War Diary - G Branch - September 1941
1 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) One Sub-Section 77 Light Anti-aircraft Battery was brought into action at Tower Hill, Reykjavik.
(2) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) reached Egilsstadir where he spent the night.
(3) The following were issued :-
a. Amendment No. 7 to Force Operation Instruction No. 30. Copy filed as Appendix No. 1.
b. Amendment No. 4 to Force Location Statement No. 14. Copy filed as Appendix No. 2.
c. Amendment No. 1 to Force Operation Instruction No. 38. Copy filed as Appendix No. 3.
2 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) reached SEYDISFJORDUR.
(2) Force Passive Air Defence Summary No. 1 was issued and a copy of it and a Summary of the Ministry of Home Security publications received was sent to H B M Minister for transmission to the Icelandic Government for their information and assistance as desired. Copy filed as Appendix No. 4.
(3) Amendment No. 1 to Force Operation Instruction No. 39 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 5.
3 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) left SEYDISFJORDUR for Reykjavik direct on board a US Navy destroyer “GEORGE C BADGER”.
(2) Relief of 12th Battalion, Worcester Regiment by 1/ 5 West Yorkshires commenced.
(3) A letter was sent to Commanding General 1 US Marine Brigade on the subject of press censorship and the security arrangements.
(4) Detailed instructions were issued to the North East Sector in amplification of the orders issued with regard to examinations in Icelandic.
4 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) reached Reykjavik.
(2) The move of the first detachment HQ Company 12th Worcester Regiment from Borganes to Brautarholt was completed.
(3) A request was made to the War Office that Coastal Defence Artillery units in Iceland should be equipped with weapons for local defence on a scale similar to that authorised for Field Artillery units in view of the isolated positions of many of the Coastal Defence gun sites.
5 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The move of HQ Company 12th Worcester Regiment from Borganes to Brautarholt was completed.
(2) The civil telephone to REYDARFJORDUR was respored to working order.
(3) A communication was addressed to the War Office on the delay in the issue of publications notified in Army Council Instructions to this Force.
6 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) One Sub-Section 77 Light Anti-aircraft Battery at SEYDISFJORDUR was brought into action on its permanent sites.
(2) The following were issued :-
a. Additions to list of ranges. Copy filed as Appendix No. 7.
b. Force Operation Instruction No. 55 (Revised) on constitution of Hvalfjordur area. Copy filed as Appendix No. 8.
7 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Standing instructions for Motor Contact Officers from Brigades were issued.
(2) The following were issued :-
a. Force Intelligence Summary No. 72. Copy filed as Appendix No. 9.
b. Force Chemical Warfare Summary No.3. Copy filed as Appendix No. 10.
c. Letter bringing new List of Code Names into force. Copy filed as Appendix No. 11.
d. Amendment No.2 to Force Operation Instruction No. 13 (Revised). Copy filed as Appendix No. 12.
8 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The submarine cable between ICELAND and the UK was broken today, the information being that the break had occurred about one mile North of THORSHAVN in the FAEROE ISLANDS. Communication was maintained by Wireless Telegraphy. Special arrangements for the censorship of all outgoing civil messages by W/T were made.
(2) Force Operation Instruction No. 59 on Royal Engineer moves in ICELAND was issued.
9 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis held an inter-services conference on detailed administrative questions arising out of the development of the US troops.
(2) Four journalists and two photographers accompanied by Captain BLUNT, Royal Artillery, as conducting Officer arrived from the UK on board S.S. LEOPOLDSVILLE (the identity of the Leopoldsville is subject to confirmation as several vessels had that name) to make a tour of the island.
10 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) The usual weekly inter-services conference with US troops was held at Force HQ. The principal points dealt with were A/Q points.
(2) Instructions for Umpires for Force Exercise No. 9 were issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 14.
11 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Relief of 12th Worcester Regiment by 1/ 5 West Yorkshires and their move Akranes – Brautarholt area was completed.
(2) Instructions were issued as to the removal of certain boats in Reykjavik harbour which are habitually beached on positions which mark the field of fire of the Machine Gun post at the Western side of the harbour.
(3) The following were issued :-
a. Force Operation Instruction No. 45 (Revised). Copy filed as Appendix No. 15.
b. “Instructions for the Enemy” in Force Exercise No. 9. Copy filed as Appendix No. 16.
