War Dairy 229 Army Field Company R.E.

War Dairy 229 Army Field Company R.E. - March 1945

Commanding Officer: Major F.E.Ladly RE

Place Date Hour Summary of Event and Information References to Appendix

CICLE IN CHIANTI 1 1 Pl (Lt.HS Barnes RE) location Q 914360. Training LEGNANO Combat Group under direction 52 British Liaison Unit. Training programme attached at Appendix J. Appendix Fos 26-30

CAMMAGIORE 1 2 Pl (Lt. R Hodges RE) location L991128. 3 Pl. (Lt.CD Wattleworth RE) location L980081. Working on ACE Route, boundaries as shewn in Sitrep. ACE Route is dusty and requires very little attention. Weather is suitable now for widening with M.E. and this is taking place in parts. Banks are retained by hurdles made by Fd. Park. The road is now very hard but very bumpy. Appendix Fo31

2 Fine and Warm. Normal road works. Boundaries changed w.e.f. 0200 hrs. see Sitrep. Appendix Fo32

3. Some rain night 2/3 and slight snow but no detriment to road and most signs gone by afternoon. AFs W 3008 & 3009A
Fos 16 & 21

CAMAGGIORE 3 Coy told of move to CAPUA 21 Mar to train in wet bridging including double landing bays 24 Mar - 1 Apr. Offrs told at "O" Group in evening.

4. Capt W.Wright RE on leave to FLORENCE for 4 days

5. Fine and warm. Only routine work in progress. New A.G.R.E. M.O. (Capt McAllen RAMC) called. Most inoculations of Coy are well up-to-date. Some difficulty in obtaining vaccination lymph but this is promised for 13 Mar.

6. O.C. visited 1 Pl. Italians were carrying out special mine gapping drill in preparation for visit of Prince Umberto. This did not materialise. Training notes on double landing bays and Class 70 Bailey Pontoon bridging issued to Pls. Instructions issued to Pls to carry out training i knots and lashings.

7. The dried mud is being removed from ACE Route, the sides haunched and some resurfacing with broken stone, gravel and mud to bind is being carried out. Stone is quarried by unit and broken by hand. Gravel is loaded from river bed by D.7. pushing up a ramp to discharge tovvehicles [sic]. Some crushed stone is obtained from 230 Fd Coy.RE. There has always been a need for water trailers in a Pl of a Fd Coy. This Coy has 3 but 8 Army have not authorised these and there appears likelihood of losing them. The Pls, having made them from scrap drawn from R.V. Parks take great interest in them and it will be a great pity if they are withdrawn. Life on this road is very quiet whilst the weather is fine. The surface remains very hard and dusty. Several retaining walls at the side of the road and being repaired by both unit and civilian masons.

8 1000 Conference at HQ RE to discuss retention of trailers in view of recent permitted variation to C.1098 as shown in Appendix J Appendix Fo50

CAMAGGIORE 8 Position with 229 now as attached Appendix J. Appendix Fo51

9 O.C. went to see 13 Corps Bridging Camp at PONTASSIEVE. It is hoped that Pls wil each go for a week starting 24 Mar to train in double landing bays, close support raft and F.B.E. Asked CRE to provide fittings and tanks for water sprayer.

10 Fine and dusty. Made improvised water tank from "S" tank on 3 ton lorry. Moderate success. AFs W 3008 & 3009A
Fos 17 & 22

11 Fine, bright sunshine. Temperature in Office Truck reached 75°F. Lieut Barnes as advance party reported at HQ. His pl arrives tomorrow from training LEGNANO Combat Group. Had recce made for rifle range. It is 9 months since men fired rifles. Found suitable 200 yard stretch - difficult to find in this semi-mountainous country.

12 Fine and hot. ACE Route dusty. Warer cart filled up to work with roller.

CAMMAGIORE 12 0800 "O" Group HQ RE. 22? will take over ACE Route Barry Br excl - Teuch and Co Sp incl w.e.f. 0700 hrs 14 in addition to existing task. 1 Pl returned from training Combat Group new location L986021.

