War Dairy 229 Army Field Company R.E.

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

Commanding Officer: Major F.E.Ladly RE

Place Date Hour Summary of Event and Information References to Appendix

IBBENBUREN
V990089 1 1 Pl (Lt PLA Williams) IBBENBUREN V 9909989 working on bridges 13 and 14
2 Pl (Lt JE Hill) NEUENKIRCHEN W 0725 working on bridges 16, 17, 18 and 9
3 Pl (Lt CD Wattleworth) RHEINE V 845107 working on bridges 125, and 126.
Sitrep (Appendix 'J') gives location of bridges.
Major F.E. Ladly R.E. goes to H.Q. 2 G.H.Q. Troops R.E. to be A/CRE during absence of Lt. Col. T.H. Hargreaves R.E. on U.K. leave.
12 I.W.T. (Capt Harris) asks for removal of brs 127 and 132, and possibly three more bridges on DORTMUND-EMS Canal (to be verified later).
Bridges 14 and 18 completed.

2 M.T. Cpl, 2 Drivers, and 2 Sappers arrived from disbanded 570 Field Park Coy RE.
2 No. A.Vs. R.E. borrowed from 26 Armd Sqdn of 59 G.H.Q. Tps R.E. for work with 2 Pl who are short of M.E.

3. 12 I.W.T. say NO work required on the three bridges (11, 12 and 13) DORTMUND-EMS Canal.
Bridge 19 complete. Weather cold.

4. Brs 127 and 132 handed over to 510 Field Coy of 59 G.H.Q. Troops (who it is understood are under command of 2 G.H.Q. Tps).
2 Pl begin work on bridges 71 and 72 (OSNABRUCK Branch Canal).
Lt. JE Hill returns from U.K. leave.
2 more A.Vs.R.E. arrive from 26 Armd Sqdn 59 G.H.Q. Troops for work with 3 Pl.
4 Class 'B' Bulk Releases turned down by men with low Age & Service Groups.

5. Lt. A.M.Green R.E. to ANTWERP for A.V.R.E. and M.E. spares for this Coy and 230 Fd Coy.

6. Works are practically complete in this area. 7 bulldozers reported surplus. Brs 6, 8 and 13 complete.
Recreational training in afternoon.
A.F.Ws 3008 and 3009

7. Day off - no work.

8. Lt.Wattleworth recces for new billets in HAMELIN area which are to be winter quarters. Make appointment with Town Major HOLZMINDEN for Monday next. Br 126 complete. M.T. Sjt, a L/Sjt and 4 O.Rs despatched on Class A Release (17 & 18).
Loaned 2 No. 3 Tonners to help C.R.E.'s HQ move to HAMELIN area. 1st batch of LILOP personnel returned.

9. Col Miller (Comd 13 AGRE) and Major Ladly (A/CRE) visit Coy - stay to lunch and see bridge sites in afternoon. Lt. Green back from ANTWERP - store following.
Coy to build High Level Bailey at ?RAMSCHE to replace Low Level Bailey. Design submitted. Stores from low level will be used and one week's notice must be given and approval received before closing road.

10 Lt. Wattleworth proceeds on U.K. leave.
Audit Board examines P.R.I. Sjts and Officers Mess Accounts, Bridge 17 completed.
1 Plumber posted to 761 A.W.Coy on 30 Corps Posting Order.
Lt. Lakin recces RINTELN area near HAMELIN for billets - no success. Town Major in that area has just taken over and does not know what accommodation is available.

MINDEN 11. Stores List ot C.R.E. for HIGH LEVEL Bailey Br BRAMSCHE.
3 Pl to recce billets at BRAMSCHE for themselves and a detachment of 190 Coy Pioneer Corps.
November leave requirements (54 men) submitted to C.R.E. This is the third cycle and men must have had a months break in between leaves.

IBBENBUREN 12 Bridge 72 complete.
Lt. Lakin to BAD HARZBURG on 72 hours Short Leave.

13 Lt. H.S.Barnes (A/O.C.) reports to HERFORD for interview for German speacking personnel for Intelligence appointments. Turns it down. Lt. PLA Williams returned from UK leave.
Recreational training in afternoon
AFs W 3008 and 3009

14 Day off - no work.

15 Design for BRAMSCHE Bailey Br rejected. New bridge to be QUADRUPLE single as per new instructions on Bailey Bridging by 21 Army Group which this Unit has never seen. Copy has been asked for. Target date for canal clearance.
3 Pl move to new location at BRAMSCHE (W 131212).
One O.R. (Age & Service Group 23) accepts Class 'B' Individual Release.

16 3 Pl to maintain and paint High Level Bailey Br at ENGTER. This will probably keep them busy until design for BRAMSCHE Bailey is approved.
Bridge 16 complete, and last of 229's removal obstructions in this area. Lt. Lakin returns from BAD HARZBURG.

