from L.C.T.(Landing Craft Tanks) IV and later were landed and permitted to complete a reconnaissance of the area in preparation for their own attacks over the ground. A training conference, for all C.Os. of the Brigade Group, took place at 17:30 hours.
14th October 1943
A training conference took place for all Officers down to Company Commanders. The cadre personnel visited L.S.G. during the morning. Major-General Drew visited the Brigade Group during training and gave the final address to the cadre.
15th October 1943
Intensive training began and all personnel attended lectures on:-
(a)Naval aspects.
(b)Assault on the beaches.
(c)Assault of the beaches – with use of a model – Officers and NCOs.
and saw Combined Operations films, including “Landing in Sicily”.
The Brigade Major and Staff Captain visited CASTLE TOWARD in the morning. The Brigade Commander gave the initial part of an opening address to all ranks in the Brigade Group.
A training conference for the Officers commanding units was held in the C.T.C. (Combined Training Centre) offices in ROTHESAY at 18:00 hours. A party of 10 Officers and 35 Other Ranks visited DUNDONALD and were conducted over the HQ ship and examined various ways of waterproofing wireless sets.
16th October 1943
A Motor Transport 10-day cadre began. Four Training Companies, each of 120 men and 40 vehicles, were formed. The course included waterproofing, vehicle landing and beach driving. Company Groups were formed and were put over the Dryshod Assault Course without ammunition. A daily training conference took place at 18:00 hours at the C.T.C.
18th October 1943
The daily programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix A. The first of the Company Groups were put over the GLENMORE Assault Course dryshod with live ammunition. All personnel of 10th DLI swam ashore in full equipment.
19th October 1943
The daily programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix B. Major-General Barker, G.O.C. 49 Division accompanied by GSO 1 spent the day with 70th Infantry Brigade Group. 10th DLI put two Companies over the GLENMORE Assault Course. Mortars, 10.5 guns and L.C.S.(Landing Craft Support) fired salvoes from craft.
Details of the pending move to HAMILTON were given on Appendix F, attached to the War Diary.
Details of a ten-day Unit Stretcher-Bearer Course were set out on Appendix D, attached to the War Diary.
20th October 1943
The daily training programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix E. An Artillery Exercise “ARDYNE” was held involving the Field Regiment, Anti-Tank Battery, Light Anti-Aircraft Battery and two Companies of Infantry.
22nd October 1943
The daily training programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix G. 217 Anti-Tank Battery carried out a wading exercise. The Brigade Transport Cadre finished the waterproofing and, in the presence of U.L.O.(? Unloading Liaison Officer) parties carried out loading practice. Brigade Signals training began with three lectures. Units completed their Craft training with the L.C.A.
A lecture was given by Lt Col Wade in the Drill Hall at ROTHESAY at 20:30 hours on the landings at SALERNO in which the eye witness picture was presented, together with suggestions as to how chaotic points could be overcome.
23rd October 1943
Lt Gen Crocker, the Commander of 1 Corps, visited the Brigade Group during training. The Brigade vehicle cadre carried out the wading exercise “ETTRICK BAY”. Only six vehicles were “drowned” due to inadequate waterproofing.
Experiments were carried out with Bangalore Torpedoes through different thicknesses of wire to ascertain the danger area when using these devices. One conclusion arrived at was that if chicken wire was placed in the centre of the wire to be breached, and attached vertically to the ground, it would necessitate the use of a second Bangalore party to complete the blowing of a gap. The daily training programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix H.
24th October 1943
The daily training programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix I.
25th October 1943
The daily training programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix J.
The Brigade Transport Cadre carried out embarking and disembarking practice.
Signals Exercise “MERCURY” was held.
10th DLI carried out L.C.I. (Landing Craft Infantry) Drill on L.C.Is. doing an actual landing on JIG GREEN BEACH.
26th October 1943
The daily training programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix K. 70th Infantry Brigade Group Landing Table Exercise “ULYSSES” was issued and details were attached to the War Diary as Appendix O.
All Battalions completed the exercise at the same scales, the night previous being spent on board L.S.I. (Landing Ship Infantry) and L.C.T. (Landing Craft Tanks).
The Brigadier, General Staff, of 1 Corps visited the STRONE POINT exercise.
1st Tyneside Scottish carried out night training with craft.
Brigade Signals Exercise URANUS 2 was held. The practice of passing control from ship to beach – to the Brigade – worked exceedingly well during the night landing.
27th October 1943
The Brigade Commander and Admiral (surname omitted from War Diary) visited the 11th DLI Company Exercise at STRONE POINT (Wetshod with live ammunition).
The first casualty of the course occurred, when Private Coventry of B Company, 11th DLI, was shot through the shoulder and neck, and died before reaching hospital. His CWGC commemorative record can be found at http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2457647/COVENTRY,%20THOMAS
(The War Diary showed his forename initial as “A” whereas the CWGC record has him as “Thomas”).
The Brigade Commander left to attend a Course at the School of Infantry, BARNARD CASTLE.
The Staff Captain left to carry out a preliminary reconnaissance of the new training area in the Southwold – IPSWICH vicinity.
Commander Royal Engineers from 49 Division visited 70th Brigade and saw the STRONE POINT exercise during the afternoon. The daily training programme is attached to the War Diary as Appendix L.
28th October 1943
The daily training programme is attached to the War Diary as Appendix M. 10th DLI held a briefing on Exercise ULYSSES.
The final Companies of 1st Tyneside Scottish took part in the STRONE POINT exercise.
Brigade HQ personnel carried out L.C.I. Drill on L.C.Is.
29th October 1943
The daily training programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix N.
