War Diary: 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards

Month and year: January 1944

The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards January 1944 War diary covers the units time training in Scotland

National Archive Reference: WO 171/838

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Page 1 of 13

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FORT GEORGE	1		A further postponement of Exercise Smash. The Brigade Comd & Bde 2 i/c called in the morning. C Sqn took the Dryshod Shermans out in the morning. The C.O. held a Squadron Leader conference in the morning & outlines future events.
		2	The adjutant attended a Div. conference at HQ 1 Suffolks in the morning concerning the allocation of craft for the forthcoming exercise GRAB. Exercise smash was finally cancelled this morning owing to bad weather.
		3	Weather very suitable for B & C Squadrons to train but there were no boats available at all so they were shore-bound. C Sqn practiced "digging in" on the training ground outside the Fort. A & B Sqns fired sten & held drill parades. all Squadrons did semaphore practice.
		4	Outing to surf off the CARSE OF DELNIES B & C Sqns

Page 2 of 13

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
FORT GEORGE	4	had to cancel training there for which by had gone round on their tracks. A & RHQ with wading Shermans loaded on to 4 L.C.Ts Is (39 Flotilla) in the afternoon but for similar reason as above were unable to carry out a full practice of wading ashore & re-embarking two craft loads were embarked but they had of return home by the shore.
	5	B&C Sqns were to have embarked for TARBAT NESS in the evening at 1800 hrs but owing to the non-arrival of the LCT. until the tide had timed loading had to be postponed until 0400hrs 6 Jan: however owing to the bad weather the embarkation lad to be postponed again. B&C Sqn finally loaded
	6	at 1700hrs. 6 Jan.
	7	B&C Sqn landed & shot 6 pdr at TARBAT NESS, owing to one LCT. being rammed during the night she had to return	Appendix A

Page 3 of 13

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
FORT GEORGE	7	to FORT GEORGE, getting back at about 1030 hrs & unloaded thus
		five tanks of B Sqn missed the shoot. The tanks of B & C
		Squadron which did shoot were brought back by transfer
		in the evening. Major G.K.Baker attended at the 'O' Group
	&	of the 8 Br. Inf Bde in the morning with reference to
		the forthcoming Div. exercise GRAB. Major Simpson (2 i/c 5 A.R.E.) called in the morning.
	8	The Brigade Commander and Comd K.A. Sellas R.W. with Lt. Comd
		Crichton & his flight commander held a conference here in the
		evening with the C.O. at which Os. CB&C Squadrons also
		attended: as a result of it a directive was issued to these two	appx B
		Squadrons with regard to bettering communication between
		crafts (by using the tanks wireless) & the officer tank
		comd standing on the bridge with a jumper lead from
		his tank.

Page 4 of 13

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
FORT GEORGE	8	1100	HQ, A Sqn & RHQ tanks, carriers & scout cars moved into their
			boxes for Exercise Grab - embarkation to be to-morrow.
	9	0830	The regiment (less transport vehicles which were cancelled at the last minute) embarked on L.C.T.s for exercise GRAB - a Div Exercise to be held at BURGHEAD with the following object:- (a) to practice the R.N, 8&9 Br. Inf Bde groups & No.6 Beach Group in carrying out an assault landing (b) to practise the Brigade groups in the capture & consolidation of their portion of the Div. bridgehead (c) to practice the beach group in their profession of the Beach Maintenance area. From the regiment standpoint, we were for initial phases (ie of the consolidation period) under commend of the 8 Br Inf. Bde, B Sqn supporting the 5 Lancs on the right & C Sqn supporting the E. Yorks on the left; A Sqn coming in with the	Appx C Training Diary

Page 5 of 13

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FORT GEORGE	9		reserve Battalion - the 1 Suffolks, RHQ landing
			with A Squadron
		1600	The crafts set sail for approx 100 mile trip up north by
			night, to return to BURGHEAD to off-load in the morning of 10 jan-
			D Day. H Hrs. originally fixed for 0900 hrs was altered
			to 0940 hrs last minute alteration was also made in
			the Battle code by higher formation which could not reach
			all sub-units in time.
		2000	The sea became rough and all craft were making heavy going
			against the weather. Many personal (including the Navy) suffered from
	10		sea sickness. The "amada" turned when the North Sea
			some miles of TARBAT NESS in the early morning and came back to
			TARBAT NESS. B&C Sqn could not operate owing to the rough sea,
			& an attempt was made to put a 24 hr postponement into effect;
			this however did not get round to all & landing commenced.

Page 6 of 13

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
THE FIELD	10		We at RHQ had no order one way or the other and the L.C.T. comd. had none either; we eventually decided to land after a signal had come from destroyer to carry on beaching, and
		1125	touched down at 1125 hrs and A Sqn well ordered to come in also by the C.O. and carry out their normal role; this they did and the C.O. contacted the 8 Br. Inf Bde Commander who had come ashore before us. B & C Sqns were not of course now in the battle but were returning to FORT GEORGE on the L.C.T.
		1200	8 Bde HQ established at EASTER COLDFIELD FARM & RHQ moved to a position at KIRKTON parallel to the Brigade's axis of advance no as not to be too hear the formation HQ. with all our vehicles. Contact was make on the wireless with all of RHQ (ie 2i/c,I.O., MQ, Recce Tp. & Sc. Cars all of which joined us.
		1400	E.Suffolks supported by A Sqn. attacked in area STANDINGSTONE
		1650	(6586) to the East; attack pronounced successful no casualties to the Squadron.

Page 7 of 13

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
In ther Field (BURGHEAD area)	10	after the attach A Sqn were released by the infantry & returned to rear rally at KIRKTON where A & R.H.Q. harboured for the night.
	11	No further activity for the regiment; shortly after mid-day cease five was sounded though the regiment was never officially informed of this - & transporters brought the tanks home.
FORT GEORGE		The Brigade Comd held a conference here??? in the eveing attended by the C.O., O.C. A Sqn, O.C. 148 Reg A.R.A.C. & his Sqn Leaders & our regimental umpire who was or GRAB (2i/c 148 R.A.C.) Commencing to-day with A Sqn. the Regiment is supplying the 24 hrs guard at CAMERON BARRACKS: A Sqn took over from the old guard at 1600 hrs: Each Sqn has to supply guards in turn for 24 hrs. Particular attention has been paid to getty the guards well drilled & practised & up to very high standard of turnout.
	12	B & C Sqn carried out craft drill at the CARSE of DELNIES

Page 8 of 13

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FORT GEORGE	13	B&C Sqn fired 75 mm AP or the local tank range - a short
		range but has a very good fast moving crossing target.
		A Sqn held a last turnout parade in the afternoon and a semaphore competition in the morning; all ranks are learning semaphore.
	14	B&C Sqn were to have loaded at 1230 hs but owing to the unfavourable weather, a fire at the R.N. HQs office and the failure of the signal detailing the craft to reach the craft C.O.s, no L.C.T.s were available. The C.O carried out a recce at TARBAT NESS A Sqn fired on the anti tank range here.
	15	B&C Sqn landed at 1100 hrs without a hitch and did craft bill at the CARSE of DELNIES. 4 L.C.T.s were scheduled to come at 1000 hrs to take on the transport carriers & scout cars; However they failed to arrive so the vehicles did a wade off the east hards and had one quick practice load on to 2 L.C.Ts which Arrived for the A.V.R.E.s

Page 9 of 13

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FORT GEORGE	15		The CO. & Major J A d'Avigdor Goldsmith attended conference at
			Div. HQ on exercise GRAB A Sqn fired 5 Browning on the local A.A Range.
	16		B&C Sqn officers attended a discussion with the A.V.R.E. Squadron
			in the afternoon.
	17	1615	B & C Sqn loaded at 1615 hrs on to L.C.T.s, four being loaded & off by 1630, the remaining two - owing to difficulty in getting in on the right spot - by 1705 hrs. They sailed up to TARBAT NESS by dark preparatory to a shoot to-morrow morning.
TARBAT NESS	18		B Sqn came in from about 4000 yds & shot; H hrs was 0920; C Sqn followed after B, coming in from about 1500 yds. Transport brought tanks back in the evening.
FORT GEORGE			A Sqn fired 30 Browning on the Anti Tank Range at FORT GEORGE. a party of 22 men from B & C Sqn was sent of to TAIN to assist in preparing the ranges for the regiment which is to fire there; Squadron by Squadron 22-31 January.

Page 10 of 13

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
FORT GEORGE	19	Conference for Squadron Leaders, Squadron Seconds in command &
		Squadron Gunnery Officers were held in the morning.
	20	Day spent in preparing tanks for handover to 13/18H.,
		& our dayshod ones for transporting to TAIN.
	21	B&C Squadrons, R.H.Q. Tank & Troop & 4 carriers proceeded to TAIN on TARBAT NESS where each Squadron is to have three days firing on the open battle area there. Only minimum transport admin personel have gone up to TAIN remainder having returned to LANGHOLM by road & rail on 19 January. The RAF at TAIN aerodrome are accommodating & feeding all other Ranks & the officers are in requisitioned buildings in TAIN. The twenty two Shermans coming from FORT GEORGE by transporters arrived at all times throughout the night having made a late start from FART GEORGE & had
TAIN	22	troubles on the way; getting ditched etc. However 'B' Squadron

Page 11 of 13

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
TARBAT NESS	22	and RHQ started firing soon after 1230 hrs, doing a "shoot in"
		to ensure that the guns were OK and to give the gunners & commanders
		short practise before the battle run.
	23	B Sqn. with R.H.Q. tank troop did two Squadron battle
		runs which went quite well; the Brigade Commander watched
		15 rds., AP 27 HE 2 smoke and 3 belts Browning per tank
		was the allotment of ammunition per run.
	24	B Squadron & R.H.Q. did another battle run in the morning this
		time on a slightly longer course across the Ness.
		In the afternoon tanks were handed over to C Sqn. & B & R.H.Q.
		left for LANGHOLM by special train in the evening.
		A Squadron tookover B Squadron huts at the aerodrome
		having marched up from FORT GEORGE in 3 days.
	25	C Squadron did the "shoot in" in the afternoon spending
		the morning on maintenance. Nine of the Shermans are petrol

Page 12 of 13

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
TARBAT NESS	25	ones on loan from the 13/15 RH some are very new and give
		a lot of trouble with choked filters
	26	C Squadron did two battle practice runs: owing
		to there being a wireless silence control by the Squadron
		Leader was almost impossible; however the runs went
		well and good use was made of ground and smoke. One
		tank rolled on to its side into a brook, the side of the bridge
		collapsing as the tank was passing over; no casualties.
	27	C Squadron did another battle run in the morning and handed
		over tanks to A Squadron in the afternoon.
	28	A Squadron carried out a "shoot in" in the afternoon doing
		maintenance in the morning.
	29	A Sqn did two battle practice runs to-day.
	30	A Sqn did their last battle practice run to-day; this was a good
		run, movement of troops, use of smoke & shooting being well done.

Page 13 of 13

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
TAIN	31	A Sqn handed over tanks to the 13/18 R.H. in the afternoon and
		in the evening departed by train for LANGHOLM.
		C Sqn went on Squadron leave from LANGHOLM to-day.

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War Diary: 4th - 7th Dragoon Guards

Month and year: January 1944

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