War Dairy 229 Army Field Company R.E.

War Dairy 229 Army Field Company R.E. - October 1944

Commanding Officer: Major F.E. Ladly R.E.

Place Date Hour Summary of Event and Information References to Appendix

CALDINE 1 3 Pl. (Lt.MAS Williams RE) constructing Class 40 one-way RSJ and timber trestle bridge at PALAZZO Q.935585. 2 spans, 15 ft 20 ft. Pl. location TROGHI Q.932589.
2 Pl. (Lt. R Hodges RE) maintaining AROW ROUTE, FLORENCE excl to BORGO S LORENZO (excl). Pl. location CALDINE Q.842753.
1 Pl. (Lt. HS Barnes RE) maintaining Route 67 FLORENCE - PONTASSIEVE and completion of piers to PONTASSIEVE Bailey Bridge at Q.942684. Pl. location CASCIANO Q.891701.

2. Civilian contractor (Societe Ferrobetain) started work on reconstruction od demolished brick arch bridge at BURCHIO Q.940578.

3. 50 ft. S/S Bailey at Q.950578 made into 50 ft. D/S

4. 0200-0600 50 ft. S/S Bailey at Q.935585 lifted. 50 ft. D/S at Q.940578 made 60 ft. D/S

L'OLMO 0900 O GROUP C.R.E. 1 Pl. to construct bye-pass round N of BORGO S LORENZO. Prepare design for decked Bailey at CAMPIOBOSSO.

1600 1 Pl. moved to Q.870549. 3 Pl. took over liability Route 67 w.e.f. 0800 hrs. 5 Oct.

BORGO S LORENZO 5 0730 1 Pl. started work on BORGO bye-pass.

L'OLMO 1700 O Group C.R.E.. 2 Pl. to take over ARROW ROUTE BORGO - RONTA. 3 Pl. to assist in BORGO diversion.

2100 Lt. MAS Williams RE reported Coy. HQ.

BURCHIO 6 0100-0500 Bailey at Q.940578 raised 3 ft. by 3 Pl. A.F.W3008 and 3009A

0830 2 Pl. moved to billets at Q.910901

1500 3 P. less 1 sec moved from TROGHI to tented camp at Q.903875
14 Ind. Fd. Coy. took over ARROW ROUTE S of BORGO. 1 Ind. Fd. Coy. took over Route 67.

BORGO S LORENZO 7 3 Pl. took over demolition work BORGO and supply of hardcore to diversion. Comments on 3 Pl. work for P.B.S. attached Appendix "J"

CALDINE 7 Pleasant note from C.A.G.R.E. - Route 6927 never even suggested as my liability and, in fact, precise task of bridge. Appendix "J"

BORGO S LORENZO 9 1030 Bailey Bridge at BORGO S LORENZO across River Sieve washed away by rising water which eroded road behind 2 bank seat. Maintenance task of 230 A Fd Coy RE.

1430 Met C.A.G.R.E. and C.R.E. on site of BORGO bridge. Asked to constrct 80's D/S northern approach span to high level Bailey to be erected on old piers by 230 A. Fd Coy RE

1530 Lt. HS Barnes RE arrived on site to set out bridge.

1545 2 sec of 1 Pl. on site to start excavation. Remaining men of 1 Pl. kept work in progress on BORGO diversion.

1615 1 sec of 3 Pl. started loading stores from No.14 Bailey Dump at BORGO. There were no panels or pins in dump but these were expected to arrive during night. The ramp rose approx. 5 ft. and grillages were built to carry plain rollers at 10' and 25' and rocking rollers at about 42', the bridge being hauled up the slope by means of a D.6 Hyster winch.
Considerable work required on bank seat of bridge and compressor was working for approx. 10 hours. No difficulty was experienced and bridge was decked down at 0730 hrs 10 Oct.

2300 2 Pl started work on lengthening PAISEY? Br Q.931927. This was 140 ' T/S with 100' reinforced to T/D and was class 40. It had been constructed by Engineers & Gunners ?Div. The N bank seat was collapsing due to very wet weather and very high angle of repose. Considerable difficulty was experienced in removing pins at end of first panel to release end post and although due to finish at 0200 hrs task was not completed until 0700 hrs 10 Oct. Bridge now 150 ft. long but not doubled and Class reduced to 18. Panel loads arrived at BORGO Bridge dump.

