Monday 1.2.43

Manned OP with French today on pt 466 – good OP just as I was about to have lunch sent for by Ian – returned on back of Allison’s bog-wheel.  On arrival was sent with map to RHQ when CO & I went up to Kramaissia where I registered some targets with CO as an excellent W/T Operator!  Early to bed after good supper here.        311

Tuesday 2.2.43

Went off this morning at 9 am to Kramaissia – contacted Le Cap Favoir.  OC French Coy and gave him my Tommy Gun!  Shot at one target from French OP.  Recalled again and on return found a big party laid on for tomorrow.  Ian, Peter Royal, Bob & I went up to Kramaissia at 5 pm followed by RA, RB & X1.  Everything laid on for tomorrow.  Settled down by roadside where I slept til 2.30 am.             310

Wednesday 3.2.43

Heard this morning of Peter Sykes tragic death yesterday.  He was with Rollo and Owen + 8 chaps in a 15 cwt – road was shelled and one shell landed near truck – no one hurt except Peter who was hit in head and shoulder – he, apparently seemed to be OK as he walked to ditch where they put him in blankets and was able to talk but he died on his way to Hospital.

Spent first part of morning manning OP on Kramaissia with Ian – able to do a little shooting – Bob had gone up with Paras at 5 am – by lunch time Mansour captured but Alliga – on right – not taken.  Peter Royal left with his party on foot at about 11.30.  I went off, also on foot at about 2.30.  Party comprised self – Remote reel

            Saville – 21 set

            Bax    } Battery

            Curry }

            Walker – oddments

Davies – Dag

At 3.30 found chaps and mules coming back – set up ground station and asked Ian what was happening – misorder so turned everyone round and carried on up – got to top after simply nightmare climb at 5.45 just in time to shoot up some explosive bullet guns firing at us.  Very cold night – started off with Col Pearson in shallow hole but got frozen out of that then moved to little Iti dugout which was just big enough for one – we were warmer in this but I got no sleep as I had awful cramp – so ended a very eventful day – more to follow no doubt.  This evening A Troop was dive bombed – 10 bombs were dropped all in the vicinity of Sgt Fernandez’ and Sgt Fox guns – F and his subsection were not in slit trench and all were killed – Following lost their lives – Sgt Fernandez, Guns Knight, Clancy, Sutton, Collier and Carmichael.  Remainder of Troop cut up – Bax especially.     309

Thursday 4^th Feb 43

It was b cold this am, did a certain amount of shooting NW of Mansour this am – just before lunch registered 2 targets for a fire plan for Guffy whose Coy attacked El Alliga at 3 pm.  Attack not a 100% success as whole of Alliga wasn’t captured.  Our ridge m.g.d most of pm and sniper got one very very near miss on yours truly and Bax – some shooting from mortar pit.  Battle died down at about 5 pm.  Peter Royal and his party came up to relive us at about 9 and we walked back to RB which we found on its end having broken through a hedge at the bottom of the hill – Ian was there with RA and was I pleased to see him – yes sir!  We salvaged all the kit from RB and returned on foot to the OP wagon line at Kramaissia.  Got to bed at 2 am after choc, cigs and, hold it, – whiskey – very double.                       308

Friday 5^th Feb 43

Woken slightly *** at 7.30 and got orders to contact Sunray of Grens – did this and then went up to K. OP and spent an hour or so with Ian – counter attack was in full swing by 8.30 and the day did not go well – thank God almost everyone got back, including Peter Royal and the other two FOOs and parties.  Grens had 80 cas and Paras 180.  Up at OP had 1 shell which landed about 6^x away, we had no cover but – it didn’t go off!  After lunch was sent to FOO rendz where we washed and had some tea.  Back to Bty posⁿ at 6.30 where I had a shave, food and whiskey.  Sent FSPC to A and M 307

Saturday 6.2.43

Up at 5 am and went off with RA to pt 375.  Left Bax and Walker behind, both v tired.  Contacted Coldstreams and spent most of day crawling about the hill.  Saw 24 of our Spits etc stuff up some farms nearby.  After lunch moved OP and in evening walked to Jack’s posⁿ where they gave me a v warming cup of char and a plate of M & V.  Not a very pleasant day.                        306

Sunday 7.2.43

Moved OP early this am to pt 466 where we had a good day – very sunny and warm – no interruptions. Stuffed up a couple of Bosch DRs and a few farms.  Returned to Bty Posⁿ at 7.30 and gave the ‘griff’ to Owen who is to relieve me.  Received 3 letters from A, 3 from Ox Rd and 3 from P.  Super show.                                305

Monday 8^th Feb 43

Went up at 9.30 to Troop position where I found Duckworth doing Bax’ job – he was in great form as were the rest of the chaps with one or two exceptions.  Met my new GPO, Brindley who seems average but rather a typical reinforcement.  BSM Bax was back at W.L. and is apparently as windy as hell and quite useless.  Went up to OP on M/C at 11 am and put Owen in picture.  After lunch chatted with Troop and after tea wrote to A, M, P & E.  Went to bed v early in my tamboo.                      304

Tuesday 9^th Feb 43

Went up to right hand OP with Ian in am.  Got stuck in nullah half way there.  Spent pm with Troop.  After tea offer produced the hot water, Peter R the bath and boy oh boy did I feel good after it.  Just before I got out 12 Stukas came over but dropped their eggs some way from here.  Wrote letters before dinner and played poker after.  Won 60 fr.                      303

Wednesday10th Feb 43

Continued my letter writing this am and also went up to see Troop.  Otherwise nothing of any note happened today.  Went to bed early after dinner.  Sent no 4  to A today.                             302