13 1000 "O" Group HQ RE. Orders given to be prepared to move 21 Mar. No detail of role. Questions left for later decision - recall of men from courses - replacement of Carlikens and Piats - scout cars etc. Indents for deficiencies to be at BOWO tomorrow 1200 hrs. The Coy has now been on ACE Route for 4 months. As usual accomodation has steadily improved and we now have 3 Nissens, Two are used as a Coy Recreation Room.
Information from "O" Group is down to Company Comdrs level only.

1300 Meeting of Welfare Committee - minutes attached. Appendix J. Fo 52

1430 Arrangements made with REME 10 Ind Div to classify doubtful vehicles.

CAMMAGIORE 13 2100 Message from CRE - 1 Pl will NOT take over new commitments on ACE Route.

14 0900 "O" Group HQ RE date now 25. 15 copies of Staff Tables (Loading Tables) now required. Copy attached.
228 to collect men on courses including 3 full Sjts of this Coy. Permission given to inform 2ICs. All information has been verbal. Vehicles deficiencies sent to AGRE via CRE by morning DR. CQMS took deficiency lists for everthing else to BOWO by 1300 hrs. Cerlikons and Piats not considered essential. REME 10 Ind Div have classified 9 vehicles. 7 are Class II 2 are Class III. Told Whites or Chevs (15 cwt 4 x 4 personnel) are not likely to be available. CRE aske to obtain others in lieu. An NCO returned from SME to-day having been in transit for 14 days. Students take anything up to 20 days to travel here from SME at CAPUA. A protest has been forwarded to CRE Copy of students journey is attached.
Appendix J.Fo53
Appendix J.Fo 54

2045 "O" Group HQ RE. Lt. R Hodges RE posted to HQ 15 Army Group RE Branch to be Capt. He came to this Coy 23 Feb 43 straight from OCTU and UK. Was with 2 Pl all period. Men on courses including two training on rafting for PO crossing to be returned to unit by 20 Mar. Date of alertion may be advanced to 30 Reinforcement on way Lt. CJ Lakin RE. Number is over 330,000, so very junior Officer. For transport to be replaced BLR certificates are essential.

CAMMAGIORE 15 0830 Capt Wright sent to LAD and 13 Corps Wksps to try and obtain BLR certificates for water truck, one 15 cw GS, 3 White Scout Cars 2 winch 4 X 4 3 ton. Lt. JE Hill RE late CSM 230 Army Fd Coy RE reported as one of my Officers to-day. Assumed command of 2 Pl. Lt. PLA Wiliams RE in process of taking over 1 Pl from Lt. HS Barnes RE who will become an HQ subaltern.

CAMMAGIORE 15 Quiet day. Capt Wright saw ADME 13 Corps. Class III vehs likely to be BLR'd. Class II not. All Class III (2 winch 3 ton, 1 15 cwt GS and 1 15 cwt water) to 13 Corps Wksps tomorrow. BLR obtained for one White. Remainder being examined. Weather very hot. There is an inch of dust on the sides of ACE Route in places. Adjt phoned that NCOs would be returning on 20. 65% deficiencies to be available at OFP tomorrow. Shall collect 17 due to difficulties of traffic restrictions ACE Route i.e. to be at OFP tomorrow afternoon (20 miles) it is necessary to leave at 0430 hrs and it would not be possible to return before 0030 hrs the next day.

16 Routine work on roads. 2 Pl on range, rifle practices 1 - 4 S.A.T. Release note received for 2 Whites.

17. Fine and hot. Cold wind at times. 2 Whites collected ex 13 Corps Veh Park. Both second-hand ex Base Wksps. AFs W3008 & 3009A
Fos 18 & 23.

CAMMAGIORE 17 Stuffing out of seats and main windscreens ccracked. Inferior horns substituted, voltmeter missing. Mechanically a little better than those handed in by this Coy. Coy held concert at 1930 hrs.