BORGO S LORENZO 10 1000 BORGO High Level bridge opened to traffic.
Work continues on doubling PAISLEY Bridge. Chord bolts on N.E. corner had been hammered in to extent of flattening heads to give ½ in decrease in depth and it was impossible to remove them. N.W. corner, also impossible to remove chord bolts and in addition a loose pin with head inward has been left in outer truss of reinforcing.

1630 This was burnt out by 231 C.Fd.Pk.Coy.RE with local REME cutting plant.

1900 PAISLEY Bridge 150' T/D Class 40.

11 2 Pl slept in morning as they had been working for 40 hours

12 1100 Met rep of 577 Fd.CourRE on BORGO Bridge. He stated that he was to meeet rep of this Coy there at 1000 hrs to hand over maintenance of F.M.C. area. I have no knowledge of this.

1200 Sent request for information to C.R.E.

BORGO S LORENZO 12 The Civil Labour unit have the greatest difficulty in producing labour for road works in BORGO. For 5 days I have been promised 50, in addition to those shewn on SITREP, and the net result is nil.

1400 C.R.E. called O Group. 229 to take over maintenance F.M.C. area w.e.f. 0800 hrs 13 Oct, ARROW Route from 95 Northing to RAZZOLO (incl) and SUN Route BORGO - S PIETRO w.e.f. 1800 hrs 14 Oct.

2230 Started work on 127 F.M.C. amn area where only night work is possible. 577 Fd Coy RE are leaving area to-morrow morning.

13 There have now been 48 hours fine weather : a record for this month so far. The improvement in the road is unbelievable.
17 civilians available out of the 50 promised by Civil Labour unit BORGO.
A.F.W.3008 & 3009A

15 BORGO N diversion opened and stood up to Class 9 traffic successfully.

BORGO S LORENZO 16 Took over RONTA Quarry. Installed 10 ton crusher, 10 RB, 2 dumpers. Output at start 90 tons as dug only. Lt.C.D. Wattleworth RE assumes command 3 Pl. Lt. MAS Williams RE to H.Q. as F.E.

18 Drizzle. Diversion stands up to traffic and there is noticeably less congestion in BORGO. Lt.HS Barnes RE left for 7 days leave in ROME. Article on Bailey Suspension Bridge for RE Journal completed.

19 The 19 RB working in BORGO has now delivered about 28 houses to various road jobs, 500-600 tons a day. Cross-roads Q.906886 in BORGO christened CHAOS CORNER and necessary notice boards erected.

20 A definite improvement in the weather. ARROW route is dry.
The Cantonieri make a very marked improvment in the drainage of the road and have now cleared 1½ miles N of BORGO

BORGO S LORENZO 20 They are better at the job than sappers in that they think more of the actual problem of getting the water off the road.
An output of 200 tons a day is required from RONTA Quarry.
I must have drills longer than 6 ft. but 16 Army Group RE cannot produce. The question of employing women is being considered and a start will be made next week using them under the Cantonieri. The Commune is serving notice on male labourer ordering them to report for land work. I have informed the Commune tht the operational need is even greater than the civil need. I could employ 500 men and I have 95.
A.Fs W.3008 & 3009A

RONTA 23 2300 Conference C.R.E. 229 to take over ARROW Route BORGO - CASAGLIA (incl) w.e.f. 0600 hrs. 25 Oct.

24 1920 Summoned to H.Q. 16 Army Group RE and there saw C.R.E. and C.A.G.R.E. Am to build a Bailey Bridge on ACE Route at L.965095 across River SANTERNO. R.V. to-morrow on the site

RONTA 24 20.30 Issued orders to 2 Pl to move to site to-morrow.

25 0800 Took C.A.G.R.E. to site of bridge and met C.R.E. and Lt.HODGES (2 Pl). D.7 and D.8 despatched by C.R.E. last night were held up at SCARPERIA by T.C. Cannot leave till to-night.
Billets on ACE Route are well-nigh non-existent. Saw 2 i/c Welsh Guard and, as some of his men are moving out he gave me billets for 60 men.

1500 2 Pl move in.

1600 Brigade of Guards sent message stating billets now required by Grenadiers out of line. Fair, but a nuisance. Pouring with rain. 2 Pl to local mudpatch.

