[Sticky] British 1st Airlanding Div - Briefings

1st August

Leave arranged

Good show chaps!

I've just come back from a meeting with the Operation commanders and they have now set a date for Operation Husky - Saturday 30th August. I don't have to remind you that this is all very hush-hush - wouldn't do for Jerry to get wind of it. It's the news we have all been waiting for and I know we all can't wait to get stuck in.

I'm off for a spot of pre-arranged leave for a few days and it seemed somewhat off that the lads would be left on normal duties. I have therefore blagged you all seven days leave, as of this evening. I'm sure you will find something useful to do with your time - go and enjoy the delights of Tunis or see if you can organise an excursion to the pyramids and if that can't be done there is plenty of sightseeing to be done closer to camp.

You will understand that conditions of leave have been laid down and it's on the strict understanding that you are all present and fit for duty on the 10th - I have given my word that it will be so.

Then it's hard training and more briefings for two weeks before it all kicks off.

Major Chomley-Warner, 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

12th August

Training programme

Good to see you chaps back from leave all refreshed and rearing to get at Jerry.

As far I know the date is still set as planned and the meteorological chaps are keeping a close eye on the weather. Alls looking good from this far out.

I see we have a fair few chaps over from England all set for their first combat mission. I'm sure it won't be necessary to ask that the old hands who have been through the North African campaign keep a look out for the new boys. It's vital we work as a cohesive and professional force, we are all in this together after all.

We will now be undertaking out most intensive airborne training sessions so far. Airfields over here have been building up stocks of planes and gliders for many weeks now and it's time to get to use the kit. We have a sizeable stock for training and between now and the start of operations I want each man to have completed at least five live glider landings in addition to the static ground based instruction programme.

So, look sharp lads, make the most of this training - yours and your fellow soldier's lives depend on it.

One final piece of news. It's now looking very likely that we will be getting a visit from the Eighth Army General some time before kick off, something I hope we can all look forward to.

Major Chomley-Warner, 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

13th August

Intelligence report

Following intensive aerial reconnaissance as well as information passed by our people on the island we now have a firm picture not only of coastal and flak batteries that will concern us as we make for land but also principal garrisons, stores, dumps and vehicle compounds.

It is confirmed that the main enemy groups are the Italian 6th Army comprising coastal defence units + four front line divisions and German XIV Panzer Corps. When Jerry realises what is going on we can expect re-enforcements to arrive - most likely it will be a rapid reaction Fallschirmjager force from mainland Italy.

At some point during the operation we will need to meet up with our local intelligence sources - given the terrain and enemy concentration this isn't going to be easy.

Major Chomley-Warner, 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

14th August

Attacking fixed positions

Just come back from a strategy meeting with the top brass. We were concentrating on how we can make maximum progress without getting pinned down by enemy entrenched positions. Make no mistake, our most fearsome adversary in the opening two days of the operation is going to be the Spandaus.

We are all going to be travelling pretty light to start with (heavier kit will reach us given time), so we will have to fight with our heads as well as our hearts. We will make use of smoke where we can either to cover an attack or as a diversion and we will make full use of splitting squads allowing covering fire and flanking manoeuvring. Wherever possible we must maintain forward movement - stand-off firefights never won a war. Fill your pockets with grenades when you can. Above all, listen to orders - there is no place in this battle for lone cowboys. Teamwork, discipline and pluck is what I am looking for.

With this in mind I am filling spare hours in your schedule with fire and manoeuvre training which I am sure will pay dividends.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

15th August

Troop comforts

I've chatting to the QM about making sure you lads are looked after once things get under way. Anywhow, the upshot is I've managed to secure a quantity of smokes which I'll be issuing to you before we set off. It's not much I know, but the supply situation is tight on non-essentials.

