War Diaries of 21 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers
1942
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WAR DIARY SEPTEMBER 1942
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1sep 42 |
Qassassin awaiting orders to move to Gebel Maryam
for reorg |
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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 |
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9 Oct |
Sqn move to 4450.8765 65 miles 19:00 hrs “A” track – Hammmam – International Corner “C” track |
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10 Oct |
4450.8765 |
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11 Oct |
3 troop moves to 450.873 for training |
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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 |
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22 Oct |
Sqn hq and 3tp |
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SECRET | ||
Ref. 6(a). | ||
Date. 7th Sept 1942 | ||
‘X’ FIELD SQUADRON R.E. |
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TRAINING INSTRUCTION No.1. |
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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.
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(Sgd.) major R.E. |
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In the Field | O.C., ‘X’ Field Squadron R.E. |
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7.9.42 |
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JD. |
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Distribution:- |
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CRE 7th Armd Div | Copy No 1 | |
OC ‘X’ Field Squadron RE | Copy No 2 | |
O i/c No 1 Troop | Copy No 3 | |
O i/c No 2 Troop | Copy No 4 | |
O i/c No 3 Troop | Copy No 5 | |
War Diary | Copy No 6 & 7 | |
File | Copy No 8 | |
October 1942 Commanding Officer: Major H R Carr |
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Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
450.8765 |
21 |
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1 Troop moves out to join 2 Troop in DEIR RAGIL 4245.8665 to prepare gaps in May, Hune & Nuts minefields. 2 Troop already there under orders 22 Armd Bde (1 R.B.) |
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22 |
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Sqn HQ and 3 Troop (less det) move to join 1 and 2 Troops. Detachment 3 Troop rejoins 4th Fd Sqn. 2 sections of 2 Troop put under command 1 Troop. Night of 22/23 – 4 lanes opened in Nuts minefield successfully, (including AP mines) by 1 Troop. Start line laid by 2 Troop. |
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23 |
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2 Troop (less 2 secs) moves off to 28 Armd Bde concentrate area. Work on gaps completed. Marking forward to start line and enemy minefield (Jan) started by 3 Troop at 13:00 hrs.7 Armd Div (bulk of) passed through Nut’s and gaps made by 4th Fd Sqn in Jan, but not Feb. Sqn warned to stand by with 1 Troop to assist 4th Fd Sqn at about 24:00 hrs. OC goes up to visit CRE at Div Tac HQ. CRE away but Comd 7 Armd Div orders up 1 Troop. OC returns, Troop already on move having been ordered up by W/T. OC with SSM and Armd 15cwt plus W/T moves up to Tac HQ arriving 06:15 hrs on 24th Oct. |
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24 |
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1
Troop leaguered near Tac HQ at 8842.2562 in reserve. Lays Army Track and
maintains approaches to Jan in morning and afternoon. 14:30 hrs OC sees
CRE receives orders for breaking Feb minefield. One party found from each
of 1 & 3 Troops. Form up at 18:00 hrs. Only one Scorpion available
with 1 Troop. 1 Troop has no contact with attacking infantry until start
line is reached. Zero hour 22:30. Scorpion starts flogging in minefield at
approx 23:50 hrs but breaks down after 100 yards. |
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Casualties from accurate enemy shelling on approach march, also MG & A/Tk gun fire from flanks. No 3 Gap (3 Tp S party), declared open first by CRE about 02:00 hrs. Scorpion worked again for short time before finally breaking down. No 2 Gap opened about one hour after No 3. Each Gap tested by passing carrier through to ½ mile beyond far side. Tanks passed through both, but some ran off gap and were blown up, heavy casualties were caused by accurate A/Tk gun fire. |
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After No 3 Gap was declared open, No 3 Troop returned to reform at Sqn leaguer. No 1 Troop reformed on Jan minefield No 2 Gap in reserve. OC at TAQ HQ about 05:45 hrs, party called for to ensure that tanks can pass through minefield to assist infantry on far side , as there is some doubt about mines on far side of No 2 Gap. CRE, OC Sqn, OC No 1 Troop and 12 men go out in 2 scout cars, 2 carriers, 1 white pick up and 3 Grant tanks about 06:45 hrs, and proceed into minefield in daylight. Very heavy fire opened out , sappers were sent back. |
