1st September.
Brigade HQ – SIDI BISHR.
Individual training by battalions during the morning and sports and recreation in the afternoon.
Range allotments at Aboukir and Amiriya.
1 RIrF – SIDI BISHR.
Continue training
2 Innisks– SIDI BISHR.
Second in Command hold sand model exercise on river crossing. All platoon commanders attend.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0730 E and F Coys on route march.
0930 H Coy on 30 yards range.
TEWT for Admin personnel on sand table of Monte Castellone.
2nd September.
Brigade HQ – SIDI BISHR.
Individual training by battalions.
Sports and recreation during the afternoon.
Range allotments at Aboukir and Amiriya.
GHQ Movement Control Order No 6 S 883 received.
This order gives details of embarkation and the necessary instruction to be carried out prior to the move.
2 LIR,2 Innisks, Brigade HQ and 152 Field Ambulance to go on one ship. 1 RIrF to go separately on another. No information received as to date of departure.
1 RIrF – SIDI BISHR.
Officers and Sergeants’ Mess parties.
2 Innisks – SIDI BISHR.
Major Cochrane flies to Naples as bttn representative on Divisional advance party.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0730 G and H Coys on route march.
1000 Reshuffle of all coys in order to conform the number of personnel to War Establishment.
3rd September.
Brigade HQ – SIDI BISHR.
Individual training by battalions and allotments on the open range at Aboukir and Amiriya. Sports and recreation in the afternoon. Brigade Commander in Cairo. He is to stay there on the night of 3/4 September and then fly to Italy at 0130 hrs on the 5th.
Lt-Col Preston, G I 78th Division, visits Brigade HQ.
1 RIrF – SIDI BISHR.
Brigade Church Parade. Divisional Dance Band in Camp Area.
2 Innisks – SIDI BISHR.
Church Parade. Bttn marches to Brigade HQ to attend combined service. Drums and Pipes march the bttn to and from the service.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0900 Ceremonial Church Parades to commemorate 5th anniversary of the war.
4th September.
Brigade HQ – SIDI BISHR.
Individual training by battalions. Sports and recreation in the afternoon.
1 RIrF – SIDI BISHR.
Lecture by Captain B Kentish on PRI.
2 Innisks – SIDI BISHR.
1200 Commanding Officer holds conference for Company Commander for move to CMF. Move is known as “Flummox”.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0730 R Coy on route march.
0930 HQ Coy on 30 yards range.
5th September.
Brigade HQ – SIDI BISHR.
Brigade Commander flies to Italy, leaves Cairo West aerodrome at 0120 hrs.
Individual battalions by battalions.
Brigade HQ play 2 LIR at cricket at Mustapha Barracks. 2 LIR won by 8 runs.
1 RIrF – SIDI BISHR.
Sgt KB Hanssen re-joined unit.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0730 S and HQ Coys on route march.
1200 Movement Order No 8 issued. Bttn moving to unknown destination under operational conditions. D Day for move 8/9/44.
6th September.
Brigade HQ – SIDI BISHR.
No 16 Area Embarkation Order No 8 received.
Date of departure and embarkation is confirmed as am on the 9th.
Battalions and Brigade HQ commence packing up of stores and baggage preparatory to loading. They also commence to hand in Welfare and Accommodation stores.
1 RIrF – SIDI BISHR.
Captain BDH Clark to hospital. Bttn rifle shoot.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0730 E and F Coys on route march.
1500 D Day for future move to 9/9/44.
7th September.
Brigade HQ – SIDI BISHR.
Training periods continue by battalions.
Sports and recreation carried out in morning and afternoon by battalions.
Striking of camps and handing in of Accommodation and Welfare stores commences
1 RIrF – SIDI BISHR.
Lieut KB Payne rejoined unit from ITD.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0800 Commencement of handing in of accommodation stores.
8th September.
Brigade HQ – SIDI BISHR.
Heavy baggage parties leave to load baggage on to the ships.
Final verbal orders from ESO received. Last minute revisions in numbers checked up and timings for transport arranged.
Brigade HQ and 2 Innisks to leave at 1030 hrs.
38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade Embarkation Order issued giving full details of movement and embarkation at docks.
Final tentage and accommodation stores in to permanent Camp Staff at Sidi Bishr.