26 Rain continues. River rose about 6 ft. and covered up site of proposed pier for Bailey Bridge. D.6 worked after arriving on site at 0530 hrs. Virgin rock encountered and proposed bridge must now be approx. spans from N to Sm 100', 130', 50'

BORGO S LORENZO 26 N pier to be 30' Bailey. S pier to be timber trestle or 20 ton bridging cribs. Advance party 1 Pl moved to bridge site.

1930 Saw C.R.E. and confirmed design.

2230 Message received from C.A.G.R.E. stating that another Bailey (S ANDREA) had been washed away on ACE Route and my task my be cancelled.

2245 Sent out message cancelling move of main party 1 Pl.

FIRENZUOLA 27 1100 Attended meeting of Brig. Walker, C.A.G.R.E., Col from C.E. 5 Army. Decision; no bridge; partly due to washing away f bridge at S ANDREA and partly to change of opinion G and R.E. staffs 5 Army. Men very disappointed after mastering the mud particularly as waterproof clothing had been liberally supplied. Some 60 tons of stores had been delivered to the site. Most of it handed over to 230 A Fd Coy RE. Weather cleared about 1400 hrs but clouds at ground level in the mountain stretches of ACE Route. ACE Route is the worst main supply route we have been on, narrow, muddy, badly drained. It is interesting to note that from the U.S. point of view (C.E. 5 Army) ACE Route is a good two-way road, due to the performance of their 6 x 6 as compared with such British vehicles as 3 ton and 15 cwt. 4 x 2. There is a recovery vehicle evey mile for 6 miles out of SCARPERIA. A.Fs W.3008 & 3009A

1230 Ordered 2 Pl and advanced party 1 Pl to pack up and return to BORGO location.

1500 Reported results of conference to C.R.E. New commitments ARROW Route PALUCCIANO - CASAGLIA including RONTA Quarry.

28 2 Pl moved from L.966098 to Q.940939. 1 Pl moved from Q.910901 to Q.948948. D.A.D.L. cannot produce female labourers but I hope to have 200 civilians on ARROW Route w.e.f. 30 Oct.

29 Coy H.Q. moved from Q.888881 to RONTA Q.944944

RONTA 30 1 Pl (Lt.HS Barnes RE) responsible for ARROW Route PALUCCIANO (incl) - RONTA Quarry (incl) and reconstruction of retaining wall at Q.960958.
2 Pl (Lt.R Hodges RE) responsible for ARROW Route RONTA Quarry (excl) to CASAGLIA (Excl)
3 Pl (Lt CD Wattleworth RE) responsible for P.O.L. Depot, Amn Depot, 127 F.M.C. area, VICCHIO.

31 1115 O Group C.R.E. 229 to move to ACE Route to take over commitments of 577 Field Coy RE, probably maintenance of ACE Route from 11 Northing to CASTEL DEL RIO (excl)

1230 Saw Pl Offrs and gave orders to move off about 0700 hrs 1 Nov.

1245 Moved off to contact 577 with Lt. Hodges and Lt. Barnes.

MARODUCCIO 1500 Saw O.C. 577 Fd Coy RE on ACE Route. Position obscure as commitments not simple and length includes concreting of S ANDREA bridge by 56 Fd Coy RE and running of quarry for forward area generally. Arranged to take over ACE Route excl CASTEL DEL RIO and concreting task.

1915 Reported H.Q. C.R.E. C.R.E out.

2100 C.R.E. called at my H.Q. Provisionally confirmed my commitments but will meet me tomorrow at HQ. 577, now HQ Tac HQ CRE 13 Corps, Lt. Col Hawker R.E.
Had just reached the 192 mark for employment of civilians on Arrow route which is the highest ever in this area.
Considerable ??? work involved in sudden handovers as they are collected in numbers ranging from 5 - 40 from odd dwelling areas - time sheets - share rations etc.
2 i/c did handover. Arrow Route to 97 India Fd Coy & F.M.C. to 14 Indian Fd. Coy RE.
NOTE
ORIGINAL WORKS SITREPS FOLIOS 27-63 ARE INCLUDED
Alterations usually indicate the difference between one nights' sirep & the next.

