Monthly Archives: August 2024

SECOND WORLD WAR

September 1944

(Britain)

On the 1st September 1939 the “Black-out” restrictions were introduced. From sunset to sunrise all lights inside buildings were to be obscured and lights outside buildings to be extinguished. ARP wardens (Air Raid Precautions) were in attendance to ensure these restrictions were carried out. The “Black-out” restrictions were eased on the 6th September 1944 when the “dim-out” was introduced. The “dim-out” was the equivalent lighting to that on a clear full moon night. In the event an air raid alert was sounded all lights had to be extinguished.

(Liberation of Europe)

With Paris liberated the Allies advanced toward the Franco-German border. On the 1s September 1944 Canadian troops liberated the port of Dieppe in France. On the 3rd September 1944 the British Second Army had reached and liberated Brussels in Belgium. In the meantime French and American troops advancing from the Mediterranean on the 3rd September 1944 liberated Lyon in central France.

Two Allied armies met at Dijon, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Compté region of eastern France on the 10th September 1944. With the success of Operation Dragon, the American and Free French troops at Provence in southern Vichy France, advanced northwards forcing the Germans to retreat. When the liberating forces from Operation Overlord, The D-Day Landings, met up with Operation Dragon, they effectively cut France in half. Approximately 19,000 German troops were captured. In the meantime approximately 60,000 Germans escaped eastwards to be integrated into the defence of Vosges Mountains, not far from the German border.

On the 4th September 1944 Operation Outward, a British campaign attacking Germany and German occupied Europe with free flying balloons ended. Nearly 100.000 of these hydrogen filled, cheaply produced balloons were deployed since they were first introduced in March 1942. Approximately half were fitted with trailing steel cables to damage high voltage power lines. The remaining were fitted with incendiary devices to start fires in fields, forests and heathland.

In Belgium, British troops liberated Antwerp on the 5th September 1944 together with Ghent and Liege on the 6th September 1944. Canadian troops liberated the Belgian port of Ostend on the 8th September 1944. By the 10th September 1944 troops from the U.S. First Army liberated Luxemburg from German occupation, after its invasion of May 1940. Also on the 10th September 1944 U.S. soldiers entered the city of Aachen in Germany. This city was part of the Siegfried Line which formed the main defensive network on Germany’s western border. By the 13th September 1944 U.S. troops had reached the Siegfried Line

In London on the 10th September 1944 the Dutch government in exile ordered Dutch railway workers to go on strike. Over 30,000 rail workers responded to the call in order to halt German troop transport movements.  By halting the troop movements the Allied forces would have free access for their airborne landings for Operation Market Garden. The rail workers remained on strike for nearly eight months until the end of the war.

Operation Market Garden was an ambitious British, American and Polish operation in German occupied Holland. The objective was to create a salient into German territory via bridges over the Lower Rhine River. The operation began on the 17th September 1944 and ended on the 25th September 1944. For further details see the separate essay on Operation Market Garden.

The port of Brest, on the west coast of north west France, fell to the U.S. and Free French troops on the 18th September 1944. With the Allies occupying Brest the German U-boat facility had been eliminated. The city of Nancy in the Lorraine region of France was liberated on the 15th September 1944 by the U.S. First Army. The Canadian Army had hoped to liberate the ports of Boulogne and Calais as they progressed east along the coast to the French/German border. The German fortification were sufficiently formidable at both ports to halt liberation. Concentrated assaults by Canadian forces resulted in the surrender at both ports. German defenders surrendered at Boulogne on the 22nd September1944 and Calais on the 30th September 1944.

(Germany)

The first successful operational use of the German V-2 rocket was launched against London on the 8th September 1944. The V-2 was a liquid-fuelled ballistic missile and was silent after the initial launch until it reached its target and exploded. The speed of the V-2 was such that the 200 mile flight could be accomplished in about five minutes. The British public soon began to refer to the V-2s as the ”Flying Gas Pipe”, as British propaganda referred to the explosion as a burst gas pipe. A total of 1,115 V-2s were fired at Britain but mainly at London. Launched from the Hague in the Netherlands the first V-2 struck Chiswick, west London, causing 13 casualties on the 8th September 1944.

(Eastern Front)

The Moscow Peace Treaty was signed by Finland and the Soviet Union in March 1940. This treaty ended the Winter War following the Soviet invasion in November 1939. Failing to obtain support from the Allies, the harsh terms imposed on the Finns by the Soviets, led them to seek support from Nazi Germany. In June 1941 the Finnish/German alliance declared war on the Soviet Union. In consequence the alliance invaded the Soviet Union in what became known as the Continuation War. The aim was to regain territory lost in the Winter War. The heavy losses sustained by both sides resulted in the Soviet Union and Finnish representatives signing the “Moscow Agreement” on the 19th September 1944. This agreement and armistice had been signed by both sides to restore “The Moscow Peace Treaty” of 1940. However, Finland was forced to concede and surrender even more territory and became part of the communist system.

Since 1941 Bulgaria had been an ally of Nazi Germany. Soviet troops entered Bulgaria on the 8th September 1944 after declaring war a few days before. On the 9th September 1944, “The 1944 Bulgarian” coup d’état was the overthrow of the government of the Kingdom of Bulgaria. Led by Bulgarian communists, the coup d’état was augmented by the Fatherland Front political coalition, who immediately declared war on Nazi Germany.

The Baltic Offensive began on the 14th September 1944. The offensive was a campaign between the Red and German Armies in the Baltic States. The offensive was a series of separate offensive operations. The Riga offensive began on the 14th September 1944 to clear the eastern coast of the Gulf of Riga. The Tallinn offensive to drive the Germans out of Estonia was fought between the 17th – 26th September 1944. The Moonsund Landing Operation was an amphibious landing on the Estonian Islands and began on the 27th September 1944. The Estonian Islands blocked access to the Gulf of Riga. The Red Army captured mainland Estonia on the 28th September 1944.

(Pacific)

 In the Pacific the U.S. Marines were island hopping in the war against the Japanese. The Marines landed on the beaches of Peleliu, during the Palau campaign, on the 15th September 1944. Stiff opposition from the outnumbered Japanese defenders extended the expected four days to secure the island to more than two months. The Japanese fought to the death in the Japanese Emperor’s name and it became known as the “Emperor’s Island” in Japan.

Unopposed, the U.S. 81st Division landed on the Ulithi Atoll in the Caroline Islands on the 23rd September 1944. The survey ship USS Summer found the atoll was well protected with plenty of water depth for fleet anchorage. Shortly after landing U.S. Navy Seabeesstated work on building the largest naval base during the war and capable of anchoring over 600 ships. The Seabees are the better known name for the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions.    

(Other Areas)

The British and American governments attended the Second Quebec Conference on the 12th September 1944. In attendance were, Winston Churchill, Franklyn D. Roosevelt and the Combined Chiefs of Staff. The host was Canada’s Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, who did not attend the key meetings. Agreements were reached on the Allied occupation zones in defeated Germany, the plan to demilitarise Germany, the continued U.S. Lend-Lease aid to Britain and the war against Japan to have Royal Naval assistance. The conference ended in Quebec on the 16th September 1944 with provisional plans to drop an atomic bomb on Japan.