12 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Lt Col J S Watson (G.S.O.1 M.O. 8 War Office) arrived at Reykjavik by air on a visit to this Force.
(2) 30 General Hospital moved to Helgafell HOSPITAL site from LAUGARNES HOSPITAL.
13 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, Inspector General of the RAF visited Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) on his tour of RAF installations in Iceland.
(2) Preliminary conference on Force Exercise No. 9 of 1941 was held on the scene of the exercise.
(3) Lt Col Heard (G.S.O.1) accompanied Lt Col Watson on a visit to the Hvalfjordur area.
(4) The following documents in connection with Force Exercise No. 9 were issued :-
a. General instructions.
b. Programme.
c. Amendment to Programme.
14 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Lt Col Heard (G.S.O.1) and Lt Col Watson left for the Eastern Sub-Sector by air and landed at REYDARFJORDUR. They proceeded to EGILSSTADIR for the night.
(2) The following were issued :-
a. Force Training Instruction NO. 14 on dive bombing attacks on AA gun positions.
b. General Instructions for Force Exercise No.10 of 1941. Copy filed as Appendices Nos.21 and 22.
c. Force Intelligence Summary No. 73. Copy filed as Appendix No.23.
15 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Lt Col Heard (G.S.O.1) and Lt Col Watson reached AKUREYRI where they spent the night.
(2) 89 Company, Pioneer Corps, vacated HULL CAMP, LAUGARNES for BRADFORD CAMP LAUGARNES. HULL CAMP is to be handed over to US Army troops. 203 Company Pioneer Corps moved from its tented camp in the area REYKJAVIK aerodrome to BOURNEMOUTH CAMP, FOSSVOGUR.
(3) A Northrop aircraft made a forced landing at the VESTMANNAEYJAR. The aircraft had been damaged by machine gun fire from a British trawler which had opened fire believing the aircraft to be hostile. Some damage was done to the aircraft but the pilot was not injured.
(4) At the request of A.O.C. Iceland a communication was addressed to H B M Minister on the question of the modification of the street lighting of Reykjavik in the neighbourhood of the VATNSMYRI aerodrome owing to the danger to aircraft using the aerodrome at night.
(5) A fourteen day Force Course in Physical and Recreational training for NCOs commenced today.
(6) Amendments to Force Exercise No. 9 were issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 24.
16 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Lt Col Heard (G.S.O.1) and Lt Col Watson reached Blonduos and spent the night there.
(2) At 00:45 hours 33 Pursuit Squadron US Army Air Force located an unidentified plane and used a powerful hand siren to rouse their pilots. This was mistaken for a general air raid siren and as a gun site also reported the sound of engines which could not be identified the air raid message YELLOW was issued and a flight of Hurricanes took off on patrol. These were subsequently recalled when the position was cleared up.
(3) A US convoy containing US Army troops under command of Major General BONESTEEL reached Reykjavik and Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) visited Major General BONESTEEL on board U.S.S. “DUPONT”. No troops were disembarked during the day.
(4) The following were issued :_
a. Amendment No. 1 to Force Operation Instruction No. 45 revised. Copy filed as Appendix No, 25.
b. Amendments to Force Exercise No. 9 of 1941. Copy filed as Appendix No. 26.
c. Supplement to General Instructions for Force Exercise No. 10 of 1941. Copy filed as Appendix No. 27.
d. Force Operation Instruction No. 60 on the relief of Brautarholt and Akranes by US troops.
17 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Lt Col Heard (G.S.O.1) and Lt Col Watson returned to Reykjavik.
(2) Force Exercise No. 9 of 1941 was carried out lasting from 08:30 hours to 16:00 hours. Intelligence Sections from all Battalions in the Force (save that of 1/ 4 KOYLI) took part. Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) was present most of the day. A stiff gale blew most of the day and rain fell at intervals but visibility was reasonably good throughout.
(3) The KOYLI Company at EGILSSTADIR returned to REYDARFJORDUR leaving a permanent Watching Post of one NCO and two men.
(4) Off-loading of stores from US Transports commenced.
18 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) held a conference attended by all Brigade Commanders and heads of Divisional Branches on mountain warfare training.
(2) After conference with Major General BONESTEEL, Commanding US Iceland Base Force it was agreed that the relief of Akranes and Brautarholt by US Marines should not now take place under Force Operation Instruction No. 60 but that these posts would both be relieved by US troops later. A message (G. 625) was sent out to all concerned to this effect and that instructions for the move of 12th Worcester Regiment would be issued later.
