214 HAA Bty RA - Salerno September 1943

Hi,

I'm reading the war diary of 214 HAA Bty/57 HAA Regt RA for September 1943 and struggling to transcribe this extract:



I think it says:

Considerable enemy ground activity during night, heavy field firing programme carried out by both troops enemy appear [??] working at full pressure. Ammunition supply working well due to untiring effort of personnel and assistance of 216 Coy Pioneer Corps.

Can anyone offer help with the section after "by both troops"?

Regards

Tom

 

I found this a few pages later, which makes me think that the section says:

"enemy appear remain working at full pressure".



Any other thoughts?

Regards

Tom

 

I almost read 'Enemy officer(s?) + men'.

The 'O' of 'out' looks the same and the double 'f' of effort looks closer than the double 'p' in supply. Also there seems to be the 'dot' of an 'i'.

Can you post more of the handwriting?

 

Gary,

That’s it!!

“Every officer and man working at full pressure”.

I’ll post the diary up when I’ve finished transcribing it as there is much of interest in terms of their contribution in a field role and enthusiastic support to the field artillery.

Regards

Tom

 

Ah, 'every'! !!!

Almost had it...

 

And just when I thought I had cracked the handwriting I come across this:



I'm struggling with the underlined names:

26 September
1340 B.C. received verbal orders to provide L.M.G. platoon & Coy H.Q. for special task. Lt. D.N. Maddocks appointed platoon cmdr. Lt. K.U.T. Sumpster Coy H.Q. subaltern. No. 871578 Sgt. Bye L.F. Platoon H.Q. Sgt. Sgt. 841225 Davis C.A., 1582855 L/Sgt. Hako [??] section sergeants. Total strength 2 offrs 21 ORs.

Can anyone help with those?

Regards

Tom

 

It is BYE and HALLS, confirmed on service numbers:

 

Hi Gary,

Awesome, thanks. “Halls” it is.

Regards

Tom

 

As promised, I'll post up extracts from the war diary as I finished transcribing them. Here is August 1943 - training in both A.A. firing and combined ops, maintenance, waterproofing and loading, and a fair bit of order and counter-order!

WO169/9891 – 214th H.A.A. Battery, R.A. (57th H.A.A. Regt, RA)

C.O.: Major E. Waddington, R.A.

1 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
Training and maintenance of all equipment continued.

2 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
Training and maintenance of all equipment continued.

3 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 – 1700
Four days firing practice at No. 3 A.A. Mobile Training Centre commenced.
Unit drivers course commenced.

4 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 – 1700
Practice Camp continued, improvement shown.

5 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 – 1700
Practice camp continued, all round improvement continued, gunners quite proficient in handling the new equipment.
Brig. Dunlop AADC Tripolitania visited firing point. Congratulated gunners on their keenness.

6 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 – 1700
Practice camp continued – this period has been of tremendous value, not only in bringing standing of drill up to a high level, but also in testing new equipment & overcoming minor defects revealed by firing. 562 rds H.E. fired in all.

7 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 Drivers training on mock up LCT commenced under unit instructors.
Regtl Small Arms Course commenced, nucleus of unit instructors instructed on TSMG and rifle range.
Maintenance of all equipment continued.
Draft loading tables prepared on Assault Scale.

8 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 Training & Maintenance continued.

9 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 Training & Maintenance continued, 8 vehicles and 20 drivers attended practical course at CTC Dryshod Wing.

10 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 Officers Combined Ops Course commenced. OC, Capts Preston, Senior & Lt. Wilson attending.
Painting of guns commenced.
Command Post and A/C recognition training intensified.

11 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
1300 Officers Combined Ops Course concluded.
Training & Maintenance continued.

12 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 – 1300
Two skeleton troops (20 vehicles & 60 drivers) attended practical course at CTC Dryshod Wing.
Method of loading guns into L.C.T. practiced and drill evalued [sic] & established for future use.

13 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 140 ORs to Spanish Mole after seeing Combined Ops film at Union Theatre. Practical embarkation and disembarkation from L.C.I.(L).
1430 20 vehicles (including 4 guns) practical loading on to L.C.T. and L.S.T. under supervision of C.T.C. Valuable tips picked up and final method of loading guns adopted was by winching on against anchor winch acting as brake.
1830 B.C’s Jeep to No 2 Waterproofing Centre 10 Corps.

14 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
Fitting of Mk III IFF to B Tp GL completed.
W/proofing of both GL sets completed by R.E.M.E.
1800 Materials issued for waterproofing guns, work commenced under supervision of Nos 1.
1830 16 vehicles to W/P No. 2 – Lt. J.H. Clague i/c Waterproofing vehicles.

15 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 Waterproofing of vehicles continued.
Checking of unit and personal equipment continued.

16 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 – 1700
Waterproofing of guns continued – 90% complete.
Remaining vehicles of Assault Group prepared for waterproofing.
1830 2 GTV’s, 1 gun and B Tp Tx to W/P Point No.2.

17 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 – 1730
Preparation of guns & vehicles for waterproofing continues.
Extract of 10 Corps Special Instructions for Operation “AVALANCHE” received.

18 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
1830 5 guns, A Tp GL Station & Water Cart to W/P Point No.2.
Arrangements made to ration & cook for all personnel at Vehicle Assembly Area at Waterproofing Point, now on a strength of 40 ORs.