Brigadier-General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (Teddy) was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on the 21st September 1944. Teddy was the eldest son of ex-President Theodore Roosevelt. The award was for gallantry beyond the call of duty on D-Day the 6th June 1944. Landing with the first wave to attack Utah Beach, he repeatedly led groups of his men from the beach, over the seawall and established them inland. He achieved this whilst facing heavy fire. Roosevelt Jr. had heart problems which he didn’t disclose to his doctors or his superiors. His major health concern was arthritis, after suffering injures in the Great War, and walked with a walking stick. Aged 56 Roosevelt Jr. died of heart attack on the 12th July 1944 and is buried in the American Cemetery in Normandy. The Medal of Honor is the U.S. Armed Forces highest military decoration.

——————————————————–

Air Raid Damage Reports Brentwood Division Essex Fire Service August 1944.

Date                Time   Location         Damage

03/08/1944    02.40  Great Warley 1 ‘Fly’ exploded in oatfield between Front land and

Moor Lane (Cranham) 1/4 mile S of junction causing slight damage to property (Bird Lane Romford Division).  N.C.

03/08/1944    10.10  Creeksea       1 ‘Fly’ exploded in potato field East Lambourne

Hall Farm 500 yards E of Creeksea Ferry and 500 yards NE of Loftman’s Farm causing damage to approx. 1 acre of crops.  No other damage or casualties.

04/08/1944    03.10  Canvey          1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in River Thames 200 yards S of

                                    Island             Chapman’s Light.  N.D.C.

06/08/1944    15.25  Great              1 – U.K. Practice Bomb (N.E.) from Allied aircraft

Stambridge    fell in cornfield 440 yards N of Cagefield Cottages and 150 yards E of main road.  N.D.C.

06/08/1944    23.16  Wickford        1 ‘Fly’ exploded in field between Wick Drive and

Cranfield Park Road causing 1 slight casualty and slight damage to property.

07/08/1944    01.50  Langdon        As a result of a ‘Fly’ incident at Wheaton’s Farm

Hills                Langdon Hills, which is in the Grays Division, the following property at Laindon within the Brentwood Division sustained damages – 1 church, 1 hotel, 1 shop and 10 houses.  There was also 1 slight male casualty.

07/08/1944    10.00  Downham     1 – American 100 lb. I.B. was found in a field near

Brook Hill Farm.  Bomb empty but fuse unexploded.  Part of incident which occurred at 11-25 on 20.5.44 at Downham. q.

07/08/1944    10.45  Great              2 horses were killed as a result of straying into a

Wakering       minefield 100 yards N of Sewerage Farm and detonating a mine.

07/08/1944    15.15  Little                Driver Rees of 141st Field Regt. R.A. was

Burstead        examining a .22 rifle at a camp when a bullet was discharged from the rifle and entered the body of Driver Alfred John Ellis, aged 29, of the same Regt. Causing his death within a few minutes.

08/08/1944    22.30  Canvey          A Naval Barrage balloon grounded at The Bay

                                    Island             County Club.  N.D.C.

10/08/1944    04.15  Laindon         1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in wheatfield 1/2 mile W of St

Nicholas Church causing several minor casualties serious damage to 36 bungalows and extensive minor damage.

10/08/1944    18.00  Laindon         1 –  Ux.I.B. (1 Kg) was found in a field near Council

Houses, Markham’s Chase, which is about 1/2 mile from above ‘Fly’ incident and would be in the line of flight of the ‘fly’ before it fell.  No evidence of other I.Bs in the vicinity at the time, but I.Bs had been dropped previously in the same locality.

17/08/1944    13.25  Hadleigh        1 – Ux.U.P. Shell fell 50 yards W of Cross Farm

                                                            Benfleet Road.  N.D.C.

18/08/1944    09.00  Canvey          Gordon Lee, aged 12, of 16 Labworth Road

Island             Canvey picked up an object on Shell Beach believed to be a small arms bullet, took it home and struck it with a hammer when it exploded causing slight injuries to his left hand and body.  Taken to hospital but not detained.

19/08/1944    21.10  Bowers           1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in marshes.  N.D.C.

Gifford

26/08/1944    15.40  Crays Hill       A deflated barrage balloon fitted with an Ux.

‘Device A’ grounded on waste land N of Oak Road.  The ‘Device’ was subsequently exploded in situ by BDS and balloon removed by RAF.  N.D.C.

29/08/1944    21.45  Canvey          The body of Hugh Murray, ship’s fireman aged 22

Island             of 11 Blackland Avenue Kilwinning Ayrshire was recovered from the forward engine room of ‘S.S. Sam Long’ now anchored off Hole Haven Canvey Island.  The ‘S.S. Sam Long’ was torpedoed on the high seas on 3.8.44 and Murray was reported missing.  The ship was towed to its present position on 14.8.44 and the body was recovered by the Police and removed by A.R.P. ambulance to Canvey Island.  A.R.P. Mortuary.

31/08/1944    11.50  Canvey          1 – U.P. Shell exploded in field 800 yards of

                                    Island             ‘Haystack’ P.H.  N.D.C.

31/08/1944    11.50  Canvey          1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell 100 yards N of Kelverden

                                    Island             Avenue.  N.D.C.

P. C. Benham notebook

1 August Tuesday

Another excellent day with Americans, British and Russians bashing fwd – AQ says surrender day will be 11 Nov – hope before!  V confident air about everywhere.  No mail for third day running – bad biz.  Very stiff today – knocked off at 10 pm short drink with Steve and so to bed early.

To – A                                    From – Nil

2 Aug- Duty 10 pm – 0800 3 Aug – Bayeux 2.15.

Up at a gents hour 9 ocl, b’fast shave and then up to V1 where I wrote to A.  Nipped down to the Fd Cashier before lunch, cashed cheque for £5 – met Bone, ex Barclays Bank there.  On return met French L.O. and gave him lunch.  Charles, French L.O. & I went into Bayeux where we had cup of acorn coffee, shops stripped – only purchase was v small bot of scent – into Norman Church at Ruqueville on way there, pillaged by Boche.  On return found 4 letters waiting for me.  Listened to news at 9 ocl in V1 & wrote A.  Duty from 2200 – 0800.

To A                                        From   A

     D                                                   L

    G                                                    Dorothy

Brian

2 thrillers from L

3 Aug

Came off duty 0800 hrs – quiet night – Slept all morning.

Ken Riff left for A *** 3 Br Div this morning.  Duty 1500 hrs after an excellent hour in the sun.  nothing much doing.  Bed early after I came off at 10 pm.

Uneventful but perfect weather day.

From G                                              To A (by 1200 hrs post 4 Aug)

4 Aug

Quiet day – Information Room – during am wrote A.  news good again all round some ground given up –  some gained by 12 Corps – USA good.

Move of Corps HQ to Bieville now postponed indefinitely, good show.  Kip after lunch – and read in Deck chair.  Wrote just after nine ocl news to A and L.  Bed early.

From A (2)                                         To A

      L

5 Aug

Up at 7 ocl – on duty at 8 after excellent b’fast – porridge, bacon & fried bread, marm and bread & butter – tea 3 parts.  Not much during my tour of duty – Martin Brunch tac HQ “exercise”.  Came off at 3.15 pm – checked war diary then finished off my letter to L. Chalk with Robert & Lyle Wilson.  Tea. After tea read and sat in sun.  Back to Inf Room to see if any ‘gen’ certainly was – whole of 12 Corps has adv and 7 Armd Div *** in Fleury Sur Orne – amazing show.  Super ‘bath’ wash dinner news incredible at 9 ocl and wrote A in V1 and so on duty at 10 ocl.