10th DLI carried out Exercise ULYSSES using the Landing Table attached to the War Diary at Appendix O. The exercise was visited by the Army Commander – Lt Gen K Anderson. The landing was successful although casualties were heavy owing to both Assault Companies landing on JIG AMBER beach instead of one landing on AMBER and one on RED, thus leaving the left flank exposed in the initial stages. Thereafter the attack proceeded according to plan, but was lacking in speed owing to the rather complicated plan.
30th October 1943
The daily training programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix P. 11th DLI carried out Briefing and Loading for Exercise ULYSSES. The 1st Tyneside Scottish provided enemy and umpires for the same exercise.
31st October 1943
The daily training programme was attached to the War Diary as Appendix S.
11th DLI carried out Exercise ULYSSES. The landing was successful, the chief criticism being that the L.C.S. and air smoke was laid too far inshore, and that B Company were hampered by landing without ladders. The Reserve Companies would have suffered heavy casualties owing to slowness and bunching across the beaches. Afterwards the Battalion objectives were secured.
Appendix A - The daily training programme for 18th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ spent the morning boat-pulling from the Jetty.
Appendix B - The daily training programme for 19th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ were at Roseland practising with scrambling nets etc.
Appendix C – The daily training programme for 20th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ spent the morning at the steps boat-pulling and the afternoon on the L.S.T. carrying out L.C.V. Drill.
Appendix D - Details of a ten-day Unit Stretcher-Bearer Course.
This Course began on the morning of 19th October and the Appendix set out, over the ten days, the places and timings of the sessions applicable to each unit included. The content of the training sessions was not specified.
Appendix E - The daily training programme for 20th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ was not involved in any particular training modules that day.
Appendix F - Details of the pending move to HAMILTON.
This Appendix set out the timetable for the unit road and rail parties both from ROTHESAY and CASTLE TOWARD to return to HAMILTON and MAUCHLINE Stations, and the HAMILTON Camps respectively on 1st November 1943.
Appendix G - The daily training programme for 22nd October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff were in the Drill Hall being lectured on “Care of the Wounded” and on setting up a Regimental Aid Post.
Appendix H - The daily training programme for 23rd October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff spent the morning on the L.S.T. carrying out L.C.V. Drill.
Appendix I - The daily training programme for 24th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff did not appear to have any particular training commitments that day.
Appendix J - The daily training programme for 25th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff did not appear to have any particular training commitments that day, although, as on other training days, the Signals Section and the Transport Cadre were both busy with specialised training commitments..
Appendix K - The daily training programme for 26th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff did not appear to have any particular training commitments that day, although, as on other training days, the Signals Section and the Transport Cadre were both busy with specialised training commitments..
Appendix L - The daily training programme for 27th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff did not appear to have any particular training commitments that day, although, as on other training days, the Signals Section and the Transport Cadre were both busy with specialised training commitments..
Appendix M - The daily training programme for 28th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff, including Signals and Transport, did not appear to have any particular training commitments that day.
Appendix N - The daily training programme for 29th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff, including Signals and Transport, did not appear to have any particular training commitments that day.
Appendix O – Details of the Brigade Group Landing Table Exercise “ULYSSES”.
The details on this table specified how many men from each unit were to be carried in individual landing craft, the types of those craft, and the stores and vehicles they were expected to have with them. The first set of smaller craft each carried a bicycle, and it was noted elsewhere in the War Diary the advantage this had given in landing exercises – presumably for immediate communication and message handling.
Later craft loads included Marines, Engineers and Signallers as well as Infantrymen. It would be possible, using this material, to form a picture of the troops expected to be coming ashore at each beach location and in what order. Later craft carried the unit’s Carriers and such vehicles as the Scammells and Bulldozer of a R.E.M.E. Recovery Unit. An attempt will be made to display this in diagrammatic or map format in due course.
Appendix P - The daily training programme for 30th October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff, including Signals and Transport, did not appear to have any particular training commitments that day, although the Signals Section were involved in a training session
Appendix Q – Preliminary Admin. Instruction No.1 for Exercise “ASTONIA”
This document set out the arrangements for moving the Brigade Group to EAST ANGLIA, which would be termed Exercise “ASTONIA”. The details covered the plans for leaving the HAMILTON area and staging at CARLISLE, DONCASTER and LUTTERWORTH, and the points at which various units would leave the convoys. Provision was made for rations and fuel en route.
Appendix R – Details of return to normal locations – Exercise AFLOAT 81R.
This was the very initial document on the arrangements for getting the Brigade Group back to the HAMILTON area from ROTHESAY and CASTLE TOWARD; before they set off for EAST ANGLIA. The move was expected to take place on 6th and 8th November.
This movement involved road, rail and steamer parties and the Appendices to the movement instruction specified the number of men and vehicles, and the volume of stores, expected to be transported.
Appendix S - The daily training programme for 31st October.
This single sheet set out each unit in the Brigade Group and specified the timetable they were to follow for each of the training modules to be carried out. Brigade HQ staff, including Signals and Transport, did not appear to have any particular training commitments that day.
Appendix T – Revision to Instructions for Exercise AFLOAT 81R.
This document revised the arrangements and timings, set out originally in Appendix R, particularly for the rail parties returning to HAMILTON, using a mixture of ordinary services and special trains – timed to co-ordinate with the steamer services where appropriate.
Appendix U – Further information on Exercise ASTONIA.
This document developed the information originally included within Appendix Q.
The details covered the assembly and constituent parts of the Advance Party for this movement exercise, which was expected, once assembled, to move to EAST ANGLIA as one convoy. Command arrangements were included.
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