War Diary: 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Regiment - 260 Battery

Month and year: April 1944

The 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Anti Tank Regiment's 260th Anti Tank Battery April 1944 war diary covers the units time in the UK based at Kimberley Hall

National Archive Reference: WO 171/921

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Page 1 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Kimberley Hall	1st	0600	Battery left with skeleton representation, 6 Offrs & 43 ORs for exercise
			"Shudder" at 1715hrs arriving concentration area at 1900 hrs.
"	2nd	0600	First day of exercise "Shudder" under Comd of 1/7th Queens, approach march
			to Swaffham and establishment of firm base at end of day. Exercise was held
			in very heavy rain which continued nearly the whole day. Clean parade of
			personnel left in camp but no Church Parade.
"	3rd	0600	The B.C. Comd the Regt, 2i/c taking command of the Battery for the second
			and last day of exercise. This time under comd 1/5th Queens. Exercise ended
			at 1330 hrs. One M 10 of "J" Troop bogged trying to cross marsh ground for
			C.R.A's experiment. The M 10 arrived in camp at 2130 hrs after salvage by
			22nd Armd Bde Workshops.
"	4th	0600	Capt Gregory of R.Armd Corps unit maintenance inspectorate visited the
			Battery and discussed M 10 problems with Troop Comds. B.C attended to C.Os.
			conference at 0930hrs.

Page 2 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Kimberley Hall	5th	0600	Waterproofing of "B" vehicle was proceeded with, and the Bty had the advice
			again of Capt Gregory. A quite day otherwise.
"	6th	0600	The B.C & 2 i/c attended 131 Bde conference at King's Lynn on exercises
			"Shiver & Shudder".
"	7th	0600	The B.C attended the 131 Bde T.E.W.T at Castle Rising (1241) North of King's
			Lynn. A party fired Sten guns at Wicklewood.
"	8th	0600	The Regiment was inspected by General Sir R.Gordon-Finlayson KCB, CMG, DSO,
			Col Comd RHA in the morning. He said later "He was much impressed with
			the smart turnout of men & equipment". The C.O spoke to all O.Rs who have
			joined the Battery since Sept 1943.
"	9th	0600	Declared holiday for Easter within the Division.
"	10th	0600	The B.C and 2 i/c attended T.E.W.T. with 8th Hussars conducted by the Colonel.
			Normal training for the Battery.
"	11th	0600	A party u/c Lt J.Brewer.RA went to Thetford Rifle Ranges, approx 40 ORs.
			Troop Comds attended 131 Bde T.E.W.T. at Castle-Rising

Page 3 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Kimberley Hall.	12th	0600	The Bty started for concentration area for scheme "Kangaroo" Bivouac area
			Frog Hill 3209.
"	13th	0600	Exercise "Kangaroo" not a great success due to the enemy arriving in the
			wrong place and not hurling themselves on to our firm base,as was laid on.
			Own Troops 5th R.T.R, 4th C.L.Y, 1 R.B less 1 coy, 5th RHA, 259 & 260 Btys
			1 Tp 4th Fd Sqn RE, Bde HQ. Enemy Troops 1 RTR, C coy RB, CC Bty 5th RHA.
			The Bty arrived home at approx 1645hrs.
"	14th	0600	The Bty left for Foulness Ranges at approx 1000 hrs arriving 1630. Fine
			weather and a good run.
"	15th	0600	Firing on Foulness Ranges. The weather was good for visibility and the Bty
			expended 360 rnds. Results were poor, due in some parts to sickness of
			normal layers. The Fire discipline was below average and not withstanding
			the above excuse results were disappointing.

Page 4 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Kimberley Hall.	16th	0600	The Bty moved off from Foulness at 0730 hrs arriving back in Camp at 1230hrs.
			The weather was poor today and no firing could have taken place at Foulness
			so we were lucky. 2/Lt Ugarte left at 1530 hrs for Holme Range Thornham
			194622 with 9 M 10s for Zeroing tomorrow. The Nos 1, layers & loaders leave
			tomorrow morning.
"	17th	0600	Nine M 10s Zeroed guns on Thornham Ranges, good quick results being obtained.
			The Party then returned to camp. The BSM took the remainder to Wicklewood
			Range for Sten practice.
"	18th	0600	Normal training proceeded. With the help of 257 Bty instruction was carried
			out on 17 pdrs, Breech-Buffer & recuperators etc. A Concert by the "Rocket
			Concert Party" was held in the YMCA in the evening a good turnout and fair
			entertainment. Battery Football Comp. BHQ nil V "J" Tp 6.
"	19th	0600	Normal training. Miniature Range at Wicklewood inspected by B.C and approved
			for M 10s with Bren attachment. Rain at night. Battery Football Comp "K"Tp 1 v "L Tp 3.
"	20th	0600	Bty preparations for Exercise "Kelly's Eye". Moving at 1200 hrs for concentration
			area (2733) Castle Area Troops taking part mainly 33 Armd Bde (Lackford)

Page 5 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Kimberley Hall.	21st	0600	Exercise "Kelly's Eye". The exercise was really to practice the 3 Armd Regts
			of an Armd Bde and the Bty had a very uninteresting time, as the exercise
			was an advance and no defensive positions or tasks were allotted to us.
			Practice was gained howerer in W/T proceedure etc. Camp was reached at 1700 hrs.
"	22nd	0600	The C.O. took Trp Sgts on observation of fire on Sanctuary Range, Burnham
			Norton 2962. D Bty 3 RHA provided the GPO and 1 25pdr. Capt Hill, Lt Brown
			2/Lt Ugarte also attended.
"	23rd	0600	A Church Service (Voluntary) was held at Carleton Forehoe Church for
			National Day of Prayer. Clean Parade held at 1000 hrs. Gnr Walsh played in
			the Regtl Football Team who beat the RASC 12-0.
"	24th	0600	Vehicle loading trials of G 1098 stores were held, which were very successful.
			A Scissors (Turtle) Bridge demonstration was given by Lt Culver of Div Fd
			Pk Sqn. All M 10 drivers, driving over the bridge. Capt Richardson of AFV
			Inspectorate attached to the Regt from 22nd Apr to 26th Apr carried out
			inspections of "K" Troops M 10s.

Page 6 of 6

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Kimberley Hall	25th	0600	A start was made on M 10 miniature range at Wicklewood (5320) ."J" Troop
			receiving quite useful instruction, other training for "K & L" Troops
			including W/T procedure in the Kimberley Area.
"	26th	0600	The Battery moved out on a half day scheme to training area near Honingham
			(5831) good experience in siting of guns was obtained by Nos 1. 4 drivers
			went to Lowestoft to practice sea wading.
"	27th	0600	4 more drivers proceeded to Lowestoft for sea wading in water proofed
			vehicles. M 10 miniature range for "K" Troop. A football team of Officers &
			Sgts lost to a team from 257 Battery 2 - 1.
"	28th	0600	Normal Training. "L" Troop on miniature range. 4 more drivers to Lowestoft.
			A.B.C.A in afternoon.
	29th	0600	B.C & 2 i/c sat on Regtl O.C.T.U. selection board. Maintenance and clean
			parade held for G.O.C's inspection next Monday.
	30th	0600	Quiet Sunday. The Regt played a football match V 525 Hvy S/L Bty, winning
			3 - 0,Sgt Curling,L/Sgt Mitchelson, & Gnr Walsh played in the team.
			Weather Fine & Warm.

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War Diary: 65th Norfolk Yeomanry Regiment - 260 Battery

Month and year: April 1944

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