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25 |
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CRE & OC Sqn navigate 2 Grants through the minefield and return one Grant has tracked knocked off. Spr Booker with White goes back and picks up crew. All the party was safely evacuated. Sqn rests and reforms parties on axis and gap maintenance in evening. Visited by CRE 13 Corps in morning. Div Corps Comd says Sappers did well. Casualties – 8 killed & 19 wounded, total 27. CRE spends night with Sqn. |
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26 |
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Sqn moves back to old leaguer area 4238.8668. |
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4238.8668 |
27 |
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Sqn moves back again to area 438.865 near 143rd Fd Pk Sqn & 4th Fd Sqn, to prepare for next operation. Lieut Deavin and party from 3 Troop carry out successful recce of new and widened Gaps in Feb minefield and work back fro new Gaps to Jan minefield. |
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438.865 |
28 |
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No 1 Troop on maintenance of May, June & Nuts minefields Gaps. |
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29 |
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Arranged with 4th Fd Sqn allotment of recruits, this unit received 4 Cpls & 17 Sprs. OC recce’d tracks to Jan. |
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30 |
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No 1 Troop on improvement to tracks to Jan. 3 Troop on minefields maintenance. Warning received ref move of CRE , 143 Fd Pk Sqn & 4th Fd Sqn. Arranged recce of 4 Fd Sqn work to take over same. Div Comd also CRE expressed satisfaction with work of Sqn in making Gaps in Feb. |
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31 |
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Main party of 7 Armd Div moves North. Sqn comes under comd 4th Lt Armd Bde. 08:00 hrs 2 Troop ordered to concentrate Sqn area and arrive 13:00 hrs. Comd sees Comd 4th Lt Armd Bde OC 1 KRRC & Lieut Bents 143 Fd Pk Sqn and arranges to take over above. |
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Strength of Unit 8 and 267 |
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November 1942 Commanding Officer: Major H R Carr |
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Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
Area 438.865 | 1 | 01:30 | W/T message from 4Lt Armd Bde. Sqn to move up to new area near Bde HQ in DEIR-EL-RAGIL first light. | |
06:30 | Sqn moves as ordered. OC reports to HQ for orders. Sqn visited by CE 13 Corps. | |||
11:30 | Conference at Bde HQ orders for advance issued. 2 Tp moves under command HCR. 3 Tp under command Derbyshire Yeo. Tps move out to their units. 1 Tp in support 1 KRRC, relieves detachment 143 Fd Pk Sqn who depart, also 3x3ton lorries of Hawkins Mines to CRE. | |||
2 | 09:30 | OC visits CE 13 Corps. 4 LAB ordered to move to N Sector. | ||
13:00 | 2 & 3 Tps recalled from Armd Regts. Sqn concentrated. | |||
16:00 | Moves behind 3 RHA thro all gaps in May Minefield then N to Lancaster gate – (elements lose contact in dark & get bogged). | |||
IMAYID area | 3 | 01:30 | BEACHY HEAD – IMAYID Relay Stn Area, Sqn close leaguers, disperses to 439.896 | |
10:00 | OC to Bde HQ for orders, maintenance and bathe. W/S equipt collected from BURG-EL-ARAB. | |||
4 | 06:00 | Orders received by W/T to move Sqn up to Bde area. Whole Bde found moving off – pursuit is on via TEL-EISA-TELEL AQAQIR & S down SIDI-ABD-EL-RAHMAN track. Bde takes 2000 prisoners, leaguers S of DABA. Leaguer shot up by Armd Cars Spr Lawton (1Tp) wounded by bomb. | ||
FUKA | 5 | 06:00 | Moved with NZ Div – 7 German tanks, one Russian 76mm gun destroyed SE of FUKA after action. Cleared way thro dummy minefield for Bde. Spr Mills F E & Mills E A S (2 Tp) killed by shellfire, Spr Powell B D wounded. | |
18:00 | Sqn leaguered S of FUKA escarpment with Bde HQ, first rain during night. | |||
FUKA | 6 | 13:00 | Moved N on SIDI-HANEISH under command 1 KRRC, further rain, going getting difficult. 1 Mk III destroyed, leaguered S of escarpment. | |
7 | Further rain, spent day moving about 8 miles W – transport bogging badly, M13 & Mk III destroyed. | |||
8 | 1 Tp detached to mark and clear gap in unmarked minefield across MATRUH-SIWA track and recced gap thro minefields to W. | |||
9 | Moved on towards MSHEIFA and then redirected on SIDI BARRANI (less 1 Tp). Shot up by ME 109’s no casualties. Joined main coast road Kilo 95 – contact with enemy rearguard, and leaguered Kilo 120. | |||
SIDI BARRANI |
10 | Move SW round SIDI BARRANI and then on to road near BUG BUG, in contact with enemy rearguard, recced route thro minefield, tanks tried to ascend HALFAYA in dark – 3 casualties on tellermines. Sqn less 1 Tp concentrates foot of HALFAYA 21:00 hrs. At 22:00 hrs 2 & 3 Tps start to sweep road up, covered by 1 KRRC | ||