To – A                                                From – nil – no letters for anyone

6 Aug (Sunday)

Hot and sunny again – on duty 1500-2200.  Slept when I came off duty at 0845 – frightful flap getting out morning sitrep.  After lunch read for an hour and then on duty.  Went to the evening service at 6.30 but Chaplain didn’t turn up so we said a few prayers and sang the odd hymn.  Wrote letter cards to A & L before going to bed in good time.

To – A ]                                  From – Jane Eyre from 14 no letters for anyone.

        L  ] letter cards

7 Aug Monday

Moved today to BIEVILLE.

Rather a hectic rush as I had to go forward and be on the end of a telephone by 11.30 – managed it somehow – was only able to do a little digging as I had to set up the info room.  New area not too bad but a bit dirty.  Was 185 Bdes FDLs until they attacked to CAEN.  Sharing tent with Lyle-Wilson, G2 (L) from Cdn Army – extremely nice chap.  He and Roberts and myself went out to watch the 1000 bomber (?) raid to open Op Totalize at 2300 hrs.  Great display.  Bed at midnight.

To – A From – nil (nothing for anyone)

8 Aug

Excellent night – on duty at 8 am with John Scott – came off at 1.30 (Stephen relieved me ½ hour late) – he is now in hospital with stum trail so that leaves only John Roberts and myself.  Read and snoozed after lunch til 4 ocl then on again til 8.30.  Super parcel from A GBH and several letters.  Wrote after dinner to A.  On duty at midnight.  Super hot day again.  Op Totalize made excellent start and is going well, hope it goes better than previous ones – if it does, back by Xmas – great thought.

To A (cheque £5-0-0)                      From   A

G                                                                    A  (super parcel)

L                                                                      L2

B

9 Aug

Left BIEVILLE after quietish day at 7.30, travelled in V1.  Very hectic time packing up as we had only 2 hours notice to move.  New spot v unhealthy masses of flies and mosquitoes – shelled for about 2 hours on arrival – only about 100x-500x away.  Got to bed after relief at 11 ocl at 12 ocl very dark & couldn’t find my tent!  Slept like a log til 0645 hrs.

To – Nil                                              From – Nil

10 Aug

Hectic day again.  Up at 6.45 for duty at 8 ocl.  Then at 2 ocl after packing up my kit again I came over to our new area about 2 miles South of Giberville.  Very hot day and boy! did I sweat digging a hole for myself during the pm.  Duty 5-8 and then off til 11 ocl when I’m on all night – war news first class.  Boche withdrawing in our area.  Feel V tired and look it so I’m told.

From G                                  To A – 15 pages

         A-Z

11 Aug Friday

Off after frightful squito ridden night and too many cigwigs at 8 ocl breakfast – excellent porridge, bacon & sausage, jam wasps and tea.  Nightmare morning, v hot sweated like a bucket, dirt & dust in bed – woke at 12.15 with pyjamas soaked, squitoes everywhere & dust galore – that night out in middle of a busy field.  Lunch – then on duty from 1.30-5 pm – nothing much doing – met Guy Pollock, now comd an A/Tank Bty in the infn room.  Dug after tea – wrote A before dinner then on duty 8-11 pm.  bed & much needed.  Attack has petered out yet again.

To A                                        From L

12 Aug Saturday

Very hot day – overslept and 15 mins late!  Frightful panic at 10 ocl when maps had to be marked up for Comd BGS, G1 & G2 went round in ever decreasing circles!  I was told that I was the only one who knew how to mark a map properly (compliment!) and was told to get to work on it – I did – shouted at – all different instructions by all & sundry mainly threw pencils on ground and told them they could mark the bloody maps themselves.  After lunch short sleep and read in gnat infested tent.  Tea – hair wash – drink & chat with John Scott – a really first class chap & then at 9 ocl down to V1 where I wrote diary & started letter to A & so on duty at 10.30 pm

To A                                        From Barclays statement.

13 Aug

Another hot dusty day – not a bad night and slept from midnight til 4.30.  Usual morning rush.    After breakfast slept a bit ‘til lunch time.  Duty from 3pm til 10 pm.  not much doing this pm but fairly hectic after dinner – Rozzer rozzing – Good news from Yanks – 3 US Armd Div & 2 French Armd Div linked up Illustration also 3 US Cav Gp fighting in outskirts BLOIS.  Early to bed.

To Nil                                                  From G

          A

14 Aug

Op to capture FALAISE – started at 1200 hrs – excellent start.  Duty 0800-1500 hrs – tragic bombing by our Lancs of area round 57 Div HQ – I wonder what the answer was?  Read Jane Eyre before and after tea then down to V1 to hear news and write letters.  Dinner 7.30 and early to bed.  G1 signed passes for Ken Hull & myself to visit Cherbourg tomorrow.

To – A (long)                                     From – Parcel Lois

L (long)                                                            L

  B

15 Aug Tues.

Up at 6.30 and  Ken and I left at 7.45.  Route up through CAEN, BAYEUX, ISIGNY, VALOGNES, CARENTAN, CHERBOURG, V1 site, BARFLEUR, ST VAAS (lunch) VALOGNES, ST SAUVEUR, LA HAY DU POUITS, LESSAY, COUTANCES, MARIGNY, ST LO, BAYEUX and so back at 9.20 after a good day.  Very hot and sunny but got caught and soaked at BAYEUX on way back.  items of interest 9-10 000 tons coming through CH.  Amazing thickness of E & U Boat pens.  Forts all round Larbun.  V1 site smaller than expected ramp Illustration.  Frightful damage in ST LO, worst I’ve ever seen just one mass of rubble in city centre.  Good lunch, wine, pate, fish, veal, grapes, small, hot house, camembert.  On duty at 10 pm – heard news of invasion S of France.  We are on outskirts of FALAISE.  51 Div doing well – nearly in ST PIERRE SUR DIVES.

To – Nil                                              From Nil

16 Aug Wed.

Off at 8.30 after very hectic night then on again at 3.  Wrote A after lunch – frightful flap in the office.  Move tomorrow?  Nothing very exciting today – again extremely hot – Boche seems to be withdrawing all the way along the line.

To A                                                    From Nil

17 Aug Thurs

On this at 8 ocl.  Lunch-time told I am to go fwd to new locn, be est by 3.30.  Dust simply appalling on roads only captured 2 days previously.  Got on back of M/C and ran last half mile.  Was G (Ops) until 6.30 pm when rest arrived – battle going very well.  New locn is QUATRE PUITS between VIMONT and ST PIERRE – few shells in area – did a little digging then fairly early to bed and read another few pages of Jane Eyre – mosquitoes simply shocking during night.  Eventually got to sleep at 1.30.

To – Nil                                              From – Nil.

18 Aug Fri.

Very hot day – hottest yet I think – spent day in infm room then on duty at 10 pm.  No very great news – steady progress everywhere but I’m afraid he has got most of his stuff out of the gap. – not correct PCB 1/9

To A                                                    From G

         A 2

19 Aug Sat

Bloody awful night with very hectic period between 7 and 8.30, usual morning flap.  Slept very badly during morning, flies a nuisance & wrote L after lunch.  On duty from 3 pm – 10 pm.  No very exciting news today.  Trap has been closed now it remains to be seen how much in it.

From A                                               To L

L

Essex C.S.

20 Aug Sun.

Completely overslept this morning after a wizard night’s sleep – Woke up at 10.30!  Good steady progress today and amazing report from the BOCHE that we are over the Seine – I only hope it’s true.  On duty 1 pm – 6 pm (new hours) after which (I didn’t leave office ‘til 6.45.  I had a couple of gins with Lisle-Wilson and then down to V1 after dinner where I listened to news and wrote long letter to A.