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Event and Information	References to Appendix
CALDINE	1		3 Pl. (Lt.MAS Williams RE) constructing Class 40 one-way RSJ and timber trestle bridge at PALAZZO Q.935585. 2 spans, 15 ft 20 ft. Pl. location TROGHI Q.932589. 2 Pl. (Lt. R Hodges RE) maintaining AROW ROUTE, FLORENCE excl to BORGO S LORENZO (excl). Pl. location CALDINE Q.842753. 1 Pl. (Lt. HS Barnes RE) maintaining Route 67 FLORENCE - PONTASSIEVE and completion of piers to PONTASSIEVE Bailey Bridge at Q.942684. Pl. location CASCIANO Q.891701.
	2.		Civilian contractor (Societe Ferrobetain) started work on reconstruction od demolished brick arch bridge at BURCHIO Q.940578.
	3.		50 ft. S/S Bailey at Q.950578 made into 50 ft. D/S
	4.	0200-0600	50 ft. S/S Bailey at Q.935585 lifted. 50 ft. D/S at Q.940578 made 60 ft. D/S
L'OLMO		0900	O GROUP C.R.E. 1 Pl. to construct bye-pass round N of BORGO S LORENZO. Prepare design for decked Bailey at CAMPIOBOSSO.
		1600	1 Pl. moved to Q.870549. 3 Pl. took over liability Route 67 w.e.f. 0800 hrs. 5 Oct.
BORGO S LORENZO	5	0730	1 Pl. started work on BORGO bye-pass.
L'OLMO		1700	O Group C.R.E.. 2 Pl. to take over ARROW ROUTE BORGO - RONTA. 3 Pl. to assist in BORGO diversion.
		2100	Lt. MAS Williams RE reported Coy. HQ.
BURCHIO	6	0100-0500	Bailey at Q.940578 raised 3 ft. by 3 Pl.	A.F.W3008 and 3009A
		0830	2 Pl. moved to billets at Q.910901
		1500	3 P. less 1 sec moved from TROGHI to tented camp at Q.903875 14 Ind. Fd. Coy. took over ARROW ROUTE S of BORGO. 1 Ind. Fd. Coy. took over Route 67.
BORGO S LORENZO	7		3 Pl. took over demolition work BORGO and supply of hardcore to diversion. Comments on 3 Pl. work for P.B.S. attached	Appendix "J"
CALDINE	7		Pleasant note from C.A.G.R.E. - Route 6927 never even suggested as my liability and, in fact, precise task of bridge.	Appendix "J"
BORGO S LORENZO	9	1030	Bailey Bridge at BORGO S LORENZO across River Sieve washed away by rising water which eroded road behind 2 bank seat. Maintenance task of 230 A Fd Coy RE.
		1430	Met C.A.G.R.E. and C.R.E. on site of BORGO bridge. Asked to constrct 80's D/S northern approach span to high level Bailey to be erected on old piers by 230 A. Fd Coy RE
		1530	Lt. HS Barnes RE arrived on site to set out bridge.
		1545	2 sec of 1 Pl. on site to start excavation. Remaining men of 1 Pl. kept work in progress on BORGO diversion.
		1615	1 sec of 3 Pl. started loading stores from No.14 Bailey Dump at BORGO. There were no panels or pins in dump but these were expected to arrive during night. The ramp rose approx. 5 ft. and grillages were built to carry plain rollers at 10' and 25' and rocking rollers at about 42', the bridge being hauled up the slope by means of a D.6 Hyster winch. Considerable work required on bank seat of bridge and compressor was working for approx. 10 hours. No difficulty was experienced and bridge was decked down at 0730 hrs 10 Oct.
		2300	2 Pl started work on lengthening PAISEY? Br Q.931927. This was 140 ' T/S with 100' reinforced to T/D and was class 40. It had been constructed by Engineers & Gunners ?Div. The N bank seat was collapsing due to very wet weather and very high angle of repose. Considerable difficulty was experienced in removing pins at end of first panel to release end post and although due to finish at 0200 hrs task was not completed until 0700 hrs 10 Oct. Bridge now 150 ft. long but not doubled and Class reduced to 18. Panel loads arrived at BORGO Bridge dump.
BORGO S LORENZO	10	1000	BORGO High Level bridge opened to traffic. Work continues on doubling PAISLEY Bridge. Chord bolts on N.E. corner had been hammered in to extent of flattening heads to give ½ in decrease in depth and it was impossible to remove them. N.W. corner, also impossible to remove chord bolts and in addition a loose pin with head inward has been left in outer truss of reinforcing.
