War Diary - G Branch - June 1941
1 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A further recce of ENGEY island near Reykjavik was carried out to select sites for 4” Coastal Defence and 3.7” Anti-aircraft guns, by C.F.D., Commander, Royal Engineers (Works), G.III (Camouflage), Officer Commanding 12 Heavy Anti-aircraft Regiment, Representative of Hirings.
(2) Amendment No. 12 to Iceland Force Operation Instruction No. 13 (Revised) dated 18th October 1940 was issued. Filed as Appendix No. 1.
(3) Iceland Force Intelligence Summary No. 58 was issued. Filed as Appendix No. 2.
2 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Whit Monday was not observed as a holiday.
(2) The first NORTHROP plane was completed and made a trial flight. The assembly of the remaining machines is well advanced and all should soon be flying.
(3) The taking over of VATNSENDI W/T Station was completed by Force Signals and operation to the Admiralty commenced.
3 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The wreckage of a German aircraft was found on a hillside near KROSSANES, North East Sector, by an Icelander. The finding of the plane connects with reports received on 22nd May of an unidentified plane flying in this area and a subsequent explosion. A patrol is being sent out by 1/ 4 KOYLI to obtain further details.
(2) The Royal Navy and RAF Direction Finding Stations are to be moved to point 223068 on the map of Reykjavik and Hafnafjordur, Scale 1/25,000. Work will commence when the approval of the Admiralty is obtained.
4 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The wrecked German aircraft at KROSSANES evidently crashed with a heavy impact as the three occupants were killed outright and wreckage was strewn over a considerable area. The plane has been provisionally identified as a Heinkel 111K. Officer Commanding RAF requested that the wreckage should not be disturbed until technical experts have had the opportunity to make an inspection.
(2) The REYKJAVIK aerodrome was officially opened by the G.O.C. at 13:30 hours.
5 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Air Vice Marshal ROBB arrived from UK in a HUDSON aircraft.
(2) 147 Infantry Brigade held a signal exercise.
(3) Captain Moody G III (Cam) left Reykjavik for a tour of the North East Sector, to instruct units in camouflage and to inspect the measures taken to camouflage defensive positions.
(4) Amendment No. 9 to Iceland Force Location Statement No. 12 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 3.
(5) Amendment No. 5 to Iceland Force Operation Instruction No. 30 dated 9th November 1940 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 4.
6 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A Fire-Fighting demonstration was given to the civil population of Hafnafjordur by 70th Infantry Brigade.
7 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The G.O.C. made a recce by Sunderland flying boat of the Coastal areas of Iceland exclusive of the North West peninsula. He was accompanied by Group Captain PRIMROSE, Officer Commanding RAF Iceland and Air Vice Marshal ROBB.
(2) Iceland Force Operation Instruction No. 48 “Relief of Battalions within the island and arrival of reinforcement Battalions” was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 5.
(3) The G.O.C. returned from his visit to the North West Sector.
(4) Iceland Force Intelligence Summary No. 59 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 6.
(5) Iceland Force Operation Instruction No. 49 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 6a.
8 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The first of the Hurricane aircraft, which recently arrived by ship, made a trial flight over Reykjavik.
(2) The reinforcements – 12th Worcester Regiment and 366 Field Battery Royal Artillery – arrived at Reykjavik from the UK.
(3) The leave party returning from UK disembarked from M.Vs. ROYAL ULSTERMAN and ROYAL SCOTSMAN at Reykjavik.
(4) Following upon the arrest of the German subject AUGUST LEHRMANN on 20th May, seven Icelandic subjects who were known to have assisted him were arrested at ISAFJORDUR this morning. The arrests were made without incident and those concerned were placed aboard the ship TORDENSKOLD and brought to Reykjavik. Their names are :-
a. Johann Eyfirdingur
b. Sigurlang Scheiter (daughter of (a))
c. Triggvi Joachimsson (British Vice-Consul)
d. Margaret (wife of (c))
e. Gertrud Hasler
f. Ilsi Hasler (daughter of (e))
g. Thorbergur Thorbergason.
The action was taken after consultation with H B M Minister.
(5) The Commander, Royal Artillery returned from his visit to Artillery units in the North East Sector.
9 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Air Vice Marshal ROBB, Coastal Command, RAF paid a formal visit to the G.O.C.
(2) The outgoing leave party embarked for the UK.
(3) The Icelandic subjects arrested in connection with the Lehrmann case were deported to the UK on S.S. PULASKI.
