War Diary of the 14th Army Tank Battalion (The Calgary Regiment)

November 1941 (Volume 10)

Place

Date

Hour

Summary of Events and Information

Headley, Hants

1/11/41

 

Regular Saturday morning routine - a weekly clean-up of quarters and equipment.
November opened with the 14th Army Tank Battalion (The Calgary Regiment) CAC, CA(A) quartered in Headley, Hants with headquarters at Headley Mount.  A detailed account of these quarters was given in the last volume of the diary dated October 1941.
The Regiment is still equipped with Infantry Tanks Mark IIA Star (Matildas) but word has been received that the regiment will be changed to Mark IV Tanks as soon as possible.  The Mark IV Infantry Tank is the 35-40 ton Churchill tank which is petrol operated and mounts in addition to the 2 pounder and besa of the Matilda, an additional besa or 3” gun.  The change to these tanks will necessitate quite a reorganisation of the battalion for it means an increase of one man (a gunner) per crew.

   

1600

Lieutenant-Colonel GR Bradbrooke MC psc, Officer Commanding, returned from a one week course that he has been attending at Bovington AFV School.  This course was a short course covering all phases of tank training - ie. gunnery, wireless and D&M,

   

2115

An air-raid warning was sounded in the immediate vicinity of the battalion area but no warning was received by the unit.  Considerable air activity was observed, but a detailed account of this was not obtained because of the darkness.  The ‘all clear’ was heard at 2130 hrs.

Headley, Hants

2/11/41

 

Regular Sunday routine of no parades with the exception of voluntary church parades.

   

1400

A brigade board presided over by the Officer Commanding the 12th Army Tank Battalion [Three Rivers Regiment] was held in the 12th Battalion lines for the purpose of testing all the 2/Lieutenents of the Brigade.  The following officers of this battalion were examined by the board: 2/Lieuts Payne, Wallace, Richardson, Allison, Lord, McIndoe, Cross and Watkin.  The first two officers, 2/Lieuts Payne and Wallace, were brought back from a course that they were attending at the Bovington AFV School for this board.

   

1400

A party of 32 other ranks (8 from each squadron) left to attend an 8-week course at … [off the page]

Headley, Hants

3/11/41

0900

The infantry-tank co-operation exercises that this regiment has been carrying out with battalions of the 7th Inf Brigade continued.  The unit with which this regiment is now working is the Canadian Scottish Regiment from Victoria, British Columbia.  In the morning a demonstration of the organisation and equipment of an Army Tank Squadron was put on for them.  In addition they were also shown the tanks moving in the various tank formations used when acting with the infantry.  After this demonstration, Officers and NCOs of the Infantry Battalion were given the opportunity to ride in a tank so that they might better understand the problems of vision and keeping direction with which the tank commander is confronted.
In the afternoon, Lieut-Colonel Bradbrooke spoke to the officers of the Canadian Scottish on the role of tanks in co-operation with infantry, and what part the infantry were counted on to perform.  After this lecture the officers were guided to the ground on which the exercise was to be held and given an opportunity to reconnoitre it.

   

2000

The regular Monday evening officers meeting was held in the officers mess at Headley Mount.  Colonel Bradbrooke brought up many points for discussion regarding training and administration of the battalion.

Headley, Hants

4/11/41

0745

Colonel Bradbrooke and the OCs of A, B and C squadrons (Major Begg, Major Page and Capt Glenn) reconnoitred the ground over which the practice attack was to be made (ie. Ludshott Common next to ‘C’ Squadron Area).  Colonel Bradbrooke then gave his orders for the attack.
This attack, involving one squadron of tanks and one company of infantry, was made four times during the day so that each company of the infantry received the instruction and training of actually working with tanks.  The first of these attacks was got under way at approximately 1000 hours.

   

0930

Lieut DF Cameron left for a three-day attachment to #2 Cdn Air Liaison Section (attached to #400 Army Co-operation Squadron RCAF) at Odiham.

   

1000

One tank commanded by Lieut Douglas was detailed to proceed to Grayshott (two miles west of the battalion area) to have various pictures taken for the War Office.  This tank obligingly threw a track in the middle of the proceedings much to the delight of the photographers.

Headley, Hants

5/11/41

 

A regular day of training.  training is now concentrated more on gunnery, wireless and tactics than actually on the Mark IIA tanks, since it is now known that they are to be replaced by the Mark IV (Churchill) Tank.

   

1245

Brigadier FF Worthington issued orders for a tank-infantry co-operation scheme.  This regiment’s part of the scheme is to take place on Friday the seventh.  Colonel Bradbrooke and Captain JPC Atwood (Liaison Officer) then made a reconnaissance of the area.  This area is shown on the attached enlargement.

