5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment War Diary: December 1944
National Archive Reference: WO 171/1264
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| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST RIQUIER | 1-23 | - | Activities normal during the month. Billets were prepared for the reception of a new draft, and all N.C.O.'s continued with refresher cadres in field work, W.T. and P.T. On Dec 10 a draft of graded men arrived bringing the Battalion strength to approximately 380. Daily programmes of intensive training were carried out. The weather was in the main unsettled, and generally wet. |
| 24 | 2000 | Instructions for an immediate move were received. The Battalion was withdrawn into L of C reserve, and formed into a Mobile Column to deal with formations of Parachute Troops which were being dropped behind the Allied lines during the German Winter Offensive in the Ardenne. At 2000 hrs the Battalion left their location for Lille, where they were under six hours notice to move. The composition of the Mobile Column is contained in 5 R. Berks Admn. Instr No 1 | |
| LILLE | 25 | 200 | Arrived at new location, and billetted in Staging Camp. Throughout the Christmas the Battalion was ready to move within two hours to counter paratroop activities within the L of C area. A number of practise moves were held during the later days of the month. |
| 26-31 | Specialised training for mobile column work was arried out. Position remained normal and the Battalion was not called for. |
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