18 Shower night 17/18. Suficient rain to keep down all dust. Normal routine. 229 and 231 Football match. Result 1 - 1. The traffic restrictions are such that the team left Coy HQ at 0400 hrs to play match 30 miles away at 1645 and arrived home 0100 hrs 19.

19. Fine day. Routine work on ACE Route. MT being repainted etc.

2000 "O" Group HQ RE. 229 to move to area CONTEA O17780 1:50,000 Sheet No.107-IV. Advance parties tomorrow. Main party on 21 but no times.

2230 Coy "O" roup. Advance Officer Lt. HS Barnes RE with PL and HQ raps.

CAMMAGIORE 20 0400 Advance party left for CONTEA. OC visited area. Layout of accomodation shown in Appendix J. Appendix Fo 55

20 2230 Received HSD/391 dated 6 Mar 45, Copy No.166. Only important points hands in TMCs and G.1098 explosives. Release for 11 vehs received.

21 1600 Company left. Route Card attached. Change of locations. Appendix J.Fo56

CONTEA 2000 Company arrived at new location.

2200 "O" Group Coy HQ. All pls settled in billets as in Appendix 55.

22 All TMCs returned to 13 Corps OFP. All G.1098 explosives and .45 TMC ammunition returned to Ammunition Depot 127 F.M.C. Coy collected 11 vehicles from 13 Corps Vehicle Park. All reserved by Wksps and though perhaps Class I mechanically some are in a shocking general state, rusty, deficient of windscreens, tilts, instruments and broken headlamps. This applies particularly to White Scout Cars, one of which broke down on way back due to electrical trouble. MT position is shown in loading table attached at Appendix J.
CRE had "O" Groups at 0900 and 1600 hrs. HSD/391 explained to 230 and 231 as their copy had not been received. Route and timings given at 1600 hrs. Route card attached at 25 Mar which is date of move.
Appendix Fo53.

23 Uneventful day. Pls checking kit and holding inspections.

HELETIA FLORENCE 1800 Farewell party to 229, 230 and 231 by CAGRE 16 Army Group RE.
All maps of Italy except LEGHORN sheet returned to 16 AGRE.

24 Fine and warm. OC held inspection parade of whole Coy.
Route Cards issued. Pls preparing quietly for move.
AFs W3008 & 3009A
Fos 19 & 24.

25 Fine, bright sunshine. Coy moved to concentration area known as Harrods near LEGHORN map ref. Q.9905. Route Card attached.
Tented camp available complete with cookhouses and latrines but no ablutions. Journey completed with incident and on time.
Appendix J.Fo 57-58

HARRODS STAGING AREA 26 Attended conference at 1000 hrs. Details of routine given by C.O. of camp. No information concerning move yet. Coy digging drainage trenches round tent in morning. 60 men visited PISA in afternoon, rmainder [sic] of Coy on entertainment and sport. Some lilght showers during night 25/26. Dull during day.

27 Dull, some showers night 26/27. Heavy rain late morning and afternoon.

28 Dull and showery. Opportunity taken to have Coy parade. First time for nine months. Recreational training in afternoon. O.C. visited ADOS 60 Sub Area to try and obtain deficiencies. Main items available 4 containers 6 gallons and rubber water bottle stoppers. Existing major deficiencies see Appendix.

29 Fine, warm. All vehicles cleaned up. Vehicle Shipment Cards (made by Unit) fixed to all vehicles.
Parade in morning. Conservancy. Recreational training in afternoon. Talk on Social Security to Pls by Lt. Wattleworth. Some air mail delivered - presumably through PISA.

30 Fine, warm. CRE inspected Coy 0915. Soccer and Rugger matches played during day with Formation Units. Still no sign of movement.

31 Fine, warm. Usual parade in morning - taken by 2 i/c for training. Training of drivers in map reading started under 2 i/c. AFs W3008 & 3009A
Fos 20 & 25.

