War Diaries of D Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

1939

 

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August 1939

Commanding Officer: 

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
Abbassia 23rd.   Battery strength.             2 Officers        123 Other Ranks.  
Cairo     The CODE word "Umbrella" was received. The Battery proceeded to Mobilize.  
  24th. 1930 The CODE word " FLIT" received.  
  25th 0530 The Battery less "B" Troop left by road for War Station  
      Bivouac night 25/26th. at El - Alamein. "B" Troop remained in Abbassia to rearm with Bofors A/T guns.  
  26th. 1500 The Battery in wide dispersed Bivouac at the Fig Tree, 15 miles S.W. of Mersa Matruh, and at three hours notice to move.  
  27th.   Eye shields ordered to be worn and all A.A. and anti- gas precautions taken.  
  30th.   Eye shields ceased to be worn.  
         
         

 

September 1939

Commanding Officer: 

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
Mersa-Matruh 3rd.   War was declared- The Battery ordered to mobilise (this had already been done) but peace accounting was retained.  
  7th.   The Battery at 6 hours notice to move.  
  11th.   The Battery at 8 hours notice to move and A.A. and anti- gas precautions relaxed.  
  13th.   Visit of King Farouk to British and Egyptian Troops in the Westerm Desert.  
  23rd.   Battery moved into a peace camp at 11th kilo on the Sidi-Barrani Road with manoeuvre scale tentage. Slit trenches and A.A. posts were dugto which vehicles and personnel could disperse if required.  
  29th.   2 Lieut. W.T.L. Tanner R.A. joined the Battery from the Supplementary Reserve.  
      Troop and Battery training was carried out throughout the month.  
         
         

 

October 1939

Commanding Officer: 

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
Mersa-Matruh 1st   The Battery took part in various exercises with the Light Armoured Brihade and Armoured Division  
  to      
  16th.      
  16th.   "B" Troop rejoined the Battery from Cairo  
  19th.   "A" Troop returned to Cairo to re-equip with Bofors Gun.  
  20th.   Lieut. P.W.G. Pope R.H.A. and "C" Troop proceeded Mersa Matruh to complete the defences inside the wire and came under command of "P" Battery R.H.A.  
  27th.   Mersa Matruh Manning Exercise.  
  28th.   Battery and Troop training continued.  
         
         

 

November 1939

Commanding Officer: 

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
Mersa-Matruh 6th.   Lieut. P.W.G. Pope R.H.A rejoined the Battery and 2 Lieut W.T.L. Tanner was attached to "P" Battery R.H.A. in Mersa Matruh.  
  7th 0700 Battery Headquarters and "B" Troop returned to Abbassia by road bivouacing the night7/8th just short of the Alexandroa - Cairo road - "C" Troop remained at Mersa Matruh.  
  8th. 1330 Battery arrived in Polygon Lines and "A" Troop rejoined  
      The Battery became Middle East Reserve.  
  15th.   B.S.M. Marsh and one Gunner attached to R.A. Base Depot Gymnasium Barracks Abbassia.  
  20th.   "A" Troop carried out firing with Bofors Guns.  
  27th.   A/Sgt Powell and A/L/Sgt Pratt, Gnr Mead and Gnr Hindle left the Battery on posting to the United Kingdom as Instructors.  
      Individual training commences on return to Cairo and throrough  inspections and maintenance of al vehicles was carried out.  
  29th   Battery retained at 24 hours notice to move.  
         
         

 

December 1939

Commanding Officer: 

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
Abbassia 1st   Captain P.G. Hobbs confirmed in the Appointment as G.S.O.3 Armoured Div. and ceased to be on strength of the Battery.   
Abbassia 8th 0700 "B" Troop left for Mersa Matruh to relieve C Troop.  
Abbassia 9th   Battery remained at 48 hours notice to move.  
Abbassia 11th 1330 "C" Troop arrived back from Mersa Matruh.  
Desert 13th   "A" Troop took part in a three day scheme with 11th Infantry Brigade.  
Desert 18th   The Battery less "B" Troop too part in 4th Indian Division Exercise lasting three days.  
         
         

 

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