War Diary: 241 Provost Coy

Month and year: March 1944

The March 1944 war diary of 241 Provost Company records training and operational preparation at Spey Bay in Scotland as part of 5 Beach Group. The company took part in Exercise Gimlet and Exercise Leapyear, while also carrying out weapons training, lectures, and demonstrations on beach organisation and landing procedures. Additional training included radio communication, stretcher bearing, and coordination with attached reconnaissance personnel.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/3386

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WO 171/3386 241st Provost Company

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Page 1 of 2

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
SPEY BAY	1		2 i/c, Lt. Beard visited 5 Beach Group Commander reference visit of
			Army Commander. Company on Mk. III Sten gun firing and inspection.
	2		G.O.C. 2nd Army inspected Beach Group 0930 hrs-1790 hrs. C.M.P. escort
			provided by Company.
	3,		O.C. back from leave, Lt. Beard on leave, O.C. assumes command,
	5		O.C. to 5 Beach Group to see 2 i/c ref, future training etc.
	6	1900	Film show "Two Yanks in Trinidad".
			Maj. Gill and It. Stevens of Recce Corps (3 Div) arrived on attachment,
	7	1400	RAOC. officers and O.Rs. left Company area at 1330.
		1430	Four Recce Corps offrs arrived and 15 O.Rs. Recce Corps to participate
			in Exercise "Gimlet",
	8	1000	Conference at 5 Beach Group H.Q. reference "Gimlet".
	9	0400	Company moved out for Exercise "Gimlet" together with Recce. Corps attached.
			Exercise Gimlet. Good exercise for all liaison of Beach and Exit Units,

Page 2 of 2

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
SPEY BAY	10	1030	Demonstration Exercise showing layout of Beach signs and Transit areas
			for 13/18 Hussars at Fort George.
	11		Street patrols in Elgin during P.m. and evening.
	12		Garrison Theatre patrol in Elgin. 1. Cpl. and 2 L/Cpls.
	13	1000	Lecture. "Salerno Landing" 1943 by Maj. Stidwell, 11 O.B.D.
	14)
	15) 16)		Special training for Company on R/T. No. 38 and Loyd Carriers. Instructors
	17) 18)		for latter from 5 Bn. Kings. Regt.
	19)
	20		Two R.A.M.C. N.C.Os attached for training Company in Stretcher Bearing and first aid.
	21	1415	Conference - Exercise "Leapyear" at Rothes.
	25		Conference - A.P.M. at Culloden Moors at 1200 hrs,
	26) 27)		EXERCISE "LEAPYEAR" - Entire Company on this Exercise. Moving to Assembly
	28) 29)		Areas on March 26. "D" day 29th March. Exercise finishes (weather permitting) on 31st evening.
	30)
	31)