Thursday 11^th Feb 43         

Letter to M & E no 2, also sent letter to P off – Paid Mess Bill 800 fr today.  Charles returned from Canteen with liberal supply of whiskey, choc etc.  non movement days tomorrow and Saturday.  Very wet in pm.                     301

Friday 12^th Feb 43               

Up at 4.30 this am – b awful morning cold and wet.  Lost our box of compo on way up to OP on 414 but Paras gave us one of their spare ones.  Parked truck on side of hill and spent day trying to keep warm – no shooting, W/T or movement allowed.  Had pleasant hours chat in am with Batchelor (Med Bty from Ipswich)  ‘Taffy’ Evans (Wales rugger) – and Major Hall OC Para Coy.  CRA came round in pm but didn’t visit us.                   300

Saturday 13 Feb 43

Day dawned cold and miserable again but I did undescend, despite non-everything order, to go to my hole in the ground.  Stayed there from 9 am – 1 and from 2 pm – 5, watching movement round Pont-du-Fas most of the time.  Received order to return to Bty and got there at 7.15.  RA went out with Peter and his completer crew.  Played Poker up to about 10.30 had most enjoyable game.  Won 130 fr.               299

Sunday 14 Feb 43

Still no vehicle movement by day.  Spent practically whole day at Tp position – went up with Ian to Toukla OP just to see if it was still OK.  On way back stopped and had chat with Col Pearson who, I’m pleased to say suffered no ill effects from the Mansour battle, his foot OK.

Talking bout after dinner with Ian, Charles. Pearson & self – self not v talkative, v little chance.             298

Monday 15 Feb 43

Spent practically whole day with Adams and Malpass making 4 dummy guns – not too bad a job.  Knocked off from 11 – 11.45 in am to attend a service which Gerald had, also HC.  At 6.30 took two of the dummies to old swinger Xⁿ posⁿ where we camouflaged them in a bit.  After dinner had another excellent game of poker – had some excellent hands and won 450 fr.                   297

Tuesday 16 Feb 43

Up at 5.30 this am – went up to Toukla OP until 8 am.  After breakfast visited Troop and generally had a very interesting day – played poker in evening and lost 200 fr.  Charles in great form.  Wrote a few more lines to A today but didn’t finish letter.                     296

Wednesday 17 Feb 43

Again up early – Toukla OP.  French OP Lieut in great form.  Gave him tin of cigarettes – had hot coffee and loaf of bread on him.  After B’fast went round Troop and had a look at A/Tk defence of area.  Took CO round dummy pos^ns.  At 6.30 fired a few flash simulators from dummy posⁿ on hill.  Managed to send off no 5 to A.  Played Poker in evening lost 50 fr – v poor game – Charles v excitable Ian out to dinner with French.                           295

Thursday 18 Feb 43

Didn’t man Toukla OP today.  Dull morning.  After lunch went up to dummy posⁿ on hill and experimented with flashes – had chat with Duckworth and Pritch before tea.  At 6 ocl went out to Dead Cow Gulch Xⁿ posⁿ and let off 34 flashes to make it look like a Troop posⁿ – all went off well.  Walked back and had supper at 9 pm.  Slight Boche patrol activity at about 9 pm and 4 am but nothing serious developed.  Went to bed at 11 and read a few pages of ‘The Twilight of France’.  Ate orange, choc and smoke then to bed.                       294

Friday 19 Feb 43

Up at 7 ocl b’fast 8.  Inspected Bty HQ at 8.30 and A Troop at 9.  After inspections paid out HQ and then retired to Mess where I spent rest of am making intelligence map i.e. enlarging the RHQ map.  Lunch and then same thing after – finished or rather ¼ finished it.  Peter Royal went up to OP to act as liaison officer to French at 5.30.  To go up to OP for 2 days as from 0730 tomorrow.  Supper at 7.30 and then early to bed.  Read quotations in bed, candle out 10.45.                    293

Saturday 20 Feb 43

Up at 6.30 am – had breakfast at 7.20 and left here for Kramaissia at 8.5 am.  Found rather a miserable Charles at OP – Visibility the whole day very bad – Ian came up at 11 ocl for an hour or so.  Mass of telephones – 1 Bty line, 1 to French HQ, 1 to French OP and one to 13 Bty OP.  Rain kept off ‘til 4.30 when we had a short and sharp downpour.  Saville slipped into ‘slitty’ when frying a couple of eggs – eggs OK, S also OK!  After dark went and had a chat with Le Lieutenant Savrant – Bed by telephone at 10 pm but got very little sleep.                  292

Sunday 21 Feb 43

Fog and mist obscured view for most of day – absolutely nothing of importance occurred – when fog lifted tried to do a panorama.  Got very little sleep during night and slept with earphones on.                                    291

Monday 22 Feb 43

Peter Rawson came up to relieve me this morning at 0720.  Just as I was leaving OP every machine gun in Europe seemed to open up just below OP.  Boche put in a fighting Patrol in some force and Bty fired some 800 odd rounds before Boche threw in sponge and withdrew – some shells and mg bullets came fairly close but it was grand to see the old gun fire coming down just where they were.  I stayed up at OP until 1.30 and then went down + party to French Bⁿ HQ where I spent a very interesting half hour listening to a French officer interrogating one of the prisoners.  He was a very young Austrian NCO hit through the leg – v anxious for war to end & to give us any information he could.  He said his chaps, nearly all Austrians had no appetite for the war.  Got back here at 4.30 and had a good shave and wash.  After tea I went up to A & B Troop with a map of Tunisia and gave them the ‘griff’(!) about the party this am and told them how the war was going.  Bed early at 9.30.                 290

