War Diary: 5th Battalion Duke Cornwall Light Infantry

Month and year: May 1944

The 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (DCLI) May 1944 War Diary covers the units training, including anti tank training and breaching minefields.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1280

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Page 1 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CROWHURST PARK			GENERAL
			The month of May 1944 was for the Bn a month
			of intensive preparation for overseas movement. In
			particular all "Light scales" vehicles underwent
			the preliminary stages of waterproofing, and several
			trials were carried out with regard to vehicle
			loads. Final checks of all clothing and equipment
			took place, and the Bn disposed of all stores
			surplus to G 1098 scale.
			A great deal of time was devoted to sport
			with the two fold object of fostering an Inter-Coy
			Competative spirit and reaching a high standard
			of physical fitness. Inter-Coy competitious took place
			in football athletic sports and boxing.
			Entertainment was provided by a Class "B" Ensa

Page 2 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CROWHURST PARK			show every Tuesday evening, and film shows every
			Wednesday and Thursday evening all Coys were
			able for the first half of the month to make
			use of "recreational transport facilities which
			enabled men to visit Hastings at least once a week.
			Training was for the most part confined to
			shooting, laying and clearing of mines, passing
			transport through a minefield, marching and
			patrolling. There were however two exercises
			involving (i) a Brigade attack with air support, and
			(ii) a Brigade in a defensive posn for 24 hours.
			Three cadres were run for N.C.O's which included
			drill, regimental duties, regimental history, and
			discipline. The last cadre was attended by four
			subalterns.

Page 3 of 19

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CROWHURST	1	4 offrs (Major James [2i/c], Capt Coode [O.C."S"Coy], Lt
		Birchenall [Pnr offr] and Lt Willcocks [Int offer] and
		21 OR's (incl the Int see and representatives of the
		Pnr Pl and A/Tk Pl) visited an exhibition of enemy
		and allied tanks, weapons and equipment at the
		Imperial War Museum, Lambeth. The visit was of
		great training value and much appreciated.
		5 DCLI Adm Instr No 1 was issued. This	Appx "A"
		adm order covered the preparation to be carried
		out before the Bn received the code word ordering
		"Concentration" It included the order of battle of
		offers, N.C.O's, and the nominal roll of "R" Coy.
	1-2	a cadre for junior N.C.O's which had started
		on 30th April was continued under Capt JBB Aimers.
	3-6	The Bn, less the A/Tk pl, marched to the

Page 4 of 19

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
CROWHURST	3-6	South Downs training area to take part in a
		Brigade exercise with air support on the 5th May.
		On the night 3/4 May the Bn bivouacked in the
		area of LAUGHTON (6 miles east of LEWES). On the
		night of 4/5 May the bivouac area was PEACEHAVEN,
		where through the kindness of the 6th Bn Som L.I.
		our men were able to sleep under cover as the
		march to the South Down's area had been non-
		tactical, all ranks were allowed to proceed out
		on the evening of the 4th with the result that
		many Officers and men were able to visit Brighton
		and Newhaven on the 5th May, the Bde exercise
		took place, which was not as successful as had
		been hoped. The squadron of planes which had
		been expected to Co-operate was represented by

Page 5 of 19

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
CROWHURST	3-6	four planes, which failed to fire the pre arranged
		recognition signal calling for the display of
		coloured triangles by the leading troops, after
		having arrived late. After the exercise, the Bn
		marched back to CROWHURST bivouacking at LAUGHTON
		on the night 5/6 May. It was estimated that
		those who had taken part in the exercise
		marched over 70 miles in the four days 3-6 May.
	4-6	The A/Tk Pl proceeded to LYDD ranges for practice
		firing. The Commanding officer watched the shooting
		on the morning of the 4th and the Divisional
		Commander also paid a brief visit.
	7	The Bn had the day off
	8	The day was devoted to administration by Coys.
		all Light Scales vehicles were painted with a five-

Page 6 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Crowhurst	8		pointed White Star.
			In the evening a dinner-party was held in the
			offers Mess at which the officers of "R" Coy were
			the guests of the Mess, as R Coy was being posted
			away from the unit on the following day but one.
	9		All personnel in the Bn who had not tested
			their respirators for three months did so under
			arrangments made by the Bn gas offer (Lt Portrait)
		1730	The Bde Comd addressed all offers in the grounds
			of Battle abbey. His chief reason for summoning the
			offers of the Bde was to impress on them the
			very great need for security during the forthcoming
			weeks and If emphasize each officer's personal
			responsibility in this connection. He also referred
			to Defence tactics, discipline, man-management

Page 7 of 19

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
CROWHURST.	9	and morale.
	9-11	a second juniors N.C.O's cadre was run by Capt
		Aimers.
	9	a number of inter-Coy transfers were put into
		affect in order to Complate the establishment of "R"
		Coy prior to it being posted away on 10th May.
		An ENSA (Cat. "B") concert was shown in the NAAFI
		tent. The artists were entertained in the Officers'
		mess after the show.
	10	"R" Coy was posted away from the Bn, and
		its members were taken on the strength of various
		Reinforcement Holding Units.
		The A/Tk Pl visited FOULNESS A/Tk range,
		where the shooting showed a very great improvement
		over that of the previous week. The Div Comd and Bde
		Comd were present during some of the practices.

