BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

9^th APRIL, 1915.

222 – Signalling – Course of –

            The Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers who have been selected to undergo a course of instruction in signalling at Alnwick will report to the Brigade Signalling Officer, Lieutenant S. MacDonald (4^th Battalion, Tyneside Scottish) at the Headquarters of the 20^th (S) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish) at 11-30 a.m. on Monday, the 12^th inst.

The Officer and Non-Commissioned Officers of the 3^rd Battalion, Tyneside Scottish, will be attached to the 1^st Battalion, Tyneside Scottish.

The Officer and Non-Commissioned Officers of the 4^th Battalion, Tyneside Scottish, will be attached to the 2^nd Battalion, Tyneside Scottish.

Officers to bring their camp kit with them.

Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers to bring the following with them:-

Copy of Signalling Regulations.

1 Large Blue Flag.  1 Large White Flag.

1 Small Blue Flag.  1 Small White Flag.

Note Books.

223 – Signalling Equipment – Indents for –

            Officers Commanding Units will send in an indent as early as possible to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, to complete the following signalling appliances as laid down below:-

Large Flags, White and Blue         36

Poles                                                  60

Small Flags, White                          36

Small Flags, Blue                            36

Poles                                                  140

The authority to be quoted on the indent is: – C.R.N.C.47870 (G.), dated 6^th April 1915.

Arrangements are being made at Brigade Headquarters for the local purchase, in addition to the above, for each of the following:-

Dummy Keys                                    4.

Vibrator                                              1.

224 – Brigade Signalling Officer –

            Lieutenant S. MacDonald, 23^rd (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (4^th Tyneside Scottish) is appointed Acting Brigade Signalling Officer.  He will be attached to the 20^th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish) until further orders.

225 – Signalling Classes – Formation of –

            Commanding Officers of Battalions will each form as early as possible a class consisting of at least 1 Officer, 36 Non-Commissioned Officers and Men for the purpose of instruction in signalling with flags, dummy keys, and vibrator.

Classes already formed will be increased to the numbers given above.

As a temporary measure an Officer with, if possible, some previous knowledge of signalling should be appointed Acting Battalion Signalling Officer.

As soon as the Brigade Course of Instruction in Signalling referred to in Brigade Order No. 222 of this date has been completed, a more qualified Officer who has attended the course will be available to take up the appointment of Battalion Signalling Officer.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

8^th APRIL, 1915.

221 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

“LONDON GAZETTE”

            The following extracts from a Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Tuesday, 30^th March, 1915, are published for information:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

23^rd Battalion, 4^th Tyneside Scottish – T.A. Anderson to be temporary Captain.  Dated 27^th February, 1915.

Alexandra, Princess of Wales’ Own (Yorkshire Regiment) –

12^th Battalion (Tees-side, Pioneers). – Charles Christopher Forster to be temporary Lieutenant.  Dated 9^th February, 1915.

The undermentioned to be temporary Second-Lieutenants.  Dated 10^th February, 1915.

                        Joseph Currer Busfield Longbotham.

Thomas Kenneth Gordon Ridley.

Stewart Gordon Ridley.

George Chapman Cuthbertson.

Stuart Marmaduke Cairns.  Dated 17^th February, 1915.

            The following extracts from the “London Gazette” of Friday, 2^nd April, 1915, are published for information:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

21^st Battalion (2^nd Tyneside Scottish). – The undermentioned to be temporary Second-Lieutenants: –

Hilton Robert Telford.  Dated 30^th January, 1915.

Frederick Vincent Bell.  Dated 1^st February, 1915.

Cedric Hunton Daggett.  Dated 20^th March, 1915.

22^nd Battalion (3^rd Tyneside Scottish). – The undermentioned to be temporary Second-Lieutenants:-

Guy Osborne Lion.  Dated 15^th March, 1915.

Thomas Hall Waugh.  Dated 18^th March, 1915.

Northern Command Order No.517.

GYMNASTIC STAFF INSTRUCTORS –

1. “In the event of Army Gymnastic Staff Instructors being guilty of Misconduct the offence and award should be forwarded at once to the Inspector of Gymnasia, Headquarters Gymnasium, Aldershot.”
2. “Army Gymnastic Staff Instructors attacked Unit will not be moved to other Units except by order of the Inspector of Gymnasia.”

C.R.N.C. 47549 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.518.

DETENTION BARRACKS –

            The Detention Barrack, Doncaster, accepts soldiers to undergo detention for any period over 7 days and under 35 days, also accommodation is provided temporarily for men for longer periods while awaiting accommodation at Aldershot or York.

            Applications should be made to the Assistant Provost Marshal, No. 5, South Parade, Doncaster.

