{"id":13625,"date":"2025-09-03T15:52:57","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T15:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/?page_id=13625"},"modified":"2025-09-04T18:06:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T18:06:56","slug":"war-diaries-2-lir-april-1943","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/second-world-war\/war-diaries\/war-diaries-2-lir-april-1943\/","title":{"rendered":"War Diaries, 2 LIR \u2013 April 1943"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\n\n

1 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

W\/Lieutenant JD O\u2019Rourke, RUR, joined the battalion. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lieutenant EG Condy RUR and Lieutenant HDN Webb-Bowen RUR joined the battalion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

3 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800 <\/strong>Battalion Scheme \u201cMagnet\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

4 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain AS T Galloway, Captain JO Curry and Lieutenant HJP La Prairie leave and rejoin own units<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

7 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lieutenant TA O\u2019Connor (RUR) and Lieutenant WBB Glasgow (RUR) joined battalion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

8 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

E & F Companies in company attack scheme on G & H Companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

W\/Captain JD Lofting (RUR) joined battalion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

9 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> Battalion Scheme \u201cMoon\u201d 3 company attack at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain JD Lofting promoted A\/Major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

12 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Carrier exercise with Signal platoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

13 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lieutenant D Sutherland posted to 1st<\/sup> Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600 <\/strong>Battalion to move under command of 38 Brigade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

14 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800 <\/strong>Battalion move by TCV to area Chaouach 5240. Arrived 2200 hrs 15 May temporarily under command of 11th<\/sup> Brigade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain Neely goes to US Division as liaison officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

15 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battalion to take over positions from 1 RIrF; F to move at 1730 hrs, E Company 532447 \u2013 F Company 548448 \u2013 G Company 536451 \u2013 H Company and Battalion HQ 546453.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> Battalion moves off \u2013 Order of march E, G, H, Battalion HQ F, 2 MMGs to E and G Companies \u2013 2 carriers to E G & H Companies \u2013 1 carrier each to Battalion HQ & F Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000<\/strong> Column mortared by enemy in area 543433<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2015<\/strong> H, F & Battalion HQ fired on by RIrF  as they approached position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2230<\/strong> Battalion established on all positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2250<\/strong> Battalion positions attacked by apparently 1 Company of Germans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lieutenant RG Wilkin attached to No-1 CRU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

16 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> RIrF occupied position Point 623 (5645). F Company taken over company positions of 5th<\/sup> Northants. Enemy shelling track 543433 \u2013 nine shells in two minutes. Five more in south-west of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1030<\/strong> Own artillery shelling 577448.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1045<\/strong> Own artillery shelling Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1100<\/strong> Enemy mortaring E & G companies at Point 668.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1535 <\/strong>Bettiour shelled by 2 or 4 field guns. Firing from easterly direction for five minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1540<\/strong> Area again shelled. Intensive for several minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600<\/strong> Four prisoners of war surrendered to H Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2200<\/strong> F Company send out local patrols \u2013 No contact made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2200<\/strong> Innisks pass through our lines prior to attack on Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

17 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 Innisks occupy Tanngoucha \u2013 unable to hold owing to mules stampeding and carrying away digging in tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800 <\/strong>Observation post reports movement seen on Tanngoucha \u2013 men digging in etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0915<\/strong> Enemy shelling Djebel Bettiour & Djebel Dar Mahdouna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000 <\/strong>Sitrep. Unidentified troop movement on Tanngoucha \u2013 Engaged by our artillery \u2013 Enemy mortared Bettiour and shelled Djebel Dar Mahdouna from general easterly direction. One shrapnel shell burst at approx 500 ft above Djebel El Hamra. Own artillery shelled Tannghoucha at 0945 and Heidous at 1025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1215<\/strong> RIrF ask for artillery to counter attack on top south and west slopes of Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1225 <\/strong>Intensive fire on Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230 <\/strong>Commanding Officer goes to Brigade HQ to report on recce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1330<\/strong> Company commanders recce Heidous area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1445<\/strong> 12 enemy bombs in 4 minutes on 543448.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1715<\/strong> 12 enemy bombs in five minutes on Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> 6 MEs bomb south-east of Bettiour \u2013 Area of fall not seen \u2013 Bomb line south-west \u2013 north east \u2013 1 shrapnel shell 1 mortar bomb on 543448.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1815<\/strong> English and American bombers escorted by Aircobras attacked 8 MEs \u2013 One ME brought down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> 6 Innisks take over G Company positions on Djebel Dar Mahdouna. E Company remain in same position on Djebel Dar Mahdouna \u2013 G Company on hills 543444 and 543443. Platoons of H and F Companies join their companies. H Company 544446 and F Company 54555\u201d. Battalion HQ 100 yds east of G Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

