War Diary: 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Month and year: April 1944

The 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry April 1944 war diary covers their time at Thetford in the UK including taking part in exercise SEEK, MOONLIGHT and BUMP

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1292

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WO 171/1292 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

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Page 1 of 2

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
			Summary This month the bn took part in a Div Ex BUMP and benefited in many ways from an Ex which was as near active service
			conditions as trg areas at home will permit. At the end of the month the Bde was honoured by a visit from HM King
			George VI who inspected the bn accompanied by the Div and Bde Commanders.
THETFORD	Apr 1 - 8		First Aid trg for all ranks - theoretical and practical.
	2 - 6		Div Exercise SEEK in areas DISS and BRETTENHAM HEATH. The object of the exercise was to practice the Div Recce Regt in quick
			deployment. 10 D.L.I. (Carriers only) acted as enemy.
	5		Series of trg films shown in camp.
	7 - 8		Bn Exercise MOONLIGHT. The objects of the exercise were to practise the bn in a night attack, the evacuation of casualties,
			and the replenishment of amn.
	11	0700	Div Exercise "BUMP" started today. The Bn moved by road to conc area outside WOODBRIDGE. The main objects of the Exercise
			were to practise the Bn in general admin in the field, the ferrying of the Bn in unit M.T. and the evacuation of casualties.
	12	0830	Bn left conc area in Bde coln, which made slow progress to bivouac area East of LEISTON. In the early evening the enemy (146
			Bde), started an arty conc on our right flank.
	13	0730	Bn moved to SIZEWELL BELTS by march route, and concentrated for an attack on GOOSE HILL. At 1000 hrs the Bde attack went in,
			and 10 D.L.I. captured GOOSE HILL and SUMMER HOUSE HILL, after which the bn consolidated in new positions. During the night
			"B" and "C" Coys sent out patrols.

Page 2 of 2

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
THETFORD.	April 14		Enemy kept up intermittent shelling of our positions. Mobile Bath Unit in operation.
	15		2 IC wounded by snipers and evacuated beyond RAP. "C" Coy patrol returned with two prisoners. Enemy snipers active
			throughtout day. "B" and "C" Coys withdraw.
	16		Bn prepared for attack on DUNWICH Field Firing Area. At 1900 hrs the attack started, and on the objectives being
			captured, the bn dug in.
		2100	"Cease Fire."
	17	0930	Bn left for Riddlesworth Camp by road, and was back in billets by 1300 hrs.
	19		Commencement of daily PT parades before breakfast.
	24		Pl trg continues.
	25		Each rifle coy today practised pl and coy attacks with a Tp/SqnSherman Tanks in support. Many useful points were brought
			out e.g. it is better for tanks to operate on a different axis to inf in order to draw fire away from inf.
	27		The bn was inspected by HM King George VI.
	28		All coys practised river crossings by day and night on improvised rafts and in assault boats Mk III