(4) The Commander, Fixed Defences left Reykjavik for a tour of the Coastal Defences in the North.
(5) Amendment No.1 to Iceland Force Operation Instruction No. 48 dated 7th June 1941 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 7.
10 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Advice was received from War Office (message 71183) that Lord Ironside’s visit to Iceland is cancelled.
11 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A Passive Air Defence practice was held at Force HQ and Rear Force HQ.
(2) A Sunderland flying boat arrived from UK with the following on board :-
Colonel NAPIER (from War Office)
Two civilians (from War Office)
Seven USA Observers.
(3) The G.O.C. held a Conference which was attended by the Observers from USA.
(4) The Commander, Fixed Defences returned to Force HQ from Reykerskoli.
(5) Iceland Force Operation Instruction No. 50 “Formation of North West Sector” was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 8.
12 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The King’s Birthday. A G.O.C’s. parade was held at the Stadium, Reykjavik, to commemorate the occasion.
(2) A soccer football match between “England” and “Scotland” was played at the Stadium, Reykjavik. A good game ended in favour of England by 5 goals to 2.
(3) Further conferences were held by the G.O.C. to discuss matters of interest to the Observers from USA.
(4) A conference was held at Force HQ to select suitable sites for the RAF H.F. D.F. Stations (“Huff-Duff”). Those present were :-
G II (O)
M.L.O.
Flight Lieutenant Gould RAF
Representative of Marconi Wireless
S.O. (I) Lt Commander Crawford.
13 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The G.O.C. held a conference at Force HQ to discuss subjects of interest to the American Observers.
(2) Iceland Force Intelligence Summary No.60 was issued. Copy filed with the War Diary as Appendix No.9.
14 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Captain Seal-Coon G.III (Ia) left Reykjavik for a visit to AKUREYRI, Reykerskoli and Blonduos.
(2) At 11:17 hours an unidentified aircraft flew eastwards over Kaldadarnes aerodrome at a great height. As no friendly machine was known to be flying in the area it was considered hostile and air raid warning “Yellow” was issued. Two Hurricanes took off to intercept but were unable to make contact. Air raid message “White” was issued at 12:32 hours.
(3) A report of a submarine near BILDUDALUR – North West Peninsula – was received from Icelanders there. Two Hudson aircraft were sent to investigate.
(4) The small Norwegian vessel “AUD” arrived at AKUREYRI with nine Norwegians on board. These men had made their escape from NARVIK in Norway. Four of them are proceeding by road to Reykjavik immediately while the remainder are sailing their boat round the coast to the same place, accompanied by two Other Ranks of the Norwegian Platoon.
(5) Iceland Force Training Instruction No. 4 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 10.
15 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The G.O.C. held a conference which was attended by the Observers from USA and selected Officers of his staff.
(2) Following upon yesterday’s report of a submarine, Icelanders reported an enemy submarine 40 miles North West of BOLUNGAVIK, North West Peninsula. A Hudson aircraft located the vessel and dropped bombs. Oil was seen to appear on the surface. Later in the day, a submarine was sighted in approximately the same position. No further news has since been received.
16 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Icelanders again sighted a submarine near BLAKKSNES, North West Peninsula. Poor visibility prevented aircraft patrol.
(2) Amendment No. 1 to Iceland Force Operation Instruction No. 44 dated 8th April 1941 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 11.
(3) Instructions were issued for a two days “Umpires Course” for Company Commanders and equivalents to be held at the Force Tactical School on 26 – 27 June 1941. Copy filed as Appendix No. 12.
17 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) News was received of the sinking of the Norwegian cargo vessel “HAVTOR” (1524 gross tons) en route from Reykjavik to Nova Scotia. The ship was attacked by a submarine and six of the crew were killed. The survivors were picked up by the Icelandic fishing vessel “PILOT” and brought to Reykjavik.
(2) The American Observers left Reykjavik for UK by Sunderland flying boat.
(3) Iceland Force List No. 18 of Code Names was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 13.
18 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Captain Moody G.III (Cam) returned from his visit to AKUREYRI.
(2) Amendment No.2 to Iceland Force Operation Instruction No. 45 dated 8th April 1941 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 14.
(3) Iceland Force Location Statement No. 13 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 15.
19 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Captain Seal-Coon G.III (Ia) returned to Force HQ having visited AKUREYRI, Reykerskoli and Blonduos.
(2) Iceland Force Intelligence Summary No. 61 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 16.