19 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0930 Predictor Linkage Lecture at No. 3 A.A. Mobile Trg. Centre.
1600 T.E.W.T. at RHQ for all Recce personnel.
1830 2 guns to W/P Point – All Assault Vehicles (Serial 2) have now proceeded for waterproofing.

20 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0930 Predictor Linkage Lecture at No. 3 A.A. Mobile Trg. Centre.
0830 Unit training programme recommenced.
1830 Extract from 12th Army Admin Instruction received.

21 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0830 Unit training continued.
Unit documentation for embarkation completed to date.
1830 12 A.A. Bde Admin Instruction received.
3 Tonners in Assault Group reduced to eight – 3 waterproofed 3 Tonners which now form part of follow-up segregated at assembly area.

22 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0900 Church Parade.
All attached vehicles of 12 A.A. Bde and 14 L.A.A. Regt for Serial 2 moved into Bty assembly area.
Final composition of Serial 2 – Assault Gp as follows:-
8 x 3.7” guns and tractors, 2 GL Stations complete, 8 x 3 Ton Lorries, 1 x 8 cwt W/T truck, 1 x 15 cwt Water truck, 5 m/cycles.
Attached:
12 Bde: 1 White Scout Car, 1 Jeep, 1 3 ton Signal truck, 1 m/cycle.
14 L.A.A. Recce: 1 Jeep, 2 m/cycles.

23 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP
0930 Vehicles at Assembly Area checked with Bgde Major.
0930 Signal received from R.H.Q. that all assault vehicles to be loaded by 24th and surplus personnel withdrawn.
All assault personnel to be accommodated at 201 Rest and Leave Camp map ref. L5871.
Preparations made to change two 3.7 barrels at assembly area.

24 August 1943 TRIPOLI, MELLAHA CAMP – H.Q.
All documentation of assault vehicles completed.
1500 7 officers and 163 ORs proceeded to 201 Camp for accommodation until embarkation. H.Q. remains unchanged.
2000 Lt. Clague Officer i/c Assault Gp vehicles, received orders to prepare to move to 10 Corps Assembly Area prior to loading at 0630 hrs 25th. Ship Serial No 304 allotted.
2 guns stripped for barrel changing to be put back into action by 0800 hrs 25th.

25 August 1943 Assembly Area and Docks
0530 Vehicles for Upper Deck loading ready to move.
0745 Vehicles for Lower Deck loading ready to move.
0930 Upper Deck vehicles arrived at quay for loading on LST 426.
1130 Lower Deck vehicles arrived at quay for loading on LST 426.
Official loading table had now been amended and did not agree with unit table – necessary adjustment made on space with E.S.O.
Loading held up due to incomplete waterproofing of 56 Div vehicles of lower priority than ours.
1440 First vehicle of Bty Serial called forward to load.
1441 Loading stopped, E.S.O. informed that LST 426 is to be unloaded in order to move out, and will be replaced by LST 402.
1830 LST 402 in position.
1900 Loading commenced.
2000 Loading of Bty vehicles commenced.
2040 Top deck loaded.
Lower deck prepared for loading.
2115 Loading of lower deck under unit arrangement commenced.
2215 Both GL Sets loaded.
2230 Commenced loading guns.
2315 Two 3 Ton Ammn lorries called forward from Assembly Area for loading in space which it is anticipated will be available.

26 August 1943 TRIPOLI Docks
0215 Loading completed including the two additional ammn vehicles and 100 rds H.E. drawn from A.O.D.
All first line ammn on board plus 100 rds extra.
Lt. Clague and 7 ORs left on board as guard.
Rest Camp routine.
1830 Warning Order to be prepared to move assault personnel to RACE COURSE CAMP map ref L580700 at short notice prior to embarkation. Signal 966

27 August 1943 TRIPOLI Docks
1100 B.C. visited RACE COURSE Transit Camp to ascertain procedure.
All Assault Group personnel checked.

28 August 1943 TRIPOLI Docks
0930 Small Arms Inspection Assault Group.
Assault Group documentation proceeding.
Follow-up Group preparing to move to Waterproofing Centre.

29 August 1943 TRIPOLI Docks
Rest Camp routine.
Assault Group documentation completed to date.

30 August 1943 TRIPOLI Docks
Assault Group kit inspection etc.
1500 Warning Order for Assault Gp to move to RACE COURSE Transit Camp by 1530 hrs 31 Aug.

31 August 1943 TRIPOLI Docks
1030 C.O’s conference, plan of future operation revealed to BC.
1300 Assault Group moved to RACE COURSE Transit Camp.
1700 Orders issued by B.C. to detachment commanders of H.Q. R.E. 56 Div. and A Coy 6 Cheshires forming part of Serial 2 for embarkation on Sept 1st.

 

Appendix I.10

August 1943. WAR DIARY. Appendix “A”.

Hospital Admissions:

4th August 1943 L/Sgt. Woodcock, D.
5th August 1943 Gnr. Banfield.
9th August 1943 W/Sgt. Heath, C.D.J.
11th August 1943 Gnr. Froom.
15th August 1943 A/Bdr. Clark, W.S.
17th August 1943 Gnr. McGill, W.
17th August 1943 Gnr. Williams, J.A.
19th August 1943 Gnr. Martin, E.G.
20th August 1943 A/Sgt (Ft.G.) Dunford, G.T.
20th August 1943 Gnr. Sheppard, D.
21st August 1943 W/Bdr. Henson.
24th August 1943 Gnr. Smith, A.H.
25th August 1943 Gnr. Moss, C.A.
25th August 1943 Gnr. Heath, G.
25th August 1943 BSM Lauderback, R.F.
28th August 1943 L/Sgt. Woodcock, D.
28th August 1943 L/Sgt. Walker, L.E.
30th August 1943 Gnr. Burkhill.

