War Diary - G Branch - December 1941
1 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The wreckage of the bomber aircraft which has been missing since 28th November was located today on the SNAEFELLNES peninsula by a detachment of 1/ 5 West Yorkshires. It has crashed into a hillside and burnt out. The bodies of four of the crew were recovered.
(2) Major S G Dickson, Royal Scots, landed from S.S. BANFORA and took up duties as G.S.O.2 (Winter Warfare).
(3) Captain HIRST (G.S.O.3 (Ia)) returned from leave.
(4) Bad weather prevented embarkation on S.S. BANFORA.
(5) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) held a conference to review the results of Force Exercise No. 15 on Civil Defence. The conference on the Anti-aircraft side of the exercise was conducted by Brigadier Griffith-Williams (Commander, Royal Artillery) earlier in the morning. Major General C H Bonesteel, Commanding General Iceland Base Command attended.
2 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Embarkation of 687 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers and 807 Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers on S.S. BANFORA proceeding during the day. Weather conditions were bad and embarkation difficult.
3 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) embarked on S.S. LEINSTER for a tour of the island. He was accompanied by Col Walters-Symons (Commander, Fixed Defences), Major Bratby (G.S.O.2 (I)) and Captain Grenfell (A.D.C.).
(2) Force Training Instruction No. 23 on Force Exercise No. 14 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 1.
4 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) S.S. BANFORA sailed for the UK at 09:20 hours. S.S. LEINSTER sailed for the North East coast at 14:00 hours.
(2) The following were issued :-
a. Force Operating Instruction No. 70 on the relief of units in the South West Sector. Copy filed as Appendix No. 1a.
b. Force Training Instruction No. 24 on Force Exercise No. 15. Copy filed as Appendix No. 2.
5 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) In view of the permission granted to increase the power of the civil broadcasting station at Reykjavik to 270 Ko/S, instructions were issued to Officer Commanding Force Signals for the closing of the station in the event of an air raid on the issue of the air raid message “YELLOW”.
(2) Addition to list of ranges was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 3.
6 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) S.S. LEINSTER arrived at AKUREYRI. Major General Curtis visited various units in the locality.
(2) The following were issued :-
a. Amendment No.2 to Force Location Statement No. 15. Copy filed as Appendix No. 4.
b. Force Intelligence Review No. 2 for period 1 January to 30 September 1941. Copy filed as Appendix No. 5.
7 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) S.S. LEINSTER remained at AKUREYRI.
(2) At 10:50 information was received from A.O.C. RAF Iceland that a Wellington bomber en route to the UK had sent out an S.O.S. from position 62 degrees 30 minutes North 20 degrees West. Air and Royal Navy patrols were sent out and Officer Commanding troops VESTMANNAEYJAR and the Icelandic Fishing Fleet in that area were warned. It was later reported that the aircraft had reached Ireland.
(3) A Hudson aircraft returning to Kaldadarnes from a patrol was reported overdue at 17:00 hours and information received indicated that the aircraft had crashed in the SKALAFELL area. Patrols from 1/ 7 Duke of Wellington’s Regiment at Selfoss were ordered to make a search.
(4) The following were issued :-
a. Force Operation Instruction No. 71 on engagement of aircraft by Heavy or Light Anti-aircraft units. Copy filed as Appendix No. 6.
b. Force Intelligence Summary No.85. Copy filed as Appendix No. 7.
c. Amendment No. 1 to Force Operation Order No. 2 (Revised 25 November 1941). Copy filed as Appendix No. 8.
8 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The missing HUDSON aircraft was located by a patrol from 1/ 7 Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. The aircraft had crashed into a hillside and the four occupants were dead.
(2) The fault in the line to ENGLAND was rectified.
(3) S.S. LEINSTER left AKUREYRI.
(4) Arrangements were made for the transmission of concession messages to the UK by RAF wireless station at ARTUNSHOFDI.
(5) Instructions were given to Officer Commanding troops Hvalfjordur as to the installation of flashing beacons for Royal Navy purposes in Hvalfjordur.
9 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A two-day course for ski instructors for Force HQ, 70th Infantry Brigade and 147 Infantry Brigade was started today at ALABASTER Camp, three Officers and eight NCOs attending.
(2) S.S. LEINSTER reached SEYDISFJORDUR. Major General Curtis spent three hours on shore, visiting units in the area.
(3) The following were issued :-
a. Amendment No. 1 to Force Operation Instruction No.70. Copy filed as Appendix No. 9.
b. Force Operation Instruction No. 72 on the destruction and immobilisation of vehicles. Copy filed as Appendix No. 10.
