| The Regimental History does not go into great detail about 'Hart Force' but by implication this could well be where your Great Uncle was serving if he did not die on 17th November of injuries or wounds sustained earlier. The passage on the main part of 5th Battalion states...
"The 5th began their long journey on 16th November. Their route, through Setif, Constantine and Souk Arras, took them across the frontier of Tunisia to Souk-el Arba on the 19th. They had traversed the Tell Atlas range with its steep gradients, grim scenery and weather which varied from blizzards to brilliant sunshine...A tribute is due to the R.A.S.C. drivers of the T.C.V.s which carried the Battalion on this long journey of 413 miles in four days. The column had to move over bad and twisty mountain roads, often without lights, but there was not a single accident." So no mention of enemy action or other fatalities here.
The earlier section on 'Hart Force' gives the following information :-
"...known as 'Hart Force' from the name of its Commander, Major W.V. Hart of the 5th Battalion, this was composed of 'B' Company (Capt. Truckle), the Carrier Platoon and two mortar detachments from the Battalion, and two sections of m.m.g.s. All the available transport of 11th Brigade (which included 5th Northamptons) was pooled to carry this force."
"...'Hart Force' which had led the advance throughout, was operating to the east (of Djebel Abiod) and the carriers and reconaissance cars working well forward were cut off by the German advance ; but although they lost their infantry transport the remainder managed to rejoin the Brigade on the 19th. 'B' Company of the 5th took to the hills and got back two days later after conducting a successful guerilla campaign against the enemy's rear."
I hope this adds a bit of clarification. If I've confused matters, just say and I'll look again. The best option might be to scan some pages but the accounts jump around quite a lot and are not that easy to keep in context.
Cheers,
Rich |