18 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Sitrep \u2013 Recce yesterday revealed a camouflage net on Heidous. This was subsequently engaged by \u2018Mediums\u2019 and proved to be an A\/Tk gun which with ammunition was destroyed. Buffs reported that feature immediately south of Heidous was shelled yesterday and casualties inflicted on enemy \u2013 the feature is still held. 6 Innisks relieve 1 Surreys and 2 Lands Fusiliers on Djebel Ang and Mahdouna. 2\/LIR \u2013 1 RIrF \u2013 6 Innisks \u2013 5 Buffs and 56 Recce Corps and 1 Surreys under command 38 (Irish) Brigade. 1 Surreys south of Rherarif (5243) 38 Brigade supported by 132 and 138 Field Regiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11th<\/sup> Brigade less 1 Surreys moving out night 17 April 43.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1040<\/strong> 1 shrapnel shell 522433 another at Kelbline from E direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600<\/strong> Observation post reports artillery shelling Heidous. Hit pill box and several enemy ran away into village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> 2 enemy tanks of self-propelled guns observed east of Longstop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> From tomorrow 19 April 43 observation post will be established x48444. Known as Ginger Company observation post 544445 \u2018Pepper\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Mortars ranging on Heidous. Village south of Heidous set on fire by mortar fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2030<\/strong> Operations with artillery support to discover DF tasks of Heidous area. Table of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2030<\/strong> Artillery shell Heidous for 10 minutes intensive fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2031<\/strong> Enemy machine guns firing from Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2040<\/strong> Occasional mortar shell on Bettiour and east of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2050<\/strong> Shelling of Heidous ceased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100<\/strong> Corporal Palmer\u2019s patrol leaves F Company. Our machine gunners fire from above F Company HQ. Enemy shell Bettiour from north-east of Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2105<\/strong> Enemy continues to shell Bettiour with groups of three shells. Own MMGs firing bursts from F Company HQ. Light machine gun open up from Corporal Palmer\u2019s section on right of F Company position. Own mortars fire on Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2107 <\/strong>Purple verey light fired on Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2110<\/strong> Light machine guns fire from right flank and F Company HQ. More shells on Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2115<\/strong> Enemy machine gun firing towards their left flank across the plain also from right flank between Tanngoucha and Bettiour. Enemy mortar Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2117<\/strong> Own machine gun fire from right flank and further forward also sections fire PIAT on Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2120<\/strong> Machine gun from F Company and mortar fire on Heidous. Enemy shell Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2140<\/strong> Corporal Palmer and patrol returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enemy shelling low ground south west of Heidous from area of Longstop. 2 guns firing. We send up red verey light. Own artillery shell beyond Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2145<\/strong> Light machine gun right of F Company position, Enemy shell in front of Heidous and Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2150<\/strong> We fire green verey lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2200 <\/strong>Own artillery send intensive fire on right side of Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

19 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0445<\/strong> Enemy shelling and mortaring Kelbline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1450<\/strong> 4 ranging shells and 4 high explosive on 537437.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1615<\/strong> 21 shells on Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800 <\/strong>12 shells on Bettiour over a period of half hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100<\/strong> Spasmodic shelling and mortaring of general area Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following night operations to discover enemy DF tasks on Heidous took place. Time table of events<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100 <\/strong>Own artillery shell Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2122 <\/strong>Enemy artillery shell Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2322<\/strong> Enemy light machine gun from Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2125 <\/strong>Patrol went out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2130<\/strong> Enemy mortar and machine gun fire from Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2150 <\/strong>Our mortars lay smoke on Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2145<\/strong> Four enemy shells on right of Bettiour from behind Tanngoucha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2150<\/strong> 12 enemy shells in area of our mortar and MMG positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2215<\/strong> 3 enemy guns firing from behind Longstop (110 degree north) shelling area in front of Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2225<\/strong> Spasmodic shelling in area in front of Heidous by one gun from behind Longstop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2227<\/strong> Corporal O\u2019Brien propaganda speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

20 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800 <\/strong>Shell report: 4 air burst shells above Bettiour. 4 above Djebel Ang. 2 shrapnel shells over point 404 5344.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Enemy air burst shells over 545435, 538440, 535446 and 543444 from gun firing very close from general direction east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0945<\/strong> Red flag seen flying on top of Longstop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0950<\/strong> Enemy shelling point 604 and north slopes of Djebel Dar Mahouna. Gun quite close possible direction 557463.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> Artillery reports house blown down in Heidous revealed A\/Tk gun. This they subsequently destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1615<\/strong> Enemy mortar Bettiour from north to south with 21 bombs. 1 man killed in G Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Enemy again mortar Bettiour with 18 bombs. Bombs fall on the main rock above H Company, Battalion HQ and E Company causing a few casualties by falling rock. Companies send out local patrols. Voices heard on Heidous at 2030 hrs and sounds of digging at 2215 hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

21 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0030 <\/strong>Enemy shell Bettiour from general easterly direction for half an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Enemy mortaring 55149 18-20 bombs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0945 <\/strong>24 Bostons bomb Longstop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230<\/strong> Red Cross flag observed in Heidous. Artillery ceased fire. Enemy shouted at to surrender. A few minutes later flag is taken down. 2 short bursts of light machine gun fire and rifle shots heard in village. Artillery re-opens shelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2300<\/strong> Captain RWR Jelf (KSLI) Lieutenant Haywood (RIrF) and Lieutenant O\u2019Gorman (RUR) joined battalion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