You have been in Tunisia a while now, so you know the importance of a high liquid intake. I'll be taking the opportunity when ever I can during the operation to get a brew on and I suggest you lads do the same. Tommys run on tea, we all know that, so make good advantage of your hexi cookers and local water supplies and take a rest and bite to eat whenever you can.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

18th August

Promotions

I hope you will be pleased on the recent promotion of Sgt 'Gadge' Harvey who will be the section leader in our group.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

19th August

Glider Training

Very pleased at the progress you chaps have made so far. I think we have more or less cracked it as far as 1st Airlanding go (just a bit more work for the pilot's loading training to work on) but it's a great shame we can't come up with a means of simulating battle conditions. The US tug crews are rather green and I fear that things might not go as smoothly once Jerry starts lobbing flak at us. Still, there is time yet. What do know is that our glider pilots can now land on a sixpence and drop on target by numbers. Time to ratchet things up a bit - night flying only from now on.

Some good news - our delayed shipment of jeeps has arrived at the docks and our ammunition dumps are now brim full so it looks like we will be dropping in on the Eyeties fully kitted, as promised.

Met with my American counterpart Major Badham at a strategy meeting yesterday. Brash chap but that's the Yanks for you. Still, he was as determined as myself to get the job done not only well but as quickly as possible - looks like we might have a race on our hands. We'll be conducting operations entirely separately - Badham's 505th PIR parachuting in as opposed to our glider borne ops - so I don't expect we will see a great deal of them. Can't say I'm disappointed.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

21st August

Exercises

I've been keeping a close eye on you chaps during blank fire exercises today and I must say it was a damn fine show all round. Team work is going to be key to getting this Operation won and it's here I have a few small observations to make.

Due to the unknown terrain and varied and changing objectives we will be running a flexible squad structure. It might be a three man squad or a twelve man squad (and all shades in between). Be that as it may, the objective is the key - getting side-tracked, losing sight of the goal or leaving your squad isn't going to win the war. As an example, if you have been tasked as a scout, observation only, not to engage and to report back then that is what you must do. Of course, should there be an unmissable target of opportunity then that is a value judgement you must make at the time - however, if you are shot and don't report back then the consequences back down down the line will be much larger than one wounded soldier. Keep focused.

Secondly, maintain squads wherever possible. There is little point in a squad of six getting shot up, five wounded returning to an aid station leaving one man in the field. Unless you are 100% sure patched up soldiers can return to the original location and find the lone unwounded man then it makes more sense to withdraw as a group, report back and reassess objective, then move back into action. If you do decide to leave a man behind (for example he is in a perfect ambush position) then make sure you stay where you are. I noticed a lot of lone cowboys who moved off to find some action and were therefore never reunited with the squad. The result is the squad strength is weakened and less likely to fulfil their objective.

Thirdly, report back. An operation of this kind, in unknown and harsh territory requires a free flow of information to and from commanders. Keep us in the picture at all times - no intelligence is too small to matter. We need to know enemy strengths, enemy command posts, enemy movements and useful positions for our exploitation. We can't rely on radios therefore lets keep things simple. Use runners if needs be and don't forget those hand signals!

Lastly, there is no shame in making a tactical withdrawal if progress can't be made. Pull back, regroup and reassess. There was far too much stand-off firefighting today - just because you see an enemy in the distance doesn't mean you have to waste time and ammunition taking pots shots. Use your heads - does it achieve anything tactically by engaging? If not then withdraw or move on. If it is worth engaging then split your squad and send a flanking party out and get the job done quickly.

Right, that's more than enough for today. Enjoy the evening, get some rest and we will take things up a notch tomorrow.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

22nd August

Night ops

Light duties only today lads. For tonight's training we will be running a minimum of two night landings. This will be a real test of both nerve and concentration. Pilots have been well up to the mark so far so I have every confidence in completing the programme safely. Remember, all glider occupants have procedures to follow - don't forget your training. We will be landing back on the second runway to minimise damage to the gliders in the hope that with minimal repair we can keep them in the flight.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

25th August

Night ops

Following the last very successful night training we will have one last session tonight then we will be returning to barracks to allow flight maintenance crews to finish their preparation.
From tomorrow it will be a regime of PT and equipment maintenance while stores are being transferred to the Kairouan airfield.

On Thursday we will move from barracks back to Kairouan airfield in preparation for loading on Friday.