Hospital Discharges:

6th August 1943 Gnr. Hannibal.
9th August 1943 L/Sgt. Woodcock, D.
22nd August 1943 Gnr. Anderson, S.
23rd August 1943 A/Bdr. Clark, W.S.
23rd August 1943 A/Sgt. (Ft.G.) Dunford, G.T.
23rd August 1943 Gnr. Sheppard, D.
24th August 1943 Gnr. Pinnock, A.
28th August 1943 Gnr. Williams, J.A.
27th August 1943 Gnr. Smart, A.E.
27th August 1943 Gnr. Lynch.

Postings In.

2nd August 1943 Gnr. Rayner, H.N.
2nd August 1943 Gnr. Clarke, G.
11th August 1943 W/Sgt. OFC Hempenstall, H.
17th August 1943 Gnr. Tozer
17th August 1943 Gnr. Maughan.
17th August 1943 Gnr. Henderson, D.
17th August 1943 Gnr. McDermott
19th August 1943 Gnr. Robbins.
19th August 1943 Gnr. Collinson.
19th August 1943 Gnr. Kershaw.
19th August 1943 Gnr. Rushforth.
19th August 1943 Gnr. Murdcok.
27th August 1943 Gnr. Moore.
27th August 1943 Gnr. Willmott [returned to Unit via BDRA.]
28th August 1943 Gnr. Cole, J.

Postings Out.

11th August 1943 Gnr. Harvey, R.
25th August 1943 Gnr. Lewis, T.

 

1 September 1943 TRIPOLI
1130 Assault Group marched from RACE COURSE Transit Camp to No. 3 Lighter Point.
1230 Embarked on L.C.I.(L).
1500 Boarded LST 402 (Serial 304).
1745 Moved out of Harbour to anchorage.
2100 B.C. as O.C. Troops issued Standing Orders for Army Troops on board.

2 September 1943 TRIPOLI Anchorage
0900 Action Stations and ‘Abandon Ship’ drill [??] and detailed to troops.
1100 Unit L.M.Gs sited on upper deck, manning and fire orders issued.
1500 Conferred with 12 A.A. Bde Cmdr re plan for employment on landing.

3 September 1943 TRIPOLI Anchorage
0800 News of 8th Army invasion of ITALY received.
1100 “Action Stations” practiced.
1500 B.C. selected probable deployment areas from air photos & maps.

4 September 1943 TRIPOLI Anchorage
0600 Weighed anchor, sailed from TRIPOLI Harbour.
1100 No. [blank] Gnr. EASTON sick rheumatic fever.
“Action Station” practice.
1400 Conference with Troop Commanders and training syllabus prepared for voyage.
1630 Conference with Bde. Comdr. re final layout on deployment & plans for reconnaissance.
1730 Maps issued to B.C.

5 September 1943 AT SEA
1000 Ships Service.
2130 Anchored off BIZERTA, uneventful voyage so far.

6 September 1943
1130 No. [blank] Gnr. EASTON put ashore to Naval Sick Berth.
1700 Bde Cmdr. addressed troops and gave battle plan for landing.
O.C. Troops read out Corps Cmdrs message.
2040 Air raid warning – Action Stations.
Air raid – several bombs dropped shorewards. No ships hit, heavy barrage put up from land and sea.
2145 Stand down.
TRIPOLI ‘B’ Echelon
1800 ‘B’ Echelon received warning order to prepare to move to waterproofing centre.

7 September 1943 BIZERTA
0900 Two pontoons brought alongside LST and made fast astern.
1145 Weighed anchor.
Training proceeded according to plan.
1700 All tps show map of area of landing, and deployment and proposed routes. Recce and line parties briefed and sketch maps of routes prepared.
TRIPOLI ‘B’ Echelon
‘B’ Echelon moved to Waterproofing Centre at 1300 hrs personnel to 201 Rest Camp, TRIPOLI.

8 September 1943 AT SEA
Training programme completed, final arrangements for landing checked over with officers & personnel concerned.
1900 News of ITALY’S Capitulation broadcast from bridge, tendency to expect unopposed landing had to be checked as a result.
2155 Action Stations.
2245 All personnel ordered to sleep on top deck. Watertight doors of troop spaces closed as precaution against enemy action.
Slight enemy air activity in vicinity during night.

9 September 1943 SALERNO BAY ‘D’-DAY
0500 Air attack – bombs fell 100x to port and astern.
0600 Anchored.
0730 Two enemy aircraft at 15000’ engaged by A.A. Ship.
0845 Moved in to beach, pontoons prepared for slipping, enemy shelling with 88 mm guns.
1130 LST beached, pontoons lashed in position. ROGER Beach used instead of SUGAR as anticipated. Two LSTs who discharged over our pontoons before our vehicles can be off-loaded.
Orders given for Stage IV to be carried out on board while waiting to disembark.
1230 Recce and line parties over the side and assembled on shore.
1235 Recce party set off on foot towards area of deployment but on reaching PICCIOLA N.755218 had to retire owing to proximity of the enemy.
1500 B.C. decided to deploy guns to supplement beach defences until advance could be made to proper task re defence of MONTE CORVINO L.G.
Pathfinders had been placed on route.
1700 After extensive reconnaissance on foot, site for A Tp selected at N.756216, troop guides sent back to LST.
2100 Disembarkation of vehicles commenced after being delayed by LST’s manoeuvres.
2215 First vehicle passed R.C.