23:30 | 1 Tp rejoins Sqn | |||
HALFAYA Area | 11 | 02:00 | Sweep 3000 yards complete – 57 tellermines removed. Bde ascends pass first light. Det from 1 Tp under Lieut Blockley with leading tanks clears road at top. | |
08:00 | Sqn moves up to top of HALFAYA – strafed by ME 109’s. 2 x 210mm guns destroyed. SIDI AZEIZ LG recced – moved via MUSAID-CAPPUZZO to TRIGH CAPPUZZO and leaguered. Lieut Harley sent to fetch QM’s Party. | |||
TRIGH CAPUZZO | 12 | 08:00 | Bde moved on S of GAMBUT & TOBRUK leaguered near HAGFET GNABEL | |
ACROMA area | 13 | Moved N on ACROMA, recced routes round minefields and on to coast road. Bde turned W and leaguered on top of escarpment S of GAZALA cleared mines of main coast road at GAZALA and recced EL AGHEILA and MRASAS for water. Det under Lieut Barnsley & L/Sgt Mutch sent out with Royals and SA Armd Cars. OC, Lieut Deavin & Det proceed along coast road via TMIMI directed on MARTUBA | ||
GAZALA | 14 | Many belts of mines found and lifted. TMIMI LG’s recced, also UMMER RZEM water supply. Booby trapped mines first found UMM ER RZEM, leaguered Kilo 35. Section of 2 Tp sent with Royals directed on CHARRUBA | ||
GAZALA | 15 | Moved on via MARTUBA where LG’s recced and No’s 1 & 3 Tps rejoined – CARMUSET W of GIOVANNI BERTHA and leaguered. Lieut Harley & QM’s Party rejoin Sqn HQ & 2 Tp, which moves to TMIMI and gets bogged. | ||
GIOVANNI BERTA | 16 | Raining hard, tps dried out in farmhouse, waiting to replenish. Lieut Deavin & 2/Lieut Westwater patrolled 26 miles W and cleared some prepared charges near DE MARTINO. Bombed by He III’s. Lieut Barnsley joins with B Echelon. | ||
SLONTA | 17 | Bde moves on W via main road. LAMLUDA-Southern loop to SLONTA – ran into enemy rearguard there. Sprs, leading Bde twice shot up by Armd Cars. Very wet. HQ & 2 Tp rejoined. | ||
18 | Pushed on to MARAUA – very wet – many mines. | |||
19 | Pushed on to BARCE – very wet – many mines, bridge on escarpment above BARCE blown, diversion completed by 16:00 hrs in 3 hrs. 26 prisoners (2 German) taken by Lieut Barnsley recce’ing first into BARCE. Leaguered there after recce’ing for booby traps. Bad accident on escarpment with No 1 Tp Armd 15-cwt. Sprs Hind, Dodd, Ayres, Jones J N killed. | |||
BARCE | 19 | Sprs Sinclair, Wheeldon, Miller H N, Skeats, James, Beechy and L/Cpl Sharpe wounded. Mines found on LG and approaches. | ||
BARCE |
20 |
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Recce
party 1 Tp proceeds via EL ABIAR and recce party 2 Tp up TOCRA road,
latter report large crater on escarpment. 3 Tp moved up – start work
13:30 hrs road through by 17:00 hrs, with assistance 50 SA Armd Car &
50 KRRC & RHA personnel. 2 Tp recce party proceeds ahead. 3 Tp leaguers at head of escarpment. Dvr Goss killed in Bantam by tellermine |
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BENGHASI | 21 | Bde with Sqn less 1 Tp proceed via TOCRA to BENGHASI, many mines. Leaguer in Main Rly Stn. Recce Docks for traps. 1 Tp rejoined via REGEIMA having lifted 165 tellermines and got badly bogged on EL ABIAR track. | ||
BENGHASI | 22 | Established WP near FUHEIHAT – maintenance. | ||
BENGHASI | 23 | 16:00 | Moved to MAGRUN with Bde leaving WP in action. Received orders rejoin 7th Armd Div AGEDABIA area. Sqn moves off and OC proceeded ahead with Lieut Harley. | |
AGEDABIA | 24 | 11:00 | 08:00 hrs. OC saw Major Walker A/CRE, and Sqn arrives less 3 Tp, leaguers N of main 7th Armd Div HQ on ANTELAT track, recce for WP at RIDOTTA, PESSANA & ZUETINA. 3 Tp returns to MAGRUN to clear LG and verges off road. Sprs Allan and Pollard (2 Tp) killed by lifting tellermines. | |
AGEDABIA | 25 | Det under Lieut Blockley with 4 Lt Armd Bde Column moving S and Det under Capt Ewart with Royals Column moved on BIR BETTAFAL. Recovered most of sec sent out with Royals from GAZALA | ||
AGEDABIA | 26 | Lieut Blockley’s Det returns. Party sent to ANTELAT to arrange W/Point for F.M.C. | ||
AGEDABIA | 27 | Sqn less dets moves to XB.86.99, vehicles for workshops left with MT Sgt. 3 Tp mending road craters. Recce party to HASSEIAT & BELANDAH LG’s. | ||
AGEDABIA | 28 | No 2 Tp det returns. LG’s recce party returns. | ||
AGEDABIA | 29 | Det from 2 Tp to 4 Lt Armd Bde for minefield recovery work. | ||
AGEDABIA | 30 | Water recce carried out by 2 Tp between main road and sea. Casualties for this month are Killed 9 – Wounded 10 – and 27 sick. Total strength now: Officers 8 – OR’s 221 | ||
December 1942 Commanding Officer: Major H R Carr |
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Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information | References to Appendices |
Map
Ref 1.250.000 EGYPT & CYRENAICA Sheet 8 |
1 |
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Strength
of unit: - 8 and 221 Sqn ordered to make and mark tracks AGEDABIA – GTAFIA – BIR – ES SUERA. Recces made and work started.
