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    War Diary: 3rd Bn Royal Tank Regiment

    Month and year: May 1944

    The 3rd Bn Royal Tank Regiment May 1944 war diary covers the units time based Aldershot taking part in training at Hankley Common and Bognor Regis.

    National Archive Reference: WO 171/866

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    Page 1 of 3
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Aldershot10800"B" Sqn to HANKLEY COMMON for Troop training.
    Honours and Awards. Major H.L. Upcott-Gill M.C., Capt G.A. Morris,
    7938440 Tpr Cliff F., 7903326 Cpl Ingram A., Mentioned in Despatches.
    2090016 ORs from HQ Sqn to AA Dome Trainer PIRBRIGHT CAMP.
    1430Commanding Officer's Conference. Co-operation with 15(S) Division discussed.
    Orders and Adm Instructions for three days exercise with 15 (s) Div issued.
    3090016 ORs from HQ to AA Dome Trainer PIRBRIGHT CAMP.Appx T/2
    0930 )AA Troop have use of range at HMS "ST BARBARA", BOGNOR REGIS through courtesy
    1130 )of the Royal Navy. Range at disposal 4 May. For detail adm and movement
    orders see Appx T/1.
    Appx T/1
    1030 )Lt Gen Sir Charles H.F. Broad, K.C.B, D.S.O., Representative Colonel Commandart
    1045)for 1944 of the Royal Tank Regiment inspects the Battalion. For full
    programme of visit see Appx T/2.
    Appx T/2
    Major G.H. Barker M.C., relinquishes command of "C" Sqn. Major P.F. Burr, M.B
    assumes command C Sqn. Lt T.M.E. Maloney appointed Bn Camouflage Officer.
    Capt J.D. Dunlop appointed Bn Swimming Officer. 1 NCO taken on strength.
    40930AA Tp to range BOGNOR REGIS. Entry 3 May and Appx T/1 refer.Appx T/1
    1600"A" Sqn take over from "C" Sqn at HANKLEY COMMON on exercise co-operating
    with 15 (S) Div. Entry 2 May and Appx T/3 refer.
    Appx T/3
    50915 )Lt T.M.E. Maloney and Lt W.T. Brooks to IOs' Study Period held under Div
    1245 )arrangements. Major G.H. Barker s.o.s. of Unit and posted as 2IC 148 Regt RAC
    60900Commanding Officer's Conference.
    2/Lt R.F. Lemon appointed Bn Fire Officer. Capt A.M. Dixon appointed 2 IC
    HQ Sqn w.e.f. 3 Apr 44.
    7Services.
    8Routine.
    91430Commanding Officer's Conference - Waterproofing.
    10A Veh waterproofing commences.
    1400Commanding Officer's Conference.
    Page 2 of 3
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Aldershot11"B" vehicle wading at HAWLEY LAKE. Detailed results at Appx T/4.Appx T/4
    12Routine.
    13Orders to take over 4 Sherman Vcs from Units of 5 Gds Armd Bde issuedAppxT/5
    141000A1 Echelon exercise under Major H.L. Upcott-Gill M.C.. Object of exercise to
    test echelon in road discipline - movement forward from harbour area, RT
    procedure and codes.
    151000Commanding Officer's Conference. Personnel detailed as 1st Line Reinforcements
    for attachment to 8 Corps (257) Delivery Sqn.AppxT/6
    160900Unit Officer's Selection Board. Pres - Major H.L. Upcott-Gill, M.C.,
    Major P.F. Burr, M.B.E., and Major W.H. Close, M.C. interviews 7940570
    L/Cpl Nation J.S.
    1400Commanding Officer's Conference.
    170930 )Capt Wilmot, Corps Camouflage Officer, lectures NCOs and officers on
    1145 )Camouflage.
    1400Commanding Officer's Conference. Administration for forthcoming operations
    overseas referred to as Exercise "OVERLORD".
    181000Lt Gen Sir Richard O'Connor, 8 Corps Commander, lectures to all officers of
    11 Armd Div in the Garrison Theatre.
    1615Lt Gen Sir Richard O'Connor visits the Bn.
    1200Ex "HARDWORK". Wireless exercise on Bde basis to practice Maplay - the new
    1400map reference code.
    191400Capt Booth, Air Photographic Interpretation Officer attached Division,
    visits the Bn and discusses the problem of photographic interpretation with
    Sqn Comds.
    201300Commanding Officer attends conference "BREAKER II". Codeword given to
    conference held by General Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, KCB, DSO.,
    21Services.
    221430Lt T.M.E. Maloney and Capt J.W. Macmillan, M.C., to pre-view of trg films.
    1600Capt J.A. Donald, Cdn Black Watch, lectures officers and NCOs on Movement Control.
    Page 3 of 3
    PlaceDateHourSummary of Events and InformationReferences to Appendices
    Aldershot230900 )Exercise "MARTHA" - Wireless exercise (static) on Corps basis to practise
    1700 )officers on rear links in the codes to be used on future operations. Same
    time Unit wireless exercise in progress to fill the air during a period of
    wireless activity.
    1400Commanding Officer's Conference - Ex "OVERLORD".
    Commanding Officer issues "Notes on Handling of AA Tp"
    Appx T/7
    241000 )Ex "BUBBLE" - wireless exercise on Brigade basis - object as for Ex "MARTHA"
    1400 )of 23 May.
    Capt P. Black, REME, relinquishes command of LAD, 3 R Tks w.e.f. 16 May 44
    and is struck off strength from that date.
    Lt C.G. Dear is promoted A/Capt and appointed BTA.
    Capt C.E. Anderson relinguishes a appointment of BTA.
    0900 ) 1700 )Unit Wireless Exercise - object as for 23 May
    250900 ) 1700 )Unit Wireless Exercise repeated.
    09304 Officers and 30 ORs attend Exercise "RED". Codeword given to inspection
    and talk by General D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander, to officers
    and ORs of 8 Corps.
    260930Commanding Officer's Conference.
    273 R Tks Movement Order No. 10 issued, detailing Sherman Vcs for BELLETOUT
    ANNEXE range BEACHY HEAD, Q9914
    Appx T/8.
    28Bde Church Parade Service.
    291700Lt T.M.E. Maloney to Bde to hear lecture on "Air Support" by Capt B. Gibson.
    301430Commanding Officer lectures to Bn in Prince Consort Library on forthcoming
    operations. 1 NCO and 5 ORs taken on strength of Unit.
    310930Bde Comds Conference attended by Commanding Officer.
    1400Commanding Officer's Conference.
    Close Leaguer Instructions issuedAppx T/9

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