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Event and Information	References to Appendix
CICLE IN CHIANTI	1		1 Pl (Lt.HS Barnes RE) location Q 914360. Training LEGNANO Combat Group under direction 52 British Liaison Unit. Training programme attached at Appendix J.	Appendix Fos 26-30
CAMMAGIORE	1		2 Pl (Lt. R Hodges RE) location L991128. 3 Pl. (Lt.CD Wattleworth RE) location L980081. Working on ACE Route, boundaries as shewn in Sitrep. ACE Route is dusty and requires very little attention. Weather is suitable now for widening with M.E. and this is taking place in parts. Banks are retained by hurdles made by Fd. Park. The road is now very hard but very bumpy.	Appendix Fo31
	2		Fine and Warm. Normal road works. Boundaries changed w.e.f. 0200 hrs. see Sitrep.	Appendix Fo32
	3.		Some rain night 2/3 and slight snow but no detriment to road and most signs gone by afternoon.	AFs W 3008 & 3009A Fos 16 & 21
CAMAGGIORE	3		Coy told of move to CAPUA 21 Mar to train in wet bridging including double landing bays 24 Mar - 1 Apr. Offrs told at "O" Group in evening.
	4.		Capt W.Wright RE on leave to FLORENCE for 4 days
	5.		Fine and warm. Only routine work in progress. New A.G.R.E. M.O. (Capt McAllen RAMC) called. Most inoculations of Coy are well up-to-date. Some difficulty in obtaining vaccination lymph but this is promised for 13 Mar.
	6.		O.C. visited 1 Pl. Italians were carrying out special mine gapping drill in preparation for visit of Prince Umberto. This did not materialise. Training notes on double landing bays and Class 70 Bailey Pontoon bridging issued to Pls. Instructions issued to Pls to carry out training i knots and lashings.
	7.		The dried mud is being removed from ACE Route, the sides haunched and some resurfacing with broken stone, gravel and mud to bind is being carried out. Stone is quarried by unit and broken by hand. Gravel is loaded from river bed by D.7. pushing up a ramp to discharge tovvehicles [sic]. Some crushed stone is obtained from 230 Fd Coy.RE. There has always been a need for water trailers in a Pl of a Fd Coy. This Coy has 3 but 8 Army have not authorised these and there appears likelihood of losing them. The Pls, having made them from scrap drawn from R.V. Parks take great interest in them and it will be a great pity if they are withdrawn. Life on this road is very quiet whilst the weather is fine. The surface remains very hard and dusty. Several retaining walls at the side of the road and being repaired by both unit and civilian masons.
	8	1000	Conference at HQ RE to discuss retention of trailers in view of recent permitted variation to C.1098 as shown in Appendix J	Appendix Fo50
CAMAGGIORE	8		Position with 229 now as attached Appendix J.	Appendix Fo51
	9		O.C. went to see 13 Corps Bridging Camp at PONTASSIEVE. It is hoped that Pls wil each go for a week starting 24 Mar to train in double landing bays, close support raft and F.B.E. Asked CRE to provide fittings and tanks for water sprayer.
	10		Fine and dusty. Made improvised water tank from "S" tank on 3 ton lorry. Moderate success.	AFs W 3008 & 3009A Fos 17 & 22
	11		Fine, bright sunshine. Temperature in Office Truck reached 75°F. Lieut Barnes as advance party reported at HQ. His pl arrives tomorrow from training LEGNANO Combat Group. Had recce made for rifle range. It is 9 months since men fired rifles. Found suitable 200 yard stretch - difficult to find in this semi-mountainous country.
	12		Fine and hot. ACE Route dusty. Warer cart filled up to work with roller.
CAMMAGIORE	12	0800	"O" Group HQ RE. 22? will take over ACE Route Barry Br excl - Teuch and Co Sp incl w.e.f. 0700 hrs 14 in addition to existing task. 1 Pl returned from training Combat Group new location L986021.
