War Diary 756th Field Company, Royal Engineers, September 1943

1 – 4 September 1943 GALSTON

All the Company, less those on leave and duties, employed on “mock-up” assault locality at AUCHINLONGFORD Farm. See Appendix 25. This Appendix was either not photographed on the research visit to Kew or had been omitted from the original War Diary file.

6 – 11 September 1943

As above, but each Platoon in turn went to DOUGLAS WEST rifle ranges for two days, sleeping one night there. Every man in the Company shot his classification shoot on the first day there, and on the next fired Bren and PIAT guns and received instruction in the 2” Mortar. See Appendix 26 attached to the War Diary. This Appendix was either not photographed on the research visit to Kew or had been omitted from the original War Diary file.

13 – 14 September 1943

Work on “mock-up” locality.

15 September 1943

07:00 hours. Company plus 1 Bailey Platoon and 1 Bailey Pioneer Platoon of 106 Bridging Company, RASC, left LOUDOUN Camp as Assault Scales on Exercise CONTACT III and concentrated at CULZEAN Castle near MAYBOLE. Brigade “O” Group at 11:00 hours. 1 Platoon placed under command 11th Royal Scots Fusiliers. 1 Section under 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and 1 Section under 7th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment for advance to second objective in Bridgehead.

16 September 1943

Brigade advanced with 1 Platoon Royal Engineers under command each Battalion. Company HQ and Bridging Platoon bivouaced near LUGAR.

18:00 hours. 2 Platoon with 11th Royal Scots Fusiliers built a ford across River AYR near MUIRKIRK in 57 minutes enabling Carriers and guns to cross.

17 September 1943

07:00 hours. Brigade advanced again, was held up by tank attack near DOUGLAS.

19 September 1943

18:00 hours. Brigade advanced to form bridgehead over River CLYDE near LANARK.

18:30 hours. RE Recce Officer measured Cap and advance party started work on bankseats for Class 30 Bailey Pontoon Bridge.

Night 17 – 18 September 1943

Company employed all night building operationally Pontoon Bridge with 1 80 foot Long Landing Bay, 2 * 32 foot end floating bays and 1 80 foot long landing bay and approximately 300 yards of approach road.

18 September 1943

08:00 hours. Bridge completed and Brigade crossed.

11:00 hours. 30 ton Self-propelled gun on Sherman chassis tested bridge at speed.

11:30 hours. Company returned to Loudoun Castle.

19 September 1943

Company dismantled Bailey Pontoon Bridge and returned to Camp.

20 and 21 September 1943 GALSTON.

All Officers attended 147 Brigade Exercise WEPIN. Remainder of Company employed taking up Somerfeld Road at 1 Corps HQ.

22 – 24 September 1943.

See Annex 29. This Appendix was either not photographed at Kew or had been omitted from the original War Diary file.

25 September 1943

Assault Bridging Platoon of 106 Bridging Company RASC joined Company at Loudoun Castle.

1 to 12 September 1943

Officer Commanding on 1 Corps Planning Exercise EUCLID.

1 to 8 September 1943

F.E. 2 (? Field Engineer 2) on Motor Transport Course at RIPON.

1 to 7 September 1943

Officer in command 1 Platoon on Bridging Course at RIPON.

6 to 21 September 1943

Officer in command 3 Platoon on Mechanical Equipment Course at RIPON.

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