10 September 1943 D + 1
0015 B Tp. 4 guns in action N.753208, line laid to Beach G.O.R.
0030 A Tp. 3 guns in action N.756216.
0230 A Tp. 4 guns in action.
Progress of vehicles from beach to sites was slow owing to congestion on roads and general lack of information, our unit pathfinders proved invaluable.
0455 – 0500
Enemy air activity – engaged by both sites – firing 33 rds.
0734 2 ME 109s engaged. 36 rds.
1000 B.C. still unable to select sites for L.G. defence owing to enemy action, localities studied through glasses from our F.D.Ls.
1130 A Tp. GL Station in action.
1200 B Tp. GL Station in action, R.M.O. Capt. Holmes [??] had to rectify several faults caused by waterproofing and condensation.
1500 Owing to progress of our own tps, B.C. able to study ground SOUTH of L.G. area selected for future reconnaissance. Ground selected from map not suitable owing to restricted field of view.
2000 Warning received from GOR that enemy tanks likely to approach, one gun on each site detailed in permanent anti-tank role.
2230 – 2359
Enemy aircraft engaged. 128 rds fired.

11 September 1943 D + 2
0450 Enemy aircraft engaged – 44 rds fired.
1100 Information obtained that enemy had been cleared from L.G. and withdrawn to area of TOBACCO FACTORY N804244.
1130 BC and Troops Cmdrs to recce site for defence of MONTE CORVINO L.G. – original task. B Tp site & BHQ selected at N.773232.
1230 Reported location to AADC – Col. Younger 14 L.A.A. Regt who agreed site should be occupied forthwith.
1340 B Tp ceased firing N.752209.
1430 BC and A Tp Cmdr recce area N and N.W. of L.G. again area selected from air photo proved unsuitable – site finally selected at N.765263.
1620 B Tp 4 guns in action N.773232, sustained slight enemy shelling during occupation.
1700 Verbal order from AADC received for A Tp to occupy new site.
1730 A Tp cease firing N.756216.
1920 B Tp GL Station in action.
2100 A Tp 4 guns in action N.765263.
B.H.Q. re-opened N.773232.
2200 A Tp GL Station delayed at LG en route to site by “panic party” from L.G. who stated that “enemy had regained possession”, this “news” was ignored and detachment forced way through traffic and carried on to site.

12 September 1943 D + 3
0330 A Tp GL Station in action.
1200 B.C. in company with AADC contacted 201 Bde H.Q. to co-ordinate anti-tank role and to offer services in field role, all ranks being anxious to hit back.
1230 Contacted 169 Bde similarly.
1625 G.3 12 Bde gave verbal orders at Tac HQ for A Tp to report to AADC SALERNO forthwith. B Tp to be prepared to fire in field role.
1630 Unit contact officer to A Tp with orders.
1700 C.O. arrived at Tac H.Q.
1705 A Tp ceased firing N.765263.
C.O. and Capt. K.A. Preston B Tp Cmdr to C.R.A. 56 Div for orders re field role.
1815 B Tp guns ceased firing. G.L. remaining in action.
1830 B Tp Cmdr returned with orders to move guns to N.750226 at dusk under operational command 65 Field Regt.
1845 A Tp at position of assembly SALERNO PROMENADE.
AADC decided troop should make 8 gun site with 213 Bty B Troop at N.685282 – guns to occupy positions singly.
2130 3 guns B Tp lined up on 65 Fd Regt zero line.
2200 4 guns on zero line – command posn set up ready for shooting. N.C.O. of 65 Fd Regt attached to assist our G.P.O’s & G.P.O.A’s.
2300 A Tp 4 guns in action N.685282 – 4 rds fired harbour barrage.

13 September 1943 D + 4
B Tp now firing in field role – 332 rds firing during day – air bursts – see separate report. Appx J
1000 No 3 gun A Tp prepared to fire in field role with 213 Bty.
1100 B.C. visited A Tp at SALERNO.
1120 Bde Cmdr at AADC’s H.Q. gave verbal orders for A Tp to return to original site at N.756216 to thicken AA defences of beaches.
1130 A Tp ceased firing N.685282.
1500 No 3 gun B Tp out of action owing to violent kick and fierce recoil.
1545 A Tp 4 guns in action N.756216, a few 88 mm shells fell on site during afternoon slightly wounding No.3857323 Craftsman Dougall A.R. and peppering one GTV – no mechanical damage.
1800 B.C. to 65 Fd Regt to arrange employment of A Tp in field role also, suggestion received with enthusiasm and arranged for 0800 hrs 14th.
1900 No 1 gun A Tp out of action – violent kick.
2055 – 2100
Enemy aircraft engaged – 33 rds fired.
Considerable ground activity by both sides during day & night – air activity unceasing.
Compo rations have proved great success – great stimulant to troops especially when tired – a cake of soap in each box would be a valuable addition for this commodity has been very scarce in recent months.

