1944 - 1949
The definitive research resource for the 1st KOSB from 1944-1949
1st KOSB EXERCISES
EXERCISE FOURDRIVE
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Selkirk area, Scottish Borders
Scotland
IWM 1st KOSB Jeep maintenance, Denmead, 29th April 1944.
On Friday 25 February 1944, while the Battalion was still at Selkirk, 9th Infantry Brigade Group held a jeep trial code-named "FOURDRIVE". It was a cross-country course of not less than ten miles, organised, in the words of the order, "for trg purposes and to encourage interest in Jeeps".
1st KOSB entered at least four jeeps, chosen by the MTO from C, D, HQ and S Companies. Each jeep had to be standard, with windscreens up, no skid chains, its usual driver at the wheel and two passengers aboard. Every crew started with 100 marks and lost one for each minute over the scheduled time and five for stopping in an observed section.
An elimination test at the finish would settle any ties.
Lt H.A. Richardson was Marshal for the trial, with five NCOs from the Battalion as assistant marshals. Bde HQ laid on a hot meal at the finish.
WAR DIARY - 1ST KOSB
25 February 1944
Training Normal.
Lieut F.B. Hindmarsh the Bn I.O. left to join HQ 2nd Army as interrogation Officer.
Ex FOURDRIVE see appendix D.
25 February 1944
25 February 1944
Supporting Documents
APPENDIX 'D'
Subject:- 9 Br Inf Bde Gp JEEP Trg Trial "FOURDRIVE".
URGENT. A/35/27
Os.C. "C" "D" "HQ" & "S" Coys.
P.R.I., M.T.O., Lt. Richardson, Messing Offr.
1. DESCRIPTION.
The trial will take the form of a cross country course of not less than 10 miles. Start 1000 hrs Fri 25 Feb 44 from a location to be notified later, Jeeps and crews to report by 0930 hrs.
There will be an elimination test at the end of the course to decide ties.
2. ENTRIES.
A minimum of 4 Jeeps will be entered. If it is desired to enter more than this number, this HQ will be informed.
MTO will be responsible for the selection of entries and will fwd names of drivers to this HQ by 21 Feb 44.
Each Jeep will be standard complete with tool kit and accessories. Spare wheel need not be carried. Windscreens may not be lowered and skid chains may not be fitted. Jeeps will be driven by their usual driver and two other passengers will be carried. Tyre pressures will be standard.
3. MARKING.
Each Jeep will start with 100 marks. One mark will be deducted for each minute or part thereof a Jeep takes in excess of the schedule time for the course. There will be certain marked observed sections, any Jeep stopping within such section will lose 5 marks. Time will be the deciding factor in the special test.
4. NUMBERS.
Competitors' nos. will be notified 2 clear days before the trial. These will be painted in white 6" figures in front on the metal lower part of the windscreen, and in rear on the back of the vehicle.
5. MARSHALS.
Lieut. H.A. Richardson will act as Marshal for the Trial. He will attend conference at HQ 9th Br Inf Bde at 1000 hrs 21 Feb 44.
NCOs to act as assistant marshals will be provided as follows:- 'C' Coy – 1 NCO; 'D' Coy – 1 NCO; 'HQ' Coy – 1 NCO; 'S' Coy – 2 NCOs.
Names will be fwd direct to Lt. Richardson by 21 Feb 44.
6. DISCIPLINE.
The trial is organised for trg purposes and to encourage interest in Jeeps. Greatest care will be observed throughout, dangerous [driving] will involve disqualification. Outside assistance is barred, though members of the crew may assist but not drive.
7. PRIZE.
PRI will donate 1/- per Jeep entered to form a prize fund. The prize will take the form of cigarettes to the winning driver. Donations to be handed to the Clerk of the Course at the start by Lieut. Richardson.
8. ADM.
MTO will detail one 15 cwt with fitter and ample fuel supply to act as tender.
Hot meal at finish is being provided by Bde HQ for competitors and umpires. Rations will be underdrawn for this meal.
Selkirk.
19 Feb 44.
(Signed) J.B. Boyd, Capt., Adjt. 1 K.O.S.B.
Words in [square brackets] are added for sense.
*NO ROUTE GIVEN. How Exercise FOURDRIVE was scored: each jeep started with 100 marks, lost one for every minute over schedule and five for stopping in an observed section, and carried white competitor numbers front and rear. From 1 KOSB order A/35/27, 19 February 1944.
OUR TAKE
FOURDRIVE is a reminder that not every exercise was a battle rehearsal. This one was a competition, run by the Brigade "to encourage interest in Jeeps", with a prize of cigarettes paid for by a shilling a jeep from the Regimental Institute. The rules are those of a civilian motor trial: start with 100 marks, lose them for lateness or for stopping in an observed section, and settle ties with a special test at the finish. They are also practical: windscreens up, no chains, normal tyre pressures, so the trial tested jeeps as they would be driven on operations. Lt Richardson, the Marshal here, appears again in April on Exercises DAD and FABIUS. The same War Diary entry records Lt F.B. Hindmarsh, the Battalion Intelligence Officer, leaving to become an interrogation officer at HQ Second Army. The result of the trial is not recorded in the order.
Transcribed from the original War Diary and appendices, 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, February 1944 (Appendix D, order A/35/27, Selkirk, 19 February 1944).