Brigade HQ \u2013 BEJA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 Innisks send recce patrols to north and south of Djebel Mahel. The patrol on the south had nothing to report, but that on the north observed movement, although there was no contact. 2 Hampshires located a strong locality 4044.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Divisional Admin Order No 16 (issued with Divisional OO No 7 was received).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A letter was sent to Battalions dealing with capture and security of own troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Intelligence Summary and Met chart was issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the day, news was received that 36 Brigade and the Goums were making good progress in the northern battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1400<\/strong> In the afternoon, the Brigade Commander and Brigade Major made a recce of the forward areas including Djebel Mahdi and Djebel Mahel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1600<\/strong> Commander, 12 Infantry Brigade arrived at this HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1830<\/strong> Commander, 1 RIrF arrived at this HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A message was received from 78 Division with instructions that staff officers and 2.i.c.s of the Battalions could be put in the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 Innisks sent out 3 recce patrols. Farm 380417 was reported occupied and some movement was heard in valley 4341. Village (431382) was thought to contain a standing patrol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 RIrF \u2013 BEJA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A quiet day. The mines and mine clearance intensive training started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1800<\/strong> The CO attended a conference on the impending operation at HQ 38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Night quiet. Standing patrols 280481 and 363477 had nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 Innisks \u2013 IN THE FIELD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0530 <\/strong>Stand To. Coy Sitreps \u2013 all normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Standing patrol at Oued Zarga bridge had nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patrols \u2013 night 31 March\/1 April \u2013 reports as per appendices<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1000 <\/strong>Daylight patrols went to recce area north and north east of Plateau Farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Very quiet day with little to report. It might be worthy to note, however that the ever welcome NAAFI supplies, which included today an unpopular supply of Blanco. \u201cServitor Seavientum\u201d can evidently be translated as \u201cgone but not forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n W\/Lieutenant JD O\u2019Rourke, RUR joined the battalion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brigade HQ \u2013 BEJA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Commander 102 Field Regiment and 46 Recce Regiment and Major General Miller MCA 18 Army Group visited this HQ. The latter had interesting news of the Eighth Army\u2019s progress and of our growing air power in Tunisia. He considered an estimate of the third week in May, as likely to see the end of the campaign to be pessimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1030<\/strong> Captain Worrall SD officer belonging to Recce Corps came to give any available information regarding the Oued Zarga sector of the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1330 <\/strong>A\/Q 78 Division visited this HQ to discuss the Q problems of the forthcoming battles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Intelligence Summary was issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the day, a little movement was seen,<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 RIrF \u2013 BEJA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0600<\/strong> CO took Coy Commanders over field firing range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0900<\/strong> CO carried out recce for impending operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A quiet day. Mines and mine clearance programme continued. FD : firing carried out by A Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2\/Lt AM Smith and Lt Brown joined the Battalion. Captain JHA Monnsell admitted to hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 Innisks \u2013 IN THE FIELD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0530 <\/strong>Stand To. Sitreps all normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daylight recce patrol of ground immediately north of Plateau Farm by IO (Captain Hanna). Previous night\u2019s patrols \u2013 156\/159.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1630 <\/strong>3 officers and 8 OR reinforcements arrive. The battalion was pleased to welcome back Lieut EBS Hewitt, who was wounded when A Coy attacked pt 286 (Bou Arada). Other officers \u2013 Lieuts WS Pollard and PGP Mahoney. The unit is now only five officers below establishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1930 <\/strong>Patrol No 160 to Oued Bounded. 161 \u2013 to 392407. 162 \u2013 pt 355 (415436). 163 \u2013 to ascertain if \u201cThird Farm\u201d is occupied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lieutenant E Condy (RUR) and Lieutenant MDN Webb-Bowen RUR joined the battalion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brigade HQ \u2013 BEJA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Information was received that Cap Serrat had been occupied by our own troops. During the day, enemy indulged in slight shelling on the Brigade front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0245 <\/strong>Orders were received from 78 Division that Squadron 56 Recce would relieve B Squadron 46 Recce night 2\/3 April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1430<\/strong> Brigade Commander, Brigade Major, Staff Captain, Signals Office and Intelligence Officer with Commander and Second in Commands of Battalions attended a cloth model and conference at Divisional HQ. All Commanders gave an outline of their plan for the attack on their own sector of the high ground north of Medjez and BGS 5 Corps gave information of the wider picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1800<\/strong> Conference to discuss future operations was held at Brigade HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 RIrF \u2013 BEJA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A quiet day. Training continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1430<\/strong> CO and Second in commands went to cloth model conference at Division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1800<\/strong> CO to conference at Brigade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 Innisks \u2013 IN THE FIELD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0030 <\/strong>Coy Sitreps all normal. Oued Zarga had nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0630 <\/strong>Patrols No 161\/3 arrived back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0945 <\/strong>Brigadier Russell arrived together Artillery Brigadier to recce area suitable for Brigade OP. Another quiet day with very little to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1145 <\/strong>Enemy put six shells on area between A and D Coys\u2019 positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1400<\/strong> IO and Coy Commanders recce area to the north of Plateau Farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Battle course training under Captain Kerr for HQ platoons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1615\/1700<\/strong> Patrols 165\/166 go to Plateau Farm. Patrol 164 to Quarry Farm. 165 to Avenue Farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0800 <\/strong>Battalion Scheme \u201cMagnet\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brigade HQ \u2013 BEJA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n During the day, movement of MT and infantry was observed area 4248.