C.R.N.C. No. 48890 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.519.

ACCOUNTS –

            The Adjutant-General of the British Army in the Field has reported that many holders of Imprest Accounts are not aware of the proper procedure to be adopted in dealing with their Accounts and Acquaintance Rolls.

Full instructions on these matters are contained in the pamphlet “How to Pay a Company,” issued with Army Order 29, of 1915, a general distribution of which was made during the month of January last.

Steps must be taken to ensure that all Officers leaving this country are provided with a copy of the pamphlet in question.

Authority, 121/Finance/204 (Accounts 1 B.), dated 29^th March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 51284 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.520.

CORRESPONDENCE – POSTAGE TO BE PREPAID –

            The attention of all concerned is directed to Command Order No. 297, dated 1^st March, 1915, which has not been observed in many cases.

C.R. No. 45649 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.521.

COMMAND AND ADDITIONAL PAY –

1. With reference to Command Order No. 455, dated 24^th March, 1915, it has been decided to extend the issue of command pay at the 5/- rate, under Article 248 (d) Royal Warrant, to all Lieutenant-Colonels of Royal Engineers Commanding Divisional Engineers in Divisions of the Regular Army, including the New Armies, and of the Territorial Force at home and abroad.  The issue will commence from the date on which the division in each case reaches or reached its total War Establishment, viz., 3 Field Companies, 1 Divisional Signal Company and Headquarters, irrespective of whether each rank or Unit is up to its own individual establishment, and will continue for the duration of the war only.

The issue of command pay under Article 248 (d) to Officers of Royal Engineers commanding certain other formations is under consideration.

Authority, War Office Letter N33/Central/272 (F.2.), dated 10^th March, 1915.

• Where sums in excess of the 2/- a day provided for in Command Order No. 455, dated 24^th March, 1915, for the Adjutant or Acting-Adjutant of an Infantry Battalion in process of formation up to 25% of the establishment have been issued, they should be allowed against Army Funds.

While adjustments need not be made in respect of Adjutant’s pay, this order does not cancel the retrospect effect of the instructions issued in paragraphs (1) and (2) of the War Office Letter quoted with regard to issues of Command pay and second-in-command pay.

Authority, War Office Letter No. 48/Infantry/1024 (F.2.), dated 10^th March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 45245 (A.).

• Command Pay at a uniform rate of 2/- (two shillings) a day may be issued to Officers Commanding Infantry Depots, as from 5^th February, 1915, until further notice.

Extra Duty Pay at a uniform rate of 1/6 (one shilling and sixpence) a day may be issued to Officers performing the duties of Acting-Adjutants of Infantry Regimental Depots from the same date.

The grant of such extra duty pay is for such period as the pressure of work renders the appointment of an acting adjutant necessary.

Authority, War Office Letter No. 48/Infantry/975 (F.2), dated 5^th February, 1915.

C.R. 42744 (C.P.).  Northern Command Order No.522.

CLASSIFICATION AND MINIATURE RANGES – SUPPLY OF STORES – PROCEDURE –

            With reference to the supply of Targets and other range stores for Classification and Miniature Ranges, Officers in charge of Ranges or Officer Commanding Units must demand all such articles from the Officer in charge, Royal Engineer Stores, Infantry Barracks, York.

See Command Orders No. 1606, of 14^th November, 1914, and No. 2, of 1^st January, 1915.

No bills for such articles when irregularly purchased can be passed.

This Order is to be republished in all Divisional Brigade and Regimental Orders.

(C.E.). Northern Command Order No.523.

SPECTACLES – ISSUE OF –

            It is notified for the information of all concerned that steel spectacles fitted with spherical glasses (both convex and concave) may be issued at the public expense during the period of the War to all soldiers whose eyesight is defective and whose vision and efficiency will, in the opinion of the Medical Officer be thereby improved.

(2).  Such spectacles, if accidentally broken or lost, may be replaced at the public expense, on the recommendation of the Medical Officer, whether provided in the first instance by the soldier himself or by the public.

(3).  Every soldier requiring spectacles with spherical glasses for the improvement of his vision will be provided with a duplicate pair before proceeding Overseas on active service.

(4). Spectacles with cylindrical glasses will not be issued.

(5). Arrangements are being made with the contractors to supply:-

(a). Steel spectacle frames (with curl sides) in six fittings, in cases.

(b) Interchangeable spherical glasses of the following strengths, in pairs, both convex and concave: 0.25. 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50. 1.75, 2.0.

(c). Screwdrivers with instructions for fixing glasses in frames.

The following are the Centres at which glasses will be issued:-

No. 1 Northern General Hospital, Armstrong College, Newcastle.

