Map references used in Australian war diaries

Discussion in 'Australian' started by PB181, Sep 18, 2012.

  1. PB181

    PB181 Junior Member

    Firstly, apologies if this has been covered in another thread - I've searched but failed to find anything.

    I am trying to trace my Grandfathers movements during the war, his service record is a little sparse on details so I'm using his unit's war diaries to follow their movements. What i'm having troubles with is the map/grid references used in the diaries. Here is an example: "Movement of Bn. to breach at 41704347 for recuperation.". Other examples are hyphenated, as in 4170-4347, so I'm assuming this is a grid reference. There are maps associated with the diaries for that month but I can see no use of that sort of grid reference. The example is from the diary associated with the battle of Bardia, Libya in January 1941.

    Would be very appreciative if anyone knows how to interpret these references.
     
  2. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    4170-4347 is smack in Tobruk on the map I have, which dates from November 41, but I doubt they amended the system.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  3. PB181

    PB181 Junior Member

    Thanks Andreas. Re-checking the dates in the diary and you are right, those dates would place the unit near Tobruk not Bardia.

    However, being a novice in this, I still have no idea how to use those grid references, could you tell me what reference system that is? I've done a bit of searching and thing that makes most logical sense would be MGRS however, there would seem to be 5 prefix characters missing, I have no idea how to work out what they should be.

    Any guidance would be welcome.
    Thanks
    PB
     
  4. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

  5. 26delta

    26delta Senior Member

    Using the coordinates given and the map shown in Andreas' post, that would be on the coast just west of Tobruk. Wasn't there a landing near there? Sending troops for a little R&R to a resupply point makes sense.
     

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