   

2000

A dance was held in Headley Village Hall for the men of ‘B’ Squadron.

Headley, Hants

6/11/41

 

The day was spent in maintenance of equipment and in preparation for the exercise to take place starting at 0300 hours tomorrow morning.  The battalion will be co-operating with the Canadian Scottish (Infantry) Regiment.  The enemy during the scheme will be one A/T Regiment and theoretical infantry.

Headley, Hants

7/11/41

0100

Reveille.  Tank-infantry co-operation exercise details on attached appendix.

   

0300

Then leading squadron (‘B’) crossed the start line and proceeded to the rear assembly area - MC 348616 (Ref map ‘Aldershot Command’).  The move was made during a very dark night.  The sky was cloudy and no moon was visible until 0600 hours.  The regiment was complete in the rear assembly by 0445 hours.
The unit remained in the assembly area until a few minutes before ten o’clock when it advanced to the Forming Up Position and crossed the start line at 1000 hours.
‘A’ Sqn was on the right flank, ‘B’ Sqn and ‘HQ’ Sqn on the right and left centre respectively, and ‘C’ Sqn on the left flank.  This meant that the battalion was moving up in a three-up formation.
The purpose of this move was to launch the Canadian Scottish (Infantry) Regiment on the final objective.
The Canadian Scottish were successfully lodged on the first objective by 1030 hours and the attack proceeded to the second objective which was taken by 1045 hours.
The tanks were back in the forward assembly area by 1115 hours.  During the attack, the infantry-tank co-operation was extremely good.
By a surprise flanking movement on the right flank, one troop of ‘A’ Sqn was able to come up behind the unsuspecting enemy HQ and all of the HQ personnel were taken prisoner.
The unofficial highlight of the scheme was the Medical Officer stranded in a swamp with his carrier, where he was forced to remain until rescued by the LAD (this meant that the evacuation of casualties during the scheme was greatly hindered.)
Another incident worthy of note was the misadventure that befell Major Begg (OC ‘A’ Sqn).  A message was received at Battalion HQ that his squadron had all crossed the start line in perfect formation as prearranged, and that he was just going to proceed along the centre line.  However when he gave the order ‘Driver advance,’ nothing happened.  His tank wouldn’t move.  It had gradually but surely been sinking into the mud.  The tank was finally extracted.

   

1200

Lunch was prepared in the portable cookers under squadron arrangements.

   

1500

All squadrons were reported back in their squadron areas.

Headley, Hants

8/11/41

 

Regular Saturday routine.  A second educational tour to Portsmouth under the direction of H/Capt WEL Smith (Regimental Padre) left the unit lines to visit the docks, etc, at Portsmouth.  The main feature of the trip was a visit to the HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship.  This ship was damaged some time ago by German bombs, but is still largely complete, and is still open to public inspection.

Headley, Hants

9/11/41

 

Clear, cold.  Today, being the last Sunday before Armistice Day (1918), was marked by special church parades.  Sixty all-ranks of the regiment, under the command of Major J Begg, attended a service at Winchester Cathedral in Winchester.  This party left the unit lines at 0830 hours and were transported to Winchester.
Several veterans of the unit, under the command of Capt JPC Atwood, attended a church service conducted by the Headley branch of the British Legion in the Headley Parish Church.
The regular church service was also held in Headley Parish Church by H/Capt WEL Smith.

   

1900

At a church hall in Hindhead, Sir Harry Brittain spoke to a group of men of the unit on the subject ‘Pre-War Europe.’  This was arranged through courtesy of the Hindhead Women’s Auxiliary.

Headley, Hants

10/11/41

 

Rain.  The regular Monday ‘Vehicle Holiday’ was observed and the day was spent in maintenance.

   

2000

An officers meeting was held in the Headquarters Officers Mess.  The scheme of last week was discussed and points to be corrected in future exercises were brought out.  It was understood that Brigadier Worthington was pleased with the exercise and that the tank-infantry co-operation had worked out very well.

Headley, Hants

11/11/41

 

Armistice Day (1918) was observed by the wearing of a red poppy by all ranks.  No silence was observed at 1100 hours as had been the practice in former years.
Training continued as usual.  A recce was made of the route to be used for the forthcoming ‘Tucker’ Preliminary Exercise #1.

Headley, Hants

12/11/41

 

A regular day of training.

   

1100

At the regular Squadron Leaders conference held in the office of the Officer Commanding, Major JA Macdonald (Acting OC) issued orders for an exercise to be held on Thursday, Nov 13 1941.  This is a preliminary exercise for a Brigade scheme (to be known as ‘Tucker’) to be held on the 17-18th November.  Both the ‘Tucker’ exercise and its preliminary exercises are to involve wheeled vehicles only (that is, ‘A’ and ‘B’ echelons only).

