{"id":13666,"date":"2025-09-03T17:13:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T17:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/?page_id=13666"},"modified":"2025-09-04T18:20:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T18:20:28","slug":"war-diaries-2-lir-march-1944","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/second-world-war\/war-diaries\/war-diaries-2-lir-march-1944\/","title":{"rendered":"War Diaries, 2 LIR \u2013 March 1944"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\n\n

1 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0630<\/strong> Heavy rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Day training \u2013 River crossing exercise and line laying Signal platoon and Pioneer platoon over the River Volturno.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> FFI Inspections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Brigadier visits Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference. Bttn HQ guard supplied by G Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 heavy showers of rain and hail during the day. Deep mud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0630<\/strong> Weather still showery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Second in command proceeds to area 961164 to conference and recce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coy training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> CO goes out on local recce for training exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Brigade TEWT on cooperation with tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ guard supplied by H Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weather \u2013 Heavy rain at intervals during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

3 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0630<\/strong> Weather still showery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Coy training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1030<\/strong> Leave parties proceed to Caserta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Brigade TEWT on cooperation of infantry with tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700 CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by S Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weather \u2013 frequent heavy showers throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

4 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0630<\/strong> Heavy showers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Company training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0915<\/strong> Officers and NCOs proceed to Mesobello for lecture and demonstration of Sherman tanks by 16\/5 Lancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Officers and NCOs return from demonstration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by HQ Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 showery during day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

5 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather still showery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> RC service at Bellona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> CO, Second in Command, and Coy Commanders proceed to 16\/5 Lancers area for tank demonstration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> CO and Company Commanders return from demonstration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Bttn HQ Guard supplied by E Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weather \u2013 still showery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

6 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0630<\/strong> Heavy rain during night. Morning dry, but cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Coy training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> CO and IO proceed on local recce for Bttn exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Coy exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by F Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 dry since early morning. Sky clearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

7 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0630<\/strong> Weather \u2013 dry and bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0815<\/strong> CO, Second in Command, Adjutant, Coy Commanders and parties from all coys proceeded to area Falciano Selise to take part in demonstration attack in conjunction with tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1130<\/strong> Demonstration commences. Troops of Sherman tanks provided by 16\/5 Lancers. Points brought out in demonstration-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of tanks to give covering fire to infantry carrying out flanking movement and to deal with MG and A\/Tk gun positions located by the infantry and reported back to tank commanders. The use of tanks for mopping up buildings, wireless and signal communications between infantry and tank commanders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230<\/strong> Demonstration ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1645<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

8 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1st<\/sup> Phase  \u2013 to secure bridge at 228835. 2nd<\/sup> Phase \u2013 to capture features Monastery Hll (210831) and Three Tree Hill (210840)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> Bttn, less F Coy and support already in attack, halted at track 241839.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1310<\/strong> F Coy reported in possession of bridge. Bridge still intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1330<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference to put Phase 2 into operation. G Coy to advance beyond F Coy and capture and consolidate more ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1335<\/strong> Bttn, preceded by G Coy, move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> Bttn halted in area, secondary road 228840. Further orders given by CO H Coy to capture Monastery Hill. F Coy in reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1540<\/strong> Scheme ended. Bttn returns to camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s office. Bttn HQ Guard supplied by H Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

9 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Bright weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> FFI Inspections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Leave parties from all coys proceed to Caserta. G and H Coys also send leave parties to cinema show in Capua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1630<\/strong> Brigadier Scott DSO visits Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by S Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 cloudy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

10 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0815<\/strong> CO\u2019s lecture on Bttn scheme of two days previous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> CO and Second in Command proceed to Divisional TEWT held at Teano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> E and F Coys send leave parties to cinemas at Capua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> Bttn Football final \u2013 H Coy v S Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Result S Coy 11 H Coy 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finalist medallions presented to both teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by HQ Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fair but cloudy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

11 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Leave parties proceeded to Caserta and Capua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> Bttn bathe at MBU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1430<\/strong> Inter Bttn Boxing Contest \u2013 2 LIR v 6 Innisks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Result \u2013 2 LIR 21 points, 6 Innisks 15 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> Bttn HQ Guard supplied by E Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

12 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 heavy showers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Voluntary RC and C of E church parades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0945<\/strong> Leave parties from G and H Coys proceed to Caserta. Other coys send leave parties to cinema at Capua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1430<\/strong> Draft of two officers and 39 Ors arrive for hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> Brigade HQ Guard supplied by F Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 slight showers. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

13 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 slight showers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> Coys send leave parties to Caserta and cinema at Capua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by G Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 bright and sunny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