Our glider allocation has now been confirmed at 137 and the back room boys are allocating men/equipment distribution as I write.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

26th August

Soldier's Guide

Now arrived from the printers 'The Soldier's Guide to Sicily'. A handy pocket book containing useful tips on how to behave and what to expect of the Sicilians, useful phrases and a personal map of the island. This will be issued before take off an you are required to carry it on your person at all times during the operation.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

28th August

Final brief

Convoys from barracks to Kairouan airfield will commence at 15.00hrs, all troops to be at marshalling points 'B' and 'D' by 14.00hrs.
Loading lists are posted at all notice boards at barracks and airfield, please note your glider number and flight coordinator.

15 platoon of C coy South Staffords are allocated glider 47, flight coordinator Sgt Harvey.

Weather reports at the moment are variable however there is no indication that suggests a postponement is likely, the assumption is that we will be following the standing plans.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

5th September

After action report - A
We had a rather hazardous flight that battled in turn with cloud causing the tug pilot to climb rapidly to maintain visual flight formation and pointless evasive manoeuvres from incoming flak as we approached the coastline. Having seen accompanying gliders being cut loose long before the coast only to drop into the sea and yet other cut loose at the first hint of enemy gunfire I feared the worst - the tug pilots were clearly showing their inexperience. Still, our glider held course and we cleared the coastal defences only to fly into the fire of a lone inland AA battery. A sharp manoeuvre severed our coms cable and then our tow rope was either snapped or deliberately dropped (I cannot tell which). A quick survey showed a good landing area and our pilot took us to a safe landing in textbook style, hard training clearly paid off.

On leaving the glider we set up a close defensive perimeter while I checked the maps. We were well short of our designated LZ. As later resupply drops would be made to that position it made sense to me to move men and what little kit we had to that area, establish a CP and rendezvous with the other glider borne troops, none of which we had sight of. Starting up a steep fern covered hill I split us into two groups, one following a trackway to the left, the other to the right. We immediately were hit by enemy fire - Italian and German snipers well hidden in the undergrowth. I held well back and as the men engaged I was able to identify all targets. Gradually the left flank cleared the undergrowth and swept right to meet the right flanking party who were making steady progress uphill making good use of machine gun covering fire. With some effort we reached the brow and I established a forward position there. There was some resistance by enemy at our our LZ who were eventually removed but most enemy were seen withdrawing rapidly. We met a group of local Sicilians who gave me some useful intelligence on enemy strength and positions. Double checking maps and coordinates I confirmed that we had reached our designated LZ so set about establishing a CP and, while waiting for other troops to rendezvous, made sure the men were fed, watered and rested.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

5th September

After action report - B

I was now in a difficult position. With just a glider full of men, no supply line to our LZ and worse, no sight of other British troops I had to weigh up whether to press on to our first objective regardless or hold and hope that others might reach us. I took the decision to hold position but use the time to carry out some reconnaissance - our maps and aerial photography were all well and good but it was clear the difficult terrain didn't correspond to information given. I tasked Sgt Harvey to organise three rece patrols to move forward in a direct line towards the Ponto Grande bridge location as well as a left flank and far-reaching right flank. Squad leaders were given a time to report back so that I could evaluate a plan of action.

Returning patrols provided the following information: left flank made contact with fighting US troops, some enemy fixed positions as well as mobile. Right flank: light enemy contact, cover for forward position available, no sight of bridge. Central route: fixed and mobile enemy positions, plenty of cover, no sight of bridge.

Dismissing the left flank as already being fought over by American forces and the right flank as too far and with little cover between a forward base and objective I put all the men I had in a frontal and central attack. No other British troops had met up with us at the LZ so assuming the landings had been a write-off and we were on our own I gave the order to press on.