14 September 1943 D + 5
0115 – 0300
Enemy small arms fire appeared very close to B.H.Q. – ground defence positions manned, contact officer to 201 Bde H.Q. to ascertain situation reported that enemy had launched attack but had been repulsed.
1200 A Tp lined up & prepared for field shooting with 258/65 Fd Regt.
1600 A Tp fired field shoot 46 rds – see separate report. Annx J
1752 A Tp engaged 3 ME 109’s.
1930 C.O. reported that CCRA, CRA & Bgde Cmdr very pleased with our field shooting – air bursts devastating.
Both sites now firing in dual role at night, A Tp by day also.
Large numbers of our bombers attacked enemy in front of our positions by day and night.
B Tp carried out heavy field role programme.
B Echelon –
1330 – Warning order received to move to TRIPOLI Docks.
1600 – Moved to Docks.
2000 – Commenced loading L.S.T.
2345 – Completed loading.

15 September 1943 D + 6
Quiet night except for our bombing attacks.
1500 B Tp report No’s 2 & 4 guns out of action. No. 2 gun kicking violently. No. 4 gun intensifier gland leaking badly.
1600 Services of 87 H.A.A. Regt. R.E.M.E. obtained and fitters delivered to site to work with E.M.E. Capt. McCaig.
1700 No. 4 gun in action. Nos 2 & 3 still out of action.
Fairly quiet day in both field & A.A. role.
B Echelon –
0730 – Sailed from Tripoli.

16 September 1943 D + 7
Considerable enemy ground activity during night, heavy field firing programme carried out by both troops, every officer and man working at full pressure. Ammunition supply working well due to untiring effort of personnel and assistance of 216 Coy Pioneer Corps.
1025 B Tp engaged enemy aircraft dive bombing beaches – 35 rds fired.
1600 Welding plant from 10 Corps Workshops to B Tp site to weld mountings of Nos. 2 & 3 guns.
C.O. 65 Fd Regt. visited both troops and congratulated gunners on their shooting.
B Tp GL Station at N.773232 ceased firing to withdraw to Wagon lines, owing to danger of damage by enemy ground fire, until site is re-occupied by guns.
2000 B.H.Q. moves to A Tp site N.756216.
Quieter day – our bombers still pounding enemy positions.
2240 A Tp engaged enemy aircraft.

17 September 1943
0040 Enemy aircraft engaged – 11 rds.
0510 Enemy aircraft engaged – 5 rds.
1100 B.C. to B Tp O.P. – few targets available.
1200 201 Gds Bde Cmdr visited both Troops and congratulated gunners on support given to Guards – this gesture much appreciated by all ranks.
1640 Low level attack by enemy aircraft.
1700 Welding of B Tp guns completed – 3 guns now in action.
Large numbers of own tps observed landing during day.
Crisis seems to have passed – field firing programme much lighter.

18 September 1943
0200 ‘B’ Echelon commenced landing on SUGAR beach.
0315 Landing completed.
0430 All B Echelon at assembly area.
0740 Low level attack – no warning. B Tp engaged 2 rds.
0900 B.C. read out message from CRA 56 Div to all tps.
1200 B Echelon joined respective troops and BHQ.
1300 Message S/0/29 received from 57 R.H.Q. restricting ammn expenditure in field role to 40 rds p. gun per day. Two guns per troop only to shoot, except in emergency.
2310 Enemy aircraft engaged. 15 rds fired.
Day very quiet, enemy believed withdrawing. All ranks able to have well earned rest, mail and NAAFI supplies brought by ‘B’ Echelon much appreciated.

19 September 1943
Quiet night.
1150 Verbal orders given by C.O. to cease field role and re-deploy for defence of MONTE CORVINO L.G. and ROGER Landing Strip – A Tp to remain in present position.
1200 B Tp cease firing at N.750226.
1530 B Tp – 4 guns in action basic control – transmission fault – at N.773232.
BHQ opened N.773232.
1545 B Tp transmission fault rectified.
B Tp GL station in action.
1700 A TP No. 1 gun in action.
1715 A Tp engaged 4 FW190 in low level attack.
2052 Both tps engaged aircraft which eventually gave friendly signals.
With the conclusion of our field role, all ranks expressed the wish that this would be the fore-runner of more similar tasks. All were proud to have had the opportunity of supporting the Div. artillery and to know that their fire had been effective and resulted in heavy casualties to the enemy.
Total rds fired in field role A Tp 1067, B Tp 1423.

20 September 1943
0810 Low level attack – one bomb dropped on A TP site 50 yards from guns. No. 11402879 Gnr OWEN, T. killed. Crater 65’ in diameter 15’ deep.
A Tp unable to engage owing to dust & debris from bomb explosion.
B Tp fired 3 rds gun control.
These attacks are now a regular feature and difficult to combat owing to lack of early warning and speed of aircraft.
All spotters doubled and two guns on each site permanently manned to minimise surprise element.
1255 Another low level attack by 6 FW190s engaged by both sites, 6 rds fired. 3 bombs dropped 600 yards from B Tp site.
1807 2 FW190s engaged at low level.
1755 4 FW190s engaged at low level.

21 September 1943
0930 No. 3 gun B Tp out of action.
1030 A Tp GL Station out of action.
1043 Low level attack from sun by ME109s & FW190s on L.G., both troops engaged. 7 rds fired gun control. 130 rds AALMG. Two planes reported shot down.
1130 No. 3 gun B Tp in action.
2200 A Tp GL Station in action.