Flash Elts of five Pz Divs are trying to break out of trap and appear to be near succeeding – poor old Poles are short of ammn but 4 Cdn Div are being sent to help stop the break-out.  They did PCB 21/8

To A 2                                                From Nil

21 Aug

Up with the lark this morning and on duty at 8 am.  6 Airborne 51, 49 and 7 Armd all made good progress – no flaps about the Poles, the tks didn’t get through.  After lunch Tim Roberts and I went over to 6 Airborne Div, very happy air there.  Back in time for a late tea, then pottered, had good wash and so to dinner.  Finished Jane Eyre, last night – first class.  On duty 11 pm – wrote letters after tea and after dinner.  Very wet and muddy day after many days of wonderfully hot sunshine.  On duty **** 11 pm.

To – A                                                From   A

        Louisa                                                   B

Aunt Dolly                                                      Louisa

22 Aug.

Bloody awful day.  Squitoes prevented sleep during night, and after breakfast, and after lunch wasps stopped play!  Instead after lunch wrote letters.  On duty at 6 ocl where reports show battle going well.  Came off at 10.30 but wasn’t in bed until 11.45 as I had to organise the repair of the HT cable to RA etc cut just in front of me by a very light Tk Transporter.

Not very well.  Thank heavens we are leaving this fly infested, muddy spot tomorrow.

To JB.                                                From – Nil

     AHEB

     A

23 Aug

Very sick 3 times during night, and a rush for the thunderbox after b’fast!  Moved today to LA MOTTE, 4 miles West of LISIEUX which we now hold apart from pockets of resistance.  Came ahead to set up G Ops and was est at 11.30?  Enemy hold East of LISIEUX – don’t think they will be able to.  Off after day’s hard work at 6 pm.  lay down and was awoken at 8.45.  Bed after dinner not feeling 100% fit, but slept like a log til 7 ocl (tomorrow).  New area very pleasant.  Old type farmhouse, orchards, real green fields and not many flies, wasps, ‘squitoes etc.

To – Nil                                              From – Nil

24 Aug Thurs

On duty 8 am – heard news that Rumania has asked for an Armistice – GREAT SHOW.  News on our front first class – with 5 DG of 7 Armd Div going like stink and nearly on line of R. Resle.  After lunch Tim Roberts & I went out swanning in his car.  Went up to river TOUQUES between PONT L’EVEQUE and DEAUVILLE – br blown  – French, old and young working on it.  rained all time.  Saw perfect crashed JU88??  Stopped for a cup of acorn coffee on way back at BONNE BOSQUE.  Bought 2 powders and a lipstick & bot of scent.  Back at 5 ocl tea then had hair cut and wrote to my angel – about whom, now, more than ever, I long and think about so much.  End now in sight of this bloody war.

To – A                                                From   A

L                                                                      G

G                                                                     JB

L (Book)

ECS

25 Aug

Bloody awful night again with no peace at all – things kept on cropping up – had an hours doze.  Usual morning flap.  Excellent breakfast – porridge – egg & bacon bread marm & jam.  Slept until 2.30and got up at 3.30.  after tea packed up parcels to A and L.

Duty 6 pm – 11.30 by time I got away.  2 French Armd Div in heart of Paris.  We (especially 7 Armd) made some steady progress.  Bed & sleep as soon as back in tent – move again tomorrow.  About 20 miles.

From L (2)                                         To parcel A

“ L

L (LC)

26 Aug

Moved today about 17 miles from LISIEUX – east La Motte.  Super news from all fronts – Bulgaria – Italy – Russia and our own – we are nearly on Seine?  PW in Gap – time (tomorrow) will tell.  Hot sunny day.  In lovely orchard.  Came in ahead as usual & was, est by 12 ocl.  End now definitely in sight.  PARIS definitely free now – Boche has well & truly had it.  off duty at 6.30 & wrote A before dinner and afterwards – pleasant tea time chat with Butler (G1) & Tim Roberts.

V emotional moment – recording of Paris’ liberation just being given on wireless.  Bed early.

To A                                                    From Nil

27 Aug Sunday

On duty 8.30 am – 1.30 pm.  Had excellent swan with Tim, R up to Honfleur.  Many attractively dressed girls about and some good looking shops though being Sunday they were all shut.  Delightful old coast Town and only 4 or 5 miles from Le Havre across the SEINE.  Lovely day & very clear, one could almost see the people in the streets!  Back at 5.15 and listened to news at 6 pm.  Nothing much fresh.  Slept from 6.30 – 8 ocl.  Mucked around after dinner and wrote in V1 until after 10.45 when went on duty.

To – A                                                From – Nil

John Q

28 Aug

Not such a hectic night as usual or the habitual early morning flap.  Slept after the bloody usual monotonous b’fast until 3.30 – shave wash tea then on duty from 6-11.  Nothing much to report – met Geoffrey Armitage, now G2 of 7 Armd Div.

To A – (L.C.)                                      From   A

L

B

(OU pamph)

29 Aug

Very wet day – great news if true from LO from 21 A Gp.  Americans should be in Germany within 48 hrs or so.  Pottering morning – went over to Rear to cash cheque but Fd Cashier was shut – On duty at 1 and didn’t come off until 7 nattering with G1 L and Liall-Wilson.  Had good wash before dinner, after dinner inter alia (2 tinned stewed plums and real cream – super), wrote to A in V1 and ‘shorty’ to Elli.  Cleared up a bit in evening – move tomorrow.

To L                                                    From –

     A

    B

Wed 30 Aug 44

Moved today to BOIS INGER a move East of about 20 miles.  Travelled in back of V1 with Tim and Edward Rice.  Had snooze and read in pm.  After tea Tim and I did a swan up to the Seine just South of DUCLAIR.  Much Boche equpt, tks, ½ tracks lying about.  Got rifle, ammo, bayonet and a nice pair of Boche driving goggles.  Back for rather latish dinner at 8.45 after which I wrote long letter to A before going on duty at 11 pm.  Wet and windy day.

To – A                                                From G

        A

Thurs 31 Aug

Not a bad night – slept from 2.45 – 6 ocl.  Good b’fast at 9 ocl comprising egg & bacon porridge etc.  Slept til 2 ocl then finished.  Mystery of the Green Caterpillar.  Super perfect peach shave then wrote Bill before a good tea.  After tea started letter to A then on duty at 6 pm.

To AJA                                               From – nil

Notebooks of W. Allason.

1st Beds were in 5 Division, 15 Brigade.

All the notebooks were written on the right hand page and additions, photos, cartoons or other documents were added to the left hand page.

In August 1914 the Battalion was posted at Mullingar

Book One

Friday 3rd Aug.          About * p.m. a wire arrived directing my Armagh Detachment to move at once to Clifden wireless station and make preparations for its defence.  On proceeding to the railway station I was informed that no special could be got before Monday afternoon.  The Dublin office would be closed and nobody with authority to arrange specials would return before 9 o’clock on Monday morning.  Fortunately owing to the Ulster trouble the telephone office was kept open all night and I wired to the Headquarters Irish Command to kindly arrange for a special.  The Detachment reached Clifden about 10 pm on Saturday night.  Marconi’s agent to whom I had wired met us but said he could not allow us into the compound without the sanction of the company for which he had wired.

