National Archives catalogue number WO 169/10576
Abbreviations
|
ADOS Bde Bn BNAF Coy CRE Div GHQ OC OR Pl RE Re-inf TM |
Assistant Director Ordnance Services Brigade Battalion British North Africa Force Company Commander Royal Engineers Division General Headquarters Officer Commanding Other Ranks Platoon Royal Engineers Regiment Reinforcements Training Manual |
Month and year: July 1943
Commanding Officer : Major R.A. McNeile R.E.
1st July 1943
Place: Field
Company Strength: 10 Officers 248 O.Rs. (including 1st Line Re-infs).
3rd July 1943
Place: Field
Detailed Briefing of Officers for Operation "BIGOT". Captain J.N. Holmes briefed with 2nd. S/Staffords in morning, and Captain Williams received his briefing with 1st. Border Regiment in the afternoon.
4th July 1943
Place: Field
1st. Airborne Brigade Church Parade.
6th July 1943
Place: Field
All men of 3 Section proceeding on Operation "Bigot" are briefed.
7th July 1943
Place: Field
All men of 2 Section proceeding on Operation "Bigot" are briefed.
8th July 1943
Place: Field
Further briefing of men.
9th July 1943
Place: Field
General B.L. Montgomery addressed the 1st. Airborne Brigade.
9th to 15th July 1943
Place: Field
Operation "Bigot" 4 Officers and 77 O.Rs took part in this Operation the plan of the Brigade, consisting of 2 Bns and ancillary troops, was to land by night south of the town of SYRACUSE in SICILY with the object of (a) dealing with certain Coastal Defences (b) secure intact 2 Bridges vital to the development of the Seaborne attack and (c) the capture of SYRACUSE.
The dispositions of the 9th. Field Company R.E. (Airborne) were as follows:- Two Sub/Sections under the command of 1st. Border Regt who were to capture Syracuse after South Staffords had secured the bridge leading to that port. Captain D. Williams R.E. commanded this detachment the main role of which was the denying of certain ground in SYRACUSE in the case of counter attack by the laying of booby traps. Company H.Q. consisted of Major B.S. Beasley R.E. and driver who travelled with the 2nd. S/Staffords under whose command was Captain J.N. Holmes R.E. and No.3 Section. Their role included the destruction of a coastal battery, dismantling charges in (b) above and establishing a water point for the Brigade as an extreme shortage of water was expected.
Lieut. O'Callaghan, L/Sgt. Baird Cpl. Byers and 1 O.R. travelled one in each of four of S/Stafford Infantry Gliders whose object was the immediate capture of the bridges. These four were so far as they were able to remove charges from the bridges.
On the afternoon of 9th. July 1943 the Sub Sections moved to their take off strips, 2 Section to F. Strip near Kairouan, Coy H.Q. and 3 Section to B. Strip nr. EL DJEM. The take off was successfully accomplished between 1830 and 1900 hours under extremely gusty conditions. The flight over the Mediterranean appeared to the passengers an extremely hazardous affair owing to the bumpy weather conditions, and the altitude flown - Zero + feet.
The landing about 2330 hours did not go according to plan. Gliders were very dispersed only three of the Company's eight arriving anywhere near their Landing Zone. The result was that instead of the ensuing battle being a co-ordinated Brigade effort, it turned into innumerable fights, the Commanders of the Glider Loads attempting to reach their Company objectives. The only Sapper to reach his objective in time to be effective was the O.C. He reached the bridge six hours after landing and removed the charges.
The remainder fought by themselves and with the infantry making for the road bridge which was reached by most Sapper Gliders loads on the evening of the 10th., when they were relieved by the 8th. Army. The Bde then went into reserve covering the Bridge into SYRACUSE. They marched into SYRACUSE (Also captured by the Eighth Army) the next day. They remained in reserve in SYRACUSE until the 14th when the Bde. embarked for North Africa arriving at 2200 hours the 15th.