(3) At 09:33 hours a report was received from AKUREYRI of a single unidentified plane flying South South West. It could not at first be identified as friendly by the RAF and two Hurricanes were sent up on patrol over Reykjavik. It was later identified as a US P.40 out of its course.
(4) Interchange move between 274 Field Battery Royal Artillery (at AKUREYRI) and 448 Field Battery Royal Artillery (at REYDARFJORDUR) both of 69 Field Regiment commenced.
(5) A communication was addressed to H B M Minister drawing his attention to the serious breach of security committed by the ICELANDIC newspaper “MORGANBLADID” on the 16th September in publishing details of a submarine attack on an Eastbound convoy near ICELAND, and requesting hir comments on what action should be taken with reference to the press generally if further breaches of security occurred.
19 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) 12th Worcester Regiment, less two Companies, moved into a tented camp at SKERJAFJORDUR Reykjavik leaving one Company at Akranes and one at Brautarholt.
(2) Major General Bonesteel G.O.C. US Iceland Base visited Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) to discuss matters of joint interest.
(3) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) attended conference on Force Exercise No.9 of 1941.
(4) Force Code Name List No. 22 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 29.
(5) An appreciation of the strength and nature of possible enemy air action against Reykjavik and Kaldadarnes was received from A.O.C. Iceland.
20 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) accompanied Major General BONESTEEL on a flight in a US NAVY P.B. – M. aircraft. It was the intention to fly round the whole island but bad weather prevented the tour from being completed and the aircraft had to return directly to Reykjavik.
(2) HQ 146 Brigade moved from Hafnarstraeti 88 AKUREYRI to MARLBOROUGH CAMP AKUREYRI (map reference 046758 Sheet 63 1/100,000 ICELAND).
(3) Detailed instructions for Officer Commanding troops Hvalfjordur area were issued providing for the manning of the Control Post at the Saurbaer road block and for the forwarding of a weekly report to Force HQ.
(4) An appreciation of the possibilities of attack and defence in the HERADSFLOI prepared by Lt Comdr Lang R.N.V.R. was forwarded by A.C.I.C. Copy filed as Appendix No. 31.
21 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A Catalina flying boat was blown ashore this evening at AKUREYRI in a strong gale. The crew were saved but the aircraft is likely to be a complete loss.
(2) The following were issued :-
a. Force Intelligence Summary No. 74. Copy filed as Appendix No. 32.
b. Additions to Camp Names. Copy filed as Appendix No. 33.
c. Force Operations Instruction No. 60 (Revised) containing the revised instructions for the relief of Akranes and Brautarholt by US Marines. Copy filed as Appendix No. 34.
22 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) First detachment 12th Worcester Regiment (Battalion HQ and details) left Reykjavik for the UK on board S.S. BERGENSFJORD.
(2) Approval was given for the closing of certain telephone exchanges at night provided all military and C.W. subscribers were switched through to the nearest all night exchange. The exchanges affected are THINGVELLIR, VARMANLID, Skagastrond, HNIFSADALUR, Borganes, DALVIK AND HOFN.
(3) Lt Col Watson left Reykjavik on board S.S. BERGENSFJORD. A copy of the notes given him is attached (as Appendix No. 35).
(4) The fourth Force Education Course assembled today at Reykjavik. Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) attended the opening session.
(5) Owing to the continued bad weather the start of Force Exercise No. 10 was postponed by twenty four hours.
(6) Move of 274 Field Battery Royal Artillery to REYDARFJORDUR completed.
(7) The following were issued :-
a. Amendment No. 5 to Force Location Statement No.14. Copy filed as Appendix No. 36.
b. Amendment No.12 to Force Operation Instruction No.17. Copy filed as Appendix No. 37.
23 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) A hostile aircraft provisionally identified as a Heinkel 111 was observed on the South West of Iceland today, its route being REYDARFJORDUR area (07:40 hours), DJUPIVOGUR (07:45 hours), VESTMANNAEYJAR (09:23 ) and Vik (09:37). It was seen at only DJUPIVOGUR and VESTMANNAEYJAR. Visibility was generally bad. Hurricane aircraft took off to maintain patrols in the South West Sector but in view of the change of course of the hostile aircraft did not make any contact. One Hurricane aircraft crashed on Mount ESJA in poor visibility and the pilot was killed and the machine wrecked. Report was made to War Office in message 0. 1166.