10 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) S.S. LEINSTER reached REYDARFJORDUR and Major General Curtis visited a field firing exercise arranged by 1/ 4 KOYLI and 69 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.
(2) Instructions were issued for trials to be carried out by 146 Infantry Brigade, 147 Infantry Brigade, Commander, Royal Artillery and all others concerned to determine the behaviour of 25pdr, 3” mortar and 2” mortar in conditions of very low temperatures and deep snow.
11 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) S.S. LEINSTER left REYDARFJORDUR for Reykjavik. A heavy gale was blowing and the ship was compelled to heave-to to ride the gale out.
12 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The civilian telephone from Reykjavik – REYDARFJORDUR was reported broken at NUPSVOTN on a glacier. The repair will take some days.
(2) Amendment No. 2 to Force Operation Instruction No. 70 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 11.
13 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) S.S. LEINSTER reached Reykjavik during the morning but weather conditions were too bad during the day to permit of any disembarkation of personnel on board.
(2) The following were issued :-
a. Force Operation Instruction No. 73 on the tactical control of Anti-aircraft units. Copy filed as Appendix No. 12.
b. General Instructions for Force Exercise No. 16. Copy filed as Appendix No. 13.
14 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) and party were able to disembark from S.S. LEINSTER during the afternoon and returned to Force HQ. Major General Bonesteel – Commanding General Iceland Base Command, was in conference with Major General Curtis immediately on his return to discuss events which had happened during the G.O.C’s. tour.
(2) As the concluding stages of the first course at the Specialist Training School the Officers of staff and Officer students left to return to their units using sledge transport, those for Reykjavik and area coming across the centre of the island, those for the North West Sector proceeding direct and those from North East Sector proceeding to HOFSJOKULL and returning.
(3) The following were issued :-
a. Amendment No. 1 to Force Operation Instruction NO. 64 on Training Ammunition for 1942. Copy filed as Appendix No. 14.
b. Force Intelligence Summary No. 86. Copy filed as Appendix No. 15.
15 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A report was received from a Coast Watching Post in South West Sector that a submarine had been seen surfaced close to shore off the GARDAR peninsula. A.O.C. RAF Iceland was informed and a Hudson aircraft sent to recce the area.
(2) The following were issued :-
a. Instructions for G.O.C’s. Senior Officers’ TEWT. Copy filed as Appendix No. 16.
b. Instructions for Umpires for Force Exercise No. 16 of 1941. Copy filed as Appendix No. 17.
16 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Lt Col L F Heard (G.S.O.1) returned from leave in the UK.
(2) The civil telephone line REYDARFJORDUR – AKUREYRI was reported as repaired today.
(3) The students from Specialist Training School for North West Sector reached Blonduos.
(4) The following were issued :-
a. Opening situation, narrative 1 and syndicate list for G.O.C’s. TEWT. Copies filed as Appendices Nos. 18, 19 and 20.
b. Force Operation Instruction No. 74 on the relief of troops on VESTMANNAEYJAR. Copy filed as Appendix No. 20a.
17 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) carried out Senior Officers’ TEWT (Tactical Exercise Without Troops) in the VATNSENDI area from 09:00 hours to 15:00 hours.
18 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The relief of certain Force units by US troops was carried out today. 70th Infantry Brigade, less 10th Durham Light Infantry, was relieved by 10th Infantry Regiment US Army, less one Battalion, and 366 Field Battery Royal Artillery by one Battery 46th Field Artillery Battalion, US Army, and in consequence Command of South West Sector passed from Commander, 70th Infantry Brigade, to Commander, 10th Infantry Regiment at 11:00 hours.
The locations of the 10th Infantry Regiment are as follows:-
HQ 10th Infantry Regiment, less three Battalions. Melrose Camp. Reykjavik.
1 Battalion 10th Infantry Regiment, less four Companies. Cloisters. Hafnafjordur.
E Company, less one Section, 10th Infantry Regiment. Hvaleyri Camp. Hafnafjordur.
D Company less one Platoon, 10th Infantry Regiment. Milnsbridge Camp. Hafnafjordur.
A Company less one Platoon plus 1 Platoon Anti-Tank Company, 10th Infantry Regiment. Slingsby Hill Camp. Hafnafjordur.
C Company less detachments, 10th Infantry Regiment. Gardar Camp. Hafnafjordur.
Detachment C Company, 10th Infantry Regiment. Gardar Camp. Hafnafjordur.