The Company's casualties were:- Major B.S. Beazley R.E. - Killed. Sgt. Bushell and 11 O.Rs of 2 Section - Missing. L/Sgt. Franks and 3 O.Rs of 3 Section - Missing. L/Sgt. Baird and 2 O.Rs from 3 Section - Killed.
Individual reports of each Glider's adventures are attached.
10th July 1943
Place: Field
T/Captain (W.S. Lieut.) R.A. McNeile R.E. appointed A/Major and O.C.
13th July 1943
Place: Field
No.1 Section moved to ENFIDAVILLE for 4 days training in improvised bridging, infantry work and demolitions.
17th July 1943
Place: Field
No.3 Section move to HERGLA for 48 hours holiday.
19th July 1943
Place: Field
No.1 Section returned to the Company.
20th July 1943
Place: Field
C.R.E. arranges Divisional Rest Camp at HAMMANET. Deficiencies incurred through losses on Exercise "Bigot" submitted to A.D.O.S. Airborne Div.
21st July 1943
Place: Field
No.1 Section move to HAMMANET. No.3 Section take over duties and commence 10 days engineer training.
22nd July 1943
Place: Field
Area Water Supply breaks down. On C.R.E's orders No.3 Section abandon training and construct Divisional Water Point at KNEIS, also parachute swings at Division.
23rd July 1943
Place: Field
Company loans compressors to Bns for digging latrines. This job continues intermittently for next week.
26th July 1943
Place: Field
No.1 Section return from and No.2 Section move to HAMMANET.
27th July 1943
Place: Field
No.1 Section attached to S/Staffords for one weeks infantry training. Casualty Returns - Operation "Bigot" to G.H.Q. 2nd Echelon B.N.A.F.
31st July 1943
Place: Field
No.3 Section moves to and No.2 Section moves to HAMMANET. Company Strength 10 Officers 214 O.Rs.
Appendix
Report by Sapper Tighe
We took off at 1920 hours carrying myself and one Pl. of Infantry of "A" Coy. S/Staffs. We had a very rough flight over the Mediterranean, landing at about 2230 hours two miles North of our Landing Zone. The Glider broke up on landing but we had no casualties. We moved to "Putney" and cleared some buildings at the head of the Bridge but could not take the Pill Boxes defending the Bridge. From 0400 hours onwards the enemy counter attacked us, using Mortars and Machine Guns. We withdrew from around the building at about 1400 hours and tried to make for the coast. Unfortunately we were attacked and ran out of ammunition and had to surrender. We were rescued by the 8th Army about an hour later and joined the Bde. at "Waterloo".
Statement by Capt. D. Williams. Pers. No. 130539.
9th. Field Company, R.E. (Airborne)
On Friday, 9th. July 1943 i.e. D-1 Sgt. Bushell and 12 Sappers and myself with another 12 Sappers were attached to the Border Regt. We embussed and moved to the Aerodrome, Strip F. For months we had been training for this show, and our morale was tremendously high. Everything was "buttoned up". The men were as fit as racehorses, all we wanted to do was to clean up on the Italians.
The main object of the party was to capture a bridge on the main road leading into Syracuse, capture part of the town, and hold it until relieved next morning by the Seaborne Army who were landing on the beaches Nr. Cassibil and on the beaches further South.
When we reached the airfield all our Gliders and tugs were lined up and made a very impressive display in the afternoon sun. About 1930 Hrs. the engines of the tug were warmed and whipped the sand on the surface of the field into a huge column of dust. A little later the first aircraft pulling its glider, in which were passengers, took off, and one after the other a multitude of gliders followed. Taking off in a glider on these aerodromes is quite exciting. The tugs' propellers kick up so much dust that it is impossible to see a yard in front of the Glider until it is Airborne, and by then it is travelling at about 100 M.P.H. It is most unfortunate, when it emerges from the cloud, if the tug is not in front; but as Glider Pilots skin is not thicker than ours they usually see that everything goes alright.