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2 |
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Sqn moved to (X)B8981. Work on tracks continued. |
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3 |
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OC sick and evacuated with jaundice. 1 Tp moves under command 4 Lt Armd Bde. Further tracks started from GTAFIA – (X)C0460 – MAATEN BETTAFAL – (X)B8176 – BIR EL GINN and MAATEN BETTAFAL 10 replacement vehicles received from 4 Fd Sqn RE |
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4 |
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Autopatrol
from SAEC sent to help with track construction. Capt Ewart returned to his tp and reported Spr Whittle killed by thermos bomb 2 days previously, also Sprs Lee & Knight wounded |
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5 |
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Continued work on tracks. |
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6 |
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Continued work on tracks. 2 reinforcements received. |
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7 |
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3 Tp found well at (X)B9599 and tested. Estimated 500 galls per hour yield. |
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8 |
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CRE
decided to make well a Water Point and 143 Fd Pk Sqn take over. 1 Tp moved
off 30 miles SOUTH with 4 Lt Armd Bde. CE
Eighth Army visited CRE and saw all unit comds of Div Engineers.
Reinforcement situation discussed. 2/Lt Westwater took small party to lift
mines in front of 65 A/Tk Regt. CE inspected the unit. After Sqn Parade CE met all Officers present. |
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Quiet day. No work, so football was organised. |
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Lt Deavin & a party from 2 Tp with a bulldozer from 143 Fd Pk Sqn left to do ground markings for RAF near MAATEN BETTAFAL. 3 Stukas attacked them, put bulldozer out of action and wounded L.Cpl Rumble. Remainder of unit engaged on maintenance of desert tracks. |
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Sqn move to BLEIDET Et TARATIT, expecting to do minefield XXXXXXXXX |
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(X)C4050 |
9 |
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Strength
2 Officers and 44 Ors Water recce carried out – unsuccessful.
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10 |
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Recce party to CRYSTAL’S RIFT (X)G8969 to find way across for Bde. |
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12 |
Pumped well at (X)C6946 but water very saline. |
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13 |
Moved with Bde past CRYSTAL’S RIFT to (X)G6475 |
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(X)G6475 | 14 |
Tp went west with KDG and cut 3 gaps in fence along AGHEILA – MARADA track. Swept for mines but none found. 1 Section 6 NZ Fd Coy placed under command. |
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15 |
Moved to (X)A2186. Enemy contacted. Shells fell near Tp area. |
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16 |
Moved 4 miles SW near Bde HQ |
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17 |
1 Section 6 NZ Fd Coy returned to their unit. |
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18 |
Whole Bde moved to (R)Z8316. After tank battle Lieut. Blockley destroyed 1 Mk III, SOUTH of NOFILIA |
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(R)Z8316 | 19 |
Moved to (R)Z4115 |
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20 |
Moved to NOFILIA. Area searched for mines, some “T” and “S” mines discovered and cleared. |
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(R)Z8328 | 21 |
Tp employed on water recce, but apart from the main wells in NOFILIA which had been blown, there was little water in the area |
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24 |
Moved to (R)Y8530 |
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(R)Y8530 | 25 |
Recce det sent to GASR BU HADI to pump well there and report on mining |
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26 |
Tp
moved up to SIRTE to clear road, WEST of the town. Spr McIlveen wounded.
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SIRTE | 27 |
Moved back to Bde area. |
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28 | Moved to (R)X9853 | |||
(R)X9853 | 29 | Moved with Bde to area BIR EL ZIDAN (R)X6663 | ||
30 | Started Bde W/Point at (R)X6952. Well 80 ft deep. | |||
31 | Laid small Hawkins minefield across GHEDDAHIA – BU NGEM Road, at (R)X4824 | |||
Strength 2 Officers and 43 Ors | ||||
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