Detachment C Company, 10th Infantry Regiment. Quarry Camp. Hafnafjordur.
3 Battalions 10th Infantry Regiment, less three Companies plus Anti-Tank Company less one Platoon. Skipton Camp. Reykjavik.
M Company less 2 Platoons 10th Infantry Regiment. Gargand Camp. Reykjavik.
Detachment M Company 10th Infantry Regiment. Myra Camp. Reykjavik.
Detachment I Company 10th Infantry Regiment. Three Inch Camp. Reykjavik.
Detachment I Company 10th Infantry Regiment. Thornhill Camp. Reykjavik.
L Company less detachments 10th Infantry Regiment. Harrogate Camp. Reykjavik.
Detachment L Company 10th Infantry Regiment. Balbo’s Camp. Reykjavik.
I Company less detachments 10th Infantry Regiment. Keighley Camp. Reykjavik .
The 46th Field Artillery Battalion is located as follows :-
46th Field Artillery Battalion less detachments. Clayton Camp. Alafoss.
One Battery 46th Field Artillery Battalion. Guivatn Camp. RAUDAVATN.
One Battery 46th Field Artillery Battalion. Packway Camp. Hafnafjordur.
Embarkation of the British troops on H M Transports “ORBITA” and “SOBIESKI” commenced at 14:00 hours and included in the embarkation was 187th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps which has not been specially relieved by any corresponding unit of the US Army but whose role is being filled by US Medical Units in the Sector.
(2) The party from the Specialist Training School staff accompanying the students returning to the North West Sector reached Reykjavik today. Arrangements were made for them to join the party from 1/ 6 Duke of Wellington’s Regiment sent to the GULLFOSS – HVITAVATN area to meet the party travelling across the island.
(3) The following were issued :-
a. Code Name List No. 24 which will be brought into force at 00:01 hours 26th December. Copy filed as Appendix No. 21.
b. Programme of incidents for Force Exercise No. 16 of 1941. Copy filed as Appendix No. 22.
19 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Embarkation of personnel on board the transports “ORBITA” and “SOBIESKI” was completed at 00:55 hours today. Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) accompanied by Lt Col Heard (G.S.O.1) and Lt Col Mason (A.Q.M.G.) visited both ships later in the day and the transports left Reykjavik during the afternoon.
(2) Information was received today that the party from the Specialist Training School proceeding across the island to Reykjavik had been compelled to turn back owing to the weather conditions and had reached AKUREYRI yesterday. The patrol from 1/ 6 Duke of Wellington’s Regiment at GULLFOSS was ordered to return.
(3) Force Exercise No. 16 of 1941 on air defence was held today starting at 22:50 hours. Owing to persistent bad flying conditions aircraft were not able to co-operate but plots were originated at R.D.F. stations and Coast Watching Posts and at 23:18 hours a practice Air Raid Warning “RED” was issued and a black-out of the Reykjavik, Alafoss and Hafnafjordur area imposed by cutting off the power at ARTUN power house. Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) and Major General Bonesteel (Commanding General Iceland Base Command) visited G.O.R. and the Control Room and various incidents in town including the civil air raid precautions centre in Reykjavik.
(4) Parts I, II, and VI of Force Location Statement No. 16 were issued. Copies filed as Appendices Nos. 23, 24, 25 and 26.
20 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Force Exercise No. 16 of 1941 concluded at 00:30 hours.
(2) The cable to the UK was reported broken probably in the vicinity of the FAEROES. A censorship of civil messages being sent by Wireless Telegraphy was instituted.
21 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The Force Fire Brigade was called out to a civil fire in Reykjavik at 01:00 hours and were instrumental in rescuing four civilians from the upper part of a house and shop in HAFNARSTRAETI.
(2) Amendment No. 2 to Force Operation Order No. 2 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 27.
22 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A report (message 0. 1451) was sent to the War Office that all arrangements for the censorship of civil cables sent by W/T were completed and that the system was working as arranged.
(2) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) attended conference on Force Exercise No. 16 of 1941. Major General Bonesteel, Commanding General Iceland Base Command was also present. It was decided to set up a Joint Committee to co-ordinate warning signals and procedure and for general A.R.P. purposes.
(3) The following were issued :-
a. Force Intelligence Summary No. 87. Copy filed as Appendix No. 28.
b. Force Operation Instruction No. 75 on the return of Works and Pioneer units to the UK. Copy filed as Appendix No. 29.
c. Preliminary Instructions for the 2nd (NCO’s) and 3rd and 4th (Officers) course at the Specialist Training School. Copy filed as Appendix No. 30.