We circled the Airfield once or twice before taking up formation and then we headed out to sea for a long 3 hour trip. By this time the wind had been freshening, and was blowing half a gale - not very ideal for an Airborne Landing but the time and place of the offensive could not be changed. Once it had started the passage began to be very bumpy, and once or twice we were lifted off our seats by the bumps, then men taking this opportunity of quoting Tommy Handley's Diver "Going down now Sir".
We often flew as low as 300 ft. with nothing to be seen on the horizon except the waters of the Mediterranean which were now white with breakers and spume.
We climbed to 3000 feet and the Officer Glider Pilot handed over control to his "second" a Sgt. Glider Pilot. The Sgt. Glider Pilot was not very strong and before long the machine was caught in the slip stream, out of control and zig zagging all over the sky. The officer seized the stick and by some miracle the tow rope did not break, and we got on our course again. All this was enacted over Malta with the result that the Pilots were very unnerved, and very shaken. The "intercom" between tug and glider broke down, which did not help matters, and they could not any longer make certain where they were, and when it was time to cast off.
By now we were approaching Sicily and we saw below the black coast line and a bright streak of moonlight on the sea. Searchlights were waving in the air like antennae of giant beetles and little balls of fire defying all the laws of gravity, were flying into the sky like little golden twinkles of light. Nothing could be heard above the roar of the slip stream from the fuselage, and it all seemed beautiful and quite unreal.
The tug took a sharp turn to the right. With a shout of "This is it" the pilot slammed the release lever and we were on our own gliding down towards land. We had cast off too soon, and it looked as though we would land in the sea. We could see the coast getting clearer and clearer, while the pilot was shouting the heights - "500, 400, 300 we'll never make it... 200... 50 ft... 20 ft. - "look out!" At this instant a searchlight was switched on showing a 30 ft. high cliff in front of us. The pilot pulled back on the stick, the glider shot up, stalled and crashed nose first into the ground, 60 yards from the top of the edge of the cliff.
We had landed within 100 yds of an enemy post which now began to fire Verey Lights, bringing the glider into brilliant silhouette and setting the gorse alight. We were all more or less concussed and two of the sappers had an arm and collar bone broken respectively and it took a few moments before we were all clear of the glider. We expected a burst of machine gun fire on us any moment, and we thought a patrol would start out to clear us up. But the tools and equipment were still in the glider, and had to be got out.
The glider's nose was stuck in the ground and the handcart was wedged up in front and so could not be moved, so we cut a hole in the side to unload the tools and took away all we could carry, leaving the rest behind with glider.
The Sgt Glider Pilot was the most badly hurt and had to be half carried.
We set out in the general direction of Syracuse, and after we had gone two miles, over very rough country, I realised that we could not carry all the tools and excessive weight we had. We buried them in a Vineyard, as a pleasant surprise, at some future date for an Italian.
he country was a continuous grove of olives and almond trees out in every direction with walls up to 5 ft in height. Underneath was loose sand. Our rate of progress was very slow as the Glider Pilot and one of the Sappers with the broken collar bone had to be lifted over all the walls. Finally we struck the road and an Italian Patrol at the same time. The men were very bad shots, and we disengaged without damage. I am sure that in all these encounters with the Italians at night they were firing more with the idea of giving themselves courage than inflicting casualties on us. Several times we owed our lives to the splendid display of fireworks they put up, whilst we were 50 yds from their post. For several hours we moved N.E. just keeping off the main road. Once a patrol of enemy went past. This gave the men a lot of confidence in their training to be completely faded into the background 20 yds from the enemy, and whilst still in full view, not to be noticed. Unfortunately one of the men who was injured was becoming slightly delirious and talking aloud so I decided to leave the road and strike across country mostly in the general direction of Syracuse.
While crossing a ravine to miss an enemy post we got split into 2 parties. The other party got captured, but were rescued by troops of the Eighth Army. In the skirmish by best Corporal - Cpl Collett, was wounded, a G.S.W. in the head.
The bombing of Syracuse then started. The flares made everything as clear as daylight. I now realised that I was right off my route. 10 to 12 miles from the town and I could not join up with the rest of the Airborne Division.
Sapper Graydon with the broken collar bone never uttered a moan during all this rough passage, until he was sent back to hospital. He was cheerful and when asked how he felt, said he always felt fine though he fainted once with the pain.
As soon as the bombing had died down we pushed on again over some practically vertical country, near a railway viaduct, across a wide river bottom, and up the other side. Here we ran into a machine gun emplacement and were fired on from 10 yds range. I ordered the men not to shoot back; disengaging without a casualty, and making a slight detour and crossing the road further up. The object in not shooting back was firstly, that we should have given our position away and secondly, because it seemed at the time vitally necessary to get as many sappers to Syracuse as possible, and not to fight the enemy on the way. We made a small detour round the post which was quite exciting as all the way we were not 20 yds from the enemy and the ground was strewn with bamboo poles which went off like 15" guns when someone stepped on one.
We then met up with an American parachutist. This was quite an amusing moment although it had its nerve racking moments. I crossed the river, climbed up the far bank, through a hedge and found a bayonet point at my stomach. Then ensued an amazing conversation between the American Parachutist and myself, both trying to speak Italian without knowing a word of it, and telling each other not to shoot as we had vast reserves of men behind us.
We finally sorted things out and I found out that he had landed in the wrong place, got concussed on hitting the deck, and had just come round - found himself lying in enemy territory. He was full of the fire and zeal for killing Italians, however he was not much use when the bullets were flying around.
We continued across country until 0415 hrs when realising that it would be light in 1½ hrs, I began to look for a place to [lay?] up.
We came across a little one roomed house full of civilians, which we took over and formed a strongpoint, that is, dug slit trenches and had firing positions round the outside and prepared to defend it, all Hollywood to the last round. Soon I had to deal with forms of war never dealt with in the celluloid. The woman who had been cooped up all night, had to....... I knew if I let them out they might run and inform the nearest garrison. I solved this problem by taking one of the children, and indicating by signs that I would shoot the brat if they ran away.
This solution will be sent in due course to the War Office to be inserted in R.E. T.M.
The battle continued around us and except for a slight skirmish with a dozen "Wops" the battle continued.
About noon on D.1 day we heard a most welcome sound. Broad Yorkshire spoken by a man of the Eighth Army who was in the vanguard of the troops landing by sea. We packed up our stores and made our way to one of the Bde H.Qs. where we were given an Italian Pillbox to defend and spend the night in, in case the enemy counter attacked.
Our rear troubles now started because these Barracks were alive with fleas which attacked us and clung to us like long lost brothers for the remainder of the journey. Every night they would play football, fight and feast somewhere round the region of the middle portion and rest was only taken if we took off our shirts; turned them inside out, and took sleep before they could get in again.
Several times a day we would take offensive action down our clothes for these fleas were most adept and employed camouflage to lay there during the day. Eventually our party formed up except for Cpl. Collett, the Sjt Glider Pilot and Spr Graydon who had been sent to hospital and returned to Airborne H.Q. L/Cpl Lancaster, Spr Tipler and Spr Helsdon also had to go to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
OPERATIONS IN SICILY
GLIDER NO: 135.
Report by Lieut. E.C. O'Callaghan R.E.
The Glider load consisted of Captain Wyss, 2/Lt. Badger and 27 O.Rs of the South Staffs besides myself.
We took off at 1930 hrs, and had a rough flight over the Mediterranean. We were flying at about 3000 ft, approximately 40 miles from the Sicilian coast when one engine of our tug caught afire. It was quickly "feathered" but having only three engines we began to lose height slowly. The tug pilot decided to tow us over into Sicily, and we jettisoned all our stores and heavy weapons. We were released about five or six miles inland and landed, I afterwards decided, in the area - square 0926, but this must be taken as very approximate. We actually landed at 2230 hrs. The glider struck a wall and broke in half, skidding over the ground until it hit some trees and stopped. Three men were injured in the crash - Capt. Wyss and 2 O.Rs. We made the injured as comfortable as possible and left them by the glider. We then marched North East as we had already decided that we had landed North West of our objective.
There was very little enemy activity apart from occasional sniping to hinder our progress, although the flares dropped from our aircraft over Syracuse made movement very difficult. At dawn we crossed a canal and immediately came under fire from high ground to our front. The platoon worked its way around the right flank whilst myself and 1 O.R., stalked and killed three snipers who were shooting at us from the rear. Unfortunately the Platoon Commander shot himself in the hand whilst carrying out this flanking movement, but throughout the day he led his platoon and refused to hand over his command to me, although he was in considerable pain. We assaulted the high ground, taking three prisoners, and killing several of the enemy. We suffered two casualties here - 1 O.R. - G.S.W. to the shoulder and 1 O.R. wounded by a grenade. A medical orderly stayed behind with the wounded in a farm in this area. Six other ranks of the Border Regiment joined us as we were about the leave the farm. We then advanced and moved over the main road about 200 yards South of Bilston before the enemy could bring fire to bear on the road. Throughout the day we worked our way towards "Waterloo" fighting various small actions like the first, including an action with two German Armoured Cars. Throughout all these encountered we suffered very few casualties. I believe our total casualties were about 2 killed and 6 wounded. We reached an orchard about 800 yards from the bridge "Waterloo", and decided to rest.
Capt. Foot of the South Staffs and 10 S/Section joined us here. After a rest of about an hour we decided to re-take it. As we were moving up to the bridge I met Capt. Holmes and a few Sappers from 9/S/Section who joined in the party. We had almost reached the bridge when a number of Bren Carriers of the 8th Army moved on to the bridge and captured it. The Brigade which was rapidly increasing in strength concentrated in the area of "Waterloo" and "Walsall". The Sections task (9 & 10 S/Sections) was to hold "Walsall" - a rather weak road block. That night there was no enemy counter attack as we had anticipated and apart from sniping the night was comparatively quiet. On Sunday morning we moved into Syracuse and spent a pleasant 3 days salvaging our equipment.
We were evacuated on Wednesday and returned to the Company on Thursday evening.
Statement of Glider No:128 by Major Lane S. Staffs
At about 2200 hrs on Friday, Jul 9, 1943 when approaching the coast of Sicily at about 4000 ft, the tow rope of the Horsa glider broke. Orders were immediately given for the glider to be prepared for ditching which was completed in a few minutes. When it became apparent that the glider would be unable to reach land, orders were given for equipment to be removed; soon after that the glider hit the water fairly heavily. I myself was thrown forward into the cockpit and eventually struggled out through the perspex. When I reached the wing of the glider most of the crew seemed to be standing there.
After collecting ourselves together and giving artificial respiration to one man who was choked with water, a roll was called. It was found that two men, C.S.M. Woodhouse and Sgt Baird were not present. These two men were both sitting forward of the main bulkhead and it is thought that they were unable to reach the escape hatches in time, or that they were knocked out on landing. The exit was also obstructed by the Airborne Panniers, which completely filled the gangway between them.
(Sgd) - Lane, Major.
Sth. Staffs.
17th July 1943.
OPERATIONS IN SICILY
Aircraft or Glider No. - 38
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - 152260 Sheet 274 (ii) Syracusa.
Officer or N.C.O. IC - Major Beazley
Adventures - This glider landed in a tomato plantation and the crew succeeded in unloading the combination, but were at once forced to abandon it as they came under fire. They then made E.W.N. along the road leading to Bilston which they by-passed in a Northwards direction and met Col. Walsh and his party. They all then continued northwards, were fired on from "Walsall" and again made a detour arriving at "Waterloo" at 0500 hrs, where Major Beazley at once stripped the charges from the bridge. They then joined in the defence of the bridge, in the course of which the O.C. was killed at about 1430 hrs. The remainder of the glider load were captured by the Italians and later released by the 8th Army. Major Beazley's grave reference 126293 274 (ii) Syracusa.
Remarks - This glider contained one m/c combination and one Holman Compressor, as well as:- Major Beazley R.E. Cpl. Oliver E.J. Spr Oakley. Dvr Stokes. The combination and the compressor were successfully returned to Africa. Cpl Oliver was wounded.