Tuesday 23 Feb 43

Map etc most of morning and afternoon then at 6 ocl went up to dummy gun position and let off a few flash simulators with Fowles.  Zuiac and Dick had a meal with us.  I forgot to mention that ‘hier’ a stray shell landed about 15^x from mess – not too good – Smudger Smith was lying in a drain about 10^x from it – unscathed!  Big show this evening when mail came in – I had 15 letters – 5 from A, 3 from M, 1 from P, 2 AV, 1 AJA, 1 JB, 1 Elli, 1 from HB.                289

Wednesday 24 .2.43

Alternately reread letters did map and wrote replies to mail.  Wrote AJA, JB H Banham and AV.  Flash simulated at 5.30 and took Brindley and Denman with me to show them how.  Back at 6.45 when CO came in for a drink.  After dinner played poker until 11.15 and won 50 fr.  Best hand A, K, Q, 10 and 3 Spades and 3 Qs twice.  Bed at 12 ocl.                             288

Thursday 25.2.43

Map until 10.30 then spent 1½ hours writing to A.  Letters sent off to A (6), AV, AJA, JB & HB.  Lunch at 1.10 pm then fixed things up in pm for OP tomorrow am to go the Bn HQ tonight at 5.30 to spend night there.  Arrived at French HQ at 6.30 and introduced myself all round – did some shooting from there for him – They gave me quite a good dinner – sardines + lemons, excellent meat, lentils and bread and jam – wine during and coffee after.  Retired to bed feeling slightly bloated at 10 ocl.                  287

Friday 26.2.43

A real nightmare day.  After an early rise (6 am) arrived at OP to relieve Peter Royal at 7.15.  Bax and Rorme came up with me and we hadn’t been there for more that 10 seconds when 3 shells landed 20^x behind us.  Abbott and Grundy then left and more shells came down, they also heralded Peter R’s departure.  After about ½ hours quiet down came another packet, closer if poss, without hitting OP, but this time they mixed some smoke in which usually means but one thing – Les Stukas – it did – the next 5 mins were most unpleasant, shells, smoke, bombs and no ordinary noise – after this was over I found our line had been cut so we all went down to truck to tie in there – they followed us down and we just got into our ‘slitty’ in time – many more landed near so we retired still further down the hill.  I then returned to OP making 7 very amateurish mends in line.  Soon after, Ian came up and Saville was told to try and repair the other lines but they saw him get out and lie on top of OP and down they came again!  Ian said ‘back we go chaps’ and back to the truck we went – again they seemed to follow us down and we all went to bot of hill.  When shelling ceased we went up to bring truck down but alas it had been hit – we carried all the essential stuff to an OP further round.  It rained a lot and after a mis tramp up to old OP to collect bedding etc we eventually retired at 10.30 to bed in a prepared hole in the ground – one blanket a head and we all doubled up – not a very good day or night.                  286

Saturday 27 Feb 43

Slightly overslept – I slept from 5 am – 6.45 am (!)  Much more pleasant day.  Evans to be towed back to El Aroussa tonight – Battle of yesterday went well – On left we captured 130 and killed 130 on right 80 were captured (of these 80 nearly all were Italians.  Our M Tgt on Right yesterday against MG gunners and Boche Company was very successful – it was a great sight.  Drew panorama and spent much more comfortable night – only 3 of us in a hole.                        285

Sunday 28 Feb 43

Pete Royle relieved me this am.  At 0930 and we arrived back at Bty Posⁿ at about 10.30.  Had super wash and shave and read 4 Essex County Standards which arrived last night – nothing very exciting in any but good account of P and the Essex R – Hugh J and the Taku – also 2 cases of interest – murder and robbery with violence.  After lunch, which I had alone, made out list of things lost on T Truck – After tea went round A Tp posⁿ with Ian re Anti Tank as big tank attack is thought likely.  Important things lost yesterday – Attaché Case – Silver Pencil – many letters received out here – cuff links and Bible.  Charles came back this evening from rear wagon lines and told me my suitcase had been pilfered.  Only real things of importance which I lost were photographs of Eileen – to the chap who pinched all the stuff I say – you’re a (unprintable!)  Visited 26 Bty where I had a drink with Jack and Co.                   284

8/Feb/43

Light occupation

On parade with guns*** hats.

Occupation well carried out.

Sent of parcel why don’t GPO see before **** of fire post of director & Tp picket.

***** manning in gateways etc.

Lights – what for D Troop

SOS fire talk to men.

Registration in twilight.

All DRs less BSMs A 1S & orderlies must go back to wagon lines with vehicles.

NB

1. Column got away to bad start
2. Did not move off as body.
3. One of DRs – keep in line road unless DR

Methods of controlling left.

1043 – 1 vehicle N into P du Fas.

1100 – Men moving in farmyard 774029.

1102 – 2 vehicles interval approx 300^x moving S from P du Fas to Robo Wood not observed after passing behind RW

1210 – 1 vehicle & 1 M/C going SW alone Rd 847030

1215 – 1 Vehicle travelling NE v fast along same road.

1220 – Vehicle & M/C stopped in village 818000

Several (3) objects possibly bogged vehicles along main road 8402 and 8301.

1225 – Vehicle travelling fast NE from village 81800 – past RW and into P du Fas.

1345 – Enemy shelled fr Anjout from pt 348 area – our medium guns opened up – saw no bursts, Big S*** 83” and 5 bursts.

1400 hrs – Orders from KVI to fire at Tgt P6 – Order from E OP.

KVI Target P6

1 Rnd Gun Fire

Fire.

1415 hrs at 10850

1417 hrs KVI Tgt P 1 1 Rnd GF Fire

1419 hrs

P. Royle

Check up Zone of Observation.

Line to E Troop OP (about 50^x down hill)

Panorama – bring specialist up.

