10th Bn War Diary September 1943 Italy

10th Parachute Battalion. War Diary.

Commanding Officer: Lieut – Colonel. K.B.I. Smyth.

Month & Year: September 1943.

Place: Kairouan area [TUNISIA].

NOTE: Original lost in transit, plus appendices.

1st September 1943.

Second half of the Battalion goes on leave to Tunis

5th September 1943.

Warning Order received for the Bn to be prepared for an operation. Stand by as from 0600 hrs, 6 Sep.

Leave Party returns from Tunis.

6th September 1943.

Preparations are made for seaborne operation. No Operation Order yet issued. Likely to be issued after embarkation. No move likely before 7th Sep.

7th September 1943.

Warned to move on 8 Sep, probable time 0430 hrs. This time put back to 2000 hrs, 7 Sep.

1400 hrs. Warning that move will take place 1800 hrs, 7 Sep.

1830 hrs. Bn moves off. Transport allotted is insufficient & great difficulty is experienced in bringing all the necessary equipment.

Place: In the field.

8th September 1943.

Arrive at Staging Area outside Bizerta, where Division is assembling prior to embarkation. Bn is allotted H.M.S. Penelope. Insufficient space to take the whole Bn & B-Coy, less one Pl, is left behind to come on with second wave.

1300 hrs. Embarkation completed, the convoy takes off as soon as possible.

4 Para Bde Operation List No 1 issued.  Appx A1.

Place: At Sea.

9th September 1943.

1115 hrs. ‘O’ Group conference on board. Final orders for operational role after disembarking are issued. Time of arrival not definite & is dependent on the action of the Italian Navy. Probable time 1600 hrs.

Bde Op List No 2 issued.  Appx A1(a).

1600 hrs. Confirmation of ‘O’ Gp Orders issued to O.C’s Coys.  Appx 2.

1700 hrs. Expected to arrive in about one hour. British Navy cautious owing to doubt of Italian Navy’s intentions.

Italian battleships move out of Taranto harbour.

1930 hrs. H.M.S. Penelope come alongside American Cruiser ‘Boise’ (on which is the remainder of the Bde). Disembarkation takes place through the Boise, which causes delay.

2035 hrs. Bn commences disembarking.

2056 hrs. Bn HQ established on the quayside. Lt. Linklater goes off to attempt to get some vehicles.

Italian local Commander informs the Bde that all Germans had left Taranto, last party leaving this morning.

2115 hrs. All ‘A’, ‘D’, Bn HQ & Pl, ‘B’ Coy completed disembarkation & take up first position.

2140 hrs. Bn HQ moves off to second position, North of railway. Coys also take up second position. ‘D’ Coy reach ‘Charing Cross’ 7213.

Information received – not confirmed – that Germans are blocking road junction at Palagiano 5927 & are in Massafra.

2208 hrs. 2 Tp RE’s join up with Bn. Fld Amb not completed disembarkation.

2330 hrs. Bn complete with jeeps & a-tk guns & Sec Fld Amb.

Place: In the field. [ITALY]

10th September 1943.

0130 hrs. Bn moves off to position crossroads 5917.

0150 hrs. Bde reports that Castellaneta is reported occupied by 500 German Parachutists. S.A.S & Recce Sqn are patrolling as far as Palagiano & Massafra.

0545 hrs. ‘D’ Coy & ‘A’ Coy arrive at X-rds and take up position.

0600 hrs. Bn HQ established 591189.

0800 hrs. German 3 ton vehicle containing 4 Luftwaffe personnel gets held up at X-rds. Stated that they were on way to Taranto & did not know that any landing had been made. PW forwarded to Bde.

1027 hrs. Report that Recce sqn had taken Massafra.

1035 hrs. ‘D’ Coy is ferried up to Palagiano to cut off retreat of enemy from Massafra.

1118 hrs. ‘D’ Coy reports unable to cut off enemy. No enemy seen.

1300 hrs. S.A.S report German force moving N.E. along the coast road. Bn stands-to & ‘D’ Coy is warned to return at short notice. Italian Bty of Field Arty puts itself at our disposal and is sited.