		1630	This was burnt out by 231 C.Fd.Pk.Coy.RE with local REME cutting plant.
		1900	PAISLEY Bridge 150' T/D Class 40.
	11		2 Pl slept in morning as they had been working for 40 hours
	12	1100	Met rep of 577 Fd.CourRE on BORGO Bridge. He stated that he was to meeet rep of this Coy there at 1000 hrs to hand over maintenance of F.M.C. area. I have no knowledge of this.
		1200	Sent request for information to C.R.E.
BORGO S LORENZO	12		The Civil Labour unit have the greatest difficulty in producing labour for road works in BORGO. For 5 days I have been promised 50, in addition to those shewn on SITREP, and the net result is nil.
		1400	C.R.E. called O Group. 229 to take over maintenance F.M.C. area w.e.f. 0800 hrs 13 Oct, ARROW Route from 95 Northing to RAZZOLO (incl) and SUN Route BORGO - S PIETRO w.e.f. 1800 hrs 14 Oct.
		2230	Started work on 127 F.M.C. amn area where only night work is possible. 577 Fd Coy RE are leaving area to-morrow morning.
	13		There have now been 48 hours fine weather : a record for this month so far. The improvement in the road is unbelievable. 17 civilians available out of the 50 promised by Civil Labour unit BORGO.	A.F.W.3008 & 3009A
	15		BORGO N diversion opened and stood up to Class 9 traffic successfully.
BORGO S LORENZO	16		Took over RONTA Quarry. Installed 10 ton crusher, 10 RB, 2 dumpers. Output at start 90 tons as dug only. Lt.C.D. Wattleworth RE assumes command 3 Pl. Lt. MAS Williams RE to H.Q. as F.E.
	18		Drizzle. Diversion stands up to traffic and there is noticeably less congestion in BORGO. Lt.HS Barnes RE left for 7 days leave in ROME. Article on Bailey Suspension Bridge for RE Journal completed.
	19		The 19 RB working in BORGO has now delivered about 28 houses to various road jobs, 500-600 tons a day. Cross-roads Q.906886 in BORGO christened CHAOS CORNER and necessary notice boards erected.
	20		A definite improvement in the weather. ARROW route is dry. The Cantonieri make a very marked improvment in the drainage of the road and have now cleared 1½ miles N of BORGO
BORGO S LORENZO	20		They are better at the job than sappers in that they think more of the actual problem of getting the water off the road. An output of 200 tons a day is required from RONTA Quarry. I must have drills longer than 6 ft. but 16 Army Group RE cannot produce. The question of employing women is being considered and a start will be made next week using them under the Cantonieri. The Commune is serving notice on male labourer ordering them to report for land work. I have informed the Commune tht the operational need is even greater than the civil need. I could employ 500 men and I have 95.	A.Fs W.3008 & 3009A
RONTA	23	2300	Conference C.R.E. 229 to take over ARROW Route BORGO - CASAGLIA (incl) w.e.f. 0600 hrs. 25 Oct.
	24	1920	Summoned to H.Q. 16 Army Group RE and there saw C.R.E. and C.A.G.R.E. Am to build a Bailey Bridge on ACE Route at L.965095 across River SANTERNO. R.V. to-morrow on the site
RONTA	24	20.30	Issued orders to 2 Pl to move to site to-morrow.
	25	0800	Took C.A.G.R.E. to site of bridge and met C.R.E. and Lt.HODGES (2 Pl). D.7 and D.8 despatched by C.R.E. last night were held up at SCARPERIA by T.C. Cannot leave till to-night. Billets on ACE Route are well-nigh non-existent. Saw 2 i/c Welsh Guard and, as some of his men are moving out he gave me billets for 60 men.
		1500	2 Pl move in.
		1600	Brigade of Guards sent message stating billets now required by Grenadiers out of line. Fair, but a nuisance. Pouring with rain. 2 Pl to local mudpatch.
	26		Rain continues. River rose about 6 ft. and covered up site of proposed pier for Bailey Bridge. D.6 worked after arriving on site at 0530 hrs. Virgin rock encountered and proposed bridge must now be approx. spans from N to Sm 100', 130', 50'