Major Hall OC C Coy 3 Para

Illustration

Sunday 14/2/43

1. A Tp A/Tk Role
2. All gun nets up.
3. Start digging gun pits.
4. See Nos 1 re Box, then Sandy.
5. Green envelopes for RA crew.
6. Get Code proforma from CP.

A/Tk

Local Tank Spotters line.

Fox – leave?

Dickens – OK to Rt.

Larson] OK

Todd   ]

AP Shot all in Posⁿ

? Super charge

Learmouth? OCTU

21 Sets           18 Sets           11 Sets

8 working       2 working       1 in repair

2 in repair      2 in 7* repair

(incl OM)

                        9 Sets

                        Nil

21 Sets           18 Sets           11 set

RA                  2 in repair      1 in repair

GA                  RA

RB                  X1

GB 2

H                     RB

X2                   new one

X1                   in OM

K1 8

1RB

1H

Conference Tues 16 Feb 43.

My points

406 Inspections-

Proper vehicle states in each CP showing states of int at beginning of each day –

Latrine trenches.

(1) Names 3 per Troop next for stripes – inform Duckworth

(2) AA –

(i) Trench near gun – if attacked when chaps at gun

(ii) Near sleeping or working place.

Policy if aircraft about.

Shade – near slits) – if attack comes in, into shots.

(3) guns out of action.

(4) Vehicles – Officer or WO to drive 1 vehicle per day for ¼ hour preceded by 5 mins quick over – see if clean and lost tools.

(5) Gun stores complete check of gun stores and vehicle stores nb – Larsson and his gun stores.

Wed 17^th Feb 43.

OP 6 am

Troops all a.m.

Siting of local Ops etc, discuss with Ian

Get Flash simulators taped with Fowles.

Water Cans – reported to CAS

Tie bar for Dickens

4.30

Own Troops line on Red

Widen CP and make room for boards.

Tannoy Mike

Intelligence map up to date.

Thurs 18 Feb 43

2 Water Cans for Larssen 1 supplied, 1 on indent.

Tie Bar for Dickens.

Own Tps in Red.

CP tidied up.

Check up on RA.

Tannoy Mike.

Squad parade at 9 daily.

Intelligence map up to date

Get simulators taped – Write report.

A Dains as spare OP A

Learmouth on guns? A *** ***

Thurs

1 Water Can from Larsson

Tie bar X for Dickens.

? RA out of workshops.

Test ** box of simulators.

Spare OP A & GPO A.

Servant.

Learmouth on guns.

Check up on A Troop Trenches near gun, near sleeping and or eating holes.

Troop doing check of guns & vehicle stores

Report on Flash Sims.

Burst to burst – 8 secs 5.9

Area shelled – unable to observe approx area. 683952

1 single gun.

Interval between bursts 1 ½ mins

1.  RAGS
2.  RAGS
3.  1309 – 1331
4.  Sound only
5.  110^o
6.  5.9
7.  17
8.  Time Sound – Sound 8 secs
9. Area approx 683952.

OP Log.

1000               Took over OP.

1015               Set up *** in visibility bad.

1030               Contacted French OP and made arrangements re sleeping.

1145               BC & Air OP officer visited OP.

1245               Shot on M 39 for Meteor – Correct required was 7 1^o + 400

1330               Vis still bad – strong SE wind.

1415               Nothing to report vis still bad.

1422               Bty Tgt P1 to check link – on same place OK.

1450 (a)         Dull explosion and single burst of MG fire Bng 175^o.

1455 (b)         Checked on above with B OP thought quarry work from 685904

                         GW has seen

1515               (a) & (b) reported to CP

1610               Office on its way to being averagely ***

1630               Contacted Lieut Zavrant re DF tasks for tonight.

1650               Nil sit rep to CP.

1700 (c)          Enemy shelling 150^x N of M 39 Big 118^o (gun) has gun fire 4 rnds

1717 (d)         Enemy guns same Bng – unable to see burst approx area 695950

2 rounds fired.  Probably registering DF tasks.

1727 (e)         Shot at M 39 M 1^o + 400, dropped 250 to hit  target.

1737               Sit rep c, d, & e sent to CP

1820               Tried French again for DF tasks and route of their 1 patrol ‘they will let me have it toute a l’heure!’

21 Feb 43

0600               OP manned – Vis nil.

0615               CO arrived.

0630               Barrage commenced.

0650                    “ finished.

0704               Sit rep nil – vis 2000 – mist.

0730               Registered WP B for later re metier

0903               All lines tested – OK.

0910               Sit rep Nil Vis fair.

0950               Vis v bad – to CP.

1030               Vis fair – to CP.

1040               1 vehicle travelling SW along Road 720929 – reported to CP.

1206               Enemy shelling in area 702966 .  Report for Wright’s OP – engaging

 tgts

1249               Enemy shelling same area as before Bng 110^o

1309               Shell rep sent to CP.

1420               Engaged area Zavrant thought was possible Bosche Bty area – 720929 P 168.

1445               All lines tested OK

1450               Vis up 1000^x – thick mist sent to CP

1525               Vis still bad – informed CPO of HF tasks for tonight having got them from the ‘Commandant d’ Infantrie’.

1600               Vis fair.

1609               Single Mortar burst 679940 no gun heard.

OP Log.

26 Feb 43

0745 Took over OP ***

Order of March 9, 16, 17,

OP party – passed start pt 852061

O Party Rvz 794029

Gun Group

Main gate 8.35 am

Rvz Pt 392 825041 there at 9 ocl

Pocket pistol F 1 N Truck

Ready for BC at 8 ocl.  Behind 9 Bty

E**  Camp.  Exercise 1730 hrs

*** *** Haversack Rats

S to Ravine 664927 E to 668927 then N to own lines.