1359 hrs. S.AS ambushed enemy force, PW taken & several wounded. PW sent back to Bde HQ via Bn HQ.

1557 hrs. Bde reports Mottola captured.

1655 hrs. Div Comdr, Maj-Gen. Hopkinson visits Bn HQ with the Brigadier.

1900 hrs. Platoon of ‘A’ Coy & Sec RE’s take up a position on bridge over River Lato – 511153. Plan for RE’s to prepare Br for demolition. Br to be blown only on orders of Pl Comdr, if he considers it necessary.

11th September 1943.

0200 hrs. Bde L.O. arrives with orders.

0300 hrs. C.O. gives out orders. ‘D’ Coy has been ordered to move at 0545 hrs.

Intention          1). To hold present position.

                        2). To assist 156 Bn drive the enemy out of Castellaneta – 4829.

‘D’ Coy with Bde Def Pl, Sec of MMG from Bde, Mortar Pl & 1 A-Tk (Breda) under comd to move along main road to Castellaneta to take up position by railway – 4827 – in order to cause a diversion.

Pl ‘B’ Coy to patrol South of present position to the Station – 5917 - & 3 miles to the West.

‘A’ Coy to replace Platoon at Bridge.

0558 hrs. Bde Defence Pl not arrived. Major. Widdowson, O.C. ‘D’ Coy pushed on without them.

C.O. goes to ‘D’ Coy with the I.O., Lt. Dale-Smith & arranges at Palagiano for transport to take Bde Def Pl to catch up ‘D’ Coy.

‘A’ Coy send out cycle patrols.

0730 hrs. Report from S.A.S.

0930 hrs. C.O. returns & reports ‘D’ Coy reached Br area - 5026. No opposition as yet.

1055 hrs. Recce Sqn report approx. strength holding Br – 4827 – to be 10-15 men, 2 MG’s & Light MG’s.

11.30 hrs. ‘D’ Coy reach 4827. Enemy reported to be in ravine 4728 & rly 4827. Lt. Proctor is reported wounded.

1145 hrs. C.O. goes forward to ‘D’ Coy.

Lt. McKee arrives with 2 trucks & jeep trailer containing ammo & wireless batteries.

1200 hrs. Major Barlow, 2 i/c, holds ‘O’ Gp conference, less O.C: ‘D’ Coy. Information about enemy, believed 100 Germans in Castellaneta & 400 on road bend N.W. of the town.

Threat from coast road from West not very great. Probable plan will be to hold Br over River Lato with one Pln & prepare to rush a fighting force to Castellaneta in all available transport.

1230 hrs. ‘D’ Coy capture railway bridge at 4827.

1450 hrs. 156 Bn engaging enemy North of the town around area 480336.

1430 hrs. ‘D’ Coy sends a patrol forward to recce road block South of Castellaneta.

1504 hrs. Rd block reported held, estimated with 2 mG’s & 1 A-Tk gun.

1510 hrs. Bn prepares to move forward; One Pl, ‘A’ Coy remain at Bridge & one Pl, ‘B’ Coy to remain in present location guarding X-rds.

2 i/c goes forward to ‘D’ Coy.

1545 hrs. Bn moves off in all the available Italian & captured German transport.

1550 hrs. ‘D’ Coy put in an attack on the road block. Strong opposition.

1540 hrs. Div Comd arrives at scene of battle with the Brigadier & watches the commencement of the attack.

1630 hrs. Div Comd gets seriously wounded in the head by MMG fire.

1640 hrs. Bn reaches road-track junction – 489268.

C.O. goes forward to see ‘D’ Coy & to discover the latest situation. Bn debusses & deploys on either side of the road.

Intention is for ‘A’ Coy to go forward to relieve ‘D’ Coy.

1700 hrs. Rd block is captured by ‘D’ Coy & advance continues on to Castellaneta in conjunction with ‘A’ Coy.

1740 hrs. Enemy mortar fire opens up on our forward positions.

1755 hrs. Pl of ‘D’ Coy reaches outskirts of the town.

1800 hrs. ‘D’ Coy hand over to ‘A’ Coy & withdraw to area 490278.

