Thanks to The Airborne Soldier for this diary.
Abbreviations
|
AF Amn Bks Coy CRASC Div Dvr GHQ Offr OR Ord Pdr Pl RASC Tos Tps Tpt Wksps |
Army Form Ammunition Barracks Company Commander Royal Army Service Corps Division Driver General Headquarters Officer Other Ranks Pounder Platoon Royal Army Service Corps Taken-on-Strength Troops Transport Workshops |
Month and year: September 1944
Commanding Officer: Major D.J. Bradley RASC
15th September 1944
Place: Red Lodge
1 OR Tos from 30 RHU. Coy tpt still engaged in conveying 25 pdr amn from railhead SWINDON to airfds for airfreight missions.
16th September 1944
Place: Red Lodge
All tpt engaged in conveying 25 pdr amn from airfds to Ord amn dump at LITTLE HINTON, airfreight missions having been cancelled. AFs.W3008 and 3009F despatched to GHQ 2nd Echelon.
17th September 1944
Place: Red Lodge
1 OR Sos to hospital. 1 OR Tos from 30 RHU. Orders for operation 'MARKET' received.
18th September 1944
Place: Red Lodge
Loading up commenced for operation 'MARKET'. This Coy responsible for supplying loads as follows: 33 Stirlings at KEEVIL airfd, 21 Dakotas at BLAKEHILL, 21 Dakotas at DOWN AMPNEY, 21 Dakotas at BROADWELL. Crews provided: 33 Stirling crews and 21 Dakota crews; remainder of crews provided by 49 Air Despatch. 1 dvr Tos from 30 RHU.
19th September 1944
Place: Red Lodge
First resupply to 1st Airborne Div carried out. Casualties were 2 x 2 men crews failed to return and 2 despatchers wounded at KEEVIL, 3 x 4 men crews failed to return from DOWN AMPNEY. Loading taking place for following day's mission. This Coy to be responsible for 34 Stirlings at KEEVIL and 9 Stirlings at FAIRFORD.
20th September 1944
Place: Red Lodge
Further resupply carried out. Casualties were 5 aircraft failed to return from KEEVIL and 1 aircraft from FAIRFORD. Loading taking place for following day. 3 dvrs Sos to hospital.
21st September 1944
Place: Red Lodge
Resupply mission carried out. This Coy supplied crews for 12 Stirlings at KEEVIL. 3 aircraft failed to return. Orders received that no further flying personnel to be provided by this Coy. Orders received for move of Coy to FIGSBURY BKS to complete mobilisation. 1 OR Tos from hospital.
22nd September 1944
Place: Red Lodge
Adv party and 'A', 'B' & 'Wksps' pls moved to FIGSBURY BKS. Remainder of Coy at RED LODGE to hand over location and pre-packed dumps to 720 Coy RASC. 2 dvrs Sos to hospital.
23rd September 1944
Place: Figsbury
'A', 'B' & 'Wksps' pls proceeded on 14 days embarkation leave. AFs.W3008 & 3009F despatched to GHQ 2nd Echelon. 1 OR Tos from hospital. Remainder of Coy moved to FIGSBURY BKS. 1 offr and 6 ORs stayed behind to complete handing-over.
24th September 1944
Place: Figsbury
1 dvr Sos to hospital.
25th September 1944
Place: Figsbury
Remainder of Coy proceeded on 14 days embarkation leave. 32 dvrs Tos from 720 Coy RASC and proceeded on 14 days leave. 7 dvrs Sos to 716 Coy RASC. 1 cpl and 3 dvrs Tos from 398 Coy RASC.
27th September 1944
Place: Figsbury
Capt. A.E. Hadley posted to CRASC 6 Airborne Div. Lt. H.J. Plumridge posted to 398 Coy RASC. Capt. I.J.A. McKitterick & Capt. N.C. Burt posted from 716 Coy RASC. Lt. Turnbull posted from 398 Coy RASC.
28th September 1944
Place: Figsbury
1 sjt, 1 pte, 1 dvr posted from No.1 Mob Centre. 1 dvr posted from 716 Coy RASC.
29th September 1944
Place: Figsbury
1 LSjt posted to 398 Coy RASC. 1 dvr Tos from hospital.
30th September 1944
Place: Figsbury
6 dvrs Tos from CRASC 6 Airborne Div. AFs.W3008 & 3009F despatched to GHQ 2nd Echelon. 1 pte Tos from HQ Airborne Tps. Mobilisation completed.