22 September 1943
0716 No 1 gun A Tp out of action – buffer.
0755 Low level attack on BATTIPAGLIA – SALERNO road. Enemy a/c hugging hills during approach. Too low for H.A.A. guns to engage. AALMG & 20 mm engaged. 72 rds 20 mm and 150 rds .303 fired.
2230 Warning from G.O.R. that enemy parachute troops may land EAST of area, necessary precautions taken.

23 September 1943
Quiet day. No enemy air activity.
1050 Limber of No 1 gun, B Tp to R.E.M.E. Workshops for repair.
1505 A Tp GL Station out of action.
0115 Report of enemy paratroop landing 4½ miles NORTH of area received from G.O.R. – necessary precautions taken.

24 September 1943
0702 A Tp GL Station in action – repair completed.
1800 A Tp predictor out of action due to fault in converter.
2345 A Tp predictor in action upon completion of repairs by R.E.M.E.

25 September 1943
Quiet day – no enemy air activity.
1000 A.A. fire observed NORTH of area, one enemy fighter shot down by our patrols.

26 September 1943
0950 No. 1 gun A Tp out of action – recuperator gland leaking.
1100 C.O. visited B Tp site.
1320 B.C. called to R.H.Q.
1340 B.C. received verbal orders to provide L.M.G. platoon & Coy H.Q. for special task. Lt. D.N. Maddocks appointed platoon cmdr. Lt. K.U.T. Sumpster Coy H.Q. subaltern. No. 871578 Sgt. Bye L.F. Platoon H.Q. Sgt. Sgt. 841225 Davis C.A., 1582855 L/Sgt. Halls section sergeants. Total strength 2 offrs 21 ORs.
1410 Orders issued at B.H.Q. to Lt. Maddocks.
1420 Orders to Tp Cmdrs re provision of personnel ammo & transport etc.
1500 Lt. Maddocks & Sect. Sgts. depart for RV at N.542348 for orders from Force Commander.
1610 Task personnel at their R.V. N.765263.
1800 Task personnel turned back at VIETRI, instructed to bivouac for night.
Torrential rain during the night.

27 September 1943
0900 Task personnel instructed to return to unit.
1700 3 reinforcements (predictor nos) posted from 10 Corps Transit Camp.
No enemy aircraft activity during the day.

28 September 1943
1730 Warning orders to prepare to move not before 1000 hrs 29th received from RHQ. Troops notified.
No enemy aircraft activity during the day.
2000 Electrical storm followed by thunder, high wind and heavy rain during night.

29 September 1943
1200 Two reinforcements (Gunners) joined from 10 Corps Transit Camp.
1800 264847 [??] Lt. A.T. DORN reported for duty, attached for all purposes pending posting. Attached to B Troop.
No enemy air activity during day.
Preparations made as far as possible for move forward to landing grounds in NAPLES area.

30 September 1943
1515 Verbal orders from 2IC to cease firing at 1600 hrs and concentrate in BHQ area prior to moving forward in Bgde column probably tomorrow.
1600 Battery ceased firing.
2000 A Tp dispersed adjacent to B Tp site.
Bty prepared to move first light Oct 1st.

 

APPENDIX “I” TO WAR DIARY OF 214/57th HY. A.A. REGIMENT, R.A. FOR SEPTEMBER 1943.

Battle Casualties.

9th September 1943 11430508 Gnr. Morris, G.
20th September 1943 11402879 Gnr. Owen, T. +

Hospital Admissions.

4th September 1943 1461818 Gnr. Burkhill, A.A.
7th September 1943 1646448 Gnr. Bateman, C.
11th September 1943 1797415 Gnr. Hallam, O.J.
16th September 1943 15828828 Gnr. Easton, A.S.
14th September 1943 1568352 Gnr. Smith, P.
9th September 1943 1836786 Gnr. Belk, I.
21st September 1943 834426 L/Bdr. North, W.H.
28th September 1943 10555301 Cpl. Guilford, G.
29th September 1943 896962 Gnr. Collinson, J.

Hospital Discharges.

3rd September 1943 6200863 BSM Lauderback, R.F.
16th September 1943 1797415 Gnr. Hallam, O.J.F.
23rd September 1943 834626 L/Bdr. North, W.H.

Postings In.

7th September 1943 1809842 Gnr. Moss, G.
6th September 1943 1517572 Gnr. Sell, G.
3rd September 1943 11412662 Gnr. Davison, L.
1st September 1943 1837973 Gnr. Weir, W.
9th September 1943 1818963 Gnr. Banfield, L.J.
9th September 1943 1582913 Gnr. Brown, J.
27th September 1943 1805903 Gnr. Johnson, E.
27th September 1943 1732085 Gnr. Stacey, E.H.
27th September 1943 1702524 Gnr. Walker, J.
27th September 1943 169415 Gnr. Gilbert, R.
27th September 1943 14522768 Gnr. Lee, D.H.
27th September 1943 1582710 Gnr. Jones, S.J.

Postings Out.

27th September 1943 11412662 Gnr. Davuson, L. )
27th September 1943 1766568 Gnr. Hardeman, D. ) To 215/57th
27th September 1943 823465 Gnr. Moore. ) HAA Regt.
27th September 1943 11258632 Gnr. Tucker, S.E.

 

And here are the reports on their contribution in a field role:

APPENDIX ‘J’

Reports on Field Role Tasks undertaken by 214 Hy.A.A. Battery
R.A. from 08.00 hours 13th Sept to 09.00 hours 18th Sept 1943.