No. 2.        “            “             “       Beckett’s Park, Leeds.

No. 3.        “            “             “        Collegiate Hall, Sheffield.

No. 4.        “            “             “       Wragby Road, Lincoln.

No. 5.        “            “             “       Victoria Road, Leicester.

York Military Hospital, Fulford Road, York.

S.M.O. Tyne Garrison, 2, St. Alban’s Place, Tynemouth.

S.M.O. Humber Garrison, Royal Station Hotel, Hull.

S.M.O. Tees Garrison, Orchard House, Clarence Road, West Hartlepool.

Authority, War Office Letter, No. 24/Western/141 (A.M.D. 3), 31^st March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 51459 (M.).  Northern Command Order No.524.

HIRED BUILDINGS – NOTICE OF DETERMINATION OF TENANCY –

            In view of the near approach of the Camping season General Officers Commanding Divisions, Garrisons, Districts, and Brigades, 4^th and 5^th New Armies, will be responsible that due notice of determination of tenancy is given to lessors and that the houses are surrendered to the landlords on vacation by the troops.  Particular care should be given to give timely notice in the case of Agreements providing for one month’s notice to be given.  Attention is invited to Command Order No. 137 of 1915.

            Notice to determine hirings sent by letter is not safe without acknowledgement in writing of receipt of notice.  Failing such acknowledgement personal service should be effected.

            A report in duplicate should be rendered as soon as possible to Headquarters, Northern Command, showing the buildings to be vacated, the date of probable vacation, and the date up to which rent is payable by the War Department.  At the same time the names should be furnished of local firms who are considered competent to assess structural damages, and can be recommended to carry out this duty in the event of the staff for Engineer Services not being available.

(D.B.O.)  Northern Command Order No.526.

RATION ALLOWANCE –

1. As some doubt appears to exist as to the conditions under which ration allowance admissible under paragraph 39 (c) of the Allowance Regulations for men on ordinary leave, pass or furlough is payable, it is notified for general information that such allowance is payable in advance for each day for which pay is issuable under the provisions of Article 976 of the Pay Warrant and the Army Council’s instructions thereon. 

The Regulations are being amended accordingly.

• Care will be taken that rations in kind are not drawn in addition to the cash allowance.
• The allowance admissible will be at the current Army rate (now 1/9) so long as ordinary furlough is only given for quite short periods.  Further instructions will be issued as to this when necessary.  (Ration allowance for men on sick furlough is provided for in Army Order 496 of 1914.)

Authority, War Office Letter, 53/General No./5288 (Q.M.G.F.a), dated 31^st March, 1915.

C.R. 51373 (C.P.).  Northern Command Order No.529.

EQUIPMENT – INFANTRY – PATTERN 1914 – TALLOW FOR CLEANING AND PRESERVATION OF –

            (Reprinted from Command Orders No. 160 of 4^th February, 1915)

It has been decided that tallow, in the proportion of two ounces per set per month should be demanded from the Ordnance Department by Units in possession of 1914 Infantry Equipment for the cleaning and preservation of the leather portions.  It is desirable that tallow should be applied at once, and Indents should be forwarded to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, as early as possible.

C.R.N.C. 38549/42 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.531.

SURPLUS STORES NOT TO BE RETAINED –

            The attention of all Commanding Officers is drawn to the necessity for immediately returning to the Army Ordnance Department all stores not being used.

A large number of issues have also been made of stores probably required for a short time only, and these should not be retained if not in use.  Camp equipment of all sorts is also included in this Order.

C.R.N.C. 40756 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.532.

CAMP EQUIPMENT –

            It is notified for information of all concerned that Camp Equipment issued to Troops in this Command will be brought to account in the equipment ledger of the Unit in the same manner as ordinary stores.  No Camp Accounts, A. Form G. 973, will be supplied under present circumstances.

C.R.N.C. 38787/5 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.535.

MESS ALLOWANCES –

            With reference to Army Order 429, of 1914, paragraph 1 (b), and Army Order 60, of 1915, it has been decided that a further initial grant of 30/- (thirty shillings) in aid of the formation of officers’ messes may be drawn for each officer on the strength of the Unit on the 30^th April, 1915, in excess of the War Establishment of the Unit.

Claims in respect of subsequent increases in strength will be adjusted monthly in arrear as in the case of Reserve Regiments of Cavalry.

Authority, War Office Letter 103/General Number/1376 (F.2), dated 2^nd April, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 47772 (Q.).  Extract from Northern Command Order No.536.