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1700 <\/strong>Brigade Commander attended coordinating conference at Divisional HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1740 <\/strong>Order was received from 46 Division for 1 RIrF to revert under command 38 Brigade and 16 DLI also to come under command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2100 <\/strong>Final conference of O Group was held at Brigade HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 RIrF \u2013 BEJA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A quiet day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900 <\/strong>Battalion moved by march route to concentration area: Farm 4234.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Died on this Day:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fusilier Joseph Quirk, Royal Irish Fusiliers.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 Innisks \u2013 IN THE FIELD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0530<\/strong> All coys normal and nothing to report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0630 <\/strong>Patrols 164\/167 return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0830 <\/strong>CO holds conference and explains general situation and the role of the Battalion in the near future, which is to attack pt 355 on Djebel Mahdi J414435.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1830<\/strong> Strong fighting patrol consisting of Lieut Beeching and 16 ORs (5 int. section) went out to recce route to start line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coy Commander and other reps went up to gunner OP on D Coy hill to see Mahdi and approach to lying up area J383398.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Died on this Day:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Captain Kenneth Beeching, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lance Corporal John Rose, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Captain AST Galloway, Captain JO Curry and Lieutenant HJP La Prairie leave and re-join own units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brigade HQ<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 0630 <\/strong>38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade OO No 15 was issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1000<\/strong> 5 Sherwood Foresters came under command 38 Brigade by orders of 46 Division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1700<\/strong> Divisional Commander visited Brigade HQ and discussed final details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1800 <\/strong>An Arab who had helped to bring in a Sgt of 6 Innisks, wounded by S Mines while on patrol, was brought to Brigade HQ and then taken by IO and Captain Bradley, 6 Innisks to FSP 46 Division at Beja for interrogation. He gave certain information, which was immediately forwarded to 36 Brigade and 6 Innisks, but was young and not entirely reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900 <\/strong>Brigade HQ moved to Farm Bordj 325359 and arrived at 2000hrs. 78 Division OO No 7 was received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2100 <\/strong>First Army Intelligence Instruction No 2 \u201cControl of Civilians\u201d issued\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 RIrF.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0100<\/strong> Battalion arrived in new area. Move had been carried out without incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Orders and preparations for impending operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1600 <\/strong>Mules arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1800 <\/strong>Bttn move by march route to lying up area 390375.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2200 <\/strong>Bttns in new area, move having been carried out without incident. Rations and ammunition brought up by mule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 Innisks \u2013 IN THE FIELD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0730 <\/strong>Fighting patrol returned and reported having run into enemy booby trap (teller mine with booby trap) J3941. Lieut Beeching and 2 ORs were killed and 3 ORs wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the day, coys took reps to vantage points to view ground to SP on Mahdi<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1000 <\/strong>O Group conference. Battalion to move off for night march to assembly area at 2130hrs. No transport can be taken. Battalion is allotted 65 mules. Assembly area J383398. Route cross country via Third Farm 376380. Pioneer platoon to go forward to prepare crossing over gully MR J 387395 and route to be picketed by intelligence section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1900<\/strong> Brigadier arrived to see CO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2130 <\/strong>Battalion moved off in following order \u2013 C, Bttn HQ, A, D, B. B Coy carrying bttn tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brigade HQ.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0930 <\/strong>Brigade Commander attended conference at Divisional HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Commanders 56 Recce and 16 DLI called during the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1215<\/strong> RE rep arrived this HQ and conferred with Brigade Major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1430<\/strong> Conference was held by Brigade Major to coordinate transport moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1600 <\/strong>Lt FJA Clarke was sent as LO to Divisional HQ, vice Lt JF Hall, who had been injured in a motor cycle accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1630<\/strong> Captain Crofts arrived at this HQ as LO from 2 Hamps , who were to be under command for the forthcoming battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1820<\/strong> 6 Innisks reported that a farmer at Farm 386392 stated that tanks had been seen behind Nahel. He had no details, but was thought reliable, being well disposed and having previously given accurate information to the Recce Regiment. This raised the question of the Anti Tank plan for the battle. It was decided that the tanks allotted to 36 Brigade, together with their support artillery and A\/Tk guns could deal with any threat and that the primary tasks of 254 A\/Tk Battery was still to get guns onto the north east of Mahdi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2000<\/strong> 6 Innisks reported mine laying detachment RE blown up at bridge 382407. Lt Adams RE was intercepted on the road and more sappers were found. They reached 6 Innisks at 2400hrs and the work proceeded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this day, a PoW cage was established by def platoon commander at brigade HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An account of operations of 38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade 7-11 Apr is appended to original and duplicate copies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 RIrF.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Quiet day. Final arrangements made for impending operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1800<\/strong> Conference all officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 Innisks \u2013 IN THE FIELD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 0530<\/strong> Battalion all in assembly point after all night march. Everyone very wet through marching through very wet cornfields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1000<\/strong> O Group conference. Rest of the day, the bttn lies low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan for attack on Mahdi. Bttn to leave assembly area 0030hrs in following order: A, Bttn HQ, C, B (carrying tools), D Coy to go out to picket route with strong fighting patrols and then come into reserve. Captain Hanna and Intelligence Section to prepare route to start line and mark with tape together with section D Coy and Pioneer platoon to clear mines and prepare mines and prepare gully crossing at bottom of Mahdi 4141. Section RE to report to Bttn HQ for purpose of detecting mines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2000<\/strong> This RE section missed the route and blew up on bridge 393408. Delay caused in getting up new section, causing bttn to be 1\/2 hour later leaving assembly area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n2nd April<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n3rd April<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n4th April<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n5th April<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n6th April<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n