(2) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) held the usual inter-service conference at Force HQ.
(3) Force Training Instruction No. 15 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 38.
24 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Agreement was reached with General BONESTEEL, Commanding General US Forces on the general policy of visits to Iceland of British and US press correspondents. In general it was agreed that not more than four correspondents of each nation should be accepted in Iceland at any one time. The War Office was advised in message 0. 1170.
(2) Owing to continued bad weather the start of Force Exercise No. 10 of 1941 was postponed at 09:15 hours. Heavy rain was falling and a strong South Easterly gale blowing. Two bridges have been washed out on the Selfoss – VIK road.
(3) Instructions were given for the withdrawal of the detachment 1/ 7 Duke of Wellington’s Regiment at ODDI and ALVIDRA BRIDGE.
(4) Instructions were given for the darkening of the street lights in Reykjavik in the vicinity of the aerodrome.
25 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
NIL.
26 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Curtis (G.O.C.) left Reykjavik for the UK in a Whitley aircraft to attend conference at War Office on mountain warfare training and for leave. Brigadier P Kirkup, 70th Infantry Brigade, assumed command of the Force. Notes were taken by the G.O.C. on various suggestions forwarded. Copy filed as Appendix No. 39.
(2) Arrangements were made for a weekly intelligence conference to be attended by all service Intelligence Officers and the Intelligence Officers of the US Army, Marine Brigade and Army Air Force. The first meeting as attended was held today.
(3) The move of remaining Companies 12th Worcester Regiment into Reykjavik was completed and the stations at Akranes and Brautarholt were taken over by 3rd Battalion, 6th US Marines.
(4) An unidentified aircraft was seen by the Coast Watching Post at KER in the North East Sector.
(5) In view of representations made by Reykjavik town Air Raid Precautions committee that no alteration be made in the present system of passing on air raid warnings this point was agreed and H B M Minister advised accordingly.
(6) A letter was sent to the War Office in reply to their M.I. 11/867 dated 28th August 1941 stating that Mr ALWYN MORIS, formerly an employee of the German Consul could not be accepted in Iceland again.
(7) HQ 10th Durham Light Infantry moved into HALGOLAND CAMP and the Battalion is now disposed as follows :-
Battalion HQ and HQ Company – HALGOLAND CAMP, Reykjavik
A Company less one Platoon – SHERWOOD CAMP, Reykjavik.
B Company – CRAVEN CAMP, Reykjavik.
C Company – BRANCEPETH CAMP, Reykjavik.
D Company – HARROGATE CAMP and BALBO’s CAMP, Reykjavik.
One Platoon – VESTMANNAEYJAR.
(8) Force Training Instruction No. 16 and accompanying letter were issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 40.
27 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Owing to bad weather and heavy rain the telephone line between REYDARFJORDUR and DJUPIVOGUR and HOFN has broken down. The direct line to AKUREYRI was also out of action during the day but was restored.
(2) A Whitley bomber caught fire on landing at REYKJAVIK aerodrome and was badly damaged. The crew were rescued.
28 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Force Intelligence Summary No. 75 was issued. Copy filed as Appendix No. 42.
29 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) Major General Kirkup (G.O.C.) held a conference attended by Major General BONESTEEL, Commanding General US Iceland Base Force and his staff for the purpose of achieving liaison between the staffs of the respective forces from a tactical point of view, and making the dispositions of all British troops clear. The American party were entertained to lunch subsequently.
(2) Information was received that the road Selfoss – VIK has now opened to traffic.
(3) The damage to the civil telephone lines in the North East Sector was repaired and communication re-established between REYDARFJORDUR and DJUPIVOGUR.
30 September 1941 – Artun, Iceland.
(1) It was intended to put Force Exercise No. 10 of 1941 at 00:01 hours tomorrow but owing to the continued bad weather forecasts of the continuance it was decided to cancel the Exercise completely.
(2) The heavy rain washed away a section of the Hvalfjordur road about three miles East of HVITANES. The damage was repaired during the day by 803 Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers.
Appendices attached to the War Diary of Iceland Force G Branch for September 1941.
The appendices listed above – some 42 in total – were either missing from the War Diary file at The National Archives, or were not photographed due to their size.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