Page 8 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
CROWHURST	11	0915	The 2nd in Command (Major R.W. James) gave a lecture
			to all drivers, DR.'s, the Pioneer Platoon and the Jul???
			section on the drill for the passage of F ech
			transport through a minefield by day and by
			night
		1100	All drivers were given the experience of driving
			through a menefield gap by day. The pionner platoon
			had breached a gap in an imaginary minifield
			and placed the necessary marking signs in position.
		2200	The same exercise was repeated by night using
			coloured lamps and tape to mark the edges of
			the minifield gap.
	12		A and B Coys had the day off.
			At about 1300 hrs, information was received to
			the effect that the Prime ministers of Great Britain

Page 9 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CROWHURST	12		Canada, South Africa , Australia and New Zealand would
			be passing in Cars that afternoon about a mile and a
			half from the Camp. More than half the Bn was
			able to line the route and cheer the Prime Ministers
			as they passed.
			5 Canadian officers who had been loaned to the	MAJ J.H.J. Gauthier
			British government under the "CANLOAN" scheme arrived for	Capt. C. Deluca
			attachment to this Bn for about a fortnight.	Lt M.W. Hardy.
			An ENSA concert party called The Nightlights"	Lt. B.D.J. Comolli
			gave a performance in the NAAFI tent after which	Lt. M.C.P. Rush.
			the artistes were entertained in the Officers' Mess.
	14	1200	There was a Bn Mess Resting, after which the Co.
			spoke to all Officers. He wished special attentoin to be
			paid to drill and saluting and would arrange for periods of instruction for offers in Regtl Custom and

Page 10 of 19

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CROWHURST	14	History, and also "How to inspect a man's kit"
	15	A photographer visited the Bn and look photographs	See Appendix "B"
		of all Coy groups, the Officers' Mess, the Sgts Mess
		and various Pl and see groups.
		In the afternoon a Bn Athletic sports meeting
		was held th a field near to the Camp. It was
		organised by the Bn Sports offer (Major F.A.L. Vuwdrey).
		The band played during the afternoon and many
		officers and OR's wives were able to attand as well
		as certain local people who had received invitations.
		The meeting was run on an inter-Coy basis and
		a programme of events is attached.
		In the evening the officers and Sgts had a social
		evening together. The Sgts first visited the Officers'
		Mess, and the party takes adjourned to the Sjt's

Page 11 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
CROWHURST	15		mess, where entertainment was provided in the form of
			various competitions
	16	1400	The 2nd in-Command (acting in place of the Commanding
			officer who had suffered a back injury in the
			Athletic Sports Meeling) carried out a recce for "Ex Tig"
			which was to take place on the 25th and 26th May.
		1930	An ENSA concert party "Moods and Modes" gave
			a performance in the N.A.A.F.I. tent
	17	0730	The 2 i/c held a Tng Conference at which he allotted
			ranges and settled datails of Mine training for all Coys.
		1130	The Co gave a talk to the Bn on the german
			system of holding the Continent" and described the
			type of German soldier that we should be likely to
			meet in the near future.
	18		a platoon from the 1st Bn Worcs Regt gave a demon-

Page 12 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
CROWHURST	18		stration to all Rifle Coys of "Fighting through the
			objective". It was exceedingly well carried out and
			embodied the latest teachings from the School of
			Infantry.
			the 2nd-in Command carried out a further recce for
			Exercise Tig.
			all Coys had training by the Pioneer officer in
			all types of mines
		1800	Major G.A.L. Vawdrey delivered a lecture to all
			offrs on "Regimental Custom" in the offers Mess
		1945	The Band played Oh the lawn outside the Offer Mess.
			during dinner.
	19		The Bn had the day off
	20		Hythe New Range was allotted to the Bn and
			120 men who had not hitherto completed their