CHECK ON IRREGULAR ENLISTMENTS –

            It having been brought to notice that certain men have absented themselves with a view to enlisting into the Naval Brigade and some Irish Regiments, it is suggested that all Recruiting Agencies should be instructed, now that the influx of recruits is not so great, to investigate more closely the previous careers of those offering themselves for enlistment with a view to checking this irregularity.

I.R. 5^th April, 1915.

C.R. 50773 (I.R.).  Northern Command Order No.537.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

5^th APRIL, 1915.

219 – Official Correspondence –

            Officers Commanding Units will be good enough to give attention to King’s Regulations, para. 1845.  Correspondence will be carried on in minute form – each minute being correctly numbered.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

3^rd APRIL, 1915.

217 – Northern Command Order –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Northern Command Order No. 514 of the 1^st April, 1915.

218 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

CORRESPONDENCE –

With reference to Northern Command Order No. 52, dated 11^th January, 1915, correspondence intended for the Command Paymaster, Northern Command, should be addressed “Hollycroft,” Wenlock Terrace, and not to Headquarters.

(A.) Northern Command Order, No.510.

PISTOL AMMUNITION OF CERTAIN DATES ON CHARGE –

With reference to Command Order No. 260, 23/2/15, it is pointed out that Returns have not been received by Ordnance Officer, Selby, from all units in the Command.  Units who have not already done so will now render such Returns as soon as possible.

“Nil” Returns to be rendered if no Ammunition of the dates specified is on charge.

C.R.N.C. No. 44698 (O.S).  Northern Command Order No.511.

STORES – LOSSES OF –

            Demands are constantly being received for “Tugs”, with nuts. No. 17 draught pole,” to replace losses.  This should not happen if the nuts are properly screwed up with a spanner – they have probably been screwed up by hand in the cases where loss has occurred.

            The attention of all concerned is drawn to the necessity for screwing up tightly.

 Authority, P. 2/H. 93/666, dated 29^th March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 51111 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.512.

STORES – PRICES OF –

            The undermentioned price is published for information:-

INFANTRY EQUIPMENT, PATTERN 1914.

                        Slings rifle                 2s 7d. each.

Authority, 51/15 (Q.M.G.F.b), dated War Office, 29^th March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 49336 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.513.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

2^nd APRIL, 1915.

216 – Inoculation – Depot Companies –

            Medical Officers attached to Units will be responsible that the Inoculation against Enteric Fever of the Depot Companies of their respective Battalions is carried out as soon as possible.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

Notice.

The Brigade Committee Stores, Newcastle-on-Tyne, will be closed on Monday, 5^th, and at mid-day on Tuesday, 6^th inst.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

1^st APRIL, 1915.

214 – Machine Gun Section –

            Battalion Machine Gun Sections will be formed at once, but the Non-Commissioned Officers and men will remain attached to their own Company for pay and discipline.  They will, however, be accommodated and mess together and form a separate unit for instructional purposes.

Commanding Officers will arrange that pending the issue of guns, the machine gun section is given instruction as far as possible in the general use and capabilities of the gun.

The attention of Commanding Officers is called to “Infantry Training” 1914, Section 8. and Musketry Regulations, Chapter X.

The names of the Officers selected for Battalion Machine Gun Section will be forwarded to these headquarters.

The undermentioned Officer is appointed Brigade Machine Gun Officer:

Lieutenant J.W.E. Murray.

21^st (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish).

He will supervise the Battalions and Brigade Machine Gun Training.

Officers Commanding Units will each detail the following to form the Battalion Machine Gun Section and its Reserves:

2 Subalterns.

2 Sergeants.

2 Corporals.

30 Privates.

The Non-Commissioned Officers and Men selected should be young, intelligent, and active, and of very good eyesight.

215 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

“LONDON GAZETTE”

            The following extracts from the “London Gazette” of Friday, the 26^th March, 1915, are published for information:

The Northumberland Fusiliers – 

20^th Battalion (1^st Tyneside Scottish). –  Albert Edward Kerr to be temporary Lieutenant.  Dated 5^th March, 1915.

22^nd Battalion (3^rd Tyneside Scottish). – Walter Lamb to be temporary Second Lieutenant.  Dated 18^th November, 1914.

23^rd Battalion (4^th Tyneside Scottish). – Arthur Octavius Terry to be temporary Lieutenant.  Dated 22^nd February, 1915.

Northern Command Order No.495.

RETURN OF UNSERVICABLE STORES TPO A.O.D. –

            The attention of Officers Commanding is drawn to the instructions contained in Paragraph 54 E.R. Part I, and Paragraph 25 E.R., Part III, regarding the procedure to be followed in returning equipment to Store.  In no case should condemned Stores be returned to the Ordnance Depot, York, without the previous sanction of the C.O.O. being obtained.