14 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 slight showers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Inter Bttn football match \u2013 2 LIR v  6 Innisks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Result \u2013 6 Innisks 6 goals, 2 LIR 2 goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1745<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by H Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 bright and sunny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

15 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 bright and sunny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Coys send leave parties to Caserta and cinema at Capua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1015<\/strong> Brigadier\u2019s conference at Bttn HQ. Lt-Col Dunnill DSO and Lt-Col Bredin MC were present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by S Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

16 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 slight showers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by HQ Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

17 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 cold wind and sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> St Patrick\u2019s Day RC church parade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> Brigade parade for all denominations. Brigadier Scott presented sprigs of shamrock to the officers. Massed Pipe Bands of the Brigade gave a performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1115<\/strong> Seven a side football semi finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

E Coy 2 goals v S Coy Nil.   HQ Coy 1 goal v F Coy 0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> Seven a side football final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HQ Coy 2 goals v E Coy nil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CO presented medallions to the winning team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> Bttn HQ Guard supplied by E Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

18 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 bright and sunny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> Bttn bathing at MBU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1030<\/strong> Brigadier Scott visits Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn HQ Guard supplied by F Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

19 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 bright and sunny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> Voluntary church parades for all denominations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> Bttn HQ Guard supplied by G Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

20 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 bright and sunny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1430<\/strong> Bttn Sport Meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Result \u2013 H Coy 11 pts, E Coy 10 pts, S Coy 9 \u00bd pts, G coy 8 \u00bd pts, F Coy 6 pts, and HQ 3 pts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CO presented prices of cigarettes and books to the winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Bttn HQ Guard supplied by H Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

21 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0830<\/strong> Second in command went forward on recce for future concentration area near Mignano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> Coys send leave parties to cinema at Capua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> FFI inspections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230<\/strong> CO\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> CO\u2019s R Group warned to be ready to move forward at 1600hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600<\/strong> CO\u2019s R Group move to forward area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> Bttn HQ Guard supplied by S Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ground drying up after heavy showers in the afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

22 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 heavy showers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Seconds in command R Group conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn warned to move at 1630hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1530<\/strong> Bttn transport lined up ready for move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orders of march \u2013 F & E Coys; Bttn HQ & HQ Coy; G, H, & S Coys followed by E Echelon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Bttn arrive at Mignano area and lay up until dusk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> Bttn move forward to take over positions from 1 East Surreys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

23 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0200<\/strong> Relief of 1 East Surreys completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Positions taken over by 2 LIR \u2013 Bttn HQ 885156, E Coy 881160, F Coy 878175, G Coy 871159, H Coy 875152. B Echelon in Mignano area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standing patrols from E, G and H Coys in areas 869168, 865155 and 863146. F Coy standing patrols in areas 873178 and 868172.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> Pioneer platoon minesweeping in areas 876174, 877174 and track 876171 to 877173.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officer representatives from 4.2\u201d Mortars (Kensingtons), 132 Field Regiment  RA, 254 A\/Tk and 16\/5 Lancers attached to Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desultory mortaring and shelling in bttn area during the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

24 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1035<\/strong> Enemy shelling 100 yards west of F Coy HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1830<\/strong> E Coy standing patrol 869169, F Coy standing patrol 867173, G Coy standing patrol 865159 and recce of crossing of River Rapido 862156. H Coy standing patrol 869150 and recce of house at 868149, also location of collection of Kapok bridging left by 1 East Surreys. Pioneer platoon to minesweep in area 868152.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2305<\/strong> Kapok bridging collected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patrol Cramb encountered a mine on track at 868156.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Casualties \u2013 1 OR killed and 1 OR wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

25th<\/sup> March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Brigadier Scott visited Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0915 <\/strong> Mist covering Bttn area \u2013 Coys \u2018stood to\u2019 in their positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0945<\/strong> Mist cleared \u2013 Coys \u2018stood down\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1430<\/strong> E Coy reported enemy mortaring reverse slopes of Platoon positions on Pieta \u2013 Artillery and Kensingtons\u2019 4.2\u201d mortars informed and fire was brought down by them on targets Drink and Brandy. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

26 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0255<\/strong> H Coy patrol mortared at 868146. H Coy area (876153) also mortared. 100 bombs landed. G Coy, 15 platoon area (874156) mortared, 20 bombs landed. No casualties. E & F Coy patrols report no contact with the enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slight showers of rain during early hours of morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0400<\/strong> CO and an officer from the 21 NZ Bttn advance party went round all the coy areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> 21 NZ Bttn (4 NZ Armoured Division) arrive to relieve 2 LIR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2200<\/strong> Relief completed. Bttn back to area 885126 (Mignano area).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