Headley, Hants

13/11/41

 

The morning was spent in preparation for the scheme to start in the afternoon.

   

1500

In a regular downpour of rain the leading squadron passed the start line.  The order of march was A Sqn, B Sqn, HQ Sqn and C Sqn.  Just at the start line the ‘A’ Sqn was split up when the third vehicle made the wrong turn.  This latter portion of the squadron managed to join in with another squadron and thus finally arrived intact.
The rain made the roads very wet and in the places where the column proceeded across country following small trails, the land was a regular sea of mud and water.

   

1715

The regimental column arrived at the regulating point on Hankley Common where guides directed the vehicles to the squadron harbours.  (See attached enlargement of the area.)

   

2130

The vehicles had all been settled in harbour and supper had been served.  The large percentage of the unit were in bed and asleep when orders were issued that the unit would move at 2200 hours.
The order of march was to have been C Sqn, A Sqn, HQ Sqn and lastly B Sqn, but at the start HQ Sqn was delayed, and B Sqn moved of ahead of it with the result that HQ Sqn was in the rear.  The column proceeded via Churt to the battalion area.  During this move the rain had settled down to a fine drizzle and finally stopped.  It was a fine clear night when the various squadrons broke off and proceeded to their own squadron areas.

Headley, Hants

14/11/41

0930

Major Macdonald issued orders that the A and B echelons of the battalion were to be ready to move at one hour’s notice after 1230 hours today.  (Tucker – Preliminary #2)

   

1100

At the regular squadron leaders conference, Major Macdonald issued orders that the unit would move at 1400 hours on the route given out at that time.  (See appendix)

   

1330

Recce party left with TCP personnel to precede the main party over the route.

   

1400

The A and B echelons of all squadrons formed up and ‘B’ Sqn passed the start line.

   

1550

The column arrived at the meeting point and guides led the squadrons to their harbour (the same areas were used as on the preceding night- however, the squadrons occupied different areas.)
In harbour, supper was prepared and served.  Word was given out that the move out would be made at 1830 hours.

   

1830

A heavy fog had rolled over Hankley Common and visibility was nil when the convoy moved out of the harbour area.  The same route home was taken as on the previous night.

Headley, Hants

15/11/41

 

The ‘Tucker’ exercise is now known to take place on Monday and Tuesday next so that most squadrons spent the day in maintenance of wheeled vehicles.  Monday is the regular maintenance holiday, but since vehicles will be on the move then, today was used for maintenance.
Today the 15th of November has been declared the deadline for Christmas mail for Canada – frantic letter-writing was evident in most quarters during the afternoon.

Headley, Hants

16/11/00

0930

Major JA Macdonald MC (Acting Officer Commanding), Capt FT Jenner (Adjutant) and Lieut DF Cameron (IO) went to Brigade HQ for Operation orders for the exercise Tucker to start on Monday 17th November 1941.

   

1430

Battalion orders issued to Squadron Leaders and Recce Officers.
These orders are all embodied in the Brigade Operational Order #1 (‘Tucker’) attached in the appendix.

Headley, Hants

17/11/41

 

Exercise ‘Tucker’.  The narrative of the situation on which this exercise was based is given in the attached appendix.
Weather: cloudy, cool with occasional showers.

   

0900

‘A’ and ‘B’ echelon vehicles of the battalion crossed the regimental start line (the Wheatsheaf Inn) in Headley and proceeded through Bordon Camp toward the regimental start-line at Selborne (Ref OS Sheet 123 MC 1822).  The order of march was ‘A’ Echelon leading in the order ‘A’ Sqn, ‘HQ’ Sqn, ‘C’ Sqn and ‘B’ Sqn followed by ‘B’ Echelon vehicles in the same order.

   

0950

The head of the battalion column arrived at the Brigade start-line to find that the 11th Battalion (The Ontario Regiment) had not yet crossed the start line.  It was therefore necessary to send our column on a short detour to give the 11th Battalion time to pass.

   

1040

The battalion crossed the Brigade start-line and proceeded on the route shown in the attached appendices.

   

1500

The ‘A’ and ‘B’ Echelons of the battalion were in harbour at ‘No Man’s Land’ by 1500 hours.  (Ref OS Sheet 131 in the area bounded by 696382 – 690375).  The harbour area itself was good.  Large well-spaced trees over excellent cover, while between these trees, holly bushes gave concealment from ground observation.
#414 Squadron RCAF was co-operating on the scheme and were attempting to follow the movements of the brigade by air-observation only.  By 1800 hours they had reported the locations of all units within the Brigade except that of the 14th.  (Brigade HQ and Brigade HQ Sqn were the ones ‘spotted’ first.)