C.R.N.C. 50791 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.497.

CHEVRONS –

            With reference to the Command Order Number 51, dated 9^th January, 1915, notifying the inclusion of a canvas suit in the scale of clothing for Pioneer Battalions, it has been decided that chevrons for canvas frocks will be supplied for wear on the right arm only.  Indents to be submitted to the Ordnance Officer in Charge.  Clothing Depot, Carlton Street Store, York, accordingly.

Authority, War Office Letter No. 54/Infantry/1258 (R.A.C.D.), dated 26^th March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 40087/6 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.498.

STATIONARY PURCHASES –

            The attention of all concerned is directed to the limitations imposed on the Allowance Regulations on the local purchase of articles of Stationary (including Typewriting Machines, duplicating apparatus, and india-rubber stamps) and on local printing.

During the rapid formation of many new Units last autumn the necessity for such local purchases no doubt arose in certain instances, but the necessity has now ceased and local purchases should not be resorted to.

The prohibition of local purchase extends to Official Text Books and Drill Books.  Ample stocks of these are available to meet demands from all entitled to them as a free issue, and the Controller of H.M. Stationary Office has notified that he will be unable to continue to authorise the refund of any money spent in the purchase of these books.

Authority, War Office Letter No. 26/2807 (C.2a.), dated 20^th March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 49818 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.499.

ALLOWANCES –

            With reference to Army Orders 428 and 496 of 1914, the following three cases not covered by the Army Orders referred to will be dealt with as detailed below:-

1. The case of an unmarried man, with dependents, as in paragraph 2 (a) of Army Order 440/14, who is living at home on duty or on sick furlough;
2. The case of a soldier for whose children separation allowance is being drawn at the motherless rate, who is living at home and doing duty.
3. The case of a unmarried man, with dependents as in paragraph 2 (b) of the Army Order 440/1914, who is living at home doing duty.

In cases (1) and (2), the consolidated allowance of 2/- will be drawn, unless the man is messed regimentally, when lodging allowance will be issuable.

      In case (3), allowances will be drawn as for a married man under the general provisions of Army Order 428/1914.  (Issues during Sick furlough in cases (2) and (3) are already provided for in Army Order 496/14).

Authority, War Letter No. 46/234 (Q.M.G.F.a), dated 20^th March, 1915.

C.R. 50400 (C.P.).  Northern Command Order No.503.

BILLETING OFFICERS AND ALLOWANCES –

            In reference to paragraph 6 of Army Order 337, dated 27^th August, and paragraph 493, Allowance Regulations, the following considerations govern the billeting of and the issue to Officers of Field and Lodging Allowances in particular instances.

As a rule, when their men are billeted, Regimental and other Officers should also be billeted.

When circumstances render it necessary or desirable to allot to them accommodation in unfurnished premises, and they are not in receipt of consolidated pay, they may draw Field Allowance.  When no such arrangements have been made for their accommodation, and they are not under canvas or billeted, they may draw Lodging Allowance (if not in receipt of consolidated pay).

If accommodation in barracks or in furnished hired premises is available for them, they may not receive either Lodging or Field Allowance.

In no case can billeting money be paid to an officer as an allowance.  Vide Command Order 364 of the 12^th instant.  For an officer to pay the money to his wife would be merely to evade the spirit of that order.

Officers on consolidated pay may nor draw Field Allowance.  Vide Regulations quoted in the first paragraph of this order.

C.R.N.C. 46049 (Q.).  Northern Command Order No.504.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

April 1945

(Italy)

The Italian Campaign was seen as a sideshow after D-Day, when the Allies turned their focus on the Western Front. For those involved it was a long punishing struggle. Beginning on the 6^th April 1945, the Spring 1945 offensive was given the code name Operation Grapeshot. The winter of 1944-45 was harsh resulting in stalemate and the Allies and German forces were unable to progress. When the offensive began over 600,000 Germans of Army Group “C” defended the Lombardy Plain in northern Italy. They were attacked by over one million Allies of the 18^th Army Group. The German Army Group “C” was made up of German and the Italian Social Republican troops. The Allied 18^th Army Group consisted of troops from the U.K. and Commonwealth, the U.S., Poland, Italy plus the Italian Resistance, Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa. On the 9^th April 1945, Allied troops launched a major attack from Ravena, not far from the east coast, northwest toward Ferrara. After a three-day battle Montese, a town in the province of Moderna, was liberated by Brazilian troops on the 17^th April 1945. Bologna, west of Ravena, was encircled by U.S. and Polish forces on the 21^st April 1945. The German commanders realised their position was impossible and sued for peace on the 24^th April 1945. By the 29^th April 1945 the Germans had signed the surrender terms. On the 2^nd May 1945 the cease-fire was completed and the long Italian campaign has ended.