17. 5 Transporters arrive to take away surplus dozers.
German Engineer asks for assistance in removing two bays of decking at Br 9.
Work on removal of civilian bridges is not finished to schedule, and will take at least another week.
Coy dance tonight 1900 -2200 (German Curfew 2215). This is the first dance to which German girls have been invited.
Second LILOP party returned.
1st Class 'B' man from this unit despatched on release.

18 Major F.E.Ladly returns to Coy from C.R.E.
1 Pl commence work removing 2 bays of decking at TN Br 9
Construction detail of Q/S Bailey Br Construction today received from C.R.E. BRAMSCHE High Level can now be re-designed.

19 26 Armd Sqn R.E. collected two more A.Vs.R.E. This leaves one AVRE belonging to 26 Armd Sqn RE with 2 Pl.

19 Recreational training - football AFW 3008 and 3009

21 No work

22 Complaint received re billets in MINDEN, lodged by Military Government Economy Div H.Q. - entirely unjustified.

23 'O' Group H.Q. R.E. Plans for the winter campaign were discussed. Formation Trades Training School proposed for Carpenters, Bricklayers, and metal trades. Proposals for hobby clubs and entertainments. Toy to be made within Coys.

24 Work is now almost at a standstill except for BRAMSCHE BAILEY. (See Sitreps) Appendix 'J'

25 Work on brs now nearing completion in this Sector. It is estimated that 3 of the last remaining 7 bridges will be completed this week.

26 Major F.E.Ladly taken ill.

27 Major Ladly ill.
5 P.O.W. Welders reported absent. This now leaves only 12 of the original 20.
Brs. 9, 11, and 15 completed. Only Br 71 of 229's own committments [sic] now outstanding and 3 brs being carried out by civilians for ?? under 229 supervision.

28 Sunday. Najor F.E.Ladly admitted to 25 Gen Hospital MUNSTER.
Lt. H.S.Barnes assumes command pending the return of Capt. W. Wright from LILOP. He is expected within 48 hrs.
A.F.W. 3008 and 3009

29 1 Pl. and AVRE advance party move off to new location. HESS OLDENDORF. Notification from CRE that 190 Coy Pnr Corps are released from all committments [sic]. This now means that only R.E. labour is available for the erection of the High level Bailey Bridge at BRASMSCHE.

30 1 Pl. and AVRE packing ready for move to HESS OLDENDORF.

31 Capt Wright returned from LILOP. AVRE and 1 Pl. move to HESS OLDENDORF. Instructions received to clear demolished road bridge at HAMELIN.

Folder also contains:

Reports on Bridge Construction.