   

2200

Orders were received that the ‘second phase’ of the exercise would not start before 1200 hours on the 18-11-41.

In Harbour, Sheet 131 MC 697375

18/11/41

0700

Reveille.  Weather: cloudy, cool.  Occasional showers in the afternoon.

   

0830

Inspection of all unit harbour areas by the Brigade commander and all officers commanding.

   

0900

Orders were received that the ‘A’ Echelon of the battalion would move to a forward assembly area in the area about Newton (Ref Sheet 131 – 6772) at 1330 hours.

   

1230

Harbour parties and harbour officers left for the Newton area.

   

1330

The ‘A’ Echelon of all squadrons proceeded to a harbour in the area 685720 (Ref OS Sheet 131).  This harbour was in an area covered by deciduous trees, which at this season were bare of leaves.  The ground among the trees was very soft and muddy and although some difficulty was experienced, all the vehicles were harboured safely.

   

1430

Brigade Operation Order #2 (‘Tucker’) was received from ‘B’ Echelon.  This ordered the Battalion to move to a new harbour area in the vicinity of Bramdean (Ref Sheet 123 MC 0547) which was about 25 miles away.  The battalion was to cross a start line seven miles away at 1600 hours.  Orders were given by Major JA Macdonald (Acting OC) that the unit would pass a regimental start line at 1525 where ‘A’ Echelon would be joined by ‘B’ Echelon moving from the ‘No Man’s Land’ harbour.

   

1600

The battalion passed the brigade start line and proceeded by the road south of Winchester to Bramdean (See attached appendices).

   

1800

The last vehicles of the column were harboured before dark in the area on the south side of the main road in the area about 056473 (Ref Sheet 123).

   

1930

Orders were received from Brigade that the Battalion would proceed to its billet area in Headley.

   

2015

The head of the column left the harbour area for the night move back to the unit lines.  The night was cloudy which made it very dark.  The darkness and the slight fog in the lower areas caused the convoy to travel at a slow speed.

   

2130

The battalion column arrived at Headley without incident, and the squadrons dispersed to their squadron areas.
On the whole the Tucker scheme went off very well.  There were numerous incidents – humorous and otherwise- that do not appear in this summary, but in the end everything went off according to plan.  Despite the success of the exercise there were many sighs of relief when the column returned to Headley.

Headley, Hants

19/11/41

 

Today the battalion took over its first Mark IV Tanks (Churchills).  The Mark IIA Tanks (Matildas) with which the battalion is now equipped are being turned in as Mark IVs become available.  Present indications are that the changes will be made quite quickly for more and more Churchills are being made available for issue to regiments.
The 12th Army Tank Battalion [Three Rivers Regiment] is also being equipped with the Churchill at the same time so that the whole brigade will shortly be armed with them.
Of the two Churchill tanks received today, one is being allotted to each of ‘A’ and ‘C’ Squadrons.

Headley, Hants

20/11/41

 

A regular day of training.  Emphasis is being placed on the repair of Mark IIA tanks so that they will all be in running condition when they are turned in for new tanks.  Instruction on the Churchill tank is being carried out by the 11th Army Tank Battalion, with the object of qualifying drivers before they are put in charge of a tank.  It is planned to run a regimental school on the Churchill when a certain number of instructors have qualified in the school at the Ontario Regiment.
Instruction in gunnery and wireless continues.  With the exception of a wireless school all training is being carried out by troops.

   

2000

At the regular biweekly meeting of the Officers held in the HQ Officers Mess, Lieu-Col GR Bradbrooke announced that the Regiment must be prepared to move into its new area within ten days.  Although no announcement regarding the exact location of this area has been made, it is known that the Battalion will be somewhere in the vicinity of Brighton.  The Officers meeting then continued with a discussion of the Tucker scheme.

Headley, Hants

21/11/41

1500

The German propaganda film “Baptism of Fire” relating to the German invasion of Poland was shown to 300 all ranks of the battalion at the Wallington Theatre in Aldershot.

Headley, Hants

22/11/41

 

Regular Saturday morning routine of ‘interior economy’.

Headley, Hants

23/11/41

0900

Voluntary Roman Catholic and Protestant Church services were held in the churches at Headley.  The Protestant service was conducted by H/Capt WEL Smith.

Headley, Hants

24/11/41

0900

Lieut J McKinlay-Key left to attend a unit camouflage officers course at the South Eastern Command Camouflage Training Centre.