            This arrived as we completed our march in the dark and in a deluge of rain otherwise we should have been obliged to dispense with it.  Picquets and sentries were soon posted & the men got under cover.  On arrival at Clifden the inhabitants thought we had come down to stop gun running and were by no means pleased to see us.  When they realised war with Germany was impending they could not do too much for us, and asked if they might fire a salute with revolvers when we left finally for Mullingar.  I begged to be excluded.  For the next few days we had a busy time entrenching I had to arrange for feeding the men and to start a grocery bar – nothing could be bought in the compound.  In addition I had to arrange for the transport of 100 tons of war material daily to the compound.  The local carter went on strike for double wages but by getting a motor lorry from Galway I made them see the error of their ways.  We remained there until the 7th Aug.

On the opposite page is a sketch map of the locations through which the Battalion had travelled.

14th August.  We entrained at Mullingar at about 2 a.m. & reached Belfast about 10 a.m. the inhabitants were taken by surprise but there was much waving of flags.  We embarked on the Oranza and sailed at 2 p.m.  The voyage was uneventful there appeared to be a lot of shipping about & occasionally we saw a man of war in the distance.  On the 15th at night in a heavy rain storm we nearly ran down a ship, of course all lights were *** **

16th August.  We reached Havre at 6.30 a.m. and marched to the rest camp through cheering crowds by noon – a very hot march. 

17th Left the rest camp at 8 p.m. and marched some miles to the station where we spent the rest of the night lying on the platform.  We entrained about 4 a.m. and the train left at 6 a.m.

18th August.  Le Cateau was reached at 9 p.m. and we marched 4 miles to Pommereuil where we arrived about 11 p.m. and got into billets about midnight.  For food on the way up we had to manage as best we could a certain amount of hot water was procured from the engine for making tea.  Each Company had a *** for the officers and a lot of delicacies such as bottled peas, beans, fruit, etc.  Shearman was by way of saving these against a rainy day I was all for feeding well while we could.  (We had Coy messes).  It was just as well we did eat some of the things as the remainder all fell into the hands of the Germans.

At Pommereuil the men were all billeted in barns, the officers in peasants’ houses, these were scrupulously clean and they refused to accept any payments except for chickens and eggs.  There were large orchards at the back of the farmhouses which the men were told to make free of.  The men tried very hard to make the inhabitants understand Hindustani but when they found that was useless managed to do remarkably well by signs.  For the first few days officers were constantly being asked to translate certain words but the men soon learnt to find for themselves.  We were told that we would probably remain a week in those billets.  On the 19th & 20th we went for route marches and on the 21st orders to move came.  We marched to Gussignies about 12 miles and billeted as before.  On the 22nd we marched to Boussau Bois where the men were billeted in a school.  We sat down to meals with the school mistress (4 officers) and had typical Belgian food, not much to our liking.  All the buildings were decorated with English & Belgian flags.

On opposite page is a photo annotated Bn H.Q. estaminet on right.  Paturages station destroyed.

On Sunday the 23rd the men were allowed into the town but suddenly about midday came trooping back by the Br. General’s orders.  Two Coys under Maj Thorpe were sent off to make trenches.  Presently an aeroplane appeared and little cotton wool like puffs pursued it in every direction.  Heavy gun firing could also be heard and the school mistress prudently removed all the bunting.  At 5.30 p.m. we were ordered to move to Paturages station, we were told that our troops were holding the line of the canal.  On the way I was told by a lot of excited Belgians that the Germans were only a few hundred yards up a road we crossed at right angles.  I ordered Lt. Gledstanes to form up his platoon across the road and fix bayonets.  I rode on and reported to Col Griffith who dismissed the report as preposterous so I withdrew the platoon.  Shortly afterwards (7 p.m.) we reached the station where we found a few men of the Cheshires on outpost duty holding a very extended line along the railway.

On opposite page is a sketch map of the Mons area and below that a photograph entitled View towards Frameries the brickfields in foreground.

They had been unable to get in touch with the 3rd Division on our right.  I was asked to take an officers’ patrol and try and find them without adventuring too far as by that time very alarming rumours were coming in brought by civilians.  After going about a mile eastwards along the line and dropping a post to guard the branch line we heard a large force of guns cavalry and infantry crossing a bridge to our front.  I sent on Lt. Shearman to crawl right up and make sure of them & then returned to the station and reported to Col Griffith that the enemy had evidently penetrated our line.  There was no means of getting the report back except by Belgian civilians and there was every chance of them failing to get through.  We broke into the station masters office but were unable to work the telephone.  A very irate station master then appeared furious with us for breaking into his office.  He was appeased with difficulty but could not get an answer on the phone.  We all left the office but I tackled him again and appealed to him to make another effort as the situation was exceedingly dangerous.  He returned and after some time got a reply.  I called up the Colonel and a message was sent direct to Headquarters.

On the opposite page is a note in red ink saying “To O.C. “C” Coy.  General Haking’s brigade has joined us on our right and is in rear of you.  Take care that your men do not get into his line of fire.  Retire at dawn towards station along the railway line if you are pressed by enemy.  G.R.J. Griffith Lt Col.”

The message came back “Well done the Bedfords hold on at all costs.  The 5th Brigade is moving to Frameries and 3 Battns will be sent to support you”.  By this time a report had come in from Major Thorpe that owing to shell fire he was unable to leave his trenches and join us while Shearman sent back to say that the Germans had halted and were bivouacking.  I returned to Shearman’s platoon and in the dark took what measures I could to make the place defensible.  About 2.30 a.m. the German patrols began to push forward in the dark and our advanced scouts retired fighting.  Shearman received the Médaille Militaire and the D.S.O. for his day’s work.  At 3 a.m. General Haking’s (15th) Bde arrived near Frameries and the pressure was relieved; as it grew light we worked hard making a barricade of sleepers across the railway lines and as there were not enough to make it bullet proof I caused packs to be laid on top to make believe they were barricades which were held.

The firing soon became rather warm the Germans advancing across our front towards Frameries and Gen. Haking’s Bde. 

On the opposite page is a sketch map of the action.

Our advanced posts at X and Y and the platoon under Q.M.S. Hall did yeoman work.  Finally the Germans established a machine gun near Z which raked our line between Y and X killing two men and wounding others.  Shearman had been wounded while reconnoitring earlier in the day.  I was forward at Y and ordered the platoon to move back to a row of houses A. B. but kept a few men still sniping at Y.  Q.M.S. Halls’ platoon had wiped out a party of Germans who had reached C but a strong force (about 400) advanced from Z and got into the railway cutting.  I now withdrew the advanced snipers and opened a heavy fire from A. B. this stopped the advance and they were apparently put off advancing down the cutting under cover owing to the barricades right across with the packs on top.  They would appear to be on the back of men waiting to counter attack.  At this period or a little earlier Major Thorpe’s two companies arrived and Capt Edwards with one company took up a line from C to the right.  General Haking’s Brigade was withdrawn.

On the opposite page is a sketch map showing this action.