27 Feb 43

OP Log

0635hrs          Occupied OP – Vis Poor.

0650 hrs        Vis Fair.

0750 hrs        Lines tested Bty Line OK

French HQ Line US

(maintenance men on it now)

0745 hrs        Received Tgt Snipe Smoke B

0755 hrs        Mortars from Bng 205^o **** – Shells landing Big 190^o Approx area 6687

0813               Line to French HQ now through.

0815               Patrol to M 70 returned having nothing to report.

0855               MG bursts and single explosion ** 167”

1020 hrs        Shelling from Bgn 205” rounds landed on Bgn 165 also on Bgn 195^o.

1030 hrs        Loud explosions on Bgn 136^o believed to be bombing

1100 hrs        Loud explosions on Bgn 145^o.

1120               Follies captured 1 Sergt who was lost (a signaller) 2^nd Battalion (reserve) behind Monsour attacked 2 Para yesterday.

1358               1 vehicle and some men.  Station 480 NE of P 106 Engaged.

Observed no movement from Tgr Guns

Not well together – A Troop No 1 +200

No 2 +100

No 3 – OK

Bng and Brg mean Bearing.

Date                Time   Location         Damage

01/02/1943    05.40  Pitsea             A drifting Barrage Balloon struck the electric cable

in Northlands Park Drive, exploded, deflated and caught in tree on Ballards Farm.  Slight damage to property.  No casualties.  Removed RAF 3.2.43.

02/02/1943    13.30  Ingrave           A deflated Barrage Balloon grounded at Willow

Farm.  Inscribed KB. Mark V. 8529).  No casualties or damage.  Removed RAF 3.2.43.

03/02/1943    Found  South            1 – A.A. Shell unexploded near Benfleet Railway

Benfleet       Station.  No damage or casualties.  Believed to have fallen 12.1.43  Removed by BDS.

04/02/1943    20.35  East                1 – Paramine exploded in a meadow 300 yards

Horndon        West of Thorndon Avenue.  2 slight casualties.  Extensive damage to property.  Overhead electric cables damaged.  Tail cap handed over to Naval Authorities.

07/02/1943    Found  Barling         A Naval Kite Balloon on the Saltings.  (Inscribed

                                                            RN. KB.6 S.1. No 16951).

08/02/1943    Found  Laindon       1 – A.A. Shell unexploded in the garden of

“Enymion”, 75 yards South of Ramsden Road and 50 yards East of Huxe’s Farm chase.  No damage or casualties.

 08/02/1943   12.00  Mountnessing          A Miles Master Aircraft No. W 9055 from

No. 7 PAPU.  RAF Peterborough made a forced landing in a meadow 100 yards South of Main Road A. 12.  The machine sustained slight damage to the undercarriage and the propeller.  Piloted by Pilot Officer Goode, accompanied by Pilot Officer Woodridge owing to lack of petrol.  Woodridge received a slight cut on face.  Both conveyed to North Weald Aerodrome.  Guard mounted.  RAF informed.

09/02/1943    08.35  South             Frederick George Toovey, 45 years of Ivy Cottage

Benfleet         High Street received superficial injury to face and head by flying pieces of wood when the roof of Knightley’s gun bullets when a plane tried to machine gun a train in the railway station.

09/02/1943    Found   Sutton          A deflated Barrage Balloon in field 400 yards East

                                                            of Sutton (Inscribed R.N.)  RAF informed.          

February 1943

(Britain)

During the month of February 1943 the Royal Air Force (RAF) did not conduct any major bombing raids on Germany. However, the Battle of the Rhur would commence on the night of the 5^th/6^th March 1943.

—

(America)

On the 7^th February 1943, the American government stated that by the 9^th February 1943 all non-military citizens would only be allowed to purchase three pairs of shoes per year. The military would take precedence for the manufacture of boots, webbing and leather flying jackets for American aircrews.

Dwight D. Eisenhower (nickname Ike) served as Deputy Chief of War Plans Division in Washington when America entered the war in December 1941. During the Great War Ike was promoted to brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in the National Army training tank crews in the newly formed Tank Corps. He was never involved in combat during the Great War but retained his position, based upon his leadership, until June 1942. Lacking combat experience, through circumstances beyond his control, he developed excellent organisational skills, and was duly promoted to Commanding General European Theatre of Operations in June 1942. He was promoted Lieutenant General in July 1942. Ike was appointed Supreme Commander Allied Forces of the North African Theatre Operations in November 1942. Following the success of Operation Torch, the battle for North Africa, Ike was one of a number to be selected for the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe on the 11^th February 1943. It was in December 1943 American President Roosevelt decided Ike should be Supreme Allied Commander of Europe.

—

(Germany) 

With the war beginning to turn against Nazi-Germany and her Allies, German Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, delivered his Sportpalast Speech on the 18^th February 1943. The rally for the carefully selected audience was held at the Berlin Sportpalast. The Berlin Sportpalast was a multi-purpose indoor arena built in 1910 primarily as an indoor ice rink for winter sports. It had hosted non winter sporting events, beer festivals and also used as a meeting hall for a variety of events. Above the stage was displayed a large banner bearing the all-capital words “TOTALER KREIG – KÜRZESTER KREIG” (“total war – shortest war”). Also on display were numerous Nazi banners and Nazi swastikas. Considered to be Goebbels’ most famous speech, he called for “total war” against the Allies to secure Germany’s victory. The German people would be required to continue the war although it would be long and difficult. Partly the speech was in response to the Allies demand for Germany’s unconditional surrender at the Casablanca Conference of 24^th January 1943. Three themes were concentrated on during the speech.