Source: National Archives WO 171/5509

Place	Date	Summary of Event and Information	References to Appendix
IBBENBUREN V990089	1	1 Pl (Lt PLA Williams) IBBENBUREN V 9909989 working on bridges 13 and 14 2 Pl (Lt JE Hill) NEUENKIRCHEN W 0725 working on bridges 16, 17, 18 and 9 3 Pl (Lt CD Wattleworth) RHEINE V 845107 working on bridges 125, and 126. Sitrep (Appendix 'J') gives location of bridges. Major F.E. Ladly R.E. goes to H.Q. 2 G.H.Q. Troops R.E. to be A/CRE during absence of Lt. Col. T.H. Hargreaves R.E. on U.K. leave. 12 I.W.T. (Capt Harris) asks for removal of brs 127 and 132, and possibly three more bridges on DORTMUND-EMS Canal (to be verified later). Bridges 14 and 18 completed.
	2	M.T. Cpl, 2 Drivers, and 2 Sappers arrived from disbanded 570 Field Park Coy RE. 2 No. A.Vs. R.E. borrowed from 26 Armd Sqdn of 59 G.H.Q. Tps R.E. for work with 2 Pl who are short of M.E.
	3.	12 I.W.T. say NO work required on the three bridges (11, 12 and 13) DORTMUND-EMS Canal. Bridge 19 complete. Weather cold.
	4.	Brs 127 and 132 handed over to 510 Field Coy of 59 G.H.Q. Troops (who it is understood are under command of 2 G.H.Q. Tps). 2 Pl begin work on bridges 71 and 72 (OSNABRUCK Branch Canal). Lt. JE Hill returns from U.K. leave. 2 more A.Vs.R.E. arrive from 26 Armd Sqdn 59 G.H.Q. Troops for work with 3 Pl. 4 Class 'B' Bulk Releases turned down by men with low Age & Service Groups.
	5.	Lt. A.M.Green R.E. to ANTWERP for A.V.R.E. and M.E. spares for this Coy and 230 Fd Coy.
	6.	Works are practically complete in this area. 7 bulldozers reported surplus. Brs 6, 8 and 13 complete. Recreational training in afternoon.	A.F.Ws 3008 and 3009
	7.	Day off - no work.
	8.	Lt.Wattleworth recces for new billets in HAMELIN area which are to be winter quarters. Make appointment with Town Major HOLZMINDEN for Monday next. Br 126 complete. M.T. Sjt, a L/Sjt and 4 O.Rs despatched on Class A Release (17 & 18). Loaned 2 No. 3 Tonners to help C.R.E.'s HQ move to HAMELIN area. 1st batch of LILOP personnel returned.
	9.	Col Miller (Comd 13 AGRE) and Major Ladly (A/CRE) visit Coy - stay to lunch and see bridge sites in afternoon. Lt. Green back from ANTWERP - store following. Coy to build High Level Bailey at ?RAMSCHE to replace Low Level Bailey. Design submitted. Stores from low level will be used and one week's notice must be given and approval received before closing road.
	10	Lt. Wattleworth proceeds on U.K. leave. Audit Board examines P.R.I. Sjts and Officers Mess Accounts, Bridge 17 completed. 1 Plumber posted to 761 A.W.Coy on 30 Corps Posting Order. Lt. Lakin recces RINTELN area near HAMELIN for billets - no success. Town Major in that area has just taken over and does not know what accommodation is available.
MINDEN	11.	Stores List ot C.R.E. for HIGH LEVEL Bailey Br BRAMSCHE. 3 Pl to recce billets at BRAMSCHE for themselves and a detachment of 190 Coy Pioneer Corps. November leave requirements (54 men) submitted to C.R.E. This is the third cycle and men must have had a months break in between leaves.
IBBENBUREN	12	Bridge 72 complete. Lt. Lakin to BAD HARZBURG on 72 hours Short Leave.
	13	Lt. H.S.Barnes (A/O.C.) reports to HERFORD for interview for German speacking personnel for Intelligence appointments. Turns it down. Lt. PLA Williams returned from UK leave. Recreational training in afternoon	AFs W 3008 and 3009
	14	Day off - no work.
	15	Design for BRAMSCHE Bailey Br rejected. New bridge to be QUADRUPLE single as per new instructions on Bailey Bridging by 21 Army Group which this Unit has never seen. Copy has been asked for. Target date for canal clearance. 3 Pl move to new location at BRAMSCHE (W 131212). One O.R. (Age & Service Group 23) accepts Class 'B' Individual Release.
	16	3 Pl to maintain and paint High Level Bailey Br at ENGTER. This will probably keep them busy until design for BRAMSCHE Bailey is approved. Bridge 16 complete, and last of 229's removal obstructions in this area. Lt. Lakin returns from BAD HARZBURG.
	17.	5 Transporters arrive to take away surplus dozers. German Engineer asks for assistance in removing two bays of decking at Br 9. Work on removal of civilian bridges is not finished to schedule, and will take at least another week. Coy dance tonight 1900 -2200 (German Curfew 2215). This is the first dance to which German girls have been invited. Second LILOP party returned. 1st Class 'B' man from this unit despatched on release.
	18	Major F.E.Ladly returns to Coy from C.R.E. 1 Pl commence work removing 2 bays of decking at TN Br 9 Construction detail of Q/S Bailey Br Construction today received from C.R.E. BRAMSCHE High Level can now be re-designed.
	19	26 Armd Sqn R.E. collected two more A.Vs.R.E. This leaves one AVRE belonging to 26 Armd Sqn RE with 2 Pl.
	19	Recreational training - football	AFW 3008 and 3009
	21	No work
	22	Complaint received re billets in MINDEN, lodged by Military Government Economy Div H.Q. - entirely unjustified.
	23	'O' Group H.Q. R.E. Plans for the winter campaign were discussed. Formation Trades Training School proposed for Carpenters, Bricklayers, and metal trades. Proposals for hobby clubs and entertainments. Toy to be made within Coys.
	24	Work is now almost at a standstill except for BRAMSCHE BAILEY. (See Sitreps)	Appendix 'J'
	25	Work on brs now nearing completion in this Sector. It is estimated that 3 of the last remaining 7 bridges will be completed this week.
	26	Major F.E.Ladly taken ill.
	27	Major Ladly ill. 5 P.O.W. Welders reported absent. This now leaves only 12 of the original 20. Brs. 9, 11, and 15 completed. Only Br 71 of 229's own committments [sic] now outstanding and 3 brs being carried out by civilians for ?? under 229 supervision.
	28	Sunday. Najor F.E.Ladly admitted to 25 Gen Hospital MUNSTER. Lt. H.S.Barnes assumes command pending the return of Capt. W. Wright from LILOP. He is expected within 48 hrs.	A.F.W. 3008 and 3009
	29	1 Pl. and AVRE advance party move off to new location. HESS OLDENDORF. Notification from CRE that 190 Coy Pnr Corps are released from all committments [sic]. This now means that only R.E. labour is available for the erection of the High level Bailey Bridge at BRASMSCHE.
	30	1 Pl. and AVRE packing ready for move to HESS OLDENDORF.
	31	Capt Wright returned from LILOP. AVRE and 1 Pl. move to HESS OLDENDORF. Instructions received to clear demolished road bridge at HAMELIN.