            My company, C, still had two platoons guarding the station, one platoon at A.B. and one platoon at E on the knoll behind and a section in the back gardens of some houses at F and another in a garden at G.  The walls were prepared for defence & loopholes made.  An attack was anticipated on the station but it never materialised.  The Germans next brought up some guns peppering the stack heaps badly and demolishing the row of houses A.B.  I was in one of them attending to a wounded man when a shell burst and deafened me.  I could not hear with it for about 6 weeks.  Major Thorpe brought up reinforcements but we found the shell fire too hot.  I withdrew the men to a second line further back covering the station K on fig 1.  This was another row of houses and the men although they had had one block of buildings blown down while in them at once broke into the houses and established themselves in the upper windows.  We were left undisturbed and at 3.30 p.m. received orders to retire.  It would appear that the 5th Fusiliers were holding a bridge on Sunday across the canal owing to some blunder it was not blown up altho’ prepared.  The 5th held on in the houses covering the bridge but being heavily shelled retired to Frameries.  The Germans then poured over the canal and began to attack Frameries about 3 a.m.  The 5th retired altogether about 10 a.m.

The above information was taken from the St. Georges’ Gazette the 5th Fusiliers Regtal Paper.  The Germans had outflanked us 5½ hours before we started to retire so that our getting away was little short of marvellous.

On the opposite page “Throughout the day I heard nothing of our guns and German aeroplanes appeared to be hovering over us like hawks without one of ours being visible.”

Casualties:  Missing Sherman & 66 Other Ranks.

            Within half an hour we were ordered to move back to Wasmes by the Bde Major with two companies but Major Thorpe who was with the leading one became so heavily engaged that orders were issued for each coy to retire independently as best it could through the streets.  I never expected to see Major Thorpe’s coy again.  At every street corner we heard of the Germans at one point we saw some cross the road in front of us.  At another we saw a lot of our men who had been killed just before.  Presently we came on a large (about 100) number of British stragglers, these were pushed on in front then a party of the Cheshire Regt under Capt. Rich came in from a side street.  They had only just escaped capture.  We now got into open country and I arranged a series of ambushes each supporting the other.  This gave the lame ducks a bit of a start and simply transformed the men forming the ambushes.  They hoped they were going to get a little of their own back. 

On the opposite page.  I commanded a house and was able to regulate the withdrawal of the rearmost party.  A task which would otherwise have proved impossible.  There ought to be one Officer with the rear party and a second for placing each of the ambushes.

25th August.  Presently an Artillery General rode up and directed the retirement to continue with all speed.  We reached a bivouac near St. Waast in which we found Major Thorpe’s company at 7.30 p.m.  We rested an hour (having been on the move 25 hrs) and then marched 17 miles meeting Col Griffith with the other two Coys on the way.  We had 4 hours rest in a field, here we formed up after dark I had to send out posts to hold the edge of a wood a few hundred yards off.  There was no water obtainable.  I had lost my waterbottle & field glasses.  Three men were sharing the remains of a waterbottle boiling the water to make tea.  It was brought round to me first but I refused to take it tho’ I appreciated the spirit which prompted the offer.  And then marched 23 miles on to Le Cateau.  It was a boiling hot day as the column marched along there was a constant accompaniment of big guns every moment we expected a heavy shelling.  An aeroplane fight occurred during the march.  We did not witness its conclusion but heard later that the German was killed.  A French girl in high-heeled shoes and open work stockings kept up with us for miles.  Her brother was grumbling the whole time but she was as cheery as possible.

We rested in a field for 2 hrs and then about 5 p.m. moved to another field where we understood we were to remain a week to recoup.  The 4th Div newly out from England covering our front in a previously prepared position.  I went to a farm house at Troisvilles borrowed a towel & soap and had a good wash in an outhouse.  It was needed.

            26th August.  At midnight Sgt. Nolans ran into camp saying the Germans were on us.  Investigation proved that his platoon had fired at shadows but it alarmed the whole camp.  We were ordered to stand to arms at 3.30 a.m. & were told that the retirement would be continued at 8 a.m.  Just as we were marching off a counter order came to occupy the trenches as the Germans were on us.  We did so getting there just in time.  I galloped along our line of trenches and thus had a fair idea of the number of men to hold each.  We held on till 4 p.m. and then received orders to retire by the right.  The troops on the right had retired some time before & I had been obliged to order Capt. Newington to take up a position on a ridge to cover my retirement a little earlier.  The men went beyond the ridge instead of following Capt. Newington and were stopped by Count Gleichen who ordered them forward again.  This forward movement was assumed to be a counter attack & is said to have delayed the enemy’s advance.  On my left Capt. Monteith had already moved back.  To create a diversion I ordered my two platoons in 2nd line to open a heavy burst of fire with “combined” sights on a point where some German machine guns were firing.  The leading platoons then doubled back over about 400 yards of open ground to the sunken road whence I sent them on to the village.

On the opposite page is a plan of the Troisvilles situation.

Two men carried a box full of ammunition back between them even tho’ they could only carry it at a walk and German machine guns were playing on them at a range of about 400 yds.  The trenches had been dug by civilian labour and were very poor.  They had to be improved under fire.  Our transport and the 2 guns which had been doing great execution behind us had already gone back.  We then gave another burst of fire and retired to a position in front of the village.  From here we witnessed the shelling of the sunken road we had left and then they started on the village. 

By this time all the other troops had gone and Major Onslow ordered our retirement.  The road along which we moved was being heavily shelled.  Presently we were joined by a dozen K.O.S.B. who came in from a side turning and a little way on saw an ambulance wagon full of wounded, with the pole and traces broken, abandoned on the road.

On the opposite page is a newspaper cutting showing St. Quentin.  Above this is written Von Kluck states in The March on Paris “The IV Corps engaged strong Brit forces on the front Caudry, Troisvilles Renmount at about 9 a.m. and got into a difficult position.”

Casualties: Lt. Wagstaff & 30 men.

At this point the rear guard struck off to the right across country.  I decided not to leave the wounded behind and with Lt. Duke some of our own men and some of the K.O.S.Bs we pushed it along the road.  Dr Cheques was mentioned in despatches for taking part.  We had a lively time as the Germans were concentrating their fire on the road which ran parallel to their front for a bit.

Another party of K.O.S.B. then joined us and we put Col Stephenson (K.O.S.B.) in the wagon.  He had been stunned by a shell.  We went on about 5 miles in all and then met Gen. Count Gleichen who ordered the wagon to be abandoned and the men with it to act as a rear guard along the road. 

27th Aug.        We marched on till about 1.30 a.m. when having lost 2 coy we halted for 2½ hrs in a field and then marched just beyond St. Quentin.  Here we found Col. Griffith & 2 Corps and remained from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. while we all had bread and foie gras I had purchased in the town.  We then marched on till 6 p.m. & bivouaced.

It was a beautiful day we crossed the Oise and marched for some distance along its banks to Eaucourt.  Here there was a huge jumble of units C Coy was detailed to find certain ill defined picquets on the roads and to have two platoons on guard at Div. HQ.  I was on the move all night.  About 2 a.m. on 28th bad news came in and orders to continue the retirement were issued.  Gledstanes & I managed to get some food in the chateau kitchen.  Proceeding to the river bank at dawn I found that all the bridges were being blown up but an infinite number of large barges and small boats containing refugees were on the water so that the Germans could make floating bridges at the shortest notice.  This I reported to Gen. Fergusson but he said it did not matter.  Perhaps there was no time to issue fresh orders.  We were two hours late getting away.  The confusion was very great.  Gen. Fergusson himself stood at some cross roads trying to get a semblance of order into some units.