	13	1000	"O" Group HQ RE. Orders given to be prepared to move 21 Mar. No detail of role. Questions left for later decision - recall of men from courses - replacement of Carlikens and Piats - scout cars etc. Indents for deficiencies to be at BOWO tomorrow 1200 hrs. The Coy has now been on ACE Route for 4 months. As usual accomodation has steadily improved and we now have 3 Nissens, Two are used as a Coy Recreation Room. Information from "O" Group is down to Company Comdrs level only.
		1300	Meeting of Welfare Committee - minutes attached.	Appendix J. Fo 52
		1430	Arrangements made with REME 10 Ind Div to classify doubtful vehicles.
CAMMAGIORE	13	2100	Message from CRE - 1 Pl will NOT take over new commitments on ACE Route.
	14	0900	"O" Group HQ RE date now 25. 15 copies of Staff Tables (Loading Tables) now required. Copy attached. 228 to collect men on courses including 3 full Sjts of this Coy. Permission given to inform 2ICs. All information has been verbal. Vehicles deficiencies sent to AGRE via CRE by morning DR. CQMS took deficiency lists for everthing else to BOWO by 1300 hrs. Cerlikons and Piats not considered essential. REME 10 Ind Div have classified 9 vehicles. 7 are Class II 2 are Class III. Told Whites or Chevs (15 cwt 4 x 4 personnel) are not likely to be available. CRE aske to obtain others in lieu. An NCO returned from SME to-day having been in transit for 14 days. Students take anything up to 20 days to travel here from SME at CAPUA. A protest has been forwarded to CRE Copy of students journey is attached.	Appendix J.Fo53 Appendix J.Fo 54
		2045	"O" Group HQ RE. Lt. R Hodges RE posted to HQ 15 Army Group RE Branch to be Capt. He came to this Coy 23 Feb 43 straight from OCTU and UK. Was with 2 Pl all period. Men on courses including two training on rafting for PO crossing to be returned to unit by 20 Mar. Date of alertion may be advanced to 30 Reinforcement on way Lt. CJ Lakin RE. Number is over 330,000, so very junior Officer. For transport to be replaced BLR certificates are essential.
CAMMAGIORE	15	0830	Capt Wright sent to LAD and 13 Corps Wksps to try and obtain BLR certificates for water truck, one 15 cw GS, 3 White Scout Cars 2 winch 4 X 4 3 ton. Lt. JE Hill RE late CSM 230 Army Fd Coy RE reported as one of my Officers to-day. Assumed command of 2 Pl. Lt. PLA Wiliams RE in process of taking over 1 Pl from Lt. HS Barnes RE who will become an HQ subaltern.
CAMMAGIORE	15		Quiet day. Capt Wright saw ADME 13 Corps. Class III vehs likely to be BLR'd. Class II not. All Class III (2 winch 3 ton, 1 15 cwt GS and 1 15 cwt water) to 13 Corps Wksps tomorrow. BLR obtained for one White. Remainder being examined. Weather very hot. There is an inch of dust on the sides of ACE Route in places. Adjt phoned that NCOs would be returning on 20. 65% deficiencies to be available at OFP tomorrow. Shall collect 17 due to difficulties of traffic restrictions ACE Route i.e. to be at OFP tomorrow afternoon (20 miles) it is necessary to leave at 0430 hrs and it would not be possible to return before 0030 hrs the next day.
	16		Routine work on roads. 2 Pl on range, rifle practices 1 - 4 S.A.T. Release note received for 2 Whites.
	17.		Fine and hot. Cold wind at times. 2 Whites collected ex 13 Corps Veh Park. Both second-hand ex Base Wksps.	AFs W3008 & 3009A Fos 18 & 23.
CAMMAGIORE	17		Stuffing out of seats and main windscreens ccracked. Inferior horns substituted, voltmeter missing. Mechanically a little better than those handed in by this Coy. Coy held concert at 1930 hrs.
	18		Shower night 17/18. Suficient rain to keep down all dust. Normal routine. 229 and 231 Football match. Result 1 - 1. The traffic restrictions are such that the team left Coy HQ at 0400 hrs to play match 30 miles away at 1645 and arrived home 0100 hrs 19.