Using the cover of hedgerows, ditches and natural depressions we made progress towards the highest point ahead. At one point we were pinned down by fire coming from our left flank from hidden snipers as well as a bunker position. Rapid and aggressive flanking movement dealt with that and I established a forward CP and first aid station. Moving forward for observation I could see that our target area was below us and that we were in a strong position to base ourselves at this point, having sight of all enemy movements in every direction. I allowed the men to tend wounds, reload and brew up before pushing to the next phase - attacking the bridge.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

5th September

After action report - C

Having reached our last remaining hedgerow in became clear that we had Americans fighting on our left flank and (so we could ignore that side) but we had enemy dug in between us an a open area of water as well as free reign to move on our right flank. The right flankers were easy enough to deal with as they had to break cover to attack us but the hedgerow proved troublesome as enemy crawled up using it's cover. Directly ahead in the distance I could see the Germans had a CP and aid station from which enemy were scurrying back and forth. Whilst we cleared out enemy in front of us and saw them limping back to their first aid station even with repeated and aggressive attacks it proved impossible to make progress as when we treated our wounded or moved back to resupply the enemy reoccupied ground we had taken.

All this pain and effort and we still hadn't clapped eyes on the bridge. Having managed to repair our damaged radio I made an attempt to contact the Americans on our left flank. Finally I reached Major Badham of the 82nd Airborne and we cooked up a plan to assist the British forces to get closer to our objective. He assembled what men he could spare in the wooded area to our left. We regrouped back on our forward CP. On a smoke signal the American put in a hard attack from the left flank forcing the enemy to retreat along the left of the waterway, the Americans pressing on to overrun the German CP. Meanwhile, this diversion and flushing allowed us to not only retake ground already taken but make further progress to the waterway. Still no sight of the bridge but we were well on target.

This excellent progress stalled a little when the Americans decided to plunder what they could at the former German command post and take the opportunity of respite leaving the British to hold back several German counter attacks. We very nearly re-lost our ground until the American got themselves together and returned to the action in support of our attack.

Having repelled the enemy from three sides of the waterway I consolidated our position with strong defence against sporadic enemy flanking and a strong line at the water's edge. With the bridge now sighted it became clear that it's entrance was covered by dug in enemy as well as snipers covering open ground that we had to cross to reach it. There was heavy fire coming from a pill box that covered most of 360 degrees and made moving my men into position difficult. However, by degrees men moved closer to the objective all the while consolidating what ground we had. With the bridge entrance cleared of most enemy a foolhardy soldier rushed the pillbox at the end of the bridge armed only with a pistol. I have to report it was an American soldier who first put foot on the bridge in this reckless manner but it brought this episode to close.

It only remained to flush out the last pockets of resistance and establish a defensive perimeter but our objective had been won, Ponto Grande bridge was in Allied hands.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

5th September

After action report - D

Our major objective now complete and men fed, rested, and resupplied by the American chain of supply I now looked towards our next objective - linking up with the Italian resistance who I was led to believe had important information regarding locations of later objective. Studying the maps with Sgt Harvey it was clear that there was a long foot slog ahead. We still had no contact with other British forces let alone any sort of vehicles or light artillery. Sgt Harvey was to lead all fit men on a foot patrol skirting the East of Mnt Etna to the designated meeting point in some olive groves to the North East.

With radio communications being so poor and the missing British troops not helping our endeavour I persuaded Major Badham to lend me a jeep and driver so that I could run some reconnaissance while the patrols were out. First I headed out on the left of Mnt Etna where I saw American troops swarming up the southern and eastern slopes putting an attack on a German radio station I believe. Clearly hold their own I headed back to the South and swung round East close to the mountain where I saw several German snipers on the slopes. Moving round in a wide arc I came across German foot patrols. Eventually I met up with our foot patrol working it's way around the Eastern edge. After a brief stop for rest there was a short engagement with a German foot patrol and then it was into the olive groves to meet with the resistance.

Rather confusingly we met with aggressive fire from the Italians which of course was returned. Two Italians surrendered and their leader was wounded. I interrogated him and it turned out a German patrol had stumbled on them and bribed them with cigarettes to fight for them. Damn eyeties can't be trusted an inch. Rum thing was that the Germans didn't think to search them so our man was still carrying the intelligence we had set out to retrieve. A sticky moment but alls well that ends well.