1) The German nation would fall to Bolshevism (the Soviet Union and the Jewish problem) if the military did not counter the danger from the Eastern Front

2) The military, the German people and the Axis Powers were powerful enough to save Europe from this threat.

3) To counter this threat Germany had to act swiftly and decisively.

This speech was the first Nazi leadership’s public admission that Germany faced serious dangers therefore a total war was necessary. He hints at the Holocaust but changed the word exclusion from the word extermination of the Jewish people when referring to Bolshevism. The audience had been selected by the propagandists of the Nazi party to guarantee the appropriate fanaticism. This was contradicted by Goebbels who claimed the audience included people from “all classes and occupations”. The recorded speech does not fully support the written record.  Goebbels began to mention the extermination of the Jews before quickly changing to the “solution” of the Jews. Total war was also required to overcome the Bolshevist Soviet mobilisation. For the hardships the German people would suffer, they were informed that the total war was only to be a temporary measure.       

*

Two students of the University of Munich were arrested on the 18^th February 1943 by the Gestapo. Calling for active resistance to Nazi regime, students began the “White Rose (Wiebe Rose) Resistance Group” in June 1942. “White Rose” was a non-violent, intellectual resistance group who conducted an anonymous leaflet and graffiti campaign to oppose the Nazis. The group had written, printed and initially distributed the leaflets in the Munich region. Other cities, mostly in southern Germany were later to receive copies of the second leaflet where they openly denounced the persecution and mass murder of the Jews. Brother and sister Hans and Sophie Scholl brought leaflets into the university building in a suitcase and hurriedly distributed bundles of leaflets along the empty corridors. The two siblings, having left their lectures before they ended, allowed Sophie to fling the remaining leaflets from the top floor to the atrium below. University maintenance man, Jakob Schmid, observed this action and called the Gestapo who ordered the university doors to be locked. Hans and Sophie Scholl were taken into Gestapo custody. Sophie had managed to dispose of the incriminating evidence before being arrested. Hans had in his possession a draft copy of a seventh leaflet written by Christoph Probst. On the 20^th February 1943 Christoph Probst was captured and arrested by the Gestapo. On the 22^nd February 1943 the three were tried at the Volksgerichtshof (the Nazi People’s Court) charged with treason. This court was notorious for its unfair political trials, as the verdict was invariably guilty resulting in the death sentence. During the trial, Sophie interrupted the judge on numerous occasions, as the three defendants were not given any opportunity to speak. The head judge of the court, Roland Freisler, sentenced them to death after they were found guilty of treason. The execution was carried out by guillotine at Stadelhem Prison the same day, the 22^nd February 1943. Sophie was first, Hans was second and Christoph Probst was last.

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(Eastern Front)

The Battle of Stalingrad ended on the 2^nd February 1943 when the German 6^th Army finally capitulated. Previously Field Marshall Friedrich Paulus had surrendered to Soviet troops on the 31^st January 1943.

Following the victory at Stalingrad the Soviet Army liberated Rostok-on-Don on the 14^th February 1943. The town was first attacked by the German First Panzer Army on the 24^th July 1942.  The town was of strategic importance to the Germans because of the railways and river port allowing access to Caucasus. With the liberation of Rostok-on-Don the Germans were denied access to the oil and minerals of the Caucasus region.

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(North Africa)

By the 2^nd February 1943 German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel was being forced to retreat further into Tunisia, following the defeat of El Alamein. The pursuing British 8^th Army entered Tunisia on the 4^th February 1943 after having taken control of Libya.

Following the success of Operation Torch in November 1942, Rommel now faced for the first time, the American troops who were numerically superior, but inexperienced. Operation Torch was where the British, U.S. and French troops won the battles for French Morocco and Algeria. On the 30^th January 1942 the Germans encountered French defenders at Faid Pass, in the Atlas Mountains, and after heavy casualties to the Germans, the French were eventually forced to retire. The American 1^st Armoured Division had established a defensive line which covered all the exits to the Atlas Mountains. The Americans also entered the Battle of Faid Pass on the 2^nd February 1942. They destroyed some German tanks and the remaining German forces appeared to be in a headlong retreat.  The Americans gave chase straight into a German trap. They ran into a screen of anti-tank guns sustaining heavy casualties. On the same day the Americans were ordered to end the attacks and form up as a reserve. 0n the 14^th February 1943, Rommel began the Battle of Sidi Bou Zid which is located about 10 miles west of Faid Pass. Rommel’s tanks defeated the American tanks positioned there who proceeded, under orders, to retreat and concentrate on the defence at Kasserine Pass. On the 15^th February 1943 an American counter-attack was easily repulsed, whereby the Americans lost 2,546 men. 103 tanks, 280 vehicles, 18 field guns, three anti-tank guns and an anti-tank battery. Rommel decided to attack the Kasserine Pass in order to capture American supplies on the Algerian side of the Atlas Mountains. He submitted his plans to Albert Kesselring, Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean theatre including North Africa on the 18^th February 1943. Rommel was appalled at the reply the following day that he was to attack both Kasserine and Sbiba Passes. The Sbiba Pass was attacked by Rommel on the 20^th February 1943 but was checked and driven back by the combined firepower of the Allied defenders. When Rommel launched his attack through the Kasserine Pass on the 19^th February 1943 he was able to inflict huge damage to the Allied defenders. The inexperienced American commanders had not reconnoitred the landscape through to the interior plains of the Atlas Mountains and their forces were not properly positioned. Assisting the Americans were the British and French contingent from Operation Torch. Unfortunately there was almost no co-ordination, and the combined Allied army was forced to retreat westward for 50 miles (80 km). By the 22^nd February 1943 the Allies had regrouped, and having received rushed reinforcements, launched a massive artillery attack which halted Rommel’s offensive. Faced with his over-extended supply lines Rommel chose to retire from the offensive. He ordered all the Axis units back to their starting point to concentrate on defending the German held coast. Although the Battle of Kasserine Pass was an American victory of sorts, it came at a high cost. The Allies lost a total of 10,000 casualties killed or wounded, 3,000 POWs, 183 tanks, 616 vehicles, and 208 guns. Rommel’s losses were significantly less, 909 troops were killed or wounded, 608 captured, and the destruction of 20 tanks, 67 vehicles and 14 guns. In the aftermath, the campaign was successful only by way of Rommel having over-run his supply lines and not by American tactics. They assessed their failings and resolved their approach to battle tactics in their determination that the next time the Germans would experience very different results.