23 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Relief of detachment of 10th Durham Light Infantry at VESTMANNAEYJAR by detachment of 10th Infantry Regiment, US Army was completed at 16:00 hours.
(2) An inter-service conference was held at this HQ today. Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) Rear Admiral Dalrymple-Hamilton (A.C.I.C.) and Air Commodore Primrose (A.O.C.) Major General Bonesteel (Commanding General Iceland Base Command) and Admiral Connolly (US Navy) and their respective staffs attended. The agenda was not completed and the conference adjourned until Saturday 27th December 1941.
24 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) As a result of the Passive Air Defence exercises it was decided that Coast Artillery Searchlights will not be exposed during an air raid unless indications are received of the approach of enemy aircraft or Commander, Fixed Defences was instructed accordingly.
(2) Force Operation Instruction No. 76 on the return of the 10th Durham Light Infantry to the UK and their relief by US Forces was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 31.
25 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A request having been received from the Icelandic Government that Mr Gunnlangur Petursson, an Icelandic subject now in Denmark, be permitted to return to Iceland and H B M Minister having referred the request to the G.O.C. , a communication was addressed to H B M Minister stating that the G.O.C. did not consider it advisable that residents in enemy occupied countries should be permitted to return to Iceland.
(2) Force Operation Instruction No. 77 on rescue parties was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 32.
26 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Force Code Names List No. 25 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 33.
27 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The inter-service conference was resumed at Force HQ attended by all present at the conference on 24th December.
(2) A report having been received that a consignment of sub-machine guns ordered in the USA by the Reykjavik POLICE AUTHORITIES had reached Reykjavik, a communication was addressed to H B M Minister informing him that the weapons would be taken into safe custody during the presence of British and US Forces in Iceland. A similar communication was sent by Iceland Base Command to the American Minister.
(3) H B M Minister was also requested to draw the attention of the Icelandic Government to the importance of enforcing the existing Icelandic laws requiring the movements of foreigners to be reported.
(4) The following were issued :-
a. Force Order of Battle No. 2. Copy filed as Appendix No. 34.
b. Training Instruction No. 25. Copy filed as Appendix No. 35.
28 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A report was made to A.C.I.C. on the unsatisfactory position arising from Many Danish seamen from Danish ships on charter to H B M Government deserting their ships in Reykjavik under conditions which give them protection under Icelandic law and becoming a nuisance to and burden on British authorities. The report was based on recommendations from the harbour security service.
29 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) First meeting of the Joint Standing A.R.P. Committee took place at Force HQ, attended by representatives of A.C.I.C., A.O.C. and Iceland Base Command. The revision of Operation Instruction No. 30 was considered and also a draft of an Operation Instruction on the issue of air raid warnings.
(2) A further course in physical and recreational training was started at the Force Gymnasium Reykjavik today.
(3) The following were issued :-
a. Force Intelligence Summary No. 88. Copy filed as Appendix No. 36.
b. Force Training Instruction No. 26 on Winter Training. Copy filed as Appendix No. 37.
30 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) inspected 10th Durham Light Infantry, 699 General Construction Company, Royal Engineers and 86 Company and 140 Company Pioneer Corps prior to their embarkation for the UK. The embarkation of 699 General Construction Company Royal Engineers and 86 Company Pioneer Corps and 140 Company Pioneer Corps commenced.
(2) Captain F N J Moody (G.S.O.3 (Camouflage)) returned from leave in the UK.
31 December 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Relief of 10th Durham Light Infantry by 2nd Battalion 6th US Marines was completed and 10th DLI embarked on convoy for the UK.
(2) The embarkation of troops on the transports “ORBITA” and “SOBIESKI” was completed during the afternoon.
(3) Major J J Packard (G.S.O.2 (O)) left for leave in the UK. Captain E H Stafford (G.S.O.3 (O)) taking over his duties.
Appendices attached to the December 1941 War Diary of Iceland Force HQ G Branch.
None of the Appendices listed above were photographed at The National Archives. This may be because of their bulk – some 37 separate documents in total – or alternatively, because they had been removed from the War Diary file at some stage.
While the recording of the Force HQ War Diaries concludes at this point, this is due to the fact that 70th Infantry Brigade had left Iceland during December 1941 and did not again serve under 49th Division until well into 1942, when Force HQ and the other Army units largely withdrew from Iceland, handing over to Iceland Base Command of the US Forces.
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