In July 1943 Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was deposed by the Fascist Party and King Vittorio Emanual III. He was arrested and held prisoner in the mountains. Hitler’s forces rescued him. Following the liberation of Rome by the Allies, on the 27^th April 1945, and the war almost over Mussolini and his mistress Claretta Petacci attempted to escape to Switzerland. The intention was to board a plane and escape to Spain, but were stopped and identified by communist partisans. On the 28^th April 1945, Mussolini and Petacci. together with their 15 aides, were shot. Their bodies were loaded into a van and driven to Milan where they were hung upside down from the roof of a service station. As dictator during the Second World War, he overstretched his forces and eventually killed by his own people. The Italian masses greeted Mussolini’s death without regret. Mussolini had promised his people Roman glory, but his megalomania overcame his common sense, bringing them only war and misery.

(Germany)

Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany was liberated by the British on the 15^th April 1945. Originally the camp was established as a prison of war camp but in 1943 it developed into a concentration camp. During its existence as a concentration camp and for three months after liberation, approximately 50,000 people died. When the soldiers liberated the camp, they discovered approximately 60,000 victims who were half starved and seriously ill. With the camp having 13,000 unburied corpses lying around, the site gained international notoriety for Nazi mass murder.

As a part of the Battle of Berlin, the last major assault on the entrenched defences of city, was the Battle of Seelow Heights. The three-day battle was fought from the 16^th to the 19^th April 1945 when nearly one million Soviet troops engaged in the bitterest fighting against approximately 110,000 German defenders. Spreading back from the Heights toward Berlin, theGermans had built three defensive lines. Each line consisted of a network of trenches and bunkers, anti-tank ditches and anti-tank gun emplacements. Over half a million shells were fired from approximately 9,000 Soviet artillery pieces in the first thirty minutes of 16^th April 1945. Over the next three days both sides suffered heavy losses and by the close of the 19^th April 1945 the German defences had effectively ceased to exist.                                                                                                                                                             

With the western Allies and Red Army rapidly advancing toward Berlin, Fuhrer Adolf Hitler’s celebration was subdued for his 56^th birthday on the 20^th April 1945. By this time Hitler was in residence full time in the Fuhrerbunker in central Berlin. He accepted the congratulations of his personal staff and later with some of his circle of Nazi leaders. These included Hermann Goering, Joseph Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler and Martin Bormann, who all offered their obligatory congratulations. In the afternoon, in the ruined gardens of the Reich Chancellery, he awarded Iron Crosses to boy soldiers of the Hitler Youth who were fighting the Red Army on the front line.

With the Allies approaching Berlin from the west and the Red Army approaching from the east, for Germany, the war was coming to a rapid ending. By the 27^th March 1945, British-U.S. forces had been held up at the Battle of the Bulge and not crossed the Rhine River. Approaching from the east the Red Army was approximately 40 miles (64 km) from Berlin. Supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, U.S. General Dwight Eisenhower sent a telegram to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, that the Allies would halt at the Elbe River. By this action the Allies allowed the Red Army to take Berlin.       

Hitler ordered his commanders to counter-attack and destroy the Belarusian Front of the Soviet Army on the 21^st April 1945. Upon hearing the following day that the attack did not take place he went into an immediate rage accusing his commanders of incompetence and treachery. He ended, with a first-time declaration, that the war was lost. Realising there was nowhere for him to go he announced he would stay in Berlin until the end then commit suicide rather than be captured alive.  

Luftwaffe chief Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring, had in 1941 been named as Hitler’s successor. Having learnt of the announcement he sent a telegram to Hitler on the 26^th April 1945, requesting the agreement be honoured and that he would take over the leadership of the Reich. Hitler was convinced by his secretary Martin Bormann that Goring’s telegram was an attempt to overthrow the Fuhrer. Hitler’s response was that unless Goring resigned with the loss of all his powers he would be executed. Later that day Hitler sacked Goring and was consequently relieved of all his powers. Having done so Hitler promptly issued the order for Goringto be arrested.            –         

The encirclement of Berlin was completed on the 24^th April 1945 when the Belarusian and Ukrainian forces of the Soviet Army linked up.

With the Americans advancing from the west and the Soviets advancing from the east, Germany was effectively divided in two on what became known as Elbe Day. The Americans crossed the Elbe River on the 26^th April 1945 and met with the Soviet forces at Torgau, south-east of Belin. Arrangements had been made for the “Handshake of Torgau” to be photographed of the two commanders on the 27^th April 1945. With the taking of the handshake photograph it confirmed the encirclement of Berlin was complete. On the same day, the America, British, French and Soviet governments simultaneously released statements with regard to the determination for the complete destruction of the Third Reich.              

