National Archives catalogue number WO 169/8675
Abbreviations
|
AA Bde Bn CMP Coy DZ Regt RV TCV |
Anti-Aircraft Brigade Battalion Corps of Military Police Company Drop Zone Regiment Rendezvous Troop Carrying Vehicle |
Month and year: July 1943
Commanding Officer : Lieut. P.B. Thomas
4th July 1943
Place: Field
Main body arrived in new location, Capt. K.G. Wells commanding.
5th July 1943
Place: Field
0900 - Three sections sent out on attachment to aerodromes also Lieut. J.E. Clark & Lieut. A.J. Risman.
9th July 1943
Place: Field
1800 - Cpl's Fielding, Formoy, L/Cpl's Cox and Dale proceeded on attachment to 1st Airborne Air Landing Bde for operations.
10th July 1943
Place: Field
1700 - Lieut. W.B. Gray & Rear Party arrived from Mascara.
11th July 1943
Place: Field
1300 - Cpl. Fielding returned having failed to make objective in operations.
13th July 1943
Place: Field
1600 - 17 N.C.O's proceeded on operations. Lieut. J.F. Clarke reported on attachment.
14th July 1943
Place: Field
0800 - Lieut. A.J. Risman and 15 N.C.O's returned from aerodrome. Lieut. A.J. Risman and 18 N.C.O's commenced parachute course.
16th July 1943
Place: Field
1200 - Sgt. Philipps & 12 N.C.O's returned from aerodrome.
19th July 1943
Place: Field
1100 - L/Cpl's Pummell & Watson returned from operations.
1200 - Lieut. W.B. Gray & 15 N.C.O's returned from aerodrome.
0800 - 12 N.C.O's commenced parachute course. Cpl's Traylor & Cameron returned to 179 Ports Provost Coy., unwilling to remain in Airborne.
20th July 1943
Place: Field
0800 - Capt. K.G. Wells admitted to hospital. Lieut. A.J. Risman & 18 N.C.O's commenced jumping.
1100 - Lieut. A.J. Risman & 18 N.C.O's made second jump.
1700 - L/Cpl's Inns, Stubbs, Teece & North returned from operations.
21st July 1943
Place: Field
0800 - Lieut. Risman & 16 N.C.O's made 3rd descent.
1100 - Lieut. A.J. Risman & 16 N.C.O's made 4th descent.
22nd July 1943
Place: Field
0800 - 12 N.C.O's of 2nd course made 1st descent.
1100 - 12 N.C.O's of 2nd course made 2nd descent.
23rd July 1943
Place: Field
0100 - Lieut. A.J. Risman & 14 N.C.O's made 5th descent & qualified.
0800 - 12 N.C.O's of 2nd course & 1 N.C.O. of 1st made 3rd descent.
1100 - 12 N.C.O's of 2nd course & 1 N.C.O. of 1st made 4th descent.
24th July 1943
Place: Field
0830 - Lieut. J.F. Clarke and ½ section to Hannan Lif rest camp.
25th July 1943
Place: Field
0600 - 12 N.C.O's of 2nd course & 1 N.C.O. of 1st course made 5th descent and qualified.
Following N.C.O's published as missing: Sgt's. Callaway, Whitehead, Cpl. Strand, L/Cpl's Barlow, Dale, Evans, Grimshaw, James, McManus, Murray, Neave & Page.
26th July 1943
Place: Field
1300 - Sgt. Callaway returned from operations. Capt. K.G. Wells evacuated from 71st General Hospital to unknown destination.
29th July 1943
Place: Field
1100 - Lieut. J.F. Clarke returned from Hannan Lif rest camp.
19th [?] July 1943
Place: Field
0800 - Lieut. J.E. Clarke & 12 N.C.O's sent out on attachment to 4th Parachute Brigade.
Appendix
To:- The Officer Commanding,
Provost Company,
1st Airborne Division.
Sir,
I have to report that on Monday the 12th July 1943 I was attached to "B" COMPANY, 2nd PARACHUTE BATTALION for operational purposes, accompanied by L/Cpl. INNS and STUBBS, C.M. Police.
We emplaned at approx 1915 hrs and we jumped at about 2240 hrs. Upon landing we found that we had been dropped about 20 miles North West of the right dropping zone.
We searched and found the rest of the section with the exception of three men, we then came under the orders of CAPT. CRAWLEY, 2nd in Command "B" COMPANY, 2nd PARACHUTE BN.
The same night we marched through the hours of darkness for about 10 miles due south, we hid in the Bamboo Canes during the hours of daylight.
At approx 2030 hrs on 14th July 1943 we were preparing to move off when the sentry reported that PARACHUTE TROOPS were being dropped about 3/4 mile away from planes identified as enemy. Capt. Crawley decided to the stay the night in the same place.
We remained there until approx 2100 hrs 15th July 1943 and then we moved off again. That night we met no enemy opposition but had to cross the River TIMETO. During the day of the 16th July 1943 we lay on the Banks of a stream which was about 50 yds North of the raised road known as the CATAPILLAR, we resumed our march at about 2130 hrs and whilst crossing the CATAPILLAR we came under fire from one or two snipers. At approx 0400 hrs on the 17th July 1943 we contacted the advanced Mobile Tank Unit of the 50th Division 8th Army.
During the time we were being the enemy lines we never met any of the AIRBORNE men.
I have nothing further to report.
(Signed) TEECE. P. L/CPL.
C.M. POLICE
1st Airborne Divisional Provost Coy.
Field.
27th July 1943.
Sir,
We have read over and corroborate the above report.
(Signed) 4450195 INNS. R., L/CPL.
(Signed) 4803335 STUBBS. H., L/CPL.
C.M. POLICE
1st Airborne Divisional Provost Coy.
Field.
27th July 1943.
REPORT
To:- The Officer Commanding,
Provost Company,
1st Airborne Division.
Sir,
I have to report that at "F" STRIP on Tuesday 13th July 1943 I was No.1 in No.1130 attached to the 1st PARACHUTE BDE. H.Q.'s. L/CPL's EVANS. J. and PAGE. M. were No's 2 & 3 respectively and SGT. WHITEHEAD No.4 Stickmaster. At about 2030 hrs we emplaned and took off at 2115 hrs. At about 2300 hrs whilst we were flying over the sea we were fired upon by a ship. I being in the tail end of the plane looked down and although I could see the ship, which looked like a small tonnage Merchant ship, could not identify its nationality. Just after this I saw the coast and we were met by very heavy Anti-Aircraft fire from the ground.
At about 2340 hrs on receiving the signals I jumped, fire from the ground was pretty heavy and I noticed it came from some hills which were just to my left. I landed safely and found on looking about that I was right on the D.Z. and about 30 yds from the R.V., which was a farm house. I made my way to the R.V. and found it already occupied. SGT. WHITEHEAD & L/CPL. EVANS then arrived with four other men who were in our stick. L/CPL. PAGE was not to be seen. The Farm House was then coming under Shell Fire, and we were told to form up ready to move. There were about fifteen men in our party and on approaching a small bridge where the road crossed a dried up stream we encountered some more of the BDE. H.Q. personnel, one of whom was the Brigade Commander. It was now in the early hours of the morning of the 14th July 1943 and we made our way to the bridge across the river SIMETO this we reached although an Enemy Searchlight kept us constantly going to the ground as its beam swung across the ground over which we were crossing. On reaching the Bridge it was already in our possession and there was a rather large number of personnel from different Units on the road and about the Bridge. In the darkness and owing to the number of men on the road I lost contact with the party I had been with. I did not see SGT. WHITEHEAD or L/CPL. EVANS after that.
I stayed at the Bridge until it became daylight during which time the bridge was under small arms fire. On the North side of the bridge an enemy Ammunition Convoy was intercepted and destroyed the flames from which lit up the bridge. At daylight I crossed to the North side of the bridge and endeavoured to find SGT. WHITEHEAD and the section to which I was attached. I could not locate them.
I then attached myself to H.Q. "S" COY., of the 1st PARACHUTE BN., I had a Rifle and ammunition which was part of some that was unclaimed at the R.V. After about four hours we received orders to "stand by" as an enemy patrol with an armoured car was approaching our lines. The enemy was engaged by our Mortar. Some time later we were attacked and machine gunned from the air, after which the ground forces of the enemy opened fire with small arms and Mortar and what I took to be Light Artillery. Our forces returned the fire with Rifle and Bren. This continued throughout the day and the fire from the enemy indicated that we were outnumbered. At about 1730 hrs I looked across the road and saw the enemy approaching across the fields which were covered with small bushes. We opened fire on these but were ordered to retire. I was told to follow a party which was moving out whilst some of the men formed a rear guard. We crossed the fields and came under small arms fire. On reaching the River we crossed and took cover in a fairly large fold in the ground. Some of the men were then detailed to line the River Bank and stop the enemy from crossing. When darkness came we split up into small parties and were told that we were to make our way to the coast. After we had marched for some time we came to an Orange Grove and met more of the Bde, we slept until morning. On continuing our march we came to a large plain from which we could see the sea. Very near we could hear the Artillery Fire and some officers patrolled the area and contacted the first units of the British Forces. We then continued our march and eventually arrived at SYRACUSE. Transport was then provided for us.
I have nothing further to report.
(Signed) 6025654 PUMMELL. J. L/CPL.
C.M. POLICE.
1st Airborne Divisional Provost Coy.
Field.
26th July 1943.
REPORT ON EXERCISE "FUSTIAN".
To:- The Officer Commanding,
Provost Company,
1st Airborne Division.
Sir,
I have to report that on the 10th July 1943 I was warned to hold myself in readiness for an operation. On the 11th July 1943 SGT. CALLAWAY, CPL. STRAND, L/CPL. BARLOW, L/CPL. JAMES, L/CPL. BUTTERY and myself joined "C" COMPANY of the 3rd BATTALION, 1st PARACHUTE BRIGADE, where we were briefed for scheme "FUSTIAN".
On the 12th July 1943 this scheme was cancelled but on the 13th July 1943 we emplaned from "B" STRIP at 1930 hrs. CPL. STRAND and L/CPL. BARLOW emplaned in aircraft "86", that was the last I saw of them. SGT. CALLAWAY, L/CPL'S JAMES, BUTTERY and myself in aircraft "87". This aircraft "Took off" at 2000 hrs and the flight until we reached the SICILIAN coast was uneventful. As we approached the coast the pilot gave the order to hitch our static lines on and about the same time Ack Ack Shells burst round the aircraft rocking it considerably. We remained standing ready to jump and the plane flew down to ground level. We flew low for some 20 minutes then the plane climbed to some 5000 feet and we had the Red light followed quickly by the Green, everybody left the plane immediately. The time of jumping was about 2310 hrs. We were machine gunned all the way down.
Some five minutes after landing I saw a Douglas aircraft coming down in flames about 1 mile away also at least three parachutes come from it and open. I did not contact any of them.
I straight away contacted SGT. CALLAWAY and L/CPL's. JAMES and BUTTERY who jumped after me and were the last out of the aircraft. We tried to pin point our position but could not. We were not on the D.Z. We then endeavoured to locate the rest of the stick and found them all with the exception of LIEUT. MANSFIELD and three men. SGT. CALLAWAY took charge and we moved off taking advantage of cover and kept moving across country for about 2 hrs, when I stumbled across a Bomb Crater and we decided to stop for a rest. Whilst resting we saw in the distance a plane hit the ground and burst into flames and a Glider was seen apparently skimming the top of the burning plane. We were expecting Gliders with Six Pounder Guns to be landed and L/CPL. BUTTERY, PTE. EASTERN of "C" Coy., and myself set off to try and either salvage the gun or contact any of the crew. On arriving at the spot where the plane was still burning we found that the glider had also burnt out. It was impossible to recognise the type of plane or glider, none of the personnel could be found. Nearby was a building with two lorries parked in a field. One lorry had a triangle of light shining upwards from the cab.
Finding that our mission was a failure I decided to return to SGT CALLOWAY, but L/CPL. BUTTERY said that he was staying, as it was a good position to hold. PTE. EASTERN decided he would come with me, and we left, telling L/CPL. BUTTERY that we would endeavour to bring SGT CALLOWAY and the rest of the party to him. We marched for about two hours during which time the moon went down and I was forced to admit that we were lost so we took cover in a ditch and rested until it was light enough to see, then seeing the river in the distance we made for it. It offered the only cover on the plain. We reached the river in safety and worked our way along keeping to cover and resting at regular intervals. About 0900 hrs we contacted MAJOR. BUSH of "C" Coy., 3rd BATTALION and about a dozen men, who were lying up in the tall grass.
MAJOR. BUSH then took charge, we lay up most of the day and moved at night. With stragglers the party became about 35 strong. We took 15 prisoners. At about 0100 hrs on the 16th July 1943 we linked up with the advance units of the 8th Army and spent the night at LENTINI. About 0800 hrs we marched about 2 miles down the road to AUGUSTA and were there picked up by transport and taken to SYRACUSE and embarked on a Tank Transportation Ship immediately. The ship sailed at 1030 hrs on the 17th July 1943.
Transport was waiting and I returned to the 3rd. Bn lines, had breakfast, made my report in the Company Office and returned to my Unit.
(Signed) 1109346 WATSON. D. L/CPL.
C.M. POLICE.
1st Airborne Divisional Provost Coy.
Field.
26th July 43.
REPORT
To:- The Officer Commanding,
Provost Company,
1st Airborne Division.
Sir,
I have to report that on 11th July 1943 CPL. STRAND, L/CPL'S. WATSON, BUTTERY, JAMES, BARLOW and myself were attached to the 3rd PARACHUTE BN., for an operation, we were given numerous briefings explaining the whole operation also the role we were to play as Military Policemen.
We were dropped on the night of the 13th July 1943 during which time the plane was caught in searchlights, also Heavy A.A. Fire. Whilst jumping tracer bullets came from all directions.
On reaching the ground it became obvious that we had been dropped on the wrong D.Z. and were in the middle of a well defended enemy locality. From then on it was obvious to me that the role I was to play as a Military Policeman was finished. I therefore adopted the role of a Parachutist, CPL. STRAND and L/CPL. BARLOW were dropped in plane 86, I saw them last when we were getting ready to emplane as L/CPL'S. WATSON, JAMES, BUTTERY and myself were in plane 87.
On the D.Z. I made my way to where the container should have been and I picked up my remaining N.C.O's. We crossed a river of which we had been dropped either side and there contacted CPL. BUITS, L/CPL. SMALLMAN, COTTON, EASTON, STANSBURY, BIDDLESCOMBE and CUTIR. We found the container but there was no trace of LIEUT. MANSFIELD or the Section SGT.
Fires were raging all around us, machine gun fire and shots were coming from all directions. Several screams were heard coming from the direction of the fires.
What appeared to be minutes later a terrific barrage went up A.A. and tracer bullets, we saw a plane C47 caught; burst into flames and lose height rapidly. Two parachutes opened and appeared to come down with the plane. Realising that there was nothing we could do I made a mental note of the whereabouts of the plane for future identification and then we made our way stealthily across country until we came to a Shell hole. We had no sooner taken cover when in the distance we saw a plane and Glider crash. I asked for three volunteers for a patrol to get the lay of the ground also to do anything possible for the occupants of the Glider and Plane. I told this patrol which consisted of L/CPL'S. WATSON, BUTTERY and PTE. EASTON that we should remain in our present position until the Moon went down and then we would move.
Later we heard shots coming from the direction they had taken and after waiting until the time stated moved out position.