1. Reports by ‘A’ Troop G.P.O.
2. Report by ‘A’ Troop O.P. Officer.
3. Consolidated Report by ‘B’ Troop G.P.O.

O.P. Officers:-

‘A’ Troop
Sept 15th – 17th Capt. G.F. Senior R.A.
Sept 18th – 19th Lieut. E.W. Wilson R.A.

‘B’ Troop
Sept 13th – 17th Capt. K.A. Preston R.A.
Sept 18th Lieut. D.N. Maddocks R.A.

[sgd: E. Waddington]

Major R.A.

 

1.

‘A’ TROOP 214 HAA BATTERY R.A.

Report on field tasks undertaken from 08.00 hours 15 Sept 43 to 08.00 hours 17 Sept 43.

Between 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs 15 Sept three G.F. and 3 Troop targets were registered and in addition four 258 Field Bty. Battery targets were registered.
58 Ranging rounds were fired and 183 rds for effect.
It was reported that the air-bursts had been very effective and it was considered that at least one target had been destroyed.
From 20.00 hrs 15 Sept to 08.00 hrs 16 Sept various D.F. tasks and harassing fire were undertaken.
Rounds were as follows:-

Harassing fire 156
D.F. 270
Div. target 12
Troop target 11
449

Between 08.30 hrs and 09.00 hrs 16 Sept. 41 rds were fired on a troop target at 802247.
The telephone line was out of order for about six hours, then between 17.00 – 18.00 hrs two G.F. and one S.O.S. targets were registered, 38 rds being fired.
Two D.F. tasks were fired during the night with an expenditure of 57 rds.
Generally no reports were received as regards effect but C.O. 65 Field Regt visited the position and stated that the air-bursts by 3.7 in guns had been extremely effective and had made a most valuable contribution to the artillery barrage. He passed a message to the same effect from C.R.A.

(Signed) E.W. Wilson Lieut. R.A.
‘A’ TROOP G.P.O.

(2) cont:-

Intelligence Report for 24 hours ending 08.00 hrs 18 Sept 43.

The first field engagement for the day took place at 09.24 hrs ‘A’ Troop G.F. target was engaged successfully and 22 rds expended.
At 09.58 we fired D.F. Damson and fired two lots of 3 rds gunfire. The OP informed us that this was particularly effective against enemy infantry on the railway line. At 10.50 we fired target yellow and hit a German H.Q. and O.P. post. Later in the day the Germans were observed removing their dead from this area. 45 rds were used on this target. This target was later recorded as target red, at a further expenditure of 10 rds Mike 35 was fired at 13.15 hrs and the rounds unobserved 14 rds.
At 13.35 Target yellow as again engaged and 30 rds expended. At 14.30 hrs Mike 35 was once more fired. 15 rds. Total 246 rds.

(Signed) J.R.D. Huckle, Lieut. R.A.

(2)

214th Hy.A.A. Battery R.A. ‘A’ TROOP.
Report on Field Shooting for Sept 15th, 16th, and 17th 1943 by O.P. Officer.

Sept 15.
Enemy movement for day was slight. An enemy attack developed after dark and Troop fired many D.Fs throughout the night. Rounds fired not recorded here.
During the morning various targets were registered in the village of MONTE CORVINO and TOBACCO FACTORY.
At about 11.30 hrs an infantry carrier carrying infantry approached and disappeared behind village buildings. Registered target ‘A’ was fired with great effect, rounds burst at 100 ft top height all round suspected hiding place of carrier.
The 2 i/c G Company came to OP and congratulated us on this shoot.
During the afternoon B.C. 258 Bty shot the Troop. Later a further target was registered by Troop OP.

(Signed) G.F. Senior Capt. R.A.

Sept 16.
Dawn broke with considerable enemy activity. 40 men reported concentrating behind buildings in target ‘A’ area. 10 rounds gun fire put down.
Observations down from G Company H.Q. as previous day. O.P. believed in enemy hands.
Various defensive fire targets registered at request of Company Commander.
During most of morning and afternoon communications with Crusader were out and no shooting could be done.
In the evening a patrol returned with report of enemy troops in region of SILO and gunfire was fired on this target.
Just after dark an S.O.S. DF target was fired at request of Company Commander.

(Signed) G.F. Senior Capt. R.A.

Sept 17.
Apart from a good deal of enemy shelling by two heavy guns (believed 88 mm) the day was quiet.
In the morning the Guards Commander asked for a STONK on a large yellow house believed to be a German Headquarters and OP. The target was registered by Field, Medium and AA OP. Officers in turn and later all three troops fired gunfire simultaneously. This co-ordinated fire was extremely effective. The mediums obtained many direct hits and the airbursts covered the garden and thickets around the house very well.
A fire broke out behind the house. No further movement reported in this quarter for rest of the day. Later an enemy mortar was located in bushes behind a red barn and two rounds gunfire was fired. Mortar fire from this direction ceased.

(Signed) G.F. Senior Capt. R.A.

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I think the G Company reference is to 2nd Bn Scots Guards according to Diane's thread about Scots Guards ORBATS; Orbats: Scots Guards | WW2Talk

G COMPANY
Major J.A.L. TIMPSON, M.C. - Company Commander
Captain I. WESTON-SMITH
Lieutenant Sir Nigel CAYZER
Lieutenant The Honourable A.R.H. ERSKINE
Lieutenant R.S. DOLLARD
Lieutenant N.T. TORRANCE
R. LITTLE, M.M. - Company Sergeant-Major

 

(3)

‘B’ TROOP. 214 HAA Battery R.A.