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(Pacific)

Whilst the Americans were fighting their own war against Japan in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands Britain began the campaign to retake Burma.

In May 1942, the Japanese drove the British Empire and Chinese forces out of Burma. The result being the British retreated to India and supplies to China were cut. When General Archibald Wavell was appointed Commander-in-Chief, India Command, he requested the services of Brigadier Orde Charles Wingate for Burma. Wingate arrived in Burma whilst the retreat was unfolding and for two months toured the country developing his theory on long-range guerrilla attacks. When Wavell was presented with Wingate’s findings, he agreed, which enabled Wingate to form the “Chindits”. The name “Chindits” is a corrupted form of Chinthe which is a Burmese word for “Lion”.

During the summer of 1942 Wingate undertook to train the troops destined to be “Chindits” in the jungle of central India during the rainy season. The “Chindits” were formed by using the 77^th Indian Infantry Brigade and the British 13^th Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment, who were to become the 142 Commando Company. A second portion of the force consisted of the 2^nd Battalion, the Ghurkha Rifles and the 3^rd Battalion, 2^nd Burma Rifles. Transport aircraft would parachute or drop supplies and equipment to the “Chindits” as they penetrated the jungle on foot. This tactic enabled them to surprise the Japanese by mobility through the jungle.

The 3,000 strong force were divided into eight columns of approximately 375 men instead of the standard brigade and battalion structures. Small detachments from the Royal Air Force, Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Army Medical Corp were attached to each headquarters. They were all equipped with radios in order to call in air support. On the ground, mules carried all essential heavy equipment. As well as his rifle or Sten gun each man carried his equipment including seven days rations.     

Operation Longcloth commenced on the 8^th February 1943 with Wingate leading 3,000 “Chindits” on their march into Burma. After crossing the Chindwin River, on the 13^th February 1943, two days later they faced their first Japanese troops. In an effort to give the impression to the Japanese that two columns were the main attack force, the RAF dropped air supplies in broad daylight. This first confrontation would proceed into March 1943.

*

In the American theatre of the Pacific, Operation Ke was the largely successful Japanese withdrawal from Guadalcanal. The decision to evacuate was taken on the 31^st December 1942. One of the major reasons for this decision was that the Americans had captured the Japanese built air base on the island. It was renamed Henderson Field. U.S. aircraft were able to seriously prevent supplies reaching the Japanese troops. This retreat began on the 14^th January 1943 when an express mission of nine destroyers delivered 750 infantry to act as a rear-guard. U.S. fighters based at Henderson Field damaged two of the nine destroyers on their return journey. Eight Japanese fighters escorting the convoy were destroyed whilst the U.S. suffered the loss of five fighters. The Japanese were skilled jungle trained troops who were in their heavily defended positions and virtually in their own environment. Without any hope of replacements and supplies they were on their own. When the Japanese commanders ordered the evacuation the land forces began their retreat through the dense jungle. Following behind were U.S. Marines whose task was to flush out the Japanese defenders including suicide snipers. The Marines were mostly young and inexperienced troops who suffered heat, discomfort, decomposing vegetation and the risk of poisonous plants and insects. The Japanese also suffered these unhealthy conditions. They were often suffering from dysentery, malaria and a host of tropical ailments, but methodically fought their way across the island. In early February 1943 with little chance of any further success on Guadalcanal the commanders sent in the Imperial Navy to evacuate the remaining troops. The retreat was almost a complete success with the navy evacuating over 12,000 Japanese troops. By the 7^th February 1943 Guadalcanal was fully occupied by the Americans. During the Battle of Guadalcanal, Japanese losses were horrendous with over 24,000 dead not counting the wounded or those taken prisoner. The Japanese Navy also lost one aircraft carrier, two battleships, four cruisers, eleven destroyers, six submarines and sixteen transport vessels. The Americans lost 1,600 dead and over 4,700 wounded. The U.S. Navy lost two carriers, eight cruisers, seventeen destroyers, six MTBs and four transport vessels. The campaign paid dividends as Guadalcanal was the first time the Japanese had been defeated on land. Following the evacuation a signal was sent to the American commanders: “Tokyo Express no longer has terminus on Guadalcanal”. After Guadalcanal the Japanese went from the offensive to the defensive in the Pacific. “The Tokyo Express” was the slow-moving convoy occasionally supplying the Japanese defenders when they managed to avoid the U.S. naval blockade.