BORGO S LORENZO	26		N pier to be 30' Bailey. S pier to be timber trestle or 20 ton bridging cribs. Advance party 1 Pl moved to bridge site.
		1930	Saw C.R.E. and confirmed design.
		2230	Message received from C.A.G.R.E. stating that another Bailey (S ANDREA) had been washed away on ACE Route and my task my be cancelled.
		2245	Sent out message cancelling move of main party 1 Pl.
FIRENZUOLA	27	1100	Attended meeting of Brig. Walker, C.A.G.R.E., Col from C.E. 5 Army. Decision; no bridge; partly due to washing away f bridge at S ANDREA and partly to change of opinion G and R.E. staffs 5 Army. Men very disappointed after mastering the mud particularly as waterproof clothing had been liberally supplied. Some 60 tons of stores had been delivered to the site. Most of it handed over to 230 A Fd Coy RE. Weather cleared about 1400 hrs but clouds at ground level in the mountain stretches of ACE Route. ACE Route is the worst main supply route we have been on, narrow, muddy, badly drained. It is interesting to note that from the U.S. point of view (C.E. 5 Army) ACE Route is a good two-way road, due to the performance of their 6 x 6 as compared with such British vehicles as 3 ton and 15 cwt. 4 x 2. There is a recovery vehicle evey mile for 6 miles out of SCARPERIA.	A.Fs W.3008 & 3009A
		1230	Ordered 2 Pl and advanced party 1 Pl to pack up and return to BORGO location.
		1500	Reported results of conference to C.R.E. New commitments ARROW Route PALUCCIANO - CASAGLIA including RONTA Quarry.
	28		2 Pl moved from L.966098 to Q.940939. 1 Pl moved from Q.910901 to Q.948948. D.A.D.L. cannot produce female labourers but I hope to have 200 civilians on ARROW Route w.e.f. 30 Oct.
	29		Coy H.Q. moved from Q.888881 to RONTA Q.944944
RONTA	30		1 Pl (Lt.HS Barnes RE) responsible for ARROW Route PALUCCIANO (incl) - RONTA Quarry (incl) and reconstruction of retaining wall at Q.960958. 2 Pl (Lt.R Hodges RE) responsible for ARROW Route RONTA Quarry (excl) to CASAGLIA (Excl) 3 Pl (Lt CD Wattleworth RE) responsible for P.O.L. Depot, Amn Depot, 127 F.M.C. area, VICCHIO.
	31	1115	O Group C.R.E. 229 to move to ACE Route to take over commitments of 577 Field Coy RE, probably maintenance of ACE Route from 11 Northing to CASTEL DEL RIO (excl)
		1230	Saw Pl Offrs and gave orders to move off about 0700 hrs 1 Nov.
		1245	Moved off to contact 577 with Lt. Hodges and Lt. Barnes.
MARODUCCIO		1500	Saw O.C. 577 Fd Coy RE on ACE Route. Position obscure as commitments not simple and length includes concreting of S ANDREA bridge by 56 Fd Coy RE and running of quarry for forward area generally. Arranged to take over ACE Route excl CASTEL DEL RIO and concreting task.
		1915	Reported H.Q. C.R.E. C.R.E out.
		2100	C.R.E. called at my H.Q. Provisionally confirmed my commitments but will meet me tomorrow at HQ. 577, now HQ Tac HQ CRE 13 Corps, Lt. Col Hawker R.E. Had just reached the 192 mark for employment of civilians on Arrow route which is the highest ever in this area. Considerable ??? work involved in sudden handovers as they are collected in numbers ranging from 5 - 40 from odd dwelling areas - time sheets - share rations etc. 2 i/c did handover. Arrow Route to 97 India Fd Coy & F.M.C. to 14 Indian Fd. Coy RE.	NOTE ORIGINAL WORKS SITREPS FOLIOS 27-63 ARE INCLUDED Alterations usually indicate the difference between one nights' sirep & the next.

NB - The last entry is hand written and difficult to decipher.

Folder also contains:

Situation Reports 37 to 66 on constuction work to H.Q. 16 Army Group RE. These detail job number, a description, location, when, percentage complete, civilian labour, plant and remarks.

Source: National Archives WO 170/1674