1 RIrF – SIDI BISHR.
Struck canvas preparatory to move.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0800 All tents struck. Stocks and baggage handed in.
1200 CO’s lecture on future move.
9th September.
Brigade HQ – SIDI BISHR.
Embarkation at Alexandria Docks commences.
0800 2 Innisks and Brigade HQ leave present area in transport. They arrive at docks at 0915 hrs and commence embarkation on HMT Staffordshire.
1030 2 LIR, 152 Field Ambulance and 1 RIrF leave present camp area in transport for the docks. 2 LIR and 152 Field Ambulance arrive at docks at 1115 hrs and commence embarkation on HMT Staffordshire.
1 RIrF go to another quay on the docks and embark at the same time on HMT Durham Castle.
1300 All units now complete on board ship.
Convoy remained in port during the night.
No shore leave allowed.
There was a shortage of NAAFI Supplies on board, so arrangements were made after some difficulty for a truck to come to the docks in the morning to deliver cigarettes, matches and soap, sufficient to keep the troops going for a voyage.
1 RIrF – SIDI BISHR.
Bttn by lorry to dock embark Durban Castle at 1200.
2 Innisks – SIDI BISHR.
0830 TCVs report to Bttn HQ, Bttn embosses and proceeds to Alexandria docks. Bttn embarks on HMT Staffordshire with 2 LIR and Bttn HQ.
1200 Embarkation complete. Major Kerr MC rejoins the bttn ex hospital and becomes Second in Command.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0930 Bttn em-bused for move to docks at Alexandria.
1030 Bttn began to embark on troopship, “Staffordshire”.
Remainder of day in port.
10th September.
Brigade HQ – ALEXANDRIA.
Convoy remains in port.
NAAFI Supplies arrive safely and issued to units on board.
Ex MEF hospital personnel arrive at the docks and taken on board.
This overcrowded the mess decks to a certain extent, but it was better to take the men with us than leave them stranded in MEF for several weeks.
1 RIrF – ALEXANDRIA.
Inspection by ship and shore authorities.
2 Innisks – AT SEA.
1030 Commanding Officer holds conference on training in the Officers’ lounge.
1100 The ship sails.
1300 Officer, Commanding troops lectures to all Officers.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
Ship still in port.
11th September.
Brigade HQ – AT SEA.
0500 Convoy sails from Alexandria Docks. Quiet sea. All units on board settle down to the voyage.
Boat Stations practised twice during the day.
1 RIrF – AT SEA.
Sailed at 0630.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0630 Ship sailed in convoy.
12th September.
Brigade HQ – AT SEA.
At Sea. Quiet day. No disturbances.
Boat Stations practised two times during the day and once at night.
1 RIrF – AT SEA.
Study navigation by stars. Inter unit tug of war won by RIrF.
13th September.
Brigade HQ – AT SEA.
At sea. Quiet day.
14th September.
Brigade HQ – AT SEA.
At sea. Quiet day. Sea a little rougher than past few days. Strong wind blowing.
1 RIrF – AT SEA.
Boxing show. Orders for disembarkation.
15th September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
0800 Convoy enters outer boom of Taranto Docks.
0900 HMT Staffordshire pulls alongside Oil Jetty ‘B’ and disembarkation commences at 0945 hrs.
Order of disembarkation: 2 Innisks, 2 LIR, 152 Field Ambulance and Brigade HQ. 1 RIrF on the Durban Castle were ferried off by lighters commencing at 1400 hrs.
1400 All units from HMT Staffordshire in Alexandra Camp at P 735206.
1800 1 RIrF established in camp in brigade area.
Baggage from ship’s holds arrives during the afternoon and evening.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
Bttn disembark 1500 hrs. By TCV to Divisional concentration.
2 Innisks – TARANTO.
0830 The ship docks at Taranto and the bttn prepares to disembark.
1200 The bttn disembarks. The advance party meets the bttn at the docks and guides them to the em-busing point. Bttn then travels by TCVs to bttn area.
Lieuts Smith, Flynn, Corrigan, and Prior arrive with 146 reinforcements.
1700 Bttn in area complete. Accommodation is in bivouacs and tentage.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0700 Convoy arrives at Taranto.
