War Diaries of 15th (Isle Of Man) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery - Summary

1943

 

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January 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
IN THE FIELD 1-31   Regt. continues to move with 7 Armoured Div  
  22   TARHUNA  
  23   CASTEL BENITO.  
      This month has seen considerable air activity at the beginning of the month — WADI TAMET — slacking off in the middle of the month — great activity in last seven days. Permission obtained to with draw one troop per Battery for much needed rest — essential repair to vehicles and guns and allow 7 days rest for the men  

 

February 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
IN THE FIELD 1-28

 

 

  
 

2

 

MEDEMINE AND METAMEUR

  

 

March 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
IN THE FIELD 1-31      
  28   MARETH  

 

April 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
IN THE FIELD 1-30   Regt. continues to move with 7 Armoured Div  
  6   WADI AKARIT  

 

May 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
IN THE FIELD 1-31      
  1   Regt. under command 5 Corps 1st Army  
TUNIS 8   Regt. takes position along TUNIS docks.  
  10   50% of Guns stand down and 50% go on leave (local).  
 

13

 

   Regt. becomes non-operational and moves to Area J 5802. This is only the fourth time the Regt. has been together since its mobilisation on 24th August 1939.  
 

14

 

   Commanding Officer’s inspection followed by Thanksgiving Service conducted by Regimental Chaplain. At conclusion of Parade all Units march past the Commanding Officer.  
  18   G.O.E. inspects Div. Artillery.  
  23   Regt. moves to TRIPOLI AREA  
  24   Gun and Waggon lines set up – time spent in rest and in cleaning up  

 

June 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
 

1-30

 

Regt. remains concentrated in present area for resting and training.

  
  12   Major C. Kniveton posted as Commanding Officer 34 L.A.A. Regt.  
  14   Major H. Kelly 2 i/c Regt.  
  21   H.M. the King inspects Regt. on Tripoli–Ben Gardone Road.  

 

July 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
  1-31   SAME LOCATION  
  13   Major Hutton takes command of 1 L.A.A. Bty.  
  19   Regt. re-equipped with 36 American MKI 40mm Bofors  

 

August 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
  1-31   SAME LOCATION  
  8   Training carried out on loading and unloading on landing craft in HOMS harbour.  
 

25

 

   During Air Co-operation by R.A.F. – one plane hits gun a glancing blow, crashes 100 yards from gun – pilot killed – no casualties suffered by Regt  
  28   2 i/c Regt. with 2 officers move to concentration area to form unit landing officers party.  

 

September 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
  1-30   SAME LOCATION  
 

1

 

42 Bty moves out of area to assembly area Tripoli.

  
  3   Remainder of Regt. to Tripoli.  
  19   Embarked on L.S.T.’s  
  21   Convoy passed through Messina Straits.  
  22   Arrived Salerno — disembarked under guidance from U.L.O. party.  
  29   Move to NOCERA.  

 

October 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
 

1-31

 

Moving with 7 Armd Div. in ITALY

  
 

2

 

Move from NOCERA to POMPEII.

  
 

25

 

 

 

 

CASSALUCE
                Battle Casualties for Month:
                O.R.’s by shellfire 1 killed — 1 wounded.
                By mines 3 vehicles destroyed — 7 wounded

  

 

November 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
 

1-30

 

IN THE FIELD ITALY

 
 

3

 

Party of one officer (Capt. D. Lay) and 38 O.R.’s report for duty from Hospital in N. Africa.

  
 

5

 

G.0.C. message on future role of Division advised to all Ranks

  
 

11

 

Officers of 5 Canadian L.A.A. Regt. contact us with reference to handing over of all equipment.

  
  14   Advance Parties leave for Billeting area SORRENTO.  
  16   Hand over to Canadian Regt. completed.  
  17   Balance of Regt. leave for Billeting Area.  
  18   Regt. concentrated in Billeting Area.  

 

December 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. Eustace Smith

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
SORRENTO

1-31

 

 

  
 

11

 

Conference at Div. H.Q. for move to NAPLES.

  
 

19

 

Regt. leaves for embarkation NAPLES..

  
  20   Ships sail from NAPLES.  
  20-31   At sea  

 

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