Nero Decree, or the scorched earth policy, was issued by Hitler on the 19^th March 1945. The decree required all German infrastructure destroyed to prevent the Allies using the facilities as they penetrated deeper into Germany. Hitler placed the responsibility for carrying out the decree to his Minister of Armaments and War Production, Albert Speer. Apparently, Speer was appalled by the plan and deliberately did not carry out the order. Having by then lost faith in Hitler, as he considered the Fuhrer to have become insane, Speer requested he was given exclusive power to implement the plan to carry out the decree. Hitler was completely unaware of this until Speer met him on the.23^rd April 1945 during his last ever meeting with Hiter. It would appear Hitler went into a rage saying another Nazi leader had let him down, but Hitler did allow Speer to leave the Berlin Fuhrerbunker.      

Himmler who had left Berlin on Hitler’s birthday, was attempting to negotiate a surrender with the western Allies on the 24^th April 1945. Hitler discovered, on the 28^th April 1945, Himmler’s involvement, and he immediately ordered the arrest of Himmler for what he considered to be treason.

Built in March 1938, Dacau was one of the first and longest running concentration camps in Germany. Located in Bavaria, 10 miles (16 km) north west of Munich, Dacau was originally intended to inter Hitler’s Pollical opponents. The camp developed, by the Gestapo SS, into part of the “Final Solution” of the extermination of the Jewish race. On the 29^th April 1945 the U.S. Army troops liberated Dacau  to find the conditions in the camp to be horrendous, despite the attempt by the Nazi’s to destroy the evidence.

Lee Miller, the U.S. female front-line war correspondent heard that Dacua had been liberated and she wished to record the events. The only problem was that she and her colleague, photographer Dave Scherman, were in Nuremberg, 105 miles (168 km) north of Munich. Driving through the night, in Scherman’s acquired 1937 Chevrolet, they reached Dacau, located on the outskirts of Munich. Upon arrival at the concentration camp they were unprepared for the horrible conditions they encountered. The squalor, the stench of the dead bodies, but the most abiding horror was the starved, broken bodies of the survivors. They left Dacau “gulping for air”, wishing  to cover a battle, but in the centre of Munich there was little fighting to report. They were given permission by the U.S. military to use Prinzregentplaz 16, Hitler’s Munich Residence, as a temporary billet. Wishing to wash off the stench of Dacau, her instinctive response was to take a bath in Hitler’s bathtub. Lee placed a framed photograph of Hitler to one side of the bath and placed her muddy boots on the mat. Scherman took a photograph of Lee sitting in the bath, which eventually became the most iconic shot of his career. Ironically it was the 30^th April 1945 the photograph was taken, the same day that Hitler committed suicide. Lee continued to report on military events until the end of the war.  

With Germany virtually defeated and the Reich Chancellery besieged, Hitler married Eva Braun in the early hours after midnight on the 29^th April 1945. When he heard that Mussolini had been executed it was thought Hitler was determined not to be captured. With Soviet troops approaching, Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide on the 30^thApril 1945. He shot himself in the head and she bit into a cyanide capsule. As per Hitler’s instructions their bodies were taken into the garden, doused with petrol and set on fire. Grand Admiral Karl Donitz and Joseph Goebbels assumed the role of Hitler’s head of state and chancellor respectively.  

(Pacific)       

The Allied preparation for the Battle of Okinawa began on the 18^th March 1945, whilst the assault on Iwo Jima was still under way. Okinawa was heavily fortified by artillery hidden in caves and garrisoned by 100,000 Japanese troops. Familiar with the fierce determination of the Japanese army the U.S. forces began the campaign with massive bombardments. To the west of Okinawa both the Karama Islands and Keise Shima were invaded by U.S. troops on the 26^th March 1945. Karama Islands for the U.S. fleet anchorage and Keise Shima for artillery support on southern Okinawa. The invasion of Okinawa began on the 1^st April 1945 when 50,000 U.S. marines landed at Hagushi Bay, south central Okinawa. Meeting with little resistance, key positions and airfields had been over-run, then moving inland the marines had divided the island in two, at the point known as the Shuri Line, by the 7^th April 1945. Ultimately over 170,000 U.S. marines invaded the island and began the advance north. By the 13^th April 1945 the marines had captured the tip of the island at Hedo. The marines met with strong resistance at the Motobu Peninsular in the wooded terrain around Mount Yae. By the 20^th April 1945 the marines had captured northern Okinawa including the islet of le Shama. On the 18^th April 1945 during the assault of le Shama, U.S. Pollitzer Prize-winning correspondent Ernie Pyle was killed.