Realising that we should have to lay up we made for the river where we found excellent cover, there we rested. Later I was called by one of the sentries who pointed out an enemy patrol with two AIRBORNE prisoners. A little later T.C.V's carrying German Infantry, also tanks, presumably Herman Goering P.IV's advancing East along the road approximately 200 yds to our front. Later we tried to make our way to the bridge which we found an impossibility. We stuck this for two days. After this we held a conference and decided to split up into three's and pairs doing damage wherever possible. L/CPL. JAMES and CUTIR (PTE) were the first two to leave us. I gave them a good start and then STANSBURY, SMALLMAN and myself agreed to go leaving the remainder to pair off as they wished and follow us later.
We contacted the first two to go L/CPL JAMES and PTE CUTIR who were resting they told us that to our front they had seen an enemy patrol. I decided to go on, and leaving the above mentioned made our way towards the direction of the patrol but never contacted them at all. Time elapsed we were getting very tired and hungry all our rations having been consumed, in the distance we saw a farm and decided to attack as our hunger was getting the better of us also, we were getting weaker. We rushed the farm house but were amazed to find 6 Sicilians who welcomed us with open arms. There we eat and slept in turns and during this time planes were passing frequently and bombing about 600 yds West of the Farm. We learnt from the Sicilians that it was an Italian Airfield. For a while we lay low and watched.
We told the Sicilians that Catania and many more places were in English hands. We decided to leave that night make for the Aerodrome, do what damage possible and away. We fired two planes then got out as quickly as possible we had no opposition at all but we made it a very short stay because we had seen German Patrols in the vicinity during the day. For two days we carried on hiding, crawling, infiltrating, when in the distance I saw a plane which seemed similar to a C47, after a time we got to it and found that the occupants were burnt beyond recognition, legs, arms, and heads were in a heap we could not get any identity discs as it would have meant digging and shifting the whole lot which was unsafe as we were not far from a main road. What appeared to be a pilot we found approx. 20 yards from the plane he was also burnt, we saw a small container with 6 Black Stripes also No 12 on it, that was the only means of identification we could get. I should say that there were approx 10 bodies in the plane.
The day after we met up with R.Ts Works Company 15th Air Construction Group of the 8th Army to whom I gave all information possible regarding Aerodromes. We ate and slept then and were made very welcome. Next morning we started for Syracuse which was approx 40 miles from there. We were then taken to MALTA where we were re clothed and awaited a ship to convoy us to Suez.
(signed) 992063. CALLOWAY H. SGT.
1ST AIRBORNE DIVISIONAL PROVOST COMPANY.
FIELD
27th July 1943
REPORT
To:- The Officer Commanding,
1st Airborne Divisional Provost Company.
Sir,
I have to report that on the 9th July 1943 I left "B" Strip Aerodrome at 1840 hrs for operational duties at SICILY in GLIDER No.34.
We arrived at our objective at about 2230 hrs where we made a crash landing into an Olive Tree. We immediately came under fire from an enemy machine gun post. We returned the fire causing the enemy to retreat. We then made for a narrow lane where we found some telephone wires which we cut, putting them out of action.
Proceeding along the lane we met an enemy section which we engaged and wiped out. We dug ourselves in at this point and remained until day-break when we proceeded in the direction of WATERLOO BRIDGE. On the way we linked up with COLONEL JONES and proceeded to the BRIDGE AREA where we took up a defensive position.
On the morning of the 10th July 1943 I marched into SYRACUSE with the SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGT, where I remained until about 2000 hrs on the 13th July 1943 when I embarked for SOUSSE.
On the 12th July 1943 the A.B.64 Part 1 of CPL. FORMOY, C.M. POLICE, was handed to me by a Private of the SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGT who informed me that CPL. FORMOY had been badly injured in a GLIDER crash and had to be carried to safety in a small vineyard. On making enquiries from men who had been in this Glider I was informed that CPL. FORMOY had been taken to hospital.
(Signed) 4745939 COX M. L/CPL.
1st Airborne Divisional Provost Coy.
In the Field.
15th July 43.