(3) A statement “Road and Feature Names in Reykjavik and Hafnafjordur areas” was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 17.
20 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A practice of the “Refugee Control” plan for Reykjavik and Hafnafjordur areas was held. Control Posts were manned and “testers” and refugees endeavoured to find weaknesses in the system. A very satisfactory practice which illustrated that the plan is generally sound and workable.
(2) Iceland Force Operation Instruction No. 51 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 18.
21 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Amendment No.5 to Iceland Force Operation Instruction No.27 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 19.
22 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) War Office message (73517) was received. This stressed the importance of a combined inter-service operations room where all information will be received direct and co-ordinated.
(2) An instruction was issued in regard to “higher collective training” during the months of July and August. Copy filed as Appendix No. 20.
(3) Amendment No.13 to Operation Instruction No. 13 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 21.
23 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) M.V. Royal Ulsterman and M.V. Royal Scotsman arrived at Reykjavik with the returning leave party and several new personnel drafts on board.
(2) Major Lombard (D.A.Q.M.G.) and Captain Watkins (G.III C.W.) resumed their duties at Force HQ after returning from leave in UK. Captain Watkins also attended a staff “Gas” course at Winterbourne Gunner while in the UK.
(3) The G.O.C. held a conference to discuss the collective training programme for July and August. Every effort is to be made to undertake intensive training without interruption of the important work now proceeding on aerodromes. Those present at the conference were :-
Commander 70th Infantry Brigade
Commander 147 Infantry Brigade
Commander, Royal Artillery
Commander, Fixed Defences
Chief Engineer
G.S.O.1
Officer Commanding Force Signals
A.D.S. & T.
A.D.M.S.
Officer Commanding 25 Group Pioneer Corps.
M.L.O.
(4) The G.O.C. left for a tour of the North West and North East Sectors and AKUREYRI, returning to Reykjavik about 28 – 29 June.
24 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A report was received from Commander, North East Sector that the wreckage of the hostile aircraft which crashed near KROSSANES on or about 3rd June had been examined and that certain instruments although damaged had been collected and were being forwarded to HQ. The fourth dead airman was buried with military honours at REYDARFJORDUR.
(2) Lt Col Heard (G.S.O.1) and Captain Alpin (G.S.O. III) were present at a test of the roadblocks on the GUFUNES – Alafoss road.
(3) August Lehrmann the German subject detained on 20th May was put on board H M T “Royal Ulsterman” for transport to the UK.
25 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A report of a hostile submarine in Denmark Strait was received and all Coast Watching Posts on the Western coast were ordered to exercise special vigilance.
26 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Coast Watching Posts on the Southern coast were ordered to exercise special vigilance in view of reports of submarines in these waters.
27 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major-General Curtis (G.O.C.) returned by civil aeroplane from visit to North West and North East Sectors.
(2) An exercise of Passive Air Defence Schemes for Force HQ and Rear Force HQ was held between 10:30 and 11:15 hours. Three Hurricane aircraft from RAF Iceland co-operated.
28 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) 41 prisoners from hostile submarines destroyed were landed at Reykjavik under naval escort. Major Bratby G.S.O.II (I) was present and arrangements have been made for a military interrogation when the naval interrogation is concluded.
(2) Major J J Packard (G.S.O.II) returned to HQ from hospital.
(3) Force Intelligence Summary No. 62 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 22.
29 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A report was received that that the skippers and crews of two Icelandic trawlers, the HVANNEY and the MINNIE had been convicted at ESKIFJORDUR before the Sheriff of passing weather reports between each other by W/T. Fines of 100 Kr were imposed.
30 June 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A report was received from the War Office that an alleged German Agent by name ADLER was believed to be on the Polish ship S.S. WIGRY. The man was located and found to be employed on board as a steward and the War Office were advised (message 0 897).
(2) A further warning on the question of security was issued by Major-General Curtis (G.O.C.) . Officers are required to sign a certificate that the security warnings have been read and they are warned that further breaches of security would be dealt with by Court Martial.
(3) The Force Tactical School having closed, Major Whitehead, Royal Artillery, (G.S.O.2 Training) and Captain Spencer, West Yorkshire Regiment (G.S.O.3 Training) took up duties at Force HQ.
Appendices attached to the June 1941 War Diary for G Branch, Iceland Force HQ.
None of the Appendices mentioned above were photographed at The National Archives – either because they were missing from the file or represented too great a bulk to be easily processed.
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