Report on field tasks undertaken from 08.00 hrs 13th Sept 43 to 2359 hrs
17th Sept 43 in the area South of SALERNO.

Sept 13th.
Between 11.00 hrs and 14.10 hrs four Regimental and two Div targets were registered of which 60 rds were Div and 112 rds Regimental. Between 20.20 hrs and 23.59 hrs a further 172 rds on 65 Regt targets were fired. Total number 344.
Observations on this days work said the rounds were bursting at 80 ft and were very effective.

Sept 14th.
At 04.00 hrs a Div target was registered on a Bosche attack. 86 rds were fired and caused “great carnage” (Report from OP). From 10.00 hrs to 15.30 hrs 410 rds were fired on harassing tasks. During this time we fired almost at 15 minute intervals. From 20.00 to 22.45 more harassing fire was fired on cross roads and the TOBACCO FACTORY (803244). 84 rds being fired. OP reports were all effective. 580 rds were fired in total.

Sept 15th.
At 09.15 to 09.40 hrs ranging rds were fired from a Troop OP. From 13.35 to 16.35 hrs 242 harassing rds were fired. From 16.38 to 16.45 hrs a further 6 rds ranging rds were fired from Troop OP. From 20.30 to 22.30 hrs, 42 rds were fired on F.D.Ls.
Altogether this day 303 rds were fired only 2 guns being in action.

Sept 16th.
From 00.06 to 05.57 hrs 144 DF were fired many of which were fired almost continuously between 03.30 to 04.12 hrs. From 07.00 to 12.55 a further 30 rds DF were fired. At 22.03 hrs 4 rds were fired on DF targets making a total of 178.
Still only two guns in action. Several of these DF’s were Div targets.

Sept 17th.
09.18 to 09.37 four Div ranging targets were fired on a Troop of enemy guns, 10 rds fired. Op report “Enemy gun ceased firing”.
From 11.45 to 14.30 hrs 3 Uncle Div targets were fired (17 rds). At 21.00 hrs a barrage (Royalty) was fired in support of 169 Brigade (20 rds). Altogether 47 rds. At 18.30 hrs this day all four guns returned to action. Such OP reports as were received were all good and showed the airbursts had done good work. On the 13th Sept after the second fire task was completed we received a word of congratulation from the C.R.A. who was watching from an O.P. It was passed on to us by 65 Field Regt RA. Later the C.O. 65th Field Regt and the Brigadier of the 201 Guards Brigade visited us and the Brigadier thanked us for our support of his Brigade.

Sept 18th.
This was a quiet day. Targets were receding out of our air-bursts range and we only fired twice operationally. Both were Divisional “Uncle” targets; the first was map ref 826275 corrected on the second shoot to 829268 and was a troop of enemy guns in action. After the shoot they ceased firing (OP Report). 18 rds were fired. 3 test rds were also fired on No.3 gun.

Sept 19th.
At 09.00 hrs we fired our last 4 rounds in the field role. The target was out of range to air bursts but was called for despite that fact. It was map ref 780308 and 4 rds were fired. At 12.00 hrs we ceased firing and moved to a site were our role was A.A. only.

Total rounds fired 1423.

(Signed) E.A. Gunning Lieut. R.A.

 

I found this in 2nd Bn Scots Guards War Diary (WO169/10170)

14 September 1943
A fairly quiet day with 'G' Coy. and Right Flank's O.Ps having some good shoots. Right Flank developed the technique of "flushing the birds" with mediums, shooting them up with 25 pdrs when they came into the open and then 'flushing' them again when they went to ground with 3.7 air bursts.

The Scots Guards Regimental History (p.173) entry for 14 September simply repeats this information and adds a personal reflection on the excellence of the 'Compo' rations.

Regards

Tom

 

And finally, for now, this comment from a German POW recorded in 65 Field Regt RA war diary for 14 September 1943 (WO169/9490):

"Patrols on area of last nights D.F. report many vehicles destroyed and ditched, considerable German dead. Prisoner said he had never experienced shelling like it before, he had spent 12 months in Russia."

Regards

Tom

 

Hi - I'm a new member of this forum, and very interested in the War Diary for 214 Battery, 57 HAA Regiment , RA. My father and his brother were both in this unit from it's TA days until the end of hostilities. Both are now long gone, and I have a summary war history written by the CO, but would love to get a copy of the war diary. How do I get that?

many thanks, Alwyn

 

Hi Alwyn,

I’m really glad that you found this forum and I hope these details were of interest. The war diaries are at the UK National Archives in Kew, although the artillery ones are somewhat hit and miss (so not all batteries’ diaries are there for all periods of the war). Their website is reasonably easy to navigate and there may be diaries for more than just the period in 1943 which I copied. You can either go yourself to Kew or have a look on this forum as there are some forum members who might be able to copy more for you at very reasonable prices (much cheaper than by asking the National Archives to copy them.

Regards

Tom

 

Alwyn.

Get hold of Gary Tankard on this site and he will get you the WDs from Kew. He goes there all the time and so he knows his way around.

I am guiding a group at Salerno on 6-9 Apr 24 if you want to get your head around what happened and to see the places mentioned in the WDs.

Regards

Frank