5th Northants Reg war diary

[Donnie]

thanks mate,

Donnie

[Rich Payne]

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

[Donnie]

thanks for taking the time to look through all of that mate, it was a really informative post. I think it makes sense to me . well i spose the war diary is the next step. i hadnt thought that he may have died of wounds sustained earlier...........seeing as he rode over mine....but you could survive for time after that?

Donnie

[urqh]

Abington park museum in the centre of the park, has a good section on the Northamptonshire regt. All donated medals etc, and with a good section of original pictures taken by members over the years. Unfortunately the info is not online. There are lots of individual accounts in folders left out for schools who visit. Next time I go down there I will have a look to see if anything relevant is held. Should be within the next week. My own son prepared a powerpoint presentation with the history of one of the RAF BOB pilots who was killed on 15th Septermber 1939 and who is buried in the nearby churchyard. Pilot officer Langley. The museum is only small but houses and stores much on the Northants regts both inf and yeamonary.

[Donnie]

wow, thanks for the generosity mate, i will look foward to hearing from you soon...


Donnie

[urqh]

Looking in my own books I have found an interesting item on a guy from Northampton in the 5th that was taken prisoner on that day. Lots of pics of him and his family, all personal stuff, including his pow notification by Red Cross and his missing in action telegram. Its a bit slim but might even be able to do research on him locally to see if any details on any action at that time. Will let you know. Will be going to Abington museum this weekend in sunshine and will take some digital pics of anything 5th related for you.

[Donnie]

hi mate,

could you post a pic of this chap?.......

many thanks, Donnie

[urqh]

No problem will scan the 2 pages and let you have it this evening. Ernest Lewis is or was his name and also in one photo with him is another private Beckley of same 5th battalion. Ernest was definately taken prisoner on the 17th and ended up in Stalag IV at Oschatz.

[urqh]

Donnie, had probs uploading em so took easy option and put em in a gallery under my own cp name entitled 5northants. Do what you like with em. I will get some more pics from their museum section at the weekend. I also have some glossies on the Northampton regt. If you ever want any physical stuff sending that you cant get a hold of let me know. I have aquired a few bits and bobs on the Northants without even knowing I was doing it it seems.

[Rich Payne]

Urqh, does the museum have much in the way of unpublished pictures of 2nd Battalion (or do you ?)

Cheers,

Rich