1000 Bttn commences to disembark and em-bus for camp area.
1230 Bttn arrives at camp. Bttn transport already in camp area.
16th September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
Units commence organising camps and time spent in administrative details such as checking stores, ammunition, cleaning weapons and the customary items after a long move.
Brigade Training Instruction issued showing training areas allotted and the policy to be adopted during the next week.
All transport and wireless equipment to be checked and repaired as quickly as possible and made battle worthy.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
Reinforcements from Salerno. Captain Titterton and Lieut Robinson joined unit.
2 Innisks – TARANTO.
The day is spent in organising areas etc.
2 LIR – ITALY.
Draft of 1 officer and 141 ORs, all ex members of bttn, arrived in camp area.
1030 CO addresses draft on bttn’s future operations.
17th September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
Divine Service held by all battalions and Brigade HQ during the morning.
1000 Brigade Commander attends Commanders’ Conference at Divisional HQ. Main items of the conference concerned various policies to be adopted in the Division. AA protections, PAD Schemes and on possible role in the future. No definite information could be given on this subject but everyone was warned to be ready to move to a concentration area by the 25th.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
Recce training areas. Prepare for schools.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0900 CE and RC voluntary church parades.
18th September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
Battalions carry out individual and specialist training.
Brigade Commander goes into hospital for a few days for observation. Suffering from slight fever.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
A/Tk platoon off for shoot. Lecture on R/T procedure.
Major Morris joined unit.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0830 Lines, mosquito nets and respirators inspected.
Snipers Course began under supervision of IO.
1000 Bttn inspection of all weapons.
130 Kit inspections. Rest of day, platoon and section training.
19th September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
Battalions carry out individual and specialist training.
1000 Divisional Commander visits Brigade. Met by Lt-Col Bredin, acting Brigade Commander and visits all three battalions and 152 Field Ambulance.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
Record promotion list of NCOs. Talk of CO on night problems in the line. Wireless exercise.
2 Innisks – TARANTO.
Brigade allot training areas and training commence with each Company doing a field firing exercise. Captain Long is acting as training officer.
The Commanding Officer goes into hospital. Major Kerr assumes command of the bttn.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0700 PT Parade.
0800 Bathing Parades.
Rest of day, platoon and section training.
Divisional Commander visited bttn area.
20th September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
Warning Order received for move of advance and main bodies to forward concentration area.
Planning parties, consisting of the commander, COs and a Staff Officer to go on the 23rd. Advance parties to leave on 24th and the main body on the 25th.
Reinforcement companies of all three battalions to be at readiness to move to 3 CRU from 1000 hrs tomorrow.
Battalions carry out individual training, range work and specialist cadres.
Brigade Commander comes out of hospital.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
Start I school. CO lecture on patrols. Carriers left for Bari.
2 Innisks – TARANTO.
0800 The bttn does have a short route march accompanies by the Drums and Pipes.
1900 Major Kerr MC holds a party for the Brigade officers in the Officers’ Mess.
The Commanding Officer and Adjutant rejoin the bttn from hospital.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0700 PT Parade.
1030 R Coy’s move to Ancona postponed.
21st September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
0700 Brigade Commander visits 152 Field Ambulance and 1 RIrF.
1100 Conference for Battalion Adjutants and representatives of the Brigade Group to give details of move to concentration area.
Battalions carry out individual and specialist training.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
Major J Clarke MC, lecture and demonstration of patrols.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0800 Draft of 26 ORs, transferred to 1 RIrF.
1700 CO’s O Group regarding future moves.
22nd September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
Battalions carry out individual and specialist training.
38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade Movement Order No 15 issued giving full details of the move to a forward concentration area near Fano S 2070.
The whole distance to be done in MT covering three days. 150 miles on each of the first two days and 85 miles on the third.
The following units to be under command, forming the Brigade Group, for the move:
2 Innisks.
2 LIR.
1 RIrF.
A Squadron, 56 Recce.
17 Field Regiment, RA.
254 A/Tk Battery, RA.
280 LAA Battery, RA.
214 Field Company, RE.
281 Field Pack Company, RE.
D Coy 1 Kensingtons, No 3 Mortar Platoon.
237 RASC Coy.
152 Field Ambulance.
38 Brigade Wksps Coy, REME.
1800 Brigade Pipe Band played Retreat in 2 LIR lines. There was a short party afterwards in the Officers Mess at which the Divisional Commander, Brigade Commander, Officers of the Brigade Group and colonel JRL Macnamara MP were present.