28th     We moved off at 4.30 a.m. & went through Augny halting short of Noyon for 4 hrs at noon.  It was exceedingly hot and a long line of transport monopolised the greater part of the road.  Straggling was very bad a lot of men got lifts on carts.  We & the Dorsets were almost the only Battns that really kept together.  The four hours rest enabled the men to eat their food in comfort and we then marched through Noyon, a fine town, the whole British army seemed to be passing through.  We went on across the suspension bridge to Pontoise taking hours to cover the last few miles, we got into bivouac, a field by the road side, after dark about 9 p.m.  Pte Hawkins rejoined here.  He was shot through the bone below the knee and marched 3 days – on extra ordinary feat of endurance.

29th  The next morning I received orders to reconnoitre the high ground north of the river as to its suitability for defence.  I took two mounted orderlies with me and started out at 1 p.m.  Soon after crossing the river we met two dragoons who reported that a few hours before the Germans had rushed their post at Ginnard and that they had only just escaped by the skin of their teeth. 

On the opposite page a diagram of the German attack on Le Cateau.

I sent one Dragoon back, with one orderly to show him the way, to Count Gleichen and went on with the other two, expecting every moment to run into a German patrol as they would naturally also be making for the same high ground.  Rounding a corner we came across an infantry Bn resting, their sentries were within 100 yards of the troops.  I was informed that they had orders to take up an outpost line on the high ground further on.  I explained that if they did not hurry up they would find the enemy there first and sent my other orderly to report the fact of British troops being on the hill side to Count Gleichen.  I rode on to make my reconnaissance keeping the Dragoon to watch for the enemy while I was doing so.  On completing the work I rode back 3 hrs later passing the same Battn in the same position.  There was a gap between them and the Battn on their left of a good mile.  This last Battn had its sentries stuck out in the middle of a field where they could be seen quite a mile off.  A German aeroplane passed over only about 600 feet up but was not fired at.  It was taken to be British or French.  No distinguishing marks were in use but pamphlets had been issued showing different types.  On arrival in bivouac I found the troops moving off I delivered my report.  We reached Carlepont about midnight.  The troops halted in the streets while I tried to arrange about billets. 

30th.    These were rather split up and as we had to move on at 3.30 a.m. the C.O. decided to leave the men where they were.  I had some food in a house & then slept for an hour in the street with my head on the curb stone.  The men had some straw to lie on but moving off in the dark men are very apt to lose their kit and swap rifles and straw does not improve matters.

We reached Crotuy about noon.   I slept in a bed and had a bath in an outhouse attached to the chateau of Gen de France.  There was also a large garden full of fruit.  The men were all housed in barns and a great shaving and washing took place.

31st.  We had quite a Europe morning and did not move off till 7 a.m.  It takes about 2 hrs from the time of getting up to get the breakfasts finished & the carts loaded up.  We marched via Share passing Pierrefords to Crepy where we arrived at 6 p.m. and bivouaced in a field. 

On the opposite page is a chart showing locations in the text.

P.C. Benham’s

Collins Diamond Diary

1944

Thursday 24 August 1944

Afternoon swanning – great news Rumania out – we bash on.  Bummelburg – **** powder – coffee, *** lipstick.

Mail from                    To – A

ECS, book Lois                L

Letters JB, A, G.

Captain P.C. Benham,

G Branch.

HQ 1 Corps

BLA

22 Aug 44.

My dear Eric,

Just a line to let you know that all goes well and that I’m busy, fit and looking forward more than somewhat to an early return to Colchester, the sinking of that Victory noggin in the Cups Tap, and the resumption of a quiet and peaceful life in the old Bro’.  As you can well imagine our tails are well in the air now and we will chase the B’s back to Germany in no time if they feel like going that far.  It’s been a wonderful 3 weeks, the weather has been perfect and we’ve killed many of the swine and taken many thousands of PW.  My only really interesting item of news is of a trip I had some days ago up to Cherbourg.  I visited the uncompleted (it was very nearly ready for use) V bomb site and also the unfinished massive concrete shelters which he was building to protect his U and E Boats.  We came back via St Saveur, La Haye du Puits, Lessay, Coutances and St Lo all very recently captured by the Yanks and all especially St Lo, mere masses of rubble with bull-dozed roads through them – very tragic, but unfortunately essential to rout the swine out of his positions prepared for so long.  No doubt you are as busy as ever and I hope it won’t be long before I’m back giving you a spot of assistance.  We are at present in the most mosquito, fly and wasp ridden area I’ve ever known – never, Eric, shall I embark on one of these jolly open air camping holidays one hears about.  I’ve seen sufficient earwigs, woodlice etc too to last me for ever.

An air of great confidence abounds and as each succeeding good spot of news comes in, so does the target date thought likely for the final bugle become nearer – the general feeling is end of Oct beginning of Nov but my guess like everyone else’ is as good as his neighbours Eh bien Eric drop me a line when you can – All the very best to you, my kindest regards to Grandpa Key, Pop Dyer and the other stalwarts at the office

Yours ever

Peter

No envelope with this letter.

Prisoner of War postcard received 20th August 1944.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 95

Stamp. Postmark Little Lever Bolton Lancs. 19 AU 44.  Also Bolton 20 AUG 1944.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 5894

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                                1068 Bury Rd.

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON Breightmet

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street  Bolton

                        Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

Ernest Wilkinson Sgt.

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Kriegsgefangenenlager der Luftwaffe Nr.3.

Lager-Bezeichnung:

Deutschland (Allemagne)

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 23.6.44

Sweetheart.  Just a few lines to say I am still fit and well.  But I would like some thick socks.  If you send me anything, send it through the “Red Cross”.  How are you darling?  I hope that you are keeping alright.  Write back soon, as I am longing to hear from you.  This is all for now Dear.  Give my regards to everybody.  All my love to you.  Yours always  Ernest.

Issue to DS on 2 INT/10/L RESTRICTED.

Aug.                                                          INDEX 3.                                  10th Long Course.

Issued in bulk to                                                                                                Green Paper.

DS for students

on 17 Aug.                               STAFF COLLEGE QUETTA

1944

INDOOR EXERCISE – JAPANESE IN BATTLE.

SUGGESTED SOLUTION.

OBJECT.

  1. To examine certain aspects of the JAPANESE in battle.

CHARACTERISTICS AND PSYCHOLOGY.

  • Before considering JAPANESE tactical methods it is essential to understand something of the characteristics and psychology of the men who comprise the JAPANESE army.
  • Physique.

The JAPANESE army is drawn from people who live a simple, rough life and who are accustomed to physical hardship.  Men are still further hardened by severe army trg until they are capable of very considerable endurance.  They are able to move fast over long distances, across difficult country and carrying heavy loads.

  • Courage.

The JAPANESE are a naturally brave race.  Courage has always been regarded as an essential virtue in a man and they are undoubtedly capable of suffering acute bodily pain.  But this does NOT mean that they are immune to fear.  There have been many instances in the face of our troops in which they have shown intense fear.

  • Education.

The education of the JAPANESE offr and soldier makes them as well fitted for their duties in a modern army as their counterparts in the BRITISH or AMERICAN armies.  But, against this, the extreme uniformity of JAPANESE State controlled education has resulted in a marked lack of originality and initiative.

  • Training.

The training of the JAPANESE army is thorough.  Lessons from past wars in all parts of the world have been studied, tactical doctrine is generally sound and ops are most carefully planned.  It is here, however, that lack of originality and initiative have been observed.  There is a strong tendency towards the employment of stereotyped methods and towards indecision, and even panic, when everything does not happen according to plan.  On the other hand, small parties are quick to react offensively to a surprise attack.

  • Discipline.