Aircraft or Glider No. - 42
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - SFAX
Officer or N.C.O. IC - Sgt. Telford
Adventures - This plane never left N. African shores, as a strainer hook broke during a bad bump, and as the Jeep then started moving, the first pilot decided he could not make the sea journey and put the glider down near SFAX. The Jeep was later retrieved intact.
Remarks - The two passengers in this glider of this Unit - Sgt Telford and Driver Cordell returned to the Unit.
Aircraft or Glider No. - 46
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - M.R. 137247 Sheet 274 (ii) Syracusa.
Officer or N.C.O. IC - Capt. Holmes.
Adventures - This glider landed about a 1000 yds S of the centre of the L.Z. It came under fire from two M.Gs straight away and consequently, attempts to unload the handcart were stopped, and the S/S moved North towards the concentration area. It again came under rather erratic fire, and it was decided to lie up and keep a watch for some of our own men. No one had appeared by dawn so we again went North for the coast, but struck an enemy patrol. I decided to dis-engage, but in doing so the rifle and Bren groups became separated. However, the two separate parties continued towards "Waterloo", lying up for some considerable periods due to enemy activity. One party with Lieut O'Callaghan and his men, and arrived at "Waterloo" at 1700 hrs. The other party came in by itself at 2000 hrs to "Walsall".
Aircraft or Glider No. - 50
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - 165275 Sheet 274 (ii) SYRACUSA
Officer or N.C.O. IC - Cpl. Lake.
Adventures - This glider landed far to the east of the L.Z. only making the coast by 20 yds. It landed between two coastal pillboxes, about 300 yds apart. However, both these positions only fired a few shots at the glider and then ceased fire; so Cpl Lake unloaded his handcart but had not dragged it 50 yds, when he was again fired on, this time more heavily. He decided to leave the handcart and hid it beneath a wall. During the night they endeavoured to go west but were unable to find a clear way through. Consequently when dawn came they lay up until they saw some Commandos with whom they joined up. This party they joined up with some Borders and Brigadier Hicks. The latter ordered Cpl. Lake to destroy some enemy weapons in a cave, which he did. The whole party then moved West, spent the night near the main N - S road to Syracuse and finally marched to "Walsall" on Sunday morning where they rejoined the section.
Remarks - I saw the place where this glider landed and I consider Cpl. Lake did a pretty good job to get his handcart out of the glider at all. (Signed) J.N. Holmes, Captain R.E. 9 Field Coy R.E. (Airborne).
Aircraft or Glider No. - 105
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - 2-3 miles South West of CASSABILE. Sheet No. 274 (ii) SYRACUSA
Officer or N.C.O. IC - D. Williams Capt. R.E.
Adventures - See separate sheet.
Aircraft or Glider No. - 54
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - Seven miles off Sicily. Sheet 274 (ii) SYRACUSA
Officer or N.C.O. IC - L/Sgt Franks.
Adventures - The tow rope of this glider broke seven miles off the Sicilian coast. An attempt to inflate the first R.A.F. boat failed, but fortunately there were two more carried for W.S. purposes which blew up alright. In the meantime L/Sgt Franks and the missing must have been swept off the wing of the glider as they disappeared and were seen no more. The remaining nine were picked up by an L.C.I. some three hours later.
Remarks - Missing. L/Sgt Franks R., L/Cpl Wright H., Spr Von Rossen C., Spr Lloyd D., Spr Mullock C. Returned to unit. Spr Clarke K., Spr McClay C., Spr Ferrier J., Spr Williams C.R., Spr Parry W., Dvr Fairs G., Spr Beaver C.
Aircraft or Glider No. - 128
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - Two miles off Sicily.
Officer or N.C.O. IC - Major Lane. S. Staffords. L/Sergt Baird R.E.
Adventures - The tow rope of this Horsa broke and the glider came down in the sea. Everybody got out except L/Sgt Baird and Major Lane's C.S.M. who were sitting opposite each other astride a pannier. Major Lowe thinks they both got tangled up with the pannier lashings and he feels certain Sgt. Baird was drowned in the glider.
Statement of Glider No:128 by Major Lane S. Staffs - At about 2200 hrs on Friday, Jul 9, 1943 when approaching the coast of Sicily at about 4000 ft, the tow rope of the Horsa glider broke. Orders were immediately given for the glider to be prepared for ditching which was completed in a few minutes. When it became apparent that the glider would be unable to reach land, orders were given for equipment to be removed; soon after that the glider hit the water fairly heavily. I myself was thrown forward into the cockpit and eventually struggled out through the perspex. When I reached the wing of the glider most of the crew seemed to be standing there. After collecting ourselves together and giving artificial respiration to one man who was choked with water, a roll was called. It was found that two men, C.S.M. Woodhouse and Sgt Baird were not present. These two men were both sitting forward of the main bulkhead and it is thought that they were unable to reach the escape hatches in time, or that they were knocked out on landing. The exit was also obstructed by the Airborne Panniers, which completely filled the gangway between them. (Sgd) - Lane, Major.
Aircraft or Glider No. - 132
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - 125295 Sheet 274 (ii) SYRACUSA
Officer or N.C.O. IC - Major Bellinger S. Staffs. Cpl. Byers R.E.
Adventures - This Horsa made a very rough landing about 300 yds from "Waterloo", and in direct view of the pillbox on the bridge. The tail broke off and it is thought that the ammunition and explosive was hit by S.A.A. and went up as the bodies were thrown a considerable distance from the wreckage and badly burnt. Cpl Byers body was found and buried on the canal bank. M.R. Cpl. Byers grave - 124295.
Aircraft or Glider No. - "X"
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - Unknown but within a mile of the correct D.Z. and probably to the S W of it. Sheet 274 (ii) SYRACUSA
Officer or N.C.O. IC - Cpl Green.
Adventures - On landing neither Cpl Green or his G.P's had very much idea of where they were. However they struck North and when Syracuse was bombed, they realised they were going in the correct direction. After three hours, having met no one Cpl Green decided to lie up. At dawn they met Capt. Foot of the Staffords with half a dozen men, and the combined party again went north, but struck either Mosquito or Bilston; it was here Spr Morrall was killed. Capt. Foot then decided to march East; came to the Maddalena area and then went north along the coast road. Throughout the day, this party fought a series of small actions. On its way North up the coast it joined up with another of the Bn platoons, of which Lt O'Callaghan was a member and finally arrived at "Waterloo" at 1700 hrs; as the Eighth Army were capturing that bridge.
Remarks - Capt. Foot was full of praise for Cpl Green and his men, he said that no one did anything outstanding, but that they were very sound throughout the operation. They were unable to unload the handcart as the nose had dug into the ground. However they carried their made up charges until their first daylight scrap with the enemy, when they had to dump them. The only member of this Unit who did not returned was Sapper Morrall who is reported missing believed killed. (Sgd) J.N. Holmes, Capt R.E. 9 Field Coy R.E. (Airborne)
Aircraft or Glider No. - "Y"
Approximate Landing area or D.Z. - ?
Officer or N.C.O. IC - Sgt J. Bushell R.E.
Adventures - Nothing is known of what happened to this glider. The tug pilot reports that he loosed them over the land and that the flak was fairly heavy. He saw the glider caught in a searchlight beam and he himself headed back for Africa.
Remarks - Last seen by rear gunner of tug and tug pilot in a searchlight beam headed for right landing zone. Note:- See attached for details of those missing.
Missing - 1866706 Sgt Bushell J., 2039773 Cpl Hughes J., 1877495 L/Cpl Laughlan E., 1875296 Spr Everton A., 4119241 Spr Herd J., 1886215 Spr Burdett A., 2146433 Spr Lewis E., 5123821 Spr Philpotts C., 2006850 Spr McCall J., 207[9?]986 Spr Atkinson W., 2007232 Spr Lloyd C., 2115239 Spr Nash H.S.