The letter, addressed to the British Commander which I took to be me, informed me that the German message encoding machine had been hidden in the craggy rocks of Mnt Etna. Regrouping the men I hatched a plan of attack.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

5th September

After action report - E

I gathered the men in a copse at the foothills of Mnt Etna and established a first aid station and command post. We had no route of resupply and no contact with friendly troops. Ahead I could see the mountain crawling with enemy, many of whom had a commanding view over our position. The peaks to our left were lightly defended, the ground in front completely open with no cover, the right flank with cover but not leading to our objective. This was going to be tricky. Reasoning that the enemy was largely armed by bolt action rifles (the feared opposition with spandaus failed to materialise thank God) and that we had a good selection of automatic weapons I felt that there was a good chance we might be able to rush the enemy position. It was a risky change but in the absence of back up there was little else I could do.

In went the first charge, uphill too. At to all our surprise it very nearly worked as we were able to get very close to the small cairn-like structure I has identified as a likely hiding place for the encoding machine. Re-grouping I put in another attack and this time got many men to the base of the rocks whose overhang protected them from fire coming from above. Luckily the enemy must have been low on supplies for the barrage of grenades I was expecting never came. Observing from previous encounters that the Germans seemed to lack focus and discipline and seemed to content themselves with exchanges that had no tactical purpose I kept a group of men at the base of the rocks as a diversion while putting in rapid assaults to the small cave across open ground. We made excellent progress but it became clear that even if we got to the objective and located the machine we wouldn't be able to return with it alive, such was the strength of fire from the enemies commanding position - we had nowhere to hide.

Knowing the Americans were busy the other side of the mountain I attempted to get a radio message through to Major Badham to ask if they were able assist. I got straight through but it turned out they had fulfilled their objective and returned to Ponto Grande bridge. They were a long way away but were able to assist. I asked that they would put in a distracting assault from the South and South West of Etna such that my forces on the East might have fire drawn away from them. From that point it was a waiting game, my men still putting in repeated raiding actions.

And then it came. From my observation position I saw all Axis heads turn away and a few change position pointing their rifles to the West. I screamed at the man nearest me to drop his rifle and run for the machine which he did apace, wresting the box out of it's hiding place and then legging it back to the CP at full lick. Pvt Quin was the hero of the hour.

With that objective achieved we regrouped and returned to Ponto Grande bridge to dig in and bed down for the night.

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

5th September

After action report - F

Having had such as exhausting day previous many men took the opportunity to grab what extra sleep they could. Still, this was no time to be caught napping - I was fully expecting a German counter-attack. Sure enough the call soon went up of enemy spotted so a quick cheque of our defensive positions and we held tight against the onslaught. Repeated attempts to flank us from the East were thwarted time and again, the enemy easily been seen crossing open land. Eventually they tired of attempts in this direction so guard was removed. The was constant and unremitting sniper fire from the front, facing the bridge entrance. While it caused injury and harassment to the men I was content to keep the enemy at arms length for there was no tactical threat to the bridge from such action.

It was the Western side that caused the problem. Our forward parties were repelled and the enemy steadily made progress along a diagonal hedge line until they could fire directly at our defences at the bridge entrance. Without mortars or light artillery there was little we could do against the pressure of the snipers and Schmeissers. Fearing unnecessary loss of life I thought it prudent to allow the bridge to fall back into enemy hands knowing that somewhere behind us were the bulk of British forces who landed by sea and were surely making progress across land.

My tactical withdrawal took us to a wooded area that afforded good cover and was already occupied by American 82nd and was on the planned route inland of seaborne forces, the idea being to join up if possible. My men were hungry and low on ammunition, having taken what we could from the Americans we were now running low again.

Mistaking my withdrawal and regrouping for a retreat the German forces had decided to attack what they thought to be a weakened force. They soon realised their mistake when they came over the crest of the hill straight into our ambush, their first wave mown down mercilessly. Thereafter they sent out a flanking party who despite repeated attempts failed to penetrate the woods. The bulk of the enemy concentrated on a frontal assault down a valley but progress was halted thanks to our entrenched and strong front line.

Content to hold this position it was just a matter of gritting our teeth until reinforcements reached us...

Major Chomley-Warner 1st Airlanding Division, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment