WAR DIARY SEPTEMBER 1942

1sep 42

Qassassin awaiting orders to move to Gebel Maryam for reorg

7 sep 42

142 field park Sqn is to be converted into X field squadron, the second field squadron for the 7th Armd Div and in its new role must be “desertworthy” by mid October.

This will involve reorg into HG Troop and three Field Troops , each of the later containing four sections, on of which should be an armoured section

12 sep 42

OC Major H R Carr agrees to title of 21

9 Oct

Sqn move to 4450.8765 65 miles 19:00 hrs “A” track – Hammmam – International Corner “C” track

10 Oct

4450.8765

11 Oct

 3 troop moves to 450.873 for training

21 Oct 42

1 tp moves out to join 2 troop in Deir Ragil 4245.8665 to prepare gaps in May, June and  Nuts minefields

22 Oct

Sqn hq and 3tp

1.         GENERAL

a)    142nd Field Park Squadron R.E. is to be converted into ‘X’ Field Squadron, the second field squadron for the 7th Armd Division, and in its new role must be “Desertworthy” by mid-October.

b)    This will involve re-organisation into an HQ Troop, and three Field Troops, each of the later containing four sections, one of which should be an armoured section.

c)    Consequently the unit will have to double its size with a large intake from the Base Depot, and also re-equip itself extensively.

d)    The above will involve a period of intensive training for both old and new “Members”. Every opportunity must be taken during the limited time available.

e)    Although the unit is now in a “Sheltered” area, subjects which form part of the every day routine when operating in the Desert cannot be neglected. They must be rigidly enforced.

f)     Below subjects for training are divided into two categories:-

i.      These to be carried out under Troop Leaders arrangements.

ii.     These to be carried out under special arrangements made by Sqn HQ.

g)    Lieut J Ewart is appointed Officer i/c Training and he will be responsible for getting out programmes and making the special arrangements under (f) (ii) above.

2.         TRAINING TO BE CARRIED OUT UNDER TROOP LEADERS ARRANGEMENTS.

a)    March Discipline

i.      Movement of vehicles in air formation.

ii.     Control of column on the move. Standard signals are given in Appendix “A”.

iii.    Halts. In moves of more than one hour, regular halts will be enforced, to rest drivers and inspect vehicles and loads. This will apply to all parties even of single vehicles on detached duty, and will often avoid accidents and breakdowns due to tired drivers and indifferently inspected vehicles.

b)    Driving

      The ideal to aim at is that every man should be able too drive.

c)    Navigation

      The ideal is also that every man should be able to navigate in the desert.

d)    Protection

      The question of protection against air or ground attack is dealt with in Appendix “B”.

e)    AntiGas

      Respirators must be worn once a week for a continuous period of a quarter of  an hour by all ranks. During this period normal duties will continue as far as possible. There must be no exemptions from this and Troop Leaders must select times for practice at which essential work likely to be interfered with,       (e.g., cooking of men’s meals) does not have to be carried out.

In addition short “Gas Alarms” should occasionally be given at odd moments  to ensure that respirators are kept reasonably near to hand.

      Decontamination rules must be known and understood by all.

f)     Hardening Training

 PT will continue to be carried out every day for half an hour before other  Parades.

 When within easy reach of the excellent bathing facilities afforded by this area, arrangements must be made for every member of each Troop to bathe in the middle of the day or early afternoon.

g)    Troop Administration

      Administration, Hygiene, 1st Aid, Cooking by Vehicles, and vehicle loading,  also security measures must be dealt with by Troop Leaders.

h)    Writing Reports and Sitreps

      NCO’s should be practised in writing reports and sitreps, and drawing sketch  maps and diagrams.

i)      Vehicle Maintenance

  Replacement of vehicles, particularly 15-cwts and water trucks is extremely difficult. It is therefore more than ever vitally important that Squadron  vehicles should be kept in sound mechanical condition by regular inspection and constant maintenance. Inspections MUST be carried out periodically by Troop Officers. Overdriving and overloading of vehicles must be watched for       and suppressed.

3.         TRAINING TO BE CARRIED OUT UNDER SQUADRON ARRANGEMENTS

For the following subjects special instructions will be issued later:-

a)    Weapon Training

      Pistol, Rifle, Bren Gun and “Tommy Gun”.

b)    Minelaying and Minesweeping

      Including all known forms of our own and enemy, and mines and booby traps. Plotting and recording.

c)    Demolitions

      Including AFV’s, Aircraft, Dispersed Dumps, Bangalore Torpedoes.

d)    Bridging

      Folding Boat, SBG, H.10, and assault Boats and Bridges.

e)    Water Supply

      Pump management, water points, and purification.

f)     Night Marches

g)    Leaguer Drill

Open and close. Officers will consider the best form of leaguer for

(i)   Individual Troops. 

(ii) Sqn HQ Troop and one or more Field Troops together.This matter will be discussed later.

h)    R/T Procedure

      Practices for Officers and certain NCO’s will be arranged in conjunction with R.C.S.

i)      Co-operation with other Arms and Units

4.         POINTS TO NOTE

a)    In an Armoured Division speed is of paramount importance. Work should therefore be of sufficiently good quality for its purposes only. Labour, time, and particularly stores expended on un essential work are wasted.

b)    Troops must train to live and work quite independently.

c)    Training must be organised so as to benefit most the “newcomers” who will be arriving periodically into the unit.

(Sgd.)              major R.E.

APPENDIX “A” TO TRAINING INSTRUCTION No 1 of 7^th Sept 1942

1.         WARNING

The Commander will stand up in his vehicle. On seeing this vehicle commanders will stand by for signals. Note that the driver is NOT responsible for watching for signals, but merely obeys orders given by the vehicle commander. (If no NCO in vehicle, assistant driver watches for signals).

2.         HALT

Arm raised vertically to full extent.

3.         DISMOUNT

Hand moved up and down from the level of the shoulder downwards, and palm of hand down as in patting a large dog.

4.         MOUNT (and start up)

Hand and arm moved in circular motion, as if winding a starting handle.

5.         MOVE OFF

No special signal for this, but after “MOUNT” is given, vehicles will be prepared to move off when commander’s vehicle starts.

6.         FORM LEAGUER

Both arms raised above head to form a “Y”. When moving in air formation vehicles will halt, and then make the necessary adjustments to move into leaguer position.

When moving in line ahead, commander’s vehicle only will halt, remainder will move up and form leaguer left and right as ordered.

7.         LINE AHEAD

Extend arms sideways horizontally and swing upwards, bringing palms of hands together over the head. This signal is given for the move into line ahead from air formation.

8.         DISPERSE

Arm moved vigorously to and from across the body. Just below shoulder level. This signal is given for the move to air formation from line ahead.

9.         MISCELLANEOUS

Slow down, wheel right, wheel left, will be given as in the “Highway Code”.

10.       GENERAL

i.        Signals will be repeated throughout the column by vehicle commanders or assistant drivers.

ii.      Commander will continue to give the signal till all drivers are acting on it.

APPENDIX “B” TO TRAINING INSTRUCTION No 1 of 7^th Sept 1942

PROTECTION

1.         GENERAL

a)      As soon as the unit becomes involved in mobile operations in the desert, the question of protection becomes extremely important. The unit must be prepared for bombing and ground strafing from the air and possibly ground attack.

b)      Training should be directed so that every man knows what to do under the various circumstances likely to arise. Unless this is so, there is a danger of confusion, panic, and opportunities for hitting back at the enemy may be lost.

c)      The commander of any party however small, is responsible for:-

i.        The safety of his detachment.

ii.      No opportunity of hitting the enemy is lost.

2.         PROTECTION AT REST

This will normally be when in leaguer. The main headings under which this must be considered by Troop Leaders are :-

a)      Dispersion.

b)      Siting of available LMG’s, and detailing personnel to man them.

c)      Action of other personnel; every available man to open fire on enemy aircraft within range.

d)      Recce of ground in leaguer area, so that the unit can move without confusion at the shortest notice in any direction, if necessary at night, and without lights.

e)      Blackout.

f)       Patrols and listening posts.

3.         PROTECTION ON THE MOVE

a)      Action of vehicle crew if attacked. In the event of air attack all vehicles will halt unless orders to the contrary have been issued, should such orders have been issued, fire will be opened by LMG’s if possible.

b)      If vehicles have to halt, personnel from “B” vehicles will dismount and disperse and open controlled fire at hostile aircraft.

c)      When in “No Man’s Land” or anywhere where the enemy may be encountered, the column Commander (Senior Officer or NCO in party) must warn NCO’s i/c vehicles of this before starting, and decide on drill if enemy are sighted. It is the responsibility of the Column Commander to keep an eye open for hostile vehicles  and decide whether to destroy them or withdraw.

4.         PROTECTION WHEN WORKING

Before starting work, the Officer or NCO i/c party must:-

a)      Site and man  AAL MG’s.

b)      If necessary post lookout for approach of enemy vehicles.

c)      Decide what action the party will take if attacked from the air (e.g. there may be good cover nearby from which fire may be opened).

d)   Decide what action to take on approach of enemy vehicles, and recce a line of withdrawal ect.

Report on Road Demolitions and Mining between

EL-AGHEILA and NOFILIA L.G.

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Copy No 3  

Initial hasty clearance carried out by 21 Fd Sqn RE,

except from kilo 15-27 and kilo 128 – L.G. (kilo 136)  

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ENEMY INTENTION

The enemy intention during his retreat along the road from EL-AGHEILA has been not only an attempt to slow down the advance of the army, but also a deliberate plan to cause as many casulaties as possible to any one trying to repair his demolitions. This he tried to achieve by liberal use of anti-personal mines and many varieties of booby-trap both of which, as a means of killing or maiming, seem to appeal greatly to the perverted mind of the German.

METHOD                    (a)The 5 main types of road obstruction that were 

met were:-                     (i) Blown bridges, up to 60ft gap.

(ii) Blown culverts, up to 15ft gap.

Pairs of 15ft craters.

Rows of filled barrels placed across the road, some booby-trapped.

Mines in the road and verges.

                                      (b) As nearly all these demolittions were ineffective in themselves, on account of the fact that vehicles could make diversions out on either side of the road, the enemy had resorted to placing mines in all likely places for such diversions. These consisted of a few Teller-mines an tracks which vehicles had made previously, and round about them Shrapnel-mines placed without any regard for pattern. Very few demolitions were met which did NOT have mines on either side of the road, the usual number being 4 to 12 Teller-mines and 12 to 24 Shrapnel-mines. (Some of them buried a foot deep).

In places where mines had been placed in pot-holes on the road they were nearly always found to be stretching for about 100 yards on either side of the road as well. These were generously placed near a kilo stone, and were easily spotted from the enemy habit of placing a Jerrican on top of the kilo stone which had mines around it.

BOOBY-TRAPS           Apart from plain mining the following booby-traps 

were found:-

9i)     Approximately one Teller-mine in five with anti-lifting devices.

(ii)     Teller-mines lying on the surface, exposed and apparently unarmed with the pin IN and the arming wire still wrapped round the igniter, but with anti-lifting devices underneath.

(iii)     One Teller-mine on top of another connected by a pull igniter.

(iv)     5 barrels filled with earth across the road. One or two had Teller-mines with pull igniters pegged down to the road, so that they exploded when the barrel was moved.

(v)     Some of the barrels had a large charge in them, being packed with shells etc., and were placed on top of culverts, so that when pulled away they blew in the top of the culvert.

(vi)     A lorry partialy across the road, with a wire from one axle connected to a pull igniter in the side of a Teller-mine; this mine on top of, and connected by a pull igniter to another Teller-mine, which in turn had a pull igniter underneath pegged into the ground with wire.

(vii)    “S” mines with pull igniters under debris.

CLEARANCE              One Tp., carried out hasty clearance of this stretch of road in 4½ days.

(a) Personnel employed.. Another Tp. Assisted them for two days, but were engaged on MARBLE ARCH L.G. for the remainder of the time.

(b) Method of clearing. The task set was to clear the tarmac of mines and make safe traffic diversions round all obstructions. Small parties with detectors managed to do this quite swiftly.  

(c) Drill employed. At some stages it was possible to “leapfrog” sections down the road, setting them each a certain stretch to do.

Generally however it was found safer, where the mines were thickest, to make a whole Tp. follow on behind a recce party and for sections or small parties to drop off and clear up, while the remainder proceeded on to the next obstruction, by making a wide diversion.

Date: 21^st Dec 1942                                                         John Laing

A/OC, 21^st Field Squadron R.E.