(New Zealand)          

The Featherston Incident occurred on the 25^th February 1943 when approximately 240 Japanese prisoners of war refused to work. The result was the death of 48 Japanese and one New Zealand guard. Featherston Military Camp, located in Wairapa in New Zealand was originally used as a training camp during the Great War of 1914-1918. At the request of the United States government Featherston Military Camp was re-established as a prisoner of war camp in September 1942. Four compounds were built in the camp for captured Japanese soldiers who fought in the Pacific campaign. No. 1 compound was for Koreans and labourers, No.2 compound for the Japanese Armed Forces. No. 3 and 4 compounds were for officers of the Japanese Imperial Army and Navy and airmen from both branches. New Zealand’s Lt. Col. D. H. Donaldson replaced Major R.H. Perritt as commander of the POW camp in mid- December 1942. At the same time medical facilities were provided by a 40-bed hospital.  However, without any training or instruction the men selected to watch over the Japanese POW’s were given only a vague idea of what their role would be. These men were either too old or too young to fight overseas or for medical reasons were unable to go. The Featherston Incident’s most infamous event occurred on the 25^th February 1943 when approximately 240 prisoners from No. 2 Compound refused to work. There were negotiations of approximately 2 hours to get the prisoners to work and one Japanese officer was forcibly removed. A second Japanese officer was threatened with a revolver by an Allied adjutant who fired a shot near him. Another warning shot was fired which wounded Sub-Lieutenant Adachi. In retaliation the prisoners began throwing stones and rushed at the guards. A burst of fire by rifle, sub-machine gun and pistols lasting 15-30 seconds followed killing 31 prisoners. A total of 91 prisoners were wounded of whom 17 died in hospital, resulting in a total of 48 prisoners who died. On the New Zealand side, Private Walter Pelvin was also killed by a ricochet from the burst of gunfire and rocks thrown by the Japanese injured several others. The injured Japanese were transferred to Greytown hospital where they were looked after in a separate and special blacked out window ward. To prevent the incident leaking out to the public all the Allied medical staff were replaced. A later military court of enquiry found the majority of the blame for the incident was down to the prisoners. One of the issues was that the Japanese were unaware that compulsory work was allowed. Japan had signed the 1929 Geneva Convention of Prisoners of War, but it was never ratified. In the meantime, the Red Cross had been allowed access to the camp and found the conditions normal. Camp life settled down after the incident and the prisoners were allowed to organise their compounds to suit their individual cultures. 

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(Other Theatres)

In the Telemark region of German occupied Norway, a team of Norwegian commandos successfully destroyed the Deuterium (heavy water) production facility on the 28^th February 1943. Heavy water was an essential component of nuclear fusion and could be separated from ordinary water by electrolysis. The heavy water was produced at the Vemork hydroelectric power station located at the Rjukan waterfall, and built into the side of the ravine leading down to the river below. Nuclear fusion was a new source of great power, and the Allies were aware of the German development of nuclear weapons. Operation Gunnerside was the third raid by British Special Operations Executive (SOE) in an effort to destroy the plant. In October 1942 SOE successfully launched Operation Grouse which placed an advanced team of Norwegians on the plateau above the plant. The following month Operation Freshmanwas mounted by British paratroopers to rendezvous with the Grouse Norwegian force. Freshman failed when the two military gliders and a Hanley Page Halifax towing aircraft crashed short of their destination. The survivors of the crash were captured by the Gestapo, tortured and finally executed. Operation Freshman alerted the Germans of the Allied interest in their heavy water production. On the 16^th February 1943 a team of six SOE trained Norwegian commandos were parachuted into Norway, which was codenamed Operation Gunnerside. Supplies required to carry out the mission were loaded into containers and dropped by parachute with the Gunnerside commandos. Within a few days they had located and joined forces with the Norwegian advanced Grouse commandos.

Whilst the combined commando team made their final preparations for the attack, the Germans increased security surrounding the plant by adding additional mines, floodlights and guards. Despite the additional guards only the 75 m (246 ft.) bridge spanning the Mana River was fully guarded. Security at the plant had been weakened over the winter. To take advantage of the low security the commando force descended into the ravine. They forded the river and climbed the steep hill to the ravines on the opposite side. A single railway track was followed by the commandos which led straight into the plant and they did not encounter any guards. Prior to the operation SOE had a Norwegian agent in the plant. The information supplied and the assistance of a Norwegian caretaker allowed the commandos to locate the demolition site. Explosive charges were placed in the electrolysis chambers and fuses lit which gave the commandos sufficient time to escape. The raid was considered successful after the explosive charges detonated which destroyed the electrolysis chambers.

All the commandos escaped, five skiing 200 miles (322 km) to Sweden, two proceeded to Oslo and the remaining four stayed local and carried out further resistance work in the region. 3,000 German soldiers were dispatched to search the area for the commandos but they were long gone. To indicate the sabotage was carried out by the British and not the local resistance, a Thompson submachine gun was left behind.

The Vemork plant was not permanently damaged and by April 1943 the plant had been repaired and heavy water production was resumed. Eventually the plant was abandoned and all stocks and critical components transferred to Germany in 1944.

*

0n the 16^th February 1943 the Vichy French government passed the “Service du travai obligatour” (STO) into law. STO was created whereby hundreds of thousands of French workers were enlisted and deported to Nazi Germany as forced labour. In June 1942, Pierre Laval, the Vichy Prime Minister, encouraged French workers to volunteer to work in Germany to join the 100,000 already working there. For every three French workers the German government promised to release one French prisoner of war. However, Nazi Germany used STO to compensate for the loss of manpower as more and more soldiers were enlisted for the Eastern Front. German dictator Adolf Hitler ordered a further 250,000 men to be despatched to Germany in addition to the 240,000 already there. With the passing of the STO law, Laval deemed it necessary that all males over the age of 20 be eligible for service du travai obilgatour. A total of 600,000 to 650,000 French workers were sent to Germany between June 1942 and July 1944.  France was the only country whose laws required French workers to serve Germany and was the third largest labour provider. The Soviet Union and Poland provided greater numbers than France, but their workers were prisoners of war ordered to work by the Germans.

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