Request war diary 6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders April 1943

Does anyone have the war diary for the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Division, for the 30th of April 1943, and maybe a few days either side of this date. The battalion was serving in Tunisia at this time, possibly in the Medjez-el-Bab area.

Cheers Mike

 

Hi

See attached. Hope this helps

Instructor 6

 

The Gordons were supported by 266 Battery 67th Field Reg throughout the Tunisia and Italian Campaigns.
The Battery Commander of 266 Battery was embedded in their Btn HQ alongside the Officer Commanding Lt Col Peddie, followed after Anzio by Lt Col Clapham.
For interest to get another view of events I have posted two accounts from A History of the 67th Field Regt taken from their War Diaries and from my notes.
The Gordons War Diary and the 67th basically support each others account.
The battle was the final throw of the fighting on the Medjez Plain known as the Battle for. Guariat el Attach.



266 OP Spotted a Bosche OP that was observing Peters Corner, distracting them with a few rounds, although when captured,
the OP (Marigold) between Peters Corner and Montarnaud was so deeply entrenched that It was impervious to 25 Pounder fire.
The ridges of The Bou and Gueriat were separated by the Gab-Gab.
Recce Parties went to the rear of the Gab Gab to assess an area that the Regt was to occupy as time had come for the 4th Indian the push through,
although The Bou was under full observation. The recce was seen of by the Bosche equivalent of a GF target.
The move was then put off by a Bosche tank which penetrated the gap and put down some effective open sight firing
while their infantry put in a last ineffective attempt to retake points 156 and 174.
The Gordons were to make an attempt on The Bou, the Regt laid down smoke but the attempt was cancelled when the Germans repeated their
Gab Gab performance occupying the start line with tanks.
81st Anti Tank effectively dealt with them.

You might also find the book The Perilous Road to Rome by Edward Grace of interest.
As on Officer in the 6th Gordons he covers these events and others until his casualty evacuation from Anzio.

I have a few maps a sketch map and photos of the area if you need them recently posted on another thread..

A number of members have researched the 6th Gordons including their War Diaries so you might get much much more if you need it.