Operation Ten-Go was the last major Japanese naval operation in the Pacific. The largest battleship in the world, the Japanese battleship Yamato and nine other Japanese vessels sailed from Japan on the 6^th April 1945. The Japanese vessels sailed south toward Okinawa and were shadowed by U.S. submarines and flying boat reconnaissance aircraft. Opposing the Japanese battleship and escorting ships were eleven aircraft carriers, 49 assorted naval vessels and 388 aircraft. On the morning of the 7^th April 1945, armed with torpedoes and bombs, 280 U.S. aircraft were launched from the carriers. Around mid-day they located the Japanese and methodically attacked Yamato and accompanying ships as the Japanese had no air cover. At around 14.30 Yamato capsized and began to sink and a few minutes later blew up as internal fires had reached the main magazines. The Japanese Army had promised an attack against the U.S. naval fleet at Okinawa during the battle. Approximately 115 aircraft, mainly kamikaze, attacked the U.S. ships. None of the ships were sunk, although moderate damage was inflicted on two and severe damage inflicted on another ship. Approximately 100 Japanese aircraft were lost in the attack. In addition, the Japanese casualties were over 4,000 sailors killed, six ships including Yamato sunk, and one destroyer severely damaged. For the U.S. forces they suffered 97 killed, 132 wounded, ten plus aircraft destroyed, three ships and 52 aircraft damaged.

The battle for southern Okinawa began on the 9^th April 1945 after the U.S. marines had arrived at the Shuri Line, which effectively had divided the island in two. Organised Japanese resistance finally ended the Battle of Okinawa on the 22^nd June 1945. The progress of the battle In May 1945 will include the events of April 1945.

—

The tactics for further aerial raids on Tokyo had changed since the last raids in March 1945. The bombers attacked at night and at lower altitude rather than daylight raids and higher altitudes. The Nakajima aircraft factory was bombed twice on separate raids. The first was on the 2^nd April 1945 with 100 B-29 bombers attacking. On the second raid 101 B-29s bombed the factory again on the 7^th April 1945. On the 3^rd April 1945 68 B-29s attacked the urban areas of Tokyo and principally the Koizumi aircraft factory. The final attack of the month was on the 13^th April 1945 when 329 B-29s bombed the arsenal area of the city.

(Other Theatres)

In America Franklin D. Roosevelt was the longest serving President of the United States of America. He served for four terms from 1933 until 1945. He was stricken with polio in 1921 and paralysed from the waist down. He fought to regain the use of his legs and was able to walk a little with his legs encased in leg braces and the aid of a cane. Most of the time he was in a wheelchair. His health had started to decline since 1940, mainly due to the fact he was chain smoker which gradually led to heart and blood circulatory problems. Returning to the United States from the Yalta Conference in February 1945, he looked old, thin and frail which shocked many of his fellow Americans. To enable him to rest before another conference in Warm Springs, Geogia, he departed on the 29^th March 1945. While sitting for a portrait during the morning of 12^th April 1945, he stated “I have a terrible headache”. Immediately after saying that he slumped forward unconscious in his wheelchair, and was carried into his bedroom. Roosevelt died in the afternoon at 3.35 pm and his attending cardiologist diagnosed Intracerebral Haemorrhage, a form of stroke. He was 63 years old. Roosevelt’s deputy Harry Truman became President Truman. Roosevelt’s flag-draped coffin was loaded onto the Presidential Train the following morning for the trip back to Washington. Instead of a full state funeral, as was tradition, a smaller ceremony was proposed as the USA was still at war. His remains were placed in the White House East Room when a simple funeral was held on the 14^th April 1945. In attendance were his family, government officials and foreign ambassadors. Roosevelt was transported by train from Washington to his birthplace of Hyde Park, New York and on the 15^th April 1945 he was buried. During the 30-day mourning period Germany had surrendered, but the now President Truman ordered all flags to remain at half-mast.  Upon being re-elected for his fourth term of office, Roosevelt knew his health was deteriorating. He later admitted that at the end of the war he would resign in favour of his deputy Harry Truman. 

In the German-occupied Netherlands Allied air forces commenced Operation Manna and Operation Chowhound. The operations were humanitarian food drops to relieve the Dutch famine of 1944-45. During the last ten days of the European war, British Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and Polish Air Force attached to the RAF, began dropping 7,000 tonnes of food into the still Nazi-occupied Netherlands on the 29^th April 1945. Mana ended on the 7th May 1945. Operation Chowhound began on the 1^st May 1945.   

—————————————————————————-