1810 hrs. Bn HQ moves forward to 490278.

1908 hrs. ‘A’ Coy troops in the town. A-Tk Section under Capt. Gain established in the town.

Enemy mortar fire coming down on entrance to the town. ‘A’ Coy gets through to far edge of town, but held up by MG’s fire.

C.O. visits most forward troops & owing to darkness & fact that the enemy know the town, orders A Coy to withdraw to the outskirts of the south of the town and take it next morning.

Total casualties for the 11th; 1 other rank killed.

1 officer and 2 other ranks wounded.

Brigadier visits the Bn during the night & discusses plans with the C.O.

C.O. holds orders for the capture of the town to take place at first light.

12th September 1943.

0430 hrs. Bn (less ‘A’ Coy already in position) moves off along road to Castellaneta & lines up at 485293 on South side of the town.

‘A’ Coy move through the town meeting no opposition & take up a position at 475300.

0810 hrs. ‘D’ Coy advance through ‘A’ Coy to rd junction – 4631. 156 Bn found to be already in possession & nearly get mistaken for enemy. ‘D’ Coy take over from 156 Bn.

0905 hrs. Bn HQ & ‘A’ Coy move forward to rd junction & an all round defensive position is taken up.

Bn HQ established at 466315. Bn digs in.

156 Bn at rd junction – 5136.

Bty of Italian Field Arty arrives & taken up a position within the perimeter, covering any attack from the West.

Patrols sent out from ‘D’ and ‘A’ Coy.

C.O. and Coy Commander of 4 Para Bn visit the Bn with a view to taking over. No information yet received from Bde that there is to be a changeover. Confirmation received from Bde that 4 Para Bn would be arriving on 13th to take over our positions. Bn will move back to Mottala area.

13th September 1943.

0800 hrs. 4 Para Bn arrives.

0900 hrs. Relief complete, Bn ferries to new position.

C.O. goes ahead to area 5832 (Sheet 202).

1325 hrs. Arrive area 5936, Bn HQ established at 594367. Coys take up positions around the farm. Local patrolling.

Pl A Coy from bridge & Pl B Coy left behind at x roads - 5917 return to the Battalion. ‘D’ Tp A-Tk Bty comes under command. Bty of Italian Field Artillery move in and come under command. ‘B’ Coy arrive at Taranto and spend night on the docks.

14th September 1943.

Funeral of the Div Comd, Maj-Gen. Hopkinson is held at Divisional Cemetery; 2 i/c & Adjutant attend as representatives from the Bn.

‘B’ Coy (less Platoon already with the Bn) make arrangements to join the Bn.

0600 hrs. C.O. gives orders to Coy Commanders. Each of ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘D’ Coy to send out a recce patrol to Noci.

Lt Saunders returns from recce and gains information from Italians – 3 Coys of Germans left Noci for Gioia [del-Colle] 3 days ago. No Germans left in Noci. Estimated strength in Gioia, 700 troops, armoured cars, but no tanks.

Railway from Martina [Franca] to Bari clear.

Lt Bellow returns from patrol and confirms that no Germans are in Noci.

15.00 hrs. Bn on the move again to Mottola, leaving ‘A’ Coy in present position.

‘B’ Coy move direct from docks to the new area.

16.30 hrs. All Coys in position. Bn HQ at 566306.

Major. Barlow leaves to take command of 6 Para Bn.

15th September 1943.

Pl of A Coy moves into Noci. Patrols have nothing to report.

‘B’ Coy prepare for a Company fighting patrol to Gioia. Major. Warr goes out to recce the route and de-bussing area.

Div Comd visits the Bn HQ. Is shown Company locations from the top of the hill by the Adjutant.

19.30 hrs. ‘B’ Coy takes off in M.T., from the Bn HQ, the C.O., Lt. Clarke, Lt. Linklater (to act as interpreter) and the RSM go with the party.

Route taken; Mottola – Noci.

16th September 1943.

07.30 hrs. No news heard of ‘B’ Coy. Out of touch by wireless.