22 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0030<\/strong> Patrols of 1 and 3 from E and H companies reccce area and approach to Heidous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Commanding officers O Group for attack on Heidous and Sandy Ridge. 1st<\/sup> Phase \u2013 F Company right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> G Company right to clear village and wadis and area NE. 2nd<\/sup> Phase \u2013 E & H Companies to clear Sandy Ridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1420<\/strong> Enemy shell area near Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1830<\/strong> Enemy air burst shells over Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1945<\/strong> Artillery begin barrage on Heidous, Sandy Ridge, Tanngoucha Pt 622 and Longstop preparatory to large scale attack by 78 Division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

23 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0300 <\/strong>E Company advance to Heidous to relieve F Company \u2013 Situation untenable and withdraw back to Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0500<\/strong> E Company take up F Company positions in Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

G Company withdraw under platoon commanders having lost Captain Thornton, their company commander who was wounded and taken prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Battalion back in position except F Company. No news of F Company left on Heidous. 30 men have returned but fate of remainder is unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three Churchill tanks of 142 RAC at to go down and support E Company endeavouring to get information of F Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> Reports of Longstop taken by 36 Brigade and tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Smoke shells and propaganda leaflets dropped on Heidous and Sandy Ridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900 <\/strong>Enemy aircraft bomb between Medjez and Goubellat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000<\/strong> Enemy shelling large hill about 5 miles NW of Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lieutenant Haywood and Lieutenant O\u2019Gorman posted to 1st<\/sup> Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

24 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0530<\/strong> Patrols last night all report contact with enemy. Enemy mortar located in gully of Red Roof House towards Heidous. Patrols fired on by mortar and machine guns. One enemy machine gun put out of action by 2\u201d mortar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Night patrols to Heidous \u2013 G Company patrol put enemy machine gun out of action by hand grenades. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

25 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battalion to patrol into enemy territory to ensure that they do not evacuate positions unknown to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 RIrF to attack Point 622 (5645) at 1250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1030<\/strong> Several enemy ran from Pimple as our artillery shell it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> Artillery lay barrage on Tanngoucha and Point 622.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230<\/strong> 1 RIrF advances on Point 622 on 2 company front supported by 5 Churchills, C Squadron 142 RAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1250<\/strong> Artillery lay heavy smoke screen across Tanngoucha. All opposition overcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15 prisoners of war taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1340<\/strong> 6 Innisks advance on to Tanngoucha. No opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1430<\/strong> Enemy shell Point 622 and Tanngoucha. 48 shells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> G Company under command 1 RIrF take up positions on Point 622.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> E Company advance on to Heidous and Sandy Ridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900 <\/strong>E Company established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

26 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> 1 RIrF and 6 Innisks move forward against slight enemy opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

London Irish Rifles to take over positions on Tanngoucha and Point 622.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> H Company on Tanngoucha, F Company on Point 622, E Company and Battalion HQ still on Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1930<\/strong> H Company and Battalion HQ move from Bettiour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2130<\/strong> Battalion HQ established at base of Tanngoucha 466453.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

27 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0100<\/strong> Battalion to move forward in rear of 38 Brigade to area Boulman 5747.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0450<\/strong> Battalion moves<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0730<\/strong> Battalion HQ established 571473, E Company 565449 F& H Companies 572473.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> 1 RIrF in contact with Americans on Brigade left flank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1100<\/strong> Battalion area shelled, 2 killed 10 injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> 35 enemy prisoners of war brought to Battalion HQ. 33 from 1\/756 Mountain Regiment including 2 officers and 2 from 1\/754 Mountain Regiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> G Company move to 573471 under command 6 Innisks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patrol of G Company report enemy clear of Point 416.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

28 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0830<\/strong> Artillery observation post report enemy seen on Point 416 \u2013 Confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1130 <\/strong>Battalion area and water point shelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> 6 Innisks re-take first objective on Point 416 G Company take over this position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Enemy attack Americans on Brigade left flank and occupy hills in 5648\/5649.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American counter attack and regain lost positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

29 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 Brigade to attack area Point 202 (6147). Battalion less G Company to move to area 5746\/5846 into Brigade reserve in preparation for attack on Point 413\/6149, 38 Brigade move to 569463.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

30 April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0600 <\/strong>Commanding Officer and Intelligence Officer recce area and route for battalion attack. Attack may be postponed for 24 hours as position on Point 202 is not clear. 11 Brigade to 8 Corps reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 April W\/Lieutenant JD O\u2019Rourke, RUR, joined the battalion.  2 April Lieutenant EG Condy RUR and Lieutenant HDN Webb-Bowen RUR joined the battalion. 3 April 0800 Battalion Scheme \u201cMagnet\u201d. 4 April Captain AS T Galloway, Captain JO Curry and Lieutenant HJP La Prairie leave and rejoin own units 7 April Lieutenant TA O\u2019Connor (RUR) and Lieutenant […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":13610,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13625","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13625"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13626,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13625\/revisions\/13626"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}