	19.		Fine day. Routine work on ACE Route. MT being repainted etc.
		2000	"O" Group HQ RE. 229 to move to area CONTEA O17780 1:50,000 Sheet No.107-IV. Advance parties tomorrow. Main party on 21 but no times.
		2230	Coy "O" roup. Advance Officer Lt. HS Barnes RE with PL and HQ raps.
CAMMAGIORE	20	0400	Advance party left for CONTEA. OC visited area. Layout of accomodation shown in Appendix J.	Appendix Fo 55
	20	2230	Received HSD/391 dated 6 Mar 45, Copy No.166. Only important points hands in TMCs and G.1098 explosives. Release for 11 vehs received.
	21	1600	Company left. Route Card attached. Change of locations.	Appendix J.Fo56
CONTEA		2000	Company arrived at new location.
		2200	"O" Group Coy HQ. All pls settled in billets as in Appendix 55.
	22		All TMCs returned to 13 Corps OFP. All G.1098 explosives and .45 TMC ammunition returned to Ammunition Depot 127 F.M.C. Coy collected 11 vehicles from 13 Corps Vehicle Park. All reserved by Wksps and though perhaps Class I mechanically some are in a shocking general state, rusty, deficient of windscreens, tilts, instruments and broken headlamps. This applies particularly to White Scout Cars, one of which broke down on way back due to electrical trouble. MT position is shown in loading table attached at Appendix J. CRE had "O" Groups at 0900 and 1600 hrs. HSD/391 explained to 230 and 231 as their copy had not been received. Route and timings given at 1600 hrs. Route card attached at 25 Mar which is date of move.	Appendix Fo53.
	23		Uneventful day. Pls checking kit and holding inspections.
HELETIA FLORENCE		1800	Farewell party to 229, 230 and 231 by CAGRE 16 Army Group RE. All maps of Italy except LEGHORN sheet returned to 16 AGRE.
	24		Fine and warm. OC held inspection parade of whole Coy. Route Cards issued. Pls preparing quietly for move.	AFs W3008 & 3009A Fos 19 & 24.
	25		Fine, bright sunshine. Coy moved to concentration area known as Harrods near LEGHORN map ref. Q.9905. Route Card attached. Tented camp available complete with cookhouses and latrines but no ablutions. Journey completed with incident and on time.	Appendix J.Fo 57-58
HARRODS STAGING AREA	26		Attended conference at 1000 hrs. Details of routine given by C.O. of camp. No information concerning move yet. Coy digging drainage trenches round tent in morning. 60 men visited PISA in afternoon, rmainder [sic] of Coy on entertainment and sport. Some lilght showers during night 25/26. Dull during day.
	27		Dull, some showers night 26/27. Heavy rain late morning and afternoon.
	28		Dull and showery. Opportunity taken to have Coy parade. First time for nine months. Recreational training in afternoon. O.C. visited ADOS 60 Sub Area to try and obtain deficiencies. Main items available 4 containers 6 gallons and rubber water bottle stoppers. Existing major deficiencies see Appendix.
	29		Fine, warm. All vehicles cleaned up. Vehicle Shipment Cards (made by Unit) fixed to all vehicles. Parade in morning. Conservancy. Recreational training in afternoon. Talk on Social Security to Pls by Lt. Wattleworth. Some air mail delivered - presumably through PISA.
	30		Fine, warm. CRE inspected Coy 0915. Soccer and Rugger matches played during day with Formation Units. Still no sign of movement.
	31		Fine, warm. Usual parade in morning - taken by 2 i/c for training. Training of drivers in map reading started under 2 i/c.	AFs W3008 & 3009A Fos 20 & 25.

Folder also contains:

Memo Engineer Training.

Report on 51st Engineer Bn, Legnano Combat Group.

Proceedings of Welfare Meeting.

Loading Table.

Allocation of Billets, Contea.

Route Card.

Source: National Archives WO 170/5207