11.30 hrs. 156 Bn report that heavy mortar and MMG fire had been heard in area east of the town of Gioia at about first light. There still appears to be fighting.

12.45hrs. ‘B’ Coy returns. C.O. and Major. Warr call at Bde to report situation. RSM remains at transport embussing area east of Gioia to collect any stragglers.

One wounded PW brought back. Information obtained from him as per appx.  Appx E.1.

23.05 hrs. Pl of A Coy withdrawn from Noci.

Local patrols have nothing to report. Casualties from Gioia patrol to date stand at;

            Killed; 4 other ranks.

            Wounded; Lt. Clarke & 5 other ranks.

            Missing; Lt. Bellow and Lt. Linklater and 25 other ranks.

It is probable that several of the missing are laying low in the town and will return later.

17th September 1943.

During the day certain members of ‘B’ Coy return.

Report of ‘B’ Coy operation as per appx.  Appx. E.2 and E.3.

Major. Warr goes out with recces patrol to Gioia, meanwhile 156 Bn enter the town and report it clear of enemy.

4 men recovered in Gioia. Search continues until 19.00 hrs when 156 withdrawn south of town.

Warning order received that the Bde is being relieved by the Airlanding Bde and going back to Taranto area in reserve.

C.O. visits 2 S. Staffs whose area the Bn will be taking over.

18th September 1943.

Advance party of 2 S. Staffs arrives.

Orders received for move.  Appx A3.

Total casualties from ‘B’ Coy’s patrol to Gioia now stand at;

4 other ranks killed.

1 officer & 5 other ranks wounded.

2 officers & 7 other ranks missing.

15.00 hrs. All kit stacked and ferried direct to new area rather than use the train allotted by Div.

C.O. asks Bde if Bn can march direct rather than go by rail. Permission is granted.

18.30 hrs. Relief complete. Coys march off by march route and form up at road junction 5926.

22.30 hrs. Halt for the night.

19th September 1943.

05.30 hrs. QM arrives with breakfast.

10.00 hrs. Arrive new area. Coys spend remainder of the day settling in.

Major. Widdowson and Lt. Saunders go to Bari to recce area that Lt. Saunder’s Pl will take over.

20th September 1943.

Coy Commanders’ conference. Bn is warned to move to take up defensive position covering Taranto. Troops are allowed into Taranto.

21st September 1943.

4 Para Bde Defensive Plan issued by Bde.  Appx A4.

22nd September 1943.

Orders received from Bde to stop all defensive work. 23 Sep to be spent preparing for a move.

23rd September 1943.

No move likely today.

24th September 1943.

Bn provides officers and 28 guides to assist in the disembarkation of 8 Indian Division.

26th September 1943.

No 6396567. Sgt. Harris. M. (Prov. Sgt) accidentally killed in Bari.

27th September 1943.

Bde issues orders for the move on 28 Sep. Bn will move by march route to Gioia area, staging the first night south of Mottola.

I.O. goes out to recce route and staging area.

During the night 27/28 message received that move by march route cancelled. Probable move by train on 29 Sep.

28th September 1943.

The following promotions and appointments are made;

Major. G. Widdowson assumes appointment of 2 i/c  w.e.f. 16 Sep 43.

Lt. (T/Capt) L. Queripel to be A/Major w.e.f. 16 Sep 43.

Lt. C. M. Horsfall to be A/Capt and assumes apt of Adjt w.e.f. 28 Sep 43.

Lt. (T/Capt) H. B. Booty relinquishes apt of Adjutant w.e.f. 28 Sep 43.

Instruction received from Bde for move by rail on 29 Sep.  Appx A5.

29th September 1943.

C.O. goes forward to recce Bn area. Bn HQ at 425465 (west of Gioia).

Train arrives late and Coys march to their areas in the dark. All baggage is unloaded and delivered to company areas by 23.00 hrs.

30th September 1943.

Coys spend the day settling in to new area.

Total battle casualties for the month.

Killed; 5 other ranks.

Wounded; 2 officers & 7 other ranks.

Missing; 2 officers & 7 other ranks.

Field return of Officers.            Appx E4.

Field return of Other Ranks.      Appx E5.