2 Innisks held an Offficers’ Dance from 2000 – 2359 hrs.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
CO lecture – Battle Procedure. Captain Richards joined unit. Brigade play Retreat in LIR lines.
2 Innisks – TARANTO.
1050 Commanding Officers’ conference on move to Fano area. Coys are made up to strength and orders for R Coy to move to 3 CRU are received.
1200 The Divisional Commander paid a visit to the bttn.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0800 BD and winter underwear issued. KD and summer underwear handed in.
1400 Brigade boxing tournament.
1500 Bttn warned for move on 25 Sept.
23rd September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
Battalions carry out individual and specialist training.
Battalions commence to pack up camp and hand in heavy and surplus stores.
Battledress issued and all KD handed in to stores.
0900 Commander and Administration Parties leave for concentration area at Fano.
Brigade Commander is accompanied by Lt Col Bredin, Commander 2 LIR, and Lt Col Horsfall, Commander 1 RIrF.
Lt Col Scott, Commander 2 Innisks, assumes command of the Brigade Group for move to concentration area.
1100 Major RT Wilson TD lectures to the following officers on Counter Mortar Organisation within the Division.
Lt Col Scott, Second in Commands and Adjutants of Battalions, and Brigade Staff.
In future, two RA officers will be permanently attached to Brigade HQ during operations to deal with the destruction and neutralisation of enemy mortars.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
R Coy moved off. CO and IO move in advance. Move Order No 9 issued.
2 Innisks – TARANTO.
Major Kerr MC and Lieut Scarratt IO proceed to Fano as representatives on planning conferences
2 LIR – ITALY.
1500 B Coy and regarded personnel (X R Coy) moved off in transport for sea journey to Ancona.
24th September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
Battalions commence striking camp in preparation for an early start the following morning.
R Coys of the three battalions leave during the afternoon and are posted as 1st line reinforcements to No 3 CRU near Ancona.
1 RIrF – TARANTO.
Pack in preparation for move.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0700 Bathing parades.
1000 Loading of stores commenced.
2000 Bttn ready to move at 0500 hrs the following morning
25th September.
Brigade HQ – DIVISIONAL CAMP.
0500 Head of Brigade Group convoy passes SP on first stage of the journey to the forward concentration area.
Order of March as follows:
HQ, 38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade.
152 Field Ambulance.
2 Innisks.
2 LIR.
1 RIrF.
A Squadron, 56 Recce.
280 LAA Battery, RA.
17 Field Regiment, RA.
214 Field Company, RE.
281 Field Pack Company, RE.
254 A/Tk Battery, RA.
D Coy, 1 Kensingtons.
38 Brigade Workshops and LAD.
1200 Halts for one hour from 1200 – 1300 hrs for tea meal.
1430 Head of convoy arrives at Staging Area just outside San Severo (J 1040). Tail of column and all units in by 1800 hrs. LAD and unit fitters coping with various vehicles broken down on the road.
1 RIrF – SAN SEVERO.
Possible SP at 0500 hrs. San Severo at 1700 hrs
2 Innisks – TARANTO.
The bttn move to Fano area by TCVs staging nights San Stephano and Giulianova.
1900 The bttn arrives in staging area.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0500 Bttn moved off in transport to join 38 Brigade Group convoy.
1200 1 hour halt for tea meal.
1515 Bttn Staging Area San Severo.
26th September.
Brigade HQ – IN TRANSIT.
0500 Head of column leaves Staging Area San Severo (J 1040).
Order of March of convoy remains the same.
Very heavy rain during the latter part of the night made the tracks difficult but there were no major mishaps
Heavy rain during the morning.
1 RIrF – GIUILIANOVA
Stage at Giulianova 1720 hrs.
2 Innisks – SAN STEPHANO.
0600 Bttn em-busses and Giulianova to stage for the night, arriving at 1700 hrs.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0500 Convoy moved off again.
1200 1 hour halt for tea meal.
1530 Bttn arriving at Staging Area Giulianova.
27th September.
Brigade HQ – NEAR FANO.
0500 Brigade Convoy leave Staging Area for concentration area at Fano S 2070.
Order of March of convoy remains the same.