Page 13 of 19

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CROWHURST	20	classification with the rifle did so.
		In the afternoon the Bn look part th a Bde
		Athletic Sports Meeting in the grounds of Battle abbey.	Programme attached
		The results were quite close, but the Bn was not	Appx "C"
		quite up to the standard of the other two Bns.
		5 DCLl. Movement Instruction No 1 was issued
		in which were set out the Unit Light Scales Staff	Appx "D"
		Tables, and complete Vehicle loading Tables.
		5 DCLl. Op Instr No 2 was issued dealing	Appx "E"
		with the operational role of the Bn whilst in the
		Concentration area
	21	"A" and "C" Coys visited Hythe New Range to
		Complete LMG classification
	22	B and D Coys visited Hythe New Range to
		complete L.M.G. classification

Page 14 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CROWHURST	22		the A/Tk Pl had further range practice at Langley
			Pt A/Tk range
	22-24		The 3rd N.C.O's Cadre was run by Capt J.B.B. Aimers
			This Cadre was attended by a few officers.
	22		Lt Cullin (Public Relations) visited the unit and
			met all afficers in the mess. He will report on all
			units of 214 Bde for the Press.
	22	1615	RQMS appleton gave a lecture on Regtl History
			to the NCO's Cadre which was attended by all offers
			and W.O's.
			5 DCHI Movement Instr No 2 was issued, dealing	Appx "F"
			with Rd Mov and traffic instructions within 21
			Army Group area
			5 DCLI Adm Order No 2 was issued, dealing with	Appx "G"
			the exchange of sterling for foreign Currency before

Page 15 of 19

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
CROWHURST	22	Embarkation and instructions for the closing of all
		accounts.
	23	All Coy Comds and Int??? offr accompanied the
		CO and 2 i/c to a dinner party given by the
		offrs of 173 Bty (affiliated Bty)
	24	CO. and 2 i/c spoke to all members of the Bn
		who were going to take part in the Bde Exercise
		TIG on the 25/ 26 May, to practice the occupation of,
		and routine in a defensive position)
	25-26	The Bn took part in Ex TIG "Enemy" was provided
		by a Coy of the 1st Bn Worcs Regt which carried
		out recce patrols by day and fighting patrols by
		night. Major James (Commanding the Bn for the Exercise)
		viewed the Bn posns from the Ach GP and was very
		satisfied by the Concealment and camouflage. For

Page 16 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
CROWHURST	25-26		the first time On any exercise a Bn News-sheet	Appx "H" and "I"
			was produced for the information of the tps.
		1800	The Co held a conference of all offrs, at which
			he informed them that wef. 0900 hrs 28 May the
			Bh would be at 6 hrs notice to move. This order
			would mean restriction of passes to some degree
			and also smaller Bh bounds.
			The Padre gave a talk on Burials and documentation
			in the field.
	27		5 DCLI. Admin Instru No 3 was issued which lald	Appx "J"
			down the degree of readiness, the Bh bounds, and
			regulations with regard to passes.
		1800	The Mas??? Pl were given an allocation of the South
			Downs area and carried out practice firing.
			One L Sec Sigs (with 15 CWT Wireless) and one

Page 17 of 19

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
CROWHURST	27		Bearer sec from 213 Fd Amb reported to the Bn for
			permanent attachment
	28		a full-scale "practice move" out of the Camp
			area was held at which all Vehicles were loaded
			and personal held ready to move. The Bde Comd
			inspected all vehicles, accompanied by the CO.
	29	1000	CO, 2 i/c, all Coy Comds, hior??? offr, Lut??? offs and
			Lut??? Sgt attended a lecture by the Div. Comd at
			the Embassy Cinema, TENTERDEN The C.R.A. spoke
			about "Counter Mortar fire" after which the Div Comd
			summed up, and then spoke about certain aspects
			of forthcoming operations. He disclosed the estimated
			degree of air superiority which the allies could
			hope to have, and expressed his confident belief
			in victory.

Page 18 of 19

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
29	2045	The CO. held a conference on "Loading" at which the
		maximum loads were laid down for all classes of
		vehicle.
30		In the morning further loading trials took place
		and all vehicles were weighed in HASTINGS.
		In the afternoon the Final of the Inter-Pl football
		Competition was played and which was won by 17
		pl D Coy. The Co. gave prices to the winners at
		the conclusion of the match.
		5 DCLI. Adm Instr No 4 was issued which	Appx "k"
		dealt with the loading of Vehicles, Sups in the
		marshalling Area etc.
31		The Co. attended a talk by the C-in-C 21 Army
		Gp (General Sir Bernard Montgomary) given to all CO's
		in 12 Corps

Page 19 of 19

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
31		a fire occurred in the camp in which one tent
		was completely burned out. It was caused by a
		British plane jettisoning a patrol tank which
		burst into flames on impact with the ground. No
		casualties were sustained
	1945	The offrs of 173 Bty (affiliated to this unit)
		were invived to dinner. The band played on the
		lawn outside the officers Mess.

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War Diary: 5th Battalion Duke Cornwall Light Infantry

Month and year: May 1944

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