Discipline is good.  The basis of it is the JAPANESE religion which is a mixture of ancestor-worship and State or Emperor worship.  On this foundation the army has built a code of discipline which is generally harsh.  But, though it is generally accepted, out of loyalty to the Emperor, there have been instances, incl entries in captured diaries, complaining of the inefficiency and brutality of offrs and comds, to show that this discipline is sometimes resented.  This is particularly so in the case of conscript soldiers now forming a large part of the army.

  • Morale.

JAPAN has never been invaded.  The army, until very recently, has met with complete success. The JAPANESE have been made to believe they are a superior race with a divine mission to impose the will of their Emperor on the world.  Army trg and propaganda has emphasized these points and, in consequence, morale has been, and generally still is, very high.  But faith in JAPANESE invincibility cannot last indefinitely in the face of repeated defeats at the hands of the Allies.  They have suffered many defeats already and these have NOT been without effect.  JAPANESE comds on a number of occasions have found it necessary to issue special orders on the subject and there have been instances of a collapse of morale in more than one unit and fmn.  There has been evidence too of dissatisfaction and grousing about Allied material superiority.

  • Attitude towards being captured.

The JAPANESE are taught to fight to the death.  By doing so, a soldier ensures that his soul reposes in the military shrine in TOKIO.  Added impetus is given by the knowledge that a soldier captured is officially notified as dead.  If he returned to JAPAN, he would find his civil rights gone and would bring shame on his family.  The result has been that we have taken few prisoners.

  1. Recently, however, there have been indications that some JAPANESE are NOT made of stern enough stuff to live up to this standard.  Some diaries have revealed not quite a desire to surrender but an attitude of resignation to an inevitable death whose glory has grown slightly tarnished.  There have also been cases of JAPANESE making no great effort to avoid capture and cases of PW showing obvious happiness when refused permission to commit Hari-Kiri.

GENERAL TACTICAL CONCEPTION.

  1. The whole conception of JAPANESE tactics is based on offensive action.  The other principles which he applies are maint of the objective, conc of force, mobility and surprise.  He makes full use of night ops, in which he is skilful, and employs every form of ruse and minor deception.  These, however, are now generally well known and he has NOT shown much ingenuity in inventing fresh ones lately.

ATTACK.

  1. The forms of attack usually followed are :-
  2. Enveloping or flank attack.
  3. Frontal attack.
  1. Enveloping or flank attack.

In the enveloping or flank attack the principles mainly applied are mobility and surprise.  Pressure is exerted frontally while the main effort is made round one or both flanks with the object either of making a direct attack from the flank or of securing a posn astride our L of C.

Attacks of this nature may involve a double envelopment, a small flanking attack being made with an objective 1 – 300 yds behind our FDLs whilst a further turning mov is made some miles behind them.  Such attacks cannot succeed if def posns are sited for all round def and provided adequate adm arrangements have been made to enable out tps to remain firmly in their posns.

  1. Frontal Attack.

In the frontal attack the principles mainly applied are maint of the objective and conc of force.  Attacks are carefully prepared but often crudely executed.  Every effort is made to find a soft spot.  Fwd tps infiltrate, taking advantage of all available cover, and, when held up by fire, go to ground and bring LMG and mor fire to bear on any posns they have discovered.  The main attack is then launched with fresh tps in mass fmn who rely on weight of numbers, regardless of cas, to obtain success.  They adv in bunches, shoulder to shoulder, yelling, bayonets fixed, automatic weapons firing and rear ranks throwing hand grenades.

  1. If the first attack fails, a diversion is made against another sector but the main attack always returns to the spot initially chosen.  Soft spots at widely separated pts are often selected but coordination in these attacks is seldom achieved.
  1. Provided our tps are staunch, well dug in, have good fire discipline, adequate amn and a mob res, they have nothing to fear and have an opportunity of killing JAPANESE in large numbers.
  1. Support.

Both types of attack are supported by mors, the fire of which may be directed on to targets by converging tracer fire from MGs.  In the past, there has been little arty sp but considerably more guns have been used recently. 

Long periods of slow fire are often employed rather than hy concs immediately before an attack.

  1. Recce.

Both types of attack are always preceded by careful recce and by the employment of every form of ruse in an attempt to make us disclose our posns prematurely and shake our morale.

DEFENCE.

  1. The JAPANESE conception of def does NOT differ basically from our own.  The principles of all round def is adhered to, posns are sited in depth and are mutually supporting.  His policy is to be offensive at every opportunity.  If part of a posn is overrun, an immediate counter-attack is launched or a hy conc of fire is brought down on the posn.  Outlying posts are often sited astride possible lines of approach and patrols are used offensively in rear of our fwd tps.
  • Selection of positions.

A def posn is always based on a tk obstacle and, if possible, the flanks of the posn rest on natural obstacles.  High ground is always held, though the main posns are often on the reverse slope to avoid direct fire from tks or guns.  thick country is preferred and def posns frequently incl villages.

  • Siting and Nature of Defences.

The siting, concealment and cam of defs is skilfully carried out, though their actual construction has NOT always been so good.  Fds of fire are sacrificed to concealment and fire is held until an assault has almost reached the posn.  Considerable use is made of alternative posns.  These factors make it extremely hard to pin point actual posns.

  • Defs usually consist of a series of fox-holes (or weapon pits), holding one or two men each, or bunkers (dug-outs or pillboxes), holding many more.  The latter are strongly made so that hy mor fire can be brought down on them while our tps are trying to get in.
  • Snipers.

Snipers are used extensively, firing from trees to which they are often roped.  They are difficult to locate and are of considerable nuisance value.

  • Resistance to the last man.

Although there have been instances of withdrawal, both on orders and by individuals acting on their own, the JAPANESE teaching of resisting to the last man is frequently carried out, even hospital patients taking an active part.  A captured posn must, therefore, be carefully and systematically mopped up and steps taken to prevent enemy parties filtering back onto parts of the posn already captured.

  • A Weakness.

Recent reports show that the JAPANESE are sometimes careless, giving us an opportunity of surprising him in his def posns.

PATROLLING.

  • The JAPANESE make full use of both recce and fighting patrols.  The str of a recce patrol may be anything from one offr, with two local guides, all dressed in native clothing, to a sec.  The normal procedure is to adv about 100 yds and then halt for 5 mins to listen, but patrols are frequently careless about local security precautions, thus giving us good opportunities for successful ambushes.  Local porters are taken with patrols going out for three or four days and carrying everything except amn and weapons.  The str of a fighting patrol is usually about a pl but may be as many as 120 men.  This type of patrol usually works at night by infiltrating by twos and threes into our posns.
  • Patrols are frequently used to engage us frontally while an encircling mov is taking place.  They make much use of cam and will often lie up for hrs in most uncomfortable posns.

CONCLUSION.

  • While it is clear, therefore, that the JAPANESE is a good soldier who must NOT be underrated, it is equally clear that he is NOT a super-man and must NOT be overrated.

His savage beliefs have been exploited by trg and propaganda to produce a fanatical conception of service to the Emperor.  The high state of morale induced by this attitude of self sacrifice and loyalty has made the JAPANESE a formidable opponent.  But recent events have shown that his morale is NOT always strong enough to sustain him in the case of a local defeat.

  • To look for a moment towards the future, it is difficult to say whether a series of major defeats will ultimately affect the morale of the whole army, but if it does the process will take a considerable time, since censorship and other security measures prevent the JAPANESE soldier from learning the true facts.  Local breaks in morale are more probable, but only as a result of really hard fighting.

J.F.W.

Jul 44.