1st KOSB EXERCISES

EXERCISE BOUNCE BACK

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Chilgrove, South Downs

England

KOSB Carrier in Normandy

Exercise BOUNCE BACK was the second half of 18 April 1944's live firing on the South Downs above Chilgrove. At 1400 hrs, an hour after "B" Company finished Exercise BOUNCE, "D" Company formed up in Wildham Wood to the north-west as advance guard to the Battalion and advanced on the same old enemy defences at the earthworks on Stoughton Down, from the opposite direction.

A late amendment strengthened the exercise. "D" Company would now take its carrier, with a section of carriers and a section of 3-inch mortars (40 bombs) in support, and was ordered to keep at least 1,000 yards clear of its start wood until 1330 so it would not come under fire from "B" Company's exercise. The amendment also warned that a change of Brigade plan might turn "D" Company into the left flank guard of the Battalion.

As with BOUNCE, the five umpires all acted as safety officers, and two red Verey lights from Capt Sanderson were the signal to cease fire.

WAR DIARY - 1ST KOSB

18 April 1944

Ex BOUNCE and BOUNCE BACK for B and D Coys respectively. (See Appx B and C)

6 Officers and 6 O.Rs attended a lecture on Sniping by Major Wells at PETWORTH CAMP.

ENSA Concert in the N.A.A.F.I. in the evening.

18 avril 1944

Supporting Documents

APPX "C"

Subject:- Exercise "BOUNCE BACK" · A/9/164

To: OC "D" Coy

Capts Sanderson, Stonor, Skinner MM, Dove, J Gray (Umpires)

Sig Offr, MO, IO.

1. Exercise Instructions.

(a) At 1400 hrs 18 Apr D Coy, 4 SBs and 2 Sigs with 18 set will be at wood 249327 ready to move as an adv guard at 10 mins notice.

(b) Exercise will end at 1500 hrs.

(d) The Coy carrier will NOT be taken.

(e) Capt Gray will act as safety officer. On 18 Apr D Coy will not enter the fd firing area before 1400 hrs.

(f) Capt Sanderson will be prepared to give cease fire with 2 Red Verey lights. D Coy will NOT use Red Verey lights.

2. Gen Idea

(a) D Coy is the adv gd to the bn which is ½ mile to the NW.

(b) Supporting arms have not yet landed.

(d) There are no British tps on the flanks.

3. Special Idea

CO will give out orders at 1400 hrs on the ground.

4. Umpires

Umpires are reconnoitring the ground PM Sun Apr 16.

(Signed) J.B. Boyd, Capt., Adjt. 1 KOSB

Field, 15 Apr 44

–0–0–0–

APPX "C" (amendment)

Subject:- Exercise "BOUNCE BACK" · A/9/166

To: OC "D" Coy

Capts Sanderson, Stonor, Skinner MM, Dove, J. Gray (Umpires)

Sig Offr, MO, IO.

Amendment to previous instructions are given below:

1. Exercise Instructions

(a) The Coy carrier WILL be taken.

(b) "D" Coy gp will NOT be within 1000 yds of wood 249327 before 1330 hrs. This will ensure that they do not come under fire.

2. Gen plan

(a) One sec carriers, one sec mortars (40 bombs) will be in sp of D Coy. D Coy will arrange with S Coy for their move to the Field Firing area.

(b) A change of Brigade plan may take place. D Coy may have to act as left flank guard to the Bn.

(Signed) J.B. Boyd, Capt., Adjt. 1 KOSB

Field, 17 Apr 44

Map of Exercise BOUNCE BACK, 18 April 1944: 1st KOSB "D" Company advances south-east from Wildham Wood onto the same earthworks on Stoughton Down, with the 1,000-yard safety ring that kept it clear of "B" Company's fire.

OUR TAKE

The names say it all: BOUNCE went out to the earthworks and BOUNCE BACK came back at them from the other side. The amendment shows the exercise growing in the planning. D Company gained its carrier, a section of carriers and forty mortar bombs, and a hint that "a change of Brigade plan" might switch it to flank guard mid-exercise, a deliberate twist to test how quickly a company commander could adapt. The 1,000-yard rule kept D Company out of B Company's line of fire, a reminder that these were live rounds. The next day A and C Companies ran the same drill as DAD and SINNER.

Transcribed from the original War Diary and appendices, 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, April 1944 (War Diary 18 April 1944; Appx C, orders A/9/164, 15 April 1944, and A/9/166, 17 April 1944).

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