1130 Head of column arrives at concentration area on Fano–Fossambrone road.
All units of Brigade Group disperse to own unit area in Divisional Concentration Area.
Brigade locations as follows:
HQ 38 (Irish) Brigade – S 184708.
2 Innisks – S 191700.
2 LIR – S 193697.
1 RIrF – S 195693.
254 A/Tk Battery RA – S 185692.
152 Field Ambulance – S 189696.
D Coy, 1 Kensingtons – S 190718.
Camps are pitched during the afternoon and then everyone rests after the tiring journey.
1 RIrF – FANO.
Arrive at Fano area 1250 hrs.
2 Innisks – GIULIANOVA.
0600 Bttn em-buses and proceeds on last stage of journey to Fano.
1000 The Second in Command goes to San Marino with the Brigade Commander.
1400 The bttn arrives in Fano.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0500 Convoy left Giulianova.
1500 Convoy arrived in Divisional Concentration Area near Fano.
Bttn HQ in area farm 192697.
Coys bivouacking in surrounding fields.
28th September.
Brigade HQ – NEAR FANO.
Battalions carry out administrative duties in laying out and improving the camp sites and also the checking of equipment and the cleaning of weapons.
Brigade Commander visits all units of the Brigade Group during the morning.
Lt Col Horsfall and Lt Col Bredin visit the Brigade Commander at 1600 hrs to discuss various administrative details.
1930 Brigade was allotted 35 seats an ENSA show in Fano. The Brigade Commander attended the performance, which was fairly enjoyable.
1 RIrF – FANO.
CO talked to bttn putting them in the picture.
2 Innisks – FANO.
1200 The Divisional Commander visits the bttn.
Lieut Colonel TT McCartney Filgate visits the bttn from No 2 CRU.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0930 CO’s lecture to Coy Commanders on General Situation and possible future roles for bttn. Coy Commanders lectures to coys on same themes.
29th September.
Brigade HQ – NEAR FANO.
Very heavy rain during the night.
0900 Brigade Commander attends a Conference with Divisional Commander to discuss future policy, future reorganisations and various points on training.
1400 Brigade Commander holds a Conference. The follow officers were present: COs, 2 Innisks, 2 LIR, 1 RIrF. OC, 214 Field Company; OC 254 A/Tk Battery; OC, 280 LAA Battery, RA; CO, 17 Field Regiment, RA; OC, D Coy, 1 Kensingtons; OC, 152 Field Ambulance. Brigade staff.
Brigade Commander outlined the points made out in his conference with the Divisional Commander during the morning.
The main points were that the Division would still be going to 5 Corps and that our immediate role was still not definite, everything depending on how well the present plan succeeded:
The certain changes in the organisation were that:
- The Kensington (Support Bttn) would be getting eight extra 4.2” mortars, making them up to their previous establishment.
- The fourth A/Tk Battery was to be disbanded.
- That when battalions came below a strength of 30 officers and 700 men, they would revert to a three company basis instead of four rifle coys.
Various points of training were raised, including a few lessons learnt in the recent fighting on the Rimini front, which the Brigade Commander wished to be emphasised to all commanders.
1 RIrF – FANO.
Brigade O Group.
2 Innisks – FANO.
0800 A very wet night, the ground is completely waterlogged and many vehicles are bogged. The whole day is spent getting the blankets dried.
1400 The Commanding Officer holds a conference for Company Commanders.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0700 PT parade. Coy training for rest of the day.
1400 Bttn Commanders’ conference at Brigade HQ on Divisional future operations.
1500 Divisional Commander visits bttn area.
30th September.
Brigade HQ – NEAR FANO.
Battalions carry out individual and specialist training.
1st and 2nd line ammunition delivered to all units.
Major Holmes, 2.i.c. RIrF leaves. He is going to take up the appointment of G1 SD at GHQ MEF.
1 RIrF – FANO.
Farewell party for Major Holmes.
Mines encountered in training areas.
2 Innisks – FANO.
0830 Commanding Officer conference on distribution of MT throughout the bttn.
Verbal warming order from Brigade to move in approximately 6 to 10 days’ time to the Rimini front.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0700 PT parade. Coy training for rest of the day.
0830 CO’s O Group.
1200 Bttn parade for CO’s lecture on future operations.