27 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine but very windy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference. Bttn warned for probable move to forward area north west of Cassino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1300<\/strong> Second in Command and QM on recce for new positions for B Echelon in forthcoming move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> FFI Inspections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine, but strong wind blowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

28 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine, but wind still strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Bttn bathing at MBU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference regarding future move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather \u2013 strong wind still blowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

29 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine, but strong wind still blowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Bttn prepare to move to new area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference. Bttn HQ divided into \u2018forward\u2019 and \u2018main\u2019 HQs. H Coy to be LOB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> Main body of Bttn to move forward to concentration area at San Michele. B Echelon with S and G Coys and main Bttn HQ to move under orders from Major Lofting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600<\/strong> Advance elements of B Echelon established in area San Pietro. Draft of two officers and 26 Ors arrive at advanced B Echelon from hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Weather fine. Bttn recce area party in forward area. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

30 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Weather \u2013 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Main body of B Echelon with G & S Coys and main Bttn HQ arrive San Pietro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1815<\/strong> Mules arrive in Bttn area (San Michele \u2013 504228) and are loaded ready for move. French guides arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1830<\/strong> Bttn ready to move. Order of march \u2013 E & H Coys, Bttn HQ and F Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1840<\/strong> E Coy cross start line. Coys and Bttn HQ follow at 5 minute intervals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100<\/strong> Several shells landed near Bttn column, area road junction 866246.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2330<\/strong> Bttn arrived in new area (Caira \u2013 845250) to relieve 1 Bttn, 4 Regiment Tiralleurs Tunisiens, 3 Algerian Division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

31 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).  <\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0120<\/strong> F Coy relief completed \u2013 836243.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0255<\/strong> H Coy relief completed \u2013 828235.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0310<\/strong> E Coy relief completed \u2013 830243.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small scale attack on French left forward coy prior to E Coy\u2019s relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0330<\/strong> Bttn HQ established area Pt 446 \u2013 837238.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> E Coy report four dead Germans and one dead Frenchman in their area (bodies probably 10 days old).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0814<\/strong> F Coy report several enemy shells landed in area between their position and Caira.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1530<\/strong> Enemy shelling over wide area between Caira and Bttn HQ. Two shells landed in Bttn HQ area. No casualties. Six shells in area 845239. Shelldrake informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800 <\/strong>IO and guides from coys leave Bttn HQ to meet mule trains at Caira and escort them to coy areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1830<\/strong> IO requisitions 20 mules from French troops in Caira to take Mortar and M\/G ammunition to H Coy\u2019s area and afterwards to collect coy stores, which were dumped on road above Caira by muleteers on previous night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> CO and battle patrol to see our own dispositions and lie of the land in that area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1930<\/strong> Patrol Timothy out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000<\/strong> Six enemy shells in area of road and valley 846254.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2030<\/strong> Enemy shelling eastern end of Caira and south west slopes of Fucciata (8424)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100-220<\/strong>0 Sporadic enemy shelling of valley from 842257 to 853252.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2155<\/strong> 6 Innisks report enemy patrol moving towards H Coy from 827228.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

H Coy and gunners informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2215<\/strong> H Coy report 1 VMG out of action, Eight enemy mortar bombs on house \u2013 845247. One OR F Coy wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2223<\/strong> Patrol Timothy returned. One man missing. Met enemy patrol 30 \u2013 40 strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2240<\/strong> VMG being sent up to Bttn by Captain Cockburn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2245<\/strong> CQMS Prudhoe (HQ Coy) arrived at Bttn HQ with mule train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2300<\/strong> Two enemy airbursts in gully below Bttn HQ. Shelldrake informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2345<\/strong> Patrol Titus (1 & 4) out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spasmodic enemy shelling of area between Marino (8525) and Fucciata (8424).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

1 March \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY). 0630 Heavy rain. 0800 Day training \u2013 River crossing exercise and line laying Signal platoon and Pioneer platoon over the River Volturno. 0900 FFI Inspections. 1400 Brigadier visits Bttn HQ. 1700 CO\u2019s office. 1730 CO\u2019s conference. Bttn HQ guard supplied by G Coy. 1800 Weather \u2013 heavy showers of rain and hail during the day. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":13610,"menu_order":15,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13666","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13666","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=13666"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13666\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13667,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13666\/revisions\/13667"}],"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=13666"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}