   

1700

Lieut Wallace, B Sqn, returned from a driving and maintenance course at the Bovington AFV School.

   

1800

Capt AJ Miller returned from an anti-gas school that he had been attending at the Canadian Training School at Camp Borden.

Headley, Hants

25/11/41

0900

Major JA Macdonald MC (Second in Command) left to attend a regimental officers school in Army cooking at the Army School of Cookery in Aldershot.  This is a two day course.
Capt DH Woodside, Officer Commanding Headquarters Squadron, left the battalion today to take up a position as ‘staff learner’ on the brigade headquarters staff of this brigade.  Capt Woodside came to the battalion on its mobilisation from Headquarters of Military District No.13 in Calgary, Alberta.  Capt Woodside was the first adjutant of the battalion and was later promoted to command Headquarters Squadron.
The Command of Headquarters Squadron is being taken over by Capt JPC Atwood MC who has, up to this time, been Battalion Liaison Officer.  Capt J Atwood was in charge of Headquarters Squadron previously, before Capt Woodside took over its command.

Headley, Hants

26/11/41

 

Capt A Woodhouse of HQ Sqn, Brigade Headquarters, 1st Cdn Army Tank Brigade, was attached to the battalion for regimental training.  Capt Woodhouse was assigned to ‘B’ Sqn.
The tank-drivers course for the Mark IV (Churchill) Tank being held by the Ontario Regiment (11th Army Tank Bn) is continuing.  A new group of drivers is being sent to this school each Monday.  This enables the battalion to have qualified Mark IV drivers available to take delivery of these new tanks as they are delivered to the battalion.
Regular training remains concentrated on gunnery, wireless and tactics rather than on driving and maintenance of the Mark IIA Tank.

Headley, Hants

27/11/41

0900

Ministry of Information Films were shown to men of all squadrons in Headley Village Hall.  These films are shown each week and are sponsored by the YMCA Auxiliary Services attached to the Brigade.

   

2000

The regular biweekly meeting of officers was held in HQ Officers Mess.  Lieut Col Bradbrooke lectured on tactics of an Army Tank Battalion, with particular emphasis on roles other than the tank-infantry role.

Headley, Hants

28/11/41

 

A regular day of training.

   

1730

Lieut Col Bradbrooke MC, the Officer Commanding, received word that he was on ‘twenty-four hour’ notice to leave the battalion.  Col Bradbrooke will proceed to one of the theatres-of-war as a military observer.  It is possible that the Colonel may return to the battalion in several months, but this is not likely.
It came as a profound shock to all in the battalion to hear of Col Bradbrooke’s departure, for he has commanded the battalion since its mobilisation and has been greatly admired by all ranks of the battalion.
In the evening a party for Col Bradbrooke was arranged by the officers at the ‘White Horse Inn’ in Haslemere.  Officers from all squadrons were present.  During the evening, Col Bradbrooke attended a Sergeants Mess Dance that was being held in Headley Village Hall.  RSM WAH Law announced the Colonel’s departure to the Sergeants and then Col Bradbrooke spoke briefly and said goodbye to his NCOs.  There were ‘Three Cheers for Colonel Bradbrooke,’ followed by ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’ which came right from the hearts of all the NCOs.
Later Col Bradbrooke visited B Sqn Officers Mess where all the officers had gathered.  Col Bradbrooke spoke to the officers, telling them that he was leaving and what he wished them to do when he had left.  Col Bradbrooke then presented his blue lanyard, worn only by officers of the Calgary Regiment, to H/Capt WEL Smith, the padre of the regiment, as a token of his appreciation for the work that Capt Smith had done among the men of the Regiment.

Headley, Hants

29/11/41

 

Regular Sunday morning routing.
During the afternoon, word was received from Brigade headquarters that the battalion’s new area will be at Seaford, Surrey [Sussex actually].  Arrangements were made for a representative of each squadron to visit the area and inspect the billets assigned to the battalion.

Headley, Hants

30/11/41

 

Voluntary church parades were held in the Village of Headley.
Daily vehicle state for the Regiment shows the following equipment in the possession of the Regiment on the last day of November:
Tanks Infantry Mark IV (Churchill) — 13
Tanks Infantry Mark IIA (Matilda) — 29
Scout Cars — 9
Motorcycles (solo) — 6
Cars, light utility — 2
Lorries, 30 cwt — 14
Lorries, 3 ton — 15
Trucks, 15 cwt — 7
Carriers, TCP — 11
Tanks, Close Support — 2
Station Wagons — 1
Water Wagons (15 cwt) — 1
Slave Batteries (Carriers) — 2

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